This evening I made some spaghetti! I made the sauce homemade and used: onion, green pepper, garlic, tomato, tomato paste, and water!! I also made some homemade garlic and cheese bread that turned out well.
So, I want to rewind back to church earlier today...
Today at church we had a guest speaker speak. Jay is probably 25 or 26 and teaches at an International school over here in Ankara. He spoke about Jacob and the title of his message was "The Gift of Struggle". He talked about his struggle with finding a job. He finished up his masters this past May and then started looking for a job. He applied for jobs all throughout the entire USA and could not find anything. He decided to work a summer camp, and continue to look for jobs while working the camp. Well, summer camp came to an end and he was still without a job. He is from Pennsylvania, and so he actually traveled out to California and then even spent some time in Arizona looking for jobs. He said he literally got to the point in Arizona where he was knocking on doors (churches) and asking if they had any position to fill. He was a part time worker (youth pastor) at his church in Pennsylvania, but because of the economy and things, they had to let him go in May (right after he got his masters). He said he was thinking after he got his masters he would be fine getting a job....well not the case! He finally got to the point out in Arizona where he said, look God, I am just going to give up. I have done all I can!! He said he made up his mind to enjoy the last week in AZ with his Aunt and Uncle and their family and then he would head back to PA. So, a few days after he surrendered to the Lord and told him he was done trying, he said he got a call from his Aunt who lives here in Ankara! She told him they were looking for a Bible teacher!! She asked if he was interested, and he said um yeah sure I guess! So 3 weeks later he moved over here to Ankara and has been teaching since the beginning of the school year. He said He never would have guessed that he would be on another continent working, but the Lord does provide!!
With the economy the way it is right now, I thought I would share this story. Some of you may be looking for a job right now. Others of you may be going through a financial struggle, relationship struggle, health struggle. The truth of the matter is we all struggle at some point in time in our life, and we will have more...believe me!
So, I say all this just to encourage you!! Turn to the Lord and He will help you and give you peace and comfort that only He can bring.
I wanted to pass along the notes to you from church today, so I decided to type them up real quick! I encourage you, if you are not familiar with the story of Jacob to check out the Scripture below!
THE GIFT OF STRUGGLE - JACOB
Genesis 32:24-30
*Don't run from your problems, face them!
1. THE OLD SELF OF JACOB
-Jacob = one who takes by the heel, supplants, schemes, trickster, swindler
4 Questions in Application for us regarding Jacob's old self:
a. What ways am I putting my wants above others?
b. What ways am I putting my wants above God's?
c. What am I running from?
d. What/who am I running to? Are you running to God or something/someone else when in need?
James 1:2-4 - Great verses talking about counting all trials as JOY!!
2. THE STRUGGLING JACOB
"God is not a God who takes away our struggle, but God is a God who will walk with us through the struggle."
-Jacob wrestled with the angel!
*Our struggles are a gift
Why did Jacob cling to his assailant (angel/God)? He was surrendering...Cling to God; not to circumstances!
Surrendering to God means:
a. I have to die to myself
b. I must release my control
c. I must trust/believe His way is better!!
TRUE SURRENDER means giving our WHOLE life to God!
3. THE NEW SELF OF ISREAL (JACOB)
Israel = He who strives with God, God strives God, Contender with God, Prince of God, God fights
Luke 22:41-44 - Even Jesus Struggles!! "Not my will but yours be done"
When we fight for ourselves, how can God fight for us?
Applicational Questions:
1. What does surrender look like in your life today?
2. What are you struggling with?
3. What are you going to do about it? - "Make God's will EVERYTHING"
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Verses of the day:
“Resplendent in your glory
Adorned with highest praise
Clothed in regal majesty
Extolled for endless days
From the highest courts of heaven
To the lowest cavern low
Jesus you are Lord of all
And we bow before your thrown”
The Lord is truly resplendent in all He does!! Words cannot describe his power…
Proverbs 21:2-3 “All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.”
I hope you all have a great rest of your Sunday!!
Megan