That I may come unto you with joy by the will of
God, and may with you be refreshed. ~ Romans 15:32
Not
happenstance that this verse was on my reading plan today, September 28, 2019.
And not happenstance that tonight I’ll fly out to New Mexico to make some new
friends and enjoy the fellowship of the Spirit. I certainly covet your prayers
for our safety and for the will of God to be done. There is much traveling and not
just by plane but by car as well. It will be an adventure and an opportunity to
see a part of the country I’ve never seen. But more important than that, it
will be an opportunity to share the love of Jesus in a place I’ve never been in
hopes of making a difference by encouraging God’s children.
A
thought that I’ve had for weeks tumbling through my mind like a constant tumble
weed is the notion of how many we touch for the Kingdom of God. The teens and I
discussed the number of how many people we think that Apostle Paul may have
touched for the cause of Christ.
I
used the illustration (showing my age) of the shampoo commercial of days gone
by when it talked about “if they tell two friends, and they tell two friends
and so on and so forth, how many people will hear about the product. Well. If we
used that theory believing that Paul preached to 5,000 as a round figure totally
guessing number. And each of those would have told two friends about Jesus,
some more, some less, and there being 30 generations in 1,000 years, and there
being 2,000 years between us and Paul. Now… how many people have been effected?
The answer… I don’t know. Ask a math person… I am not that person. One of my
kids immediately knew the equation. They were not shocked that I did not.
But
all of this is said to make the point, that the reason we do what we do is to get
the word out! Jesus saves. That first. But then once people are saved, the
blessing doesn’t stop! We have the blessing that comes from the fellowship of
God’s people. It’s a little taste of Heaven here on earth.
I’m
excited to share in that this week in Magdalena, Reserve and Glenwood. My
friend Gloria is excited to share in that too!
Please
pray.
And
for those we’ll be joining, get ready! Your West Virginia sisters in Christ are
on the way!
I
totally get the anxiety and frustration that Abraham and Sarah may have been
feeling. They’d been promised a child, but then, as it does, age crept upon
them from no where and low and behold they found themselves past the fruit
bearing years.
Sarah
was 90 for cryin’ out loud and Abraham 100. It was a dark day in the land of
Canaan when Abraham continued to believe in the promise that God had given him.
With the point being, he never gave up hoping.
That’s
our problem. We lose hope.
Romans
4:18 says of Abraham:
Who against hope believed
in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that
which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
Against Hope
There’s nothing like age to make you feel unfruitful.
With every passing year new aches and pains are introduced and your children
start “calling to check on you,” or asking you if you think you’ll “feel up to
it.” Good grief! It’s not that I’m not very grateful that I raised such
concerned children, it’s just that I didn’t think I was that old. And then I
look in the mirror and the age lines that I used to consider laugh lines aren’t
so funny anymore.
Welcome to the silver years Shari. I’m not yet to
the golden years, although they’re drawing nigh.
If I trusted what the mirror says or what my
lying bones say, I’d take off my Jesus Chick hat and consider sitting back and
waiting for Jesus to come and fetch me. Those are physical things against the spiritual
realm of hope. And they are not the only things “against hope.”
Logic is often the enemy of hope. If Abraham had
looked at it logically, he wouldn’t have even put out the candles and turned the
radio onto soft music at 100. What chance did he have at conception with 90 year
old Sarah.
This story gives me hope! See, I’m still waiting
for some fruit… not of the Isaac persuasion, but of the spiritual kind. I’m
waiting for God to do a great work in my ministry that will bear fruit for the Kingdom.
I’ve waited a while! But I’m not 100 yet.
In Hope
Just as Abraham I’m believing in hope. Wouldn’t
it be a sad world with out it. Truth be told, it is a sad world. I’ve listened
to many speak without hope. It is generally the unsaved, but not always. None
of us are immune to losing hope. This world is filled with adversarial demons
to strip even the strongest of a good attitude.
Today I have hope, because today I’ve been in the
word and I’ve read myself happy. But a few days ago, as I traveled down the
highway, I looked in my rear view mirror and all I saw was lost opportunities,
failed attempts and I was in the previous state.
And Jesus said unto him,
No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit
for the kingdom of God.
If a ploughman doesn’t look forward, he won’t
make the proper furrows, nor do his work well. The same is true of the child of
God. If we are continually looking back to see where we’ve been, we might
assuredly miss where we’re going. We need to be forward thinking Christians. Always
looking for opportunity, not resting in the laurels of previous ones, or
sulking in the disaster of errors.
I can find myself sulking if I’m not careful.
Hope Delivered
Sarah delivered that bundle of hope and named him
Isaac, meaning laughter. There is great joy when hope is delivered.
What does that look like to you?
I know what it looks like to me. It’s a strange
delivery I’m waiting on…
That souls are saved and lives are changed.
That my ministry be viewed as a ministry, not a hobby
by those who should know better.
That it is financially sustaining for my family.
That may or may not sound like much to you. But
there are days when I look back at the furrows I’ve made, and my fruit is
sparse. I lose sight of where I know I’m supposed to go.
Just like the farmer who’s responsibility it is
the take care of the land, it’s ours to take responsibility for this land.
Starting at home and working our way out.
I can’t help but think about J. Vernon McGee:
Following cancer surgery in 1965 at the age of 61,
the doctors gave Dr. McGee six months to live. The Lord gave him 23 more years.
In 1967 he launched the radio program “Thru the Bible” which took 5 years. At its completion the program tapes continued to run, and Dr. McGee and his board determined that the program would run until the money ran out. Through generous contributors it’s still running today.
Dr. McGee died in 1988, falling asleep in his chair
and waking in the presence of Jesus. At the time of his death the bible program
aired in 34 languages, but has since been translated into over 100 and is broadcast
on Trans World
Radio throughout
the world every weekday.
At the age of 63 Dr.
McGee continued ploughing and didn’t look back. He was a successful man of God,
but I love that what he deemed as his greatest compliment came at the beginning
his ministry.
His greatest compliment
As a student pastor, Dr. McGee’s first church sat on a red clay hill in Midway, Georgia. It was there he said he received his greatest compliment: “It was from a country boy wearing high buttoned, yellow shoes. After a morning service he came to speak to me. He groped for words, then blurted out, ‘I never knew Jesus was so wonderful!’ He started to say more but choked up and hurried out of the church. As I watched him stride across the field, I prayed, ‘Oh, God, help me to always preach so that it can be said, I never knew Jesus was so wonderful.’“
On my radar of hopes, prayers and desires for the past five or six
years has been an Albuquerque, NM trip, Not entirely for selfish reason, but I must
confess there is always some selfishness in my hopes and dreams, because they
become so very personal.
I will not say that my trip is in line with the desires of Apostle
Paul, because when Apostle Pauls said “by any means,” that was sometimes as a
prisoner on a boat with a shipwreck in the future! I am not that brave. And
while I would prefer a first-class flight, that’s a bit expensive too, so I opted
for a less than typical mode of transportation. The train. It’s a long trip,
but it’s much cheaper, and I think a little bit of an adventure. I’m always up
for that! Especially if it gets me in a new part of the country where God can
use me.
And so as I begin to study my way through the book of Romans, with
a heavy heart about more than a few things… this trip being one, Paul’s words
spoke to my already tender heart.
For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel
of His Son, and without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; – Romans 1:9
God is my witness, that although I fail Him miserably and I will
not say that I pray without ceasing… I cease. But, I do serve Him with my
spirit in the gospel of His Son. I am passionate about my role in the Kingdom There’s
something about traveling that makes my heart flutter with joy, because I know
it will be an adventure and I know that if I go in His name and in His will, He
will make things happen.
Why Albuquerque? Good question. And it deserves an answer. It was
6 plus years ago that I connected through social media with Radio man Dewey
Moede. God was dealing with Dewey’s heart to leave his job and go full time
ministry. I was struggling with that same issue. I still am. Although I’m full
time, it’s not quite what I had in mind.
Kind of like when Paul’s boat hit that storm. I’m sure he would
have preferred even coach tickets. He wasn’t expecting first class. But what he
got was the prisoner’s pass. I’ve felt like that many times in the past 5
years. I’m not asking for sympathy, I don’t deserve it, I just want to be real.
Paul continued in verse 10 to say, making requests, if by
any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to
come unto you.
And there it was. The train trip (at length) made sense, and the
fact that God could prosper my journey through the winning of souls or the
encouragement of the church made my soul rejoice. Some might say I’m making the
word fit the circumstances. I don’t believe that because the last thing I want
to be is out of the will of God. I will say that my circumstances fit into the
word.
When Paul wrote his letter to the Romans, he’d never met them.
They were a group of believers that left Peter’s conference, also known as “Pentecost”
and went back to their country and got busy planting churches and spreading the
gospel. Paul had hopes and dreams of meeting those he’d heard about, and encouraging
them in their faith.
He wanted to impart to them some spiritual gift! Me too! He wanted
to comfort them! Me too! The work of the ministry is a struggle. It’s worth
every bit of it, but there are days it’s not easy to go on. I spend much of my
time encouraging believers and ministries by offering them my help using the
gifts I’ve been given in music, graphic arts and speaking.
My desire is to do that more and more and travel anywhere the Lord
leads. Like New Mexico.
The price on that ticket stub is the cost today of the ticket
only, there are other expenses as well. It may go up as time goes by. I’m also not
going alone, I plan to go with my bestie Glo, who’s been a part of my ministry
from the beginning. If you’d like to contribute, that would be more than
awesome and more than appreciated. You can contribute through the Paypal button
below, or contact me directly.
If you’d like to be a part of the Jesus Chick Ministry, by prayer, financial or you’d like to know more about what I do through out the week, message me, I’m an open book! It’s the gospel.
For the greater portion of my ministry, which I feel
officially began in 2010 when I really felt the Lord’s calling on me to be full
time ministry, I really didn’t know what that ministry looked like. Couple that
with my Pastor’s (at the time) response, who said to me when I announced that
thought, “You can’t preach, Shari,” I was perplexed. I had truly never given
preaching a thought. I hadn’t given anything a thought; I just knew that’s what
God said. But I was ever so
directionally challenged.
Bible
College had trained me to outline, write and speak. Wonderful mentors had
taught me how to share the saving grace of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit
revealed to me my calling and I was set to go forward, but unfortunately in an
utter state of confusion.
Throughout
these years God has sent opportunities in abundance to serve. One such
opportunity is the FGGAM.org ministry. A news, views and avenues of faith and
life topics to keep your mind focused on God. It’s Co-founder, Dewey Moede, has
become one of my greatest friends and ministry partner’s over the past seven of
my nine years. He has been a large portion of the cup which the Lord has given
me to drink from. Dewey and I share 3 ministry drives that I want to share with
you today in hopes of encouraging you to find your place in the ministry.
Psalm 16:5
The Lord is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: thou
maintainest my lot.
Everything for God’s Glory
That’s Dewey’s life goal and ministry mission. He and his
wife Sharon (co-founder number 2) named their ministry For God’s Glory
Alone, when Dewey walked away from the security of a very nice income,
to live on Sharon’s nursing salary and faith. Those life decisions and that
sold out faith is what brings glory to God’s name. It’s a given opportunity to
share with the world that our Lord provides. He maintains our lot.
It’s the same purpose and drive that causes me to continue
on the Jesus Chick Mission, believing that God’s provisions will take me through
till Jesus’ return, or He calls me home.
You can find more information on giving a worthy contribution to their 501c3 ministry on the www.FGGAM.org website. And by the way… any contribution to the Jesus Chick will be of the utmost appreciation. For information on what my expense are, and if you’d like to contribute for the direct expenses, click here.
Anything for God’s People
I’m a born encourager. So is brother Dewey. It’s why we work
so well together. If he has a down day, my words encourage him, if I have a
down day, the same holds true with his words. We speak most every day in one
form or another, via phone or text. His ministry has needs that I can provide
through the gifts of artistic expression and graphic work that God has enabled
me to do. It’s a privilege. He promotes and supports my ministry, and together
we’ve become quite the duo for Jesus. FGGAM provides me the opportunity to help
a brother out and in the process minister to the world through the banners and
graphics I provide.
In this “all about me world,” even Christians have lost
sight of the fact that we’re here to help each other out through this life. Anything
God has given us the ability to do, we need to share it with God’s people.
Philippians
2:4
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on
the things of others.
Nothing Without
Accountability
Another great ministry attribute of FGGAM.org and one I hold
to with TheJesusChick.com.
But I say unto you, That every idle word that
men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
That’s the Word of God, and it’s a very scary word (or it should be) for those who don’t take it seriously. What we understand as ministry partners is that our convictions are more than just “notions,” they’re founded on the word of God. When we speak it, we want those who read our material to know that we’ve backed it up by the Word of God, and the resources that we’ve used for information gathering are trustworthy and honest.
When I stand at the throne of Christ, I want to hear Him
say, “Well done thou good and faithful servant!” I don’t want to hear Him say, “Seriously
Shari, what were you thinking?”
I hope these three attributes are a part of your life, and I
pray that our ministries edify you as we’re instructed to do!
Then I told them of the hand of my God
which was good upon me; as also the king’s words that he had spoken unto me.
And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for
this good work.
Nehemiah 2:18
Get God’s Hand of Approval
Nehemiah encouraged and
excited God’s people when he informed them that the hand of God was upon him.
He only knew that because he’d been in prayer from the beginning. When Nehemiah
heard the condition of the wall and the people of Jerusalem his heart was
broken. He took the news to the only One who could change the forecast which
was the Lord, Jehovah. Our provider.
Bad news comes in many forms
today. It may be a wall that’s falling down, but usually it’s a life that’s
falling apart. For the church it’s a world that’s falling apart around us. I
don’t know how you feel, but I feel much like Nehemiah. I’m distressed at the
condition of the souls I meet.
As Gloria and I traveled down
a street in Virginia Beach last week, we happed upon a little lady crouched on
the curb. Gloria felt compelled to stop and help her out and tell her about
Jesus. We approached her, and it was apparent she was skeptical as to why. I
ask her if she knew Jesus. She said she was a part of a certain denomination. For
me that’s a bell ringer that she knows church. Not Jesus. We attempted to speak
to her about the condition of her soul but she wanted no part of it. We just
happened to be beside a Chick-fil-A, and I just happened to have a Chick-fil-A
gift card in my wallet. (Nothing really just happens). So we gave her the card
and wished her God speed.
I don’t think we fixed any
walls, but I don’t know. Perhaps the act of kindness will restore her faith in
humanity. Or not. Only God knows. What it did was cause me to be more aware of
the curb side people in my community. We
need to take care of our own.
That’s what I hear God saying
to me this morning. And I need to do that through my ministry (The Jesus Chick)
which is my responsibility. But I also need to do that work through my own
church. The local church for which every believer needs to be a part of. To do
that I need to
Get
Church Leadership’s Word of Approval
When Nehemiah prayed for God’s
wisdom on what to do about the decaying state of their city and community, He
received God’s words of wisdom. But Nehemiah was a servant, the cup bearer, of
King Artaxerxes. So rather than just taking God’s word and running with it, he
prayed again and sought the Kings approval for the journey.
I’m a doer. Sometimes to a
fault. I’ve on more than one occasion ran ahead of church leadership on
projects because I wanted to get it done. And it seldom ended well. There’s an
order in life. And I have learned to stand my ground in my place, and allow
others that same privilege and respect. Its how the church works best, and the
world needs to see the church working in harmony. The only way that can happen
is if we respect authority. Nehemiah did it even though it wasn’t the church it
was a worldly authority, surely we can allow God’s people to guide.
It’s through that process
that we can
Get
the Stamp of Approval
“A job worth doing, is worth
doing right” is often said, and it’s certainly truth.
Philippians 1:6 ~ Being
confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will
perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
The Jews rose up for a good
work because of Nehemiah’s leadership. We need that today! We need the
congregations of God to rise up and do a good work that we can be proud of for
the Lord Jesus Christ. We need to start by rebuilding the walls in our
communities. And by walls I mean spiritually building a fortress around the
people through prayer and communication. We need to take back our schools from
out of the hands of influences of evil. It’s there. I’ve witnessed it firsthand.
We need to be on the streets and roads of our community speaking to those we
see about Jesus. We may not have a Chick-Fil-A near by but I can almost
guarantee we have some casserole dishes in our cupboard that we can fill with
some homemade goodness for someone.
It’s a start. We need it. I
need it. You need it. Let’s do it.
When I think
of the Bible characters that stepped into the unknown at the instruction of the
known, my heart is encouraged. When I get ready to take my first step, it’s
always a flutter. It’s usually followed by nausea and fever blisters. Weird
right? That’s what stress and nerves do to me. Once I get past the first step
and start walking on the new ground I settle in pretty quickly. But those first
steps often feel like a cliff.
When Abraham
stepped out of the Ur of Chaldees he may or may not have felt a little apprehension.
The Bible just says he went. But in the book of Shari it will say, see went…
but she didn’t feel good.
When Moses was
told to step into the leadership role of Israel, He argued with the Lord that
he wasn’t very good with a bullhorn. So God gave him a mouth piece named Aaron.
But it didn’t take him out of the role of leader.
When God made
David King, he was in one of the lowest positions of the day, a shepherd boy.
But God used all that position to make him a mighty defender and a man who
could lead people with the same passion he lead sheep.
When Christ
picked “Team Jesus” from the crowd, He picked a variety of twelve characters
with a variety of talents. We know their names 2,000 years later because of the
impact they had in their work.
I just wrote
myself happy.
I’ve never
really got to experience a comfort zone, because God is always doing something
in my life. Sometimes it’s because He’s fixing what I broke, and that’s very
uncomfortable! Today is no different. A new ministry direction is on the
horizon with doing things I’ve had a passion to do for 20 years. But this time
it’s on God’s terms. So it makes me feel a little better about taking the first
step.
I hope that in
sharing my thoughts on my zone, that maybe it will help you navigate yours a
little better.
Please make
the following a matter of prayer when it comes to the new Jesus Chick
direction:
That
God would open the doors (not Shari)
God
provides a team of people with a passion for the work.
The work will
focus on the following areas:
Promoting
the Gospel (always first and foremost)
Youth
programs
Adult
programs
Women’s
programs
Senior
programs
Substance
abuse educations programs
That would be
why I need a team. There is a huge amount of work on my plate. But I want to
reach as many people as I can with this ministry and give them the tools to
reach more.
I’m
beyond excited about the direction of my ministry. Thanks to a generous act on
my sister Shelia’s part and the grace of Almighty God, I will soon be a 501c3
ministry which will open the doors for me to do more and create a team of
ministry people, not just solo me. Who is sometimes (oftentimes) so tired. So what does that have to do with the message
today?
It
has to do with the great commission in Matthew 28:19-20 ~ 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the
end of the world. Amen.
As
children of God that should be our primary focus. So today is a Recharge Monday.
I needed it. Not that I’ve forgotten that it’s my responsibility as a disciple
of the Lord Jesus, but that my battery sometimes runs low.
So How’s your
Battery Doing?
Who
doesn’t need a recharge? I need one multiple times a day. Burdens get on me
like cat and dog hair on a black sweater. That should sum it up pretty good if
you’ve been around critters. So how does my ministry, your battery and all this
tie together?
By
me doing what I’ve been called to do, which on Monday is to recharge your
battery after I first recharge mine.
I
did that today as I read 2 Chronicles 15, verses 1-15.
Asa
is returning from battle and he’s met by a prophet who encourages him to go on
with the work of the reformation of Israel by promising him that the presence
and help of God will go with him.
Well,
I’m not a prophet, but I can make that promise to you today because I have it
too. It is freely given to anyone who seeks God. He is a very present help
available to us without even speaking a word. He just knows.
Whether
or not you’ve been in a battle, Monday’s always seem to bring on the feeling of
too much work for one week. At least that’s how mine is starting.
So…
back to the story. Asa is returning from battle. And the word reads.
1And
the Spirit of God came upon Azariah the son of Oded:
2 And he went out to meet Asa, and said unto him, Hear ye me, Asa,
and all Judah and Benjamin; The Lord is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek him, he
will be found of you; but if ye forsake him, he will forsake you.
3 Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and
without a teaching priest, and without law.
One sure fire way to
get into trouble is to not have the teaching of God. As a teacher, I need
taught. I don’t profess to know
everything. But I know where to find it. And if I can’t find it, I have a
Pastor who can help me find it. He may not have the answer off the top of his
head either, because he’s not done learning. So point one for today is
Seek Him While You Can
Finding time in a
day to get alone with God may not be easy, but it should be a priority. Israel
had gotten themselves into trouble, into a battle because they’d been without
three things. The Power of God, The Prophecy of God and the Practices of God.
If you’re a child of
God, saved by the blood of Jesus, you can’t lose God, but you can lose His
power by not renewing your relationship with Him on a daily basis. Not just on
Sunday, but every day.
The Word of God is
forever, because it’s settled in Heaven. It hasn’t been the most read book in
the world without reason. God made it that way. But our failure to read it, the
very prophecy of God will suck the life out of you like leaving the lights on
in your car. The juice, the water of the word eventually drains out like the
juice in a battery if we’re not renewing ourselves by reading His word.
And while we’re not
under the law as the Israelites were, being away from God for very long will
cause you to forget the practices of Christianity. The behaviors. It’s so easy
to get drawn away from the things of God and into the things of the world without
warning when we’re not in a good relationship with God Almighty.
So every day we need
to be seeking the power of God, Reading the Prophecy of God and living in the
practice of God.
Serve Him While You Can
4 But when they in their trouble did turn unto the Lord God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them.
5 And in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to
him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the
countries.
6 And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city: for God did
vex them with all adversity.
7 Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your
work shall be rewarded.
It’s a privilege to
go, teach and observe everything that God shows us in His word. I know that not
everyone is a teacher, but you are an example. When the children of Israel got
into trouble they sought God. That’s good advice! And it’s always the example
we want to set for others.
Everyone messes up
in life. We all fall. We haven’t come very far, if any, since the days of the
Israelites battle. We still need God to clean up our messes. But after the
fall, after the struggle, pick yourself up and start serving again. Don’t let
Satan convince you to delay it, because it can cause you to stay out way too
long.
Always remember that
Satan is a liar. And the last thing he wants is for you to receive rewards of
God. So, he can stop them, by stopping you.
Succeed While You Can
There will be days of defeat. We all
have them. But start every week with an attitude of successful living.
Encourage yourself in the Lord because great is that reward and it is the
Matthew 28:19-20 Commission.
Listen to what happened when Asa got
recharged:
8 And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the
prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land
of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount
Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the Lord, that was before the porch of the Lord.
9 And he gathered all Judah and Benjamin, and the strangers with
them out of Ephraim and Manasseh, and out of Simeon: for they fell to him out
of Israel in abundance, when they saw that the Lord his God was with him.
10 So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third
month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa.
11 And they offered unto the Lord the same time, of the spoil which they had brought, seven
hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep.
12 And they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their
soul;
13 That whosoever would not seek the Lord God of Israel should be put to death, whether small or
great, whether man or woman.
14 And they sware unto the Lord with a loud voice, and with shouting, and with trumpets, and
with cornets.
15 And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all
their heart, and sought him with their whole desire; and he was found of them:
and the Lord gave them rest round about.
They
won mighty battles, they celebrated their victories and they had rest. Who
wouldn’t want their week to end like that!?
It started with a conversation with a friend and woman of God Angel Murchison two days ago. We were sharing the many things that God has done with our lives and the countless ways He has used us in our prospective ministries. As we spoke the words “vessel and voice” came into my mind; how blessed I was that by being a willing vessel, allowing my voice to be used for the glory of God I had become of value.
Just for the record, I’ve always been of value to God. After all He died for me. But in my own eyes I struggle with worth, and for certain worthiness.
The thought continued into a conversation with my friends Daniel and LuAnn Johnson as we worked on a Christmas giving project together. We were trying to be willing vessels. We were using our voice, and we knew that it was of value for the Kingdom… but deed…. We weren’t sure how.
By doing all the things that God had laid on our heart to do, we weren’t really seeing the fruit of our labor by way of souls being saved and lives being changed. So what’s a girl to do if “there ain’t no proof in the pudding?” (that’s an old time colloquialism for evidence of effectiveness).
So this girl went to the word of God.
2 Timothy 2:20-21
But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonor. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work
Various Vessels
Gold, silver, wood and earth. I look at those materials and I can see various people who align metaphorically. I view myself as an earthen vessel, a clay pot crafted in the Master’s hand as the scripture relates in Romans 9:21
Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
We are, I am, what the Master makes me to be. Unfortunately there are times that all I see is “God made me weird.” I have quirky ways, weird ideas and take random leaps of faith or fiction that sometimes end well, and other times end in disaster. And God has to put me back on the wheel and work the bumps out of life again.
Vigilant Vessels
Ever watchful for an opportunity to serve.
That’s why I do crazy things with people like LuAnn and Daniel Johnson like host a community Christmas party. They’re a little crazier than me because they drove from North Carolina to West Virginia. But God said go, and so they did. And God said join them, and so I did. And together we make a good team because we look for opportunities to make a difference in someone’s life and for the chance to tell the world that Jesus Saves!
Victorious Vessels
Victory doesn’t always look like crossing the finish line for a trophy. Sometimes it looks like an unfinished project.
As Daniel, Luann, their young Clayton and I, fed and encouraged the folks who came to our Christmas party, we attempted to sow seeds on a cold December day, believing that they’d take root and grow into something amazing for the Kingdom. But if we’re honest there were some seeds that fell on stony ground. Those seeds suck the life out of me because they make me feel like a failure and cause me to question once again the value of my ministry reach.
And then a man walks through the door that just needed to feel like someone cared, and we did. And it was in that moment that I see the hand of God and heard the Spirit whisper… “that’s why you’re here.”
I felt the ribbon go around my neck and the Lord kiss my cheek and say “well done, thou good and faithful servant.” We were vessels of honor and value. Sanctified (set apart from the way the world views obedience and victory) and meet (of value) for the good work that the Lord has for us in the Kingdom.
Victory! It’s not always the big wins that are of value. Sometimes the value is in the little we do being vigilant vessels.
I hope you enjoyed this word today, and I pray you’ll share this post as well as the ministry of www.theJesusChick.com. Over the next month I’m working on a my website style as well as it’s content in hopes of being a bigger blessing and opening the doors of opportunity.
You too are a valuable vessel! God bless you and Merry Christmas from the Jesus Chick!!!!
For the record, I’ve never ask that about the heart attack. I know full well why that happened. I like bacon. And all the other things in life that taste oh so good, but are the world’s worst choice. But I do quite often question God as to why He chooses me to be a part of His plan, why He tolerates my disobedience and stupidity and allows me to have such a wonderful life. Yes, heart attack and all, it’s wonderful. There are countless other people He could choose, and yet I’m among the 1 out of 12 that He chooses to use.
I don’t know if that’s a correct percentage but it sounded good. It’s not the 1 in 12 of humankind, it’s the 1 in 12 of the church. Which as I can see in previous experience is the bulk of most church people who serve. Although my home church Victory Baptist probably is blessed with a higher percentage than that. Studies show it’s 10% of the church that does 90% of the work. And there’s an abundance of work that nobody is doing at all. But off of that bad news let’s talk about why me, why you? Why does God continue to tolerate us?
Matthew 16:13-20 is where I got the 1 in 12 analogy.
When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.
Emanuel’s eleven
When Jesus asked the question of the 12, “Who do men say that I am?” Eleven of His own men, who believed He was God, gave the world’s reasoning. “Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.” But when it came down to the question of who they say Christ is, none of the eleven responded. It wasn’t that God wasn’t using them in the ministry, that He didn’t have a plan for them. And this is only one glimpse of their story which is far greater than any story I’ll likely have. But I believe it is a glimpse of the church.
In most cases 11 out of 12 in any given congregation are willing to repeat what they’re told, but few are willing to go out on the limb and experience Christ for themselves. They love being spoon fed the word on Sunday morning, but few pick it up any other time throughout the week to experience the power of God in their life and hear what truth He would reveal if they’d but just step out of their comfort zone.
The disciples knew Jesus was God. Emanuel. In the flesh. They were saved! But Jesus, in the person of Christ is a depth of knowledge that can only be known by those willing to search past the world’s reasoning of faith. That’s where it often stops for me too at times, if I’m honest. I love the miracles! Shoot fire, I am one! But when it comes to the true life that Christ lived, His reasoning for coming; I’d rather go back and talk about the fun stuff. The disciples knew that the world didn’t get who Jesus was, but they hadn’t gotten it either. God’s plan was so much bigger than what the disciples had understood thus far.
Christ’s One
Peter. Oh I can relate with him on so many levels. Mainly just his failures. But I can also relate with his zeal. He was the one that when Christ ask “Who He was,” Peter quickly answered “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Whew and Glory! That ought to make you shout. Peter got it. He was Jesus’ star student for the day.
When I first got saved, and still yet today, I would seek men of God to listen and study and try to find the unmeasurable, unattainable depth of Jesus. He’s fun! I think of Peter like that. He wanted to experience all he could with his time with Christ. When God said get out of the boat, Peter jumped, and it was Peter who said “I’ll never deny you!” and I’m sure he meant it, but he did. Just like I do. I fail miserably. But this day Peter didn’t fail, and God gave Peter the most incredible gifts because he was willing to search deeper. He gave him a ministry, and He gave him the power to bind on earth and loose in Heaven!
We too can have that. But not without searching for the wisdom of Christ to go with it.
I can’t look at a Krispy Kreme donut and bind its power on earth without understanding that God’s got a sweeter treat for me in Heaven. Silly analogy but truth none the less. I have to look past the world’s reasoning and get a hold of Heaven. You do too. I’m glad you’re along for the journey, else you’d not take the time to read this chick’s blog.
I’m on the mend and hope to be on the road soon, singing and speaking for the cause of Christ. If you’d like me to come and share the Lord’s word, hit the message button and let’s talk!
I seldom ever just draw for the sake of drawing. It’s likely with a blog or a request in mind that I doodle the “Jesus Chick” cartoon that I use so often. Today, I finished some work for the Bible College, began to process my thoughts about a blog topic and determine what might follow that as far as getting something accomplished for the Kingdom and then my mind drifted. To a place of just wonderment. A siesta of sorts. I know… I just came back from a siesta. Four nights of revival and two at the beach and the sad part is, I needed that siesta to remind myself that I need to take more siestas.
Most people who look at my life look at me as an “unemployed woman” who occasionally serves the Lord (which isn’t a real job according to most), sings a little on the side (which is technically goofing off) and is readily available to forget about the laundry and dishes (true story) and go off on jaunts across the world with her bestie and play with her grandbabies with the remainder of her spare time. I just wore myself out talking about my time off!
I thought, perhaps today, I’d share a little about the glamorous days of “The Jesus Chick.” If you’re in the ministry, you can no doubt identify in many ways. If you’re not, please use this as a catalyst to pray for those of us who “don’t have a real job.”
On Monday’s I pack my guitar and song books into the car and travel to our local nursing home. I sing and minister in word to about 10-15 long term care residents. I try to sing songs of their childhood faith so that they can chime in. What a blessing that is to see patients who can’t remember their name half the time, recall every word of “How Great Thou Art!” Sitting across from me is usually a very cranky faced woman. She breaks my heart. She knows religion but she doesn’t know Jesus. She’s bitter at the world and my music soothes her soul temporarily, but just like Saul, who hired David to soothe his, when the music stops… so does the peace. She doesn’t know peace. I carry that home in my guitar case. It gets heavy sometimes.
On Monday nights a couple of friends and I meet at the church for a Bible journaling class where we share our art, but more importantly we share our heart. We’re burdened for our people. We want our churches to grow, we want our friends and family to experience the fire of Jesus! During the day I prepare handouts for the girls and conversation starters. Everyone needs conversations of the heart. It helps us grow in our own faith when we sow seeds into the lives of others. Good seed. That’s important to know. Stay away from those who sow weeds in your garden.
Wednesday’s I have a teen ministry where I try to sow good seed and pull the weeds of the world from the lives of children. Good grief there’s a lot of weeds to pull. If it’s been a while since you’ve sat down with teens to have an in depth conversation about their life you’d be shocked at what they face and be awed that they can come out of it unscathed. Only in Jesus.
If you follow this blog you know I have weeks of abundant writing and weeks of less. It depends on how much life takes its toll on my time. I sing at every opportunity. Often times for secular events hoping that my words in song and my testimony in between will spark a conversation with someone in the audience.
Spare time is often helping other ministries with promotion and publication art. And then when the weekend rolls around it’s game on for Jesus! I teach Sunday School, sing solo and sing in the choir, organize events and take care of our own church publications and such.
Does it sound like I’m complaining or bringing attention to my works for Christ? I surely hope not. That’s not my intent. My intent is to allow you to see that ministry may appear that it’s an afterthought; especially for those who work “real” jobs. But carrying the burden for souls in a guitar case, a hymnal, a cyber church and the occasional back pocket or purse is a heavy load. There’s no time off from your mind. I speak not only of myself but of ministers all over the world. Serving God is the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done in my entire life, I’m sure they’d say the same.
But sometimes you just want to fly away… or splat a mud puddle in cute boots.
“And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! For then I would fly away, and be at rest.” PSALM 55:6
———————————————————————————————————
This blog is in it’s 8th year. Hosted on godaddy.com for the past five. Expenses incurred for the operation of this site are without complaint and with gratitude for the opportunity. If the Lord would impress you to give to help cover some recent technology issues, I’d be grateful. I’ve not been in the world’s workforce for 3 years and for that I glorify God. It’s given me the opportunity to not only write and work on music, but minister to nursing home patients, volunteer in the Christian School teaching art and help other ministries with marketing. All of which require technology, communication, time and gasoline. Again it’s without complainT… but just in case you have a desire to help, or have “extra money” 🙂 Know that I would be eternally grateful.
