Thought for the day
Whether you watch it on TV or not, you all know of the "Survivor" TV show. As you might expect, plans for the next "Survivor" series have leaked out.
Mark Burnett, producer of "Survivor", plans to enlist 12 men who will be dropped in an unidentified suburb with a van, six kids (each of whom play two sports and take either a musical instrument or danceclass) and no access to fast food.
They must keep the house clean, correct all homework (receiving at least a "C+" on all papers), complete one science project, cook (OK, they can bring one cookbook), do laundry, care for a dog and a cat, grocery shop, buy birthday presents for kids' friends, etc.
Oh, and they also have access to television only when the kids are asleep and all chores are done, and none of the TV's have remote controls.
The competitions will consist of such things as attending a PTA meeting and accurately reporting the results; cleaning up after a sick child at 3:00 a.m; getting kids to church; making an Indian hut model with six toothpicks, a tortilla and one marker; and getting a 4-year-old to eat a serving of peas.
The kids vote them off.
The winner gets to go back to his job. We all have to learn to survive. Survival that has little to do with living on a desert island or in the Outback of Australia, but much to do with just "getting by" from day to day. Perhaps you've had to learn to "survive" after being diagnosed with a deadly disease. Perhaps you've learned to "survive" while raising several children alone after the death or desertion of a mate. Perhaps you've had to "survive" the last few days of a month as you juggled expenses to make sure that there was enough money to cover meals before the next payday.
If you're in "survival mode," it's difficult for you to plan years down the road. It's all you can do to get through the day. And, as much as you might pray for it, you may find that there is no "immunity." The hardships don't disappear. And you learn that there is nothing you can do but lean on God.
Which is exactly what he wants you to learn. "Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Cor. 12:8-10)May God's grace be with you as you strive to "survive" the difficulties you face today (and be assured that his grace is sufficient).
Verses
Matthew 8:13
Then he said to the centurion, "Go home now, and everything will happen as you have believed it will." And his servant was healed at that actual moment.
Exodus 15:26
He said, "You must obey the Lord, your God. You must do what the Lord said is right. You must obey all his laws and keep his rules. If you do these things, I will not give you any of the sicknesses I gave the Egyptians. I am the Lord. I am the Lord who heals you."
2 Corinthians 4:18
So we don't look at the troubles we can see right now; rather, we look forward to what we have not yet seen. For the troubles we see will soon be over, but the joys to come will last forever.
Luke 6:12
Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
Proverbs 10:22
'Tis the Eternal's blessing that brings wealth, and never does it bring trouble as well.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, as I commit myself to You this day, I ask that You make me a glowing ember of Your truth, Your wisdom, and Your compassionate mercy. I want my light to shine for You so that all glory will be directed back to You, my source of light. If I find myself in the midst of a circle of employees engaged in ungodly conversation help me not to blend in. But rather help me to be the light of Your glory in my conversation, full of grace seasoned with salt, so that I will know how to respond to each person. I ask that You would reveal to me any false motivation for carrying out good deeds. Remind me that it is for Your glory that I do these things. It is neither for the praise of others nor for personal advancement, but the advancement of the Gospel. Lord, help me to reach just one today with an unexpected act of kindness that will direct the recipient’s thoughts toward my Father in heaven. In Your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.
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