The Greatest Thing You Can Do For The Men In Your Life: Part 2

by alyssajoy

Continuing the blog post I wrote on “The Greatest Thing You Can Do For the Men In Your Life”, and because of the multiple requests, I wanted to share 5 specific things that the Lord has laid on my heart to pray for Jeff (and other important men in my life, like my dad, pastors, and friends). Obviously there are so many things you can pray for that are specific to the men in your life; by no means is this an exhaustive list! But my hope is that this will encourage and spur you on to pray for specific things regarding your guys’ hearts, minds and souls.

Here are 5 things that I regularly pray for Jeff:

1. He’d passionately love Jesus above all else, with all of His heart, mind, soul and strength & that he would be intimate with our Lord.
2. He’d walk in purity, integrity and honesty.
3. He’d walk in humility.
4. He’d continue to be a light, persevering in passionately proclaiming Christ and making disciples.
5. He’d know, rest and rejoice in who he is ‘in Jesus.’ i.e. forgiven, new, loved, clean, blameless, washed, righteous, and spotless.

Next week I will go more into the why behind these five things.

Peter's Wife: Our Calling

Do you feel called by God to do what you are doing, right now, in the place you are doing it? Most cross cultural workers have some understanding of their calling. But in this edition of Peter’s Wife, I'd like to encourage you and maybe help you understand a little bit more about your calling.

We are among those called to belong to Jesus and to be saints (Rom. 1:6,7). Thankfully, God empowers us to live a life worthy of our calling: being humble, gentle, patient, bearing with one another, and making every effort to maintain unity. This is our calling as children of God (Eph. 4:1-3).

So every believer has a call. But most of us living overseas believe we also have a more specific calling to service. And as we all know, serving cross culturally is no easy calling.

Our calling is not the same as our job. Our job may change many times, yet our calling does not change. Our job may be the instrument we use to carry out our calling. I have had jobs as varied as campus nurse, Bible school instructor, secretary, web developer and master, editor, counselor, etc. But the calling to encourage and help those God brings across my path has never changed.

Like our personality that stays very stable throughout our lifetime, our calling also stays very much the same. It is like our spiritual DNA. And, like personality, we may discover new aspects of it all of our lives. 

Know Your Strengths

When you teach, do people listen? When you lead, do people follow? Identify your strengths, and —this is important—major in them.  Singing for others would give me wonderful satisfaction. The problem is, it wouldn’t give the same satisfaction to my audience.  I’m what you might call a prison singer—I never have the key, and I’m always behind a few bars.

Paul gives good advice in Romans 12:3: “Have a sane estimate of your capabilities.”

Be aware of your strengths. Take a few irons out of the fire so one can get hot. Failing to focus on our strengths may prevent us from accomplishing the unique task God has called us to do. We cannot meet every need in the world. But some of us try. In the end, we run out of fuel. So, have a sane estimate of your abilities—and stick to them.

From: Just Like Jesus

When Is It Time to Leave a Church?

If you see any of these seven warning signs in your church, my advice is to run as fast as you can.

A friend of mine from England recently asked me for counsel regarding a serious dilemma. His pastor had been involved in extramarital affairs, yet the man never stepped down after the scandal. My friend grew increasingly uncomfortable. Then he became alarmed when the embattled pastor announced he was going to lay hands on every church member during a weekend service to impart “special revelation.”

This pastor had a base of loyal fans, but the Sunday crowd was dwindling because people could smell trouble. They knew it wasn’t right for this man to remain in leadership without receiving some serious personal ministry. I advised my friend to run for the door.

I’ve never found a perfect church in all my travels—and it certainly wouldn’t be perfect if I joined it. But there are some churches that deserve to be called unhealthy. While I believe we shouldn’t give up on a church too fast, there are some warning signs that should cause you to stop and ask if you’d be better off finding better pasture.

1. No accountability. There is safety in the multitude of counselors (see Prov. 11:14). There is much less safety—perhaps even danger—when a leader does not bother to seek counsel from a diverse group of his peers, as well as from gray-haired men and women who have the wisdom that comes with experience. If a pastor or church leader isn't open to correction or financial oversight, he is headed for a train wreck. If you stay in that church, you may crash with him.

What Do You Love to Do?

What do you love to do?  What gives you a sense of satisfaction? Some long to feed the poor. Others relish singing or teaching or holding the hands of the sick or counseling the confused.  Each of us has been made to serve God in a unique way.

Ephesians 2:10 says: “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” You are a custom design; you are tailor-made. Regardless of the circumstances that surrounded your arrival, you are not an accident.

The longings of your heart are not incidental; they are critical messages. The desires of your heart are not to be ignored; they are to be consulted. As the wind turns the weather vane, so God uses your passion to turn your life. God is too gracious to ask you to do something you hate.

From: Just Like Jesus

A Worship-Hungry Heart

Parents, what are your children and others learning from your worship?  Do they see the same excitement as when you go to a basketball game?  Do they see you prepare for worship as you do for a vacation?  Do they see you hungry to arrive, seeking the face of the Father?  Or are others seeking the face of the Father while you’re seeking the face of your wristwatch?  Do they see you content to leave the way you came?  They are watching.  Believe me.  They are watching.

Do you come to church with a worship-hungry heart?  Our Savior did. May I urge you to be just like Jesus? Prepare your heart for worship. Let God change your face through worship.  Your heartfelt worship is a missionary appeal. Let others hear the passion of your voice as they see the sincerity in your face, and they may be changed.  I know you will be!

From: Just Like Jesus

Selling Divorce

For many severely conflicted couples, divorce seems to promise peace from the infighting, a fresh start, the hope of new love, and a kind of “reset button” for life. Many buy into the idea that ending a marriage is a viable way to solve relationship problems.

Besides, you reason, it will ultimately be better for all, and the kids will make it—kids are resilient.  And you won’t have to look for to find voices to side with you.  People who love you will give you a biased shoulder to cry on; they want you to feel loved and supported. But don’t be quick to listen to your personal fan club.  They are not objective; they are out to protect and rescue you. People like this will always urge you to divorce if they believe you are suffering emotionally in your marriage.

But divorce has been oversold. What most fail to acknowledge is the longstanding pain created by a divorce.  Contrary to popular belief, statistics show that after divorce children are not okay.  The ‘trickle-down effect” causes them emotional trauma that stays with them throughout life. Also, divorced people are less healthy and less happy, and have a higher risk of substance abuse.  Depression is three times greater in women who divorce than in those who do not.  And divorce severely lowers one’s standard of living.  In fact, if statistics are to be believed, the one sure way you can guarantee that you, your children, and your grandchildren will live at or below the poverty level for their entire lives is simply to get a divorce.

Worship Changes Our Face

Exactly what is worship?  I like King David’s definition in Psalm 34:3:  “Oh magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.”

Worship is magnifying or enlarging our vision of God. Of course his size doesn’t change, but our perception of him does. As we draw nearer, he seems larger. Isn’t that what we need?  A big view of God?  Don’t we have big problems, big worries, and big questions? Of course we do.  So, we need a big view of God. Worship offers that.

A vibrant, shining face is the mark of one who has stood in God’s presence.  He wipes away the tears.  Not only does God change the face of those who worship, he changes those who watch us worship!

From: Just Like Jesus

Sunday Sermon - 24-Feb-2013 - Bro. Chin Teng Lum

Speaker: Bro. Chin Teng Lum
White Fields Assembly Seremban

http://www.mediafire.com/?6h60mdd4lc27tty

Spend Time with Him

C. S. Lewis wrote: “The moment you wake up each morning your wishes and hopes for the day rush at you like wild animals. And the first job of each morning consists in shoving them all back; in listening to that other voice, letting that other, stronger, larger, quieter life come flowing in.”

Here’s how the psalmist began his day: “Every morning, I tell you what I need, and I wait for your answer” (Psalm 5:3).

Spend time waiting on God. And, at the end of the day, thank God for the good parts. Question him about the hard parts. Seek his mercy.  Seek his strength. And as you close your eyes, take this assurance into your sleep: “He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (Psalm 121:4).  If you fall asleep as you pray, don’t worry. What better place to doze off than in the arms of your Father.

From: Just Like Jesus

The Greatest Thing You Can Do For The Men In Your Life: Part 1

by alyssajoy

I was sitting on a yellow vintage couch in a beautiful home in Maui. I remember studying God’s truth with a few ladies my age. For a month we were going to go through the book “How to Pray for Your Future Husband” by Robin Jones Gunn. None of us were married, or were even dating for that matter.

One quote by her I’ll never forget though. It said, “Ladies, pray for your men. Satan’s game plan is to take down the leaders, the men. Only God’s Spirit can draw a man to seek Him and free him to be the man, and leader God wants for him to be. Whether you marry or not, DO BATTLE! Pray!”

Do battle I thought?

Me?

The girl whose dad laughed at the army recruiter when they called my house seeing if I wanted to join the army my senior year?

The girl who, although has gone on adventures all over the world, is scared to go on public buses, walk the streets of downtown L.A., and walk from my car to my house at night?

What Are We Missing?

Jesus declared:  “I am in the father and the Father is in me.”  (John 14:10).  It was as if he heard a voice others were missing.

I witnessed something similar on an airplane.  I kept hearing outbursts of laughter.  The flight was turbulent, hardly a reason for humor.  But some fellow behind me was cracking up.  I turned to see what was so funny.  He was wearing headphones. Because he could hear what I could not, he acted differently than I did.

The same was true with Jesus.  Remember when everyone was distraught about Lazarus’s illness?  Jesus wasn’t.  Rather than hurry to his friends’ bedside, he said,  “This sickness will not end in death. It is for the glory of God.” (John 11:4).

Jesus knew something no one else did.  He had unbroken communion with his Father.  Do you suppose the Father desires the same for us?  God desires the same abiding intimacy with you that he has with his Son.

From: Just Like Jesus

Why I Defend Women Preachers

Strong men are not intimidated by gifted women. If we want to reach the world for Jesus, we must empower female leaders.

My friend Abby Olufeyemi is one of my favorite pastors. She's a Nigerian living in England, so her British/African accent makes her sermons all the more fascinating to listen to. Besides her obvious anointing as a preacher, she's also a model of Christian integrity. She's been tested through serious trials-including the loss of her husband, Alfred, who died in a plane crash-so she leads with grace and compassion.

Thankfully, Abby finds support from her denomination, the Redeemed Christian Church of God, the largest indigenous church network in Nigeria, and one of the fastest-growing Pentecostal groups in the world. But when I tell people that I work alongside women pastors I get puzzled looks. Many Christians who love God and the Bible believe women are not allowed to serve in pastoral roles.

This is especially obvious whenever Charisma publishes an article on the topic. Three weeks ago, my column, "Six Gender Myths in the Church," sparked a firestorm of protest. But I don't argue with people in online forums because (1) I respect anyone's right to his opinions, and (2) I can't spend all my time answering critics when there are souls to be reached for Christ-and so many women who want to reach them.

But being with Abby in London made me realize that many Americans oppose women leaders because they just haven't seen very many examples. At the risk of sounding simplistic I will list the reasons why I believe we need more women on the front lines of ministry today:

His Presence Never Diminishes

For years I viewed God as a compassionate CEO and my role as a loyal sales representative. He had his office, and I had my territory.  I could contact him as much as I wanted. He encouraged me, rallied behind me, and supported me, but he didn’t go with me. At least I didn’t think he did.

Then I read 2nd Corinthians 6:1:  we are “God’s fellow workers.”  Fellow workers?  Co-laborers?  God and I work together? Imagine the paradigm shift this truth creates. Rather than report to God, we work with God.Rather than check in with him and then leave, we check in with him and then follow. We are always in the presence of God. We never leave church. There is never a non-sacred moment.

His presence never diminishes. Our awareness of his presence may falter, but the reality of his presence never changes!

From: Just Like Jesus

Let God Love You

When my girls were little, I’d come home, shout their names and watch them run to me with extended arms and squealing voices.  For the next few moments we’d roll on the floor, gobble bellies, and tickle tummies and laugh and play. We delighted in each other’s presence. They made no requests of me, with the exception of, “Let’s play, Daddy. And I made no demands of them except, “Don’t hit daddy with the hammer.”  My kids let me love them.

But suppose they’d approached me as we often approach God. “Hey, Dad, glad you’re home.  Here’s what I want!”  “Whoa,” I would have to say.  “Why don’t you just climb up on Daddy’s lap and let me tell you how much I love you?”  Ever thought God might want to do the same with you?  How long since you let God love you?

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!  And that is what we are!” (I John 3:1).

From: Just Like Jesus

Sunday Sermon - 17-Feb-2013 - Bro.Patrick Cheng

Speaker: Bro. Patrick Cheng
National Association of Christian Counsellors

http://www.mediafire.com/?mc2hdars09efpmd

A Little Over a Lifetime

Will I learn what God intends?  If I listen, I will.  A little girl returned from her first day at school. Her mom asked, “Did you learn anything?” “I guess not,” the girl responded.  “I have to go back tomorrow and the next day and the next day. . .”

Such is the case with learning. And such is the case with Bible study.

Understanding comes a little at a time over a lifetime. James said:  “The man who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and makes a habit of doing so is not the man who hears and forgets.  He puts that law into practice and wins true happiness.” (James 1:25).

The Bible is not a newspaper to be skimmed but rather a mine to be quarried.  Proverbs 2:4 says to “search for it like silver, and hunt for it like hidden treasure.”

And we need to do it today, and the next day, and the next….

From: Just Like Jesus

Marriage is a Marathon

Sprints and marathons are two distinctly different races.  In a sprint, one of the most critical elements is the start.  Runners practice for hours on end getting into those little blocks and bursting out the very nanosecond the gun goes off.  Why?  Because if you falter in the start, you don’t stand a chance of winning the race.

On the other hand, the starts of marathons are not that important at all.  Most runners are just standing around waiting for the gun to go off.  Truth is, you could fall down, have three guys run over you, get up, and still win the race.  It’s not the start that is so important; it is the endurance.

Today, many believe marriage is like a sprint, that the start is what is critical.  I never cease to be amazed at how many struggling couples point to the start as the reason for their struggles.  “We were too young.”  “We didn’t know each other for very long.”  “We didn’t have enough money.”  They are convinced that the poor start is the reason for their troubles, but they are wrong.  Marriage is not a sprint; it is a marathon.  It is not the start that leads to a failed marriage, but the unwillingness to endure the race.

You don’t do marathons quickly.  You have to spread out your energy over time.  Endurance is what empowers a couple over the long haul.  It will enable you to push through old familiar conflict zones for the ten-thousandth time without quitting; you just keep going and going. . . Scripture urges, “Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in.  Study how He did it.  Because He never lost sight of where He was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—He could put up with anything along the way:  Cross, shame, whatever.”   That’s endurance.  It makes marriages last.

A Basin of Water

I looked for a Bible translation that reads, “Jesus washed all the disciples’ feet except the feet of Judas.” I couldn’t find one.

A couple once told me about a storm they were weathering.  She learned of an act of infidelity that had occurred a decade ago.  And as you can imagine, she was deeply hurt. She could have left. Women have done so for lesser reasons. But on advice of a counselor, they went away for several days. On the fourth night of the trip, he found a card on his pillow. It said: “I’d rather do nothing with you than something without you.” Beneath that she’d written these words: I forgive you.  I love you.  Let’s move on.

Certain conflicts can be resolved only with a basin of water. Jesus made sure His disciples had no reason to doubt His love. Why don’t you do the same?

From: Just Like Jesus

Wash Each Other’s Feet

Jesus said to His disciples:  “If I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash each other’s feet” (John 13:14).  It means to kneel as Jesus knelt, touching the grimy parts of the people we’re stuck with; washing away their unkindnesses with kindness.  Or as Paul wrote in Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind and loving to each other, and forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ.”

“But Max,” you’re saying, “I’ve done nothing wrong.  I’m not the one who cheated.  I’m not the one who lied. I’m not the guilty party here.” Perhaps you aren’t.  But neither was Jesus.  Don’t we all think we are right?  Hence we wash each other’s feet.  Relationships don’t survive because the guilty are punished but because the innocent are merciful!  Only one was worthy of having his feet washed.  The one worthy of being served, served others.

From: Just Like Jesus

Sunday Sermon - 10-Feb-2013 - Pr. Donald Wayne Dickman

Speaker: Pr. Donald Wayne Dickman
Sword of The Spirit Family Church, Petaling Jaya.

http://www.mediafire.com/?c1n6ahh4c6j1507

Connected But Not Altered

When you give your life to Christ, He moves in, unpacks his bags and is ready to change you into His likeness. So why do I still have the hang-ups of Max?

Part of the answer is in the story of a wealthy but frugal lady living in a small house at the turn of the century. Friends were surprised when she had electricity put in her home. Weeks afterward, a meter reader appeared. “Your meter shows scarcely any usage,” he said. “Are you using your power?”  “Certainly,” she answered.  “Each evening I turn on my lights long enough to light my candles; then I turn them off.”

She’s tapped into the power but doesn’t use it. Her house is connected but not altered. Don’t we make the same mistake? God is willing to change us into the likeness of the Savior.  Shall we accept His offer?

“I pray 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 his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” (Ephesians 1:18-19a).

From: Just Like Jesus

The Mind of Christ

The heart of Jesus was spiritual. Our hearts seem so far from His.  He is pure.  We are greedy. He is peaceful; we are hassled. He is purposeful; we are distracted. How could we ever hope to have the heart of Jesus?

Ready for a surprise? You already do.  You already have the heart of Christ. Would I kid you?  One of the supreme promises of God is simply this:  if you’ve given your life to Jesus, Jesus has given Himself to you.

The Apostle Paul explains it in 1 Corinthians 2:16: “Strange as it seems, we Christians actually do have within us a portion of the very thoughts and mind of Christ.”

The same one who saved your soul longs to remake your heart. His plan is nothing short of a total transformation. Let’s fix our eyes on Jesus. Perhaps in seeing Him, we will see what we can become!

From: Just Like Jesus

You Are Tweakable

You aren’t stuck with today’s personality.  You aren’t condemned to “grumpydom.”  You’re tweak-able; changeable. From whence come statements such as, “It’s just my nature to worry,” or. . .“I’ll always be pessimistic, I’m just that way.”  Or. . .“I have a bad temper.  I can’t help the way I react.”  Who says?

Would we make similar statements about our bodies?  “It’s just my nature to have a broken leg. I can’t do anything about it.”  Of course not.  If our bodies malfunction, we seek help.  Shouldn’t we do the same with our hearts?  Shouldn’t we seek aid for our sour attitudes?  Can’t we request treatment for our selfish tirades?  Of course we can.  Jesus can change our hearts.  He wants us to have a heart just like His. Can you imagine a better offer?

From: Just Like Jesus

The Secret of Becoming a Prophetic Preacher

 
What we need in today’s pulpits is less glitz and polish and more gut-level honesty.
 

Ever since God called me to preach, I’ve battled with deep insecurity about my delivery style. I can’t electrify a crowd like T.D. Jakes, pack an arena like Reinhard Bonnke or get audiences to turn sermons into trending topics on Twitter like Craig Groeschel or Steven Furtick. Those guys hit home runs when they preach. I get base hits—or strikes.

For years I felt like the reluctant Moses, who complained to God by saying, “Please, Lord, I have never been eloquent” (Ex. 4:10). For years the Lord kept pushing me out of my comfort zone, urging me to surrender my fears so that I would take the microphone willingly. Once He told me: “I didn’t call you to be T.D. Jakes. I called you to be you.”

On many occasions after speaking in a church or conference, I would sulk. I battled constant discouragement and wondered if my words had hit the mark. Did I preach OK? Did the message sink in? Finally I asked an older pastor if he had ever struggled with disappointment in his pulpit performance. He smiled and told me: “Son, I feel that way every Monday of my life.”

I’m learning an uncomfortable secret about preaching: Those who dare to allow God to speak through them will always squirm in holy agony. Preaching the gospel is both a glorious and a horrifying responsibility. When we speak under the anointing of the Holy Spirit and impart the very truths of Christ, we get so dangerously close to Him that our pride is challenged.

Something Better

When my daughter, Jenna, was little I often took her to a park near our home. One day as she played in a sandbox, I bought her ice-cream, but when I turned to give it to her, her mouth was full of sand. Where I had intended to put a delicacy, she had put dirt. Did I love her with dirt in her mouth?  Absolutely. Was I going to allow her to keep the dirt in her mouth? No way!  I loved her where she was, but I refused to leave her there.  Why?  Because I love her.

God does the same for us.  “Spit out the dirt, honey,” our Father urges. “I’ve got something better for you.” “I can eat dirt if I want to!” we pout and proclaim.  We can.  But if we do, the loss is ours.  God has a better offer.  He wants us to be just like Jesus!

“Create in me a pure heart, God, and make my spirit right again.” (Psalm 51:10 NCV).

From: Just Like Jesus

What If?

What if, for one day, Jesus were to become you? Waking up in your bed, walking in your shoes, assuming your schedule?  With one exception—nothing about your life changes. Not your circumstances. Your schedule.  Your problems.  Only one change occurs!  His priorities govern your actions. His love directs your behavior.

What would you be like?  Would people notice a change? What about the less fortunate?  Would you treat them the same? And your friends?  Would they detect more joy?

Pause and think about your schedule. Obligations.  Engagements.  Appointments.  Would anything change? Keep working on this for a moment.  Adjust the lens of your imagination until you have a clear picture of Jesus leading your life. Then frame the image. What you see is what God wants. He wants you to “think and act like Christ Jesus.” God wants you to be just like Jesus!

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

From: Just Like Jesus

Sunday Sermon - 3-Feb-2013 - Rev Dr Peter Yee

Speaker: Rev. Dr. Peter Yee
Bethel Centre Puchong

http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?5u2899plvg58xgk

Just Like Jesus

When they were young, my daughters loved playing “dress-up.”  They’d put on their mom’s shoes, fill up a grown-up purse with crayons and pretend grown-up scenarios.  For the moment, they wanted to be just like mom.

Don’t we do the same?  We look at ourselves, with our immaturity, our sinfulness, and we want to clothe ourselves in something better.  We want to be just like Jesus.  This seems like an impossible goal until we accept one simple truth:  God will help us.  He loves us. Not only does God love each of us exactly as we are, but he wants us, little by little, to become like him. Why?  Because he wants us to have a heart like his.

Need to hear that message a few more times? Don’t we all? God loves you just the way you are, but he refuses to leave you that way!  He wants you to be just like Jesus!

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26).

From: Just Like Jesus

Beware of Oncoming Stupidity!

If you aspire to ministry, don’t be stupid. Decide now to avoid these obvious pitfalls so you can finish well.

I shared a pulpit with Dr. Mary Ann Brown two times. She was bold and painfully blunt. People who hate women preachers hated her even more because of her no-nonsense sermons, always delivered in her Texas twang. She would get her audience laughing and then skewer them with a hot blade of truth.

When Mary Ann died last October, I remembered the last words she said to me when we were together at a conference in Chicago in 2011. After lamenting the fact that so many ministers were failing, she locked eyes with me and said with stern, motherly authority: “Lee, please don’t ever get stupid.”

I’ve pondered her words often since her death. I don’t want to be stupid; I want to finish well. So how can we avoid spiritual stupidity? We can start by avoiding these 10 mistakes that have become common in our movement during the past decade: