What Are My Chances?

Omnipotent- Having all power

Omniscient- Having all knowledge

Omnipresent- Always present- Present in all places at all times

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Is God omnipotent? Yes. Is God omniscient? Yes. Is God omnipresent? Yes. Do you really believe this? Let me rephrase that- Do I really believe this? Um… I thought so. *Sigh* This blogging thing is becoming really hard on my ego.

The Holy Spirit used a conversation I had with my mom through Facebook messaging to reveal again my heart of unbelief. Let me start from the beginning.

A few days ago, the family sat around watching HGTV. (Have I mentioned I adore this channel? That I feel inspired by it, even though almost every wall in my house remains bare…. I may be afraid of commitment.)After multiple episodes of amazing transformations, HGTVs Dream Home 2012 came on. Eyes glued to the TV, we watched in awe as they revealed room after room of beauty and surprise. Let me tell you, this home has it all! If you ever dreamed of THE perfect home, this is it!

Not only is this house amazing, but they are GIVING IT AWAY! Wait, it gets even better. The blessed receiver will not only be handed this FULLY FURNISHED 1.5 MILLION DOLLAR MANSION, but also a brand spanking new 2012 GMC TERRAIN, and (as if that’s not enough) $500.000!!!! Can you say “Mine, mine, mine, mine (insert seagulls from Finding Nemo)?” I think you can envision the pools of drool on my hardwood floor as four pairs of eyes gazed covetously at the TV screen. We were ready to pack up and move to Utah! Before the episode was over, I was on the computer entering to win, OF COURSE!

My son (age 10½) was begging me, “please mom, can we get it, can we get it?” I gently reminded him that I had no control over who would win this unbelievable prize, that all I could do was enter the drawing, and that he should pray and ask God for this house. He was instantly disappointed, stating “since we don’t NEED the house, God won’t give it to us.” “But Joseph, the bible says ‘If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!’ (Matt 7:11) God does not only give us what we need, He enjoys blessing us just as we enjoy blessing each other. But you have to ask Him.” See what a wonderfully spirit filled mom I am. Yeah, I was pretty proud of myself too. BUT NOT FOR LONG.

The next day I sent my mom a Facebook message (private of course), telling her she needed to enter this drawing so one of us could win. I explained that she shouldn’t tell anyone else

about the drawing because if they entered, it would lessen our chance of winning (hence the private message). There’s that word- chance. Ugh. But I don’t believe in chance. I believe that God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent! I believe He is in control and I leave nothing in the hands of chance. Really? Hmmmm, your thinking would say otherwise. Yes, I was once again being convicted.

I was equally convicted of attempting to steal a blessing and a gift that God may have for someone else by being deceitful and selfish. As if I could do anything to keep this unbelievable home from being handed over to the one God already decided would receive it! Do I really think I’m all that?! Apparently so.

Well, I’ve made a short story long. To wrap it up, I confessed my selfishness, unbelief, and pride, and thanked God for revealing my heart to me again. I am now giving you the links to enter (however, I don’t think I can pray for you to win… I’m not quite there yet L). You can enter twice a day, once here, and once here. (I enter four times a day- once at each site for my hubby, and once at each site for myself). See, I’m giving you all my secrets!

I really do hope one of us wins! Oh, and if you win, you must have us over for a nice loooooooonnnnnnngggg visit! J

“Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” –Mark 9:24

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The Greatest of These is LOVE

We are in the midst of the season of giving. We’re surrounded with reminder upon reminder of those in need. These pictures seem to have gone viral on the internet and may be the perfect motivators, pushing us to give, give, give, compelling us to pray for those in need, and to reach out to the unreached.

Oh how great the need is! How my heart aches when faced with such devastation. I think these images affect us so deeply because we cannot deny their validity. Families and children are suffering and we are not. Simple as that. And the question lingers, “But what can I do?”

What do I do with all of this? How can I make a difference? There are numerous ministries in place we can participate in such as Operation Christmas Child. We can help out in our shelters and food banks. Or we can simply support local families in need. And as we reach out to the least of these, we reach out to Jesus Himself (Matt 25:35-40). What a great way to celebrate the Christmas season. Or is it?

There is so much focus this time of year regarding those suffering from poverty and hardships, and as great as this need is, there is a greater need: The need for LOVE. “Giving and serving is love” you say. My response: Yes, Jesus demonstrated the greatest love of all by giving Himself up for us and becoming a Servant. However, He also cautioned us, and this Christmas season, I offer you the same simple caution regarding giving, serving, working hard, and the state of your heart.

“I know your works, you labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And that you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” (Rev 2:2-4).

Jesus spoke these words for the church of Ephesus, the same church Paul boasted in regarding their faith and love toward God and the saints (Eph 1:15). This same church that was once dead and God made alive (Eph 2:1). What happened? How did this body of believers go from one extreme to the other? Jesus goes on to tell them “Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works” (Rev 2:5). What are these first works that they fell from? LOVE. These believers fell head over heels in LOVE with their God and Savior. However, they became so caught up with serving and giving that they forgot the greatest Servant and Giver and left their First Love.

Jesus said “For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good” (Mk 14:7). I am in no way implying we are to neglect the poor (1 Jn 3:17). Rather, I seek to remind you, as He is reminding me, that without love, all is worthless. This Christmas season, let us not neglect the One we celebrate. Let us not replace Him with serving, giving, working, and doing good. Instead, let us serve, give, work, and do good because our First Love compels us to. After all, what is CHRISTmas without LOVE for the Christ?

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but

have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging

cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and

understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and

though I have all faith, so that I could remove

mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

And though I bestow all my goods to feed

the poor, and though I give my body to

be burned, but have not love,

it profits me nothing.

-1 Corinthians 13:1-3

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