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Listen while you read: "Wonderful Grace Of Jesus"1 (Lyrics) |
Last fall, I worked off and on at installing laminate flooring in two bedrooms and the hallway of our small bungalow. This last week, I finished the second phase in our front hall. All the while, I kept thinking that there must be a devotional in such an extensive and complicated process. God is never late.
As I was finishing laying the flooring in the front hall, I was very careful to use up all the useful pieces that were left. When I was gathering up the tools that had been stashed in the hall closet, I remembered, in horror, that I had not laid the last two pieces of flooring there, and I had no pieces left that were long enough to do the job, even though the closet is only two feet wide. I had to piece together smaller chunks, and ended up unsatisfactorily laying one small piece that was unconnected to the two beside it — very unprofessional!
As I was cleaning up, I came across a piece by the garbage can that I had rejected as useless the week before, because its blank ends could not be connected to an adjoining piece. It was a couple of inches longer than the needed two feet, and it became the last piece of my project. In exultation at a good job done, I put it in its designated place in the closet, and thought of this Scripture:
Matthew 21:42 – Then Jesus asked them, "Didn't you ever read this in the Scriptures? 'The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone. This is the Lord's doing, and it is wonderful to see.'" (NLT)
How true it is that so many who are rejected, outcast, and misfits, so many who have made a mess of their lives, once they are introduced to Jesus, become wonderful witnesses to the grace and mercy of our Lord. He is able to take us as we are and use our lives to His glory. He specializes in redeeming and setting people free by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:28 – And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. (NLT)
Take heart! There is no one that God cannot use. There is no mistake or blunder that God cannot redeem. And when He does, as Jesus said, "This is the Lord's doing, and it is wonderful to see"!
Prayer: Encourage us today, Lord, and give us the distinct hope that You can use us for Your glory, and redeem even what we have messed up. This we pray, in Jesus' name. Amen.
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Outstanding. Thanks.
Thanks Robin for a challenging word.
What a nice response! I am so glad you connected!
My heartful thanks for this message of encouragement!
I liked this very much, thanks for sharing it with all of us.
As soon as I read the laminate flooring I knew it was you!! Great words.
What a wonderful analogy! Thanks for sharing.
Blessings.
A good job of laying out the truth of the word today Robin!
Blessings.
I shall certainly share this devotional with my husband as we are preparing to do some remodeling work in our kitchen!!! Thank you Robin.
Thank you for sharing the wonderful story. Yes, our Lord can use all situations for His purpose and glory. Thank you for all you have done for CPC. Blessings.
Thank you for the encouraging devotional Robin. I fell very used up as I age and I needed the Lord’s reminder that I can still be of use in His service even when I am old and not as limber as I used to be. God Bless.
Amen to that Robin. Your Father was a master of this. Tho he was rather stubborn as was my father who could always see what God would want him to do — eventually.
Thank you for support given.
Robin
You proved how simple it can be. I pray it will encourage others to connect using the scriptures that make the devotional come to life! God bless.
Robin, I am so glad to have a name to your voice from now on. You greet me every morning and your voice has grown to be familiar to me and to have a name to it now makes my day. I listen to you every day bringing into my home the Word of the Lord. Thank you for doing that. God bless you.
A relatable message Robin,
Oh wretched man that I was – a sinner saved by grace.
Looking back with amazement, I give God all the glory He uses me as a vessel for His Kingdom.
Peace be with you brother.
Thank you Robin! You have done, and continue to do a wonderful work for the Lord. I often have wondered where you lived, and now I know. How very appropriate that it is “Mission” British Columbia.
Blessings and prayers for your wonderful ministry.
(Ontario)
Robin – Your description of piecing things together in such detail, even for a closet, reminds me of how detailed we as writers can become detailed in our devotional projects. Thanks for showing us how this process can be glorifying to the Lord; each step along the way makes for a complete look at what He has ordained for us to write.
Hi Robin,
Thank you for the wonderful devotional today. I too have been able to use pieces of wood which at one time were discarded ( I usually keep tem in a box) and then be able to use them after all,
You are so right, we can all be used to do God’s work and bring His word.
Blessings.
Robin: I enjoyed your chosen topic and the ingredients of this morning’s Devotional. I couldn’t nor would I have the nerve to add one word to it. The tile laying that led to your thoughts fit for a Devotional has been home maintenance as one of my experiences too. And your Thought for Today: I am still chucking at the definition.
May our God continue to bless you real good.
Hi Robin,
My feeling as I read your devotional is that it fits in nicely in our discussion about inclusion of LGBTQ persons who are in a loving, committed relationship to ordination as ministers of Word and Sacraments. These are people (stones) that the builders (those opposed to inclusion) have rejected, but God made them and can use them for his purposes and glory.
(NB)
What a good feeling to have completed a floor project. And to have it give you the idea for the devotion of the day to share with all of us.
How true it is that “one needs eyes of faith to see the hand of God” spiritual lessons are all around us in practical ways!
Thank you for reminding us in a practical way that Jesus Christ is the Cornerstone.
Thank you for all the work you do to enable the rest of us to continue to be strong in faith in Christ our Lord.
Dear Robin,
Sounds like things I do! And I always buy as little as I can possibly do the job with.
I’m wondering if you had to unglue the less suitable pieces when you discovered you had the better piece to finish the job.
Anyway it is a very fine devotional, with an excellent application. Thanks.
Awesome devotional! Amen to your prayer.