shadow

FOR THE SAKE OF THE CALL: DON’T BE A SCARDY CAT

Posted on: by: Comments: Leave a comment

Jesus is calling us…issuing a special invitation. Will you accept?

 

DON’T BE A SCARDY CAT

“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.” 
Matthew 28:19-20, NLT 

Has God called you on a mission, and you’ve been afraid to move forward?

No? In Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT), Jesus spoke these words from His very own lips to our ears:

“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.” 

Sister, that call is to all who accept Jesus as Savior. All of us are called to pass on His grace and forgiveness to others. We are to multiply. We are called to accept His mission as our mission.

I remember distinctly the morning God clarified His call on my life and on the mission He was giving me. Ten months before that day, I was sitting in one of the gathering areas at The Cove, the Billy Graham conference center in the mountains of North Carolina. That’s when I heard the infamous words, “It’s time,” deep in my heart. God called me to write and teach the lessons from Titus 2:3-5, as found in Living in a Zoo. But a mere ten months later, He clarified the call by telling me what I was to do with it.

Our home church was holding its annual Missions Conference where missionaries from around the world shared their ministries. Sunday morning, before Pastor Jake even began his message, I started to cry and had no idea why. Watching the Flags of the Nation’s ceremony, I blubbered and sniffed like a mad woman.

Then the pastor opened his Bible and began reading chapter one from I Thessalonians. Melting into a puddle of heartfelt submission, I heard verse four, “We know dear brothers and sisters, that God loves you and has chosen you…” Then I heard Him speak specifically to my heart: “I am calling you to full-time ministry to women and their families.” I wept, questioned, and doubted Him. He pulled me along, albeit kicking and screaming. Then He confirmed that call in too many ways to share in this short space.

His call to go and teach was the same call He has given to us all, not just us “full timers.” I became a Christian on May 5, 1972. From that day until the November 18, 2001, mission conference, my service was specifically in the local church. Going “full time” for me simply meant adding other locations and countries as He led the way. Not everyone receives the same call. His plan for our lives is specific; it may not look like anybody else’s. But it is His call nonetheless.

He is calling you, too. It may be the call to accept His forgiveness and invite Him into your life. If so, here is how: http://www.zookeepersministries.com/getting-to-know-christ/

Or His call may be to join Him on His mission to reach others with His hope. Click the link below, and let’s all join Michael W. Smith in a decision to give Him our hearts, our insecurities, and our fears, and let Him move us forward in the plan He has for our lives.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsAKeRyK-xw

Until tomorrow,

Your Traveling Companion,

Brenda

FOR THE SAKE OF THE CALL: BACK UP OR MOVE FORWARD

Posted on: by: Comments: Leave a comment

Jesus is calling us…issuing a special invitation. Will you accept?

 

BACK UP OR MOVE FORWARD

“Faithful is He who calls you and He will do it!” 

I Thessalonians 5:24, NLT”

“I don’t know how I’m going to do all this Lord. So much is happening in the ministry, good things, in so many different places. You know I’m not equipped to handle it! It’s way above my head God. I see the giants all around us. What do I do?”

The room was dark and Tom slept soundly beside me, muffled snores the only thing breaking the silence. And, of course, my thoughts were whirling as I lay beside him, wide awake at 3:00 a.m. Getting up for the third time, I decided to start reading Deuteronomy, hoping I’d fall asleep within seven verses.

Instead of making me fall asleep, God used what I call “the Reminder Book,” Deuteronomy, to remind me again of His faithful leading since the time He called me to this mission of Zookeepers Ministries. He reminded me He was the One who has done it, and will continue to do it. My calling is simply to obey, to speak the truth of His Word in love, and to follow His lead.

And to do it at His speed: baby step by baby step, or running with Him, however He chooses.

And He reminded me not to be afraid of the giants that try to stand in the way of the mission. They will fall as He commands.

That is God’s promise to us. He has a mission, a plan, for all our lives. When we let Him, He will do it in and through us.

Back in bed, I finally fell asleep sometime after 4:30 a.m.  Upon awakening a mere three hours later, I read Tami Carr’s Daily Dose of Encouragement, (September 19). I quote, “If there is one thing perfectly clear in this passage, it is that God takes responsibility for the success of the mission while Samuel’s response to God’s instructions is obedience …God is faithful to do what He says He will do. He is responsible for keeping His Word. We, like Samuel, must be obedient and trust Him to accomplish His plan in and through us.”

Confirmation. It’s like a breath of fresh air when you need it most. Yes, the mission He started twelve years ago will move forward as He leads. We will not stop because of giants in the land.

Dear Sister, has God called you a mission, and you’ve been afraid to move forward? Are the giants, the enemies of God’s plan, plaguing you with doubt? Don’t listen! Join us on mission, because God has a plan for you!

Ponder these things as you go about life today, and listen to this song as you begin the pondering.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JI4CPfuLW0

Until tomorrow,

Your Traveling Companion,

Brenda

 

What Am I Doing Here?: Where’s the Delete Button?

Posted on: by: Comments: Leave a comment

Having been made in the image of God, our hearts have been set by Him on eternity. Rooted in each heart is a God-given desire to impact the world around us. But in the midst of endless distractions, countless opportunities to live out our purpose can go unnoticed each and every day. Stick around this week as we look at how we live our day-to-day lives in a way that points others to the cross.

 

Where’s the Delete Button?

Blessed be the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4, NASB

fridayAlthough imaginary and invisible to others, I wore a scarlet letter for years. The letter “I.” Overwhelmed with the shame of being unable to have children, I did my best to hide the pain associated with infertility. Becoming pregnant with my children was very difficult and my scars ran deep. Praise God, I have been blessed with three biological children, but the road to get there was anything but easy.

There was a time when I would have gladly just deleted that entire season had there been a delete button. Truthfully, in many ways I did. It was something that was rarely mentioned. I did my best to push that season aside because it was just too painful. Even when another woman, far braver than I, would mention being in a similar situation I could barely admit my struggles. Thankfully, I don’t write my story, and there are no scars too deep or seasons too difficult for God to redeem.

You have those stories too. Everyone does. We carry our burdens and try to hide our scars from the poor choices we’ve made or simply from the circumstances of living in this world. Seasons of life have been endured that are just too hard to even think about, let alone talk about. But God …

Thankfully, we serve a Heavenly Father that forgives instead of condemns (Romans 8:1) and makes all things new (2 Corinthians 5:17), as He turns the ashes of our broken lives into a beautiful story of redemption and grace (Isaiah 61:3). God uses the brokenness of our lives as powerful testimonies of His faithfulness.

As we walk through seasons of brokenness, despair, and heartache, He is with us, pouring His grace over us. Lifting us out of the pits of despair, He sets our feet on solid ground and steadies us along the way (Psalm 40:2). Near to us when our hearts are broken, He saves us when our spirits are crushed (Psalm 34:18). He guards our hearts in the midst of it all with a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). Praise Him!

His gift of grace and comfort have been freely given to us, and His gift is meant to be shared. By offering comfort and encouragement to others who may be struggling in the same manner we did, the love of Christ is shared with someone who desperately needs it. I’m so grateful to those who have bravely poured their comfort over me during difficult seasons: pointing me to Christ along the way. Maybe others have done the same for you?

Nothing happens in this life that God can’t turn around and use for His good. How can God use your brokenness for His glory?

Comforted by Christ,

Traci