Do Something!

Have you ever prayed, “God why don’t You do something about this situation?”  I know I have. 

Looking around this world in distress you might think that God has forgotten about His creation, but you can be sure He hasn’t.   

The problem is that we don’t get it … that God has already done something when He placed you and me in this particular time period of history. 

Jesus says, “I have done something. I created you to carry on My work.”  We don’t have to carry this message of joy to the world, we get to do it!

With the message of starting a *spiritual fire still on our minds, that’s what we did last weekend.  We did something, and gave God His praise.  It was a most wonderful weekend with the Lord’s favor falling all around us, with blessings as we carried the message of Christ the Savior is born.  May I share what happened with you?

Welcome new friends this week from:

See if your city/state/country made the list.

 

New on DFB – Jalalabad, Nangarhar, Afghanistan; Brighton & Ludlow, England, Wiveliscombe, UK; Calgary & Rossland, BC, Canada; Yokosuka-shi, Kanagawa, Japan; Toledo, Castilla-La Mancha & Benalmadena, Andalucia, Spain; Belgrade, Serbia; New Plymouth, Taranaki, New Zealand; Sevastopol. Ukraine; Cambodia; Argentina; Dorado, Puerto Rico; Amman, Irbid, Jordan; Tunisia; Sri Lanka; Finland; Bahamas; Jamaica; Sabra, Tlemcen, Algeria; Israel; Paraguay; Muscat, Masqat, Oman; Beirut, Beyrouth, Lebanon; Syria; Norway; Taiwan; Bolivia; Haiti; Mozambique; Ghana; Colombia; Denmark Uruguay; Greece; Munich, Bayern, Germany.

USA – Madisonville, TN; Waterford Works, Williamstown, Livingston, Sicklerville, Mount Laurel & Verona, NJ; Garfield, AR; Davenport & Hialeah, FL; Dothan, AL; New Orleans, LA; Binghamton, NY; Bear, DE; Chantilly & Alexandria, VA; Ridgebury, PA; Rockmart, GA.

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Read Messages and updates on Hubby’s Heart Attack.  

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A.N.A. Comes Full Circle

For those who have been following my *husband’s progress you know that he hasn’t been able to walk a great distance.  Knowing this I was concerned how we would be able to give out packages to the children for the annual community Christmas parade.  It’s something I look forward to each year, but saw no way that we could do it under these circumstances.

God already knew that we would need to do something different back in January when we began our journey with A.N.A. (a new approach).  I can see now how He was lining things up for this past weekend.

In the early summer we met a young couple who ministered to orphans when they were collecting food outside a grocery store.  We went back into the store and purchased a few things that were on their food list.

Later that day I was feeling we should do more, so we went shopping again and brought the food to them at their church a few weeks later.  This was in June, and that was the extent of our connection.

After our visit with our friends on November 30^th, God reminded me of this couple’s ministry.  My husband called them to see if they would be able to help us distribute the items this year.  They were delighted to help, but asked if it made a difference where they handed out the religious items.  We said no, but that we would do what we could in our area.

God had prepared our hearts with the teachings on looking at a new approach on how we do things along our journey, with it coming full circle this Christmas season.

Following His Plan

The plans were set that we would deliver the boxes with all the items to Lela who was working at Big Lots for the holidays.  There was no set time except between 10 am - 6:30 pm.  One of the things we hoped was that we wouldn’t miss her when she left for breaks or lunch. When I entered the store she was just getting ready to go on break.  It was perfect timing.

She followed me out the store door and to our car.  We were about to drive over to her car when the space next to ours opened.  Quickly I jumped on the opportunity, “You go get your car and we can unload ours from here.  I’ll stand in the spot so no one takes the space.” 

We used any box we could find
to transport them.

Now my husband was a bit apprehensive about what I suggested, because there was a mass of vehicles moving about looking for parking spaces.  He need not worry, for the Lord caused the traffic to go in a different direction. 

No one tried to take the space!  After we unloaded the boxes from our car to Lela’s my husband told me, “I glad you didn’t have to tackle somebody trying to pull in your spot.”

This hard working professor, Lela, was working extra hours to help pay bills and renew her visa to the Ukraine.  She was planning a trip to the orphanages after Christmas.

This is another place where God’s hand was at work.  The children in the Ukraine won’t miss Christmas, because they celebrate it according to the Orthodox Calendar.  Christmas will come to the Ukraine on our January 7th, 2015!  How great is our God!  When we follow His plan He extends His favor so things work out for His glory and our good.

 

God’s Protection Plan

Finishing our transaction with Lela we decided to get lunch.  When we left the business my husband looked at the bill. He noticed that the item he ordered was on sale and they didn’t charge the extras on my meal either.  

Our shopping was finished in that area and we were about to leave the parking lot when the back right tire was flat!  Leaning over hubby took out the warranty on the tires from the glove box.  We drove around to the back of the lot to the store where we purchased the tires.  They were able to take us within a few minutes.

With nothing else to do, I went into the store by the back entrance.  There was one thing we couldn’t find on my shopping list.  The salesman for the automotive garage was standing behind the counter. Nudging my husband I said, “Ask him … ask him if they sell soldering irons.” We had already looked and didn’t find one.  However, I remembered our lesson on asking from this summer.

Hesitatingly the clerk said, “The only kind I have is a small one.  I’ll take you to it.”  We followed him and it was the exact one we needed.  It wasn’t in the tool or plumbing department, but in the automotive section.  Who would have looked there?  Not us, but God knew it was there all along. All I had to do was ask.

Going back to the sales counter we paid for the item and sat down outside the garage.  Come to find out there was a screw in the tire.  Looking out the window we saw the mechanic putting air in all the tires, something my husband was about to do.  God protected us and our tire was fixed before we left the lot. 

“The real need for our world is not that we do EVERYONE'S part; just that we do OUR part. And with all of us working together, we will transform the world.” Shane Stanford

 

We Did, He Did

Having a flat tire wasn’t in our plans of course, but the Lord knew it would happen.  Our day wasn’t over and we still had the Christmas parade later that afternoon. 

By the time we got home there was only fifteen minutes to get the remaining packets together to distribute.  I knew my husband couldn’t carry anything heavy.  When I counted the remaining items, there were only about 50 left. They would fit in a small recycle bag and I could carry them.

I got my photo of the horses!

It was hard trying to take pictures, but I did the best I could between handing out the gifts to the children along the parade route.  All of a sudden my camera battery quit. 

My prayer was, “Lord, all I want is to get a photo of the end of the parade and the horses.”

God granted my request.  I was able to take two more photos and the camera shut off.  Our day of sowing, blessings and favor was complete.

We did something for God and He did something for us.  There was no bargaining, no pleading, just simply doing something out of love from both parties.  God rewards those who faithfully serve and allow Him to work out situations His way.

“On my office wall is a picture of a small child who lives in a remote village in sub-Saharan Africa. She is an orphan, having lost most of her family to the HIV/AIDS crisis. Each day, the little girl eats only half of her meager lunch. She takes the other half and puts it into her travel sack, so that she can take the leftovers to her dying aunt.

The world might look at this child and assess that her little life has little to offer. But don’t tell the child’s aunt. Without this child’s sacrifice and maturity, her aunt would have no food and would die. In spite of this child not being able to do much for her dying aunt, she does something, every day. The real need for our world is not that we do every part; it’s that we just do our part. And working together to do that something God calls us to do-all of us working together-we will transform this world.” Shane Stanford

 

This Week’s Challenge:

Do Something 

There is only one way the world is going to see Jesus through us, and that is if we do something that reflects His love, grace and mercy.

Our challenge for the week is to do something different than what the world is doing.  Do something you don’t normally do, but that you have wanted to do for some time.  It’s time to be the fire, not just the spark. 

God is doing something in this world, and He chooses to do it through us.

In prayer ask God what that something is.  What exactly can you do for God that would reflect you are made in His image?  Here are a few ideas:

·       Adopt or sponsor a child for the coming year.

·       Adopt a pet.  If you’re not in position to do that, you can sponsor one.

·       Have a laugh party and watch clean Christian comedy programs together.

·       Feed the Hungry by taking food to a local shelter or donating. 

Cups of Cold Water

·       Give into a *charity that provides clean wells and water in the Dominican Republic. (See this on You Tube.)

·       Cook meals for someone who is packing to move.

 

 

·       Walk or run for a cause in Jesus’ name.

·       Visit the fire station and see who needs their house rebuilt or repaired.  Use your hands as carpenter Jesus would.

·       Take a senior to lunch and shopping.

·       Bring Christmas to a homeless shelter.

·       Pay a bill for someone who is about to have their electric or utilities turned off/disconnected.

God has created YOU and me to DO SOMETHING for Him right now.

It’s not OK for somebody else to do something.  God wants you.  He will equip you with what you need if you will be His hands and feet in this world.

Be the beacon on the hill; the Light of Jesus. Be the one to do something. 

 

Do Something by Matthew West

 

 

Until next time, favor falls on God’s “doers.”

 

Check Messages throughout the week.

  

“What you do for me I will bless.”

Jesus Christ

 

What’s New This Week: Click on book or link.

You Can't Do Everything, So Do Something

 Small Ways to Change the World

also available in eBook.

 

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Maybe you don’t know the Living God that I know, but would like to have this kind of favor in your life also.  Click on the above tab “Tell Me” for more information on becoming a child of the Savior.

Content and Image Copyright from Favored1. Do not copy. A.N.A. logo by J.C.Penney, Inc.

Scripture reference was taken from the New King James Bible Version provide by Gateway Bible
Image credit: Google Images or Dreamstime Creative Common License if not specified.
Image:  Romans 8:28-30  Flat Tire  Clean Water
Disclaimer Notes: Results may vary due to lack of belief.