There Is Never Any Waste With God!

I hear you professing all the time that there is no waste with Me (God), so I'm pricking and invoking you to embrace that reality in your own heart and life. 
Recently some harsh blows to you living and abiding in Me and the built-in joy that entails has been, to say the least, challenging, but I want you to remember that I don't waver in any way in regards to that which concerns you and My plans, intentions and love for you!  But, you also need to remember that My plans and purposes for you never involve only you and it would be selfish of you to not understand this. 
Sarah, others are broken and hurting also and until that matters to you as much as it does to Me how then can you possibly want Me to help make your pain have not only an end but a purpose as well? 

Dear Lord,
These words You've given me are so true and You are such an amazing Savior, You have such a way of weaving us all into Your Purpose, which ultimately here on earth is to further Your kingdom by introducing those who don't know You to the One who died for them. You also intend for us to learn how to love others and be members of the Family Of God, one verse in 1 Thessalonians 3:12 NIRV says, "May the Lord make your love grow. May it be like a rising flood. May your love for one another increase. May it also increase for everyone else...". Holy Spirit, show me how to love others with the ever increasing love Paul the Apostle speaks of in this verse. I really want to learn how to love with (Your) unconditional, agape love.
One of the main purposes for Your children here on this earth is to bring glory and honor to You in everything we do and in such a way that it draws others to You, (1 Corinthians 10:31). One of the ways I can bring glory to Your name is to honor not only You during trials, but to honor the trial itself. Honor it by letting it have its way in and with me. Your word tells me, "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance",  (Romans 5:3 NLT).

Sweet and Strong Jesus,
My selfish heart tends to want to dismiss or ignore the difficulties or hurts another person might be going through especially if they have the ability to affect some outcome in my  current situation or world.
When I am going through trials or dealing with difficult people... Please don't let tears be the only thing produced as I claim to feel the weight and gravity of the pain of others. Show me how to turn tears into actions-- may You also show me when tears are enough and prayer is all that is required-- for I am not called to bear everyone's burdens, but I must not miss or dismiss those You have meant for me.
I want to thank You for the gift of having people in my life who can , if and when I let them, help me get through some of these difficult times, and yes even help me to learn how to deal a little more graciously with difficult people. The truth that I have others I can go to who have personal experiences to share with me means so much  and I don't believe it's by coincidence, but because You knew I would need them and their wisdom "for such a time as this".

I know I must trust You Lord, always, and not be complacent or get discouraged while going through the trials that come with learning to exercise, grow and strengthen my faith...faith doesn't exhibit itself until I use it. But each and every time I do use it, my faith becomes stronger. That is why I can say with great assurance that there is no waste with You, Lord. There is not one thing that happens to me (or my loved ones) that You can't or won't turn around for my good and Your glory!

Yes, I will make good on all of My promises, just hold on to and use your faith as I intended for You to, and trust that I do have a greater purpose than what you can see, for you and all of My children. The pain you may be experiencing has a purpose, but the pain itself is not the purpose, in other words, there is always something spiritual going on when trials and challenging people are at work in your life. Try to let spiritual growth have its way in you and then you will either understand what I am trying to acheive in and through you or you will be released from the burden it brings. Trust that I don't randomly, without reason put My children through trials in which there is no purpose... for everything I do has an eternal and lasting purpose. 

~ 

He Chose Me

...Of course Lord, You chose me and the reason that is so important to me is because I struggle so much with how to affirm my own worth and value through You, the filter in which I am sifted for eternal value and worth...

"Even as [in His love] He chose us [actually picked us out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love. For He foreordained us (destined us, planned in love for us) to be adopted (revealed) as His own children...because it pleased Him and was His kind intent",  Ephesians 1:4-5 Amp.

All of this planning and choosing me for Yourself took place before I ever did and You didn't have to choose me, You weren't forced to pick me as if I were the last kid left on the playground to be on your team - no, the scripture says it pleased You and it was Your kind intent - You, the Lord of the universe, intentionally chose me to be Yours and not just to be on Your team or to play a game and then be done with me, You chose me to be Yours forever!

I love You, Jesus!

Of course Lord, You chose me and the reason that is so important to me is because I struggle so much with how to affirm my own worth and value through You, the filter in which I am sifted for eternal value and worth. The world doesn't place much value on or in someone like me, I am not anything special in this day and age, on this planet earth. Whoever can measure up to this world's expectations? Not I, not anyone. Just ask the world it will tell you... "You can always be better" and when that message is sieved through the dark eyes of this world...you can always do or be better ultimately means, I'm not good enough. And if I continue to be influenced by the ways of this world I will find myself unable to acheive what it says I should and even if I could I would live frustrated- this world doesn't give what You can. 

But You Lord, have said I shall live in this world but I am not of this world- I belong to You and Your kingdom. When I am struggling with such things as my identity and Whose I am and can I really have a meaningful and purpose filled life in this crazy world?  I will remember Your words to me from the 139th Psalm, they speak of how I was "... intricately and curiously wrought [as if embroidered with various colors] in the depths of the earth...", v.15 amp., I am designed and purposely put together. "For You did form my inward parts; You did knit me together in my mother's womb", Psalm 139:13 AMP. This beautiful psalm reminds me that I am unable to hide from You- You find me wherever I go, not because I am looking for You, but because You never stop thinking of me! "God, Your thoughts about me are priceless. No one can possibly add them all up", Ps.139:17 NIRV. I think I find it so hard to comprehend that You are always thinking about me because I can be so easily distracted when it comes to my thoughts of You, Lord. The world can overtake my focus when I really want it to be all about Your kingdom, Your ways, Your thoughts, Your words, Your truth- I hate the distraction, but it's true, I can sometimes be easily misguided at things that are not of eternal importance. I need Holy Spirit to guide me and keep me.
Thank You Jesus for choosing me and always thinking of and interceding for me. Your great love chose me and I'm still trying to wrap that powerful truth around my heart.
There's no greater love than a chosen love, a love that has been personally pursued and captured and has decided to give up, give in and be loved! That's what I want, Jesus, only You know how to capture my heart and set it free at the same time.

When I ponder the words in these verses about You choosing me my mere human understanding cannot fathom what You are telling me. I cannot imagine a God who creates me and chooses me for Himself, in a world of chaos and people who barely know I exist, You chose me before this world of chaos was even formed and it does not matter to You if I go unconsidered and disregarded in this world, because, You have high regard for me and I am never merely glossed over by Your amazing love!
As I read the verses from Your word I like to personalize them so that they read as follows:
Even as [in His love] He chose ME [actually picked ME out for Himself as His own] in Christ before the foundation of the world, that I should be holy (consecrated and set apart for Him) and blameless in His sight, even above reproach, before Him in love. For He foreordained ME (destined ME, planned in love for ME) to be adopted (revealed) as His own child through Jesus Christ, in accordance with the purpose of His will [because it pleased Him and was His kind intent]. When I do this with Your scriptures it reminds me that Your word is to be lived, not just read. Personalizing Your precious words helps me to see that it applies to me and my personal and everyday life.

Thank You so much for choosing me. I know Your love for me is not based on anything I do or don't do...You just love me...always!

~