It all started last May 2008 when we were asked if we would be willing to take in a little girl for a couple of months. Wanda & Wally's nieces needed a home. Would we be willing to take the youngest one at 8 months old?
This was not an easy decision. Could Cam handle dealing with another child or would he fall into a depression that he was just beginning to come out of? Could our kids handle having a new little girl in their lives and then having to let her go in a couple of months? Could I handle that? Was this too quick? Shouldn't we pray about this longer? What did God want from us? Often, His ways are not ours and so even if it seemed impossible, maybe, just maybe, it was what He wanted us to do? If so, He would fill in all the details and solve all the problems, wouldn't He?
I was praying that God would show me what He wanted us to do. And I felt that if Cam actually said "yes" than that was our answer. Surprisingly enough, he did! So after 3 days (from the time we heard about her till she arrived in our home) we welcomed Janae St.Paul into our lives.
The first couple of days were overwhelming to say the least. I had no time to prepare and had just finished selling all of our baby stuff, including our crib. So, I unpacked the playpen and tried to clean up Chenoa's room enough to make a space for Janae. Janae showed up with a box of mismatched, too small, too big clothes and a couple of diapers. To make matters worse, Cam was not around at all for the next 3 days so I was alone with 4 kids and a big adjustment. It's amazing how quickly you forget what to do with an 8-month old. What do they eat? What do the drink? When do they sleep? When you have your own child you grow with them and go through all the steps together. Now I was just thrown into the middle and had to figure this all out. What had we done?
Things started settling out and we went through the next couple of months only to find out that the girl's (Janae and Jamie who was living with Terry Dowse) would not be going back to mom as quickly as first anticipated. So we were in it for the long haul. We couldn't abandon this little girl to a different home and promised to keep her with us until a permanent home could be found. What a rollercoaster this turned out to be.
Over the course of the next several months we watched this little baby grow into a wonderful toddler. Janae was always so happy and easygoing. She loved playing with the kids and tried to keep up with everything they were doing. She quickly worked her way into our home and our hearts. How would we ever be able to let her go now?
Summer came and with summer came the decision to put the girls into a permanent home. Terry and us had come up with some suggestions of homes here in Niverville that we thought would be good places for the girls to live. CFS had other plans. After being strung a line we were told that the girls would be moved to Richer to a home with a single mom and a toddler. Wow...this was not what we had been hoping for for these girls. Not that a single mom can't do it, but why when there are other homes with 2 parents would they do that to the girls? Not only that, but why Richer when there were homes here in Niverville where they could remain in daycare and have contact with the only family they know? None of this made any sense and it put Terry and us into turmoil. One of the stipulations of the permanent placement was that the girls had to stay together. Terry and us were able/willing to take both of the girls but at the same time we just couldn't let them go. I felt so completely confused. On one hand I felt so guilty for not being able/willing to take these girls into our home when we have been blessed with so much. And on the other hand I just knew that it was not in the best interests of my family to do that. I didn't know where to leave my thoughts. Maybe God was stretching us. Or maybe He was just telling us to FIGHT!
So I literally got on my knees one afternoon and prayed. I gave back to God the entire situation. From the beginning I said that I was going to trust God to work things out at the end and now it was time to put those words into action. I prayed and trusted that God was going to work everything out for Janae and Jamie and reminded myself that he loves these girls more than I ever could.
So Terry and I got on the phone with Child Advocate and started to fight for these girls. We got together several letters from various people involved with the girls explaining our reasons for not wanting the girls to go where CFS was planning to place them. This just could not be in the best interest of the girls. We gave CFS 3 homes that were willing to take the girls permanently.
A couple of days after we sent out our letters, Michelle & Cory got a phone call from CFS that they would like them to come in for an interview! That CFS had "decided" to place other kids in the home in Richer and they were now looking for a place for Janae & Jamie. Prayer Answer #1: The girls were no longer on their way to Richer.
The next week after the interview CFS let us know that the girls were going to move to Cory & Michelle's. Prayer Answer #2: A good, loving home was found for the girls.
The girls would now be our nieces which made this so much easier on our children who were so worried that they would never see Janae again. No instead of a sister they were going to have 2 cousins!! Prayer Answer #3: Janae could remain a part of our lives.
On Sept. 20th we moved Janae and all her things to her new house. I was amazed at how strong I felt. I didn't know what to expect as that day drew closer. A part of me was glad this chapter in our life was drawing to a close but at the same time I didn't know how my heart would handle letting her go. I had run the gamut of emotions and thoughts ranging from: Can anyone do a good enough job in caring for her? to What will I do with so much more time?. Guilt to Freedom. All this had been running through my head and my heart over that last month. And as that day drew closer the peace I felt and still feel over this situation I know only came from God. I have loved that little girl with all I could and I still love her. But she's not mine and she was never intended to be mine. I knew that from the start and I feel it just as strongly today. My job was to take care of her, love her, for a time. Prayer Answer #4: God was faithful right from the start...even during the times were I felt so totally out of control, so totally incapable of surviving and keeping my heart intact. But He did it! He carried me through and has given me the opportunity to love Janae as my daughter and to continue to love her as my niece!
I Love you Lord!!
"For Such A Time as This..."
Monday, 21 September 2009
Friday, 13 February 2009
Life's Five Greatest Questions
1) What will be the center of my life? This is the question of worship. Who are you going to live for? What are you going to build your life around.
I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts.
Ephesians 3:17
2) What will be the character of my life? This is the question of discipleship. What kind of person will you be?
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
3) What will be the contribution of my life? This is the question of service. What will be your ministry in the Body of Christ?
This service you perform not only meets the need of God's people, but also produces an outpouring of gratitude to God.
2 Corinthians 9:12
4) What will be the communication of my life? This is the question of your mission to unbelievers.
Be sure that you live in a way that brings honor to the Good News of Christ.
Philippians 1:27
5) What will be the community of my life? This is the question of fellowship. How will you demonstrate your commitment to other believers and connection to the family of God? Where will you practice the "one another" commands with other Christians?
One day God will review your answers to these life questions. Did you put Jesus at the center of your life? Did you develop his character? Did you devote your life to serving others? Did you communicate his message and fulfill his mission? Did you love and participate in his family? These are the only issues that will count.
I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts.
Ephesians 3:17
2) What will be the character of my life? This is the question of discipleship. What kind of person will you be?
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23
3) What will be the contribution of my life? This is the question of service. What will be your ministry in the Body of Christ?
This service you perform not only meets the need of God's people, but also produces an outpouring of gratitude to God.
2 Corinthians 9:12
4) What will be the communication of my life? This is the question of your mission to unbelievers.
Be sure that you live in a way that brings honor to the Good News of Christ.
Philippians 1:27
5) What will be the community of my life? This is the question of fellowship. How will you demonstrate your commitment to other believers and connection to the family of God? Where will you practice the "one another" commands with other Christians?
One day God will review your answers to these life questions. Did you put Jesus at the center of your life? Did you develop his character? Did you devote your life to serving others? Did you communicate his message and fulfill his mission? Did you love and participate in his family? These are the only issues that will count.
Your Life's Message
Your Life Message has four parts to it:
1) Your testimony: the story of how you began a relationship with Jesus
2) Your life lessons: the most important lessons God has taught you
3) Your godly passions: the issues God shaped you to care about most
4) The Good News: the message of salvation.
Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness and respect.
1 Peter 3:15-16
A warning give by an experienced person to someone willing to listen is more valuable than...jewelry made of the finest gold.
Proverbs 25:12
A man's heart determines his speech.
Matthew 12:34
The Good News shows how God makes people right with himself--that it begins and ends with faith.
Romans 1:17
As long as you know one person who doesn't know Christ, you must keep praying for them, serving them in love, and sharing the Good News. And as long as there is one person in your community who isn't in the family of God, your church must keep reaching out.
What are your willing to do so that the people you know will go to heaven? Invite them to church? Share your story? Take them a meal? Pray for them every day until they are saved? Your mission field is all around you. Don't miss the opportunities God is giving you.
Is anyone going to be in heaven because of you? Will anyone in heaven be able to say to you, "I want to thank you. I'm here because you cared enough to share the Good News with me"? Imagine the joy of greeting people in heaven whom you helped get there. The eternal salvation of a single soul is more important than anything else you will ever achieve in life. Only people are going to last forever.
1) Your testimony: the story of how you began a relationship with Jesus
2) Your life lessons: the most important lessons God has taught you
3) Your godly passions: the issues God shaped you to care about most
4) The Good News: the message of salvation.
Be ready at all times to answer anyone who asks you to explain the hope you have in you, but do it with gentleness and respect.
1 Peter 3:15-16
A warning give by an experienced person to someone willing to listen is more valuable than...jewelry made of the finest gold.
Proverbs 25:12
A man's heart determines his speech.
Matthew 12:34
The Good News shows how God makes people right with himself--that it begins and ends with faith.
Romans 1:17
As long as you know one person who doesn't know Christ, you must keep praying for them, serving them in love, and sharing the Good News. And as long as there is one person in your community who isn't in the family of God, your church must keep reaching out.
What are your willing to do so that the people you know will go to heaven? Invite them to church? Share your story? Take them a meal? Pray for them every day until they are saved? Your mission field is all around you. Don't miss the opportunities God is giving you.
Is anyone going to be in heaven because of you? Will anyone in heaven be able to say to you, "I want to thank you. I'm here because you cared enough to share the Good News with me"? Imagine the joy of greeting people in heaven whom you helped get there. The eternal salvation of a single soul is more important than anything else you will ever achieve in life. Only people are going to last forever.
Purpose #5 - Made For A Mission
Your ministry is your service to believers and your mission is your service to unbelievers. Our mission is both a shared responsibility with other believers and a specific assignments that is ours alone.
Christ changed us from enemies into his friends and gave us the task of making others his friends also.
2 Corinthians 5:18
We have been sent to speak for Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:20
Why is your mission important? Your mission:
1) Is a continuation of Jesus' mission on earth. You are the only Christian some people will ever know, and your mission is to share Jesus with them. God will hold us responsible for the unbelievers in our lives.
You must warn them so they may live. If you don't speak out to warn the wicked to stop their evil ways, they will die in their sin. But I will hold you responsible for their death.
Ezekiel 3:18
2) Is a wonderful privilege. We get to work with God and represent him. Jesus has secured our salvation, put us in his family, given us his Spirit and then made us his agents in the world. Telling other about Jesus is the greatest thing we can do for them.
God has given us the privilege of urging everyone to come into his favor and be reconciled to him.
2 Corinthians 5:18
3) Has eternal significance. It will impact people for eternity so it is your most important job. The consequences of your mission will last forever.
All of us must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent me, because there is little time left before the night falls and all work comes to an end.
John 9:4
4) Gives your life meaning. If you fail to fulfill your God-given mission on earth, you will have wasted the life God gave you. There are people on this planet whom only you will be able to reach.
My life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned my by the Lord Jesus---the work of telling others the Good News about God's wonderful kindness and love.
Acts 20:24
To fulfill your mission will require that you abandon your agenda and accept God's agenda for your life. You can't just "tack it on" to all the other things you'd like to do with your life. You must say, like Jesus, "Father,...I want your will, not mine." You yield your rights, expectations, dreams, plans and ambitions to him. You stop praying selfish prayers like "God bless what I want to do." Instead you pray, "God help me to do what you're blessing!" You hand God a blank sheet with your name signed at the bottom and tell him to fill in the details.
Give yourselves completely to God--every part of you...to be tools in the hands of God, to be used for his good purposes.
Romans 6:13
Christ changed us from enemies into his friends and gave us the task of making others his friends also.
2 Corinthians 5:18
We have been sent to speak for Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:20
Why is your mission important? Your mission:
1) Is a continuation of Jesus' mission on earth. You are the only Christian some people will ever know, and your mission is to share Jesus with them. God will hold us responsible for the unbelievers in our lives.
You must warn them so they may live. If you don't speak out to warn the wicked to stop their evil ways, they will die in their sin. But I will hold you responsible for their death.
Ezekiel 3:18
2) Is a wonderful privilege. We get to work with God and represent him. Jesus has secured our salvation, put us in his family, given us his Spirit and then made us his agents in the world. Telling other about Jesus is the greatest thing we can do for them.
God has given us the privilege of urging everyone to come into his favor and be reconciled to him.
2 Corinthians 5:18
3) Has eternal significance. It will impact people for eternity so it is your most important job. The consequences of your mission will last forever.
All of us must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent me, because there is little time left before the night falls and all work comes to an end.
John 9:4
4) Gives your life meaning. If you fail to fulfill your God-given mission on earth, you will have wasted the life God gave you. There are people on this planet whom only you will be able to reach.
My life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned my by the Lord Jesus---the work of telling others the Good News about God's wonderful kindness and love.
Acts 20:24
To fulfill your mission will require that you abandon your agenda and accept God's agenda for your life. You can't just "tack it on" to all the other things you'd like to do with your life. You must say, like Jesus, "Father,...I want your will, not mine." You yield your rights, expectations, dreams, plans and ambitions to him. You stop praying selfish prayers like "God bless what I want to do." Instead you pray, "God help me to do what you're blessing!" You hand God a blank sheet with your name signed at the bottom and tell him to fill in the details.
Give yourselves completely to God--every part of you...to be tools in the hands of God, to be used for his good purposes.
Romans 6:13
God's Power in Your Weakness
Everyone has weaknesses...what is important is what we do with them. We seem to think that God only wants to use our strengths so we deny, defend, excuse, hide and resent our weaknesses. The truth is that he wants to use these for his glory too. God allowed our weaknesses in our lives so that he can demonstrate his power through us.
A weakness is any limitation that you inherited and have no power to change. It may be a physical (handicap, chronic illness, low energy, disability), emotional (hurtful memory, personality quirk), talent or intellectual limitation.
We need to admit our weaknesses and learn to be content with them. They cause us to depend on God, they keep us humble, they encourage fellowship between believers and they increase our capacity for compassion and sympathy for the weaknesses of others.
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for your, for my power is made perfect in weakness," Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
So I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations.
2 Corinthians 12:7
We need to express our faith by saying "God, I believe you love me and know what's best for me." God specializes in turning our weaknesses into strengths.
A weakness is any limitation that you inherited and have no power to change. It may be a physical (handicap, chronic illness, low energy, disability), emotional (hurtful memory, personality quirk), talent or intellectual limitation.
We need to admit our weaknesses and learn to be content with them. They cause us to depend on God, they keep us humble, they encourage fellowship between believers and they increase our capacity for compassion and sympathy for the weaknesses of others.
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for your, for my power is made perfect in weakness," Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
So I wouldn't get a big head, I was given the gift of a handicap to keep me in constant touch with my limitations.
2 Corinthians 12:7
We need to express our faith by saying "God, I believe you love me and know what's best for me." God specializes in turning our weaknesses into strengths.
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
Acting and Thinking Like A Servant
How do we act like a servant?
Real servants make themselves available to serve and do what's needed, even when it's inconvenient. Are you available to God? Can he mess up your plans without you becoming resentful? Or are your so busy that you can't jump up and serve when called.
No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him.
2 Timothy 2:4
Real servants are always on the lookout for ways to help others.
Whenever we have the opportunity, we have to do what is good for everyone, especially for the family of believers.
Galatians 6:10
Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now.
Proverbs 3:28
Real servants don't make excuses, procrastinate or wait for better circumstances. They do their best with what they have been given.
If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.
Ecclesiastes 11:4
Real servants do everything with their whole heart. Jesus specialized in menial tasks: washing feet, helping children, fixing breakfast, and serving lepers...nothing was beneath him. We need to be willing to do anything that is needed.
If you think you are too important to help someone in need, you are only fooling yourself. You are really a nobody.
Galatians 6:3
Real servants are faithful to their ministry. We seem to have forgotten the importance of commitment...we need to finish our tasks, fulfill our responsibilities, keep our promises and complete our commitments.
Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!
Matthew 25:23
Real servants don't promote or call attention to themselves.
When you do good deeds, don't try to show off. If you do, you won't get a reward from your father in heaven.
Matthew 6:1
God is more interested in why we do things that what we do. We need to make sure our attitude is that our a servant and this requires a change in our attitudes.
Servants think more about the needs around them than their own needs. Thinking like a servant is difficult because it challenges the basic problem of our lives: I am, by nature, selfish. I think most about me. That's why humility is a daily struggle, a lesson we must learn over and over again.
Servants think like stewards, not owners. We need to remember that God owns it all...everything! It is impossible for us to serve two masters. This goes for both our time and our money. When we realize everything we have is his then we can truly serve him.
Servants think about their work and not about what others are doing. They don't compare, criticize, or compete with other servants or ministries.
We will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.
Galatians 5:26
Servants base their identity in Christ. We don't need to prove our worth. Only secure people can serve. Insecure people are always worrying about how they appear to others. They fear exposure of their weaknesses and hide beneath layers of protective pride and pretensions.
Servants think of ministry as an opportunity, not an obligation. They enjoy helping people, meeting needs, and doing ministry. They serve with gladness because they love the Lord and are grateful for his grace.
The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me.
John 12:26
He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other Christians.
Hebrews 6:10
Real servants make themselves available to serve and do what's needed, even when it's inconvenient. Are you available to God? Can he mess up your plans without you becoming resentful? Or are your so busy that you can't jump up and serve when called.
No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him.
2 Timothy 2:4
Real servants are always on the lookout for ways to help others.
Whenever we have the opportunity, we have to do what is good for everyone, especially for the family of believers.
Galatians 6:10
Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now.
Proverbs 3:28
Real servants don't make excuses, procrastinate or wait for better circumstances. They do their best with what they have been given.
If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done.
Ecclesiastes 11:4
Real servants do everything with their whole heart. Jesus specialized in menial tasks: washing feet, helping children, fixing breakfast, and serving lepers...nothing was beneath him. We need to be willing to do anything that is needed.
If you think you are too important to help someone in need, you are only fooling yourself. You are really a nobody.
Galatians 6:3
Real servants are faithful to their ministry. We seem to have forgotten the importance of commitment...we need to finish our tasks, fulfill our responsibilities, keep our promises and complete our commitments.
Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let's celebrate together!
Matthew 25:23
Real servants don't promote or call attention to themselves.
When you do good deeds, don't try to show off. If you do, you won't get a reward from your father in heaven.
Matthew 6:1
God is more interested in why we do things that what we do. We need to make sure our attitude is that our a servant and this requires a change in our attitudes.
Servants think more about the needs around them than their own needs. Thinking like a servant is difficult because it challenges the basic problem of our lives: I am, by nature, selfish. I think most about me. That's why humility is a daily struggle, a lesson we must learn over and over again.
Servants think like stewards, not owners. We need to remember that God owns it all...everything! It is impossible for us to serve two masters. This goes for both our time and our money. When we realize everything we have is his then we can truly serve him.
Servants think about their work and not about what others are doing. They don't compare, criticize, or compete with other servants or ministries.
We will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse. We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.
Galatians 5:26
Servants base their identity in Christ. We don't need to prove our worth. Only secure people can serve. Insecure people are always worrying about how they appear to others. They fear exposure of their weaknesses and hide beneath layers of protective pride and pretensions.
Servants think of ministry as an opportunity, not an obligation. They enjoy helping people, meeting needs, and doing ministry. They serve with gladness because they love the Lord and are grateful for his grace.
The Father will honor and reward anyone who serves me.
John 12:26
He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other Christians.
Hebrews 6:10
Purpose #4 - Shaped For Serving God
We were created, saved, called and commanded to serve God. And we need to serve joyfully and with gratitude for what he's done for us. Anytime we use the abilities God gave us we are serving him.
God has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10
Because of God's great mercy...Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service.
Romans 12:1
Your attitude must be like my own, for I, the Messiah, did not come to be served, but to serve and to give my life.
Matthew 20:28
If you aren't serving, you are only existing. God wants us to learn to love and serve others unselfishly. The Bible says that we will each have to give an account of where are time and energy was spent.
What's your excuse?
Abraham was old, Jacob was insecure, Leah was unattractive, Joseph was abused, Moses stuttered, Gideon was poor, Samson was codependent, Rahab was immoral, David had an affair and all kinds of family problems, Elijah was suicidal, Jeremiah was depressed, Jonah was reluctant, Naomi was a widow, John the Baptist was eccentric to say the least, Peter was impulsive and hot-tempered, Martha worried a lot, the Samaritan woman had several failed marriages, Zacchaeus was unpopular, Thomas had doubts, Paul had poor health, and Timothy was timid. (pg. 223 - Purpose Driven Life)
If God can use all these people...he can use you too!!!
God provided you with the tools you need to serve him. God never wastes anything. He would not give you abilities, interests, talents, gifts, personality, and life experiences unless he intended to use them for his glory.
We have been given all we need to discover our purpose:
1) Our Spiritual Gifts - Every believer has been given special God-empowered abilities for serving him. We can not earn these gifts nor choose them. These were given not for our benefit but for the benefit of others.
Whoever does not have the Spirit cannot receive the gifts that come from God's Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:14
A Spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church.
1 Corinthians 12:7
2) Our Heart - This is our desires, hopes, interests, ambitions, dreams, and affections. What we love to do and care about most. Our hearts reveal the real people we are. It determines why you say the things you say, feel the way you do, and act the way you do. When we are serving God from our heart we should feel enthusiasm and be effective.
As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the person.
Proverbs 27:19
4) Our Abilities - These are the natural talents that we were born with. All our abilities come from God and can be used for God's glory. The things we are able to do are the things God wants us to do.
May the God of peace...equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him,...
Hebrews 13:20-21
5) Our Personality - Our personality will affect how and where we use our gifts and abilities.
6) Our Experiences - We are shaped by the experiences that we go through with our family, education, vocation, spirituality, ministry and pain. Pain is the experience that God often uses the most to prepare us for ministry. Often out of our greatest pain will come our greatest ministry.
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
2 Corinthians 1:4
So now we need to discover what God intends for us to be and do. We need to begin by assessing our gifts and abilities by experimenting with different areas of service. Just start serving, you will eventually find out what you are good at. Then consider your heart and personality. Finally, examine the experiences you have been through and what you have learned from them.
Once we discover who we are and what we were designed to do we need to accept that this is who we are and recognize our limitations. No one is good at everything or called to be everything. God wants us to enjoy being who he has made us. Satan will try to steal our joy by tempting us to compare our ministry with others and conform our ministry to the expectations of others.
What right have you, a human being, to cross-examine God? The pot has no right to say to the potter: 'Why did you make me this shape?' Surely a potter can do what he likes with the clay!
Romans 9:20-21
Be sure to do what you should, for then you will enjoy the personal satisfaction of having done your work well, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else.
Galatians 6:4
If we use our abilities and skills, God promises to increase them. But if we don't use them, then we will lose them.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15
God has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do.
Ephesians 2:10
Because of God's great mercy...Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service.
Romans 12:1
Your attitude must be like my own, for I, the Messiah, did not come to be served, but to serve and to give my life.
Matthew 20:28
If you aren't serving, you are only existing. God wants us to learn to love and serve others unselfishly. The Bible says that we will each have to give an account of where are time and energy was spent.
What's your excuse?
Abraham was old, Jacob was insecure, Leah was unattractive, Joseph was abused, Moses stuttered, Gideon was poor, Samson was codependent, Rahab was immoral, David had an affair and all kinds of family problems, Elijah was suicidal, Jeremiah was depressed, Jonah was reluctant, Naomi was a widow, John the Baptist was eccentric to say the least, Peter was impulsive and hot-tempered, Martha worried a lot, the Samaritan woman had several failed marriages, Zacchaeus was unpopular, Thomas had doubts, Paul had poor health, and Timothy was timid. (pg. 223 - Purpose Driven Life)
If God can use all these people...he can use you too!!!
God provided you with the tools you need to serve him. God never wastes anything. He would not give you abilities, interests, talents, gifts, personality, and life experiences unless he intended to use them for his glory.
We have been given all we need to discover our purpose:
1) Our Spiritual Gifts - Every believer has been given special God-empowered abilities for serving him. We can not earn these gifts nor choose them. These were given not for our benefit but for the benefit of others.
Whoever does not have the Spirit cannot receive the gifts that come from God's Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:14
A Spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church.
1 Corinthians 12:7
2) Our Heart - This is our desires, hopes, interests, ambitions, dreams, and affections. What we love to do and care about most. Our hearts reveal the real people we are. It determines why you say the things you say, feel the way you do, and act the way you do. When we are serving God from our heart we should feel enthusiasm and be effective.
As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the person.
Proverbs 27:19
4) Our Abilities - These are the natural talents that we were born with. All our abilities come from God and can be used for God's glory. The things we are able to do are the things God wants us to do.
May the God of peace...equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him,...
Hebrews 13:20-21
5) Our Personality - Our personality will affect how and where we use our gifts and abilities.
6) Our Experiences - We are shaped by the experiences that we go through with our family, education, vocation, spirituality, ministry and pain. Pain is the experience that God often uses the most to prepare us for ministry. Often out of our greatest pain will come our greatest ministry.
He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.
2 Corinthians 1:4
So now we need to discover what God intends for us to be and do. We need to begin by assessing our gifts and abilities by experimenting with different areas of service. Just start serving, you will eventually find out what you are good at. Then consider your heart and personality. Finally, examine the experiences you have been through and what you have learned from them.
Once we discover who we are and what we were designed to do we need to accept that this is who we are and recognize our limitations. No one is good at everything or called to be everything. God wants us to enjoy being who he has made us. Satan will try to steal our joy by tempting us to compare our ministry with others and conform our ministry to the expectations of others.
What right have you, a human being, to cross-examine God? The pot has no right to say to the potter: 'Why did you make me this shape?' Surely a potter can do what he likes with the clay!
Romans 9:20-21
Be sure to do what you should, for then you will enjoy the personal satisfaction of having done your work well, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else.
Galatians 6:4
If we use our abilities and skills, God promises to increase them. But if we don't use them, then we will lose them.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15
Temptation
Why do we face temptation? God uses the opposite situation of each fruit to allow us a choice. You can't claim to be good if you've never been tempted to be bad. You can't claim to be faithful if you've never had the opportunity to be unfaithful.
Temptation starts when Satan suggests (with a thought) that you give in to an evil desire, or that you fulfill a legitimate desire in a wrong way or at the wrong time. Temptation always start in our minds, not in your circumstances.
For from within, out of a person's heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, eagerness for lustful pleasure, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within.
Mark 7:21-23
Temptation continues when Satan tries to convince you about what God has said about sin.
Watch out! Don't let evil thoughts or doubts make any of your turn from the living God.
Hebrews 3:12
So how can we overcome this temptation? We need to refuse to be intimidated. The bible says that we will be tempted. It is not a sin to be tempted the sin comes when we give into temptation. We then need to recognize our temptations and be prepared for them.
Plan carefully what you do...Avoid evil and walk straight ahead. Don't go one step off the right way.
Proverbs 4:26-27
We also need to ask for God's help. God love is everlasting and his patience endures forever, so we can call upon him a hundred times a day if we need to.
Call on me in times of trouble. I will rescue you, and you will honor me.
Psalm 50:15
Satan then replaces that truth with a lie and then we finally act on that thought.
God promises never to allow more on us than he puts within us to handle it. He will not allow us to be overcome. So with his help we can refocus our attention. Don't fight the thought, change it. We should also share our struggles with a friend who can share them with us.
You are better off to have a friend than to be all alone...If you fall, your friend can help you up. But if you fall without having a friend nearby, you are really in trouble.
Ecclesiastes4:9-10
Once we have help we need to fight back against the Devil's attacks and then we must never let our guard down and think we are beyond temptation.
Don't be so naive and self-confident. You're not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it's useless. Cultivate God-confidence.
1 Corinthians 10:12
Temptation starts when Satan suggests (with a thought) that you give in to an evil desire, or that you fulfill a legitimate desire in a wrong way or at the wrong time. Temptation always start in our minds, not in your circumstances.
For from within, out of a person's heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, eagerness for lustful pleasure, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within.
Mark 7:21-23
Temptation continues when Satan tries to convince you about what God has said about sin.
Watch out! Don't let evil thoughts or doubts make any of your turn from the living God.
Hebrews 3:12
So how can we overcome this temptation? We need to refuse to be intimidated. The bible says that we will be tempted. It is not a sin to be tempted the sin comes when we give into temptation. We then need to recognize our temptations and be prepared for them.
Plan carefully what you do...Avoid evil and walk straight ahead. Don't go one step off the right way.
Proverbs 4:26-27
We also need to ask for God's help. God love is everlasting and his patience endures forever, so we can call upon him a hundred times a day if we need to.
Call on me in times of trouble. I will rescue you, and you will honor me.
Psalm 50:15
Satan then replaces that truth with a lie and then we finally act on that thought.
God promises never to allow more on us than he puts within us to handle it. He will not allow us to be overcome. So with his help we can refocus our attention. Don't fight the thought, change it. We should also share our struggles with a friend who can share them with us.
You are better off to have a friend than to be all alone...If you fall, your friend can help you up. But if you fall without having a friend nearby, you are really in trouble.
Ecclesiastes4:9-10
Once we have help we need to fight back against the Devil's attacks and then we must never let our guard down and think we are beyond temptation.
Don't be so naive and self-confident. You're not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it's useless. Cultivate God-confidence.
1 Corinthians 10:12
How We Grow...
How can we grow spiritually? Well, we have to want to, decide to, make the effort to, and persist in growing. We then need to abide in his word and accept it as the authority in our life and let his word be our guide over all else. We need to listen to his word and let it change our way of thinking and then we need to apply it's principles.
If you abide in my word, then you are truly disciples of Mine.
John 8:31
Everything in the Scriptures is God's Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live.
2 Timothy 3:16
Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Matthew 7:24
God uses all our circumstances to develop our character. Jesus warned that life would come with problems and God uses these problems to draw us closer to him.
Joni Eareckson Tada notes, "When life is rosy, we may slide by with knowing about Jesus, with imitating him and quoting him and speaking of him. But only in suffering will we know Jesus."
We need to remember that God's plan is good and that he knows best. Joseph trusted God when he was sold into slavery.
The plans I have for your are plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
Our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever!
2 Corinthians 4:17
We need to remember to rejoice and give thanks in all circumstances.
Be full of joy at that time, because you have a great reward waiting for your in heaven.
Luke 6:23
And we need to refuse to give up.
Let the process go on until your endurance is fully developed, and you will find that you have become men of mature character...with no weak spots.
James 1:3-4
We also have to remember that growing in Christlike character takes time. We need to worry more about how strong we are growing than how quickly we are growing. Why does it take time? Because we are slow learners and have a lot to unlearn. We are afraid to face the truth about ourselves and this growth can be scary and painful. And of course new habits take a while to develop.
So, remember that God is working in your life even when you don't feel it, journal about the lessons you are learning so you can see a progression, be patient with God and with yourself and don't get discouraged.
God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again.
Philippians 1:6
If you abide in my word, then you are truly disciples of Mine.
John 8:31
Everything in the Scriptures is God's Word. All of it is useful for teaching and helping people and for correcting them and showing them how to live.
2 Timothy 3:16
Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Matthew 7:24
God uses all our circumstances to develop our character. Jesus warned that life would come with problems and God uses these problems to draw us closer to him.
Joni Eareckson Tada notes, "When life is rosy, we may slide by with knowing about Jesus, with imitating him and quoting him and speaking of him. But only in suffering will we know Jesus."
We need to remember that God's plan is good and that he knows best. Joseph trusted God when he was sold into slavery.
The plans I have for your are plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29:11
Our present troubles are quite small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever!
2 Corinthians 4:17
We need to remember to rejoice and give thanks in all circumstances.
Be full of joy at that time, because you have a great reward waiting for your in heaven.
Luke 6:23
And we need to refuse to give up.
Let the process go on until your endurance is fully developed, and you will find that you have become men of mature character...with no weak spots.
James 1:3-4
We also have to remember that growing in Christlike character takes time. We need to worry more about how strong we are growing than how quickly we are growing. Why does it take time? Because we are slow learners and have a lot to unlearn. We are afraid to face the truth about ourselves and this growth can be scary and painful. And of course new habits take a while to develop.
So, remember that God is working in your life even when you don't feel it, journal about the lessons you are learning so you can see a progression, be patient with God and with yourself and don't get discouraged.
God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again.
Philippians 1:6
Monday, 12 January 2009
Purpose #3 - Created To Become Like Christ
From the beginning God intended for us to be like his son, Jesus. God wants his children to bear his image and likeness. When we wonder why things are happening to us or why we are having a difficult time we need to remember that life is supposed to be difficult. It's what helps us grow and build character and become more like our Father.
God provided the Holy Spirit to help us make these changes in our lives. We cannot do it alone, no matter how good our intentions or how strong our willpower. We need to choose to do the right thing in situations and then trust God's Spirit to give us his power, love, faith and wisdom to do it. In other words, don't wait till you feel powerful and confident, move ahead and do the right thing in spite of your fears and feelings.
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:22-24
According to this verse we have 3 responsibilities in becoming like Christ. We need to let go of our old way of acting, change the way we think and develop new, godly habits.
God provided the Holy Spirit to help us make these changes in our lives. We cannot do it alone, no matter how good our intentions or how strong our willpower. We need to choose to do the right thing in situations and then trust God's Spirit to give us his power, love, faith and wisdom to do it. In other words, don't wait till you feel powerful and confident, move ahead and do the right thing in spite of your fears and feelings.
You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:22-24
According to this verse we have 3 responsibilities in becoming like Christ. We need to let go of our old way of acting, change the way we think and develop new, godly habits.
Sunday, 11 January 2009
A Place to Belong
We all need to have a place to belong, a church family, a care group, a bible study. Somewhere where we can be committed to a group of fellow believers. This allows us to:
1) be a witness to the world...
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.
John 13:35
2) have a place to practice unselfish, sympathetic love...
Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
1 John 1:16
3) grow faster and stronger in our spiritual walks by learning from others and being accountable to them...
As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Ephesians 4:16
4) use the gifts that God has given us...
A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church.
1 Corinthians 12:7
5) have a share in the work that is being accomplished in His Kingdom...
He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.
Ephesians 2:10
6) have someone to keep us from backsliding...
Encourage one another daily...so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
Hebrews 3:13
If you know people who have wandered off from God's truth, don't write them off. Go after them. Get them back.
James 5:19
When we share life and become open about our lives with others...
a) we experience genuine heart-to-heart friendships...
If we live in the light, as God is in the light, we can share fellowship with each other...If we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves.
1 John 1:7-8
Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed.
James 5:16
We only grow by taking risks and being honest with ourselves and with others.
b) we experience the art of giving and receiving...
The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part.
1 Corinthians 12:25
I want us to help each other with the faith we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you.
Romans 1:12
We are not responsible FOR everyone in the Body of Christ but we are responsible TO them. We need to do what we can to help.
c) we experience sympathy (sharing pain with others) which helps us feel understood and validated...
Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2
d) we experience mercy...
When people sin, you should forgive and comfort them, so they won't give up in despair.
2 Corinthians 2:7
You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Colossians 3:13
How do we accomplish these kinds of relationships? Commitment. We need to be committed, honest (speaking in love), humble (thinking of ourselves less), courteous (respecting our differences), trustworthy (keeping confidences), and regular (frequently meeting).
We also need to protect these relationships by focusing on the things we have in common and not the differences, being realistic in our expectations, encouraging rather than criticizing, refusing to listen to gossip, working through our conflicts, and supporting the people in leadership.
1) be a witness to the world...
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.
John 13:35
2) have a place to practice unselfish, sympathetic love...
Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
1 John 1:16
3) grow faster and stronger in our spiritual walks by learning from others and being accountable to them...
As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Ephesians 4:16
4) use the gifts that God has given us...
A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church.
1 Corinthians 12:7
5) have a share in the work that is being accomplished in His Kingdom...
He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.
Ephesians 2:10
6) have someone to keep us from backsliding...
Encourage one another daily...so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.
Hebrews 3:13
If you know people who have wandered off from God's truth, don't write them off. Go after them. Get them back.
James 5:19
When we share life and become open about our lives with others...
a) we experience genuine heart-to-heart friendships...
If we live in the light, as God is in the light, we can share fellowship with each other...If we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves.
1 John 1:7-8
Make this your common practice: Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed.
James 5:16
We only grow by taking risks and being honest with ourselves and with others.
b) we experience the art of giving and receiving...
The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part.
1 Corinthians 12:25
I want us to help each other with the faith we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you.
Romans 1:12
We are not responsible FOR everyone in the Body of Christ but we are responsible TO them. We need to do what we can to help.
c) we experience sympathy (sharing pain with others) which helps us feel understood and validated...
Share each other's troubles and problems, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2
d) we experience mercy...
When people sin, you should forgive and comfort them, so they won't give up in despair.
2 Corinthians 2:7
You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
Colossians 3:13
How do we accomplish these kinds of relationships? Commitment. We need to be committed, honest (speaking in love), humble (thinking of ourselves less), courteous (respecting our differences), trustworthy (keeping confidences), and regular (frequently meeting).
We also need to protect these relationships by focusing on the things we have in common and not the differences, being realistic in our expectations, encouraging rather than criticizing, refusing to listen to gossip, working through our conflicts, and supporting the people in leadership.
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