A word of encouragement from Evelyn D. Be blessed!
“Lord God of Israel, there is no God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart” 1 Kings 8:23(KJV)
Michael Angelo, a prolific painter and sculptor from the 1500's, is known for among many works, his Biblical illustrations from Genesis to Revelation found in the Sistine Chapel in Rome. One section of these frescos depict the Creation of Adam. In this section, one can see his rendition of God reaching down, extending His hand towards man, Adam, and touching his finger. This was Michael Angelo’s genius interpretation of the creation of man.
The several times I’ve observed this awesome painting, I related to it in a different way. I see the Covenant of God with man, God’s desire to commune with us, relate to us, abide in us in love. I see a covenant that transcends generations and will endure for those who believe and worship Him.
I believe that the same covenant God had with the people of Israel extends to all who have been washed with the blood of The Lamb, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, so that we, our loved ones, our possessions are sealed through His covenant.
Quite often as I walk along this journey of faith, I face challenges that prevent me from maintaining the purpose that God has for me. With so many daily interruptions and tasks, I inevitably defer time that belongs to Him. Being aware of this, I was determined to change my course of action. I purchased a prayer journal! In it, my opening lines were dedicated to Our Lord. I poured my heart out to Him!. I then proceeded to list names of loved ones, friends, and anyone I would be committed to pray for. Beside each name, I indicated the reason for prayer. Behind each page I began to record the praise reports as God so answered. Amen! His mercy endureth forever! God is faithful!
I began to separate a specific time in the morning to spend with Our Lord. As always though, an eruption of phone calls, appointments, vacations, visitors as such would prevent me from consistently pressing the pause button and spending time with God. At times, I just prayed a routine prayer... Spiritually dry! One such morning, I changed my approach. I began by reading through all the answers that had already come through these petitions before praying. As I routinely did this I began to see His favor, His mercy, His unending love for me and those I was praying for.
On one particular day as I was doing this, my eyes began to open to how God is not only faithful to His covenant as I understood it, but He is our healer, our marriage counselor, restorer, financial planner, wedding planner, CEO, provider, refuge, comforter, deliverer and so much more. Before I knew it, I felt I had been ushered from the outer courts of the Tabernacle into the Holiest of Holies! It was then that I was able and ready to receive what He had for me. Praise The Lord of Hosts! I felt unworthy, humbled and so grateful that He should make His presence known to me. What a revelation , that what I’ve heard from the pulpit for a lifetime should become a spirit filled “Aha” moment for me.
I realized that it’s never too late when He sees us try to stay in His will, within His covenant. I strive to continue in prayer for those who need to be touched by God, waiting earnestly for Him to answer. My prayer life has been renewed afresh. Who knew how purchasing that prayer journal, a simple, inexpensive act of obedience would change the way I see His relationship with me. He is worthy of our praise.
Be blessed!
Hebrews 10: 19 -23
Friday, March 18, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Finding Satisfaction in Surrender
Taught by Arlene
Notes by Linda
Today Arlene covered Nehemiah 10. The message she taught from this chapter might not be evident in a quick read. Through a deeper study of the word, Arlene covered the important biblical principle of surrender. This is relevant to all of our lives.
Chapter 9 ends with “In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it” (Neh. 9:38). The question Arlene asked was ‘in view of what ? what had happened in chapter 9?’. As you might remember, the preceding chapter was a prayer to the Lord by the Levites. This prayer recounted the Lord’s enduring love for the nation of Israel. This puts Nehemiah 9:38 in context: ‘In view of all this’….’this’ refers to the Lord’s faithful love. Because of this love the Israelites are ‘cutting covenant’ with the Lord. They want to put in writing their pledge of obedience to the Lord.
Verses 1 through 27 list the family names of the people who signed this covenant. It should be noted that Nehemiah and Ezra were at the top of the list – the leaders. In verse 28 and 29 we see that all the people who were able to understand and had separated themselves from the neighboring pagans ‘..all these now join their brothers the nobles, and bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God given through Moses the servant of God and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the LORD our Lord (Nehemiah 10:29, emphasis mine)’. The remainder of the chapter details specific portions of the law that they are pledging to obey. Arlene stressed that they are promising to obey all, not just what had been singled out.
Verses 30 through 37 details specific commands of the Lord that the Israelites are pledging to obey.
Verse 30: They will not marry pagans. It was important that God’s people remained distinct.
Verse 31: They would honor the Sabbath as a day of rest.
Verse 32 – 34: They would maintain the Temple.
Verse 35-36: An acknowledgment that everything they had belonged to the Lord.
Verse 37: They would tithe to the Lord.
Arlene pointed out that the focus of these pledges was not so much about the physical activity of the commands themselves. As you look at them as a whole you can see that the spiritual life of the people is the focus. Over the preceding years this had been neglected. The Israelites are showing their love and gratitude to God. They are focusing on spiritual health. They are surrendering to God!
This brings us to the meat of the lesson. Arlene taught us that as the Israelites surrendered their lives to the Lord we should (and can!) do the same. She did this by first showing us what an un-surrendered life looks like. She then gave us a clear picture of what a surrendered life looks like. To emphasize the surrendered life Arlene used Isaiah 30:1-19 ; using scripture to teach scripture.
Picture of an Un-surrendered Life
1)An un-surrendered life does not consult God in times of adversity (Isaiah 30:1-5). In these verses we see that Syria had attacked Israel and Israel sought the help of Egypt (a noted world power) for deliverance from their enemy. They did not turn to the Lord. God says ‘Woe to the obstinate children," declares the LORD, "to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin’ (Isaiah 30:1). Arlene asked us where we turn for help in times of adversity. She had us think about some alliances we might have made without consulting the Lord. A few of these alliances could be: with a business partner, a friend, a spouse, or even a ministry opportunity.
2)An un-surrendered life relies on their own wealth in times of adversity (Isaiah 30:6-7). In these verses the Israelites took their wealth and used it to try to buy help. Arlene pointed out that wealth does just not mean money. Some of the ‘wealth’ that we may use in times of adversity are as follows: education, experience, position, influence or natural talents. When we try to use our own resources t we will not see the Lord work on our behalf.
3)An un-surrendered life reject’s God’s instructions in times of adversity (Isaiah 30:8-11). In this passage God says ‘These are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to listen to the LORD's instruction’ (Isaiah 30:9). Arlene reminded us that God’s instructions are radical. We see this in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5 – 7). Jesus’ commands push us to go farther than our natural understanding or inclinations will lead us. God wants us to live on a higher, holier level. God wants us to obey – and to do so quickly. When we follow God’s ways (and Word) our lives work.
4)An un-surrendered life relies on oppression in times of adversity (Isaiah 30:12a). “Therefore, this is what the Holy One of Israel says: "Because you have rejected this message, relied on oppression (Isaiah 30:12a). Arlene noted that rely means to ‘attach one’s self to’. In the word we see again and again when the Israelites encountered adversity they defaulted to their desire to return to their place of captivity. We see this when they were faced with the Red Sea (Exodus 14). Additionally , during their time in the desert they voiced their complaint to Moses and the Lord when they felt they lacked food, water, or where threatened by their enemies. They wanted to return to Egypt. Arlene pointed out that we can do the same thing. We default to what is familiar and comfortable. Sometimes we are so used to living under oppression we do not recognize it. Some of the areas of oppression we may default to are: worry, unbelief, self-will, manipulation by others, controlling relationships, or a refusal to be comforted by the word of God.
5)An un-surrendered life depends on deceit (Isaiah 30:12b), ‘and depended on deceit’. In this passage the Israelites believed that the Egyptians would help them although it was contrary to God’s word. (“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God” (Psalm 20:7)). Arlene reminded us that we need to be careful of what we are listening to and that we need to know the Word. In Jeremiah God says “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? (Jer. 17:9). Arlene clarified that a deceitful heart is one that is un-surrendered to the Lord. Some of the things that we may deceitfully rely on are: money, idols, people, church, family, wanting to be loved and happy, desires led by feelings, and even spiritual leadership. We need not just remove the negative but it must be replaces with a positive. “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Isaiah 4:31-32).
Picture of a Surrendered Life
The first four (of five) characteristics of a surrendered life are found in Isaiah 30:15. “This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it".
1)A surrendered life is a repentant life . Repentance is a place of returning to the Lord – it is just not ‘turning’ but turning towards God. We are turning from a self-willed life to one that is directed by God. Arlene pointed out the portion of the verse that says ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation’. This is the path towards spiritual salvation. We turn from our self-willed life to the Lord. We agree with what the Lord says about our sin. We accept that Jesus paid the cost of our sin by sacrificing His own life on the cross. We can now rest in the knowledge that we have eternal life.
2)A surrendered life is one that is characterized by rest. Rest is a place of inner peace and tranquility. We are able to consistently give our adversity to the Lord and rest in His sovereignty. Arlene clarified this by saying that this does not mean that we don’t do anything. While sometimes God may want us to cease from our own efforts, He wants us to do things His way. We are to walk in obedience and leave the outcome to Him.
3)A surrendered life is quiet. Arlene explained that this speaks more to our inner voice than it does to our actions. We have ceased from relying on our own strengths, accomplishments or achievements. We want to have a quiet spirit before the Lord.
4)A surrendered life trusts. This is the place where we come to and leave the outcome with God. “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). Arlene explained that we shouldn’t trust God for a specific outcome. God is most pleased when we just trust Him period.
5)A surrendered life is one lived in God’s abundant provision of grace (Isaiah 30:16-19). “Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you“ Isaiah 30:18-19). Arlene taught that many times we are not in the position of receiving God’s grace although He freely gives it to us as the following verses show: “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32), “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work“ (2 Cor. 9:8), and finally “For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all had a share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift [heaped] upon gift” (John 1:16 AMP).
As it says in Isaiah 30:16, God actually sees us waiting for Him! As we praise Him and wait upon Him, He will give us His grace. As Arlene aptly put it, ‘when we go down, God raises up’. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). A surrendered life is one abundance.
“The Temple of Solomon was absolutely surrendered to God when it was dedicated to Him. And every one of us is a temple of God in which God will dwell and work mightily on one condition – absolute surrender to Him. God claims it. God is worthy of it, and without it God cannot work His blessed work in us. God not only claims it, but God will work it Himself…If there is anything holding you back, or any sacrifice you are afraid of making, come to God now, and prove how gracious your God is, and be not afraid that He will command from you what He will not bestow.” Andrew Murray
Class today ended with a period of prayer. We were asked to sit quietly before the Lord and ask Him about something in our lives that needed to be surrendered to Him. We were each given an index card and an envelope. On the index card we wrote a prayer of surrender to the Lord over that thing we wanted to let go of. After sealing it in an envelope we put it in our bibles to be a reminder of our surrender. Why don't you do the same?
Notes by Linda
Today Arlene covered Nehemiah 10. The message she taught from this chapter might not be evident in a quick read. Through a deeper study of the word, Arlene covered the important biblical principle of surrender. This is relevant to all of our lives.
Chapter 9 ends with “In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it” (Neh. 9:38). The question Arlene asked was ‘in view of what ? what had happened in chapter 9?’. As you might remember, the preceding chapter was a prayer to the Lord by the Levites. This prayer recounted the Lord’s enduring love for the nation of Israel. This puts Nehemiah 9:38 in context: ‘In view of all this’….’this’ refers to the Lord’s faithful love. Because of this love the Israelites are ‘cutting covenant’ with the Lord. They want to put in writing their pledge of obedience to the Lord.
Verses 1 through 27 list the family names of the people who signed this covenant. It should be noted that Nehemiah and Ezra were at the top of the list – the leaders. In verse 28 and 29 we see that all the people who were able to understand and had separated themselves from the neighboring pagans ‘..all these now join their brothers the nobles, and bind themselves with a curse and an oath to follow the Law of God given through Moses the servant of God and to obey carefully all the commands, regulations and decrees of the LORD our Lord (Nehemiah 10:29, emphasis mine)’. The remainder of the chapter details specific portions of the law that they are pledging to obey. Arlene stressed that they are promising to obey all, not just what had been singled out.
Verses 30 through 37 details specific commands of the Lord that the Israelites are pledging to obey.
Verse 30: They will not marry pagans. It was important that God’s people remained distinct.
Verse 31: They would honor the Sabbath as a day of rest.
Verse 32 – 34: They would maintain the Temple.
Verse 35-36: An acknowledgment that everything they had belonged to the Lord.
Verse 37: They would tithe to the Lord.
Arlene pointed out that the focus of these pledges was not so much about the physical activity of the commands themselves. As you look at them as a whole you can see that the spiritual life of the people is the focus. Over the preceding years this had been neglected. The Israelites are showing their love and gratitude to God. They are focusing on spiritual health. They are surrendering to God!
This brings us to the meat of the lesson. Arlene taught us that as the Israelites surrendered their lives to the Lord we should (and can!) do the same. She did this by first showing us what an un-surrendered life looks like. She then gave us a clear picture of what a surrendered life looks like. To emphasize the surrendered life Arlene used Isaiah 30:1-19 ; using scripture to teach scripture.
Picture of an Un-surrendered Life
1)An un-surrendered life does not consult God in times of adversity (Isaiah 30:1-5). In these verses we see that Syria had attacked Israel and Israel sought the help of Egypt (a noted world power) for deliverance from their enemy. They did not turn to the Lord. God says ‘Woe to the obstinate children," declares the LORD, "to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin’ (Isaiah 30:1). Arlene asked us where we turn for help in times of adversity. She had us think about some alliances we might have made without consulting the Lord. A few of these alliances could be: with a business partner, a friend, a spouse, or even a ministry opportunity.
2)An un-surrendered life relies on their own wealth in times of adversity (Isaiah 30:6-7). In these verses the Israelites took their wealth and used it to try to buy help. Arlene pointed out that wealth does just not mean money. Some of the ‘wealth’ that we may use in times of adversity are as follows: education, experience, position, influence or natural talents. When we try to use our own resources t we will not see the Lord work on our behalf.
3)An un-surrendered life reject’s God’s instructions in times of adversity (Isaiah 30:8-11). In this passage God says ‘These are rebellious people, deceitful children, children unwilling to listen to the LORD's instruction’ (Isaiah 30:9). Arlene reminded us that God’s instructions are radical. We see this in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5 – 7). Jesus’ commands push us to go farther than our natural understanding or inclinations will lead us. God wants us to live on a higher, holier level. God wants us to obey – and to do so quickly. When we follow God’s ways (and Word) our lives work.
4)An un-surrendered life relies on oppression in times of adversity (Isaiah 30:12a). “Therefore, this is what the Holy One of Israel says: "Because you have rejected this message, relied on oppression (Isaiah 30:12a). Arlene noted that rely means to ‘attach one’s self to’. In the word we see again and again when the Israelites encountered adversity they defaulted to their desire to return to their place of captivity. We see this when they were faced with the Red Sea (Exodus 14). Additionally , during their time in the desert they voiced their complaint to Moses and the Lord when they felt they lacked food, water, or where threatened by their enemies. They wanted to return to Egypt. Arlene pointed out that we can do the same thing. We default to what is familiar and comfortable. Sometimes we are so used to living under oppression we do not recognize it. Some of the areas of oppression we may default to are: worry, unbelief, self-will, manipulation by others, controlling relationships, or a refusal to be comforted by the word of God.
5)An un-surrendered life depends on deceit (Isaiah 30:12b), ‘and depended on deceit’. In this passage the Israelites believed that the Egyptians would help them although it was contrary to God’s word. (“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God” (Psalm 20:7)). Arlene reminded us that we need to be careful of what we are listening to and that we need to know the Word. In Jeremiah God says “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? (Jer. 17:9). Arlene clarified that a deceitful heart is one that is un-surrendered to the Lord. Some of the things that we may deceitfully rely on are: money, idols, people, church, family, wanting to be loved and happy, desires led by feelings, and even spiritual leadership. We need not just remove the negative but it must be replaces with a positive. “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Isaiah 4:31-32).
Picture of a Surrendered Life
The first four (of five) characteristics of a surrendered life are found in Isaiah 30:15. “This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it".
1)A surrendered life is a repentant life . Repentance is a place of returning to the Lord – it is just not ‘turning’ but turning towards God. We are turning from a self-willed life to one that is directed by God. Arlene pointed out the portion of the verse that says ‘In repentance and rest is your salvation’. This is the path towards spiritual salvation. We turn from our self-willed life to the Lord. We agree with what the Lord says about our sin. We accept that Jesus paid the cost of our sin by sacrificing His own life on the cross. We can now rest in the knowledge that we have eternal life.
2)A surrendered life is one that is characterized by rest. Rest is a place of inner peace and tranquility. We are able to consistently give our adversity to the Lord and rest in His sovereignty. Arlene clarified this by saying that this does not mean that we don’t do anything. While sometimes God may want us to cease from our own efforts, He wants us to do things His way. We are to walk in obedience and leave the outcome to Him.
3)A surrendered life is quiet. Arlene explained that this speaks more to our inner voice than it does to our actions. We have ceased from relying on our own strengths, accomplishments or achievements. We want to have a quiet spirit before the Lord.
4)A surrendered life trusts. This is the place where we come to and leave the outcome with God. “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him” (Hebrews 11:6). Arlene explained that we shouldn’t trust God for a specific outcome. God is most pleased when we just trust Him period.
5)A surrendered life is one lived in God’s abundant provision of grace (Isaiah 30:16-19). “Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! O people of Zion, who live in Jerusalem, you will weep no more. How gracious he will be when you cry for help! As soon as he hears, he will answer you“ Isaiah 30:18-19). Arlene taught that many times we are not in the position of receiving God’s grace although He freely gives it to us as the following verses show: “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32), “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work“ (2 Cor. 9:8), and finally “For out of His fullness (abundance) we have all received [all had a share and we were all supplied with] one grace after another and spiritual blessing upon spiritual blessing and even favor upon favor and gift [heaped] upon gift” (John 1:16 AMP).
As it says in Isaiah 30:16, God actually sees us waiting for Him! As we praise Him and wait upon Him, He will give us His grace. As Arlene aptly put it, ‘when we go down, God raises up’. “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). A surrendered life is one abundance.
“The Temple of Solomon was absolutely surrendered to God when it was dedicated to Him. And every one of us is a temple of God in which God will dwell and work mightily on one condition – absolute surrender to Him. God claims it. God is worthy of it, and without it God cannot work His blessed work in us. God not only claims it, but God will work it Himself…If there is anything holding you back, or any sacrifice you are afraid of making, come to God now, and prove how gracious your God is, and be not afraid that He will command from you what He will not bestow.” Andrew Murray
Class today ended with a period of prayer. We were asked to sit quietly before the Lord and ask Him about something in our lives that needed to be surrendered to Him. We were each given an index card and an envelope. On the index card we wrote a prayer of surrender to the Lord over that thing we wanted to let go of. After sealing it in an envelope we put it in our bibles to be a reminder of our surrender. Why don't you do the same?
Friday, March 11, 2011
Holy Determination
I am an awful person. I am a betrayer of the worst kind; the quintessential Judas. I came with a kiss whose sole purpose was to exploit my victim’s trust so I could hand her over to her enemies. Who is this unsuspecting recipient of such contemptible malfeasance? That would be my dog.
This past week we found a growth in my dog’s mouth that needed to be looked at by our vet. This is a bit of a problem since she is terrified of the doctor and there is no way they are going to be looking in her mouth without heavy sedation; either theirs or hers. My Avalanche is the sweetest dog in the world but put her in the same room as a veterinarian and there is no telling what kind of mayhem might unfold.
While I am concerned about the growth and the anesthesia she will be under, the thing that is tearing at my heart is her sitting there all day terrified of what is happening and wondering why I have done this to her. I lured her with her “favorite thing”,which admittedly for a dog could be almost anything, but in this case was a ride in the car, to bring her to her least “favorite thing” the vet. How will she ever trust me after this?
Many years ago, this wouldn’t have bothered me as much. Our relationship was somewhat detached. We had just gotten her as a puppy and since she is an Alaskan malamute, she was never really puppy sized. I had just been diagnosed with an auto-immune disease and was in the thick of unrelenting flare-ups. She was forever a challenge between training her, amusing her and keeping her out of trouble amidst my throbbing joints.
One day, around that time, I was teaching my son about how much God loves us. In Deuteronomy 7:9, God says that he has a “covenant of love” with us. The word for covenant in the Hebrew actually means determination. I explained to my son that God is determined to love us. Not a minute after that my dog did her business on the floor right in front of us. I was beside myself. I put her outside, slammed the door and proceeded to clean up the mess. As I was mulling over the temporary insanity that I must have been under to agree to get this “puppy”, when from behind I heard my son say “Mommy, you are not very determined to love Avalanche.” Leave it to God to use a child to speak the truth that plainly.
Those words from my son rang conviction in my heart that day and I knew that I needed to live out what I was teaching. It was time for me to stop allowing how I feel at the moment to dictate how I acted. The apostle John tells us to love with action and with truth. (1 John 3:18) We love by doing and my attitude needed to change about my doing. I set out to love Avalanche and after more then a few wrestling matches over the years between her will and mine she has just overtaken my heart and I her’s.
Like Avalanche, I have had many wrestling matches with God. So many times I have wanted to go my own way but God in His determined love refused to give in to what was less then His finest plan for me. I have been difficult and rebellious but He never diverted from doing what was best because of His love. But you know what I think, those wrestling matches, which He always won I might add, deepened my love for Him and my trust in Him has grown.
Today was a wrestling match with Avalanche, it took a lot of physical effort to get her into the examining room but I know that this is what is best for her. I love her too much not to keep wrestling. God knows what is best for me too even if it isn’t my most “favorite thing”.
Is there someone that you need to determine to love today?
“You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working; and just so you learn to love God and man by loving. Begin as a mere apprentice, and the very power of love will lead you on to become a master of the art.”
Saint Francis of Sales.
Look the couch, my favorite thing!!!
This past week we found a growth in my dog’s mouth that needed to be looked at by our vet. This is a bit of a problem since she is terrified of the doctor and there is no way they are going to be looking in her mouth without heavy sedation; either theirs or hers. My Avalanche is the sweetest dog in the world but put her in the same room as a veterinarian and there is no telling what kind of mayhem might unfold.
While I am concerned about the growth and the anesthesia she will be under, the thing that is tearing at my heart is her sitting there all day terrified of what is happening and wondering why I have done this to her. I lured her with her “favorite thing”,which admittedly for a dog could be almost anything, but in this case was a ride in the car, to bring her to her least “favorite thing” the vet. How will she ever trust me after this?
Many years ago, this wouldn’t have bothered me as much. Our relationship was somewhat detached. We had just gotten her as a puppy and since she is an Alaskan malamute, she was never really puppy sized. I had just been diagnosed with an auto-immune disease and was in the thick of unrelenting flare-ups. She was forever a challenge between training her, amusing her and keeping her out of trouble amidst my throbbing joints.
One day, around that time, I was teaching my son about how much God loves us. In Deuteronomy 7:9, God says that he has a “covenant of love” with us. The word for covenant in the Hebrew actually means determination. I explained to my son that God is determined to love us. Not a minute after that my dog did her business on the floor right in front of us. I was beside myself. I put her outside, slammed the door and proceeded to clean up the mess. As I was mulling over the temporary insanity that I must have been under to agree to get this “puppy”, when from behind I heard my son say “Mommy, you are not very determined to love Avalanche.” Leave it to God to use a child to speak the truth that plainly.
Those words from my son rang conviction in my heart that day and I knew that I needed to live out what I was teaching. It was time for me to stop allowing how I feel at the moment to dictate how I acted. The apostle John tells us to love with action and with truth. (1 John 3:18) We love by doing and my attitude needed to change about my doing. I set out to love Avalanche and after more then a few wrestling matches over the years between her will and mine she has just overtaken my heart and I her’s.
Like Avalanche, I have had many wrestling matches with God. So many times I have wanted to go my own way but God in His determined love refused to give in to what was less then His finest plan for me. I have been difficult and rebellious but He never diverted from doing what was best because of His love. But you know what I think, those wrestling matches, which He always won I might add, deepened my love for Him and my trust in Him has grown.
Today was a wrestling match with Avalanche, it took a lot of physical effort to get her into the examining room but I know that this is what is best for her. I love her too much not to keep wrestling. God knows what is best for me too even if it isn’t my most “favorite thing”.
Is there someone that you need to determine to love today?
“You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working; and just so you learn to love God and man by loving. Begin as a mere apprentice, and the very power of love will lead you on to become a master of the art.”
Saint Francis of Sales.
Look the couch, my favorite thing!!!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
God's Grace and Power
Taught by Janet
Notes by Linda
Today Janet covered the remainder of Chapter 9. Chapter 9 opens with the Israelites gathered outside the temple. The Levites had spent hours reading from the Torah. God’s word evoked a response of worship and confession in the Israelites who were gathered. In our prior class Annie covered verses 1-6. Verse 5 begins a Levitical prayer of praise to the Lord which commences in verse 38. This prayer recounts God’s history with the nation of Israel from the time of creation through their present circumstances.
Janet concentrated on God’s grace and power that are professed in this prayer. Janet read through verses 6 through 38 with a voice that expressed the power of God’s word. (Prior to reading the rest of these notes I invite you to read this portion of scripture for yourself. The entirety of this passage is a powerful testament of the faithfulness, grace and power of our Lord.)
When Janet finished reading this passage she asked the class to express the feelings that this portion of God’s word evoked in them. Some of the women said they felt shame. This was because of God’s constant faithfulness despite the sins of the people. Some felt humility. Others were moved over the goodness of God. Others felt that it gave them hope.
Janet broke this passage down into nine sections. Each section focused on a specific time in history and highlighted God’s grace and power in this period.
The first period was creation (verse 6). “You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you” (Neh. 9:6).
The next period was the Abrahamic covenant (verse 7 & 8). Janet reminded us of the promise God had made to Abraham and his descendants by reading Romans 4:16-22. “Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all” (Romans 4:16). Janet then asked us if we were discouraged by the unbelief of the members of our own families. She challenged us to believe in faith for what God could do in the lives of our loved ones.
Verses 9-11 recount how God delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians at the Red Sea. Janet reminded us how the Israelites held Moses responsible for their current predicament. Janet pointed out that the unknown always brings about more fear than the known. She expressed that the Israelites needed to have ‘big faith’ to walk through the divided water.
Verses 12-21 tell of the time in the desert and at Mount Sinai. Janet pointed out that God provided a cloud to guide the Israelites by day, a pillar of fire by night, and daily sustenance in the form of manna yet the Israelites still grumbled and complained.
Janet briefly covered verses 22-31. Verses 22-25 tell of the conquest of Canaan. Verses 26-28 cover the period of the judges. Verses 29-31 covered the period of the prophets.
The next section of scripture covered the Israelites present situation (verses 32-37). Janet taught that this selection focused on what God had done for the people. She stressed that we need to be reminded of the goodness of God. Janet gave us three psalms that emphasized God’s goodness. They are Psalm 78, Psalm 105, and Psalm 106. In total these psalms contain 165 verses that praise God’s goodness. Janet taught that this same goodness of God has delivered us through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
The last verse is Nehemiah 9:38: “In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it”. Janet taught that the people were in agreement with the Levites and that God’s word was exalted.
Janet gave us two applications for these scriptures. The first was that we need to be able to tell the story of what God has done for us personally. She admonished us that we can be ‘getting fat’ on the Word of God from inside the church walls. We need not be ashamed of professing the Lord to the outside world. “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile” (Romans 1:16). The second application was that we need to take time each day to praise God, confess sin, and ask for His favor. We also want to yield to God’s sovereignty in our lives.
Notes by Linda
Today Janet covered the remainder of Chapter 9. Chapter 9 opens with the Israelites gathered outside the temple. The Levites had spent hours reading from the Torah. God’s word evoked a response of worship and confession in the Israelites who were gathered. In our prior class Annie covered verses 1-6. Verse 5 begins a Levitical prayer of praise to the Lord which commences in verse 38. This prayer recounts God’s history with the nation of Israel from the time of creation through their present circumstances.
Janet concentrated on God’s grace and power that are professed in this prayer. Janet read through verses 6 through 38 with a voice that expressed the power of God’s word. (Prior to reading the rest of these notes I invite you to read this portion of scripture for yourself. The entirety of this passage is a powerful testament of the faithfulness, grace and power of our Lord.)
When Janet finished reading this passage she asked the class to express the feelings that this portion of God’s word evoked in them. Some of the women said they felt shame. This was because of God’s constant faithfulness despite the sins of the people. Some felt humility. Others were moved over the goodness of God. Others felt that it gave them hope.
Janet broke this passage down into nine sections. Each section focused on a specific time in history and highlighted God’s grace and power in this period.
The first period was creation (verse 6). “You alone are the LORD. You made the heavens, even the highest heavens, and all their starry host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. You give life to everything, and the multitudes of heaven worship you” (Neh. 9:6).
The next period was the Abrahamic covenant (verse 7 & 8). Janet reminded us of the promise God had made to Abraham and his descendants by reading Romans 4:16-22. “Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all” (Romans 4:16). Janet then asked us if we were discouraged by the unbelief of the members of our own families. She challenged us to believe in faith for what God could do in the lives of our loved ones.
Verses 9-11 recount how God delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians at the Red Sea. Janet reminded us how the Israelites held Moses responsible for their current predicament. Janet pointed out that the unknown always brings about more fear than the known. She expressed that the Israelites needed to have ‘big faith’ to walk through the divided water.
Verses 12-21 tell of the time in the desert and at Mount Sinai. Janet pointed out that God provided a cloud to guide the Israelites by day, a pillar of fire by night, and daily sustenance in the form of manna yet the Israelites still grumbled and complained.
Janet briefly covered verses 22-31. Verses 22-25 tell of the conquest of Canaan. Verses 26-28 cover the period of the judges. Verses 29-31 covered the period of the prophets.
The next section of scripture covered the Israelites present situation (verses 32-37). Janet taught that this selection focused on what God had done for the people. She stressed that we need to be reminded of the goodness of God. Janet gave us three psalms that emphasized God’s goodness. They are Psalm 78, Psalm 105, and Psalm 106. In total these psalms contain 165 verses that praise God’s goodness. Janet taught that this same goodness of God has delivered us through the death and resurrection of Jesus.
The last verse is Nehemiah 9:38: “In view of all this, we are making a binding agreement, putting it in writing, and our leaders, our Levites and our priests are affixing their seals to it”. Janet taught that the people were in agreement with the Levites and that God’s word was exalted.
Janet gave us two applications for these scriptures. The first was that we need to be able to tell the story of what God has done for us personally. She admonished us that we can be ‘getting fat’ on the Word of God from inside the church walls. We need not be ashamed of professing the Lord to the outside world. “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile” (Romans 1:16). The second application was that we need to take time each day to praise God, confess sin, and ask for His favor. We also want to yield to God’s sovereignty in our lives.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Bible memorization Project - Week 5
Today marks the half-way point in our Bible Memorization project. We are now beginning to memorize our fifth verse. Wow! It is hard to believe! When we began our project, the ground was snow covered and now the robins have returned with the approach of spring. For those of you on track – a round of applause! I’m sure your dedication to God’s Word is bearing fruit. For those of you who may have fallen behind - don’t give up!! It's natural when we take on any challenge to get discouraged when we feel we are falling short of the goal. You have the power of the Holy Spirit in you...you CAN do this! I challenge you to choose a verse today. Hide it in in your heart!
Today during Women's Bible study we were encouraged in our memorization project. A line of scripture really hit my heart. It is familiar to all of us, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (Jas. 1:22 NKJV). I was challenged to think about what it really means to be a ‘doer’ of the word. I think the ‘doing’ goes beyond a physical action to include what is going on in our minds. I admit that this can be hard for me.
I was saved when I was in my 30’s. At that time I had a profound change in my thinking. I would have said that, without a doubt, I believed that God’s Word was true. I think many of us would wholeheartedly believe that Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt. We believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, was resurrected on the third day, and will come again in glory. Yet do we believe with the same certainty that we should “..have no fear of bad news, his (our) heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord” ? (Psalm 112:7) Do we truly believe that we can commit everything we do to the Lord and that in trusting Him, He will help us (my paraphrase of Psalm 37:5)?
Memorizing scripture is an important spiritual discipline but we need to do more than just commit God’s Word to our memory. We need to live like we believe it. We need to speak like we believe it. We need to think like we believe it. Hebrews 4:2b says “but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith”. God has given us the faith to believe His word. Hebrews 11:6 says “And without faith it is impossible to please God”. We have to make a choice. We can choose to believe our own thoughts or choose to believe God’s thoughts. I’m sure you are with me when I say “I want to believe God”.
Here's my verse for week 5:
"The LORD is my strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds feet and will make me to walk (not stand still in terror), but to walk and make spiritual progress on my high places of trouble, suffering, or responsibility." (Hab. 3:19 AMP)
So let's have your verses!! Please leave them as a comment below.
Today during Women's Bible study we were encouraged in our memorization project. A line of scripture really hit my heart. It is familiar to all of us, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (Jas. 1:22 NKJV). I was challenged to think about what it really means to be a ‘doer’ of the word. I think the ‘doing’ goes beyond a physical action to include what is going on in our minds. I admit that this can be hard for me.
I was saved when I was in my 30’s. At that time I had a profound change in my thinking. I would have said that, without a doubt, I believed that God’s Word was true. I think many of us would wholeheartedly believe that Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt. We believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, was resurrected on the third day, and will come again in glory. Yet do we believe with the same certainty that we should “..have no fear of bad news, his (our) heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord” ? (Psalm 112:7) Do we truly believe that we can commit everything we do to the Lord and that in trusting Him, He will help us (my paraphrase of Psalm 37:5)?
Memorizing scripture is an important spiritual discipline but we need to do more than just commit God’s Word to our memory. We need to live like we believe it. We need to speak like we believe it. We need to think like we believe it. Hebrews 4:2b says “but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith”. God has given us the faith to believe His word. Hebrews 11:6 says “And without faith it is impossible to please God”. We have to make a choice. We can choose to believe our own thoughts or choose to believe God’s thoughts. I’m sure you are with me when I say “I want to believe God”.
Here's my verse for week 5:
"The LORD is my strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds feet and will make me to walk (not stand still in terror), but to walk and make spiritual progress on my high places of trouble, suffering, or responsibility." (Hab. 3:19 AMP)
So let's have your verses!! Please leave them as a comment below.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Stars!!
“Stars!!” my friend’s child exclaimed one night with her head thrown back gazing upward. I am told that the enthusiasm in her voice was only surpassed by the wonder on her face.
It was just a simple childlike observation but I can’t seem to get it out of my thoughts. While I know the excitement she was experiencing might easily and equally be over an empty box of cheerios the next moment, it gave me pause to think. What was going through her mind when she made her declaration? Was it “they are so beautiful and bright” or “wow, look at how many there are” or “God is so awesome that he created them” (not likely the first thought of a two year old) or maybe it was just “hey, I know the word for those, they are called stars!!” (most likely and my pick).
It still compelled me to wonder. Psalm19:1-4 tells at that God speaks to us through His creation.
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth their words to the ends of the world.”
As I thought about my friend’s daughter, I wondered what God was speaking to her through those stars. While we like to make up our own thoughts of what God could be saying to us, scripture tells us that in fact there are some very specific things He would like us to know as we gaze upward.
Did you know that God created the stars to bring us light? Genesis 1:16-17 tells us that “God made two great lights- the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth”
Where would we be without light? Light signifies clarity. It illuminates what isn’t seen. It represents understanding. Jesus is the light and life of man. “In him was life, and that life was the light of man.” (John 1:4) It is through Jesus that we have true understanding.
Did you know that the stars reveal to us his power? “It is I who made the earth and created mankind upon it. My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts.” (Isaiah 45:12) What do you think the word marshaled means? I love the way the Message Bible translates it “I handcrafted the skies and direct all the constellations in their turnings.” God has full command over the stars and the exact places where they reside and even their movement. And He watches over each star in the universe and makes sure they stay put. As a mother, I considered it a good day if I could keep just two of my little starlings to stay put for two minutes. What I couldn’t manage with two, God does with entire galaxies.
Did you know that God has actually determined the number of stars and gave them each a name? “He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.” (Psalm 147:4) If God is able to know every star in the universe by name, can you believe that He knows yours. Psalm 8 tells us that God values humans above everything else that he created. “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet:” If this is true, and I believe all scripture is, then why wouldn’t He know you by name. God truly values us, each one of us. I think we feel as bewildered as the Psalmist at times when we think too long or hard about it. It does seem incomprehensible, but that is the amazing thing about God, He is incomprehensible.
Lastly, did you know that the stars represent the expanse of His love for us? “For great is your love, higher than the heavens.” (Psalm 108:4) Paul the apostle tells in his letter to the Romans that nothing can separate us from the love of God, “neither height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation” could do that. When you look up at the stars try to imagine, if the stars represented Gods love for us and you were to package it, you would need to find a box that would large enough to encompass all the stars in the universe. That is one mighty big box.
So what do you think of when you look up at the stars? Have you ever thought that God wants to specifically speak to you about Himself? Did you ever realize that they represent the light that He wants to bring into you life? Have you ever considered that power that holds them in their place in the sky is the same power that is watching over and protecting your life? Are you aware that just as He knows each of those stars by name that He knows yours as well? You as an individual are very important to Him. Lastly, what about love. When you look at the stars do you meditate on the length and breath of the love that He has for you represented in the expanse of the universe?
God is speaking to you through His creation all the time. Scripture tells us tons of things about what God would want us to know about Him through nature. Whether it be mountains, birds, deer, rivers, trees, flowers, … the list is endless. Why not take one of those elements and find out exactly what God is saying to you through scripture? Not what you think He is saying but what He is really saying. My guess is, it is probably more then you thought.
Thou art the star for which all evening waits.
George Sterling
It was just a simple childlike observation but I can’t seem to get it out of my thoughts. While I know the excitement she was experiencing might easily and equally be over an empty box of cheerios the next moment, it gave me pause to think. What was going through her mind when she made her declaration? Was it “they are so beautiful and bright” or “wow, look at how many there are” or “God is so awesome that he created them” (not likely the first thought of a two year old) or maybe it was just “hey, I know the word for those, they are called stars!!” (most likely and my pick).
It still compelled me to wonder. Psalm19:1-4 tells at that God speaks to us through His creation.
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth their words to the ends of the world.”
As I thought about my friend’s daughter, I wondered what God was speaking to her through those stars. While we like to make up our own thoughts of what God could be saying to us, scripture tells us that in fact there are some very specific things He would like us to know as we gaze upward.
Did you know that God created the stars to bring us light? Genesis 1:16-17 tells us that “God made two great lights- the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth”
Where would we be without light? Light signifies clarity. It illuminates what isn’t seen. It represents understanding. Jesus is the light and life of man. “In him was life, and that life was the light of man.” (John 1:4) It is through Jesus that we have true understanding.
Did you know that the stars reveal to us his power? “It is I who made the earth and created mankind upon it. My own hands stretched out the heavens; I marshaled their starry hosts.” (Isaiah 45:12) What do you think the word marshaled means? I love the way the Message Bible translates it “I handcrafted the skies and direct all the constellations in their turnings.” God has full command over the stars and the exact places where they reside and even their movement. And He watches over each star in the universe and makes sure they stay put. As a mother, I considered it a good day if I could keep just two of my little starlings to stay put for two minutes. What I couldn’t manage with two, God does with entire galaxies.
Did you know that God has actually determined the number of stars and gave them each a name? “He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.” (Psalm 147:4) If God is able to know every star in the universe by name, can you believe that He knows yours. Psalm 8 tells us that God values humans above everything else that he created. “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him the son of man that you care for him? You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet:” If this is true, and I believe all scripture is, then why wouldn’t He know you by name. God truly values us, each one of us. I think we feel as bewildered as the Psalmist at times when we think too long or hard about it. It does seem incomprehensible, but that is the amazing thing about God, He is incomprehensible.
Lastly, did you know that the stars represent the expanse of His love for us? “For great is your love, higher than the heavens.” (Psalm 108:4) Paul the apostle tells in his letter to the Romans that nothing can separate us from the love of God, “neither height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation” could do that. When you look up at the stars try to imagine, if the stars represented Gods love for us and you were to package it, you would need to find a box that would large enough to encompass all the stars in the universe. That is one mighty big box.
So what do you think of when you look up at the stars? Have you ever thought that God wants to specifically speak to you about Himself? Did you ever realize that they represent the light that He wants to bring into you life? Have you ever considered that power that holds them in their place in the sky is the same power that is watching over and protecting your life? Are you aware that just as He knows each of those stars by name that He knows yours as well? You as an individual are very important to Him. Lastly, what about love. When you look at the stars do you meditate on the length and breath of the love that He has for you represented in the expanse of the universe?
God is speaking to you through His creation all the time. Scripture tells us tons of things about what God would want us to know about Him through nature. Whether it be mountains, birds, deer, rivers, trees, flowers, … the list is endless. Why not take one of those elements and find out exactly what God is saying to you through scripture? Not what you think He is saying but what He is really saying. My guess is, it is probably more then you thought.
Thou art the star for which all evening waits.
George Sterling
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Spiritual Gifts Overview
Taught by Jan S. and Denise H.
Notes by Linda G.
In today’s class Jan and Denise taught on Spiritual gifts. Next week we will continue on our journey through Nehemiah. Following is a short overview of the teaching. Last week we were given a spiritual gifts test to complete prior to this lesson. The test consisted of approximately 110 questions. Jan and Denise also had several handouts that covered spiritual gifts in detail. If you are interested in this information please contact Jan directly.
The definition of spiritual gifts that Jan gave us is as follows: A spiritual gift is a manifestation (visible work) of the Holy Spirit for the benefit of all. (See I Cor. 12:7)
Jan and Denise explained that spiritual gifts are not natural talents, although they can be incorporated into your gift. Spiritual gifts are not the fruit of the Spirit. (See Galatians 5:22-23) Spiritual gifts are something that are given to all believers. Denise and Jan explained that the gifts are both universal and local. Gifts are universal in that someone if Africa and someone in Mexico could have the same gift. They described gifts as being local as they pertain to an individual church. The Holy Spirit will supply the proper balance within a specific church. The gifts will be balanced throughout the congregation so that the church functions as a body – each needing the other part to act as a whole. Jan and Denise also taught that we should want His gifts so we can be used by Him, that we can have more than one gift, and that as we exercise the gifts that God has given us they will become stronger. God wants us to cultivate the gifts he has given us.
In concluding the lesson we were given six steps we could take to discover our spiritual gifts. They are as follows:
1)Asking. Begin to ask God to show you your gift.
2)Awareness. Read on the teaching of the spiritual gifts. These are found primarily in 1 Corinthians 12-14; Romans 12; Ephesians 4. Talk to other Christians who already know and use their gifts.
3)Aspiration. God is committed to your joy (see Psalm37:4). Ask yourself what you most want to do.
4)Activity. Discover your spiritual gifts by experimenting with several of the available gifts. Be wise and prayerful as you do this.
5)Ability. Activity eventually points to ability; ability increases with practice. Spiritual gifts are usually recognized by other members of the body.
6)Affirmation. A blessing should result from using your spiritual gifts.
Notes by Linda G.
In today’s class Jan and Denise taught on Spiritual gifts. Next week we will continue on our journey through Nehemiah. Following is a short overview of the teaching. Last week we were given a spiritual gifts test to complete prior to this lesson. The test consisted of approximately 110 questions. Jan and Denise also had several handouts that covered spiritual gifts in detail. If you are interested in this information please contact Jan directly.
The definition of spiritual gifts that Jan gave us is as follows: A spiritual gift is a manifestation (visible work) of the Holy Spirit for the benefit of all. (See I Cor. 12:7)
Jan and Denise explained that spiritual gifts are not natural talents, although they can be incorporated into your gift. Spiritual gifts are not the fruit of the Spirit. (See Galatians 5:22-23) Spiritual gifts are something that are given to all believers. Denise and Jan explained that the gifts are both universal and local. Gifts are universal in that someone if Africa and someone in Mexico could have the same gift. They described gifts as being local as they pertain to an individual church. The Holy Spirit will supply the proper balance within a specific church. The gifts will be balanced throughout the congregation so that the church functions as a body – each needing the other part to act as a whole. Jan and Denise also taught that we should want His gifts so we can be used by Him, that we can have more than one gift, and that as we exercise the gifts that God has given us they will become stronger. God wants us to cultivate the gifts he has given us.
In concluding the lesson we were given six steps we could take to discover our spiritual gifts. They are as follows:
1)Asking. Begin to ask God to show you your gift.
2)Awareness. Read on the teaching of the spiritual gifts. These are found primarily in 1 Corinthians 12-14; Romans 12; Ephesians 4. Talk to other Christians who already know and use their gifts.
3)Aspiration. God is committed to your joy (see Psalm37:4). Ask yourself what you most want to do.
4)Activity. Discover your spiritual gifts by experimenting with several of the available gifts. Be wise and prayerful as you do this.
5)Ability. Activity eventually points to ability; ability increases with practice. Spiritual gifts are usually recognized by other members of the body.
6)Affirmation. A blessing should result from using your spiritual gifts.
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