May 25: SOMETIMES WE ASK FOR HELP AND GOD GIVES US HOPE…

Affirmation: I choose to appreciate who I am. I let go of what others think.

The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. Job 33:4 ESV

Today take time to list 10 things you appreciate about yourself.

Then express your gratitude and Joy to God.

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Ponder, Personalize, Practice: Be diligent about your pondering , personalizing and practicing this weekend. Keep a notecard or post it wit you to trigger your focus. 
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬https://bible.com/bible/111/php.4.8.NIV

Walk in Grace. Live in Love. By Bob Goff 

May 25

SOMETIMES WE ASK FOR HELP AND GOD GIVES US HOPE, NOT BECAUSE IT'S DIFFERENT BUT BECAUSE IT'S THE SAME.

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. 

MATTHEW 5:14-16 

My friend Doug and I volunteered as summer camp counselors for Young Life when we were in college. Young Life introduces youth to Jesus by loving them like He loved us-with no agenda. The young people who come don't have to know Bible verses or Christian songs or take positions on the social issues of the day to feel like they belong. We know, just like Jesus did, that we meet each other at the starting line, not the finish line. 

Spending every day outside with kids for weeks was a lot of fun, but it had us begging for a day off. Really, anything would do-even a twenty-four-hour virus. God answered those prayers by letting us catch something else instead: a renewed vision for what He was up to with the kids. Right after I'd pray for an illness-induced rest, one of the kids would open up to me about his lifelong desire to feel like his dad actually liked him or tell me his time at camp was the first time he had felt truly seen and loved. Just when Doug was ready to escape camp by canoe in the night, a kid would tell him he didn't want to use drugs anymore because he was starting to believe his life mattered. 

These experiences taught me that sometimes when we ask for help, God gives us hope instead. When we want help getting through another day, God gives us hope in what He's doing in and through us. 

The next time you find yourself looking for a way out, look for evidence of God on the move in someone's life around you. They've probably been asking God to give them a little hope, and what God is giving them is you. 

What evidence do you see of God using your life for good?