Once you surrender your life to Christ, He calls you to fulfill His purposes.

Ephesians 2:10 - “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

I used to think that God only uses pastors or seminary scholars to go tell others about Jesus. Oh, was I wrong. As Christians, we were put here on earth to make a difference and to contribute to society.

Have you ever wondered why God didn’t immediately take us up to heaven, once we’re saved? Well, it’s because His purposes haven’t been fulfilled yet, and we’re the people who are to step out and obey.

Once we’re saved, God intends to use us for His goals.

Ministering to others doesn’t mean that we have to travel around the world to do this. It could mean that God wants you to go visit your neighbor, befriend a co-worker or visit someone in jail. Tell them your story; tell them the wonderful things that God has done in your life.

Fulfill God’s purposes for your life. Be a part of the great commission.

Wow! After arriving home from Peru last weekend, I am so overwhelmed at the humility I experienced from the Peruvians.

Humility is defined as ‘a modest or low view of one's own importance.’

This was my 3rd mission trip, all to Peru and I continue to come home with peace and admiration of the humility I experienced while there.

This trip involved tremendous physical activity, none like I’ve ever experienced. The terrain was a variety of climbs and descents, littered with mucks of mud that the mules had created. At first I was thinking that even though it looks challenging, I was hopeful that it would get better. But, it didn’t. It got worse and it was every few feet, a challenge.

As I started across our first river crossing (walking on a log on the river bed), I was nervous and shaking. Then, all of a sudden, out of nowhere came this little Peruvian girl, Gabby, who took me by the hand and helped me across the log. Wow!

This scenario happened all throughout the trail. Andy, my hero, helped me numerous times crossing the daunting mud traps.

If you want to experience humility at its greatest, visit Peru.

I love the people of Peru, specifically the people of Olivos, Peru. Thanks to all of you who showed Jesus to us.

1 Peter 3:8 - “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11 - “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

I love being around kids, especially my grandkids. I strive to always encourage them, in whatever they do. It brings me so much joy to watch their eyes light up with my words of encouragement. It really helps them to grow in confidence.

We should be practicing this same encouragement with others, especially those that are struggling.

Like they say, “you may be the only Jesus they see.”

This also goes for the elderly. They need as much encouragement as a little child.

Encouragement is necessary to our walk of faith.

When you encourage others it gives them the strength to put on their spiritual armor and remain steadfast.

Remind someone along your journey that God loves them.

God has purpose for our suffering.  It's hard for me to understand at times (especially today), but when looking back on my life, I get it.  God has used me for all kinds of missions, right in my own suffering.

I can't even imagine the suffering that most of the people of Peru suffer from.  But, when it's you that's going through the trial, it seems so hard, so personal, so undeserving.  It seems like the trial you're going through is long, never ending and lonely.  

But, I have hope.  I have hope that God will prevail.  He will make something good out of this, not on my timeline, but His.  I can't see His purpose today, but I know that nothing is impossible with God.

When I find myself in the middle of a trial, I remind myself to stay faithful and trust that this is only temporary. 

Christians have been martyred since the days of Noah.  There are three prophets in the Bible that were falsely accused, specifically Joseph. As a servant, he was accused of raping the wife of his master, Potiphar.  Moses, even though faithful, the Israelites accused him of bringing them out into the wilderness to die.  And then there’s David, who had proved himself to have courage and integrity, but was falsely accused by King Saul of trying to dethrone him.

God worked out all those situations for good.  So, I know that if God did it for them, He will do it for me.  God knows my heart and He knows the truth of my circumstances. That’s why I’m letting Him fight this battle for me.  

It is an isolating feeling to be wrongfully accused of something you know you didn’t do, but God understands this.  

God's desire for me is to have a joyful, meaningful life, and I expect and trust that He will give that to me.

Psalm 30:5 – “For His anger is but for a moment, and His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”

Two steps forward, three steps back.  Do you ever feel this way?  Just when you thought things were back on track and life was falling into place, and then BAM! 

I can't count all the times in my life that I've felt this way.  Our response as a Christian should be to dust off our shoes, get back up, and keep trying.  But, do we do this every time?  Do we sometimes muddle in self-pity?  I know I do.  

I read this today in my devotion and it stuck with me, "The righteous have the hope of complete restoration and healing.  Jesus promises through His peace we will overcome suffering because He has overcome the world."  That's my hope today; complete restoration of what I'm going through.

Setbacks are just setups for me to go higher.  This is the time for God to lift me out of this despair and take me into a deeper relationship with Him.  It's a time to let my faith show others of His love and His grace.  

Today I pray that God finds me unwavering, dedicated and immovable.  

Even when we fail God, if we repent, God will restore us and use us again in His service.

Psalm 51:12 – “Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.”

Having eyes of faith is conveyed only by God's Spirit and His Word.  This is not anything we can see through our human eyes. 

Are you surrounded by difficulties today, as I am?  Are you reveling in self-pity, as I seem to be doing?  The solution can only be found in God's grace.  We must simply open our eyes to the all-surpassing greatness of God's power, available on our behalf.

Faith in something means believing that it will come true, even when we don't have proof that it will. Having faith in God, to me, means trusting that what He says, He will do.  Sticking to that faith creates character.  

When all the odds are against me, when nothing is falling into place the way I want it to, my intention is to keep the faith, and not give up.  

I hope my consistent walk and love for others shows in my attitude, and in my personality.  I hope I can respond to others in a positive manner when they question me or when they say, "How can you believe that this will get better, when all the odds are against you, and nothing has been going right lately?" 

There will come a time, and there have been times, when having faith in God means believing in the impossible.  It means stepping out of the box and trusting God to step in and show His mighty power. (can I say, "Hurry up God")

Faith in God causes the Christian to pray to the Unseen Father and expect to hear an answer!

Psalm 37:5 – “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act.”

Life is tough sometimes.  Some people cause drama; some love to cause others' drama.  Whichever the case you may be in, know this: God is in control, of every situation, every disaster, every miracle, etc.  

As we keep our faith in this vision, we can rest in His presence.  We can be assured that whatever comes before us, God will work it out. It may not be today or tomorrow or even ten years from now, but He will bring out the good in the calamity.  

I'm grateful God is with us in our pain.  Even when we don't have answers, it should give us peace to know that He can be trusted.

At my weakest moments, God shines through.  He's done it through all my 41 years of walking with Him.  

Deuteronomy 31:6 - "Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you.He will not leave you or forsake you."

There's so much hopelessness in this world.  Hopelessness is one of Satan's favorite tools.  He wants us to feel scared, alone, unworthy and not sure of which way to turn.  

 I've been there and don't want to go back.  Two of my greatest defenders, my shield in times of distress, are strength and security.  These two weapons do not come from me, but from my God.  I search the Word and find strength in His Word.  I search the Word and find security in His promises.  

 STRENGTH - Isaiah 40:29 - He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength."

Today I asked myself, “how am I going to have the strength to overcome this hurt, this pain, this depression that is overwhelming me?”  I realize that I can't overcome this burden on my own.  It would be a gross delusion to believe that in my own strength I can forgive and move on.

I find my strength in acknowledging God as my Savior and admit my total helplessness and dependency on Him.  It's there that I come to know His strength, His power and His might.  

 SECURITY - John 10:28-29 – “28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.

God didn't bring me this far to just leave me.  He's going to work this all out to my advantage; I believe this.

Stay faithful friends and fight the good fight. You are already armed with all the weapons you need; strength/security from our Creator!

Biblical hope is a reality and not a feeling.  Biblical hope carries no doubt.  To a Christian, this is a hope on which we base our lives, believing that God always keeps His promises.

Where's your hope today?