Open Blog Weekend-November 21-22

We had an extra exciting delivery at the Proverbs 31 Ministries office on Thursday. I could not wait to show you.
Just in case you did not know, I work with the most amazing women. They are beautiful inside and out, each using their God-given talents to serve and help grow the kingdom of God.

Let me introduce them, starting on the floor, left to right and working up:

• Kristen Sigmon-coordinators Next Generation
• Samantha Reed-Admin. to LeAnn Rice and so much more
• Holly Good-Assistant to Lysa TerKeurst
• Terri McCall-Special Projects
• Wendy Blight-Speaking Ministry
• Leah DiPascal-Assistant Renee Swope
• Teri Bucholtz-Resources Coordinator
  
• Melissa Taylor-Admin. Assistant and Prayer Ministry Coordinator
• Barb Spencer-Speaking Coordinator
• The Queen herself-LeAnn Rice-The Boss of us all

I count them as family and among God's greatest blessings to me!

Thanks for letting me share and brag a little. I hope you all have wonderful weekend.

Love God

"But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes."
1 Corinthians 8:3

This verse grabbed my heart. Have you ever felt like God did not recognize you? There have been more times than I care to recall that I have felt like God did not know me, that he was not interested in my life. Of course this was not true but in the moment it was how I felt. Doesn't everyone long to be recognized by God? Paul reveals how we can have our longing fulfilled.

It sounds so simple. All we have to do is love God. The Greek word for love in our key verse is agapao. (ag-ap-ah`-o). It means to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly. I found it interesting the definition included the word entertain.

The definition of the word entertain surprised me. It means to hold the attention of pleasantly or agreeably; to hold in the mind; harbor; cherish. To be recognized by God we must welcome Him and love Him dearly. He should hold our attention pleasantly and agreeably. We should hold, harbor, and cherish Him in our mind. Don't you just love that? Well, it gets better.

This same translation of love is used in John 3:16 and John 14:15:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV)

If you love me, you will obey what I command.(NIV)

We are to love God the way He loves us. He recognizes and welcomes us, loving us dearly. We hold His attention pleasantly and agreeably. He holds, harbors, and cherishes us in His mind. How can we as humans love like that? Francis Chan, in his book Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God, (my current read) has this to say on the subject:

"In our world, where hundreds of things distract us from God, we have to intentionally and consistently remind ourselves of Him."

Look at the blessings that come to those who intentionally and consistently keep their mind on Him.

You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.
Isaiah 25:3(AMP)

With benefits like that, who can say no?

Lord, help me to love you with the love you are worthy of receiving. Please guard me from the distractions of this world. The self-discipline you give me (2 Timothy 1:7) is what I need to help keep my mind stayed on you. I know this is the only way I can give you the love you deserve.

The Only Opinon That Matters

"As for me, it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority." 1 Corinthians 4:3

I'd like to say that I have grown-up and now at the ripe old age of 42, "it matters very little how I might be evaluated" by someone. I like to claim this as my truth but I can't, not yet. OK, I have grown-up a little, not completely, but progress has been made. Paul has learned the simple truth I long to claim as my own: the only opinion that matters is that of the One and Only.

Most of my life has been lived in insecurity and a longing of the approval of others. The sickness went as far as to making sure everything on my person was "just so": make-up, hair, and updated fashions. I would not ever leave the house in grungies and without make-up. It went further than appearances. Because I struggled in school, I believed everyone was smarter than me. If everyone was smarter than me, surely they were better than me therefore I need not try-out for sports, cheerleading or anything else that interested me.

I lived under the umbrella of these lies until I begin to study and apply to my life the truth of God's Word. The transforming of my mind began in my early 30s. Through numerous ordained circumstances, I responded to God with a yes and began to have quiet time every morning with the Lord before He turned on the lights. Little by little God began to replace my lies with His truth. With mercy and tenderness He pointed out my shorting comings and sin. He forgave me and I accepted His forgiveness. My certain deliverance was set into motion.

I still give way too much credit to what others think of me than I should, but through Christ, progress is being made. I am learning that my confidence and competence comes from Him. I now will venture out in grungies. I even went to Bible study a few weeks ago wearing yoga pants, my husband's over-sized sweat shirt, and crocs. I have also be seen at my local Target without make-up.

It will be a great day when faced with these recurring lies that I can respectfully say, "it matters very little how I might be evaluated by you or by any human authority, I have the approval of my Lord Jesus Christ and in Him I stand confident, competent, and complete."

P.S. I had to throw in The Message translation of this scripture. It was too good not to share.

It matters very little to me what you think of me, even less where I rank in popular opinion. I don't even rank myself. Comparisons in these matters are pointless. I'm not aware of anything that would disqualify me from being a good guide for you, but that doesn't mean much. The Master makes that judgment.

Never Too Old To Learn

"When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately."
Acts 18:26

I will admit, this verse made me chuckle. The Message translated the last part of the verse in this way, "told him the rest of the story. Imagining Apollos with courage and with eloquence teaching the gospel being pulled aside made me relive some not so good moments in my life. I can remember a time or two in my youth and ignorance (Notice the difference: his courage and eloquence compared to my youth and ignorance.) that someone more mature than me pulled me aside to share the "rest of the story." Sometimes we just need someone to sit down with us and teach us "more accurately."

What wonderful examples of Christian mentors we see in Priscila and Aquilla! They heard the zeal and power in Apollos' message. They witnessed his charisma and the influence he had on his captive audience. Then with wisdom and true grace they waited until he was finished speaking before they "taught him more accurately." Apollos showed himself teachable. He sat down and spent some time with Christians more mature than himself and was willing to learn. Apollos set a wonderful example for us as well.

There is always someone we can teach and there is always something we can learn. If given the opportunity to be a Priscila, Aquila or Apollos, I hope I will follow their example: offer what I know with grace and wisdom, accept what I don't with humility.