Growing Up, Part 5

Learning about my spiritual gifts helped a lot, but I wasn’t grown up yet. 1 Peter 4:10 tells us:

“Each one of you has received a special grace, so like good stewards responsible for all these different graces from God, put yourselves at the service of others.”

I began to seek out ways to use the talents God had given me. This sometimes meant taking a risk, but as a Christian friend once told me, “if you’re going to try something new, do it at church. If you fail, they’ll still love you!” One of the first things I did after taking the spiritual gifts class was start to write Vacation Bible School programs for our church. That was a big risk, because in addition to the skills I had, it required some of the ones I didn’t — crafts and organization. But you know what? I found other people to help me with those. That’s one of the wonderful things I’ve learned about being part of a church family, there are many people who will encourage you and help you when you step out and try to do the things God calls you to do.

Growing up as a Christian has been one of the greatest adventures of my life. Who would have guessed 40+ years ago that a shy introvert like me could do things like … lead a retreat? start a Bible study group for women? Stand up in front of a group and give a talk?

 “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26b

For more about following God’s calling see:

What’s Your Vocation?

Your Calling

Your Dream. God’s Plan. by Tiffany Smiling — Book Review

Immediately!

As part of my Lenten discipline, I’ve started a slow and prayerful reading of the book of Mark.  Lent is always a good time to reflect upon the life of Christ, and Mark is the shortest gospel.

What stands out for me in the first chapter is one word — immediately.  The Spirit “immediately” drove Jesus into the wilderness;  Jesus “immediately” called James and John;  He “immediately entered the synagogue;  He healed the leper who was made clean “immediately.”

Get the point?  There was a sense of urgency about the ministry of Jesus.  The God part of His nature probably knew that His time was limited.  He had certain things to accomplish, and He couldn’t fool around.  The tasks He had been assigned were important and He had to see that they were done “immediately.”

You and I should have this same sense of urgency, but often we don’t.  We forget that our time on earth is short — the Bible says:

“Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.” James 4:14

So why aren’t we studying God’s Word — immediately?  Why don’t we witness to our friends and neighbors –immediately?  Why don’t we get started on that new ministry –immediately?  Why don’t we make time to pray –immediately? (I’m not only asking you these questions, I’m asking myself).

Instead, we fool ourselves into thinking we are too busy with the daily routines of life to make time for the work God calls us to do.  We will get to that tomorrow, next week, or next year, when “things” have calmed down.  The problem is, they rarely do, and we allow the expedient to take priority over what’s truly important.

If we honestly want to follow the example of Jesus, we won’t put off the things of God. Do them immediately. There is no better time than today.

“” Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”2 Corinthians 6:2

When God Says go by Elizabeth Laing Thompson–Book Review

Using dramatized biblical stories, author Elizabeth Laing Thompson illustrates a variety of circumstances surrounding the call of God.  For example:

• When God’s call scares you
• When your past concerns you
• When you must change
• When God’s call is not clear
• When God’s call seems mundane
• When going means staying
• When a call comes without warning

You’ll walk through the stories of Peter, Abigail, Jonathon, Moses, Mary Magdalene, Samuel and more as you study how they responded to God’s calling and how you, too, fit into God’s plan. The author weaves her story and those of others she knows into the lessons learned from Scripture.  Sometimes calls are dramatic, and others are quiet and subtle.  You may hear God’s leading through life events, God’s Word, or the advice of a Christian friend.  One thing is certain — we are all called to go and do something for God.  Are you listening?  Will you answer?  Are you willing to be changed?  These are the questions.

After each chapter there are suggestions for further study, questions to be used for discussion or journaling, and a prayer.  This could certainly be used with a small group for study.

VERDICT:  5 Stars.  I’m all about discovering God’s purpose in our lives, and this book could be an important resource in the search.  It’s an easy yet thoughtful read.

Note:  I received this a free e-book from BookBub.  You might want to check them out. You can join and receive offers for free or discounted e-books every day, according to the genres you select.

For another book by the same author, see this review:

When God Says Wait by Elizabeth Laing Thompson–Book Review

 

The Insanity of Sacrifice by Nik Ripken — Book Review

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways. This is the Lord’s declaration.”  Isaiah 55:8

I have thoroughly enjoyed this 90 day devotional.  It is not only biblically sound, it is challenging.  I have already used some of the daily readings for openings at our church committees and Bible studies.  In fact, I liked it so much that I have already ordered a previous book by Nik Ripken, “The Insanity of God”  from our local library.

Ripken’s point is that God’s ways are so different from ours that what he asks of us might actually be considered insane, by human standards.  God is different, and we, as His followers, should also be different.  We are called to love the world and sacrifice for its’ people in a way that is extravagant and outlandish.  Can you do this?

Maybe you think you’re not qualified.  Well, think again.  God takes pleasure in calling people who are inadequate.  You may be unqualified — but God is able and He wants you to be part of His work in the world.

Through his writing Ripken seeks to lead readers to:

• Consider the story of God encountered in Scripture
• Learn that God is still very much at work today
• Give voice to God’s clear demand for obedience that applies to EVERY PERSON who follows Jesus — yes, that means you and me!

VERDICT:  Definitely 5 stars.  I highly recommend it.

If you would like to purchase this book, follow the link below:

The Insanity of Sacrifice

The Lutheran Ladies received a free copy of this book in return for an honest and fair review – Disclaimer pursuant to FTC 16 CFR Part 255

 

Obey Your Leaders

“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account.  Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” Hebrews 13:17

Many of you know that Hebrews is my favorite book of the Bible, and so I couldn’t let the month go by without seeing what the author had to say about obedience.  These verses come from the last chapter which is titled (at least in the NIV) “concluding exhortations.”  It contains a list of instructions to the church.  I encourage you to read this entire chapter, as it gives a wealth of good advice, boiled down to succinct statements about how Christians should behave as part of the body of Christ.

Anyway, back to our leaders.  As the wife of a Pastor, I can tell you it is not an easy job.  In fact, it’s not a job at all –it’s a calling.  Most of the pastors I know would not say they chose to be a pastor because it matched their talents, gave them a steady salary or earned them respect and recognition.  They are pastors because it’s what God wants them to do and they can’t refuse to do it without great pain.

My husband is fond of saying that the pastor is not the CEO of the church.  He is not our “boss.”  God did not give him to us as a manager, or administrator, but as a teacher, mentor and leader.  Submitting to our pastor and other church leaders, like submitting to our spouse, should not be what we have to do, it should be what we want to do.

Submitting to someone you are in a loving relationship with does not mean you can never express your opinions or disagree.  It does not mean you cannot ask questions.  It does not mean you can’t try to change their way of looking at things.  I does mean you recognize that person has your best interests at heart, and you should listen respectfully and thoughtfully to what they tell you.  If that person is an authority, you should obey them.

My husband (and other pastors) are not happy to have members blindly accept whatever he says.  He is also not happy when members simply walk away and abandon the congregation because they don’t like something he said or did.  He is happy when a member listens, and if he or she disagrees, studies the subject and asks questions.  He is happy when someone who is upset with him comes to him and talks the issue over.  These kinds of responses lead to spiritual growth and maturity, and trust me, this is what your pastor wants to see in you and in others!

So make your pastor joyful in his task.  Learn from him.  Love him.  Pray for him.  Obey him, because God has given to you.