I went to Haiti 3 weeks ago on a mission trip with the senior high ministry at Eastview Christian Church. We finished building 2 houses for families that were a part of the church funded by Eastview. One of the most impactful moments during the trip was the house dedication where we had a short service and gave the families the keys to their new home. During the service there was a Haitian man translating for us. The family who was receiving the house said that in their old house they had holes in the roof and any time it rained they would worry about their children getting sick and being cold through the night. They were thankful that they didn’t have to worry any more in their new house. That night when we were going back to the house we stayed in, it rained. We discussed as a group how incredible it was to give someone safety and warmth and to actually see God in action in Haiti. Sometimes it takes months or years to see God’s plan unfold, but giving that family in Haiti the gift of a new house was a reminder to me of how powerful God can be, and how nothing can stand in the way of him. Try to remember that today if you feel like God isn’t working in your day to day life, he is always with us.
1 Samuel 2; Romans 2; Jeremiah 40; Psalms 15–16
4 The bows of the mighty are broken,
but the feeble bind on strength.
5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,
but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger.
The barren has borne seven,
but she who has many children is forlorn. (1 Samuel 2:4-5)
I find it easiest to live out my life the way God intended on Sundays and after my small group meets on Wednesday nights, but by Friday the messages I’ve learned during the week are already forgotten. Most people I talk to agree that It’s hard to stay focused on God when there are so many other distractions in the world, we become selfish, easily irritated and portray a hypocritical christian for those who don’t know Christ. Gandhi (who was not a christian) said, “If all Christians acted like the Christ they follow, everybody would be a christian.” Think today about what might be holding you back from acting like the Jesus you follow. I’m not saying you have to be exactly perfect 100% of the time, but think about times when you could change your mindset, behavior or attitude. Remember God doesn’t ask for perfection, he just asks that you strive for it, even though he knows you’ll fall short.
21 you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. 24 For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.” (Romans 2:21-24)