Working Together for a Greater Purpose

“I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself.”—Colossians 2:2 (NLT)

Overcommitment is not God’s will for us, nor is trying to do it all on your own. I need to be careful in this area of my life. There is so much to do for God’s Kingdom, but I can’t say, “yes” to every opportunity. The Knit, Pray, Crochet church ministry I am leading is a perfect example. Currently, there is one woman who I call my “top performer.” Every week she brings, hats and blankets she has made. Could I make more items to donate each week? Probably, but it would stress me out to do that. That is not my gift. My gift was starting the group and trusting God would provide the manpower and number of needed items.

I will never be the person that cranks out 50 hats or 5 blankets a month. I am lucky to get 2-3 hats made. God gave me the gift of leadership to spearhead the ministry. The group isn’t making hats because we expect recognition from the pulpit. We do it because it is a way for us to evangelize outside of the church walls. There is power when we do things together. People are drawn toward light. When I am with my sisters in Christ knitting each week, together we shine the light of Christ even brighter.

In our group, age isn’t a disqualifier. The lady I mentioned who produces the most is in her early 80’s. When she broke her wrist a few months ago, not only did our production go down, but we also missed her presence. She has been instrumental in getting the word out about us. Please say a prayer Wednesday morning for her as she undergoes heart surgery for a new heart valve.🙏🏻

We all have a part to play in growing God’s Kingdom. When we find our cause where we can serve, we find our purpose. Not only has my knitting helped guide my hands with what I create, but it does the same for those in my Knit, Pray, Crochet group. We know what we create will warm a person, child or baby’s head. This brings joy to our hearts. It is highly unlikely we will ever see the recipient wearing what we have made, but we know the love and prayers woven into what we make will be felt by them.

Yes, we can serve Jesus on our own, but when we do it together, it gives life more meaning. It may be outside of your comfort zone to join a small group where you may not know anyone, but what I can tell you is, life is better when I connect with other brothers and sisters in Christ.

Father God,

Thank You for knitting women into my life who help me to shine the light of Christ in my community. Continue to lead others to help grow Your kingdom using the gifts You have given them. I lift up my sister in Christ, Jo Ann, who will be having heart surgery this week as well as any others who have health issues. You know each by name. I pray for those searching for friendships to help them grow in Christ. Open their eyes to where they can serve to meet others who are on a similar faith path. I pray these things in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

October Verse

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.”—Psalm 28:7

If you are knitting or crocheting gifts to give away, please make sure you tweet @KnitPrayShare or share your projects on the Knit, Pray, Share Facebook page or Instagram using the hashtag #KnitPrayShare. Be sure to attach a tag to whatever gift you make

Limited Time

“Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.”—Psalm 90:12 (NLT)

If you knew the exact day you were going to die, would you live your life differently? We don’t know because regardless of when that day is, we know our time is limited. Because of this, we should have an urgency for being bolder and more confident in our faith with both those we know and those we don’t who haven’t accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Psalm 90:12 tells us life is short. Each day we are given is a gift God has entrusted to us. Any time of the day, I can read God’s Word to grow in wisdom, which helps me to prioritize what is important in life.  If I look around me, I get the chance to love like Jesus to those put in my pathway; from personal encounters to an email, text or message on social media.

A few years ago, when a close family friend was dying, I kept thinking, God would use someone else to talk to him about his salvation. However, God chose me. We can’t tell ourselves (like I did and still do), God is going to use another person to tell them about Jesus. I will just do the planting of the seeds. If God puts an opportunity in our pathway, we don’t question it. We do it.

Of course, we don’t ever stop the seed planting. God may need us to tend to them to help them grow or we may even be blessed enough to see the person accept Jesus into their hearts and lives. We pray about it. Either God will open the door for the conversation, or He won’t. The last thing we want to become is the person who pushed them further from God. Like I said, we pray and then obey.

I did have a situation a few weeks ago at my mother’s assisted living. It was brought to my attention one of the gentlemen at my mom’s dinner table didn’t have the same beliefs as me. I don’t exactly remember what I was talking about, but I made a comment about “one day in heaven.” In a bit of a condescending tone, he said, “so you believe in that? My husband was with me. He gave me the eye that I needed to change the topic. He was right. At dinner with a table full of other residents wasn’t the appropriate moment to have some type of theological debate with him. Should the opportunity present itself at a better time with him, I won’t shy away from the conversation.

Our days here on earth are brief. The things we do for God are what have eternal value. Physical death is a part of our reality. We can’t avoid it. “My friends, we want you to understand how it will be for those followers who have already died. Then you won't grieve over them and be like people who don't have any hope.”—1 Thessalonians 4:13 (CEV)

This scripture tells us that people who don’t know Jesus will grieve over their loved ones because they don’t have the hope of knowing when they die, they spend eternity with their Heavenly Father. I don’t know about you, but this makes me sad that so many are hopeless after the death of a loved one. We can change that by sharing our faith with others.

We know death is not the end but the beginning. We are promised we will spend eternity with our Creator We have no need to fear the end of our life for we have a Savior who dwells with us now and forever. Where or who can you give this message of hope to someone?

Father God,

Forgive me when I question an opportunity You have put in my pathway to share the Gospel. Help me purposefully live my life as a disciple of Christ. I ask for you to give me the right words to speak with those who don’t believe in Jesus. Whether You are asking me to plant some seeds or grow what someone else has planted, I know You can use me as a vessel to share Your Truth to those who are lost. Soften hearts to hear Your message of hope and healing. I pray these things in the name of Jesus. Amen

September Verse

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”—1 Peter 5:6

If you are knitting or crocheting gifts to give away, please make sure you tweet @KnitPrayShare or share your projects on the Knit, Pray, Share Facebook page or Instagram using the hashtag #KnitPrayShare. Be sure to attach a tag to whatever gift you make

Practicing Humility

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”—1 Peter 5:6

Humility is counter cultural. We live in a world that is “all about me.” Focusing on self is encouraged. Our society focuses on self-reliance, self-help and self-made. Being consumed with the self is the message that is being sent to us. Culture tells us to look inward not upward. We are told to look within ourselves to unleash hidden powers. It is all about self-love. Selfishness seems to be celebrated.

Hope lies in God, not ourselves. However, the world sends quite a different message. It tells you to believe in yourself. Pride keeps us from experiencing God’s best for us. We aren’t going to make the best decisions when pride rules in our hearts.

Humility recognizes we are created by God and accountable to Him, not the world. I know nothing I do can be done solely on my own abilities. However, this is where many, at least me, struggle. There have been situations when things don’t seem to be happening when I think they should. Taking things into my own hands never ends like I had envisioned.

Had I remained obedient to that nudge that told me to be still, and trust God is in control, I wouldn’t have experienced the consequences of not listening to the Holy Spirit. My “help” only delays God’s work. If I am truly seeking God for direction, He will give it to me. He doesn’t need my “guidance.”

It takes stepping out in faith believing God’s plans will always prevail. God gives grace, faith, wisdom and understanding when we are humble. Pride says, “I don’t need Jesus, but the reality is, none of us are enough. We all need Jesus. We need Him living in us and through us. Having a spirit of humility not only pleases God but is representative of who Christ is. He humbled himself to His Father, just as we are to do daily.

Father God,

Forgive me when I look inward and not upward doing things my way and not Your way. Thank You for giving me the perfect example of humility in Your Son, Jesus. I praise You for giving me the Holy Spirit to convict me of any prideful thoughts or actions. I lift those up to You who are weary of waiting for answered prayers and tempted to take matters in their own hands. I ask for You to give them strength to resist the lies of the enemies. You DO hear their prayers. Your Word tells us in 1 Peter 5:6, when we humble ourselves under Your mighty hand, You will lift us up in due time. I pray these things in the name of Jesus. Amen.

 September Verse

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”—1 Peter 5:6

If you are knitting or crocheting gifts to give away, please make sure you tweet @KnitPrayShare or share your projects on the Knit, Pray, Share Facebook page or Instagram using the hashtag #KnitPrayShare. Be sure to attach a tag to whatever gift you make