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TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE<\/strong><\/p>\n The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.<\/span><\/p>\n John 10:10<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n<\/figure>\n by Elder Chris Beltran<\/em><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n There was a master violinist in Europe who had a magnificent and extremely expensive Stradivarius violin. (During my teenage years, I used an old violin from my uncle with a Stradivarius label too. I don’t know if it was an original or just a replica. For those who know violins, if it was authentic, it’s worth a fortune.) The master fiddler only played in concerts using his Stradivarius, and everybody always whispered, “Listen to the beautiful sound of the Stradivarius.” He played in churches, grand cathedrals, and palaces for people like kings and queens; all had the same responses. “Listen to the beautiful sound of the Stradivarius.”<\/span><\/p>\n One day, he went into a pawn shop and bought a $5 old, beat-up violin. He polished, refined, and tuned it up to add a little character to it. On the night of his most significant performance, he took out that $5 violin, which he polished, tuned, and refined. He started playing, and everyone was amazed. Without realizing that it was not the expensive instrument he used to play, the audience whispered, “Listen to the beautiful sound of the Stradivarius.” Once again, the fans were focused on the instrument and overlooked the musician.<\/span><\/p>\n The pulpit ministry is one of my dreaded ministries. I always have this anxiety and fear of public speaking. My recent venture into devotional writing started with much anxiety as well. However, recently I have been receiving very kind words of encouragement, saying how people were blessed by them. Some said that they’re the best messages they’ve heard; they’re great and relevant messages that should be expressed more often. These affirmations have given me much confidence and satisfaction.<\/span><\/p>\n Compliments like those make me feel good and loved, but I must always remind myself that it’s not about me\u2014I am only an instrument in the master musician’s hands. I can do what I do only because the Master Musician continues to polish, refine, and tune me. God is the one who enabled me to do so. It really is not by my might, my skills, but by the almighty God. Without Christ, I am, and we are nothing.<\/span><\/p>\n The only reason we can do what we do is because of God’s grace. We must not be filled with pride because of our achievements. Without His enabling, we are nothing. We must all be willing to be polished, refined, and re-tuned to be in harmony with what He has planned for us. No one is a self-made person. You and I are as good as God allows us to be.<\/span><\/p>\n God has given us a life to be lived to the fullest. <\/span>Fullest<\/span><\/i> does not mean just material blessings and achievements. It means that despite all the challenges we face today, we should remain steadfast in knowing who is really in charge. As we embrace the trials and difficulties life has to offer, we become stronger in faith and character. We come to understand God’s love better and learn how to trust His leading fully. We realize that our Master is polishing, refining, and turning us to be the best possible instrument that can be used by Him. That is living life to the fullest\u2014not for yourself, but for the Lord.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n REFLECTION<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n In our perspective, we might be expensive like the Stradivarius or just a $5 old, beat-up violin. However, if we allow ourselves to be in the Master’s hands, we can all produce beautiful music. No matter what you have gone through in the past\u2014hurt, bitterness, brokenness\u2014we can be an instrument used to glorify Him. In so doing, we may find our purpose. May we decrease and let God’s glory increase through and in us.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n PRAYER<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lord, we are created for a purpose\u2014to be used by you. Often, we have so much pride in thinking of what we have and what we have attained for who we are. We accomplished a lot without realizing Your enabling power. However, we need to be reminded that we are just instruments. Without You, we are nothing. All the glory belongs to You, in Jesus’ name. Amen<\/span>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n <\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10 DEVOTIONAL by Elder Chris Beltran There was a master violinist in Europe who had a magnificent and extremely expensive Stradivarius violin. 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DEVOTIONAL<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n