Dear Sisters,
Happy October, dear sisters! His world is in glorious color and the transition into another season is all around us. Maybe there are transitions taking place in your life, too. There certainly was for the Israelites as they stood on the banks of the Jordan and prepared to cross into the Promised Land. May all our transitions be done in humble, prayerful dependence on God, being reminded of the amazing promise that the Lord our God will be with us wherever we go (Joshua 1:9).
Have a prayer-filled, beautiful week!
"Pray continually."
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Fall is filled with GEMS firsts – the first club meeting, the first ACTS Workshop, for some, the first year as Club Coordinator, counselor, or CIT, for others the first year in existence as a club. And in all that newness is a keen awareness that we can’t do it alone. We must humbly and prayerfully depend on God.
Joshua knew all about firsts. God commissioned him to be the first successor to Moses (Number 27:12-23). After 40 years of wandering in the desert, a new generation of Israelites would follow their new leader into a new land – the Promised Land. And Joshua did so in humble, prayerful dependence on God.
Camped along the east bank of the Jordan River on the edge of Canaan, God assured Joshua of His promises and reminded him that he wouldn’t go alone. Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9).
Before they stepped into the new land they consecrated themselves, the ark of the covenant of the Lord went ahead of them, and the Jordan waters that were at flood stage stopped flowing upstream when the priests’ feet touched the water’s edge (Joshua 3). The Israelites humbly walked on dry ground.
The first place of battle in the Promised Land was the city of Jericho. As Joshua stood before the city, his next big first, the commander of the army of the LORD met him. Joshua fell facedown in reverence, for the place where he was standing was holy. The Israelites humbly and repeatedly walked around the walls of Jericho and the Lord gave them the city (Joshua 6).
The second place of battle was in Ai. It looked like an easy win, but Ai’s few foot soldiers chased Israel’s 3,000 men out of the city and down the slopes, killing thirty-six of them. Why? Israel’s walk had become complacent. Achan stole some of the devoted things and lied to God. The Israelites humbled themselves once more (Joshua 7) and then God gave victory over Ai (Joshua 8).
Israel forfeited the next battle. The deceptive Gibeonites greeted the Israelites in worn and patched sandals, with a dry and moldy food supply, and said they were from a distant country and wanted to make a treaty. The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord (Joshua 9:14). Israel became complacent in prayer. They failed to pray and made a treaty with one of Canaan’s inhabitants – people God had forbid them to make peace with!
It’s October already and maybe some of the humble prayerful dependence you had on God during your first club meeting is being replaced with complacency. Be women of prayer. Talk to God frequently (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Begin and end your club nights in prayer. Seek His leading and guidance when the walls look impossible to crumble (Jericho) and when it looks like an easy club night (Ai). Young hearts are at stake! Don’t make peace treaties with the enemy (Gibeon), but keep your spiritual fervor serving the Lord (Romans 12:11).
PASSION Step: During October girls will focus on the PASSION discipline “Pray constantly.” Intercede for girls and clubs. Pray that we never become complacent in prayer.
May we learn to intercede so wholeheartedly that Jesus Christ will be completely and overwhelming satisfied with us as intercessors.
Oswald Chambers
Grace and peace,
Lenae
A connecting place for British Columbia GEMS counselors and club coordinators. . .
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Monday, September 27, 2010
TITUS 2 PERSEVERANCE
"Teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God."
Titus 2:3-5
One of the sectional leaders at the 2010 GEMS Annual Counselors’ Leadership Conference was Marianne, an eighty-year old sister in Jesus. Here were some of the reviews that she received from her sectional: * Was wonderful to be mentored by a sweet, sweet lady. * Very funny, good info. * What a wonderful Christian example! * Phenomenal! * Marianne was great – full of zeal, full of life, a great example to keep the faith. * Appreciate her honesty – she’s still growing and learning. * Loved having an older, mature woman to learn from – Titus 2!
In the last six months I’ve heard more than one woman question if she’s getting too old to continue to lead in GEMS. Should I retire? When is old too old? Is it time for me to step down? The answer to when we should step out of GEMS must be based on the prompting from the Spirit, not from the dates on our birth certificates!
Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three when they spoke to Pharaoh (Exodus 7:7) and they did a lot of living after that! Moses and Aaron served the Lord until the day they died. Moses was 120 years old; Aaron was 123 (Deuteronomy 34:7, Numbers 33:39).
The number of our days and years were ordained and written in God’s book before the day of our birth (Psalm 139:16). Life passes quickly like an evening shadow, withered grass, or mist (Psalm 102:11, James 4:14). Let’s pray with Moses, “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). Teach us to number our days so we can teach as many young girls and women as possible to be self-controlled, pure, kind, and reverent in the way they live (Titus 2:3-5).
As mentors within and outside of the GEMS ministry, we must zealously persevere in the face of inconvenience, challenges, weariness, disappointments, or anything else that would drain our zeal to live as He requires. This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus (Revelation 14:12). Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the LORD, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).
PASSION Step: Read Chapter 2 of Crazy Love by Francis Chan. Ask the Lord to help you zealously persevere in Titus 2 ministry no matter what your age.
"A long, hard, steady, hold-the-course obedience is a rare and wonderful thing."
~John Piper~
Grace and peace,
Lenae
Titus 2:3-5
One of the sectional leaders at the 2010 GEMS Annual Counselors’ Leadership Conference was Marianne, an eighty-year old sister in Jesus. Here were some of the reviews that she received from her sectional: * Was wonderful to be mentored by a sweet, sweet lady. * Very funny, good info. * What a wonderful Christian example! * Phenomenal! * Marianne was great – full of zeal, full of life, a great example to keep the faith. * Appreciate her honesty – she’s still growing and learning. * Loved having an older, mature woman to learn from – Titus 2!
In the last six months I’ve heard more than one woman question if she’s getting too old to continue to lead in GEMS. Should I retire? When is old too old? Is it time for me to step down? The answer to when we should step out of GEMS must be based on the prompting from the Spirit, not from the dates on our birth certificates!
Moses was eighty years old and Aaron eighty-three when they spoke to Pharaoh (Exodus 7:7) and they did a lot of living after that! Moses and Aaron served the Lord until the day they died. Moses was 120 years old; Aaron was 123 (Deuteronomy 34:7, Numbers 33:39).
The number of our days and years were ordained and written in God’s book before the day of our birth (Psalm 139:16). Life passes quickly like an evening shadow, withered grass, or mist (Psalm 102:11, James 4:14). Let’s pray with Moses, “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom” (Psalm 90:12). Teach us to number our days so we can teach as many young girls and women as possible to be self-controlled, pure, kind, and reverent in the way they live (Titus 2:3-5).
As mentors within and outside of the GEMS ministry, we must zealously persevere in the face of inconvenience, challenges, weariness, disappointments, or anything else that would drain our zeal to live as He requires. This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus (Revelation 14:12). Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the LORD, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).
PASSION Step: Read Chapter 2 of Crazy Love by Francis Chan. Ask the Lord to help you zealously persevere in Titus 2 ministry no matter what your age.
"A long, hard, steady, hold-the-course obedience is a rare and wonderful thing."
~John Piper~
Grace and peace,
Lenae
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
NO COMPROMISE
“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” – Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
Daniel 3:17-18
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego didn’t just feed the fire they walked in it. Their lives were marked by no compromise. Even though their Hebrew names were changed to Babylonian ones to assimilate them to the culture, they remained true to God alone. They rejected defiling food and wine from the king’s table for vegetables and water, and even when given a second chance to bow to the image of gold, they chose to be bound and thrown into a blazing furnace.
The church in Pergamum, one of the seven churches in the book of Revelation, knew the pressure to compromise. Their sophisticated city was center to four idolatrous cults: Zeus, Dionysius, Asclepius, and Athene. John called the city where they lived “where Satan has his throne” (Revelation 2:13).
Although Antipas, one of the faithful from their church who was martyred, did not compromise, there were those in the church who were and Jesus held it against them. You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolatians. Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth (Revelation 2:14-16).
When Anne Graham Lotz visited the ruins of the old city she said the ancient church was attached to a pagan temple! She wrote, “Instead of making an impact on the world, the world made an impact on the church. [The church of Pergamum] became irrelevant, powerless, and, in the end, nonexistent.”
The Encarta World English Dictionary defines compromise as “a settlement of a dispute in which two or more sides agree to accept less than they originally wanted.” When living as aliens and strangers in this world (1 Peter 2:11), disputes will arise. God’s Word tells us if it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone (Romans 12:18).
But peace must not trump godly living! Being tolerant and opened minded must not trump radical, wholehearted love and obedience to God alone.
The church of Pergamum chose compromise and their church’s building addition was a pagan temple. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego chose no compromise and when they were thrown in the fire, the Most High God walked with them” (Daniel 3:25).
PASSION Step: Identify places in your life that you’ve chosen to compromise. Repent and return to God.
If all church members were like you, would the church be more like the world? Or, would the church be more powerful in its witness – making an impact on our generation for the kingdom of God?
Anne Graham Lotz
Grace and peace,
Lenae
Daniel 3:17-18
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego didn’t just feed the fire they walked in it. Their lives were marked by no compromise. Even though their Hebrew names were changed to Babylonian ones to assimilate them to the culture, they remained true to God alone. They rejected defiling food and wine from the king’s table for vegetables and water, and even when given a second chance to bow to the image of gold, they chose to be bound and thrown into a blazing furnace.
The church in Pergamum, one of the seven churches in the book of Revelation, knew the pressure to compromise. Their sophisticated city was center to four idolatrous cults: Zeus, Dionysius, Asclepius, and Athene. John called the city where they lived “where Satan has his throne” (Revelation 2:13).
Although Antipas, one of the faithful from their church who was martyred, did not compromise, there were those in the church who were and Jesus held it against them. You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality. Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolatians. Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth (Revelation 2:14-16).
When Anne Graham Lotz visited the ruins of the old city she said the ancient church was attached to a pagan temple! She wrote, “Instead of making an impact on the world, the world made an impact on the church. [The church of Pergamum] became irrelevant, powerless, and, in the end, nonexistent.”
The Encarta World English Dictionary defines compromise as “a settlement of a dispute in which two or more sides agree to accept less than they originally wanted.” When living as aliens and strangers in this world (1 Peter 2:11), disputes will arise. God’s Word tells us if it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone (Romans 12:18).
But peace must not trump godly living! Being tolerant and opened minded must not trump radical, wholehearted love and obedience to God alone.
The church of Pergamum chose compromise and their church’s building addition was a pagan temple. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego chose no compromise and when they were thrown in the fire, the Most High God walked with them” (Daniel 3:25).
PASSION Step: Identify places in your life that you’ve chosen to compromise. Repent and return to God.
If all church members were like you, would the church be more like the world? Or, would the church be more powerful in its witness – making an impact on our generation for the kingdom of God?
Anne Graham Lotz
Grace and peace,
Lenae
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
FIRE IN MY BONES
"But if I say, “I will not mention him or speak any more in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot."
Jeremiah 20:9
Have you ever been knee deep in ministry that you were certain God called you to when frustration set in? Everything that can go wrong does. You come against unforeseen obstacles. People gripe about things you thought they’d be grateful for. Maybe you even said to God, “Did I hear You correctly? Am I really supposed to do this?”
If that describes you, you have a kindred spirit in Jeremiah. His calling to be a prophet was certain. The word of the LORD came to him and said, “Before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5b).
Even with a sure call, Jeremiah questioned if he was the person for the job. The LORD countered his apprehension with assurance. “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord (Jeremiah 1:7-8).
God called Jeremiah and assured him that He would be with him, and Jeremiah obediently stepped into his assignment. It feels quite happily ever after, doesn’t it? Not even close. In chapter twenty of his book, Jeremiah lays out his complaints against God.
This isn’t what I signed up for! “O LORD you deceived me, and I was deceived; you overpowered me and prevailed” (v 7a).
I’m being poked fun of and insulted! I am ridiculed all day long; everyone mocks me (Jeremiah 20:7b). The word of the LORD has brought me insult and reproach all day long (v 8).
I’m ready to quit! But if I say, “I will not mention him or speak any more in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot (Jeremiah 20:9).
Jeremiah was ready to quit, but he couldn’t. His passion to proclaim God’s Word was like fire burning in his bones. Although he experienced sorrow, persecution, insults, and contempt, he needed to do what God called him to do.
Has God given you a difficult assignment? Has He called you to do something that feels too difficult to complete? Follow Jeremiah’s example and go to God. Cry out your complaints to Him (Jeremiah 20:7-18). Claim His promises and strength, The LORD is with me like a mighty warrior (Jeremiah 20:11), and give Him praise, Sing to the LORD! Give praise to the LORD (Jeremiah 20:13a)!
PASSION Step: What is the biggest challenge you face today? Thank God. He is greater than that challenge.
Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord that thou fulfill it.
Lilias Trotter
Grace & peace,
Lenae
Jeremiah 20:9
Have you ever been knee deep in ministry that you were certain God called you to when frustration set in? Everything that can go wrong does. You come against unforeseen obstacles. People gripe about things you thought they’d be grateful for. Maybe you even said to God, “Did I hear You correctly? Am I really supposed to do this?”
If that describes you, you have a kindred spirit in Jeremiah. His calling to be a prophet was certain. The word of the LORD came to him and said, “Before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5b).
Even with a sure call, Jeremiah questioned if he was the person for the job. The LORD countered his apprehension with assurance. “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord (Jeremiah 1:7-8).
God called Jeremiah and assured him that He would be with him, and Jeremiah obediently stepped into his assignment. It feels quite happily ever after, doesn’t it? Not even close. In chapter twenty of his book, Jeremiah lays out his complaints against God.
This isn’t what I signed up for! “O LORD you deceived me, and I was deceived; you overpowered me and prevailed” (v 7a).
I’m being poked fun of and insulted! I am ridiculed all day long; everyone mocks me (Jeremiah 20:7b). The word of the LORD has brought me insult and reproach all day long (v 8).
I’m ready to quit! But if I say, “I will not mention him or speak any more in his name,” his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot (Jeremiah 20:9).
Jeremiah was ready to quit, but he couldn’t. His passion to proclaim God’s Word was like fire burning in his bones. Although he experienced sorrow, persecution, insults, and contempt, he needed to do what God called him to do.
Has God given you a difficult assignment? Has He called you to do something that feels too difficult to complete? Follow Jeremiah’s example and go to God. Cry out your complaints to Him (Jeremiah 20:7-18). Claim His promises and strength, The LORD is with me like a mighty warrior (Jeremiah 20:11), and give Him praise, Sing to the LORD! Give praise to the LORD (Jeremiah 20:13a)!
PASSION Step: What is the biggest challenge you face today? Thank God. He is greater than that challenge.
Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord that thou fulfill it.
Lilias Trotter
Grace & peace,
Lenae
Monday, September 6, 2010
PLUMP GRAPES
Jesus said, “Thus by their fruit you will recognize them.”
Matthew 7:20
My morning quiet time typically flows with this rhythm . . . prayer, a devotional from Oswald Chamber’s My Utmost for His Highest, Bible reading, and prayer. On Thursday morning Chambers’ reflection was on Jesus’ words in John 7:37-38, On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”
Chambers likened the streams of living water to grapes. He wrote, “God’s purpose is not simply to make us beautiful, plump grapes, but to make us grapes so that He may squeeze the sweetness out of us.”
Ponder the questions like I did. Am I a plump grape or a dried up prune? When I’m squeezed by conflict and troubles – whether in my relationships, health, finances, or ____________ – what comes out of me? Sweetness? Or am I a sour grape?
Remember, there are no such things as coincidences, only God-incidences, and He obviously didn’t want the thought of being a grape to be fleeting. I opened my Bible that I’ve been reading in chronological order. The day’s passage was Isaiah 5. The chapter heading was The Song of the Vineyard. My mouth dropped and my ears opened. OK, God. I’m listening.
I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard; My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit (Isaiah 5:1-2). God looked at His vineyard, His chosen nation that was to bear a crop of good grapes, and for all his pains he got junk grapes (Isaiah 5:2b, MSG).
God loved His vineyard; He tended it and watched over it, yet it still bore bad fruit. He asked, “What more could have been done for my vineyard then I have done for it? When I looked for good grapes, why did it yield only bad” (Isaiah 5:4)?
Let’s make that personal. Can you join me in testifying how much God loves us, how faithful He’s been to us, how He has carefully tended and watched over us through His Word, His Spirit, and through His people – including the sisters at GEMS? He can rightly ask, “Can you think of anything I could have done to my vineyard (anything He could have done for you and me) that I didn’t do?” (Isaiah 5:4a, MSG).
He not only knows our deeds (Revelation 3:15-16), He’s in the vineyard checking to see if we are plump or junk grapes.
PASSION Step: Honestly ask God, what kind of grape am I? Then surrender yourself to His pruning.
Trees have seasons at certain times of the year when they bring forth fruit; but a Christian is for all seasons.
Ralph Browning
Grace and peace,
Lenae
Matthew 7:20
My morning quiet time typically flows with this rhythm . . . prayer, a devotional from Oswald Chamber’s My Utmost for His Highest, Bible reading, and prayer. On Thursday morning Chambers’ reflection was on Jesus’ words in John 7:37-38, On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”
Chambers likened the streams of living water to grapes. He wrote, “God’s purpose is not simply to make us beautiful, plump grapes, but to make us grapes so that He may squeeze the sweetness out of us.”
Ponder the questions like I did. Am I a plump grape or a dried up prune? When I’m squeezed by conflict and troubles – whether in my relationships, health, finances, or ____________ – what comes out of me? Sweetness? Or am I a sour grape?
Remember, there are no such things as coincidences, only God-incidences, and He obviously didn’t want the thought of being a grape to be fleeting. I opened my Bible that I’ve been reading in chronological order. The day’s passage was Isaiah 5. The chapter heading was The Song of the Vineyard. My mouth dropped and my ears opened. OK, God. I’m listening.
I will sing for the one I love a song about his vineyard; My loved one had a vineyard on a fertile hillside. He dug it up and cleared it of stones and planted it with the choicest vines. He built a watchtower in it and cut out a winepress as well. Then he looked for a crop of good grapes, but it yielded only bad fruit (Isaiah 5:1-2). God looked at His vineyard, His chosen nation that was to bear a crop of good grapes, and for all his pains he got junk grapes (Isaiah 5:2b, MSG).
God loved His vineyard; He tended it and watched over it, yet it still bore bad fruit. He asked, “What more could have been done for my vineyard then I have done for it? When I looked for good grapes, why did it yield only bad” (Isaiah 5:4)?
Let’s make that personal. Can you join me in testifying how much God loves us, how faithful He’s been to us, how He has carefully tended and watched over us through His Word, His Spirit, and through His people – including the sisters at GEMS? He can rightly ask, “Can you think of anything I could have done to my vineyard (anything He could have done for you and me) that I didn’t do?” (Isaiah 5:4a, MSG).
He not only knows our deeds (Revelation 3:15-16), He’s in the vineyard checking to see if we are plump or junk grapes.
PASSION Step: Honestly ask God, what kind of grape am I? Then surrender yourself to His pruning.
Trees have seasons at certain times of the year when they bring forth fruit; but a Christian is for all seasons.
Ralph Browning
Grace and peace,
Lenae
Monday, August 30, 2010
Count the Cost
Dear Sisters,
Good morning! There seems to be a lot of countdowns going on lately. We’ve been counting down the days until school starts; our fall workshops take place, and the kick-off meetings to our local GEMS season. We understand countdowns and what it means to count the cost of ACTS budgets for our areas and school supplies for the kids. Yet, the most important cost we need to examine in our lives is the cost of being His disciple. Let’s think on that together this week.
COUNT THE COST
"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?"
Luke 14:28
As middle daughter Stephanie and I were unloading her groceries into the pantry of a small on campus apartment she’s sharing with five other girls this school year she told her friends, “I’ve got food! I figured I better stock up while my mom was here with the checkbook!”
They laughed and identified. With tuition, books, plus the responsibility of purchasing and preparing their own food, they were indeed counting the cost.
When Jesus taught about counting the cost of being a disciple He compared it to tower building and military strategy. “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way of and will ask for terms of peace” (Luke 14:28-32).
To be Jesus’ disciples we must also count the cost. True disciples that are feeding the fire do not coast into the Kingdom or compartmentalize their love for God into a 15-minute devotional time in the morning and their service into an every other week GEMS Club night.
To be a passionate disciple of Jesus comes with conditions. Jesus said, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters – yes, even his own life – he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26-27).
“Simply put, if you’re not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can’t be my disciple” (Luke 14:33, MSG).
Oswald Chambers wrote, “The only men and women our Lord will use in His building enterprises are those who love Him personally, passionately, and with great devotion – those who have a love for Him that goes far beyond any of the closest relationships on earth. The conditions are strict, but they are glorious.”
PASSION Step: List the people, plans, and possessions that are dearest to you. Do you love these things less than Christ?
Our LORD was not referring here to a cost which we have to count, but to a cost which He has already counted.
Oswald Chambers
Grace and peace,
Lenae
Good morning! There seems to be a lot of countdowns going on lately. We’ve been counting down the days until school starts; our fall workshops take place, and the kick-off meetings to our local GEMS season. We understand countdowns and what it means to count the cost of ACTS budgets for our areas and school supplies for the kids. Yet, the most important cost we need to examine in our lives is the cost of being His disciple. Let’s think on that together this week.
COUNT THE COST
"Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?"
Luke 14:28
As middle daughter Stephanie and I were unloading her groceries into the pantry of a small on campus apartment she’s sharing with five other girls this school year she told her friends, “I’ve got food! I figured I better stock up while my mom was here with the checkbook!”
They laughed and identified. With tuition, books, plus the responsibility of purchasing and preparing their own food, they were indeed counting the cost.
When Jesus taught about counting the cost of being a disciple He compared it to tower building and military strategy. “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’ Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way of and will ask for terms of peace” (Luke 14:28-32).
To be Jesus’ disciples we must also count the cost. True disciples that are feeding the fire do not coast into the Kingdom or compartmentalize their love for God into a 15-minute devotional time in the morning and their service into an every other week GEMS Club night.
To be a passionate disciple of Jesus comes with conditions. Jesus said, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters – yes, even his own life – he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26-27).
“Simply put, if you’re not willing to take what is dearest to you, whether plans or people, and kiss it good-bye, you can’t be my disciple” (Luke 14:33, MSG).
Oswald Chambers wrote, “The only men and women our Lord will use in His building enterprises are those who love Him personally, passionately, and with great devotion – those who have a love for Him that goes far beyond any of the closest relationships on earth. The conditions are strict, but they are glorious.”
PASSION Step: List the people, plans, and possessions that are dearest to you. Do you love these things less than Christ?
Our LORD was not referring here to a cost which we have to count, but to a cost which He has already counted.
Oswald Chambers
Grace and peace,
Lenae
Monday, August 16, 2010
GOOD ZEAL
Dear Sisters,
Hello! How are you? This morning we’re going to think on our priorities together. As you and I personally evaluate our priorities, we must be truthful with ourselves. I know what I want my priorities to be, but is what I want them to be really the way I’m living? How do we truly measure what’s most important to us? Think about what you think about most, what’s filling your calendar, and where your purse frequently travels. Evaluating it all with you, dear sisters, in light of His glorious Word. Have a blessed, God-first week!
"It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am with you."
Galatians 4:18
What are you most passionate and zealous about? The Barna Group recently released a study that tracked America’s priorities. They reported, “Family and faith continue to be the most common priorities of Americans, though these have waned in importance since 2006. Meanwhile, other elements such as health, leisure, money, and professional success are more likely to be identified as American’s top priorities.” Over the past few years, family and faith have shown a drop in priority, while health, wealth, leisure, personal comfort, success, financial stability, and lifestyle balance are on the increase. Do you and I identify with these statistics?
In the book of Galatians Paul wrote, It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good (Galatians 4:18a). Paul knew all about being zealous for wrong things and even confessed that to the Galatians earlier in his letter. You have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers (Galatians 1:13-14).
Paul was a zealot for destroying God’s church, and an enthusiast for the traditions of men. The horrors! Yet to the Jews he was a hero! His actions were progressing his career path at rates beyond his peers. His persecution campaign had the stamp of approval from the high priest who provided arrest warrants for any disciples that Paul found in the synagogues.
How clearly we see that Paul was zealous for the wrong things! Is it as easy for us to notice when we’re zealous for the wrong things? When we compare our lives to the world and sometimes even to the church, we may see heroism. Yet, when we make the correct contrast, comparing our lives to God’s Word instead of the world, we may see the horrors of our priorities – bowing down to other gods instead of God who must be our first love (Exodus 20:3-6, Mark 12:30-31).
God’s Word says, Be zealous for the fear of the LORD (Proverbs 23:17b). Be an enthusiast for demonstrating fear, reverence, and piety to God. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (Proverbs 9:10). When we fear God, we’ll get wisdom to choose His priorities and have knowledge and understanding to how the Holy One desires for us to live.
What are you most passionate and zealous about? Remember, it is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good (Galatians 4:18). Look to the Good Book to learn what God says is truly good.
PASSION Step: Evaluate your priorities. Make course corrections as necessary.
That which is striking and beautiful is not always good;
but that which is good is always beautiful.
Anne de 1 Enclos
Grace and peace,
Lenae
Hello! How are you? This morning we’re going to think on our priorities together. As you and I personally evaluate our priorities, we must be truthful with ourselves. I know what I want my priorities to be, but is what I want them to be really the way I’m living? How do we truly measure what’s most important to us? Think about what you think about most, what’s filling your calendar, and where your purse frequently travels. Evaluating it all with you, dear sisters, in light of His glorious Word. Have a blessed, God-first week!
"It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good, and to be so always and not just when I am with you."
Galatians 4:18
What are you most passionate and zealous about? The Barna Group recently released a study that tracked America’s priorities. They reported, “Family and faith continue to be the most common priorities of Americans, though these have waned in importance since 2006. Meanwhile, other elements such as health, leisure, money, and professional success are more likely to be identified as American’s top priorities.” Over the past few years, family and faith have shown a drop in priority, while health, wealth, leisure, personal comfort, success, financial stability, and lifestyle balance are on the increase. Do you and I identify with these statistics?
In the book of Galatians Paul wrote, It is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good (Galatians 4:18a). Paul knew all about being zealous for wrong things and even confessed that to the Galatians earlier in his letter. You have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers (Galatians 1:13-14).
Paul was a zealot for destroying God’s church, and an enthusiast for the traditions of men. The horrors! Yet to the Jews he was a hero! His actions were progressing his career path at rates beyond his peers. His persecution campaign had the stamp of approval from the high priest who provided arrest warrants for any disciples that Paul found in the synagogues.
How clearly we see that Paul was zealous for the wrong things! Is it as easy for us to notice when we’re zealous for the wrong things? When we compare our lives to the world and sometimes even to the church, we may see heroism. Yet, when we make the correct contrast, comparing our lives to God’s Word instead of the world, we may see the horrors of our priorities – bowing down to other gods instead of God who must be our first love (Exodus 20:3-6, Mark 12:30-31).
God’s Word says, Be zealous for the fear of the LORD (Proverbs 23:17b). Be an enthusiast for demonstrating fear, reverence, and piety to God. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding (Proverbs 9:10). When we fear God, we’ll get wisdom to choose His priorities and have knowledge and understanding to how the Holy One desires for us to live.
What are you most passionate and zealous about? Remember, it is fine to be zealous, provided the purpose is good (Galatians 4:18). Look to the Good Book to learn what God says is truly good.
PASSION Step: Evaluate your priorities. Make course corrections as necessary.
That which is striking and beautiful is not always good;
but that which is good is always beautiful.
Anne de 1 Enclos
Grace and peace,
Lenae
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)