Monday, November 19, 2012

Christian Devotions

A Lesson from a Donkey - Nadia Ianakieva

Photo courtesy microsoft.com free image galleryLesson from a donkey
I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NIV
You need to learn from the old donkey! The thought churned in my mind.
I'd lost my job, felt discouraged, and turned to God for help. Was there a lesson I needed to learn? Turned out there was, and the teacher was a donkey.
The story goes like this: A donkey ended up in an old abandoned well. His owner decided the hole was too deep, the donkey, too old, and it wasn't worth rescuing him. Instead, he called his neighbor and the two farmers agreed to fill the hole with dirt and bury the animal in the well.
When the cries of the animal subsided, the owner peeked into the well to see what had happened to the donkey. What he saw astonished him. Instead of being buried, the donkey dodged the incoming dirt, standing on the ever-increasing mound, getting ready to jump out of the well.
When I feel trapped by the circumstances, when the dirt of problems threatens to bury me, I remember the story of the old donkey. As a believer I declare, “Faith will always find a way.”
The four men in Luke 5 found a way to lower their paralyzed friend who was lying on a mat, through the roof tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. They took action and climbed on the roof. They found a way for their friend to be healed.
Paul encourages us by saying we can do everything through Christ who gives us strength. It takes willingness to accept that truth, but it is what the Bible says we can do. God is our “turn around” specialist. If we trust Him, He can give us the power to overcome any hurdle on the road. He can transform the unfavorable circumstances into a stepping stone for our success, and use us to encourage others.
Don't sit around feeling sorry for yourself. Take action. Do the footwork. Believe God can and is willing to help you in trouble. Get off that couch and declare, “Faith will always find a way.” Stand on the Word of God and believe.
Photo courtesy microsoft.com free image gallery
Nadia Ianakieva is a freelance writer living in Hanover Park, Illinois. She was born in Bulgaria, a country behind the Iron Curtain of Communism. When baptized in the Holy Spirit, she was miraculously delivered and healed of several diseases. In 2000 Nadia’s family moved to America as permanent residents. Her mission is to encourage believers by pointing out the power they have been given in Christ.
Nadia’s articles have been published by Leah, a magazine for Christian women and Breathe Again magazine, designed to uplift the modern women of today. Nadia is the author of The Red Dress Decision: True Stories of a Life Filled with God’s Miracles.
http://www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore/book.php?w=978-1-61663-168-0 http://www.wix.com/nianakieva/nadiaianakieva