A Student of the Word and A Daughter of the King

Today I had the opportunity to sit in my favorite coffee shop with a sweet friend of mine.  We shared the events of our week, along with our hearts and the struggles we faced.  We even spoke of how hard it is to be like 'Mary', sitting at Jesus' feet, and how much easier it is to be like 'Martha', filled with many distractions.  I said to my dear friend, I believe it is much harder to be like 'Mary' because you have to be disciplined and discipline requires you to be diligent and consistent.  It takes a lot of effort and it is hard work!

Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house.  And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. "But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."  Luke 10:38-42 

Our conversation continued to our devotional lives and the time when we study our Bibles.  I shared with my dear sister in Christ that I use two different Bibles because to me, my devotional time is different than when I study my Bible and therefore I use two different tools.

A Student of the Word

"A student is not greater than the teacher. But the student who works hard will become like the teacher."  Luke 6:40

When I am studying God's Word, I put on my 'Student' hat and use my Study Bible with a big concordance, commentary, word study, highlighter, etc.  Right now I want you to picture someone sitting in a library studying....that's what a student looks like.  They are intent on finding answers and they are serious about what they are learning...at least if they are a good student!  Now, a Student of the Word should look similar to the image you have in your mind, only you, as a Student of the Word, are digging for Truth and you are learning how to apply those Truths to your life from the One True Book of Wisdom!   We are the students and Jesus is the Teacher.  He embodies TRUTH AND WISDOM. 
"But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption."  1 Corinthians 1:30

So, why study the Word of God?  "Study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."  2 Timothy 2:15

Practical Tips:

Some women do well to study God's Word by being a part of a Bible Study with other women; it certainly helps for the accountability!  Other women can study God's Word on their own.  Do what works best for you so you will dig deeper into God's Word and become a student of it.

A Daughter of the King

“O GOD, You are my God; Early I will seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You…” Psalm 63:1When I was a young Believer in Christ, I heard that the Word of God was a love letter written to His children. Hmmm, love letter? That got my attention. I wanted to read what the King of Kings had to say to His daughter. I wanted to experience His love, yet, when I read my Bible, it was more like I was checking off a box on my to-do-list.  I knew that was not the type of devotional life that I wanted to have with my King so I was determined to make some much needed changes....shortly after I added a prayer journal to my routine.  In my journal I would write out the A-C-T-S acronym. "A" for Adoration, "C" for Confession, "T" for Thanksgiving and "S" for Supplication unto the Lord. The prayer journal also helped me to focus on my prayer time and utilizing it has also kept me from falling asleep! I know...how lazy and disrespectful can I be!  As my walk with the Lord continued and I went through varying seasons and storms of my life, my devotional life became somewhat 'dry' again.  During one particular time in my life I was reading in the book of Job and my husband was too.  One morning he shared with me what he had read and I thought,  "What chapter are you reading because I certainly did not get that out of my Bible?"  (We were, in fact, in the same chapter, however, my husband and I were reading out of two different versions of the Bible.)  His version seemed so much more understandable to me.  I picked up his book and I read chapter after chapter after chapter that day and I did not want to put it down...and remember, I was reading in the book of Job so it wasn't like I was in the most action-packed book of the Bible either!  I just loved the translation that my husband had!  I finally felt like I was truly experiencing a love letter from my King the reason why, it was written in a language I could understand.  It was simple and easy reading.  Soon after, I headed to the bookstore to purchase a Bible for myself with the same version that my husband had.  What I found was the most beautiful and appealing Bible I had ever seen.  Not only was it pretty, but it felt soft and had differing textures and the pages made a delightful sound as well.  I was quite surprised to see how I reacted to this Book.  While I knew written within the pages of this Love Letter I would find beauty, love, grace and comfort, what I did not expect was to become so excited by its outer appearance.  I realized in that moment that the Book appealed to many of my senses that God had blessed me and deep in my heart I thanked my King for bestowing upon me such a beautiful gift.  Many years later I am still drawn to the Love Letter by My King.    

Practical Tips:  

Find a version of the Bible that is easy for you to understand.  The whole point of you reading your Love Letter is for you to be able to comprehend it and apply it to your life.

If it is beauty that you are drawn to, find a beautiful Bible, journal, pen, etc.  Work on your environment as well.  If it is quiet that you need, find a quiet place.  If you like soft music in the background, put on music.   Light a candle if you prefer.  Here's the bottom line:  Read your LOVE LETTER where you could most hear your King speak to you.

Of course there will be times during your devotions that you will come across a section of the Word that you may end up studying and likewise, there may be times in your studying that you may come across sections where it will touch your heart as a Daughter of the King.  These are just tips that I have given you, not rules to follow.  I just wanted to write some practical ways to help strengthen your time with the Lord so you could become more like 'Mary' as well.
Now please don't think for one minute that my devotional life and study life is perfect, BECAUSE IT IS NOT!  I fail daily and I am a work in progress, but that is the beauty of unconditional LOVE!

The Work of Ministry Part 2

"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ."  Ephesians 4:11,12

Well, I finally found some time to write Part 2 of this post.  In this article I wanted to address an issue that is not usually spoken of within Christian circles, especially in our churches or other various, Christ-centered, ministries and/or organizations.  The main issue that I would like to cover is when you are over-committing yourself in outside ministries.  What does that look like?  How do you know that is taking place in your home?  How can you prevent being over-committed again?  We often hear amongst our fellow believers to get more involved and use our gifts for the Lord, (which by the way, I am a BIG advocate of), but there is a Biblical order to ministry.  Read The Work of Ministry Part 1 for the details.

So, how do you know you are over-committed in a ministry?  I know from my own personal experience that my home life will start to fall apart if you will, meaning, my laundry will pile up along with the dishes.  Clutter will start to become like permanent fixtures and look like new furniture in my home as well.  All in all, the “Keeper of the Home” is no longer keeping it because I am too busy serving Jesus outside of my home.  My house, along with those that are living in it, are being neglected for the sake of outside service to the Lord. 

In the past, I have also found myself asking my husband for a lot of help.  Now, I don’t mean with just a few things within my day, but on going things like asking him to help with dinner, to help with the dishes, to help with the children, to help with the laundry, to get some groceries and to help in the ministry that I was involved in!  I noticed that I had asked him for so much help that he was becoming MY ‘helpmate’ rather than what the Bible had to say about me being HIS ‘helpmate’.   I was clearly outside of God’s will for my life.

So, today I have learned a few things about serving the Lord outside of my marriage, my children and my home.

#1  Keep a close eye on my walk with the Lord and make sure I spend plenty of time with Him.

#2  Watch my countenance.  Am I becoming bitter because I am over committed?  Do I snap at my husband and/or children when I come home because I am exhausted from serving others? This is what I would refer to as the ‘Martha Syndrome’.  “But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.”  Luke 10:40,41

#3  Be mindful of the Biblical priorities that is clearly defined in God's Word for me as a wife and mother.

#4  Keep a schedule so I will know if I actually do have the time to serve others that day/week/or month.

#5  Remind myself that it is okay to say 'No' when asked to serve.  I do not need to feel guilty because I can't do it all.

This brings me to my next point.  I have recently made a decision, (a very hard one I might add); to no longer continue a long-term, on-going ministry.  (That would be #6 on the list!  Think long and hard about being involved in a long-term, on-going ministry especially when you have children.  So, if you are a mother like me, remember the season that you are in will only be for a short while.  There are many opportunities and capacities that we can serve in that will not take so much time away from our husbands, children and our homes.  God uses us each and every day as we pour into our families.  He will ALSO use our talents, skills and gifts to further His kingdom outside of our homes as well.  But be mindful that you are not spending too much time away from your first ministries.  There are plenty of ways to serve Jesus that can be short-term, i.e., serving a friend in need, watching someone's kids, bringing meals to a shut-in, writing a letter to encourage a sister in the Lord, etc.) 

In closing, I have some questions for you and I do hope you respond so others who read this post can glean from your past experiences as well.

How do you know you have over-committed yourself in outside ministries?

What are some of your indicators?

Do you set up some boundaries?

Are you able to say ‘no’ when others ask you to serve?  Why or why not?

How to do you prevent yourself from being over-committed again?

The Work of Ministry Part 1

"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ."  Ephesians 4:11,12

 

Isn't it nice to be needed?  To feel appreciated.  To use your talents, skills and spiritual gifts.  How about this one...to be used by the Creator of the Universe to further His kingdom and to bring Him glory?  I love ministry.  I love being used by the Lord to make an impact on His behalf for His children, but ministry is not always a wonderful feeling, it also takes a lot of hard work and dedication.  If you have been following the Lord for any amount of time, surely you have been involved in some type of  ministry during your walk with our precious Savior.  If you are a wife and mother like me, you serve Jesus as you minister to your family on a daily basis;  and yes, that includes cleaning toilets!   

I think it is easy for us Christian women to often forget what are the main priorities that Christ would have us put first in our lives before we over commitment ourselves in various outside ministries.  Let's look into the scriptures and see what the Word of God has to say about a woman's role and her character. 

"...the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed."  Titus 2:3-5 

Do you see the order of this verse regarding what a godly woman should be doing?

First:  It talks about our godly character, hence our relationship with the Lord.

Second:  we are to love our husband.

Third: we are to love our children.

Fourth:  we are to work on our godly character again and we are also called to be homemakers.

That's a lot of ministry for each day!  I get tired just thinking about all my responsibilities!  

Depending on the season of life that you are in, it will determine how much time you can allot for outside ministries.  Obviously if you are raising babies and toddlers right now, that in itself will require a lot of your time at home.  If you have chosen to homeschool your children, that will limit your involvement to outside ministries as well.

Listen to what the Lord is telling you.  If you have been serving in an outside ministry which is taking you from your first ministries, be obedient to the Lord's prompting and step down from your involvement, (more on this topic will be covered in The Work of Ministry Part 2). On the other hand, perhaps the Lord is telling you to get involved in a ministry, step out in faith and answer His call.

Most importantly as we pursue the Lord we want to honor Him by being obedient to His word.  So, in a nutshell, love Christ, love your husband and children and keep your home....then serve others!

I have just scratched the surface regarding this topic and I will write more in the coming days, but for now, my first ministries are calling me!

A True Friend

It is inevitable that at some point in our lives we will get hurt by our friends, after all, we live in a broken and fallen world and no human being is perfect.  When you feel the sting of pain from others, know that your Savior has an undying love for you. 

Isn’t it nice to know that Jesus will always accept us, never condemn us and give us unconditional love?  He will always be merciful and ever so gracious to us all the days of our lives.  He will accept our personalities and all the quirks that go with it.  He will overlook our failures and cheer us on when we fall.  He will always forgive us of our sins when we confess them to Him.  “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”  1 John 1:9 Jesus is the perfect friend and He will always be there for us.  “A man who has friends must himself be friendly, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”  Proverbs 18:24  Our Savior’s outstretched arms and scarred hands will embrace us when we run to Him for healing, comfort and acceptance.

"He found him in a desert land and in the wasteland, a howling wilderness; He encircled him, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye.”  Deuteronomy 32:10

There will be times when we experience a deserted wasteland in our own lives, but God is encircling us and instructing us.  We are the apple of His eye and His eye is the only eye that truly matters.

You are loved.

Jesus at the Dumpster

The dust is finally starting to settle over here after our recent move and I do apologize for not taking the time to post any new articles in the previous weeks.  For some time now, it has been on my heart to write to you and share how I encountered Jesus at the garbage dumpster. Yes, yes, I know, it is an odd statement, but a true one!

I was tired of digging in dumpsters.

It was on a Saturday morning and I was just beginning to pack our home to move for the second time in 10 months. My husband had asked me what I was doing that morning and I replied with a disgusted tone, “Digging in dumpsters to look for boxes, again, for the third day in a row.” (I was not happy about what I had to do that day!) My husband dropped his head when he heard my words. Although his head hung in shame, I was still able to see the grief and sadness on his face and in his eyes. Even though he did not speak the words that were in his heart and on his mind, I knew he was telling me he felt like a failure, that he could not provide enough money for us to stay in our rental home. I knew he was telling me how he was sorry that he did not have the monetary resources to even purchase boxes nor the time to go look in the dumpsters to get them. I know this man’s heart. He would do anything for me and our children, yet, at the time, I did not feel like he was doing enough to provide for my selfish needs, and that was what my nasty attitude conveyed to him. I know... how selfish am I?  By my tone of grumbling and complaining, I realized in that moment that I had torn down my house. I fell again and I missed the mark and became the foolish woman. “The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands.” Proverbs 14:1

The only thing I have control over is my character; my actions and my attitudes. Jesus wants us to respect our husbands and to encourage them and lift them up, not tear them down. Although I was not arguing with my husband over some decisions, I certainly was not building my marriage (house) up. It was not my desire that day to be a foolish or contentious woman, but that is how I acted. “It is better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, than in a house shared with a contentious woman.” Proverbs 25:24

As I set out that morning to literally frolic in garbage, I became so discouraged. I was tired of digging in dumpsters. I was overwhelmed with the thought of packing and moving again, only to face the possibility of another move, or homelessness within months after this move.  I was beat down with persecutions by family, friends and neighbors. I did not know if we would have money for our basic needs:  food, utilities, medications, or if/when my car would be repossessed. What made matters worse, just a few days earlier someone stole parts off my car which made it inoperable and posing a possible $3,500 repair bill. I felt in that moment that life could not get much worse than what I had been experiencing. I was losing it. I was going to that dark place of negative thoughts...you know the one. The place where you don’t want to hear comments like: this is just for a season, things will turn around, keep praying, etc. I did not feel like praying to Jesus that day. After all, what is He going to do? Is He going to come down off His throne and dig in the dumpster with me? Depression and despair were quickly becoming my friends once again.

I finally drove up to the last dumpster for the day and I could smell the foul stench of rubbish on me as I was walked over to the trash can. Interestingly enough, the sickening smell of refuse was all around me but it wasn’t until now that I had noticed and I thought, man I sure need a shower! As I walked up to the dumpster, the Lord prompted my heart and said, “Oh daughter of mine, you may physically smell repulsive right now and you may think your situation looks bleak, but what about those who do not know Me, those who do not put their hope and trust in Me, those who reject Me, those who will be spending eternity in hell? I heard my Savior loud and clear, in fact, I smiled when I heard His voice. I thought, “Wow, Lord, you met me right here.  (It was like Jesus was leaning up against the dumpster as I walked toward it in a down-trodden way.) "You knew I needed you today”, I thought to myself.  The "Great I Am" gave me a reality check, or should I say an eternal-reality check. I got back into the car and started to drive home and quite honestly, I wept for those who didn't know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

Every single one of us will go through tough times in life. Times when things don’t make sense. Times when you can’t hang on for much longer. Times when you ask yourself, “Does God really care about me”? I can’t even imagine going through life without having Christ by my side (or the times when He is carrying me because I can no longer walk!)

Was I going to be a sweet-smelling aroma to Him, He asked me? Would I still praise His name in the midst of all of this so others could see the hope, peace and joy I have? Or would I be a stench to His nostrils because of my selfishness, self-absorbed and self-centered actions and attitudes, He asked?

There was no reason for me to feel so discouraged that day. Why didn’t I put my hope and trust into Jesus at that time?

When you are faced with adversity, what type of smell will you emanate? Will it be a sweet smelling aroma or a foul stench? We always have a choice on how we will handle our actions and attitudes. As well, we have a choice in where we will put our trust. In whom will you put your trust? “And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.” Psalm 9:10

Although I did not enjoy my time with the rubbish that day, I will never forget how Jesus spoke to my heart through this experience. Sometimes we need to go through hard things so we can experience more of Christ so we can be molded into His image.

He is so faithful too. He used the Body of Christ to drop off a multitude of boxes at my house the next day!

So, I encourage you to cling to Jesus when your world is filled with garbage and may you be a sweet-smelling aroma to Him as well!

Holding On

A lost home, no money to pay for rent, moving again and now theft to our car which will make the coming days ahead even more difficult, painful and laborious.  I could cry because of our afflictions, argue with God, doubt where He is taking us or be still and know that He is God.  So, I choose Christ today and what He has planned for our lives.  His presence is all around me.  I can feel His long flowing robe move past me.  I look for Him.  I seek Him.  I cling to Him.  When the waters are deep and the waves are crashing in, I rest in His promises.  I have no other choice but to do those things, well, actually that’s not quite true.  I do have another choice, a choice that the enemy would be so happy for me to make because I know I am making his job difficult.  I could choose to leave Jesus Christ and walk away from the faith because life has just gotten too hard….well, from one determined and tenacious soul, that’s not gonna happen!  I believe in Him.  I believe in His promises.  I believe He will not leave me.  I believe He will carry me when I need to be carried.  I could cling to the things of this world and become discouraged in the process or I can lift up my face to Him. There is a fire that burns down deep inside of my heart knowing that I will live for Him and Him alone.  Without Christ, I do not exist.  I have been made with one purpose, and one purpose only, and that purpose is to bring Him glory.  Period!  There is a purpose for all my pain.  There is a purpose for all of your pain too.  Let Him mold you into His image.  Let Him draw you closer to Him.  Let Him use you even in the midst of your storms because that is when His glory is revealed the most.  Regardless of the damage the enemy is trying to do in your life and mine, our God is greater.  Satan comes to steal, kill and destroy. "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."  John 10:10   The prince of this world desires to rip apart our lives. He wants to destroy our plans and dreams that we have for ourselves and our families.   Perhaps they weren’t great plans and dreams to begin with because God’s plans for us are to give us a future and a hope.  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 This is a promise we can rest on.  Our Creator can create much more greatness than what we could ever imagine!  "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."  Ephesians 3:20,21  GOD IS SOVEREIGN, we are not!  Even when I am falling apart and my world is crashing in, I want to bring Him glory.  So, I am holding on to Him because that is the best place on earth to be!  Will you hold on to Him as well? 

Have You Been Despised and Rejected?

Jesus Christ, the Savior of the World, the King of Kings and the Almighty God- "He is despised and rejected by men, A Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from Him; He was despised, and we did not esteem Him."  Isaiah 53:3   Jesus is Perfect and yet He is rejected.

As I type this verse I can not help but feel pain in my heart for what our precious Savior endured while He walked on the earth and even still today as He is seated on the Throne in heaven.  He came just for our benefit, yet, what He encountered was rejection, sorrow and grief.  He had a longing to have fellowship with His creation, yet, they despised Him.  Do you ever feel like that by others?  Times when you have gone into a situation to have fellowship or to minister to others and they have rejected you and some have even despised you for it?  I know I have, in fact, I think 'rejected' could be added to my middle name because it has been a common theme for my life.  There have been times when I purposefully went into a situation to minister to someone, yet, they rejected me. Along with their rejection came my tears and my heartache and my questions to God.

Perhaps you have experienced an ache in your heart because you have been rejected by your spouse, family member, friend, coworker or neighbor.  Because of this, you have become acquainted with grief just like Jesus. We can't help but ask ourselves what have we done to cause the rejection.

Jesus was blameless and yet he was still despised, but we are not always blameless when someone rejects us. Sometimes we do offend others and they lash out at us for good reasons, yet, other times our heart and motives are pure but others still reject us for the choices we make for our families or the things we do or the convictions that we have or for the God we serve.
 
We may be despised by many, but never by Jesus because He will ALWAYS love us.  "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?"  Romans 8:35

The sting of rejection never feels good whether we have experienced it for the first time or the 100th time.  Try to find joy as you cling to this scripture. "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."  Matthew 5:10  This has become the verse that I hold on to when I am not received by others.

Although we would all like to be loved and received by many that will not always the case.  However, you and I are loved by the ONE that matters the most.  "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light." 1 Peter 2:9
 
Jesus has called us out of darkness so praise His name for this even while you are being rejected and despised.  Remember, you may be persecuted, by you are not forsaken!