The Week in Review

Some seek status, some seek power, some seek financial success. However our motivation should be to seek Jesus only.

Temptations that Affect the Christian Leader – And How to Overcome Them

What is temptation? For the Christian leader, it is anything that pulls one away from being an effective leader by God’s standards. There are some temptations that are very easy to see and many do well that keep away from them. However, there are those temptations that can weave their way in and cause decline without an individual realizing it. Those are temptations such as personal recognition, pursuit of material or financial success and power or control from being in a place of authority. How is the individual leader to resist these temptations? Jesus mirrors for the Christian leader the steps to be successful when facing these and other temptations.


Joseph M. Stowell (1994) stated, “Ministry leadership is not a popularity contest, and those who lead to please may soon find themselves looking for another flock to shepherd.” (p. 97) Personal recognition or popularity is one of the snares that face the Christian leader. Some may be drawn into this snare by believing that it is important to please people and be on the side of the majority so they can be successful leaders. This, however, will not help the leader be God’s leader.

Jesus when faced with the devil’s temptations used the power of the word of God to combat his tricks. The scripture states:

“And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeded out of the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:3-4)

Henri J. M. Nouwen (1989) states, “Jesus’ first temptation was to be relevant: to turn stones into bread.” (p. 30) While being relevant may be looked at as something wonderful, Jesus did not try to prove his worth to gain popularity or status. His response to the devil’s temptation was to speak the word of God against the tempter. This is the same defense that will be effective for the Christian leader. When one is tempted to be relevant he must remember that it is about God and not about personal success. The word of God is the shield against these temptations.

“One of the main sufferings experienced in the ministry is that of low self-esteem. Many priests and ministers today increasingly perceive themselves as having very little impact.” (Nouwen, p. 31) This is how the enemy uses the pursuit of personal recognition to trick many. One begins to feel relevant when he receives the praise of men. Jesus shows that the focus should be on the Father and he will establish one’s self worth.

The second temptation is the pursuit of material or financial success. John McArthur (2005) expounds on Paul’s words when he writes:

“Another more sinister pitfall to avoid is doing the work of the ministry for sordid gain. ‘I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or clothes,’ Paul said to the Ephesian elders (Acts 20:33). ‘No one can serve two masters,’ Jesus declared, ‘for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon’ (Matt. 6:24). This is doubly true of pastors, whom God requires to be ‘free from the love of money’” (p. 24)

McArthur was speaking about pastors, but this statement can be applied to any Christian leader. God requires his leaders to follow him and not the pursuit of selfish gain. Jesus’ response to the devil’s snare of personal gain was to rebuke his trickery with the truth of God’s word. The devil tried to trick Jesus by telling him to wait for God’s angels to catch him after he threw himself down from the a pinnacle of the temple (Matthew 4:5-7). While this scripture does not speak to money in particular, it speaks to a mindset of deserving something. The devil was trying to tempt Jesus by making him think he deserved God’s angels to care for his needs. When the leader believes he or she deserves money or material gain, he can fall prey to the same trick Satan tried to tempt Jesus with; specifically an attitude of being owed something. Jesus says do not tempt God.

The final temptation is the lure of power:

“The problem with a platform of assumed authority is that the shepherd moves beyond the authority of the Word and seeks to exercise unchallenged personal authority and control in preferential issues and matters of church policy. Real authority is given, not gotten. Every time we grab for it, problems inevitably follow.” (Stowell, p. 100)


When leaders seek the power or authority, they allow themselves to become prideful. The humble leader realizes they are being used as a vessel for God. Jesus realized this when he was tempted:

“Again the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” (Matthew 4:8-10)

Satan tried to tempt Jesus with the promise that he would have all the power. Jesus rebuked the devil and affirmed God’s word that only God should be worshipped. When the Christian leader looks to oneself to be powerful, they are looking for the honor and authority to be given to them.

The question then is how did Jesus overcome all these temptations? Jesus was able to overcome all these temptations because he took time in prayer and fasting to take control over the flesh. Jesus also spoke the word against those thoughts that the enemy would try to bring. Jesus knew that the battle starts in the mind and the word is the only effective weapon against that. He also had to have hidden the word in his heart to be able to speak it so freely. This is a reminder that one must hide the word in their heart so they will not sin against God.

These steps help the leader to stay humble before God. The humbled leader does not seek personal recognition but turns to promoting God. The humble leader speaks, preaches or leads not because of what will be gained personally, but because it will help others to follow God. The humble leader resists the temptation to seek for oneself the honor of “king” or “ruler” by always seeking the true sovereignty of God. When the Christian leader hides the word of God in their heart, those lures that would destroy can be overcome. The Christian leader can overcome, because God’s Spirit will empower them. The Christian leader can be an overcomer because Jesus already overcame the world.

Reference List

MacArthur, John. (2005). Pastoral Ministry: How to Shepherd Biblically.
Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Nouwen, Henri J.M. (1989). In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership. New York, NY: The Crossroad Publishing Company.

Stowell, Joseph M. (1994). Shepherding The Church: Effective Leadership in a Changing Culture. Chicago, IL: Moody Press.


Thompson, Frank Charles, D.D., PH.D. (1988). The Thompson chain-reference Bible, 5th ed. Indianapolis, IN: B. B. Kirkbridge Bible Co., Inc.

The Week in Review

Trust – What Grounds the Effective Leader?

The author John C. Maxwell (1998) writes about the importance of trust in leadership. One must explore his meaning to understand why trust is vital for the leader. It is also important to understand the meaning so that one can recover if that trust has been broken. Nouwen’s concepts of relevance and contemplative prayer have a vital contribution that can help the leader understand Maxwell’s concept of trust from a Christian perspective. After the examination of these concepts, I inspect myself regarding the temptation to be relevant based on Nouwen’s definition. Finally, how can these principles be applied to help me grow and move from the place of seeking relevancy?


John C. Maxwell (1998) explains the concept of trust as being the solid ground. When a leader makes poor decisions in his leadership role, he places himself in a shaky situation, losing that solid ground or firm foundation. Maxwell goes further to explain how the leader builds that solid ground. He uses a bank or savings analogy. He states:


“Each time you make a good leadership decision, it puts change into your pocket. Each time you make a poor one, you have to pay out some of your change to the people. Every leader has a certain amount of change in his pocket when he starts in a new leadership position. From then on, he either builds up his change or pays it out. If he makes one bad decision, after another, he keeps paying out change. Then one day, after making one last bad decision, he is going to reach into his pocket and realize he is out of change.” (p. 57)


The meaning of the change or money example refers to how one builds trust among her people. If she is making good decisions and is mindful of those she affects, she builds up her change in her bank. If she makes one bad decision after another, she spends her change and in time will run out completely. Once the change is gone, the leader has lost trust among her people. This tendency to make one bad decision after another speaks to the leaders character. “Character makes trust possible” (Maxwell, p. 58).


If a leader’s character is questionable others do not want to follow. Maxwell explains further when he states:

“With good character, the longer the trip is, the better it seems. But if your character is flawed, the longer the trip is, the worse it gets. Why? Because no one enjoys spending time with someone he doesn’t trust.” (p. 59)

This temptation to make decisions without thought or efforts of others is in part one that Henri J.M. Nouwen (1989) calls the temptation to be relevant. The temptation to be relevant or important happens when one looks to the things they can do or positions they have held to make a difference to others. Nouwen faced this when he moved to a place where none of the things he had done before mattered to those that he would now lead. He states:

The first thing that struck me when I came to live in a house with mentally handicapped people was there liking or disliking me had absolutely nothing to do with any of the many useful things I had done until then…These broken, wounded, and completely unpretentious people forced me to let go of my relevant self – the self that can do things, show things, prove things, build things – and forced me to reclaim the unadorned self in which I am completely vulnerable, open to receive and give love regardless of any accomplishments.” (p. 27-28)

Nouwen believes that leaders of the future are called to give up the pursuit of relevancy and to be completely vulnerable, offering that part of themselves to those they will lead. The leader instead must do this through contemplative prayer. This means thoughtful, reflective prayer in which one seeks what God requires for him to show his love of God. The leader must question his motives to see if they align with God’s direction for the leader.

When the leader is able to reflect in this way, he is able to build up his change or money as Maxwell states. The leader’s change is increased because the focus is not on self-importance but what is important for those that he leads. Those being led will then be able to see the character of their leader and that will allow the trust to grow. If this type of leader continues to add to his bank, when he is faced with a breaking of trust he has a better chance of rebuilding it.


This is the reason Maxwell was able to restore trust with his people when he made a bad decision. Maxwell tells of his own situation, when he states:


A leader who keeps making good decisions and keeps recording wins for the organization builds up his change. Then even if he makes a huge blunder, he can still have plenty of change left over. That’s the kind of history I had at Skyline, which is why I was able to rebuild trust with the people very quickly.” (p. 57)


Maxwell also did something very important to restore the breaking of trust; he acknowledged his selfishness in his decision. He realized that he had tried to be relevant in his decisions. He had made decisions without the input of anyone else. His relationship with God however helped him to quickly realize he had made a mistake. This is the importance that Nouwen’s concept of contemplative prayer plays in the life of the leader. If one is always seeking God’s direction, when that direction is not followed, one is quickly convicted of that error in judgment. Maxwell was able to go back to his people and apologize for the error and they were able to forgive what he had done.

In my own ministry, I have been tempted to be relevant. There are times when I believe I can make decisions or implement things that would be great, but then I have to stop myself and do as Nouwen states, have a time of contemplative prayer. I have to ask myself the question of why? Is it important for me or is it important for those that I lead? Is this the direction God wants me to go? Is this his will or is it for my self-gratification? Is it time or do I need to wait? The most difficult thing to overcome is waiting for things to happen. I feel they should be happening right now, but God is showing me that it is better to follow his plan and allow him to bring about change in his time. When I do that, I allow myself to continue to build up my change.


I build up my change by being willing to show patience with things, people and situations. I build up my change when I continue to listen to God and allow his perfect will to be fulfilled. I build up change so that others trust me. They trust that I will be in my place in the good or the bad. Trust is important for the effective leader. One is grounded or on solid footing when one first places trust in God to lead, and then follows that leading. I find this to be the vital key for my success in this ministry. I have to be grounded in God as my leader. He leads and guides me and I must allow him full access. As I follow he is able to build my character. If I am able to help someone else by my character, then not only does it build up my change with people, but it builds up my riches with my Father in heaven.

Reference List

Maxwell, John C. (1989). The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People will Follow You. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc.


Nouwen, Henri J.M. (1989). In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership. New York, NY: The Crossroad Publishing Company.

Words of Encouragement

In the cell group I lead we did a study from the book by Nancy Leigh DeMoss "Lies Women Believe: and the Truth that set's them Free."  (I would suggest you purchase this book if you do not have it).  This week I wanted to share some of the things we learned that might help you in your walk.

MONDAY
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. - 2 Corinthians 4:17

The Lie - God should fix all my problems
The Truth - God desires more to glorify himself in us, even if that means he has to allow us to face some difficulties to accomplish it. This sometimes is difficult for us to accept.  We believe that as followers of Christ we should not have to go through difficult times that everything will be good.  You hear the catch phrases, "too blessed to be stressed" (the funny thing is the woman that created this isn't even a Christian, but that's another thing). If we understand the truth of God's word we understand that we will go through difficulties but we have the assurance of God that we will not be alone, he will be with us every step of the way.

Prayer: Lord we thank you for being with us through everything we face.  You are good in the good time but you are also good our bad times.  You are always the same.  Help us to understand that we do not have to fret if we go through difficulties.  Help us to know you are only using our difficulties to grow us more into the image of your Son. Help us today to reflect Jesus.


TUESDAY
For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. - Romans 6:14

The Lie - I cannot walk in consistent victory over sin.
The Truth - If I am a child of God I do not have to sin.  God's perfect gift of his Son freed us from sin.  It did not stop there, however.  God's Spirit was given to us to help us follow the things of God.  In our selves we could not walk victoriously.  The truth is we are now free and we can live for Christ because the Spirit equips us to.  If you are tempted or drawn away we cannot say it is because of lack in God's power but it is our own selfishness that draws us away from what is right before God.  We have been given the tools to stand and the way out of those temptations.

Prayer: Lord today forgive me for any sinful act you have shown me in my life.  Then I ask that you would strengthen me and help me to walk in the truth that I do not have to give in to sin.  Help me to walk freely and victoriously as you have made available to me.  Help me to live by the Spirit and to walk by the Spirit.  Help me to let go of trusting in my own ideas and myself.  Help me to look like you Son.


WEDNESDAY
In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. - Psalm 5:3

The Lie - I can make it without consistent time in the Word and in prayer.
The Truth - It is impossible for me to be what God wants without developing a relationship with him.  I need to pray and to seek him in his word.  How else will I know his will?  How else will I know if I am lining up with what he requires?  If I do not take the time to seek him I will become weak.  My Spirit man will not be able to overcome the temptations of flesh.  This feeds into the second lie we talked about yesterday.  You will not be able to overcome sin in you life if God is not the priority of your life.  Nothing can take the number one place of him otherwise you find yourself spiritually dying.

Prayer: Lord today help me to seek your priority for my day.  What do you require me to do?  I sometimes create my own schedule without seeking you forgive me for that. Help me from this day forth to seek you first and then you will add all else that needs to be added.  Help me to look more like you Son who rose early to seek you and to be about his Fathers will.


THURSDAY
give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 5:18

The Lie - I cannot control my emotions.
The Truth - I do not have to be controlled by my emotions.  I can make the choice to give thanks to God in all my circumstances good or bad.  I can choose to follow God with a joyful heart even if my emotions are raging and I am hurting.  Is it easy?  Not at all, but it can be done.  This is why we can rejoice we do not have to be alone in the struggles we face.  We can take captive every imagination.  We can take captive every emotion.  In ourselves?  No.  With the power of the Holy Spirit? Yes!  God will give us what we need so that our raging emotions can be placed under control.  So we can no longer use the excuse someone made me mad so I have a right to be where I am.  Some one may anger you but you have to decide how you will respond.  Will your flesh show or will you look like God's Son?

Prayer: Lord help me today.  I have allowed at times my anger to be victorious in my life but I do not want that to happen again. Help me to give thanks in all circumstances.  Even if I simply give thanks that I did not lose my temper but took it under control.  Help me Lord to reflect Jesus in all that I do even where my emotions are concerned.


FRIDAY
The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. - Luke 6:45

The Lie - If my circumstances were different, I would be different.
The Truth - My circumstances do not make me what I am they only reveal who I am. The scripture says that if good things are stored in the heart they will come out.  If evil things that is what will flow forth from our hearts.  What this tells us is that our situations and circumstances simply show us who we really are.  It will reveal what is hidden in our hearts.  If I become frustrated and untrusting when my finances are low that comes from my heart.  May then we should look at our circumstances differently.  If we remember earlier this week we looked at the lie that God should take care of all our problems.  May he is allowing this problem because he needs it to reveal to you that there is untrust in your heart towards him.  When you learn to trust him he very well may deliver you from the problem.  I think he will not deliver you until he has glorified himself through what has been removed from your heart.  We must begin to see ourselves through our circumstances for who we are and then who do we want to become?  Is my "Jesus" showing?

Prayer: Lord we thank you that even in the midst of difficult situations you use them to remove those things that are evil or unlike you.  You help them to draw us closer to you and to reveal who we are under pressure.  It is wonderful to think we are holy in the good time, but you want to show us what we are really like through the bad times.  Help us to give thanks in all things and at all times.  Help us to see that you want to show us we can have control over our emotions, over sin and any other lie that keeps us from drawing closer to you.  Set us free with your truth so we can look like your Son, Jesus.

The Week in Review

Assignment #9 – Personal Character

The American Heritage College Dictionary defines character as, “the combination of qualities or features that distinguishes one person, group, or thing from another… a description of a person’s attributes, as of an individual, group or category” (242). Believers involved in ministry must show attributes that are suitable to one called by God for the mission. Who decides what are acceptable characteristics in the believer? God’s word gives the directive on what individuals should work on in their nature. Even though each believer is uniquely different, there should still be distinguishing traits becoming to all that call on the name of Christ.

To understand building character from a biblical perspective, one must understand the need for God’s power. Nancy Leigh DeMoss and Tim Grissom, the authors of Seeking Him: Experiencing The Joy of Personal Revival writes, “Christian maturity cannot be attained by trying harder or doing more. God has not dangled the prospect of an abundant life before us then set us loose in a maze to try to find our way through. The Holy Spirit acts as our guide and our companion – the One sent from heaven to lead us home. He enables us to obey God, empowers us to become like Jesus, and fills us with supernatural power for work and for witness. We should therefore, learn how to listen to Him, how to follow Him, how to rely on His power and how to walk in His fullness” (215). Our character is developed as we study God’s word and change our actions to line up with what God calls for his people to look like. When one’s character is becoming of a believer, then one’s witness is not hindered.

John MacArthur, the author of Pastoral Ministry: How to Shepherd Biblically states, “Merely proclaiming the Word is not enough, however; the pastor must live out its truth in his life” (19). Showing distinctiveness such as being humble or even-tempered, show others you are living out what you say you believe in. If your character does not match up with what you say, others will not believe your words, and your witness is of no effect.

As one that believes in Christ, I must insure my actions match up with the word of God. One area that God is working on me is in my ability to forgive those that have injured my reputation or said hurtful words to me. I had to glean from God’s word what the requirements for forgiveness were. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). God’s word speaks of forgiving others even if they do not deserve it, simply because Christ forgave me first. He forgave me much more than what any person could do to me. Once I understood this, I had to allow God’s spirit to equip me to make the change in my heart. God’s spirit first reveals the area of growth needed in my life, and then once I accept the truth, His Spirit equips me to carry out the change.

“Forgiveness. The gift everyone wants to receive but finds hard to give. It’s not easy to forgive…When we release our offenders through forgiveness, we discover the key that unlocks the prison doors of our own hearts and sets us free to experience greater peace and joy than we ever dreamed possible” (DeMoss & Grissom, 169). This statement is a truthful one. When I am able to forgive those that hurt me, I find that I have God’s joy.

It is important to have a character that shows your life is in line with what you say you believe. It is important because we are witnesses to the world about the power of God. If we live up to the calling then we show the world we are a “peculiar people”. Our character then shows us as individuals first, then as a group of believers that look like Jesus. It is also important to know that what needs to be changed within us is not possible simply because we will it to, but as a result of God’s spirit working within us.

Work Cited

DeMoss, Nancy Leigh and Grissom, Tim. Seeking Him Experiencing The Joy of Personal Revival. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2004.


Gildea, Spike, Ph.D., et al. The American Heritage College Dictionary. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2002.


MacArthur, John, et. al. Pastoral Ministry: How to Shepherd Biblically. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2005.


Thompson, Frank Charles, D.D., PH.D. The Thompson Chain-Reference Bible, 5th ed. Indianapolis, IN: B. B. Kirkbridge Bible Co., Inc., 1988.

The Week in Review

Assignment #4 – Philosophy of Ministry

Alex D. Montoya, a contributing author of the book, Pastoral Ministry: How to Shepherd Biblically, states “Every profession needs a mission statement that answers the questions: ‘Why am I in this role?’ ‘What am I supposed to be doing?’ and, ‘How am I to accomplish this task?’” (48). One needs to have a philosophy of Ministry or statement of purpose to ensure they are effective in their calling. My philosophy of Ministry will be examined.


The first thing one must do to understand their purpose is to understand their relationship, first to Christ and then the church. Montoya states it this way, “For the pastor, a philosophy of ministry must come from the mandates addressed to Christ’s church” (48). Without Christ, there is no mission or purpose for ministry. As a minister my purpose comes because of what God first started when he set in motion the plan of salvation. Gailyn Van Rheenen, the author of Biblical Foundations & Contemporary Strategies: Missions, states in a diagram, “God originated the mission, Jesus Christ enacted the mission, the Holy Spirit gives power to the mission, the church carries the mission and the world receives the mission” (18).


This is the place to originate a philosophy of ministry. Montoya agrees when he states, “The purpose – That we may present every man complete in Christ” (55). My purpose or statement I have developed for myself is “Give God’s message to save the lost and equip the save”. This is my purpose for being a minister of Christ. Understanding my purpose, I must then form a plan to accomplish this.


“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). When I accepted my call to preach, I wanted to do all that I could to make sure I was giving the truth and not my opinions or thoughts. One way of accomplishing this goal was to begin taking classes. I wanted to make sure I was “rightly dividing the word of truth. “Paul preached Christ and Christ alone! His goal was to present Christ to every man, exhorting men to repent from their sins and to understand the totality of what a believer has in Christ” (Montoya, 55).

Montoya calls for ministers to examine the cost of accepting the call to preach. He calls it “the pain”. When I accepted my call to preach God’s spirit took me on a journey for eight months through the book of Jeremiah and some of Ezekiel. This was for the purpose of showing me both the sacrifices and where the power for the mission would come from. “But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 1:7-8). “And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them. And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious house. And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious” (Ezekiel 2:5-7). Both of these scriptures helped me to understand the call I was being given. God knew of those fears that had hindered me from speaking for him and he was giving me the encouragement through the word that he would be with me. He would be the strength that would keep me. I must not venture to the left of the right. I must not change God’s word so that it will be easy to the ears but it must be true.


“Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked ways, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou has delievered thy soul” (Ezekiel 3:18-19). This is the sobering message that reminds me of the importance of understanding God’s purpose for ones life. God does not send ministers for personal gain or wealth but for the fulfilling of his mission he set in place, salvation for the lost. I do not get to change the message to make me well liked, or sought after. I have committed myself to preaching the word for the purpose of saving the lost and equipping the saved.

Work Cited

MacArthur, John, et. al. Pastoral Ministry: How to Shepherd Biblically. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 2005.


Rheenen, Gailyn Van. Biblical Foundations & Contemporary Strategies: Missions. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1996.


Thompson, Frank Charles, D.D., PH.D. The Thompson Chain-Reference Bible, 5th ed. Indianapolis, IN: B. B. Kirkbridge Bible Co., Inc., 1988.

Words of Encouragement

MONDAY
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves - Ephesians 1:3-6


I have been studying this week about the selfishness of man and how we have moved God out of his rightful place.  As I was studying this, I thought about what it is we have recieved from God.  We will look this week at the glorious gift of salvation we have been given from God.  The scripture today is one of rejoicing.  The writer is telling us to rejoice in God because before the earth was formed (man either) God had us on his mind.  He knew long, long ago that he was going to adopt us (bring man back) into a relationship with himself through his Son Jesus Christ.  We should rejoice because this gift has been freely offered to us. We should see that God took great care in preparing this gift for us.  He wants to lavish on mankind his gift.

Thought for Today - Have you taken the time lately to think about salvation as a gift given to you because of the unchanging love of God?  Have you thought about what price it cost him to give you this gift?

Prayer -  Lord we thank you this day for having us on your mind before time began as we know it.  We thank you for preparing us a way to be in your presence and to enjoy fellowship with you.  Help us to be thankful for this gift.


TUESDAY
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. - Ephesians 1:7-10

Because of this offer of salvation we have been set free from sin by the blood of Christ.  Not a little free, but abundantly free.  We are free to be in fellowship with God.  He has let us in on his plan of salvation that we must now become a part of as we tell others. He has allowed us to understand the hidden things as he fulfills his plan in the lives of all mankind.  We are no longer strangers, enemies left out of the will and plan of God.  Not only does he save us but he makes everything we need available to us.  We have a storehouse of provisions for us to fulfill our purpose here on earth.

Thought for Today - If all is provided for us to live successfully on this earth, why do we faulter?  Why do we live unsuccessful lives as believers (living in sin, not discerning the will of God)?

Prayer - Lord today we are thankful for your revelation of yourself through your word and through you Spirit. Jesus was the word made flesh so that we could see and know the plans of the Father.  Lord help us this day to be the followers of Christ you have called us to be.  Help us to live with a kingdom focus not only for ourselves but for the glory of your name. Amen.


WEDNESDAY
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory - Ephesians 1:11-12


What an exciting thing to understand that before we even heard about Christ, he was already purposing in his heart how he would save us. He had a design on us for glorious living. This was so we could praise him.  He changes us to look like himself.  Some often thing of predestined as God having chosen individuals to be saved.  This does not mean that God has determined before hand who would be saved, but he determined before hand how all could be saved.

Thought for Today - If God took the time to set up a plan for mankind why do you think so many still resist his love?  On a personal note, are there anythings about God's ways that you resist?

Prayer - Lord today we are thankful for allowing us the opportunity to worship you.  You determined before time began to allow us this avenue to you.  Help us to access you, your way.  Help us to be removed from selfishness.  Seeing things our own way, doing things our way and missing your Spirit telling us what is your good and perfect will.  Today, give us a spirit of discernment so that we can understand your will for our lives. Amen.


THURSDAY
And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory. - Ephesians 1:13-14


It was the hearing and accepting the word of salvation that placed you in Christ.  Once we believed we were sealed with his Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit was promised by Christ as the comforter for his disciples. The Holy Spirit also serves as a reminder of who we belong to.  Without the Spirit of God we cannot be as we ought to be children of God. He is a guarentee a deposit to keep us until Jesus returns.  As children belonging to God, His Spirit helps us to be kept until Jesus' return.  We can praise God because we have his assurance through salvation.  This means that God will not only save you, but he is able to keep you from falling. 

Thought for Today - If we have the Spirit of God do we exhibit the fruits of the Spirit?  Take a personal inventory, is there any manifestation of the fruits that are missing from your life?

Prayer - Lord we are thankful for your Spirit.  He comes to help us in this life.  He comes to guide us, direct us and help us to walk worthy of the calling we have in Christ Jesus. Lord if there is anything in me that is contrary to your Spirit, reveal it and then give me the strength to walk rightly in those areas. Amen.



FRIDAY
For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way. - Ephesians 1:15-23


Thanks is given for those that have accepted God through Jesus. Not thanks only, but a prayer for God to open  their eyes so they can clearly see what is the will of the Father. This request is so that the people of God can know him better.  If we know him better, we can use this understanding to discern what the true will of the Father is and no longer have to "guess at it".  Often time we won't admit it, but we are guessing at what is pleasing to God.  We make up our minds about something and we determine it is okay.  I have often asked God when I have seen some of the results of people making decisions without God, how did that happen?  What he showed me is this, we are guessing.  We have not stopped, taken the time to ask him and then waited to hear the responses.  We sometimes may ask, but if we do not hear a "no" immediately we take it to mean yes.  Maybe when we do not hear a "no" is because it means "wait".  Maybe God wants to see how long we will wait on him before we do our own things. The scripture goes on to tell us that Jesus is the head of the church it is his body. 

Thought for Today - If the church is under the authority of Christ, who then should the church answer to?  If we are the body of Christ, who should we represent in every action, every event every thing we do?

Prayer - Lord we are thankful this week for you allowing us to be reminded of the great gift of salvation you have given to us.  We are thankful that you desire us to live rightly and have made available to the tools to do so.  Help us as we begin to prepare for the Christmas season to look anew at the things we do and think about you.  Let our lives bring total glory to you and you alone. Amen.

The Week in Review

A Time of Worship

As I was praying and worshipping God in the early hours one Saturday morning, I thought about something. How often do we stop to just remind ourselves of some of the characteristic and the attributes of God? Let me tell you about a few, that I thought about.

He is the Alpha and the Omega. - The beginning and the end of my life.


He is a lamp to my feet. He is a Light unto my path. - I don’t have to stumble in this life, because God has given His light.


He is Jehovah. – He is my provider.


He is the Word. - It will stand the test of time.


He is grace and mercy - but He is also judgment.


He is forgiveness - but He is also correction.


He is love - and through it, I find true sacrifice.


He is joy -  He is peace and in Him, I can stand.


He is holy -  and he wants a people to follow his exact purpose.


He has all power and He is all knowing, so I can trust and follow Him, even if I don’t know where it’s leading.


I think about just a few of the wonders of this great God, I ask the question? How can a great God like this want me? And then I am comforted with this from Luke 4:18-19:

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

It is God who has called me, it is God’s anointing that is upon me helping me to do His will, it is God’s power that will send me whenever, wherever, and to whomever he pleases. And it is God’s power that will keep me, even when my path is unsure to me. And with this promise, I can lay down all that I have held close, and follow Him. I leave this question with you to think about, what do you love more, your life, your comfort’s, those things you hold dear or God’s will? So say yes to God’s will, even if it means walking away from what you love and hold dear.

The Week in Review

Celebration – Inspiration - Communion

The third point is they rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they have seen. Let our minds take in the faces of these unnamed disciples. Some have become disciples because they may have seen Lazarus raised from the dead. Some may have become disciples because they have seen the sick healed, demons cast out, the lame walking, the blind seeing. Some may have become disciples because they were healed of their own disease, sin or infliction and knew that it was only because of Christ. Whatever the reason, they came and rejoiced because of the miracles of Christ they had seen themselves. And they were not ashamed to cry out in a loud voice praises to God. They give him honor as the king, and rejoice at the glory of God. They offer a sacrifice of praise unto the king.



Luke uses his contrasting skills in this section of scripture as he contrasts these disciples with the Pharisees as they enter the picture in verse 39. The disciples had their eyes focused on Jesus and they were able to worship him for his mighty work. The Pharisees were not focused on Jesus, not for the right reasons anyway, but on what minor things that could use to trip up Jesus and stop what he was doing. To have true celebration, inspiration and communion we must not have the wrong focus on Jesus. We may not be looking to stop his move, but are we only looking to him for what we can get or what will benefit us only? The Pharisees were in the crowd, but they were not there to worship him, but to try and stop his work and progress. To have true celebration, inspiration and communion we must not simply come to the building or show up with the crowd. We cannot have true worship if everything we do, is a hindrance to the work and progress of the King. The Pharisees may have been professors of the Law, but they were not possessor of it. Otherwise they would not have done these great sins before God, by trying to stop his Son, for they would have hid the word in their heart so that they would not sin against God. To have true celebration, inspiration and communion we must hide the word in our hearts and allow it to keep the spirit of the Pharisee from rising up in us, to tell others what to do, but not willing to do it ourselves.



The disciples came to honor Jesus because they knew a king was among them and they wanted to worship him. The Pharisees wanted this man Jesus removed because he was hindering their movement, their advancement, their agenda, their position and their status quo. He was not fitting in with their plans and so they wanted to get rid of him. To have true celebration, inspiration and communion we must release our agendas, our advancement, our positions and our status quo because they all take the place that belongs to Jesus. We must be willing to become humble, and sacrifice our all, just as the people did when they placed their coats on the ground before Jesus as he entered. They humbled themselves to worship him and gave what they had.



The disciples came to celebrate and cry out praises to God. They cried out Hosannah, which means, God saves. They came to celebrate the God that saves. And even as they shouted about what they had seen, they were not even aware of what was yet to come. They had only seen part of the story, not the entire story.



How does this apply to us today? We praise God for sending Jesus and what we have seen, the miracles. We praise him for the mighty works he has done. For life brought back into those that were dead. We praise him for the sick that have been healed (those sick from sin and diseases), the blind that can now see (those that were in darkness didn’t realize they were in darkness because they had become accustomed to the darkness, their eyes had adjusted to the blackness and God had to come along and open up the spiritual eyes to the true light), and the lame that can now walk. We thank him for not only the miracles we see done in others, but maybe we came to rejoice because he stopped by on his descent down to man, and touched us in our infirmity and set us free. We can rejoice because he has healed the brokenness in our lives, the impossible things became possible, he has healed relationships, lives, hearts and emotions. Yet, even as we worship and praise him, we have not seen the entire story either. For there is coming another time when Jesus will descend from the Holy hill of God. This time he won’t enter on a donkey, a lowly animal, but on a charger, a white horse. He won’t be coming in lowly, but as a conquering king. That is when he will return not to draw men to him, but to separate the just from the unjust.



And it came to pass, that one day he changed us and set us free so that we could join in the multitude of disciples rejoicing and celebrating the king. Luke’s Gospel is interwoven with the contrast of right and wrong behavior. Let us not be found in the place of celebration, without true motives on our mind. Let us not be found among the worshipers, the multitude of disciples as a Pharisee, looking to stop Jesus’ movement. For we have much to rejoice about for God sent his son, who descended from his holy hill just to save us. Hosannah! Hosannah! God saves, God saves!

Words of Encouragement

(picture used from showkindness.com)

Prayer Through the Word

MONDAY

1. PRAISE IN PRAYER – (our devotion, and honor of God) - Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. (Matthew 6:9 KJV) - Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are. (The Message)

It doesn’t matter the words you use to start your prayer, but you should always first give honor to God. Never simply start with your list of things that you want God to give you. This is a time that we take to remind ourselves of who we are talking to. We are talking to our Father in heaven. We are talking to the mighty God of the universe. He is our Hightower, our fortress; he is our deliver and our King. We want to take this time to simply honor him and to tell him of our reverence, our admiration, and our love for him. We want to ask him to reveal himself to us and we start this process by taking a time of praise and devotion unto him. We also want him to reveal to us, what it is we need to pray for, for him to reveal to us who is in need of our prayers? Let us image for a moment, on the other side of the door standing there is the great king waiting to come into the room. He is waiting for us, however to summon him in with the respect and honor that he is due from us. He is waiting for us to announce him into the room. As we do, he enters the room. When he enters he comes in and image if you will a cloud of smoke filling the room and every area of the room is covered. Or maybe you wish to image God’s entrance into the room as one where beauty enters the room and you see a long white and gold train filling the room. Whatever you do, this is simple an exercise to image how you would feel if someone of greatness comes into the room. That is what we are asking from God, to come into our presence and fill the room, and not just the physical room, but also the space in our hearts. So in order to do that we must first put the praise in our prayers before we can begin to ask for anything. Do you know when we take the time to first praise him that draws us up to meet him? That draws us up from our worries, our concerns, and our heartaches. It places us in the right mindset to really receive the answers we are seeking.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Take the time today to praise God in your prayer.




TUESDAY
2. PRACTICE OF PRAYER – (being pro-active, it is my involvement to accomplish that which I am praying for in my prayer life) - Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10 KJV) - . Set the world right; Do what's best— as above, so below (The Message).


Even though this is talking about the actions of God, we need to see it also is calling for us to put into practice that which we are praying about. We say, God make the world right; do what is best as in heaven as well as on earth. So then what I am saying to God is in fact, God allow me to be a part of your plan for this world. Set things, as you would want them to be. Reach those that you want reached, and allow me to be a part of that plan. So when we pray Jesus is telling us to seek your part in the plan of God. An example of this is “Lord, change the lives of my children so they will learn to love you more (that is calling for the action of God and that takes place from above). And allow me to be the example set before them so they can see how to walk (that is what is enacted in the below, the on earth part by me).” Or “Lord, change my husband’s heart so that he can learn to be the man of God you have called him to be (that is what take places above, this is what God will do), and help me to continue to stand before him and to submit to your plan for our lives so that as you say in scripture through my life he might be changed (that is how it is enacted below, through me).” We pray for God’s kingdom plan to be done and we pray with our minds to be involved.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Ask God today as you pray, how can you be involved in the action that needs to take place.


WEDNESDAY
3. PROVISIONS THROUGH PRAYER – (access to God’s answers and directions) - Give us this day our daily bread, (Matthew 6:11 KJV), Keep us alive with three square meals (The Message).


God makes provisions for us. He gives us not only our physical needs, but we are also made to have access to our spiritual provisions. When you and I need the food that will sustain us, we can go to God and he will give us what we need. When we need spiritual food, we too can go to him and ask God for what we need and he will give it to us. We can pray and ask God to provide for “our” need and that “our” is the entire family of God. God bless my sister, she is in need of healing. God touch the life of my brother, he is in need of…

THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Are you asking only for your provisions or are you seeking God for the needs of others?


THURSDAY
4. PROMISES IN PRAYER – (my promises to God) - And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors (Matthew 6:12 KJV) Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others (The Message)

We often do not think of prayer as something we are promising to do. However if we look closer at this prayer we see that we are making a promise. When we ask for example God to forgive us as we forgive others what we are really saying is this, God I promise to forgive others, so please forgive me. So the moment we refuse to forgive someone, what we are actually doing is breaking our promises to God. We then cannot expect to receive from God when we refuse to keep our promises to him. There are also promises in prayer from God to us. He promises to forgive us and then he says go and do likewise. To keep my promise in prayer I must seek God to give me his strength to do it. So when we pray the promises of prayer, what we are doing is this, Lord help me to show love to those that have not been loving to me. It has been difficult but I know I can show love because you promise to give your love to me. What you give to me, you can do through me, so help me to do the same. If there is any unforgiveness within the heart, now is the time to confess it. Any anger, now is the time to confess it and promise God that you will obey. And then rejoice because if you promise to do it, he will provide a way for you to do it.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Today as you pray, examine yourself to see if you are keeping your promises to God.  What have you told him you would do that you have not done?


FRIDAY
5. POWER OF PRAYER – (access to his strength to carry out his purpose) - And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen (Matthew 6:13 KJV), Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil. You're in charge! You can do anything you want! You're ablaze in beauty! (The Message)


There is something else we forget about prayer and that is how much power we have. We say things like, when I’ve tried everything else, I can pray. Prayer needs not be the last thing we do, but the first thing we do. We need to pray with assurance and know that we are given the ability to make a different in the spiritual realm. This is the area we hinder God the most. We pray amiss. We pray maybe hoping he will do what we ask, but sometimes we are not sure if he will. We need to pray with that assurance that what we ask for God is going to do. He can do even what seems to be impossible to do. Is there anything to hard for God? There are times when what we pray for does not go our way, but it doesn’t mean that God did not answer. He did answer your prayer. His answer was simply different than what you expected. And what he does, is he will strengthen you to be able to accept what his answer is. He will strengthen you so that you will not become tempted to believe his word is not true. That is what doubt really is. We begin to doubt that God will answer, if he has answer our prayers differently before. Someone may have asked God to heal their body and yet the healing did not come. Does that mean he cannot heal? Not it meant that he had a different plan and there was something that he was going to do to glorify himself through the sickness. So he will strengthen you to help you not become tempted by the devil to believe God has no strength or that God is not listening. Let us pray now and with the belief that God is going to answer what we are now praying for. Have not doubt.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Have you accessed the power God has given you in prayer?  Have you allowed him to work out those things that seem impossible? This weekend when you go to worship, go knowing that God's power is made available to you, do you possess it?

Words of Encouragement

We love our parents, grandparents, husbands and wives.  We love our children and those close to us.  This is good, yet there is a more excellent way of love.  There is a godly love that moves us to a place that we love not because we receive love, but because of God's Spirit in us.

Love - The Excellence of God

1 Corinthians 12:31-13:15

But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way. - 1 Corinthians 12:31


MONDAY
This is a small verse of scripture but it is in the chapter that speaks about spiritual gifts.  The verses before this one talks about having the gifts of healings or tongues. It then moves to this verse and says but desire the greater gifts.  What does that mean?  What does it mean to desire the greater gifts?  Is the scripture saying that one gift is more important than the next one?  That to have one gift makes one better than the next?  No.  In fact, we will look this week at what is that excellent way the scripture is pointing us toward.
 
Thought of the day - What do you think is the "most excellent way?"
 
Prayer: Today, Lord we ask that you would help us find your most excellent way.  Help us to see that you have given us gifts not for ourselves but to add to the kingdom.  You have given us gifts so that we can function as a healthy body.  Help us to walk in your excellent way.
 
 
TUESDAY
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. - 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
 
This is the more excellent way spoken about yesterday.  If you have spiritual gifts but lack love it is all for nothing.  Love is what makes each of our gifts the excellence that God wants presented to the world and to each other.  My gifts are not for me they are for you.  When I have love in my heart for you then I will want to use all that God has given in me to help you on this walk.  Without love that is impossible to do.  We become lead by ritualistic activities and we do it, simply because it needs to be done.  I heard recently someone say that it was the love of Christ that kept him on that cross not because it was a duty.  Duty does not take us to that next step, to seeking excellence God's way.
 
Thought for the day - In what ways can you show the more "excellent way"?  What can you change today that would make love that much more evidence in your life?
 
Prayer: Lord, we want more than simply doing things because they are right.  We want to have love the motivating factor for everything we do.  We want to love you first and then love one another.  If we do not, we are as the scripture says "nothing".  This day Lord help us to have more love in our hearts for you first and then for our brothers and sisters.
 
 
WEDNESDAY
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7


Now we get to the trust about what love is.  It is patient it allows for the development in others.  It understands that everyone is not at the same level so it patiently waits for others to come to the right understanding. Love is kind and it does not do anything to hurt others.  Love does not envy it is happy for what you have and how God is blessing you.  Love does not boast and pump itself up.  It does not seek to make itself better at the expense of others. Love is not rude or self-seeking, but it is willing to seek what is best for you and even put itself out for your benefit.  Love forgives.  Love does not seek to hold accounts against your wrongs. It also looks to investing in you, encouraging you and yes even telling you the truth.  Love will not take delight in lies but it stands for the truth.  So in love one will tell you the truth for this main reason, not to destroy you but to protect you from that which will hurt you.  Love is not a feeling it is a choice.  God choose to love us.  Jesus choose to love us by dying on the cross.  It was more than a feeling because feelings can change.  It was a decision.

Thought for today: With this understanding of love, what can you change in your ideas about love?  Are you loving simply in an emotional way or is it a choice to do so?

Prayer: Lord, we no longer want to simply doing things because of what they "feel" like.  Jesus may not have felt like dying for us, but he choose to do so because of his love for us.  Lord help us to make the choice to love your way.  Love in spite of what others do.  Love does not love because it is returned, but love does so because it is of you.  If we say we belong to you, then help us because your essence is love and we cannot say we love you, without loving others. 

THURSDAY
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. - 1 Corinthians 13:8-12


Did you know that even as we function within the gifts that God gave us, there is coming a time when they will cease?  We will not need to teach or prophecy when the fullness comes.  Yet what will still be needed at that time?  Love because it will never cease.  It will be love that will send Jesus back to come for his people. It will be love that we will experience when we find ourselves in the presence of God.  Yet we will experience it in a fuller way.  The essence of God is love and we will be in the fullness of his love, in his presence.  So if love is something that will never cease, why do we not see the importance of living in it now?  This is one of the excellent things that God has for us to begin to experience even right now.  We cannot stop loving no matter what we are faced with.  Difficulties...show love.  Heartache...show love.  Disappointments...show love.  Never allow your love to cease because this is how God shows his excellence through you.

Thought of the day - The challenge today is this, can you show love to someone even though you know they will not show it in return?  Can you love because that is the more excellent way and it shows who you belong to?

Prayer: We are often faced with situations that hurt us, disappoint us and discourage us. We know those hurts sometimes make us want to turn away, but Lord we need your reminder and your strength to keep loving in the midst of those difficulties.  When we do, we know that we show your excellence through us.  We know when we do we show the word you.  Help us in our most difficult times to choose to love because you first loved us when we were most difficult indeed.

FRIDAY
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. - 1 Corinthians 13:13

In order for us to walk in this Christian way we must have faith, hope and love.  Without faith we cannot please God.  Without hope we would become discouraged and it would cause us to doubt God and move us away from having faith and in pleasing God.  We also need love.  Without love we cannot have the other two.  Our faith started first with love.  It was the love of the Father that saw our need and sought to draw us to himself.  It was first the love of the Son that willingly gave himself in my place and your place.  It was love that sent the Holy Spirit and love that keeps the Holy Spirit directing us, teaching us and equipping us.  It is love that also helps us to become the excellent of God.  We love as we have been loved.  We love others not because they deserve it, but because they are in need of it.  We love others enough to make the sacrifice of ourselves for their benefit (like Jesus). We love others enough to use our gifts (as the Holy Spirit gives us) to teach, direct and equip others.  Surely, love is the more excellent way.

Thought for today - What new understanding did you recieve this week about love? Take a time of meditation before the Lord to see how this understanding can help you find God's more excellent way.

Prayer: Lord today thank you for loving us when we were not lovable.  Thank you for loving us enough to give us your Spirit.  Help us to share that love you have placed in us with others that stand in need of it. As we go to worship this week, God help us to show more love in all that we say and do.

The Week in Review

The Composite of a Godly Woman

Godly woman, what is written on the pages of your life

Are they words that encourage us and lead us from strife

Oh Godly woman, what treasures are planted within

Treasures that shine brightly directing us from sin

Godly woman how complex you are

Your life is more brilliant than the stars

What treasures have you acquired on your travels

With these treasures, mysteries simply unravel

Look at the treasures placed in you by the Masters hand,

Treasures that grow brighter and brighter with each day that you stand

When others see you, they are seeing God’s word written on your heart

Words that have grown stronger from the very start

Words like:

Beauty – “And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us; and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea the work of our hands establish thou it.” Psalm 90:17

Love – “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law” Romans 13:10

Sacrifice –“I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD.” Psalm 116:17

Holiness –“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Hebrews 12:14

Wisdom -“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all they getting get understanding.” Proverbs 4:7

Correction -“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” II Timothy 3:16-17

Oh Godly woman, what are you made of, what treasures do you hold

You are molded from God’s words, and with each year its beauty unfolds

Greater, oh so greater grows the fragrance of your life scenting the air

So that those that come behind smell its fragrance and know of your care

This is the composite of a Godly woman

The Week In Review

Celebration – Inspiration - Communion

Luke 19:37-38 – And when he was come nigh, even now at the (1) descent of the mount of Olives, the (2) whole multitude of the disciples began to (3) rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they have seen; Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

The second point is the whole multitude of the disciples. This in not only the twelve that walked with him, but all those that have encounter Jesus along his journey and have decided to follow after him. We sometimes only think of the disciples as that elite group that followed Jesus closely. Yet, here Luke makes a point to let us know that there are others that have been given the opportunity to be followers of Jesus. We too can be counted in the multitudes of the disciples that rejoice at the presence of the king. For it is through Jesus that all can become disciples, the opportunity was not cut off after the 12. The opportunity of salvation is offered freely to all regardless of gender, race or age. All can join together to become the multitude of disciples, all can join together in worship, and all can join together in the remembrance of what Jesus did. This is Luke pointing to what Jesus would do because of the crucifixion; open up the Gospel to all men.



“ And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me." This scripture also reminds us from Luke of how we can all join together in remembrance of what Jesus did. He gave himself for our transgressions and he tells us to come and partake of him so that our bodies will bear the witness that we are a part of him. The whole multitude, all God’s people have relationship, spiritual union with Christ and we celebrate this in union as the multitude rejoiced in unity of purpose.