Go Where I Send You

Go Where I Send You

"And then he told them, 'Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone." Mark 16:15

On June 8th, 2017, I got on a plane and flew ten hours to the beautiful country of Ireland.  I had no idea what the Lord had in store for me over the next three months, but I knew that I was where I was supposed to be.

The circumstances leading up to that day were saturated with the Lord’s guidance and providence.  There was nothing I had to do to try to make everything happen--nothing was ever forced--nothing ever imposed.  The Lord just aligned everything perfectly for me to be able to spend the Summer in Ireland.  By the time I was asked if I would like to go and serve there, everything was already in place.  God had opened all the doors, and I didn’t have to do a single thing but ask him.

Most of the time when someone is called to do ministry--whether that be in their home, their church, or on a mission trip--there is opposition.  For me, rather than facing circumstantial obstacles, mine was a battle of the mind. As soon as the Lord started opening doors, thoughts of doubt and discouragement made it feel like they were closing again.

I’ve come to realize that’s what the enemy does.  When God plants a desire in our hearts to serve him, the enemy will try to stomp it out by telling us we don’t know enough, or someone else would be better fit, or we don’t deserve it, or it’ll be too hard.  These thoughts can leave us feeling weak and disheartened.  But, as for most things, God gave us his word for that.

“And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

When I went to Ireland on a two-week mission trip in 2016, this was the theme verse.  It was certainly prevalent on that mission trip, and equally so during the three months I spent in Ireland last year.  The Lord reminded me that his strength is enough.  He taught me that nothing can stop him from accomplishing his purpose--not the fact that I was only 17 years old, not the fact that I needed substantial finances, not the fact that Ireland was all the way in Europe, and not the fact that I’d have to leave my friends and family for three months. I never imagined having such an opportunity. I was shocked...and then so, so thankful.

With all that said, I really hope you are encouraged to start praying about where the Lord may send you, or what opportunities he may have in store.  It could be right in your hometown, or it could be on the other side of the world. Nothing is out of reach, not with the power of Christ living in us.  Don’t let your age, financial situation, knowledge, or any other doubt keep you from serving Jesus.  He has made you qualified because he promises to provide whatever you need when he calls you to something.  

I especially want to encourage my peers. I’ve had so many friends and acquaintances tell me they weren’t sure if they should do something (go on a mission trip, go witnessing, etc.) because they didn’t feel like they knew enough to try to share with other people.  I’ve felt that way, too.  But God always, always provides.  You’re not too young, too unknowledgeable, too inexperienced.  

"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." 1 Timothy 4:12

It’s important to remember that he is the one who does the work. He will never fail you.  Remember, what may seem like a failure in your mind could very well be a victory in disguise. God can use you in ways you would never have imagined--or even thought--possible.  That gives us a reason to really get excited. God has so many great things in store for your life.  

My final encouragement would be to pray. Pray about how you can further God’s kingdom. If the Lord provides an opportunity, pray about going on a mission trip.  Mission trips are such a special experience.  I have learned so much and grown so much from the mission trips I’ve been on.

Maybe God has opened the door to serve in a new ministry, or help with an outreach. Pray about that.  It’s crazy to see how many doors begin to open, once we get on our knees and pray., God loves you, and has amazing things for you. There is nothing more fulfilling than living a life dedicated to glorifying him.

“Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,” Ephesians 3:20.

by Kaylee Kissack

First Things First

First Things First

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:2

Grace. What a beautiful word, full of depth and meaning. There’s something about the way it flows from my heart and bubbles over with sweet joy from my lips. As I read Paul’s letter to the Philippians I have to believe he felt the same way. And just as some parents have chosen to name their newborn baby daughters after this lovely expression of gratitude and undeserved favor, I’d have to say the apostle is most well deserving to own it too.

In his salutation to the church at Philippi, Paul greets his readers with this most amazing blessing:

“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:2

Notice what’s first—grace. This word in the Greek is “charis”. It signifies favor, gift, benefit, even credit.

Paul knew it was the most important thing needed for the people he loved. Why? Because everything true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy flows from grace.

There have been times in my life where troubling circumstances have provoked fear and anxiety deep within me. Like a noose around my heart, worry threatened my sanity. I know I’m not alone in this. And I am ever grateful Paul was keenly aware of this battle for our minds. Not only was he inspired by the Spirit of Christ, who is all grace, but also by his own personal experience. Paul knew grace. He reveled in the glorious reality of grace more than he retreated into the raw reality of his problems.

On a good day, I’ve done this too. But not all days are good. And if God’s grace is abundant and abounding, why have I wrestled over what makes some hard days easy to endure and others painfully difficult?

I believe Paul has the answer.

There’s a word in the fourth chapter of Philippians that jumped out at me as I meditated on this most priceless word, “grace”— its “thanksgiving”.

Paul writes this:

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7)

The word “thanksgiving” is the word “eucharista”. In the Greek it is “eucharistos”, eu, meaning “good” and the rest being a derivative of the word “charis”. Eucharistos—grateful for good grace.

Could it be that in those moments when I’ve struggled just to keep my head above the fierce waves of despair, I’ve forgotten to practice eucharista?

Paul exhorts us to put into practice whatever we’ve learned or received or heard from him. And we must. The peace of God is waiting to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus if we only receive His good grace with great gratitude.

by Dana Lange

Bring Glory and Praise to God

Bring Glory and Praise to God

"May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation--the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ--for this will bring much glory and praise to God." Philippians 1:11

Do you ever wonder about your purpose in life? Why you were born? Why you are in the circumstances you are experiencing? Paul has put our lifetime of questions and our life time of experience in this neat summary. It is, first, his prayer for the believers in Philippi, but it echoes the heart of God for all of us.

That we would be filled with the fruit of our salvation--transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ. Studying the Word of God, and our willingness to obey, produces the change that glorifies him.

"Therefore, I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:1-2

It's God's desire that our minds are changed--delivered from thinking like the world to thinking as Jesus thought. He said 

"I do always those things that please him (the father)." John 8:29

Is it our goal to daily please the Father? Is it our goal to bring praise and glory to his Name? Then let us allow the Word to dwell richly in us. God's word transforms...renews...sanctifies and cleanses our minds and--Praise God--changes our hearts.

This morning the Thursday Women's Bible study begins a three month in-depth journey through the book of Philippians, a book often called the epistle of joy. Paul, though in prison, rejoiced in the faith of the Philippian believers. They had joy in spite of their circumstances. 

Joy in the midst of need. Joy in the midst of persecution. Joy in every situation. Because of Jesus.

May the transforming power of the blood and words of Jesus be so evident in each one of us that we joyfully bring glory and praise to his Name.

by Marilyn Allison

Joshua Revisited

Joshua Revisited

"This is my command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

Definition of Courage: the quality of mind or spirit enabling us to meet danger, opposition or the challenges of life--whatever they are--with fearlessness, calmness and firmness. It comes from facing and overcoming fear.

Enter in Joshua and Caleb to spy out the land of Canaan.

Studying the book of Joshua last Spring was--and continues to be--such a deep, inner-personal, and amazing process for me.

Reflecting on our journey to enter into the land where promises are made and fulfilled, we first learned that in entering the presence of the Lord, we must be still.
Circumcision of the heart begins.
Passover takes place.
A covenant which is made cannot be broken.
The lost were found and Gentiles entered in. 
Spiritual leaders led worship in order--in tune with the beat of the Lord--announcing his coming.
Battles belonging to the Lord were won by Faith.
We witnessed the truth that you cannot hide from the Lord.
Walls came tumbling down.
We learned disobedience has consequences, but obedience brings blessings.

We saw Joshua, as leader of the Israelites, ask God to cause the moon and the sun to stand still so he and his army might continue fighting by daylight. God further assisted Joshua by calling up a powerful storm to bombard the Canaanites with rain and hailstones.

And, in Joshua 13:6, it is recorded God told Joshua to... 

"be sure to give this land to Israel as a special possession, just as I have commanded you."

Thus, the land was allotted. The Israelites were planted. Cities of refuge were in place. A great nation was established.

We ended up with "the first shall be last and the last shall be first." Joshua and Caleb were first to go in and spy out the land, and the last to receive their allotment.

Finally, we met back at the place of fellowship--lovely Shechem--where our friends gathered amongst family, even faithfully remembering a brother's request. Joseph's bones were brought with them from Egypt--carried throughout the wilderness wanderings--to be buried in the land of promise. Fulfilled and not forgotten. All of Israel, including Joseph, called to reside in the promises of God.

Yes, the Call is the same call to you...to me...to us. The call is the call to the first commandment...and the tenth commandment.

He is the beginning and the end. The Alpha and Omega.

What he starts he finishes. He is the Author and the Perfecter of our souls.

The first commandment: You shall have no other gods before me (Exodus 20:3)
And the tenth commandment: You shall not covet. (Exodus 20:17)

The first and the tenth commandment remind me of bookends. Like Joshua and Caleb, they just go together.

You see, Joshua said:

"Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth; and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the flood, and in Egypt; and serve ye the LORD. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:14-15

Love Jehovah God and do not covet their gods...

You see, Sisters, if we truly love God with every ounce of strength and courage we have, we will want for nothing. Everything We Need Or Could Ever Want Is Fulfilled In Our God. We will have Peace And Contentment. We have no need to covet. We have the richest of richest inheritance in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior! Our eyes will be looking up--not wandering.

We will want to obey and worship Him.
We will want to serve and go to work for Him.
We will want to get out of our comfort zones and go share the Good News of Salvation.
We will want to stake our claims to His Truths, His Promises and His Faithfulness.
And every one of his promises is Yes and Amen.

As Jesus revealed himself to the church of Laodicea in Revelation 3:14: He is our Amen! He is our Truthful, Faithful God Who Is Praise Worthy. We will want to answer his call. 

So, the journey continues. We began in Canaan. Next on our journey, we are getting ready to receive Jesus The Christ. And the final leg of our promise fulfillment, we will be making our way to the Cross at Calvary.

Today, hundreds upon hundreds of years later, the very same question is being asked of us--right now and right here--Whom will you serve this day?

As for me and my house we will serve the Lord.

"Jesus said unto him, 'Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Mathew 22:37-40

For God so Loved the world he gave his only son Jesus and He is coming back for us.

Are you doing everything God is commanding you to do?
Are you occupying until his return...furthering his kingdom?
Are you ready?
Do you have oil in your lamp?

Look up, Sisters. Our redemption is drawing near.

And...always remember what our lord, our faithful promise keeper, has commanded to us and promised:

"This is my command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

As Joshua followed Moses he learned to be a great leader. He knew the extreme importance of seeking the Lord first and then obeying his commands.

Amen And Amen!

by Peggy Carson

Meek Vs. Weak

Meek Vs. Weak

"Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5

People sometimes confuse this verse thinking it says: "Blessed are the weak." There is a difference.

Weak - lacking physical strength and energy.  (synonyms) frail, feeble, delicate, fragile.
Meek - quiet, gentle, submissive. (synonyms) humble, yielding, unassuming.

My daughter Brianna is meek, she is gentle, humble and unassuming. She is by no means weak--she has a strong will and mind. However she is submissive to my husband and me, not because we demand it of her, but because she knows and trusts us.

Jesus Christ is our Savior. We love and follow him, but not because he demands it of us. We freely and willingly choose to submit to Jesus Christ because we trust him. The world looks at the powerful, the bold or the flashy--the ‘do it my way’ people who burn out or get depressed striving for things, power, and glory that doesn’t last. But, we look to Jesus.

"Blessed are the meek" - Their strength is in the Lord.
"Blessed are the meek" - Yielding their will to God so they will not break.
"Blessed are the meek" - Power goes before them so their witness is true and peaceable
"Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the Kingdom of heaven." - They are unafraid of the future, because it is secure.

“Come to me all who are weary and heavy-laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28 - 30

Jesus Christ is humble, gentle...meek. As you get to know him better through his Word and prayer you will be changed. No longer will the words meek and submissive have a negative connotation. Instead you will realize the immense power that is yours through Christ.

“For I will refresh the weary soul and replenish all who are weak.”Jeremiah 31:25

by Eve Montano