Here is another devotion from the book Kari got me "Voices of the Faithful" -- a book of devotions written by missionaries around the world. I actually want to post both the one from today and the one from yesterday. I don't know if I will have time to type out both right now, so I am going to just start with the one from yesterday.
Love ya!
Humble Beginnings
"Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. Though He was God, He did not demand or cling to His rights as God." Philippians 2:5-6 (NLT)
Another language blunder, but I never imagined it would be so meaningful. It was our fourth Christmas in China, and we had recently moved from a large capital to a more remote town.
Each Christmas we made a manger out of bamboo and filled it with hay, then we wrapped a doll in a blanket and placed it in the manger in our living room. A floodlight shining on the doll's face helped remind us of the wonder of Christmas.
I explained to a Chinese guest that when Jesus was born, He was placed in a feed trough. Instead of saying the Chinese word for "manger," I accidentally used the word for "toilet." My wife quickly corrected me, and we laughed at my mistake.
Reflecting later, it wasn't stretching it to say that Jesus was born and then placed in a toilet. The trough most likely didn't smell much better, and compared to the glory He had enjoyed in heaven, a feed trough surrounded by smelly animals probably did seem comparatively like a toilet.
I realized that the sacrifices made to live in this remote town were pathetically small when compared to those that Jesus made in leaving heaven to come to earth. I was encouraged, though, to think that moving to this town was in line with the Christmas message.
Jesus left a place of comfort to seek the lost in an uncomfortable and remote place called earth. it took a language blunder to be reminded that our relocation was merely our humble attempt to follow His example.
--A worker in China
Father, it is hard to grasp that Your Son emptied Himself to be made into the likeness of man. May I never forget the price He paid for me. May I always realize that my sacrifices are nothing compared to His. Amen
Friday, December 18, 2009
Friday, December 11, 2009
Eating Humble Pie : )
This weekend Kari gave me a new devotional called Voices of the Faithful, compiled by Beth Moore, that contains devotions written by various missionaries around the world. I really liked the one from December 10 and I just had to share it with you.
Eating Humble Pie
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus . . . And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross!" Philippians 2:5, 8 (NIV).
After arriving in Latvia (LAT-vee-ah), our family began the arduous process of learning Russian. Many missionaries refer to the Russian language as the language of heaven because it takes an eternity to learn it! Day after day, month after month we spoke on the level of a 1-year old. My husband often said it was like being a message in a bottle.
At the home of the national family, we eagerly wanted to communicate, but it was impossible. So we drank tea, ate pastries and smiled a lot.
We were so needy. We couldn't open a bank account, obtain a post office box or even order a meal without a national there to speak for us. We must have seemed like children to them as they taught us how to dress, eat their foods, how to ride a city bus and how to live in an arctic climate.
During my quiet time one day, I began to reflect upon Jesus. He knew all about the heavenly Father, yet He came as a tiny infant. Being the Word Himself, He had no words with which to communicate. He was utterly helpless, dependent upon Joseph and Mary for His needs. The ones He came to serve had to serve Him as He waited day after day, year after year in order to tell us about the Father.
We could identify with Jesus. The ones we came to serve ended up having to serve us, but in the process we learned dependence upon them and upon God for all our needs.
--Cathy, Central and Eastern Europe
Lord Jesus, You understand what it's like not to be able to communicate with others about the Father. May I learn from Your humility and ask that You make a way for me to clearly share the gospel with _____________________________. Father, please give missionaries who are learning a new language a miraculous ability to grasp the grammar and pronunciation while also gaining understanding. Amen.
Eating Humble Pie
"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus . . . And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross!" Philippians 2:5, 8 (NIV).
After arriving in Latvia (LAT-vee-ah), our family began the arduous process of learning Russian. Many missionaries refer to the Russian language as the language of heaven because it takes an eternity to learn it! Day after day, month after month we spoke on the level of a 1-year old. My husband often said it was like being a message in a bottle.
At the home of the national family, we eagerly wanted to communicate, but it was impossible. So we drank tea, ate pastries and smiled a lot.
We were so needy. We couldn't open a bank account, obtain a post office box or even order a meal without a national there to speak for us. We must have seemed like children to them as they taught us how to dress, eat their foods, how to ride a city bus and how to live in an arctic climate.
During my quiet time one day, I began to reflect upon Jesus. He knew all about the heavenly Father, yet He came as a tiny infant. Being the Word Himself, He had no words with which to communicate. He was utterly helpless, dependent upon Joseph and Mary for His needs. The ones He came to serve had to serve Him as He waited day after day, year after year in order to tell us about the Father.
We could identify with Jesus. The ones we came to serve ended up having to serve us, but in the process we learned dependence upon them and upon God for all our needs.
--Cathy, Central and Eastern Europe
Lord Jesus, You understand what it's like not to be able to communicate with others about the Father. May I learn from Your humility and ask that You make a way for me to clearly share the gospel with _____________________________. Father, please give missionaries who are learning a new language a miraculous ability to grasp the grammar and pronunciation while also gaining understanding. Amen.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
We are beginning Joel and Revelation
Locusts
feeding
swarming
a woman and a swarm of locusts
a little boy and swarming locusts
Looking at those pictures makes me think that the flies in Ontario are NO BIG DEAL!!! LOL This morning I was reading my Bible and I noticed that our reading for today was the book of Joel and the first few chapters of Revelation. These books are a little more challenging. And I wanted to give you some help so you don't miss out on the amazing treasures that are there for you. Chuck Smith's commentary on the book of Joel has some really helpful information. And David Guzik's commentary on Revelation 1 is also really good. I would encourage you to use a commentary like the Believer's Commentary or the Blue Letter Bible online to look up the verses that you want a better understanding of.
You can also listen to Dustin's teachings on the book of Joel. If you go to our church website, click on "Recent Messages" and scroll down the list all the way to the bottom. You will see two teachings from Dustin, the first one is called "Listen and Obey" and the second one is called "The Day of the Lord." I wish Pastor David's Revelation series was online, but you can order CD's from the bookstore. It is very good.
Anyways, I hope you enjoy your readings this week. I can't wait until Sunday, to hear what the Lord is speaking to you. If you have any specific questions, feel free to email me and I can help you.
Love ya : )
Thursday, November 26, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving : )
Well, I am more stuffed than a "build a bear" right now. Dinner was amazing! This has been quite a week for our family. Not only was it Thanksgiving today, but my dear little Emma gave up her beloved binky on Tuesday night. We took her to the Build a Bear Workshop and we put her binky's inside her new "binky bear" (actually she picked out a Hello Kitty).
It has been hard for her, but it has also been a great opportunity to teach her to rely on the Lord to help her get through hard times. She has memorized Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" and she has also learned that the Holy Spirit is our comforter and that we can go to the Lord and receive comfort when we are going through hard times. That has been the best part--watching her depend on God to help her give up her binky. I am so thankful for her faith and trust in the Lord.
I hope you had a great week too, and that you enjoyed yummy food and had a blessed time with your family today.
Remember that this Sunday we begin our week of prayer and fasting. We will meet upstairs in the High School room. I am so excited!!! I can't wait to see God move in us and through us as we surrender even more of ourselves to Him this week.
I wanted to post a few links for you to check out.
Thanksgiving: A Traditional American Holiday
The Top Ten Myths About Creation (I read this the other day and it was great)
1777 Thanksgiving Proclamation
Anyways, I love you guys!
It has been hard for her, but it has also been a great opportunity to teach her to rely on the Lord to help her get through hard times. She has memorized Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" and she has also learned that the Holy Spirit is our comforter and that we can go to the Lord and receive comfort when we are going through hard times. That has been the best part--watching her depend on God to help her give up her binky. I am so thankful for her faith and trust in the Lord.
I hope you had a great week too, and that you enjoyed yummy food and had a blessed time with your family today.
Remember that this Sunday we begin our week of prayer and fasting. We will meet upstairs in the High School room. I am so excited!!! I can't wait to see God move in us and through us as we surrender even more of ourselves to Him this week.
I wanted to post a few links for you to check out.
Thanksgiving: A Traditional American Holiday
The Top Ten Myths About Creation (I read this the other day and it was great)
1777 Thanksgiving Proclamation
Anyways, I love you guys!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Today's Study : )
Unfortunately I won't be able to join you tonight, I will be at home praying that you are blessed. Here is an excerpt from tonight's handout
from Pleasing God by Kay Smith:
When the Lord told Kay Smith that the aim of her life should be to please Him, she began to pray. Here is her account of what God showed her:
“Oh, God, just speak to my heart more about this” And then the name Enoch popped into my mind. I stopped praying and I opened my Bible and looked up Hebrews 11, where I knew Enoch was listed among the heroes of faith and read:
“By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, and was not found, because God had taken him; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God” (Hebrews 11:5).
When I was a little girl, I learned that Enoch was a “type” or picture representative of the church. Noah was a “type” of the Jewish people that would be protected during the tribulation, but Enoch was a type of the church that would be taken up in the rapture. Enoch could easily have lived and been destroyed in God’s punishment upon the world when He brought the flood. But in Genesis 5:24, it says, “Enoch walked with God and he was not, for God took him.”
Enoch’s testimony is that he pleased God. And that shout be the testimony of the bride of Christ today— that we live to please God. It should be your testimony too.
Living this way simplifies our lives. We put many things on our “to do” lists. But only one thing is needed--“Lord, I want to please You.” This way in everything you do, from washing dishes, studying for a test, to having a conversation with a friend--people will see you live a life like Enoch.
Satan's Lies
It seems like the instant you decide you are going to live a life to please God, Satan comes along and begins putting thoughts in your mind. He will cause you to think things like, Living that kind of life will be too stifling. I’ll be bored. I’ll be unfulfilled. See those lies for what they are. Satan is the father of lies. Jesus told us that Jesus comes only to steal and kill and destroy (John 10:10). Satan wants to steal this truth form you. He wants to kill your joy and destroy the life you can have if you draw closer to God. And as you walk day by day, Satan will whisper these lies to you. Sometimes he doesn’t whisper, though. Sometimes he screams. And if this doesn’t work, Satan will discourage you and tell you that you will fail. Don’t let these lies stop you!!!
For Next Week:
Read:
Ann Kimmel told a story long ago about a young man named Chad. When Chad and his family moved to a new neighborhood he had trouble making friends. Chad was not well liked by the kids. Everyday after school, his mother would see a group of kids walking by the house chatting and laughing together, but Chad would walk all by himself down the street. It broke her heart.
One day Chad came home and said, “Mom, the teacher told us we are all going to make cards for Valentine’s Day. We have thirty-three kids in our class and I want to make one for every kid.”
Chad’s mother looked at him and imagined how much work that would be. Then she thought about how Chad probably wouldn’t get any Valentines back and he would come home brokenhearted. But his face just glowed. So she decided to help him. They spent days working on all the cards.
When Valentine’s Day came, Chad went happily off to school thrilled with his accomplishment. When the time came for the cards to be passed around, Chad received one Valentine.
Afterschool Chad came walking down the street with his head down, all by himself with one Valentine in his hand. When he came inside he smiled and said, “Mom, I didn’t miss one kid!”
That is how we are to live! Let us be so excited about serving God that we don’t even notice life’s disappointments.
Questions for Thought and Prayer:
1. According to Revelation 4:11, we were created for God’s pleasure. If we choose to please ourselves in place of God, what will result?
2. Why does Hebrews 11:5 testify that Enoch pleased God? Also refer to Genesis 5:24 to assist you in your answer.
3. Girls often look to others for approval or appreciation. Why will a fullness of joy result from pleasing God in comparison to pleasing yourself or others?
Remember to write down the verses that speak to you this week in your One Year Bible, and any ideas you have for the EPICgirls Topical Bible.
Love you.
from Pleasing God by Kay Smith:
When the Lord told Kay Smith that the aim of her life should be to please Him, she began to pray. Here is her account of what God showed her:
“Oh, God, just speak to my heart more about this” And then the name Enoch popped into my mind. I stopped praying and I opened my Bible and looked up Hebrews 11, where I knew Enoch was listed among the heroes of faith and read:
“By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, and was not found, because God had taken him; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God” (Hebrews 11:5).
When I was a little girl, I learned that Enoch was a “type” or picture representative of the church. Noah was a “type” of the Jewish people that would be protected during the tribulation, but Enoch was a type of the church that would be taken up in the rapture. Enoch could easily have lived and been destroyed in God’s punishment upon the world when He brought the flood. But in Genesis 5:24, it says, “Enoch walked with God and he was not, for God took him.”
Enoch’s testimony is that he pleased God. And that shout be the testimony of the bride of Christ today— that we live to please God. It should be your testimony too.
Living this way simplifies our lives. We put many things on our “to do” lists. But only one thing is needed--“Lord, I want to please You.” This way in everything you do, from washing dishes, studying for a test, to having a conversation with a friend--people will see you live a life like Enoch.
Satan's Lies
It seems like the instant you decide you are going to live a life to please God, Satan comes along and begins putting thoughts in your mind. He will cause you to think things like, Living that kind of life will be too stifling. I’ll be bored. I’ll be unfulfilled. See those lies for what they are. Satan is the father of lies. Jesus told us that Jesus comes only to steal and kill and destroy (John 10:10). Satan wants to steal this truth form you. He wants to kill your joy and destroy the life you can have if you draw closer to God. And as you walk day by day, Satan will whisper these lies to you. Sometimes he doesn’t whisper, though. Sometimes he screams. And if this doesn’t work, Satan will discourage you and tell you that you will fail. Don’t let these lies stop you!!!
For Next Week:
Read:
Ann Kimmel told a story long ago about a young man named Chad. When Chad and his family moved to a new neighborhood he had trouble making friends. Chad was not well liked by the kids. Everyday after school, his mother would see a group of kids walking by the house chatting and laughing together, but Chad would walk all by himself down the street. It broke her heart.
One day Chad came home and said, “Mom, the teacher told us we are all going to make cards for Valentine’s Day. We have thirty-three kids in our class and I want to make one for every kid.”
Chad’s mother looked at him and imagined how much work that would be. Then she thought about how Chad probably wouldn’t get any Valentines back and he would come home brokenhearted. But his face just glowed. So she decided to help him. They spent days working on all the cards.
When Valentine’s Day came, Chad went happily off to school thrilled with his accomplishment. When the time came for the cards to be passed around, Chad received one Valentine.
Afterschool Chad came walking down the street with his head down, all by himself with one Valentine in his hand. When he came inside he smiled and said, “Mom, I didn’t miss one kid!”
That is how we are to live! Let us be so excited about serving God that we don’t even notice life’s disappointments.
Questions for Thought and Prayer:
1. According to Revelation 4:11, we were created for God’s pleasure. If we choose to please ourselves in place of God, what will result?
2. Why does Hebrews 11:5 testify that Enoch pleased God? Also refer to Genesis 5:24 to assist you in your answer.
3. Girls often look to others for approval or appreciation. Why will a fullness of joy result from pleasing God in comparison to pleasing yourself or others?
Remember to write down the verses that speak to you this week in your One Year Bible, and any ideas you have for the EPICgirls Topical Bible.
Love you.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
EPIC girls 2009-2010 year begins
This year we will continue in the habits that we have started and grown by— daily Bible reading, prayer, worship, sharing our faith. And we are going to add to that foundation, the strong encouragement from Kay Smith that she writes in her book Pleasing God.
The principles in her book will certainly help you clarify your priorities now in high school, as well as guide you in your plans for the future.
So many times we wonder and worry what we should be doing, and we feel guilty when we haven’t done all that we wanted to do. But we forget that we do not need to set our own expectations or meet the expectations that other people have for us, we need to only focus on God’s expectations for us. Jesus says, “Come to Me all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:29.
Many times we pick up burdens that we are not supposed to carry. We want to do it all. We want to do things that other people are doing. But what does God want YOU to do?
He wants you to please Him. You were created for His pleasure.
“You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power: for You created everything, and it is for Your pleasure that they exist and were created.” Rev. 4:11
Simplify your life! Learn what it is that you need to do, and release yourself from the pressures that stress you out and imprison you. Let us do every little thing with the desire to please Him.
EPICgirls Topical Bible
A topical Bible is a quick reference of Bible verses organized by topics. And because you are reading your Bibles every day and you have experienced God speak to you, teach you, lead you, comfort you, and help you--I would like you to make your own Topical Bible.
The first thing you need to do is come up with a list of topics that you find relevant to people your age, and then compile scriptures that address that topic. You can even include sections with commentary that help explain the verses better.
The goal is to help kids your age be able to quickly find out what the Bible says about various topics. This is your project. But we will help you compile it and bind it into a book that we can give out.
It is going to be an exciting year!
Monday, March 2, 2009
The Month of March
During the month of March EPICgirls will be meeting at 5:45 upstairs to share prayer requests and praise reports before going to the "How To Give Away Your Faith Series."
"On Sunday morning, I encouraged the church to take part in the How To Give Away Your Faith series we are having on Sunday night's. I believe that, when someone comes to faith in Jesus the most natural thing in the world is to share what has happened with others.
Sometimes people seem to be reluctant about sharing their faith. Perhaps they don't share their faith because they just don't want to be pushy, or they are shy, or are unsure of themselves. Sometimes they just aren't living for the Lord, and because of this just don't have the credibility. They know that Christians "witness" but because they are not living for the Lord, they really don't have anything to say. Their lives just undermine the message, so for them it is better not to say anything than to share while knowing themselves to be hypocrites. Though I don't encourage hypocritical witnessing, still the fact is the message is what saves you, not the messenger! When I got saved, the guy who pushed me the hardest to become a Christian backslid and has never returned to the Lord. He wasn't genuine, but the message sure was!" -- Pastor David's Blog
"On Sunday morning, I encouraged the church to take part in the How To Give Away Your Faith series we are having on Sunday night's. I believe that, when someone comes to faith in Jesus the most natural thing in the world is to share what has happened with others.
Sometimes people seem to be reluctant about sharing their faith. Perhaps they don't share their faith because they just don't want to be pushy, or they are shy, or are unsure of themselves. Sometimes they just aren't living for the Lord, and because of this just don't have the credibility. They know that Christians "witness" but because they are not living for the Lord, they really don't have anything to say. Their lives just undermine the message, so for them it is better not to say anything than to share while knowing themselves to be hypocrites. Though I don't encourage hypocritical witnessing, still the fact is the message is what saves you, not the messenger! When I got saved, the guy who pushed me the hardest to become a Christian backslid and has never returned to the Lord. He wasn't genuine, but the message sure was!" -- Pastor David's Blog
Sunday, February 15, 2009
The Resurrection
I wanted to post a link to the CARM website that has the chart showing how the four accounts of the resurrection of Jesus fit together. Since we will still be in the Gospels the next few months, you might want to check out the website as your interest leads you.
Have fun.
http://www.carm.org/bible-difficulties/matthew-mark/resurrection-chronology
Have fun.
http://www.carm.org/bible-difficulties/matthew-mark/resurrection-chronology
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Sharing Your Faith
As we read this week Jesus asks us to go and share the Gospel with those around us. Sometimes it is so intimidating to start that conversation, and then when you do people try and turn it into an argument.
Here is a way to start up that conversation, without bringing on the terrible argument. Read what Charlie Cambell has to say about an easy way to get people to open up, non-defensively, and practially ask you to share the Gospel with them. Click on the link below:
Starting Up A Conversation With Unbelievers
Here is a way to start up that conversation, without bringing on the terrible argument. Read what Charlie Cambell has to say about an easy way to get people to open up, non-defensively, and practially ask you to share the Gospel with them. Click on the link below:
Starting Up A Conversation With Unbelievers
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