PathFinder Ministries

What Are You Sure and Certain Of?

2012-02-06T11:39:00.002-05:00

Were you sure that the New England Patriots were certain to win this year's Super Bowl? Are you sure that the abundance of snacks you consumed last night are certain not catch up with you later? Can you be sure that the score you saw on the scoreboard as the final seconds ticked away was certainly true?

You may not be a Patriots fan or a football fan of any sorts and you may not relate to anything I've said so far, but one thing I know we all can relate to is the question of where and in whom we put our faith. As we look at the book of Hebrews this week, we see the author's explanation of faith and a biography of Old Testament heroes who demonstrated great faith (Hebrews 11).

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1) Two words describe faith - sure and certain. Faith is believing God's character - being sure that He is who He says He is. It is also believing in God's promises - being certain that He will do what He says He will do. When we believe God's character as one who is faithful and trust He will fulfill His promises - even though we don't see those promises materializing yet - we demonstrate true faith and TRUE faith is based on what God says and is shown by what we do!

The author of Hebrews wanted the Jewish Christians to know that living by faith is far better than merely fulfilling rituals and rules. Let's look at how we can live out faith in our own lives:

F - Focus: Fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, (Hebrews 12:2). Our focus should be on the only One who is certain to be faithful and will strengthen and perfect our faith.

A - Act: ...so faith without deeds is dead. (James 2:26) Are you talking the talk of faith, but your actions speak worry, anxiety, fear, pride, control, depression, etc?

I - Increase: The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" (Luke 17:5). When's the last time you asked God to increase your faith? If the disciples, who walked and worked with Jesus needed their faith increased, how much more do we?

T - Take Up: ...take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. (Ephesians 6:16). Our faith is a shield that protects us from the attacks of the enemy. If our "shield" is down, we will suffer from the flaming arrows of doubt, discouragement, dismay, etc.

H - Hear: ... faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17) What are you doing to strengthen your faith? Are you hearing God's Word through Bible study, prayer and His messengers? If the seed of faith is not being watered, it and YOU cannot expect to grow.

Make today the day you begin to Focus, Act, Increase, Take up and Hear God's message in order to be sure and certain that what you hope for and what you cannot see is in God's hands and more than any person (or team) is faithful - To the faithful you show yourself faithful.... (Psalm 18:25).

Download this week's lesson from Hebrews

Perhaps the Reason....

2012-01-30T12:02:00.000-05:00

Have you asked the question, "Why?" lately? Are you wondering why things are happening as they are? Have you stopped to think about the reasons why God allows certain events and people into our lives?

In the book of Philemon, Paul addresses his friend, Philemon, regarding his runaway slave, Onesimus. Onesimus had stolen money from Philemon and had fled to Rome where he met Paul. Paul shared the Gospel with Onesimus and his life was changed. Paul now pleas with Philemon to forgive Onesimus and to accept him back, not as a slave, but as a brother in Christ.

A couple verses in this little book stand out to me...."Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good...no longer as a slave" (v. 15-16). Are there any "perhaps" when it comes to God's providence? The fact that Onesimus and Paul actually came in contact is not a coincidence. We don't know the details of their encounter, but do know it was one that bonded them together (v.10) and their relationship was life changing for both of them.

What about your "perhaps"? Are there things happening in your life that make you wonder - "perhaps this is God's way of getting my attention." The next time something occurs that you weren't expecting, stop and acknowledge that this is God's hand at work. God is not a God of happenstance. Everything He does is for a reason ~ we just need to be aware of what it is and what we are to learn from it.

Are there people in your life that are there "perhaps for a reason"? Possibly to develop your character? To strengthen your love, patience, perseverance, understanding, listening skills, humility, etc. They may enter your life for just a season, but know that they are they for a specific reason! Learn what God is teaching you through them and then pass on your new found knowledge to others.

Take a minute to look at your surroundings today. Perhaps you work where you work and with the people that you do for a specific reason. Perhaps you are encountering uncomfortable situations for a specific reason. Perhaps you've had people come into your life during this season for a specific reason.....

CHALLENGE: Watch to see how you can make a difference, as Paul did with Onesimus, in the life of someone else this week ~ be their "Perhaps the reason......."

Download this week's lesson from Philemon

Do As I Do!

2012-01-23T10:46:00.001-05:00

Have you ever done or said something that you wish you could instantly delete? Are you aware of just how many people are watching your Christian example? In Paul's letter to Titus, he emphasizes the importance of living a life of integrity, soundness of speech and doctrine - one that could not be condemned.

Titus 2:7 says, "In everything, set them an example by doing what is good." What kind of example are you setting for others today? Do you have fellow employees observing your actions and responses? Are there young children in your midst that love to mimic what you say and do? Is there a friend or family member listening to your conversations and taking note of your deeds?

It's said, "If you want someone to act a certain way, be sure that you live that way yourself!" How do you want the people in your life to act and/or treat you? Do you find yourself saying - "Do as I say and not as I do." (ouch!) Why don't we switch that up a bit and make it our goal to "Do as I do!"

What can you do in regards to our words and deeds? What can you work on in order to be the example of doing good? How can you "do to others what you would have them do to you." (Matthew 7:12)

1) Your words should be uplifting and encouraging. We get plenty of negative feedback throughout our day, don't be a contributor. Research shows we need 5 positive interactions a day for every 1 negative. Who can you uplift and encourage today?

2) Your words should be wholesome and worthy of being heard. Don't waste them on foolish talk, senseless debate and stupid arguments. Words can help or hurt instantly and many can never be taken back.

3) Your deeds should be sincere and self-less. People know when we're faking it and can usually identify insincerity a mile away! Actions done for others with humility and with no expectations are the best received and the most rewarding.

4) Our deeds should be out of obedience to God and love for others. Jesus left this earth with a new command, "Love one another, as I have loved you...." (John 13:34) Some people are easier to love than others. Some people make loving them enjoyable and pleasant; others present a challenge. Either way, we are to love as Jesus loved - unconditionally.

Let me leave you with this as an encouragement to set the example that you want others to follow today:

"May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.
(2 Thess. 2:16-17)

Go be an example of uplifting, encouraging and wholesome words - Doing sincere and self-less deeds out of obedience and love :)

What Good is the Bible?

2012-01-16T12:09:00.000-05:00

Some consider the Bible to be a collection of stories, fables, myths and human ideas about God. Some think it's just made up of rules and lists of do's and don'ts. What do you consider the Bible to be good for? If you've been following us through our Know the Bible study, I hope you'd be able to answer that question with bold confidence!

From the Old Testament, we learned about the origin, obedience (and much disobedience) and opportunities of God's people, the Israelites. We saw who God is and among many of His attributes, we witnessed over and over again that He is.."a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love." (Nehemiah 9:17).

In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, we are reminded of what the Bible is good for. "All Scripture is God-breathed, and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man/woman of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

1) God-breathed: The Bible is not a human book. Through the Holy Spirit, God revealed His person and plan to certain believers who wrote down His message for His people. Scripture is completely trustworthy because God was in control of its writing. The Bible is God-breathed!

2) Teaching: Because the entire Bible is God's Word - we need to read it, learn it and apply it. It is our standard for testing everything else that claims to be true. It is our safeguard against false teaching and our source of guidance for how we should live. What are you learning from God's Word?

3) Rebuking: (To find fault, to scold sharply) There are times when God's Word will point out faults in our life. Is that always pleasant? No. But is it necessary? Yes. How we respond to our "scolding" will determine our next step...

4) Correcting: When God's Word opens our eyes to areas that we need to correct and change, we know we can turn to the Bible to show us what to do differently. It doesn't just tell us what we're doing wrong, it gives us instruction and...

5) Training in Righteousness or "Right-Living". We should not use the Bible as just another textbook to increase our knowledge or to prepare us to win senseless arguments! It is a training manual for right and God-honoring living, so that we are....

6) Thoroughly Equipped for every good work. We must remember the purpose of the Bible is to educate and equip us to do good. The Bible is good for showing us and preparing us to do Christ's work in the world. Our knowledge of God's Word is not useful until it strengthens our faith and leads us to do good!

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do". ~ Eph. 2:10

So, what good is the Bible to you? Are you treating it with the respect it is due? Are you relying on it to teach you the way to live? Are you open to its rebuking and then following through with correction? Are you allowing it to be your guideline for righteous living? I hope so!

BLOG COMMENT: Share with us how you would answer the skeptic who asks - "What good is the Bible?"

Keep Practicing

2012-01-09T09:35:00.005-05:00

Would you consider yourself a diligent person? Do you stick with something that you know is right even though it is difficult and challenging? Or do others' successes intimidate you and tempt you to give up?

Timothy was a young leader, the pastor of the church in Ephesus and a friend/mentee of the Apostle Paul. In the book of First Timothy, Paul presents pastoral advice as well as personal encouragement to his disciple, Timothy.

In 1 Timothy 4, Paul instructs Timothy on several things: "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young. But set an example in (your) speech, life, love, faith and purity." "Devote yourself to preaching and teaching." "Do not neglect your gift." and "Be diligent in these matters so that everyone may see your progress."

As we start a new year, I'm sure you have things you want to change about yourself, your life, etc. Are you determined to be diligent in reaching these goals? Are you visualizing what it will be like when you are successful? The average person gives up on their "resolutions" by mid-February! Resolve today not to be among the "average."

A person could double their production/reach their goals, in they began to practice what they know they should do instead of doing what they know they shouldn't do! (Eat too much, spend too much, sit around too much, talk too much, sleep too much, etc.) Success comes from diligently practicing the right things. Dr. John Maxwell shares pillars of practice that we should incorporate into our daily lives in order to succeed:

1) The right influence. We need to surround ourselves with people who will help, influence and encourage us. Paul was that person for young Timothy. He helped him succeed for God, influenced his behavior and encouraged him when he doubted himself. Who do you have in your life that is a help, positive influence and encouragement?

2) Your best effort. Paul instructed Timothy to "give yourself wholly" to the things he needed to do and be. Are you giving your goals your best effort? In I Timothy 4: 16, Paul encourages Timothy to "persevere ...because if you do, you'll save both yourself and your hearers." Are you practicing new behaviors and giving yourself incentives for when you succeed?

3) A clear purpose. Be certain about what you're trying to accomplish. Effort without knowledge is like speed without direction. In Timothy's case, it was important for him to be an example by how he spoke, lived out his faith, loved others and valued purity. His purpose in pursuing these behaviors was so that "everyone may see your progress." Isn't that why you want to change?

You only play well if you practice well. So, where are you on the practice continuum? Just starting out? At the phase of rapid progress? Have you already made great gains, now you're just fine-tuning? Knowing where you are, helps you know what you need to do. So keep practicing!

BLOG COMMENT: What's your biggest challenge in being diligent with practicing new behaviors?

5 Ways to Move into Your New Season!

2012-01-03T12:14:00.004-05:00

This is one of my favorite posts by life coach, Valorie Burton and I wanted to re-visit it as it's a great reminder of the new season/new year we are entering. Hope you are inspired! Tonia

"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven." - Ecc. 3:1

Dear Friend, As we usher in spring (New Year), I feel led to ask you, "Is it time to usher in a new season in your life?" There are few things more frustrating that remaining stuck in the old when it's time to embrace something new. Sometimes the new thing is an inevitable change or transition, whether it was something you wanted or something that was thrust upon you.

At other times, your new season is a goal you've been working towards, but now it's time to notice that the thing you wished for is here. You'll have to shift your thinking so you can enjoy the vision that has finally come to fruition. Whether your new season is related to your career, relationships, finances or health, consider these five ways to successfully step into a new phase of your life:

1. Say good-bye to the last season. In order to fully embrace what's new, mark your passage from one season into the next. If a child is about to head off to college, plan for a celebration to mark the milestone. If you are moving from one place to another, acknowledge it in a meaningful way. If you have lost someone or something important to you, grieve your loss so that you can eventually move forward in a healthy way.

2. Embrace the new season. Once you've said good-bye, say "hello" to what's new. Dive in. Consider the things you are able to do now that you couldn't before. If you're entering a difficult season, identify and embrace the help you will need to give you strength and perseverance. Acknowledge your challenges, but be sure to open your eyes and notice the blessings, too.

3. Ask, "What new habits do I need in this new season?" What worked in the last season, may not work in this new season. It's like using your old house key to try to open the door to your new home. What got you in the door there won't work here. Be flexible and adopt the new habits that will empower you to thrive in this new season.

4. Ask, "Who do I need to connect with in this new season?" Relationships matter. Don't go it alone. Reach out and connect with those who can help you and whom you can help. When facing a major change, it's your ability to connect with the right people that can make the difference between a smooth transition and a bumpy one.

5. Ask, "What vision am I moving towards in my new season?" Often a new season means a new identity in some way. Perhaps your role has changed, relationships have been severed, a job was lost or a move has put you in a totally new environment. You may have had a vision - and even achieved it - in the previous season of your life, but now it's time for something different. Your old vision may not work in this new place. What's your new vision now?

My challenge to you this week: Let go of the old. Take hold of the new!

What Are You Wearing Today?

2011-12-05T10:02:00.006-05:00

Do you put as much thought into your "spiritual" wardrobe as you do your physical one? Before leaving the house, do you make sure you are fully clothed? Paul reminds the believers in Colosse, as well as us today, that others are watching us at all times. Sometimes all they will ever see of our Christianity is what we are "wearing".

Colossians 3:12,14 - "As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony." (NRSV)

Men are amazed at all the "torture" women go through to be attractive: hair manipulation on the head, face, legs, and body; exercise to keep the body at just the right weight or size; light garments to support that which nature refuses to do; and regular trips to the dermatologist, manicurist, pedicurist, and dentist.

In addition, we tend to analyze our food until eating ceases to be a pleasure and our bodies become a fuel refinery, adding the ingredients which our scientific knowledge says we need.

Ironically, after all this work to make the outer body beautiful, we then cover it with beautiful and expensive clothes, properly sized and colour coordinated. All this effort is put forth in an attempt to make us look better on the outside.

Whenever I begged for more clothes, cosmetics, and the things teenagers think they have to have, my mother always told me, "Beauty comes from within. Put on the garments of kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, and then bind them together with love, which matches all the colours in your garments. Then praise the Lord for all the good things He has given you, and let His Word dwell in you. This will put a glow on your face that cosmetics will never produce."

As a teenager, this did not satisfy my desires to be outwardly beautiful, but as the years have passed, I've learned to see the wisdom of her words.

As a growing Christian, which garments do we need to put on our shopping list first to be a well dressed Christian?

Prayer: Father, help us to see the inner beauty of a person, rather than their grooming and clothing. Help us to wear the spiritual adornment which shows that we are clothed in the garments of Jesus Christ. In His name, we pray. Amen.

Thanks, Ivie Bozeman from Thomasville, Georgia

Photo by: Photostock

Can You Really Do Everything?

2011-11-28T09:31:00.003-05:00

I think one of the most misunderstood and often over-used verses has to be Philippians 4:13 - "I can do everything through him (Christ) who gives me strength." This verse has often been used to affirm people's lofty, and often selfish, goals. It has been used flippantly and arrogantly by some; which leads me to wonder if they really know who first spoke those words and the context from which they came.

Philippians is a joy-filled letter from Paul, encouraging and rejoicing over the believers in Philippi. He wants them to know that his joy is not found in his circumstances, as he is in prison awaiting trial for preaching the Gospel, but in his relationship with Christ. He reminds them that their happiness is only contingent on the "happenings" around them, but true joy comes from God.

We can learn from Paul's attitude. Even if we cannot rejoice in our circumstances, we can always rejoice in the Lord who controls our circumstances! We must fix our attention on Him. He may not change our situation, but He will change us and that is even better!

In Philippians 4, Paul explains how he has learned to be content in any and every situation. He has experienced great wealth and great poverty. He has been well fed and hungry. He has known human strength and weakness. I would venture to say that not many of us are in a similar situation as Paul, yet we struggle with being content in what we have and where we are. But regardless of his surrounding and situations, he has confidence that he can do all things through the strength he's receiving from Christ.

So back to my original question - can we really do everything? The power we receive in union with Christ is sufficient to do His will and to face the challenges that arise from our commitment to doing it. He does not grant us superhuman ability to accomplish anything we can imagine without regard to His interests. Let's look at what we can do:

1) I can do everything God calls me to do. We have strength in Christ to do what God has planned for us to do for Him. Once we get past the idea that it's all about us and what we want, we can draw on this strength, power and wisdom, to complete His unique purpose for us . And in the end, God is glorified, not ourselves.

2) I can do everything God commands me to do. We need strength in order to live the Christian life - successfully. We are commanded to love, obey, trust, follow, rejoice, live pure lives, resist temptation, etc. Is this really possible to do in our own strength? Can we pick and choose commands that we will attempt on our own and others that we ask for help with? When we live a victorious life - through Christ's strength - God is glorified, not ourselves.

3) I can do everything God convicts me to do. I don't know about you, but this one requires alot of super-natural power sometimes. There are times when I'm convicted to forgive, confront, repent, surrender, practice patience and perseverance and I just don't want to. This is when I must draw on Christ's power to be able to do everything God convicts me to do. And when I do, I know God is pleased and glorified - not myself.

What is God calling, commanding and/or convicting you to do today? Know that you can do everything He wants you to do - through Christ's strength and power - not your own.

BLOG COMMENT: What has your "everything" looked like? Have you been trying to do it all in your own strength and perhaps for your own glory?

How Do You Give Thanks?

2011-11-21T11:10:00.004-05:00

As Paul addressed the new believers in the Ephesus churches, he did so from a Roman prison cell as he awaited his trial before Caesar. He wanted to be an encouragement to the new Christians as he knew he would probably never see them again. Throughout the book of Ephesians, we see repeatedly, various forms of thanksgiving - so let's look at them today!

1) Praise - Paul begins his letter with reminding the believers of the many blessings that God has lavishly given them because of His glorious grace (1: 3-8). Are you praising God this week for the blessings He's given you - regardless of their size or significance?

2) Prayer - In 1:16, Paul says - "I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers." Paul had nothing but the people in his lives. All his worldly possessions had been taken away as he now spends his time in prison, praying for those he is thankful for. Have you thanked God for the people in your life and then prayed for them?

3) Proper Response - Our salvation comes from our faith in Christ, not from anything we have done ourselves and it is a gift from God (2: 8-9). When someone gives you a gift, do you say, "That's very nice - how much do I owe you?" No, the proper response is, "Thank you!" Yet how often do we feel obligated to try to work our way to God. Because our salvation and even our faith are gifts, we should respond with gratitude, praise and joy. Have you done so today?

4) Power - "..always giving thanks to God the Father for everything ....." (5:20). Thank God, not for your problems, but for the strength and power He is building in you through the difficult experiences of your life. Are you thanking God for His power and knowing you can be sure that His perfect love will see you through whatever situation arises?

Do you need a few more things to be thankful for? Paul provides a great reminder to us ALL of the blessings we have received from God because He is thankful for us! Take time to thank Him today with praise, prayer, power and with a proper response. (Taken from the NIV Life Application Study Bible, pg.1983.)

* We are blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ. - Eph. 1:3
* We are holy and blameless. - Eph. 1: 4
* We are adopted as God's children. - Eph. 1: 5, 6
* Our sins are taken away and we are forgiven. - Eph. 1: 7
* We will be brought under Christ's authority. - Eph. 1: 10,11
* We are identified as belonging to God by the Holy Spirit. - Eph. 1:13
* We have been raised up to sit with Christ in glory. - Eph. 2:6
* We are God's work of art; His masterpiece. - Eph. 2:10
* We have been brought near to God. - Eph. 2:13
* We share in the promise of blessings through Christ. - Eph. 3:6
* We can come with freedom and confidence into God's presence. - Eph. 3:12
* We are members of Christ's body, the church. - Eph. 5: 29, 30

BLOG COMMENT: How does it make you feel when you think about how thankful God is for YOU?

Are You Approachable?

2011-11-14T09:02:00.005-05:00

Can you name the Fruit of the Spirit? How many of them do you exemplify in your life? In your day? In the next hour? Let me help you - "But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23 NLT).

In the book of Galatians, Paul is trying to get the new believers to see that by exhibiting the characteristics of the Spirit's fruit, people will see God living in them. These fine attributes are only possible with the Spirit's help! Do people see them in you? Do they find you approachable because of them?

Let's look at what an approachable person exhibits: (from The Word for You Today Devotional)

1) Personal warmth - they truly like people. In an old Peanuts cartoon, Charlie Brown says, "I love mankind, it's just people I can't stand!" Hello! It's not enough to love people in theory, you have to generate personal warmth toward those you meet each day.

2) Their moods are consistent. Have you ever worked or lived with someone whose moods are constantly up and down? You never know how they'll be and how they'll respond. In contrast, approachable people are even-keeled and predictable. They're basically the same way every time you see them. Their emotions are peaceful and show self-control.

3) Sensitivity toward people's feelings. Although approachable people are emotionally steady, that doesn't mean they expect others to be that way. They recognize that good people have bad days; consequently they tune their moods to the feelings of others and quickly adjust how they relate to them with kindness and gentleness.

4) Understanding of human weakness and exposure to their own. Novelist Ed Howes said, "Express a mean opinion of yourself occasionally, it will show your friends that you know how to tell the truth!" Approachable people are honest about their abilities and shortcomings. They embrace the proverb which says, "Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused." And because they can admit their own faults, they don't have a problem allowing other people to have faults as well and they do it with patience.

5) The ability to forgive and ask for forgiveness. Author David Augsburger wrote, "Since nothing we attempt is ever without error and nothing we achieve, without some measure of the finitude and fallibility we call humaness, we are saved by forgiveness." Approachable people are able to forgive and be forgiven. Their faithfulness in the power of forgiveness shows itself in their goodness and joy!

How will people see you today? As an approachable person exhibiting love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control? Or a person altogether void of the Spirit's fruit?

As Paul reminded the people of Galatia, as well as us today, "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit's leading in every part of our lives. Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another." (Gal. 5:24-26)

BLOG COMMENT: Are there people in your life who you consider "approachable"? Share with us what characteristics they show and how that has helped you grow your own "fruit."

Called to Comfort

2011-11-06T15:35:00.009-05:00

Where do you turn to find comfort amidst your trouble and trials? Do you consider all pain and hurt a waste? Do you often find yourself wondering what good could possibly come out of your pain? When it comes to talking about suffering, there's no one better qualified than the apostle Paul.

In case you're not familiar with his "qualifications", 2 Corinthians 11:23-27 tells us that he had "worked more harder, been in prison more frequently, been flogged more severely and been exposed to death again and again." He was beaten, stoned, shipwrecked three times and spent a night and day out in the open sea. And all for what?

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 gives us insight into the reason we suffer and what good it can do:

1) We receive comfort - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles...(v.3-4a) Many people think that when God comforts us, our troubles should go away. But if that were always so, people would turn to God only out of a desire to be relieved of pain and not out of love for Him.

God does not shelter people from trials and suffering, not even gifted apostles who are doing His will. We must understand that being comforted can also mean receiving strength, encouragement and hope to deal with our troubles. The more we suffer, the more comfort God gives us!

2) We return comfort - ... so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (v.4b). God's comfort is not given; it is loaned, and we are responsible to pass it along to others. The pain you experience now will help you encourage others in their trials.

God never wastes a hurt! He allows you to experience certain things so that you are equipped to understand and explain the comfort He gives you during the darkest days. If you fail to share God's comfort with others, your experience in the furnace will be wasted; and it is a tragic thing to waste your sufferings!

3) We gain character - If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same
sufferings we suffer. (v.6). Not only does suffering draw us closer to God, through His comfort, it also helps us grow in our faith.

God uses suffering to improve His people and shape them into better Christians. In fact, suffering should be thought of as the necessary pain that accompanies spiritual growth and character development! We may not see it at the time we are going through it, but our trials and consequent suffering can have a positive outcome.

Where are you today? Are you in the middle of a storm and desperately looking for comfort from your pain? Reach out and receive God's comfort. He may not remove the problem the way you think is best. Sometimes God calms the storm; sometimes He lets the storm to rage and calms His child!

Have you recently received God's comfort? Then it's time to return it. There is no shortage of hurting people who need a touch from heaven - and you just may be the one God uses to help. Remember, don't waste an experience and don't miss an opportunity to share the source of your comfort with others!

BLOG COMMENT: Can you share how, through a time of suffering and the comfort you received from God and others, turned out to be a great character building experience for you?

Know that your comments here are a great encouragement to other women!

God does not comfort us to make us comfortable, but to make us comforters!
- John Henry Jowett

Love is....

2011-10-30T17:23:00.005-04:00

Love is more than a feeling. It's more than just a warm fuzzy that makes us happy for the moment. Love is more than that - but how much more?

Paul was addressing the young group of believers in his letter to the Corinthians. They lived in the corrupt and immoral city of Corinth and their new found faith was being tested. Paul wrote this letter to not only correct and encourage them, but to teach them how to act as Christians.

Right in the middle of Paul's words on spiritual gifts and orderly worship is his hymn to love which he hopes will heal the division and disputes going on between these new believers. They (as well as us today) needed to be reminded why love is so important to the Christian life.

"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." ~ I Corinthians 13:4-7

Paul wanted the Corinthians to see that love puts maturity into character. They were impatient with each other, suing one another, tolerating sin in the church and creating problems because they did not have love. He wraps up his message in verse 14, "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

In morally corrupt Corinth, love had become a mixed-up term with little meaning. Today, people are still confused about love. Love is the greatest of all human qualities and is an attribute of God himself.

Love involves unselfish service to others. Faith is the foundation and content of God's message. Hope is the attitude and focus and Love is the action. Love is more than a feeling. It requires thought and action. It requires putting others' needs in front of our own. But when all else fails, we know that love, God's love, lasts/endures forever!

When faith and hope are in line, we are free to love completely because we understand how God loves. Does your faith fully express itself in loving others?

Wanted: Living Sacrifices

2011-10-24T09:29:00.004-04:00

Do we really know what it means to sacrifice? We are a people of many wants and what we want, we want now and without pain or discomfort. We demand people cater to our every need and set expectations so high - for others and ourselves - that there's no way they can be met. We find ourselves living life according to the world's standards - in thought, feeling and action and change is something we avoid at all costs.

Paul writes the letter of Romans to the church in Rome. He has never met these new believers, so he sets out to introduce himself and make his case for salvation, faith and righteous living. Part of his instruction for righteous, God-pleasing living comes in Romans 12:1b-2 - " ...offer yourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God...Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Each time we offer our bodies as "living sacrifices" to God, our stubborn nature will rebel. There is a struggle of wills and control. Like the living sacrifices God required in the Old Testament, He wants us to come to Him alive, able to be used by Him; not dead, lifeless and a captive of the world.

But, like everything else, we have an option - be conformed or be transformed. Are you willing to let the world squeeze you into its mold; following along like sheep being led to the slaughter? It's so easy to fall into the pattern of the world - we are bombarded daily with its influence. But God gives us a way out....

Transformation. This kind of change happens from the inside out. It begins with a re-programming of our mind - which we know controls all our thoughts, feelings and actions. God knows we struggle with worldly living, that's why He encourages us to daily renewal. This means bringing our lives to Him as a sacrifice, laying it all on the altar and asking Him for a new mind - a new way of thinking, feeling and acting - each and every day!

What's our reward? We will know what God's, not the world's, good, pleasing and perfect will is. We can do what we need to do to be transformed knowing it's what God wants for us; it's His best for us. God's desire for us is not found in the world, so stop searching for it there! All the world can give us is pain, sorrow, misery, stress, disappointment, separation from God, etc. Again, it's your choice - conform or be transformed?

BLOG COMMENT: What do you need to sacrifice today? Is it an attitude? A fear or worry? A situation you're trying to control? A person who's pressuring you to conform?

Title or Testimony?

2011-10-16T17:29:00.004-04:00

Are you all about the title? How important is it to you that people know what you do? What kind of testimony are you leaving? What are you doing today to assure that people will remember you when you're gone?

The book of Acts introduces many "big names" in the church growth, evangelism and missionary world. Men and women like Stephen, Philip, Lydia, Silas, John Mark, Timothy and Paul. One person not given alot of attention is Barnabas.

Barnabas was given the title of a "good man, full of the Holy Spirit and faith..." (Acts 11:24). But unlike Paul, he never did the kinds of things that made him stand out. He's mentioned only three times in the book of Acts. 1) Selling his land to help finance God's work. 2) Vouching for Paul's character and 3) Giving John Mark a second chance. Barnabas didn't earn many titles, but he earned a great number of testimonies - "...and a great number of people were brought to the Lord" (Acts 11:24b).

What about your life? You know you're going to die one day and when you do are people going to stand around reciting all the titles you earned, or talking about what a blessing you were? Will you leave an obituary about how "important" you were, or about people grieving the loss of the best friend they ever had?

Titles are good, but if it comes down to a choice between a title and a testimony - go for the testimony! Pharaoh had the title, Moses had the testimony. Nebuchadnezzar had the title, Daniel had the testimony. Pilate had the title, but Jesus had the testimony. It's easy to think write-ups in Who's Who are the most important thing, but like Barnabas, it's the loving acts you do that will be remembered.

As the old hymn says, "only one life, 'twill soon be past...only what's done for Christ will last!

BLOG COMMENT: What's the most important thing you want to be remembered for?

The Ultimate Team

2011-10-10T09:39:00.006-04:00

Are you on a winning team? Are you encouraged knowing someone is cheering for you as you play this game called "life"? Or are you convinced you're a one-woman team who can conquer every challenge that crosses your path? You don't have time to slow down and ask for help and you don't depend on others for assistance.

As we look at John and His relationship with Jesus, we know he was eager to serve and demonstrate his love to Him. He enjoyed knowing Jesus was on his team! They had a special bond that some of the other disciples did not experience with Jesus..but none the less..they were all fighting the same cause. Their mission was to spread God's love and message to the entire world (John 3:16).

Today, I want to share a devotional from the book, Heaven Calling. It's God's message to us - His teammates - as He gives us a pep-talk amidst our busyness.

"Your life is filled with activity, your calendar filled with things to do. Still, your heart's desire is to be my faithful and obedient servant - and that brings me joy.

My child, this fruit you are looking for, the goals you are pursuing - don't forget that they are fulfilled through my sustaining power. As a branch can only produce fruit when connected to the vine (John 15:5), so you can only make a spiritual impact in this world through me. We are in this together and we make a winning team!

So today, take some time to simply rest in me. Draw the strength you need from me. In prayer, in reading, perhaps in taking a time-out from the bustle, turn your heart toward me. I'll provide everything you'll need for the rest of the "game."

Do you feel you're on a losing team today? Does your game of life seem to be spinning out of control due to your busyness, over-booked schedule and others' demands? In John 10:10b, Jesus told us that He came to give us an abundant, full and overflowing life - not a stressful and empty life.

I've written a new workbook based on this verse - Building a Better Life, Not Just a Busier One! As you go through the exercises, you'll learn three steps you can take to start living the abundant life God sent His Son to give us ~ starting today! Visit the Coaching page on my website to learn more and to order your copy. It's time to join a winning team!

Can You Hear Me Now?

2011-10-02T19:27:00.008-04:00

There's a difference between listening and hearing? Which do you do the most? We listen to music, ballgames and the news. We listen to teachers, preachers and experts. We listen to each other. But are we really hearing what's being said? Are we taking in and processing what we're listening to? Or does it "go in one ear and out the other"?

In Luke, Jesus was constantly speaking to and teaching the people around Him. Crowds would gather to hear what He had to say. He never wasted His words with small talk. Every moment in Jesus' presence was an opportunity for peoples' lives to be changed - if they actually heard what He was saying and applied His truths. We know many people did and they were never the same because of what they heard. While others perhaps just listened and left the same way as when they arrived.

In Luke 8:18, Jesus tells the people, "Therefore, consider carefully how you listen." The art of listening is a Christ-like skill we all must develop. I'm wondering if we might need a hearing aid to help us improve what and how we hear.

A - Active listening. How attentive are you when someone is speaking? Are you engaged in what they are saying? If you were asked to repeat what they just said, could you? We tend to have selective hearing at times and only hear what we want to hear. Jesus listened, heard and responded. How about you?

I - Intentional listening. We intend on hearing what a person has to say. We make a conscious effort to look them in the eyes and give them our undivided attention. They know we are listening and that they are being heard. It may not always be what we want to hear or what we agree with, but we are showing respect for the person by intentionally listening to them. Jesus was an intentional listener and we need to consider how we listen as well.

D - Direct listening. "Are you talking to me, God?" God speaks today and many times we're too busy and distracted to hear His voice. God speaks directly and we must listen directly. In order to hear what He's saying, we have to always be asking - "What does this mean for me?" "How can I apply what I'm hearing to my own life?" Unfortunately, some people listen to a message and think it would be great if so and so were here - they really need to hear this. Yet how many times are we the one God is trying to get the message across to? How many times does God speak and has to ask, "Can you hear Me now?" Don't tune out God - be a direct listener.

So today, consider carefully how you listen. Engage yourself and be an active listener. Be intentional in your listening so people will know they are being heard - regardless if you agree with them or not. Focus your attention on listening to and hearing directly from God.

BLOG CHALLENGE: How well did you listen to your pastor's message this week? Share with us a main point you heard and how you will apply it to your life!

I'm Just a _______________

2011-09-26T11:42:00.003-04:00

Do you consider yourself "just" a wife? Just a mother? Just a single woman? Have people referred to you as "just" a co-worker? Just a good friend? Just someone they know? In Mark 6:3, Jesus was described as "... just the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon."

The Jewish people were not willing to accept Jesus as the true Messiah. Messiahs didn't come from small towns or do the kind of humble work that Jesus did. So they dismissed both Him and His Message. But Jesus wasn't discouraged or deterred by their insults and neither should you be.

You are more than "just a __________." Don't believe the lies of the enemy when he whispers in your ear, "You'll never be able to do that, you're just too young, too old, too busy, too boring, too damaged, too afraid, too weak, too insecure, etc. Don't let the fact that you're just a woman, housewife, mother, young adult, new believer, etc. keep you from continuing to fulfill the plans and purposes God has for you. Think what would have happend if Jesus had stopped pursuing His ministry because He was "just a carpenter."

Every time you find yourself thinking, "I'm just a ____________" - stop! Instead, dwell on who you ARE....a precious daughter of the King, a unique workmanship of God (Eph. 2:10), a forgiven, redeemed and bound for heaven child of God, a woman of strength and a God-given dream and so much more!

BLOG COMMENT: Share some other descriptions of who YOU ARE!

It's Not What We Expected!

2011-09-19T11:24:00.004-04:00

What is our response when things don't happen or people don't act the way we expect? How do we feel when "what we had in mind", does not turn out the way we envisioned? How do we accept the actions of others who do the total opposite of what we were certain they would do?

The Jewish people in Matthew's day were waiting for their Messiah. They were expecting a warrior king to ride into town and rescue them from Roman oppression and establish a new kingdom - a kingdom as mighty and majestic as their ancestor, King David. They were aware of what the Old Testament prophets' described their savior would be and do and that was what they were longing for.

But unfortunately, they overlooked the prophecies in Isaiah 53 which explained that this king would also be a suffering servant. One who would be rejected and eventually killed. No wonder so many people didn't recognize Jesus as their King. He was not what they had expected. Many Jews were not ready to accept that their king was born in a lowly manger to poor commoners. Others were not willing to believe that Jesus was who He said He was especially when He talked about building His Kingdom in heaven, not on earth. It was not what they had expected!

What the Jews expected was not what they got and they were disappointed and discouraged. What they had dreamed their Messiah would be like, never came true. Many rejected Jesus for who He was, as millions still do today.

How do you respond when things don't happen and people don't act the way you expected? We are really no different than the Jews of Jesus' time. You may be looking for your own savior to come and rescue you from an oppressive situation and when that doesn't work out the way you thought, you are disappointed. You may have dreamed that your relationships and the people in them would act a certain way and when they don't, you are hurt. You may have expected life to turn out differently for you and seeing that it hasn't, you are blaming others and perhaps, even God.

Some things we can expect is that our ways and thoughts are not God's ways and thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8). We cannot control other people's feelings and behaviors - only our own. We must expect and accept that life will have its share of dissapointments. But most importantly, we must trust that God's plans are always for our good (Romans 8:28) and not to harm us (Jeremiah 29:11).

For those who did embrace Jesus as the true Messiah , they saw their lives changed. They were witness to many miracles and messages that would forever impact them and future generations. They set aside their unmet expectations and opened their hearts and minds to all Jesus had to offer them. Are you willing to let go of "what you have in mind" and follow the true King?

BLOG COMMENT: Are you holding on to an expectation that continues to go unmet? Is the continual disappointment and pain worth it?

Do You Read Or Heed God's Word?

2011-09-11T14:08:00.002-04:00

Is there a difference between reading the Bible and studying the Bible? Do you consider yourself one who reads the Bible for facts and information or in order to gain wisdom and understanding of God's Word and how you can apply it to your life? As we prepare for our journey through the New Testament, one book at a time, I thought it would be good to recognize what the purpose of studying the Bible really is.

The first step in preparing to study the Bible should always be prayer. Asking the Holy Spirit to guide and guard your heart and mind is essential. Remember, the Enemy will try to distract and disrupt your study time with God every chance he gets.

Based on Psalm 25:4-5, we see three components of what we are to study the Bible for: "Show me your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Guide me in your truths and teach me, for you are God my Savior and my hope is in you all day long."

1) David is asking God to "show me your ways." In order to be shown something, we have to look at it. We have to be willing to see what God's ways are and want to follow them. If we're not studying His Word, we will never know what to look for. Whose ways have you been following? Yours, God's or the Enemy's? Do you know how to tell the difference between the three?

2) David also asks God to "teach me your paths." In order to be taught, we must be willing to learn what God's Word means. This requires some work and effort. This is the part of Bible study that people want to skip over because learning takes too much time. They would rather read or listen to what someone else tells them it means, then to find out for themselves. Are you teachable? Do you desire to learn God's paths or are you content with living your life following your own or better yet, someone elses path?

3) David continues to ask God to "guide me in your truth." In order to be guided, we must be willing to listen to instruction and follow what it says. Are you dependent on a GPS to guide you to your desired destination? Do you listen intently to and faithfully follow the instructions on where to turn, which direction to go and when to re-route your course, if necessary? Then you are willing to be guided. Are you just as willing to listen to God's truth and instructions from His Word and be guided in the direction He wants you to go? Or do you prefer to map out your own course and be your own guide?

4) Finally, David acknowledges God for who He is, "you are God my Savior" and confirms that "my hope is in you all day long." In other words, David is willing to lean on God for all his needs. He's willing to surrender control of his life. Knowing that his hope is in God and His Word, David can continue to grow in wisdom and understanding. In taking this action of surrender, he will be better able to understand God's ways, follow His paths and be guided by His truth.

Where are you today? Are you just interested in learning the facts about the Bible or are you wanting to know, understand and apply what it says to your life personally? Our Know the Bible New Testament study is set to begin next week. Now's as good a time as ever to get into God's Word and allow Him to show you, teach you and guide you! To sign up for our "class" and receive your weekly lessons via email - visit http://www.pathfinderministries.org/NT.html

Have You Lost Your Peace of Mind?

2011-09-05T09:33:00.002-04:00

Are there days when you feel like everything is falling apart around you? You find that your life is full of chaos and frustration; worry and anixiety...the total opposite of "peace of mind." Are you desparately trying to change people and situations in your life - but failing terribly? Are you using all your resources and energy to make things happen when it's obviously not the right time? We can lose our peace of mind when we keep trying to do something about something we can't do anything about!

Isaiah 26:3 gives us the formula for keeping our peace of mind. "You (G0d) will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast (focused) because he trusts in you (God)." When we stay focused on God, recognizing His power and watching His plan unfold, what do we have to worry about? What do we need to try to control when we know the Creator of the Universe has everything under His control?

Are you a worrier? Do you feel guilty when you don't have something or someone to worry about? Have you ever experienced peace of mind? The Apostle Paul had plenty of reasons to worry when he wrote the book of Philippians from a Roman prison cell. But instead, he shares several effective steps we can take to find peace of mind in Philippians 4: 4-9:

1) Rejoice - Gratitude is important to our peace of mind because it leads to a change in our attitude. We can't grumble, complain and worry about a person or situation when we're rejoicing!

2) Be anxious for nothing - A mind full of worry and anxiety is the opposite of a mind focused and steadfast on God and His promisies; which leads to a mind filled with peace.

3) Pray about everything - Have you ever thought prayer just wasn't enough? Even after praying, you still felt the need to worry and fret? You still tried to figure out how to change the problem yourself. God wants us to bring all our concerns to Him and leave them with Him.

4) Give thanks for all things - Worry has the tendency to invite all its friends into your life - stress, disappointment, anger, frustration, doubt, etc. When we switch our focus on being thankful for the things He has done for us - big and small - we send worry and its friends packing.

When we put these steps into action in our life, Paul tells us in verse 7, "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus." These first 4 steps help guard our heart. When we are rejoicing, not worrying, giving everything to God in prayer, with thankful hearts - God's peace washes over us.

5) Think about these things - Verse 8 tells us what we must do in order to guard our mind - the place where all worry and anxiety begins. We must think and focus on things that are true, pure, right, holy, friendly, proper, worthwhile and worthy of praise. I don't see worry in that list!

Peace of mind is something God desires for us. Worrying about and trying to control people and situations in our life distract us from where our real focus should be - on God and His goodness!

Strength in The Storms

2011-08-30T10:00:00.006-04:00

With the recent scare from Hurricane Irene and the damage it inflicted – including deaths of people in various eastern states – it’s easy to become anxious and frightened in today’s world. Natural disasters are increasing in the earth, as Jesus warned His disciples they would in Mark 13:8. When we see “storms” like these, though, we need to simply keep our eyes on Jesus and rejoice because our redemption is coming near!

Just as there are physical storms and disasters, we as Christians also experience spiritual storms: marriage and parenting struggles, financial crises, career and ministry challenges, medical problems with us or loved ones, depression and anxiety, tragedies, and more. As Christians we are not immune to problems; in fact, when we become believers in Christ, we become even greater targets for our enemy, Satan. His job is to steal, kill, and destroy. (John 10:10) He relentlessly attacks believers to cause them to become distracted, discouraged, or to get them off-course in their faith in Christ.

After awhile, you feel weary. Your strength is depleted. How do you overcome these intense spiritual battles?

Here are 3 practical tips to give you strength through the battle:

1) Stay prayed up! The Church at large doesn’t seem to realize that her strength truly comes from Jesus Christ. Jesus told us that apart from Him, we can do nothing. (John 15:4-5) That includes fighting our enemy. Soldiers in an army must obey their commanding officer’s command. As soldiers of Christ, we need to hear and obey our commanding officer, Jesus. As we humbly come to God in prayer, acknowledging that Satan is too strong for us and that we need God’s intervention in our lives, He will help us and do battle on our behalf. The battle belongs to the Lord! (2 Chronicles 20:15) Take time each day to spend time with God and to be refilled and recharged with strength with His Holy Presence.

2) Study His Word daily. When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, the powerful weapon Jesus used was the Word of God. It is living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword. (Hebrews 4:12) Satan can not defeat God’s word! With it you will overcome any attacks of his, whether it is financial devastation, attacks against your marriage, parenting problems, depression or discouragement, fears or worries, challenges in your business, or whatever fiery darts he may try to throw at you today. The only way you will be able to wield this sword effectively is by knowing what the Bible says – through disciplined, daily reading and study.

3) Worship and praise God. This is an area that I believe many Christians don’t realize is one of their greatest weapons of spiritual warfare. We see throughout the Bible how worship and praise of God defeats the enemy, such as when Jehoshaphat and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem bowed down before God in worship, the Levite priests began to praise Him, and the enemies of God’s people were destroyed in the battle. (2 Chronicles 20:15) King David wrote many psalms on the power of worship and praise, such as in Psalm 95 (shouting out praise to God for protection). If you are struggling in an area of your life, such as depression, anger, or fear, put on some worship and praise music and begin to praise God – and see the enemy defeated through the power of worship and praise! God is worthy of all our praise!

Above all things, it is faith that pleases God (Hebrews 11:6) and faith that will conquer Satan. In my new ebook, The Hands Of A Woman: Everyday Women In Everyday Battles (http://womensbattles.com/), eight women share their stories of their most intense spiritual battles, and how faith in Christ helped them to overcome these battles in victory.

In my new fall coaching group/book study, we will be covering each of the 10 chapters of this ebook for 5 weeks, and your payment includes a free copy of the ebook, handouts, worksheets, a Q & A time after each class, and mp3 recordings of each session. You will learn to get past your pain and become a strong, victorious, fulfilled woman who is fulfilling her unique purpose and great destiny in Christ.

To learn more, just click here: http://www.bethjones.net/articles/groupcoaching/.

I am also having a free preview call to answer any questions about this class on September 7 at 12 noon CDT. http://www.bethjones.net/preview-call-10-tips-for-how-to-have-a-fulfilled-life/

Beth Jones is a Christian speaker, author, wife and homeschooling mom. Beth loves encouraging women to fulfill their great purpose through daily intimacy with Jesus and pursuing their passion. You can find out more about Beth at http://www.bethjones.net/.

Waiting is Not Wasting Time...

2011-08-29T15:13:00.003-04:00

Remember......God produces the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) in us by allowing us to encounter situations and people with characteristics that are exactly the opposite of the Fruit of the Spirit! So far we've looked at the love, joy, peace and today, patience. Patience is a virtue that carries alot of wait! Patience is the ability to let your light shine after your fuse has been blown! If God puts you on hold, don't hang up!

We all know what we need to do and be in order to show others patience....1) We should look at people and situations from God's perspective. He sees us as human, which means no one is perfect!

2) We need to develop a good sense of humor. Sometimes the only thing we can do is laugh. Humor is a great stress-disolver! "A cheerful heart is good medicine." (Proverbs 17:22)

3) We need to deepen our love for others. Ephesians 4:2 says it best..."Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."

These three tips have dealt with people and situations that test our patience, but today I want us to look at how we handle our impatience with God.....

Let's be honest..many times we question why we have to wait for God to answer a prayer, perform a miracle or point us in the right direction. We wonder what good can come from waiting. What is the point of waiting when there is so much to do for God, but so little time. One answer could be that, while we worry about how fast we grow, God is concerned about how strong we grow! As we have been learning with the fruit of the Spirit, they are God's desire for us to have in our life and they are a representation of Christ's character.

Does this character develop overnight? Not usually. God's plan is to mold and shape us little by little until we are fully prepared for His assignment - and that may take time, lots of time for some of us! One of life's frustrations is that God's timetable is rarely the same as our own. The Bible is full of examples of how God used a long process to develop character. Abraham and Sarah. Noah. Moses. David. Joseph. The Bible is a book about waiting!

So what do you and I do during our waiting time? I can tell you what not to do ~ nothing! Waiting is not a time to waste. In the book of Psalms, David tells us several things we are to be doing (and I believe he knew something about waiting and character development!) In 27:14, he tells us to "Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." 37:7, "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret..." 37:34a, "Wait for the Lord and keep his ways..." 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God..." and 130:5, "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his Word do I put my hope."

Waiting is not something we enjoy doing; but we can make the most of our time by learning about God by being still, developing our character by obedience, building our confidence while staying strong and strengthening our dependence on Him by not fretting. As women, we often fall into the trap of thinking if we're not doing something, we must be wasting time. I hope these verses confirm the importance and desire God has for you to wait for Him. He can't speak to you or get your attention when your life is too busy, too loud, too distracted and too rushed.

What is God having you wait for today? Don't look at it as a denial to your requests. God's delays are never His denials. They are just another method He uses to continue to mold and shape us into women He can use for His purposes! Remember, if God puts you on hold, don't hang up!!

*Post from August 30, 2010
Material from a series on God's Power to Change Your Life by Rick Warren

Remind Us Again....

2011-08-22T08:47:00.003-04:00

The final book of the Old Testament, Malachi, is significant in that his message of judgment on Israel for their continuing sin is the last word from God for 400 years before another prophet, (John the Baptist) arrives with a message from God. Have the people finally learned their lessons? Are they now ready to live God-fearing and honorable lives? Do they trust and believe all they have been told about God’s goodness, mercy and forgiveness? We’d love to see the Old Testament end with everyone living “happily ever after”, but in reality, they are human and they struggle with these things, as do we at times.

The theme of Malachi is a reminder to the people of his day as well as to us today: God loves perfectly and completely. His love is a love of action; not just words, but a love of giving, guiding and guarding. He is altogether faithful; true to His promises. Yet the people (then and now) needed to be reminded of this love. They ask God – “How have you loved us?” (Malachi 1:2) Can you even believe they had to ask this question? Had they lost all their long term memory of what God had done (action) for them throughout the generations? And how, out of love, He had disciplined them for their sin, only to restore them as a nation, just as He had promised? Do you ever ask – “You say you love me; show me how God? “ One verse that should answer that question, loud and clear, is Romans 5:8: “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Enough said!

The Israelites had lost their enthusiasm for worship and had become apathetic toward God because the prophecies they had been told were not being fulfilled in the time and manner they expected. In Malachi 1:6b, they needed to be reminded: “How have we despised/shown contempt for your name?” God pointed out that their sacrifices were defiled and polluted. They were not giving God their best, but instead they were using their injured, crippled and diseased animals as their offering to God. What about us? If we give God only our leftover time, money and energy, we repeat the same sin as these worshippers who didn’t bring anything valuable to God. What we give to Him reflects our true attitude toward Him.

Malachi 2:17 tells us that the Lord had become weary with their words. Yet, the people seem clueless by asking, “How have we wearied Him?” God had grown tired of their complacency, their false worship and their questions which were filled with doubt. We know God welcomes our questions, but sometimes we sound like a small child who asks the same tiring questions over and over again – even after being given an answer! We may change up the question a little to see if we’ll get a different answer, but in the end, it’s still a matter of doubt. It’s a lack of faith that what God said, He will do. I would hope you’d want your voice to be a sweet sound in God’s ear instead of a resounding gong or clanging cymbal (I Cor. 13:1) that He grows weary of.

“Return to me, and I will return to you, says the Lord Almighty….But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’” (Malachi 3:7). By now, I would have had enough of these people’s foolishness! Had they not been hearing a thing the prophets had been telling them? Had they not recognized the sin in their life? Were they in complete denial? But, God’s patience is endless! Throughout history, His people had disobeyed His laws, but He had always, and continues to be, willing to accept us back. Here, however, the people had the nerve to imply that they never had disobeyed! In their eyes, why did they need to return if they hadn’t strayed away? They did not recognize their sin as a separation from God. Many people today have turned their backs on forgiveness and restoration because they have refused to admit their sin. Don’t follow their example!

Finally, in Malachi 3:13, God is not pleased with the harsh things they have said against Him. The peoples’ memory’s need to be jolted again because they ask, “What have we said against you?” God reminded them that they were only concerned about what good it did for them to serve God. Not only was God weary of their words, He was tired of their lame actions. They were always looking for what it was going to benefit them by serving God. This kind of arrogant attitude asks, “What’s in this for me?” The focus is selfish. The real question should be, “What good does if do for God?” We should want to serve Him just because He is God!

There are times we need to ask ourselves:” “How have I disrespected your name God?” “How have I wearied you with my words of doubt?” “How do I return to you?” “What have I said against you God?” God will always give a response, just as He did with the Israelites, but it’s our responsibility to listen and act! What do you need to be reminded of today?

Another great reminder of how God loves – through action – is from John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Claim God’s love for YOU and the world!

BLOG COMMENT: Share other verses that remind you of and confirm God’s love!!

Need a Helping Hand?

2011-08-15T11:44:00.004-04:00

Are you already tired and it's only Monday? Are you trying to do everything in your own strength? Like the people in Zechariah's day, God gives the assignment - for them it was rebuilding the temple - and He also offers a helping hand. It's our job to reach out and grab it! Will you let go of all you're trying to hold on to (aka - control) and take ahold of the hand that has control over the entire universe - including what you're going through?

I want to share an encouraging word from the devotional, Heaven Calling, with you today:

"Sometimes in this difficult world, you just need a good, strong, helping hand to keep you going. And that is what I am holding out to you.

In your weariness, be comforted: I am the Lord All-Powerful; I don't expect you to stay the course on your own strength. I assured Zerubbabel of this when I charged him with rebuilding my temple in Jerusalem. So I say it to you about the work you have today: Do not depend on your own power or strength.

Instead, depend on my Spirit within you. I will give you the resources you need to keep going, the peace that you are in my will, and the hope and vision to complete the work. My spirit is in you, my child. That is all you need."

I am the Lord All-Powerful. So don't depend on your own power or strength, but on my Spirit. - Zechariah 4:6

BLOG COMMENT: What do you need to hand over to God today?

Who's Number One?

2011-08-08T12:29:00.005-04:00

Do your words match up with your actions? Do you say you value one thing and then do another? God had a message for Haggai to bring to His people. They had returned to Jerusalem after 70 years of exile and were done with idol worship and wicked living. They valued their relationship with God once again!

Unfortunately, their actions were not matching up with their words. They said they loved God, but His temple remained unfinished. The Israelites had been excited and committed to rebuilding the temple, but after awhile became discouraged and quit. Now they were only interested in doing what they wanted to do to make their own lives more comfortable and prosperous. God instructs them in Haggai 1:5 to “Give careful thoughts to your ways.”

God’s people were, and still do today, suffer from confused and out of perspective priorities. We say we value one thing, but our priorities say another. Our values and priorities are reflected in how we use our resources – time, money, strength and talent. We say God is number one, but then we relegate Him to a lesser number on our “to-do” lists. We say others and our relationships are important to us, but we make no time for them. We say we value our health, but continue to make poor choices. We say we value our own well-being, but do nothing to strengthen our own spiritual, emotional and physical lives.

Here are three steps we can take to help clear up some of this confusion about our misplaced priorities:

1) Evaluate: We all have things in our day that must be done. I call these our “everyday essentials”. But what about all the extra stuff we try to cram into our lives? Sometimes we need to step back and evaluate what we are doing and why we are doing it? Is there something you’ve committed to that’s causing tension in your family/relationships? Are you devoting too much time and money doing something you don’t really enjoy, but were pressured into doing? Are there things you’d like to be involved in, but don’t have any extra time in your schedule?

Ask yourself: “Is my schedule full of temporary or eternal valued activities?” Do the hours I spend watching television, playing video/computer/online games, shopping, talking on the phone/texting, etc. have any kind of lasting, positive impact on others? (There are some women who spend so much time doing these things, they don’t have time to meet the needs of their family and unfortunately, that is creating a lasting impact, just not a positive one!)

On the other hand, eternal valued activities don’t have to be major things. It’s simply making sure you’re investing time in and making a lasting, positive impact on the lives of others. It could be by just giving someone your undivided attention (which requires all phones to be turned off!). Showing someone you care by doing something as small as sending a card of encouragement – remember what those are? They are made of paper and involve a hand-written message!

* Try incorporating an eternal valued activity in your day and see how you feel!

2) Eliminate: If you see from your evaluation that a majority of your daily activities are fleeting, time-consuming and time-wasting things, you need to seriously consider eliminating some of them. Eliminating things we enjoy from our schedule is painful; that’s why we try so hard to make it all work. We feel if we let something go, we may be seen as weak and that super-woman persona will be tarnished. Doesn’t the world tell us it’s respectable to be stressed-out and exhausted at the end of our day? It shows we’re being productive and accomplishing so much……but at whose expense?

It’s okay to eliminate things/activities/commitments and yes, even people from your daily schedule. And when you do, you’ll be surprised at how much more time and energy you have for investing in eternal valued activities – making a positive impact on other people’s lives!

* What one or two useless activities can you eliminate starting today? It may be hard to make the separation at first, but it will be so worth it.

3) Educate: We must educate ourselves on the things that distract us from what’s really important. These are usually different for everyone – that’s why it’s so vital that we learn to recognize them. Some people get distracted mentally with their thoughts, fears and doubts. Others are distracted physically, many times by other people pulling them away from what they value as important. Then some are distracted spiritually. They are allowing the enemy to “steal, kill and destroy…” (John 10:10a) all that is good in their life by filling it with temporary valued things. Busyness, out of control activities, an overbooked schedule and confused priorities are his main distractions.

* Take time today to acknowledge your biggest distractions. Don’t give the enemy another victory.

Can you imagine what your life would look like if you had time to pursue the unique purpose God designed you for? When you could spend the time He’s given you serving Him and others and not your schedule? And when you could easily recognize the needs of others and have the energy to meet them?

Joe Stowell reminds us that “Without a strong sense of calling and purpose, life is nothing more than routine busyness.”

BLOG COMMENT: Share with us what distracts you the most from filling your life with what’s most important?

Can You Hear the Music?

2011-08-01T09:08:00.008-04:00

The little Old Testament book of Zephaniah probably doesn't get much attention from preachers and Bible teachers. It reiterates God's warning of Judah's destruction because of their sin, giving detailed descriptions of what and how He will destroy. But as in all the books we've studied on this topic, there is always a promise that God will regather and restore His people again one day...and that will be a day of worldwide rejoicing!

A few years ago, I found a verse from this obscure book that has become one of my favorites. It gives such a visual picture of God's rejoicing. It allows us to see another aspect of His amazing character - one that loves us unconditionally, despite all the times we've disappointed Him. If you've been following our Know the Bible study, you know we've been making a list of what we're learning about who God is. If you've ever wondered about the God of the Old Testament, take a look at our list!

I found an article on my verse, Zephaniah 3:17, that explains the greatness of God's ability to save us, take delight in us, quiet us and rejoice over us and I want to share it with you. Here it is:

"..... I’d like now to look at the universal desire for the assurance of being enjoyed, not just to be loved, but also to feel enjoyed and know we are delighted in. Many of us know what it is like to be in relationship with people who we know are supposed to love us, or even say that they love us, yet we never receive the assurance that they enjoy us; we are never fully confident that they actually like us being with them. While we “know” that we are “loved,” we can have torment in our hearts as we wonder whether they actually like us or are just bearing with us. The reality is that we often have difficulty fully believing people who say they love us but don’t smile at us and enjoy not just what we do, but who we are.

The same is true with God. We have heard all our lives that He loves us. However, if we don’t know that He actually likes us, if we never see Him smiling at and rejoicing in us, either our faith to believe that He actually loves us or the quality of love that we perceive at the heart level will be very low.

Fortunately for us, we don’t have to live that way, because the God of the Bible satisfies the longing of our heart, not just to be enjoyed, but also to know and experience that we are. Over and over the Word of God speaks of the abundant gladness in the heart of God and how he deeply enjoys us. One of my favorite verses on the subject is Zephaniah 3:17, “The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”

First this verse tells us that God is with us, we are never alone, His unchanging presence is always with us. He is also mighty to save us: He is not some “nice guy” pushover floating on a cloud in heaven; He is a warrior, a fierce, victorious, mighty, conquering, heroic savior fighting on our behalf, fighting for our hearts.

It is this God who takes great delight in us. He is not like many people who will give you a (fake) smile when you see one minute and not care about you the next, because He is always with you, constant, reliable, unceasing in His presence and gladness towards You. He is also not like weak people who half-smile at you because they are so afraid of you not liking or rejecting them, emotionally needing your affirmation. No, our God is mighty, strong, and self-assured and from that place of confidence He freely rejoices over you out of the abundance and steadfastness of His heart. The intensity of His delight in you is so great that it overflows in song.

As the trials or even the mundane of life threaten to make you lose heart, remember the unchanging, ever-present, mighty warrior God likes you so much that right now in heaven He is bursting into song. This week take some time to shut out all the other voices that vie for your attention and listen for the voice of God singing over you in love. " (From Deeply Enjoyed by Richard Liantonio)

BLOG COMMENT: How does it make you feel to know that God enjoys and rejoices over you? What visual do you get from this verse?

Excuse Me God, I Have a Question....

2011-07-25T11:51:00.004-04:00

Do you shy away from asking God questions? Do you feel your faith and trust in Him should keep you from questioning what He does or doesn't do? Habakkuk was a little-known prophet with difficult questions and He wasn't afraid to ask them.

Looking at the dying world around him and observing that wickedness seemed to be winning, he boldly and confidently approached God by asking, "Why?" "Why do you allow so much evil in the world?" "Why does it seem to go unpunished?" "Why do I sense you're not hearing me." Have you ever wanted to ask questions like these, but have not dared?

God responds to Habakkuk with an answer he did not expect..."Look at the nations and watch--and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told" (Hab. 1:5). Instead of reprimanding Habakkuk, God gave him a glimpse into what would eventually happen to the wicked.

Habakkuk had a problem I think many of us do as well....He did not understand God's ways. And the great thing about God, is that He understands! We're reminded of this in Isaiah 55:8-9: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

God still wants us to come to Him with our concerns and questions and then listen for His response. I wanted to share a great devotion with you today from one of my favorite books, Heaven Calling. God tells us - "Ask me your questions, beloved one. The small questions that rustle in your mind. The big ones that keep you awake at night. The deep ones with hurt and pain attached that cause you to doubt me. I promise to hear every concern.

My servant Habakkuk didn't understand my ways, so he asked his questions and then waited for my answers. And I gave them. He still didn't completely understand, but he knew he could trust me. He understand that all of eternity is in my hands. One day, you will understand completely. One day I will make myself fully known. Until then, ask away. I will answer as much as you can understand."

Did you read that last statement? - "I will answer as much as you can understand." Maybe there are some things we will never get answers to because, like Habakkuk, we wouldn't believe it even if we were told!

BLOG COMMENT: Do you have a burning question you want to ask God? What's holding you back?

Are We the Next Nineveh?

2011-07-18T10:24:00.005-04:00

Nineveh's time has come! Though they had once avoided God's judgment by taking Jonah's message to heart and repenting, now, more than a one hundred years later, the wicked city will experience the full consequences of its sins.

Nineveh is marked by murder, cruelty, idolatry and social injustice. Nineveh is the capital city of the Assyrian Empire, now the most powerful nation in the world and seemingly the most invincible. But as we see in the book of Nahum, no one can stand against God, as this proud and powerful nation will be utterly destroyed because of their wickedness and rebellion against God.

I can't help but see the similarities between this ancient power of Nineveh and our own present day nation, the United States of America. Are we really any different from the wicked pagans of Nahum's day? We don't have to look far to see the truth....

1) Murder - I literally don't have to look far to see the effects of murder. Flint, Michigan (30 miles from where I live) has been named the murder capital of the United States. "Last year in Flint, population 102,000, there were 66 documented murders. The murder rate here is worse than those in Newark and St. Louis and New Orleans. It’s even worse than Baghdad’s" (Business Insider, April 16, 2011).

2) Cruelty - We can be a cruel group of people. All you have to do is watch a few minutes of one of the many "reality" shows to see that people are mean and have no problem with it. They will do whatever, to whomever, to get what they want. Better yet, you don't have to watch television to witness cruelty, spend some time with kids on a playground, teenagers in a school hallway or adults involved in a bitter divorce, etc.

3) Idolatry - We are a nation in love with our idols: our singing idols, dancing idols, acting idols, magical fiction idols, food idols, car idols, house idols, teen idols, people we will never meet but have to follow their every move idols......I think you get the idea. By definition, anything that takes our time and focus off of God and receives it instead, is an idol. Don't you think the Enemy celebrates as he watches our nation become consumed with our idol worship.

4) Social Injustice - The United States is a generous nation when it comes to supporting human rights, especially outside our boundaries. We are always the first to come to the aid of a hurting country...but what about those being treated unjustly in our own back yard?

I have recently become more aware of the horrendous injustice of human trafficking..."the illegal trade in human beings for the purposes of reproductive slavery, commercial sexual exploitation, forced labour, or a modern-day form of slavery (Wikipedia.com). This is not just happening in far away, foreign countries, this is a rapidly growing, money making industry in our own country!

Not long ago, I read an eye-opening book, The Slave Across the Street by Theresa Flores, which tells of a young girl who becomes enslaved into the dangerous world of sex trafficking - all while living at home with unsuspecting parents in an upper-class suburb of Detroit - 30 minutes from where I live! To learn more of Theresa Flores' story and her life today, visit her website www.traffickfree.com.

Nahum's book focuses on God's characteristics - patience, power, holiness and justice. As with the city of Nineveh, God shows these characteristics still today. In Nahum 1:3, we're told, The Lord is slow to anger and great in power; the Lord will not leave the guilty unpunished. We can have hope that the God who judged evil in Nahum's day is the same God who judges evil today. We can believe that God will show His perfect timing, power, holiness and goodness and the wicked will not be overlooked.

So what can we do while we wait for God's judgment? First remember, The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in Him (Nahum 1:7). Pray for our nation and its leaders ~ whether we agree with the way things are done in Washington, DC, it is our responsibility. Third, get involved! You may not be able to fix and change the entire problem, but you can help to change one life at a time.

BLOG COMMENT: Do you see other similarities between us and the people of Nineveh? What suggestions do you have to start making a difference in other people's lives?

What Am I To Do?

2011-07-11T09:50:00.006-04:00

The age old question, asked by every believer, "What do you want me to do God?" The people in Micah's audience were asking the same thing. They had been warned of coming judgment and wanted to know how to win God's favor.

In Micah 6:6-7, the people suggest ways that they may please God - sacrifices, offerings, good works, etc, but in verse 8, Micah gives three things God is looking for. Three simple things? Not necessarily. God had made His wishes clear to the people of Israel and they are just as pertinent to us today!

He has showed you what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? Three things......

1) To act justly. The people in Micah's day were guilty of abusing the poor and comitting grave injustice toward the needy and God wanted it to stop. The word, just, defined as: conforming to a standard of correctness; righteous, describes God's character. And isn't that what we're suppose to be striving for? This should not have been new news to these people or to us either. Back in Ezekiel 18:27, God reminds the people then, But if a wicked man turns away from the wickedness he has committed and does what is just and right, he will save his life Would you consider yourself a just person; one who conforms to a standard of correctness - God's character of righteousness?

2) To love mercy. Mercy is defined as: compassionate, forgiving. Look, more characteristics of God! A little more challenging characteristics for us perhaps. Remember, I didn't say these were 3 easy steps! In a world of tough people, tough times, tough breaks and tough situations, we must do the right thing and show love, mercy, compassion and forgiveness. Micah 7:18-19 are great verses that describe these characteristics in God - Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? (Israel) You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl (not toss or throw!) all our inquities into the depths of the sea.

3) To walk humbly with your God. Notice God didn't leave it at "walk humbly"? In a world of pride and self-sufficiency, we must learn to walk with God..not in front of Him or behind Him, but with Him. Humbly walking with God means doing so without arrogance or self-righteousness. Psalm 25:9, tells us what God will do - He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way. Do we want to know what is just and right? Humbly walk with God. Do you want to learn His way of love, mercy, compassion and forgiveness? Humbly walk with God.

These three steps, not necessarily easy steps, are what God requires of us. They are not some great mystery only made known to the super-spiritual. They are not impossible requests from God. He is not waiting to see how often we will fail - He is wanting to see how often we will attempt. Progress, not perfection is God's motto!! Only when we start living according to God's way, not our own way, will we begin to affect our home, our society and our world!

Freedom of Choice

2011-07-04T10:05:00.005-04:00

Today we celebrate our nation's freedom - something we don't take for granted as we remember those who have sacrificed their lives for it. But there's another kind of freedom that's available to us as well. One that doesn't require a physical sacrifice, but a personal one; our freedom of choice.

Jonah used his freedom of choice when he decided to run away from God instead of obeying His command to go to the wicked city of Nineveh and warn them of their coming destruction. Jonah had grown up hating the people of Nineveh and in his mind, they deserved to be destroyed and he chose to have no part in their salvation.....first mistake.

Jonah used his freedom of choice when he offered himself as a sacrifice to calm a raging storm. Jonah had settled in on the ship headed 2000 miles opposite of the city of Nineveh when God "caught up with him!" This chose demonstrated how hatred for the people of Nineveh had warped his perspective. He was willing to die so the sailors could live but he was unwilling to obey God and take His message of life to the Ninevites....second mistake.

Jonah used his freedom of choice when he reconsidered his actions after spending 3 days and nights in the belly of a great fish. In Jonah 2, we see his prayer is one of thanksgiving; thankful for not having drowned, not a prayer of repentance. Jonah acknowledged the vow he made when he became a prophet of God and was now choosing to fulfill it - even if it meant doing something he didn't want to do.

Jonah used his freedom of choice when given a second chance, he responded to God with obedience, and went to Nineveh. His short, 8-word message, "40 more days and Nineveh will be overthrown" spoke directly to the heart of the people. They confessed, turned from their wickedness and in God's love and mercy, He spared the city of 600,000!

Jonah must have been thrilled! Afterall, he's just been a part of the largest revival in Bible history. You'd think he'd be celebrating God's goodness and thanking God for choosing him to be the one to deliver His message. In chapter 4, we see this isn't the case. Jonah is extremely angry and greatly displeased with God....third mistake.

The question to ask here is WHO needed the most transformation? Was it the hateful Ninevites or the hate-filled Jonah? Proverbs 27:19 says "As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man." Jonah's response to what God had chosen to do relected what was in his heart. And based on his actions, it was a heart full of self-centeredness, selfishness, self-pity and a lack of self-control.

God used His freedom of choice and responded to Jonah's moaning with a call for an attitude adjustment. God needed Jonah to see that his perspective and priorites were way off-base. He needed Jonah to realize, although he had the freedom of choice, God was in ultimate control. This is where the book of Jonah ends. God chooses not to tell us if Jonah ever gets the message and has a change of heart. But you have a choice - don't let your story end like this!

Are you using your freedom of choice to run away from God? Are there nasty attitudes in your life that you're choosing to ignore? Are there negative emotions that are controlling your actions? Today on Twitter, Rick Warren asked - The truth sets u free, BUT it makes you miserable until you face it. What are u pretending isnt a problem in your life?

I want to invite you to join us this month as we look at gaining FREEDOM from your hurts, habits and hangups. If you haven't signed up for my weekly e-newsletter, (delivered to your email every Weds.) use your freedom of choice and do so today! You'll receive a special thank-you bonus from me as well :) Simply go to http://www.pathfinderministries.org/purpose.html

Don't Mess With My Kids!

2011-06-27T10:03:00.004-04:00

God is a very protective parent and when someone messes with His kids, in this case the Israelites, He doesn't ignore it. In the shortest book of the Old Testament (21 verses), Obadiah warns the nation of Edom of its upcoming destruction because of the way they have treated Israel.

As descendants of Esau, the Edomites are blood relatives of Israel, and of all people should have been the ones to rush to the aid of Israel's problems. Instead they participated in the attacks, looted their land and captured fugitives for the enemy! They will soon learn that an enemy of Israel is an enemy of God. Because of Edom's indifference, defiance of God, their cowardice and pride toward their blood brothers in Israel, Obadiah gives them God's message of upcoming disaster!

I found an article from Bible.org that I'd like to share with you. It looks at some personal application we can make from this short, but powerful book of Obadiah.

1) Pride deceives and leads to more sin. How true! When we think we're "getting away" with sin, we are deceived and challenged to do more dangerous things.

2) Sin follows a downward path. Our sins progress starting with complacency, then promotion, then finally participation. You've heard of the slippery slope?

3) God will keep His word. God is faithful! Obadiah said Edom's judgment would be complete and in fact it was! The entire nation of Edom, and its people, were destroyed forever.

4) God will punish sin. God sees who is mistreating His children and will judge them accordingly. It shows us that God is in control and will punish sin in His own way and in His perfect timing. This is important for us to know and believe when we face tough times.

5) God will protect His own. God is good and love us. He will care and protect us from our enemies.

These last two ideas that God is in control and that God is good are extremely important to living the Christian life. There principles are often repeated throughout the entire Bible. Unfortunately for us, we want to be in control! We want God's blessing, but we want to call the shots as well. We sometimes struggle with believing God can and will take care of us, so we take matters into our own hands and we find ourselves living points 1 & 2 - deceived by pride and following sin down a destructive path!

God is good all the time - all the time, God is good! So when we face difficulties, it doesn't mean God is not there or that He doesn't love us. The difficulties are for our own character and spiritual development. We can get through the tough times if we believe in God's goodness and faithfulness.

Prophecy, as in Obadiah, is not just gee whiz information for our heads so we can know what God did and will do in the going to preserve His people!

* Bible.org/ Hampton Keathley IV

BLOG COMMENT: Have you ever tried to take control out of God's hands and into your own? What were the results?

You Cows of Bashan...

2011-06-20T09:08:00.005-04:00

Being referred to a cow is never a good thing! In this case, the wealthy women of Israel were compared to the sleek, pampered and well-fed cows of Bashan! (Bashan was known for its lush pastures and fine cattle. Amos 4:1) Certainly, that description wouldn't apply to any of us today or would it?

Amos, a lowly shepherd and cultivator of sycamore trees from Judah, was called by God to go to Israel and warn the Israelites of His coming judgment. God wanted Amos to remind His people of three things that He was not pleased with - their idol worship, their complacency and their oppression of the poor, to the point of selling them into slavery. If they kept this up and did not repent and turn back to God, Israel would be conquered and the rich would themselves become slaves. But because of the peace and prosperity of Israel during this time, Amos' message fell on deaf ears.

So back to the cows....could we, as American women, be described this way by God? Is He tired of our "idol worship", smugness and ignoring the needs of people around us? Are we guilty of sitting back and basking in our own sleek, pampered and well-fed glory? Just a little to think about today!

Although we may not worship false gods as in Amos' day, we do have our idols. Anything that takes our eyes off God and/or takes center stage in our life is an idol. The time and energy we spend devoted to temporary pleasure and distraction (watching tv, on the computer, working endless hours, on the phone/texting, playing video games, shopping for more stuff we don't need, etc) are simply ways of putting things and activities ahead of our relationship with God, and like with the Israelites, the day will come when He will not be ignored and replaced by "idols" any longer.

It's easy to fall into the mode of complacency or smugness. The "cows of Bashan" were proud women who looked down on those less privileged. God is not pleased with this attitude and we know how He feels about pride (He hates it by the way!) Our pride and focus on our own pleasure can itself become an idol that separates us from God. Do you tend to look down on others who don't know as much as you do about God, the Bible, the Christian faith? Do you (in your private thoughts) scoff at people who don't dress, act or fit the description you think a godly woman should? God was tired of these "holier than thou cows" (couldn't resist) and would soon put them in a position of humility. Do you really want God to do that with you? It's better to change ourselves, with God's help, then to have Him change us!

Finally, are we guilty of ignoring the needs of those around us as these women were? There are hurting people in our midst, yet sometimes are eyes are so used to looking at ourselves, that we can't see anything or anyone else. God may call us to help the poor in other nations and that's great. But He also may want us to reach out to those in our own town, neighborhood or family. We cannot let the obsession with our idol worship and our self-righteous smugness blind us from the needs right in front of us. What small thing can you do today to reach out to someone in need? A card, a meal, a phone call, a visit, helping pay a bill, a ride, an encouraging word, a prayer, a hug, etc.

We must not be women who consider ourselves too proud, prosperous and pampered or we may find ourselves in the same place as the cows of Bashan! Amos was a fiery spokesman for God, not because of his education or birth, but because he was obedient when the call of God came. You too can be God's spokesperson. Listen for what He wants you to say and do what He asks! Then watch as the power of God works through you as you serve Him!

Here's a great blog by Shona Neff on the same subject!

BLOG COMMENT: What words of warning would you give our society's "cows of Bashan" ?

What Have the Locust Eaten?

2011-06-12T20:17:00.010-04:00

What has been eaten by the deadly locusts in your life? Have they devoured precious time that you'll never get back? According to the book of Joel, the kingdom of Judah had just experienced vast destruction by a swarm of desert locust. They had destroyed the crops, vineyards and livestock. The people had been impacted with famine and starvation and their spiritual lives suffered as there was nothing left to bring to the temple for sin offerings.

Note: A desert locust swarm can be 460 square miles in size and pack between 40-80 million locusts into less that half a square mile! Each locust can eat its weight in plants each day, so a swarm of such size would eat 423 million pounds of plants every day!

After Joel's admonishment for the people to return to God "for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love" (2:13b), God assures the people of Judah that He will "restore to you the years that the locust have eaten" (2:25a). He was telling them that He would restore their land to what is was before the locust plague. They would be prosperous again - if only they would turn from their sinful ways and return to Him. One can only wonder if God allowed the locust attack to get their attention; to bring them to a place of complete nothingness in order to see what God was waiting and willing to do for them.

What have the locust eaten in your life? What feels dead and without hope? Is it a relationship that's been attacked by the locust of anger, revenge and unforgiveness? Are you ready for God to restore it? He will, but you have to give it over to Him first; let go and let God handle it.

What about a dream you once had for your life? Have the locust of busyness and distractions of life caused you to give up on it? Have they eaten away at your motivation and the once felt strong determination? If it's a dream from God, He's ready to restore it; to give it new life again.

What about your joy and fruitfulness for God? Have the locust of unconfessed sin, attitudes needing adjustment and worldly temptations eaten away at your walk with God? The people in Joel's day suffered when their "joy and gladness withered away." Has that happened to you?

What about the years you've wasted; years you wish you could go back and live differently? Although we can't change the events and choices of years we've already lived, we can't let the locust of guilt and shame kill our hope for the future.

Remember, God's mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23) and He is a gracious, compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love God - ready to restore what has been eaten by the locust - and return to us the blessings we don't deserve, but blessings He desires for us! Spend time with Him today - asking for and accepting His restoration.

BLOG COMMENT: Do you have an example of God's restoration in your life? Are there still areas where the locust have destroyed and you need God to bring them back to life?

You Want Me to Do WHAT?

2011-06-06T10:27:00.004-04:00

Have you ever been asked to do something that made no sense at all? Has God ever told you something He wants you to do, but you can't believe He would ask such a thing of you? No doubt Hosea questioned God's commands when it came to his wife and his marriage.

If you're not familiar with Hosea's story, it begins with God telling him to "Go, take yourself an adulterous wife..." (Hosea 1:2) Now, that's not the best marital advice to be giving young people today, but as usual, God had a purpose and a plan. There's several thoughts on why God asked Hosea to seek out a woman who he knew would be unfaithful to him. First, it would help Hosea understand God's anguish. God's "bride", the Israelites, had become unfaithful and adulterous toward Him and it was breaking His heart. Secondly, Hosea's marriage would provide a real-life example of God's marriage to Israel. Hosea was a prophet and his job was to communicate God's unconditional love to the Israelites. With God's power, Hosea was able to show that same kind of love to his unfaithful wife, Gomer, and people took notice.

Has God ever asked you to do something that was painful or uncomfortable? Do you ever think it could be for the purpose of being a real-life example for people to see Him at work in your own life? People are drawn to people who know where they are coming from. We tend to trust people's advice when we know they have experienced the same thing we are struggling with. Next time you question something God is asking you to do, stop and think about the people your discomfort may encourage.

Not only did Hosea show God's unconditional love, he was also asked to show God's unfathomable forgiveness. In Hosea 3: 1, God gives Hosea another command - "Go, show your love to your wife again, though she is loved by another and is an adulteress. Love her as the Lord loves the Israelites, though they turn to other gods...."

As Believers, we have experienced God's unfathomable forgiveness in our own lives! But are we just as willing to show it to others? Luke 12: 48 reminds us that "From everyone who has been given much (forgiveness, etc.) much will be demanded/required..." Although hurting and with an aching heart, Hosea had to chose to reclaim his wayward wife, just as we must chose to reclaim broken relationships in our own life. Grab a hold of God's power and like Hosea, make the choice to do the unthinkable - forgive those who have hurt and betrayed you. Don't let bitterness take the place of unconditional love. Don't let anger and the thoughts of revenge, over-rule God's desire for us to live at peace with one another. It's not worth the energy it takes to hate!

Like Hosea, God wants us to show others unconditional love and unfathomable forgiveness. He may be asking you to do some pretty strange things in order for these to be shown, but consider it a vote of confidence from Him! As with Hosea, He will give you the power and ability to do the unthinkable. Are you up for the challenge?

BLOG COMMENT: Can you relate to Hosea in any way? Has God ever asked you to do something completely opposite of what you had in mind? Share with us what you learned and how your obedience impacted others.....

Faithful Among the Faithless

2011-05-22T16:33:00.004-04:00

Have you ever felt like you were the only one standing firm for what you believe? Is everyone else around you conforming to the world? Daniel and his three friends were put to the test throughout the book of Daniel, yet they stood strong. They remained faithful among the faithless.

Daniel and his three friends - Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego - were taken captive to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezar while in their teens. They were trained in the language, literature and God-less lifestyle of the Babylonians, yet their faith in the true God did not waver.

Daniel encountered 3 types of people during his 70-plus years of serving in the government and these people still exist in our world today:

1) Conformers - These were people who were happy to conform to the king's commands as long as their own lives were spared and they were given what they wanted. Daniel and his friends refused to eat the king's food because it violated their Jewish beliefs. They refused to worship the king's statue of himself because by doing so would disobey God's command to "have no other gods before me." Daniel risked his life by chosing to continue to pray to his God against the king's decree. Yet, by refusing to conform to what everyone else was doing, God and man, rewarded their faithfulness. Are you a conformist in order to keep peace? Has God tested your faith lately to see how strong and how long you will stand for Him?

2) Informers - These were the people who would do and say anything to discredit Daniel and his friends because of their faithfulness to their God. They were jealous of the positions of power Daniel and his friends had been granted and took every opportunity to "inform" the king whenever his commands were not being followed. Is your faith strong enough to withstand the informers attacks in your life? God had blessed Daniel and his friends in the public eye so that others would see the reward for living a faithful life among the faithless. If they had weakend their resolve because of what the informers were saying, their testimony for God would have been erased forever.

3) Transformers - These young men never knew for sure that God would rescue them from the consequences of sticking to their convictions (the fiery furnace or the lion's den), but in order to be an example of faith and to hopefully influence the lives of the faithless around them, they chose to obey God regardless of the outcome. Every time God spared their lives, people witnessed it with their own eyes. Lives were transformed through the lives of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Are lives being changed because people are watching your faith in action?

Dare to be a Daniel today. Dare to stand firm in your faith, even among the faithless in your life. God blesses and rewards faithfulness. For those old enough to remember the little song we sang as kids - make this your prayer today:
"Dare to be a Daniel,
Dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose firm!
Dare to make it known!" ~ Philip P. Bliss

BLOG COMMENT: Do you have an example/encouragment to share with others of when you stood faithful among the faithless? A time when your faithfulness was rewarded?

Trading My Sorrows...

2011-05-09T09:22:00.003-04:00

What makes you cry? What makes you feel deep sorrow? And does that sorrow lead to action?What makes a person cry says alot about them, whether they are self-centered or God-centered. As one of God's choice servants, Jeremiah stands alone in the depth of his emotions as he writes the book of Lamentations. Broken by his care for the people, his love for the nation and his devotion to God, Jeremiah laments as he writes these five funeral songs.

While the book of Jeremiah looks forward with warning, Lamentations looks backward with mourning. Jeremiah sees the devastation, destruction and desolation of the city of Jerusalem. The temple, where God dwelt, is gone and so is God's presence. The people are dying in the streets and there's nothing he can do now. They did not listen when he warned of what God would do if they did not turn back to Him....so he grieves, mourns and weeps.

Do you weep because your selfish pride has been wounded or because people around you lead sinful lives and reject the God who loves them dearly?

Do you weep because someone has insulted you or because someone has insulted your God?

Do you weep because you have lost something of value or because people around you will be lost forever because of their sinfulness?

Our world is filled with injustice, poverty, war and rebellion against God, all of which should move us to tears and to action!

Is it time you traded the things/people/situations/circumstances that cause you sorrow and weep over the things that break God's heart? Jeremiah wept tears of empathy and sympathy. Can you say you do the same thing when you see others reject God's love? Jeremiah's tears were not self-centered. Can you say the same thing?

Ask God to give you a heart like His. One that breaks and mourns for the lost. The abused. The exploited. The innocent. The weak. The poor. The missing. The one who causes you sorrow. Your rejection.

BLOG COMMENT: 1) What breaks your heart and what action have you taken about it? OR 2) Has God put a passion in your heart for a group of people you know He wants you to help?

Success is in the Eye of the Beholder

2011-05-01T17:06:00.004-04:00

What is success? Most definitions include references to achieving goals and acquiring wealth, prestige, favor and power. "Successful" people enjoy the good life - being financially and emotionally secure, being surrounded by admirers and enjoying the fruits of their labors. They are leaders with followers and opinion makers with listeners. Their example is emulated; their accomplishments are noticed. They know who they are and where they are going, and they stride confidently to meet their goals.

By these standards, Jeremiah was a miserable failure. For 40 years he served as God's spokesman to Judah, but when Jeremiah spoke, nobody listened. Consistently and passionately he urged them to act; to turn from their evil ways and idolatry or God would punish; but nobody moved. And he certainly did not attain material success. He was penniless, friendless and rejected by friends, family, neighbors, kings and his audience. Throughout his life, Jeremiah stood alone, declaring God's messages of doom, announcing the new covenant and weeping over the fate of his beloved country. In the eyes of the world, Jeremiah was not a success.

But in God's eyes, Jeremiah was one of the most successful people in all biblical history. Why? Because success, as seen by God, involves three things:

1) Obedience - Even though Jeremiah did not have throngs of faithful followers and thousands of fans showing up to hear his next message, he obeyed God regardless. As we look back over his life, we can see that he successfully completed the work God gave him to do in spite of unimaginable opposition and personal sacrifice.

In 2 Chronicles 22:13, David is preparing his son, Solomon, for the building of God's temple in Jerusalem. He reminds him, "... you will have success if you are careful to observe (obey) the decrees and laws that the Lord gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged." Don't you think Jeremiah needed these same words of encouragement as he committed his life to God as His spokesman? Jeremiah suffered many times of fear and discouragement, but he continued to obey. Are you a success in God's eyes because of your willingness to obey regardless the cost?

2) Faithfulness - Success must never be measured by popularity, fame or fortune, for these are temporal measures. Popularity may wane. Fame and fortune may disappear. But faithfulness to God will be rewarded. God's approval alone should be the standard for our life and our service to Him. We should all long to hear Him say - "Well done, my good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21).

The world doesn't regard faithfulness the same way God does. The world says that one must do whatever is necessary to achieve success, even if that means being unfaithful in word and deed. Jeremiah was not seeking fame and popularity, for if he had, he probably would have changed his message to a more "feel-good, warm and fuzzy, not offend anybody, let's all get along" message. But he did not and remained faithful to the work and the words God gave him to share. Are you a success in God's eyes because of your faithfulness regardless of what it brings or doesn't bring to your life?

3) Righteousness - What is our motive for what we do? Is it to be seen as a success by the world or God? Colossians 3:17 reminds us that "..whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." This means we are to bring honor to Christ in every aspect and activity of daily living. As a Christian, we represent Christ at all times - wherever we go and whatever we say.

The success we strive for in life should be honoring to God. We should be thankful for the gifts and talents He's given us to serve Him. We should never think of ourselves as better or self-righteous. Our goal should not be to win people's love and affection in order to feel successful. Acceptance or rejection by people is not to be the measure of our success. What will matter most in the end is not what others say about our life, but what God has to say. Are you a success in God's eyes because of your righteousness and the reflection of Christ to others?

No, according to the world, Jeremiah was not a success. According to the world, you may not be also. But with obedience, faithfulness and righteousness, you WILL be in God's eyes!

BLOG COMMENT: Have you ever found yourself following the steps for success according to the world's standard? Where did those steps lead?

Healed by My Wounds.....

2011-04-21T08:13:00.002-04:00

Isaiah, chapter 53, speaks of the Messiah, Jesus, who would suffer for the sins of all people. Such a prophecy is astounding! Who would believe that God would choose to save the world through a humble, suffering servant rather than a glorious king? The idea is contrary to human pride and worldly ways. But God often works in ways we don't expect - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways, my ways, declares the Lord" (Isaiah 55:8). The Messiah's strength is shown by humility, suffering and mercy.

Let's look at the description of Christ and His suffering from the following verses in Isaiah 53:

Despised and rejected, a man of sorrows - "He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem." v. 3

Bore our grief and sorrows - "Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted." v. 4

Wounded, bruised and beaten for our transgressions - "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed." v. 5.

Bore the guilt and sin of all - "We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." v. 6.

Like a lamb brought to the slaughter - "He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth." v. 7.

Tried and led away to His death - " By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished." v. 8

Died with the wicked but buried with the rich - "He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth." v. 9

Suffered according to God's good plan - "Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the LORD makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand." v. 10

Poured out His soul unto death and was counted as a sinner - "Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." v. 12

From the devotional, Heaven Calling: "When Isaiah wrote this prophecy, he did not understand the scope of what I would one day do through my Son. But, beloved, this is how deeply I love you. I sent Jesus to take the weight of sin. He was afflicted and pierced. The punishment that would bring peace and forgiveness to you landed with full force on Him.

When He took all sin upon Him, I had to look away, for my holiness could not tolerate the sight of evil. Separated from me, my Son died. This was the weight that He bore for you, child. It was the only way I could rescue you; the only way I could bring you life and hope and healing.

Now go ahead and celebrate - for you are free!! Free indeed!"

Song of Solomon - Not Just Another Silly Love Song

2011-04-10T14:16:00.003-04:00

Song of Solomon is a little book tucked away in the middle of your Bible, but contains a big story of love and passion with beautiful imagery mixed throughout. The book's purpose is three-fold: 1) to tell of the love between a bridegroom (King Solomon) and his bride 2) to affirm the sanctity of marriage and 3) to give us a visual of God's love for His bride, the Church.

Written by King Solomon during his youth, the Song of Solomon describes his love for and marriage to a beautiful country girl called the "Shulamite woman". It is a collection of love poems between a husband and wife, with occasional sections attributed to friends who shared in the couple's happiness.

One of the most misunderstood and least read books of God's Word, I challenge you today to take a minute and follow along as I share a devotion from Elizabeth George's book, Women Who Loved God, as we note the stages of Solomon's growing and deepening relationship with his bride:

Knowing - "Getting to know you" is the all-important first step in any relationship. An individual's values, character, and personality are revealed over time. Time spent together also gives one person the opportunity to observe another's love and commitment to God (Song 1:1-3:5).

Marrying- A wedding marks the beginning of two lives becoming one and the blesssing of sex and greater intimacy between partners (Song 3:6-5:1).

Cleaving - Count on it: Every marriage will be tested! As challenges and afflictions come, both partners must follow through on their commitment to the Lord and to the commitment of marriage. Properly handled with God's wisdom and grace, problems will press a couple more closely to one another and to their heavenly Father (Song 5:2-8:4).

Journeying - Hand in hand, a husband and wife who love and honor both God and one another can face the trials and tribulations of life (Song 8:5-14).

Even today, some 3000 years after it was written, Jews around the world read this exquisite love song every year at their Passover celebration.

No BLOG Question this week - Just spend time reading God's love poem and sense the same passion He has for you as the bride and groom had for each other.

Ecclesiastes....Chasing After the Wind

2011-04-03T16:18:00.004-04:00

The chocolate bunny lies in the basket, surrounded by green "grass." With Easter morning eyes wide with anticipation, the little boy carefully lifts the candy figure and bites into one of the long ears. But the sweet taste fades quickly, and the child looks again at the candy in his hand. It is hollow! Empty, futile, hollow, nothing - the words have a ring of disappointment and disillusionment. Yet this is the life experience of many people. Grasping the sweet things - possessions, positions, power and pleasure - they find nothing inside. Life is empty, meaningless and they sink into despair.

The book of Ecclesiastes is a autobiography by King Solomon at the end of his life after he strayed away from God. His honest words relate his findings that life without God is a long and fruitless search for enjoyment, meaning and fulfillment. He hopes to spare his listeners/readers the bitterness of learning through personal experience that carrying out life's pursuits apart from God is empty, hollow and meaningless. (From The NIV Life Application Study Bible)

I want us to ponder this statement today: There is much less that you can depend on than you might think! How many people (yourself included) have been searching for meaning and fulfillment in life only to find themselves feeling empty, disappointed and disillusioned. They are depending on things and people, other than God, to bring them happiness, love, acceptance, appreciation, respect, success, etc. Solomon describes this as a "chasing after the wind." A futile action with no lasting results. I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind (Ecc. 1:14).

1) Education - People are depending on wisdom and learning to fill the emptiness in their life. Knowledge is good - when gained and used in the proper perspective. Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom, and also of madness and folly, but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind (Ecc. 1:17).

2) Career - People are depending on their work to guarantee a lifetime of comfort and success. We all know people who have learned the hard way that their careers cannot provide security forever. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun (Ecc. 2:11).

3) Others - People are depending on the approval and acceptance from others to give their lives meaning. If the right people love them, show them attention and make them feel special, then all is good. They will never feel alone or abandoned ever again. They are constantly in a battle to win the approval of others. And I saw that all toil and all achievement spring from one person’s envy of another. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind (Ecc. 4:4).

4) Self - People are convinced they don't need God; "religion" is a crutch for weak people who can't provide wealth and emotional well-being for themselves. We are a self absorbed society and yet a very depressed group of people. Something must not be working for those who ignore and avoid their need for God in order to find meaning and fulfillment in life. To the person who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind (Ecc. 2:26).

5) Dreaming - People who spend their life dreaming of what could be; what would make them happy; if only they had more money, more material possessions, more respect, more opportunities, etc. They need to heed Solomon's advice. Six times in the book of Ecclesiastes he advises us to enjoy life now and be grateful for God's gifts. Better what the eye sees than the roving of the appetite. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind (Ecc. 6:9).

God wants us to depend on Him for meaning in life. He wants us to realize that true happiness comes from obeying Him. He wants us to know that He will always be there for us. He wants us to stop chasing after the wind and everything else we think will bring us purpose and fulfillment in life.

BLOG COMMENT: Have you searched for meaning in things other than God? Can you relate to the frustration of chasing after the wind? Share with us!

Proverbs Challenge

2011-04-01T08:19:00.002-04:00

Are you up to joining us as we read through the book of wisdom - Proverbs - this month? I don't know about you but I need more wisdom in my life. I need more guidance as I strive to be a better wife, mother, teacher, speaker and friend. I need wisdom to make better choices and decisions. To recognize what's important and wise versus what seems urgent and foolish.

Take the challenge with us and see what God shows you this month. You can download a reading chart - simply click on the Proverbs link on the right side of the page and record what God's Word is teaching you through the many practical insights in the book of Proverbs.

Then, share with us by posting a comment below! We can all gain from each other's input. I look forward to learning from you :) Tonia

A Committed Woman - Who Can Find?

2011-03-27T17:02:00.010-04:00

Have you been looking for a guide book for successful living? Are you wondering where you can find practical advice on issues such as work, money, temptation, discipline, parenting, etc? Have you looked at the book of Proverbs? Proverbs does not have a specific story line - it's simply a collection of practical tips for daily living. A proverb is described as a brief statement that offers a meaningful observation.

Written mostly by King Solomon, during his early reign, Proverbs' theme is practical wisdom. Knowledge is good, but there's a big difference between "knowledge" (having facts) and "wisdom" (applying those facts to life). We may gain all the knowledge available to us, but without wisdom, it is useless. We must learn how to live out what we know.

How can we look at the book of Proverbs and not take a peek into the most avoided and sometimes dreaded chapter by women - Proverbs 31. Unfortunately this chapter has been used by many as a measuring stick to the "virtuous-ness" of Christian women. What I want us to look at today is her wisdom and commitment and see how we compare with these more reasonable and attainable virtues! If you are not familiar with this passage, please take a minute to read verses 10-31 of Proverbs 31. Be reminded that this is advice from a mother to her son on what kind of woman he should look for in a wife.

* She is committed to her husband and marriage (31:11-12,23). She showed wisdom by respecting her husband and his position. Her husband in turn appreicated her and had full confidence in her. If you are married, does this describe your relationship?

* She is committed to her work (31:13-14,16,24). This woman is described as being a manufacturer, importer, manager, realtor, farmer, seamstress, upholsterer and merchant! Are you committed to the jobs you have inside and outside the home?

* She is committed to her family (31:15,21,28). Seeing that their needs are met is one of her highest priorities. Where does your family rank in the things you value?

* She is committed to time management (31:17-18,27). She uses her time wisely and makes the most of her day - not falling into the trap of idleness. How are you managing your time - wisely or wastefully?

* She is committed to helping others (31:20). She is concerned with the needs of others. She manages her time well in meeting the needs of her family and work, that she has opportunity to reach out to the less fortunate. What are you doing to help others? Are you even aware of the needs of those around you?

* She is committed to her well-being (31:22,25). She knows it's important to take care of herself as well as others. Are you too busy taking care of others that you are neglecting your own health and well-being?

* She is committed to her spiritual growth (31:26). Not only does she care for her physical health, she takes time to gain knowledge and turn that into wisdom. She chooses her words wisely and knows what words to say, when to say them and how they will be most beneficial to others. Are you gaining spiritual knowledge and applying it to your everyday life?

* She is committed to her God (31: 29-31). She is a woman who "fears the Lord" by showing God respect, honor, obedience and love by the way she lives her life. They praise her in the city gate, not for her beauty and charm, but for her faithfulness to her God. Are others praising you for the things you do or for the woman you are?

Proverbs 31 opens with the question - a woman of noble character who can find? Her worth is far above rubies. Is that your goal today - to be a woman of noble character? A woman, regardless of your age or stage of life, who is loved, respected and honored by those who know you? I hope so! Learn the valuable knowledge from God's Word and apply it as wisdom to your life today!

BLOG COMMENT: How are you doing with your Word for the Year? See if you can find some words of wisdom from Proverbs that you can claim to help you continue to strengthen this area of your life. Share with us your insights!

Psalms of Praise!

2011-03-20T14:55:00.008-04:00

As we continue our look at Psalms, let's focus on prayer. Many of the Psalms can be described as song-prayers with the most striking feature being their unedited honesty. God wants our openness, honesty and sincerity when we pray to Him. He's not afraid of our emotions and wants us to share our fears and frustrations, doubts and delights and our needs and not-so-pretty feelings with Him! By making the psalms our prayers we can learn a great deal about how God wants us to communicate with Him.

Do you know the shortest chapter of the Bible is Psalm 117 with only two verses. It is also the exact middle of the Bible with 594 chapters before it and 594 chapters after it...just a bit of trivia for you! Even though it only has two verses, it says a great deal about praising God: Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Have you ever said, "I can't think of anything God has done for me. How can I praise Him?" This psalm gives two reasons for praising God:

1) His great love toward us - the world; the ungrateful, the unworthy, and undeserving us. How great was His love - so great that He chose to send His only Son to die on the cruel cross for our sins (John 3:16). Romans 5:8 reminds us that.."God demonstrated His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." This fact alone should be enough for us to praise Him! I challenge you to read Psalm 136 if you need reminding that not only is God's love for us great, it also endures forever.

2) His faithfulness also endures forever. Can we say that about ourselves? When we get hurt or offended, ignored or rejected, someone sits in our seat or takes our parking spot at church, do we remain faithful? How silly that sounds, but how many people have moved on to another place of worship because of weak-faith (fulness)? Just think if God gave up on us as easily as we give up on others? We'd clearly all be left in the dust!

Take time this week to read some of the psalms of praise - here's a few to get you started: 8, 97, 100, 103, 107, 113, 145 and 150.

One of my favorite old hymns is Great Is Thy Faithfulness by Thomas O. Chisholm (1923). If you know it, sing it as a prayer back to God today. If you're not familar with it, here it is:

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father; There is no shadow of turning with Thee; Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not; As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see. All I have needed Thy hand hath provided; Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest. Sun, moon and stars in their courses above. Join with all nature in manifold witness To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth. Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide; Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!

Great is Thy faithfulness!Great is Thy faithfulness!Morning by morning new mercies I see.All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

BLOG COMMENT: Share with us your favorite psalm of praise and how you are able to turn it into a prayer of praise back to God.

Songs of Joy

2011-03-13T14:55:00.007-04:00

This week we start the book of Psalms. The 150 individual psalms cover the poetic expressions of human and religious feeling and are divided into five books. They consist of a wide variety of styles, purposes and emotions, such as lament, thanksgiving, praise, worship, pilgrimage, petition and penitence.

The theme of Psalms is praise and worship. David, the author of 73 of the 150 psalms, shares with us his love and ever deepening relationship with God through his writings. He is a song-writer and provides for us a model of praise and worship.

Today let's look at one of David's songs - Psalm 65. It's theme is because God provides abundantly, we can be thankful to Him for His many blessings. Here's Psalm 65:5-8:

You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas, who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength, who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations. Those living far away fear your wonders; where morning dawns and evening fades you call forth songs of joy.

God blesses us so we may:

1) Bless others - Proverbs 3:27 tells us - "Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act."

2) Tell others - People are more open to listening to the Gospel if you can share a real-life experience of how God has blessed you. Not necessarily in terms of money and material things, but in the everyday things that matter most.

3) Bless Him - Our songs of joy are a sweet sound to God's ears - day and night (v. 8).

Here's a great devotional from the book Heaven Calling: "The work of an artist always points back to its creator. Do you remember the last breathtaking sunset you watched? I (God) shared it with you because I love you. The beauty you see in the sky, or the sea, or the forest, or across the plain - all of it points to me. Every good thing in this world is designed to praise me. Even the rocks testify of my works.

Child, the witness of the world around you affirms that I love your worship in any form - your songs, your gratitude, your talents and treasures, even your stumbling words of praise and your sighs of amazement when words fail. In heaven's language, a sigh can be high praise when my Spirit inspires you.

Take time to look around, beloved. Let the beauty of my creation bring forth songs of joy from your heart and life!"

When's the last time you truly worshiped God with songs of joy? You put aside your "to-do" list for God and just praised Him for who is He, what He's done and what He continues to do for and in you.

BLOG COMMENT: The most well-known psalm of praise is Psalm 100. Take time this week to read, reflect and then respond. Share with us a praise or two back to God for His goodness, His faithfulness and His abundant blessings.

Why Me Lord?

2011-03-06T16:45:00.003-05:00

Have you asked this question lately? Has something happened in your life that is causing you to second guess God's goodness, fairness and love? Do you believe you are somehow being punished by God through a time of unexplainable suffering?

Job is said to be the oldest book in the Bible. It's theme is blessings through suffering and gives us insight into the work of Satan. Job is living his life as a godly and upright man when disaster strikes. Unbeknown to Job, God has allowed Satan to take away Job's wealth, family and health. Satan believes that if the things Job values most are taken away, he will surely curse God. He even goes to the extent to infer that God would not have any followers if He did not reward them!

The basic question is not, "Why do godly people suffer?" but, "Is our God worthy of our worship and service or must He "buy" us with His blessings?" Life is good when God is "blessing" us with good health, wealth and comfort, but throw in an inconvenience and misfortune and we start to question, "Why me?" "What have I done to deserve this treatment?" "If you are a loving God, why do you let your people suffer?"

Trouble isn't always a sign of sin in a person's life. It may well be something that God allows to draw us closer to Him. As we see calamity and suffering in the life of Job, others and ourselves, we must remember we live in a fallen world where good behavior is not always rewarded and bad behavior is not always punished. There is some suffering that will never be understood or explained. Only God can see the big picture and the future and knows what needs to be done in order for His will to be accomplished.

Let's look at some ways suffering can actually be helpful and beneficial:

When we turn to God for understanding, endurance and deliverance.
When we ask important questions we might not take time to think about in our normal routine.
When we are prepared by it to identify with and comfort others who suffer.
When we are open to being helped by others who are obeying God.
When we are ready to learn from a trustworthy God.
When we realize we can identify with what Christ suffered on the cross for us.
When we are sensitized to the amount of suffering in the world.

Job was rewarded for his integrity and came out of his suffering experience grasping a greater understanding of God's majesty, sovereignty and independence and was able to see himself as God saw him. God restored his health, gave him another family and made him wealthier than before.

Here's a great reminder of who God is from the devotional, Heaven Calling.....

" My child, here is a truth to bring you some measure of relief from the pressure of your day: you are not God! I say that because I want to take the burden off your shoulders. You don't have to make everything in your world work according to your plans. If you simply let go and rest in me, I'll take care to make everything work according to my plans.

My love for you is greater and deeper than you will ever understand. So are my wisdom and power. As with my servant, Job, I welcome your questions, your sorrows, your requests, and above all, your burdens. I will walk with you each day of your life, and through the difficult times in particular, because I love you. And because I am God. Your God."

BLOG QUESTION: What are your thoughts on the statement - "God would not have any followers if He did not reward them?"

The Festival of Purim

2011-02-27T14:43:00.002-05:00

The Festival of Purim will be celebrated this year on March 19-20. I thought it would be good to learn more about this important Jewish holiday as we study the book of Esther this week.

When Haman threw the lot of the pur (3:7) to discover what day would be the best day to annihilate the Jews in Xerxes' kingdom, he unwittingly established a festival called Purim, when, instead of annihilation, the Jews celebrated their deliverance. Esther and her cousin Mordecai jointly worked to overturn Haman's plot and when they were successful, they sent out a proclamation to all the Jews living in Xerxes' kingdom to "celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy, and their mourning into a day of celebration" (9:21-22).

Worship and fasting typically make up the first day of the festival. The entire book of Esther is read aloud, and the congregation responds with, "Let his name be blotted out" each time Haman's name is read. The children in the group respond to Haman's name with noisemakers and rattles. On the second day of the feast, rejoicing and celebration break out. Food, music, dramas and plays, special songs, and recitals all add to the festive mood. People give gifts to each other and also make sure they don't forget to give gifts to the poor, as that was a special wish of Mordecai (9:22).

Like the Passover, the Feast of Purim celebrates divine deliverance. Saved from Pharaoh's rule and slavery in Egypt and delivered from the destruction planned by Haman, the Jews celebrated a deliverance that only God could have orchestrated. Previously doomed, they were now delivered.

As believers, we too have something to celebrate. Instead of a Moses or an Esther, God sent his own Son to deliver us, saving us from the terrible destruction of sin and death. Surely, that's reason enough to celebrate!

* Taken from Women of the Bible by Ann Spangler

BLOG QUESTION: What are you celebrating deliverance from?
Guilt, shame, perfectionism, anger, bitterness, depression, pride, laziness, unforgiveness, addiction, grief, abuse, selfishness, greed, etc.

Work Zone Begins...

2011-02-20T18:03:00.002-05:00

Has God given you a major project He wants you to complete? Does it appear to be an impossible task? Are you feeling inadequate? Do you wonder where to begin? Do you fear failing God?

Nehemiah was devastated when he heard the troubling news that the walls of the city of Jerusalem were still in ruins. It had been almost 100 years since the first group of exiles had returned and nothing had been done to re-construct the walls. Without walls, a city was subject to raids and attacks from their enemies - and Jerusalem had plenty of those. It also represented an unstable establishment. Back in the day, Jerusalem was a bustling city - with its own king, army, commerce, etc. - now it was just a desolate and destroyed pile of rubble.

After much prayer, mourning and fasting, God reveals to Nehemiah that he, Nehemiah, was the one God wanted to take on the project of rebuilding the wall. God had gifted Nehemiah with leadership skills and it was time to put these into action. Nehemiah asks and receives the king's permission to return to Jerusalem, where he leads a team of builders - against much opposition- in reconstructing the wall in only 52 days! A miracle that shocks the Jew's enemies who finally realize "that this work had been done with the help of (our) God" (Nehemiah 6:16).

What are you "building" for God? Is there a "work zone" He has you in today? Maybe you're not reconstructing an entire city wall, but if it's an assignment from God, it is just as important! Let's look at four things we must consider, as Nehemiah did, when undertaking a God-sized project:

1) Prayer - Never underestimate the importance of prayer in all areas of life. Prayer is the first and most important step in any project. Nehemiah was faithful in prayer and took it seriously. He prayed about the situation with the wall (1:4-10). He prayed before he answered the king (2:4b). He prayed instead of returning insults and taunts from the enemies (4:4-6). He prayed after receiving threats of attack (4:7-9) and he prayed for strength in Nehemiah 6:9. Nehemiah went to God first - included God in his plans, put the results in God's hands and relied on God for emotional and physical stability. Do you consult with God before starting an assignment or do you tend to just dive in? Do you take matters into your own hands when you face opposition? Where do you turn when you're under pressure - physically and emotionally?

2) Preparation - Nehemiah had to prepare for his three-month trip back to Jerusalem by getting permission to leave his position as the king's personal advisor and get proper paperwork in order to pass through enemy territory. Once he arrived, he prepared himself mentally by spending three days surveying the damage and seeking God's guidance and direction. Although God had gifted him with leadership qualities, Nehemiah still acknowledged his dependence on God. As opposition rose and threats of attack ensued, Nehemiah had to prepare for both physical and spiritual warfare. How are you preparing? Are you consulting with God in prayer before you begin anything? Are you taking steps toward the goal or waiting for someone else to step up and solve the problem? Are you prepared for the attacks you will encounter whenever you commit to God's assignment? Many things we do for God's purposes will require acts of faith.

3) Priorities - Nehemiah knew what God had assigned him to do and dispite opposition, distractions and attempted derailment - Nehemiah refused to compromise God's plan. He knew what his task was and he set out to complete it- and with God's help - in record time! The Enemy will try all kinds of ploys to get our priorities out of balance and our focus off the task at hand. We may eventually find ourselves far away from the "work zone" and on a detour away from the job all together. It's amazing what can be accomplished when our work and priorities are devoted to the Lord.

4) Perseverance - Nehemiah is one of the best examples of a man committed to a vision and to encouraging others to join him in fulfilling that vision. The laborers were working around the clock, with a sword in one hand and a shovel in the other. They were getting tired of the taunts and ridicule from their enemies. They were reminded daily of how impossible this task was. Their perseverance was beginning to waver. As the great leader he was, Nehemiah reminds them - "...Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight..." (4:14). Just when we are tempted to give up, God provides a "Nehemiah" in our life to give us the push we need to make it to the end. Are you that person?

Maybe God has given you the gift of leadership. Are you using it to do a task He's assigned to you? Nehemiah is a great role model for godly leadership qualities: He demonstated total confidence in God. He was faithful in prayer. He refused to compromise and he had a willingness to share in the work.

Just remember - seemingly impossible tasks can be accomplished when God is helping those who honor Him and when their efforts are united!

BLOG QUESTION: Of the four things to consider when taking on a project from God - Prayer, Preparation, Priorities and Perserverence 1) what things come natural to you? and 2) what things are a struggle?

Obstacles to Obedience

2011-02-13T17:30:00.006-05:00

Can you relate to the Israelites as they allow their enemies to pressure them into not completing God's work? Are you able to identify the obstacles that stand in the way of your own obedience? With excitement and a restored commitment to God, the once exiled Jews have returned to their homeland of Jerusalem and are eager to begin rebuilding and restoring God's temple.

As we study the book of Ezra this week, we realize that there has always been and always will be people who oppose God's work. The Jews have just celebrated the completion of the foundation (Ezra 3) and look forward to rebuilding the entire temple; God's dwelling place. But their neighbors have different plans. Through a series of letters to and degrees from the reigning authorities, the construction of the temple comes to a halt. For the next 14 years, nothing is done to restore the once magnificent house of the Lord.

The Enemy, as well as the Israelites enemies, used three obstacles that caused them to quit; to not finish what they had started and what they had been told to do - restore the temple.

1) Discouragement - "Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah .... " (Ezra 4:4a). Discouragement eats away at our motivation. Discouragement leads to disappointment, depression and despair...just what the Enemy wants - whatever it takes to keep us from completing God's work.

2) Fear - "...and make them afraid to go on building" (Ezra 4:4b). Fear leads to paralysis; the grip of fear takes over and leaves us motionless. The Israelites feared their neighboring enemies more than they trusted their God. Has fear kept you from stepping out and obeying God?

3) Frustration - " They hired counselors to work against them and frustrate their plans/purpose...." (Ezra 4:5). Frustration causes us to just give up and quit. Give up was exactly what the Israelites did and how it pleased the Enemy as well as the adversaries around them.

Can you relate? Have you "quit" God's work because you've been discouraged, fearful and/or frustrated? Maybe someone let you down. Maybe hurtful words were exchanged? Maybe you doubt you could ever do anything good for God, so you've never tried. Whatever the case, the real question today is, How long did you stay discouraged, fearful and frustrated? Is it permanent? Are you still struggling with completing God's work? You may not be building a physical temple, but whatever God has asked you to do, He's waiting (patiently) for you to complete.

Fourteen years have passed since the Jews stopped working on the temple - enter Haggai, a prophet God uses to speak to His people (Haggai 1:1-15). During these past 14 years, the people have been busy building and beautifying their own homes and neighborhoods, while God's temple still lies in ruins. Through Haggai's message, God challenges and convicts the people to ignore their neighbor's threats and resume the restoration of God's house. The people heard and obeyed (Haggai 1:12) and in verse 13, God reminds them, "...I am with you..."

It only took 23 days from the time of Haggai's message for the Israelites to start rebuilding. What about you? When you hear a convicting and motivating message, how long does it take you to respond? Let me be your Haggai today. Don't let the obstacles to obedience -discouragement, fear and frustration - keep you from completing God's work. Be reminded of His Word:

"Let not your heart be troubled (discouraged). Trust in God...." John 14: 1.

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

and finally, God never gives up on us - His workmanship (Eph. 2:10) - "Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6

BLOG: Will you be a Haggai to someone this week? Share with us your message of encouragement that God may use it to motivate them to stick with it and complete the work God has given them...Thanks!

Your "Life Sentence"

2011-02-06T17:02:00.002-05:00

Attended a family reunion lately? Shared laughs and memories as you reminisced years gone by with favorite family members? Unfortunately for many of us, these times usually take place at a loved ones funeral. Nevertheless, reunions are important. They are times of touching and connecting with other branches of the family tree, tracing one's personal history back through time and culture. Knowing one's genetic and relational path gives a sense of identity, heritage and destiny.

With the same purpose, the writer of Chronicles begins his unifying work with an extensive geneaology. He traces the roots of the nation of Israel in a literary family reunion from Adam onward. We read in I Chronicles and gain a glimpse of God at work through His people for generations. If you are a believer, these people are your ancestors, too!

If you were to randomly choose an ancester and look closely at their life, what kind of legacy would they have left? What kind of example were they to the next generation? How would you describe their life and did they contribute wisely to your own spiritual heritage?

Eventually your life will be summarized in a single sentence. What will your "life sentence" be? If you live intentionally, people at your funeral won't be left to wonder. As I mentioned at the beginning, many of my reunion memories are from funerals. I have had the privilige to speak at both of my grandmother's funerals over the past few years. It was not difficult for me to come up with a sentence that summarized their lives. One was a strong woman with strong convictions and a strong character (although some would call it plain stubbornness!) The other was a quieter woman, but with the same desire and love for God. Both of these women are part of my spiritual heritage and have left a lasting impression to all who were honored to know them.

Your life is your greatest legacy and you've only got one, so make it count. Here are four things we should strive to leave:
1) A legacy of excellence. In his book, Leadership Gold, John Maxwell has a chapter entitled, "Don't send your ducks to eagle school." In it he writes, "Ducks are not supposed to be eagles - nor do they want to be. Who they are is who they should be. Ducks have their area of expertise, that's where they excel." Do what God created you to do and do it with excellence.

2) A legacy of encouragement. It's said, "Some cause happiness wherever they go; others cause happiness whenever they leave." Are you the kind of person someone will call ten or twenty years from now and say, "Thanks, I couldn't have made it without you?" Don't wait until it's too late to encourage others with your words and/or kind deeds.

3) A legacy of purpose. We're most energized when we're investing our strengths and talents into a God-given purpose. So make your life about something bigger than yourself. You won't live forever, but you can live on through the impact your make now in the lives of others. William James said it well, "The best use of life is to spend it for something that outlasts it."

4) A legacy of love. Jon Gordon says, "My Mom..passed away a few years ago..I don't recall her faults and mistakes or the disagreements we had. After all, who's perfect? What I do remember..was her love. She gave me a legacy of love that will embrace generations to come." What better legacy can we leave than to share the love of God with everyone we meet?

What is your "life sentence"? How will people describe you one day? What is the spiritual heritage you are passing on to the next generation? It's not too late to start!

Blog Question: 1) Share with us a person from your spiritual heritage who left lasting legacy and/or 2) What are you doing to prepare your legacy for the next generation?

Worshiping America's Idols

2011-01-30T14:28:00.002-05:00

Have you bowed down to any false gods lately? Have you been influenced by those around you and find yourself following after what they "worship"? Granted, we may not build golden calves or pray to dead saints, but we must admit that we live in a very "idol" oriented society. More on that in a minute......

The definition of an "idol" is any idea, ability, possession, activity or person that we regard more highly than God. As we continue our look at II Kings this week, we see where their obsession with idolatry finally cost them their freedom as a people and a nation. God's patience had run out with them. In II Kings 17, He allows Israel to be conquered by the Assyrians. 136 years later, He permits the Babylonians to capture the people of Judah. His people, the Israelites, who once gloried in a united-kingdom who worshiped the one True God and was blessed because of their obedience, has now been conquered and led into captivity because of their sin. Because they looked around and wanted to be like the other nations. They wanted to worship what the other nations worshiped. They wanted to be godless and corrupt people like their neighbors.

So how does this message relate to us today? Does America have its own idols? I believe so. Maybe not in the form we see in II Kings, but certainly ones that fit the definition. Let's look at a few:

1) Money - I once heard a lesson by Beth Moore who used the verses from Psalm 115:5-8 to describe the obsession our culture has with worshiping money. " But their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear, noses, but they cannot smell; they have hands, but cannot feel, feet but they cannot walk.....Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them." Beth related these verses with gold and silver coins and paper money. It has a mouth, but cannot speak, eyes, ears and noses, etc. This is the idol of money that we worship. The love of and obsession with money takes us away from God, our families and the kind of life God desires us to live. It becomes all some people can think about, work for and desire more of. We have allowed money to become a useless god.

2) People - We don't have to go far to see the obsession we have with celebrities, athletes, powerful and beautiful people and even with our own relationships. Millions of dollars are spent each year by those wanting to look like someone they "worship." Thousands of hours and tons of energy are spent by those trying to become the next great athlete - so they can acquire what? Fame and fortune! Hundreds of dollars are spent on a few hours in front of the latest, hottest, and loudest scream inducing performer, all so we can bow down and worship at their feet. We put people on pedestals and then wonder why we are so disappointed when they fall. We're worshiping the ability and the image of these people without really even knowing them personally.

3) Busyness - Oh the god of busyness. It's probably caught us all off guard at times. Not until we realize that our good deeds and full lives have created a separation between us and God rather than a closer relationship, do we see the need to slow down. Somehow we think the busier we are, the more impressed people (and God) will be with us. We look at the "super-women" around us and long to be like them. They always seem to have it all together. If only we could look, act, smell, talk, walk, etc. like her - our life would be fulfilled. But when that woman's family falls apart, her "all-togetherness" crumbles, her children rebel and her worshipers disappear, what do we have left to look up to?

Is our nation on the same path as Israel and Judah? Are we bowing down to so many false gods, that we've forgotten the real God who desires and deserves our true worship and devotion? Have we allowed the Enemy to slowly distract and deceive us? Whatever he can do to deviate our attention from God, he will do.

How long will God's patience last with us? "So the Lord was very angry with Israel (America) and removed them from his presence. Therefore the Lord rejected all the people of Israel (America); he afflicted them and gave them into the hands of the plunderers, until he thrust them from his presence/ cast them out of his sight." II Kings 17:18,20

Blog Questions:
1) What are your thoughts? Are we living in the day when God has removed us from His presence as He did with Israel?

2) What other idols do you see Americans worshiping?

The Ultimate Source of Wisdom

2011-01-23T17:51:00.002-05:00

We all want wisdom and knowledge, but do we know where to find it? Are we seeking worldly wisdom or godly wisdom? What are we doing with all the knowledge that is available to us?

In First Kings, we meet the next in line for the throne, David and Bathsheba's son, Solomon. In I Kings 3:9, Solomon asks God for wisdom and a discerning heart so that he could govern the people of Israel successfully. God was pleased with his request and grants him wisdom, along with great riches and honor.

So how do we gain wisdom? As we go through life, we discover there are many ways to gain widsom, such as: 1) Writing down and reflecting on what we've learned through our experiences. 2) Gleaning knowledge from others. "By pride comes nothing but strife, but with the well-advised is wisdom" (Proverbs 13:10). 3) Thinking outside the box. It's ok to try doing things a new way. 4) Not rushing to closure. Growth is always a work-in progress. Creativity is untidy and unnerving. The ability to stay focused and faith-filled in the midst of change is a mark of wisdom and maturity.

But the ultimate source of wisdom is God! A young executive told his secretary he had an important meeting and didn't want to be interrupted. But his boss needed to see him and and walked in. When he found the young man on his knees praying, he withdrew quietly and asked the secretary, "Is this usual?" "Yes," she replied, "he does it every morning." "No wonder I come to him for advice! " said the boss.

Do others look to you for godly wisdom and advice? God is inviting us, just as He did Solomon, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you (I Kings 3:5). If you need wisdom, talk to God: "For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding." (Proverbs 2:6). "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives to all liberally...." (James 1:5). What does godly wisdom look like? James 3:17 describes "The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peacable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy." Does this describe what others see in you?

One of my favorite verses in all the Bible is Psalm 32:8 - "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go, I will guide you/watch over you." God is ready to instruct and teach us. To give us godly wisdom that we can in turn share with others who are hurting and seeking encouragement. Have you gone to the ultimate source today?

Blog Question: Let's see how many verses we can find with the words wisdom and/or wise.

Sex, Murder, Lies.....

2011-01-16T17:16:00.004-05:00

"Military leader killed in line of duty; his wife has an affair with his Commander." "Man rapes his half-sister." "Man murdered by enraged half-sister's brother." "Man flees to escape revenge and his own death." "Son returns with plans to overthrow his father's throne." No, these are not themes for a new TV crime series or movie box-office hit, but they may have been the headlines in the Jerusalem Journal during the reign of King David!

The book of 2 Samuel highlights the vital importance of the choices we make. We learn that 1) blessing comes to us and those around us when we choose to obey God's commands. 2) There are always consequences to the sinful actions we choose to partake in and 3) When we choose to repent, our relationship with God is restored.

If you are familiar with the story of David and Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11-12), you know their affair led to cover-up attempts and eventually, murder. God was displeased and disappointed with the choices David had made and intervenes before more damage is done by sending the prophet Nathan to confront David of his sin. David repents, God forgives; but the consequences remain. In David's life we see the grace of God in action and David's life also gives us a sobering look at sin in action.

How did David's sin affect him and those around him?
1) Emotionally - One of the consequences of his sin was the death of the child he conceived with Bathsheba. "David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted...and spent the nights lying on the ground. The elders stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food." (2 Samuel 12:16-17). David was emotionally spent and filled with grief.
2) Physically - David wrote Psalm 32 during this time. In verse 3, he describes how his body dealt with the guilt he was carrying - "When I kept silent my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long." Up until this point David had not confessed his sin to God and his body was being affected. The stress of covering up our sin can and will have physical ramifications.
3) Spiritually - David goes on in verse 4, of Psalm 32, to describe - "For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer." God's conviction was weighing heavy on David. His sin had separated him from the God he loved and sought after all his life.
4) Relationally - Another consequence was the impact his sin had on his family. The "headlines" I stated at the beginning were all events that happened in David's family after his sin with Bathsheba. Sin and its consequences will always affect others - sin is not committed in a vacuum.
5) Financially - David's sin also affected the nation of Israel. With all the drama going on in David's life and family, the nation must have suffered. 2 Samuel 21:1 states that there was a famine in the land for 3 successive years. Men from other tribes rebel against David (2 Samuel 20). What once was David's pride - a strong and united nation - is now suffering because of his sin.

My question is - Do we learn from the consequences of others' sins or do we as a society tend to glamorize it? Think about the TV shows that highlight "reality"? Many of them seem to make light of sin, ignore its consequences and give the message that if you're good looking, have money and can talk your way out of trouble, you'll make it in the world unscathed. Other shows highlight sex, drugs/drinking and irresponsible behavior with little attention to the affects these "unrealistic" shows have on its viewers - many times, young viewers. Yet, I must say that shows like 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom (MTV) have done a decent job of showing the not so glamorous side to teen promiscuity and the parenting challenges young teens face.

So, do you learn from others consequences? We watched as the Tiger Woods' saga unfolded and saw how his sin affected him financially and tore his family apart. We see a young and talented Lindsay Lohan unravel before our eyes. We witness spiritual giants lose their ministries and athletes destroy their bodies all because of choices they make; many times without giving any thought to the consequences of their actions. I hope we are able to learn from these examples. I hope we will see the devastation sin and its consequences can bring and not fall into the Enemy's trap. The story of David and Bathsheba was put in the Bible for a reason. I believe 1) to show us that God does not let sin go unpunished and 2) that with repentance and God's forgiveness, once a failure is not always a failure.

BLOG QUESTION: Share your comments about the following statement: Sin will take you further than you thought you'd stray; keep you longer than you thought you'd stay; and cost you more than you thought you'd pay.

One Word for 2011

2011-01-05T16:02:00.003-05:00

Choosing one word to focus on for the next year is not a new idea around here. If you're in our online Know the Bible study, we've been coming up with our words for several months. But today I stumbled across a website - oneword2011 and their Facebook page ...seems my idea was not original after all!

The ladies in our online study have been coming up with some great ones:: Love, Focus, Diligence, Generous, Purpose, Peace, Sacrifice, Trust, Commitment, Absorb, Joy, Self-Discipline, Priorities, Change, Blessings, Patience, Time, Thankfulness, Consistency...just to name a few!

What do you need to concentrate on in 2011? What area of your life is God reminding you that He would like to see some change in? Don't ignore His prompting.....Don't make Him have to get your attention the hard way! Ask Him for your word....He'll provide it without doubt.

A couple things that will help make this word a reality is, once you've identified it, find and write out a verse that encourages, motivates and affirms your word. Also, find a visual reminder - like a photo, quote, magnet, poster, etc. that you can use to keep your goal in mind. Here's my visual:

My word for 2011 is: Faith. I already know I will be stepping out in faith in the next few months. Asking and allowing God to provide things I may have been self-sufficient in will test my faith and patient and control and …....(who knows what else?)

I was listening to a sermon online last night from one of my favorite pastors, Jonathon Falwell,(trbc.org) and he was explaining to his church that in order for God to do great things in the next year, they needed to be people of great faith! That caught my attention. I'm praying for God to do great things in my life and ministry as well....so I took notes!

Based on the passage in Matthew 14:22-32 (Jesus walking on the water), our faith must consist of four things:

1) Faith that is saturated in prayer. If Jesus took time to get away and pray, how much more do we need to? (v. 23)

2) Faith that gets us through our fears. If we're wanting God to do a great work, we have to realize that He's the one who's going to do it, not us. Why do we need to be scared? (v.25-27)

3) Faith to obey God's call without question. Peter obeyed Jesus' call to "Come" (v. 29). He didn't stop and ask him how it was all going to work, what would happen if..... No, he obeyed the call.

4) Faith that never doubts God's power. Peter was fine until he took his eyes off Jesus. As he looked around and realized what he was doing, he became afraid and started to sink. He doubted God's power (v. 30-31).

I needed to be reminded of what my part is if I want God to do great things and increase my faith. I hope you'll join us this year as we not only focus on a word, but put action to our comittment.

Please share your word with us.....

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-19T18:18:00.003-05:00

This will be my last devotion for 2010 and I wanted to close out the year with a poem that should be the heart's desire of us all. Have a great Christmas ..........see you again in 2011!

"Just like the baby Jesus
I ever hope to be,
resting in Your loving arms,
trusting in Your sovereignty.

And like the growing Christ child
in wisdom daily learning,
may I ever seek to know You
with my mind and spirit yearning.

Like the Son so faithful
let me follow in Your light,
meek and bold, humble and strong
not afraid to face the night.

Nor cowardly to suffer
and stand for truth alone,
knowing that Your kingdom
awaits my going home.

Not afraid to sacrifice
though great may be the cost,
mindful how You rescued me
from broken-hearted loss.

Like my risen Savior
the babe, the child, the Son
may my life forever speak
of who You are and all You've done.

So while this world rejoices
and celebrates Your birth,
I treasure You, the greatest gift
unequaled in Your worth.

I long to hear the same words
that welcomed home Your Son,
"Come, good and faithful servant,"
Your Master says, "Well done."

And may heaven welcome others
who will join with me in praise
Because I lived for Jesus Christ
Not only on Christmas Day."

~Mary Fairchild

Fleecing the Lord - Faith or Fear?

2010-12-12T15:50:00.004-05:00

What Is the Situation? How often do we hear it? "I put out a fleece for the Lord to find out His will." This action is based on the text under consideration here, Judges 6:36-40. In context, the Lord has told Gideon that He will deliver the Israelites from the Midianite raiders who have been oppressing them for 7 years. When an angel calls him "mighty warrior" (6:12), we can almost see Gideon looking over first one shoulder and then the other, wondering who this guy is talking to. But the angel tells him that God will use him to deliver the people. Gideon argues with him (v.15) and then asks for a sign (v.17). The angel gives him a sign by consuming his sacrifice with miraculous fire (v.21). Gideon apparently concludes that this is enough to convince him, so he takes the next step.

The next step, according to the Lord's instructions, is to tear down the idols and altars to Baal and Asherah, build an altar to the Lord and offer a sacrifice on it. Gideon obeys, but at a price: the men of his town want to kill him for it, and only his father's quick talking rescues him. We're not told how Gideon reacted to the men's bloodthirst, but the fact that his father does all the talking suggests that Gideon was doing what he had been doing before the angel came to him: hiding in fear of his life.

After this, it's time for the big battle to throw off the yoke of Midian. While the enemy prepares for battle, Gideon, under the influence of the Lord's Spirit, summons Israel to battle them (v.34-35). When everyone is arrayed and set up for the big fight, we see the following exchange between Gideon and the Lord:
* Gideon prefaces his request with the statement "If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised."
* Gideon asks for another sign - the fleece to be wet in the morning while the ground around it is dry.
* The Lord grants his request: the fleece is full of dew while the ground is dry.
* Gideon asks for another variation of the sign: this time reverse it.
* The Lord grants his request: the ground is wet but the fleece is dry.

What's Really Happening Here? As we examine this exchange in the context of Judges 6, we can see several things:

First, Gideon did not put the fleece out to determine God's will. He already knew what God's will was. He had been told by the angel, and he even subtly acknowledged it with the phrase "as you have promised." Gideon knew what God wanted him to do, yet he did the fleece thing anyway.

Second, The fleece was a sign of unbelief. Gideon had already received a miraculous sign from God to prove that He was going to give Gideon victory and deliver Israel. Yet, perhaps because of the response of his own townsmen, Gideon doubted. He had to have another sign. And then yet another. In other words, Gideon knew God's will but didn't believe it. "Putting out a fleece" was not a method of determining God's will, it was an act of faithlessness because Gideon didn't trust that God would do what He had already promised.

Third, the fleece was a request for a miraculous sign. It was not simply a request for events to go a certain way. Gideon wanted something to happen that was contrary to the usual pattern of nature, i.e. a miracle. It was not a request for a "sign" of the type "if my dog barks within the next half hour, then I'll know the answer." Gideon's request would be more along the lines of "if my duck meows, then I'll know the answer."

What Do We Learn From This? The first thing we learn is that "putting out a fleece" is not a biblical method of discerning God's will. Gideon already knew God's will, he was merely second-guessing it. The second thing we learn is that, if you are determined to "put out a fleece" it must be a request for a miraculous sign. "If things work out so I can go to Africa, then I'll know God wants me to" is not a biblical fleece. The third and most important thing we learn, though, is that "putting out a fleece" is an act of doubt that indicates a serious lack of faith. As with Gideon, the Lord may honor the request ("If a Rwanda Airlines jumbo jet lands in my front yard and the pilot tells me to hop aboard..."), but He won't be happy that you asked. And you will have to face the fact that your faith isn't even the size of a mustard seed if you feel you have to do this.

Conclusion: God's will is a hot topic among Christians, and theories abound. But this is one theory that can and should go into File 13, because it is not a biblical method. My own view, for what it's worth, is that God's will is actually pretty simple to discern: act like a Christian! In non-moral matters such as career, where to live, what kind of car to drive and such, follow your heart with your eyes on the Lord so you provide all things honest before all. From there, it doesn't really matter. For full details, the best book ever written on the subject is Garry Friesen, Decision Making and the Will of God. It is one of the most life-changing books you'll ever read, and you don't need a fleece to tell you it's right on the mark!

In Christ, Dave Washburn http://www.nyx.net/~dwashbur/fleece.html

Another great article -Is it acceptable to "lay out a fleece" before God? http://www.gotquestions.org/prayer-fleece.html

Online Class: Don't forget to post your opinion on Gideon's fleece // faith or fear?

Crossed Any Rivers Lately?

2010-12-05T18:07:00.003-05:00

Is there a "river" in your life you just can't seem to get across? Are the "waters of doubt" keeping you on dry land? What will it take for you to step out into the deep?

In the book of Joshua, the nation of Israel can finally see the Promised Land of Canaan. They are so close to their inheritance, but there is one thing keeping them from occupying it - the Jordan River. It's spring and the waters of the Jordan are overflowing its banks. (Normally the river was about 100 feet wide, but during the flood season, it became a mile wide). God chose this time and location to demonstrate His power (once again). God parted the Red Sea to let the people out of Egypt, now He will part the Jordan River to let them into Canaan.

Joshua 3:8 instructs the priests who are carrying the ark of the covenant,"When you reach the edge of the Jordan's waters, go and stand in the river." What if the priests had been too afraid to enter the rushing waters? What if they had refused to take the first step? Often God provides no solution to our problems until we trust Him and move ahead with what we know we should do! Unless we step out by faith and "get our feet wet", we're not likely to make much progress in living for Christ and serving Him.

In verse 17, we see that each step the priests took, God opened the waters before them until they were standing "on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan..." Don't you think God wants to do the same for us? But we have to be willing to take the first step. Notice they didn't stay close to shore, or stick their big toe in to "test the waters", they walked by faith, to the middle of the river!

Walking by faith :: a concept the Bible is full of. "For we walk by faith, not by sight" 2 Cor. 5:7. "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk" John 5:8. "The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance..." Joshua 14:9. "March/walk around the city with all the armed men. Do this for six days..." Joshua 6:3. I encourage you to do your own word search and find more examples of how walking, trusting and faith go hand in hand.

Walking requires action. Action requires direction. Direction requires a guide. Our Guide is God and His Word. The people in Joshua's army didn't know why they were walking around the city of Jericho day after day, but they did it. The priests didn't know why they had to walk into the water before it would stop flowing, but they did it. Peter didn't know why he had to walk on the water to come to Jesus, but he did it. You may not understand why God is asking you to step out in faith and obey Him, but if you want to experience your own miracle, you need to do things His way. He's waiting to help you across that river in your life that's keeping you from your spiritual inheritance; your own Promised Land. Don't let the "waters of doubt" and the Enemy keep you for stepping out in faith.

The book of Joshua ends with his charge to the nation of Israel , " But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to obey His commands, to hold fast to Him and to serve Him with all your heart and all your soul" Joshua 22:5.

Active faith - walking - does not require that you understand all or any of what God is doing in your life. Trust Him. Attempt the impossible by submitting to God's directions, and watch the troubled waters of your seemingly impossible situation part before your eyes!

Online Class: Choose your question this week....look forward to reading your comments. Also, leave your "I am....." statements...you've come up with some great ones!!

What Does God Ask of Us?

2010-11-28T18:05:00.004-05:00

Do we really know what God expects of us? What if we're doing all the wrong things and they don't count? How can we know what He asks of us? Do we just do our best and hope that will be enough to please Him?

The book of Deuteronomy means repetition of the law and during the final weeks of Moses' life, he reminds the new generation of Israelites of what God wants them to do and be. We find these instructions in Deut. 10: 12-13 :: "And now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to 1) fear the Lord your God, 2) walk in all his ways 3) love him, 4) serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and 5) observe the Lord's commands and decrees that I (Moses) am giving you today....for your own good!"

What does this look like for us?

1) Fear God = to respect God for who He is; the One True and Holy God. Not "the man upstairs" or the "big guy in the sky", but our Heavenly Father who deserves our respect and desires a relationship with us.

2) Walk in all His ways = follow Him. The key verses for this study come from Psalm 25:4-5 - "Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths and guide me in your truth...." Learning God's Word and knowing what He expects of us is the way we follow Him. Asking Him to show us, teach us and guide us guarantees that we are walking on the right path!

3) Love Him = making our relationship with Him the number one priority in life. Not our job, not our family, not our friends, not our money, not our church, not our social life, but Him.
Whenever we put anything above the importance of our relationship with God (sleeping in on Sunday, skipping Bible study time, spending time and money on our own pleasures instead of giving to God's work, etc.) we say to God that His relationship with us is not as important as these other things.

4) Serve Him with all your heart and soul = do what you say you're going to do. Don't make half-hearted promises to people and not keep them. Colossians 3:17 reminds us that "whatever we do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God..." We should consider it a privilege to have the opportunity to serve others in Christ's name.

5) Observe His commands = obey Him! The Israelites had seen first hand what happened when God's people disobeyed. Obedience is very important to God and He doesn't take disobedience lightly. It's quite simple - Obedience brings blessings; disobedience brings death (Deut.30:15-18).

Moses was reminding the nation of Israel that these things were from God and for their own good. How often we complicate faith with man-made rules, regulations and requirements. Are you frustrated and burned out from trying hard to please God? Concentrate on what He asks of you and you will find peace, contentment and meaning in your life.

Simply // Respect.....Follow.....Love.....Serve.....and Obey!

Online Class: 1) Share with us the Christlike qualities you admire in Moses. 2) Comment on what you're learning about who God is under the "I am God" link.

Complaining Has Consequences

2010-11-21T17:37:00.011-05:00

As we begin the book of Numbers, we find that God has spent a year preparing the Israelites for their journey to the land He promised Abraham hundred of years earlier. He is ready for them to leave Mt. Sinai, but before they do, a census is taken to determine the number of men, 20 years and older, who are fit for military service.

If you were an Israelite during this time, wouldn't you have been excited to see what God had in store for you and your family? You have been hearing about this land "flowing with milk and honey" for years. Your parents, grandparents and their parents passed down the story of how God promised Abraham He would make a great nation from his descendents.....and that is you! Wouldn't you be ready to get the journey started and be willing to withstand whatever came your way for the privilege to see the Promised Land for yourself?

Unfortunately, this was not the Israelite's attitude. We see that their unbelief, lack of faith & trust and disobedience had disastrous results. They longed for the pleasures of the past and had somehow forgotten the misery they endured as slaves. But most devastating was their constant grumbling and complaining. You may side with the Israelites and say they had good reason to complain; life was rough in the wilderness. But to be honest, without God's provisions, they never would have survived their journey. Unfortunately though, they were focused on what they didn't have and were blinded to all that God had done for them.

Do you consider complaining a sin? Do you ever think about how your complaining effects your relationship with God, the lives of others and your future? Philippians 2:14 tells us, not suggests, to "do everything without complaining, murmurings, arguing and disputings."

1) Complaining weakens your relationship with God. Through out Numbers, the people complained and God punished. They grumbled to each other instead of bringing their concerns to God. They were anxious about their future and chose not to trust God's promises. Philippians 4:4-7, reminds us to "rejoice in the Lord always. Be anxious for nothing, but instead (of grumbling and complaining) bring everything to God in prayer, with thanksgiving!" Then God affirms that His peace, which no one can comprehend, will guard your heart and mind.

God wants you to share your concerns with Him. Why not? He's the only one who can do anything about them anyway! Don't let your complaining come between God and His blessings.

2) Complaining weakens others. Have you ever been around people who just wear you out with their whining and complaining? Maybe it's a small child who won't give up. Perhaps it's a friend who has chosen you to come to instead of going to God. Or, have you ever thought it could be you who's the one wearing people down? Constant complaining can effect others emotionally, mentally and spiritually!

In Numbers 11:10-15, Moses' despair and depression is revealed as he brings his frustrations to God -" I cannot carry these people by myself; the burden is too heavy for me...put me to death now." The Israelites' complaining was wearing him down and out! In Numbers 20, the people start whining about not having any water and wishing they were back in Egypt (again). I think Moses was at the end of his rope with them and out of frustration, disobeys God's instructions (8-12). I'm not justifying his disobedience, but how many times have we done or said things we shouldn't have out of frustration with others' grumbling?

3) Complaining can destroy your future. God has had enough with the Israelites' attitude, disobedience, lack of faith, trust and gratitude and bans those 20 and older from ever entering the Promised Land (Numbers 14). They are told they will wander another 40 years until they have all died in the desert.

I don't want my future to be jepordized because of my sin of complaining. God wants to bless our lives, just like He wanted to do for His people. He wants us to trust and depend on Him for our every need and to be thankful for what He does give us. But it's our choice. We have the choice of being grateful or not. We can determine our future by the things we let defeat us.

In summary, through our study of Numbers this week, I hope you will realize that: 1) God is immensely patient 2) God's love is one promise you can always count on. 3) God's forgiveness is never-ending and 4) God is merciful, listening to and answering our requests. God has not changed since Moses' day!

Online Class: 1) Don't forget to post your comments on what you've learned about who God is from each book we've studied so far. 2) Share with us how you can take a complaint and turn it into something you can give thanks for!

Is Holiness Only For God?

2010-11-14T18:37:00.005-05:00

Leviticus begins where Exodus ends. God's glory is now residing in the Tabernacle and God is ready to teach the people how to worship there. The book of Leviticus contains both a handbook for the priests and Levites outlining their duties in worship and a guidebook of holy living for the Hebrews.

Holy living.....is that something we could use a guidebook on today? We have that in God's Word, but are we using it? The book of Leviticus is not just about priests...beasts...and feasts. It's more about holiness. Holy/Holiness is mentioned 152 times in Leviticus, more than any other book in the Bible. So let's take a few minutes today to look at exactly what holiness is and ask whether it applies to anyone other than God?

What does it mean to be holy?

It means to be separated from, set apart or different

Who is holy?

God reminds us six times in Levitcus of what He is ....I am holy.
He calls us to be holy as well. Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy (Lev. 18:2).

Why are we to be holy?

First of all, God gives us the command to be holy.
Secondly, since His commands are enablements, we can believe that He will enable us to do so and in turn, glorify Him with our obedience.

How can we be holy?

The first step toward holiness is the admission of our own sin and the recognition that Christ is our only Redeemer from that sin.
Holiness involves obedience and discipline. It's only when God's holiness increasingly begins to touch every area of our lives that we can say we're starting to make progress in being holy.
When our motives to be holy are to glorify God, not just to be recognized as "holy people".
We live before Him openly and sincerely, hiding nothing, fearing nothing.

The good news is that holy living is possible, otherwise, God would never have said eight times in His Word, Be holy, for I am holy". His commandment is the promise of His enablement! God's desire is for us to be a holy people, not perfect, but holy:

* Set apart from the sin of the world.

* Separated from the things that draw us away from Him.

* Different in our thoughts, feelings and actions.

Take time to be holy today. Claim God's enabling promise that we CAN be holy, as He is.

Is Your Past Chasing You?

2010-11-07T16:35:00.005-05:00

Get up….leave…take off – these words sound good to those trapped or enslaved. Some resist their marching orders, however, preferring present surroundings to a new, unknown environment. It’s not easy to trade the comfortable security of the known for an uncertain future. But what if it’s God that gives the order to move? Will we follow His lead?

Exodus is a book about departure and guidance. God's people (the Israelites) have been set free from slave bondage in Egpyt and are making their mass exodus toward the Promised Land. God is guiding the more than 2 million Jews by a pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night.

Let's take a quick look at how God wants to be a part of our LIFE as He Leads, Instructs, Fights for and Encourages us, just as He did the Israelites. We meet them in Exodus 13:17-14:31:

L - leads. We find in v. 17-18, that God did not lead them on the shortest route to the Promised Land. Their enemy, the Philistines, lived along that path and God knew this newly freed group of people were not ready for a battle and in fear, may turn back.

God may not lead you along the shortest path because He knows you're not ready for the unseen obstacles. Only He can see the end of your journey from the beginning!

I - instructs. In verses 14:3-16, we find that Pharaoh has changed his mind and wants his slaves back. God hardens his heart (v. 4) and Pharaoh sets out, along with over 600 chariots and his army to recapture the Israelites and bring them back to Eygpt. During this time, God is giving Moses clear instructions on what to do with all these people and how to get them safely across the Red Sea. While the Eygptians are fastly approaching, the people are grumbling, complaining and blaming Moses for their situation. Moses patiently gives them instruction to, "Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." (Exodus 14: 13-14). God then gives HIS instruction to them in verse 15 - "GET MOVING!! I have great things to show you and your enemies, and you are standing around complaining! This is not the time to stop and have a holy huddle. IF you don't get going, you're going to mess up my plan!" (my paraphrase)

Prayer must have a vital part in our lives, but there is also time for action. Sometimes we know what to do, but we pray for more guidance as an excuse to postpone doing it. If we know what we should do, then get moving!

F - fights for. In 14:23-25, the Egyptians are pursuing the Israelites when God brings great chaos and confusion among them. "...and the Egpytians said, "Let's get away from the Israelites! The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt."

God had a plan and was going to fulfill it whether the Israelites trusted and believed in Him or not. God has a plan for your life and He's not going to give up fighting for you to accomplish the purpose for which He created you.

God stated His plan several times within this passage - " But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord." (14:4, 17)

E - encourages us. If you know the rest of the story, you know that God causes the Red Sea to part and allows His people to safely cross over on dry ground. He also causes the waters to kill and destroy the Egyptian army. In verse 30, we see "that day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore."

Sometimes in order to encourage us, God allows us to see our enemies; our past; destroyed in hopes that it will increase our faith and trust in Him.

Verse 31, "And when the Israelites saw the great work/power the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, they feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.”

What is chasing you from your past? God wants to lead, instruct, fight for and encourage your life today. What kind of miracle is it going to take for you to see the great power of God and to trust Him with your life? Ponder that today! Are you holding on to something that needs to be left behind? Like the Israelites, are you thinking your life would be better off "back there in Egypt"? Don't let a damaging hurt, a distracting habit or a debilitating hang-up keep you from enjoying the freedom that leaving the past behind can bring and allowing God to let you see your enemies destroyed.

Online Class: Make sure you comment on the articles you read this week: Why the Ten Commandments are Un-Amercian and Do the Ten Commandments Cover All the Bases?

God is the Creator of All Beginnings

2010-10-31T16:30:00.002-04:00

I am thankful for new beginnings. I look forward to the New Year each January. Not for the cold weather, but for a chance to clean out the clutter in my life (and closets), that has accumulated over the past year. As Paul says in Philippians 3:13 – “…Forgetting what is behind and pressing toward what is ahead.” – I am grateful for what the New Year brings. We need that fresh start every once in awhile to help us refocus on what's important and what can go!

God is all about new beginnings as well. Take a look at what Lamentations 3:22-24 says about His compassions (love) for us – “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are NEW every morning; great is your faithfulness! I say to myself, The Lord is my portion, therefore I will wait for him.” Isn’t it exciting to know we can have a clean slate every morning; a fresh start to every day? Make sure you take advantage of His compassions and thank Him for this privilege.

Genesis means: beginning or origin of: the world, human history, family, a nation, civilization and salvation. As the book of beginnings, Genesis sets the stage for the entire Bible. It reveals:
· the person and nature of God. (Creator, Sustainer, Judge, Redeemer)
· the value and dignity of human beings. (made in God’s image, saved by grace, used by God)
· the tragedy and consequences of sin. (the fall, separation from God, judgment)
· the promise and assurance of salvation. (covenant, forgiveness, promised Messiah)

A blueprint for beginnings in the first book of the Bible would look like:

The Beginning of Life – Genesis 1:1 - 2:3 (Creation)
The Beginning of Man – Genesis 2:4 - 5:32 (Adam, Eve and their family)
The New Beginning – Genesis 6:1 – 11:32 (Noah and the flood)
The Beginning of a Great Nation – Genesis 12:1 – 25:18 (Abraham and Sarah)
The Beginning of Family – Genesis 25:19 – 36:43 (Isaac, Jacob, Esau)
The New Beginning for a Family – Genesis 37:1 – 50:26 (Jacob, Joseph and his brothers)

What needs a new beginning in your life? Is it your relationship with God? Join our online Bible study, it's guaranteed to give your spiritual life the new beginning it needs. www.pathfinderministries.org/study.html Has the hurt and pain from unforgiveness affected your relationship with others in your life? Are you holding on to the guilt and shame from your past that you just can't forgive yourself for?

God wants to heal all these areas of your life and give you a new beginning. Remember that His love never fails and His mercies are NEW every morning! There’s no limit to His faithfulness…You can’t use it up! Go to Him and tell Him your hurts. He may already know, but He wants to hear you acknowledge what you’re feeling. He wants to know you are ready to move on; to start over. First John 1:9 assures us that “If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – which means He wipes the slate clean; He allows us to begin anew.

Are you ready for a new beginning? Ask God-the Creator of all beginnings-to provide you with the hope and grace only He can give and make sure to take advantage of His new mercies EVERY day!

Online Class: Like Abraham, we must learn the importance of obedience to God. Share with us what obedience looks like in your own life. Also, how are others affected by your disobedience? Thanks for sharing...you'll never know what an encouragement you are to others!

Do you read or heed God's Word?

2010-10-24T15:35:00.009-04:00

Is there a difference between reading the Bible and studying the Bible? Do you consider yourself one who reads the Bible for facts and information or in order to gain wisdom and understanding of God's Word and how you can apply it to your life? As we prepare for our journey through the Bible, one book at a time, I thought it would be good to recognize what the purpose of studying the Bible really is.

The first step in preparing to study the Bible should always be prayer. Asking the Holy Spirit to guide and guard your heart and mind is essential. Remember, the Enemy will try to distract and disrupt your study time with God every chance he gets.

Based on Psalm 25:4-5, we see three components of what we are to study the Bible for: "Show me your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Guide me in your truths and teach me, for you are God my Savior and my hope is in you all day long."

1) David is asking God to "show me your ways." In order to be shown something, we have to look at it. We have to be willing to see what God's ways are and want to follow them. If we're not studying His Word, we will never know what to look for. Whose ways have you been following? Yours, God's or the Enemy's? Do you know how to tell the difference between the three?

2) David also asks God to "teach me your paths." In order to be taught, we must be willing to learn what God's Word means. This requires some work and effort. This is the part of Bible study that people want to skip over because learning takes too much time. They would rather read or listen to what someone else tells them it means, then to find out for themselves. Are you teachable? Do you desire to learn God's paths or are you content with living your life following your own or better yet, someone elses path?

3) David continues to ask God to "guide me in your truth." In order to be guided, we must be willing to listen to instruction and follow what it says. Are you dependent on a GPS to guide you to your desired destination? Do you listen intently to and faithfully follow the instructions on where to turn, which direction to go and when to re-route your course, if necessary? Then you are willing to be guided. Are you just as willing to listen to God's truth and instructions from His Word and be guided in the direction He wants you to go? Or do you prefer to map out your own course and be your own guide?

4) Finally, David acknowledges God for who He is, "you are God my Savior" and confirms that "my hope is in you all day long." In other words, David is willing to lean on God for all his needs. He's willing to surrender control of his life. Knowing that his hope is in God and His Word, David can continue to grow in wisdom and understanding. In taking this action of surrender, he will be better able to understand God's ways, follow His paths and be guided by His truth.

Where are you today? Are you just interested in learning the facts about the Bible or are you wanting to know, understand and apply what it says to your life personally? If so, I encourage you to join our online study, Know the Bible. I know this is the desire of over 70 women who have signed up for this study! I am so excited to see what God is going to show us, how He's going to teach us and where He's going to guide us over the next year.

Online Class: Don't forget to post your verse(s) this week.

Top Ten Reasons for Personal Bible Study

2010-10-17T17:31:00.003-04:00

As we begin our new study, Know the Bible, we want to start by looking at why we need to have a personal Bible study time. From the following list, keep track of how many of the benefits you are personally experiencing in your life today?

1) To settle the issue of our own salvation. Many believers struggle with assurance of salvation. Knowing that our salvation is God's number one purpose for sending His Son to die for our sins, I think He wants us to be secure in this area. If you are unsure, I suggest you read the book of I John "so that you can know you have eternal life" (I John 5:13).

2) To grow spiritually. Are you still a baby Christian living off the milk when you should be eating the meat of the Word? Just as our physical bodies need food to survive, our souls need the spiritual food of the Bible. What is your "spiritual age"?

3) To receive personal blessing and encouragement. Meditating on God's promises encourage us to persevere in our own Christian life with comfort and hope. What promises are you clinging to today? Do you even know His promises?

4) To receive personal guidance. Many times the Bible addresses our specific situation and other times it doesn't. Through studying the Bible, we learn what the will of God is and experience His direction. Do your personal decisions contradict or line up with the Scriptures?

5) To defend ourselves against the devil. When we read about the Armor of God in Ephesians 6, we see that the Bible, the Sword of the Spirit, is our only weapon! When we know God's Word and apply it to our lives, we will be able to overcome the devil's temptations. What are you using as your defense in your spiritual battle?

6) To effectively teach God's truth to the next generation. Deuteronomy 6:7 tells us that we are to diligently teach the next generation the things/truths of God. If we don't know what those truths are, how will the next generation know? We can't just assume they will learn them on their own.

7) To be able to counsel others. God wants to use us to provide knowledge about what He has said in His Word to others. "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another" (Colossians 3:16). Are you able to give people godly advice and back it up with God's Words when they come to you for counsel?

8) To be ready to speak with unbelievers about Christ. Peter advises that we are to "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. (I Peter 3:15). We need to be ready; not with a sermon or a lecture, but with humility and respect, to give the reason why are hope is in God. Do you know what you will say when asked?

9) To verify that the teaching of others is the truth of God. A group of early Christians "searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things (that Paul was teaching) were so" (Acts 17:11). There were false teachers, distorting the Truth, even in Bible times. Our world is full of "men/women of God" teaching things that are not from God's Word. Are you easily swayed to follow a teacher/preacher because they have a message that sounds good? Do you know God's Word well enough to identify the lies?

10) To present ourselves approved to God. Learning God's truth involves the work of studying. "Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). We are God's workmanship and our Foreman has the right to examine us and our work. God's Word does just that. It shows us areas of our life that need to be challenged, corrected and changed, so that one day we will stand before Him and hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant. (Matthew 25:21). Are you ready for your examination?
*Information taken from How to Study the Bible. Robert West (2007) Barbour Publishing.

There you have it. The top ten reasons why we need a personal Bible study. How many were you able to say you are experiencing today? Alot? A few? None? Either way, we can continue to learn, grow and prepare ourselves by studying God's Word. How? If you have not signed up for our free, online class, why not do it today? You will receive lessons to work on during the week, encouragement and support from other women doing the same study you are, an opportunity to share prayer requests and much more. For more information, visit http://www.pathfinderministries.org/study.html

ONLINE CLASS: What is your word for the year? I am anxious to hear what God has shown you that He wants you to focus on.

Developing Self-Control

2010-10-04T08:15:00.003-04:00

We've come to the final fruit of the Spirit:: self-control. Any wonder the list begins with love and ends with self-control? Personally I think, out of all nine, they are the most difficult part of the fruit to exhibit! As we have been learning, God is continuing to develop this fruit in our life and wants to make it a part of our character, so that our character will reflect the character of His Son, Jesus.

We all know what self-control, or the lack of it, looks like! Proverbs 25:28 describes it as: "Like a city whose walls are broken down, is a man who lacks self-control." When we have "lost it" and our walls are broken down, we are vulnerable to attacks from our Enemy. We have lost our security and protection. We cannot afford to be defenseless and open to temptations because of our lack of self-control.

Let's look at three verses from I Peter that remind us of the importance of being self-controlled.

1) I Peter 1:13 - "... prepare your minds for action, be self-controlled ...." We must be prepared for action; for battle against the Enemy. We must not allow our unreliable feelings and our unpredictable thoughts to interfere with our actions. We must be self-controlled in our thinking.

2) I Peter 4:7 - "The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear-minded and self-controlled so that you can pray." Have you ever tried to pray when your mind is full of "stuff"? All the stuff you have to do, the things that people have said, your worries and concerns, etc. Peter is pointing out that in order to be self-controlled and able to pray, we must be clear-minded. When does it seem that the Enemy strikes the easiest? When our mind is scattered and focused on the "stuff" of our life. Don't let this lack of self-control lead to an inability to pray!

3) I Peter 5: 8 - "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." When we lack self-control, we are not alert to our surroundings. We are focused on ourselves and satisfying our own desires....Watch Out! When our "walls are broken" and we are unprotected is when the Enemy will attack. We must be alert. We must realize that Satan is on the prowl. He's not sleeping in a corner somewhere, he is watching and waiting for our most vulnerable time to pounce on us and if we're not in control and alert, we will fall prey. Also notice, he doesn't just want to scare us or nip at our heels, his plan is to devour us! Destroy us! Defeat us! Depress us! Whatever it takes to make us uneffective for God's purposes. Don't be caught off guard.

My challenge for you today is to check "your walls." Are they broken down by lack of self-control in your life? Is your mind clear from distractions so that you are prepared for action and can pray? How alert are you to the Enemy's schemes? When we lack self-control, we lack focus on our surroundings.

The secret to self-control is Christ's control. If you have not done so yet, I'd encourage you to simply ask Him to take control of your life right now. You don't need to do this all on your own. Then, as you face temptations that are too strong for you to resist, remember that He is with you and you can turn them over to Him.

Remember, God provides the power to change your life!

A Gentle Approach

2010-09-27T08:16:00.003-04:00

Everyone wants friends. Everyone needs friends. It is a medical fact that people who have friends live longer. So how do we get friends? Proverbs 18:24 says, "A man who has friends must himself be friendly." In other words, if you want to be liked by others, it helps if you are likable. And one of the most likable qualities is what the Bible calls "gentleness." Gentleness does not mean weak or wimpy. Its literal definition is, "strength under control."

Today, let's look at a couple verses in James that shows this "strength under control" and see if in fact it would aid in making and keeping friends. In James 1:19-20, we are instructed to "...take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires." If we could just grasp this truth and put it into practice in our own lives, our relationships would flourish beyond recognition. Let's break it down...

1) Quick to listen: How well do you listen? Better yet, how well do you hear? There is a difference. In our effort to multi-task, many of us only listen with one ear, while the rest of our attention is focused on something or someone else. How frustrating this is for the one speaking! Being quick to listen involves giving our complete attention. It may not be what we want to hear at the time, (i.e. someone disagreeing with us or correcting us), but none the less, we need to show respect for what they are saying. A good way to prove you really heard them, is to repeat back what you understood them to have said. A true friend listens and hears!

2) Slow to speak: What if what you have heard really upsets you? What if you totally disagree and can't believe a friend would say such a thing? You need to defend yourself and prove you are right, and right NOW. How much unnecessary hurt and damaged relationships could have been avoided if we had just waited to respond? There's a reason this verse specifically tells us to be slow to speak, God knows what the results can look like when we respond out of emotion. Remember, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (Proverbs 15:1)...which leads us to number three.

3) Slow to become angry: It's said that if you get #1 and #2 under control, #3 will come naturally. Do you agree? Maybe you have heard something that upsets you, but if you take a step back and not respond immediately, you will find that your anger lessens. You find that you don't have to go back and apologize for something hurtful you said. You find that "strength under control" and can deal with the person/issue in a more productive way. You become an actor, not a reactor. A reactor only tends to leave a mess of hurt and regret in its path, destroying relationships along the way.

4) For man's anger does not bring about the righteous life God desires: I don't think anyone would disagree that steps 1-3 are what God desires for us. Jesus himself is our example of someone who was quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry. We know that anger in itself is not sin, but it's what we do when we're angry that can lead there. Proverbs 16:32 tells us that "Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city." Patience in God's eyes is powerful, anger is not. An angry person does not please God, nor do they attract alot of friends!

As we continue to allow God to produce the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) in our life, we can know that we'll be tested. Purpose today to put these steps into action, asking God for "strength under control" as you are quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, knowing that THIS will bring about the righteous life God desires.

Can You Be Counted On?

2010-09-20T08:20:00.002-04:00

How important is faithfulness? It must be very important to God, as it is one of the fruit of the Spirit He wants us to develop and grow in our life (Galatians 5:22). It is a characteristic of God that others should see in our lives. Psalm 33:4 - "For the word of the Lord is right and true, he is faithful in all he does." Can you subsitute your name in that verse and it be an accurate statement?

What does it mean to be faithful? It means to be reliable, trustworthy, dependable and consistent. When a friend speaks of you, does she use the words trustworthy and dependable to describe you? When an employer gives you a review, do they commend you for your reliability? When your children look at you, do they see someone who is consistent in their walk and talk?

How would God describe you in this area? Have you broken any promises to Him lately? (ouch!) Have you thought about using the talents He's blessed you with for ministry, but still haven't gotten around to it yet? Are you wasting the time He's given you by living with regret over the past or being consumed with worry about the future? Are you too focused on yourself that you don't see where you could be investing in others? Are you uncommitted to a body of believers because you're still looking for the perfect church? These are some things to ponder when it comes to evaluating our faithfulness!

King Solomon asks in Proverbs 20:6, "...but a faithful man who can find?" Faithfulness is a rare quality. In our instant gratification and immediate action world, sticking with something for the long haul is seen as unnecessary sometimes. If something doesn't work, we throw it away and buy a new one. If a relationship doesn't work, we walk away and find a new one. If a job doesn't work, we quit and look for another one. If God doesn't do what we expect, we give up on Him look for something else to "worship" (ourselves, money, posessions, beauty, career, others, etc.)

Faithfulness - God's and man's - is shown throughout the Bible. I would challenge you to do a word search and see how many verses talk about this fruit of the Spirit. With the power of the Spirit, we can be faithful women of God. We can be "found". We can be described as someone who is reliable, trustworthy, dependable and consistent.

Remember, when we face God in heaven, we will not be rewarded for our abilities, knowledge or good intentions, but for our faithfulness. God has left us in charge of His business here on earth and one day will return ~ will He find YOU faithful? Will He be able to say to you, "Well done my good and faithful servant...come and share your master's happiness." (Matthew 25:21)

Living the Good Life....

2010-09-12T20:39:00.005-04:00

Have you noticed that the world's definition of the "good life" hinges on temporary things? The world says we should be happy and enjoying life if we're 1) looking good 2) feeling good and 3) having goods. So what happens when we have a bad hair day, a depressing and frustrating day and our goods break or go out of style? Are we no longer able to live the good life? The Bible says the Christian life should be filled with goodness, not goods. Goodness means "fulfilling a purpose."

Ever wonder why God's reaction to His creation in Genesis 1 was "...and God saw that it was good"? Based on the definition of goodness, we can believe that God was pleased that His creation was fulfilling the purpose for which it was created. He looked around and saw that things were going according to His plan and He liked what He saw! Ephesians 2:10 tells us that "We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." When we are fulfilling our purpose and developing goodness in our lives, God is pleased with His creation. Remember, we are not saved by our good works, we are saved to do good works!

When it comes to doing good works, we don't have to look far to realize that people are not naturally good! Despite what the humanistic teachings want us to believe, we are not born instinctively good. According to Titus 3:14, we must "learn to do what is good." Here are five things we must learn to do in order to live the good life - one that fulfills our purpose and pleases God:

1) Master the Bible by becoming a student of God's Word. 2 Timothy 3:16 reminds us that God's Word equips us to do good works. If we want to please God and fulfill our purpose, we must know His Word!

2) Guard your mind - learn to control your thought life. Sin always starts in the mind so we must watch what we put into our mind via our eyes and ears.

3) Develop conviction - know what you stand for and why. An opinion is something you hold. A conviction is something that holds you. Many people have opinions, but few would be willing to suffer or even die for their convictions.

4) Muster the courage to be different - you don't have to "go along" to get along! Third John 11 says "Do not imitate/follow what is evil but what is good."

5) Meet with other believers. Jesus' prayer for His disciples in John 17:15 applies to us as well. He prays that God will protect us from evil. One of the most powerful means He uses to insulate us is the body of believers. We can't learn goodness through isolatation or imitation.

Did you notice that all these steps take an effort on our part? We must master, guard, develop, muster and meet in order to learn to do good. Be encouraged by Galatians 6:9 - "Let us not grow weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."

Go out and make it a GOOD day regardless of how you look, feel or what you have! If you are fulfilling God's purpose and learning to do the good works He created you to do, than nothing the world can offer will ever replace the goodness in your life.

2010-09-06T10:29:00.002-04:00

Here's 5 Ways to be Happier at Work by guest, Valorie Burton

Dear Friend,

Since we're celebrating Labor Day this week, I thought it would be the perfect time to talk about how to boost your happiness level at work. Maybe you're not one of those people who jump out of bed excited about getting to work. And if you don't love your current job, it's possible you never will be. But you can be happier while you're there. And wouldn't that be worth the effort? As the saying goes, "If you can't be in the job you love, then love the job you're in."

There are many reasons work can be less than appealing - you don't like it, you don't like your boss, your coworkers are negative or maybe you just feel unappreciated or undercompensated. Perhaps you'd rather be home with your children. Whatever the reason, forget about that for a minute - it is what it is. Instead, focus on some of the simple things you can do to make your work experience a happier one. If you do, research shows that the new-found positive emotion will help you deal better with your stress and even make you healthier.

These five tools can empower you to be happier at work:
1. Gratitude - On a daily basis, choose to find something in your work to be grateful for. Ask yourself at the end of the day, "What was the best thing that happened today?" or "Who or what am I grateful for at work today?"
2. Empathy - Employees who are empathetic are better with customers and their fellow co-workers. You don't have to make excuses for others' bad behavior or frustrations, but you can attempt to put yourself in their shoes so that you can better understand where they are coming from. When you do so, you are less likely to take their limitations or negativity personally. You realize that what they do - whether good or bad - is a reflection of them, not you.
3. Connection - According to Gallup, who has conducted employee engagement surveys that include the question "Do you have a best friend at work?", companies with a substantial number of employees who answer "yes" have reported better employee performance, fewer hazardous accidents, greater productivity, reduced employee theft and retail customers who report a more enjoyable shopping experience. Find ways to connect with your co-workers. It will enrich your everyday work life.
4. Strengths - You have strengths - innate abilities, talents, passion - that are unique to you. When you use your strengths at work, you are more fulfilled and engaged in what you are doing.
5. Engagement - We are engaged when we're "in flow." That simply means that you are doing something in which your abilities match the challenge before you. When the challenge falls below your abilities, you become bored. When the challenge exceeds your current abilities, you get frustrated and may even give up. If you're not being challenged enough, seek out opportunities that will raise the bar - talk to your boss, volunteer for new assignments, and go the extra mile on the projects already on your plate. If the challenge is more than you're equipped to handle right now, ask yourself, "How could I improve my skills?" Then seek the training or find someone who can show you the way.

Being happier at work is a choice. It's all about being intentional by finding ways to make the most of the job you have!

Waiting is Not Wasting Time!

2010-08-30T07:24:00.004-04:00

Remember......God produces the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22) in us by allowing us to encounter situations and people with characteristics that are exactly the opposite of the fruit of the Spirit! So far we've looked at the love, joy, peace and today, patience.

Patience is a virtue that carries alot of wait! Patience is the ability to let your light shine after your fuse has been blown! If God puts you on hold, don't hang up!

We all know what we need to do and be in order to show others patience....1) We should look at people and situations from God's perspective. He sees us as human, which means no one is perfect! 2) We need to develop a good sense of humor. Sometimes the only thing we can do is laugh. Humor is a great stress-disolver! "A cheerful heart is good medicine." (Proverbs 17:22) and 3) We need to deepen our love for others. Ephesians 4:2 says it best..."Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."

These three tips have dealt with people and situations that test our patience, but today I want us to look at how we handle our impatience with God. Let's be honest..many times we question why we have to wait for God to answer a prayer, perform a miracle or point us in the right direction. We wonder what good can come from waiting. What is the point of waiting when there is so much to do for God, but so little time. One answer could be that, while we worry about how fast we grow, God is concerned about how strong we grow!

As we have been learning with the fruit of the Spirit, they are God's desire for us to have in our life and they are a representation of Christ's character. Does this character develop overnight? Not usually. God's plan is to mold and shape us little by little until we are fully prepared for His assignment - and that may take time, lots of time for some of us! One of life's frustrations is that God's timetable is rarely the same as our own. The Bible is full of examples of how God used a long process to develop character. Abraham and Sarah. Noah. Moses. David. Joseph. The Bible is a book about waiting!

So what do you and I do during our waiting time? I can tell you what not to do ~ nothing! Waiting is not a time to waste. In the book of Psalms, David tells us several things we are to be doing (and I believe he knew something about waiting and character development!) In 27:14, he tells us to "Wait for the Lord, be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." 37:7, "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret..." 37:34a, "Wait for the Lord and keep his ways..." 46:10, "Be still and know that I am God..." 130:5, "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his Word do I put my hope."

Waiting is not something we enjoy doing; but we can make the most of our time by learning about God by being still, developing our character by obedience, building our confidence while staying strong and strengthening our dependence on him by not fretting. As women, we often fall into the trap of thinking if we're not doing something, we must be wasting time. I hope these verses confirm the importance and desire God has for you to wait for Him. He can't speak to you or get your attention when your life is too busy, too loud, too distracted and too rushed.

What is God having you wait for today? Don't look at it as a denial to your requests. God's delays are never His denials. They are just another method He uses to continue to mold and shape us into women He can use for His purposes! Remember, if God puts you on hold, don't hang up!!

Peaceful Living in an Uptight World

2010-08-23T08:17:00.002-04:00

Can you imagine your life without tension? Is peace of mind really attainable? What or who causes you the most stress? Everyone wants peace in their life. When my kids ask me what I want for Christmas, I always answer "World Peace" ~ taken from one of my favorite Sandra Bullock movies. When we look to the world for peace, we don't see a great track record of success. So where should we turn to find it?

The Bible tells us about 3 kinds of peace we should and can possess:
1) Spiritual Peace = peace with God. This is the foundation of peace and there's only one way to get it - through faith in Christ Jesus. (John 14:6)
2) Emotional Peace = the peace of God. Colossians 3:15 instructs us to let the "peace of Christ rule in our hearts." This peace is described as an internal sense of well-being and order. Isn't that what we all desire?
3) Relational Peace = peace with others. People are our greatest source of stress sometimes and God understands that! He encourages us in Romans 12:18 that "...whenever it is possible, live at peace with everyone."

Is it possible to live a peaceful life in an uptight world? Yes, but it requires us to change our focus. One thing we learned from God's Power to Change Your Life is that we must focus on God's presence. Isaiah 26:3 tells us that God "will keep in perfect peace him who mind is steadfast because he trusts in you." What does steadfast mean? It means that we are focused, concentrated, not disturbed, holding firm to something or someone. Is that how your focus is on God's presence? Or is it scattered, confused, wavering back and forth?

Think about times when you experience the most stress? Where is your focus? Is it on the person you are struggling to have a peaceful relationship with? Is it when you're trying to control a situation that is clearly out of your control, but you won't admit it? Is it on the circumstances surrounding you at that moment or fear of possible upcoming problems (aka-worry)?

I want to challenge you today to look at stress as a positive thing from God! Yes, stress can serve as a gift from God to warn us that our focus is off Him and on someone/something else. Someone else who has no control to change the situation. Something else that you're trying to figure out how to control. Again, it's a choice we make. Are we going to focus on God or our circumstances?

Fill in the blank "My life would be more peaceful if_______________." Now give it to God, turn your focus away from the situation and onto Him.

Remember, peace is not a trouble-free life, it's a sense of calm in the midst of life's storms!

The Choice to Rejoice

2010-08-16T08:38:00.005-04:00

Is it possible to stay positive in a negative world? Is there such a thing as "true" happiness? Why are some people more joyful than others? Where does joy come from?

As we look at the next fruit of the Spirit - joy - we must make sure we understand its meaning. Joy is an inside job and does not depend on circumstances. Happiness depends on happenings. Joy is an attitude; a choice. Happiness comes and goes.

Paul tells us in Romans 5: 2b, that we can rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. It's been said that a person can live forty days without food, three days without water, eight minutes without air, by not one minute without hope! Many people have hope, but they are not basing it on anything solid. Many people base it on the wrong things: the stock market, good looks, a big salary, a nice job, a good family with obedient children, etc. BUT all these things are temporary and can be taken away in a heartbeat. When they disappear, so does hope. And joy is impossible without hope.

Where does hope come from and how do we get it? First, because of our faith in Christ, we can see that no situation is hopeless. Romans 5:2..."Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege..and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing in God's glory." (NLT) Second, we can see that God has a purpose in every situation. Romans 5:3-4...."We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance and endurance develops character and character strengthens our confident hope..." (NLT). Third, we can know that God is always with us, no matter where we are or what we're facing. Romans 5:11.."So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends with God!" (NLT)

So what are you putting your hope in? What happenings are you going to base your happiness on today? If you really want to understand joy, I encourage you to read the book of Philippians. Nineteen times in this short letter, Paul talks about rejoicing and having joy - and he was in a nasty, dirty, rat-infested, no cable tv or workout facility prison when he wrote this book!!

No matter what your day brings, make the choice to rejoice and cling to Nehemiah's words ..... "This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the JOY of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10)

Becoming a More Loving Person

2010-08-09T08:18:00.003-04:00

"A new command I (Jesus) give you, love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another" (John 13:34)

Today's Truth - God produces the fruit of the Spirit in us by allowing us to encounter situations and people with characteristics that are the exact opposite of the fruit of the Spirit!

As we continue our quest to change by God's power, loving the unlovable sometimes takes a supernatural power! God's Word gives us 5 steps to follow - not always easy ones - but effective if we make the choice to put them to the test!

1) We must feel and understand how deeply God loves us. Ephesians 3:17 - "that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power...to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ." God showed His love for us by sending His Son to die for our sins (John 3:16) while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8). Can you understand that love today?

2) We must forgive those who have hurt us. "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." Colossians 3:13. Anytime you resent someone, you give them a piece of your heart, your attention, your mind, your energy, your ability to love, etc. Can you afford to give all this away?

3) We must think loving thoughts. "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as Christ Jesus." Philippians 2:4-5. Hurting people hurt people. If instead of thinking about a person's faults and we begin to think about their needs, it will change the way we see them, which will change the way we feel about them, which will change the way we act toward them. Try it and see!

4) Act in a loving way. Have I lost you yet? These steps seem to grow in difficulty, but the reward of implementing them in your life far outweighs the discomfort. In Luke 6:27-28, Jesus commands (not suggests) that we: 1) love our enemies 2) do good to those who we don't like and vice versa 3) bless those who curse you and 4) pray for those who mistreat you. Does anyone come to mind? What one thing can you do today to act in a loving way toward the unlovable in your life?

5) Expect the best of even those you don't like. Probably the most difficult step yet! When we expect the best, we bring out the best. When we expect the worst, we get the worst from people. This is love by faith. And loving by faith is the greatest force in the world. Love is contagious and it changes people.

My challenge this week is to take a baby step toward loving the most unlovable person in your life ~ not in your own power, you know how far that will get you - BUT in God's power..."God has not given us the spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7

*Taken from God's Power to Change Your Life by Rick Warren

God's Power to Change Your Life

2010-08-02T09:36:00.006-04:00

Today's Truth - God's number one purpose in your life is to make you like Jesus Christ.

How are you responding to the circumstances in your life? With praise or pouting? With defeat or determination? With surrender or a stubborn spirit? Although we can't control all the things that happen in our life, we can control how we respond to them. We can control whether an experience or situation will make us bitter or better. What matters in life is not so much what happens to us but what happens in us!

Did you know that the source of our circumstances makes NO difference to God? Yes, we often bring problems on ourselves by wrong decisions and choices, bad judgement and sin. At other times our problems are caused by other people. Sometimes the devil causes thing to happen to us as he did to Job. But God says the source of the circumstance is irrelevant! He will use every situtation in your life to fit into His plan and to make you more like His Son, Jesus Christ.

So.... there is no circumstance in your life from which you can't learn from, if you just have the right attitude. Let's truly claim Romans 8:28 as the presence of God's power working in your life to change you for the better - even through the good, bad and ugly of circumstances. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

What are you holding onto that God wants to help with? He wants you to stop trying and start trusting Him with your problems! We spend so much time and energy trying to solve everything ourselves, in our own power, but to no avail.

"God whispers to us in our pleasure but He shouts to us in our pain." C.S. Lewis.

Is God shouting to you today?

2010-07-13T00:08:00.002-04:00

Starting August 2, weekly devotions will be posted every Monday. Follow along as we look at lessons from Rick Warren's book - God's Power to Change Your Life

If you don't already receive our devotion in your email box, sign up today so you don't miss a week!

See you soon :)
Tonia

Release the Offender

2010-06-16T08:33:00.002-04:00

If we are to truly experience forgiveness in our life, we must be willing to release the offender ~ easier said than done in some cases! If you can picture your unforgiveness as a tight hold you have on the other person; a firm grip that you want to cause pain or even a noose around their neck....there needs to be a conscious act of releasing.

The following is an excerpt from the book, How to Forgive When You Don't Feel Like It.....
To forgive means to release your resentment toward your offender. In the New Testament, the Greek verb aphiemi primarily means -"to send away, to forgive or release the penalty when someone wrongs you." This implies that you need to release your right to hear "I'm sorry," to release your right to be bitter, to release your right to get even. The Bible says, "Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody."(Romans 12:17)

To forgive is to release your rights regarding the offense. This means to release your right to dwell on this offense, to release your right to hold on to the offense, to release your right to keep bringing up the offense. The book of Proverbs says it well: "He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends." (Proverbs 17:9)

Is the act of releasing/forgiving just a one time thing? Jesus answered - "How often should I forgive someone who sins against me?....Not seven times, but seventy times seven!" (Matthew 18:21-22 NLT) You will know you have released your offender when you can think about them and it doesn't hurt anymore. When you can pray for God's blessing on their life. This may take years of daily releasing, depending on how deep the hurt is. Forgiving them does not mean you allow them to keep hurting you! It doesn't mean going back into an abusive or dangerous relationship. But it does mean that you must release those who have hurt you so you can be healed personally. Remember, you are doing this for your own sake, not for others!

I could ask you to list all the benefits (emotional, physical, spiritual) you have received from holding onto unforgiveness, but I don't think you'd have much to list. Release the grip you have on your offender(s) today and move on to a life of healing and freedom!

2010-06-08T08:39:00.002-04:00

The Blessings of Forgiveness by Marybeth Whalen

"For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." Matthew 6:14 (NIV)

I sat listening to my Bible study leader as she took us through our lesson in Genesis. I should have been paying attention but my thoughts kept drifting back to hurtful words and bad memories. It had been weeks since I had spoken to the person who had said those hurtful things, but the pain was still fresh.

I wanted to move on, but I didn't know how. I was caught and I could not get free. The hurt replayed in my mind over and over, a never ending film-loop of words and actions.

That day in Bible study we covered the story of Joseph. I will never forget as we got to the place where his brothers cowered in front of him after realizing who he was…and what they had done (Genesis 50:18). In that moment I will admit that in my humanness, I wanted Joseph to hurt them as much as he had been hurt. At the very least, I wanted him to turn them away as they deserved. Even though I knew the story, I still hoped for a different ending.

And yet, the ending went on just as it had before. Joseph offered his brothers—the brothers that had sold him as a slave—forgiveness. He reached out to them and restored them to a place they didn't deserve. He didn't do it because of them. He did it because of God. He knew what it meant to be forgiven, and he knew the power in extending forgiveness to someone else. I will never forget that moment when God spoke to my heart: "You need to forgive as Joseph forgave."

I will confess I didn't want to offer my forgiveness. God showed me that I was hanging onto my unforgiveness like a burlap security blanket. It was time to offer my forgiveness—not because the person had earned it or deserved it, but because God had asked me to forgive out of simple obedience to Him. Just as He had forgiven me. It was, He reminded me, the least I could do.

In my novel, The Mailbox, the main character Lindsey has several people she must forgive during the course of the story. She learns that there is freedom and peace that is released at the moment we forgive, which makes her eager to forgive even more. This happened to me as well. I heard once that unforgiveness is like eating poison while waiting for the other person to die. Better to walk in the freedom of simply doing what God has asked and let Him take care of the rest. God required me to sacrifice my pride in exchange for the blessing of peace in that relationship. It was definitely worth it and I would do it all over again.

Dear Lord, help me extend forgiveness to those who have hurt me, even when I don't feel that they deserve it. The truth is, I didn't deserve Your forgiveness. Thank You for forgiving me and please help me forgive others as freely as You do. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Application Steps:Is there someone you need to forgive? Spend time journaling about what's holding you back, then pray and ask God's help in extending forgiveness to that person.

Mark 11:25, "And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." (NIV)

Let It Go!

2010-06-04T19:36:00.003-04:00

Do you struggle with unforgiveness? Whether it's forgiving someone who has treated you wrong OR forgiving yourself for some offense you have committed. The subject has come up several times in the past few weeks and I recognize it as a nudge from God to talk about it with you!

Let's address the issue of unforgiveness first. I know some of you have been hurt in ways that would be considered "unforgive-able" by many. You have had things done to you that you had no control over. Regardless of how much time has passed, you are still carrying around a heavy load of guilt and shame. Some of you have been victims of verbal abuse and bare the scars of worthlessness. Some of you have been controlled and manipulated for so long that you feel helpless and have no voice. Others of you have had your hearts shattered so badly that you believe you will never be whole again. Still others may be holding on to the hurt from betrayal, back-stabbing, being blind-sided or back-handed.

How have you been dealing with the pain? Has it been working for you? Hanging on to anger, bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness only hurts you! Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping it will cause the person who hurt you pain. Our bodies were not created to digest this "poison" of unforgiveness. More importantly, our relationship with God cannot be broken because of unforgiveness. In the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:12) Jesus instructs us to pray - "forgive us our sins AS we have forgiven those who sin against us." Verses 14-15 are even more direct - "If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins." Consider the way The Message puts it - "You can't get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God's part." I don't know about you, but I want and need God to forgive my sins!

Maybe you've been holding on to this pain in private. Maybe no one knows you are harboring anger and unforgiveness against someone. You've been putting on a good show on the outside, but inside the "poison" is eating you alive. The first step to forgiveness is revealing the hurt. You can't get over the hurt until you admit the pain exists. Are you ready to be healed? Are you willing to let it go? Can you admit that your way of dealing with it isn't working? Do you want to be rid of the baggage you've been carrying around all these years? If you answered, YES...there's some work you'll need to do.

Homework: Over the next few days, think about the people you have not forgiven. (One way of knowing is that when you think about them/the situation, it still creates negative emotions in you - anger, resentment, fear, hatred, etc.) Now, 1) write down their name(s) and 2) what they did 3) describe the emotion you feel toward that person and 4) list the impact it had or continues to have on you. Put it in writing. Be specific (as painful as it may be). Be honest (God already knows the details, but He wants you to acknowledge them). Keep it private.

Recommended Reading - How to Forgive...When You Don't Feel Like It by June Hunt

Next time: How to release the offender - forever - and receive healing.

Are you up to the challenge?

2010-05-26T08:37:00.012-04:00

My friend and life coach, Kelly Thorne and her iBloom ministry, are offering an awesome 40~day, life changing journey entitled - i choose 2 love my life! Are you up to the challenge or are you settling for a life that you don't enjoy, only tolerate? Surviving but not succeeding? Living life but not loving it? "Just getting by" instead of "just can't wait"... I could go on :)

Each day you will receive a challenge and an opportunity to make a small change in your life that will reap enormous rewards! I dare you to complete all 40 days and NOT see an improvement in how you look at, live and love your life! Let me know what you think.

http://www.kickstartcart.com/app/?Clk=3725004

Perseverance > Character > Hope

2010-05-11T19:24:00.003-04:00

"....but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance produces character and character, hope. And hope does not dissapoint us..." ~Romans 5:3-5

In a lesson I taught recently, we learned that the Greek definition of the word perseverance means cheerful endurance! How cheerful are you in the midst of your latest suffering? James 1:2-3 tells us that we are to "consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance." Are you simply enduring your trial; counting the days until it will be over? Or are you able to honestly rejoice believing that God has a specific purpose for your suffering and you look forward to see what's on the other side?

That purpose is to build your character! God has given each one of us a dream to fulfill here on this earth, but many times He first needs to shape and mold us into women He can use. This shaping and molding may come in the form of tests, trials and tribulations. He wants to see how we respond and if our character has developed enough for our next assignment.

From Romans 5:4, we then see that character produces hope. Where would we be without hope? Hope is for today, not just some far off place in the future. But we must learn to hope in God and not our circumstances changing...read that again. We can't depend on others or ourselves to shorten our testing time. You must know that God is working in your life, through your circumstances -as ugly and unfair as they may seem to you! He hasn't forgotten about you.

So how would you grade yourself on the latest test God has given you? Very rarely do I teach a Bible lesson, that God doesn't use it to speak to me....loud and clear. I will admit that I am currently being tested in this area of perseverance and many days I merely endure and not cheerfully I might add! I must continually remind myself that this "suffering" is being used to develop and strengthen my character in preparation for my next assignment. I realize that it's up to God to decide, not me, as to how and when this test will come to an end. I cling to the hope of what this testing represents and know it will not dissapoint me.

What is God using to mold and shape you today? I'd love to hear your stories and encourage you along the way. I'll close with one of my favorite verses - "...let us throw off everything that hinders us (other people, circumstances, excuses, etc.) and the sin that so easily entangles (doubt, discouragement, self-pity, laziness, pride, etc.) and let us run with perseverance (cheerful endurance) the race marked out for us (God's dream). ~ Hebrews 12:1

2010-03-28T14:47:00.002-04:00

5 Ways to Move into Your New Season by Valorie Burton

"To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven." - Ecclesiastes 3:1

Dear Friend,
As we usher in spring, I feel led to ask you, "Is it time to usher in a new season in your life?" There are few things more frustrating that remaining stuck in the old when it's time to embrace something new. Sometimes the new thing is an inevitable change or transition, whether it was something you wanted or something that was thrust upon you. At other times, your new season is a goal you've been working towards, but now it's time to notice that the thing you wished for is here. You'll have to shift your thinking so you can enjoy the vision that has finally come to fruition. Whether your new season is related to your career, relationships, finances or health, consider these five ways to successfully step into a new phase of your life:
1. Say good-bye to the last season. In order to fully embrace what's new, mark your passage from one season into the next. If a child is about to head off to college, plan for a celebration to mark the milestone. If you are moving from one place to another, acknowledge it in a meaningful way. If you have lost someone or something important to you, grieve your loss so that you can eventually move forward in a healthy way.
2. Embrace the new season. Once you've said good-bye, say "hello" to what's new. Dive in. Consider the things you are able to do now that you couldn't before. If you're entering a difficult season, identify and embrace the help you will need to give you strength and perseverance. Acknowledge your challenges, but be sure to open your eyes and notice the blessings, too.
3. Ask, "What new habits do I need in this new season?" What worked in the last season, may not work in this new season. It's like using your old house key to try to open the door to your new home. What got you in the door there won't work here. Be flexible and adopt the new habits that will empower you to thrive in this new season.
4. Ask, "Who do I need to connect with in this new season?" Relationships matter. Don't go it alone. Reach out and connect with those who can help you and whom you can help. When facing a major change, it's your ability to connect with the right people that can make the difference between a smooth transition and a bumpy one.
5. Ask, "What vision am I moving towards in my new season?" Often a new season means a new identity in some way. Perhaps your role has changed, relationships have been severed, a job was lost or a move has put you in a totally new environment. You may have had a vision - and even achieved it - in the previous season of your life, but now it's time for something different. Your old vision may not work in this new place. What's your new vision now?

My challenge to you this week: Let go of the old. Take hold of the new!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2010-01-01T20:30:00.002-05:00

What's your THEME for 2010?
Betsy Ringer
www.iBloom.us

Instead of making a new year’s resolution, how about setting a THEME for 2010? Choose a theme that reflects your assignment for this particular time of your life.

Your THEME can be applied to many areas of your life and will allow some freedom for failure and the excitement of surprise.Your THEME is not random. It may be balancing out your previous year or it may be something you see God is leading you towards, or you might see a new direction emerging. For example, maybe 2009 was hectic and frazzled, so your THEME for 2010 might be Rest or Quiet. By focusing on Rest, you allow yourself to sit, to say “no” to a request, or go to bed earlier. Your health and spirit will be renewed and your life will be more fulfilling.

Maybe there is a need in your life for friends, better health or de-cluttering. Be positive and use words that will help you take action. For example, instead of having a theme of Making Friends, choose Be a Friend. That implies taking action that will most likely lead to connection with others.Some THEME ideas to get you thinking - Simplify, Adventuring, Health, Move my Body, Write, Surrender, Laughter, Paint, Savor the Moments, or Discover my Passion.

Take the following steps to identify a THEME for 2010:
Step 1• Picture your life being richer because of your attention to your theme• At the end of 2010, what will make you smile as you look back over the year?• What is your assignment for this particular time of your life?• Is there a way 2010 needs to be balanced?• Ask God to give you direction in selecting a theme.

Step 2• Write out several themes that seem to emerge from within. Give some thought to how they might be carried out in your day to day living. Is it a theme that can be realized in your ordinary routine as well as jump start you to try something new?

Step 3• Select your theme. Embrace it. Be excited about it. Write it on several cards and place them in strategic places to remind yourself about your 2010 THEME. For example, place THEME cards on your bathroom mirror, over your kitchen sink, on your computer, hanging from the rear view mirror in your car, and wherever else you look frequently.

Step 4• Give yourself permission to evaluate your theme quarterly. Is it still a good path for you? If not, change it. Or, recast the vision - how will it make your life better having allowed this theme to be carried out in your life?Yes, I have chosen my THEME. In 2009 it was Creativity. After having my creativity squished over the last couple of years, my soul was screaming for me to pay attention to this important area of my life. So I engaged in more photography, created photo books, developed new workshops, wrote articles and blogs, did some redecorating and tried lots of new recipes.

My THEME for 2010 is Harvest. God has been laying the groundwork with my training, skills and talents. I sense that this year God will provide a Harvest of products, speaking engagements, webinars, classes and books that will help bring a Harvest to women all over the world to live richer, fuller lives. I can’t wait to see how God unfolds this theme!

2009-12-04T19:18:00.002-05:00

For His Name's Sake
Mary Beth Whalen
Proverbs 31 Ministries

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake." Psalm 23:3b (NIV)

Dear Lord, please show me Your will for my life.
Dear Lord, please let me know what direction I should go.
Dear Lord, I only want what You want. I just wish I knew what that is.

Have you ever prayed a prayer that sounded something like these? If you are like me, the answer is yes. Today's verse offers powerful truth that I had missed in spite of reading it many times. How often I had prayed for God's guidance and direction—yet still wanted my own way. I broke the verse down into three parts to better grasp the wisdom it contained:

He guides me: As followers of God, we want Him to guide us. We only have to do it on our own for a little while to realize that we are inept in finding the right way. Many of us have come to God after making an unholy mess of our lives. We have fallen before Him and asked Him to show us a way out of the mess. We are grateful for His promises to be our Shepherd who lovingly guides His sheep. We begin to follow Him, grateful that someone else is lighting our way.

In paths of righteousness: If God is leading us, we can trust that He will only direct us in paths that are right in His eyes. If we are tempted to walk down a path that we don't have peace about or is contrary to His character and Word, then that is a red flag that the path is not the right one. We can trust that He won't lead us down the wrong path. We just have to keep seeking His direction through prayer, godly counsel and His Word.

For His name's sake: To me, the crux of this verse is contained in this phrase. Why does God guide us in paths of righteousness? For His name's sake. He wants the way we take to directly reflect on Him. To bring Him, not us, glory. To make His name famous. To make our lives a living witness of His goodness, so that others are brought to Him. For that reason, He will always direct us to make holy choices—not necessarily the easy choices or the fast choices. If we submit to Him, we will find that He guides us to make the best choices. Not because we are the best, but because He is.

This simple verse served as a huge wakeup call for me. As I sought God's will for some decisions I was making, I had made the answer all about me. I needed to be reminded that, always, always, always, it needs to be about Him. My prayers were changed from "What should I do?" (a very me-centered prayer) to "What will bring You glory?" I had to shift my perspective from my humanness to His holiness. He will certainly direct me where I need to go. But I need to remember the reason as I seek that direction.

Dear Lord, my prayer today is reflected in this verse from Your Word: Please guide me in paths of righteousness for Your Name's sake. I want my life to reflect Your glory. I trust You to make that happen as you guide me in ways that are right in Your eyes. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

5 Steps to Live Your Passion

2009-10-05T08:27:00.001-04:00

by Life Coach Valorie Burton - www.valorieburton.com

Friend,

Are you living your passion? Or do you long for more fun, deeper relationships and a more meaningful career? There are a few ingredients in every passionate life - and they answer five simple questions:

1. What impact do you want to make? A life of passion is a life of purpose. And purpose is about you using your gifts, talents, passion and experiences to make an impact on the world around you. So ask yourself, "How is someone's life better because they cross my path?" Your answer is your purpose. Start living it every day - through small gestures and major decisions. Let your purpose guide you to the life you are meant to live.

2. What matters most to you? Living with passion means doing what matters. Whether it's spending time with the people you love, eating well, enjoying your favorite hobby, or pursuing your dream, get clear about what matters. Then make sure your everyday life mirrors those priorities.

3. What do you love? Passion is the energy and vibrancy you bring to everything you do. That energy is automatic when it's something you love. Identify the things that bring you joy and incorporate them into your life on a daily basis - no excuses. Stop for 60 seconds and write a list. Then schedule the items on your list on your calendar.

4. What fear do you need to conquer? Passionate people don't have less fear than everyone else. They just don't let it keep them from following their passion. Expect to feel fear when it's time to step out of your comfort zone, then keep stepping! If you wait for the fear to subside, you'll be waiting a mighty long time. Living with passion means choosing courage over fear.

5. What do I need to let go of? To make room for your purpose, priorities and the things that bring you joy, you'll need to start saying "no" more. Identify the things in your life that drain your energy and crowd out the things that truly matter. Then take action to let them go. There are activities that no longer serve you and grudges that need to be dropped. Whatever you need to let go of, let go - so passion and purpose can flourish.

Journaling Assignment:
In what way(s) do you want to have more passion in your life? What specific step(s) will you take towards a more passionate life? When will you take that step?

My Challenge to You This Week:
Make the CHOICE to live with passion. Start by incorporating one thing into your schedule this week that you love.

2009-09-08T17:25:00.005-04:00

Devotion by Kathy Butryn - http://www.theheartchangeplace.com/

Today's Scripture reading: Isaiah 30:15

This is a "fresh, hot-off-the-press-of-life" devotional this morning. Today, God taught me an old lesson (one I've learned before) in a new way.

The activities of the long weekend threw off the regular routine of my regular type of day. With the resolve to "get back on track," last night I rehearsed my morning activities in my mind.
1. Up early.
2. Devotional time and prayer first thing.
3. The rest of the day's activities to follow.

As I sat down in my "prayer chair" in my bedroom to have my well-intentioned devotional time, my eye caught sight of my computer on my desk. What then ensued was a "slit-second" struggle, leading to "split-second" choice. Part of me said, "No Kath, leave it alone for now. Enjoy this time with God first.
The other part of me said, "I'll have one quick look. Maybe someone needs me. Maybe an appointment I have today has been cancelled. Anyways, I should boot it up incase I need to refer to biblegateway.com during my devotional time.
I made my choice. I turned on my computer.

Within minutes, I was caught up in the affairs of my day...returning emails, making Facebook comments, writing a blog posting...even caught up in the details of some events happening in the near future that aren't necessarily my concern to be involved in. The next thing I knew, it was 10:30 am.

Now, to be sure, most of what I accomplished during that 2 hour period since sitting down to have my devotional time needed to be done--at some time--today. But here's the problem: I did them in the wrong order. How do I know that? Here's how I felt by 10:30 am...

drained of energy - I had run ahead of God and had not "acknowledged Him in all my ways" (Prov. 3:5)
a sense of unnecessary internal hurry, scurry, and urgency - my mind was on fast-forward with details, and the "stress-butterflies" in my stomach were flying around like crazy with no sign that they were going to stop soon
overwhelmed - I had added things to my already heavily scheduled week that I had not given adequate thought to
angry and frustrated - perceived and real...mainly at myself for having gotten into this hole so early in the day.

My choice had stolen my energy and focus. That's because when I do not intentionally place my eyes on Jesus at the beginning of the day, I quickly lose my way. I put everything down. It was time to realign. I needed strength. That's when Isaiah 30:15 came to my mind. I said it over and over again. "In quietness and trust is your strength." It doesn't say "in rushing around and getting on with the business of the day in your own way" or "in taking on all the problems of those around you" or "in thinking you are being efficient and effective with your time by hitting those emails first thing" is your strength. No. In quietness and trust is my strength. Quietness and trust doesn't just happen. It's as much of a choice for us to make as any other choice we make during the course of a day.

So I knew I had a choice to make...to turn off the computer, to sit quietly, and in utter completeness of surrender return the details of my day to Him and His guidance. It started by letting Him search my heart. It continued by repenting of my own ways. It will continue today by remaining in utter completeness of surrender.

That was my lesson for today--at least, so far! How about you? Do you have a realigning choice to make? Do you get yourself so involved in the affairs of the day that you forget where your source of strength comes from? Are you already going at such a high speed today that the hurry, scurry, and urgency of the day has taken over every corner of your mind, heart and soul? Has your energy and focus been zapped today? By what? Is it time right now for you to sit still and meditate on Isaiah 30:15?

Let's quiet our heart before Him. Let's choose to trust Him. Then He can do glorious things for and with our lives.
Have a sweet day!
To His Glory!!
kath

2009-08-31T16:03:00.001-04:00

God’s Purpose for You
By: Julie Clinton, M.A. http://www.ewomen.net

"The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands." Psalm 138:8 esv

Have you lost the focus in your life? Are you bogged down in the mundane and the routine? Are you bored and seeking excitement in the wrong places with the wrong people? Does your life seem to have no point or meaning?

Well, I’ve got some good news for you. Nothing is wasted with God. He uses every moment of every day and every day of every week, month and year in our lives to fulfill His purpose for us. Times that appear to us to be routine and boring could be times of rest or regrouping to ready us for things we cannot imagine. Times that are hurting and hectic may be training grounds for understanding what lies ahead. Times that are downright gleeful and filled with joy refresh and renew our lives and our love for the Lord. All that we do fits within God’s plan and purpose for our lives. No action is too small. No thought is too insignificant to be noticed and used by God for His good.

Delight in God’s love. Be reassured in His faithfulness to the thousands of generations that have come before us: His love endures forever and nothing can ever stop His almighty and wonderful plans for His people and for you!

Prayer
Dear Lord and Father. Thank You for being so loving and faithful to Your people for thousands of generations. Let me rest in the assurance that You will fulfill all that You have planned for my life. Amen

Bible Readings for the Week Ahead:
Monday: 2 Timothy 2:1
Tuesday: Ecclesiastes 3:1
Wednesday: 1 Kings 8:56
Thursday: 1 Corinthians 10:13
Friday: Ephesians 4:1-3
Saturday: 2 Peter 1:10-11
Sunday: 1 Peter 1:13

2009-08-24T08:35:00.004-04:00

No Longer.....

A - "We can trust Jesus to take us to places He knows are right for us." ~ Mike Breen

S - Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying "This is the way, walk in it." ~ Isaiah 30:21

A - As we wrap up this study on God's Path to Purpose, I want to end with what I think is the most exciting and enjoyable benefit of finding God's path and following it faithfully. It is that I no longer have to second guess everything I do. Hopefully you have developed a deeper love relationship with God so that when you hear His voice, you don't question His requests.

No longer wandering... You know the path you are to be on and Who you are to be following. Proverbs 17:24 - "A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth." Keep wisdom in view today. Don't let the glitz and glamour of the world capture your attention.

No longer wasting time and energy... doing activities and ministries that are not part of God's plan for you. This make decision making so much easier. Whenever I am approached to take on a new ministry or activity, I first go to God to get His direction before I respond (no, that has not always been the case!). Then He will have me evaluate if this new opportunity will put my gifts, personality and abilities to best use. Does it line up with my God-given purpose? If not, it may not be something I need to be involved with right now. My purpose is to minister to women and coach them along God's pathway for their unique assignment. I can say from experience, be careful not to jump on every bandwagon that crosses your path. You'll end up exhausted, frustrated and having wasted alot of precious time and energy. You must learn to discern His voice and approval before you move on.

No longer living a life without purpose... As you've seen several times throughout this study, finding and fulfilling God's path will lead to a meaningful and satisfying life. A life you can be proud of having lived and be able to say, as Jesus did, " I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do." ~ John 17:4

No longer wanting to fight God.... Somewhere along the journey with God, there may actually be times (of insanity) when you think you know a better way; an easier way to get the job done or perhaps refusing to do it all together. You end up fighting with God over who is right (like you have a chance) and you miss the pleasure and joy obeying God brings. I challenge you today to read the entire book of Jonah. Jonah is an example of someone who fought against God's plans and in the end, did not enjoy being used by Him. "Make God's will the focus of your life day by day. If you seek to please Him and Him alone, you will find yourself satisfied with life." ~ Kay Arthur

Let me end with this quote...."Fulfilling your unique role is the key to achieving personal satisfaction. When you are truly and fully living the life you were meant to live, you will have an abiding sense of both purpose and delight." ~Tom Paterson

P - Spend time today thanking God that you no longer have to wonder, wander, waste time, live a life without purpose and need to fight His plans. He will be pleased you did!

God bless you and your path to His purposes!
~Tonia

2009-08-22T13:08:00.005-04:00

Evidence

A - What kind of "fruit" is your life evident of?

S - For the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control... ~ Galatians 5:22-23

A - If you are fulfilling your God-given purpose, your life will be evident of it. People will see a difference in you and want to know what it's from. Jesus spent alot of His time teaching the disciples about the importance of what their lives should look like to others. "Love one another...by this all men will know that you are my disciples...." ~ John 13:35

Bearing "fruit" in your life is evidence of your spiritual condition! When you think of a person who has the Holy Spirit dwelling in them, what do you picture them to be like? Based on our verses for today...I think that sounds like an enjoyable woman to be around, don't you think? I want you to notice that these are not fruits of the Spirit, but one single fruit with many parts. They build off one another, with love being the foundation and working toward self-control. They are not for you to pick and choose which ones you want to produce in your life and which ones seem too difficult to "grow". They should be evident in a life controlled by the Holy Spirit. Are they in yours?

How do you produce this fruit? Does it just come natural? For some perhaps, but not for all of us! Some of us are stronger in the faithfulness and goodness category, while others' fruit is more evident by their love, patience, kindness, etc. According to John 15:1-8, Jesus is explaining why we need to stay connected to the True Vine (Himself) and what we (the Branches) will/will not produce from this relationship. Verse 5 ..."...If a man remains/abides (stays close in the relationship) in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." I encourage you to read all the verses (also Matthew 7: 15-20) to see how a person who does not bear fruit is described.

One final thought about the fruit that needs to be evident in your life. In John 15:16a, Jesus is reaffirming the importance of this truth: " You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit - fruit that will last..." What does "fruit that will last" look like to you? Is it evident in your life?

P - Thank God today for the ability you have to bear fruit for Him. Ask Him to show you areas where you may not be abiding in Him like you should and therefore your fruit is not as plentiful. Be ready - the Master Gardener may need to do some pruning - but in the end, the harvest will be bountiful and beautiful!

Next Time - No Longer....

Enjoying Your Purpose

2009-08-19T08:12:00.002-04:00

As we near the end of our journey together, I do hope you've considered this time well spent. I pray you have been able to see God and His plan more clearly. You know what it takes to Pursue, Understand, Respond, Prepare, manuever Obstacles and Share your unique purpose, so that your life here on earth will be a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable/pleasing to God (Romans 12:1). That your life will be spent allowing God to work in and through you to lead others to the saving knowledge of His Son. That your life, with all its ups and downs; pains and sorrows; good times and bad; victories and defeats; challenges and craziness - will utimately be lived for one purpose - to bring glory to God. So that one day you'll stand before Him and hear - "Well done, good and faithful servant. Come share in your master's happiness." ~Matthew 25:21

I realize some of you may still be waiting for God to reveal His vision and plan to you. You may feel He overlooked you when He was giving out assignments. Not the case! Remember, He uses all of us at different times, with different people, and in different ways. Don't give up on God - He hasn't given up on you! As you've learned, use this time to develop your love relationship with Him, your character and your patience :) Listen to your heart. God will use your passions to lead you where He wants you to go, when He wants you to go and what He wants you to do once you get there! Trust that He loves you and wants the very best for you.

So whether you are currently waiting for God to show you the next step along His path or you are actively fulfilling His plan and vision, this final section will look at how you are to be enjoying your purpose. That's the thrill of doing and being in God's will - you enjoy your life and the activities/ministries you're involved in. You see His hand at work around you and marvel at how He chose you to come along side Him to complete His purposes throughout the world.

Next time....Evidence

2009-08-15T13:39:00.003-04:00

Your Life Message

Last time I told you I would help give you 4 components of your Life Message that will make witnessing and sharing your faith easier. Let's get started:

1) Your Testimony: the story of how you began a relationship with Jesus. This is the essence of witnessing - simply sharing your unique, personal experiences regarding the Lord. We all love to hear stories we can relate to. Sharing your testimony will often allow a relationship to develop that God will use to bring someone to Himself. Of course this means you must have your testimony/life story prepared and ready to share when the time comes. I want to challenge you to write this out by answering the following questions: a) What was my life like before Jesus b) How did I realize I needed Jesus and c) The difference that a personal relationship with Jesus has made in my life. Everyone's story is different ~ and that's ok. If someone were to ask you these questions, would you be ready to respond?

2) Your Life Lessons: the important lessons God has taught you from experiences with Him. These are lessons and insights you have learned about God, relationships, problems, temptations and other aspects of life. How much do we learn from what we've gone through? Wouldn't you rather learn from the experiences of others? Thank goodness Solomon took the time and obeyed God when he wrote the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. If we would just learn from his wisdom, alot of frustration in life could be avoided. As you continue putting together your Life Message, write down important lessons you have learned about life that others can benefit from.

3) Your Godly Passions: the issues God shaped you to care about most. God is a passionate God and the closer you get to Him, the more passionate you will become as well. He will give you a passion for something He cares about deeply so He can work through you. Whatever it is, you will feel compelled to speak up about it and do what you can to make a difference. Others are watching and can see the things you are truly passionate about. They may even start asking questions!

4) The Good News: the mesage of God's salvation for all mankind. In order to make this a real urgency in your life, you must learn to love others as God loves them. This is a great way to wrap up this section of Sharing Your Purpose. As you are building relationships by loving, influencing, serving and joining others, God will provide the situations where you can share the ulimate purpose in life ~ telling others about His love; His death, burial and resurrection and how eternal life is meant and available to ALL who believe. (John 3:16)

People are looking for someone who is real - not just religious. They are watching to see if you live out what you believe, not just live with your beliefs. They don't want to hear about how much you care, they want to see how much you care.

Your life has an important message to share with others. God will bring people into your life and along your path who He wants you to share your life story, your life lessons, your passions and the hope you have because of what He has done for you!

"...Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have...." ~ I Peter 3:15

* Are you prepared?
* Do you know the answers?
* Do you know the reason for the hope you have?

Next Time....Enjoying Your Purpose

2009-08-11T19:24:00.002-04:00

Sharing Your Purpose by Witnessing to Others

A - "It is easy to get distracted; because Satan would rather have you do anything besides share your faith." ~ Rick Warren

S - He (God) is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." ~ 2 Peter 3:9

A - Please don't be scared off by today's devotion! Ask God to give you a burning desire to be a witness, both verbally and physically, to those who are lost and don't know Him. You don't need to give me all your excuses as to why you can't witness to others - mainly because I've thought of all of them myself! My hope is that after these devotions, you'll be more confident and secure and you will be looking for opportunities to share the good news of the Gospel.

As we come to the end of this section - do you remember what God's #1 purpose is for ALL people? Salvation... and the verse for today verifies that truth! Matthew 28: 19-20 commands, not suggests, that we are to Go, Teach, Baptize all nations; all people.

Do you ever think of all the things you do that really don't have any lasting effect in the long run? You may think, while you're in the middle of them, that your good works will influence generations to come. Yes, it is important to supply your children and grandchildren with a firm, spiritual foundation, but what about all the rest that you spend your time and energy doing? Do you ever think God looks down and wishes you wouldn't waste the life He's given you? What are you investing your life in today?

God wants you to invest in people - those you know and those you don't. There are people in this world that ONLY you will be able to witness to. You've heard it said - You may be the only Jesus some people will ever see. William James said - "The best use of life is to spend it for something that outlasts it." If just one person is in heaven because of you, you will have had an important part in eternity!

If you are serious about being a witness to others, I ask that you join me next time when I'll be giving you a 4 part concept that has been used by millions to build confidence and make sharing your faith something you do without hesitation!

P - Think about the things you invest your time and energy into. Make a list and label them as having a temporary effect or a lasting effect on yourself and/or others. For example - time spent online (chats, Facebook, surfing, etc), time spent in Bible study, time spent watching tv, time spent on the phone, time spent in prayer, time spent shopping, time spent trying to make more money, time spent with family/friends, time spent serving others......

Next Time....Preparing Your Life-Message

2009-08-06T18:23:00.004-04:00

Sharing Your Purpose by Joining Others

A - "You can do what I cannot do. I can do what you cannot do. Together we can do great things." ~ Mother Teresa

S - But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ~ Romans 5:8

A - As you continue to share yourself and your purpose with others, I pray that you are asking God to bring people into your life that you can join right where they are.

What are you trying to build by loving, influencing and serving others? Relationships; rapport and trust. Why are these relationships important? One, is because God created you for fellowship with others. You were not intended to live just for yourself. Secondly, in developing rapport and trust by loving, being a godly example to and serving others, you can ultimately be a witness to them, especially if they are not already believers. In order to do that, you must be willing to meet and join people right where they are in life - just like Jesus did!

One of the many amazing things about Jesus is that He didn't wait around for people to get their lives right, to get themselves "cleaned up", be problem-free, be someone He'd be proud to associate with, before He began to minister to them. Jesus established intimacy with people quickly. He was approachable and He wanted people to know it.

Let's look at just a few examples. Take time to read the passages to get the full story......The Disciples (Matt. 4: 18-22 and Matt. 9:9) If you know much about this group of men, you know they were a colorful combination of personalities, backgrounds and ideas. Jesus was not looking for the most educated, cultured, classy, handsome, or sophisticated people to carry out His ministry. He found them right where they were in life and asked them to join Him. Little did they know who their lives would be changed forever! Feeding the 5000 (Matt. 14: 13-31) In this familiar story, Jesus has just learned that His cousin, John the Baptist, has been beheaded. He attempts to go off to a private place to grieve, but nonetheless, the people find him and He ministers to them in a BIG way. What would your response to the crowd have been? Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10) Jesus went out of his way to find one man who needed Him the most. How would you have treated a man of Zaccaeus' reputation? The Samaritan Woman (John 4: 4-26) Jesus could not have chosen a more controversial woman to strike up a conversation with than this one! She was one who was shunned by others in her town, talked about behind her back and looked down upon by the "religious" people of her day. Are there women in your life who can relate to her story?

These are just a few of the people who Jesus chose to join right where they were and to share His unique purpose with them. He chose to ask the common, non-influential men to be a part of His ministry. He chose to join and give of Himself to thousands of people even when He was tired and grieving. He looked up in a tree and found a "sinner" who needed forgiveness and He restored the life of a lonely woman by offering her living water. There were many who were healed, raised from the dead, had their sins forgiven and their lives made new because Jesus took the time to look past their imperfections.

P - Are you willing and able to share love and minister with others who may not meet all your expectations and criteria? As today's verse states - God did not wait for us to have our act together before He sent His Son to die for us! Ask God to search your heart about how you can be doing a better job at meeting, accepting and joining others where they are. Look past their outward issues and know God can do a work in them, through you!

Next Time.....Witnessing to Others

2009-08-03T20:05:00.003-04:00

Sharing Your Purpose by Serving Others

A - "If you aren't serving, you're just existing - because life is meant for ministry." ~Rick Warren

S - Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does.... ~Ephesians 6:7-8

A - Ok, I think we can agree that serving others is important and is a big part of God's plan. Remember, real significance comes from serving others! " ...let us not love with words or tongue but with action.... " (I John 3: 18)

Who are you serving or not serving today? What is your attitude and motive for serving or not serving? Have you used the excuse(s) - "It's not my gift." "There are plenty of people who already serve in that ministry." "I don' t have anything to offer." "Those people make me uncomfortable." How do you know what God wants you to be doing to share your purposes by serving others? By being willing to share - your time, your money, your talents, your gifts, your abilities, your listening ear, your able body, your keen mind, your compassionate heart...

God doesn't expect you to do it ALL! He wants you to go with Him and join Him where the work needs to be done. When we're trying to do "great things for God," what we're really doing is pursuing our own agenda and our own vision of what should be done, all the while forgetting that God has an eternal agenda. In short, we leave God behind rather than going with Him.

How do we identify the work of God around us? People are in need everywhere we look. Certainly, He must expect us to help everyone. Think about Jesus...did He heal every invalid? Did He raise all the dead back to life? Did He spend 24/7 ministering to the poor and needy, the demon oppressed and the pride posessed? No. He took time out to pray and seek His Father's will. He was watching to see where God wanted Him to serve next. (John 5: 17-19)

Don't be discouraged if you haven't found your niche yet. God is working around you and He invites you to join Him. You just need to be able to recognize His specific activity. In doing so, you are allowing Him to work through you to minister to others. From the Bible study, Experiencing God, two factors are needed for you to see God at work: 1) You must be living in an intimate love relationship with Him (so that you recognize Him when He speaks, leads, etc) and 2) God must take the initiative to open your spiritual eyes so you can see what He is doing.

P - Ask God to search your heart's attitude about serving and show you where He's at work and how He wants you to follow His path for serving others. Ask Him to open your spiritual eyes so you can see people who need your time, your money, your talents, your gifts, your abilities, your listening ear, your able body, your keen mind, your compassionate heart....

Next Time.....Joining Others