"My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose wak is blameles, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair--every good path." Proverbs 2:1-9
In our pursuit to know God better we can see four directives in these verses that we should use to evaluate out lives. First, we must take in God's Word daily (verse 1). It is imperative to study and absorb God's word if we truly seek to know Him better.
Secondly, in verse 2, we see the need to give God our heqarts, accepting the correction,, teaching or direction Scripture gives us. Prayer is the third directive in verse 3--not quickly worded or repetitive prayer, but sincere conversation with God.
Conversation is a talking and listening activity. This may be the most difficult one of the directives to intensely pursue, but it will be the most rewarding and valuable aspect of our relationship with God. Passionate seeking is the fourth (verse 4).
What are you passionately desiring today? It could be a relationship with someone, a new house, or a dream vacation. Our first desire however, should be to know God, and to follow these directives until we have an intimate relationship with Him. There are provmises for us from these four guidelines: wisdom, knowledge, understanding, protection, righteousness, justice and euity. I encourage you to diligently seek Him as the Wise Men did!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Monday, November 3, 2008
Preparing for the Holiday Season
As leaders, we give the example of handling life and ministry in the pattern of Jesus. The holiday season puts a lot of pressure on women as they see to the myriad of details in preparation and family activities. Take the opportunity in early November to give the women in your ministry the ability to move through the holidays with the Peace of the Lord.
The main focus for us does not change because the seasons change--we must meet the Lord daily in His Word and in prayer to continue the process of receiving our daily bread. There is a visual that I love to use. When you place rice (representing the details of the season) and put walnuts (prayer, bible study, family relationships, friend relationships) on top they just don't all fit in the jar. However, when the walnuts go in first and the rice is poured over them, it all fits nicely in the jar.
That is a picture of our daily lives and the details will flow around us. It is also important to know that we do not have to be the Martha Stewart of Thanksgiving and Christmas, we just need to love our families and share the memories of holiday food and fun together. When I think back on my childhood, it isn't that my mother's mashed potatoes weren't lumpy or that the table centerpieces were elaborate or that we had an artistic wreath on our door; it was how sweet it was to be with my family and the time we spent playing games, baking together and having friends in our home.
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own". Matthew 5:33-34
The main focus for us does not change because the seasons change--we must meet the Lord daily in His Word and in prayer to continue the process of receiving our daily bread. There is a visual that I love to use. When you place rice (representing the details of the season) and put walnuts (prayer, bible study, family relationships, friend relationships) on top they just don't all fit in the jar. However, when the walnuts go in first and the rice is poured over them, it all fits nicely in the jar.
That is a picture of our daily lives and the details will flow around us. It is also important to know that we do not have to be the Martha Stewart of Thanksgiving and Christmas, we just need to love our families and share the memories of holiday food and fun together. When I think back on my childhood, it isn't that my mother's mashed potatoes weren't lumpy or that the table centerpieces were elaborate or that we had an artistic wreath on our door; it was how sweet it was to be with my family and the time we spent playing games, baking together and having friends in our home.
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own". Matthew 5:33-34
Monday, September 22, 2008
Leaders Pray
Nehemiah is a wonderful character study for leaders of ministy. The story begins with him being born in exile and working his way up to the cupbearer for King Artaxerxes. One day his brother visits him to tell him the walls of Jersalem are broken down and the people are discouraged. Nehemiah begins to feel a burden from the Lord about what he is to do.....he is being called to return to Jerusalem. His first response is to pray about the situation. He uses the ACTS method of prayer and also prayers Scripture in the prayer in Chapter 1:5-11. Then he goes to the meeting with King Artaxerxes and was afraid (v. 2) so he sent up an "arrow prayer" (v. 4). God honors his prayer as the King not only grants him permission to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the wall, but he appoints him the governor. The people rally under the motivational power of Nehemiah and they begin to build the wall. Opposition comes in the form of taunters and the enemies of the surrounding territories. Nehemiah agin prays (Chapter 5:4-5). He also helps the people understand the power of Spiritual Warfare. It takes only 52 days to complete the building of the wall around the city of Jerusalem.
This example of a leader who prays consistently, experiences all the same emotions and fears that others do, but continues to be obedient to God and communicate with Him all the time. Is this not how we as women leaders should model prayer?
This example of a leader who prays consistently, experiences all the same emotions and fears that others do, but continues to be obedient to God and communicate with Him all the time. Is this not how we as women leaders should model prayer?
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Discipleship
Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus came and told His disciples, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (LAB)
This is a clear directive to us that we are to bring people to the Lord and grow them up as disciples. So many churches miss the mark here and as women in leadership, we want to make sure that the women we lead and serve learn the pathway to discipleship.
Looking at Jesus' example is always the best way to try to understand His instructions to us. He found his 12 men and began to spend time with them, teaching and modeling the life of a disciple. He was really with them more than we can possibly be as leaders with our own families and busy lives, but we want to follow the example the best we can without guilt.
So in a day with Jesus we see that he woke up and went right to talk to God to get the instructions for the day and then came out to meet with the "team". Immediately, in most cases, there were crowds of people looking to touch, hear, be healed, be prayed for, be encouraged, or just to look at this wonderful man. He did not lose patience, He was there for those that needed him and he served them.
When the time ws right for a rest or a teaching time, Jesus withdrew (usually quietly). My, how I would love to have this trait. He would again seek God and He would also teach the "team" about what they could have learned about the experiences of the day together. He taught them in parables, stories that they would understand and relate to with examples from everyday life. There was no concern with philosophy or latest techniques. Jesus desired that the "team" would be like Him.
Now, how do we accomplish that with our teams? Our prayer life is the major tool for this and all aspects of our lives and ministry. Do you follow Jesus' example each day and are you open for His agenda or do you tell Him what your agenda is and ask Him to work that out well for you?
Secondly, do you pray with your team? It is easy to tell someone what the steps are, but the practice of doing this together is more impactful. Do you pray for your team, knowing what their needs are or what concerns them? All of us learn by example more than by any other method.
Thirdly, do you speak with your team frequently and invite them to joinyou in business or ministry related activities? Debriefing and conversations after meetings or events...listening at all times for unspoken messages as well....is very important. This is how you know if the process is working positively.
When Jesus says to "make disciples" we are to respond and obey in order that those disciples will live the abundant life and be able to discern God's will for their lives also.
This is a clear directive to us that we are to bring people to the Lord and grow them up as disciples. So many churches miss the mark here and as women in leadership, we want to make sure that the women we lead and serve learn the pathway to discipleship.
Looking at Jesus' example is always the best way to try to understand His instructions to us. He found his 12 men and began to spend time with them, teaching and modeling the life of a disciple. He was really with them more than we can possibly be as leaders with our own families and busy lives, but we want to follow the example the best we can without guilt.
So in a day with Jesus we see that he woke up and went right to talk to God to get the instructions for the day and then came out to meet with the "team". Immediately, in most cases, there were crowds of people looking to touch, hear, be healed, be prayed for, be encouraged, or just to look at this wonderful man. He did not lose patience, He was there for those that needed him and he served them.
When the time ws right for a rest or a teaching time, Jesus withdrew (usually quietly). My, how I would love to have this trait. He would again seek God and He would also teach the "team" about what they could have learned about the experiences of the day together. He taught them in parables, stories that they would understand and relate to with examples from everyday life. There was no concern with philosophy or latest techniques. Jesus desired that the "team" would be like Him.
Now, how do we accomplish that with our teams? Our prayer life is the major tool for this and all aspects of our lives and ministry. Do you follow Jesus' example each day and are you open for His agenda or do you tell Him what your agenda is and ask Him to work that out well for you?
Secondly, do you pray with your team? It is easy to tell someone what the steps are, but the practice of doing this together is more impactful. Do you pray for your team, knowing what their needs are or what concerns them? All of us learn by example more than by any other method.
Thirdly, do you speak with your team frequently and invite them to joinyou in business or ministry related activities? Debriefing and conversations after meetings or events...listening at all times for unspoken messages as well....is very important. This is how you know if the process is working positively.
When Jesus says to "make disciples" we are to respond and obey in order that those disciples will live the abundant life and be able to discern God's will for their lives also.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Communicating
"This prophetic power, never trusted to the undeserving, was given to her because she loved God with all her heart." Edith Deen
Who was this woman who heard the voice of God? It was Huldah, a Hebrew prophetess who lived during the time of Josiah, the King. Women who hear God's voice are women who love God with their whole heart. We can evaluate that in our live by asking the following questions:
*Do I take every plan or though to God first before making a decision?
*Do I know His word so well, I can know what is going to please Him?
*Are we so intimate in our prayer life that He truly is our most loved friend?
Huldah's story can be found in II Kings 22 and II Chronicles 34. King Josiah sent his people to her to inquire about the validity of the Book of Law found in the Temple during repairs. He had to have had faith in her ability to communicate with God in order to seek a woman's answer on this issue.
Her Spiritual authenticity must have been obvious to the king and to the people of the city and it is also apparent to us in these passages because she said, "thus saith the Lord" four times during her prophecy.
This woman was not one of the women we hear a lot about, but she had in her life the thing that mattered most and that was an intimacy with God and she heard Him communicate with her.
Who was this woman who heard the voice of God? It was Huldah, a Hebrew prophetess who lived during the time of Josiah, the King. Women who hear God's voice are women who love God with their whole heart. We can evaluate that in our live by asking the following questions:
*Do I take every plan or though to God first before making a decision?
*Do I know His word so well, I can know what is going to please Him?
*Are we so intimate in our prayer life that He truly is our most loved friend?
Huldah's story can be found in II Kings 22 and II Chronicles 34. King Josiah sent his people to her to inquire about the validity of the Book of Law found in the Temple during repairs. He had to have had faith in her ability to communicate with God in order to seek a woman's answer on this issue.
Her Spiritual authenticity must have been obvious to the king and to the people of the city and it is also apparent to us in these passages because she said, "thus saith the Lord" four times during her prophecy.
This woman was not one of the women we hear a lot about, but she had in her life the thing that mattered most and that was an intimacy with God and she heard Him communicate with her.
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Change
Change…is a constant!
The one thing that I have learned over the years is that change is always part of my life. No matter what we try to do to create a “status quo”, it won’t last. Change can cause us to experience emotions like anger, fear, frustration and depression. WOW! I don’t like things to change, so I can identify with some of these emotions. Perhaps God put this element of constant change in our lives to allow us to see Him more clearly as the one who never changes. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” Hebrews 13:8 tells us. The time of change is a time to refocus on the face of Jesus!
I look around each day and see changes in Women’s Ministry and wonder what the future will be? I asked my friend what the “future of Women’s Ministries was?—after she finished giggling she felt like it wouldn’t be changing much in 1000 years. What I see is that women don’t really change much; they have the same sort of need for relationships with other women and for an intimate and growing relationship with Jesus. What changes the most is the method we use and the attitude we have toward the changes themselves. The basic truth we can stand firm on is that Jesus loves us unconditionally as His daughters, He will never change. Our calling is to share that hope with other women in the way that they understand and in environments that are safe for them. It is our responsibility to find the best way to minister to the women with which we are involved.
The one thing that I have learned over the years is that change is always part of my life. No matter what we try to do to create a “status quo”, it won’t last. Change can cause us to experience emotions like anger, fear, frustration and depression. WOW! I don’t like things to change, so I can identify with some of these emotions. Perhaps God put this element of constant change in our lives to allow us to see Him more clearly as the one who never changes. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” Hebrews 13:8 tells us. The time of change is a time to refocus on the face of Jesus!
I look around each day and see changes in Women’s Ministry and wonder what the future will be? I asked my friend what the “future of Women’s Ministries was?—after she finished giggling she felt like it wouldn’t be changing much in 1000 years. What I see is that women don’t really change much; they have the same sort of need for relationships with other women and for an intimate and growing relationship with Jesus. What changes the most is the method we use and the attitude we have toward the changes themselves. The basic truth we can stand firm on is that Jesus loves us unconditionally as His daughters, He will never change. Our calling is to share that hope with other women in the way that they understand and in environments that are safe for them. It is our responsibility to find the best way to minister to the women with which we are involved.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Mentoring Girls
One of the areas that is sadly overlooked in many of our churches is the intentional mentoring of middle and senior high school girls. The Youth and Student Ministries departments do not all find this to be an area where they can spend the time and energy and yet it is a vital aspect of a young girl's life. Women's Ministries can help fill the gap in this area. There are numerous resources and of course many women who are willing to work out an arrangement with the Youth/Student Ministry departments to develop a Girl's Ministry.
It is important and valuable to network within departments of a church and I would suggest that as a leader in ministry, this is a good area to begin the networking process. Approaching the youth leaders with the idea and just getting their thoughts is step number one.
Other ideas include:
*finding resources on line for girl's ministries
*talking with women who might be interested in organizing or mentoring
*research mentoring resources
*begin a program of mentor training
Some fantastic programs have been set up for girl's and if you know of one, please send a note about it. You can get information from Mallory at mrohach@southlandchristian.org on starting a ministry for girl's, setting up a mentoring ministry, finding resources, training sessions, and materials for Bible study.
Take this to your prayer team and see if God is leading you to work in this area with the girls of your church. We are called to mentor the younger women, should this not also be a call to mentor the girls who will be tomorrow's women.
Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderes or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, tobe kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Titus 2:3-5
It is important and valuable to network within departments of a church and I would suggest that as a leader in ministry, this is a good area to begin the networking process. Approaching the youth leaders with the idea and just getting their thoughts is step number one.
Other ideas include:
*finding resources on line for girl's ministries
*talking with women who might be interested in organizing or mentoring
*research mentoring resources
*begin a program of mentor training
Some fantastic programs have been set up for girl's and if you know of one, please send a note about it. You can get information from Mallory at mrohach@southlandchristian.org on starting a ministry for girl's, setting up a mentoring ministry, finding resources, training sessions, and materials for Bible study.
Take this to your prayer team and see if God is leading you to work in this area with the girls of your church. We are called to mentor the younger women, should this not also be a call to mentor the girls who will be tomorrow's women.
Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderes or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, tobe kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. Titus 2:3-5
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Apathy
Apathy is a state of indifference — where an individual has an absence of interest or concern to certain aspects of emotional, social, or physical life.
Apathy is dangerous and detrimental to the individual and sometimes to the people around them. I look at the religions of our world that are building buildings and moving their beliefs into the lives of everyone they contact. There are strategies and plans to reach people and draw them into the same belief systems, even those that aren't necessarily healthy. Some of the strategy is loving and creating a welcoming environment like a big family; some use intimidation and force; some use false teaching or subltely incorrect teaching.
The reason we need to think about apathy as leaders of women is that our purpose should be to grow them spiritually. We need to have a purpose and a strategy to evangelize, teach, disciple and empower women to be strong in the Lord and able to follow His leading in their lives.
It is a great responsibility and we need to plan and strategize for the future, not just this spring we will have a fun event and maybe in the fall we will do a Bible study. What is the plan? We cannot be apathetic in this area of our leadership. As the world changes and more generations are being brought up without a biblical worldview, family values, or even knowledge of the Word of God, we must be more intentional than ever with ministy. Those of you in parachurch ministries have a purpose statement and if you are in a ministry in the church, you should have a purpose statement. However, this statement should not be on paper only, it is up to us as leaders to live it out and produce results of changed lives and grow disciples for the future.
Be energized, check yourself on the apathy scale and ask God to move you into the His army!
Apathy is dangerous and detrimental to the individual and sometimes to the people around them. I look at the religions of our world that are building buildings and moving their beliefs into the lives of everyone they contact. There are strategies and plans to reach people and draw them into the same belief systems, even those that aren't necessarily healthy. Some of the strategy is loving and creating a welcoming environment like a big family; some use intimidation and force; some use false teaching or subltely incorrect teaching.
The reason we need to think about apathy as leaders of women is that our purpose should be to grow them spiritually. We need to have a purpose and a strategy to evangelize, teach, disciple and empower women to be strong in the Lord and able to follow His leading in their lives.
It is a great responsibility and we need to plan and strategize for the future, not just this spring we will have a fun event and maybe in the fall we will do a Bible study. What is the plan? We cannot be apathetic in this area of our leadership. As the world changes and more generations are being brought up without a biblical worldview, family values, or even knowledge of the Word of God, we must be more intentional than ever with ministy. Those of you in parachurch ministries have a purpose statement and if you are in a ministry in the church, you should have a purpose statement. However, this statement should not be on paper only, it is up to us as leaders to live it out and produce results of changed lives and grow disciples for the future.
Be energized, check yourself on the apathy scale and ask God to move you into the His army!
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Follow The Leader
It is often said that the people can only go as far as their leader has gone. That presents quite a challenge for women in ministry. Our responsibility is to lead women into spiritual growth and new adventures of faith and that is all limited by our personal spiritual position. Taking time to be alone with the Lord and develop our own relationship is vital to our leadership ability. As the year begins, it is a good time to evaluate where you were with the Lord this time a year ago and what you have learned about Him. This is a daily process of Bible reading, meditation and prayer. We should constantly be seeking His will for our lives and our ministry and calling on Him for wisdom. Leadership calls for a higher standard of living and that can only be accomplished through an understanding of Christ-likeness on our part. One of my favority tools is the Leadership Bible which has a study plan for leaders through the Scriptures. Also, journaling our prayers and the answers God gives us is helpful. Let's refuel so that we can be godly leaders.
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