National Women's Missionary Auxiliary

The twenty-fourth chapter of Joshua is a mini-history of Israel telling how the Lord had been with them from the start.  Joshua takes them back to the ‘other side of the flood’ and specifically mentions Terah and his son Abraham as idol worshippers.

Then he reminds them that God brought Abraham out of Ur and blessed him as the father of His people.  He writes of Isaac, Jacob, Esau, Moses, and Aaron.  He tells of their time in Egypt and the plagues He brought upon that land.  He recounts the miracle at the Red Sea and tells of the victories God had given them in taking the land of Canaan, even using hornets as the weapon at one time.

Joshua was making sure that they understood that this was all God; they had not won their battles without Him. Yet he still found it necessary to instruct them to put away the other gods from before the flood, and the gods of Egypt. Why would this even be necessary?

It all came down to the fact that the people had a choice. They could choose to remember Jehovah God, His love, leadership, protection, and provision. Or they could choose to do things their own way, make their own choices, pursue their own plans and directions for their life.

^{Joshua 24:14} “Now therefore, fear the Lord, and serve Him in sincerity and in truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the river and in Egypt, and serve ye the Lord.

So on this day who will you serve? If you are a child God, there was a day that you trusted in Jesus Christ as your Savior.  You knew you were a sinner and would remain hopelessly lost unless you placed your faith and trust in Jesus finished work on the cross.

But what about this day… today. Who are you serving?  What choice did you make this morning as your children left for school?  What was your tone to your husband as you interacted with him?  How are you handling the financial situation you are in? Who are you turning to first as you navigate a health problem?  Are you anxious, worried, fearful of the future? Where do your thoughts go during these times?

We will eternally be His because of our day of salvation. Let’s make this day —–every day—-a choice to serve God; let us adore Him, let us meditate on His goodness, let us remember all the He continues to do on our behalf. That every day choice will show in our words, our actions, and our thought processes.

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 5:3; 88:13

RESPOND: How do you start your day? What would you have to change in your daily routine to be sure you choose to live this day, every day for God?

 

 

 

 

In His Image

We bear His mark.  We have His spiritual genes. When we give our lives to God, we make known whose we are, whose inscription is upon us. When others look at us, whose image and inscription will they see?

 

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:18

Respond: Do a study on the attributes of Jesus. How did He act? How did He interact? How did He react to those who constantly questioned Him and came against Him?

“God has called us to represent Him in every situation the same way Christ did…by depending on the Heavenly Father.” – Charles Stanley

 

 

 

 

 

The Legacy of Faithfulness

By Kelly Williams. This is article seventeen in our Legacy series.

Do you come from a legacy of faithfulness?  Or is your family heritage that of worldliness? 

Faithful.  What a powerful word.  In Acts 16:13-15, God’s Word says, 

Would you be found faithful?  In our everyday, mundane lives, are we faithful to read the Word?  To pray?  To shine our light for Jesus?  To worship God in our ordinary lives? I love this old English poem:

Many a questioning, many a fear,

Many a doubt, hath its quieting here.

Moment by moment let down from Heaven,

Time, opportunity, guidance are given.

Fear not tomorrows, child of the King,

Trust them with Jesus, and do the next thing.

Do it immediately, do it with prayer;

Do it reliantly, casting all care;

Do it with reverence, tracing His hand

Who placed it before thee with earnest command.

Stayed on Omnipotence, safe ’neath His wing,

Prayer: Father, remind us each day of the amazing God You are.  Help us to be faithful in the small things, whether cleaning house or feeding the hungry.  Guide us to see those around us who are hurting and be ever ready to offer a word from You.  In Jesus’ beautiful name!  Amen.

The key factor we have all shared in our writings is that THE tool for this task is the Bible.  There is no way we can establish the truths and principles we are to live by within our own hearts and minds without reading and partaking of God’s inspired Word. We must develop such a Bible-study legacy for our own lives before we can pass it on to someone else.

  

Using arrows going different directions, the authors show what to look for and what questions to ask as a certain passage is read. It is basically the Inductive Bible Study method that covers observation, interpretation, and application, just in a more visual form. I still form these arrows in my head at times to guide my personal readings.

What is the passage about? (the reload arrow)

What does it tell us about man? (down arrow)

What did it mean to the original recipients? (back arrow)  

What does it demand of me? (forward arrow)

What does it tell us about God? (up arrow)

How does it relate to relationships? (two ended arrow)

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 19:7-11

RESPONSE: Use this scripture or another to go through the passage with this method. Then teach it to another person.

PRAYER: Father help us use the many tools you provide for us to go deeper into your word!

 

“Until you are convinced of your need to know God, you’ll never fully engage with the Bible, at least not in a consistent way.” Matt Rogers

If you would like more information on this book and other resources, go to www.sevenarrowsbible.com

Whether you are the one being hated or the hater, it consumes you and raises its nasty head just about the time you think you have overcome it. Thirty years is a long time but not too long for Satan…waiting to hurt you again. 

I heard a story last week about that very thing. It broke my heart. A high school coach was really hard on his team and sometimes was a little too hard on them especially his own son. Everyone saw it but he didn’t seem to care. He wanted to win. 

When he became a little tough on one of the boys, the boy’s father went to the principal’s office to complain. When the principal did not offer to talk to the coach the father insisted he could no longer be his son’s coach.  The season ended and the coach moved the next year. 

Thirty years later the father was sitting in a barber shop when the coach walked in. The hatred boiled up over the experience he had thirty years ago. That’s how the devil works you know! Let’s see if he still has hatred in his heart. I bet he does. 

The father noticed the coach’s wife was with him. The coach was a little staggery and had a strange look on his face. It was quickly evident he had Alzheimer’s Disease.  Every now and then the coach would look at the father with a question on his face. As if to say, would you forgive me?  He kept looking at the father and said in a small voice while his wife set watching. “I think I know you but I just can’t remember.”

The father teared up and said, “Yes you were my son’s favorite coach in high school.”  “I was?”  replied the coach. The wife teared up too. As they left, the wife stepped back inside the door and said, “Thank you for that. You just made my day and his.” By then they were all crying. All of a sudden hatred left and turned to compassion. 

 

Hatred will hurt you like that. Life is too short to hang on to it. Forgive people. It’s so much better than letting it hurt you over and over again.  

That father was my husband and that son was my son. Our son is now in the ministry and a father of 5 and the most compassionate person you would like to know. God has blessed him and us as we learn to turn hate into compassion. 

Have you ever experienced something that caused you to hate and never forget. Forgive them anyway. Satan will make sure you will never forget if we allow him to. That’s his job but our job is to forgive. God will bless that. 

 

Found written on the wall in Mother Teresa’s home for children in Calcutta: 

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.

Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. 

Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.

Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. 

Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.

Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. 

Be happy anyway

The good you do today, will often be forgotten.

Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.

Give your best anyway. 

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. 

It as never between you and them anyway.

 

What would our country look like today if we swapped hatred for compassion? 

America! America! 

God shed His grace on thee

                                             

Proverbs 10:12

 

 

 

 

FIRST IMPRESSIONS

 

I do have to work on not forming such immediate first impressions before learning what a person is really like. However, even more important is making sure that I am not doing something that could cause someone else to jump to the wrong impression about me. I might not have a second chance for them to see the truth. I want to leave a legacy that points others to Christ, not to myself. Pray that I will follow Paul’s advice to Timothy.

 

Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:12; Psalms 19:14; Mark 12:28-31; 2 Corinthians 5:7; James 4:8

 

Prayer: “Lord, help me always to be the example that You would have me be. Keep me from jumping to conclusions with first impressions and making bad first impressions myself. Most importantly, help me to do Your will at all times so that my legacy will point others to You and not to myself or to the world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” 

 

Response: Check your own life. Do you jump to conclusions in making first impressions of other people? Could that cause problems in your relationships with others? What about your first impression on others? Do they see Christ in you or will your life point them in the wrong direction? Assess yourself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Where to Begin

by Cindy Allen. This is article thirteen in our Legacy series.

 

​Now let’s talk about a harder thing.

 

There are some things that you might have to let go of; habits, people, characteristics that might not be a good foundation for the legacy you want to lay. Psalm 139: 23-24, “Search me, God, and know my heart; Test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.”

Pray, my friend.

​One last thing I want to encourage you to do is find a mentor or accountability partner.  This is good for all of us, not just those beginning their legacy.  I know several of my friends who would be great in this role and I bet there are several in your world too.  It may be stepping out of your comfort zone to ask for help but we all need help every once in a while.  None of us has it all together, so get that out of your head.  

Scripture: Matthew 5, 6, 7, Ephesians 4:17-32, Romans 12, James 1:19-27

Response: Take a deep breath. Just as Rome wasn’t built in a day, neither is a firm foundation. Pick one pillar for your foundation and begin to build it. It may be one listed above, or something different. Just start. There is no right or wrong as long as you are building. And lean on God, he is the Master Builder.

Prayer: Dear Lord, you always give us choices. Help me to choose to be the wiseman and not the foolish man. I want to lay a foundation that my family can build on for years to come. Storms will come but help me to build a house that withstands.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen

Prayer: Father, I pray today for the pastor’s wives who are reading this article.  I pray for the deacon’s wives who serve alongside their husbands. I pray that we will love like You love. Hold my tongue Lord when it needs to be quiet.  Loose it when I need to speak for You.  Slow my speech so that I might consider before I speak.  In Your Son’s beautiful name, Amen.

 

Scripture: Psalms 19:14; Proverbs 31:26; Matthew 12:34

 

 

 

 

 

He’s Been Here Before

On my window ledge I have a souvenir from a trip to Canada. The small figurine of a balanced rock formation common to northern Canada called an inukshuk. For centuries, natives used the inukshuk as landmarks for navigating the wilderness. Hunters would mark places for travelers to find shelter, water or game. Tribes would mark migration routes. Families would mark areas of sacred ground much like we leave headstones in a cemetery.  

The word inukshuk is translated “in the image of man” and the foundational stones resemble legs, flat rocks stacked on top make up the torso with longer flat stones jutting out from the side like outstretched arms, topped with another stone for the head. Some inukshuks still standing after hundreds of years are seven to twelve feet tall! 

If you were out in the wilderness and you saw an inukshuk you would know you are not alone in your wandering. Someone has been there before, giving you hope that you can survive the journey as well. 

The moment Adam and Eve ate from the forbidden tree they began a life apart from God and on their own outside of Eden. Since that day, mankind has traveled each in his or her own kind of wilderness. God knew you and I needed to find some kind of hope and so he came inukshuk – in the image of a man – and walked the path that every person must walk. 

“…and coming in the likeness of men… He humbled himself and became obedient to death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:7b,8) 

Jesus conquered death so that, if you accept his substitution, you won’t have to pay the price for sin. He not only provided the way for you to have eternal life, but He also spent some time walking among men, so no matter what you face, you can see the inukshuk – the evidence that He has been where you are, and you can receive hope! We can go boldly on with our journey because Jesus marked the path. The shape of the inukshuk is meant to resemble a man standing with arms outstretched or perhaps they might look like the beams of a cross. Either way the message is the same – Jesus did this for you.  

“For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15) 

My legacy may falter and the stones I try to leave behind as a guidepost for future generations might crumble and fall, but the pathway Jesus left for us is solid and immovable. When you keep your eyes on Him, you cannot be led astray. 

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:1-7

Response: Consider the places on your life’s path where you would place a marker for those who would be watching your journey. Where would you want them to look to find refuge, nourishment, safety, etc. in their own journey? Are you clearly marking the way? Determine today to craft a tangible marker for someone. Once that marker is set and recognizable, set another one! Don’t stop until all those in your sphere of influence know to look for them! 

Prayer: Father, thank you for sending Jesus to mark the way for me to take. Thank you for making the path visible to me through the power of the Holy Spirit. Please Father, help me know where and when and how to place the marker for my children, my grandchildren, my students and my fellow disciples to find their own way to You. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen. 

It was the first thing that we saw as we entered the lodge we had rented for the week.  The plaque was front and center emblazoned with the words, ‘FOLLOW YOUR HEART.’ My son-in-law stopped then and there to pull his daughters aside and explain to them that NO, we do not follow our hearts.

Written underneath the heading were some other little niceties such as ”enjoy the little things, discover your passion, be spontaneous, dream big, believe in yourself” etc.  All had the humanistic twist that our happiness and destiny depended on us.

Biblical Description of the Heart

Response: Which of the above scriptures challenges your heart? Which one would be your own request to God?  Which would encourage you the most in not following your own heart?

 

Prayer: “Father, You are patient with me.  My heart sometimes drifts from Your direction and instruction to my own human ways.  Forgive me.  Help me say with the psalmist, Psalm 119:10 “With my whole heart have I sought Thee; O let me not wander from Thy commandments!”

 

This song we sing in our church and it says a lot about your Legacy. Let your Legacy be faithfulness to your God. 

After I leave for worlds unknown, Over the border line:

Never again on earth to roam, what will I leave behind? 

Will I be missed by those I love, or have I been unkind?

Have I been true to God above, what will I leave behind?

This is my prayer, O Lord, today, let me be wholly Thine;

When I am called from earth away, let heaven then be mine. 

Chorus:

Leave behind, yes, leave behind, what will I leave behind?

After I leave for worlds unknown, what will I leave behind. 

 

 

 

 

LASTING LEGACY

By Jackie Ricks. This is article eight in our Legacy series.

 

Lasting

Effects of

Godly

Actions and

Character on

You

 

We should, of course, be concerned with the kind of godly legacy that we’re leaving for others here on earth. However, it might help to consider who has left a legacy already for you and how that has changed your life. When we’re growing up, we don’t always notice the effect that others have on our lives—good or bad. It seems the older we get, the more we think about that. With this theme for the year, I’ve thought about it often recently.

 

There are various kinds of legacies: monetary, values, ethics, character, faith, reputation, and example. Although growing up I did not always acknowledge the lasting legacy that my parents were leaving me, I knew that they were teaching me the right things and being the kind of Christian examples that I needed in my life. However, they were not the only ones. Many have already been welcomed home by Jesus, but their memory lives on in me and in others who observed their lives and continue their legacies. Just as our physical bodies continue to grow and change, so our spiritual lives should continue to grow and change as we mature. The important thing, as always, is to let Jesus’ life show through ours.

 

Although I didn’t realize it at the time, my mother and father were the best Christian examples in my life. They put God first in everything, no matter what. I remember sometimes asking for permission to do something (probably something that I wasn’t sure was exactly best, but hoped that I could do it anyway) and being asked, “What does the Bible say?” It’s one thing to go against a parent, but quite another to go against God. I knew that my dad and mom, Lester and Clytis Blackerby, looked to the Lord and His Word for answers to life’s questions and problems. I often saw each of them studying the Bible. It wasn’t just put on a shelf and left to gather dust until the next Sunday. Not only did they read their daily Bible readings and Sunday School lessons, study for mom’s WMA lessons to teach or Dad’s sermons to preach, they just read and studied because God’s Word is important. I like the acrostic for Bible: Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.

 

Lester Blackerby was not a well educated man as far as the world was concerned. He didn’t even graduate from high school because of the times and family situation he lived in growing up. However, he never stopped learning. He bought books, attended seminars, and tried to keep up with the changing times. If an extension course from the seminary came to the area where we lived, Dad made every effort to go. Mom did as well. Sometimes he had to be a bi-vocational pastor. Although in those days, they usually just said “part-time” pastor, there’s really no such thing. At least not for my dad. A pastor’s job is full-time no matter what anyone else says. And I watched my parents give their time to be there for others in spite of what they may have planned. The amazing thing was that they didn’t grumble and complain as many of us probably do today. They simply continued to study and learn God’s Word.

 

The most important legacy my parent’s left was their faith in God for everything. Although faith is necessary for salvation and my parent’s made sure we children knew that and accepted the Lord as our Savior, they also had daily living faith. Whether money was tight, God was moving us to a new place, health was failing, or church members were squabbling, Mom and Dad always looked to God for the answers. They understood that problems didn’t always resolve themselves in our time, but that God has perfect timing. From them I’ve learned to turn things over to God. My problem is that I sometimes try to pick them back up to “help” Him. Although the faith is there, I’m impatient. And I’m not sure I’ve passed it on to others.

 

What about you? Who has left you a lasting legacy? Are you keeping it going for the next generation or letting it fall by the wayside?

 

Scripture: Matthew 21:21-22; Galatians 2:20; 1 Timothy 4:12; 2 Timothy 2:15; James 2:17-18

 

Prayer: “Lord, thank You so much for my parents and for the examples they were in my life. Please help me to live a life that could be an example to others as well so that when others look at me, they see not me, not my parents, but You, Lord. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

 

Response: Think about who has left a legacy for you and how you can leave a legacy for others. Make sure that it shows forth Christ and not ourselves or others.

 

 

 

 

 

Somewhere Beyond The Sea

Challenges from Within: Overcoming Insecurities and Self-Doubt

Moses’ journey in leaving a legacy for God began with a deep-rooted challenge from within himself: insecurity and self-doubt. When God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses felt inadequate and ill equipped for the task. In Exodus 4:10, Moses expresses his insecurity, “And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent , neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue”. Basically, Moses was saying “Anybody but me God!”

Moses’ reluctance stemmed from his perception of his own limitations. He doubted his abilities and questioned God’s choosing him to go before Pharaoh. Yet, God reassured Moses, promising to be with him every step of the way (Exodus 3:12). How often when walking this path of legacy will we doubt our abilities?  How do we overcome this challenge?  By remembering God created us to be exactly as we are and has given us everything we need (Ex. 4:11-13). Not only has He equipped us but He is faithful to be with us throughout our journey. 

 

Challenges from the World: Confronting Pharaoh’s Resistance

As Moses embarked on his mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, he encountered fierce opposition from Pharaoh. Despite God’s command to let His people go, Pharaoh hardened his heart and refused to release the Israelites from slavery. Exodus 5:2 tells us of Pharaoh’s opinion of God, stating, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go?  I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.” Pharaoh’s relentless opposition posed a significant challenge to Moses’ mission. However, every encounter Moses had with Pharaoh was an opportunity to display the love and power of God to Pharaoh and the Egyptians.  

Challenges from Within the Community: Navigating Dissension and Discontent

Moses faced opposition inside his own community he was called to lead. The Israelites grumbled and complained against Moses at every turn, questioning his decisions. Even his own family was a source of adversity!!  From their murmuring in the wilderness to their outright rebellion, the Israelites tested Moses’ resolve.

This one hurts.  This challenge cuts deep.  When one of our own stings us with a harsh word, a critical spirit or actively works against us, it feels like a betrayal. It could be a loved one, a fellow church member or a close friend. This may injure us so deeply that we may wish to abandon our journey. But the Lord sees our hurt and He will meet us in the pain and despair. He will go with us when others may fail us.     

Scripture: Exodus Ch. 3-32, Hebrews 11.

Respond: Take time to reflect on the different areas you are or may encounter challenges.  How will you meet these challenges?  In what ways can you lean into obedience and faith in God to help you navigate these challenges?  

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, you are the Almighty God, the Great I Am.  I know there is nothing in my life that has not passed before You.  While challenges may seem unexpected to me, they do not catch You unaware.  Help me to pause, trust You, and continue one step at a time in faith.  Knowing that You will be with me, I will continue to follow after You in obedience to Your Word.  May You receive the honor and glory. Amen.

 

 

 

Recalibrating Your Legacy

We can still leave a godly legacy, so don’t throw in the towel and just give up. There is nothing our God can’t overcome, just read about Gideon, or Peter, or David. I often wonder when reading the Old Testament why God chose that group of people.  I mean they are some messed up individuals, surely God could do better.  But in those imperfect lives, it is very easy to see God working.  The same is true for my imperfect life.  God is up to the challenge of recalibrating your path and using you for his honor and glory.

 

Prayer:  Dear Lord, as I walk the path you have for me, I often veer off and go in my own direction.  Forgive me for times when I put my desires in front of yours.  Lord lead me back to your path.  Help me to know that I am still useful to you, nothing I can do can make your plans fail.  Thank you for loving me and forgiving me.  Guide my steps.  In Jesus’ name, Amen 

 

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6, II Samuel 11 & 12, Psalm 51

 

Response: Ask God for forgiveness and it will be granted. Satan is the one who wants our sins to bog us down. If you have truly repented God will honor that and He is ready to recalibrate your path. Forgive yourself and get going.  Your new legacy begins today. 

 

Prayer: Father, help me this day to have the mind of Christ.  Help me to love those around me, and serve everyone I come in contact with today.  Help me to be mindful of every word that comes from my mouth as I share the Love of the Father. In Jesus’ beautiful name. Amen.

 

 

ADD TO YOUR FAITH

By Jackie Ricks. This is article four in our Legacy series.

 

My oldest sister recently passed away and much was said about the godly legacy she left in her children and grandchildren. I began to wonder if the same would or could be said about me someday.  Then I learned that this is the theme for our new WMA year. So, we’re looking at how to cultivate character traits for a godly legacy. There are several scriptures that would work for studying this. But what better than our own WMA motto: “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.” (2 Peter 1:5-7)

 

Notice that faith is the starting point. Without faith, there’s no foundation to build on. Jesus is our foundation. It takes faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior to even think about having a godly character and legacy. That includes not only saving faith but living faith as well. God put a whole chapter of Hebrews (11) in the Bible to discuss how important faith is to us. As Hebrews 11:6 states, “without faith it is impossible to please Him [God].” If you haven’t put your faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior, you need to do that. If you have, but you haven’t been living by faith daily, then remember that you need to trust Him to take care of every need. Then you will be able to concentrate on developing the character traits you need to leave a godly legacy.

 

What comes after faith? The verse says virtue. This seems to be a logical addition because we struggle to be good within ourselves. In fact, it’s impossible to be good on our own. It’s hard to define virtue, especially in one paragraph (but you don’t want this blog to be a book!). Many people think of virtue as sexual purity, but it’s so much more. It means having moral excellence in all areas. Of course, we can’t attain that by ourselves. Just as the song says, “only the praise comes from Him,” so any goodness or virtue we have comes from God!

 

Next comes knowledge. We cannot live as God wants us to without knowledge of Him and His Word. That means we need to spend time with Him in prayer and in His Word. A daily quiet time is very helpful in this area. In fact, even when my life was much busier than now, I managed better because I had a very consistent quiet time with God to start my day every day before I ever woke anyone else in the house. Sometimes now I rush to do other things and then realize later that I did not have my time with Him. We need that.

 

After knowledge comes temperance. So many times today we think of that only having to do with alcohol. However, temperance simply means self-control, which is a very important character trait to have. We see many people nowadays who have little or no self-control in their actions. Although we call it self-control, it should be called Lord-control. Only by turning our daily walk over to Him can we assuredly walk each step in His path without faltering too badly. We will continue to make mistakes, but God will be right there to pick us up and help us on our way without too much damage done.

 

We need patience to allow God full control in our lives. Some people are more (or less) patient with things and others with people. Then all of us sometimes get impatient with God. One of my favorite songs is “Through It All” where it reminds me that if I’d never had a problem, then I wouldn’t know that God could solve my problems. Faith in God can work wonders in our lives if we let it and help us not be so impatient.

 

Godliness is next. A woman who is godly is devoted to God and also tries to live how God would want. That’s not just thinking WWJD and doing it. That’s also considering if our actions would glorify God and making sure we do nothing that would not glorify Him. As the saying goes, we are the only Bible that some people ever read so we should make sure they get the right message.

 

Brotherly (or sisterly in our case) kindness is the next attribute to add to our faith and all the others. That simply means kindness expressed through our actions. Both the Hebrew and Greek words used in the Bible for kindness imply not just the emotion, but the action as well. It’s not enough just to think good thoughts and pray for someone, but we should try to help them in whatever way they need if possible. And remember that sisterly kindness will not expect something in return.

 

Finally, charity (or love) is the last quality mentioned here. This is not just being kind or charitable. The Greek word used is a form of agape. This refers to the supreme love that God has for us or our love for God, or our sacrificial love for other believers. When we have the godly characteristics that we should, we will be able to love others as God wants us to.

 

Do others see these characteristics in you? Are you leaving a Godly legacy that others will remember enough that it will influence their lives for the better? If not, consider adding to your faith….

 

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:5-7; Galatians 5:22-26; Philippians 4:8-9; Proverbs 31:10-31

 

Prayer: “Lord, I want to experience abundant life in You and leave a Godly legacy for my family and others. Please help me to have the faith that I need to add each of these qualities in my life and then use them correctly to help others as I daily live my life. Thank You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Respond: Take an inventory of your life. Are you adding to your faith these characteristics that will help you leave a godly legacy for others? If not, ask God to help you. You may want to do more studying on these as well. Check out the other scriptures mentioned as all of those qualities will also help. You may want to read more. For a more detailed explanation of each attribute, you may want to check out my books Add to Your Faith… or Profiles of Virtue found either on Amazon or by contacting me.

 

Along with science, my other teaching duties at Bald Knob included a gifted and talented program for the upper grades.  In the high school, the students’ needs were covered with advanced classes.  But in the Junior High the GT classes were more creative in nature.

One of the first assignments I would give my students was to have them write their own obituaries. Some may have thought this was a rather morbid assignment.   I saw it as a way for them to clarify the values, visions, and goals they had for their lives.  What did they want to accomplish in their life time?  How did they want to be remembered?  How would they go about bringing these things to fruition?  Whatever their answers were to these questions, they had to plan for and put them into action one step at a time.

Our first step was to define what I was asking for.

 

VALUES: In today’s vernacular, values can be thought of as our worldview.  The Christian worldview is that all men are born with a sin nature. We are headed to hell, which is what we deserve.  But God provided a way to eternal life through our repentance and belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of His Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ.  Our values are equated with these beliefs and form the foundation for the way we live our lives. These must be based on the truths set forth in His Word if we are to glorify Him.

What are the standards and beliefs that you go by to build your life on?

 

VISIONS: Businesses and organizations state aims that they want to achieve. An aim is something intended or desired to be obtained, a purpose to be worked toward. These are often given in the form of a Mission Statement that is collaborated on by the parties involved. I had a vision for my life from the time I was in the third grade. I wanted to become a teacher. I think that purpose was planted in my heart by God Himself. Why? It never left my focus and even with my parents thinking I should follow a different path: my heart was set on teaching.

What is the purpose God has chosen for your life? Are you pursuing it?

 

GOALS:  The results or achievements we want seen in our lives are the goals toward which we have worked. Just know our efforts are meaningless unless they have been directed by God and achieved through the strength and direction of the Holy Spirit.  Self-sufficiency and self-reliance will not cut it!  We are helpless without God. 

What is it that you, with God’s leadership, want to accomplish in your life? Are you submitting to God and doing It?

 

What does this have to do with LEGACY?  We must consistently dwell in our Father’s presence, stay in His Word, and obey what He shows us.  Our values will align with His, He will set in our hearts the visions He has for our lives, and will step by step show us the what, when and where of His Purpose for our lives.  If we are to leave a legacy, we must have a legacy. 

Begin now with the end in mind!

 

SCRIPTURE: 1 Peter 1:16; 2 Peter 3:11; Romans 8:28-29; Deutéronomy 6 :1-15 ; Joshua 1 :7-9 ; Philippians 2 :1-11 [Passage of your choosing]

RESPONSE: Using one of these scriptures, write your own mission statement.  What values, visions, and goals for your life can you see in the scripture you chose? How would this scripture, if followed, develop a godly legacy for your life?

PRAYER: Father, I love You and ask that You continuously draw my heart, soul, and mind to You. You know me better than I know myself so “search me and know me and see if there be any wicked way in me.”  You know my sin of self- dependency. Help me to see how often and how desperately I fail. Help me immediately repent, submit and make me right in Your eyes. I pray that at the end it can be said of me,  “She loved God and it showed.”

Walking My Path With Purpose

As I look at my life and think about the type of legacy I want to leave for those who will follow behind me, I see some areas of improvement. One of those areas has to do with the lack of intentionality in my Christian walk.  

Way back at the age of 12, he told Mary and Joseph, “wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49 KJV) Do I have this same attitude?  Am I about my Father’s business? 

 

I want my legacy to be one that points to Jesus.  “As I am going” I want to leave footprints that will show a godly path. 

Sometimes it is scary. Sometimes it is hard. Sometimes it requires a lot of effort. But when we look at Jesus’ life and the difference he made, and consider that we can make a big difference too, isn’t it all worth it?  Can’t we all do better at living our life on purpose for God?

 

Prayer God forgive me for the times I have fallen so short of living a life on purpose for you.  Please Lord, send someone else to impact the people I did not impact that were in my path.  Help me God to be more like Jesus. Open my eyes to the crowd around me, nudge me to go out of my way for your glory, help me to make hard decisions that lead others closer to you. God bless my efforts and move my heart to do better. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Scripture Ephesians 2:10; Luke 19:1-9; John 4:1-42; John 11:1-44

Respond Every morning, pray specifically for God to open your eyes to people who are in need of his touch. Then during the day, keep your eyes open for those people.  Be sensitive to the Spirit as he points you in different directions.  Look at disruptions as opportunities, not interruptions. The world needs love and Jesus charged us to show them love. But they are probably not going to walk up and say, “Hey, I need some love.” We are going to have to look for them, just like Jesus did. 

 

 

 

 

What will you leave behind?

PRAYER:  Father, we pray that as women of God we will be mindful each day of those around us, whether family or strangers, and remind us to share Jesus with everyone we meet, whether in word or deed.  

These disciplines aren’t something we can consider ‘one and done.’ They must be practiced every day. We must constantly RENEW our commitment to Him and our relationship with Him.

If our life is spent in doing the things that bring us CLOSER to God, we will leave a Godly Legacy!

SCRIPTURE: Hebrews 10:22; James 4:8; 2 Corinthians 4:16

RESPONSE: Which of the disciplines highlighted in CLOSER do you struggle with most? Concentrate on the first three [prayer, Bible study and obedience] and the others will come more easily.

PRAYER; Father, every thing we need for a fulfilled, abundant life comes from our relationship with You.  Peace, comfort, joy, the knowledge of Your grace and mercy should keep us strong.  Help me live in constant awareness of Your presence.

 

How very thankful I am to the wonderful ladies on this year’s committee who didn’t sign up to do a blog, yet welcomed the idea whole heartedly. Jackie Ricks, Susie Edgar, and Valarie Fish have faithfully submitted articles through out this past year.  Although Val rotates off the committee, we will be hearing from her again!  Starting next week, we will be incorporating blogs from some new writers who expressed an interest in participating. Welcome Cindy Allen, Victoria White, and Kelly Williams!

*Please pray for Susie Edgar’s family.  Her sister-in-law was killed in the tornado outbreak that ravaged Sulphur OK.

 

 

 

You Need Some Jesus!

By Valarie Fish.  This is article # 47 in our series on drawing CLOSER to God. 

 

We know we all need Jesus, but how much Jesus is enough?

Free will means the buck stops with you.    

  

A decision is usually made by weighing the options and making a choice to perform some specific action. You have two (or more) doors to choose from, so you evaluate the options, and you make a choice. You decide which door is most beneficial to the outcome you want. I decided as a child I wanted to go to heaven when I die. I decided to accept the payment Jesus made for my sin and asked Him to come into my life. This was the obvious and easy choice based on what was most beneficial to the outcome, i.e. going to heaven when I die.  I didn’t fully understand everything about the choice I was making but God knew I would keep learning and growing closer to Him. My decision to follow Jesus wasn’t the only choice I would make in my spiritual journey, but it was the first step for a lifetime of choices. 

Commitment takes faith that God is truthful. 

Commitment takes courage to act without a guarantee of the outcome. 

Scripture: Luke 9:23-24; Galatians 2:20

IN THE VALLEYS AND ON THE MOUNTAINS

By Jackie Ricks.  This is article #46 in our series on drawing CLOSER to God.  

 

I think the key to thanking God in everything is to remain so close to Him that we always remember that He is the only answer to every situation. We should be in the habit of listening to Him on a regular basis (reading His Word daily) and talking to Him constantly (praying all through the day). Only then will we be likely to turn to Jesus and thank Him for the good and the bad in our lives because God has a purpose for it all.

 

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Matthew 11:28-30

 

Prayer:  “Lord, thank You for Your care over me throughout my whole life: both the good and the bad. I know You have a reason for it all and that I will grow in faith as I stay close to You. Please help me not to stray or to forget that You are the One in control and that I should always thank You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

 

Respond:  Take time to thank God for the highs and the lows in your life. Check to see if you often ignore one or the other in talking to Him. Also remember to turn to His Word. It will bring you closer to the Lord.

 

 

 

T0TAL ECLIPSE OF THE HEART

Have you heard there was a total solar eclipse across the center part of the United States recently?  If not, where have you been?!  Predictions of increase in traffic, low gas supplies, huge increases in the number of people in your area, and the need for those all-important glasses were all signs of a major event that captured everyone’s thoughts.

 

Though the shadow of the moon obscured the light of the sun for a few short minutes on April 8, 2024, there are other experiences that can be considered an eclipse.  The definition of eclipse, other than the celestial one, includes any dimming or obstruction of light, a reduction or loss of splendor, or being overshadowed by another.

 

It makes me wonder, is there anything that is obscuring the Light in our lives? Jesus declared Himself to be the Light of the world.  He called us to be salt and light. Are we? He took us from the kingdom of darkness and placed us in His glorious kingdom of light. Can others tell?

 

Do others see that Light or is there an ‘eclipse’ of some kind in our lives; an obstruction that prevents the Light of Christ from shining through? What thoughts are you consumed with that prevent you from keeping your mind on Him?  What activities take first place over an intimate time with God? What are you focused on horizontally that keeps you from being focused on Him vertically. Do you depend on His strength to live each day? Are you watching for His soon return?

 

A majestic display of God’s creative power was seen by millions as the moon blocked the sun.  YOU are part of His creative power too! You are His workmanship made to display Him from the countenance of your face, the tone of your voice, the works of your hands, and the interactions you have with every person God puts in your path.

 

Don’t let your own life obstruct His glory.  Don’t try and overshadow Him by depending on your own talents, gifts, and abilities instead of on Him directly. He is, after all, the Giver of all of those things.

 

Many looked to the sky that day.  We should too; longing for the return of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and letting our lights shine so others can be looking for Him too!

 

Response: “Much time was spent by many in preparing for the solar eclipse.  May I spend my time depending on You, Father, to direct and empower my life to do your work through the power of Your Spirit. Keep me dependent on you so that I may never obscure Your light from others but instead light their way to you.”

 

Scriptures: Luke 1:76-79; 11:35; John 8:12; 12:35, 46; 2 Corinthians 4:6

 

 

 

MAY WE RECOMMEND…

… PSALM 119

We are so blessed to have capable writers that give us various Bible studies that guide our hearts and minds. They help us to ‘shore up our strength’ in certain areas of spiritual growth and in the power of the Holy Spirit as we continue this walk with God toward maturity.

But none are so eloquent as each Bible author that wrote down the words given to them by God Himself. The Spirit recorded the mind of God in the Word of God. The older I get, the more precious the Bible becomes. It accomplishes in my life what the scripture tells us the Ultimate Author does: teaches us doctrine, reproves us, gives us instruction in righteousness and corrects us.

Probably no part of Scripture defines this more clearly than does Psalm 119.  All one hundred and seventy-six verses speak of God’s word in some way except for two.  In fact, this Psalm is a prime, organized study in how God’s Word shows us all the benefits He bestows on us and how we are to apply them.

If you notice, the Psalm is divided into octets of eight verses each all starting with a letter of the Hebrew alphabet.  Young Jewish men were taught from this song and were expected to memorize it!  Wow!  Just think how many minutes this praise and worship song would add to our services!

When studying with one of my LOL (Life-On-Life) groups, we took this song as one to study more deeply.  Taking sixteen verses each week, we would organize the information in each verse into columns.  The first column was for words found in the verses that represent God’s Word. For example, the words statutes, judgments, precepts, commands, testimonies, and instructions etc. are used interchangeably throughout the Psalm.

The second column would be for writing down what it teaches us about God: what He did for us, what He does for us now, and how He interacts with us. The third column would be how we are to respond back to Him, and how we will apply and put into action all we are challenged with as a result of studying the Scripture. When we came back the following week, we would share what we learned and even a scripture we memorized from the sixteen verses of the week.

It took some a while to really understand what we were to do. Soon all caught on and faithfully filled their columns.  Some things to remember:

• Not every verse will have all three components.  Your columns will have some blank spaces and that is perfectly fine
• Don’t let this become a simple rote exercise! After you have filled your chart, go back  and 
  • praise Him for His word: how He has protected it through these 2,000 years and preserved every ‘jot and tittle, ‘ so that we could still have it for all future generations.
  • meditate on the benefits from God. Praise Him daily and show the gratitude He deserves. This is more of an ‘application’ Column.  From these verses, what am I to do? What action am I to take? How should I respond?

SCRIPTURE: Psalm 119: 16 verses at a time. [This could be a ten week study.]

RESPONSE:

Get a regular size notebook.

• Make your columns: Headings horizontal/columns vertical [first will be smaller, other two splitting evenly according the space left]
• Example:

THE WORD            BENEFITS FROM GOD                    ACTIONS OR APPLICATION                       

Vs. 1 law                           blessed                        walk undefiled, walk in the law of God

Vs. 2 testimonies              blessed                        keep testimonies, seek with whole heart

Psalm 119:10,11: 10 With my whole heart have I sought Thee; O let me not wander from Thy commandments! 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.

 

 

 

In the Eye of the Calm

The sky suddenly darkens, and the clouds turn a dark shade of gray. 

“I don’t remember the weatherman saying anything about rain.” You muse as you check your cell phone for a weather report. Shelter in place is the plan as the wind whips up and stirs the tree branches into a frenzy.

Storms are scary because, even if you thought you could predict every nuance of the event, every storm is unique. No storm ever follows exactly the path predicted and no matter how close you get to predicting what may happen, you cannot control what eventually happens.

Difficult circumstances are sometimes called storms usually for that same reason – you cannot predict or control what will happen. Most of the time you need to shelter in place and start praying.

Imagine the disciples, (Matthew 8:23-27) tossing around like rag dolls while their Master sleeps through the tumult. We cry out, as they did, for Jesus to save us from this out-of-control, will-I-ever-sleep-again, just-help-me-survive, kind of storm.  

“Please Jesus, calm this storm in my life!” 

“And He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?’ Then He got up and rebuked the wind and the sea and there was a great calm.” Matthew 8:26

Now the storm is over! Thank you, Jesus, for taking control of the erratic, miserable, unpredictable, messy, can’t-see-through-the-tears storm. Now that things are calm, I finally feel like I am in control again. Imagine if you were to turn to the Master and say, “You can go back to sleep now, Jesus, I got this.” 

Rather arrogant, don’t you think? Especially when you have no more control over the calm than you do in the storm. You still need Jesus even when the tempest is gone. Just because you can let go of the handrails, doesn’t mean you can predict where the calm might bring you next. It is during the calm when you can sit down next to Him and learn what He needs you to know. To concentrate on Him alone without the distraction of the storms. 

Faith, a solid conviction in the truthfulness of God, is believing God means it when He says “I will never leave you nor forsake you…” 

When the cancer returns and the thunder rolls.

When the boss hands you a pink slip and the water crashes over the boat.

When your teenager gets caught with drugs and the wind whips through the sails.

Or even when you can breathe again without a horrible weight crushing your heart and the sea is calm. When you sleep through the night and the calm brings a cooling breeze.

In all of these – God will never leave you or forsake you. Ever. 

When your everyday faith takes hold of this truth, you will find beauty in the storm – any storm – and grow CLOSER to Him in the worst of the storm or in the eye of the calm.   

Scripture:  Isaiah 41:10; Deuteronomy 31:6-8; Matthew 7:24-27

Prayer: 

One day in high school algebra, my teacher made the statement that everyone was an example. Foolish teen that I was, I objected and told him that some people weren’t good enough to be examples because that’s what had always been put in my head that we must be good examples. However, as he pointed out, we are ALL examples: some good and some bad. I’ve never forgotten that, but I haven’t always been a good example. What does the Bible say?

 

Just as Paul encouraged Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:12, we should be “an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” The Greek word for conversation meant more like conduct than talk. Just as a child wants to do what he sees his parents doing even if it’s not what they tell him to do, a new believer or an unbeliever will have a tendency to do or say things similar to what they see others do, especially if they think that might be the actions that “get them to heaven.” Of course, we know that it’s not actions, but faith that saves a person. However, our actions could hinder someone else if we’re not careful.

 

So how should we act?

 

The answer is simple. We should follow Jesus’ example. First Peter 2:21 says, “For even hereunto were ye called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow His steps.” Jesus is really the only person whose example is appropriate to follow. Anyone else fails miserably because of sin. However, people continue to follow others’ examples anyway. I guess it’s human nature. Although we know that we cannot be perfect, we should still strive to be good examples by following Christ. It’s easier to do if we are close to Him as well.

 

I’ll never forget a time in my life when I wasn’t a good example to my best friend. In the long run, she ended up following me down the wrong path. We both did get our lives back in line with Christ’s example, but in the meantime, how many others did we possibly lead astray? Many people would say that each individual has the right to choose whether she follows another or not. That’s true, but the fact is that often a person would not think of doing/saying something if they hadn’t seen or heard someone else first.

 

I’ve also seen situations where a person’s good example has helped bring others to Christ or to follow Him in their daily lives. This especially seems to be true in the case of a spouse who continues to attend church and live right even when their partner stays home and lives like the devil. Quite often the resulting testimony is that the person would never have come to the Lord if they hadn’t watched their spouse persevere and continue following the Lord in spite of the roadblocks put in their way. The same can work with wayward children. Remember Proverbs 22:6.

 

Paul says it all in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Be ye followers of me even as I also am of Christ.” If we live by that, then we don’t have to worry about leading others astray since Jesus never leads us in the wrong way. And of course, you can’t follow Christ if you don’t stick close to Him. In fact, Jesus doesn’t want us only to follow Him; He wants us to abide with Him so that we basically can’t do anything except His will. Of course, we humans aren’t too good at abiding in Him completely.

 

Scripture:  John 15; Philippians 4:8-9; 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10

 

Prayer: “Lord, thank You for keeping me close and helping me know how to live as I should. Please continue to correct me when You see me step out of the right way. I pray that, with Your guidance, I don’t lead others astray. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

 

Respond:  Evaluate your own life to see if you may have some habits that could be bad examples to others. Don’t just look at your actions at church or outside your home. You are a strong influence even inside your own home. Seek to be closer to God. Ask Him to help you if you are doing some things that might cause others to stumble.

 

 

 

 

    

For years I would simply underline them in the book I was reading. Then it dawned on me I could write them in a notebook of their own, title them, and enjoy them repeatedly. I think I have at least four quote books by now.

It is interesting to note that God is involved with this process. He brings the quotes to me that give comfort and direction to whatever concerns me during that time in my life.

RESPOND: Father, thank you for hearing me. Thank you for answering me. Thank you for caring about the smaller details of my life and using various means to show me that.  I love You!

 

Think about your “What just happened” last week. It’s not just for preachers/teachers/lay people. God wants the same for all His children. Look for God working in your everyday life. He wants to do that with you. Write down every time you see God working in your life.  It may be small at first but as you acknowledge it, He gets bigger. You will be amazed He is working all around us and He is looking for those who will get involved in what He is doing. 

 

Mom! I just got off the phone with Aimee. Her mom has less than a week to live.  Will you pray for her and for guidance for me to show her God’s love and peace. I want to help but I have no idea how. 

*My advice to her was the best thing you can do is pray with her every time you talk to her. Never met anyone who doesn’t appreciate that.  She will love you for it. Always bring God and His Word into the situation. 

*Listening is always a good thing. Listen without interrupting if you can. It brings calmness to the person.  Most people have their “What just happened?’ times also. Talking it through helps them sort it out. 

*When I don’t understand what God is doing, I have to fall back on what I do understand. What I do understand is that He loves me and everything that He allows in my life is run through the filter of His plan and purpose for me. We think temporal He thinks eternal. 

 

*Scripture is powerful. He [David] does not say, “my pain comes from the Lord,” or “my tragedy comes from the Lord” he says, my HELP comes from the Lord. God you see what is happening to me. Can you help me?

*Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Isaiah 40: 28-29

*For the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, fear not; I will help thee. Isaiah 41:13

*But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.” Isaiah 43:1. 

It’s been said: “If He brings you to it, He will bring you through it.”  He has already prepared the way. 

 

 

 

 

Lost & Found

By Valarie Fish. This is article #40 in our series on drawing CLOSER to God. 

Late again to the gym this morning because I spent way too much time looking for my ear buds. If I get there early enough to claim the treadmill with the best view, I can watch the TV mounted strategically on the wall, but usually the channel is on some kind of sports or infomercial. If I’m lucky, I can catch some news or weather, but I prefer my own device to the flat screen on the wall. With my ear buds I can listen to KLOVE or a podcast or even an episode of some show on a streaming service. Unless I have lost them. Again. 

I lose things all the time. Phone, pen, nail file, ear buds, chargers, mail; if it can be misplaced, I can find a way!  

The thing I don’t lose (very often) is my keys. 

Years ago when I worked a job that required me to always keep my keys secure, I wore them on a lanyard around my neck. When I would get home to my apartment at the end of the day, I had a hook placed strategically inside the door, so the habitual motion was “unlock door, step inside, hang keys.” I always knew where to find my keys when I got ready to walk out the door in the mornings because I put them in the same place every time. Even after I left that job and that apartment, I kept in the habit by installing a hook inside the back door of my new house. Now, when I go looking for my keys (most of the time) they are right there on the hook. 

Now if I could only do the same for my ear buds! 

Sometimes the thing that is lost is not an item you can hold in your hand. Sometimes you feel disconnected, distant, depressed, and just lost. 

When this happens, I sometimes feel like I just need to “get myself together” and everything will fall into place. Here’s the problem – I can get myself together and be organized and efficient for a time. Eventually I fall back into old habits and familiar strategies for coping, and I find myself lost all over again. How can I break this cycle? 

Maybe, like my keys, I need to install a hook where I can keep my “together” in the same place every end of day, ready for the challenges of the next. A specific location where I can know for certain my feelings and emotions and struggles and ambitions will all be safe and secure, maintained and anchored. A refuge, if you will, from the chaos surrounding me. But where in the world would I find such a place? And how can I make a habit of connecting with that specific location at the start and the end of every day?   

There are many examples in the Bible, but I think David the Psalmist says it best and most often – “I cried out to You, O Lord; I said. ‘You are my refuge…” (Psalm 142:5) 

When you are feeling overwhelmed by life, and you can’t seem to “get it all together” perhaps it’s because you aren’t putting “it” in a safe place. Learn how from the Psalmist in Psalm 142 and 143 (as well as many other inspiring and instructional passages) and determine to keep your Refuge in the same place every morning – to give you strength for the day ahead, and every evening – to unload all your burdens and worries. 

Most importantly, when you unload those burdens with your Refuge, leave them there! I promise, He will take them and turn them into something good while you sleep. (Psalm 127:2)

SCRIPTURE: 

Psalm 141, 142 and 143; 1 Peter 5:6-11; Psalm 127  

PRAYER: 

Father, help me maintain a habit of coming to You with all my problems – big or small – and let You make them into something that will bring You glory. When I am feeling overwhelmed, show me how to pause and run to You for refuge. Draw me closer to You so when the storms threaten, I will have no cause for fear. Let everything I do, and everything I say, point someone to see You. Amen.

“Come to Mama.” These are the words calmly spoken by my daughter, Jill, when she was training her five girls in obedience.  She and husband, Michael, wanted to make sure each of their daughters learned to obey quickly and cheerfully when called. 

 I’ve observed this in action!  If a little one was not coming when called, there would be a practice session.  The sisters would line up with the offender, and one by one Jill would call them by name. They would respond quickly and cheerfully, knowing they were examples to the one being taught!  Eventually, the offending party would be called, “______come to Mama.”  Depending on how self-willed they were, sometimes it took more than one or two times for them to respond properly.  Other times they might respond to the first call, but it might not be very cheerful or quickly! 

 What the girls didn’t know (but their parents did) was this training was for their safety and for the understanding of authority. Their parents knew that learning to obey Mom and Dad would eventually help the girls learn to obey God.

God says to us, “Come unto me…come to your Abba.” Once called, we respond in either one of two ways: we obey, or we disobey. Those are our only choices.  And those choices, made one at a time, set the course of our life.

Scripture contains many instances where Christ called people to come.  We are probably most familiar with His call to the disciples: Mark 1:17 Come ye after me and I will make you to become fishers of men.” The following verse tells us that they immediately left their nets to follow Him.  We find here that it was a quick and probably cheerful response.  They didn’t know where they were going.  They probably had no idea what fishing for people meant.  But here was a rabbi, a teacher that wanted them to walk after Him and with Him.  What an opportunity! There was no hesitation in their obedience to His invitation to do life together.

But there is another passage in Mark that doesn’t end the same way. Perhaps it was because it didn’t begin the same way.  Instead of waiting for Jesus to call him, a young man blusters in, confident that this relationship he was seeking in some way depended on him.  He was wealthy!  He could just buy it.  He was no doubt an upright and moral man. He could just earn it.   “What shall I do that I might inherit eternal life?”  

Jesus answered him in Mark 10:21, “…sell what thou hast, give to the poor…and come take up thy cross and follow me.” There is the invitation! This time Jesus, by referring to the cross, let it be known that obedience to His invitation would come with trials, hardships, and self-denial.  Instead of obeying quickly and cheerfully, the man went the other way sorrowfully. He wasn’t willing to give up all he had amassed or any of his perceived good works. His disobedience clung to his worldly possessions and his confidence in himself.

There is a third passage that calls us to obedience in our life by dependence on Jesus Christ.  Matthew 28:11a…”come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest…” If we have obeyed Christ call to salvation, we have also experienced some hard times and sufferings as a result of that obedience.  We become ‘weary and heavy laden.’ So this calls for another obedience…. go to Him for our rest and peace. And just how does that come about?  Matthew 28:11b “…learn of me and I will give you rest.”

If we obey the call to follow Him, we will have salvation.

If we obey the call, learn more and more of Him, we will have rest and peace.  Do both quickly and cheerfully. 

RESPONSE: Write out the words to the song ‘Trust and Obey.’  As you think about exactly what it says, take note of which parts speak to your heart as to what it takes to truly trust God.  Based on that trust, what does obedience look like in your life? What do you need to do to be more obedient?

PRAYER:  Father, we get it all wrong.  Once saved we tend to rely on self…our talents, gifts, personality, strengths instead of realizing we have none of these without you.  We cannot not earn our salvation, we cannot keep our salvation, we cannot fulfill the purpose you have for each of us, and we will have no peace without keeping our hearts and minds on you. Help me be quickly and cheerfully obedient to you in all areas of my life.

 

 

 

Personal or Group Study

Several years ago, I was involved in the most rewarding Bible study I’ve ever done. Although it was meant to be a group thing (and we did attend that), the part that I enjoyed the most was the personal Bible study that I did daily as a result of it. At that time, it was only available as a group, with a “package” that came with several student workbooks, a leader’s guide, videos, etc. We met weekly in a home for the group/video part. But I (and I assume everyone else) studied and did the workbook at home daily.

Recently, I was asked about a Bible study for a newer Christian. I couldn’t get that previous study out of my head, so I just decided to look online and see if anything similar was still available. Imagine my surprise to find that you can actually get the same study with workbook (and even a book if you desire) and connection to videos on demand without having to be part of a group. I immediately ordered two books and workbooks, including the video access since I had told my friend that I would do the Bible study alongside her just in case she had questions while she was doing it.

What is this study? It’s “Experiencing God: Knowing and Doing the Will of God” by Henry, Richard, and Mike Blackaby and Claude V. King. It has been updated some. The original was written by everyone except Mike. Richard is Henry’s son and Mike is his grandson. It is published by Lifeway Press. I know it’s available from Lifeway, Mardel and Christianbook.com. It may possibly be bought other places as well. The cost is reasonable. If you can get only one thing, opt for the workbook with video access. At Christianbook.com, it was only $21.99. (Mardel happened to be the same price that week, but they were out of stock in the store.)

Blackaby tells many personal experiences that relate to the point he is making at the time. Each day’s work involves scriptures (including some memorization), response questions about the readings, and also some personal questions about how God is involved in your own life at the present time. This is a 12-session Bible study with video access. Each session involves 5 days of work in the workbook with a summary of the week and video at the end of the week.

How much time does it take? You could probably go through the day’s lesson in 15-20 minutes, but it can also take as long as you need to allow the Spirit to work in your life as you absorb what God is trying to teach you that day. Although the ideas make complete sense, they are not something that most people would have thought about on their own. For instance, we usually think that God should spell out our future for us before we proceed. However, think about Abraham. God simply told Abram to go where He led. Abram/Abraham did and God blessed him greatly.

Often we believe that God needs us to carry out His work in this world. Actually, it’s the other way around. God could accomplish everything without us at all, but we can’t achieve anything without Him. We must abide in Him to produce fruit. Without Him, we can do nothing. So if you’re looking for a great Bible Study, check out “Experiencing God.” You will be blessed.

Scriptures to read: John 15:5; John 14:6; Matthew 6:33-34; John 5:17, 19-20

Prayer: “Lord, help me to know how to study more about You and what You want me to do. Help me experience You working in my life and allow me to join You in what You’re doing. Please show me how to have enough time and quiet to make my study time worthwhile. Thanks again. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Respond: Make a special time in your day to spend with the Lord. No matter what you’re studying from the Bible, make sure you give God your full attention during that time. Your life will be richer for it.

…the Following God Bible Study Series.

 

[As listed in our WMA guidelines, my job as third vice president is to promote regular, systemic Bible Study. Also, I am chair of the Inspirational Resource Committee whose task it is to recommend good books and studies for Ladies groups across our work.  For almost a year now, we have stressed through our blog the theme of CLOSER:  C= communicate with God through prayer; L= learn to study and understand God’s Word; O= obedience; S= store God’s Word through memorization; E= evangelize; R= renew daily.  This method encourages studying the Bible itself in our quest to increase our intimacy with God as we learn to apply the disciplines represented by this acronym.

 

We have often been asked by some groups to suggest studies that they can use in regular meetings.  With this article we hope to begin incorporating suggestions for this very thing. Your group is invited to share information through this blog about excellent studies you have used.

Our guest contributor this week is Val Blackmore. Val is a member of Celebration Baptist Church in Haskell, Arkansas. She has been involved in the WMA work for decades and is an avid student of God’s Word.]

 

Are you searching for a good study book for your Ladies group? I would like to recommend the Following God Bible Study Series published by AMG Publishers.  This series is suitable for group or individual study.  These Bible studies take you to God’s Word and help you make application in your own life to the truths that you will find there.

 

 

A special feature of these studies are the sidebars on most every page pertaining to historical, contemporary, and archaeological information.

One is titled, Put yourself in their shoes, which explains about the lives and culture of the people in the passage being studied.

 

Our ladies have just finished a study in the Following God Discipleship Series.  This series gives Life Principles for Worship from the Feasts of Israel.  It focuses on these feasts’ fulfillment in Jesus.  In this study, Rick Shepherd wants to remind us that He is represented in each feast. Knowing, loving, obeying, and worshiping Him is the goal of each one.  There are eight lessons broken down into five-day segments that examine the seven feasts as presented in scripture with questions and personal applications for each day.

 

Another very good study is the Following God Character Series.  In the study titled, ‘Joseph… Beyond the Coat of Many Colors.’  Mary Englund Murphy, author, takes you beyond the story we learned as a child to see Joseph as you have never seen him before.  It is an eight-week study in the same formats as the Following God Discipleship Series.  It offers hope; encouragement, and practical answers to life’s problems such as dealing with blended families and broken and betrayed relationships.  She touches on understanding depression, shattered hopes, and implement challenges.  It offers leadership for churches and businesses as well as a guidebook for handling peer pressure and instituting moral purity, grace, and forgiveness.

 

Our ladies found that this study opened a lot of positive class discussion which was beneficial to all and healing for many.

Val Blackmore

Celebration Baptist Church

Haskell AR

 

(If you would like to critique a study and share it with others, please send your suggestions in the form of a write up summary to Judy Wallace, jwallace18@earthlink. It may be included in future blogs.)

 

Have you ever wondered what your calling is? Most people struggle with

the answer. Even though I was raised in a Christian home many times I followed from

afar not understanding the struggles that came in life.

 

Here is what God told Jermiah.

“ Before I formed thee in the belly, I knew thee; and before thou comest

forth out of the womb I sanctified you and I ordained thee a prophet to

the nations.”   Jeremiah 1:5.

 

I am called. If you are one of God’s children, so are you. But

called to what? If you play the piano or sing or have a certain talent

it would be easy to suppose that is your call. But what if he calls you to

something you know nothing about.

 

The Lord doesn’t need talent… He wants commitment. He has all the money

he needs, talent he needs, wisdom he needs, and everything else he needs

to accomplish his will. He can do it with you or without you, but the

Almighty chooses to do it with you. How awesome is that for a plan!

Even the disciples were an unusual lot but they were handpicked

by the Lord to accomplish what He came to do and look what they

accomplished!

 

We are his hands and feet here on earth to accomplish his will. That is

a calling. We may have a plan how our life should go but God is looking

for those who will get involved with what He is doing.

 

Accepting Gods call to salvation will be your first call. Willing to

tell others about Him is your next calling. Be ready. Don’t be afraid.

He will supply all you need.

“But the Lord said unto me, say not I am a child: for thou

shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee

thou shalt speak.“  Jermiah 1: 7

 

We must share the gospel. We are all called to do that, but how shall we

speak of things we know nothing about. Spending time with the Lord is a

must.   Ever notice when you spend time with the Lord how clear things

become. We need direction.

 

John the Baptist was a called man.  He was the cousin of Jesus. He may have lost

his parents at a young age and spent most of his life in the desert

eating locust and wild honey. Why John went there we do not know, but

John seemed to know his destiny; a deep feeling of what he was supposed

to do.

In those days came John the Baptist preaching in the

wilderness of Judaea, and saying, repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven

is at hand.  Luke 3:1

 

“John went out into Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round

about Jordon. And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh

after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear he

shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.

And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water:

and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God

descending like a dove, and lighting upon him.  And lo a voice from

heaven saying, this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

From Mark 1:5-11

 

John seemed to understand who he was and who he wasn’t.

John told the people he was not the Christ from the beginning so when

they came and told him that Jesus was increasing in popularity, he was

not surprised. After all he was to make a way and allow Jesus to be

Christ.  This is what he said to their questions.

 

“A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.”

He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the

bridegroom which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth greatly because of

the bridegroom’s voice: this my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must

increase, but I must decrease.”  John 3: 27, 29, 30

 

It is my calling to accept Jesus’ sacrifice.

 

Book Recommendations:

Ordering your Private World by Gordon MacDonald. This book has a

profound impact on people from all walks of life. It shows how to

organize your private life with God to reflect in your outer life we

live in today.

31 Days of Praise by Ruth Myers: This book puts things into perspective and

Who is actually in charge?  He is the Great I Am and I am who he says I am.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s About Time!

My ladies group started a new Bible study this past week and, in my preparation, I learned a new descriptive word for God. We know God is omni-present (present everywhere), omnipotent (all powerful), and omniscient (all knowing).  

God is also omni-temporal.

Omni meaning “all” and temporal meaning “relating to time.” I have heard people talk about how God is outside our time but really being omni-temporal means He is present in every moment of time as we know time as well as before there was time and after time ends. He is not bound by or limited by our perception of time. 

How do we get our perception of time anyway? Time is determined by the rotation of the earth on its axis and the revolution of the earth around the sun. One rotation equals one 24-hour day. One revolution around the sun equals (approximately) one 365-day year. Ancient people would have observed the cycles of the sun and moon and seen consistent patterns which would have defined for them seasons and eventually months. Without the sun and moon, we would not have the system of time we know and understand. 

In the beginning, God created everything. On the first day He created light and separated light from the darkness. Genesis 1:5 says the evening and the morning were one day. But then on day 4 God created the sun, moon, and stars. That means up until day 4, time as we understand time, did not exist! We know there was evening and morning because there was light and darkness, but the celestial bodies were set in their places on day 4 “to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:” (Genesis 1:14) 

Our perception of life is ruled by the passage of time. We each have a personal timeline that intersects with the personal timeline of others. Your personal timeline is a short section on a general timeline of the world. The timeline of the world began in Genesis 1:1 and God decides when that timeline will end. This is how we perceive time.

But because God is omni-temporal, He can see every moment in time all at once! There is no past or future in God’s perspective, everything is in the present. He sees every timeline and how each one intersects with another. He can see the moment the part of Him that took on flesh – Jesus – took the sins of all mankind on himself as well as the moment when you bowed your head and asked Him to let that sacrifice cover your sin, all at the same time! 

God’s omni-temporal characteristic is why He chose Jesus to be “a lamb without blemish or spot… foreordained before the foundation of the world.” (1 Peter 1:19-20) 

This same quality of character is why God can hear the prayer of a young heart and know how this decision would affect the entire timeline of his or her life. If you prayed a prayer as a child but never let the power of the Holy Spirit within you transform you, then your prayer may have been just words. The danger of repeating a prayer and announcing to a person “now you are saved!” is that they may never know the whole truth – salvation is a gift which begins a life of faith, not a pin in the timeline to look back and point to as your ticket into heaven.

Too many people try to claim comfort at a funeral because someone remembers the deceased “got saved” when he or she was a little kid, but they have no memory of a changed life. God sees every moment of that life from beginning to end. He sees a life drawn daily closer to God, the deathbed confession that comes at the eleventh hour, or the final breath with no real repentance anywhere to be found. 

Repeating the words of a prayer isn’t a magic wand that automatically opens the door of heaven and eternity for you. Genuine repentance brings a lifetime of obedience that draws you closer to the God who is the Author and the Finisher of your faith. 

Scripture: Hebrews 13:8, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Isaiah 43:18-19

Response: Draw a timeline of your life so far. Pay attention to events on that line which give evidence of your repentance. Are you a new creature? Does your life so far give any evidence of genuine repentance? Pray and ask God to let the Holy Spirit work in you to make you who He purposed for you to be. 

Prayer: Father, thank you for all the wonderful things you have done throughout history as well as the mighty works you still have in store. Please use my time here on earth to the benefit of your eternal kingdom. Let me fulfil the purpose You designed for me and prepare me to show someone else Your path for them. In Jesus name, Amen. 

 

 

 

FORGIVE AND FORGET?

By Jackie Ricks.  This is article #35 in our series on drawing CLOSER to God.

 

Hopefully you don’t have this problem. But maybe you know someone who does and you can help them understand what they need to do.

 

Scriptures to read:  Matthew 18:21-35; Colossians 3:12-15; Luke 6:37-38; 17:3-4

 

Prayer: “Lord, please help me to remain close to You. You know how often I sin and sometimes I fail to ask Your forgiveness as quickly as I should. You also know that I have trouble forgiving myself. Thanks for reminding me that You have already forgiven me and if You, in Your holiness can forgive me, then I should be able to forgive myself. Thanks for giving me the ability to forgive others when they wrong me in some way. Help me to forgive and forget as I should. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

   

Part of our state got snow this week.  We might have seen a flake or two but mostly it was just a slushy, cold rain for us.  As I watched pictures on the local news station of the beautiful floating crystals drifting down onto the already covered ground, my mind went to the scripture in Isaiah.  “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18

 

NEW! White! Clean! That is what we are when we accept the fact that we are helpless sinners and can do nothing about it on our own.  We must come to Jesus, repent of our sin, and believe that Jesus Christ came into the world to be the sacrifice needed for our sin and ask Him to save us! That relationship brings us NEW life, a NEW birth, a NEW outlook, purpose, passion.  It gives a NEW direction for our life and a NEW love for God and others.

 

But as with many things in life, there seems to sneak in a fog of apathy…one of passivity that slowly descends on us, causing us to drift away from a close dependency on our Savior. It is time to RE-NEW .

There are many definitions of this word. One means to take up again as with an acquaintance. It means to replenish, revive, reestablish, recover what was lost, to restore to a former state. Do any of those definitions describe what needs to happen in your relationship with the Lord?  We know He is always there so we also know the one who must have moved. It’s us!

 

Life gets in the way.  Problems arise but we think we can take care of them ourselves.  We pridefully try to handle anything and foolishly think we must sign up for everything. All the while we are neglecting the most important thing we need…a close, intimate relationship with Jesus Christ. 

 

Go back to the second paragraph.  Remind yourself of what it took to become a child of God: total helplessness in self, total trust in Christ.   If you look carefully, you will realize that what it took to make you NEW is exactly what it takes to help us RENEW! We must accept the fact that we are helpless sinners with a nature that is always trying to pull us away from God. So we must do a 180, repent and turn back to Jesus realizing that we are hopeless on our own and must depend on Him totally.

 

So…what is it you need not do so that Christ can do it through you. Which definition best describes what you need to do in your life right now for renewal?

SCRIPTURES TO READ/RESPOND:

Do you need to ‘take up again’ in your relationship with Jesus? Proverbs 3:3

Do you need to establish a daily time in the word? 2 Corinthians 4:16

Do you need to replenish your spiritual energy and strength? 1 Peter 5:7

Do you need your own personal revival to reestablish your closeness with God? Psalm 85:6

Do you need to recover what was lost and restore it to the former state? Psalm 51:12

Do you need to fall in love with our awesome, omnipotent God all over again? Jeremiah 31:3

 

PRAYER: “Father, I definitely get it all wrong. I’m the one who breaks our fellowship.  Help me put you first in all that I do, from the first part of my day to the last thought that comes to my mind each evening.  Help me open my eyes to the opportunities you give me and help me take advantage of each one.  When my neat, written plans for the day don’t mesh with Yours, then turn mine topsy-turvy so I have to look to You.  Give me a craving for Your Word and a deeply devoted heart that is for You alone.  Renew a right spirit within me.  Renew my fellowship with You.”

 

*My son, attend to my words, incline thine ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them and health to all their flesh” Proverbs 4:20-22

 

The Lord has His lists (promises) of what to do in the new year…

*Say to them that are of a fearful heart, be strong, Fear not; behold, your God will come with vengeance even God with a recommence; He will come and save you. Isaiah 35:4

*Isaiah 41: 10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed, for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. 

*But now thus saith the Lord and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. Isaiah 43:1 

* When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Isaiah 43: 2 

*I lift mine eyes to the hills; from where does my help come. My help comes from the Lord, maker of Heaven and Earth. Psalms 121:1-2 He does not say, “My pain comes from the Lord,” or “My tragedy comes from the Lord, “He says, my help comes from the Lord.”

Praise and thankfulness bring blessings from the Almighty.  You will find God is delightful to know. What a privilege it is to know Him and the more you glorify the Lord the more He will refresh you and deepen your experience to Him. 

May God richly bless you this coming year for your good and His Glory.

 

 

 

 

 

He’s Here with Us

By Valarie Fish. This is article #32 in our series on drawing closer to God. 

 

Perhaps the presence of the Holy Spirit inside a believer is God’s gift of eternal connection with Him. No more separation! Always here with us. 

 

Scripture: John 1:14; Luke 1:26-35

 

Prayer: Father, let me always be aware of your presence in my life. Let me make decisions and live everyday conscious of how my actions affect our intimacy. Bless those who read these words and let them know how close You are to them and how close You want to be! 

 

Respond: As you go through your day, ask yourself if you are aware of His presence in every action and decision you make. How does His presence affect the places you go and the things you do? 

 

 

 

MY BEST FRIEND

By Jackie Ricks.  This is article # 31 in our series on frawing closer to God.  

 

 

 

 

 

Have you discovered Jesus as your best friend? I’ve always known He was there and I turned to Him often. But, I didn’t always turn to Him first or utilize His plans the way He wanted me to. Just as it takes a while to learn to trust a new friend, we have to learn to trust Jesus in everything. He always knows what’s best for us, but we won’t realize it if we aren’t close to Him. That takes turning to Him first in every situation, even the simplest of things. Let Jesus be the One to give you advice and show you what to do. Don’t rely on yourself or on other people. Go to your best friend first; go to Jesus. Or if you don’t know Him, read some of these other blogs and learn how He can become your very best friend. Specifically, read all three “Seed Flinger” articles and the one on “Witnessing.” These will give you scriptures that will show you how to trust in Jesus so that He can be your best friend, too. Or find a believer who can help you.

Scriptures to read:  John 15:13; Matthew 11:29-30; Proverbs 3:5-6; 17:17; 18:24

Prayer:  “Lord, thank You so much for being my Savior and my best friend. I know that I sometimes don’t come to You first with my problems and victories. Help me learn to come to You first so that I can remain as close to You as possible. I know that people become distant when we don’t see each other or communicate. Help me to stay close so that I don’t have to wonder if You want to hear from me. Thanks again for all You do for me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Respond:  If Jesus isn’t already your Savior and friend, then make every effort to trust Him now. If you already know Him as your friend, then learn to go to Him on a regular basis. It doesn’t have to be anything formal. Just tell Him “Hi” throughout the day and turn to Him each time you have a need. You will find that He is always there and will meet every need better than you could ever imagine!   

Things were much different during the time of Christ. 

MARY MAGDALENE

MARY THE SISTER OF MARTHA

When you hear the story of Mary and Martha, do any of you feel like Martha got the raw end of the deal? I confess, I‘m a natural born ‘Martha.’ For me to be a ‘Mary’ it takes intentionality, discipline, and dedication. I can see myself delegating assignments, letting Mary know if she would just come and help we would finish more quickly and then both of us could enjoy His teaching!

But even then, Martha was more concerned about how her house looked while Mary was more concerned about how her heart looked.  You see Mary had a molded mind…totally attuned to Jesus’ and always drawn more and more to His teachings. Mary also had An Anointing spirit and humble Attitude. Whenever we see her in scripture, she is sitting at the feet of Jesus…learning, worshipping. Mary also had a Responsive heart.  She didn’t just listen to what Jesus said, Mary Yielded to it. She chose to sit at His feet. She chose to listen to His Word whenever and wherever she could.  She chose to be teachable and trusting. 

Martha was diligent in her duties.  Mary was diligent in her devotion.

Martha was distracted by the preparations.  Mary was attracted to Jesus’ presence.

Martha was quick to her feet.  Mary was quick to Jesus’ feet.

Mary chose the better thing.

 

Are you submissive and obedient to God’s will for your life? Do you believe in his promises? His power? His purpose for your life? Do you ponder on Him?

Do you live a life of freedom and faithfulness being ever aware of all that Christ has done for you?

Do you have a [M]Mind Molded by the words and ways of God?

Do you have an [A] Anointed spirit that worships Him with attitudes and actions?

Do you have a [R] Responsive heart that listens and obeys what you have been shown in His Word?

 

 

That was a great encouraging time in my life because from then until now when I prepared to speak, I prepare for 500 and I am ready for ever how many show up. It’s amazing the feeling you get by just being ready for whatever God is going to do. If few show up and you see nothing happen don’t forget the promises in I Corinthians and Isaiah:

*So then neither is he that planteth anything neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 

We see from eyes on earth He sees from eyes with a view of heaven and His glory.” I Corinthians 3:7

 

*So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth it shall not return unto me void. But it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing wherto I sent it” Isahiah 55:11  

 

The Lord has a message. It’s not our message.

 

We are called to speak and He shall accomplish that which He pleases with it and it will not return to Him void. It will prosper.

 

His Eye Is On The Sparrow

Why should I feel discouraged, Why should the shadows come,

Why should my heart be lonely, And long for Heav’n and home,

When Jesus is my portion? My constant friend is He;

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

 

Let not your heart be troubled,” His tender word I hear,

And resting on His goodness, I lose my doubts and fears,

Tho by the path He leadeth, but one step I may see;

Whenever I am tempted, whenever clouds arise, 

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

 

When song gives place to singing, when hope within me dies,

I draw the closer to Him; From care He sets me free;

 His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He cares for me;

Chorus: His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He cares for me.

I sing because I’m happy. I sing because I’m free

For His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me. – Lyrics by Civilla Durfee Martin.

 

 It’s so important to read His word.  It contains a map for us to follow. God is a communicating God speaking words to me as I am attentive to Him. He is available at all times and He is unchanging. Sounds to me like a safe person to follow. 

 How many people do you know that are unchanging, accessible at all times, and died that you might live?  

By studying His Word, we learn to recognize His voice and His patterns for living and serving. We develop deeper faith and confidence and it changes us more and more into His image from one degree of glory to another. 

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119: 11

May I be a joy to you Lord.

 

 

 

 

 

I Believe in Thanks-Living

By Valarie Fish.  This is article #28 in our series on drawing closer to God. 

 

Paul understood the concept: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, because of the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1)

 

Spiritually speaking, I am alive today because of a heart transplant. Jesus took my place and died on the cross so that I would have a chance to live. When I acknowledged and accepted that sacrifice, I got a new heart. It seems only reasonable that I live my life in a way that demonstrates my thankfulness. I could try to perform a variety of good deeds to pay Him back for His generosity but all He really wants is for me to live thankful – not just the third Thursday in November but every day. It’s the least I can do for all that He has given me.

 

Scripture: Psalm 100:4 

 

Respond: How does thankfulness bring you CLOSER to God?

 

How do you show your gratefulness for God’s daily blessings? 

 

Three weeks ago, this blog may have been somewhat different. Between then and now I was able to attend a training called Good Soil Evangelism and Discipleship led by Eliezer Semedo from the Missions Department.  I have for years been burdened about discipleship.  It started with a Downline Conference in Memphis, Tennessee.  Then being able to participate from the beginning with our BMA’s Disciple Way, a strong conviction was placed on my heart. I was not fulfilling the commission Jesus had left for ME to do.  I was not going and I was not discipling. I was not obeying Him. His final words and instructions before He ascended had not been my priority. It should have been just as it should be yours.

Three weeks ago, I would have simply shared some well-known ways to present the gospel to people.  They would have included the Roman Road, Evangelism Explosion, Before and After Three Word Testimony, Good News/ Bad News, two diagnostic questions, and the Draw- On-A-Napkin method using Romans 6:23.  Each and every one of these methods are good and powerful and effective…only IF the soil of a person’s heart has been cleared, cultivated and is ready for the seed.

You see, what I realized is that every person that I encounter or start a relationship with is at a different place in their lives when it comes to spiritual things.  Some won’t even believe in One True God.  Some don’t know what sin is or believe they are guilty even if you explain it. Some believe there are many ways to heaven. Some don’t believe in absolute truth.

By using what is called the Engel Scale, it can be better determined where a person might be in their knowledge of God and then we can go from there. 

“A strength of the Engel scale is that it helps us to realize that our approach to evangelism can be informed by and adapted to how much understanding or interest a person has in the Christian faith.  Consequently, if we can try to gauge where a person is on the scale it becomes possible to contextualize our conversation or message in a way that will hopefully be more effective.” (www.eauk.org)

We often assume that the people God places in our path know about the Biblical story: Jehovah God is creator of all things and has made a covenant with man; Adam and Eve were tempted by Satan and chose to give in to what he offered rather than obeying God, and on through the thread of redemption that weaves through the Bible.  But people just don’t know these things! Most will, however, admit to a hole in their heart that they have tried to fill with any and everything but find that all their efforts are vain.  That’s because the only One that can fill it is God. 

Three weeks ago, I learned a way to assess where a person might be spiritually by using eight basic gospel concepts. 

(1) God     (5) Christ

(2) Man    (6) Cross

(3) Sin      (7) Faith

(4) Death (8) Life

SCRIPTURE: Spend this week solidifying these important concepts into your hearts and mind.  Find scripture that serve as basis for each and then try them out on a new acquaintance or an old friend that is still not a believer.  Life gets exciting when you ask God for opportunities. Just be sure you keep your eyes wide open so you will recognize them when He sends them your way. 

RESPONSE: Father, we get it all wrong!  We stay busy doing things that we think are for You when first and foremost you have commissioned us to go and make disciples.  Bring across my path people you want me to interact with.  Then help me to discern where they may be on the road to understanding Who You are and what You have done for us in the giving of your Son.

Side Note: The week after the training, God placed two opportunities in front of me.  I was able to share with one that the thing I did for her originated with Jesus.  She profusely thanked me and then left.  Looking back I think I could have taken the discussion further if I had tried. I’m still learning! The next day I interacted over the phone with a client I had met the week before at our local pregnancy resource center.  She called the center and asked for my contact number.  I spent at least 30 minutes with her with my Good Soil workshop manual in my lap and she came so very close to trusting Jesus but backed out at the last minute.  I don’t know what God will do with that conversation but I do know I left her with much to think about.  Pray with me that she will take the next step of repentance and trust.

Thank you, Eliezer and the Missions Department for making the training possible.

 

 

 

Prayer Changes Things

By Susie Edgar. This is article #25 in our series on drawing closer to God.  

 

One of my favorite stories about preachers’ kids was told this way. 

 

One Sunday morning the preacher’s wife could not be in service so the pastor took their 4-year son and had the little one on the second row. 

The pastor got up to preach and the little boy started to wiggle.  The pastor gave his son, “the eye.”

The little boy settled down. So, the pastor went on to the second point. The little boy started to wiggle again.  By the time the pastor got to his third point he said, “Folks, I’m sorry but I have to take care of something.”  He takes his little boy, throws him over his shoulder and heads for the nearest exit. As they were walking toward the exit the little boy looked at the congregation and said; “Dear people pray!” 

 

Now that boy knew how to pray in a crisis!

 

There are many ways to pray. We have tried most of them in our lifetime but the first instruction on prayer came from Jesus to his apostles when they asked, 

“Lord, Teach us to pray.”

Jesus said: 

“After this manner therefore pray ye:” 

Pray like this

 

Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Father in heaven, holy is your name 

 

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.

We pray for your kingdom to come, your will to be done like it is in heaven

 

 Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: 

Give us our daily bread, forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil

 

For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever 

For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. 

Amen.   

 

How is your prayer life today?

What does it mean to have a lifestyle of prayer; to be in continual prayer and 

to have a regular time of prayer?

 

I will not incorporate something into my life as a normal part of my life unless I feel it is necessary.  I have discovered that about exercise.  I don’t really like to do exercise but the older I get, the more I can see that it is necessary. 

I am convinced that the same thing is true about prayer. We will not make a prayer life unless we believe it is a necessity for our lives.

 

 If you have not come to the conclusion that prayer has to be a way of life or a necessity for life, your prayer life will suffer.

 

Why is it important to have a prayer life?

Because we are commanded to pray: 

I Thessalonians 5:17  

 Pray without ceasing   

Luke 18:1

 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray and not to faint;   

Phil 4: 6-7 

 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 

I Chronicles 16:11

Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually.

 

 I have become convinced that when God commands us to do something it is because it is necessary for us to have joyful lives.

 

Our success in prayer is because of many hours spent practicing the art of prayer. Hours alone, speaking with the Almighty, practicing how to be in the secret place with the Lord.  Our public performance is defined by our private practice.

The goal of prayer should never be the roaring approval of the crowds but rather the approval of our Father in heaven. What will God say about your prayer life when you stand before Him? 

Remember, God is still on His throne and prayer does change things. 

 

 

 

Bring on the Buffet!

By Valarie Fish.  This is article #24 in our sereies in drawing closer to God.  

Response: Do you ever skip meals? Do you ever forget to eat for days at a time? What causes you to need sustenance? Have you ever thought that the difficult times come because those are the times you seek God more intentionally? 

How could “feeding on His faithfulness” bring you CLOSER to God? 

 

 

Everyone said it was the best cruise to take. We love to cruise (even if we don’t get to do it often), but we had never really cared about going to Alaska. Then two years ago, my husband and I both independently began to think about it. When I heard him mention it to someone else, I decided it was time to plan the Alaskan cruise. We put it off for two years because I knew I was having both knees replaced last year. We were really hyped up for this and everyone told us how great it would be.

 

However, from the beginning things weren’t exactly what we planned.

 

From delayed flights to foggy, rainy weather, to engine trouble on the ship, to a missed port ,to more delayed flights home, it was definitely NOT what we had planned for. On the day we were supposed to go to the best port, I sat at breakfast lamenting what a disappointment my vacation had been. The ship was rocking back and forth from the weather system that prevented us from going where I had planned to get the real Alaskan-made souvenirs. I could see nothing really good about it. Then…

 

I glanced out the window through the rain and fog and saw a beautiful rainbow!

 

Suddenly, I felt bad that I had been complaining about God’s beautiful creation and everything that had been happening. After all, it could have been worse! We could have missed the trip altogether. Or the rain could have prevented us from even getting off the ship in the ports we did get to see. If the engine had not been fixed quickly, we might have been stranded for days. And, later, we definitely needed the rain in Texas that delayed our returning flight; we certainly wouldn’t have wanted the plane to fly in such bad thunderstorms.

 

God knew what might have been if He had not intervened; I didn’t. He brought about the best in the circumstances.

 

The colorful rainbow reminded me of God’s promises and His many blessings. I thought of how many times I complain when I should be thanking Him for providing what I do have and preventing me from going through crises that could be worse than the small inconveniences which occurred on my vacation. Thankfully, God got my attention. I listened and my thinking turned around.

 

So what does all of this have to do with getting closer to God?

 

It’s a by-product. When we get closer to God, we are more aware of when He tries to get our attention. We’re more in tune to listen to Him when He speaks to us, whether through His word, others’ words or actions, or His beautiful creation. Am I so close to God that I hear Him every time? No, but I did this time, and it’s made a difference in my outlook. You know how you can almost read someone’s mind or know what they’re about to say when you’re close to them? That’s what it’s like when you’re closer to God; you are more aware when He’s trying to get your attention.

 

In looking back through the photos that I took, I realize that I enjoyed myself more than it sounds like when I tell someone about this vacation.  Now when someone asks, I try to emphasize the positive instead of the negative and to tell them about God’s blessings.

 

Scriptures to read:  Psalm 119:2; Philippians 4:11 & 19

 

Prayer: “Lord, thank You for our vacation being exactly as it was. It may not have been what I expected, but I know it was what You intended. Help me always to see the good, not just in people, but in circumstances as well. And, especially, keep me close to You so that I can hear You when You have to nudge me back to reality and make me realize that life isn’t intended to be all rainbows. It takes the rain to make the rainbows. Thank You again. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

 

 

   

 

 

 

SEED FLINGER (Part 2)

By Judy Wallace.  This is article #22 in our series on drawing closer to God.

“Maybe it’s time to slow down and open our spiritual eyes to see if there’s someone you can help. God places opportunities all around us but if we’re not looking, we’ll miss them.” Charles Stanley

 

 

 

By Faith Enoch

By Susie Edgar. Article #21 in our series on drawing closer to God.

 

By faith Enoch was translated that he could not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him. For before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. Hebrews 11:5

 

What a commendation God gave to Enoch, “He pleased God”! Enoch crossed the line that ended his life with not a perfect life but a perfect testimony. Not a bad thing for God to say about Enoch. Not a bad thing for God to say about any of us.  I would like to hear God say some day, you pleased me, you made me smile when you did that. 

 

So how did Enoch do it? Let’s look in Genesis 5:21-24 (21) And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah; (22) And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: (23) And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty-five years. (24) And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

 

That’s all we have to do to please God. Walk with Him. God wants our company. And the only way we can walk with him is not by sight but by faith. Without faith it is impossible to please Him. Hebrews 11:6

 

In a cold desperate world Enoch had a desire to follow God. Somewhere along the way Enoch took seriously those old stories handed down through the generations.

 

No matter what took Enoch there, the relationship took. Enoch walked with his God for 300 years until, one day, God just walked him home. Apparently, they didn’t pass a cemetery on the way.

 

I Corinthians 2:9  But as it is written, Eye had not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

 

The only way we will have an earthly experience with God that is more than ears have heard, eyes have seen, and minds have ever imagined is to walk with Him. He has promised never to leave us nor forsake us. 

If we persist in our own way, we will walk ourselves right into a place we may as well call “less-than-land.” 

  

Scripture: Ps 139:7-10 (7) Whether shall I go from thy spirit?  Or whither shall I flee from thy presence? (8) If I ascend up unto heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. (9) If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;(10) Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. 

 

We have only one turn on this green earth. We will never get to do this again. What we need is eyes on the goal.

 

Kate Wilkerson says it well in her song 

Seeing Only Him

May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
Live in me from day to day,
By His love and power controlling
All I do and say.

May the Word of God dwell richly
In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph
Only through His power.

May the peace of God my Father
Rule my life in everything,
That I may be calm to comfort
Sick and sorrowing.

May the love of Jesus fill me
As the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self abasing,
This is victory.

May I run the race before me,
Strong and brave to face the foe,
Looking only unto Jesus
As I onward go.

May His beauty rest upon me,
As I seek the lost to win,
And may they forget the channel,
Seeing only Him.

 

 

 

Breathe without Ceasing

My body clock woke me up about an hour before the other campers.

 

So, I wondered – does everybody have this kind of internal conversation going on?

 

Respond: Do you have a time of day set aside for prayer? Are you aware when you are conversing with God? Pay attention to the time of day when you pray and what is going on around you when you choose to pray.

Prayer: Father, help me always be aware of Your presence. Let me be ready to listen when You are ready to speak to me. Amen. 

 

 

 

Oh, the Places!

The instructions He gave Moses in Exodus repeatedly reminded them not to worship any other gods because no other god carried His character traits of mercy and justice and grace and faithfulness and so many more. To misrepresent His character was to take His Name in vain! 

 

In the Old Testament, God chose to place His Name on His chosen people as a nation and specifically on the Tabernacle and later Solomon’s Temple. This was the place where God placed His Name. But even the prophets knew the buildings were temporary. Ezekial records the glory of God leaving the temple sometime before it was destroyed in 586 BC and there is no record of His presence returning to either the second temple or Herod’s temple.

Scripture: Deuteronomy 12:5-14; John 4:19-24; James 4:8-10

Prayer: Father, help me always surrender to You and Your plan for my life. Help me to draw closer to You by recognizing your amazing gift of salvation. Write Your Name on my life and use me to shine a spotlight on You so others can see what an amazing God you are. Amen

Respond: Think about this statement – “You are as close to God right now as you want to be.” You may want to reject the thought, but this statement is so true! You can be as close to God as you want to be!  What do you need to be as close to God as you want to be?

 

 

 

The explanation that made me realize I needed to keep the basics in front of my students regularly was that of walking the same area across grass. If you walk several times a day for a few days, a path might begin to show, but it will disappear if you quit walking the same path. However, walking the same path daily and continuing it regularly will cause the grass to stay off the path where it is clearly visible. The same happens to us as we read God’s Word. If we study for two weeks and then quit, it doesn’t stay with us. However, if we continue to study on a daily basis, we will retain it better as well as draw closer to God.

I read my Bible daily every morning and try to have some quiet prayer time as well. However, that schedule may not work for you. Find what does. The important thing is to continue on a regular basis until it becomes a habit. That’s not to say that you should simply read and pray because it’s the thing to do at that time. You need to crave God’s presence and desire to meet with Him. But it may take a few times of making yourself do it to begin to realize just how much you are getting out of it.

Put in some extra time studying what a particular passage means. Did you read enough to get the entire context? Don’t just read one or two verses and take them without checking what comes before and after. What do the original words mean? I know that the English language has changed greatly just in my lifetime. It certainly has changed since the King James version was translated. Besides checking other more modern versions of the Bible, you may want to check what the original Hebrew or Greek meant.

Make time for God. After all, He made time and gave His only Son just for us. In fact, He gives us all the time we have, so use some of that time to take a daily walk with Him in His Word. Renew your relationship with Him through prayer. Create a path that doesn’t go away.

 

Scriptures to read:  Isaiah 58:2; Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:18

 

Prayer:  Lord, thank you that I can come to You at any time for any reason. We don’t have to wait to be in church or on our knees or for a certain time of day. You’re as close as a thought. Help me to remember to call on You at all times, whether it be to thank You, to ask You for help, to intercede for someone else, or simply to remain close to You. I want Your will done and for You to be glorified in everything. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 

Respond: Make a special time today for God. Even if you already meet Him every morning or evening or whenever, take a few extra minutes to meet Him at a special time. Ask Him to help you remember to come to Him daily (even if you already do, because our lives do get busy sometimes and we forget). Then DO IT.

 

   

 

 

 

SEED FLINGER

By Judy Wallace this is article seventeen in our series on drawing closer to God. 

I saved as many seeds as I could. 

Why do we make this so difficult? What are our excuses?

• “I don’t know what to say?’
• “What if I say the wrong thing?”
• “What if they ask me a question that I don’t know how to answer?”
• “I don’t really have any opportunities to witness.”

Does the interaction with a stranger bring up the topic of weather? Then state, “I’m so glad I’m not in charge of the weather. The Lord knows what He is doing.” I’ve had responses all the way from “Yes He does” to “I’m not so sure”!  But seed was flung!

 

What if you are number fifteen?!?! What if you do have the privilege of taking someone through the plan of salvation? Does that stir fear in your heart?  We will cover that in my next blog. Until then, meditate on these scriptures and respond to them.

SCRIPTURE:

• Matthew 28:18-20
• Acts 1:8

• Matthew 4:19
• Acts 22:15

• Romans 7:4b
• Proverbs 11:30
• Daniel 12:3
• Luke 8:1-15

What convicts, instructs, or encourages you from these verses?

RECOMMENDATION:

God Space: Where Spiritual Conversations Happen Naturally by Doug Pollock

I highly recommend you get this book and read it.  You may not agree with everything he says, but I do think you will walk away with a wider view of evangelism and less fear.

“We are not responsible for a single conversion, 

But we are responsible for every single conversation.”

(I first read this quote in the God Space book but I am not sure if this is where it originates.)

 

 

 

God’s Voice/ Satan’s Voice

By Susie Edgar.  This is articke sixteen in our series on drawing closer to God.  

 

Isn’t that just like God to make it simple enough that even the least of us can understand.

I pray God’s voice becomes clear to you at this very moment in your time of need. 

God’s Voice: stills you, lead you, reassures you, enlightens you, encourages you, comforts you, calms you, convicts you                                                                 

Satan’s Voice: rushes you, pushes you, frightens you, confuses you, discourages you, worries you, obsesses you, condems you                                  

                                                                                                 

PRAYER: Thank you, Father, that I am a member of Your body and a dwelling place of Your Spirit.

SCRIPTURES: John 10:27; 1 John 4:1; Psalm 143:8

 

 

 

Climb Every Mountain

By Valarie Fish.  This is article fifteen in our series on drawing closer to God.

It seems people are always hungry for something: food, money, love, sex, free time, friends, etc. But how many times are we hungry for God’s Word and fellowship with Him?

 

You know, if you’d never tried chocolate (or some other food that you now enjoy), you’d never be hungry for it because you wouldn’t know it was so good. But once you tried it, you became hungry for it. One of my grandsons is like that about brisket or meatloaf. He didn’t want to try them the first time, but now he begs for them all the time.

 

The same is true about God’s Word.

 

If we don’t spend time in His Word, then we don’t know how good it is and how much we want it. We find Mary of Bethany understood that. Apparently, she had possibly helped serve Jesus on His previous visits to Martha’s house where Mary lived. During that time, she must have heard His teaching and wanted to hear more. That’s probably how she came to sit at the Savior’s feet when He came to visit her and her sister and their brother Lazarus in Bethany. (Luke 10:38-42) She couldn’t pull herself away long enough to help Martha serve the guests because she was so enthralled with His message. Even Jesus Himself said that Mary had chosen the “good part” (listening to Him) that day.

 

We need to learn to listen to what the Bible says so that we may be closer to God. As a result of listening to Him, then our actions also help draw us closer to Him. Mary put her faith and love into action in John 12:1-8. No one told Mary to anoint Jesus’ feet. In fact, some tried to prevent it and criticized her for doing it. However, the Lord said it was preparation for the end of His life. She didn’t know that, obviously, but she followed God’s leading. The closer we are to God, the more we are aware of what He wants us to do. 

 

Are we hungry for God’s Word? Do we really want Him to be involved in every aspect of our lives?

 

I’m afraid some of us want Him there only part of the time because we aren’t doing what we should and we’re afraid He will reprimand us. Or maybe we’re afraid God might ask us to do something that we don’t want to do. None of this should matter because the only thing that will bring us true joy is being in God’s will. Reading and studying God’s Word daily is the only way to stay in His will. That’s time well spent with God.

 

Do you have a favorite passage or story in the Bible? Check it out and really study it. You may find something that you hadn’t noticed before. God may also send you a message with an answer to something you’ve been praying about or a direction of something He wants you to do. Try reading the scripture in more than one version and also using a commentary to help understand something new about the passage. Stay in the Word daily.

Scriptures:  Luke 10:38-42 and John 12:1-8

 

Respond: If you don’t already have a Bible app that contains a concordance, several scripture versions (including original language versions), commentary, and other helps, find one such as Bible Hub or Logos. Both are free but may also have purchases available within the apps. If you aren’t tech savvy (and you don’t have to be much to use either of those), then at least invest in a thorough concordance or other helps. There are also many good commentaries, but it can get expensive to purchase books so you may want to check out the library. Your church may even have some as well.

The Kneeling Christian.

(Recommended Book by Susie Edgar)

“A traveler in China visited a heathen temple on a great feast day. Many were the worshipers of the hideous idol enclosed in a sacred shrine. The visitor noticed that most of the devotees brought with them small pieces of paper on which prayers had been written or printed. These were wrapped up in little balls of stiff mud and flung at the idol. He enquired the reason for this strange proceeding and was told that if the mud ball stuck fast to the idol, then the prayer would assuredly be answered; but if the mud fell off, the prayer was rejected by the god.

We may smile at this peculiar way of testing the acceptability of prayer. But is it not a fact that the majority of Christian men and women who pray to a Living God know very little about real prevailing prayer? Yet prayer is the key that unlocks the door of God’s treasure-house.

It is not too much to say that all real growth in the spiritual life—all victory over temptation, all confidence and peace in the presence of difficulties and dangers, all repose of spirit in times of great disappointment or loss, all habitual communion with God—depends upon the practice of secret prayer.

This book was written by request and with much hesitancy. It goes forth with much prayer. May He who said, “Men ought always to pray, and not to faint, teach us to pray.” (Author’s preface. Author, An Unknown Christian. Credited to Albert Ernest Richardson. The Kneeling Christian. Zondervan books.)

 

Incredible Promises

In our Lord’s last discourse, he said; “Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you. “ John 16:23 KJV.

 

Do we really believe this?

 

We must if we believe our Bibles. Do we really desire to do God’s will? Do we really believe His promises? If so, will it not lead us to spend more time on our knees before God?

 

Do not vow to pray so much a day. Resolve to pray much.  The writer states he is quite certain of this fact. God wants us to pray.

 

SCRIPTURE: “And he said unto them, when ye pray, say, ‘Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.’” Luke 11:2.

 

RESPOND: As you read this book, the writer most earnestly implores you not to read hurriedly what is contained in these chapters. Much—very much—depends upon the way in which every reader receives what is there recorded. For everything depends upon prayer. (Purchase the book in the link. We do not recieve compensation from sales, we are not affiliated with Zondervan of Amazon).

Billy Graham was asked If he had a system in which he used to study his Bible. He replied;

When we pray, we must not only pray but listen.

The Songs I Cannot Sing

The second verse of the old hymn “Sunshine in my Soul” by Eliza Edmunds Hewitt says this: 

“There is music in my soul today, a carol to my King; 

Scripture: “Therefore, I urge you brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies (dedicating all of yourselves, set apart) as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship.” Romans 12:1 AMP

Prayer: Father, thank you for giving me the opportunity to praise you with or without a voice. Let my surrender be my act of worship. Let me lift my voice to You and hear the songs I cannot sing. Use this blog to encourage someone to praise you with their whole heart and worship you in spirit and in truth. Amen 

 

 

 

I’ve never liked noise.

Well, today I had to.

And it was the ultimate noisemaker: an MRI. I’ve had several during my life, but this one seemed louder than any other. It was also longer than most, and was made even longer by the machine throwing glitches into some of the pictures. However, thank God I survived!

 

It’s not too late to memorize even now. I’ve memorized several as an adult. You may choose your version of the Bible to learn. I’ve tried various versions, but always have to memorize the King James because that’s what I heard for so many years that I get mixed up if I try memorizing anything else.

 

There’s an app.

I have it on iPhone, but I’m sure you can probably get it on any phone. Just check the App Store. It’s called Bible Memory and has a photo of an open Bible. You may choose various versions of the Bible (although I think all except the KJV costs extra).

Well, just as I did today, I could not take anything into the MRI with me. But those verses were a comfort and helped keep my mind off the noise!

 

That’s not the only reason, though.

There are many instances where it comes in handy to know many verses. I often think of scripture as I’m driving down the road talking to God. He will remind me of something in the Bible that I need to know for the particular situation that concerns.

 

Scripture: Psalm 119:11 

Prayer:  “Lord, thank You for giving us Your word to guide us through life. Thank You especially for bringing it to my mind at just the perfect time to help me through my day. Help me to learn more scripture so that I will have it readily available when I need Your perspective of some situation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

At the end of Genesis, we see that Jacob’s family had grown to seventy people. Now over four hundred years later, they are called the children of Israel.  God had made them fruitful, increased them abundantly, made them exceedingly mighty, and now filled the land of Egypt with them.  Yeah for Israel!

But it was not so ‘yeah’ as far as Egypt was concerned. Instead, there was a problem.  Many generations had passed since Joseph had died and the new Pharoah knew nothing of him and cared nothing for these people.  Instead, he had grown fearful of the increase in their numbers and was concerned they might join other nations in a war against Egypt. The problem now for the new Pharaoh was to figure out a plan to not only reduce their numbers but to basically destroy their existence.

PHAROAH’S PLANS

His first try was given to us in Exodus 1:11-14. “ ¹¹ Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens…¹² But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel. ¹³ And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour: ¹⁴ And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage… all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour.”  The term rigor means harshness, severity, or cruelty and comes from a root word meaning to break apart or crush.  But during this harsh persecution, the Israelites flourished and grew in numbers. Now Pharaoh had to go to Plan B!  His Plan B became Shiphrah and Puah’s problem #1! The king called these two women in and told them when they assisted the Hebrew women at their time of delivery, they were to kill all the boy babies but could let the baby girls live.

THEIR POSITION

They were now put in a position where they had to make a decision. This could have proved a huge problem for these two ladies but evidently not.  The head of the country was certainly to be feared and he had given them orders to take the lives of all baby boys.  But they had a greater fear…”¹⁷ But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.”  When Pharaoh asked about this, they told him the Hebrew women were strong in their delivery.  Some say they lied.  We don’t know that!  It could have been the Israelite women were more physically strong and of greater fortitude than the Egyptians. Whatever the case, they followed God and God responded!

GOD’S PROVISION

God never leaves obedience unrewarded.  ” ²⁰ Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.²¹ And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.” In this case, he made the midwives’ houses. This term ‘houses’ may have meant children of their own because midwives often took these jobs because they were childless.  It could also have been actual, physical homes.  Either way, they obeyed under difficult circumstances and He blessed them in response.

But also, the Lord used these women to help bring Moses into the world: the very same Moses that would be the great deliverer of the Israelites from the land of Egypt. They knew God!  They feared God! They obeyed God! Their actions helped the lineage of our Messiah be protected!

SCRIPTURE:

Acts 4:19  “But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.”

Acts 5:29 “ Then Peter and the apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than man.”

Psalm 111:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.”

Proverbs 9:10  “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”

Daniel 11:32b  “…but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.”

RESPOND: Two common ladies doing a common job but in a mighty warrior kind of way.  How?

What problem, what hard decision are you facing? Keep your thoughts and efforts on knowing God and obeying what He shows you.  There is no telling how you will be blessed and be a blessing to others.

Use the meaning of these ladies’ names to describe what obedience can mean to ourselves and others.

Shiphrah: fair; to make beautiful; to adorn

Puah: splendor; to glitter; brilliant

 

In the trials and heartaches we face today, never doubt God is still Sovereign and God is still in control. Never doubt He sees and He will repay your faithfulness. 

 

It Is Well with My Soul

When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll

Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, it is well it is well with my soul

 

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come 

Let this blest assurance control, that Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed his own blood for my soul

 

My sin, Oh the bliss of this glorious thought, My sin not in part but the whole

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise, praise the Lord, oh my soul

 

And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll, the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, “Even so” it is well with my soul. 

All the Lonely People   

-by Valarie Fish.  This is article seven in our series on drawing closer to God.

(This was written in 2007 after a mission trip to Asia, recently updated)

     We barely made the last shuttle bus of the evening from the airport to our hotel. After 20 hours of flying, I was ready for a bed where I could stretch out and get some sleep. My body wasn’t made to stay awake for more than 30 hours straight.

 

     As I write, my best friend and I are in Hong Kong for a retreat. We are going to meet with women who are working as missionaries in various Asian countries. It’s hard to believe the planning and excitement of our trip now culminates in this overwhelming exhaustion.

 

The shuttle bus driver swerved through the crowded narrow streets with expertise. Sitting up so high we watched the scenery through large, tourist-friendly windows. Not much to see at 1:00 in the morning until we got into the city proper.

 

From the safety of my tinted windows, I watched people. Couples walked hand in hand: one young woman proudly holding her bouquet of roses. I realized that crossing the International Date Line we have missed Valentines Day. An older man on a bicycle threaded his way through with sacks of goods on the handlebars. He looked tired. One street corner had five or six teenage boys with their hair spiked and their pants riding low, smoking cigarettes. I looked at them and saw babies trying to be grown-up. In front of us a public city bus stopped to let a young woman off. She walked resolutely from the motor vehicle and as she passed my window she started to cry.

 

Here I am half-way around the world, and I see the same emotions that I would find in my own neighborhood. In this case the wearers are clothed with different colored skin and cultural features, but they are still the same. Infatuation, fatigue, emotional pain, and adolescent bravado – all are universal.

 

I wonder if anyone will tell them that Jesus loves them? That’s because the answer to all the pains of life is also universal – to know the love of the One who created you for a purpose. Our Father gave us all unique life experiences and placed us in our families and homes for a reason. In Acts 17:24-27 Paul talks about how God made the world and gives life and determines the seasons and the birthplace of every precious soul on earth. Verse 27 states the reason for this. “So that they should seek the Lord… and find Him though He is not far away from every one of us.”

 

I don’t know why He chose for me to be born in the US and another woman to be born in Hong Kong and another in Russia or Kenya. I do know He saved me and led me to know Him so that I may introduce Him to others I will meet. God designed these universal emotions to emphasize the gaping hole in a heart that tries to live without Him. Maybe I will get a chance to see the lady from the bus, or perhaps God has ordained that task for someone else who can offer comfort for her pain. Maybe you have been privileged to lighten the load for someone else. I pray some kind word or smile from one of His children will open the way for someone to know the love of Christ.

 

 

Just as we all feel closer to children when they are obedient, so does God feel closer to us when we are. In turn, we will feel closer to Him as well. Don’t we all prefer to snuggle in His arms rather than feel that furrowed brow frowning on us as we attempt to make up for our disobedience?

 

“Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this.”  (Esther 4:14)

 

The Kneeling Christian.

(Recommended Book by Susie Edgar)

“A traveler in China visited a heathen temple on a great feast day. Many were the worshipers of the hideous idol enclosed in a sacred shrine. The visitor noticed that most of the devotees brought with them small pieces of paper on which prayers had been written or printed. These were wrapped up in little balls of stiff mud and flung at the idol. He enquired the reason for this strange proceeding and was told that if the mud ball stuck fast to the idol, then the prayer would assuredly be answered; but if the mud fell off, the prayer was rejected by the god.

We may smile at this peculiar way of testing the acceptability of prayer. But is it not a fact that the majority of Christian men and women who pray to a Living God know very little about real prevailing prayer? Yet prayer is the key that unlocks the door of God’s treasure-house.

It is not too much to say that all real growth in the spiritual life—all victory over temptation, all confidence and peace in the presence of difficulties and dangers, all repose of spirit in times of great disappointment or loss, all habitual communion with God—depends upon the practice of secret prayer.

This book was written by request and with much hesitancy. It goes forth with much prayer. May He who said, “Men ought always to pray, and not to faint, teach us to pray.” (Author’s preface. Author, An Unknown Christian. Credited to Albert Ernest Richardson. The Kneeling Christian. Zondervan books.)

 

Incredible Promises

In our Lord’s last discourse, he said; “Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it to you. “ John 16:23 KJV.

 

Do we really believe this?

 

We must if we believe our Bibles. Do we really desire to do God’s will? Do we really believe His promises? If so, will it not lead us to spend more time on our knees before God?

 

Do not vow to pray so much a day. Resolve to pray much.  The writer states he is quite certain of this fact. God wants us to pray.

 

SCRIPTURE: “And he said unto them, when ye pray, say, ‘Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.’” Luke 11:2.

 

RESPOND: As you read this book, the writer most earnestly implores you not to read hurriedly what is contained in these chapters. Much—very much—depends upon the way in which every reader receives what is there recorded. For everything depends upon prayer. (Purchase the book in the link. We do not recieve compensation from sales, we are not affiliated with Zondervan of Amazon).

Billy Graham was asked If he had a system in which he used to study his Bible. He replied;

When we pray, we must not only pray but listen.

The Songs I Cannot Sing

The second verse of the old hymn “Sunshine in my Soul” by Eliza Edmunds Hewitt says this: 

“There is music in my soul today, a carol to my King; 

Scripture: “Therefore, I urge you brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies (dedicating all of yourselves, set apart) as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship.” Romans 12:1 AMP

Prayer: Father, thank you for giving me the opportunity to praise you with or without a voice. Let my surrender be my act of worship. Let me lift my voice to You and hear the songs I cannot sing. Use this blog to encourage someone to praise you with their whole heart and worship you in spirit and in truth. Amen 

 

 

 

I’ve never liked noise.

Well, today I had to.

And it was the ultimate noisemaker: an MRI. I’ve had several during my life, but this one seemed louder than any other. It was also longer than most, and was made even longer by the machine throwing glitches into some of the pictures. However, thank God I survived!

 

It’s not too late to memorize even now. I’ve memorized several as an adult. You may choose your version of the Bible to learn. I’ve tried various versions, but always have to memorize the King James because that’s what I heard for so many years that I get mixed up if I try memorizing anything else.

 

There’s an app.

I have it on iPhone, but I’m sure you can probably get it on any phone. Just check the App Store. It’s called Bible Memory and has a photo of an open Bible. You may choose various versions of the Bible (although I think all except the KJV costs extra).

Well, just as I did today, I could not take anything into the MRI with me. But those verses were a comfort and helped keep my mind off the noise!

 

That’s not the only reason, though.

There are many instances where it comes in handy to know many verses. I often think of scripture as I’m driving down the road talking to God. He will remind me of something in the Bible that I need to know for the particular situation that concerns.

 

Scripture: Psalm 119:11 

Prayer:  “Lord, thank You for giving us Your word to guide us through life. Thank You especially for bringing it to my mind at just the perfect time to help me through my day. Help me to learn more scripture so that I will have it readily available when I need Your perspective of some situation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

At the end of Genesis, we see that Jacob’s family had grown to seventy people. Now over four hundred years later, they are called the children of Israel.  God had made them fruitful, increased them abundantly, made them exceedingly mighty, and now filled the land of Egypt with them.  Yeah for Israel!

But it was not so ‘yeah’ as far as Egypt was concerned. Instead, there was a problem.  Many generations had passed since Joseph had died and the new Pharoah knew nothing of him and cared nothing for these people.  Instead, he had grown fearful of the increase in their numbers and was concerned they might join other nations in a war against Egypt. The problem now for the new Pharaoh was to figure out a plan to not only reduce their numbers but to basically destroy their existence.

PHAROAH’S PLANS

His first try was given to us in Exodus 1:11-14. “ ¹¹ Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens…¹² But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel. ¹³ And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour: ¹⁴ And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage… all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour.”  The term rigor means harshness, severity, or cruelty and comes from a root word meaning to break apart or crush.  But during this harsh persecution, the Israelites flourished and grew in numbers. Now Pharaoh had to go to Plan B!  His Plan B became Shiphrah and Puah’s problem #1! The king called these two women in and told them when they assisted the Hebrew women at their time of delivery, they were to kill all the boy babies but could let the baby girls live.

THEIR POSITION

They were now put in a position where they had to make a decision. This could have proved a huge problem for these two ladies but evidently not.  The head of the country was certainly to be feared and he had given them orders to take the lives of all baby boys.  But they had a greater fear…”¹⁷ But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.”  When Pharaoh asked about this, they told him the Hebrew women were strong in their delivery.  Some say they lied.  We don’t know that!  It could have been the Israelite women were more physically strong and of greater fortitude than the Egyptians. Whatever the case, they followed God and God responded!

GOD’S PROVISION

God never leaves obedience unrewarded.  ” ²⁰ Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty.²¹ And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.” In this case, he made the midwives’ houses. This term ‘houses’ may have meant children of their own because midwives often took these jobs because they were childless.  It could also have been actual, physical homes.  Either way, they obeyed under difficult circumstances and He blessed them in response.

But also, the Lord used these women to help bring Moses into the world: the very same Moses that would be the great deliverer of the Israelites from the land of Egypt. They knew God!  They feared God! They obeyed God! Their actions helped the lineage of our Messiah be protected!

SCRIPTURE:

Acts 4:19  “But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.”

Acts 5:29 “ Then Peter and the apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than man.”

Psalm 111:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.”

Proverbs 9:10  “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”

Daniel 11:32b  “…but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.”

RESPOND: Two common ladies doing a common job but in a mighty warrior kind of way.  How?

What problem, what hard decision are you facing? Keep your thoughts and efforts on knowing God and obeying what He shows you.  There is no telling how you will be blessed and be a blessing to others.

Use the meaning of these ladies’ names to describe what obedience can mean to ourselves and others.

Shiphrah: fair; to make beautiful; to adorn

Puah: splendor; to glitter; brilliant

 

In the trials and heartaches we face today, never doubt God is still Sovereign and God is still in control. Never doubt He sees and He will repay your faithfulness. 

 

It Is Well with My Soul

When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll

Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, it is well it is well with my soul

 

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come 

Let this blest assurance control, that Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed his own blood for my soul

 

My sin, Oh the bliss of this glorious thought, My sin not in part but the whole

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, Praise the Lord, praise, praise the Lord, oh my soul

 

And Lord, haste the day when the faith shall be sight, The clouds be rolled back as a scroll, the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, “Even so” it is well with my soul. 

All the Lonely People   

-by Valarie Fish.  This is article seven in our series on drawing closer to God.

(This was written in 2007 after a mission trip to Asia, recently updated)

     We barely made the last shuttle bus of the evening from the airport to our hotel. After 20 hours of flying, I was ready for a bed where I could stretch out and get some sleep. My body wasn’t made to stay awake for more than 30 hours straight.

 

     As I write, my best friend and I are in Hong Kong for a retreat. We are going to meet with women who are working as missionaries in various Asian countries. It’s hard to believe the planning and excitement of our trip now culminates in this overwhelming exhaustion.

 

The shuttle bus driver swerved through the crowded narrow streets with expertise. Sitting up so high we watched the scenery through large, tourist-friendly windows. Not much to see at 1:00 in the morning until we got into the city proper.

 

From the safety of my tinted windows, I watched people. Couples walked hand in hand: one young woman proudly holding her bouquet of roses. I realized that crossing the International Date Line we have missed Valentines Day. An older man on a bicycle threaded his way through with sacks of goods on the handlebars. He looked tired. One street corner had five or six teenage boys with their hair spiked and their pants riding low, smoking cigarettes. I looked at them and saw babies trying to be grown-up. In front of us a public city bus stopped to let a young woman off. She walked resolutely from the motor vehicle and as she passed my window she started to cry.

 

Here I am half-way around the world, and I see the same emotions that I would find in my own neighborhood. In this case the wearers are clothed with different colored skin and cultural features, but they are still the same. Infatuation, fatigue, emotional pain, and adolescent bravado – all are universal.

 

I wonder if anyone will tell them that Jesus loves them? That’s because the answer to all the pains of life is also universal – to know the love of the One who created you for a purpose. Our Father gave us all unique life experiences and placed us in our families and homes for a reason. In Acts 17:24-27 Paul talks about how God made the world and gives life and determines the seasons and the birthplace of every precious soul on earth. Verse 27 states the reason for this. “So that they should seek the Lord… and find Him though He is not far away from every one of us.”

 

I don’t know why He chose for me to be born in the US and another woman to be born in Hong Kong and another in Russia or Kenya. I do know He saved me and led me to know Him so that I may introduce Him to others I will meet. God designed these universal emotions to emphasize the gaping hole in a heart that tries to live without Him. Maybe I will get a chance to see the lady from the bus, or perhaps God has ordained that task for someone else who can offer comfort for her pain. Maybe you have been privileged to lighten the load for someone else. I pray some kind word or smile from one of His children will open the way for someone to know the love of Christ.

 

 

Just as we all feel closer to children when they are obedient, so does God feel closer to us when we are. In turn, we will feel closer to Him as well. Don’t we all prefer to snuggle in His arms rather than feel that furrowed brow frowning on us as we attempt to make up for our disobedience?

 

“Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this.”  (Esther 4:14)