Today I Will Make A Difference...

Check out today's devotional, by my friend D. Andrews in San Diego.

Dear Friend,

GiG, on January 2, 2020, I read a quote from Max Lucado’s book, On the Anvil: Being Shaped Into God's Image that has propelled me into a deeper understanding of my relationship with Jesus. This book was originally released in February 2008, but I stumbled upon it last year. Those who know me, know that in the past seven years I’ve become a student of Max Lucado. I enjoy the simplicity of his sermons and books, but don’t get it twisted; his books are rich in spiritual meat that beckons the reader to pick up their Bible and follow on a journey of discovery. I’m a simple, no frills, low maintenance, Jersey girl transplant who loves Jesus unapologetically and the Holy Spirit has used Max to move me from a place of comfort to an uncomfortableness. And I’m truly thankful.

So, here’s what I read that rocked my world, in a good way. “Today I will make a difference. I will begin by controlling my thoughts. A person is the product of his thoughts. I want to be happy and hopeful. Therefore, I will have thoughts that are happy and hopeful. I refuse to be victimized by my circumstances. Optimism will be my companion, and victory will be my hallmark. Today I will make a difference.” Now, I read this after I had decided that my word for the year would be joyful.

Maybe you were like me at the start of 2020, recognizing its significance, a new decade and longing for a paradigm shift, rebuilding of a legacy, or the tearing down of strongholds. As the description of Max’s book reads on Amazon, “We are all somewhere in the Blacksmith’s shop. We are either on the scrap pile, in the Master’s hands on the anvil, or in the tool chest. (Some of us have been in all three.)” Yikes, I know I have been in all three during my lifetime.

I’ve been reaching out to people with Max’s words and the corresponding scripture in the forefront of my mind.

15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Ephesians 5:15-16 NLT

Bear with me just a little while longer; look at this same scripture in the Message translation:

11-16 Don’t waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It’s a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ.

Wake up from your sleep,

Climb out of your coffins;

Christ will show you the light!

So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!

Wow!

May we be encouraged to believe Who We Are Makes a Difference. Let’s not allow past failures to haunt us, but instead propel us to press on. No failure is final; in Christ we are victorious. Yes, today we’ll make a difference in someone’s life. Get up and get going.

Please feel free to email me your victory stories. I’d love to share them as encouragement for us all.

God’s Got It…so we can GROW—To make a difference in someone’s life, you don’t have to be brilliant, rich, beautiful, or perfect. You just have to care enough and be there. Mandy Hale

DEA