lifeinthespirit222

Live a Life With No Regrets

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” I Corinthians 9:24-27

Raise your standards (verse 24)

Run in such a way that you may win.

Don’t lower your standards.

Learn to live with the tension between the real and the ideal. It takes

guts to hold to the ideal when everyone around you screams “give up”.

2. Remember your priorities (verse 25)

Exercise self discipline.

What are your dreams? Did they come from the Lord?

Consider these priorities:

time alone with God
time invested in the lives of people

3. Restrict your focus (verse 26)

A great focus of our day is overcommitment. Busy-ness does not

equate with attainment or devotion.

The one who pursues a singular passion is the one who

accomplishes the most.

What is the singular passion or focus in your life? If you can’t state it

one sentence, then you are flirting with mediocrity. It’s not that we do too little; it’s that we try to do too much.

4. Restrain your impulses (verse 27)

Discipline is the key that unlocks potential.

Calvin Coolidge said, “Nothing is more common than unsuccessful

people with talent.” DISCIPLINE IS THE KEY.

5. Runners – take your mark

Pick just one of these principles and seek to apply it to your life.

Make a list of your priorities.

Pray for grace to restrain your impulses.

Beware of the barrenness of the busy life. You are too busy if your

significant relationships are not the highest priority.

Pastor Rich Campbell, Fellowship Bible Church

My Deer in the Headlights Story

Usually when someone talks about a deer in the headlights, it is with some humor, such as when some hapless guy’s girl friend or wife asks him about his feelings. He then has this “deer in the headlights” look as if he doesn’t know what she is talking about. But sometimes a deer in the headlights can be a very serious matter.

On March 12, 2016, I drove to Rison for a night meeting, then returned home. Rison is about an hour and half south of Little Rock, and is an area that is almost all pine forest. It was a rainy day and coming home at night the rain just absorbed the light from my headlights. I was on a two lane highway, driving through the forest.

In the meeting I had just attended, someone mentioned that Rison and Cleveland County were known across the state for deer hunting and the number of deer that are killed each year. As I was driving along in the dark night, the thought occurred to me that if a deer jumped out in front of me, I would not be able to see it until it was too late. So I slowed down a little, from 65 to 55 miles an hour.

Less than a minute later, the largest doe I have ever seen crossed right in front of my car from left to right. It happened in just a second, and I didn’t see it until it was on the highway, passing in front of my car. It was so close, I was really surprised that I did not hit it.

I slowed way down and pondered my near accident. A car traveling 65 miles an hour would traverse a football field in about 3 seconds. Do you think a 300 pound deer hitting my windshield would break the windshield? Yes, I think it would.

We have a body, soul, and spirit, and it is our spirit that has the capacity to connect with and hear from the Holy Spirit. I understand that often the Holy Spirit will plant ideas into our minds, which we can even recognize as coming from the Lord. I believe the Holy Spirit nudged me to slow down on that dark highway, even a little bit, and enough for me to miss hitting a large doe.

So seeking to know the Lord and hear His voice is not only a great adventure, it can also save our lives.

Mark Peterson

Living With a Sense of Urgency: I Peter 4:1-11

Capitol Ministries Nevada, Dan Madison, October 2008

Looking at the political calendar, we certainly can agree that we are experiencing hectic times. A sense of urgency and uncertainty prevails throughout the nation as men and women vie for political favor. In fact, this urgency seems to be reaching a fevered pitch as candidates and the electorate alike consider the outcome of the upcoming election. This atmosphere of urgency fits right in with our text and study as we consider the issue of “How shall we then live in urgent and unsettling times.”

INTRODUCTION

Scripture has much to say about time and urgency! In 1 John 2:18 we hear the apostle say “… It is the last hour…” The Apostle Paul writes: “The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:12). Again we see Paul writing to the Ephesians in 5:15-17: “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.“

In today’s study we will see Peter add to this intensity as he writes: “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers” (1 Peter 4:7). In his epistles, Peter has much to say about time and the biblical perspective associated with it. In 1 Peter 1:5 he said that Christ provided “a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” In 1:17 he tells us to “Conduct yourselves in the fear of God during the time of our stay upon the earth.” In 5:6 we read: “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time.”

Living for Christ is not easy. When we live according to biblical principles, in a godly manner, unbelievers and those of the world reject us. Frankly, they want little to do with pure righteousness and pure godliness. Living this type of lifestyle has the effect of exposing sin. As men observe us they should be faced with an understandable choice: live like God or else face His judgment.

So the question becomes, “How can a believer be effective for Christ in times like these?” In the section of Scripture before us, Peter defines for us what a life led with a sense of urgency looks like in the light of eternity.

I. THOSE WHO LIVE WITH A SENSE OF URGENCY

A. ARE ARMED WITH THE RIGHT ATTITUDE (VS. 1-2)

Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 1 Peter 4:1 1 Peter 4:1 1 Peter 4:1 1 Peter 4:1 Query: What does it mean to be armed with the “same mind”? The picture is that of a soldier who puts on his equipment and arms himself for battle. Our attitudes are weapons, and weak or wrong attitudes will lead us to defeat. Outlook determines outcome, and a believer must have the right attitudes if he is to live a right life.

Query: What do you see as the thrust in verse 1b of “..he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin”? We must understand that just because a believer suffers for doing right, that does not have the effect of never stumbling or sinning again. There is no magic path to sinless perfection this side of glory. These verses indicate that believers take seriously their struggle against sin and their commitment to obedience. When we follow Peter’s counsel, we demonstrate to others that our obedience and relationship to Christ is the most important motivation in our life, more important than avoiding hardship and pain. The Amplified Bible helps clarify Peter’s counsel:

“So, since Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same thought and purpose (patiently to suffer rather than fail to please God). For whoever has suffered in the flesh has done with (intentional) sin—has stopped pleasing himself and the world, and pleases God.” (1 Peter 4:1-2)

B. ABANDON DESTRUCTIVE LIFESTYLES (VS. 3-4)

1 Peter 4:3 1 Peter 4:3 1 Peter 4:3 1 Peter 4:3–4 44 4 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles — when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.

Query: What view do you get of the day that Peter lived? What formally characterized the lives of at least some of the Christian believers to whom Peter wrote? How do these sins differ from those against which he earlier warned them in 2:1? Peter is quite blunt here; our past experience of sin is sufficient. Our life should reflect a marked transformation from our previous lifestyle. Note that these verses give a vivid description of the tragic and devastating life pattern of the unconverted, which ends inexorably in judgment.

We see clear parallels in Romans 1:18-32.4 Query: When the new life of the redeemed is seen by their old sinful friends, they make judgments. What are the results of these judgments? It is safe to say that unbelievers will think that you are indeed strange. They will be astonished or surprised that you are no longer with them. Unfortunately, their response is far from neutral. Even more than showing surprise at the new life of the redeemed, we often see a malignant ridicule; a maligning of the believers new found faith. As the psalmist tells us, they would rather cast us away than welcome us. (Psalm 2:1-3)

C. ARE AWARE OF AN ACCOUNTING (VS. 5-7)

1 Peter 4:5 1 Peter 4:5 1 Peter 4:5 1 Peter 4:5–7 77 7 They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this reason the gospel was preached also to those who are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.

Here we see the believers’ ultimate perspective. Those who slander and persecute believers will give account to Him Who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

SUCH VICIOUS ATTACKERS ARE AMASSING A DEBT TO GOD THAT THEY WILL SPEND ETERNITY PAYING BACK. JOHN MACARTHUR

The living—those alive when Peter wrote—and the dead—those already dead—will all be judged “so that every mouth may be closed and all the world may become accountable to God.” (Romans 3:19; cf. Matthew 25:31-33, 41-46)5

Query: How does the awareness of Verse 5 help Christians to endure abuse and insults from their associates, both old and new? How are we to live in light of this Scripture?

D. ARE AWARE OF THEIR COMMITMENTS TO GOD

The incentive for spiritual duty is clearly delineated in verse 7a “But the end of all things is at hand.” Here Peter is speaking of the Lord’s return (cf. Acts 3:21q; Colossians 3:4; 2 Thessalonians 1:10; 2 Timothy 4:1). The word “near” (ēggiken) means “approaching.” The perfect tense indicates a consummated process with a resulting nearness—the event (Christ’s return) is imminent; it could occur at any moment. (cf. Matthew 24:37-39; Romans 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:2; Revelation 16:15; 22:20)6 In light of this, in obedience, we are to be aware of our commitments to God.

Commitment #1: KEEP LOVE FERVENT (VS. 8-9)

1 Peter 4:8 1 Peter 4:8 1 Peter 4:8 1 Peter 4:8–9 99 9 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

Warren Wiersbe, in his study on 1 Peter titled “Be Hopeful,” makes the following observation about being fervent:

The word pictures an athlete straining to reach the goal. it speaks of eagerness and intensity. Christian love is something we have to work at, just the way an athlete works on his skills. it is not a matter of emotional feeling, though that is included, but of dedicated will. Christian love means that we treat others the way God treats us, obeying His commandments in the Word. It is even possible to love people that we do not like!

Commitment # 2. DO THEIR DUTY (VS 10-11)

1 Peter 4:10 1 Peter 4:10 1 Peter 4:10 1 Peter 4:10–11 1111 11 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. We see a final priority for those who live in the light of Christ’s second coming.

This can best be summarized as intense serving. Every Christian has at least one spiritual gift that he/she must use to the glory of God in the building up of the church. As stewards, we have been entrusted with these gifts so that we might use them in such a way to benefit the church (fellow believers) and to bring glory to God. Query: It is God Who enables us and gives us these gift(s). How, then, is God glorified in our obedience?

How do we allow His dominion to have expression in our lives? Spiritual gifts have been defined as “a divine enablement for ministry to the body.7” Paul echoed Peter’s thought in 1 Corinthians 12:7-27. Here we see that as each part of the human body has a particular function, so does each member of the body of Christ. There are teaching gifts and serving gifts. Each of us has at least one; most have more than one. All spiritual gifts are important to the church and need to be exercised by members of the body.

There are those who have “behind-the-scenes” gifts, i.e. ministries that support and make it possible for the visible ministry to function. Whatever your gift is, you need to exercise it to the glory of God. As believers, we should want to glorify God in how we think, how we talk, and in all that we do. First Corinthians 10:31 speaks to this: “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

CONCLUSION—APPLICATION

The “so what” aspect of this Scripture seems to boil down to two areas: 1. Since the time is short, we should live in love toward others. When suffering does come, we need to commit ourselves to God and continue to do good. Proverbs 25:26 tells us “A righteous man who falters before the wicked is like a murky spring and a polluted well.” How sad are the consequences of a believer who falters in his testimony; all creditability is lost before the unsaved.

2. Since the end is near, live in love toward others. Minister to them with your spiritual gifts. As you serve others, God will be praised.8 Peter tells us to look at the experience of our Lord Jesus. He reminds us that as Christians we are to follow Him in his sufferings as well as His glory. Although others may be surprised by our new way of life (vs. 2, 4), we are not to be surprised if our experience is patterned after the Lord’s (vs. 12).

Someone has said that believers are either in a trial, recovering from a trial, or ready to enter a trial. That is the life of growth and being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29). Harold Willmington, in his book Willmington’s Book of Bible Lists, has provided “13 Proper Reactions to suffering” which follows on Page 4. I think it will be helpful as we set our eyes on Christ and a biblical world view.

1 Nelson, Joey, Living with a sense of Urgency (www.sermoncentral.com/.asp?ContributorID=&SermonID=56116) Outline. 2 Wiersbe, Warren W. Be Hopeful (Cook Communications Ministries, Colorado Springs, 2005) 101 3 Anders, Max, Holman New Testament Commentary, I&II Peter, I,II,III John, Jude, (Broadman & Holman, Nashville, 1999)

Do You Dare to Dream

It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living. I want to know what you ache for and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.

It doesn’t interest me how old you are. I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love, for your dream, for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon… I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow, if you have been opened by life’s betrayals, or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can sit with pain – mine or your own
without moving to hide it or fade it or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with joy – mine or your own,
if you can dance with wildness, and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of your fingers and toes without cautioning us
to be careful, to be realistic, and to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn’t interest me if the story you are telling me is true. I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself.

If you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul. If you can be faithless and therefore trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see beauty even when it is not pretty every day. And if you can source your own life from its presence.

I want to know if you can live with failure – yours and mine
and still stand at the edge of the lake, and shout to the silver of the full moon, “Yes.”

It doesn’t interest me to know where you live or how much money you have. I want to know if you can get up after the night of grief and despair, weary and bruised to the bone, and do what needs to be done to feed the children.

It doesn’t interest me who you know or how you came to be here. I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.

It doesn’t interest me where or what or with whom you have studied. I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away.

I want to know if you can be alone with yourself and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.

Author: Oriah http://www.oriahmountaindreamer.com

Great Trials in Our Lives

Ye greatly rejoice, though now…ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold…though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ…receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:6-9

From my own experiences during fiery trials, I can testify that the pain, the angst, and other suffering are conquered the instant I surrender to the flames. It is like falling backwards off a steep cliff into the hands of God. There is no parachute and no stopping halfway. If He doesn’t catch you, then you will hit the bottom and die. That is literally the goal of faith – to trust God with your life and everything in it. All that is not put into His hands is unprotected and causes us angst and suffering. However, when all is surrendered, we receive a deep serenity that the fire will not burn anything except what needs to be consumed. That’s when the gold shines. Cedric H. Fisher

When you are pushed to the edge of despair, trust in the lord completely. He will either catch you when you fall or teach you how to fly. Source unknown

From Surviving to Thriving in the New Year

Cradling my newborn as I rocked her to sleep, my mind battled with the doctor’s words spoken the week before, “I’m sorry, but the tests indicate Hodgkin’s Disease. We’ll repeat the test to verify the diagnosis.”

“Lord,” I silently cried, “Why? Will I never see my newborn grow up or my two toddlers become adults? How could this happen?” For a week I pleaded, cried, shouted, and begged the Lord God of Heaven and earth to spare my life. Now, finally as my daughter’s infant eyes closed in sleep, I gave up.

“Lord, “I whispered.” I accept whatever this means. I don’t understand it and I don’t want it, but for whatever days, weeks, or months remain to me, I want to fulfill Your purpose for each day. You gave me life. It belongs to You. Now more than anything else, I want to make my life count. I want to do exactly what You have planned for each day you’ve given me.”

My life changed that day. A new process began–the process of discovering God’s plan for each day He granted. Previously an overextended, overcommitted overachiever, I resigned from the positions I held as the pastor’s wife. I explained that I was staying home to care for my newborn and find out exactly what God wanted me to do with each day.

God used the next year of my life to take me from surviving to thriving. He taught me seven principles through His Word and His orchestration of circumstances that I offer to you as encouragement in the New Year.

1) Spend time with God first

I know you’ve heard it before but it can be done. When it seems impossible to find time, I try to remember I can’t possibly know what He plans for my day if I don’t meet and discuss it with Him first. After all, He says that He knows the good plans He has for me (Jeremiah 29:11). He wrote all the days ordained for me in a book before one of them came to be (Psalms 139:16) and He knows how He wants me to use them (Ephesians 2:10).

When my young baby and two toddlers demanded constant attention, I followed the advice of Ruth Bell Graham. Billy’s wife was often responsible for all the children while her husband traveled to speak throughout the United States. She developed the habit of leaving an open Bible on the kitchen counter. Each time she passed by she read one verse. These “conversation starters” with God enabled her to tap into His thoughts and desires for her day.

Emilie Barnes, author and time management expert, described how she organized time with God during the early years of motherhood. She placed a basket in a very visible area of her house. It contained her Bible, prayer notebook, a few postcards for encouragement notes to friends, a box of Kleenex for difficult prayers, and a small bunch of silk flowers. She scheduled time each day to grab her prayer basket and spend quality time with Jesus.

2) Search for God’s will for your time

For years, I assumed that if I saw any need, whether planning a program or accomplishing a task, it was my responsibility. As a result, I seemed to say “Yes” to everything. I was so busy doing all these supposedly great things for God that I was clueless as to His actual desire for my time and activity. After the Hodgkin’s diagnosis, I decided to resign all church work until God showed me what He wanted me to do. I wanted His instruction for guidance to know His will. He used interesting ways to show me His plan.

First, one pastor’s sermon on the will of God offered direction. “You must seek and find the will of God for you alone because if you are doing the will of God, there is no greater joy. At the same time, if you are not in God’s will for your life, you are robbing someone else of being in God’s will for them,” the pastor said. I was deeply convicted. It seemed that in our church, I was the Body of Christ; other qualified people were denied a chance to use the gifts and skills God gave them because I was busy doing it all.

At the time I read an article quoting Jesus, “Father, I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do (John 17:4).” The article explained that no one knows how many people Jesus left untaught and untouched while He walked the earth. And yet at the end of His life He was able to say to the Father that He had completed the work He was sent to earth to fulfill. I knew I wanted to be able to speak those same words at the end of my life.

Finally, God began to show me four ways to evaluate the tasks and activities in my life to help me decide how I was supposed to spend my time.

a. First, I learned to pray about each opportunity by considering if the task, activity, or ministry was consistent with God’s desires as He revealed His will through prayerful reading of His Word.

b. Secondly, I asked myself if the circumstances seemed supernaturally arranged to enable me to fulfill the task.

c. Thirdly, when confiding in trusted Christian friends, did their advice or counsel seem to encourage me to pursue this path?

d. And finally if still unsure, I would ask myself if this was something someone else could do as well or better than I could. Were the unique gifts, skills, and abilities God had given me necessary, or had He designed someone else for this special task?

These four steps for evaluating God’s will proved indispensable for the rest of my life.

3) Pray about everything

How, you may wonder? For years, I never understood how God expected us to “Pray continually (I Thessalonians 5:17)” or follow His direction to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert, and always keep on praying for the saints (Ephesians 6:18).” I decided that to do this, you had to wait until you were old. Then you would have time to follow these instructions.

But soon God showed me that prayer was simply conversation with Him–all day long about everything. He created us and wants to discuss every aspect of our life with us. How?

Let me ask you a personal question. Do you talk to yourself? Of course you do. You are mentally discussing this article right now as you read it. You’re asking yourself if you agree or disagree and whether or not you’ll give it a try?

All day long, a running conversation is going on in our minds as we consider the events of each day: the people we meet, the demands we face, the challenges we tackle. What is prayer? Inviting God into that conversation. Instead of discussing all these things with ourselves, why not begin to discuss them with God? He is the only one who understands our situation, knows how to handle it and has the power to do something about it.

4) Learn to say “No” so you can say “Yes” to God.

When offered an opportunity that may be God’s will for you, explain that you will pray about it for at least one week before giving an answer. Then pray.

After thorough evaluation and prayer, if you then believe God wants you to say, “Yes,” do so with joy and know God has called you to this task. This changes the way you serve God. Ministry becomes a privilege done out of a sense of joy, rather than begrudged duty, guilt or condemnation. You know He has called you and will equip you to fulfill His purpose for your life.

If God does not show you through His word and you feel His inner peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7), say “No.” Yes, I mean it. Say, “No.” “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying ‘This is the way; walk in it (Isaiah 30:21)” enabling you to truly fulfill His purposes in your life. Then you will be ready and waiting to hear His voice when it is time to say, “Yes” to His opportunity for you.

5) Nurture relationships because they matter.

Time proves that good relationships are essential in life. All of our accomplishments and accumulated successes will pale in light of the successful relationships we develop and nurture. God cares about relationships. The entire Bible echoes God’s desire for relationship with His people and describes the great costs He endured to secure that relationship. It’s said, “You can’t take it with you” at death. But the truth is, you can.

There are two things that are eternal–God’s Word hidden in your heart as you build a relationship with Him and your relationship with those who will share His Heaven with you. As you face the New Year, cherish and nurture your relationships with family, friends, and neighbors. With God’s power, you can let go of grudges and be quick to forgive.

In an address to the women of Wellesley College several years ago, Barbara Bush spoke these words, “At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, or a parent.” No one knows the future. Spend time with those you love today.

6) Identify your God-given gifts, skills, and abilities and use them.

As God continued to teach me the principles I am sharing with you, I began to realize the potential He gives each of us to make a difference in our world. As I spent more time at home caring for my children, the hunger to reach out to the world persisted.

I began to realize that when we identify our God-given gifts, skills, and abilities, the possibilities to reach our world are endless, regardless of our boundaries. Are you bed-ridden? Pray and write a note of encouragement to a relative. Are you changing diapers and picking up toys? Invite a friend to chat with you while you work. Are the children napping? Put ingredients in the bread machine so you can run a fresh loaf to a new neighbor.

During this time in my life while I sought to know God’s will for each day that remained, I began to feel God wanted me to write.

Once a week during Mother’s Morning Out, when all the other moms went shopping, I chose a secluded classroom in the church to begin my vigil with God. It was there I learned to write, something I had never considered before. Out of this time came the book, Resource Guide for Women’s Ministry, a personal handbook filled with interesting ideas for discovering your God-given gifts, skills, and abilities and using them in simple ways each day to fulfill His plan for your life (Romans 11:29).

7. Enjoy the life God has given you

For a long time, I thought it was somehow unspiritual to enjoy life. After all, Jesus had suffered. Then I realized Jesus had something to say about that Himself. In his final prayer for us before returning to His Father and ours, He said, “I am coming to you now (Father), but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them (John 17:13).”

Jesus was joyful. He also tells us, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34). We live in a fallen, broken world. That will not change. Jesus didn’t promise life would be easy. He did promise He would be there. And in the midst of it all, He offers joy. Seize life and joy with gratitude. The Hodgkin’s disease diagnosis that changed my life and offered the principles I share with you now in this New Year took place twenty years ago. I was told later my problem was misdiagnosed. I did not have Hodgkin’s Disease. But God did not allow that truth to be revealed until He had answered my prayers and taught me what I needed to know about living each day for Him. Have I lived life perfectly? No. Have I lived it purposefully?

Yes. The satisfaction and fulfillment of a life well-spent is immeasurable. As you seek to thrive rather than survive in the New Year, I pray that you discover God’s purpose for each day you are granted and live your life to the fullest.

Linda McGinn Waterman, Author Resource Guide for Women’s Ministries

THRIVE! Think About It:

“First I was dying to finish high school and start college,

And then I was dying to finish college and start working,

And then I was dying to marry and have children,

And then I was dying for my children to grow old enough for school so I could return to work.

And then I was dying to retire,

And now, I am dying…and suddenly I realize I forgot to live.”

Anonymous

Four Compelling Questions for Christians

Our nation and the world are facing challenges that could be devastating for our way of life and even our lives – war, financial crashes, and natural disasters. When you interact with friends, family, and co-workers, here are four questions that may trigger a deeper conversation. Follow-up questions are in italics.

TOUCHING BASE – How are you doing? What is happening in your life?
HAND OF THE LORD – Have you ever seen the hand of the Lord in your life or sensed His presence? When and in what was it like? Do you believe we can learn how to be led by the Holy Spirit?

YOUR GIFTS AND CALLING – Do you know what your gifts are and what the Lord is calling you to do and become in this life?

HOLDING YOU BACK – What is holding you back from fulfilling this calling in your life? Is it

burdens you are carrying (that you haven’t given over to the Lord)?
sin (unconfessed sin)?
not being in touch with the Lord / not spending time with the Lord each day in His Word and in prayer?

Finally, it would be good to ask what you can pray for your friend, and then go ahead and hold him/her up to the Lord in prayer. You don’t want your friend to experience The Greatest Danger.

THE GREATEST DANGER

The greatest danger facing all of us is not that we shall make an absolute failure of life, nor that we shall fall into outright viciousness, nor that we shall be terribly unhappy, nor that we shall feel that life has no meaning at all – not these things.

The danger is that we may:

– fail to perceive life’s greatest meaning,

– fall short of its highest good,

– miss its deepest and most abiding happiness,

– be unable to tender the most needed service,

– be unconscious of life ablaze with the light of the Presence of God,

– and be content to have it so.

That is the danger – that some day we may wake up and find that always we have been busy with husks and trappings of life and have really missed life itself.

For life without God, to one who has known the richness and joy of life with Him, is unthinkable, impossible. That is what one prays one’s friends may be spared – satisfaction with a life that falls short of the best, that has in it no tingle or thrill that comes from a friendship with the Father. Phillip Brooks (1835-1893)

Are You Dead Yet?

When you are forgotten, or neglected, or purposely set at naught, and you don’t sting and hurt with the insult or the oversight, but your heart is happy, being counted worthy to suffer for Christ, THAT IS DYING TO SELF.

When your good is evil spoken of, when your advice disregarded, your opinions ridiculed, and you refuse to let anger rise in your heart or even defend yourself, but take it all in patient, loving silence, THAT IS DYING TO SELF.

When you lovingly and patiently bear any disorder or any annoyance; when you stand face-to-face with waste, folly extravagance, spiritual insensibility and endure it as Jesus endured, THAT IS DYING TO SELF

When you are content with any food, any offering, any climate, any society, any raiment, any interruption by the will of God, THAT IS DYING TO SELF.

When you never care to refer to yourself in conversation, or to record your own good works, or itch after commendations, when you can truly love to be unknown, THAT IS DYING TO SELF

When you can see your brother prosper and have his needs met and can honestly rejoice with him in spirit and feel no envy, nor question God, while your own needs are far greater and in desperate circumstances, THAT IS DYING TO SELF

When you can receive correction and reproof from one of less stature than yourself and can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart, THAT IS DYINIG TO SELF

Are you dead yet? In these last days, the Spirit would bring us to the cross, so that we can be free of sin and filled with the Holy Spirit of the sovereign, living God.

“That I many know Him and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.” Phil 3:10

Divine Appointments

Today was a day of reflection. As the hours marched on, God revealed to me during my fasting and prayer that we take for granted the many times we are given a divine appointment. We can choose to allow it to bless someone or miss an appointment that God set up for us to show others Christ lives in us.

I know that the hours draw nearer and nearer to the moment when Christ will come to take those whom He loves home to heaven. But today I realized that every hour we are given divine appointments and we are blessed to serve God even in the midst of a storm.

These are events over the last few months that occurred, and today God showed me clearly how very much He loves His children, even unto the very last one. He shows His love through His servants.

Standing in a grocery line the women in front of us, checking out her groceries with her teenage daughter goes to pay with her debit card. The cashier passes it through and it is denied. They do it again, only to have it denied twice. She was very embarrassed, so she tries another card to no avail. I could see the sheer horror on her face, and her daughter completely humiliated. Knowing that God had blessed us with a monetary gift, I heard God saying “pay for her order”. I told Bob, if it is denied again, we are to pay for her groceries.

As the manager came over, and they checked again, they told her it was not going through (she asked what day it was, as if a paycheck should have hit her bank). She was just about to leave with nothing, and I told the manager “use this debit card”. She was shocked and tears started running down her cheeks. I told her that God gave her a gift and that He loved her, go in peace and give thanks to God. Not only was that appointment used for her, but her daughter was speechless, the manager and the young cashier were in tears … DIVINE APPOINTMENT.

A young couple who have nothing and love God with all their hearts live on a third floor, sleep on the floor, have a baby, and are trying to start a business. Bob goes there on a business call and his heart is moved. He comes home to share with me, so we go and pull out provisions and supplies to share so they have food, toilet paper, and fun things that they would not buy for themselves… DIVINE APPOINTMENT.

Giving a homeless man a birthday wish of a lasagna and a birthday cake. When he says that last year he spent his birthday with “Captain Morgan” (the rum bottle), and he never had a birthday cake in his life, and no one cooked something special just for him… DIVINE APPOINTMENT.

Going through the items we had left, and realizing that some veterans who just got housing and needed everything, all they got from our government was an apartment. Giving up a mattress and box spring that was new and in storage, was again trusting God to supply what we need at the time we need it. Going shopping with tithe money to buy things they never had for themselves and seeing them cry with joy and sharing a hug and telling that Jesus loves them… DIVINE APPOINTMENT.

Seeing someone crying and stopping long enough to see what you can do for them. Hours later, you have shed tears of sorrow and joy. They just needed someone to listen and show the love of Christ… DIVINE APPOINTMENT.

Today leaving the ministry, we headed home early. Thinking we would get some things done so that we could catch with life. We were on the highway, when all of sudden Bob sees a small Mini Cooper come across three lanes of traffic out of control, take flight, hit the median, and start on fire. We stop the car, run over, and get this precious young man out of the car, his face covered in blood, in shock, and confused. I sat him down on the median. I ran and got out wet wipes, cleaned his face and wounds, as Bob went back to get what he could out of the car. My grandson who is 7 and my little dog in our car watched everything on the sidelines safe inside our car.

We stayed with this young man for 4 hours. He was such a sweet young man, 27, and found out that he knows the Lord. I knew in my spirit that today was “for such a time as this”. After hours waiting for the state police to arrive, and finishing the accident report, we took him to his work to show his boss that he was in fact in an accident. (His short covered in blood, his suit pants split in half, and still a bit out of sorts), we drove him home only to find out that he only lives three blocks from the ministry. We got home at 7:30 p.m. after leaving at 1 p.m., only to both realize that we saw God save this man out of a car for a greater purpose… DIVINE APPOINTMENT.

These are just a few of the things I have experienced these past few months, and there are many others. I know that time is very short, and the hours draw even closer, but we all need to realize that each day God gives us divine appointments to keep. They may be small, and some large, but God will use them for His glory. We are to keep our eyes fixed on our great God and King. Time is irrelevant. Does God make time for us? Are we to share the provisions that God gave to us? Are we to be Christ in a dying world?

Let us never forget to use our time left wisely. Stop, listen to those who seem unlovable, God thinks they are important. Stop, let go of the things that hold you here on the earth, they are going to be gone soon. Look for every opportunity to share the love of Jesus Christ, in the smallest, to the greatest opportunity, every encounter matters. You cup will be overflowing. Give God all the glory and give Him the praise. Time may be short, but divine appointments are still just that – DIVINE.

May God use His people to bless the lost, lonely, hurting, and hopeless. We all can make a difference in someone’s life. Make your time count.

In the precious blood of Jesus,

Manette July 29, 2014

Bible Verses That Provide Direction

Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:6-7

But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. Deuteronomy 4:29

I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me. Proverbs 8:17

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asks shall receive; and he that seeks shall find; and to him that knocks it shall be opened. Matthew 7:7-8

If my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. II Chronicles 7:14

Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.¹⁷You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you. II Chronicles 20: 16-17

If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. ³⁸He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. John 7:37-38

Listen to Me, My people;
And give ear to Me, O My nation:
For law will proceed from Me,
And I will make My justice rest
As a light of the peoples. Isaiah 51:4

I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together. I sought the Lord, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them. Psalm 34: 1-7