For sisters who have been taught most of their lives that women are not called to preach, the “Call” experience can be confusing, scary and down right mind boggling! They may ask, “Lord, is that really you? How can this be?” “Am I really experiencing a call from God or is this coming from somewhere else?” “ What does the scripture say about women serving in the preaching ministry?”
Today’s Shepastor highlights excerpts from a wonderful resource book entitled, Women Mentoring Women: Qualified for Ministry, co-authored by Vickie Kraft and Gwynne Johnson. The highlighted chapter discusses the questions that called women may have regarding a woman’s “place” as outlined in scripture, misinterpretations of scriptures that have been used to discourage women from pursuing the call and various aspects of God’s Holy Word that “qualifies” women to act in a preaching capacity.
Excerpts written below – read on and be blessed!
Shepastor Highlights: Women Mentoring Women: Qualified for Ministry,
co-authored by Vickie Kraft and Gwynne Johnson.
THE SEED: THE WORD OF GOD
The grass withers and the flowers fall,
but the word of our God stands forever.
ISAIAH 40:8
As children, many of us experienced the thrill of burying a tiny seed in a Styrofoam cup and keeping daily vigil until a tentative green sprout nudged the dirt aside, unfolded, and became our own small plant. Whether it ever arrived at full maturity or not, the growing plant was reflective of whatever seed we planted: from a tomato seed, a tomato; from a flower seed, a flower; from a green bean seed, a bean plant. The future product was bound up in the seed. In much the same way, the end result in any women’s ministry will depend largely upon the kind of planted seed, the source of our presuppositions and our activities.
As we look to the Bible as the seed for our planting, we can confidently expect that the result will be a ministry that reflects God’s character and God’s view of women. Therefore, the place to begin growing your women’s ministry is with a study of what the Bible teaches about women and their responsibilities before God. This study is vital for several reasons.
Tradition Versus Truth
First, we need to distinguish between tradition and biblical truth. There is a difference between tradition and Scripture. The Bible is divine and infallible; tradition is human and fallible. When tradition is based partially on Scripture and partially on culture, we must distinguish where one begins and the other ends. Discerning the impact of culture and tradition on the understanding of truth is important in planning how to implement this essential ministry to women. The seed thoughts for any effective and lasting ministry must come from the Word of God.
Biblical Calling or Cultural Pressure?
Second, social and cultural changes, such as a pervasive immorality, an increasing divorce rate, the breakdown of the extended family, and an increase in the number of mothers working outside the home, have created an atmosphere of confusion and unrest experienced by many women today, including Christian women. However, when we are pressured to develop a program centered on the needs of women in our culture rather than beginning with what the Bible teaches, we are in danger of developing a ministry with culture-bound roots. The Bible, rightly understood and applied, will provide a program that speaks with authority and power to the needs of women.
Commands or Confusion?
Third, many women are hesitant to step into a significant role of ministry because they honestly believe it is not their place to do so. They have previously understood that the Bible places great restrictions on their ministry in the church, and they sincerely desire to be obedient to God’s plan. They need the strong confidence of scriptural clarity to step out.
In this chapter we will examine the biblical basis for a woman’s worth
and God’s place for her in ministry from the perspective of women as qualified for ministry. In the next chapter we will discuss women as called to ministry.
Qualified by Original Design
One of the first things the Bible tells us about women is that they have been created in the image of God.
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” . . . And it was so. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. (Genesis 1:26–31)
Man and woman were created equal in nature. They are persons of intellect, emotions, volition, and spirit. God also assigned them joint responsibility and personal accountability. They were both given dominion; the woman was co-regent with her husband. They were mutually blessed; together they were to reproduce. Neither one could have done it alone, so it was a joint blessing.
However, although created to be equal in nature, they were also created different in source and in function. Adam was created from the dust of the ground, but the woman was created from him, from a rib taken from his side (Genesis 2:21–23). Therefore, they had a different source. Their physical bodies were different, and their function in reproduction was different. Both were essential.
Not only that, but the woman is said to have a different purpose. She was created to be a “helper suitable to him.” The word helper has often been misunderstood today. Some have taken it to mean a doormat, an inferior person. Interestingly, the Hebrew word translated “helper” (ezer) is used nineteen times in the Old Testament (for example, Exodus 18:4; Deuteronomy 33:7; Psalms 10:14; 33:20). Only four times is it used to speak of people helping people, peer helping peer. The other fifteen times it is used to refer to God helping people, a superior helping an inferior. It is never used in any of the nineteen references of an inferior helping a superior. The term also has the meaning of someone who brings another to fulfillment.
Eve could be a “helper suitable for” Adam because she was his equal in personhood. God brought all the animals before Adam first to demonstrate that not one there was for him. He needed someone like himself. And he recognized her, exclaiming in essence, “Wow! This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh.” This was what he had been waiting for. She could complete him because she was his equal in personhood. Yet because Adam and Eve were different from one another, each supplied what the other one lacked.
…Man’s Designer and Creator knows best how we were designed to function as His creatures. God’s image is man, male and female, created equals, to be in perfect harmony with one another and with their Creator. Man and woman were to function as His representatives on earth. They were to share equally in everything: in obedience, in blessing, in ruling and subduing, in reproducing, and in fellowshipping with God in the garden.
Therefore, the first reason that woman can enjoy a sense of worth is that she was created in God’s image. She is qualified for ministry through creation.
Qualified by Redemption
The second reason the Christian woman can enjoy a healthy sense of self-worth and feel confident to minister is that she was redeemed at great price. Even today, we often determine the value of an item from the price paid for it. Think of the recent sale in the millions of dollars for one painting by Picasso. How much more valuable are those who have been redeemed at the greatest price, the precious blood of Jesus Christ, the very Son of Almighty God. “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Peter 1:18–19). “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit” (3:18).
Galatians 3:28 says, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” There is equality in Christ. With Him, no superiority or inferiority based on race, social class, or gender exists.
The way of salvation is the same for man and for woman. Each is a sinner. Each must personally trust Jesus Christ alone to save. Each is then forgiven, receives eternal life, becomes an adult son or daughter in God’s family (Romans 8:16–17; Galatians 4:6–7), and becomes a priest with full access to God (1 Peter 2:9).
With salvation, the Holy Spirit comes to indwell each individual (1 Corinthians 6:19) and to give each one spiritual gifts without discrimination based on gender (1 Corinthians 12:7). Each person, man or woman, is responsible to live a life of dependence upon the Holy Spirit and obedience to the Lord.
A woman is qualified and equipped by redemption.
Qualified by Old Testament Example
A third reason women are qualified for ministry is that in Scripture God uses women in key ministry for Him. Abraham’s wife Sarah is given as a model to follow in relationship to our own husbands (1 Peter 3:1–6). Her respect and response to Abraham reflect godly submission. But Sarah was no doormat. She was outspoken and feisty, yet protective and supportive of Abraham. However, it is interesting to note in Genesis 21:12 that God commands Abraham to obey Sarah. Most women will admit they would enjoy having a voice from heaven say to their husbands, “Do whatever she tells you to do.” That is what God did for Sarah. The same Hebrew word used for obeying God in Genesis 22:18 regarding Abraham’s obedience to God is used in 21:12 concerning Abraham’s obeying Sarah’s words regarding Hagar.
Miriam, the sister of Moses, is called a prophetess (Exodus 15:20–21), one who speaks God’s word; and in Micah 6:4 God tells Israel that He set before them as leaders Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. In the latter passage, Miriam is clearly called one of the leaders of Israel.
Women the Bible calls “skilled” and “willing” voluntarily contributed of their possessions and worked with their hands in constructing the tabernacle (Exodus 35:21–22, 25–26). Women served in the doorway of the tabernacle. The same word for service was used of them as for the Levites (Exodus 38:8; 1 Samuel 2:22).
Most of us remember Deborah as the one who commanded Barak to lead the army when he was unwilling to step forward into leadership. But she was also a judge of Israel and a prophetess. She lived between Ramah and Bethel in Mount Ephraim, and the children of Israel came to her for judgment. In addition, following the great victory over Sisera, she demonstrated a poetic gift as she and Barak worshiped God in a song of praise (Judges 4–5). Her words are recorded for posterity.
Hannah was a woman of total commitment to and passion for God. She had access to God, made a vow, and kept it. Her deep faith and commitment gave Israel the prophet Samuel, a leader who turned the nation around, introduced the kingdom, and anointed Israel’s first two kings (1 Samuel 9:16).
Abigail rescued her household by demonstrating great courage and initiative. She gave David wise counsel, calling him back to himself and to God, thereby saving him from taking murderous revenge (1 Samuel 25).
After the great conviction that ensued upon the reading of the Law, Josiah sent the high priest Hilkiah and his other officials to inquire of the Lord for him concerning what to do, since Israel had so long neglected God’s word. Hilkiah went to Huldah, the prophetess, for God’s directions, even though both Jeremiah and Zephaniah, also prophets of the Lord, were living in Jerusalem at the same time (2 Kings 22:11–20).
It has sometimes been taught that women can do certain jobs only if there are no men available. This passage does not support that assertion.
The entire book of Esther recounts the story of a courageous young woman who risked her life and comfortable position to save her people from a murderous enemy. Her words “If I perish, I perish” are understood by all women who risk obedience to God in perplexing and difficult situations.
Proverbs 31 describes a woman who is often overwhelming to women who consider all that is written about her. Here was a priceless woman who feared God, cared for her family, managed her home, and used all her abilities and talents. She bought and sold land, manufactured and retailed textiles, and more. The scope of her activities was almost without limit. We can gain courage, however, when we consider that most likely this list covers a lifetime of effort, with no doubt different emphases in different seasons of her life—and she had servants to assist her. Certainly we can be encouraged if we look at the freedom, authority, and scope that lay open to her. She is praised for her exemplary life, not only by her children but also by her husband.
Women in the Old Testament were provided for in the ceremonial, civil, and moral law. They participated in worship, art, family life, and community life with creativity, decisiveness, freedom, and authority. They used their gifts and talents to serve God and to influence their families and their nation. It is important to realize that they were never forbidden to speak in public in the Old Testament.
Qualified by the Example of Jesus
Even in His agony on the cross, one of Jesus’ last concerns was to provide for His mother’s care. His attitude toward women was definitely counter-cultural. In a day when the rabbis said they would rather teach a dog than teach a woman and would rather burn the Torah than teach it to a woman, Jesus taught women spiritual truth (Luke 10:38–41; John 4; 11:1–44). He spoke to women publicly (John 4) when, by contrast, a rabbi would not even speak publicly to his wife. It was women who supported Jesus from their private wealth. It is also interesting to realize that Jesus let women travel with Him during His public ministry (Matthew 27:55; Luke 8:1–3).
Although women were not considered reliable witnesses in a legal matter,
Jesus considered them to be valid witnesses (Luke 24:9–11). Indeed, it was to women that He gave the responsibility of being the first to testify to His resurrection. Many of Jesus’ parables and illustrations contain examples with which women would particularly identify: the lost coin (15:8–10), yeast and bread (13:20–21), childbirth and labor (John 16:21). Jesus demonstrated unusual sensitivity and compassion toward women and performed miracles for them. He healed their sick and raised their dead to life (Luke 4:38–39; 8:40–56; 13:10–17; John 11:1–44). Rather than condemning them for even flagrant sexual sin, He forgave them and offered them new life (John 4:1–42; 8:1–11).
Mary’s extravagant worship near His death was accepted by Jesus, and He defended her against the unjust criticism of the disciples (Mark 14:1–9; John 12:1–8). He guaranteed her remembrance in history for her love and generosity. His commendation, “She has done a beautiful thing to me. . . . She did what she could” (Mark 14:6, 8), provides insight into how God considers our talents, limitations, and opportunities when He gives us our final report card.
There is also an interesting balance between the sexes in the Gospel accounts. Both Mary the mother of Jesus and Zacharias the father of John the Baptist have a song that is recorded. In the temple, Simeon and Anna both welcomed the new baby. Jesus had conversations about the new birth with both Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman. Peter’s confession, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16), is balanced by Martha’s similar confession in John 11:27. Both a man (Luke 6:6–10) and a woman (13:10–13) were healed in the synagogue; Jesus healed both a son and a daughter and raised a son and a daughter from the dead; and, as we have said, both men and women traveled with Jesus. This amazing balance is even more striking when the culture of Jesus’ day is considered.
Jesus never spoke condescendingly to women, never made derogatory jokes about women, never humiliated or exploited women. No wonder they loved Him! Moreover, women did not deny, betray, or desert Him. They were last at the cross and first at the tomb, and after the Resurrection He appeared first to a woman, Mary Magdalene. End Quote.
What a powerful litany of God’s favor upon women! Vickie and Gwynne provide a balanced approach regarding women’s role as portrayed in scripture. To read more of what they have to say about women in ministry, visit,
http://bible.org/article/women-mentoring-women-qualified-ministry
Are you praying about a “tug” at your heart to answer the call to ministry? Are you wrestling internally over answering the call because a respected mentor and leader has said, “God does not call women to preach” ? Are you struggling against your own internal biases? We want to hear from you! Post a comment or drop me an email at shepastor1@hotmail.com
Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
"A Word to Encourage You: From Valley To Victory"
I don’t know about you, but every now and then I get discouraged. Sometimes it’s because there appears to be little evidence of growth from the spiritual soil I’ve been plowing in the church. Sometimes it’s because finances are so strained. Sometimes it’s because of temporary feelings of isolation. Whatever the reason, discouragement is an unwelcomed visitor that appears from time to time.
Today, Shepastor shares some words to encourage your spirit and help you to regain focus when discouragement knocks on your door…
“From Valley to Victory” Sermon Excerpts from I Samuel 30: 6-8
I Samuel Chapter 30: 6-8(KJV)
6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. 7 And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David. 8 And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? Shall I overtake them? And he answered him, ‘Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.’
This passage of scripture speaks of a time in David’s life when he was very discouraged, and for good reason! His mentor and best friend's father, King Saul was extremely jealous of him and was trying to kill him. Saul’s life choices caused him to lose the throne of Israel. David had been chosen instead. David did not ask to be chosen. The Lord through the prophet Samuel sought him out, anointed him and declared that he would become Israel’s next king.
David’s elevation came with a price. Just as God’s special anointing and prophetic declarations were pronounced over his life, the enemy got busy. The group of men who were traveling with David, only about 600 men were up against Saul’s 3,000 men. Additionally, there was an enemy raid upon the camp where David’s family and the families of his army men were staying while they were away. All of the women, children, livestock and goods were taken. The camp was burned down. They did not know whether or not their loved ones were dead or alive. Fear, confusion, and anxiety set in. David’s once loyal army men began to speak of stoning him for all of the tragedy that befell them.
David was going through a valley experience. What is a valley experience? A valley, according to Webster’s Dictionary is “a stretch of low land lying between hills or mountains and usually having a river or stream flowing through it.” So then, a “valley experience” may be interpreted as a low point between two high points.
A valley experience - just when you thought things were finally turning around you get hit with some unexpected bad news – a valley experience, just when you thought you had a strong support system – so called family and friends start to turn their backs on you. A valley experience, you thought the boss was calling you in the office to commend you for all the hard work you were doing and instead he hands you a pink slip! A valley experience! You prayed and fasted and your loved one still died – a valley experience – “God, I’ve been serving you, praising you, doing all that I believed you said I should do and things seem to be getting worse, not better – a valley experience!”
The valley can be a very dangerous place because the valley can greatly discourage you. The valley can drive you to do things that you would not ordinarily do. The valley can cause you to give up. The valley can devastate you – but it does not have to be so. David’s example teaches us how to make it through the valley and experience victory.
Here are some things to remember as you experience the valley:
- Learn to encourage yourself in the Lord
6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
We don’t know what David said to himself. We don’t know exactly how he encouraged himself. All we know is that he, “encouraged himself in the Lord.” We must remain in the will of the Lord even when we meet with discouragement. We must remind ourselves of the goodness of the Lord, the faithfulness of the Lord, the awesome power of the Lord. We must call upon the Word of God and speak victory over our situation and circumstances in the name of the Lord. We must remember how God brought us over and through difficulties before and know that He did not bring us this far to leave us. When no one else is willing to do so, we must learn to encourage our own hearts through relying upon God’s Word and His promises.
- You are simply passing through, you are not there to stay
We must remember that we are only passing through the valley. We did not come there to stay. David could have given up. He could have allowed himself to drown in self-pity. He could have begun to blame himself for everything that had happened. David did none of that. Instead, he counseled with the priests and “inquired of the Lord” what he should do.
David sought the Lord to discover what he should do next. Often we waste precious time sitting in the valley rather than passing through the valley. While you are in the midst of the struggle continue to ask the Lord for guidance and direction. Ask the Lord to guide your feet and order your steps. Remember that you are passing through and that you will not remain in this valley forever. God has more for you.
- Don’t just accept the devil’s plunder – seek the Lord for restoration
Although discouraged, David did not accept that the enemy should keep all that he stole away from him. David did not just give up. David asked the Lord if he should go after what satan stole from him. David asked the Lord, “Should I pursue this band? Shall I overtake them?” In other words, David asked the Lord, “Should I just accept this or should I go after what’s mine?” The Lord responded to David, “Pursue; for you shall surely overtake and shall surely rescue.” (I Samuel 30: 7-9)
David only had four hundred (400) men with him – men who recently spoke of stoning him! But David trusted the guidance of the Lord. He encouraged himself in the Lord, asked the Lord what to do and then moved out expecting victory – trusting God’s promises! What an example! Even when it looks like it’s all over – even when the people we’ve trusted to stand with us begin to question and maybe even speak of destroying us – we’ve got to seek the Lord’s guidance and move as God directs.
What has the devil plundered in your life? Your children? Your finances? Your health? Your hopes? Your prayers? Your faith? Your joy? Your peace? God speaks to us and says – “Pursue!” Don’t just accept the devil’s robbery! Ask the Lord to show you how to push back and participate in the restoration process. If God be for you, who can be against you?
- Finally, Focus on the greatness of God rather than
the size of your army
David only had 600 men fighting alongside him. That is in comparison to the thousands of men in both Saul’s and the Amalekite armies. Only 400 of the 600 accompanied him into the battle. David, however, never makes mention of his small numbers. He continually focused upon the power of his God. He continually sought the Lord for his guidance and strength. He relied upon the power of God to give him victory – not the might of men.
So often we remain discouraged because we focus upon our weaknesses, our minimal resources, our inabilities etc. We must learn like David to focus rather upon the power of God. We must learn to continually seek His guidance, wisdom, power and strength. No matter how formidable our enemy when God goes before us – victory is assured.
Dear Sister, are you discouraged today? Are there struggles or issues that you feel are pressing the breath out of you? God can and will give you victory over every situation and circumstance if you will yield to Him. No situation is too difficult for the Lord to overcome. Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com I will personally pray with you and for you. Let us continually lift each other in prayer – The Lord will see us through!
Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris
Today, Shepastor shares some words to encourage your spirit and help you to regain focus when discouragement knocks on your door…
“From Valley to Victory” Sermon Excerpts from I Samuel 30: 6-8
I Samuel Chapter 30: 6-8(KJV)
6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. 7 And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David. 8 And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? Shall I overtake them? And he answered him, ‘Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.’
This passage of scripture speaks of a time in David’s life when he was very discouraged, and for good reason! His mentor and best friend's father, King Saul was extremely jealous of him and was trying to kill him. Saul’s life choices caused him to lose the throne of Israel. David had been chosen instead. David did not ask to be chosen. The Lord through the prophet Samuel sought him out, anointed him and declared that he would become Israel’s next king.
David’s elevation came with a price. Just as God’s special anointing and prophetic declarations were pronounced over his life, the enemy got busy. The group of men who were traveling with David, only about 600 men were up against Saul’s 3,000 men. Additionally, there was an enemy raid upon the camp where David’s family and the families of his army men were staying while they were away. All of the women, children, livestock and goods were taken. The camp was burned down. They did not know whether or not their loved ones were dead or alive. Fear, confusion, and anxiety set in. David’s once loyal army men began to speak of stoning him for all of the tragedy that befell them.
David was going through a valley experience. What is a valley experience? A valley, according to Webster’s Dictionary is “a stretch of low land lying between hills or mountains and usually having a river or stream flowing through it.” So then, a “valley experience” may be interpreted as a low point between two high points.
A valley experience - just when you thought things were finally turning around you get hit with some unexpected bad news – a valley experience, just when you thought you had a strong support system – so called family and friends start to turn their backs on you. A valley experience, you thought the boss was calling you in the office to commend you for all the hard work you were doing and instead he hands you a pink slip! A valley experience! You prayed and fasted and your loved one still died – a valley experience – “God, I’ve been serving you, praising you, doing all that I believed you said I should do and things seem to be getting worse, not better – a valley experience!”
The valley can be a very dangerous place because the valley can greatly discourage you. The valley can drive you to do things that you would not ordinarily do. The valley can cause you to give up. The valley can devastate you – but it does not have to be so. David’s example teaches us how to make it through the valley and experience victory.
Here are some things to remember as you experience the valley:
- Learn to encourage yourself in the Lord
6 And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.
We don’t know what David said to himself. We don’t know exactly how he encouraged himself. All we know is that he, “encouraged himself in the Lord.” We must remain in the will of the Lord even when we meet with discouragement. We must remind ourselves of the goodness of the Lord, the faithfulness of the Lord, the awesome power of the Lord. We must call upon the Word of God and speak victory over our situation and circumstances in the name of the Lord. We must remember how God brought us over and through difficulties before and know that He did not bring us this far to leave us. When no one else is willing to do so, we must learn to encourage our own hearts through relying upon God’s Word and His promises.
- You are simply passing through, you are not there to stay
We must remember that we are only passing through the valley. We did not come there to stay. David could have given up. He could have allowed himself to drown in self-pity. He could have begun to blame himself for everything that had happened. David did none of that. Instead, he counseled with the priests and “inquired of the Lord” what he should do.
David sought the Lord to discover what he should do next. Often we waste precious time sitting in the valley rather than passing through the valley. While you are in the midst of the struggle continue to ask the Lord for guidance and direction. Ask the Lord to guide your feet and order your steps. Remember that you are passing through and that you will not remain in this valley forever. God has more for you.
- Don’t just accept the devil’s plunder – seek the Lord for restoration
Although discouraged, David did not accept that the enemy should keep all that he stole away from him. David did not just give up. David asked the Lord if he should go after what satan stole from him. David asked the Lord, “Should I pursue this band? Shall I overtake them?” In other words, David asked the Lord, “Should I just accept this or should I go after what’s mine?” The Lord responded to David, “Pursue; for you shall surely overtake and shall surely rescue.” (I Samuel 30: 7-9)
David only had four hundred (400) men with him – men who recently spoke of stoning him! But David trusted the guidance of the Lord. He encouraged himself in the Lord, asked the Lord what to do and then moved out expecting victory – trusting God’s promises! What an example! Even when it looks like it’s all over – even when the people we’ve trusted to stand with us begin to question and maybe even speak of destroying us – we’ve got to seek the Lord’s guidance and move as God directs.
What has the devil plundered in your life? Your children? Your finances? Your health? Your hopes? Your prayers? Your faith? Your joy? Your peace? God speaks to us and says – “Pursue!” Don’t just accept the devil’s robbery! Ask the Lord to show you how to push back and participate in the restoration process. If God be for you, who can be against you?
- Finally, Focus on the greatness of God rather than
the size of your army
David only had 600 men fighting alongside him. That is in comparison to the thousands of men in both Saul’s and the Amalekite armies. Only 400 of the 600 accompanied him into the battle. David, however, never makes mention of his small numbers. He continually focused upon the power of his God. He continually sought the Lord for his guidance and strength. He relied upon the power of God to give him victory – not the might of men.
So often we remain discouraged because we focus upon our weaknesses, our minimal resources, our inabilities etc. We must learn like David to focus rather upon the power of God. We must learn to continually seek His guidance, wisdom, power and strength. No matter how formidable our enemy when God goes before us – victory is assured.
Dear Sister, are you discouraged today? Are there struggles or issues that you feel are pressing the breath out of you? God can and will give you victory over every situation and circumstance if you will yield to Him. No situation is too difficult for the Lord to overcome. Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com I will personally pray with you and for you. Let us continually lift each other in prayer – The Lord will see us through!
Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
“Get Up! The Victory is Yours!” Message from Minister Carla J. Davis
Today is Ash Wednesday. For Christians, it is the beginning of the Lenten Season. In general, it is a season of soul-searching, reflecting, repenting. For many, it is a special time, a sacred time of self-sacrifice – denying oneself of some beloved or cherished thing in order to draw closer to the Lord and focus upon Jesus’ sacrifice for us.
This season, however, is not meant to become a time of self-loathing and extreme mourning, but rather an opportunity to stop, take inventory, renew our commitment to serving the Lord and seeking to do His work and will. It is a special opportunity to remember the price that Jesus paid for our salvation – the road He traveled to make deliverance from sin available to us. Oh how we should praise Him!
When Jesus went to the wilderness and fasted forty days and forty nights, it was not simply for the sake of piety. He was preparing for the spiritual battle that lay ahead. Jesus was not sitting and mourning, he was praying and preparing. Ultimately, the Lenten season should help to further prepare us to do battle and equip us to carry out the ministry assigned to our hands.
With this thought in mind, I’d like to share with you a very special message given at Covenant (the church where I serve as Senior Pastor) on the occasion of my 5th Pastoral Anniversary. “Get Up! The Victory is Yours!” was the message delivered by Minister Carla J. Davis, a Minister with the Arlington Street Church of God in Akron, Ohio.
Minister Davis is also a member of the gospel-recording group, Divine Hope, which was named Artist of the Year by Star Song Records. She is the musical director for Rise, Sally, Rise, Inc., a workshop ministry founded by Dr. Angela Neal-Barnett that specializes in anxiety disorders in African-American women. Minister Davis holds a Master’s degree in Pastoral Clinical Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary. Her career background includes public relations and journalism. Currently, Minister Davis is a full-time marketing director, and also works at a private psychological practice.
In her message, taken from the Book of Judges, chapter 4: 1-14, focusing upon the Prophetess Deborah and the army commander, Barak, Minister Davis provided three things that can help us to “get up” and receive the victory that God has planned for us.
Following the highlights given below, please click on the provided link to hear her message in total as well as her soul stirring rendition of, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.”
Read on, listen and be blessed!
Shepastor Highlights Minister Carla J. Davis’ Message
“Get Up! The Victory is Yours!”
God will always execute victory with wisdom: Have a strategy and plan for where you are going. Don’t be caught sleeping and complacent.
God gives us the edge over our enemies and THE enemy of our souls – the devil: “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but are mighty through the pulling down of strongholds…” II Corinthians 10:3-5 (Minister Davis recommends the book, The Rules of Engagement)
God has equipped you for Victory: We are not called into battle alone. God is with us, God has a plan for us and God has given us everything we need to be victorious through Him!
Hear all of Minister Davis’ message by clicking the link below…(Once at the site, click the last message on the list, “Get Up the Victory is Yours”)
http://www.covenantbaptistwickliffe.com/wordsforlifeaudio.htm
Do you have a special Lenten story or meditation you would like to share. Is there some resource or book you’d like to recommend for Lent? We’d like to hear from you! Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com
Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris
This season, however, is not meant to become a time of self-loathing and extreme mourning, but rather an opportunity to stop, take inventory, renew our commitment to serving the Lord and seeking to do His work and will. It is a special opportunity to remember the price that Jesus paid for our salvation – the road He traveled to make deliverance from sin available to us. Oh how we should praise Him!
When Jesus went to the wilderness and fasted forty days and forty nights, it was not simply for the sake of piety. He was preparing for the spiritual battle that lay ahead. Jesus was not sitting and mourning, he was praying and preparing. Ultimately, the Lenten season should help to further prepare us to do battle and equip us to carry out the ministry assigned to our hands.
With this thought in mind, I’d like to share with you a very special message given at Covenant (the church where I serve as Senior Pastor) on the occasion of my 5th Pastoral Anniversary. “Get Up! The Victory is Yours!” was the message delivered by Minister Carla J. Davis, a Minister with the Arlington Street Church of God in Akron, Ohio.
Minister Davis is also a member of the gospel-recording group, Divine Hope, which was named Artist of the Year by Star Song Records. She is the musical director for Rise, Sally, Rise, Inc., a workshop ministry founded by Dr. Angela Neal-Barnett that specializes in anxiety disorders in African-American women. Minister Davis holds a Master’s degree in Pastoral Clinical Counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary. Her career background includes public relations and journalism. Currently, Minister Davis is a full-time marketing director, and also works at a private psychological practice.
In her message, taken from the Book of Judges, chapter 4: 1-14, focusing upon the Prophetess Deborah and the army commander, Barak, Minister Davis provided three things that can help us to “get up” and receive the victory that God has planned for us.
Following the highlights given below, please click on the provided link to hear her message in total as well as her soul stirring rendition of, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God.”
Read on, listen and be blessed!
Shepastor Highlights Minister Carla J. Davis’ Message
“Get Up! The Victory is Yours!”
God will always execute victory with wisdom: Have a strategy and plan for where you are going. Don’t be caught sleeping and complacent.
God gives us the edge over our enemies and THE enemy of our souls – the devil: “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but are mighty through the pulling down of strongholds…” II Corinthians 10:3-5 (Minister Davis recommends the book, The Rules of Engagement)
God has equipped you for Victory: We are not called into battle alone. God is with us, God has a plan for us and God has given us everything we need to be victorious through Him!
Hear all of Minister Davis’ message by clicking the link below…(Once at the site, click the last message on the list, “Get Up the Victory is Yours”)
http://www.covenantbaptistwickliffe.com/wordsforlifeaudio.htm
Do you have a special Lenten story or meditation you would like to share. Is there some resource or book you’d like to recommend for Lent? We’d like to hear from you! Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com
Until next Wednesday,
In Faith, Hope and Perseverance,
Pastor Chris
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Shepastor’s “Just for Fun Today: A Pastoral Search Report”
Proverbs 17:22 declares, "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." As ministers, we are at risk of spending a lot of time handling, mostly serious matters. If we are not careful and intentional, our spirits can be broken and our “bones dried up.” With a “merry heart” in mind, Today’s Shepastor shares something fun. Some of you may have seen this before, but hopefully it will still bring a smile to your face and laughter to you heart.
Enjoy!
Shepastor’s “Just for Fun Today: A Pastoral Search Report”
“Pastoral Search Report”
We do not have a happy report to give. We’ve not been able to find a suitable candidate for this church, though we have one promising prospect still. We do appreciate all the suggestions from the church members, and we’ve followed up each one with interviews or calling at least three references. The following is our confidential report on the present candidates.
·Adam: Good man but problems with his wife. Also one reference told of how his wife and he enjoy walking nude in the woods.
·Noah: Former pastorate of 120 years with no converts. Prone to unrealistic building projects.
·Abraham: Though the references reported wife-swapping, the facts seem to show he never slept with another man’s wife, but did offer to share his own wife with another man.
·Joseph: A big thinker, but a braggart, believes in dream-interpreting, and has a prison record.
·Moses: A modest and meek man, but poor communicator, even stuttering at times. Sometimes blows his stack and acts rashly. Some say he left an earlier church over a murder charge.
·David: The most promising leader of all until we discovered the affair he had with his neighbor’s wife.
·Solomon: Great preacher but our parsonage would never hold all those wives.
·Elijah: Prone to depression-collapses under pressure.
·Elisha: Reported to have lived with a single widow while at his former church.
·Hosea: A tender and loving pastor but our people could never handle his wife’s occupation.
·Deborah: Female.
·Jeremiah: Emotionally unstable, alarmist, negative, always lamenting things, and reported to have taken a long trip to bury his underwear on the bank of foreign river.
·Isaiah: On the fringe? Claims to have seen angels in church. Has trouble with his language.
·Jonah: Refused God’s call into ministry until he was forced to obey by getting swallowed up by a great fish. He told us the fish later spit him out on the shore near here. We hung up.
·Amos: Too backward and unpolished. With some seminary training he might have promise, but has a hang-up against wealthy people. Might fit in better in a poor congregation.
·John: Says he is a Baptist, but definitely doesn’t dress like one. Has slept in the outdoors for months on end, has a weird diet, and provokes denominational leaders.
·Peter: Too blue collar. Has a bad temper—even has been known to curse. Had a big run-in with Paul in Antioch. Aggressive, but a loose cannon.
·Paul: Powerful CEO type leader and fascinating preacher. However, short on tact, unforgiving with younger ministers, harsh and has been known to preach all night.
·Timothy: Too young.
·Jesus: Has had popular times, but once when his church grew to 5000 he managed to offend them all and this church dwindled down to twelve people. Seldom stays in one place very long. And, of course, he’s single.
·Judas: His references are solid. A steady plodder. Conservative. Good connections. Knows how to handle money. We’re inviting him to preach this Sunday. Possibilities here.
Do you have something fun to regarding the ministry or the Church? We want to hear from you! Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com
Until next Wednesday,
In faith, hope and perseverance,
Pastor Chris
Enjoy!
Shepastor’s “Just for Fun Today: A Pastoral Search Report”
“Pastoral Search Report”
We do not have a happy report to give. We’ve not been able to find a suitable candidate for this church, though we have one promising prospect still. We do appreciate all the suggestions from the church members, and we’ve followed up each one with interviews or calling at least three references. The following is our confidential report on the present candidates.
·Adam: Good man but problems with his wife. Also one reference told of how his wife and he enjoy walking nude in the woods.
·Noah: Former pastorate of 120 years with no converts. Prone to unrealistic building projects.
·Abraham: Though the references reported wife-swapping, the facts seem to show he never slept with another man’s wife, but did offer to share his own wife with another man.
·Joseph: A big thinker, but a braggart, believes in dream-interpreting, and has a prison record.
·Moses: A modest and meek man, but poor communicator, even stuttering at times. Sometimes blows his stack and acts rashly. Some say he left an earlier church over a murder charge.
·David: The most promising leader of all until we discovered the affair he had with his neighbor’s wife.
·Solomon: Great preacher but our parsonage would never hold all those wives.
·Elijah: Prone to depression-collapses under pressure.
·Elisha: Reported to have lived with a single widow while at his former church.
·Hosea: A tender and loving pastor but our people could never handle his wife’s occupation.
·Deborah: Female.
·Jeremiah: Emotionally unstable, alarmist, negative, always lamenting things, and reported to have taken a long trip to bury his underwear on the bank of foreign river.
·Isaiah: On the fringe? Claims to have seen angels in church. Has trouble with his language.
·Jonah: Refused God’s call into ministry until he was forced to obey by getting swallowed up by a great fish. He told us the fish later spit him out on the shore near here. We hung up.
·Amos: Too backward and unpolished. With some seminary training he might have promise, but has a hang-up against wealthy people. Might fit in better in a poor congregation.
·John: Says he is a Baptist, but definitely doesn’t dress like one. Has slept in the outdoors for months on end, has a weird diet, and provokes denominational leaders.
·Peter: Too blue collar. Has a bad temper—even has been known to curse. Had a big run-in with Paul in Antioch. Aggressive, but a loose cannon.
·Paul: Powerful CEO type leader and fascinating preacher. However, short on tact, unforgiving with younger ministers, harsh and has been known to preach all night.
·Timothy: Too young.
·Jesus: Has had popular times, but once when his church grew to 5000 he managed to offend them all and this church dwindled down to twelve people. Seldom stays in one place very long. And, of course, he’s single.
·Judas: His references are solid. A steady plodder. Conservative. Good connections. Knows how to handle money. We’re inviting him to preach this Sunday. Possibilities here.
Do you have something fun to regarding the ministry or the Church? We want to hear from you! Post a comment or send me an email at Shepastor1@hotmail.com
Until next Wednesday,
In faith, hope and perseverance,
Pastor Chris
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