After coming home from my second mission trip to Peru, I've found that no matter what skills or talents I possess, none is more important than telling people about Jesus.  Given the language barrier in a third world country, this can be a difficult task.  Without our translators, any spoken word was virtually impossible to convey.

So, the next time you're thinking about going on a mission trip and you're worring about what you would do or how you could contribute, just know that God works out the details.  You just have to be available and open to God's plans.

Don't undervalue your presence in any God-given situation.  All God asks us to do is to prepare the harvest. 

This doesn't just mean on the mission field.  I'm referring to anywhere you are where you have an opportunity to speak up and tell your story.

Romans 8:28 – "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose."

I was recently in a Sunday School class and we were discussing how we as Christians can be known for our fruit.  Meaning, as we witness to others and tell them about Jesus, are we creating a harvest atmosphere where God can step in and meet them where they are?  Or, how do we feel when we establish a relationship with someone, slowly encouraging them to go down a different path and then someone else steps in and leads them to Christ?  Are we happy for them, or are we upset because someone picked our fruit?

God expects us to be productive and get results.  But we must make God our main focus in this journey of producing spiritual fruit. 

Sow the seeds.  It's not up to us to decide if the soil is good or not.  Be fruitful.  Show love to others.  Let them see the peace in your speech.  God will take care of the rest.

Colossians 1:10 – “So as to walk in a manner worth of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”

I saw this in a recent online reading: "If God only used perfect people to do His will, the Bible would be a very short book."

We all know that there's no perfect person out there. Some people can hide what's going on the inside, when on the outside they look perfectly normal.

It's when God uses the broken people, the people that have lost it all, the people who appear as if there's no where else to turn, that miracles happen.

I have so many stories from my own life, that I could write a very thick novel. I've seen so many times where I have been at my lowest in spirit, disappointed by someone or something not happening when God stepped in and turned it around.

God doesn't make junk. He made us in His image. The next time you feel discouraged or angry at someone, turn to God. Turn to His Word. Read the Bible and learn how His word applies to your life, your situation.

God is ready to work in you today. When you miss getting with God, acknowledging the creator of the universe for who He is, then you miss out on the blessings from above.

You miss the gifts of God when you fail to get with God.

John 14:12 - "Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father."

God is a good God and has mercy on His followers.  But God is a just God and will punish those who blatantly sin.

If you think about God being like a mother and father to us, you can see it this way: When we obey and follow the rules, God smiles on us like a mother, but when we disobey God, He is like a father and will reprimand us.

God's righteous disposition is free of any elements of offense.  It is holy and flawless.  Although we can be faithful and follow God's commands, if we sin against God, He will judge us according to His righteous disposition.

Just as we like to obey our parents and feel the love from them, we should be even more motivated to do the same for God.

God loves us.  Show your love by obeying Him today.

Psalm 1:6 – "For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction."

I saw this on a poster yesterday and couldn't stop thinking about it.

I've had times in my life where I've wanted another job, something to change in my personal life, etc. but nothing seemed to be happening. Then, suddenly, a door opened, so to speak. I'll admit, I didn't think about it at the time being God that opened the door, but that's exactly who opened it.

The one thing I've learned over the years is that if there's a possibility for a door to open that I need to be more aware of God's presence, and not just rely on my own wishful thinking.

Until God opens your next door, meet Him right where you're at today. He will be pleased that you're trusting Him with this next step.

John 10:9 – "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture."

Are you a good planner?  Do you thrive on arranging and mapping out the trip ahead?  What about long-term planning?  Are you planning for your future?  Do you have a retirement plan in mind?

Although it is good to plan and save for the future, keep in mind that God's word advises us to be planners for reasons beyond building a savings account, etc.

Being a good planner also means being a good steward of your money, or should I say, God's money that He's entrusted you with.

As you go about your day today planning for tomorrow, don't forget about something more important than planning our life here on earth, and that is, planning for eternity.

Put God first.  Tell God your desires.  Trust and have faith that God will be with you now and into your future.  Don't leave God out of your plans.

Proverbs 14:22 – "Do not those who plot evil go astray?  But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness."

Did you know that the number one fear in life for most people is the fear of public speaking?  I can relate to this fear.  For most of my life I've felt inadequate to speak in a public setting.  I blamed it on my shyness or uneducated vocabulary.  If I'm honest, that fear still creeps into my world every now and then.

But, I don't need to stay this way.   I admit it can be a little scary.  After all, Moses felt these same feelings, but God used him anyway.

Prayer is crucial in overcoming the fear of public speaking.  Prayer helps you overcome fear.

God will equip us for whatever we need, even words to speak.  So, pray about God's purpose when you speak.  Speak boldly and with confidence, knowing that God created you and will give you the tools needed to speak to an audience of one, or an audience of 1000.

Luke 12:11-12 – "And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”

Often when a man and woman get married, they assume that the other will some day meet all their needs.  It soon becomes clear that this analogy will probably not happen.

So, why do we fall into the trap of depending on other people to meet our needs when we have the Creator of the Universe ready and available to meet all our needs?

We're fallen humans is the answer to the above question. 

God knows what we need and He is always faithful in His promises.  But, it is also based on whether the need we're asking for is according to His Will.  This is where some Christians get discouraged.  They think that since God is God, He will meet all my needs and give me whatever I ask.

Be careful my friends.  God is God and He will supply our every need, ONLY according to His Will for our lives.

Don't look for your spouse to meet your needs.  Rely on God!

Philippians 4:19 – "And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."