You Need What?

"And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.  Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever.  Amen."  Philippians 4:19, 20

 

This week, my blog post will piggy-back on Pastor Arland’s weekly email because the message was just so good.  We do collaborate in our writing sometimes, but I don’t generally take his whole message and insert it into mine.  But again, it was just so good.  And, well, didn’t the marriage ceremony make the two of us one?  With consideration to that truth, it was mine anyway.  Right?    So, I will just proceed on that basis. 

As you all know, Living Well Church is currently having weekly Bible Study with our Launch Team Members and Small Groups.  Our official launch will be September 13 of this year.  It is a huge undertaking.  There are many things that need to be arranged, purchased, and coordinated before that happens.   It can cause the mind to be bombarded with a boat load of questions:   What if this is a pipe dream?  What if nobody comes?  Where will we find the right worship leader or children’s director?  How does everything get paid for?  However, the story of the exodus serves as a great reminder that God has more provision than we can imagine and He know how to meet us at the point of our need.

 Moses led 3½ million people into the desert. That is 3,500,000 people.  Think about what it would take to support that many people.   According to the U.S. Army’s Quartermaster General:

·        Moses would need to provide a minimum of 1500 tons of food per day – picture filling two freight trains, each a mile long

·        Around 4,000 tons of firewood was needed per day to cook the food

·        If they only used enough to drink and wash a few dishes (no bathing), they would still need 11,000,000 gallons per day - that’s enough to fill a train of tanker cars 1800 miles

·        Every time they camped at the end of the day, a campground the size of Rhode Island was required – about 750 square miles

  JEHOVAH-JIREH was faithful to care for them throughout their journey! 

The likelihood that Moses sat down and figured out supply chain & logistics for his God given assignment before he set out from Egypt is unlikely.  And thank God, it was unnecessary.   Because for forty years Moses trusted their lives to the provision of God’s covenant.  We can take courage, as we serve the very same God - but we have a better covenant based on better promises (Hebrews 8:6).  With that in mind, we have faith that He will provide for the mission He set before us. 

 

 

 

Who Is Missing In Action?

Then the King will say to those on His right hand, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:  for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in;  I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.”  Matthew 25:34-36

It’s been my observation that when many people go through hard times, they withdraw socially and some withdraw spiritually.  In John 16:33 Jesus said, “In this world, you will have tribulation.  But be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”  I love that scripture, it has been the source of great encouragement for me over the years.  But I have to admit that even though I know that I can be of good cheer, it’s always nice to have someone come along side to love on me and encourage me while I’m going through.  Since I feel that way, I consider it a must for me to do the same for others. 

When someone is missing from our social group, from church, or from work we need to check on them.  How hard is it to take a little time to let someone know you missed them and that you care?  It really isn’t that hard, if we make the decision to live a deliberately caring life.  We have to love people on purpose, not just when it happens to be convenient.  Why?  We should do it because people need love and encouragement.  We live in a world where many people are hurting.  People are in need of God’s loving touch that, today, may need to come through you. 

We, also, need to do it because the Lord said so.  2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”    God is so mindful that He already prepared us to be comforters by the comfort He has given us.  It is interesting to me in that scripture we are told to comfort those in ANY trouble.  They may need food & drink, they may be a stranger or outsider that has no friends, they may need clothing, they may be sick or even in the pokey.  God’s kingdom is prepared for His children who are willing to care for others on purpose. 

Take a moment.  Can you think of someone who is MIA….someone who just might need a caring touch from you?   If so, you know what to do.

“Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” Matthew 25:40 (b)

 

 

Friends, What Good Are They?

On my website in the pictures of things that make me smile, there is a picture of me with a group of ladies that I call ‘My Buddies’.  I love them!  These are 3 of 5 bridesmaids from my wedding and 1 who is an honorary bridesmaid.  The other 2 bridesmaids live out of state, so weren’t available when that snapshot was taken. But when I think of each one of them, I feel a smile inside.  My friends enhance my life. 

 

I have other friends.  I love them too.  But ‘My Buddies’ come to my house.  I go to their homes, we cook for each other (some of you don’t know this but I don’t cook for just anybody), we hang out, we go on adventures, we discuss things, we encourage one another, and let our proverbial hair down. 

 

I read the definition of ‘friend’ at www.Dictionary.Com.  Here’s what it says a friend is:

·        a person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard

·        a person who gives assistance; patron; supporter

·        a person who is on good terms with another; a person who is not hostile

 

I smiled because My Buddies meet all that criteria.  But honestly, Dictionary.Com is not the standard by which I live my life, so I looked to the word of God to see what it has to say about friends.  This is what I found in Proverbs, the book of Wisdom:

·        The righteous should choose his friends carefully.  Proverbs 12:26

·        A friend loves at all times.  Proverbs 17:17

·        A person who has friends must himself be friendly.  Proverbs 18:24

·        Faithful are the wounds of a friend.  Proverbs 27:6

·        The sweetness of a friend gives delight by hearty counsel.  Proverbs 27:9

·        As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.  Proverbs 27:17

 

Each one of the women that I call my Buddy has been in my life for a number of years.  The one with the shortest amount of time is Sharon, my sister-in-law.  I met Sharon in 2011 and she has become the sister that I always wanted, but never had until then.  All the others have been in my life for over 10 years, and as many as over 50 years.  They were all chosen carefully.  We have had fun times, and I know that each one loves me enough to grab my coattail if I get out of line.  I count on them to speak the truth to me in love, counsel me when necessary, and cause me to be a better person than I would have been had I not known them.  That’s why we need to choose our friends carefully, because not everyone is capable or willing to show that kind of love. 

 

I thank God for all of my friends, but especially the faithful, loyal, godly friends that I count on to love, support, counsel and pray for me.  They are treasures that adorn my life and make it more beautiful!

+++++++

Janet Turner, Rita Garcia, Carla Scott, Ida Seow, Vanessa Judd, Sharon Steen

Thank you for being ‘My Buddies’

Love You Guys!

Behold Your Mother - Tribute to Mothers 2015

(Picture and Dedication at End)


Now there stood by the cross of Jesus His mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.  When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!”  Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour that disciple took her to his own home.  John 19:25-27 

While Jesus was nailed to the cross, it is reasonable to say that He was having His worst possible day on this earth.  He had been falsely accused, disrespected in numerous ways, physically tortured, then nailed to a cross to suffer in the most horrendous way – a way that few now days can fully fathom.  Mel Gibson’s movie, “The Passion of The Christ” could not fully portray the suffering, but did depict it in such a graphic way, that I admit that I have not been able to watch the complete movie.  Christ willingly endured all the things that I have been too wimpy to watch because of His tremendous love for us.  But even during the agony of hanging on the cross, He was mindful to ensure the care of His mother. ‘Then He said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!”’  With the weight of the world on His shoulders, Jesus took time to see to the needs of His mom.  What a lesson to us! 

In all reality, we know that some moms are easier to behold than others.  There are mothers like mine, who for the majority of her life was (and still is) dedicated to caring for others – she was a housewife, mother of 4, went back to school at the age of 40, and worked outside the home – superwoman!  There are some mothers who were absent, some were negligent, some were abusive, and some just had no clue what to do with a child.  If your mother was less than super, for your sake forgive her - whether she is living or has passed on.  Take those hurts and disappointments to the feet of Jesus, and leave them there.  Don’t let the peace and joy in your life be hindered by the actions of anyone else – even if it was your mom.  That is not the life Christ sacrificed Himself to give you. 

We are to honor and care for mothers that are still with us.  But understand that caring for someone can take many forms.  Caring looks different in different situations because we don’t all have the same needs.  What makes you feel cared for may not be the thing that makes your mom feel cared for.  That’s why we need to do as Jesus said behold - look at, observe, regard, and give attention to your mother.  Take the time to find out your mom’s love language.  And speak that language to her the rest of her days.  It will bless you both.

This post is dedicated to my mom, Lucille Williams, who in January 2015 turned 90 years young!  I thank God for my mother.  I am grateful for her determination to raise me in the admonition of the Lord, teach me respect & responsibility, and to be a contributing member of society.

Thank You Mom!

I Love You!

 

 

Forgiveness (Dealing with Offense)

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.  But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”  Mark 11:25-26

Jesus said it and it’s very plain.  If you have ANYTHING against ANYONE, forgive them.  If you’re not going to forgive, God’s forgiveness is not available to you.  Once again, the Lord instructs us to do something that sounds like a heavy command.  But, forgiveness is really a burden lifter. It is a gift to us.  As we forgive others, we are released from the burden of carrying the anger, pain, and resentment of whatever wrong was done to us.  Once the offence is given to God, we no longer have to carry the dread of the offender and we are free to love them the way God wants us to.  

What happens when we don’t forgive, when we hold on to offense caused by the actions of another?  When someone disrespects or hurts us, or does something that you don’t agree with or consider unacceptable, the natural inclination is to be offended.  When you are offended, holding on to feelings of hurt or disrespect, where is your focus?  In those times, your focus is on YOU!  That is the trap.  It is exactly what the enemy intended.    Assaults against you, your sensitivities and those you care about are designed by the enemy to cause you to take your eyes off Christ. 

The word ‘offense’ is from the Greek word ‘skandalon’.  Skandalon is bait of a trap, a snare, or a stumbling block.  Think about it, you’re walking along with a praise song in your heart, headed to a seat in the sanctuary when Sister In-A-Bigger-Hurry-Then You rushes up and shoves you out of the way & into a wall, so she can get to a seat.  (This has happened to me in church.)  When you realize what has been done to you, where does your mind go?  The trap has been baited, and what happens next is up to you.  You could grab Sister I-A-B-H-T-Y by the back of her neck, tell her off with righteous indignation, and label her as an inconsiderate, rude person that you and yours don’t want anything to do with.  Or you could forgive the sister and continue on your way without your progress being hindered.  Forgiveness doesn’t mean that the wrong done to you is acceptable, it just means that you are not bound, hindered or defined by it. You leave it where it needs to be – between the offender and God.

It is not always easy, but since the Lord told us to forgive it has to be possible.  He said, “If you have anything against anyone, forgive him”.  So what do you do when it seems that you just can’t get there? Forgive in faith.   Take being offended captive and submit it to the obedience of Jesus Christ.  I admit, I’ve had times when I’ve prayed, “Lord God, I’m having a hard time with this, so I’m giving to you.  I choose to forgive in faith.  And every time the enemy tries to remind of this offense, I am going to turn my thoughts to You.  I thank You for the gift of forgiveness, so I don’t have to carry the burden of what’s been done to me.  In the name of Jesus, I pray.  Amen!”  

Live a life of forgiveness.  As you focus on Jesus, trust Him to release you from the prison of hurt, dread, and the burden of wrongs done to you.