When I take a magnifying glass to scripture, so many words feel incredibly personal. And they are! I seek for God to speak to ME through His Word. Personal convictions, though, truly become fruitful when they lead me to see that in the end it’s not about me. Scripture must first transform my small world before I participate in a work so much bigger than me. Life circumstances are invitations of participation in His mission. What does scripture say about being part of something bigger than me? Let me give you just a few examples. 1. MY LIFE “PITS" ARE ABOUT SOMETHING BIGGER THAN ME. Pits stink. (Actually that was not an intended pun, just kind of came out that way). The depths of lonely, painful places truly just suck. (Can I say that?) We fall off, most of the time unexpectedly, into a dark place where we kick and scream and cry out to God until we have no words left. We get stuck in the mud, emotionally hyperventilating, mentally paralyzed and wonder if we will ever get out. We wait patiently for God. And then He in His timing He lifts us out of the pit. Notice, that we don’t climb out ourselves. He sets our feet on solid ground and then He puts a new song in our mouth. In other words, our pit leads to a new normal. Why? “So that many will see and fear and put their trust in Him.” (Psalm 40:1-3) In other words, my pit isn’t about me. We are appointed to be a story. Our story of his deliverance becomes greater than just a feel good story of getting out of despair. It’s about what He is doing in me so that many others will see and put their trust in him. 2. MY LIFE BLESSINGS ARE ABOUT SOMETHING BIGGER THAN ME. Yes, God bless me! Let your face shine up on me and my family and my work and my dreams and my passions and my leadership and my desires and my weaknesses and talents and my calendar and and my day and my decisions, etc. You’ve prayed something like that, too, and could add more to the list. When God blesses our requests, we feel magically honored that our prayer was heard. God’s blessings are are not for us. "May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us…” WHY?... "So that your ways may be known on earth,your salvation among all nations.” Psalm 67:1-2 God’s blessings are not just for personal enjoyment, but for exclaiming who He is. 3. MY EXPERIENCES WITH JESUS SHOULD NOT BE COMPARTMENTALIZED TO BIG PICTURE VS. MY PICTURE. The disciples had breadcrumbs on their shirts as they wondered how in the world they are going to find bread. How did this happen? Everyone knows the story of Jesus' feeding the 5000! But let’s put together several chapters in Mark to get the big picture. The disciples interrupted Jesus’ teaching because they saw a logical problem. They proposed that Jesus dismiss everyone early to get food. Jesus moved past logic gave them an invitation of participation in His mission when he said “you feed them.” They didn’t see how, so Jesus led them to participate. Bread and fish multiplied and were people fed. And then same song, second verse happens when Jesus feeds 4000. Shockingly, after feeding 5000 they have no clue how to feed 4000 people. So Jesus leads them again, multiplies bread and fish and people are fed. Immediately they get in a boat, and although Jesus is trying to teach them something important, the disciples are arguing because they forgot to bring bread! They have breadcrumbs on their shirts after collecting baskets of leftovers. Jesus gives them a pop quiz about how many baskets of bread were left and then asked them a poignant, seemingly offensive question - “Why are your hearts hard? They were so concerned about their personal needs, they overlooked the bigger picture of Jesus’ power and their participation in what He was doing. They compartmentalized their experience but had not personally internalized it allowing it to consume their soul. In doing so, it became God’s big picture vs. their small picture, and they didn’t see how they had been invited into something bigger than themselves. Why? Because their hearts were hard, (Mark 6:30-44; Mark 8:1-21) Truly we are invited into something bigger than ourselves! Our small world declares the glory of His big work. Let us not live with a small vision of God’s mission and our role int it, but rather change our perspectives so our life becomes a larger version of His mission. It’s about me being all about Him. Pssst.... this post is apart of the 5th Annual Not About Me November Series. Check the rest of the posts out here.
About LoriLori is a Global Mission Catalyst at IMB, mobilizing churches and leading women to participate in God’s global mission. She, her husband, and their 3 kids lived in Africa as missionaries before returning to plant Grace Point Church in Bentonville, AR where Mike is Sr. Pastor. She’s passionate about discipling people to see how their everyday life collides with God’s mission of making His glory known to all nations. She blogs at lorimcdaniel.org If you'd like to read more from this contributor, type her name in the search box on the top right.
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Can't we all use the reminder that this life is not about us but rather about making the invisible God visible. There are so many things in this life that clamor for our attention, so many things that point us back to our desires that sometimes it seems we live in this world where we are trying to make everything be just as we want.
It's been said vision leaks so we need to be reminded often of why we really exist. We hope this month of Not About Me November will be a challenging encouragement for you as it is for us. I believe as we train ourselves to think through the lens of it just not being about us, it will begin to change the way we think about a lot of things and begin to change how we act and even what we are investing so much time and energy into that really are just not worthy. Lord, use this month's focus to give us a reality check. So us when we are thinking, acting and living as though it's about us and draw us to repentance and dependence on You. Have your way in us Lord. The 2015 Not About me November Series My Stuff is Not About Me Orphan Ministry is Not About Me The Big Picture is Not About Me The Gospels Credibility is Not About Me Getting through Life is Not About Me Time is Not About Me Highlight Posts from Previous Series Motherhood Evangelism Discipleship Ministry Marriage Parenting Emotions Luxury and Poverty Mess My Kids Behavior
I can’t stop thinking about Miss Clara.
It’s kind of silly, really. Miss Clara is not even a real person. She’s a character in War Room, a very inspiring movie. In the film, Miss Clara has a closet in her home that she calls her War Room. It’s where she wages battle on her knees in prayer. Her wise ways impact the life of a troubled young wife and mother, who begins to follow her example. I came home from the theater and started thinking about which closet I wanted to empty out to emulate her. But then, I realized that the key to Miss Clara’s success was not the location of her prayer room, but the daily dedication toward intercession. I want to be a wise woman who wages war the right way and claims the victory. I want to plead the promises for my family. I want to see God do a miraculous work in the lives of my loved ones. So, I’ve created a battle plan of my own, and I wanted to share it with you. Nine Powerful Scriptures to Pray over Your Family: Father, may ______ offer his body to You as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to You as an act of true worship. May he not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of his mind. May he test and approve your good, pleasing and perfect will (Romans 12:1-2). Lord, may _____ rejoice in You always. May her gentleness be evident to all. Help her to not be anxious about anything, but to present her requests to You because You are near. May Your peace guard her heart and mind. Help her to think on what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. May she put into practice all that she has learned, received, and heard from Your Word (Philippians 4:4-9). May _____ clothe himself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Help him to forgive any one he has a grievance against as You have forgiven him, Lord. May he love and walk in unity with others. Let the peace of Christ rule in his heart. Help him to be thankful. May Your message dwell in him richly with all wisdom. May he sing to You with gratitude in his heart. May whatever he does be done in Christ’s name. (Colossians 3:12-17). Lord God, help _____ not to be arrogant nor to put her hope in uncertain wealth, but to put her hope in You, her Provider. Help her to be rich in good deeds, be generous and willing to share. May she lay up spiritual treasure for herself so that she may take hold of the life that is truly life (I Timothy 6:17-19). Creator God, help ____ to flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on You out of a pure heart. May he have nothing to do with foolish arguments and quarrels (II Timothy 2:22-23). God, our Defender, help ____ to have a mind that is alert and sober. May her hope be set on your grace to come. Help her to be an obedient daughter who does not conform to evil desires, but may she be holy in all that she does (I Peter 1:13-16). Warrior God, help ______ humble himself under Your mighty hand, that You may lift him up in due time. May he cast all his anxiety on You. Help him to be alert and of sober mind. May he resist the roaring enemy lion and stand firm in the faith. Remind him and encourage him that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings (I Peter 5:6-9). Father, may _____ make every effort to add to her faith goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love. Help her to be effective and productive in her knowledge of Christ. May she never become nearsighted and forget that she has been cleansed from her past sins (I Peter 1:5-9). Lord God, may _____ love You with all his heart, soul, and strength. May your commandments be impressed on his heart. May he talk about them when he is at home or on the road, when he lies down and when he gets up (Deuteronomy 6:5-7). God’s Word never returns void. As we pray these Scriptural prayers over our family, the Holy Spirit will begin to plant seeds in our homes that will bear fruit for the Kingdom. Let’s get to praying! And if you like stuff like this, subscribe to our newsletter packed full of great resources that will help you grow in your relationship with God. You also get free access to our ministry resources library. Also check out: * Our Store that has Bible Studies, Devotionals and other ministry resources. * Our HOME page that gives you a better idea about the Missional Women ministry. A few other things you might be interested in: 70 Verses to Prayer from Scripture Free Printable Scripture to Pray for Unbelievers Free Printable Prayer Mosaic Experience for Groups 31 Things to Pray for Your Family Free Printable Weekly Prayer List Free Printable The Connect Cards: A Creative, Interactive Resource to Accompany Small Groups.
About Lyli
Lyli Dunbar enjoys karaoke in the car with her husband, digging into Bible study with the girls, and reading 12 books at a time. A writer, speaker, and mentor, her burning passion is to know Jesus and to make Him known. Join her at lylidunbar.com to find fuel for a wildfire faith. You may also connect with Lyli on Facebook, Instagram,Twitter, You Tube and Pinterest.
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Sharing this over at these awesome blogs. “Faith, as Paul saw it, was a living, flaming thing leading to surrender and obedience to the commandments of Christ” ~ A. W. Tozier We hear a lot about faith now days. People often say, “I have faith for _____ “, or “Just keep the faith”. But what is faith? Tozier says, faith is a living, flaming thing leading to deeper acts of surrender and obedience. For five days I lay in bed. I just had surgery. I had to rest. It was difficult putting on hold all my so-called, important business. Still, it was there God reminded me... Being busy isn't the same as obedience. Running around doing good isn't always the same as fulfilling the God-call He has placed within us. He cares about our motives. He wants His glory to be center of all we're doing. Still, we live in a society that prides itself on independence and individualism. It is here the very thought of submitting and getting lower under the discipleship and authority of God can remind us of how other carnal humans might have failed or betrayed us. It is then, “obedience” can sound like a cuss word. God showed me on my recovery bed how He wants us to imitate Him, serve motived by His praise, live (not for other people or congregational accolades) but flamed by real faith...faith that submits and obeys because we love Him and seek alone, His praise. He showed me James' take on true faith.
Still, I think we can question what God-obedience looks like. Isn't it often...
Scripture tells us, it's not enough to believe. Even demons do that. What separates us from the enemy as Missional Women is that we are washed in the blood and living a life of surrendered obedience, while clothed in His righteousness. So, let's stop masking our complacency with good intentions. Let's stop justifying our own apathy, by blindly believing, thinking good thoughts or having good intentions, is all we need to glorify God. Five days of staring straight up at the ceiling taught me, going through mindless busy motions doesn't always equal God-led obedience. The true firey faith Paul talks about will follow in surrendered works, producing living fruit that others can see. Dietrich Bonheiffer once challenged boldly, “One act of obedience is better than one hundred sermons.” What is the sermon each of us are called to go and live out today? About Jen
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Sharing this over at these awesome blogs. Do you want to read more posts like this when you're on the go? As well as get exclusive access to monthly challenges, Bible reading plans, and discipleship foundations? Take Missional Women on the go with our app--free for our readers, don't miss out! I have a new hero. Her name is Corrie ten Boom. You've most likely heard of her--she and her family hid Jews in their home in Holland before being arrested at age 50 by the Nazis. She spent the next two years in a concentration camp and was miraculously released after the death of her father and sister. You would think that would be enough of her story. She hid Jews. She was in Ravensbruck, a concentration camp where more than 96,000 women died. She shared the Gospel and had Bible studies in secret and saw miracles even in the middle of such evil. Yet, when she was released, she began to travel the world to tell people about God's love and mighty forgiveness for them. For the next three decades she traveled to over sixty countries! I read her book, Tramp for the Lord (the sequel to The Hiding Place) last month and I cannot get the stories out of my head. Corrie's life was marked by quick obedience to God and through her simple, direct words and actions God did miracles. Once, she felt the Lord telling her to go to Argentina. She had never been to Argentina. She only vaguely knew one person in the country who had not returned any of her letters. Oh, and she didn't speak the language, either! But go to Argentina, she did. As she and her assistant were sitting on a bench outside the Buenos Aires airport, a man shouted to her, "Are you Corrie ten Boom?" in her native tongue! He felt like he needed to come check the airport and see if she was there--even though they had never been in contact before! The next day, he arranged for her to visit with patients in a nearby hospital. The patients had polio and were either in iron lungs or giant tables that shifted the patient upside down to enable breathing. Corrie was scared of them and didn't even want to talk to them. She said, "No, I think I am unable to talk. I just want to go off somewhere and cry." Then the Lord spoke to her, "I know you can't. I have known it already a long time. I am glad now you know it for yourself for now you can let Me do it." She said, "All right, Lord, You do it." and she began to speak to a Jewish man on one of the rocking tables. She showed him some of her embroidery from her purse (oh, I wish we carried embroidery around in our purses instead of phones!). On one side was stitched a crown, the other the knots and strings of the back. She told him our lives can look like this--knotted, dark and confused on one side but God has order, pattern and beauty on the other. That man gave his heart to Jesus before he died the very next day. Corrie said she felt she came to Argentina for that one conversation, for that one man. It's hard to understand. There wasn't anyone one else in the whole country--or the whole continent that could talk to him? Why Corrie? Why an old Dutch woman? Why not someone who at least spoke his language? I'm sure we'll never know why. It's one of those dark knots on the backside of our lives. And when I look at my own life--as a mom dealing with normal everyday kid and school and church and family issues--I know the feeling of wanting to go off somewhere and cry. I feel very inadequate for many tasks God has put before me. What a relief to know God already knows I'm inadequate! He simply wants to work through me. Not because I'm the most qualified, speak the right language or even live on the right continent. The only qualification is my willingness. I may not become a tramp for the Lord and travel the world, but I can obey where I am. I can stop trying so hard to do, and be and work in my own strength. Instead, I can simply let God work through me and be part of the divine pattern, the beautiful embroidery God has for me and for the world! (all quotes taken from Tramp for the Lord by Corrie ten Boom) About Amanda
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Are you holding onto a real hope? I am going to confess something: for the longest time, I did not really understand the true meaning of hope in the life of a disciple. I put my faith in Christ, but I didn’t understand that the word hope now had a new meaning – things had radically changed in my life because the power of the resurrected Christ now lived in me. I could walk in a new confidence because of Him, but I didn’t fully comprehend that at first. You see, hope for the Christ follower is not wishful thinking that something might happen. Hope is a “confident expectation and assurance” that what God says in His Word is true. This world offers us little certainty that anything is true or sure. But our God stands firm. His “Yes” is always and forever “Yes.” As a believer, our hope is rooted in the past, endures in the present, and is fixed forward on our eternal glory in the future: Hope Past: Our hope is rooted in the finished work of Christ on the cross to pay for our sins. Because of Him, we have peace with God. Our life now has purpose. “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:1-5, ESV). Hope Present: Our hope endures because Christ is alive. He overcame sin and death through His resurrection. He has saved us from our eternal death and given us life abundant. He is refining and strengthening our faith as we steadfastly walk forward in faith in this broken world. “ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen Him, you love Him. Though you do not now see Him, you believe in Him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls” (I Peter 1:3-9). Hope Future: Our hope is fixed forward on the glory to come when Christ returns and sets all things right once and for all. We will see Him face to face in eternity, and sin will be no more. In the meantime, we surrender our all to live for Him. “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know Him. Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who thus hopes in Him purifies himself as He is pure” (I John 3:1-3). The writer of Hebrews tells us that “hope is the anchor of the soul.” Let’s continue to hold fast to Him, sisters. He is forever Lord of the wind and waves. The best is yet to come. Lyli Dunbar loves teaching. For 17 years, she mentored teenagers in the Christian school setting, and now she has serves as Associate Director of Curriculum at Trinity International University Florida. Lyli married her Prince Charming in her 40’s and has a heart for encouraging young couples and singles in God’s waiting room. She enjoys road trips with her husband, connecting with women throh Bible study, and reading way too many books. Lyli writes about life lessons and faith on herpersonal blog. You may also connect with her on Facebook,Twitter, and Pinterest. If you'd like to read more from this contributor, type her name in the search box on the top right.
Sharing this over at these awesome blogs. I jumped through the window of my two bedroom duplex, just blocks from the street known for drugs and prostitutes. I lost my key, and was afraid of the landlord. I didn't know him and feared him being harsh or judgmental. Still, it was there I spent hours sitting on the kitchen counters talking to my now husband. We talked about everything...and nothing. We had conversations that went well into the evening. I knew that we had something. Something special words couldn't describe. But, it's been twenty-four years; and after house payments, sixteen children living with us at one time or another, it can be hard to grab a piece of the counter, going back to the simplicity of that apartment. Often times, we hear a lot about finding God. We preach for people to come to Him. But do we forget that seasoned relationships take extra care, specific nurturing, intentional pursuit in a way that isn't necessary for new relationships, built on freshness and emotion? Hosea 6:3 says, "...Let us press on to know the LORD.” Still sometimes, in marriage, and as Missional Women spending years or even decades with God, we must purposefully stir up faith, be intentional about keeping the fire alive in our hearts. Here are 4 tips how: 1. Go on Dates - Daniel spent morning, afternoon, & evening, in set apart communion with God. He was intentional, premeditated, and didn't let the “law of the land”, or being thrown into the lion's den, detour Him from connecting with the one who mattered most. (Dan 6:1-38) Just like in marriage, it would be wise to set apart time alone with God. Something happens in in quiet, when it's just you and the one you love. 2. Keep Talking - Don't ignore Him in the room – Have you ever seen older married people? Tragically, many of them stop talking to each other. And isn't that how we can treat God after years of relationship with him; like a stale, old spouse, who has become unnecessary, or irrelevant? But the prophets of old knew to keep talking and pursuing fervently. They refused to shrink back from the one who is always standing in the room with us. And isn't it true, the measure we pursue Him, He pursues us? (James 4:8) 3. Have a right view of self, others, God – Isn't it true, breakdown in relationships can be due to a lack of understanding? As an apartment dweller, I feared my landlord, so I never asked for another key. I acted like an illegitimate renter, though I had a signed contract to live there. Sadly, I had the wrong view of both my identity and my landlords. And like the landlord in scripture who gave his servant talents, the one regrettably hid what he was given because he had a wrong understanding of who his landlord was. (Matt 25:14-30) What might change in us if we truly knew Jesus' goodness, the kind of love causing Him to lay down His live for us? And what if we lived fully from the true identity He gave us? 4. Be Bendable- If I were to guess, the thing I think Jesus came into contest with most about religious leaders of His day, is that their hearts refused to change. Looking back, I don't think I would still want to be that twenty-one year old, sitting on the kitchen counter of my city dwelling, key-less apartment. The changes He has made in me and my now spouse of twenty-four years have been good. Though He never changes, it is wise to be increasingly bending in obedience to His Word. Friends, there is a lie that says, “It's o.k. if the fire dies after living missionally for years or even decades”. But I challenge you today to press in, spend time, discovering our true identities, and bend towards the light, all the while falling even more in love with Him. Because a life fully ablaze, shines brighter than any stale relationship. About JenThough born, raised, and still living only miles from where she grew up, Jen's heart lies in the nations. Jen loves the beautiful tapestry found in the wide diversity of people, different cultures, and all nations. Jen and her husband have been married twenty years, and have parented fifteen kids and counting; twelve foster, one adopted, and two bios. Her multi-racial family reflects her passion for unity, desire for faith without walls, and missional mindset to share both the gospel and the power of redemption to a world desperately needing the hope found in Jesus Christ. Jen and her husband have led in a variety of ministries; including prayer, small groups, children's, and women’s. Jen advocates for the orphan as a board member for the non-profit, A New Song; and loves doing missions work internationally, along with her family. You can find Jen writing about faith, while challenging her readers at her blog, Rich Faith Rising, as well as at tweeting faith-filled messages @Jen_Avellaneda . Jen is also on facebook. If you'd like to read more from this contributor, type her name in the search box on the top right.
Sharing this over at these awesome blogs For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 I have seen this verse printed on many a graduation gift, from mugs to plaques. I have seen it on the fronts of encouragement cards. I have heard it spoken by and for many, including myself. But, in the end, what does it really mean? The prophet Jeremiah spoke these words to a ravaged people. Amidst the rise of the Babylonian Empire, Judah faced exile and the destruction of the capital city, Jerusalem, and the Temple. Their lives were shattered and Jeremiah was a lonely, battered prophet. And yet, he writes these words. How could he? And what’s the key to them, and us, living like they’re really true? 1) The future and the hope depend on God: Jeremiah could write these things because He knew, and wanted the people to know, who the Author of their future and their hope is. Everything is dependent on the goodness and provision of God for them as His people. 2) The future and the hope are a part of a larger story: If they were to simply look at their current circumstances, the people of Judah, Jeremiah’s readers, would have utterly abandoned hope. So their eyes needed to be fixed on God. He was, and is, writing a grand story. Time and time again, He rescued them from their oppressors, and always He was pointing towards the Great Rescue. 3) The future and the hope can NEVER be taken away: Jeremiah is calling people to see the everlasting nature of the promise. Their God is the Creator and Sustainer of life; of redemption. He will call His faithful people Home one day. Each one who longs for God can say with the ancient, Job, For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me! Job 19:25-27 I believe Jeremiah 29:11 is a beautiful verse, but it can also be misleading. We can develop a very flimsy understanding of the promise of God for our lives. We can believe our futures will be molded just as we hoped, because isn’t that what this verse says? And this is where we need our roots. We need the roots of the story of God both in His Word and our lives. We need to remember what He has done. We need to remember the pain, the hard and the failure, too. We need to see how He has redeemed and is redeeming it all. Here is our future and our hope. We stand in Him, and boldly live, in every way, the story He is writing with our lives. About AbbyI am wife to a wonderful man, mama to three precious now-little-but-soon-will-not-be loves. Each born in a different place--two states including 2 states and 2 countries. I am a farm girl who found her heart in the city. I can now claim fluency in 3 languages :: English, Spanish & Hungarian.This combined with the all-too-true 'mommy brain' explains much regarding my mental state most days;) I am a sojourner longing for Home. Yet, in my messy and broken, I embrace the moments given with all I have. I am seeking, praying, and learning again and again that it is for His Glory I live. My prayer is that my little life would make much of Him! I write regularly at Abigail Alleman. If you'd like to read more from this contributor, type her name in the search box on the top right.
Sharing this over at these awesome blogs. About KatieDo you realize you are a preacher? You may have never set foot on the platform at church, or behind a podium or pulpit, but you preach to yourself everyday. When a rude man cuts in front of you at the grocery store, you preach to yourself: “I can’t believe he just did that. Ugh. That is so rude. I was here first, and I deserve better than to be disrespected like this. Who does he think he is?” Or, it might sound something like this: “So, yes, this is really annoying that my place in line was taken, but God knows all about my day, and He knows this man, and maybe this man really needs to get home quicker than I do? I really don’t like waiting, but I choose to not demand my own way and to count this man more significant than myself. Lord, help me.” When tragedy strikes you preach to yourself: “God has forgotten me. Or maybe he is punishing me? I can’t believe this has happened to me. What have I done wrong to deserve this? I don’t understand. I can’t see God in this at all. He must have missed something to allow this to happen. I’m angry. Wounded. God has abandoned me.” Or this: “God is in control. Even in this. God loves me. In this moment where everything seems to be spinning out of control, He is here. He sees me. He has a good plan in all of this. He is my comforter. He is my deliverer and my refuge. He is a good God.” Yes -- you and I are preachers. However, most of us do a pretty poor job of it and it has nothing to do with our public-speaking skills. Perhaps, we’re bad preachers because we are misinformed and under-studied. We don’t know the truths held in Scripture well enough to preach truth to ourselves. As we grow in our journey with Christ — carefully and prayerfully — we can become better at this self-preaching-thing. And we will always have room for growth. This maturation starts with the renewing of our minds, through the Word of God. When the man ignores my place in line, or tragedy invades my soul I have a choice to make. I can ignore what I know to be true about God, or I can cling to it. The clinging comes much easier when the truth is near to my heart and fresh and on my mind. I pray as we continue our studies, we would hold fast to the truths we learn, keeping them handy come preaching time. God to reveal the places in my heart and mind where I am believing lies, instead of truth. Renew my thought patterns with your Word. Give me your strength to cling to your truth and let go of what is false. Have you recognized the self-preaching you do everyday? Is it Word-centered or self-centered? What steps can you take today to be better prepared to preach the Word to yourself? Grace-clinger. Truth-speaker. Pastor's wife. Mommy of 3. As a Bible study writer, retreat speaker, and local women's ministry leader, Katie is passionate about equipping others to walk intimately with God for a lifetime. Katie currently serves as the Social Media Specialist and Community Manager for Flourish.me, a ministry of the North American Mission Board to ministry wives. Learn more about Katie on her website KatieOrr.me. If you'd like to read more from this contributor, type her name in the search box on the top right.
Sharing this over at these awesome blogs. “Teach me to treat all that comes to me with peace of soul and with firm conviction that you will govern all.” Elizabeth Elliot wrote these words despite the fact that her husband, Jim Elliot, was slain by the exact tribe he had been ministering to, in Equador. I am sure Elizabeth didn't expect to be a widow, didn't plan to have the one she'd prayed for have a spear places straight through him. Yet, Elizabeth didn't retreat, didn't flounder, fear, shrink. She preached peace, God's sovereignty, and actually went back into the jungle to convert the very ones that killed the one she loved. And in a day when spiritual warfare seems to be intensified, in a day where we too often shrink back due to offense or out of bitterness, Elizabeth Elliot was a woman who exemplified true grace, giving mercy to her murders, loving Jesus more than life itself. The Bible is filled with examples just like her; Esther risking her life for the Jewish people, David standing against Goliath, Elijah challenging the false spirit, Baal in an epic battle against God vs. god. And yet, when we step back, look around, we can almost feel small, insignificant. We can forget God's sovereignty and feel useless in our calling. We can trade our Missional life for relevance and mediocrity. We can shrink back instead of standing strong, run from the enemy instead of wanting Christ known, more than we want our safety. Haven't we all felt the pressure caving in around us like the walls on a Double-O-Seven movie? Felt like running, hiding? Wanted to throw in the towel, sometimes? Live more out of safety than be sanctified? And yet in life, don't we all deeply desire to take the torch that has gone before us, make a mark on history whether it be in parenting, church service, or living over seas as full time missionaries? Still, the pressure to trust ourselves more than God's sovereignty can be suffocating, damaging to our grace filled walk of full dependency on God. And sometimes, don't we just want to look in the eyes of those that have gone before us; grab their faith, have their courage, draw from the well the Samaritan met Jesus at; deeply knowing, He satisfies, He is our knight and shining armor, He is the fullness of life every person desires? Elizabeth ran towards the jungle, a place most might flee from. She looked her husband's murderer in the eyes and told him about Jesus. And yet, in a day where the enemy seems relentlessly whispering lies and intimidation; what if we were all like Elizabeth's, running towards darkness instead away from it? What if the questions didn't need to be answered, the doubt's were simply silenced with the truth that God is in charge of it all. What if we shrunk in His peace and let His purposes reign, giving life to the fact that this life isn't ours at all. What if the word empowered us so much that we found glorifying God, more important than life itself? The Bible is filled with faith giants. It's not too late for each of us to rise as bold Elizabeth's, courageously living as Missional Women in a world of pointed spears. About Jen:
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