In Our Weakness He is Strong.

2 Corinthians 12:9 (New International Version)

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Katherine Hsu was born in 1914 in Fuzhou, South China and she counts herself fortunate for having been raised in a Christian home. From an early age, Hsu wanted to become a doctor. Growing up, she saw the devastating effects of diseases such as typhoid and diphtheria. Then tuberculosis took the life of a younger brother and sister.

Believing that being a doctor was "a great purpose for living," she prayed that God would provide a way, promising to make the practice a ministry without charge to her patients. Soon after that prayer, Hsu won a full scholarship to Peking Union Medical College, one of three applicants accepted. The more she studied the human body, the more she marveled at God's creation and worshipped him.

Because her siblings died from tuberculosis, Hsu made the disease her primary focus. Through the years, the Lord led her to Houston, Texas to establish a clinic in the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis.

Today, her pioneered tuberculosis-prevention strategies are now replicated around the world. "This is not my own achievement, but what God has wrought by his mighty power," Hsu wrote in 1994 after receiving the coveted Distinguished Achievement Award from the 11000-member American Thoracic Society.

True to her word to God, Hsu has not charged a patient in more than 50 years. In addition, Hsu has used all of her medical awards to fund scholarships for students and missionaries. "What you cannot do, God will work out for you," Hsu says. "Then you become an instrument in God's will. That is a great privilege."

It is when we are dependent on the Lord that He can work through us to do great things.

Dear Lord today we give thanks today that when we are weak You are strong. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Are You Willing to Step Out of Your Comfort Zone?

1 Corinthians 3:9 (New International Version)

For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.

How will the black bear get to the other side of the road? Will he use a parachute?

Nah! Bears don't have parachutes!

Will he ride a skateboard?

Nope no skateboards for the bear to use.

Will he run as fast as he can?

Nah! He would be hit by a truck!

So how WILL the black bear get to the other side of a four-lane highway between Banff and Lake Louise?

With hundreds of thousands of tourists visiting there each year make a 4-lane highway very necessary, but before this road could be built, there were some tough challenges to meet. With the area being so abundant in wildlife, a highway could end up costing the lives of numerous animals, to say nothing about the cost in human life. Instead of attracting tourists, such a highway might deter them from coming.

The highway could be fenced in, of course, "animal-proofed", so to speak, but that would permanently disrupt the migratory patterns of the animals, isolating individual creatures or small groups from main herds. Many of these animals are already facing extinction as it is, and splitting up herds would only hinder repopulation. What could be done?

This was the dilemma faced by the officials of Banff National Park. A highway needed to be built, but at what cost in animal and human life? There seemed to be no viable solutions.

Then someone stepped out of his comfort zone to make a radical suggestion: "Why don't we build wildlife crossings?"

As anticipated, he was met with opposition:

"That's ridiculous! How would animals find these crossings? They can't even read!"

"Unheard of! A total waste of money! It would never work!"

No one could come up with a better plan however, and eventually this proposal was tentatively accepted as an experiment. Fences built along the highway hinder the animals from crossing anywhere except by way of these "ecopassages", which in some cases are bridges over the road, and in some cases are tunnels under the road. The ecopassages are as natural-looking as possible, and to the amazement of many, they actually work. More than 50,000 wild animals safely cross the highway between Banff and Lake Louise each year, with no loss of life, either human or animal. It doesn't make a difference if it's a grizzly bear, a bobcat or a moose. They all find their way to the other side of the road without endangering themselves or the automobilists. It seems the animals welcome the ecopassages with open arms! Or should I say they welcome them with open hooves and paws!

A radical idea becomes reality to the benefit of millions!

It isn't easy to step out of one's comfort zone. We have become used to our often self-imposed restraints, and it is unthinkable to make ourselves think "outside the box"; but outside of our comfort zone is exactly where God wants us to be! He has a great task destined for each of us, and we can be sure it isn't something that we can easily do. If only He would let us size the task down to something that fits within our comfort zone, we would have no problems working to fulfill our eternal destiny. But that's not the way it is. God-tasks are always God-sized. They are always impossible to accomplish if we try to handle them on our own. God-tasks ALWAYS push us out of our comfort zone.

God guaranteed His constant presence in each task. He will supply all the necessary skills, the necessary words, the necessary miracles. But we must depend solely upon Him.

God will never force us to fulfill our destiny, however. He will encourage us for what lies ahead, and He won't strike us dead if we turn our back on His vision for our life; but if we choose to do so, we will miss out on the opportunity of really experiencing Him.

I want this year to be the year I step out of my comfort zone, Will you follow me? Step out of your comfort zone. Discover God's plan for your life. You will be utterly amazed, for He does have great plans for you, great God-sized plans, and they will only become a reality when you step out in faith and rely on Him for direction.

Dear Lord we pray that we would step out of our comfort zone and be willing to do the things you have planned for each of us to accomplish for Your kingdom. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Have Some Tea With Us

Philippians 4:19 (New International Version)

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

(This story is taken from a fantastic biography about Brother Andrew, called The Narrow Road)

There were times before the end of the tour, however, when it looked as though the experiment was failing. One weekend we were holding meetings in Edinburgh. We had attracted a large group of young people the first day and were casting about for a way to get them to come back the next. Suddenly, without consulting anyone, one of the team members stood up and made an announcement. 

"Before the meeting tomorrow evening," he said, "we'd like you all to have tea with us here. Four o'clock. How many think they can make it?" 

A couple dozen hands went up, and we were committed. At first, instead of being delighted, the rest of us were horrified. All of us knew that we had no tea, no cake, no bread and butter, and exactly five cups. Nor did we have money to buy these things: our last penny had gone to rent the hall. This was going to be a real test of God's care.

And for a while it looked as though He was going to provide everything through the young people themselves. After the meeting several of them came forward and said they would like to help. One offered milk; another, half a pound of tea; another, sugar. One girl even offered to bring dishes. Our tea was rapidly taking shape. But there was one thing still missing-the cake. Without cake, these Scottish boys and girls wouldn't consider tea tea. 

So that night in our evening prayer time, we put the matter before God. "Lord, we've got ourselves into a spot. From some­where we've got to get a cake. Will You help us?" 

That night as we rolled up in our blankets on the floor of the hall, we played guessing games: How was God going to give us that cake? Among the five of us, we guessed everything imaginable-or so we thought. 

Morning arrived. We half expected a heavenly messenger to come to our door bearing a cake. But no one came. The morning mail arrived. We ripped open the two letters, hoping for money. There was none. A woman from a nearby church came by to see if she could help. "Cake," was on the tip of all our tongues, but we swallowed the word and shook our heads.

"Everything," we assured her, "is in God's hands." 

The tea had been announced for four o'clock in the afternoon. At three the tables were set, but still we had no cake. Three-thirty came. We put on water to boil. Three-forty-five. 

And then the doorbell rang. 

All of us together ran to the big front entrance, and there was the postman. In his hand was a large box. 

"Hello, lads," said the postman. "Got something for you that feels like a food package." He handed the box to one of the boys. "The delivery day is over, actually," he said, "but I hate to leave a perishable package overnight." 

We thanked him profusely, and the minute he closed the door the boy solemnly handed me the box. "It's for you, Andrew. From a Mrs. William Hopkins in London." 

I took the package and carefully unwrapped it. Off came the twine. Off came the brown outside paper. Inside, there was no note-only a large white box. Deep in my soul I knew that I could afford the drama of lifting the lid slowly. As I did, there, in perfect condition, to be admired by five sets of wondering eyes, was an enormous, glistening, moist, chocolate cake. 

Open Doors, Brother Andrew with John & Elizabeth Sherrill, The Narrow Road, Grand Rapids, MI: Fleming H. Revell, 2001, p. 103-105. 

Dear Lord we thank you that Your timing is perfect, You are never early and You are never late. We pray that we would always trust You and then never forget to thank You. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Enjoyment Comes from Him.

Ecclesiastes 2:24-25 (New International Version)

 24 A person can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in their own toil. This too, I see, is from the hand of God, 25 for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?

In 2002, Marvin Lacy of Lake Wales Florida taught calligraphy in the local area. What makes that special is the great-grandfather of five suffers from Parkinson’s disease. The disease often makes his hands tremble. Though he has this disease, when Marvin sits down to create his works of calligraphy, his hands are suddenly stable and become still. Marvin says, “It’s a gift from God.”

Lacy’s faith influences all that he does. He says, “The Lord is important in my life. I wouldn’t want to leave out that aspect of my life. One of the sayings I’ve put into calligraphy is a philosophy I picked up. ‘I will make that which I do today important. I am exchanging a day of my life for it.’”

Lacy's specialty is calligraphic works of art, including wall hangings and greeting cards. His work ranges from Bible passages to the comical sayings. He adds, “The scripture says that a merry heart does good like medicine. To me, that kind of stuff is fun.”

To Lacy, art is fun. "Do you think I would do it if I didn't enjoy it?" He asked. "I really enjoy doing it."

Put Jesus Christ in the center of all that you do and you will never want for enjoyment.

Dear Lord we praise You today for the abundant and joyful life that You give us. We pray that we wouldn’t forget to be thankful. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Follow the Leader, Who is Your Leader?

1 Corinthians 11:1 (New International Version)

Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

As my son gets ready to leave on the annual church ski trip it reminded me of a story I once read.

A teenage girl got lost in her car in a snow storm. She remembered what her dad had once told her: "If you ever get stuck in a snow storm, wait for a snow plow and follow it."

Pretty soon a snow plow came by, and she started to follow it. She followed the plow for about forty five minutes. Finally the driver of the truck got out and asked her what she was doing. She explained that her dad had told her if she ever got stuck in the snow, to follow a plow.

The driver nodded and said, "Well, I'm done with the Wal-Mart parking lot, now you can follow me over to K-Mart."

There's nothing wrong with following others as long as we know that they are headed in the right direction. Even the apostle Paul was careful to limit those who sought to follow him:

Following a snow plow blindly may have minor consequences, but following someone blindly in the area of religion can have serious consequences. Be careful who you follow!  Keep yourself grounded into God’s word so you are sure to follow the people.

Dear Lord I pray that we would follow the right people. We pray that we would keep our thoughts grounded in your word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Rock Foundation

Matthew 7:24 (New International Version)

 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

The Point Reyes Light Station was built in 1870 at Point Reyes, California, approximately 30 miles northwest of the entrance of San Francisco Bay. Originally, the light was to be built at the top of the point. However, due to concerns that the light would be obscured by fog, the light was built 275 feet down the bluff at its present location. To reach the light, you must descend 304 steps on the headland from the plateau. The top of the lantern is 37 feet above the ground and the focal plane of the light is 294 feet above sea level. Point Reyes is, by official records, the windiest and foggiest on the Pacific Coast. It is also just a few miles from the San Andreas Fault, the active earthquake fault that runs through California. During the 1906 earthquake, which leveled many buildings in San Francisco, the entire Point Reyes Peninsula and the lighthouse moved north 18 feet! The only damage to the lighthouse was that the lens slipped off its tracks. Thirteen minutes after the earthquake, the lighthouse was once again in working order. Why was there such little damage to the lighthouse? The engineers had the forethought to bolt the sixteen-sided structure to solid rock.

Our strength and safety comes when we stay attached to our firm foundation, Jesus Christ.

Dear Lord we thank You for being our foundation.  We pray that we would build our life upon the foundation that You give to us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

My Business, Elijah and the Ravens.

1 Kings 17:2-6 (King James Version)

 2 And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying, 3 Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. 4 And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there. 5 So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan. 6 And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.

As a small businessman, one of the worries I always seem to have is the economy: "What if all the work I'm doing brings no new clients? What if no orders come in?  I think, among other worries, "What if... What if...?" I see others businesses shutting the door, and I worry, worry, worry.

As Always if I turn my attention to God’s word I will get some answers. As I read in 1 Kings I can learn a lesson from Elijah. Just like Elijah -- all the time, whatever the economic conditions, good or bad. We are all fed by ravens. We are all completely dependent on God for everything in our lives. Those customers that come to my site and place an order, are just like the ravens that came over the hill with bread and meat to feed Elijah each day. I am fed by ravens every day. There are no effective "business plans". There are no meaningful "economic stimulus programs" -- and there never were -- throughout human history.

We may mean well in planning, and certainly, we should help as many others as we can. But as to each of us individually, no matter what position we are in, it can all disappear in an instant. That business can dry up; that grant can end; that job can disappear; the economy can tank; poor health can rob us at any time of the ability to care for ourselves. This is true today, and it was also true when we thought, "The times are good." It’s just easier to forget the fact when things are going well. Being self-reliant is a good character trait, but we can never save ourselves.

Although I must work hard to build my business and support my family, and everyone must work hard to the best of our ability, if I am in God's will, as Elijah was, in the long run, one way or another, God will care for me and my family as He so chooses. If we are obedient, He will care for us. He will provide our daily bread. All that we have comes from Him each day of our lives and always will. For that, we must be truly thankful.

Dear Lord we thank You today for sending the ravens to feed us. Help us to remember that everything we have comes from You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.