Are You a Useful Servant?

Ever have one of those days (or weeks) where you don't feel like you're adding any value?  When maybe you just don't feel like you've done anything worthwhile and yet others around you seem to be accomplishing much?

God wants us to be "successful" in our Christian lives - He wants us to add value!  But our "success" or "value" is not measured as the world measures success - it is measured by God's standards.  Here are a few examples: 

      

Romans 15:14

And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
  
Paul, talking to the believers, encouraged them, that they were filled with the Holy Spirit and able to "admonish" or counsel one another.  Now, lest you think you are not able to "counsel" anyone, hold on - look at this next verse...

2 Corinthians 1:4

Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

Ah - see?  It can be as simple as comforting someone who is going through something you've already experienced - you CAN counsel!  Share how God worked in your life though a similar circumstance.  Have you done that this week?  Comforted someone?  Shared a verse that is dear to you with someone?  Sent a note of encouragement; let someone know you are praying for them?


If you have, then you HAVE been successful this week - you HAVE added value.  Do not measure your "success" by the world's standards - measure your "success" by God's standards.  This is a simple thing; if you haven't done this yet this week, purpose in your heart to do it before the week is over.  You CAN be a useful servant!

Why Wait?

Do you ever feel like you're in a "holding pattern"?  You've got so many ideas; the Lord has given you a burden for a certain ministry - yet, circumstances just don't seem to be lining up.  Or the timing just doesn't seem quite right.  Or the opportunity just never seems to present itself.  Or someone else is asked to participate in the very thing you so long to minister in.  Or maybe you're just simply discouraged; it just doesn't seem as though the Lord is at work.

I was encouraged this morning in my quiet time to study the following verses:

Psalm 130:5-7

⁵ I wait for the Lord, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope.
⁶ My soul waiteth for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning: I say, more than they that watch for the morning.
⁷ Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.

Our God is merciful and there is "plenteous" redemption when we wait on Him!

Galatians 6:9

⁹ And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

God promises that we WILL reap if we just hang in there!

Hebrews 6:12

¹² That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

God says we will inherit the promises - HIS promises!  What a blessing!  What an encouragement that is to my heart.  :)

Hebrews 10:35-36

³⁵ Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence (payment) of reward.
³⁶ For ye have need of patience (endurance), that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

Wow - God says that my payment will be reward; that when I endure, when I keep doing the will of God, I will receive His promises.  To me, this is a wonderful incentive to "hang in there"!

James 1:3-4

³ Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
⁴ But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect (mature) and entire, wanting nothing.

So many of us want to grow in the Lord, what to become that "mature, godly" Christian - but we don't want to accomplish that God's way - we want to take the shortcut; we want "instant" godliness.  But God's Word tells us that when our faith is tried, we gain endurance.  And endurance is what leads to maturity and godliness...and we all know there is nothing "instant" about endurance!!  

James 5:11

¹¹ Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful (full of compassion), and of tender mercy.

Our Lord knows our hearts; He knows our desires and He knows our needs.  He knows when we're ready to move head and He knows the best way to get us ready. "All" we have to do is "wait" - wait by doing the things He's set before us today; taking the opportunities He gives us today.  Tomorrow will come, and other opportunities, other ministries, other results will come - as we wait and serve and rejoice in the things He has put on our plates today.  He is full of compassion and tender mercy - He knows exactly what and when we need something.  

You can trust Him - He will not fail you.  :)

 

  

 

 

Who Knows You?

I've been working through a bible study recently, and read the following verse as part of the study.  This verse was not the point of that lesson, but it sure got me attention!!  I love when the Lord gives me things just for me! I shared this with my friend in an email....

 

In my quiet time this morning I was reading in 2 Timothy 3.  Verse 10 & 11 really slapped me in the face....

 

"But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me."

 

Paul is talking to Timothy and it struck me that he tells him, you KNOW what I teach...you KNOW my "manner of life" (how I handle things that come my way)...you KNOW my purpose (wow!  most people don't know their own purpose, but Paul says even Timothy knows what his purpose is - to preach the gospel & glorify God)...you KNOW my faith (you know who I believe in!)...you KNOW my longsuffering and love and patience...and he links all this to the persecutions and afflictions...

 

and I'm thinking, wow.  Paul was just a sinner saved by grace like me...but I don't think I'd want to point out to those closest to me these things in MY life because I know they'd think of the times I've failed and criticized others and complained about others or circumstances...and yet Paul wasn't bragging, he was confident - confident that even though he wasn't perfect or sinless, that his overall testimony was such that he could remind Timothy that he could look to Paul's life as an example!  So, that got me thinking...if I can't do the same thing, than why not?  Paul wasn't super-human.  What changes need to be made in MY life so that I could give the same testimony??

 

Uh.  I could have spent all morning in that chair, alone with the Lord.  It was very convicting!!  :)  

 *****************************************************************************

If you don't get anything out of your bible reading, I would suggest the following:

• Open your bible, but not randomly.  If you don't know where to start, start in Proverbs.  If today is the 25th of the month, read Proverbs 25.
• Before you read, ask the Lord to show you exactly what YOU need to see in His Word today.  "Lord, help me to read your word; help me to see your truth - the truth you have for ME this today."
• Don't get overwhelmed.  If an entire chapter seems like a lot, then just read the first 3-4 verses - just don't stop in the middle of a thought.
• Pray about what you just read.  Ask yourself what is God trying to tell you - is he making a promise?  bringing to mind some sin in your life?  asking you to obey a command that he is giving?
• Ask God to help you see the opportunities to use what he's taught you as you go through your day.

What Will You Change in 2013?

Its only the Saturday before Christmas - the New Year is still over a week away - but already I am thinking about the next year and what the Lord will bring/allow into my life.  As I was thinking on Him earlier today, it occurred to me that many of us will make "resolutions" - things like losing weight, stopping smoking, starting an exercise routine...perhaps, some of us will even make some "spiritual" resolutions...I'll be a better (more bold) witness, I'll go out on visitation, read thru the Bible in a year, have my devotions every day...

Do any of those sound familiar?  Have I triggered some ideas? As a born again, saved by grace believer, what are your goals for the new year?  I think one of the most common desires for many Christians is be faithful in their daily devotions, or "quiet time."  And yet, this is consistently one of the most difficult aspects of the Christian life to maintain!

Daily time with our Lord and Savior is, indeed, a worthy goal; in fact, doing so will bring us success!  Joshua 1:8 says, "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."  Not success as the world defines it, but success in the Christian life - which means to become more and more like Christ.

Worthiness aside, the daily nuts & bolts of accomplishing that goal are still a struggle for many of us.  When I came across the information below, I thought it would be worth sharing with you - but I want to be careful to point out that this is not original with me, and is taken from the book, Homework Manual for Biblical Living, by Wayne Mack.  If you're struggling with your quiet time - whether you need to start, need to ramp it up, or just need some variety, this may be of help to you.  Merry Christmas!  :)

DEVOTIONS[i]

How to Have a Quiet Time

What is a “Quiet Time”?

            A “Quiet Time” is a time of direct contact between your mind and God’s, using the Bible and prayer.  It is a time of dedication, cleansing, instruction, strengthening, and delight.

            Bible study and prayer are not simply for our sake.  God deeply desires our fellowship and worship – it gives Him joy and pleasure!  If you’re not moved by this fact, you have not understood it.

            Communication with God must be daily (Joshua 1:8-9).  To know God (not just to know about God) is the goal.  How we pray, delight, and think on God is the only true measure of whether our relationship with Him is alive (John 15:4).  God bought (in blood) personal access to His presence with us.  Even Abraham and Moses did not have this.  (2 Corinthians 3:12-18; Matthew 27:51).  Moses was denied (Ex.33:18, 20; 2 Cor. 4:6) that which we may have each morning (John 4:21-23).

            The maintaining of a daily quiet time is perhaps the most consistently difficult duty of the Christian life.  Its difficulty is a humbling reminder of our lack of commitment to Him.  It is an unalterable principle, however, that a quiet time is necessary for Christian growth and obedience.

What are the Goals of a Quite Time?
1.  First, worship - to get to know Him, to be humbled by His holiness, comforted by His love, strengthened by his presence.

2.  Second, change - to root out sins and establish biblical attitudes and actions in your life.

How do I have a Quiet Time?
1. First, meet God.  Still your heart, ask for His presence, concentrate.  You may wish to praise Him a bit with a psalm to "warm up" your heart.  Take a psalm and look for things to praise Him for.

2. Secondly, listen to God by reading a passage from His Word.  Don't chose more than a chapter!  Read it carefully, reverently, intelligently; read it more than once.  Pick out what you think is the central thought of the passage.  Record that thought and/or some truth that has struck you, in your own words.  Then determine what God's message is for you.  Is there:

• a promise to claim?
• a sin to confess?
• a command to obey?
• an example to follow?
• an error to avoid?
• a new thought about God?

Once this is determined, record it, and think of some way to practice or act upon the message if possible.

3. Thirdly, talk to God through prayer. The elements of prayer are:

• Praise & thanksgiving.  Be specific.  Search your life and mind for things to thank Him for and then praise Him for.  ("Thank you for letting me lose that contest!  I see how wise you are - it would have been bad for me!  Thank you for forgiving me after the way I acted yesterday; how merciful you are!")
• Confession.  Search your life for sins committed since yesterday.  Search for good deeds you avoided doing as well.  Ask for cleansing, and then thank Him for his full forgiveness through Christ's blood.
• Requests for self & others.  Be specific. Unload your burdens and pour out your feelings.  Also make a list of things to pray about for family and friends.  Use the list daily to pray.

How can I get started?

Make a contract right now to begin a daily quiet time.  Be consistent in time and place.  Start with about 20 minutes.  It should be unhurried.  The place for it should be quiet.  Morning is ideal.

Use a notebook and/or a “Quiet Time Sheet”.  Expect dry periods!  That’s no excuse for stopping.  Change your format, or the book of the bible you are reading, every so often to avoid stagnation.

Share what you are learning in your quiet time with other Christians.

---

[i] Developed by Pastor Timothy Keller

From the book, Homework Manual for Biblical Living, pp.63-65

By Wayne Mack

Note from Tammy:  Just a point - under "Confession" above, it says to "search your life for sins committed since yesterday" because the author is assuming you had quiet time yesterday!  If it's been longer than that - or if there is some sin that you have never confessed and forsaken - by all means, bring it to the Lord!

Also, if you would like a sample of the the "Quiet Time Sheet", send me a Facebook message!  :)

                                                                               

Quiet Time Sheet

(See “How to Have a Quiet Time”)

Date________________________

1.      Meet God.

2.      Listen to God.  Passage read _____________________________________________

a.       Best things I noticed today:

Reference:________________________

The thought in my own words:

b.      How it applies to me:

Reference:________________________

The truth to apply:

My plan:

3.      Talk to God.

Praise & Thanksgiving                                   Confession                          Requests for self & others

__________________________        _________________________    ________________________

__________________________        _________________________    ________________________

__________________________        _________________________    ________________________

__________________________        _________________________    ________________________

__________________________        _________________________    ________________________

__________________________        _________________________    ________________________

__________________________        _________________________    ________________________

__________________________        _________________________    ________________________

__________________________        _________________________    ________________________

__________________________        _________________________    ________________________

Who Are You?

In so many areas of our lives we walk a fine line between desiring to "fit in" and yet to "stand out". Between "being noticed" and yet not being "weird". Between being "uniquely individual" and being alone.

If I am a Vikings fan, I wear purple. A Memphis fan wears blue. I do not wear green & yellow or crimson red - I wear colors that identify me with my team.

As a Christian - which means "little Christ" or "Christ-like", I want to be identified with Christ. And while there may not be a particular color that would indentify me as such, certainly the way I dress does - ie, if my clothing highlights body parts instead of me as a person, others are going to be distracted by the body parts - they certainly will not see Jesus living in me! And not only the outward appearance, but also what I say, how I act, where I go...all these things identify me.

A Vikings fan does not brag about Green Bay's defense. A Christian should not be using foul language. A Vikings fan does not hang out at the Green Bay practice field, seeking autographs from the players; a Christian does not hang out with unbelievers, seeking their approval & desiring to be like them. A Vikings fan cheers for their own team; a Christian is excited to talk about Jesus.

In a world where we exalt the individual, where we strive to be unique, Christians have chosen to blend with the crowd. I challenge you today to let others know who you really are and to let them see Jesus in you. I WANT to be know as a Christian; I WANT others to know what Jesus did for me.

Eternity is a certainty for all of us. You just have to decide which side you will be identified with.

What Will You Do With What You Have?

Have you ever heard someone say that they were going to "wait until they could afford it" to have a baby?  Those of us who have children know that that day never comes!  :) 


But often times we do the same thing with the Lord.  "Lord, I'll serve you when my children get a little older..."  "I'll serve you when I pay off this one last school loan..."  "when I finish college..."  "when we get a bigger house and can have more people over..."  "when I feel more comfortable with (insert obstacle here)..."


God doesn't want us to wait.  He has given us EVERYTHING we need to accomplish the things HE wants us to do...notice I didn't say the things WE want to do (necessarily), but what HE wants us to do.


Don't wait for the "perfect" timing, situation, setting, circumstance - do what God wants you to do - TODAY!

For my children...

I cease not "to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; giving thanks unto the Father, which hat made us meet (qualified us) to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; who hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son; (delivered us from the authority of Satan to that of Christ) in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins." Colossians 1:9-14

I love you guys and pray for you daily.  God is at work!  Listen...

Love,
Mom