Yesterday evening we read and discussed chapter 3 in Sacred Influence, "Be Worthy of Me." I read through the verses that were referenced regarding walking a life that is worthy of the Lord. Oh, how I desire to live toward my children, my husband, and my Lord in a way that is worthy of Him and of them! And oh, how I fail every day!
The verses that especially challenge me are Ephesians 4:1-3. In the version I've been using for my devotional time, it says, "Therefore I, the prisoner united with the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called. Always be humble, gentle, and patient, bearing with one another in love, and making every effort to preserve the unity the Spirit gives through the binding power of peace" (Complete Jewish Bible).
Humble ... gentle ... patient? I wouldn't really use those words to characterize me yesterday toward my children. "Bearing with one another in love"? Hardly. I was mostly frustrated and impatient. Thankfully, I never totally lost it with them yesterday, but I was certainly close many times.
This is so much more than I can possibly do! I cannot live worthy of Him! At least ... in my own strength I cannot.
But thanks to the Lord, He lives to make intercession for me (Hebrews 7:25)! When I am weak, I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:10). He is able to keep me from stumbling (Jude 1:24). He works in me both to will and to do according to His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13)!
Lord, have Your way with me! Work Your character in me. Cultivate the fruit of Your Spirit in me. Renew my mind. Purify my heart. Keep me from going astray. On my own, I am but a foolish, wayward sheep. You protect and keep me. I place myself in Your hands.
Psalm 51 is the prayer of my heart today.
Showing posts with label Bible study. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bible study. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Moms Pursuing God - Future Plans
I hope that your summer is off to a good start. Mine is! I am enjoying a break from school, time to do fun stuff with my kids and get caught up on stuff that's been piling up. Had a week off with my husband in Baltimore while he attended a business conference, and next weekend we're going camping as a family.
So about our group. I noticed that another moms group has started up for the summer during the time that we usually meet. So I am wondering whether there is interest in meeting during the summer, or would you rather wait to resume our times together in late August or September? I am looking for input, because I am fine with it either way.
Also, I am considering some possible changes to the way we spend our time together. I know that I personally crave more time in the prayer room to sit in God's presence and have deep, meaningful conversations with him (kind of like a date night with God). And I have always wanted this group to be an opportunity for moms to enjoy some time alone in the prayer room (a rarity, I know). So, after having discussed this with our co-leaders, we are thinking about changing our format a bit to allow more time in the prayer room. To that end, we would meet for at least an hour in the prayer room, having a designated section of the Bible or chapter of a book to read/study/meditate on during that time. Then we would meet for a shorter time at the end to talk about what God has been speaking to us and pray together. More time with God! I like that!
So ... what do you think? Any thoughts?
I'd love to hear from you.
So about our group. I noticed that another moms group has started up for the summer during the time that we usually meet. So I am wondering whether there is interest in meeting during the summer, or would you rather wait to resume our times together in late August or September? I am looking for input, because I am fine with it either way.
Also, I am considering some possible changes to the way we spend our time together. I know that I personally crave more time in the prayer room to sit in God's presence and have deep, meaningful conversations with him (kind of like a date night with God). And I have always wanted this group to be an opportunity for moms to enjoy some time alone in the prayer room (a rarity, I know). So, after having discussed this with our co-leaders, we are thinking about changing our format a bit to allow more time in the prayer room. To that end, we would meet for at least an hour in the prayer room, having a designated section of the Bible or chapter of a book to read/study/meditate on during that time. Then we would meet for a shorter time at the end to talk about what God has been speaking to us and pray together. More time with God! I like that!
So ... what do you think? Any thoughts?
I'd love to hear from you.
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Living Simply
Last night at The Rock of Roseville, Pastor Steve Gregor preached an impacting sermon about middle-class Christianity and how far short it falls from the lifestyle that Jesus preached. One part that particularly struck me was his encouragement to simplify our lives so that we can allocate more resources to the Kingdom of God. As he reminded us, "... to whom much is given, from him much will be required" (Luke 12:48, NKJV).
So the question I am asking is, how can I further simplify my life? Being among the richest people in the world (the American middle class), how can I use what I have been given to further God's kingdom instead of merely using it to make my life more luxurious? I tremble at these words:
"In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow ..." (Revelation 18:7).
This is not a new question to me. In fact, it was the major question in Paul and my hearts a few years ago when the Lord led us to sell our house, close our failing business, pay off our debts, and move into a less expensive rental. We also committed at that time to live with less "stuff" (something we are still working on living out), to make our cars last as long as possible, and to ask the Lord for direction in every financial decision. Then, about a year ago, we felt the invitation to go even further, stepping out in faith to adopt our daughter, Alana.
Yet, looking at our lifestyle, though we have simplified from where we were three years ago, I sense that there is more "fat" to trim. Jesus says, "When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind" (Luke 14:12-14). Yet, in September we will be involved in several events that include our friends and family but none that include the poor, the maimed, the lame, or the blind. How do we apply this?
Does you have any ideas that have helped you to live your life more simply?
So the question I am asking is, how can I further simplify my life? Being among the richest people in the world (the American middle class), how can I use what I have been given to further God's kingdom instead of merely using it to make my life more luxurious? I tremble at these words:
"In the measure that she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her torment and sorrow ..." (Revelation 18:7).
This is not a new question to me. In fact, it was the major question in Paul and my hearts a few years ago when the Lord led us to sell our house, close our failing business, pay off our debts, and move into a less expensive rental. We also committed at that time to live with less "stuff" (something we are still working on living out), to make our cars last as long as possible, and to ask the Lord for direction in every financial decision. Then, about a year ago, we felt the invitation to go even further, stepping out in faith to adopt our daughter, Alana.
Yet, looking at our lifestyle, though we have simplified from where we were three years ago, I sense that there is more "fat" to trim. Jesus says, "When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind" (Luke 14:12-14). Yet, in September we will be involved in several events that include our friends and family but none that include the poor, the maimed, the lame, or the blind. How do we apply this?
Does you have any ideas that have helped you to live your life more simply?
Monday, July 20, 2009
Proverbs 31:18
What she has to offer others (that with which she occupies herself) is good and precious. She knows this because she has tried it out herself, tasted of the sweetness of a job well done, of quality workmanship.
Her light/lamp/fire (like the lamp in the temple in Exodus, the lamp of the ready virgins in Matthew - made of pure gold [2Ch 4:21], God's word [Psa 119:105], lit by God [Psa 18:28]; man's spirit [Pro 20:27]; our good works [Mat 5:14-16; 6:22]; the life of Jesus which shines in the darkness [Joh 1:4-5]) is not extinguished, put out, or quenched in the night, in adversity, in the night season.
"Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. "And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!' Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. "Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.' "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
(Mat 25:1-13)
This is sort of a Mary and Martha reality. During the "day," (when it is time for work), she is productive. She takes satisfaction in a job well done. And at "night," (when it is time for rest and reflection), her light burns brightly. Her spirit is alive to God.
Another thought is that she is like a lighthouse. During the "day" she cleans and replenishes her lamps. She is busy making sure that everything is in readiness for the night. Then, when times get tough, she is ready. Her light shines brightly. She stands her watch. Many others are guided to safe harbor because of her faithfulness.
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
(Joh 8:12)
Then Jesus said to them, "A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going.
(Joh 12:35)
It's almost like she lives a double life. During the day she is productive in ourtward pursuits. During the night she burns before the Lord. These are not contradictory, but they fuel each other. During the night she can intercede for the people to whom she ministers during the day. During the day she can act on the intercession of the night.
"Arise, cry out in the night, At the beginning of the watches; Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord. Lift your hands toward Him For the life of your young children, Who faint from hunger at the head of every street."
(Lam 2:19)
This is a duality that I experience constantly. As a mother, my life is filled with activity and work. But my heart also longs to be a worshiper and intercessor. So I work to find spaces (usually at night after the kids are in bed or early in the morning) to fuel my burning heart with prayer, worship, and the Word. While I often have felt that the two longings (to be a wife/mother and to be a wholehearted worshiper) are in competition, I am gradually learning to live out the duality and find that I am both, that God delights in both, and that He will make a way for me to live in the reality of both. They are not in competition; they are complimentary. I love seeing both together in this verse.
Her light/lamp/fire (like the lamp in the temple in Exodus, the lamp of the ready virgins in Matthew - made of pure gold [2Ch 4:21], God's word [Psa 119:105], lit by God [Psa 18:28]; man's spirit [Pro 20:27]; our good works [Mat 5:14-16; 6:22]; the life of Jesus which shines in the darkness [Joh 1:4-5]) is not extinguished, put out, or quenched in the night, in adversity, in the night season.
"Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. "And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!' Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.' But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut. "Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.' "Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.
(Mat 25:1-13)
This is sort of a Mary and Martha reality. During the "day," (when it is time for work), she is productive. She takes satisfaction in a job well done. And at "night," (when it is time for rest and reflection), her light burns brightly. Her spirit is alive to God.
Another thought is that she is like a lighthouse. During the "day" she cleans and replenishes her lamps. She is busy making sure that everything is in readiness for the night. Then, when times get tough, she is ready. Her light shines brightly. She stands her watch. Many others are guided to safe harbor because of her faithfulness.
Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."
(Joh 8:12)
Then Jesus said to them, "A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you; he who walks in darkness does not know where he is going.
(Joh 12:35)
It's almost like she lives a double life. During the day she is productive in ourtward pursuits. During the night she burns before the Lord. These are not contradictory, but they fuel each other. During the night she can intercede for the people to whom she ministers during the day. During the day she can act on the intercession of the night.
"Arise, cry out in the night, At the beginning of the watches; Pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord. Lift your hands toward Him For the life of your young children, Who faint from hunger at the head of every street."
(Lam 2:19)
This is a duality that I experience constantly. As a mother, my life is filled with activity and work. But my heart also longs to be a worshiper and intercessor. So I work to find spaces (usually at night after the kids are in bed or early in the morning) to fuel my burning heart with prayer, worship, and the Word. While I often have felt that the two longings (to be a wife/mother and to be a wholehearted worshiper) are in competition, I am gradually learning to live out the duality and find that I am both, that God delights in both, and that He will make a way for me to live in the reality of both. They are not in competition; they are complimentary. I love seeing both together in this verse.
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