We should never allow ourselves to pass up an opportunity to be used of God. Many times we feel an urging to do something specific that God lays on our hearts, but because we don't feel comfortable or think that we are ill-equipped we allow that urging to slowly fade away. What we must realize is that God will not lead us to anything that won't be to our ultimate benefit and betterment. We must be disciplined enough however to listen to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit and trust that good will come to us and through us when we believe God and take the step of faith in obedience. I believe all that God looks for in His beloved child is obedience. When we move in faith and obedience, I believe God will never cease in using us for His ultimate and eternal glory. (1 Kings 19:12) (Matthew 7:21-27)

I am always conscious to the brevity of time and I know that all too soon no matter how long I may live, my life will come to an end and it is with this in mind that I choose to do all that I can to give hope, to share encouragement, to bless my neighbor, to lift up the name of the Lord, and most importantly to tell all people that Jesus loves them, died for them and wishes to give them a new beginning in life and a secured eternity when their time on earth comes to an end. We should all be living time conscious and realize that all that we will have in eternity are the good works that will testify for us when we stand before God Almighty. (2 Corinthians 4:15-18) (Matthew 12:48-50)

The next time an opportunity comes your way to be a blessing, to be an encourager or to simply elevate your own life to greater heights, I encourage to take it with all of your might. Do not let blessings pass you by simply because you feel unworthy, unable or don't have the right credentials. A quote that I think of often says “God doesn't always call the qualified, but He always qualifies the called.” See yourself as qualified, worthy, able to and be quick to follow the Lord wherever He may lead you.

I hope this message inspires and challenges your heart to believe in yourself as God believes in you and be quick to take a hold of the opportunities that come your way.


MISSED OPPORTUNITIES

The story is told of a young man who wished to marry the farmer's beautiful daughter. He went to the farmer to ask his permission. The farmer looked him over and responded, “Son, go stand out in that field and I'm going to release three bulls, one at a time. If you can catch the tail of any one of the three bulls, you can marry my daughter.”

The young man stood in the pasture awaiting the first bull. The barn door opened and out ran the biggest, meanest-looking bull he had ever seen. He decided that one of the next bulls had to be a better choice than this one, so he ran over to the side and let the bull pass through the pasture out the back gate.

The barn door opened again. Unbelievable. He had never seen anything so big and fierce in his life. It stood - pawing the ground, grunting, slinging slobber - as it eyed him. Whatever the next bull was like, it had to be a better choice than this one. He ran to the fence and let the bull pass through the pasture, out the back gate.

The door opened a third time. A smile came across his face. This was the weakest, scrawniest little bull he had ever seen. This one was his bull. As the bull came running by, he positioned himself just right and jumped at just the exact moment. He grabbed...but the bull had no tail!

Life is full of opportunities. Some will be easy to take advantage of, some will be difficult. But once we let them pass (often in hopes of something better), those opportunities may never again be available.

The same thing is also true of opportunities to serve Christ. God often opens doors -- opportunities to speak up for Him, opportunities to minister to someone who is hurting or in need, opportunities to make an influence on the world around us. If we allow them to pass by (perhaps because we are waiting for something easier to come along), we may miss out on them altogether.

“Continue praying, keeping alert, and always thanking God. Also pray for us that God will give us an opportunity to tell people his message.” (Col. 4:2-3a, NCV) 

“Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.” (Gal. 6:10). 

May you take advantage of the doors God opens for you this day!

By Alan Smith


Read and meditate on these scriptures:

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”

Galatians 6:2-4 “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.”

Ephesians 4:29 “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.”

Philippians 2:13-15 “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.”

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

All of these scriptures can be found in the King James Version Bible. 


Today's Selected Poem: WHEN JESUS LOOKS
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/enpoem54.htm

Today's Selected Testimony: BEVERLY ANN'S TESTIMONY
Click here to read --- http://www.Godswork.org/testimony70.htm


In Christ’s Service,

Dwayne Savaya
God’s Work Ministry