Valuable

Proverbs 10:20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.

Here I am, about 90 minutes after sitting down to write this devo and I have written and deleted about 10 paragraphs. I just can't seem to come up with the right words to write here. I think it is pretty apparent what the scripture is telling us.

We have the opportunity to be of great value to our Lord. It is the difference between our hearts and our tongues. Our tongues cannot be controlled, yet we can do our best to let only those things that are pure come from our mouth. When it comes to our hearts, we are either wicked or not. When there is wickedness in our hearts, we are of little worth to our Lord.

He still loves us. He loves the broken and many times uses the broken for his glory.

I look at two people in my life that have passed away. Russ B. was an amazing man of integrity, he was passionate and after attending his funeral, I realized what a treasure he was to God, packing the church to overflowing, there were countless lives changed by his heart. Then there was another funeral I attended of someone who was broken most of their life. This person had a major impact on the lives of others as well, because of their testimony. Their wickedness early on in life was of no value to God. But when God became their focus, their heart, lives were changed.

Are there people in our lives that we see as valuable, better than others? Have we missed the point that God loves us all and desires our hearts to beat for him? Who in our lives is of little value to God right now, living a wicked life? How can God use us to love those who are wicked, to polish the tarnished metal so that it becomes a bright and shining choice silver? What would happen if today, we all chose to love those who are broken, to extend a hand, to penetrate their hearts?

Dear Lord, I pray that each of us sees our value to you, to your kingdom. I pray that we reach out to those who have never experienced the joy that your love brings. Lord, may we seek out the wicked and show them love and grace. May we be the light that you have fashioned us to be in this world. You are amazing Lord, teach us how we can perform far more miracles than we dare to even think of. Teach us what it truly means to go out among the people to all of the earth. Give us the ability, the strength, the wisdom. Amen.

Praise and Prayer

Thank you for praying for Diana B. this week.

I have so much to be thankful for. I am so excited about the marathon this weekend. Praise God for His strength over the last 6 months. Pray I keep a clear mind while I run. Pray for a new friendship with Juli who will be my running partner during the marathon. Pray for safe travel for Ted on his way back from Baltimore. Please pray for Madi as she is learning the importance of trying even when it is harder then you could have imagined. Pray that I stay patient in the process. Praise God that our friend Dave has given his life to Christ. Praise God that our friend Bob has recommitted his life to Christ. Praise God for new opportunities for me in ministry and planning my first women's retreat. Praise God for the time Heather and I are getting to talk about our faith and life. God is so amazing and moving and changing lives. ~AS

Prayer Partners, I just received a prayer request for a distant cousin with family in the North Dakota area. They are having major flooding there along the Red River. Please pray that God will hold back the flood waters and keep every one safe. ~RC

Please pray for our new small group, Fireproof series for couples. Pray for each of the 9 members. Protection as we become vulnerable in being transparent and I ask that we will all look at our own hearts and actions, not our partners. Please pray for health issues I am dealing with concerning my hands, next week I go in for another test to make sure nothing was missed in early February during the ultrasounds. Pray that my Thyroid levels continue to adjust to the healthier lifestyle that I am working towards. Please pray for details in an upcoming vacation, our finances and relationships that need to be mended. Pray for JoAnne's health, that she will not have so much pain and that she get her energy back. Pray for sleep issues with Dan and Denise and for the healing of an addiction of a friend. Please pray for all those who are unemployed, laid off or facing pay cuts, will you comfort them. Please pray for parents that are struggling with anger and frustration, for families that are feeling more tension due to finances and needs. HC

Pray for the all night party at the church tonight. That all the teens will make good choices, that the staff will make it through the entire night and that God reveals himself during the event. Praise God for all those who will be there tonight.