Saturday, September 21, 2013

The Voice

There is so much to be said of the voice; God's voice and ours.  This week at school, my friend Vanessa came to speak to our 2nd graders about sign language and the deaf.  She shared her story of her daughter, Meagan, and how that began her journey of interpretting.  While she was speaking, she said something that stuck with me.  She became "the voice" for others.  I loved that!  Several years ago, the Lord gave me a scripture specifically for my daughter, Morgan.

Proverbs 31:8 says, She will "speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all those who are destitute." I have no idea what that means for her or how that will look in her journey, but I do know it will happen!  God needs your voice to accomplish His purposes, but are you ready for that, and can He trust you?   In order for anyone to hear and listen (There is a difference.  Read Romans 10:18.) the source must have credibilty.

James 3:9-12
"with the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness (I know what you're thinking....I'm not sure everyone's in God's likeness. LOL! They might not walk in it, but they were made in it) Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.  My brothers, this should not be.  Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water."

Ouch! A real thinker.  To have a deep understanding of this verse, there should be some daily evaluation and growth taking place. Words are powerful! Use them wisely.  The Lord already knows if He can trust you.  Proverbs 20:27 says, "The lamp of the Lord searches the spirit of a man, it searches out his inmost being." But do you know if He trusts you? Can you make an honest evaluation? Proverbs 16:2 says, "All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord."

There is so much God wants to use you for. Take the challenge; honest evaluation along with the courage to change in His likeness.

He needs your voice!

The  Mrs. Pastor

Friday, September 13, 2013

The Impossible

 

 

Have you ever been at a place in life where the task in front of you seemed impossible and yet it was handed to you?  Whether it be by God's design or Him allowing it, neither makes it easier. 


Strong faith or newborn faith, they both still feel the pain.  This is where the growth takes place.  Sure it would be easy to hide yourself in a shell, to pull yourself away from the world and just wait...and wait....and wait.  Hoping that you can stick your head up and it will all be gone.


What does the impossible look like?  Hopeless, emotionally draining, personal, defeating, so powerful you catch yourself in what feels like a numb state.  We know of some people who faced what seemed the impossible.  Noah was to build a gigantic boat with trust as his focus.  Jacob was to reunite with a bother he wronged terribly.  Esther was to approach a king to ask to him to save a people he wanted destroyed....knowing it could end in death for her and her people.  And we all know it seemed impossible for a "Gentile" to receive the same grace and salvation as a Jew. 


We must remind ourselves who is the Father of the impossible.  As painful as it can be, the Lord will see you through.  How? LET GO and LET GOD.  We've heard that but what does that mean?  LETTING GO means you put out of your mind how it should all play out.  You don't act and re-act in your humanity (aka the ugly monster)  It means you seek His word and let it change you.


LETTING GOD means your words and actions might even surprise you! (in a good way)  It means He gets the credit for everything (so be careful when people give you a compliment....it's a dangerous temptation)  Bottom line, God knows the end of the story.  He is the victor!  He is the God of what seems impossible.


I don't want to be like the people in Hosea  10:13   Because you have depended on your own strength and on your many warriors, the roar of battle will rise against your people.


Nothing good comes from your own strength.  You end up still looking at the impossible, believing the lies, and sitting in the pain.  Instead we will be a people who Renew our minds daily and stand on Jesus' words in Matthew 19:26 With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

Yes! With God!

The Mrs. Pastor

Friday, September 6, 2013

What is in a Name?

I'm reminded of the power in a name.  People can speak your name and have good thoughts, or they might cringe.  I'm also reminded that when we label or "name" people, it can make it difficult to replace it with another "name".

It CAN change though! 

Abram became Abraham.  The Fatherless became the father of many.  Simon became Peter.  A simple fisherman became a significant "stone" in building the Kingdom. 
Saul became Paul. A dark, hateful heart became the hands, feet, and voice for our Lord.

Now its my turn.    

Shelly became Michele. I requested to be called by my given name rather than my childhood "nickname."   As a child, I picked up some insecurities, baggage, and traits that I'm not proud of.  Some were significant enough (in a negative way) that I wouldn't allow my given name, it's meaning, (which I might add I didn't understand until later in life) to stick to me.  I was labeled. I was a snob, not friendly, not relational, uncomfortable in crowds.  I chose to own that....until one day.... I RIPPED that off.  I started walking in what I was meant to be. 

Michele is a name of Hebrew origin meaning "who is like God".  She is always happy to see her family and friends. Her manner is gentle but her spirit is strong. She outshines those around her. She knows the worth of good character. A winner is what she is. She has a kind and generous heart. Friends look to her for support and advice.  Now that is a name I want to accept!

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man."  Proverbs 3:3-4

I am the Mrs. Pastor.  I am called by God to minister to people in whatever way God chooses.  At church, at school, at a ball game, at the mall . . . .  I won't allow the enemy, nor anyone, to stick any other name on me.

I will never let love and faithfulness leave me.  Therefore, I have a good name! 

What about your name?

In His steps --

The Mrs. Pastor