Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Empty and Full (06/04/09)
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TITLE: The Half-full Glass | Previous Challenge Entry
By Mildred Sheldon
06/11/09 -
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I love helping people but when you deal with people who constantly wallow in self-pity and have a defeatist attitude trying to help them can be difficult. They consider their glass empty instead of full. Helping people who think they can handle their problems without any help can be frustrating. You extend a helping hand and they just about bite it off.
If I am part of this world, can I help people overcome their problems? In my opinion, I would say no. Before Christ came into my life I was dead as dried bones and emptier then a bucket with a hole in it. The advice I gave before Christ was lacking an attitude of caring, compassion and love. My attitude was one of not caring about anyone except myself. It was like the old saying of the blind leading the blind. They couldn’t see the hole until they fell in it. I am not saying the wicked cannot give good gifts because they can. They are still Gods children.
Satan is far more powerful then I and without Christ I cannot overcome this world. Satan is cunning and intelligent. He knows God’s Holy Word better then me and he twists my words. True Christ has overcome the world but without Christ, I cannot. Ephesians 6:12 NIV says. “For our struggles is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the power of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms”
To remain filled to overflowing I must remain in Christ. When I start thinking I am self-sufficient, the Lord brings to mind John 15:5. Part of that verse says, apart from me you can do nothing. Matthew 7:3 talks about removing a speck of sawdust from my brother’s eye when there is a plank in mine. I cannot help my brother deal with his situation until I first deal with mine.
Since Christ became my Savior, my cup is filled to the point it overflows. It is wonderful having a full cup. No matter what happens, my Lord and Savior will never leave me. He shall always be my helper in times of trouble. Now I can help others because I have a Savior who can do the impossible.
I love helping others and one of the lessons I have learned is to listen. I do not jump in with advice as I once did. I give that person time, work with them and most importantly pray. Prayer keeps my cup full because I depend on Jesus. I still have my moments and my bucket still leaks but I have Jesus. Psalm 27:1-2 says. “The Lord is my light and my salvation--whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life--of whom shall I be afraid.”
I’ve also learned to personalize the promises of God. In Ephesians 4:22-24 starts out with you were taught well I change you to I. “I was taught with regard to my former way of life, to put off my old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of my mind; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
My life is filled to overflowing and it is all because of a Savior who in all truth is God. He humbled Himself and became a servant making it possible for me to extend a helping hand to the lost. If that person is open and receptive to Jesus’ leading, they can exchange their empty dark lives for a life that never runs dry.
*All Scripture is from NIV.
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