Press on toward the goal

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Abby| 3 Comments

By Faith Rawley

Earlier this month my family and I said goodbye to my Granddad.  He was 88-years-old when he died and had lived a really long and full life.  He was an incredible husband, father, Granddad and Great-Granddad and everyone who knew him will miss him.  He was a kind, caring, fun, thoughtful and generous man to everyone he came into contact with and he always took such an interest in the lives of others.  For me I will remember my Granddad as a man who walked with God everyday – he loved and trusted him and listened closely to his voice.

His funeral was an honouring time of celebrating his life but the one theme that came across was how well this man had run his race.

I’m not meaning to sound morbid or too serious, but I came away from that experience with a fresh sense of how much I want to live my life well and press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called my heavenward in Christ Jesus – forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.  (Phil 3:13-14)

Life does involve perseverance – it’s not always easy and sometimes we feel like giving up but Jesus is with us at every step encouraging us and running with us.

In closing let me encourage you to read and meditate on the following verses and I trust they will give you a fresh boost of energy to persevere and live life worthy of your calling.

Hebrews 12:1-3 ‘Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.’

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Unveiling

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Abby| 4 Comments

By Teri Wetzel

God in His amazing kindness continues to inch the curtain back that seems to separate me from understanding. I’m often caught off guard by this unveiling. I might be marveling at the wonder of the clouds, or talking with a friend, or lost in worship.

This time, I am reading my Bible.

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came up to him and said to him, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask of you.” Mark 10:35

Prayer has been a subject that has nagged me for nearly two decades. I know, prayer is such a simple thing. We talk, He listens. We ask, He gives.

But that is just it! I want you to do for me whatever I ask of you!  From an oft quoted movie in our household, “Give me, give me, give me! I need, I need, I need!” (“What About Bob”)

I continue in Mark ….Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”   Mark 10:46-47

I’m struck, like never before, by the differences in these two requests. In the first, the subject is self; I want, I need, I think this is important.

But in the second, the blind man, perhaps keenly aware of his deficit, calls out with an understanding of the One he is calling to, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Bartimaeus is not dictating how Jesus should respond to him, he is calling out for whatever mercy the Lord chooses to give.

And Jesus stopped … and said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way. Mark 10:49-52

At Bartimaeus’ cry, Jesus stops what He is doing. Amazing enough. But then what does He do? Jesus asks Bartimaeus what he wants Him to do for him. It’s the same thing James and John (and all of us) want from Jesus, isn’t it (what they/we want), yet so very different, too.

 

“Before you pray, bow quietly before God, just to remember and realize who He is, how near He is, how certainly He can and will help. Just be still before Him and allow His Holy Spirit to waken and stir up in your soul the childlike disposition of absolute dependence and confident expectation. Wait on God as a living Being, as the living God who notices you and is just longing to fill you with His salvation. Wait on God until you know you have met Him. Prayer will then become so different.” (Andrew Murray, Waiting On God, Day 4)

“So different.”

Be still my heart, focusing on who Jesus is, knowing He notices me, and longs to fill me with His salvation. Then, may I call out to Him, like Bartimaeus, “Jesus, have mercy on me!”

And He will.

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Love honours difference and does not compare; love is secure

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Abby| 4 Comments

By Faith Rawley

‘Love does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonour others; it is not self-seeking’ 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

I think unknowingly whenever I have read this verse I have usually considered the traits of envy, jealousy and pride to be the worst of the ones described in this passage and I’d not easily admit to being envious or jealous, prideful or boasting…..is that proud to say?! But I do fall into the trap of comparing myself with other people a lot of the time and I’m starting to realise that actually comparison can be the root of these other traits.

I do look at other people and their situations often secretly wishing that I was more like them.  If only my body looked more like hers, if only I had the job that they do, had more money, a bigger house, newer clothes then I’d be happier.  Or even worse I look at people and say to myself, ‘well at least I’m not like them…’ (I’ll let you fill in the blanks of what might finish that sentence!)  Comparing ourselves starts us on the track of feeling envious of what another person has or it makes us boast in what we have compared to another person.

One area I started to notice that I was comparing myself to others was in the area of gifts in the church.  I would often look at other people’s gifts – the pastoral gift, the gift of song writing and the prophetic gift – and I wished that these came more naturally to me.  I felt second best because I didn’t have these more important seeming abilities.  I overlooked what God has gifted me with and didn’t value the unique gifts He had given to me.  Also because I saw certain gifts as more important than others, I devalued gifts that to me seemed to be less significant, like hospitality and serving and prayer, and I sometimes overlooked the people with these gifts.

By allowing God’s love to fill my heart and address the insecurities and wrong mind-sets I was able to find security in knowing that I am exactly the way He has made me to be.  In learning how to appreciate myself I started to appreciate the differences in other people as well.  I began to see that we each walk a different path through life…one way is not better or worse than another just different.

God’s love filling our hearts helps us to honour who we are and to honour who God has made others to be without feeling the need to compare ourselves.  If I could rewrite this verse I’d write it like this: ‘Love honours difference and does not compare; Love is secure.’  

 

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Posted in Faith Rawley, Focus Fridays, Love, Love, Power to change

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Couponing is not my grace gift!

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Abby| 16 Comments

By Beth Hamstra

Couponing is just one of the many things I’m not good at.  I tried.  I even subscribed to the Sunday newspaper for a few months hoping to get the hang of it.  Epic fail.  Instead of bringing home 14 boxes of cereal for $2, I end up with a messy stack of newspapers cluttering the dining room table.  And then there’s the shame I endure at the grocery store when they ask if I have any coupons.  Nope.  Not one.

The thing is, I like to think of myself as someone thrifty and organized.  The kind you see on TV shows, or like my cousin in Knoxville who keeps a binder of valid coupons along with her grocery list written in order of the direction she follows down the grocery aisles.  The reality: I’m not.  I’m the girl who pays full price and then comes home to find at least $5 of savings in those messy stacks.  Maybe there is an iPhone app that can help me out…

I could add other things to the list of what I think I’m supposed to be good at: meal planning, systematically cleaning my house, scrapbooking, knitting cute accessories to sell on Etsy…this is what Super Moms do right?  After all, I left corporate America to be a stay at home mom…what else could I be doing with all this time?

Romans 12:3 says, “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.”

You see, in reality, I may not be the Super Mom that I want the world to think that I am, but there are things I’m good at.  God has given me a measure of faith for my home and for my calling.  With sober judgment I recognize that I’m good at loving my kids.  I enjoy hosting and coffee dates and digging deep into people’s lives.  I love speaking truth into hard situations and challenging people to believe God’s Word and to trust in His purposes.

God has given each of us “grace gifts” (Romans 12:3-8).  Don’t think of your gifts more highly that you ought and don’t covet others gifts, but with sober judgment and with faith, walk confidently in what he has given you!

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Come Away , My Beloved

Posted on February 13, 2012 by Abby| 12 Comments

By Mary Bea Miller

I would like to share a devotion that has blessed and comforted me for many years. It is written like a love letter to us from the Lord.  It is titled, “The Call of Love”, from a book called  “Come Away, My Beloved” by Frances J. Roberts

(I have updated some of the old-fashioned language.)

 “O My beloved, abide under the shelter of the lattice—for I have betrothed you to Myself, and though you are sometimes indifferent toward Me, My love for you is at all times as a flame of fire.

My ardor never cools.

My longing for your love and affection is deep and constant.

Do not wait any longer, looking for an opportunity to have more time to be alone with Me.  Take it, though you leave the tasks at hand.  Nothing will suffer.

Things are of less importance than you think.

Our time together is like a garden full of lowers, whereas the time you give to ‘things’ is as a field full of stubble.

 I love you, and if you could slow down enough to feel My heartbeat, you would discover many things, the knowledge of which would give you the sustaining strength you so desperately need.

 I bore your sins

 And I wish to carry your burdens.

I will give you the gift of a light and merry heart.  My love bower is the place where you shall find it, for My love dispels all fear and is a cure for every ill.

Lay your head upon My breast and lose yourself in Me. You shall experience resurrection life and peace; the joy of the Lord shall become your strength; and wells of salvation shall be opened within you.

 

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Love is Kind

Posted on February 10, 2012 by Abby| 3 Comments

By Kathi Kelly

Love is a verb, it must be done; kindness is an expression of this love that flows from the heart of the Father. God is love, God is kind.

“Love talked about is easily ignored but love demonstrated is irresistible.” Jim Mooney

Kindness speaks volumes. It opens doors; it breaks down walls; it builds others up and makes them feel appreciated and valued; it brings hope; it softens the heart and ministers to the soul; it can improve someone’s life for a moment, for a lifetime or anywhere in between.

Some people just seem to exude kindness; it comes so naturally to them. Others of us really have to work at it which takes effort, thought and intent. For me thoughtfulness and kindness go hand in hand.

There are many verses in the Bible that focus on kindness. It is from an understanding of the kindness that God has shown us that the same kindness can flow through us.

Psalm 145:17, “The Lord is righteous in everything he does; he is filled with kindness.”

Ephesians 1:7-8, “He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins. He has showered His kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding.”

The Holy Spirit at work within us produces kindness and God commands us to show it to one another:

Proverbs 3:3, “Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.”

Ephesians 4:32, “Instead, be kind to each other, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God has forgiven you.”

2 Timothy 2:24, “A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, to be able to teach and be patient with difficult people.”

Wow, that last verse is quite a challenge! “Be kind to EVERYONE.”  How many of us can say that we’ve got that down? I’ve heard it said that it’s easier to be kind to strangers and that we can often neglect to show kindness to those closest to us. Others have said that it’s easiest to show kindness to their friends. One thing is clear; the kindness we are to show is inclusive of all people.

So what does kindness actually look like? Here are a few ideas – smiling at a stranger on the bus; encouraging someone with kind words; looking after a friend’s children (even when you already have a few of your own!) so that they can run an errand, work, or have some ‘me’ time; welcoming new neighbours with a plate of freshly baked biscuits; visiting a neighbour who is sick; cooking a meal for a family who have just had a baby; doing laundry for an elderly couple; arranging a surprise trip for your family; sending a care package to someone on mission in a faraway country or to a student who is away from home; taking time to pray with someone who is sick or in a difficult situation; paying for the petrol or coffee of the person behind you in the line; leaving love notes all over the house for your children or spouse; cooking a meal for your parents; cleaning the house of a very busy person; comforting someone who is bereaved. There are so many ways we can express the love and kindness of God, we just need to keep our eyes, ears and hearts open.

Will you pray this prayer with me today?

Thank you Father for your kind heart towards me and the ways that you express your love to me each day. Lord, help me to show your love and kindness to everyone that I come into contact with. Help me to live a life of kindness with the Holy Spirit helping me daily. Guide me and give me creative ideas of how to reach out to people, to see and meet their need or to just bless them, and when to do it. Help me to put others before myself and may kindness become more and more a part of who I am. Amen.

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Posted in Focus Fridays, Giving, Kathi Kelly, Love, Love

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Wrinkle Free?

Posted on February 8, 2012 by Abby| 9 Comments

By Carole Rawley

The other day I happened to be walking through my local department store when I heard the words, ‘This actually transformed my life!’ I turned round to see who had made such a powerful statement only to find that it was a cosmetic consultant showing a customer the latest face cream!

As I walked on, I thought about how easily we attribute things with transforming our lives – the latest ipad, smart phone, Facebook, a new pair of shoes. They may help us to organise ourselves better or to keep in contact with friends or to make our feet look pretty, but they don’t transform us as God intended.

In order to do that, he sent Jesus!

In John 9 we read of an encounter between Jesus and a blind man. Jesus declared that this man wasn’t blind because he had sinned but ‘so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.’ He then declared that he was ‘the light of the world‘ and proceeded to make a mud pie from his own saliva and smear it onto the man’s eyes. Jesus didn’t even pray but simply told the man to wash it off. When he did, he could SEE.

Now that is transformation!

A number of years ago I was at a conference as part of the prayer ministry team and the speaker called people forward who needed healing.  Many people responded and I went to pray with a young seventeen-year-old woman. I asked her what she needed prayer for and she said she was deaf in her right ear. She wanted God to make her hear. She explained that she had pushed a knitting needle down her ear canal when she was three years old and had destroyed the ear. She hadn’t heard anything in that ear since!

As I placed my hand on her ear, I simply whispered, ‘Show your power, Lord.’ Immediately she started screaming! It looked as though she was in pain and I tried to comfort her, having no idea what the matter was. Then, in amongst the sobs, I heard the words ‘It’s so loud, the music’s so loud.’ Jesus had healed her and she could HEAR.

That is also transformation!

When the man who had been blind was summoned before the Pharisees to explain himself he had no theological arguments or explanations. He couldn’t tell them how or why he was healed but he could say:

‘One thing I do know, I was blind but now I see.’ (John 9:25)

What are the ways in which Jesus has transformed our lives? We may not be able to explain exactly how or why he has changed us, but we know we are different. Maybe we can now love where we once hated, maybe we have joy where we once had deep sorrow, maybe we know peace where we lived in constant anxiety. The ‘light of the world’ has touched our hearts.

So let’s make sure that the work of God is seen in our lives, even if we do happen to indulge in wrinkle free face cream from time to time!

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Posted in Carole Rawley, Healing, Power to change

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Rest

Posted on February 6, 2012 by Abby| 10 Comments

By Sarah Lehman

You would think as the mother of an active two year old I would cherish and revel in moments where I can rest, sleep and have small pleasures. For the most part I do, but too often I don’t. Not because I don’t like sleeping, sitting still in the quiet, taking a walk, or spending time with Jesus. I love all of those things. However, I find that if I am not rushing through them, I feel guilty about not doing things I feel like I “should” be doing. I let my mind wander to all the tasks to be done and all the people I should see.  I can’t get past this set of expectations I put on myself.

The Spirit has been showing me this is not the best way; that God desires us to rest, completely. In fact, He likes to give us rest as a gift…A GIFT :

“It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don’t you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves?” Psalm 127:2  The Message

I realize there are many types of seasons (Ecclesiastes lets us know that).  Some are busy and some are more open. This is what God has been showing me…if there is a season or even if there are moments throughout the day to rest or enjoy a small God-given pleasure, embrace it. Don’t let your mind toil the whole time so you walk away tired and unrefreshed. Have faith that God is big enough to take care of everything while you sit and breathe.  Be ready to accept that he might ask you to put away some of your endeavors in order to rest. Rest is a gift.

Oddly, I found my lesson on rest while I was busy baking.  I have a recipe for bread that says after you knead the dough (which is essentially working it hard), place the dough in towel and let it nap for two hours (even my bread gets a nap). During this time the yeast is feeding, the dough is rising and becoming something that can sustain me later.

When I surrender to rest completely (in any form it may come) I cast all my cares (and my schedule) on God. I can come away knowing that even in theses times God has done a work in me. I have grown, I have risen. What an encouraging thought, what a gracious God.

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Love is patient – really!

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Abby| 6 Comments

By Jenn Riegel

I think it’s kind of funny the way some believers get almost superstitious about asking God for patience – “oh, you know what happens when you pray for patience – God gives you plenty of opportunities to practice it!” But really, I think it’s like the quirky thing that happens when you like a certain thing and you start noticing it more throughout your day. There wasn’t an overnight influx, it’s just that you’re more aware of what’s always been there. Patience is the same way. It’s not that there’s suddenly more frustrating circumstances when we’re really wanting to be self-controlled and kind, we’re just much more aware of our impatience.

That’s a critical pivot in our understanding of the first characteristic of love. See, when we’re lacking patience – when we’re impatient, it’s because we had certain expectations about a person or situation that suddenly weren’t met. I expected my daughter to get ready for bed when I asked. She didn’t. My expectation wasn’t met, and now my patience has evaporated and I’m impatient. Very. I think “Seriously? Do we have to do this run-around every night?” I might even wonder if she’s a little “slow” that she hasn’t grasped this concept yet (what an ugly thought!) My expression changes, my voice changes, my posture changes. I might huff an annoyed sigh, walk a little heavier to show I really mean it – I’m annoyed!

Impatience, what love is not, affects our whole self – mind, body and spirit. It’s good and appropriate for me to set the standard that my daughter will obey and grow in learning to take care of herself and to do so in a timely manner. But if my expectation for her to meet that standard is disappointed, impatience flares up in the wake of those dashed expectations. In my impatience I do not love her well – inwardly or outwardly.

Impatience is a battle for your mind. It is a red flag, warning you to pay attention. When you’re impatient, ask yourself “What expectations do I have that are not being met?” And don’t stop there. “Is this expectation going to be met like I want it?” When the expectation is released, suddenly we find ourselves swimming in patience – in love.

I really don’t think it’s coincidence that Paul lists patience as the first distinction of what love IS. Because without patience – letting go of our expectations that can make us impatient – all other aspects of love are short-lived. Go down the list in 1 Corinthians 13 and consider what happens, how quickly we become unkind, rude, self-seeking, how easily provoked, how weak and impatient we are to bear all things, believe all things, hope all things and endure all things, when disappointed expectations are clutched on to and we become impatient. Patience – being able to let go of expectations that can make us impatient, is foundational to love.

When I consider this contrast of patience and impatience, I think of 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what He promises, according to some people’s conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance” (Amplified). We know that His patience extends far beyond our salvation. He is extraordinarily patient for us in the whole of our lives! He never once lowers His standard for us – sins paid for and a life being sanctified. How freeing and beautiful to know He is patient with me, and not impatient. Wow, what enduring love! When I really see and accept God’s patience for me, I see the way to let go of my expectations in any given circumstance and legitimately live in love that is lasting, because patience is finally found.

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Stop, Look, Listen

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Abby| 16 Comments

By Wendy Hitchen

When I was a young girl, a programme was rolled out across the UK for road safety, called the Green Cross Code. It was drummed into us at school with videos, games and practical sessions. The strap line was:

‘Stop, Look, Listen’

I have many memories of crossing roads with my classmates and teacher, having followed the Green Cross Code. I still use it today when crossing a road! I’ve been thinking about this strap line as I re-read Ann Voskamp’s book ‘One Thousand Gifts’ and I’m being challenged to really appreciate life. She exhorts the reader to take time, everyday, to catch their breath and appreciate the gifts that are around them.  Through these times of observation, gratitude wells up, leading to peace in the midst of chaos, calm in the storm, hope in the dark.

Do I really do it?

I need to STOP. Even just for a short time, stop. While washing dishes at the kitchen window, while sorting laundry, while making a coffee at work, while travelling throughout the day. It doesn’t necessarily mean disappearing into a room on my own, it may just mean taking a deep breath, looking around and taking 5 minutes to gain perspective.

Then I need to LOOK. Look for the unexpected. The bird on a branch, the ray of sunlight, the child’s smile, the friends around me. There is always something to see, if I will just look.

And LISTEN. Listen for His voice. I can hear it in the wind, laughter, music, silence -  it is possible to hear Him in a busy workday or a manic day at home with a full schedule. It really is.

These 3 simple steps open up my heart to Him; they allow thankfulness to rise, they change my perspective and they teach me more about what it is to live step by step with my Maker.

So in the midst of the all the busy-ness, the packed diary, the mundane tasks, let’s all take time to stop, look and listen. Today.

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Posted in Focus on God, Gratitude, Peace, Wendy Hitchen

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