Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Day 238: The Difference Makers: The Believer And His/Her God

Day 238: The Difference Makers: The Believer And His/Her God

Read: Psalm 4

On my my mind today are the difference makers in our lives. Are there any of us out there who can point to that certain someone or or group of someones who has made the difference, who has stepped forward from anonymity, or obscurity, temporarily into the spot light, and forever changed your outlook on the future? I look at and study so many of the pictures posted online from the devastation in Oklahoma. What I see are faces of regular people thrown headlong into catastrophe of unimaginable depth. I see people rescuing people. I see first responders digging through tons of rubble. I see people responding in an instant for somebody needs the difference they'll make!

Praise God for these people! Praise God to the highest for in the difference they make a life is saved, a life is changed, a life is transformed, a miracle in fact a whole host of miracles are witnessed by a world in shock. I love to hear those stories of how one person stepped forward, how in the moment of catastrophe people step forward and despite their own injuries, their own state of being, they start digging, they reach for a crow bar, they begin to reach out to people, they hug them, they love them, they pray for them. They do whatever it is they can because someone, they know not who desperately needs the difference they are about to make. I see the believer and God!

Psalm 4 is an excellent example of the big difference the Lord makes in our lives. He gives a rock solid reason to Pray 'Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; Be gracious to me and hear my prayer. Prayer is critical, and centrally grounded to a vibrant relationship with Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Psalms have been designed to give us a language of love, wholly adequate and thoroughly sufficient for any humanly response to all things of God, who spoke to the chaos, told chaos that it was time for it to finally make a difference and creation came forth into the lives of all nature and all mankind. Yes, from chaos - a difference made.

The richness of God’s word is how it speaks to us differently at different times. We can read same passage many times yet becoming enlightened by it as if never read before. This happened to me as I read today’s passage, especially this one verse (7) which made the difference for me today 'You have filled my heart with greater joy than when their grain and new wine abound.' What better choice of words describing the depths of a heart that beats in God's own rhythm within the chest of a 'difference maker'? Sit back for a while and pray, let that verse sink in as you witness Oklahoma recover. May each one of us, difference makers all, be able to fully share in this joy.

Let Us Pray: Prayer for the difference makers, the First Responders, The one's who are called to fill the breach, repair the walls, pick up the pieces, bring love with their hands and arms full of the basic necessities we take for granted, the restorer's of hope through a hug or a smile, a shovel, a wheelbarrow and their bare hands ready. With hearts that beat strong, steadfast and true in one rhythm with their Creator God.

I found this prayer online for First Responders and figured I'd share for anyone who would like to pray for those trying to find a way to make a difference on the ground in Oklahoma or from a distance, to give aid and comfort and help that community.

Blessed are you, Lord, God of mercy,
who through your Son Jesus Christ
gave us a marvelous example of charity
and the great commandment of love for one another.
Send down your blessings on these your servants,
who so generously devote themselves to helping others.
Grant them courage when they are afraid,
wisdom when they must make quick decisions,
strength when they are weary,
and compassion in all their work.
When the alarm sounds
and they are called to aid both friend and stranger,
let them faithfully serve you in their neighbor.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXilbs5a-iI
Lifesong (Lyrics) Casting Crowns ♪
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Lifesong LYRICS Casting Crowns Lifesong with lyrics - Casting Crowns Album: Lifesong

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