ARCHIVE
September 2010
Likewise, in Dear God, Why Can’t I Have a Baby, two of my daughters, along with other mommies and daddies-in-waiting, share their infertility journey and testimony of God’s faithfulness, even when their faith was waning. For many years women were hesitant to talk about infertility, and women suffered in silence, but today with 1 in 6 couples experiencing the struggle, women are desperate to talk and learn from each other and to obtain godly wisdom and council from those who have walked through this difficult journey before them. Most of my books and Face-to-Face Bible study series include a “Mentoring Moment” section. In Praying for Your Prodigal Daughter it was called Parent-to-Parent. Here is where I mentor through practical tips and encouragement.
What is the “key” to helping women develop a mentoring lifestyle whether or not they have a structured in their church? Always be looking at who you want to pattern your life after and looking over your shoulder to see who is patterning her life after you. Mentoring is living your life in a way that others replicate. For mothers of daughters, I ask women to consider if they are the woman today they want their daughters to become because we’re their closest role model of a godly woman. That may sound intimidating, but it shouldn’t; it should encourage us to live a life pleasing to God.
A mentoring lifestyle is open and vulnerable and willing to let God use you. God doesn’t give us character building experiences just for our own benefit. He’s going to put someone in our life going through something similar, and He expects us to willingly reach out of ourselves to help that person. And I believe He’ll continue to put people in our path until we “get it” that our circumstance wasn’t all about us—it was about allowing God to use us to minister to someone else. Mentoring isn’t only crisis-oriented; mentees may be in a new season of life such as newly married, a new mom, or new in the community or at church.
You don’t have to write a book or be a conference speaker to impact lives. Like Jesus, it’s one changed life at a time.
How would you want to encourage women’s leaders to live out Titus 2:3-5?
I’m so glad you asked because I just wrote a book that does exactly that: The Team That Jesus Built: How to Develop, Equip and Commission a Women’s Ministry Team, releases June, 2011. I have been teaching on this topic for many years. As Women’s Ministry leaders, we need to be active in selecting and developing the next generation of rising leaders. Every ministry leader should be developing an apprentice and a team that can carry on in her absence: her team is her legacy.
Here are nine guidelines to paving the path for spiritual transformation:
1. Define the purpose of Bible study in your women's ministry. Does God want to use Bible study groups to help your women develop better study habits? Pray about His goals for this Bible study ministry to women.
2. Choose the format. Will you have inductive, topical, lecture-style classes, or open discussions? You and your leaders should agree on study formats.
3. Select the right Bible study resources. Keep in mind the needs of the ladies in your church and community. Choose studies that will appeal to them. Don't know where to start? Visit your local Christian bookstore or go online and search for a variety of topics and studies for Bible study resources.
4. Offer a variety of opportunities to study. Women are different and will have different needs! Consider the following options for studies to meet the needs of the array of women in your church: the amount of personal study homework required per day, different topics, and different “depths” of studies, to make sure the new and seasoned believer have a place.
5. Offer different locations and times for studies. Some women can meet at lunch their workplace, or an evening in a home, while others may prefer day time opportunities at the church where childcare is provided.
6. Recruit group leaders. Look for women in your church who are faithful in their walk with the Lord and willing to sit in the seat of a facilitator. And while we're calling these ladies facilitators, we shouldn't undermine the truth that although they may not be writing and explaining the study, they will still be “teachers” by example.
7. Publicize. Will you use your church bulletin, flyers, powerpoint, web site, Twitter and/or Facebook to advertise? Will your pastor make an announcement for you? Can your Sunday School or small group leaders help spread the word?
8. Launch! Pray as the start dates for the studies approach, and continue praying through the duration of the classes. Check in with leaders from time to time to see what else might be needed.
9. Evaluate. When the studies end, pass out evaluation forms (some of these can be found. Tell participants to be kind but honest as they fill them out. Regroup with your leaders and discuss how they think the studies went. Ask for suggestions on how you can improve your Bible study time for the next semester.
Bible study is the single most important ministry we can offer to women today. It will grow your ministry numerically and in spiritual depth. Using God's Word as the foundation of your ministry, you are destined for certain success!
A few other helpfulresources for Bible studies and small groups can be found in our leadership books: Women Reaching Women and Transformed Lives.
Join us for this FREE WEBCAST: GIRLS MINISTRY ROUND TABLE on September 28, 2010 (12:00-1:00 pm, CST) featuring Pam Gibbs (LifeWay Girls’ Ministry Specialist) and guest Girls’ Ministry leaders Amy Jo Girardier, Rachel Lovingood and Leslie Hudson as they discuss what’s going on in their churches, their ministries and their personal lives. Join in on the discussion by live chat and ask our panel questions you have!
3. Remember each person is unique, each loss is unique and it is a process not linear but cyclical at times.
4. Know the effects of grief on a person mentally and physically as well as emotionally and spiritually:
-Mentally:hard to make decisions, concentrate or think clearly
-Physically- tire easily, may experience chest pain, impaired immune system, need for a
-healthy diet
-Emotionally- the stages of grief
-Spiritually- questioning God and their faith
5. Help those who are having a hard time processing their grief by suggesting they:
-Journal
-Remember Realistically
-Read the Word
-Create a diagram of their losses
-Return to familiar places
-Say good bye to the way things were
6. Know when to refer them to a professional:
-When there is evidence of drug or alcohol abuse
-Suicidal thoughts are consistent and recurring, or a plan has been made
-There is a total withdrawal from family, friends and colleagues
-Depression becomes clinical (when it becomes more of a lifestyle than a passing mood)
7. Be aware of helpful resources:
-Women Reaching Women in Crisis print or pdf
-A Trusted Friend When it Matters Most by Tim Clinton and Pat Springle
-Experiencing Grief by H. Norman Wright
-The God of all Comfort by Dee Brestin
-Grief Share by Church Initiatives
Today's guest blogger is Martha Lawley, author of Attending the Bride of Christ: Preparing For His Return, speaker and Bible study leader from Worland, Wyoming. She has spent a great deal of time studying and teaching on the topic of conflict and biblical resolution. As leaders, we will struggle with this in our relationships with others. See her thoughts and suggestions to help us honor Christ as we find peaceful solutions:
Have you noticed that where two or more are gathered there is conflict? In my church, we sometimes joke that where three are gathered you will likely find four opinions! The longer I’m in ministry, the more I realize that most of the problems we face within the church are not theological, but relational. Our different spiritual gifts, personalities, ideas and opinions can make ministering together challenging. As believers, we are called to respond to conflict in ways that honor God and reveal His character to others. This is not an easy assignment.
At some point in our lives, all of us have experienced a painful conflict that did not turn out well. Understandably, many of us fear conflict and seek to avoid it at all costs. However, because conflict is an inevitable part of human relationships, effective conflict resolution skills are essential to successful leadership.
I’ve discovered that being a true peacemaker takes time, patience and unwavering commitment. Perhaps that’s why Jesus pronounced a special blessing upon those who devoted themselves to peacemaking- “they shall be called the sons of God”. (Matthew 5:9) I’ve learned valuable truths along the way that are helping me become a better peacemaker. Perhaps the most helpful conflict concept I’ve learned is: not all conflicts can be successfully resolved at a particular time.
One of our greatest frustrations in dealing with conflict is time. We want a quick fix to the problem – the longer it lingers, the more uncomfortable we become. But lasting resolution (true peacemaking) often takes time. Why? Because it can take time for all of the necessary elements of true peace to develop.
For a conflict to be resolved, three conditions must be met:
1. Those involved must recognize there is a problem.
2. A cooperative relationship must be established between the conflicting parties, with a genuine concern for each other's needs.
3. A solution must be found that is acceptable to both sides.
Why was this understanding so profound to me? Because it helped me see where I should focus my efforts as a peacemaker. When conflict occurs, leaders should prayerfully and carefully work to create an environment where these three conditions can exist. For example, if one of those involved doesn’t recognize there is a problem, then we should help them understand a problem exists. If the relationship between the parties has been severed, we must do all we can to help reestablish enough of a cooperative relationship between the parties to begin dialoguing about the problem. All of that before we begin considering acceptable solutions. It takes time – in some cases weeks, months and even years. Blessed are the peacemakers!
Please understand that I’m not suggesting that as a leader you bear all the responsibility for these conditions being met. Each person involved in the conflict has a responsibility in the peace process. However, leaders often have a unique opportunity to influence the process and lead toward lasting resolution. Understanding the importance of these three conditions can help you become a better peacemaker.
I believe that with God’s help we can learn to work through our differences in a way that honors Him and strengthens His church. Blessed are the peacemakers!
In Random Thoughts Part 1, I gave 10 Spiritual Lessons for Leaders. Here are 11 more spiritual lessons for leaders. Please read on for more thoughts, leader to leader.
1.“The wind of anger blows out the lamp of intelligence.” –Unknown Author (Proverbs 29:11, A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man holds it in check.) Boy, do I need this one!
2. John 14:1: Don’t let this throw you, You trust God, don’t you? Trust me. (The Message) Where am I letting a situation throw me?
3. In seeking humility in relationships: 1 Peter 5:6-7 (Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, so that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, because He cares about you.) and Romans 12:9-10 (Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor.)
4. “Everything that is not of You, take it away.” (from a song I heard) Weed out those things that are not of You.
5. Prayer from Brennan Manning, Ruthless Trust: Abba, I surrender my will and my life to You today without reservation and with humble confidence for You are my loving Father. Set me free from self-consciousness, from anxiety about tomorrow, and from the tyranny of approval and disapproval of others, that I may find joy and delight simply and solely in pleasing You. May my inner freedom be a compelling sign of Your presence, Your peace, Your power, and Your love? Let Your plan for my life and the lives of all Your children gracefully unfold one day at a time. I love You with all of my heart, and I place all my confidence in You, for You are my Abba!”
6. Jeremiah 32: 17 and 27—Ah, Lord God! You Yourself made the heavens and earth by Your great power and with Your outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for You! …“Look, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is anything too difficult for Me? The answer is NO by the way!
7. Prayer (Author Unknown): “According to Philippians 4:19 I believe that You will meet all of my needs according to Your glorious riches in Christ Jesus. Lord, thank You that You are a shield around me. You are my glory and the lifter of my head (Psalm 3:3). As I journey, Lord, please reveal Your love for me that according to Ephesians 3:17-20, surpasses knowledge and fills life with Your fullness. Thank You for being able to do immeasurably more than I can ask. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”
8. “One of the marks of spiritual maturity is the quiet confidence that God is in control-without the need to understand why He does what He does.” –Author Unknown (Job 42:2, I know that You can do anything and no plan of Yours can be thwarted.) I do not need to figure it all out, Lord, that’s Your job.
9. “When God commands us to do something we do not need to understand His directive, we need to understand His authority.” –T. W. Hunt Ouch!
10. Jeremiah 20:9¸ If I say I won’t mention Him or speak any more in His name¸ His message is like a fire in my heart, shut up in my bones. I become tired of holding it in, and I cannot prevail. My prayer is that I will be so full of Him, that I cannot hold it in!
11. From Jonah by Priscilla Shirer:
Insignificant Person + Insignificant Task = Interruption
Significant Person + Significant Task = Divine Intervention
Divine Intervention + Yielded Submission = Eternal Significance
Behavioral Change – Heart Change = Temporary Change
Heart Change + Behavioral Change = Permanent Change
Do I get impatient with interruptions that are really God’s divine interventions?
Helpful Resources:
Whispers of Hope, Beth Moore
Journey (devotional magazine for women)
Over the last year or so I’ve received many scriptures, prayers and devotional thoughts in my inbox, on personal notes or other places that have truly ministered to me in incredible ways. I thought, leader to leader, they might be meaningful to you as well, especially on those days of ministry when you aren’t sure if anything is being accomplished or if there is any impact on the Kingdom or if there is strife in your women’s team. Many of these I read on a daily basis just to remind me about the bigger picture and WHO is in control of that big picture. You will see the quote, thought or scripture, and occasionally thoughts of my own.
I pray they will touch your heart now or in the future as you continue to serve Him faithfully and encourage transformation in the lives of women in your sphere of influence.
1. “If God cares for you, why need you care too? Can you trust Him for your soul and not for your body? He has never refused to bear your burdens, He has never fainted under their weight.” –Charles Spurgeon (1 Peter 5:7, …casting all your care upon Him, because He cares for you) Am I really trusting Him with everything?
2. Prayer for me from a friend: “In moments of being pushed and pulled, take a deep breath and say, LORD Jesus (from your lips), LORD Jesus (from your heart), LORD Jesus (from your spirit). With that moment of getting to the depth of your spirit, I believe you will find yourself soaring like eagles with a God’s eye perspective of your thorns, your pressures and yourself.” I trust You, Jesus, I trust You Jesus, I trust You Jesus…yes!
3. “God loves with a great love the man whose heart is bursting with a passion for the IMPOSSIBLE.” –William Booth (Matthew 17:20, “Because of your little faith,” He told them. “For I assure you: If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.) I need a heart and passion for the impossible!
4. Two things you see from Ezekiel 37: 1-10 (from a devotional at a YOULead event) Towering Truth-Only God can breathe life into dead placesInconvenient Truth: When God does what God does in this world, God does it through people God wants to use me today and everyday to touch the lives of others. Show me how, Lord.
5. “Our heavenly Father never takes anything away from His children unless He means to give them something better.” –George Muller (Job 1:21 …Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will leave this life. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Praise the name of the Lord.” What a promise!
6. “No matter how many pleasures Satan offers you, his ultimate purpose is to ruin you. Your destruction is his highest priority.” –Erwin Lutzer (Job 1:7, The Lord asked Satan, “Where have you come from?” “From roaming through the earth,” Satan answered Him, “and walking around on it.”) Keep me on the alert, Lord.
7. “Satan has a simple agenda…to keep people lost.” –Thom Rainer
Lord, give me a heart for evangelism and all that breaks your heart.
8. Prayer from a friend: “I pray for a peace that passes all understanding. But not only peace, but calmness inside, where you don’t feel like you are running all the time. I pray that your concerns, that are ever present, will be all wrapped up in His assurance that he is always with you and that He is using every thought, every feeling, every anxious moment in every life to ultimately make manifest His love.”
9. A scripture that has helped me in a difficult relationship: Deuteronomy 7:21,You shall not dread them for the Lord your God is in your midst, a great and awesome God.
10. “God has not placed us where we are simply for the output we can produce, whether at a factory, at a desk, at school, or at home with children. He has put us there because that is a context in which he wants to display Himself.” –Chris Tiegreen (Colossians 3:23, Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men…) Use me today, Father, whatever setting I am in.
Helpful Resources:
Whispers of Hope, Beth Moore
Journey (devotional magazine for women)
I recently interviewed Jane Crick, a minister’s wife from Saddleback Church , Lake Forest, California. Her husband, Tom, is the director of Men’s Ministry at Saddleback Church. I ask her some thought provoking questions and want to share her responses to them on this post.What is one of the best things about being a minister's wife?
Knowing that my husband is following God’s will for his life. It is such a refreshing and positive thing in our relationship. People are watching my actions as a woman, wife and mom. To have the opportunity to be real, authentic and “normal” to the public. It’s God that is perfect in me, not me.
What is one of the hardest about being a minister’s wife?
The misunderstanding that we have it all together and our lives are perfect.
What special things have you found you can do to help support your husband in ministry?
Be fully interested in what his day was like. When there is too much talk about the ministry work, I am able to communicate, “Okay, can we talk about something totally different?” It isn’t often but sometimes there is just “too much” talk about ministry. Building him up when he goes into self-doubt mode, by hearing, listening and affirming what a man he really is to me, and definitely is in Christ.
How do you and your husband separate yourselves from the ministry and work on your marriage?
Ministry and marriage are the same to us. In order for us to fully serve, we are constantly doing marriage devotions, taking about how God is working, or how we can’t quite get what God is teaching each of us. Within our small group that meets weekly, we do couples studies. Each one of us has an accountability partner. It is crucial for me to have another woman that knows all my fears and worries, and will always pray me up and just listen to me when I have a complaint about marriage, me, or Tom.
What do you do to keep from burning out?
Seriously, and intentionally, I treat my relationship with God like oxygen. I need it to live and have gotten up daily for over a decade to have my quiet time. Working out and eating right are other components. We have been known, on the weekend, to not open the drapes, to stay in our PJs, watch DVDs all day, turn off our electronics and just truly rest and enjoy one another’s company.
Do you include your children in the ministry? How or why not?
We have adult children now and yes we still do. We tell them when our home is going to be used and they need to stay in their room or be extremely quiet on those nights. I share with them that I made dessert for so and so, and I made extra for you guys – dig in. This past Easter event my husband was in charge of curriculum distribution at our 30 year church celebration that was held at Angels Stadium. Our oldest child Sonja came along to shadow her Dad. She didn’t realize Dad had such an important role. It was sweet to hear what the kids think of the ministry we do.
How do you handle things people tell you to tell your husband?
I rarely become the 3rd party. I will equip them with my husband’s email and cell number and ask them to connect with him directly.
Can you worship on Sundays or is it a workday? If you worship, what has helped you do that?
My husbands work day is Saturday. When we go to church we sit among the congregation for our worship time.
What do you enjoy the most about being in ministry with your husband?
The peace that it brings relationally is mind blowing. To know that when a day is over we truly have served God and made Him number 1 in our lives.
Jane Crick has been a pastor’s wife for the last 8 years. She served on the Administrative Team of the Woman to Woman Mentoring Ministry at Saddleback Church 1996 to 2007 and has served as a LifeWay Ministry Multiplier since 2002. Jane enjoys being with women one-on-one to help them see God working in their lives and especially loves sharing and caring for women in their role as a godly wife. She is serving at Saddleback Church as a mentor mom to pastors’ wives at their Treasured Ministry. Serving with her husband of 31 plus years, they mentor young couples whether they have been married for the first time or for the fourth time. Their goal is to walk with them for a season to help them to flourish on their own, encouraging them to do the same with other couples in need. Jane is currently working part-time for the pastor at a non-profit organization called Search Ministries and is pursuing continuing education. She and Tom live in Mission Viejo, California with their two children Sonja & Teddy.
Tomorrow is September 11, 2010. Nine years ago our country experienced an event that has forever changed who we are. For many, there was the personal tragedy of lost loved ones. For all of us there has been economical change and many have loved ones serving in the military as a result of that day. For others, they may have turned to spiritual things seeking meaning to life and circumstances. But no one who lives in the United States was unaffected.The events of 9/11 changed the world forever.
What other life changing events have you experienced personally? What about in ministry? Were there any changes that brought growth and reached more women for Christ?
One change for me was the study Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby. It changed the way I viewed ministry. For the first time I realized that my primary responsibility was not to create ministry. That was God’s job. He was already working all around me and stirring hearts. What I had to do was to know Him so intimately that I knew exactly where He was inviting me to join Him in HIS work.
That forever changed the way I view ministry…His, not mine. I am asking Him daily to show me where He is at work, inviting me to participate with Him in that assignment. Work that involves many for His Kingdom and for His ministry in our world.
Do you ever stop and consider what small or large “redirection” in your life or ministry might mean? If you missed the February 5 post about a book titled The Butterfly Effect, I’d encourage you to take a look here . Amazing things happen in the course of a lifetime that can filter out to touch many other lives.
Leaders, keep in mind, especially in the midst of constant change and often difficult personal or ministry challenges, that what you do today will last long beyond your lifetime. Changes you make now will leave a lasting legacy. Stop and ask God today what He is saying to you about the ministry you are leading. What life changing events have changed your life and your ministry? Please share them in the comments box.
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I want to introduce you to my friend and co-worker Betsy Langmade . She understands women’s ministry from the inside out and I know you will probably have your toes stepped on like I did when I read this post she wrote for us!
"My best friend Kaye is a master at "the ministry of availability". She "positions" herself in all kinds of settings to just be available - for listening, for fun, for reaching out....whatever the situation calls for. I recently had the opportunity to observe her in action. Kaye stood alone outside a room filled with hundreds of women who were standing and singing. In a matter of seconds the lady in the blue joined her and just stood beside her. Kaye smiled at her and after a few seconds of silence the woman glanced at Kaye and said something. Leaning against the doorway they had an intermittent conversation that involved compassionate eyes, whispers and a few tears. They both stood there with a comfort as if they were long time friends
I stood there and marveled at Kaye’s heart. I snapped these pictures on my phone as I watched her look at, listen, lean in and love this complete stranger. When the encounter was over, I knew from watching first hand that this woman felt that she had been seen, heard and understood. What an incredible gift Kaye had given her.
Since then I’ve begun to process what I saw and take note of how I might incorporate even a smidgeon of "the ministry of availability" in my life. I am always busy. I've had times in my life where circumstances demanded a fiercer level of busyness, but I've never had a season where I would have said I was not busy. Where does all this busyness come from? That's a good question. Finding an answer could be key to finding freedom in this area of our lives.If we tell the truth we would have to say that some busyness is pressed on us by others needs, some of it is demanded in order to live life and some of it is just plain self-inflicted. There are always enough things to say yes to. And many times our culture continues to scream at us about the necessity of all kinds of activities from exercising to shopping. Where does the madness stop? Unless we consciously make a new choice it probably won't. We will remain intoxicated on the drug of busyness.
That's the first thing I’ve learned by watching Kaye. She never seems in a hurry. It's not because she doesn't have things to do. She's got a lot of things to do. It seems she just makes deliberate choices. It's relaxing to be around people who don't seem hurried. Well, to be honest it drives me a little crazy on an average day. I keep the pace of a clipper and slow people get run over in my path. But once I ratchet it back a bit - it's kind of refreshing. And even rejuvenating. To be honest, I'm learning it's possible to be very, very busy but not necessarily appear to be in a hurry. It's an art. It can be done. It creates an environment around you that is inviting to people. It makes you appear available – the first step to being truly available.
Here are some other things I've thought about in my quest to choose to be available to people. I have to translate ideas into practical or they seem pretty useless. Let me suggest them to you.
First, evaluate your current level of busyness. For you, is it normal, excessive, manageable, out of control? You have to decide what's doable and appropriate for this season of your life. You have to decide what stays and what goes. Sometimes some hard decisions have big pay offs.
Second, learn to build in margin by the day. Not the year, not the month - but by the day. You have your schedule and to do list but consider ahead of time that it is highly likely something will have to go in order to be available. Start each day with a mental asterisk by the activity(s) that could wait if it had to. Guard against over-scheduling by being realistic and reasonable about what can be accomplished in a day's time. Most of us overshoot both of those things.
Third, be okay with a revolving to do list. Most of you are probably way past this but it's worth a strong reminder to keep your sanity. You have two options. Be grateful you have a to-do list and the physical and mental capabilities to manage it. Or, let it eat you alive by constantly being frustrated at the size, content, or endlessness of it.
Fourth, learn to give what you want. You have heard before that, as humans, we almost always give to others what we want or need from people. We all have a need to feel that we are valued and we most often feel that supremely when someone gives us their time. It's a precious commodity - limited and scarce. Be available to give time when you don't have it, want to, or feel like it. It's important.
Lastly, let your motto be PEOPLE before projects. If you are a type A individual, like me, this is going to require your constant attention. Like a car that leaks oil or it will blow up – let this point be your leaking oil. Check it regularly. I’m learning to.
Okay, so here’s a little reality check for all of us. We all have demands on our lives. Families, work, ministry, friends, health, personal needs – we could go on and on. As women, some of us in leadership, we don’t have the luxury of being too busy for people. We can endure it or we can turn it into an art. My choice is the latter.
Betsy Langmade, is a Lead Event Coordinator, Women’s Enrichment Events, LifeWay Christian Resources, Nashville, TN and former women’s ministry leader. She has enjoyed working with women in varied ministry settings for almost 30 years. She spent many years coordinating women’s ministry in her local church and serving as a trainer for LifeWay Christian Resources. Betsy enjoys building relationships with women as she teaches and speaks at women’s conferences, retreats and events. Uniquely, she also has much experience on the planning side of large and small events, locally and nationally. She finds inexpressible joy in the moments she’s privileged to witness women encounter God in a personal way. On whatever side of the conference that God chooses to use her, Betsy pours her heart and soul into creating an environment where God can move. Currently, she is on the women’s ministry team at Long Hollow Church, Hendersonville,TN where she lives with her husband of 34 years. Spending time with David and her four children is her greatest joy.
I'm taking the day off from blogging! Enjoy your holiday with family and friends!
This past spring, LifeWay’s girls' ministry specialist, Pam Gibbs, prepared the following thoughts and scriptures on cards for prayer stations during a morning devotional with our LifeWay Ministry Multipliers. These truly spoke to me that morning and I have used them since then in my daily devotions as well. With her permission, I share them with you and pray they bless you and strengthen you as you lead women. · What is an area in which you need to know His will? Pray about that area or situation right now. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. May Your gracious Spirit lead me on level ground. —Psalm 143:10
· Who or what are your adversaries? Ask God to make your way straight as you face these people or situations. Lord, lead me in Your righteousness because of my adversaries; make Your way straight before me.—Psalm 5:8
· Spend a few moments meditating on the truth that God gives generously to those who ask for His wisdom. Thank God for this gift. Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him. —James 1:5
· Ask God to reveal to you any areas that show a lack of wisdom—areas in which you do not demonstrate purity, peace, or mercy. Ask Him to show you areas in which you may be showing favoritism or hypocrisy. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. —James 3:17
· In what areas of your life and/or ministry do you need vision? Ask God for that vision right now. Where there is no vision, the people perish. —Prov. 29:18
· What thing in your life has left you without strength? Take it to God and ask Him to lead you to the place He wants. I call to You from the ends of the earth when my heart is without strength. Lead me to a rock that Is high above me. —Psalm 61:2
· Confess any areas of your heart that may be offensive to your Father who wants to lead you. Repent of any concerns that are pulling your heart away from His. Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way. —Psalm 139:23-24
· Where is your “boot camp” right now, that place of inexperience or learning where God is teaching you something new? The instruction of the Lord is perfect, renewing one's life; the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise.—Psalm 19:7
· What waters or fire do you sense you and/or your ministry enduring? Thank God that no matter how the circumstances appear, you are never alone. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. —Isaiah 43:2-3a
· What trials are you experiencing right now? Ask God to bring you joy, faith, endurance, and maturity through them. Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But endurance must do its complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. —James 1:2-4
· Ask God to show you new things He might be doing (or want to do) in your life and in your ministry. Is anything hindering that new work? Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert. —Isaiah 43:19
· Spend a few moments meditating on God’s love and Christ’s endurance that fuels your life and ministry. May the Lord direct your hearts to God’s love and Christ’s endurance.—2 Thessalonians 3:5
· Where do you need to learn? Technology? Culture? People skills? Ask God for the wisdom and humility to learn from others. A wise man will listen and increase his learning, and a discerning man will obtain guidance. —Proverbs 1:5
· Ask God to reveal areas in which you consider yourself to be wise. Confess those areas of pride right now. Ask Him for the wisdom that comes from humility. Don't consider yourself to be wise; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. —Proverbs 3:7
· How are you wise by this world’s standards? How is God asking you to become a fool? If you think you are wise by this world’s standards, you need to become a fool to be truly wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God. As the Scriptures say, “He traps the wise in the snare of their own cleverness.” And again, “The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise; he knows they are worthless.”
—1 Corinthians 3:18-19
· How are you not “wise” in the world’s eyes? Thank God for the freedom that can result from living outside man’s expectations. Brothers, consider your calling: Not many are wise from a human perspective, not many powerful, not many of noble birth. Instead, God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise,
and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong. —1 Corinthians 1:26-27
· Praise God that wisdom and strength come from Him. Thank Him for being your Counselor. Praise Him for His infinite knowledge. Wisdom and strength belong to God; counsel and understanding
are His. —Job 12:13
· Spend time in worship of the Lord. Focus on the things that bring you to your knees in awe and reverence. Praise Him for the awesomeness of His character. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His instructions have good insight. —Psalm 111:10
· What prideful areas is God trying to root out of your life? Ask God for the grace to live in humility. When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom. —Proverbs 11:2
· Thank God that He knows the way that You take. Thank Him that His testing ends in good and not futility. But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.—Job 23:10
· Have you forged on with a course of action, even without God’s presence? Meditate on the importance of God’s presence in your ministry and the futility of doing ministry without Him. Then He replied, "My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." "If your presence does not go,” Moses responded to Him, "don't make us go up from here. How will it be known that I and Your people have found favor in Your sight unless You go with us?"—Exodus 33:14-16a
· Where do you need God to illuminate your darkness? Ask for the light of His presence and guidance in those places. For You rescue an afflicted people, but you humble those with haughty eyes. Lord, You light my lamp. My God illuminates my darkness. —Psalm 18:27-28
· What battle does God need to fight for you? Ask for His strong arm to go before you. The LORD your God who goes before you will fight for you, just as you saw Him do for you in Egypt. —Deuteronomy 1:30
· How has God carried you as a child recently? Thank Him for being a tender, loving Father. And you saw in the wilderness how the LORD your God carried you as a man carries his son all along the way you traveled until you reached this place. —Deuteronomy 1:31
Now, stop laboring, and pray!
Stephanie Edge is our guest blogger today. What a challenge she gives each of us as leaders of women. Stephanie Edge is the Director of Women’s Ministry, Poplar Heights Baptist Church, Jackson, TN and a LifeWay Ministry Multiplier. She is an Associate Professor at Union University in Jackson, TN. Stephanie graduated from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Masters of Divinity. She also received an Advanced Women’s Ministry Certificate as well as completed a Th.M. from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. She is currently pursuing a doctorate in Christian Education. She has a passion for God’s Word and enjoys ministering to women.
Her words were both stunning and sobering. “If I had a need, I’d rather call my non-Christian friends than my Christian friends.” I was taken back by her comments and began to wonder, “Could this be a true reflection of Christianity in today’s society?” She went on to say, “Church people are so judgmental.”
Was she right? You see, my friend is a typical thirty-something young professional that interacts with both Christians and non-Christians daily in the workplace. Her views are probable expressions of a larger sentiment among other young adults.
With my leadership hat on, I began to problem solve as to what could and should be done about this bad press that was likely more pervasive than expected. As I lamented, my friend reasoned with me, “There is nothing you can do. You are only one person.” Her words motivated me even more to search for a solution. Yes, I am just one person. But, I am also a Women’s Ministry leader in a local church.
My response was to:
(1) Conduct a mini self-evaluation.
· Am I one of these so-called Christians who is likely not to respond or help in time of need?
· Am I one of these judgmental Christians?
· How strongly do I reflect the image and character of Christ?
· Do I need to repent and seek God’s forgiveness? (1 John 1:9)
(2) Ask.
· What does the Bible have to say concerning the lack of distinctiveness of Christians among common culture?
Several scriptures apply to my friend’s assessment.
Luke 10:25-37, The Parable of the Good Samaritan
Jesus was discussing the Great Commandment (Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself. 10:27) with one steeped in knowledge of the law who was seeking eternal life. To which, the seeker asked, “Who is my neighbor?" (10:29) Jesus proceeded to tell him a parable. In the story, sadly, both a priest and a Levite passed by the man in need. It was the Samaritan who responded and treated him neighborly. How often am I, the religious one, which deliberately chooses to pass by?
James 2:14-26, A Brother or Sister In Need
“If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well," but you don't give them what the body needs, what good is it? In the same way faith, if it doesn't have works, is dead by itself. (15-17)
In both passages, Christians are called to respond to the needs of others. We are called to be different – to be conformed unto His image and transformed. (Ephesians 1:4-6, 10)
Romans 12:1-2, Be Transformed
“Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”
Matthew 5:13-16, You are Salt and Light
"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt should lose its taste, how can it be made salty? It's no longer good for anything but to be thrown out and trampled on by men. You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”
Christians are to be change agents in today’s culture and should stand out in order to draw others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
· Ponder this question: How can I teach and encourage the women in my sphere of influence to be different from today’s culture? As a believer, I am accountable to God for my own behavior and attitudes. I must personally seek to become like Christ and to follow Him. As a leader, I am an example to other women and must model Christlike behavior. I must educate others concerning culture and teach the principles found in Scripture. I should continually encourage women in their walk with Christ as they endeavor to affect their families, communities, and workplace.
My friend, you are called to be different! Through the power of the Holy Spirit, you can be salt and light in a secular culture partnering with Christ to transform the world. Will you dare to make a difference?
Helpful Resources:
Daniel and Esther by Beth Moore
