Best Birthday Present

1 Corinthians 1:26-31

English Standard Version (ESV)

26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards,[a] not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; 28 God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, 29 so that no human being[b] might boast in the presence of God. 30 And because of him[c] you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, 31 so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

 I have had something HEAVY on my heart for one of my kids.  It has been building for quite some time and it was getting to the point that something had to "give". 

 We needed the Lord to step in and do a mighty  work.  

This kid has been so diligent and faithful to seek the Lord in this, and to seek wise counsel over and over.  There was a lot of prayer going up on their behalf.  God was using many people to speak into this kid's life.

Friends and family have been going to the Lord and asking for wisdom and direction and clarity and unity, and 

PEACE.

We have been thankful because the "struggle" has not been out of  rebellion....just total frustration....and unsettled, very stirred up.

God usually stirs us up and makes us really "uncomfortable" before we are willing to take a step of faith. 

 We were all "stirred up and uncomfortable".

There is a lot at stake.

On my birthday, I was feeling desperate for my kid.  

I know that the Lord loves my kids much more than I can even fathom and I know that He loves me.  

 I asked the Lord for a birthday present. 

 I just wanted peace... some relief from the pressure and the frustration, some confirmation from God, the only one who knows how He created my kid and knows their hearts and knows the future.

  I needed to be reminded and shown 

GOD'S FAITHFULNESS, 

I needed a present of His presence

TODAY!!

That prayer was early in the morning. 

 By noon......, God had given us a gift that confirmed that 

"step of faith".

He met us right where we all are in this process.

I was given the birthday present that only God could supply! 

 He loves me, and He hears my prayers. 

 I am praising God for His peace, and for making me feel so loved. 

  I'm thankful for His faithfulness and His kindness and His gifts.

2 Corinthians 4:7-12

English Standard Version (ESV)

Treasure in Jars of Clay

7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. 12 So death is at work in us, but life in you.

We still don't know what the future holds...but we know 

WHO

 holds the future.

We are weak...but He is strong!