"Ministering in everyday opportunities that surround us does not mean that we select our own surroundings— it means being God’s very special choice to be available for use in any of the seemingly random surroundings which He has engineered for us. The very character we exhibit in our present surroundings is an indication of what we will be like in other surroundings.

The things Jesus did were the most menial of everyday tasks, and this is an indication that it takes all of God’s power in me to accomplish even the most common tasks in His way. Can I use a towel as He did? Towels, dishes, sandals, and all the other ordinary things in our lives reveal what we are made of more quickly than anything else. It takes God Almighty Incarnate in us to do the most menial duty as it ought to be done.

Jesus said, "I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you" (13:15). Notice the kind of people that God brings around you, and you will be humiliated once you realize that this is actually His way of revealing to you the kind of person you have been to Him. Now He says we should exhibit to those around us exactly what He has exhibited to us.

Do you find yourself responding by saying, "Oh, I will do all that once I’m out on the mission field"? Talking in this way is like trying to produce the weapons of war while in the trenches of the battlefield--you will be killed while trying to do it.

We have to go the "second mile" with God (see Matthew 5:41 ). Yet some of us become worn out in the first ten steps. Then we say, "Well, I’ll just wait until I get closer to the next big crisis in my life." But if we do not steadily minister in everyday opportunities, we will do nothing when the crisis comes." My Utmost For His Highest

I'm feeling oppressed again, Lord. I was trying to figure out what it was - am I clinically depressed? Am I living in unrepented sin? Why is it that I feel smothered by my daily life? And as Michael and I were reading our homework, I believe You reminded me that there is a whole other classification of "ailment" I had forgotten about. I know I cannot be possessed as a Christian - I am sealed. But You can allow evil to oppress me for Your good purposes. It has less to do with circumstances and more to do with my moods. Praises to You that I am still somewhat sensitive to Your Spirit - I can apologize quickly after I get angry with my son. And he's such a sweet boy offering to pray for me (what a blessing to be prayed for by a 3 yr old!!!). Thank You for ministering to me through such a one! But Lord, I do feel alone. My days, though constantly in the company of my kids, feels lonely. I do not experience Your presence the way I imagine I should. Yes, I have talked to You intermittently, silently throughout the day, but I don't ever feel You there. Although I'm sure that if I AM being oppressed, demons and angels surround me. I know that I cannot go anywhere from Your presence, and I know that by virtue of the fact that I'm a Christian, You live IN me. I even know that those random infusions of Your blessing at various odd moments in the day are of You - but the awareness of Your WORK somehow doesn't translate in my mind as YOU HERE. Even as I am praying now, I feel far. Can I ask You to reveal Yourself to me today? Can I ask for a more emotional/spiritual revelation of Your presence? But I don't just want a transfiguration experience (that seems like a one-time special event). I want a look into what is REALLY happening ALL THE TIME. Maybe I won't feel You here at all times in the future, but I want to know without doubt the feeling of one encounter with You to sustain me through the rest of my days... Is this possible? Maybe I can't handle it, but I hope You are proud of me for having the gumption to ask?!?

Thank You, Holy Spirit, for working in me noticeably again. I didn't know how much longer I could go not ever feeling that welled-up feeling inside, reacting in an appropriate, godly way to Your nudgings instead of hanging on while I felt nothing. Ug. Emotions. You know what to do with me. Please do it! Give me so much love today that I overflow with it. I don't have much left - not enough for me, not enough for my family. But:

All of you is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with your love
And all I have in you is more than enough

You are my supply
My breath of life
Still more awesome than I know
You are my reward
Worth living for
Still more awesome than I know

And all of you is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with your love
And all I have in you is more than enough

You are my supply
My breath of life
Still more awesome than I know
You're my coming King
You're my everything
Still more awesome than I know

And all of you is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with your love
And all I have in you is more than enough

More than all I am
More than all I need
You are more than enough for me
More than all I know
More than all I can say
You are more than enough

And all of you is more than enough for all of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me with your love
And all I have in You is more than enough

I love You. May You be more than enough for me and those around me today.