The {Word} Wednesday, October 30: BELIEVE

The {Word} Wednesday, October 30: BELIEVE

At the Women of Faith conference I attended this past weekend, the theme was "Believe God Can Do Anything."  I'd like to share with you just a few points from Max Lucado's talk about how we can consistently renew our faith and belief in God.

1. Lay claim to the nearness of God.  Heb. 13:5 (NIV)  Feelings are immaterial and irrelevant.

2. Cling to his character.  Set your thoughts on God not the problem.  Don’t give way to toxic thoughts.  Just because you think it doesn’t mean you have to meditate on it.  Meditate on what is true and good about God.  His faithfulness and that He never changes.

3. Pray your pain out.  In a faith crisis, be honest with God.  You can shake your fist at Him and tell Him and complain and talk to Him. He knows it anyway.

4. Lean on God’s people.  Don’t isolate!  This is the time to be IN church.  Matthew 18:20.  They are the body of Christ on earth.  The devil knows it and if he can keep you away from church {God’s hope distribution center}, you will become hope starved but God delivers!  Lean into Him.

Definition: Believe ~ to trust in; to hold a firm conviction about; to accept as true, genuine, or real (See also - Faith, Trust)

What does the Bible say about believe?

John 14:12-14  ESV  “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.

John 20:29  ESV Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

John 3:16  ESV “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Mark 16:15-16  ESV And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Romans 10:9-10  ESV Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Mark 9:24  ESV Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
Romans 10:14  ESV  How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

1 John 4:1-2  ESV Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,

Questions for discussion:  Do you agree with the statement that doubt is an emotion and that belief is a choice?  Why or why not?

The {Word} Wednesday, October 16: JOY

What comes to mind when you think of the word Joy?  For me, it’s my sister-in-law…and my coworker…and my husband’s past and present coworker…and every other person I know with that name.  A close second is the familiar Christmas song.  But I’ve only recently begun to think of joy as something that I’m supposed to have, as a fruit of the Holy Spirit that comes from deep within me, regardless of my circumstances or how I might feel.  So what is joy?  What does the Bible say about joy?  I’m so glad you asked.

Definition:  Joy ~ the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune

What does the Bible say about joy?

You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.  Psalm 4:7

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.  For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.  So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.  James 1:2-4

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  There is no law against these things!  Galatians 5:22-23

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him.  Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13

So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy.  At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything.  I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name.  You haven’t done this before.  Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.  John 16:22-24

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.  Proverbs 17:22

The hope of the righteous brings joy, but the expectation of the wicked will perish.  Proverbs 10:28

Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.  Luke 15:10

For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime.  Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.  Psalm 30:5

Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!  Psalm 126:5

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.  Psalm 16:11

Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:2

As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.  2 Corinthians 6:10

Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.  Psalm 51:12

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”  Luke 2:10

Questions for thought/discussion:

 
Is true joy dependent on circumstances or emotions?  Why or why not?

Faith "&" Works

“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.  And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.”  1 John 5:14-15 (ESV)

Jesus continued from there toward Jerusalem and came to another village. Martha, a resident of that village, welcomed Jesus into her home. ³⁹ Her sister, Mary, went and sat at Jesus’ feet, listening to Him teach. ⁴⁰ Meanwhile Martha was anxious about all the hospitality arrangements.  Martha (interrupting Jesus): Lord, why don’t You care that my sister is leaving me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to get over here and help me.  Jesus: ⁴¹ Oh Martha, Martha, you are so anxious and concerned about a million details, ⁴² but really, only one thing matters. Mary has chosen that one thing, and I won’t take it away from her.  Luke 10:38-42

Poor hardworking Martha.  Being a Martha-type myself, more of a doer than a thinker, I’ve always related better to her than Mary. 

Need a volunteer at church?  I’m your girl.  Co-room mom?  Sure.  Girl Scout Co-leader?  Of course.  Finances tight?  I’m on it.  Fill in for a coworker?  Absolutely.

Recently, my bestie and I went to my friend’s Semi-Annual Women’s Clothes Swap Event. I normally detest shopping for clothes but the lure of next-to-free clothes and a girls night out proved more than I could resist. 

Before the event, we visited the vendors' tables set up around the church gymnasium.  With tight budgets, we were hesitant to waste anyone’s time, but we soon found that the ladies were happy to just talk.  Pretty bags and bows over here.  Hair and skin products over there. Interesting things to look at as we passed the time.

So the Holy Spirit is the only explanation I have for what happened next.

Glancing around the room to ensure I hadn't missed anyone, I was drawn to lady who seemed to radiate peace.  Was it her kind eyes, gentle smile? No, something more.  I could literally feel the sweet spirit surrounding the table pulling me towards it.  As I got closer, the items on her table became clearer. 

A puzzle card?  That’s neat.  Children’s books.  Cool.  Serving dishes and cups.  Okay.  Though a wide variety of items, a common theme became obvious...these were faith-based pieces, infused with scripture.   

Penny shared with me her story of Mary & Martha, the company for which she consulted.   She expressed gratitude that proceeds from her sales had funded cancer research, adoptions and mission trips, her husband being a pastor.  How she still got chill bumps when she thought about how each shipment is prayed over.  And it was just her story, not a sales pitch.  No pressure, just a feeling of peace.  I could almost envision her, a Mary, at the feet of Jesus, listening intently.

Days after the event, I was still thinking about Penny and Mary & Martha.  Though I felt the Holy Spirit leading me to call her, I resisted. 

No time.  No energy.  No resources.  I don’t know enough people. I've never done anything like this before. My plate is so full already.  In an instant, old familiar worries and excuses rose up like flames, threatening to consume me. Tweet this!

Like so many times before, I was at a cross roads.  Which path would I take?   

Memories of His goodness rushed in like flood waters, filling me to overflowing with His peace in an instant.  He reminded me of His command to go and tell the world about Him, the Good News.  He reminded me He would be my helper and hadn't I been praying for just this thing? 

For Him to use me, give me more opportunities to share about my faith and encourage others in theirs, provide a way for our family to continue rebuilding our financial security and freedom, to help us provide some of the basic needs for the newest member of our family, Olga? 

His words of comfort reminded me of what He had told Martha over 2,000 year ago, “Oh, Patty, Patty, you are so anxious and concerned about a million details, but really, only one thing matters. Choose that one thing that will not be taken away from you.“

So I am choosing obedience to Him in traveling this new path He has set before me at Mary & Martha.  And I'm so excited to be a part of a faith-based company where we are encouraged to live in the "&" - that place that brings together our faith and our works.  Tweet this!

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”  Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)

 “For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.”  James 2:25 (ESV)

“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”  Matthew 5:16 (ESV)

“He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God;…”  Psalm 46:10(a) (NIV)

The {Word} Wednesday, October 2: Strength

The {Word} Wednesday, October 2: Strength

This was Arlethea W. Pressley word for today but she is out sick and asked me to post it for her so it will be an abbreviated and Holy Spirit guided version! {Will you please say a quick prayer of healing for her and send her well wishes of strength and encouragement? Thank you!}

DEFINITION:...

Strength (according to my Bible's definition) is: capacity for exertion or endurance; support; the power of a person or of God, measured variously in terms of wealth, wisdom, military might, or physical prowess.

WHAT DOES GOD'S WORD SAY ABOUT STRENGTH:

"The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving." Psalm 28:7

"And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your should, and all your strength." Deuteronomy 6:5

"God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble." Psalm 46:1

"For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13

"So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God's grace, not from rules about food, which don't help those who follow them." Hebrews 13:9

MY TAKE:

The message I'm getting from these few verses (there are so many more) is that God does not intend for us to "muster up" strength to handle our own problems. His intention is for us to seek Him and allow His strength to handle whatever we have in front of us. It's a supernatural thing which probably explains why we are so tired, weary and worn out all the time.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

What things are you trying to muster up the strength to handle today? Do you have any verses that help remind you to go to God for strength?