Reward of Inheritance

"Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve" (Colossians 3:24, NASB).

I love morning runs, because there are less distractions. There's a great morning air, and things can be quiet if you get to go before traffic picks up. After about ten minutes in, I feel like I can get into a "zone" so to speak. It is just easier to get into the finish when I reach this, as it becomes easier for me to focus and keep going. As believers, where is our focus? Where are our eyes? We have this relationship with God that lasts forever. All because of grace. Now, I think that's a finish line to fix our eyes on.

Inheritance. This inheritance is our reward. What is it? The word itself is commonly known today as something that is passed on to someone else in your family - like a treasured vase or a piece of furniture. In this case, we are reminded that as believers, God has accepted us into His family. As we have put our faith and trust in Christ and what He has done, we know we are forgiven and called God's children, His sons and daughters.

He is glad to welcome family in. We are able to be near God and have this restored relationship with our Creator, forever - longer than accomplishments, physical health or any possessions we may have at the moment. Our King welcomes those who trust in Him as their heavenly Father.

Whom do we serve? As people who put our trust in God, the Lord is the One we aim to serve. Earlier in Chapter 3, we can read how we are to "set our mind on things above" (Colossians 3:1-4). God is is love and cares for the world (John 3:16-17). He stands for truth and yet has this amazing mercy. He is the One who saves, revives, and guides us.

So, we live for the One who rules over all the tribes, tongues and nations; the One who is just and sent Jesus to pay the price we owed for our wrongs on the cross; the One whom offers forgiveness and invites us to be a part of His family - forever.

Lord, thank You calling us sons and daughters. As we serve, help us keep our eyes on bringing honor to You. Thank You for being our Creator, Redeemer, Healer...you know, we could go on and on. We love You. In Your great name, Amen.

Check out the song "Your Great Name" by Natalie Grant:

• This version was posted by New Hope Oahu
• Natalie worships with others at Saddleback Church in this YouTube video
• This recording is an acoustic version

Study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).

Praise and Renewal

"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, New American Standard Bible).

What is the biggest transformation you've seen? As believers, God transforms His people because of His love. This transformation begins when we are first saved, but we can continue to grow after we have been redeemed.

A living and holy sacrifice to God. While Jesus was on earth, He showed us how to be a living and holy sacrifice to God. Although we are not God and are not perfect, walking with God is our goal. We are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-10), so we walk to live out that faith. We can follow God's Word by His power that works through the Holy Spirit that is given to believers. We can have transformed bodies and minds with His power, as we grow closer in our relationship with Him (2 Corinthians 3:17-18).

A service of worship. Worship is done out of devotion to Him, to praise Him. In 2 Corinthians 9:7, we are told that God loves a cheerful giver. This is a matter of heart, since God cares more about our relationship with Him. He wants to transform our hearts (Isaiah 29:13). We were dead in our sins, but as believers God makes us alive in Him (Romans 6:13).

The world's will vs. God's will. The flesh's will and God's will stand in contrast, since God's will is good, acceptable, and perfect (verse 2). We have seen His perfect love and mercy in His Son, Jesus, who came to rescue us from a life caught up in sin (Galatians 1:4) to bring us into life with Christ.

Dear Lord, we want to savor You and Your Son. Help us praise You with our lives. Help us share more of who You are with others this weekend. Amen.

Recommended reading: "The Sacrifice of Praise" by John Piper - you can find it on the Desiring God blog here.
Above study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Photo of Yolanda Adams is a Getty Photo found on www.examiner.com.
Hear a song sung by Yolanda, "Lift Him Up" at www.youtube.com.

Mercy Ministry - A glimpse of a free health clinic

"But Peter said, 'I don't have silver or gold, but what I have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!'"
-Acts 3:6, Holman Christian Standard Bible

He was a little guy.  His eyes rested shut as he was sleeping, and the woman carrying him glowed as she introduced herself and the sleeping baby boy she was holding.  Every once and a while, his eyes would peek open, then he would fall back asleep.  I was told he loved to be held, and sure enough, when someone held him, his eyes opened with life as he scanned the person holding him.

In the Bible, we can read so much about how believers can come together in community and then go out to share their faith.  What does that look like, though?  We can love our brother and sisters in Christ, forgiving each other, and we can remind each other of the Good News of Christ.  A neat thing, too, is that Jesus asked us to go out and make disciples.  He not only wanted to take care of the body of believers, but He also wants us to go out and share His love and message with others.  That's so others may know God and have a relationship with Him, too.

Last weekend, my community group and some others helped my church host a free medical clinic in town.  From noon until about 4pm, the doors of the church were opened for people to have free health services.  I was a part of a group serving as advocates.  We walked a person or a family through the services offered.  Not everyone was a member of the church who was serving that day.  Some stations included nurses, a chiropractor, Pharmacy items, warm spaghetti, doctors, and a clothing room.  One of my favorite parts was when the lady and baby boy I was with were on the third floor, and a little girl ran up to show us her beautiful magenta fingernails - there was free nail painting, haircuts, and massages offered on that floor.  It was neat to see how many people came together to love and help people from the neighborhood in a way that they could.

I realized that really I am in need, too.  Sometimes, we do not see known physical needs, but we all of us need Christ, the Savior, who came to sacrifice for us.  We can come to Him in brokenness, seeing that we do not having anything to give that would match what He has to give.  He gives those who believe in Him the Holy Spirit to transform us from the inside out.  Even though putting on or serving at a health clinic is not something we all may do soon, we can share Jesus and who He is with others, wherever we go today.  

Here's a link to a video from the clinic last year - http://vimeo.com/20145427
and a blog post from the clinic this year - http://seed.sojournchurch.com/projects/highlightsfeb25medclinic/
Logo/photo created by Sojourn Community Church in Louisville, Kentucky

You Are A Part Of The Body Of Christ!

"God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as He chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you," nor again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together." 1 Cor.12:18-26 (esv)

Do you know that you are an important part of The Body of Christ?!! As a prat of The Body, you are greatly needed!! Each member of The Body was created by God to accomplish God's Purpose & Plans to reach others for Christ and helping to be disciples through His Word.

Have you ever felt like you don't belong in The Body of Christ, you are not alone as described above by the hands and feet, as this word picture is shared to help communicate the important place that each member of The Body of Christ fulfills. What are some ways that we can help others feel a part of The Body?

In the times we live, there are many ways that people are disconnected. Let's help others connect in at least one way in The Body of Christ as she fulfills her purpose for God's Glory...because You are an important Gifted2Go part of the Body of Christ!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SExJ9od-0zQ (If We Are The Body - Casting Crowns)

Being The Church Through The Fire!

"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you...as though something strange were happening to you....as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when His glory is revealed...Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good." 1 Peter 4: 12, 13, 19 ESV

Much of Texas and many other States are experiencing devastating fires right now! As our hearts and prayers are extended to those that have been hurt, lost their homes, and are experiencing much pain right now, this is a huge opportunity reach out to people with God's Love & Faith through the fire! Sharing Jesus during times of crisis are some of the greatest opportunities for people that need the Lord to come to the Lord!

Please join us in praying and giving to those that have needs right now because of the many fires across our Nation! Please pray for those that are on the frontlines working tirelessly to put out the fires! Please pray for Christians as they reach out to others and Be The Church!!

Here are a couple of INSPIRATIONAL videos that are great examples of The Family of God Being The Church to Others!! Let's All Go Out Today & Everyday & Be The Church!!

http://www.click2houston.com/video/29099097/index.html (Pastor & His Wife Serve Others Even After Their Home Burned In The Fire)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIBr8XiFKqI&feature=share (Bastrop Texas Church Is Being The Church Through The Fire!)

EVERY Christian is GIFTED2GO!

"..."I don't need you!" On the contrary..."
1 Corinthians 12:21b-22a (HCSB)


As we look at this picture of baby ducks, we see that one duck is different/unique/one of a kind and it is not in the group with the others...have you ever felt this way? Many people, especially Christians that your path will cross today, are feeling this way! The Good News is that God knew this would happen so He GAVE His Word to equip us in The Body of Christ. The truth is that EVERY Christian is able to learn how they are Gifted2Go and specific ways to make sure that they have opportunities to serve in their giftedness!

1 Corinthians chapter 12 is full of great wisdom about Spiritual Giftedness given by God. Please take some time to read this small but powerful chapter. The chapter begins (verses 1-11) with teaching about the uniqueness and the use of what God created through the different Spiritual Gifts that He has given to EVERY CHRISTIAN for specific purposes in The Body of Christ! The middle and end of chapter 12 teaches about the importance of each member of The Body of Christ working together and the importance of INCLUDING each one in the privilege of knowing Christ and sharing Christ!

This brings me to the point of my words today. In the last few weeks I have had many Christian women share with me how brokenhearted they are because they do not believe there is a place for them to serve in the local church. After much prayer God has laid it on my heart that there is a stronghold, a trap from the enemy, to DEFEAT the unique way that God created The Body of Christ to effectively work together with unity with each one serving God in the giftedness He created each one uniquely! If the enemy can not stop the local church, he sure will do anything he can to cause it to be fractured or ineffective...

Women that are in leadership roles in The Body of Christ must be very careful about decisions they make. It may be "easier" to get things done if the same women are invited to serve over and over, BUT what kind of message is that sending to those that may be new to the church, or those that are hoping to be invited/included to be a part of using their gifts to serve the Lord?

Questions are good to use as ministries are evaluated day by day, week by week, month by month, or year by year...There is an important question that leaders should ask themselves when organizing every evangelistic women's ministry gathering of any kind (purpose driven ministry). It is important to have a clear goal of a balanced ministry (Discipleship-Missions-Evangelism) in order to include EVERY gift and EVERY woman that is in The Body of Christ; this question could be something like this, "Have we invited every woman in our church (Body of Christ) to be a part of what God is doing, and what are some specific ways to make sure that everyone is included or recruited?" Balanced ministry leadership will lead to opportunities for every woman receiving the message that they are needed in some way to use their giftedness that is given by God for service!

Let's think about all the many things that need to be done at each gathering of women, here are just a few of the things that women can be asked to do: pray, teach God's word, reach-out to the unchurched or left-out and invite, encourage, organize, follow-up, name tags, decorate, make sure that The Good News is shared in someway at each gathering...and the list goes on!

The 12th Chapter of 1 Corinthians always reminds me of a city-wide event that God gave me the privilege to organize many years ago. In leadership preparation, I studied this chapter of God's Word and the rich text that helped me to take a huge group of women and help each one of them find their place of service, it was amazing to see how God took each gifted woman and found a place for them to serve! There was something for EVERYONE of them to do as each one of them as Christians has at least one gift given by God to SHARE and SERVE HIM with for The Glory of God...God raised up over 200 women to serve on the organizing team as this event was organized. And most of all many women came to know Jesus as their Lord & Savior and many Christian women experienced a life-changing touch from God's Word being shared!

So let's ask ourselves, especially if you are a woman in leadership, "When is the last time you have been given the message "you are not needed" in The Body of Christ?" "What does that feel like?" and most of all "How can we make sure we have plans in place so that no one feels like their gift is not needed?" If we fail to plan we are planning on failing to fulfill God's unique way He created The Body of Christ to make sure everyone has opportunities to use the way that He has made every Christian GIFTED2GO!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAWeHo8E70E&feature=related (If We Are The Body by Casting Crowns)

"...each has his own gift from God, one this and another that."
1 Corinthians 7:7b

"So the eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" nor again the head to the feet, "I don't need you!" On the contrary, all the more , those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are necessary..."
1 Corinthians 12:21-22

Stay Connected!

"SPEAK to one another with..." Ephesians 5:19

I was just sharing and praying with someone about the powerful tool of SPEAKING words to one another and I must share these thoughts with you!

As I listen and pray with women of all ages, my heart is being stirred and burdened with a message about some of the communication traps we are facing through the new high tech tools at our fingertips: Just in the last few years we have seen the rise in communicating through the use of texting, e-mailing, posting, and tweeting. These new communication tools have many positive benefits, but along with these benefits it is important to be wise about the negative traps that may arise. "for we are not ignorant of of [Satan's] intentions" 2 Corinthians 2:11 (HCSB)

What are some of the possible negative relationship results that could happen with the over use of written communications? Here are just a few results that could lead to unhealthy communication: misunderstandings, superficiality, and the absence of accountability. The enemy is trying to use these great new communication tools as post modern traps that could lead into isolation and disconnect in The Body of Christ (and in relationships in general!)

Women tend to feel distant from one another through the trend of written communication instead of verbal communication. The popular trend of "talking" by "texting", "postings", and "tweeting" instead of speaking verbal words. The enemy would love for women to be defeated in anyway. Could this be a form of 21st Century spiritual warfare!

Wow, we sure need to know the enemy and his new schemes that could cause The Body of Christ to be ineffective and isolated so that we will not connect like we could with God and with Others!! God's Word clearly states that "we need one another" (1 Corinthians 12:21...), so it should not surprise us that the enemy will try to attack the "need" to belong, and stay connected through verbal communication with others in our lives. God's Word describes verbal communication best. Just one example is in the book of Ephesians where God describes ways to "speak" to one another. Ephesians 5:19 is a powerful verse to hide in our hearts about ways to "speak" to each other! "Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs...." Eph. 5:19

We must all be wise about the new schemes of the enemy Christians face today. Let's make a point of keeping the healthy habit in our lives of verbally connecting voice to voice and face to face with others as we also enjoy the new high tech trends of texting, e-mailing, posting, and tweeting. Balance is the key to healthy communication and healthy connections for God's Glory!

As the Body of Christ, we are all Gifted2Go by God to talk/share with others just like it is described in Ephesians 3:14-21!! What are some specific actions or activities we can be sure and schedule to help keep verbal connection and communication in our lives? Please share your simple ideas, it will encourage someone today!!

hand in hand

"How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1)

As my friend from college and I were catching up at Starbucks yesterday, he explained that he had come into town to celebrate with his family. "Wait," I asked, "It isn't your birthday... is it?" My stomach prepared to flip if the answer was yes. He chuckled and said no. This was the 13th year him and his family had been in the United States.

His dad had brought them to find a better education. My friend said that his dad had not thought it would last that long.

I took a sip of my tea, and then asked, "What do you mean?"

At first, he explained, coming to the states was a culture shock. Now, he feels like it is second nature for him and his family to be here.

I hope that when people come into church, they feel like it is home.
Romans 12:4-5 reads,"Just as each of us has one body with many members,
and these members do not all have the same function,
so in Christ we who are many form one body,
and each member belongs to all the others."
As a church family, I pray that we take opportunities to use our gifts and share Jesus' love, so that we can grow more unified every day.

More ideas: Romans, Ch. 12; 1 John 3:16-24
Or, I would love to read your ideas.
Charles Schulz's photo: search.barnesandnoble.com