Your Heroic Moment - Abigail Skelton

We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10 NIV

Corrie Ten Boom is a household name today in the Netherlands. And for anyone who has read the Hiding Place or her other books, she is remembered as a hero for helping hide Jews from the Nazis. 

But isn’t it noteworthy that Corrie was in her fifties before anything grand and heroic happened in her life? In the years leading up to Hitler’s invasion of the Netherlands, Corrie worked in her father’s watch shop, volunteered with young adult Bible studies, helped special needs youth, and furthered her own education by reading books in other languages … including German. Her habits and discipline when it came to spending time with God and learning Scripture may have seemed insignificant for years, but when trouble hit, she was more prepared than most. She had already spent a lifetime readying herself for heroism.

We see examples of this all throughout the Bible as well. Moses grew up with the education and connections to Egypt, which later probably came in handy when he sought an audience with Pharaoh. 

David spent years herding sheep and talking to the Lord out in fields, which was clear preparation for shepherding the people of Israel and living on the run, dependent only on the Lord. 

Even Paul had the education, citizenship, and discipline needed for his calling to bring the gospel to new lands and to testify in Rome.

Sometimes even when our situations or skills seem random, God is at work in the background, preparing us for a moment when He can use what we have for His purposes—if we are willing participants. 

In most situations, heroes have chances to turn back, to live for themselves, and not bother with risks. We have that choice as well. But if we do decide to join God in what He is up to …perhaps even our daily routines and personality quirks can be instruments for the kingdom. Perhaps God is already getting us ready for our own heroic moment.

Pray that God will reveal His heroic moment to you. 

Abigail Skelton is from beautiful Southern Oregon, where she grew up with an avid love for Jesus, chocolate, and writing. She has lived in three countries while involved in missionary work and frequently travels and studies foreign languages. You can connect with Abigail on her website: https://abigailskelton.com.

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

Loosing the Arm of Unforgiveness - Martin Wiles

Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 NLT

She saw him coming across the room. One who had made her life a living hell. 

Corrie ten Boom and her sister, Betsie, languished in prison until Betsie died. Shortly thereafter—later discovered to be through of a clerical error—authorities released Corrie. One week later, soldiers killed all the women her age. 

After her release, Corrie traveled over Holland and Europe telling of her experience. On one occasion, while speaking in Munich, she saw one of the Nazi guards from Ravensbruck coming toward her with a smile on his face. “How grateful I am for your message, Fraulein. To think that, as you say, He has washed my sins away,” he said.

He thrust his hand toward Corrie, but her arm felt as if glue held it to her side. She had to utter several prayers, asking God to help her forgive him, before she could bring herself to return his gesture. But when she did, something astounding happened.

In The Hiding Place, Corrie writes, “As I took his hand the most incredible thing happened. From my shoulder along my arm and through my hand, a current seemed to pass from me to him, while into my heart sprang a love for this stranger that almost overwhelmed me.”

Corrie experienced the joy of forgiveness—the kind Paul said believers should give.

The basis of our forgiveness is God’s forgiveness. When we ask—and no matter how often we ask—God is always willing to forgive. A significant part of His nature is love, and love demands forgiveness. When I’ve been forgiven by God, I’ll understand how ludicrous it is for me to refuse to forgive someone else, no matter how deeply they’ve hurt me.

Forgiveness is never easy and may require repeating. Forgiveness releases someone from a debt they owe us because of a wrong they’ve committed against us.

Forgiving the infraction doesn’t mean we place our stamp of approval on what they’ve done—or that they shouldn’t suffer consequences for their actions.

Peace results when we forgive. In fact, forgiveness benefits us more than it does the person we’re forgiving. Jesus said He came to bring peace. He also wants us to live abundantly. Both states of being require a regular habit of releasing those who harm us—physically, emotionally, and even spiritually.
  
With God’s help, forgive those who have wronged you.

Tweetable: Are you extending an arm of forgiveness?

Prayer: Father, as You have forgiven us, so help us to forgive others. 

Looking for a wide selection of genres in inspirational books at discount prices? Click here to see selections.

Thanks to all our faithful followers who are "sharing" our posts--please keep it up! We also invite you to follow and like us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Help us spread God's encouragement through his love lines.

Thankful for Fleas - Martin Wiles

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NLT

“Betsie, how can we live in such a place?” she wailed.

They were Hollanders caught in the German invasion of their country. Discovering they held Jewish sympathies, the Nazis arrested the family and carted them off to prison. Eventually, all found freedom—except Corrie and Betsie.

Traveling between prison camps, the sisters wondered where they were headed this time. They soon found out: Ravensbruck, the notorious death camp. In addition to the lice infesting their bedding, fleas infected their barracks. When Corrie complained, Betsie reminded her of the Bible’s command to give thanks in all circumstances. Corrie didn’t understand.

Guards crammed fourteen hundred women into Barracks 28—an area designed to house four hundred. The flea infestation was so severe the guards wouldn’t enter the barracks. Only then did Corrie understand how Betsie could thank God for these conditions. Since the guards didn’t monitor their activity, Betsie and Corrie led Bible studies where many women found comfort in the pages of Scripture and where many came to know Jesus as Savior. 

Betsie followed Paul’s admonition. He also knew about challenging surroundings, but chose to give thanks anyway.

Thankfulness in all situations requires changing our state of mind. I’m more prone to complain than to thank. Corrie was too. It took Betsie to show her an alternate way. God can show us the same. Such a state of mind comes easier when we remember God’s in control of our situations.

Although they often do, circumstances shouldn’t determine whether or not we have a thankful attitude. Paul doesn’t imply we should get happy about our circumstances, but we can give thanks in them. Being happy about a tragedy is ludicrous, but I can choose to thank God in that circumstance. Doing so helps change my state of mind.

When we’re thankful in all circumstances, it reminds us things could be worse—and often are for others. It doesn’t take looking very far to find someone facing shoddier situations than we face. Seeing several homeless men in our area keeps me continually reminded of this truth.

As ironic as it might appear, giving thanks in all circumstances actually brings peace of mind. Obedience does this. And so does believing in a God who controls all things and who works all things together for the good of His children.

Regardless of what God brings or allows into your life, be thankful.

Tweetable: Are you thankful in all situations?

Prayer: Father, give us the faith to thank You daily, even in the direst circumstances.

Looking for a wide selection of genres in inspirational books at discount prices? Click here to see selections.

Thanks to all our faithful followers who are "sharing" our posts--please keep it up! We also invite you to follow and like us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Help us spread God's encouragement through his love lines.

Give and Get - Martin Wiles

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Matthew 6:21 NLT

She and her sister rotted in a Nazi prison concentration camp, but they gave nevertheless.

Corrie ten Boom and her sister Betsie were Hollanders caught in the German invasion of their country. Believing they held Jewish sympathies, the Nazis arrested her family and carted them off to prison. Eventually, all except Corrie and her sickly sister found freedom.

As Corrie and Betsie gravitated from one prison camp to another, Betsie’s health deteriorated. Vitamin drops were the only thing keeping her strength up so she could do the painstaking work the Nazis required. But when others needed the vitamins, she shared. Corrie worried the vitamin drops would give out and her sister would get worse, but God gave to Betsie and she gave in return.

Soon, more than twenty-five shared the small bottle of vitamins—but the drops never ran out. Day after day, the drops unexplainably multiplied. One day, a young Dutch woman assigned to work at the hospital delivered a treasured package: more vitamins. Corrie planned to finish the bottle first, but when she tried to deliver the drops the bottle didn’t deliver. 

Betsie ten Boom’s treasure came from giving. According to Jesus, her heart occupied the same place.

God wants His followers to give even when it appears impossible to do so—as it did with Betsie. He doesn’t expect us to give so much that we put ourselves or our family in poverty—or that we neglect our financial responsibilities—but He does want us to give proportionately and with faith. Betsie had faith God would care for her if the vitamins ran out.

We give because God has given to us—the greatest gift of all. Under no obligation, He gave His only Son to pay our sin debt. The sacrifice was the vitamin we needed to sustain our spiritual lives. Our giving to others demonstrates our appreciation for His gift.

Giving shows love. Betsie loved those she didn’t know. She loved to the point she was willing to sacrifice her own health. As she gave sacrificially, her giving drew others to Christ—which was one of her goals. Even in a nefarious prison camp surrounded by evil guards, her giving attracted others to the One who gave His all.

Give with the right motives and for the right reasons. You’ll never regret it.

Tweetable: Is your hand opened or closed?

Prayer: Father, as You have given Your all for us, may we give our best for You. 

Looking for a wide selection of genres in inspirational books at discount prices? Click here to see selections.

Thanks to all our faithful followers who are "sharing" our posts--please keep it up! We also invite you to follow and like us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Help us spread God's encouragement through his love lines.