Have you ever gone through a time of walking through a deep valley in your relationship with the Lord? These last few years, I feel I have been through a deep valley and then climbed up a high mountain again with Jesus. He has set my spirit free again as I have had to learn many lessons about trusting him completely when life seems to tumble completely out of control. You see our family has gone through quite a lot of changes since I last wrote. I am now a grandma of two precious little ones who lived with us for a while but just recently they and their mom moved out this year. I lost my father-in-law last year to leukemia. He was a wonderful, godly man and is sorely missed. I have begun to teach after receiving my Masters in May of 2012. The struggles of teaching Intellectually Disabled children has proven to be quite a huge challenge. Teaching in the public school has been a great joy but also has been quite a daunting task at times. (This is one reason I have not kept up with my blog)
Through all this time, I have gone through a process of grieving and in the midst at times forgot to trust in the promises of God. I felt let down and disappointed about how "life" was turning out and for a time did not believe God was good. During this time though, my Savior never left me. I discovered during this time that he allowed me to struggle with the questions of trust and he allowed me to struggle with my anger and disappointment. He never let me go though. His Spirit would speak to my spirit in the night with thoughts of his Word. Deuteronomy 31:6 says "Be strong and courageous; don't be terrified or afraid of them. For it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you." (HCSB)
I always knew he had me in the palm of his hand and he would not let me go even as my heart strayed from him. John 10:29- " My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand." (HSCB)
His loving arms were always around me even as I questions the "Why's" of this life and wondered what he was doing. What was his plan?
Finally, one day I knew the fighting in my spirit was over. I had to surrender all the anger, shame, grief of broken dreams and realize that He is good, His promises never fail and that even though I do not see how he will work everything out for the good, it did not matter because all he was asking of me was to just TRUST HIM! He reminded me that I had to just Believe Him and to ask him to forgive my Unbelief. I had to surrender totally to his control and that no matter what seemed right to me did not matter because His ways are higher than my way.
The day I surrendered to him my unbelief took me on a journey back to restoring the joy of my salvation, the journey of returning to my first love- spending time with HIM. Filling my thoughts with only those things that were pleasing to HIM. It has been quite a journey for my spirit these last few years. I feel he has brought me full circle, back to where I was before my spirit chose to stray. It is so true that he never leaves us, it is we that do the leaving. He is so patient with us. 2 Peter 3:9 says "The Lord does not delay His promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance. (HSCB). I have surrendered to Jesus my life, fresh and new, to be used however he sees fit. I trust in his promises and pray I never go through those feelings of unbelief ever again. The struggle has proven to show me "what is the length and width, height and depth of God's love, and to know the Messiah's love that surpasses knowledge, so you may be filled with all the fullness of God. " Eph. 3:18-19 (HCSB).
I hope these words are an encouragement to others who may be going through a deep valley. Never stop believing in his promises. He is faithful, He is good. Keep trusting HIM.
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Thursday, November 17, 2011
New thoughts for the day
I know it has been a really long time since I have added anything to this blog but I had something on my heart to share and just wanted to place it here hoping if I share a little of my story then perhaps it will help other that are planting new churches.
I also wanted to encourage you to check out the Church Planter Wives Network page of Facebook and like the page so you also can become involved in sharing and encouraging other wives around the country who are planting churches alongside their husbands.
Planter Wives Network
Wives of church planters are faced with many roles as they serve beside their husbands. Here is an example of the roles they seek to fill at any given time in early church planting ministry. Keeper and organizer of the home, Children’s church coordinator, hospitality coordinator, financial organizer of home and sometimes of church, helper in music ministry, outreach ministry organizer and or helper, women’s’ ministry provider, and the list could go on and on depending on the ministry context of each place and the ministries each plant seeks to provide to their communities.
Some may say, there is no way one person can do all that, well, in the early stages of planting a planter wife may very well wear all those hats at any given moment and on a given Sunday may do at least 3 of those things. Many of the hats are worn throughout the week as she seeks to serve alongside her husband.
I remember in our early planting years, I worked at raising our children, keeping and organizing our home, providing instrumental music during the service, coordinated hospitality, taught children ,ages k-6, worked with ladies bible studies and served wherever needed when mission groups would come in to help. Later in ministry, I continued to homeschool our children, maintain a piano business, work in children’s ministries and conducted Ladies bible studies. This is just a small list of all that was done in early ministry.
The wife of a church planter works very hard to support her husband and the ministry that God has called him to. She will become very lonely because her time is stretched considerably as she tries to balance, home, family and ministry. So how does one continue without breaking down!!
The key areas of help for me were this:
I stayed in God’s word daily for my strength. I read books by authors who encouraged me in ministry. I found that relationships with the ladies in my church that I purposefully chose to disciple helped me to see the eternal value in the work of the ministry. I prayed for mentoring relationships where I could be mentored by someone older than me, one that could walk alongside of me to keep me accountable and then one that I could develop in her walk with the Lord. I saw the Lord provide this in my life in each area I traveled with my husband.
My husband and I would go through what I like to call a “Marriage checkup”. These were times in our marriage where we could tell we were going in opposite directions and we needed to come back together and get on the same page. These talks were always difficult and sometimes hard to do but by clearing the air, discussing areas of the heart openly and honestly with each other and then praying together for God’s direction in our home and family we have kept a wonderful and fulfilled ministry home and family. Mark and I would also find a place we could go without distraction where we could unwind and decompress and just enjoy each other and our family. These times of rest were also important for our home.
I have also chosen to have realistic expectations of ministry. I have often looked at the life of Billie and Ruth Graham as my ministry example. I look at how she worked hard to raise her children to love the Lord while her husband traveled and served all over the world to win people to Christ. I see how even though her family struggled and had problems of their own she never lost sight of supporting her husband and “holding down the fort” if you will to see him be used of God.
As church planter wives, we are the ones God uses to support and enhance the ministries of our husbands and as we keep our relationship with God strong then he will work out the rest in our lives as we remain surrendered and available to be used however God sees fit to use us.
I also wanted to encourage you to check out the Church Planter Wives Network page of Facebook and like the page so you also can become involved in sharing and encouraging other wives around the country who are planting churches alongside their husbands.
Planter Wives Network
Wives of church planters are faced with many roles as they serve beside their husbands. Here is an example of the roles they seek to fill at any given time in early church planting ministry. Keeper and organizer of the home, Children’s church coordinator, hospitality coordinator, financial organizer of home and sometimes of church, helper in music ministry, outreach ministry organizer and or helper, women’s’ ministry provider, and the list could go on and on depending on the ministry context of each place and the ministries each plant seeks to provide to their communities.
Some may say, there is no way one person can do all that, well, in the early stages of planting a planter wife may very well wear all those hats at any given moment and on a given Sunday may do at least 3 of those things. Many of the hats are worn throughout the week as she seeks to serve alongside her husband.
I remember in our early planting years, I worked at raising our children, keeping and organizing our home, providing instrumental music during the service, coordinated hospitality, taught children ,ages k-6, worked with ladies bible studies and served wherever needed when mission groups would come in to help. Later in ministry, I continued to homeschool our children, maintain a piano business, work in children’s ministries and conducted Ladies bible studies. This is just a small list of all that was done in early ministry.
The wife of a church planter works very hard to support her husband and the ministry that God has called him to. She will become very lonely because her time is stretched considerably as she tries to balance, home, family and ministry. So how does one continue without breaking down!!
The key areas of help for me were this:
I stayed in God’s word daily for my strength. I read books by authors who encouraged me in ministry. I found that relationships with the ladies in my church that I purposefully chose to disciple helped me to see the eternal value in the work of the ministry. I prayed for mentoring relationships where I could be mentored by someone older than me, one that could walk alongside of me to keep me accountable and then one that I could develop in her walk with the Lord. I saw the Lord provide this in my life in each area I traveled with my husband.
My husband and I would go through what I like to call a “Marriage checkup”. These were times in our marriage where we could tell we were going in opposite directions and we needed to come back together and get on the same page. These talks were always difficult and sometimes hard to do but by clearing the air, discussing areas of the heart openly and honestly with each other and then praying together for God’s direction in our home and family we have kept a wonderful and fulfilled ministry home and family. Mark and I would also find a place we could go without distraction where we could unwind and decompress and just enjoy each other and our family. These times of rest were also important for our home.
I have also chosen to have realistic expectations of ministry. I have often looked at the life of Billie and Ruth Graham as my ministry example. I look at how she worked hard to raise her children to love the Lord while her husband traveled and served all over the world to win people to Christ. I see how even though her family struggled and had problems of their own she never lost sight of supporting her husband and “holding down the fort” if you will to see him be used of God.
As church planter wives, we are the ones God uses to support and enhance the ministries of our husbands and as we keep our relationship with God strong then he will work out the rest in our lives as we remain surrendered and available to be used however God sees fit to use us.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Learning through faithfulness
Today is March 21, 2011 and my first post for the new year. I am still working on my masters degree and it seems to just consume my every waking moment. The Lord has just brought me through a very difficult class and I praise the Lord for the love of my husband, his help and support mean everything to me.
This new year has begun with lots of ministry opportunities as well. We spent some wonderful time together as a Church planting strategy team for Virginia in the Outer Banks in January. We came away feeling refreshed and excited about what God would have in store for us in the coming year. The time spent with strategy wives talking about the seasons of life that God has us in and the seasons he has brought us through was such a neat time. We worked through the Carol Kent study called "Secret Longings of the Heart: Overcoming Deep Disappointment and Unfulfilled Expectations" This was a wonderful study and I would recommend her to any pastors wife who is leading a ladies Bible study. The books are inexpensive and the guides in the back are great for leading a study together. We had a great time sharing together.
In early March we had a Staff Wives Affecting tomorrow retreat and we were able to provide a get together for Church planter wives. We had a wonderful planter wife come and share with us. Her name is Tammie Floyd. We had a great time sharing together the challenges and joys of church planting. It seems the ladies were hungry for this type of ministry.
My son just completed his last out of town tournaments and we are still praying for Gods direction for him as he seeks God's will about where to go to school. My daughter has had a wonderful semester so far with school and I am so thankful for how God is taking care of her and is bringing her life around for good purposes.
I am currently in a meeting for Large Church pastors and their wives and I was impressed in my spirit to write about the importance of prayer in the lives of these men.
Many of them spoke to the goodness of God and his work in their churches and I was reminded how prayer has had such an impact in their ministries and why I know God has blessed.
A godly minister of mine in Mississippi once said that the power of the church is compared to the amount of time spent on their knees. (Something like that). It has been a good reminder for me to be sure in the hustle and bustle of my life that I spend time on my knees. I must also remember to keep my walk with Christ consistent and full of the Spirit so I can be a blessing to others.
I am about to begin another very busy time of study but I wanted to send this blog update as a reminder to keep Christ first, pray often and be a blessing.
This new year has begun with lots of ministry opportunities as well. We spent some wonderful time together as a Church planting strategy team for Virginia in the Outer Banks in January. We came away feeling refreshed and excited about what God would have in store for us in the coming year. The time spent with strategy wives talking about the seasons of life that God has us in and the seasons he has brought us through was such a neat time. We worked through the Carol Kent study called "Secret Longings of the Heart: Overcoming Deep Disappointment and Unfulfilled Expectations" This was a wonderful study and I would recommend her to any pastors wife who is leading a ladies Bible study. The books are inexpensive and the guides in the back are great for leading a study together. We had a great time sharing together.
In early March we had a Staff Wives Affecting tomorrow retreat and we were able to provide a get together for Church planter wives. We had a wonderful planter wife come and share with us. Her name is Tammie Floyd. We had a great time sharing together the challenges and joys of church planting. It seems the ladies were hungry for this type of ministry.
My son just completed his last out of town tournaments and we are still praying for Gods direction for him as he seeks God's will about where to go to school. My daughter has had a wonderful semester so far with school and I am so thankful for how God is taking care of her and is bringing her life around for good purposes.
I am currently in a meeting for Large Church pastors and their wives and I was impressed in my spirit to write about the importance of prayer in the lives of these men.
Many of them spoke to the goodness of God and his work in their churches and I was reminded how prayer has had such an impact in their ministries and why I know God has blessed.
A godly minister of mine in Mississippi once said that the power of the church is compared to the amount of time spent on their knees. (Something like that). It has been a good reminder for me to be sure in the hustle and bustle of my life that I spend time on my knees. I must also remember to keep my walk with Christ consistent and full of the Spirit so I can be a blessing to others.
I am about to begin another very busy time of study but I wanted to send this blog update as a reminder to keep Christ first, pray often and be a blessing.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Persevering through Trials
So many days I have thought about this blog and how I was ever going to get back to my study on I Peter.
I have been busy these last 7 months working on a Masters degree in Teaching and Learning. I have been studying, studying and studying some more. I must admit that I am feeling tired and worn out today. My son is a Junior in high school and the life of a soccer mom never seems to quit. My mind is tired and my body is weary. I am currently sitting in a hotel room at a soccer tournament in NC. I have homework to do and all I really feel like doing is sleeping.
This year we have struggled still with our oldest child who is doing much better now but is still trying to figure out what to do with her life. She discovered she was expecting a baby 10 weeks ago and then today discovered at the doctor's office that she had lost the baby. I am convinced that no matter how one looks at the situation (Young, single, unwed mom) that the grief over the loss of a baby is never easy. I know that God has a perfect plan for her life but I wonder at times why she has to struggle so much so soon.
My heart breaks for her since I know personally what it is like to lose a baby. I pray that God will wrap his arms around her tonight and assure her of his peace that never fails. I pray she will not give up on her dreams and hopes and that she will continue to trust God and his plan for her life.
Perhaps this is why we have to persevere through trials because God is making us stronger for something ahead that we know not now.
I do hope some day to finish my study of I Peter but for now. I must live life with perserverance.
I have been busy these last 7 months working on a Masters degree in Teaching and Learning. I have been studying, studying and studying some more. I must admit that I am feeling tired and worn out today. My son is a Junior in high school and the life of a soccer mom never seems to quit. My mind is tired and my body is weary. I am currently sitting in a hotel room at a soccer tournament in NC. I have homework to do and all I really feel like doing is sleeping.
This year we have struggled still with our oldest child who is doing much better now but is still trying to figure out what to do with her life. She discovered she was expecting a baby 10 weeks ago and then today discovered at the doctor's office that she had lost the baby. I am convinced that no matter how one looks at the situation (Young, single, unwed mom) that the grief over the loss of a baby is never easy. I know that God has a perfect plan for her life but I wonder at times why she has to struggle so much so soon.
My heart breaks for her since I know personally what it is like to lose a baby. I pray that God will wrap his arms around her tonight and assure her of his peace that never fails. I pray she will not give up on her dreams and hopes and that she will continue to trust God and his plan for her life.
Perhaps this is why we have to persevere through trials because God is making us stronger for something ahead that we know not now.
I do hope some day to finish my study of I Peter but for now. I must live life with perserverance.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Life is a whirlwind
Getting back to my blog has been on my heart and mind for weeks now. My life has been so busy these last couple of months. I have been busy working on my Masters Degree in Elementary Education and working in ministry with my husband and raising teenagers. My daughter is still in the midst of her court issues so we are still waiting and praying for a good ending to the trials of her life. My son is a very active sophmore in high school and is playing soccer so I am on the go with this all the time also.
I began to wonder what would be a couple of good books to suggest to you that have helped me out in these days of business.
One book that has helped me is by Emilie Barnes called Survival for Busy Women. Her book has helped me to keep goals in mind and to keep myself organized more in my home. Perhaps it will help you as well.
I have also enjoyed reading some devotional books from Women of Faith. The one I am currently reading is Infinite Grace- The Devotional by Patsy Clairmont, Mary Graham, Nicole Johnson, Carol Kent, Marilyn Meberg, Sandi Patti, Jan Silvious, Luci Swindoll, Sheila Walsh, Thelma Wells. Thomas Nelson Publishing.
I promise to get back to the study of I Peter. I want to be sure I am doing proper research before I delve into chapter 3.
I hope you all are doing well. Keep spending time with the Lord each day. Keep trusting Him to carry you through each day.
God bless.
I began to wonder what would be a couple of good books to suggest to you that have helped me out in these days of business.
One book that has helped me is by Emilie Barnes called Survival for Busy Women. Her book has helped me to keep goals in mind and to keep myself organized more in my home. Perhaps it will help you as well.
I have also enjoyed reading some devotional books from Women of Faith. The one I am currently reading is Infinite Grace- The Devotional by Patsy Clairmont, Mary Graham, Nicole Johnson, Carol Kent, Marilyn Meberg, Sandi Patti, Jan Silvious, Luci Swindoll, Sheila Walsh, Thelma Wells. Thomas Nelson Publishing.
I promise to get back to the study of I Peter. I want to be sure I am doing proper research before I delve into chapter 3.
I hope you all are doing well. Keep spending time with the Lord each day. Keep trusting Him to carry you through each day.
God bless.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
I Peter 2:11-25-Understanding Biblical Submission
Today we look at how we should act in the midst of suffering and how we should submit to leadership over us.
vs.11-12- Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
Peter is telling us how we should live in the midst of this world. We are in the world but not of it. We are to stay away from sinful desires. Our human nature is always at war with the spiritual nature and we must keep away from things in this world that would pull us away from fellowship with Christ and other believers. We are to be such a good example to the world that our good deeds will help them to see the glory of God in our lives.
How are our lives demonstrating the glory of God on a daily basis?
vs.13-20- Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14-or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15- For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. 16- Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 17- Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. 18- Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19- For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is a conscious of God. 20- But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
Peter discusses in these verses how we are to behave as it relates to government and slaves.
In our society today, we no longer have slaves but it does speak to how we should submit to the authority of others. This word submission is hupotasso which means "lining up under authority". I believe our society today has made submission a dirty word. I had a conversation just a couple weeks ago about this very topic. I believe that when God created us he did this with order in mind. God has a perfect plan for our lives and how we are to relate to each other. I once studied in a Beth Moore study, I can't remember the exact one, but she mentions how we are under God's umbrella of protection. I believe that God's perfect design for us is related to this umbrella of protection. God designed rules and authorities in our lives. We are foolish to believe that we are never accountable to someone. God placed our government as authority over us. Our employers are an authority over us and we are instructed to align ourselves under this authority in obedience to God's Word. Our obedience to those in authority will draw the world to us because of our integrity and cheerful submission to those over us. Obedience is a big hurdle to jump over in our humanistic society that feels you can do whatever you feel like when you feel like doing it. God on the other hand shows us how we can have freedom in the midst of submission.
I look at it like this. We are free to live as Christ would have us to live. This is a life free of selfish desires and worldly attitudes. This freedom keeps us from the pitfalls of living as the world lives. This mentality is living in a spirit of servanthood to those around us. It means seeking ways to give to others as opposed to what can I take from those around me. This submission or obedience to Christ is freeing.
Let me conclude with our verses in I Peter 2:21-25.
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22- "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. " 23- When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24- He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25- For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Peter again is reminding us of the passages in Isaiah 53. Our shepherd Jesus gave us the perfect example of what obedience and submission mean.
Are we willing to lay down our lives so that others may know him? Are our lives going to glorify the Father? How are we going to be servant leaders today?
All scripture is taken from NIV-Life Application Bible- 1991- Zondervan and Tyndale Publishing
vs.11-12- Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
Peter is telling us how we should live in the midst of this world. We are in the world but not of it. We are to stay away from sinful desires. Our human nature is always at war with the spiritual nature and we must keep away from things in this world that would pull us away from fellowship with Christ and other believers. We are to be such a good example to the world that our good deeds will help them to see the glory of God in our lives.
How are our lives demonstrating the glory of God on a daily basis?
vs.13-20- Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14-or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15- For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. 16- Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 17- Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king. 18- Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19- For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is a conscious of God. 20- But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.
Peter discusses in these verses how we are to behave as it relates to government and slaves.
In our society today, we no longer have slaves but it does speak to how we should submit to the authority of others. This word submission is hupotasso which means "lining up under authority". I believe our society today has made submission a dirty word. I had a conversation just a couple weeks ago about this very topic. I believe that when God created us he did this with order in mind. God has a perfect plan for our lives and how we are to relate to each other. I once studied in a Beth Moore study, I can't remember the exact one, but she mentions how we are under God's umbrella of protection. I believe that God's perfect design for us is related to this umbrella of protection. God designed rules and authorities in our lives. We are foolish to believe that we are never accountable to someone. God placed our government as authority over us. Our employers are an authority over us and we are instructed to align ourselves under this authority in obedience to God's Word. Our obedience to those in authority will draw the world to us because of our integrity and cheerful submission to those over us. Obedience is a big hurdle to jump over in our humanistic society that feels you can do whatever you feel like when you feel like doing it. God on the other hand shows us how we can have freedom in the midst of submission.
I look at it like this. We are free to live as Christ would have us to live. This is a life free of selfish desires and worldly attitudes. This freedom keeps us from the pitfalls of living as the world lives. This mentality is living in a spirit of servanthood to those around us. It means seeking ways to give to others as opposed to what can I take from those around me. This submission or obedience to Christ is freeing.
Let me conclude with our verses in I Peter 2:21-25.
To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22- "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. " 23- When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24- He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25- For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
Peter again is reminding us of the passages in Isaiah 53. Our shepherd Jesus gave us the perfect example of what obedience and submission mean.
Are we willing to lay down our lives so that others may know him? Are our lives going to glorify the Father? How are we going to be servant leaders today?
All scripture is taken from NIV-Life Application Bible- 1991- Zondervan and Tyndale Publishing
Monday, February 22, 2010
I Peter 2: 6-10- Christ- The Living Stone- Gods Chosen People
Our last time together we talked about Christ being the Living Stone. Today our verses continue in this theme.
v. 6- For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." Peter is speaking the words of the prophet Isaiah. (Isaiah 28:16) I love how the scriptures tie together from the Old Testament to the New Testament, the story of our redeemer Jesus Christ.
Here we see that if we are trusting in Jesus our precious cornerstone we will never be put to shame.
v.7- Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone, (Ps. 118:22) vs. 8 and, "A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." ( Is. 8:14). Again, Peter refers to two Old Testament scriptures about Christ being the stone. One, that is precious to those who believe. Christ is the foundation of the believers faith and this picture of Christ being the cornerstone shows that he is our true foundation. In vs. 8 The stone that causes men to stumble and the rock that makes the fall uses two metaphors that illustrate what results in our disobedience to Christ. (Patterson & Kelly, 2006). As believers, we are not be a stumbling block or obstacle to other believers. This is shown in (Rm. 9:32-33, 14:13,20, I Cor. 8:9) The rock that makes them fall is a snare or trap that causes someone to fall. According to Patterson and Kelly in the Women's Evangelical Commentary it states " Jesus used this word when He rebuked Peter for objecting to His telling the disciples of His imminent death in Jerusalem (Mt. 16:23) and when He acknowledged the ...impediments to belief and of people who cause the downfall of others. (Mt. 18:6-7, Lk. 7:1)" p. 820.
This tells me that as believers we have a mandate to live holy lives as Peter spoke earlier in his book. We are to live lives that think of others first so that we do not become a stumbling block to others who are still growing in the faith. We are not to cause our brothers or sisters in Christ to stumble and fall. May we live lives of integrity and holiness to be an example to the world of what a Christ-follower should be.
v.8b- The stumble because they disobey the message-which is also what they were destined for. Christ came to die for us all and we have the choice to believe in Christ and follow Him or to not believe and live in disobedience to His will for us.
v. 9- But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. v. 10- Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
These verses speak to believers today as well as the nation of Israel. The church today has not replaced Israels role as "God's chosen people" but believers today, thanks to the work of Christ on the cross, gave us the ability to come to the Father without a "priest" to intervene for us. (Heb. 4:16- speaks to our ability to come directly to the Father)
So now, how are we to live as God's chosen people, his holy nation and belonging to God. We are to declare his praises. Our lives are to glorify the Father and give him praise for everything in our lives. Good or Bad. He has called us out of the darkness of sin and placed us in the light of his life. We have received mercy and we are to show mercy to the world.
I am reminded today that even in the tough times of life, God is in control. When we walk through the dark valley's of life- He is there. We must trust the God who saved us and called us out of darkness into his wonderful light.
May we walk in the light today. May we have the love of Christ shining on our faces and bring the word of his salvation to the world.
Shine brightly today!!!
v. 6- For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." Peter is speaking the words of the prophet Isaiah. (Isaiah 28:16) I love how the scriptures tie together from the Old Testament to the New Testament, the story of our redeemer Jesus Christ.
Here we see that if we are trusting in Jesus our precious cornerstone we will never be put to shame.
v.7- Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone, (Ps. 118:22) vs. 8 and, "A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." ( Is. 8:14). Again, Peter refers to two Old Testament scriptures about Christ being the stone. One, that is precious to those who believe. Christ is the foundation of the believers faith and this picture of Christ being the cornerstone shows that he is our true foundation. In vs. 8 The stone that causes men to stumble and the rock that makes the fall uses two metaphors that illustrate what results in our disobedience to Christ. (Patterson & Kelly, 2006). As believers, we are not be a stumbling block or obstacle to other believers. This is shown in (Rm. 9:32-33, 14:13,20, I Cor. 8:9) The rock that makes them fall is a snare or trap that causes someone to fall. According to Patterson and Kelly in the Women's Evangelical Commentary it states " Jesus used this word when He rebuked Peter for objecting to His telling the disciples of His imminent death in Jerusalem (Mt. 16:23) and when He acknowledged the ...impediments to belief and of people who cause the downfall of others. (Mt. 18:6-7, Lk. 7:1)" p. 820.
This tells me that as believers we have a mandate to live holy lives as Peter spoke earlier in his book. We are to live lives that think of others first so that we do not become a stumbling block to others who are still growing in the faith. We are not to cause our brothers or sisters in Christ to stumble and fall. May we live lives of integrity and holiness to be an example to the world of what a Christ-follower should be.
v.8b- The stumble because they disobey the message-which is also what they were destined for. Christ came to die for us all and we have the choice to believe in Christ and follow Him or to not believe and live in disobedience to His will for us.
v. 9- But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. v. 10- Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
These verses speak to believers today as well as the nation of Israel. The church today has not replaced Israels role as "God's chosen people" but believers today, thanks to the work of Christ on the cross, gave us the ability to come to the Father without a "priest" to intervene for us. (Heb. 4:16- speaks to our ability to come directly to the Father)
So now, how are we to live as God's chosen people, his holy nation and belonging to God. We are to declare his praises. Our lives are to glorify the Father and give him praise for everything in our lives. Good or Bad. He has called us out of the darkness of sin and placed us in the light of his life. We have received mercy and we are to show mercy to the world.
I am reminded today that even in the tough times of life, God is in control. When we walk through the dark valley's of life- He is there. We must trust the God who saved us and called us out of darkness into his wonderful light.
May we walk in the light today. May we have the love of Christ shining on our faces and bring the word of his salvation to the world.
Shine brightly today!!!
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Handling the Hurts
How do we handle the hurts of ministry?
This question arises so often when speaking with ministry wives. We feel hurt from the believers in our churches when they say or do things that hurt our husband or his ministry. We feel hurt when our children are not treated as they should be. We feel hurt when ministry seems to overshadow the family time. We feel hurt when we feel so much is taken for granted by the members in our church.
So how do we respond as Christ would have us to respond when these times of hurt come. Believe me, they come, and at times in heavier waves then we care to admit.
First of all- I am reminded of Ps. 6:9- The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer. When I am dealing with hurt, the first thing I do is cry out to the Lord. He hears us and he wants us to share the burdens of our heart. Then, we are to leave it there and ask him to help us to return the same mercy to those who have hurt us.
Second- I must be willing to forgive others. Ps. 103:12 says that as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Just as Christ forgave us, so are we to forgive others.
Third- Ps. 103:8- The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
Ladies, this one is the hardest to learn. In the midst of great hurt, we must be slow to anger. There have been many times when I have had to pray for the Lord to put a lock on my tongue. We must respond in love to those who have hurt us. We are to abound in love toward them.
These three nuggets of truth have helped me to survive working in ministry. I have to remind myself that we are working with imperfect, forgiven people just as I am an imperfect forgiven person. God will give us the grace and the strength to heal from the hurts in our lives. Some hurts just take longer to heal then others. Don't let a root of bitterness enter your heart. Pray, pray, and pray some more for the Lord to heal you and help you to continue forgiving.
Remember the Lord will be there with you every step of the way. He will bring something good out of every situation that seems hopeless.
Cry out to him, Pray to him, Sing praise to Him and remember who He is. He is our Saviour, our faithful Father, our deliverer, our healer, our protector, our right hand, our shield, our lawyer, our provider, our faithful friend, the Lion of Judah, the Everlasting Father, the Great I Am.
Remember Who He Is. Trust Him. He will heal. He will restore. Praise His Holy Name.
This question arises so often when speaking with ministry wives. We feel hurt from the believers in our churches when they say or do things that hurt our husband or his ministry. We feel hurt when our children are not treated as they should be. We feel hurt when ministry seems to overshadow the family time. We feel hurt when we feel so much is taken for granted by the members in our church.
So how do we respond as Christ would have us to respond when these times of hurt come. Believe me, they come, and at times in heavier waves then we care to admit.
First of all- I am reminded of Ps. 6:9- The Lord has heard my cry for mercy; the Lord accepts my prayer. When I am dealing with hurt, the first thing I do is cry out to the Lord. He hears us and he wants us to share the burdens of our heart. Then, we are to leave it there and ask him to help us to return the same mercy to those who have hurt us.
Second- I must be willing to forgive others. Ps. 103:12 says that as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. Just as Christ forgave us, so are we to forgive others.
Third- Ps. 103:8- The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
Ladies, this one is the hardest to learn. In the midst of great hurt, we must be slow to anger. There have been many times when I have had to pray for the Lord to put a lock on my tongue. We must respond in love to those who have hurt us. We are to abound in love toward them.
These three nuggets of truth have helped me to survive working in ministry. I have to remind myself that we are working with imperfect, forgiven people just as I am an imperfect forgiven person. God will give us the grace and the strength to heal from the hurts in our lives. Some hurts just take longer to heal then others. Don't let a root of bitterness enter your heart. Pray, pray, and pray some more for the Lord to heal you and help you to continue forgiving.
Remember the Lord will be there with you every step of the way. He will bring something good out of every situation that seems hopeless.
Cry out to him, Pray to him, Sing praise to Him and remember who He is. He is our Saviour, our faithful Father, our deliverer, our healer, our protector, our right hand, our shield, our lawyer, our provider, our faithful friend, the Lion of Judah, the Everlasting Father, the Great I Am.
Remember Who He Is. Trust Him. He will heal. He will restore. Praise His Holy Name.
I Peter 2:4-5 _The Living Stone
Again, I have been too long in creating the next step in the study of I Peter. I must work on being more consistent with our study. My life has been hectic since the last posting with school work, home life and ministry life. This is no excuse though to cease being consistent in my study of God's Word so I will press on.
Vs. 4: As you come to him, the living Stone- rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him- Vs. 5. you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Peter began a new section in these verses. He is reminding us that Jesus is the living Stone and is the foundation of our lives. Peter wants us to be a living example of what Christ can do in our lives. Our spiritual house has Christ as the foundation and we are to be a holy priesthood. We can approach God because we are a holy priesthood. Heb. 4:16 -states that we can approach the throne of grace with confidence because we do not need a mediator between God and us. As children of God we can approach our heavenly Father one on one.
We can bring our offering of spiritual sacrifices to him directly because he is our God. We have personal access to the Father and he hears us.
What kind of spiritual houses are we building? I was reminded this weekend at our Pastor and staff wives retreat that we must first minister at home. At the end of our lives, what will matter the most. How will our families remember us. We must be consistent in our walk with God. We must strive to love our children and our families as Christ would have us to love them. Then we must work to reach out to the lost around us and to help those in our church families.
I was also challenged again this weekend that if our spiritual well has run dry then we do not have much to share out of the outflow of our hearts. We must stay plugged in to the Word each day in a personal time with God. Our ministry study time should be in addition to the personal time we spend with our heavenly Father. Jesus needs to hear us praying to him and sharing with him and listening to him through our own personal study of his Word. This way we are staying plugged in to the source of our strength and we are then able to minister to others the way Christ would have us to minister.
Lord, help me to be more consistent in my walk with you. Help me to stop putting ministry before my personal time with you. Never let me stray from your side. Help me to stay so close to you Lord. I love you, Lord.
Amen.
Vs. 4: As you come to him, the living Stone- rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him- Vs. 5. you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Peter began a new section in these verses. He is reminding us that Jesus is the living Stone and is the foundation of our lives. Peter wants us to be a living example of what Christ can do in our lives. Our spiritual house has Christ as the foundation and we are to be a holy priesthood. We can approach God because we are a holy priesthood. Heb. 4:16 -states that we can approach the throne of grace with confidence because we do not need a mediator between God and us. As children of God we can approach our heavenly Father one on one.
We can bring our offering of spiritual sacrifices to him directly because he is our God. We have personal access to the Father and he hears us.
What kind of spiritual houses are we building? I was reminded this weekend at our Pastor and staff wives retreat that we must first minister at home. At the end of our lives, what will matter the most. How will our families remember us. We must be consistent in our walk with God. We must strive to love our children and our families as Christ would have us to love them. Then we must work to reach out to the lost around us and to help those in our church families.
I was also challenged again this weekend that if our spiritual well has run dry then we do not have much to share out of the outflow of our hearts. We must stay plugged in to the Word each day in a personal time with God. Our ministry study time should be in addition to the personal time we spend with our heavenly Father. Jesus needs to hear us praying to him and sharing with him and listening to him through our own personal study of his Word. This way we are staying plugged in to the source of our strength and we are then able to minister to others the way Christ would have us to minister.
Lord, help me to be more consistent in my walk with you. Help me to stop putting ministry before my personal time with you. Never let me stray from your side. Help me to stay so close to you Lord. I love you, Lord.
Amen.
Monday, January 25, 2010
I Peter 2:1-3
I Peter 2:1-3
Vs. 1- "Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2- Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3- now that you have tasted that the Lord is good."
If you remember the end of chapter 1 stated that "And this is the word that was preached to you."
Peter was reminding us that because of what Jesus did for us on the cross we are to live holy lives. So in 2:1, Peter is giving us examples of what we are to rid out of our lives. I have often told ladies in Bible studies that we come to Christ like an uncut diamond. Christ knows what beauty is inside that diamond but we have to be rid of the parts that are not in order to shine the light of Christ brightly.
What are these things to be rid of- Malice- this is a characteristic that seeks to hurt others and live in opposition of God. Deceit- This speaks of a deliberate dishonesty. Hypocrisy- This speaks of living a life of insincerity, pretense, an outward show. Envy- This is an embittered awareness of another's advantage combined with the desire to possess the same.
Slander- evil speaking and defamation- this is speech that harms others.
( all above definitions taken from Womens Evangelical Commentary- Patterson and Kelley-2006)
All these traits hurt others and does not exemplify a life of love toward others.
Peter then tells us to crave the spiritual milk of the Word of God like a newborn baby craves for milk. This word crave means to fervently long for, pursue with love, yearn for - (Patterson & Kelley, 2006)
As believers we are told to crave, hunger, desire the Word of God. Recently, we had our Youth Evangelism Conference and our speaker David Nasser challenged us to crave after the Word of God because how will we draw a lost world to Christ if we do not seek after Christ and his Word before anything else. Perhaps part of the reason we do not reach more for Christ is because the world does not see God's Word making a difference in our lives.
This Sunday I was challenged by my pastor who reminded me to be busy following the command of our Lord to go and be a witness. This was a fresh challenge to me to be ready at all times to share the faith that I profess and to remember what Christ did for me and be ready to share at a moments notice.
Time is short ladies- Be ready to share your faith- Hunger for his Word and be rid of the things in your life that will cause your light to dim.
Let's be a shining diamond for Christ in all we do and say.
Vs. 1- "Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2- Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3- now that you have tasted that the Lord is good."
If you remember the end of chapter 1 stated that "And this is the word that was preached to you."
Peter was reminding us that because of what Jesus did for us on the cross we are to live holy lives. So in 2:1, Peter is giving us examples of what we are to rid out of our lives. I have often told ladies in Bible studies that we come to Christ like an uncut diamond. Christ knows what beauty is inside that diamond but we have to be rid of the parts that are not in order to shine the light of Christ brightly.
What are these things to be rid of- Malice- this is a characteristic that seeks to hurt others and live in opposition of God. Deceit- This speaks of a deliberate dishonesty. Hypocrisy- This speaks of living a life of insincerity, pretense, an outward show. Envy- This is an embittered awareness of another's advantage combined with the desire to possess the same.
Slander- evil speaking and defamation- this is speech that harms others.
( all above definitions taken from Womens Evangelical Commentary- Patterson and Kelley-2006)
All these traits hurt others and does not exemplify a life of love toward others.
Peter then tells us to crave the spiritual milk of the Word of God like a newborn baby craves for milk. This word crave means to fervently long for, pursue with love, yearn for - (Patterson & Kelley, 2006)
As believers we are told to crave, hunger, desire the Word of God. Recently, we had our Youth Evangelism Conference and our speaker David Nasser challenged us to crave after the Word of God because how will we draw a lost world to Christ if we do not seek after Christ and his Word before anything else. Perhaps part of the reason we do not reach more for Christ is because the world does not see God's Word making a difference in our lives.
This Sunday I was challenged by my pastor who reminded me to be busy following the command of our Lord to go and be a witness. This was a fresh challenge to me to be ready at all times to share the faith that I profess and to remember what Christ did for me and be ready to share at a moments notice.
Time is short ladies- Be ready to share your faith- Hunger for his Word and be rid of the things in your life that will cause your light to dim.
Let's be a shining diamond for Christ in all we do and say.
Encouragment in ministry
I just wanted to take a moment to say how important it is to be a part of an active fellowship of believers.
I am always so blessed after spending time with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and spending time studying God's Word together.
I was blessed to spend a short time with some of our church planters yesterday and my heart was encouraged and blessed to see how God is using them.
I am grateful for the ministry the Lord has placed us in and have just a small part in what God is going to do and is doing in their lives and ministry.
If any of you planter wives are reading this just know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Keep up the good work of spreading the Word and building His church.
I am always so blessed after spending time with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and spending time studying God's Word together.
I was blessed to spend a short time with some of our church planters yesterday and my heart was encouraged and blessed to see how God is using them.
I am grateful for the ministry the Lord has placed us in and have just a small part in what God is going to do and is doing in their lives and ministry.
If any of you planter wives are reading this just know you are in my thoughts and prayers. Keep up the good work of spreading the Word and building His church.
Friday, January 22, 2010
I Peter 1:22-25
Today we finish looking at I Peter 1.
Vs. 22 - Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.
This verse is encouraging us to love others with the same love that Christ had for us on the cross. We are to love with sincerity and love deeply from the heart. ( Some early manuscripts say "from a pure heart") (NIV study Bible post note)
Yesterday we looked at how precious the love of Jesus was for us that he laid his life down for us on the cross. As believers who have been purified by his blood and we believe this truth for ourselves, we are to love others with this same incredible love. How often would we love our fellow sisters and brother in Christ this way. Do we love so deeply that we would lay down our lives for them?
Vs. 23-25 - For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24- For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, 25- but the word of the Lord stands forever."
The quoted verse above comes from Isaiah 40:6-8- I love how our Scriptures all tie together, the Old Testament with the New Testament. Peter was reminding the people of what God had told Israel from the prophet Isaiah.
God's Word is an everlasting word, it is timeless, imperishable. Even though we will someday die and no longer be on this earth. God's Word lives on forever. One day we will be with "the Word" in heaven someday.
I hope the first chapter of I Peter has been one of encouragement and comfort for you. It is exciting to realize that we have an enduring, imperishable hope in our heavenly Father and that the promises of his Word will never go away. When we go through our life on earth with suffering and pain his Word will always be with us. When we have times of joy and gladness, his Word is with us.
Today lets remember to love others deeply and with a sincere and pure heart. Lets remember his enduring, everlasting promises. Stand strong in the faith and in the promises of his Word.
Finally, the last part of 1Peter 1:25 gives a teaser for tomorrow.
"And this is the word that was preached to you." This will lead us off for tomorrow as we look at 1 Peter chapter 2.
Have a great day ladies and remember his promises- His Word endures forever.
Note: All scripture is taken from Life Application Study Bible- NIV- Zondervan Publishing
Vs. 22 - Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.
This verse is encouraging us to love others with the same love that Christ had for us on the cross. We are to love with sincerity and love deeply from the heart. ( Some early manuscripts say "from a pure heart") (NIV study Bible post note)
Yesterday we looked at how precious the love of Jesus was for us that he laid his life down for us on the cross. As believers who have been purified by his blood and we believe this truth for ourselves, we are to love others with this same incredible love. How often would we love our fellow sisters and brother in Christ this way. Do we love so deeply that we would lay down our lives for them?
Vs. 23-25 - For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24- For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, 25- but the word of the Lord stands forever."
The quoted verse above comes from Isaiah 40:6-8- I love how our Scriptures all tie together, the Old Testament with the New Testament. Peter was reminding the people of what God had told Israel from the prophet Isaiah.
God's Word is an everlasting word, it is timeless, imperishable. Even though we will someday die and no longer be on this earth. God's Word lives on forever. One day we will be with "the Word" in heaven someday.
I hope the first chapter of I Peter has been one of encouragement and comfort for you. It is exciting to realize that we have an enduring, imperishable hope in our heavenly Father and that the promises of his Word will never go away. When we go through our life on earth with suffering and pain his Word will always be with us. When we have times of joy and gladness, his Word is with us.
Today lets remember to love others deeply and with a sincere and pure heart. Lets remember his enduring, everlasting promises. Stand strong in the faith and in the promises of his Word.
Finally, the last part of 1Peter 1:25 gives a teaser for tomorrow.
"And this is the word that was preached to you." This will lead us off for tomorrow as we look at 1 Peter chapter 2.
Have a great day ladies and remember his promises- His Word endures forever.
Note: All scripture is taken from Life Application Study Bible- NIV- Zondervan Publishing
Thursday, January 21, 2010
I Peter 1:17-21
We are back to our study of I Peter. Sorry for the long break.
The last part we studied was speaking of Holiness and how we are to live holy lives before the father in this world.
Today, the passage continues with verse 17- "Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear." (NIV)
God expects us to live out our lives as a testimony to what he has done for us. We are not get too comfortable here on earth because our ultimate home is heaven. So in the meantime, live in "reverent fear" of our holy God. We are to have a "reverential awe" of our God. (Patterson and Kelley, B & H, 2006) This in itself should cause us to live a holy life.
Vs. 18 - For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19- but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. (NIV)
Redeemed - Gk. elutrothete- means to be released, delivered, liberated from a payment of ransom. Precious -Gk. - timio- of great price, very costly, especially dear.
As you see from these definitions in the Greek as believers we are delivered, released from the debt we owed for our sins. Who is it that paid that ransom? Our precious Saviour, Jesus!
Just as the Passover Lamb had to be perfect and without blemish, our precious Jesus was also without defect. He was the payment for our sins. The blood he shed on the cross paid the debt we owed for our sins.
This passage just makes me want to shout. Peter wanted us to see the importance of the price Jesus paid for us. Our sins are gone. Our guilt is gone. Hallelujah. I think Peter had to feel the weight of this when he realized how he had denied the Lord and yet he was forgiven and restored. Even though he claimed three times during the trial of Jesus that he did not know him, later after his resurrection Jesus restored him when speaking to Peter about how much he loved him. Jesus charged Peter to follow him and he followed faithfully even unto death.
Peter declared boldly to the followers of Christ to please understand the depth of the love that Christ paid on the cross.
Vs. 20- He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Vs. 21- Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, so your faith and hope are in God. (NIV)
Peter knew that God had redemption in mind when he created the world and he wants us to remember that though he died he was raised from the dead and is now in heaven with the Father. This is our hope for living. All other religions have a belief in someone who is dead. Our Saviour is alive and he is in heaven now preparing a place for us.
My challenge to you today is to live your life understanding the great gift of our redemption in Christ, the hope of the resurrection and the life of joy we can live in this world.
Put your hope in God today and live triumphantly in Christ.
The last part we studied was speaking of Holiness and how we are to live holy lives before the father in this world.
Today, the passage continues with verse 17- "Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear." (NIV)
God expects us to live out our lives as a testimony to what he has done for us. We are not get too comfortable here on earth because our ultimate home is heaven. So in the meantime, live in "reverent fear" of our holy God. We are to have a "reverential awe" of our God. (Patterson and Kelley, B & H, 2006) This in itself should cause us to live a holy life.
Vs. 18 - For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, 19- but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. (NIV)
Redeemed - Gk. elutrothete- means to be released, delivered, liberated from a payment of ransom. Precious -Gk. - timio- of great price, very costly, especially dear.
As you see from these definitions in the Greek as believers we are delivered, released from the debt we owed for our sins. Who is it that paid that ransom? Our precious Saviour, Jesus!
Just as the Passover Lamb had to be perfect and without blemish, our precious Jesus was also without defect. He was the payment for our sins. The blood he shed on the cross paid the debt we owed for our sins.
This passage just makes me want to shout. Peter wanted us to see the importance of the price Jesus paid for us. Our sins are gone. Our guilt is gone. Hallelujah. I think Peter had to feel the weight of this when he realized how he had denied the Lord and yet he was forgiven and restored. Even though he claimed three times during the trial of Jesus that he did not know him, later after his resurrection Jesus restored him when speaking to Peter about how much he loved him. Jesus charged Peter to follow him and he followed faithfully even unto death.
Peter declared boldly to the followers of Christ to please understand the depth of the love that Christ paid on the cross.
Vs. 20- He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Vs. 21- Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, so your faith and hope are in God. (NIV)
Peter knew that God had redemption in mind when he created the world and he wants us to remember that though he died he was raised from the dead and is now in heaven with the Father. This is our hope for living. All other religions have a belief in someone who is dead. Our Saviour is alive and he is in heaven now preparing a place for us.
My challenge to you today is to live your life understanding the great gift of our redemption in Christ, the hope of the resurrection and the life of joy we can live in this world.
Put your hope in God today and live triumphantly in Christ.
Walking through the valley
I am sorry for taking so long to get back to blogging. Life since Christmas has been so incredibly busy. We have been sorting through piles of books to donate to an overseas library, I have had visits to the local courthouse again with my daughter, more soccer, soccer, soccer. I have also been working some for my sons soccer team. Then school began this week. Lord have mercy, what am I doing. ;) :)
I wanted to write just a moment about walking through the valley in life.
I know Psalm 23 speaks of walking through "the valley of the shadow of death" I must say I am not in that valley but after a disappointing day in court with my blessed teenager once again, I am finding how hard it is to walk through valley's of life with our children that are just difficult to understand. I have been so grateful for her decision to know Christ in personal way, I have seen her whole outlook on life change. Her attitude, her desire to learn and change has been wonderful to see and yet we continue to struggle through consequences for past actions.
I keep praying for God's protection over her future and that he will intervene in a powerful way that only he will receive the glory.
She has a desire to be a social worker and help others that struggle. I just thought "Lord, does she have to learn this much about the process to be able to help others some day?"
Anyway, life just seems to throw us curveballs and we better have our spiritual mitts ready to catch what is coming and stand strong in the battles of life.
I thank God every day for the strength he gives and for the power of his word in our lives. May we never stray from his side so we can stand.
I wanted to write just a moment about walking through the valley in life.
I know Psalm 23 speaks of walking through "the valley of the shadow of death" I must say I am not in that valley but after a disappointing day in court with my blessed teenager once again, I am finding how hard it is to walk through valley's of life with our children that are just difficult to understand. I have been so grateful for her decision to know Christ in personal way, I have seen her whole outlook on life change. Her attitude, her desire to learn and change has been wonderful to see and yet we continue to struggle through consequences for past actions.
I keep praying for God's protection over her future and that he will intervene in a powerful way that only he will receive the glory.
She has a desire to be a social worker and help others that struggle. I just thought "Lord, does she have to learn this much about the process to be able to help others some day?"
Anyway, life just seems to throw us curveballs and we better have our spiritual mitts ready to catch what is coming and stand strong in the battles of life.
I thank God every day for the strength he gives and for the power of his word in our lives. May we never stray from his side so we can stand.
Friday, December 18, 2009
Rush of LIfe
Today, I am feeling the rush of life. I have just completed another class in my masters work for education. The house is freezing waiting for the repair man to come to fix the heater. More then a week without good heat in the house can create some good missionary training moments. ;)
We just received news last night that my husbands dear uncle has passed away. The holidays will have just a bit of sorrow mixed in this year.
Life just seems to rush on whether or not we are ready.
I thank God that he is there to walk us through every mountain and valley. I am thankful that I have his strong arms around me to hold me up and carry me through when I am feeling overwhelmed. I pray for his grace and mercy and for a good Christmas season.
We just received news last night that my husbands dear uncle has passed away. The holidays will have just a bit of sorrow mixed in this year.
Life just seems to rush on whether or not we are ready.
I thank God that he is there to walk us through every mountain and valley. I am thankful that I have his strong arms around me to hold me up and carry me through when I am feeling overwhelmed. I pray for his grace and mercy and for a good Christmas season.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Other Peoples Expectations
Today I thought I would take a moment to write about something that was a struggle for me as a PK and sometimes as a Pastor's wife.
As a child, I felt that I had to live with the constant watchful eye of other people in the church who expected me to live up to their expectations of how a preachers kid should act.
Thankfully, I had parents that were not afraid to stand for me when it was needed.
Then I married a preacher, yes I did this knowing what I was getting in to. I then realized that in the church people expect the pastor's wife to do certain things, or have certain abilities that she may not have. So is the struggle of wondering if you are called to do this or not because we just can not live up to other people's expectations of us.
So what is the solution to this conundrum. Well, I have learned over the years that a good sense of humor and tactful honesty can go a long way. I also learned from the scriptures how I am to live my life. These I will share with you now.
Paul shared in I Corinthians 10 that his authority came only from Christ and no other.
In Vs. 12- he says "We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise." Now ladies, I have been praying for years for the Lord to please help me to be wise in all that I do. So in this case, we as pastor's wives, are not to compare ourselves to others, we are not to worry about "their expectations" we are only to compare ourselves to a holy God.
Of course, we do not measure up to him and frankly neither do the ones in the church that expect us to live up to "their expectations". You see, once I realized that I only need serve where the Lord has truly gifted me to serve and when I realized that I was ultimately only responsible to my Lord. This was a freeing moment for me. I found that when other's were not so pleased with how I acted or reacted then I had to say "ok, did I act out of selfish flesh?" If the answer was yes, then I had a responsibility to make it right. But, if the person was critical because I somehow did not measure up to "their expectations" and I knew before God that I had acted as I should before the Lord, then I listen and say "ok" but I let it roll off my back because I know that I have done as I should before God and he is the one I am to answer to for my actions.
All I can say is just be sure that you are living your life as God would have you to live it and when misunderstandings come and they will. Correct what needs to be corrected and the rest just leave it in the Lord's hands because He knows the heart.
As a child, I felt that I had to live with the constant watchful eye of other people in the church who expected me to live up to their expectations of how a preachers kid should act.
Thankfully, I had parents that were not afraid to stand for me when it was needed.
Then I married a preacher, yes I did this knowing what I was getting in to. I then realized that in the church people expect the pastor's wife to do certain things, or have certain abilities that she may not have. So is the struggle of wondering if you are called to do this or not because we just can not live up to other people's expectations of us.
So what is the solution to this conundrum. Well, I have learned over the years that a good sense of humor and tactful honesty can go a long way. I also learned from the scriptures how I am to live my life. These I will share with you now.
Paul shared in I Corinthians 10 that his authority came only from Christ and no other.
In Vs. 12- he says "We do not dare to classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise." Now ladies, I have been praying for years for the Lord to please help me to be wise in all that I do. So in this case, we as pastor's wives, are not to compare ourselves to others, we are not to worry about "their expectations" we are only to compare ourselves to a holy God.
Of course, we do not measure up to him and frankly neither do the ones in the church that expect us to live up to "their expectations". You see, once I realized that I only need serve where the Lord has truly gifted me to serve and when I realized that I was ultimately only responsible to my Lord. This was a freeing moment for me. I found that when other's were not so pleased with how I acted or reacted then I had to say "ok, did I act out of selfish flesh?" If the answer was yes, then I had a responsibility to make it right. But, if the person was critical because I somehow did not measure up to "their expectations" and I knew before God that I had acted as I should before the Lord, then I listen and say "ok" but I let it roll off my back because I know that I have done as I should before God and he is the one I am to answer to for my actions.
All I can say is just be sure that you are living your life as God would have you to live it and when misunderstandings come and they will. Correct what needs to be corrected and the rest just leave it in the Lord's hands because He knows the heart.
Holiness- I Peter 1:13-16
These verses in I Peter are a wonderful reminder of how we need to live out our lives in this world. Holiness is a topic that so few want to talk about today. We live in a world that says anything goes, there are no limits, do what you feel like doing, and we forget that our Lord calls us to live holy lives.
I like how Peter starts out in vs. 13 reminding us to prepare our minds for action. You see, the battle for holiness begins in the mind and heart of every person. What we think about many times will end up being what we do in action. So our minds need to be filled with the truths of God's Word so when we are faced with a decision we can act according to his perfect will.
The next part of vs. 13 says to be self-controlled. How many times have we made mistakes because we were not acting with self-control. Self-control means we are disciplined in the way we act, talk and how we judge a situation. This self-control also means setting our hope or desires on what is pleasing to the Lord while we wait for his return.
In vs. 14 we are also reminded to be obedient followers of Christ and not conform to the ways of this world. He speaks of how before salvation one lives in ignorance (agnoia) this means living in moral blindness, having a lack of knowledge of God. But now that we are saved we are to no longer live an unholy life but one that is pleasing to the Lord.
Vs. 15-16 are important for us to memorize.
"But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: Be holy, because I am holy."
Remember that these believers were under persecution and yet they chose to live lives that stood apart from what was around them. How often are we willing to stand apart from the world influences and be holy before the Lord. Perhaps our light would stand out in the darkness of this world if we chose holiness over our own desires.
Lord, help me today to live a life of holiness. Don't let me be afraid to stand apart from the crowd. Help me to seek only you in everything I do.
I like how Peter starts out in vs. 13 reminding us to prepare our minds for action. You see, the battle for holiness begins in the mind and heart of every person. What we think about many times will end up being what we do in action. So our minds need to be filled with the truths of God's Word so when we are faced with a decision we can act according to his perfect will.
The next part of vs. 13 says to be self-controlled. How many times have we made mistakes because we were not acting with self-control. Self-control means we are disciplined in the way we act, talk and how we judge a situation. This self-control also means setting our hope or desires on what is pleasing to the Lord while we wait for his return.
In vs. 14 we are also reminded to be obedient followers of Christ and not conform to the ways of this world. He speaks of how before salvation one lives in ignorance (agnoia) this means living in moral blindness, having a lack of knowledge of God. But now that we are saved we are to no longer live an unholy life but one that is pleasing to the Lord.
Vs. 15-16 are important for us to memorize.
"But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: Be holy, because I am holy."
Remember that these believers were under persecution and yet they chose to live lives that stood apart from what was around them. How often are we willing to stand apart from the world influences and be holy before the Lord. Perhaps our light would stand out in the darkness of this world if we chose holiness over our own desires.
Lord, help me today to live a life of holiness. Don't let me be afraid to stand apart from the crowd. Help me to seek only you in everything I do.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
I :Peter 1:10-12
Peter speaks in vs. 10 about how the prophets searched intently to understand the salvation that they recorded. The prophecies of a coming Messiah were written about in Isaiah 9:6-7, 51:11, Joel 2:28-32, Jeremiah 31:31-34, and Zechariah 3:1-10. (Women's Evangelical Commentary, p. 814). It is amazing to me how the scriptures in the Old Testament all point to the coming Saviour Jesus in the New Testament. In vs. 11, Peter shows how the scriptures were written by the Holy Spirits guidance in the lives of the prophets when he says "to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow." In vs. 12, he continues to speak of the message of salvation that they preached to them that was revealed to them by the Holy Spirit. He speaks of how the angels even have an interest in the work of salvation. The angels are only able to watch and delight in God's work of salvation and they rejoice when someone comes to know Christ as Saviour.
So in summary of these verses in the beginning of I Peter we see that we are to have joy in our salvation and we are to rejoice in the fulfillment of the prophecies that fortold the coming of Jesus and how his salvation is readily available to all who will receive him.
Especially with the Christmas season coming soon, may we be mindful of all that Jesus has done for us and how the coming of Jesus as a baby made a way for us to have salvation from our sins.
Praise the name of the Lord.
So in summary of these verses in the beginning of I Peter we see that we are to have joy in our salvation and we are to rejoice in the fulfillment of the prophecies that fortold the coming of Jesus and how his salvation is readily available to all who will receive him.
Especially with the Christmas season coming soon, may we be mindful of all that Jesus has done for us and how the coming of Jesus as a baby made a way for us to have salvation from our sins.
Praise the name of the Lord.
Catching up
It has been a busy week for me. We visited with family over the Thanksgiving holiday and traveled a lot. My son was able to get his deer and we played a little football in Charlottesville. I have been working on papers for school and assignments to complete before going to New Mexico with my husband for a few days. I am writing now from NM. It has been good to get away with him for a few days. I have also enjoyed the sweet fellowship with other ladies who are serving with their husbands in a similar ministry context as we. I have needed to get back to our study of I Peter so I wanted to take a few minutes to see what we have next to study.
I hope you all have a chance to spend good quality time with your husbands soon. It is so needed to keep our marriages fresh and to stay connected to one another.
I hope you all have a chance to spend good quality time with your husbands soon. It is so needed to keep our marriages fresh and to stay connected to one another.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
I Peter 1:8-9
Peter tells us in vs. 8-9 that even though we have not seen our heavenly Father, we love him. Even though we do not see him now, we believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for we are receiving the goal of our faith, the salvation of our souls.
Ladies, I thank God everyday for the joy of my salvation. When I read a passage like this I think of how my soul just fills with joy so much that I want to just shout it out with all my being. It's like being at a football game or in my case a good soccer game. Something really awesome happens and you just give a big shout out and jump up and down and clap your hands and maybe even do a big ole dance. How often do we show our heavenly Father that kind of excitement over our salvation? Do we show in our worship how much we love our God. It is incredible to me how even though we have never seen our heavenly Father we have hope in his coming and believe in his soon return. I just can't wait for that day to come when I can celebrate and worship with Him in his presence. May we make it a practice in our lives to worship the Lord with all of our might and to show the world the joy we have in Christ even in the midst of our trials.
Ladies, I thank God everyday for the joy of my salvation. When I read a passage like this I think of how my soul just fills with joy so much that I want to just shout it out with all my being. It's like being at a football game or in my case a good soccer game. Something really awesome happens and you just give a big shout out and jump up and down and clap your hands and maybe even do a big ole dance. How often do we show our heavenly Father that kind of excitement over our salvation? Do we show in our worship how much we love our God. It is incredible to me how even though we have never seen our heavenly Father we have hope in his coming and believe in his soon return. I just can't wait for that day to come when I can celebrate and worship with Him in his presence. May we make it a practice in our lives to worship the Lord with all of our might and to show the world the joy we have in Christ even in the midst of our trials.
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