Beauty and Blessings by Kellye Burke
Ever wonder why you're here? Matthew 5:14-16 says you're here to be light, bringing out the God colors in the world. It says God is not a secret to be kept, and that He wants us to go public with Him - as public as a city on a hill. He wants to put His children on a hilltop as a light for all to see the glory of God shining through them. The Lord tells us to be generous with our lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up to God, their generous Father in heaven.
I love summer, because the sun shines brighter, longer and warmer then at any other time of the year. As I read this Scripture passage during my devotional time, I am in my sunroom, and the sun is shining brightly. I'm thinking about how the sun's radiance draws me in and how it makes me feel so warm and bright. Its irresistible light fills me up and makes me happy. I thank God for it.
God created the sun to shine and to light the world to give life, energy, and radiance to all things. In summertime, our part of the world is positioned to face the sun more directly. As I ponder this fact, I realize it's the same with us. When we position ourselves more directly toward the Lord, we, too, will shine, doing our part to give His light and warmth to all. This summer, let's bask in His world, sing His songs and declare our joy in Him! The Son is shining, and we can too.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Your Choice
If you forgive people their wrongdoing, your heavenly Father will forgive you as well." (Matthew 6:14)
There will be times in life when someone hurts you. The offense may be slight or devastating, but if we live in hurt and bitterness, we will continue to suffer. Unforgiveness can affect your health, as well as your relationships with other people and with God.
In Mark 11:25, Jesus says, "Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him." Even on the cross, Jesus forgave those who wanted Him crucified. He said, "Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:24). Jesus wants us to forgive, we are becoming more like Him. He knows we can't do this on our own, but our first step is making the choice-sometimes even a daily choice. Choosing to forgive doesn't mean that we leave ourselves open to more hurt from that person; it means that we are letting the offender off the hook and in the process, we ourselves are no longer bound.
Forgiveness isn't easy for us because we want to settle accounts, but with God's help, we can forgive and live in His freedom.
Steps of Faith - Dear Father, help me to forgive those who trespass against me. I want to surrender bitterness so it can be replaced with Your grace.
There will be times in life when someone hurts you. The offense may be slight or devastating, but if we live in hurt and bitterness, we will continue to suffer. Unforgiveness can affect your health, as well as your relationships with other people and with God.
In Mark 11:25, Jesus says, "Whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him." Even on the cross, Jesus forgave those who wanted Him crucified. He said, "Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:24). Jesus wants us to forgive, we are becoming more like Him. He knows we can't do this on our own, but our first step is making the choice-sometimes even a daily choice. Choosing to forgive doesn't mean that we leave ourselves open to more hurt from that person; it means that we are letting the offender off the hook and in the process, we ourselves are no longer bound.
Forgiveness isn't easy for us because we want to settle accounts, but with God's help, we can forgive and live in His freedom.
Steps of Faith - Dear Father, help me to forgive those who trespass against me. I want to surrender bitterness so it can be replaced with Your grace.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Support your Pastor!!!
"Hold them in highest regard." 1 Thessalonians 5:13
Phil Hines tells a humorous story about Jesus walking along the road one day and seeing a man crying. When He asked what was wrong, the man replied, "I'm blind," so Jesus healed him. Further along He met another man in tears and asked him the same question. He replied, "I'm lame," so Jesus healed him. Then He encountered a third man weeping. In response to Jesus' question he replied, "I'm a pastor." So Jesus sat down and wept right along with him! Pastoring can be a thankless job; that's why the Bible says, "Hold them in the highest regard."
Somebody has described the "Perfect Pastor" as one who preaches 20 minutes and sits down. Condemns sin without offending anybody, works 16-hour days doing everything from preaching to sweeping, makes $400 a week and gives $200 back to the church, wears nice clothes, has a model family, supports good causes and helps panhandlers who stop by the church. He's 36 and hes' been preaching for 40 years. He has a burning desire to work with the youth, and spends all his time with the senior citizens. He smiles all the time while keeping a straight face, because he has a keen sense of humor that finds him seriously dedicated. He makes 20 visits a day, spends every waking moment evangelizing, and is always in his office in case he's needed. The bad news is, he burned out and died at 37! Paul writes, "Appreciate...pastoral leaders who gave you the of..guiding you...Overwhelm them with appreciation and love!" (1Th 5:12-13). In other works, support your pastor!
Phil Hines tells a humorous story about Jesus walking along the road one day and seeing a man crying. When He asked what was wrong, the man replied, "I'm blind," so Jesus healed him. Further along He met another man in tears and asked him the same question. He replied, "I'm lame," so Jesus healed him. Then He encountered a third man weeping. In response to Jesus' question he replied, "I'm a pastor." So Jesus sat down and wept right along with him! Pastoring can be a thankless job; that's why the Bible says, "Hold them in the highest regard."
Somebody has described the "Perfect Pastor" as one who preaches 20 minutes and sits down. Condemns sin without offending anybody, works 16-hour days doing everything from preaching to sweeping, makes $400 a week and gives $200 back to the church, wears nice clothes, has a model family, supports good causes and helps panhandlers who stop by the church. He's 36 and hes' been preaching for 40 years. He has a burning desire to work with the youth, and spends all his time with the senior citizens. He smiles all the time while keeping a straight face, because he has a keen sense of humor that finds him seriously dedicated. He makes 20 visits a day, spends every waking moment evangelizing, and is always in his office in case he's needed. The bad news is, he burned out and died at 37! Paul writes, "Appreciate...pastoral leaders who gave you the of..guiding you...Overwhelm them with appreciation and love!" (1Th 5:12-13). In other works, support your pastor!
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Peace comes by forgiving
"Forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against." Mark 11:25
A lady was upset because her mother in law forgot to ask her to a family picnic. So when her son called on the morning of the event to invite her, she replied angrily, "It's too late-I've already prayed for rain!" When we're hurting we want someone to pay, so we lash out at the wrong people. One lady writes, "I was so angry I spent years trying to collect what I thought was due, from people who'd nothing to do with my hurt. Finally God caused me to realize that I was trying to collect a deft from my husband that he didn't owe. When I accepted this, God began to bless me beyond anything I could ever have imagined."
One night after preaching about forgiveness, Corrie Ten Boom recognized that the man approaching her was former guard from Ravensbruck, the Nazi prison camp where she was tortured and her sister Betsie starved to death. When he asked her to forgive him, Corrie thought about Betsie, and felt she couldn't do it. Nevertheless she knew she must, otherwise everything she'd preached would be meaningless. So she told God, "I can extend my hand, I can do that much, but You'll have to supply the feeling." Taking the man's hand she felt God's power rushing through her, enabling her to wholeheartly say, "I forgive you, brother." Corrie never experienced God's love so intensely as she did that night. Although she'd been badly tortured, she let God heal her, and then went on to help others. The truth is-forgiveness is the only way to have peace!
A lady was upset because her mother in law forgot to ask her to a family picnic. So when her son called on the morning of the event to invite her, she replied angrily, "It's too late-I've already prayed for rain!" When we're hurting we want someone to pay, so we lash out at the wrong people. One lady writes, "I was so angry I spent years trying to collect what I thought was due, from people who'd nothing to do with my hurt. Finally God caused me to realize that I was trying to collect a deft from my husband that he didn't owe. When I accepted this, God began to bless me beyond anything I could ever have imagined."
One night after preaching about forgiveness, Corrie Ten Boom recognized that the man approaching her was former guard from Ravensbruck, the Nazi prison camp where she was tortured and her sister Betsie starved to death. When he asked her to forgive him, Corrie thought about Betsie, and felt she couldn't do it. Nevertheless she knew she must, otherwise everything she'd preached would be meaningless. So she told God, "I can extend my hand, I can do that much, but You'll have to supply the feeling." Taking the man's hand she felt God's power rushing through her, enabling her to wholeheartly say, "I forgive you, brother." Corrie never experienced God's love so intensely as she did that night. Although she'd been badly tortured, she let God heal her, and then went on to help others. The truth is-forgiveness is the only way to have peace!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Needed-spiritual blacksmiths!
"There were no blacksmiths in the land." 1 Samuel 13:19
The Bible says, "There were no blacksmiths in the land of Israel in those days. The Philistines wouldn't allow them for fear they would make swords and spears for the Hebrews...none of the people of Israel had a sword or spear, except for Saul and Jonathan" (1Sa 13:19-22).
To keep the Israelites in slavery, the Philistines removed all the blacksmiths. It was a devastating blow. Blacksmiths made swords to be used in battle and sickles to be used in the harvest field. Can you imagine the effect that would have on a nation? Satan's tactics haven't changed. His goal is still to silence the molders and shapers of a new culture-a kingdom culture. Why do we need spiritual blacksmiths? Because they understand how to shape raw material into something God can use. They not only shape it, they sharpen it. All great leaders have emerged from raw material. And tomorrow's leaders are walking around today in raw form just waiting for a spiritual blacksmith to come along. Unfortunately many ministry leaders are so busy "running the show," they don't take the time to work with raw material. Spiritual blacksmiths aren't only needed in the local church, they're also needed in the nation to reshape our culture. We need "influencers" who can reform the ranks of business, education, government and media. Any volunteers?
It's time for the spiritual blacksmiths in the land to break free from the constraints of the Philistines and return to the ancient craft of shaping men and women for God's service. The battle is too big for Saul and Jonathan to handle alone!
The Bible says, "There were no blacksmiths in the land of Israel in those days. The Philistines wouldn't allow them for fear they would make swords and spears for the Hebrews...none of the people of Israel had a sword or spear, except for Saul and Jonathan" (1Sa 13:19-22).
To keep the Israelites in slavery, the Philistines removed all the blacksmiths. It was a devastating blow. Blacksmiths made swords to be used in battle and sickles to be used in the harvest field. Can you imagine the effect that would have on a nation? Satan's tactics haven't changed. His goal is still to silence the molders and shapers of a new culture-a kingdom culture. Why do we need spiritual blacksmiths? Because they understand how to shape raw material into something God can use. They not only shape it, they sharpen it. All great leaders have emerged from raw material. And tomorrow's leaders are walking around today in raw form just waiting for a spiritual blacksmith to come along. Unfortunately many ministry leaders are so busy "running the show," they don't take the time to work with raw material. Spiritual blacksmiths aren't only needed in the local church, they're also needed in the nation to reshape our culture. We need "influencers" who can reform the ranks of business, education, government and media. Any volunteers?
It's time for the spiritual blacksmiths in the land to break free from the constraints of the Philistines and return to the ancient craft of shaping men and women for God's service. The battle is too big for Saul and Jonathan to handle alone!
Monday, November 17, 2008
The way up when life gets you down (Part 2)
"Elijah was...just like us." James 5:17
What was God's prescription for getting Elijah back on his feet? A lecture on the prophet's faltering faith? No, just rest and nourishment! God recognizes our limitations, even when we don't. "A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out" (Is 42:3). When we neglect our own legitimate needs, it shows up in our attitude.
God understands that being down is a "perspective" problem, and getting back up requires adjustment in four crucial areas. So: (1)He adjusted Elijah's God-perspective. "Get in the presence of God and he'll meet with you" (1Ki 19:11). The One who gave Elijah victory on Mount Carmel, could also sustain him in the desert of Jezreel. But first Elijah had to spent time with Him, otherwise he was running on an empty tank. Hello! (2) He adjusted Elijah's world-perspective. Elijah said, "God's covenant is broken, His alter destroyed, His prophets murdered, and I'm the only one left". But God showed Elijah that He still had the necessary resources and strategies to accomplish His purposes, even in a hostile environment. (3) He adjusted Elijah's self-perspective. The prophet saw himself as helpless and inadequate: "Lord, let me die, for I am no better than those who preceded me". But God showed him there were still kings to anoint, battles to win, and that Elijah had an important role to play. (4) He provided a helper. He sent Elisha to minister to him. You're not supposed to carry it all alone! Allow yourself to need help, and watch who God puts in your life to support you.
What was God's prescription for getting Elijah back on his feet? A lecture on the prophet's faltering faith? No, just rest and nourishment! God recognizes our limitations, even when we don't. "A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out" (Is 42:3). When we neglect our own legitimate needs, it shows up in our attitude.
God understands that being down is a "perspective" problem, and getting back up requires adjustment in four crucial areas. So: (1)He adjusted Elijah's God-perspective. "Get in the presence of God and he'll meet with you" (1Ki 19:11). The One who gave Elijah victory on Mount Carmel, could also sustain him in the desert of Jezreel. But first Elijah had to spent time with Him, otherwise he was running on an empty tank. Hello! (2) He adjusted Elijah's world-perspective. Elijah said, "God's covenant is broken, His alter destroyed, His prophets murdered, and I'm the only one left". But God showed Elijah that He still had the necessary resources and strategies to accomplish His purposes, even in a hostile environment. (3) He adjusted Elijah's self-perspective. The prophet saw himself as helpless and inadequate: "Lord, let me die, for I am no better than those who preceded me". But God showed him there were still kings to anoint, battles to win, and that Elijah had an important role to play. (4) He provided a helper. He sent Elisha to minister to him. You're not supposed to carry it all alone! Allow yourself to need help, and watch who God puts in your life to support you.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
The way up when life gets you down (Part 1)
"Elijah was...just like us." James 5:17
There are times in life when we all feel down. But God's word shows us the way to get back up. Look at Elijah, who "was just like us." How come he got so far down?
(a) It happened on the heels of a great victory. He didn't start out in the doldrums, and he didn't fall into sin. No, he'd just called down fire from heaven and slain 450 false prophets (See 1Ki 18:22-39). But that's hard work! So he went from exhilaration to exhaustion. Weary, defenses down and vulnerability up, he fell into a natural depression because fatigue strips us of our courage. (b) Fear caused him to lose perspective. The man of God who'd just faced down an evil multitude, ended up running from one women, Jezebel (see 1Ki 19). Fear made him forget God's power, it skewed his perspective and left him feeling suicidal. Exhaustion coupled with fear is a dangerous combination. It invites hopeless, wrong thinking, and creates the illusion that your options are gone. (c) He became isolated. Elijah left his servant at Beersheba and journeyed into the wilderness alone (1Ki 19:3-4). When you most need support, anxiety, a sense of inadequacy and fear of failure, will push you into isolation. At that point you're in the worst possible company-your own. Elijah thought, "I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me" (vs. 10, 14). Translated: "It's bad and I can't see it getting better!" When you're down, isn't the time to isolate. That's when you need to reach for God, and the people who love you and can help you back up.
There are times in life when we all feel down. But God's word shows us the way to get back up. Look at Elijah, who "was just like us." How come he got so far down?
(a) It happened on the heels of a great victory. He didn't start out in the doldrums, and he didn't fall into sin. No, he'd just called down fire from heaven and slain 450 false prophets (See 1Ki 18:22-39). But that's hard work! So he went from exhilaration to exhaustion. Weary, defenses down and vulnerability up, he fell into a natural depression because fatigue strips us of our courage. (b) Fear caused him to lose perspective. The man of God who'd just faced down an evil multitude, ended up running from one women, Jezebel (see 1Ki 19). Fear made him forget God's power, it skewed his perspective and left him feeling suicidal. Exhaustion coupled with fear is a dangerous combination. It invites hopeless, wrong thinking, and creates the illusion that your options are gone. (c) He became isolated. Elijah left his servant at Beersheba and journeyed into the wilderness alone (1Ki 19:3-4). When you most need support, anxiety, a sense of inadequacy and fear of failure, will push you into isolation. At that point you're in the worst possible company-your own. Elijah thought, "I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me" (vs. 10, 14). Translated: "It's bad and I can't see it getting better!" When you're down, isn't the time to isolate. That's when you need to reach for God, and the people who love you and can help you back up.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Deal with it!
"But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord." 2 Samuel 11:27
When David committed adultery with Bathsheba and she became pregnant, he tried to cover his tracks by having her husband Uriah killed, then marrying her before the baby was born. It looked like David was home free, except for one important detail. "The thing that David had done displeased the Lord." And you can't silence the voice of an angry God! Now, while David was "a man after God's own heart" (1Sa 13:14), the Bible says, "Be sure your sin will find you out." (Nu 32:23). God told David, "I made you king...freed you from the fist of Saul...gave you...Israel and Judah. And...I'd have gladly thrown in much more. So why have you treated the word of God with...contempt?" (2Sa 12:7-9). Then He passed sentence: "Because you despised me...I am going to bring calamity upon you...before all Israel" (2Sa 12:10-12). And from then on tragedy and turmoil plagued David's family.
"The way of transgressors is hard" (Pr 13:15) on many levels, not least of which is-God takes away our peace in order to take away our sin. It took an unplanned pregnancy, the murder of an innocent man, the death of a child, the persuasion of a prophet and the conviction of the Holy Spirit before David's heart finally softened and he admitted, "I have sinned against the Lord" (2Sa 12:13). And when he did, God treated David's sin the same way He treats ours: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive...and...cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1Jn 1:9). Is there a "sin" in your life you need to deal with today? Deal with it!
When David committed adultery with Bathsheba and she became pregnant, he tried to cover his tracks by having her husband Uriah killed, then marrying her before the baby was born. It looked like David was home free, except for one important detail. "The thing that David had done displeased the Lord." And you can't silence the voice of an angry God! Now, while David was "a man after God's own heart" (1Sa 13:14), the Bible says, "Be sure your sin will find you out." (Nu 32:23). God told David, "I made you king...freed you from the fist of Saul...gave you...Israel and Judah. And...I'd have gladly thrown in much more. So why have you treated the word of God with...contempt?" (2Sa 12:7-9). Then He passed sentence: "Because you despised me...I am going to bring calamity upon you...before all Israel" (2Sa 12:10-12). And from then on tragedy and turmoil plagued David's family.
"The way of transgressors is hard" (Pr 13:15) on many levels, not least of which is-God takes away our peace in order to take away our sin. It took an unplanned pregnancy, the murder of an innocent man, the death of a child, the persuasion of a prophet and the conviction of the Holy Spirit before David's heart finally softened and he admitted, "I have sinned against the Lord" (2Sa 12:13). And when he did, God treated David's sin the same way He treats ours: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive...and...cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1Jn 1:9). Is there a "sin" in your life you need to deal with today? Deal with it!
Monday, November 10, 2008
Do it while you still can!
"You will be missed, because your seat will be empty." 1 Samuel 20:18
When you lose a loved one, you realize that relationships are much more important than possessions. But we forget that in our scramble to the top of the heap. Being told you've only a short time to live puts you into shock, then re-orders your priorities. It makes you want to fill each precious moment with the words you've left unsaid and the things you've neglected to do. Don't allow self-centeredness, masquerading as ambition (or religious zeal!), to keep you from showing love to those who need it. Make that call. Send that email. Buy those flowers. Say, "I love you." In other words, "be there." Most of the time people don't need our wise analysis or brilliant answers, they just need our love-and support-and they'll find their own answers.
If you are a leader, you're particularly at risk. Don't sacrifice your family on the alter of your career, or you'll end up with regrets you can't resolve. The son of a well-known missionary stood at his dad's grave without shedding a tear. He told someone, "You never mis what you never had. My dad loved people on the other side of the world, but I'm not sure he loved me." Wake up! The clock's ticking and the days are flying by. Yes, you must fullfill your God-given assignment in life, but not at the cost of the people who matter. Take a moment and think about these words: "And Jonathan had David reaffirm his...love for him...Then Jonathan said to David...You will be missed, because your seat will be empty."
When you lose a loved one, you realize that relationships are much more important than possessions. But we forget that in our scramble to the top of the heap. Being told you've only a short time to live puts you into shock, then re-orders your priorities. It makes you want to fill each precious moment with the words you've left unsaid and the things you've neglected to do. Don't allow self-centeredness, masquerading as ambition (or religious zeal!), to keep you from showing love to those who need it. Make that call. Send that email. Buy those flowers. Say, "I love you." In other words, "be there." Most of the time people don't need our wise analysis or brilliant answers, they just need our love-and support-and they'll find their own answers.
If you are a leader, you're particularly at risk. Don't sacrifice your family on the alter of your career, or you'll end up with regrets you can't resolve. The son of a well-known missionary stood at his dad's grave without shedding a tear. He told someone, "You never mis what you never had. My dad loved people on the other side of the world, but I'm not sure he loved me." Wake up! The clock's ticking and the days are flying by. Yes, you must fullfill your God-given assignment in life, but not at the cost of the people who matter. Take a moment and think about these words: "And Jonathan had David reaffirm his...love for him...Then Jonathan said to David...You will be missed, because your seat will be empty."
Thursday, November 6, 2008
What's choking you?
"Desires for...things...choke the word." Mark 4:19
In the parable of the sower Jesus said, "Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful" (Mk 4:18-19). Notice, the problem is not the sower or the seed, it's the soil. Jesus said they "hear the word," so we're talking about church folks with a pre-existing mindset that chokes every Scripture they hear, read, or try to apply. Jesus describes these thorns as: "The worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things." Do you remember the time when you thought the house you now live in, the career you now enjoy, and the investments you now have, would make all your worries go away? But no, the more you have, the more you have to lose, to protect, to maintain, and to worry about. That's "the deceitfulness of wealth." If your significance as a person or your sense of security is tied to anything other than your relationship with God, worry will choke the life right out of you. True happiness lies in trusting God for what you need, knowing if it's right He'll provide it, and if not He'll give you something better.
Chuck Swindoll writes, "We live among thorns because we've a quiet, respectable, secret love for them. I know. I've got the ugly scars to prove it. Each one a mute reminder of years trapped in the thicket; periodically I still have to yank a few." How about you-do you have some thorns you need to pull?
In the parable of the sower Jesus said, "Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful" (Mk 4:18-19). Notice, the problem is not the sower or the seed, it's the soil. Jesus said they "hear the word," so we're talking about church folks with a pre-existing mindset that chokes every Scripture they hear, read, or try to apply. Jesus describes these thorns as: "The worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things." Do you remember the time when you thought the house you now live in, the career you now enjoy, and the investments you now have, would make all your worries go away? But no, the more you have, the more you have to lose, to protect, to maintain, and to worry about. That's "the deceitfulness of wealth." If your significance as a person or your sense of security is tied to anything other than your relationship with God, worry will choke the life right out of you. True happiness lies in trusting God for what you need, knowing if it's right He'll provide it, and if not He'll give you something better.
Chuck Swindoll writes, "We live among thorns because we've a quiet, respectable, secret love for them. I know. I've got the ugly scars to prove it. Each one a mute reminder of years trapped in the thicket; periodically I still have to yank a few." How about you-do you have some thorns you need to pull?
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Don't keep score!
"Forgive as quickly and completely as the master forgave you." Colossians 3:13
Jimmy drank too much at the party and embarrassed his wife Lisa. Next morning he felt bad and asked her to forgive him. She said she would, yet she kept bringing it up. One day in discouragement he said, "I thought you were going to forgive and forget." She said, "I have, I just don't want to forget that I have forgiven and forgotten." Do you forgive like that?
Keeping score only works in competitive sports; it's disastrous in relationships. There's so much good in the worst of us and so much bad in the best of us, that we'll spend much of our lives learning to forgive and forget. And forgetting is harder when the offense is great. Small offenses can be forgiven quickly; big ones require a healing process. But until you make the decision to forgive, the process can't even begin.
How can you "Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you"? Paul answers, "Clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Make allowance for each others faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others" (Col 3:12-13). To practice this kind of forgiveness you must focus on a person's worth, not their weaknesses. You must turn your heart away from what was, to what can be. You say, "Why should I forgive and forget?" (1) Because God's Word tells you to. (2) Because you yourself will continue to need forgiveness. (3) Because you weren't built to carry the stress that goes with resentment.
Jimmy drank too much at the party and embarrassed his wife Lisa. Next morning he felt bad and asked her to forgive him. She said she would, yet she kept bringing it up. One day in discouragement he said, "I thought you were going to forgive and forget." She said, "I have, I just don't want to forget that I have forgiven and forgotten." Do you forgive like that?
Keeping score only works in competitive sports; it's disastrous in relationships. There's so much good in the worst of us and so much bad in the best of us, that we'll spend much of our lives learning to forgive and forget. And forgetting is harder when the offense is great. Small offenses can be forgiven quickly; big ones require a healing process. But until you make the decision to forgive, the process can't even begin.
How can you "Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you"? Paul answers, "Clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Make allowance for each others faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others" (Col 3:12-13). To practice this kind of forgiveness you must focus on a person's worth, not their weaknesses. You must turn your heart away from what was, to what can be. You say, "Why should I forgive and forget?" (1) Because God's Word tells you to. (2) Because you yourself will continue to need forgiveness. (3) Because you weren't built to carry the stress that goes with resentment.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Stick to the plan (Part 4)
"Peter replied, 'Tell me to come to you on the water.'" Matthew 14:28
Peter didn't walk on the water all by himself, he did it with Jesus. Today Christ invites you to walk with Him and experience His miracles. Why don't we see more of them in our lives? Because:
(1) We don't pray and believe God for them. Jesus said, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you" (Jn 15:7). Your prayers give God an invitation, an entry point and a channel through which His miraculous power can flow to change your circumstances. But you have to pray and believe Him to do it! (2) We think the day of miracles is past. The Scriptures declare, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever" (Heb 13:8). In reality there never has been 'a day of miracles," there's only a God of miracles, and He never changes. So don't limit Him! (3) We allow sin to sabotage our confidence. John writes, "If our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him" (1 Jn 3:21-22). (4) We look at the situation instead of the Savior, and our faith falters. When Jesus told Peter, "Why do you doubt?" He was saying, "Don't allow this storm to overwhelm you. I'm right here with you. Your problem is under My feet, therefore it's under your feet too. Just keep your eyes on Me, keep walking by faith and stick to the plan!
Peter didn't walk on the water all by himself, he did it with Jesus. Today Christ invites you to walk with Him and experience His miracles. Why don't we see more of them in our lives? Because:
(1) We don't pray and believe God for them. Jesus said, "If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you" (Jn 15:7). Your prayers give God an invitation, an entry point and a channel through which His miraculous power can flow to change your circumstances. But you have to pray and believe Him to do it! (2) We think the day of miracles is past. The Scriptures declare, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever" (Heb 13:8). In reality there never has been 'a day of miracles," there's only a God of miracles, and He never changes. So don't limit Him! (3) We allow sin to sabotage our confidence. John writes, "If our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him" (1 Jn 3:21-22). (4) We look at the situation instead of the Savior, and our faith falters. When Jesus told Peter, "Why do you doubt?" He was saying, "Don't allow this storm to overwhelm you. I'm right here with you. Your problem is under My feet, therefore it's under your feet too. Just keep your eyes on Me, keep walking by faith and stick to the plan!
Monday, November 3, 2008
Stick to the plan (Part 3)
"Then Peter got..out of the boat, walked on the water...toward Jesus." Matthew 14:29
Peter proved that as long as you keep your eyes on Jesus and stick to the plan, you won't go under. Notice:
(1) Before you get into something, make sure it's God's will for you! Peter said, "Lord, if it's you, bid me to come to you on the water" and Jesus said, "Come." Before you take on something like water-walking, pray and be sure God's in it. In other words, get God's plan and stick to it. (2) Don't expect everybody in the boat to go with you. Water-walking is a lonely calling; it sets you apart from those who are timid and security-minded. It also tends to bring criticism from those who think you're making them look bad by contrast. (3) If you wait for good weather you'll miss your moment. When Jesus said, "Come," they were in the middle of a storm. Face it; we'd all like the stars to line up, or some big donor to underwrite the whole project before we make a move. But how often does that happen? Peter wasn't walking on the water, he was walking on the Word! What has God told you to do? Stop waiting for ideal conditions and start doing it! (4) Don't expect a mistake-free performance. Nobody walks without fluctuation. The Bible describes its heroes in one sentence: "Whose weakness was turned to strength" (Heb 11:34). All the great man and women of God you admire, go through sinking spells when they cry out, "Lord, save me." And do you know what? He does! And He'll do the same for you.
Peter proved that as long as you keep your eyes on Jesus and stick to the plan, you won't go under. Notice:
(1) Before you get into something, make sure it's God's will for you! Peter said, "Lord, if it's you, bid me to come to you on the water" and Jesus said, "Come." Before you take on something like water-walking, pray and be sure God's in it. In other words, get God's plan and stick to it. (2) Don't expect everybody in the boat to go with you. Water-walking is a lonely calling; it sets you apart from those who are timid and security-minded. It also tends to bring criticism from those who think you're making them look bad by contrast. (3) If you wait for good weather you'll miss your moment. When Jesus said, "Come," they were in the middle of a storm. Face it; we'd all like the stars to line up, or some big donor to underwrite the whole project before we make a move. But how often does that happen? Peter wasn't walking on the water, he was walking on the Word! What has God told you to do? Stop waiting for ideal conditions and start doing it! (4) Don't expect a mistake-free performance. Nobody walks without fluctuation. The Bible describes its heroes in one sentence: "Whose weakness was turned to strength" (Heb 11:34). All the great man and women of God you admire, go through sinking spells when they cry out, "Lord, save me." And do you know what? He does! And He'll do the same for you.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Stick to the plan (Part 2)
"My God, why have you forsaken me?" Matthew 27:46
Jesus knew that Judas would betray Him, yet He didn't stop him. He could have summoned twelve legions of angels to help him, yet He didn't call on them. Under the weight of our sins He cried from the cross, "My God, why have you forsaken me?" That's because He understood it was all part of God's plan for HIm. His words, "God, where are you?" teach us that:
(a) You can be in God's plan, yet at times feel overwhelmed and alone. (b) When God doesn't answer, you must stand on the Word He has given you. (c) The pain of this season will eventually give way to the joy God has awaiting you on the other side of it. So stick to the plan; that's what disciples do.
The word "disciple" means to be disciplined. It means sticking to the plan when you're under attack. It teaches you how to function when you don't feel like it. The enemy will come against the plan of God in your life, because that plan is like a hedge of protection around you. As long as you stay in God's plan, nothing that the enemy does can destroy you. So, when you feel like you've reached the end of your rope and you can't go another step, do what Jesus did-pray, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" (Lk 23:46). Give it to God! Look up and say, "Lord, I'm trusting You to do what I cannot do. Bring me through this. Here it is; I'm turning it over to You. My life, my future, and my all are in Your hands!"
Jesus knew that Judas would betray Him, yet He didn't stop him. He could have summoned twelve legions of angels to help him, yet He didn't call on them. Under the weight of our sins He cried from the cross, "My God, why have you forsaken me?" That's because He understood it was all part of God's plan for HIm. His words, "God, where are you?" teach us that:
(a) You can be in God's plan, yet at times feel overwhelmed and alone. (b) When God doesn't answer, you must stand on the Word He has given you. (c) The pain of this season will eventually give way to the joy God has awaiting you on the other side of it. So stick to the plan; that's what disciples do.
The word "disciple" means to be disciplined. It means sticking to the plan when you're under attack. It teaches you how to function when you don't feel like it. The enemy will come against the plan of God in your life, because that plan is like a hedge of protection around you. As long as you stay in God's plan, nothing that the enemy does can destroy you. So, when you feel like you've reached the end of your rope and you can't go another step, do what Jesus did-pray, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit" (Lk 23:46). Give it to God! Look up and say, "Lord, I'm trusting You to do what I cannot do. Bring me through this. Here it is; I'm turning it over to You. My life, my future, and my all are in Your hands!"
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Stick to the plan (Part 1)
"I know the plans I have for you." Jeremiah 29:11
Today God is saying to you, "While in process, stick to the plan!" Nothing takes God by surprise. He's a master planner. Joseph discovered that when your family turns against you, your friends let you down and you finish up in trouble, God still has a plan. Looking back Joseph could say, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good" (Ge 50:20). When your situation seems too hard to handle and downright impossible to explain, remind yourself that God said, "I know the plans I have for you."
Some of us are not sure God has made up His mind about us, so we keep trying to earn His favor. Give it up! Receive the truth God, for Christ's sake, has decided to bless you. And when God decides, temporary situations or the actions of others don't change His decision. There's nothing the enemy devises against you that God hasn't already made "a way for escape" for. Paul writes, "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (1 Co 10:13). Observe: (1) In times of testing you discover how faithful God is. (2) He knows what you can handle. (3) He will "make a way" so you can exit this season stronger, and ready for what He has next. So stick to the plan. The fact that you have a problem is a sign that you have a promise. It's only a matter of time before God reveals the solution.
Today God is saying to you, "While in process, stick to the plan!" Nothing takes God by surprise. He's a master planner. Joseph discovered that when your family turns against you, your friends let you down and you finish up in trouble, God still has a plan. Looking back Joseph could say, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good" (Ge 50:20). When your situation seems too hard to handle and downright impossible to explain, remind yourself that God said, "I know the plans I have for you."
Some of us are not sure God has made up His mind about us, so we keep trying to earn His favor. Give it up! Receive the truth God, for Christ's sake, has decided to bless you. And when God decides, temporary situations or the actions of others don't change His decision. There's nothing the enemy devises against you that God hasn't already made "a way for escape" for. Paul writes, "God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it" (1 Co 10:13). Observe: (1) In times of testing you discover how faithful God is. (2) He knows what you can handle. (3) He will "make a way" so you can exit this season stronger, and ready for what He has next. So stick to the plan. The fact that you have a problem is a sign that you have a promise. It's only a matter of time before God reveals the solution.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Your heavenly home
"I am going...to prepare a place for you." John 14:2
All that stuff you see in the movies, like fog banks and disembodied spirits floating around in some nether world to the eerie sounds of Celtic music-forget it. Heaven will be:
(1) A home built just for you. Are you worried about where you go when you die, or where your loved ones have gone? Don't be! Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am" (Jn 14: 1-3).
(2) A city you'll love! "I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem" (Rev 21:2). It's an exact square of 1400 miles. It stretches from the Carolinas to California and from Canada to Mexico. It's 40 times the size of England, 10 times the size of France, and larger than India. And that's just the ground floor; it's as tall as it is wide; 600,000 stories, more than enough space for billions of people to come and go. And come and go they will. The gates never close. Why shut them? The ememies of God will be banished, leaving only a perfect place of perfected people.
(3) With Christ, the One you love most! Paul, who had the privilege of visiting heaven, wrote, "I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far" (Php 1:23). So don't get too comfortable here on earth!
All that stuff you see in the movies, like fog banks and disembodied spirits floating around in some nether world to the eerie sounds of Celtic music-forget it. Heaven will be:
(1) A home built just for you. Are you worried about where you go when you die, or where your loved ones have gone? Don't be! Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am" (Jn 14: 1-3).
(2) A city you'll love! "I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem" (Rev 21:2). It's an exact square of 1400 miles. It stretches from the Carolinas to California and from Canada to Mexico. It's 40 times the size of England, 10 times the size of France, and larger than India. And that's just the ground floor; it's as tall as it is wide; 600,000 stories, more than enough space for billions of people to come and go. And come and go they will. The gates never close. Why shut them? The ememies of God will be banished, leaving only a perfect place of perfected people.
(3) With Christ, the One you love most! Paul, who had the privilege of visiting heaven, wrote, "I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far" (Php 1:23). So don't get too comfortable here on earth!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
The sovereignty of God (Part 1)
"From Him...are all things." Romans 11:36
Acknowledging God's sovereign control in all things doesn't make us helpless pawns, or free us from responsibility. No:
(1) It takes away our anxiety. When you rest in the loving character of God you can say, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life" (Ps 23:6). That's a "surely" you can't get form your banker, your broker, your insurance man, or anybody else.
(2) If frees us from explanation. We're liberated from the tyranny of having to have all the answers. We can say, "I don't know, but I trust the One who does." The danger of knowing a little theology is that we start thinking we can fathom the unfathomable. Even the great Apostle threw up his hands and said, "How unsearchable are HIs judgments and HIs ways part finding out" (Ro 11:33). Face it, we can't explain why God closes some doors and opens others, how He can take evil and use it for good. But He does, and He usually doesn't explain it to us.
(3) It keeps us from pride. Paul writes, "From him and through him and to him are all things." If you want to make God's sovereignty temporal or limited, then you have to get rid of the "all things," in this Scrpiture, just as you must do in Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him". If God says, "all things," He means it! It comes down to a simple choice: either we trust God, or we play God. And it's an easy chocie to make!
Acknowledging God's sovereign control in all things doesn't make us helpless pawns, or free us from responsibility. No:
(1) It takes away our anxiety. When you rest in the loving character of God you can say, "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life" (Ps 23:6). That's a "surely" you can't get form your banker, your broker, your insurance man, or anybody else.
(2) If frees us from explanation. We're liberated from the tyranny of having to have all the answers. We can say, "I don't know, but I trust the One who does." The danger of knowing a little theology is that we start thinking we can fathom the unfathomable. Even the great Apostle threw up his hands and said, "How unsearchable are HIs judgments and HIs ways part finding out" (Ro 11:33). Face it, we can't explain why God closes some doors and opens others, how He can take evil and use it for good. But He does, and He usually doesn't explain it to us.
(3) It keeps us from pride. Paul writes, "From him and through him and to him are all things." If you want to make God's sovereignty temporal or limited, then you have to get rid of the "all things," in this Scrpiture, just as you must do in Romans 8:28: "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him". If God says, "all things," He means it! It comes down to a simple choice: either we trust God, or we play God. And it's an easy chocie to make!
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Meeting "the man"
"Come, see a man." John 4:29
When the woman at the well met Jesus, unlike all the other men she'd met, He addressed her real need. "He said, 'Go, get your husband'...I don't have a husband,' the woman replied. Jesus said...'you have had five husbands, and you aren't...married to the man you're living with"' (Jn 4:16-18). Because we're weak, we keep getting into situations that leave us wounded. And those wounds can't be healed by going from relationship to relationship. After meeting Jesus this woman ran to tell everybody, "Come...meet a man who told me everything!" Her answer wasn't another man; she'd already tired that! Her answer was meeting the man, and asking Him to fill the void in her life.
The Bible refers to this as putting "on the new self, which is being renewed in...the image of its Creator" (Col 3:10). If you're sick of the way you're living and want to change, remember, the woman at the well couldn't "put off the old man" till she met the new One. When you're attached to certain habits and relationships, it's hard to break free in your own strength. You'll only be able to disengage when you acknowledge Jesus as Lord of your life. Only by embracing the new, will you find strength to say goodbye to the old. So what does all this mean for you? It means coming to Christ as you are, asking Him to save you, and entering into a relationship with Him. James says, "Surrender to God...Resist the devil, and he will run from you" (Jas 4:7). When you do that, God will give you the strength to forsake those old patterns and begin a new life!
When the woman at the well met Jesus, unlike all the other men she'd met, He addressed her real need. "He said, 'Go, get your husband'...I don't have a husband,' the woman replied. Jesus said...'you have had five husbands, and you aren't...married to the man you're living with"' (Jn 4:16-18). Because we're weak, we keep getting into situations that leave us wounded. And those wounds can't be healed by going from relationship to relationship. After meeting Jesus this woman ran to tell everybody, "Come...meet a man who told me everything!" Her answer wasn't another man; she'd already tired that! Her answer was meeting the man, and asking Him to fill the void in her life.
The Bible refers to this as putting "on the new self, which is being renewed in...the image of its Creator" (Col 3:10). If you're sick of the way you're living and want to change, remember, the woman at the well couldn't "put off the old man" till she met the new One. When you're attached to certain habits and relationships, it's hard to break free in your own strength. You'll only be able to disengage when you acknowledge Jesus as Lord of your life. Only by embracing the new, will you find strength to say goodbye to the old. So what does all this mean for you? It means coming to Christ as you are, asking Him to save you, and entering into a relationship with Him. James says, "Surrender to God...Resist the devil, and he will run from you" (Jas 4:7). When you do that, God will give you the strength to forsake those old patterns and begin a new life!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Are you preparing yourself?
"And their net brake." Luke 5:6
It's wise to have "safety nets" such as savings, insurance and investments. Rainy days come unexpectedly. But-what are you doing to prepare for success? God says He can "Open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings so great, you won't have enough room to take them in" (Mal 3:10). If God pours out His blessings on you, will you be ready to handle them? Are you preparing yourself for greater things, or just settling for the status quo?
After fishing all night without success, Jesus told Peter, "Launch out into the dep, and let down your nets" (Lk 5:4). Explaining that the fish weren't bitting, Peter says, "Nevertheless at they word I will let down the net" (Lk 5:5). Observe; Jesus said, "Let down your nets" (plural). Peter responded, "I will let down the net" (singular). Clearly, Jesus was thinking bigger than Peter! That night they caught so many fish, "their net brake." Next we read, "They beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees" (Lk 5:7-8). Peter needed more than one net and one boat to handle what God had in mind. Getting the idea?
If you're praying for greater success, are you taking steps to prepare yourself for it? Are you furthering your education? Are you sharpening your skills and developing new ways of doing things? Are you open to wkring with others? Are you willing to fall at the feet of Jesus, acknowledging Him as the source of all blessing, and sovereign Lord of your life?
It's wise to have "safety nets" such as savings, insurance and investments. Rainy days come unexpectedly. But-what are you doing to prepare for success? God says He can "Open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings so great, you won't have enough room to take them in" (Mal 3:10). If God pours out His blessings on you, will you be ready to handle them? Are you preparing yourself for greater things, or just settling for the status quo?
After fishing all night without success, Jesus told Peter, "Launch out into the dep, and let down your nets" (Lk 5:4). Explaining that the fish weren't bitting, Peter says, "Nevertheless at they word I will let down the net" (Lk 5:5). Observe; Jesus said, "Let down your nets" (plural). Peter responded, "I will let down the net" (singular). Clearly, Jesus was thinking bigger than Peter! That night they caught so many fish, "their net brake." Next we read, "They beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees" (Lk 5:7-8). Peter needed more than one net and one boat to handle what God had in mind. Getting the idea?
If you're praying for greater success, are you taking steps to prepare yourself for it? Are you furthering your education? Are you sharpening your skills and developing new ways of doing things? Are you open to wkring with others? Are you willing to fall at the feet of Jesus, acknowledging Him as the source of all blessing, and sovereign Lord of your life?
Monday, October 13, 2008
Lessons from the ten lepers
"Thy faith hath mad thee whole." Luke 17:19
Luke writes, "there met him ten...lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said...God shew yourselves unto the priests. And...as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them...turned back, and...glorified God...Jesus...said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?...And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: they faith hath made thee whole" (Lk 17:12-19). Observe three things in this story:
(1) When people reject you, you start thinking God does too. Because of their problem, these mean were rejected by society. So when they met Christ they expected more of the same. But no, the Bible says, "When you draw close to God He will draw close to you" (see Jas 4:8). So come, bring your problem to Him. He's the great problem-solver! (2) Sometimes you have to "walk it out." We read, "As they went, they were cleansed." Sometimes change take place quickly, but mose time it happens slowly, step-by-step. You don't know exactly which step will bring victory, so you need to keep walking in faith. Before a leper was welcomed back into society the priest had to pronounce him "clean." How wonderful; Jesus saw the change in these men before it ever took place. That's because He has the power to make it happen. So keep walking! (3) Gratitude and praise are so important to God. This story reminds us how quickly we forget God's goodness, how much our praises mean to Him, and that only one in ten of us will pass the gratitude test. But that one becomes "whole."
Luke writes, "there met him ten...lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said...God shew yourselves unto the priests. And...as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them...turned back, and...glorified God...Jesus...said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?...And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: they faith hath made thee whole" (Lk 17:12-19). Observe three things in this story:
(1) When people reject you, you start thinking God does too. Because of their problem, these mean were rejected by society. So when they met Christ they expected more of the same. But no, the Bible says, "When you draw close to God He will draw close to you" (see Jas 4:8). So come, bring your problem to Him. He's the great problem-solver! (2) Sometimes you have to "walk it out." We read, "As they went, they were cleansed." Sometimes change take place quickly, but mose time it happens slowly, step-by-step. You don't know exactly which step will bring victory, so you need to keep walking in faith. Before a leper was welcomed back into society the priest had to pronounce him "clean." How wonderful; Jesus saw the change in these men before it ever took place. That's because He has the power to make it happen. So keep walking! (3) Gratitude and praise are so important to God. This story reminds us how quickly we forget God's goodness, how much our praises mean to Him, and that only one in ten of us will pass the gratitude test. But that one becomes "whole."
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Safe in God's arms
"Underneath are the everlasting arms." Deuteronmy 33:27
During World War II, when Jill Briscoe was six, her family was evacuated to the English Lake Distrist. Recalling a particularly scary night, she writes, "A storm had broken over our heads. Rain, like giant tears, slashed against the window and thunder grumbled. I didn't like storms, and I was old enough to understand that an even bigger storm was raging, a war involving the entire world. But it seemed far away. The fire was warm and my father was relaxed in his big chair. Suddenly, aware that I needed reassurance, he put down his paper and smiled, "Come here, little his shoulder and feeilng the beat of his heart.
"Looking back, I realize how my Heavenly Father shelters me from the storms of life. When sorrow swamped me at my mother's funeral, I sought reassurance in my Father's presence. When the winds of worry whipped away my confidence as I faced gangs of young people in street evangelism, I glanced up to see my Father's face. When floods of fear rose as I waited in hospital for the results of frightening tests, I sensed my Heavenly Father say, "Come here, little girl." I climbed into His arms, leaned against His shoulder and murmured, "Ah, this is a grand place to be." The bible says, "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." If life's storms are overwhelming you, climb up into your Heavenly Father's arms, feel the beat of His heart, and rest assured He's bigger than the storm you're facing.
During World War II, when Jill Briscoe was six, her family was evacuated to the English Lake Distrist. Recalling a particularly scary night, she writes, "A storm had broken over our heads. Rain, like giant tears, slashed against the window and thunder grumbled. I didn't like storms, and I was old enough to understand that an even bigger storm was raging, a war involving the entire world. But it seemed far away. The fire was warm and my father was relaxed in his big chair. Suddenly, aware that I needed reassurance, he put down his paper and smiled, "Come here, little his shoulder and feeilng the beat of his heart.
"Looking back, I realize how my Heavenly Father shelters me from the storms of life. When sorrow swamped me at my mother's funeral, I sought reassurance in my Father's presence. When the winds of worry whipped away my confidence as I faced gangs of young people in street evangelism, I glanced up to see my Father's face. When floods of fear rose as I waited in hospital for the results of frightening tests, I sensed my Heavenly Father say, "Come here, little girl." I climbed into His arms, leaned against His shoulder and murmured, "Ah, this is a grand place to be." The bible says, "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms." If life's storms are overwhelming you, climb up into your Heavenly Father's arms, feel the beat of His heart, and rest assured He's bigger than the storm you're facing.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Today, say "yes" to joy!
"The joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10
Lenny was desperate to lose weight, so his doctor told him, "Eat normally for two days, then skip a day. Repeat this pattern for six weeks and you'll lose 10 pounds. Amazingly, after two weeks he dropped 20! "How'd you do it?" the doctor asked. "Honestly, Doc, I thought I'd die!" replied. "Were you that hungry?" the doctor asked. "No!" Lenny exclained, "But that third day of skipping and jumping all day nearly wrecked me!" Life doesn't have to be so hard! We make it that way by saying no to joy because we don't think we deserve it. Feeling deprived and "virtuous" doesn't make points with God, nor does acting like a martyr hoping somebody will rescue you.
A little boy asked his mom if he could sleep over at his friend's house. "Why?" she asked. "Just for fun," he replied. "But you slept over last night," she said. "Who says you can't have fun two nights in a row?" he reasoned. Beware of imposing so many rules and regulations on yourself that you're like the Pharisees who became slaves to the very laws they created. How long has it been since you said yes to a little lighthearted fun? Paul says, "Be full of joy now!" What are you waiting for? If you pride yourself on always being structured, steadfast and serious, it's time to balance the scales and start building some spontaneity into your life. The Bible says, "Let those...who love Your name be joyful...and be in high spirits" (Ps 5:11); "Be happy...rejoice and be glad-hearted continually" (1Th 5:16). Today, say "yes" to joy!
Lenny was desperate to lose weight, so his doctor told him, "Eat normally for two days, then skip a day. Repeat this pattern for six weeks and you'll lose 10 pounds. Amazingly, after two weeks he dropped 20! "How'd you do it?" the doctor asked. "Honestly, Doc, I thought I'd die!" replied. "Were you that hungry?" the doctor asked. "No!" Lenny exclained, "But that third day of skipping and jumping all day nearly wrecked me!" Life doesn't have to be so hard! We make it that way by saying no to joy because we don't think we deserve it. Feeling deprived and "virtuous" doesn't make points with God, nor does acting like a martyr hoping somebody will rescue you.
A little boy asked his mom if he could sleep over at his friend's house. "Why?" she asked. "Just for fun," he replied. "But you slept over last night," she said. "Who says you can't have fun two nights in a row?" he reasoned. Beware of imposing so many rules and regulations on yourself that you're like the Pharisees who became slaves to the very laws they created. How long has it been since you said yes to a little lighthearted fun? Paul says, "Be full of joy now!" What are you waiting for? If you pride yourself on always being structured, steadfast and serious, it's time to balance the scales and start building some spontaneity into your life. The Bible says, "Let those...who love Your name be joyful...and be in high spirits" (Ps 5:11); "Be happy...rejoice and be glad-hearted continually" (1Th 5:16). Today, say "yes" to joy!
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Choices
"Choose for yourselves." Joshua 24:15
Our lives are like icebergs. Only 15 percent is visible; that's reputation. The rest, our character, is below the surface, hidden. Character is what we think but never share. It's what we do when no one's watching. It's how we react to everyday aggravations. It's how we handle failure-and success. The thing that has made us what we are is our choices. At the end of a successful career, Joshua challenges the people of Israel: "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." So the choice is yours!
French writer Francois de la Rochefoucauld asserted, "Almost all our faults are more pardonable than the methods we think up to hide them." Ever notice that people with the weakest character tend to place blame on their circumstances? They talk a lot about poor upbringing, financial difficulties, the unkindness of others, or other circumstances that have made them vicitims. Your circumstances may be beyond your control, but your character is not. You can no more blame your character on your circumstances, than you can blame the mirror for your looks. Developing character is always your choice. Every time you make a character-based decision, you take another step forward in your spiritual growth.
Take a moment and jot down times when you have faced temptation and adversity. Next to each, note your choice: escape, excuses, capitulation, avoidance, perserance, or victory. What problem areas do you see? How will you learn to do better? If many of the things you list are due to circumstances beyond your control, then choose to take greater control of your life.
Our lives are like icebergs. Only 15 percent is visible; that's reputation. The rest, our character, is below the surface, hidden. Character is what we think but never share. It's what we do when no one's watching. It's how we react to everyday aggravations. It's how we handle failure-and success. The thing that has made us what we are is our choices. At the end of a successful career, Joshua challenges the people of Israel: "Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord." So the choice is yours!
French writer Francois de la Rochefoucauld asserted, "Almost all our faults are more pardonable than the methods we think up to hide them." Ever notice that people with the weakest character tend to place blame on their circumstances? They talk a lot about poor upbringing, financial difficulties, the unkindness of others, or other circumstances that have made them vicitims. Your circumstances may be beyond your control, but your character is not. You can no more blame your character on your circumstances, than you can blame the mirror for your looks. Developing character is always your choice. Every time you make a character-based decision, you take another step forward in your spiritual growth.
Take a moment and jot down times when you have faced temptation and adversity. Next to each, note your choice: escape, excuses, capitulation, avoidance, perserance, or victory. What problem areas do you see? How will you learn to do better? If many of the things you list are due to circumstances beyond your control, then choose to take greater control of your life.
Monday, October 6, 2008
Healing wounded relationships (Part 5)
"He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted." Isaiah 61:1
When you violate your partner's trust, you send your "relationship account" into deficit! Intimacy is replaced by painful emotional and physical distance. As the offender, you feel that, in spite of your apology and repentance, your wounded partner is still exacting their pound of flesh and making you pay. But they are not! They are simply out of surplus emotional resources. Their tank is empty. It's taking all they have just to "keep it together." Expecting them to be their old self is like asking a legless man to hurry up and walk! It's not going to happen.
What can you do to help? The same thing you do when you have a deficit in your bank account. (1) Stop making withdrawals! Don't ask or expect from your partner all they normally do for you. Don't wait to be served. Pick up your dirty dishes. Iron your clothes. Surrender your sense of entitlement. Practice the Christ-like art of denying yourself. For now, lean on God and your Christian friends and family to help meet your temporarily unmet needs. (2) Start making deposits! Make them small and often. "If you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you...pressed down, shaken together...running over" (Lk 6:38). Consistent deposits can eventually cancel the deficit, moving the relationship into surplus! Quietly find ways to make salve. These are the things that invite your partner to feel like it's safe to push "defrost," start taking small risks, reconnect, and test the waters again!
When you violate your partner's trust, you send your "relationship account" into deficit! Intimacy is replaced by painful emotional and physical distance. As the offender, you feel that, in spite of your apology and repentance, your wounded partner is still exacting their pound of flesh and making you pay. But they are not! They are simply out of surplus emotional resources. Their tank is empty. It's taking all they have just to "keep it together." Expecting them to be their old self is like asking a legless man to hurry up and walk! It's not going to happen.
What can you do to help? The same thing you do when you have a deficit in your bank account. (1) Stop making withdrawals! Don't ask or expect from your partner all they normally do for you. Don't wait to be served. Pick up your dirty dishes. Iron your clothes. Surrender your sense of entitlement. Practice the Christ-like art of denying yourself. For now, lean on God and your Christian friends and family to help meet your temporarily unmet needs. (2) Start making deposits! Make them small and often. "If you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you...pressed down, shaken together...running over" (Lk 6:38). Consistent deposits can eventually cancel the deficit, moving the relationship into surplus! Quietly find ways to make salve. These are the things that invite your partner to feel like it's safe to push "defrost," start taking small risks, reconnect, and test the waters again!
Friday, October 3, 2008
Healing wounded relationships (Part 4)
"I will heal my people and let them enjoy...peace and security." Jeremiah 33:6
the "surgery" stage of confession and apology can happen quickly. The more complex "recovery" stage of forgiveness, healing and restoration takes time. Remember the last time you took your car to the mechanic? You brought it in for one problem and he found others you weren't aware of that needed attention. In the same way, the healing process brings into focus issues related to the original one: communication, finances, time, parenting and intimacy issues. If you want a healthy relationship there are no shortcuts; you have to deal with them. If you try to cheat the process, your unfinished business will keep undermining your hopes for a while and happy relationship. So if you haven't already guessed it, restoration work isn't for the cowardly or lazy. But the rewards are well worth it, so roll up your sleeves!
Reinforce each other's efforts. God said, "render...honous to whom honour is due" (Ro 13:7) because it's a principle that works. We routinely thank the waiter, the taxi driver and the checkout clerk. It's an ingrained, invaluable courtesy-and one we'd do well to take home. People working on relationships need the healing power that comes from regular doses of courtesy. You'd be amazed at the restorative mileage you get from simply expressing your appreciation. The "principle of reinforcement" says you get more of what you acknowledge, so remember to thank your partner for even the smallest effort to improve things. Not only will you be honoring them, you'll be inviting more of the same, and making interest-bearing deposits in your relationship account.
the "surgery" stage of confession and apology can happen quickly. The more complex "recovery" stage of forgiveness, healing and restoration takes time. Remember the last time you took your car to the mechanic? You brought it in for one problem and he found others you weren't aware of that needed attention. In the same way, the healing process brings into focus issues related to the original one: communication, finances, time, parenting and intimacy issues. If you want a healthy relationship there are no shortcuts; you have to deal with them. If you try to cheat the process, your unfinished business will keep undermining your hopes for a while and happy relationship. So if you haven't already guessed it, restoration work isn't for the cowardly or lazy. But the rewards are well worth it, so roll up your sleeves!
Reinforce each other's efforts. God said, "render...honous to whom honour is due" (Ro 13:7) because it's a principle that works. We routinely thank the waiter, the taxi driver and the checkout clerk. It's an ingrained, invaluable courtesy-and one we'd do well to take home. People working on relationships need the healing power that comes from regular doses of courtesy. You'd be amazed at the restorative mileage you get from simply expressing your appreciation. The "principle of reinforcement" says you get more of what you acknowledge, so remember to thank your partner for even the smallest effort to improve things. Not only will you be honoring them, you'll be inviting more of the same, and making interest-bearing deposits in your relationship account.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Healing wounded relationships (Part 3)
"I will restore." Jeremiah 30:17
There are no painless, foolproof guarantees; healing a relationship involves shared effort and risk. I have to trust that ultimately you'll forgive me and put the offense behind you, and you have to believe that I'm sincere about changing. Healing wounded relationships is a two-person job. Your job is to work at trusting me again, and mine is to provide you with evidence that I'm trustworthy. When we do that we invite one another's co-operation, encourage each other and shorten the distance that separates us. Making a relationship work means deciding you have real and positive options, and both committing to them.
If your betrayl caused the wounds, you can make your own job easier by becoming more accountable. By voluntarily keeping your partner in the loop about your schedule, without their having to quiz you, you graduate from being the bad guy to becoming a full-fledged team member, pursuing a mutual game plan so you can both win. By agreeing to self-police you also remove the resentment one partner feels when the other one monitors them. In other words, it relieves them of the dirty work of micromanaging you, and spares you the humiliation of feeling like you're always under the microscope.
On the other hand, if you are the wounded party you can make your mate's job easier by letting them know you value the relationship enough to make it work by keeping up your end. Tell them you appreciate their efforts. When healing a relationship becomes the main focus of both partners, and you include God, who said, "I will restore," it will happen!
There are no painless, foolproof guarantees; healing a relationship involves shared effort and risk. I have to trust that ultimately you'll forgive me and put the offense behind you, and you have to believe that I'm sincere about changing. Healing wounded relationships is a two-person job. Your job is to work at trusting me again, and mine is to provide you with evidence that I'm trustworthy. When we do that we invite one another's co-operation, encourage each other and shorten the distance that separates us. Making a relationship work means deciding you have real and positive options, and both committing to them.
If your betrayl caused the wounds, you can make your own job easier by becoming more accountable. By voluntarily keeping your partner in the loop about your schedule, without their having to quiz you, you graduate from being the bad guy to becoming a full-fledged team member, pursuing a mutual game plan so you can both win. By agreeing to self-police you also remove the resentment one partner feels when the other one monitors them. In other words, it relieves them of the dirty work of micromanaging you, and spares you the humiliation of feeling like you're always under the microscope.
On the other hand, if you are the wounded party you can make your mate's job easier by letting them know you value the relationship enough to make it work by keeping up your end. Tell them you appreciate their efforts. When healing a relationship becomes the main focus of both partners, and you include God, who said, "I will restore," it will happen!
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Healing wounded relationships (Part 2)
"I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you." 2 Kings 20:5
Just sitting waiting for healing to happen doesn't help; it only lengthens the process. Working to become a positive influence is what moves things forward. If you want to help:
Listen. When your loved one needs to talk, listen without trying to defind, explain, rationalize or excuse your behavior. Don't try to correct their "misperceptions" or lessen their pain by minimizing it. Validate. Don't tell somebody, "You shouldn't feel that way." When people talk about their pain, often they're doing the work necessary to help them heal. By letting them know their feelings are legitimate rather than making them feel weak or silly, you enable them to work through the negative emotions. Apologize. Yes, again! Whoever said, "love means never having to say you're sorry," didn't know much about human relationships. Every genuine apology promotes healing. A heartfelt "I'm so sorry" is medicine to a wounded soul. So apply it till it's no longer needed-and your loved one will let you know when that is. Repair. Offer to help repair the hurt you've caused. "I know I've wounded you, and I relaly want to know what I can do to help heal the damage." Genuinely spoken, those words realign and make you part of the solution, not just the cause of the problem.
God said, "I have heard your prayers and seen your tears; I will heal you," and the sooner you become actively engaged in promotion the healing process, the sooner you'll get out of the penalty box and back on the field.
Just sitting waiting for healing to happen doesn't help; it only lengthens the process. Working to become a positive influence is what moves things forward. If you want to help:
Listen. When your loved one needs to talk, listen without trying to defind, explain, rationalize or excuse your behavior. Don't try to correct their "misperceptions" or lessen their pain by minimizing it. Validate. Don't tell somebody, "You shouldn't feel that way." When people talk about their pain, often they're doing the work necessary to help them heal. By letting them know their feelings are legitimate rather than making them feel weak or silly, you enable them to work through the negative emotions. Apologize. Yes, again! Whoever said, "love means never having to say you're sorry," didn't know much about human relationships. Every genuine apology promotes healing. A heartfelt "I'm so sorry" is medicine to a wounded soul. So apply it till it's no longer needed-and your loved one will let you know when that is. Repair. Offer to help repair the hurt you've caused. "I know I've wounded you, and I relaly want to know what I can do to help heal the damage." Genuinely spoken, those words realign and make you part of the solution, not just the cause of the problem.
God said, "I have heard your prayers and seen your tears; I will heal you," and the sooner you become actively engaged in promotion the healing process, the sooner you'll get out of the penalty box and back on the field.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Healing wounded relationships (Part 1)
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3
It happens every day. Maybe it's happening right now in your once-happy home: unrealistic expectations, infidelity and broken promises destorying the dream of life-long love and trust. Thankfully, God is the Healer of broken relationships and violated trust. When someone you love is hurting:
(1) Give it time. Healing is a process, not an event. Wounds of the heart heal slowly. Maybe you're thinking, "But I've apologized over and over. How long will it take them to let it go and start trusting me again?" It takes as long as it takes! Demanding the other person to heal on your schedule only delays the process. "But if they really forgave me they wouldn't keep bringing it up." Not so. When your loved one can bring it up without your getting upset, healing will happen faster. (2) Don't expect things to be normal for now. They won't be-and that's normal! Ever notice how you automatically protect an injured limb against knocks and bumps? It's a natural, instinctive reaction. The fact is, the one who caused the pain may be ready for business as usual, but for the wounded, "normal" feels way too vulnerable right now. By lowering your expectations and giving them space, you'll hasten and promote the healing process. (3) Remember, people heal at different rates. God said, "There is a time...to weep...a time to laugh...a time to embrace and a time to refrain" (Ecc 3:4-5). Be sensitive. Let God teach you patience and growth as you give your loved one time to heal.
It happens every day. Maybe it's happening right now in your once-happy home: unrealistic expectations, infidelity and broken promises destorying the dream of life-long love and trust. Thankfully, God is the Healer of broken relationships and violated trust. When someone you love is hurting:
(1) Give it time. Healing is a process, not an event. Wounds of the heart heal slowly. Maybe you're thinking, "But I've apologized over and over. How long will it take them to let it go and start trusting me again?" It takes as long as it takes! Demanding the other person to heal on your schedule only delays the process. "But if they really forgave me they wouldn't keep bringing it up." Not so. When your loved one can bring it up without your getting upset, healing will happen faster. (2) Don't expect things to be normal for now. They won't be-and that's normal! Ever notice how you automatically protect an injured limb against knocks and bumps? It's a natural, instinctive reaction. The fact is, the one who caused the pain may be ready for business as usual, but for the wounded, "normal" feels way too vulnerable right now. By lowering your expectations and giving them space, you'll hasten and promote the healing process. (3) Remember, people heal at different rates. God said, "There is a time...to weep...a time to laugh...a time to embrace and a time to refrain" (Ecc 3:4-5). Be sensitive. Let God teach you patience and growth as you give your loved one time to heal.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Cheerful giving or fearful giving?
"God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:7
The bible says, "Whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work...You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion" (2Co 9:6-11).
Are you a cheerful giver or a fearful giver? It's not that we're greedy or opposed to supporting God's work, we're just concerned that if we don't look out for our own interests, they might not get looked out for at all. But such fear is irrational! It's like a farmer, who, out of fear of losing his seed, refuses to plant his fields. Don't hoard the seed God intends to be sown, for the harvest He wants you to have. God's promise to you is, "If you sow generously." When you make giving to God your first priority, you don't have to fear. Jesus said "Put God's work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well" (Mt 6:33). When you strive to be a faithful conduit for His kingdom, God promises to "increase your store of seed." And it gets better: "You will be made rich in every way." When you partner with God, He rewards you abundantly for every good deed.
When you view your money from God's perspective, the thing to fear isn't giving away too much, but sowing too little!
The bible says, "Whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work...You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion" (2Co 9:6-11).
Are you a cheerful giver or a fearful giver? It's not that we're greedy or opposed to supporting God's work, we're just concerned that if we don't look out for our own interests, they might not get looked out for at all. But such fear is irrational! It's like a farmer, who, out of fear of losing his seed, refuses to plant his fields. Don't hoard the seed God intends to be sown, for the harvest He wants you to have. God's promise to you is, "If you sow generously." When you make giving to God your first priority, you don't have to fear. Jesus said "Put God's work first and do what he wants. Then the other things will be yours as well" (Mt 6:33). When you strive to be a faithful conduit for His kingdom, God promises to "increase your store of seed." And it gets better: "You will be made rich in every way." When you partner with God, He rewards you abundantly for every good deed.
When you view your money from God's perspective, the thing to fear isn't giving away too much, but sowing too little!
Friday, September 26, 2008
Billy
"God chose things the world considers foolish." 1 Corinthians 1:27
Writing about his time as a counselor at a teen bible camp, Tony Campolo says, "Teenage boys have a tendency to pick on some unfortunate kid. that summer it was 13 year old Billy, a kid who couldn't walk or talk right. When the kids from his cabin were assigned to lead devotions, they voted Billy in as the speaker. It didn't seem to bother him. He dragged himself up to the pulpit amid sneers and snickers, and it took him a long time to stammer, 'Je-sus loves...me...and...I...love Je-sus.' There was stunned silence, and when I looked around there were boys with tears streaming down their cheeks. We'd done many things to try to reach these boys, but nothing had worked. We'd even brought in famous baseball players whose batting averages had gone up since they started praying, but it had no effect. It wasn't until a special needs kid declared his love for Christ that everything changed. I travel a lot and it's surprising how often I meet people who say, 'You probably don't remember me. I became a Christian at a camp where you were a counselor, and do you know what the turning point was for me? I never have to ask. I always know I'm going to hear-Billy!"
The Bible says, "God choose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise." So when you find yourself focusing on what you can't do, remember His 'power works best in your weakness" (2Co 12:9). Just do what you can, and God will do the rest! He'll crown your efforts with success.
Writing about his time as a counselor at a teen bible camp, Tony Campolo says, "Teenage boys have a tendency to pick on some unfortunate kid. that summer it was 13 year old Billy, a kid who couldn't walk or talk right. When the kids from his cabin were assigned to lead devotions, they voted Billy in as the speaker. It didn't seem to bother him. He dragged himself up to the pulpit amid sneers and snickers, and it took him a long time to stammer, 'Je-sus loves...me...and...I...love Je-sus.' There was stunned silence, and when I looked around there were boys with tears streaming down their cheeks. We'd done many things to try to reach these boys, but nothing had worked. We'd even brought in famous baseball players whose batting averages had gone up since they started praying, but it had no effect. It wasn't until a special needs kid declared his love for Christ that everything changed. I travel a lot and it's surprising how often I meet people who say, 'You probably don't remember me. I became a Christian at a camp where you were a counselor, and do you know what the turning point was for me? I never have to ask. I always know I'm going to hear-Billy!"
The Bible says, "God choose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise." So when you find yourself focusing on what you can't do, remember His 'power works best in your weakness" (2Co 12:9). Just do what you can, and God will do the rest! He'll crown your efforts with success.
Thursday, September 18, 2008
When there's no logical explanation!
"God rises across the skies to...help us." Deuteronomy 33:26
When Steve Anderson's mother in law developed cancer, his wife flew out to see her. Steve wanted to go too, but money was tight, so he prayed and his friend Joe offered to fly him in his two-seater Cessna airplane. Approaching their destination, they encountered thick fog, and after contacting the tower they learned that the airport was closed. The controller recommended they turn back, but fuel was low, so Steve prayed again. Finally a voice said, "Okay, we're readying the ground crew. Come in on emergency landing." Then as they descended the controller shouted, "Pull it up! Pull it up!" Through a break in the fog they saw that instead of approaching the airport they were over a busy highway and had a narrowly missed an overpass! The controller continued, "Listen to me and I'll get you down," and calmly issued instructions till they landed safely. Picking up the radio, Joe told the tower, "We'd never have made it without. Thanks, you saved our lives." The controller replied, "What're you talking about? We lost contact with you right after we told you to turn back. In fact, we were stunned when you broke through the clouds over the runway for a perfect landing!"
So, if the controller didn't guide them in, who did? There's no natural explanation, but on the supernatural level, "God...rides across the skies to...help us...he carries us in his arms!" The Psalmist wrote, "God will command his angels to protect you wherever you go" (Ps 91:11). Steve Anderson agrees, "I believe God sent an angel to bring us in safely." And He'll do the same for you!
When Steve Anderson's mother in law developed cancer, his wife flew out to see her. Steve wanted to go too, but money was tight, so he prayed and his friend Joe offered to fly him in his two-seater Cessna airplane. Approaching their destination, they encountered thick fog, and after contacting the tower they learned that the airport was closed. The controller recommended they turn back, but fuel was low, so Steve prayed again. Finally a voice said, "Okay, we're readying the ground crew. Come in on emergency landing." Then as they descended the controller shouted, "Pull it up! Pull it up!" Through a break in the fog they saw that instead of approaching the airport they were over a busy highway and had a narrowly missed an overpass! The controller continued, "Listen to me and I'll get you down," and calmly issued instructions till they landed safely. Picking up the radio, Joe told the tower, "We'd never have made it without. Thanks, you saved our lives." The controller replied, "What're you talking about? We lost contact with you right after we told you to turn back. In fact, we were stunned when you broke through the clouds over the runway for a perfect landing!"
So, if the controller didn't guide them in, who did? There's no natural explanation, but on the supernatural level, "God...rides across the skies to...help us...he carries us in his arms!" The Psalmist wrote, "God will command his angels to protect you wherever you go" (Ps 91:11). Steve Anderson agrees, "I believe God sent an angel to bring us in safely." And He'll do the same for you!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
God never gives up on you!
You have laid your hand upon me." Psalm 139:5
A London bus driver was assigned to shuttle passengers to special crusade services with Billy Graham at Wembly Stadium. When one of them invited him to listen he declined. The following year he moved to New York, and when Billy was speaking at Madison Square Garden the man's job again was shuttling people to the meetings. As he got off the bus a lady asked if he'd like to join them. Once more he politely declined. He married an Australian lady and eventually ended up working in Sydney, where surprisingly, he was again assigned to drive people to the stadium where Billy was preaching. This time when he was invited he figured there was no escape, so he gave in. Looking back he says, "No matter where I went I was confronted with Billy Graham, so I went to hear him and committed my life to Christ. It was the best decision I ever made."
The Psalmist said, "You hem me in...you have laid your hand upon me...where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there...in the depths, you are there...on the far side of the sea...your hand will...hold me fast" (Ps 139: 5-10). Isn't grace amazing? Peter said, "God is patient...he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost" (2Pe 3:9). God will follow you to the ends of the earth to give you another opportunity to surrender your life to Him. How many opportunities has He already given you? Isn't it time you stopped running and surrendered your life to Him?
A London bus driver was assigned to shuttle passengers to special crusade services with Billy Graham at Wembly Stadium. When one of them invited him to listen he declined. The following year he moved to New York, and when Billy was speaking at Madison Square Garden the man's job again was shuttling people to the meetings. As he got off the bus a lady asked if he'd like to join them. Once more he politely declined. He married an Australian lady and eventually ended up working in Sydney, where surprisingly, he was again assigned to drive people to the stadium where Billy was preaching. This time when he was invited he figured there was no escape, so he gave in. Looking back he says, "No matter where I went I was confronted with Billy Graham, so I went to hear him and committed my life to Christ. It was the best decision I ever made."
The Psalmist said, "You hem me in...you have laid your hand upon me...where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there...in the depths, you are there...on the far side of the sea...your hand will...hold me fast" (Ps 139: 5-10). Isn't grace amazing? Peter said, "God is patient...he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost" (2Pe 3:9). God will follow you to the ends of the earth to give you another opportunity to surrender your life to Him. How many opportunities has He already given you? Isn't it time you stopped running and surrendered your life to Him?
Monday, September 15, 2008
Letter of Invitation for Fall Bible Study
Dear Women of LifePointe,
I am humbled that God has sought me out to lead the next women’s Bible study this fall. When Jen Engstrom contacted me to begin to pray about coordinating the fall study, Satan quickly moved in to discourage me from doing so. He left nothing sacred…he used all his resources to convince me I was not the person for this job. I couldn’t possibly be the one who could lead the women. I had tried before and always fell short of any victory or goal, so why try.
So many times before I have had a passion for the women in the Body of Christ. For them to know and experience the real loving Savior I had come to know. To have Him pour His truths into them and for them to realize they are born beautiful princesses and have been given the attributes of God Himself; the gift of creation, love and passion for life…just to name a few. It seems my passion for Him has not always been revealed, because it is me who chose to drive the bus. My successes in revealing Christ to others have been just that, my success…not His. So I too have to learn to allow God to really drive the bus. To allow Him to show each of us His Life changing Word.
This being said, I prayed that God would stir the hearts of women to come into fellowship together. That we will spend time laughing, praying, praising, repenting and honoring God. Allowing Him to transform our very lives into the image of Christ. God has anointed us, all of us with all the power of Jesus Christ the day we asked Him into our lives. I pray we will draw upon that power and allow it to really transform us…to be changed by it.
All of the studies we offer to the women of LifePointe have a tremendous opportunity for spiritual growth and change. This study is no different. I pray and believe that God will ignite a passion within each of us to seek Him in all His glory. To really be hungry for His Word and to allow it to bear witness to others how it will and does transform you.
We have heard your requests for studies that need commitment, but with our busy schedules as women…that they would be shorter in length to participate in. We have prayed for God to direct us to one that He has chosen to fulfill this request. He has lead us to Anointed, Transformed & Redeemed: A Study of David, by Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore & Kay Arthur. These three women are great leaders of women and God has gifted them with the tools to teach His beautiful Word.
It will take 7 weeks to complete this study. We will begin on Tuesday, October 7th at 7p.m. at the LifePointe facility. The study will be completed before the Thanksgiving Holidays. There is a weekly commitment of your time to complete the daily lessons in the workbooks that prepares you for the large/small group sessions each week. If you could hear my voice right now…the rewards from this study will be your “ROCKY MOMENTS!” (Some of you who know me from our running group will understand that phrase) You will be blessed beyond anything you have ever experienced.
The sign up lists will be on the table in the back of our auditorium each Sunday until our study begins in October. Our workbooks are $20 each. If there is someone who needs assistance with the book please let me know, we don’t want anyone to turn away from the study because of a financial burden. Childcare will be provided please contact Ashley Rush if you are interested in serving or you will need to utilize the childcare program during the study.
I am praying that God will do great things within the body of women in our church and our community. Get registered, invite a friend, mark the date on your calendar and let us know you are coming.
We will be holding an evening of prayer for our fall study. This is an important time to honor God for all He gives to us. If we are to see success during the 7 weeks of study, we must seek His will and direction for the leaders and women of the study. On September 16th at 7p.m. we will meet at the LifePointe building for an evening of prayer.
Tuesday, September 30th we will hold Leadership/Co-Leadership Training at 7p.m. We want to equip our leadership with all the tools that God gives us to be successful leaders of His Word.
So come – Get on the bus with me! Let’s allow our awesome Lord and Savior to drive the bus! He wants to lead us through His Word. God wants to transform our minds, hearts & bodies into Hope filled lives to His Glory. Get signed up!
Barb Welch
I am humbled that God has sought me out to lead the next women’s Bible study this fall. When Jen Engstrom contacted me to begin to pray about coordinating the fall study, Satan quickly moved in to discourage me from doing so. He left nothing sacred…he used all his resources to convince me I was not the person for this job. I couldn’t possibly be the one who could lead the women. I had tried before and always fell short of any victory or goal, so why try.
So many times before I have had a passion for the women in the Body of Christ. For them to know and experience the real loving Savior I had come to know. To have Him pour His truths into them and for them to realize they are born beautiful princesses and have been given the attributes of God Himself; the gift of creation, love and passion for life…just to name a few. It seems my passion for Him has not always been revealed, because it is me who chose to drive the bus. My successes in revealing Christ to others have been just that, my success…not His. So I too have to learn to allow God to really drive the bus. To allow Him to show each of us His Life changing Word.
This being said, I prayed that God would stir the hearts of women to come into fellowship together. That we will spend time laughing, praying, praising, repenting and honoring God. Allowing Him to transform our very lives into the image of Christ. God has anointed us, all of us with all the power of Jesus Christ the day we asked Him into our lives. I pray we will draw upon that power and allow it to really transform us…to be changed by it.
All of the studies we offer to the women of LifePointe have a tremendous opportunity for spiritual growth and change. This study is no different. I pray and believe that God will ignite a passion within each of us to seek Him in all His glory. To really be hungry for His Word and to allow it to bear witness to others how it will and does transform you.
We have heard your requests for studies that need commitment, but with our busy schedules as women…that they would be shorter in length to participate in. We have prayed for God to direct us to one that He has chosen to fulfill this request. He has lead us to Anointed, Transformed & Redeemed: A Study of David, by Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore & Kay Arthur. These three women are great leaders of women and God has gifted them with the tools to teach His beautiful Word.
It will take 7 weeks to complete this study. We will begin on Tuesday, October 7th at 7p.m. at the LifePointe facility. The study will be completed before the Thanksgiving Holidays. There is a weekly commitment of your time to complete the daily lessons in the workbooks that prepares you for the large/small group sessions each week. If you could hear my voice right now…the rewards from this study will be your “ROCKY MOMENTS!” (Some of you who know me from our running group will understand that phrase) You will be blessed beyond anything you have ever experienced.
The sign up lists will be on the table in the back of our auditorium each Sunday until our study begins in October. Our workbooks are $20 each. If there is someone who needs assistance with the book please let me know, we don’t want anyone to turn away from the study because of a financial burden. Childcare will be provided please contact Ashley Rush if you are interested in serving or you will need to utilize the childcare program during the study.
I am praying that God will do great things within the body of women in our church and our community. Get registered, invite a friend, mark the date on your calendar and let us know you are coming.
We will be holding an evening of prayer for our fall study. This is an important time to honor God for all He gives to us. If we are to see success during the 7 weeks of study, we must seek His will and direction for the leaders and women of the study. On September 16th at 7p.m. we will meet at the LifePointe building for an evening of prayer.
Tuesday, September 30th we will hold Leadership/Co-Leadership Training at 7p.m. We want to equip our leadership with all the tools that God gives us to be successful leaders of His Word.
So come – Get on the bus with me! Let’s allow our awesome Lord and Savior to drive the bus! He wants to lead us through His Word. God wants to transform our minds, hearts & bodies into Hope filled lives to His Glory. Get signed up!
Barb Welch
Friday, September 12, 2008
Stay in formation
"Let us not give up meeting together." Hebrews 10:25
Ever wonder why geese in the fall fly in a "v" formation and not just randomly? Remember that old United Airlines ad, "Fly the friendly skies of United"? Geese know that to complete the long trip south, they have to fly united. Scientists tell us that flying in formation increases their flight range by 71 percent. Air waves created each time a bird flaps its wings provide an uplift for the next one in formation, supporting it, decreasing its work load and conserving its energy. A solo goose could never complete the trip, but in formation the youngest, the oldest, and even the weakest get there. In other words, they do collectively what they could never do alone.
When God said, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another," He was saying, "Stay in formation children! Enjoy the uplift!" You weren't designed to fly solo no matter what your rank, calling, gifting or maturity level. You're a part of the body of Christ, created to function in concert with all the other parts. "The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I don't need you!' And the head cannot say to the feet, 'I don't need you!" (1Co. 12:21). Occassionally a goose, disoriented or overconfident, goes on autopilot and finds itself adrift. Soon, however, its wings resistance, and it pulls it weakened body back into formation alongside its feathered fellow pilgrims. Jesus said, "Look at the birds" (Mt 6:26). So get back in formation (and fellowship) and stay there!
Ever wonder why geese in the fall fly in a "v" formation and not just randomly? Remember that old United Airlines ad, "Fly the friendly skies of United"? Geese know that to complete the long trip south, they have to fly united. Scientists tell us that flying in formation increases their flight range by 71 percent. Air waves created each time a bird flaps its wings provide an uplift for the next one in formation, supporting it, decreasing its work load and conserving its energy. A solo goose could never complete the trip, but in formation the youngest, the oldest, and even the weakest get there. In other words, they do collectively what they could never do alone.
When God said, "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another," He was saying, "Stay in formation children! Enjoy the uplift!" You weren't designed to fly solo no matter what your rank, calling, gifting or maturity level. You're a part of the body of Christ, created to function in concert with all the other parts. "The eye cannot say to the hand, 'I don't need you!' And the head cannot say to the feet, 'I don't need you!" (1Co. 12:21). Occassionally a goose, disoriented or overconfident, goes on autopilot and finds itself adrift. Soon, however, its wings resistance, and it pulls it weakened body back into formation alongside its feathered fellow pilgrims. Jesus said, "Look at the birds" (Mt 6:26). So get back in formation (and fellowship) and stay there!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Keep practicing (Part 2)
"In a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize...run...as to get the prize." 1 Corinthians 9:24
In a Peanuts cartoon, Charlie Brown laments to his friend Linus, "Life is just too much for me. I've been confused from the day I was born. I think the trouble is, we're thrown into life too fast. We're not really prepared." What do you want," Linus asks, "a chance to warm up first?" You may not get a chance to warm up before entering life, but you can warm up by practicing what's important to you once life has begun. It's during these warm-ups that you grow. If you commit yourself to pratice you discover: (1) Your performance can always be improved. Author Harvey Mackay says, "A good leader understands that almost anything that has been done in a particular way for a given amount of time, can be done better. Every single performance can be improved." (2) The sharpening process is better in the right environment. Improvement always requires some degree of risk and failure. So find a place where growth and experimentation are encouraged. (3) You must be willing to start with small things. When you first start to practice your gains will be small. But they will grow. In the Olympics, the difference between the gold medalist and other contestants is often just hundredths of a second. (4) There's a price to pay to reach the next level. Sidney Howard remarked, "One half of knowing what you want, is knowing what you must give up before you get it." Too many of us regard practice as an essentially negative experience, but it doesn't have to be if you think of it in terms of discovery and development. So, keep practicing.
In a Peanuts cartoon, Charlie Brown laments to his friend Linus, "Life is just too much for me. I've been confused from the day I was born. I think the trouble is, we're thrown into life too fast. We're not really prepared." What do you want," Linus asks, "a chance to warm up first?" You may not get a chance to warm up before entering life, but you can warm up by practicing what's important to you once life has begun. It's during these warm-ups that you grow. If you commit yourself to pratice you discover: (1) Your performance can always be improved. Author Harvey Mackay says, "A good leader understands that almost anything that has been done in a particular way for a given amount of time, can be done better. Every single performance can be improved." (2) The sharpening process is better in the right environment. Improvement always requires some degree of risk and failure. So find a place where growth and experimentation are encouraged. (3) You must be willing to start with small things. When you first start to practice your gains will be small. But they will grow. In the Olympics, the difference between the gold medalist and other contestants is often just hundredths of a second. (4) There's a price to pay to reach the next level. Sidney Howard remarked, "One half of knowing what you want, is knowing what you must give up before you get it." Too many of us regard practice as an essentially negative experience, but it doesn't have to be if you think of it in terms of discovery and development. So, keep practicing.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Keep practicing (Part 1)
"Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them." 1 Timothy 4:15
King Saul was attacked by evil spirits that tormented and immoblized him. So he sent for David to come and play his harp. As David played, "Relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him" (1Sa 16:23). This story teaches us two things: the power of praise, and the power of practice. David didn't suddenly discover his talent when he arrived at Saul's palace. No, he developed it through years of practice on lonely hillsides while tending his father's sheep.
When it comes to practice, the two most difficult challenges you face are (a) having the desire to do it, and (b) having the discipline to keep at it. Paul tells Timothy, "Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life...closely. Persevere" (1Ti 4:15-16). There is no easy way to become a disciplined person. It has nothing to do with talent or ability. It is not a matter of conditions, but of choice. But once the choice is made and practice becomes a habit, 2 things become obvious. The first is a clear difference between the person who practices and the one who doesn't. Cyclist Lance Armstrong said, "Success comes from training harder and digging deeper than others." And he should know; he won a record 7 Tour de France championships. The second thing that emerges is a winning spirit. The harder you work, the harder it becomes to surrender to things like fatigue, complacency, discouragement, criticism, and all the other stuff that tries to break your stride.
King Saul was attacked by evil spirits that tormented and immoblized him. So he sent for David to come and play his harp. As David played, "Relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him" (1Sa 16:23). This story teaches us two things: the power of praise, and the power of practice. David didn't suddenly discover his talent when he arrived at Saul's palace. No, he developed it through years of practice on lonely hillsides while tending his father's sheep.
When it comes to practice, the two most difficult challenges you face are (a) having the desire to do it, and (b) having the discipline to keep at it. Paul tells Timothy, "Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life...closely. Persevere" (1Ti 4:15-16). There is no easy way to become a disciplined person. It has nothing to do with talent or ability. It is not a matter of conditions, but of choice. But once the choice is made and practice becomes a habit, 2 things become obvious. The first is a clear difference between the person who practices and the one who doesn't. Cyclist Lance Armstrong said, "Success comes from training harder and digging deeper than others." And he should know; he won a record 7 Tour de France championships. The second thing that emerges is a winning spirit. The harder you work, the harder it becomes to surrender to things like fatigue, complacency, discouragement, criticism, and all the other stuff that tries to break your stride.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Great Expectations!
"This day the Lord will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down." 1 Samuel 17:46
It's not the size of the dog in the fight; it's the size of the fight in the dog. David didn't have the rank, equipment or training, but he had the winning attitude. So great was his level of expectation that he "ran quickly toward the battle line to meet Goliath" (1Sa 17:48). While Saul and his soliders were hiding, David was running to meet the challenge. How's that for great expectations? Now we're not talking about faith in our own ability, but in "him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us" (Eph 3:20).
Martin Seligman, Professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, did some research on a major life insurance company and found that sales people who expected to succeed sold twice as much as those who didn't. Researchers have discovered that there's a greater correlation between self-confidence and achievement than there is between IQ and achievement. Know what? The God who lives within you is limited by one thing only: your inability or unwillingness to believe in yourself. The more you believe in yourself, the more you'll be able to accomplish. And if you keep believing and expecting, you'll someday find yourself doing what you once considered impossible. Why? Because "with God all things are possible" (Mt 19:26). It's said that if Michelangelo had consulted his doubts or his critics, he'd have painted the floor of the Sistine Chapel instead of the ceiling, and his work wouldn't be around for us to admire. The truth is, great results begin with great expectations.
It's not the size of the dog in the fight; it's the size of the fight in the dog. David didn't have the rank, equipment or training, but he had the winning attitude. So great was his level of expectation that he "ran quickly toward the battle line to meet Goliath" (1Sa 17:48). While Saul and his soliders were hiding, David was running to meet the challenge. How's that for great expectations? Now we're not talking about faith in our own ability, but in "him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us" (Eph 3:20).
Martin Seligman, Professor of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, did some research on a major life insurance company and found that sales people who expected to succeed sold twice as much as those who didn't. Researchers have discovered that there's a greater correlation between self-confidence and achievement than there is between IQ and achievement. Know what? The God who lives within you is limited by one thing only: your inability or unwillingness to believe in yourself. The more you believe in yourself, the more you'll be able to accomplish. And if you keep believing and expecting, you'll someday find yourself doing what you once considered impossible. Why? Because "with God all things are possible" (Mt 19:26). It's said that if Michelangelo had consulted his doubts or his critics, he'd have painted the floor of the Sistine Chapel instead of the ceiling, and his work wouldn't be around for us to admire. The truth is, great results begin with great expectations.
Monday, September 8, 2008
Do you want to change?
"Let God transform you." Romans 12:2
Change only takes place when you: (1) Decide to change. The Daily Mail newspaper once invited readers to answer the question, "What's wrong with the world?" G.K. Chesterton supposedly sent the following reply: "Dear Sir, I am." Face it, if you could kick the person responsible for most of your troubles, you wouldn't be able to sit down for a week. Discipleship-the process of becoming like Christ-begins with a decision. Jesus calls to us, and we respond. "Follow me and be my disciple," Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him" (Mt 9:9). And notice, he took his pen with him! That's all you need to get started: a decision! (2) Change the way you think. "Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you feel, and the way you feel influences the way you act. So wash your mind, feed your mind, and program your mind with God's Word. (3) Take a small step every day. Most of us want overnight change. No, change comes slowly. To be successful we must start with small things and do them every day. St. Francis de Sales said, "Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly start remedying them-every day begin the task anew." You say, "But I fall so far short." We all do. Don't be discouraged: "God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in his grace until his task within you is finally finished" (Php 1:6).
Change only takes place when you: (1) Decide to change. The Daily Mail newspaper once invited readers to answer the question, "What's wrong with the world?" G.K. Chesterton supposedly sent the following reply: "Dear Sir, I am." Face it, if you could kick the person responsible for most of your troubles, you wouldn't be able to sit down for a week. Discipleship-the process of becoming like Christ-begins with a decision. Jesus calls to us, and we respond. "Follow me and be my disciple," Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him" (Mt 9:9). And notice, he took his pen with him! That's all you need to get started: a decision! (2) Change the way you think. "Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you feel, and the way you feel influences the way you act. So wash your mind, feed your mind, and program your mind with God's Word. (3) Take a small step every day. Most of us want overnight change. No, change comes slowly. To be successful we must start with small things and do them every day. St. Francis de Sales said, "Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly start remedying them-every day begin the task anew." You say, "But I fall so far short." We all do. Don't be discouraged: "God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in his grace until his task within you is finally finished" (Php 1:6).
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Equipping people to serve!
"He...gave gifts...to equip God's people...and build up...the church." Ephesians 4:8-12
As a leader you must keep before you at all times the philosophy, plan and purpose behind what you're called to accomplish, and make it clear to the people who work with you. Three of the most common problems in any organization, including the church, are: (1) putting someone in the wrong slot and leaving them there because there's no one else to do the job; (2) not understanding someone's gifting and not providing adequate training, direction and information to promote teamwork; (3) leaders who don't know how to communicate their vision clearly. When any of of these areas is out of whack, we spend our time and energy troubleshooting, putting out fires and running in 40 directions. As a result, leaders get discouraged and workers quit.
But the church doesn't have to be like that. Paul outlined the Master Plan for church growth by reminding us that God "gave these gifts to the church: apostles, prophets, evangelists and paster and teachers...to eqiup God's people to do his work and build up the church." Why did God assign leaders? To equip people. Why do people need to be equipped? To serve. Why is service so important? To build up the Body of Christ. That's it! And it's essential to developing a strong, healthy church whose mission is to feed God's sheep and reach the lost with the Gospel. That's why as a leader, everything you do should be directly related to equipping people to serve. Do that, and you'll be less frustrated, your people more fulfilled and your church more fruitful!
As a leader you must keep before you at all times the philosophy, plan and purpose behind what you're called to accomplish, and make it clear to the people who work with you. Three of the most common problems in any organization, including the church, are: (1) putting someone in the wrong slot and leaving them there because there's no one else to do the job; (2) not understanding someone's gifting and not providing adequate training, direction and information to promote teamwork; (3) leaders who don't know how to communicate their vision clearly. When any of of these areas is out of whack, we spend our time and energy troubleshooting, putting out fires and running in 40 directions. As a result, leaders get discouraged and workers quit.
But the church doesn't have to be like that. Paul outlined the Master Plan for church growth by reminding us that God "gave these gifts to the church: apostles, prophets, evangelists and paster and teachers...to eqiup God's people to do his work and build up the church." Why did God assign leaders? To equip people. Why do people need to be equipped? To serve. Why is service so important? To build up the Body of Christ. That's it! And it's essential to developing a strong, healthy church whose mission is to feed God's sheep and reach the lost with the Gospel. That's why as a leader, everything you do should be directly related to equipping people to serve. Do that, and you'll be less frustrated, your people more fulfilled and your church more fruitful!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Great Relationships
"There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Proverbs 18:24
Building great relationships takes time and energy. And you only discover how valuable such relationships are when they're tested. One auther writes: "Contouring your heart to beat with another requires extensive whittling, to trim away self-centerdness. It's like riding the bus; if you're going to have company you must be willing to scoot over to accommodate other people and the baggage they bring. Your actions in doing this express the importance of the other person. One relationship becomes more valuable than others because of its ability to survive and endure realignments."
The qualities we value most in a friend are two-fold: (1) The assurance that they won't bail out when the road gets rocky. (2) The knowledge that our imperfections and scars won't change their leve of commitment. Solomon said, "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother." It's about quality, not quantity. That's why heart connections can be so much stronger than blood connections. Don't be too quick to discount someone's good qualities because they make a mistake, disappointed you or did something without thinking. You wouldn't haul your car to the junkyard because it had a faulty battery or a flat tire! Love means risk, but the payoffs outweigh the investment. Behind every success story you'll find people who once felt so discouraged they wanted to quit, who fell and needed lifting when someone stepped in, picked them up and helped them to keep going. Life is not built on acquisitions and accomplishments, it's built on relationships. So keep yours in good shape!
Building great relationships takes time and energy. And you only discover how valuable such relationships are when they're tested. One auther writes: "Contouring your heart to beat with another requires extensive whittling, to trim away self-centerdness. It's like riding the bus; if you're going to have company you must be willing to scoot over to accommodate other people and the baggage they bring. Your actions in doing this express the importance of the other person. One relationship becomes more valuable than others because of its ability to survive and endure realignments."
The qualities we value most in a friend are two-fold: (1) The assurance that they won't bail out when the road gets rocky. (2) The knowledge that our imperfections and scars won't change their leve of commitment. Solomon said, "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother." It's about quality, not quantity. That's why heart connections can be so much stronger than blood connections. Don't be too quick to discount someone's good qualities because they make a mistake, disappointed you or did something without thinking. You wouldn't haul your car to the junkyard because it had a faulty battery or a flat tire! Love means risk, but the payoffs outweigh the investment. Behind every success story you'll find people who once felt so discouraged they wanted to quit, who fell and needed lifting when someone stepped in, picked them up and helped them to keep going. Life is not built on acquisitions and accomplishments, it's built on relationships. So keep yours in good shape!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Growing in grace
"Let us not judge." Romans 14:13
A close second to comparing is controlling. Often controllers are steeped in "religiosity." Their modus operandi is manipulation, hints and veiled threats. They're not big on grace because they "think (they) know it all" (Ro 12:16). Do you see any of these traits in yourself? Think how much happier you'd be if you weren't trying to control people and outcomes. Dennis Leonard writes, "Give your loved ones the diginity of making their own mistakes and learning from them. If you're always getting into someone else's business, you're not only going to burn out, you're hindering God from working in their lives...They belong to Him not you!"
Dealing with controversy over Jewish food laws, Paul writes, "Those who feel free to eat must not look down on those who don't. And those who don't...must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them" (Ro 14:3). Because you don't feel at liberty to do something, don't condemn those who do. Having strong opinions doesn't sanction you to impose them on others. Even good things can be abused. William Barclay talks about "making a tyranny of the Sabbath, surrounding it with a jungle of rules, regulations and prohibitions." Ask yourself if you attitude is likely to cause peace of strife. Growing in grace means building "each other up" (Ro 14:19), not flaunting your liberty before those who don't share your convictions. Paul says, "Let each (man) be fully convinced in his own mind" (Ro 14:6). There are times when you need to humbly and prayerfully "press on, regardless."
A close second to comparing is controlling. Often controllers are steeped in "religiosity." Their modus operandi is manipulation, hints and veiled threats. They're not big on grace because they "think (they) know it all" (Ro 12:16). Do you see any of these traits in yourself? Think how much happier you'd be if you weren't trying to control people and outcomes. Dennis Leonard writes, "Give your loved ones the diginity of making their own mistakes and learning from them. If you're always getting into someone else's business, you're not only going to burn out, you're hindering God from working in their lives...They belong to Him not you!"
Dealing with controversy over Jewish food laws, Paul writes, "Those who feel free to eat must not look down on those who don't. And those who don't...must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them" (Ro 14:3). Because you don't feel at liberty to do something, don't condemn those who do. Having strong opinions doesn't sanction you to impose them on others. Even good things can be abused. William Barclay talks about "making a tyranny of the Sabbath, surrounding it with a jungle of rules, regulations and prohibitions." Ask yourself if you attitude is likely to cause peace of strife. Growing in grace means building "each other up" (Ro 14:19), not flaunting your liberty before those who don't share your convictions. Paul says, "Let each (man) be fully convinced in his own mind" (Ro 14:6). There are times when you need to humbly and prayerfully "press on, regardless."
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Are you searching for contentment?
"My people have...forsaken...the...living water, and...dug...broken cisterns." Jeremiah 2:13
It's easy to be content when things in life are going your way. But how often does that happen? The bible says we are to practice being "happy at any time in everything" (Php 4:12) because if you put your life on hold waiting for what you want to happen, you may be waiting a long time! Epicurus said, "Don't spoil what you have, by desiring what you don't have. Remember that what you now have, was the thing you once hoped for."
Three things constantly feed our discontentment: (1) Greed. When you dwell on what you don't have, you're not enjoying what God already given you. Be satisfied! Setting goals is good, but stop focusing so hard on the end result and learn to rejoice in the Lord while you're on your way. (2) Fear. It wants you to run from something that's not chasing you. It's the enemy's way of (a) robbing you of peace and stability; (b) tormenting you with the "what if's"; (c) keeping you from trusting God. The Psalmist said, "In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?" (Ps 56:4). (3) Seeking satisfaction in the wrong places. God said, "My people have...forsaken...the...living water, and...dug...broken cisterns that cannot hold water." It's significance. But we don't have to. The hymn writer wrote, "Now none but Christ can satisfy; no other name for me. There's love, life and lasting joy, Lord Jesus found in Thee!" Are you searching for contentment? Try Jesus!
It's easy to be content when things in life are going your way. But how often does that happen? The bible says we are to practice being "happy at any time in everything" (Php 4:12) because if you put your life on hold waiting for what you want to happen, you may be waiting a long time! Epicurus said, "Don't spoil what you have, by desiring what you don't have. Remember that what you now have, was the thing you once hoped for."
Three things constantly feed our discontentment: (1) Greed. When you dwell on what you don't have, you're not enjoying what God already given you. Be satisfied! Setting goals is good, but stop focusing so hard on the end result and learn to rejoice in the Lord while you're on your way. (2) Fear. It wants you to run from something that's not chasing you. It's the enemy's way of (a) robbing you of peace and stability; (b) tormenting you with the "what if's"; (c) keeping you from trusting God. The Psalmist said, "In God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?" (Ps 56:4). (3) Seeking satisfaction in the wrong places. God said, "My people have...forsaken...the...living water, and...dug...broken cisterns that cannot hold water." It's significance. But we don't have to. The hymn writer wrote, "Now none but Christ can satisfy; no other name for me. There's love, life and lasting joy, Lord Jesus found in Thee!" Are you searching for contentment? Try Jesus!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Devotional Day 1 - Mastering yourself
"Everything is permissible for me - but." 1 Corinthians 6:12
Let your flesh know who's in charge. Look for ways to say "no" to yourself every day. If you do, you'll be able to do it when it really counts. We're not just talking about cardinal sins, but zeroing in on the undisciplined areas of our lives that we excuse, rationalize, or postpone dealing with. Paul writes, "Everything is permissible for me - but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me - but I will not be mastered by anything." Paul measures his actions by this yardstick: "Is it beneficial? Does it have the potential to control me?"
How long are you going to keep telling yourself, "I know I need to change, and I will-tomorrow"? You have the right to consume chocolate cake and ice cream at bedtime every night. It's permissible," but not "beneficial," especially if you want unblocked arteries, sugar-free blood, a trim waistline, the ability to run a marathon, or maybe just to keep up with your grandkids. You have the right to spend your time and money as you please, but you don't have the right to complain when the law of diminishing returns kicks in and you finish up in the poorhouse. You have the right to fill your mind with any kind of garbage you choose. But understand this, constant exposure to the wrong things will weaken your character, rob you of self-respect and eventually enslave you.
When it comes to replacing bad habits with good ones, only one person is going to make it happen - you. Your character is the sum total of your everyday choices. Day by day, what you think, what you choose and what you do, is who you become.
Let your flesh know who's in charge. Look for ways to say "no" to yourself every day. If you do, you'll be able to do it when it really counts. We're not just talking about cardinal sins, but zeroing in on the undisciplined areas of our lives that we excuse, rationalize, or postpone dealing with. Paul writes, "Everything is permissible for me - but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible for me - but I will not be mastered by anything." Paul measures his actions by this yardstick: "Is it beneficial? Does it have the potential to control me?"
How long are you going to keep telling yourself, "I know I need to change, and I will-tomorrow"? You have the right to consume chocolate cake and ice cream at bedtime every night. It's permissible," but not "beneficial," especially if you want unblocked arteries, sugar-free blood, a trim waistline, the ability to run a marathon, or maybe just to keep up with your grandkids. You have the right to spend your time and money as you please, but you don't have the right to complain when the law of diminishing returns kicks in and you finish up in the poorhouse. You have the right to fill your mind with any kind of garbage you choose. But understand this, constant exposure to the wrong things will weaken your character, rob you of self-respect and eventually enslave you.
When it comes to replacing bad habits with good ones, only one person is going to make it happen - you. Your character is the sum total of your everyday choices. Day by day, what you think, what you choose and what you do, is who you become.
Monday, July 14, 2008
God Speaks Retreat Information
Overview of God Speaks Retreat - Contemplative Scripture reading and prayer
We are going to have a 2 hour quiet time with God.
Please make sure you have selected a time and a place where you can be alone an uninterrupted for 2 solid hours.
We are going to practice God’s presence. Read and pray over His word and listen for His voice.
Start this time of solitude expecting to hear from God. Have faith in Him and He will show up!
My desire is that God would have a Rhema word for each of you, but even if it does not come this time I know you will be greatly blessed by His presence and instruction and it will help you to be more willing and able to receive a Rhema word from Him when it does come.
(See below for definition of a Rhema word.)
A 2 Hour Experience of Solitude
Psalm 42:1 “As the deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O Lord.”
Step into the Quiet…
§ Find a place where you can be alone for a two hour period of time.
§ For the first half hour relax and allow yourself to be comfortable.
§ Calm the noise and clutter within…this could take awhile.
§ Focus on God’s Holy Spirit actually indwelling your very being.
§ Repeat a special name or phrase which characterizes your relationship with God.
§ When distractions come, return to your name or phrase
§ Sing a chorus or pray Psalm 42:1
§ During this first half hour you may want to listen to music. Let the music draw you closer to God and let yourself experience His presence through your senses.
§ For the next hour, read and meditate on the truths you find in specific set of scriptures.
(July 12 – Exodus 23:20-30)
§ Ask the Holy Spirit to be your teacher and your guide.
§ If it helps you to focus, write as thoughts or prayers as they come to you.
§ I have included several different translations of these verses. You can concentrate on only one version or take the time to read them all. Do whatever helps you to best internalize His truth and understand what God is speaking over you.
§ For the last half hour just listen.
§ Be sensitive to any scriptures and instructions, or promises that God may be giving directly to you, or those that He may be wanting you to share with another individual or the group.
§ Conclude your two hour time by praying the Lord’s Prayer and/or singing. Thank God for this precious time with Him and for the privilege of being in His presence.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Scripture for God Speaks Retreat July 12, 2008
Exodus 23:20-30
20-24 "Now get yourselves ready. I'm sending my Angel ahead of you to guard you in your travels, to lead you to the place that I've prepared. Pay close attention to him. Obey him. Don't go against him. He won't put up with your rebellions because he's acting on my authority. But if you obey him and do everything I tell you, I'll be an enemy to your enemies, I'll fight those who fight you. When my Angel goes ahead of you and leads you to the land of the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, I'll clear the country of them. So don't worship or serve their gods; don't do anything they do because I'm going to wipe them right off the face of the Earth and smash their sacred phallic pillars to bits.
25-26 "But you—you serve your God and he'll bless your food and your water. I'll get rid of the sickness among you; there won't be any miscarriages nor barren women in your land. I'll make sure you live full and complete lives.
27 "I'll send my Terror on ahead of you and throw those peoples you're approaching into a panic. All you'll see of your enemies is the backs of their necks.
28-31 "And I'll send Despair on ahead of you. It will push the Hivites, the Canaanites, and the Hittites out of your way. I won't get rid of them all at once lest the land grow up in weeds and the wild animals take over. Little by little I'll get them out of there while you have a chance to get your crops going and make the land your own. I will make your borders stretch from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea and from the Wilderness to the Euphrates River. I'm turning everyone living in that land over to you; go ahead and drive them out.
________________________________________________________________________________________
The Power of God’s Word
God has given us the blessing of His word, the bible which allows us to know His word made flesh, Jesus His one and only son. But God also speaks to us personally. It is such a privilege and yet we often take it for granted that the God of the universe knows us intimately enough to speak to us specifically about our situation.
We need to let Jeremiah be our example and learn to go to God’s word with great joy and anticipation.
Jeremiah 15:16 - Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart.
God’s word is a powerful weapon against the enemy.
2 Corinthians 10:4 - The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
We need to remember how much power there is in His word.
They are His life changing!
Isaiah 55:11 - so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Even when His words are difficult for us to accept, we need to remember that it is because He loves us so much that He challenges our destructive thoughts and practices.
Proverbs 3:11-13 - My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke,
because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding,
Some reasons why I think we do not hear from God more:
1. We do not spend enough time reading His word
2. We have difficulty knowing His voice.
3. We don’t spend enough time listening.
4. We don’t expect to hear from Him.
5. We don’t really want to hear from Him.
John 10:4
When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
Isaiah 50:4
The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
_____________________________________________________________
Two different ways we can receive a word from God:
John 1
The Word Became Flesh
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.
Logos – word, spolen or written, message, news, instruction, account, book, preaching, story, teaching, truths. (3364)
______________________________________________________
Luke 3:2
During the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert
Rhema – word, saying, matter, thing, bring a message, charge, command, promise. (4839)
Ephesians 6:17
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
We are going to have a 2 hour quiet time with God.
Please make sure you have selected a time and a place where you can be alone an uninterrupted for 2 solid hours.
We are going to practice God’s presence. Read and pray over His word and listen for His voice.
Start this time of solitude expecting to hear from God. Have faith in Him and He will show up!
My desire is that God would have a Rhema word for each of you, but even if it does not come this time I know you will be greatly blessed by His presence and instruction and it will help you to be more willing and able to receive a Rhema word from Him when it does come.
(See below for definition of a Rhema word.)
A 2 Hour Experience of Solitude
Psalm 42:1 “As the deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O Lord.”
Step into the Quiet…
§ Find a place where you can be alone for a two hour period of time.
§ For the first half hour relax and allow yourself to be comfortable.
§ Calm the noise and clutter within…this could take awhile.
§ Focus on God’s Holy Spirit actually indwelling your very being.
§ Repeat a special name or phrase which characterizes your relationship with God.
§ When distractions come, return to your name or phrase
§ Sing a chorus or pray Psalm 42:1
§ During this first half hour you may want to listen to music. Let the music draw you closer to God and let yourself experience His presence through your senses.
§ For the next hour, read and meditate on the truths you find in specific set of scriptures.
(July 12 – Exodus 23:20-30)
§ Ask the Holy Spirit to be your teacher and your guide.
§ If it helps you to focus, write as thoughts or prayers as they come to you.
§ I have included several different translations of these verses. You can concentrate on only one version or take the time to read them all. Do whatever helps you to best internalize His truth and understand what God is speaking over you.
§ For the last half hour just listen.
§ Be sensitive to any scriptures and instructions, or promises that God may be giving directly to you, or those that He may be wanting you to share with another individual or the group.
§ Conclude your two hour time by praying the Lord’s Prayer and/or singing. Thank God for this precious time with Him and for the privilege of being in His presence.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Scripture for God Speaks Retreat July 12, 2008
Exodus 23:20-30
20-24 "Now get yourselves ready. I'm sending my Angel ahead of you to guard you in your travels, to lead you to the place that I've prepared. Pay close attention to him. Obey him. Don't go against him. He won't put up with your rebellions because he's acting on my authority. But if you obey him and do everything I tell you, I'll be an enemy to your enemies, I'll fight those who fight you. When my Angel goes ahead of you and leads you to the land of the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Canaanites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, I'll clear the country of them. So don't worship or serve their gods; don't do anything they do because I'm going to wipe them right off the face of the Earth and smash their sacred phallic pillars to bits.
25-26 "But you—you serve your God and he'll bless your food and your water. I'll get rid of the sickness among you; there won't be any miscarriages nor barren women in your land. I'll make sure you live full and complete lives.
27 "I'll send my Terror on ahead of you and throw those peoples you're approaching into a panic. All you'll see of your enemies is the backs of their necks.
28-31 "And I'll send Despair on ahead of you. It will push the Hivites, the Canaanites, and the Hittites out of your way. I won't get rid of them all at once lest the land grow up in weeds and the wild animals take over. Little by little I'll get them out of there while you have a chance to get your crops going and make the land your own. I will make your borders stretch from the Red Sea to the Mediterranean Sea and from the Wilderness to the Euphrates River. I'm turning everyone living in that land over to you; go ahead and drive them out.
________________________________________________________________________________________
The Power of God’s Word
God has given us the blessing of His word, the bible which allows us to know His word made flesh, Jesus His one and only son. But God also speaks to us personally. It is such a privilege and yet we often take it for granted that the God of the universe knows us intimately enough to speak to us specifically about our situation.
We need to let Jeremiah be our example and learn to go to God’s word with great joy and anticipation.
Jeremiah 15:16 - Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart.
God’s word is a powerful weapon against the enemy.
2 Corinthians 10:4 - The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.
We need to remember how much power there is in His word.
They are His life changing!
Isaiah 55:11 - so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
Even when His words are difficult for us to accept, we need to remember that it is because He loves us so much that He challenges our destructive thoughts and practices.
Proverbs 3:11-13 - My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke,
because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding,
Some reasons why I think we do not hear from God more:
1. We do not spend enough time reading His word
2. We have difficulty knowing His voice.
3. We don’t spend enough time listening.
4. We don’t expect to hear from Him.
5. We don’t really want to hear from Him.
John 10:4
When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.
Isaiah 50:4
The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
_____________________________________________________________
Two different ways we can receive a word from God:
John 1
The Word Became Flesh
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.
Logos – word, spolen or written, message, news, instruction, account, book, preaching, story, teaching, truths. (3364)
______________________________________________________
Luke 3:2
During the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert
Rhema – word, saying, matter, thing, bring a message, charge, command, promise. (4839)
Ephesians 6:17
Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Questions for Chapters 7-9
1. Have you ever been in love? How did you feel? How did you feel about yourself?
2. All relationships ebb and flow. Yes? How would you describe your relationship with God over the past several months?
3. Are you beginning to grasp more deeply what it is God wants from you? What He is after?
4. Do you see and experience beauty in other women? How?
5. Think of a friend who you find truly lovely. What is it about her that is so lovely? How does she make you feel when you are with her?
6. A woman whose heart is at rest invites other to rest, too. Have you experienced that? What is it like to be around a restful woman? What do you feel the freedom to do?
7. What did John Eldredge say are the two messages a man needs to hear from His wife?
8. Do you remember looking to boys for your validation as a teenage girl? As a young woman? In what ways are you looking to Adam to answer your heart's Question these days?
9. Think beyond the bedroom. What are some ways that a good woman could seduce a good man? How could you, as a woman, arouse desire in a man, to play the man? To exert his masculine strength in good ways? To grow into becoming a more godly man?
2. All relationships ebb and flow. Yes? How would you describe your relationship with God over the past several months?
3. Are you beginning to grasp more deeply what it is God wants from you? What He is after?
4. Do you see and experience beauty in other women? How?
5. Think of a friend who you find truly lovely. What is it about her that is so lovely? How does she make you feel when you are with her?
6. A woman whose heart is at rest invites other to rest, too. Have you experienced that? What is it like to be around a restful woman? What do you feel the freedom to do?
7. What did John Eldredge say are the two messages a man needs to hear from His wife?
8. Do you remember looking to boys for your validation as a teenage girl? As a young woman? In what ways are you looking to Adam to answer your heart's Question these days?
9. Think beyond the bedroom. What are some ways that a good woman could seduce a good man? How could you, as a woman, arouse desire in a man, to play the man? To exert his masculine strength in good ways? To grow into becoming a more godly man?
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Questions for Chapters 4-6
1. What did your father value about women? What did you learn from him about femininity? How did (does) he treat your mom?
2. Do you see how any of the wounds you received as a little girl shape the way you see yourself as a women now?
3. Are you aware of a mistrust of God deep in your heart? Are you aware of ways that you are trying to control your world?
4. How have your wounds come to you, were they obvious like a betrayal? Or more subtle like years of neglect? What messages were driven home into your heart?
5. Where do you think the hatred for women that we see all over the world comes from? Why is it so diabolical?
6. Do you live with a fear of abandonment? How much of your efforts to "be a good woman" or to make yourself beautiful are fueled by that fear?
7. What in your heart do you really want Jesus to heal, touch and restore?
8. What lies do you believe about yourself?
9. What enemies of your soul would you like Jesus to destory? Self contempt? An addition? A spirit of overwhelmed?
2. Do you see how any of the wounds you received as a little girl shape the way you see yourself as a women now?
3. Are you aware of a mistrust of God deep in your heart? Are you aware of ways that you are trying to control your world?
4. How have your wounds come to you, were they obvious like a betrayal? Or more subtle like years of neglect? What messages were driven home into your heart?
5. Where do you think the hatred for women that we see all over the world comes from? Why is it so diabolical?
6. Do you live with a fear of abandonment? How much of your efforts to "be a good woman" or to make yourself beautiful are fueled by that fear?
7. What in your heart do you really want Jesus to heal, touch and restore?
8. What lies do you believe about yourself?
9. What enemies of your soul would you like Jesus to destory? Self contempt? An addition? A spirit of overwhelmed?
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Questions for Chapters 1-3
1. Have you ever experienced something similar to the Oxbow Bend canoeing experience described in the book? Can you recall a time in your life when you felt alive as a woman? Who were you with? What happened? How did you feel?
2. Do you feel like you are a woman? Are there places in your heart where you still feel like a little girl?
3. What expectations have been laid upon you as a woman? What do you feel pressure to be?
4. Have you ever imagined that God is yearning for you? That He longs to be loved by you?
5. Do you think most women are a little embarrassed by their deep longings to be romanced? Are you? Is this something you openly share with others?
6. What have you though a "Help Meet" was? Is it something you aspire to become? Dreamed of?
7. How does your fallen nature most often reveal itself? Would you say you lean more towards being a controlling woman or a desolate woman?
8. Do you like being vulerable? Are you comfortable trusting your well-being to someone else? What is it that you are afraid of?
9. What is there about you that you would like to keep hidden from the eyes of those around you? What are you afraid their response would be?
2. Do you feel like you are a woman? Are there places in your heart where you still feel like a little girl?
3. What expectations have been laid upon you as a woman? What do you feel pressure to be?
4. Have you ever imagined that God is yearning for you? That He longs to be loved by you?
5. Do you think most women are a little embarrassed by their deep longings to be romanced? Are you? Is this something you openly share with others?
6. What have you though a "Help Meet" was? Is it something you aspire to become? Dreamed of?
7. How does your fallen nature most often reveal itself? Would you say you lean more towards being a controlling woman or a desolate woman?
8. Do you like being vulerable? Are you comfortable trusting your well-being to someone else? What is it that you are afraid of?
9. What is there about you that you would like to keep hidden from the eyes of those around you? What are you afraid their response would be?
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Summer Book Club series called Captivating
We will be kicking off our summer book club at the end of June. We will be jumping into the book "Captivating...Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman's Soul." Is was written by John and Stasi Eldredge, best seeling author of Wild at Heart. As a little preview about the book, here is what is written on the back cover. "Every woman was once a little girl. And every little girl holds in her heart her most precious dreams. She longs to be swept up into a romance, to play an irreplaceable role in a great adventure, to be the Beauty of the story. Those desires a far more than child's play. They are the secret to the feminine heart. And yet-how many women do you know who ever find that life? As the years pass by, the heart of a woman gets pushed aside, wounded, buried. She finds no romance except in novels, no adventure except on television, and she doubts very much that she will ever be the Beauty in any tale. But her heart is still there. Sometimes when she watches a movie, sometimes in the wee hours of the night, her heart begins to speak again. A thirst rises within her to find a life she was meant to live-the life she dreamed of as a little girl. The message of Captivating is this: Your heart matters more than anything else in all creation. The desires you had as a little girl and the longings you still feel as a woman-they are teling you of the life God created you to live. He offers to come now as the Hero of your story, to rescue your heart and release you to live as a fully alive and feminine woman. A woman who is truly captivating."
We are doing this summer's book club a little different. Instead of meeting at the church, we are having host sites and leaders that will be at each place. We are also offering two different nights...Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The host sites and leaders are as follows:
We are doing this summer's book club a little different. Instead of meeting at the church, we are having host sites and leaders that will be at each place. We are also offering two different nights...Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The host sites and leaders are as follows:
- Tuesday nights from 7-9p.m. Dates: 6/24, 7/8, 7/22, 8/5 This group will be at Monica Hamby's house in Hutto.
- Tuesday nights from 7-9p.m. Dates: 6/24, 7/8, 7/22, 8/5 This group will meet at Starbucks and will be lead by Kimberly Hoeft.
- Wednesday nights from 7-9p.m. Dates: 6/25, 7/9, 7/23, 8/6 This group will meet at Starbucks and will be lead by Terrie Diechmann and Amanda Paulson.
- Thursday nights from 7-9p.m. Dates: 6/26, 7/16, 7/24, 8/7 This group will meet at Barb Welch's house.
The books are available on the back table in the auditorium for $15. If you haven't signed up yet to be a part of this amazing book and experience, please sign up on the back table or email Kimberly Hoeft at kimberly@rejoiceinthelord.us. You won't want to miss out!!!
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