“A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes other will himself be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25).
Have you heard the news? God is looking for cheerleaders on His team. Are you interested? Could you use a little encouragement today? Do you know someone who needs to be uplifted? Would you like to be used by Jesus to build up the heart of a tortured soul who needs a touch of amazing grace? If so, consider this your royal invitation to join God in His court and tryout for a team He wants you on. Here are the qualifications you will need.
1. A repentant heart; one that is captivated by the immeasurable sacrifice of Jesus Christ who though perfect paid for your sins by His death, burial and resurrection
2. A life that continuously seeks to surrender to the Father’s will above its own, and longs to leave a legacy of blessing that will glorify the name of God forever
3. A teachable spirit—God will show you the moves and give you the cheers you are requested to perform that will draw spectators off the bench and into the arena of life
4. A thankful heart; one that rejoices in praising the name of Jesus and seeing others join in the chant
Can you imagine how much our world (and our own attitude) would change if we grasped the concept that we are gifted by the Holy Spirit for such a ministry? This is not a superficial cheering squad I am talking about. Christians know what’s at stake—the salvation of the lost. Although we are on the winning team the game is not over. It is still being played out in the drama of life. Recruitment continues; Jesus wants to increase the size of his cheerleaders, as well as His players.
What do cheerleaders do on Christ’s roster? They encourage others with His Holy Scriptures. They share what struggles and transformations are taking place in their own lives. Cheerleaders are open, honest, enthusiastic and raw with their emotions. They cry when it gets tough but they never give up hope in a positive outcome. Unlike earthly teams that experience defeat, they know on God’s team the greatest victory awaits them in heaven. They help others press on to glory regardless of how vicious the opposing team attacks. Their faith is in the right Person who will deliver all who follow Him.
There is a special reward God grants to His cheerleaders. It is a byproduct of their obedience to pour out themselves before others so His Holy Spirit can shine through their words and actions. Because cheerleaders delight in the smiling faces of the players on God’s team, and the spectators who one day leap from the sidelines to join in the game because of divine intervention, they are encouraged by those they have rooted for. This is the cycle of God’s blessing flowing from His Spirit to ours to another person’s and beyond, forming a beautiful circle connected by His love.
If you have been sitting in the stands observing the game and wondering which team to join, please make the only right choice. Confess your need for a Savior and forgiveness of your sins, accept by faith that Jesus paid for your sins by His death at Calvary, and believe that He is praying for you always as He sits on the right side of the Father in heaven. Don’t you want to be on His winning team where you can experience daily refreshment for your soul? Come join us. Somebody needs to hear the voice of your unique cheer the Spirit will teach you to recite! “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes other will himself be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25).
Your fellow sojourner (and cheerleader),
Mary
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Rejects Welcome
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 ).
Sifting through hundreds of resumes each week would sometimes leave me callous. As a corporate recruiter I was not trained to be emotionally attached to the applicants. My eyes scanned the documents seeking to identify only those who perfectly match the job description. There was no interest in the misfits. Not so long ago the Lord pressed upon my heart that the world’s standard of perfection is often translated into a reflection of His standard. This is a false perception because Jesus loves what society rejects, and welcomes us close where He makes us perfect. He does not expect us to approach Him in this state, or to pursue it without His help. Attempting this in our own strength only leaves us exhausted.
How rested do you feel today? If you are like me the endless pursuit of perfectionism the world demands leaves you depleted each day. Until recently, I never used to contemplate the people behind the names on the resumes that did not measure up to the standards the hiring manager required. More and more I see large gaps in their employment history, and I find myself saddened that I cannot help them. Because I cannot plead their case to the manager does not mean there is nothing I can do for them. There is another option God has given me; I can pray they will be blessed.
As I select the reject button that sends the candidate an email my imagination overtakes me. I wonder how they will react when they receive the automated note informing them they are not a fit. Is disappointment heavy on their heart because they have been out of work so long? Are they facing financial ruin? Have they run out of hope? How is this job search affecting them emotionally? Are they exhausted physically and spiritually? Do they have a good support system, or is their faith waning? At this moment my silent prayer begins as I beseech the Giver of all good things to bless them with work.
In the middle of one of these quiet prayers the Holy Spirit interrupts my thoughts to remind me to pray these people draw near to Jesus. He knows the longings of their heart, and will supply all that is needed. I pray He will open doors that no one can close, and that His favor rests on them. In their moment of rejection my hope is they will turn to Christ who never turns down anyone who seeks Him. There is only one qualification to be welcomed into His kingdom, and that is to believe that He paid your entrance fee with His blood. By your own merit you cannot be good enough, smart enough, or well-connected enough to gain access to heaven.
You cannot make your life’s resume flashier or join a social networking group that will put you in good standing with Jesus. This is good news to all who are worn out trying to get God’s attention as I was for so many years! You are granted direct access to Him as you develop a personal relationship with Jesus through prayer, fellowship and Bible study. This is where you will learn for yourself that He wants to lift your cares, and give you the soul rest you crave.
While my prayers for those resume owners who I may never meet may seem trivial, I believe they are powerful because God is prompting them out of me. Who knows, one day a fellow saint may whisper in my ear as we’re praising Jesus side-by-side, “You were the one who prayed for me to be encouraged when I was downtrodden. I turned to Jesus and He welcomed me in.” Such joy there will be when we behold the receiver of the prayers the Father asked us to recite. Let us ask God to sharpen our senses to those who need to hear these healing words. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28 ).
Your fellow sojourner,
Mary
Monday, October 12, 2009
A Modern Day Forerunner
John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the desert. Make straight the way for the Lord” (John 1:23).
In Bible Study Fellowship we are studying the gospel of John this year. Before the Apostle John introduces readers to the Messiah he writes of John the Baptist, the one who points the people to Jesus. As I read the first chapter of the book of John, I was challenged by the reality that John the Baptist never denied Christ was coming, but rather denied he himself was the Christ when questioned by the Jewish priests, Levites and Pharisees. How often have my words and deeds failed to mirror those of John the Baptist? Even once is too much; this thought makes me sad. But God is igniting a new fire in me as I study this passage of Scripture. While John the Baptist directed people to the first coming of Christ, I (along with all believers) am commanded to share the news of Christ’s second coming. We are all modern day forerunners.
As a Christian, have you ever thought of yourself as one who is used by God to make straight the path to heaven? Or are you complacent in your own salvation assurance choosing instead to leave the work of evangelism to someone else? It is a very easy trap to fall into as life provides a myriad of excuses for each of us to claim as reasonable evidence as to why we are not sharing what the gospel offers. We justify our silence and validate the voice that lies when it tells us our faith in Christ alone is too narrow-minded, what others believe is none of our business, or we don’t feel “gifted” in this area of ministry. We have convinced ourselves that God selects a few special souls to share the message that judgment day is drawing near, and He does not need us to reach the masses of unbelievers on earth. We have forgotten we are no different than John the Baptist. We are His forerunners.
How do I know this? Because the last recorded words of Jesus in the Bible were the great commission to His disciples. As He anointed the twelve before He ascended into heaven, He still anoints His followers with His Holy Spirit today. The mission has not changed. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20). Two things stand out to me as I read those words of my Lord and Savior—go and tell and I will be with you wherever you are. Jesus did not command me to soak in all the abundant life He has to offer and hoard it for myself. He has asked me to share His amazing love with others, so I may share in my Master’s joy when another sinner joins God’s family.
John the Baptist provided a wonderful example for me to emulate. He wasn’t concerned about how people reacted to his appearance, his actions or his words. John’s focus was always on leading others to repentance and salvation in the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. John was humble of heart and strong in spirit, for he left the results of his proclamations to God. He knew his place in God’s great plan for mankind’s redemption. John was not their Messiah. His only responsibility was to ready their hearts to receive Jesus. John was not appointed to lord over the people, but anointed to point the people to their Lord.
In over two thousand years the commission has not changed. Let us be those voices of light and life crying out in the spiritual wilderness of society so that others may believe. Jesus is coming back. Don’t you find it exciting to be one of His forerunners? I do! Pray with me to respond as John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the desert. Make straight the way for the Lord” (John 1:23).
Your fellow sojourner,
Mary
In Bible Study Fellowship we are studying the gospel of John this year. Before the Apostle John introduces readers to the Messiah he writes of John the Baptist, the one who points the people to Jesus. As I read the first chapter of the book of John, I was challenged by the reality that John the Baptist never denied Christ was coming, but rather denied he himself was the Christ when questioned by the Jewish priests, Levites and Pharisees. How often have my words and deeds failed to mirror those of John the Baptist? Even once is too much; this thought makes me sad. But God is igniting a new fire in me as I study this passage of Scripture. While John the Baptist directed people to the first coming of Christ, I (along with all believers) am commanded to share the news of Christ’s second coming. We are all modern day forerunners.
As a Christian, have you ever thought of yourself as one who is used by God to make straight the path to heaven? Or are you complacent in your own salvation assurance choosing instead to leave the work of evangelism to someone else? It is a very easy trap to fall into as life provides a myriad of excuses for each of us to claim as reasonable evidence as to why we are not sharing what the gospel offers. We justify our silence and validate the voice that lies when it tells us our faith in Christ alone is too narrow-minded, what others believe is none of our business, or we don’t feel “gifted” in this area of ministry. We have convinced ourselves that God selects a few special souls to share the message that judgment day is drawing near, and He does not need us to reach the masses of unbelievers on earth. We have forgotten we are no different than John the Baptist. We are His forerunners.
How do I know this? Because the last recorded words of Jesus in the Bible were the great commission to His disciples. As He anointed the twelve before He ascended into heaven, He still anoints His followers with His Holy Spirit today. The mission has not changed. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20). Two things stand out to me as I read those words of my Lord and Savior—go and tell and I will be with you wherever you are. Jesus did not command me to soak in all the abundant life He has to offer and hoard it for myself. He has asked me to share His amazing love with others, so I may share in my Master’s joy when another sinner joins God’s family.
John the Baptist provided a wonderful example for me to emulate. He wasn’t concerned about how people reacted to his appearance, his actions or his words. John’s focus was always on leading others to repentance and salvation in the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ. John was humble of heart and strong in spirit, for he left the results of his proclamations to God. He knew his place in God’s great plan for mankind’s redemption. John was not their Messiah. His only responsibility was to ready their hearts to receive Jesus. John was not appointed to lord over the people, but anointed to point the people to their Lord.
In over two thousand years the commission has not changed. Let us be those voices of light and life crying out in the spiritual wilderness of society so that others may believe. Jesus is coming back. Don’t you find it exciting to be one of His forerunners? I do! Pray with me to respond as John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the desert. Make straight the way for the Lord” (John 1:23).
Your fellow sojourner,
Mary
Monday, October 5, 2009
Real Love Hurts
“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).
Have you ever loved someone so much you were willing to trade your comfort for their suffering? In the midst of their painful trial did your heart break as you stood by helpless to relieve their burden? Did you ask God to transfer their sorrow to you because you are strong and ready to fight for the weak? If so, whose pain were you looking to alleviate? Was it your own discomfort you wished to eliminate after you’d exhausted all your coping mechanisms? Or was it compassion for the one who suffers whose life you value above your own? Only the later is real love, and real love hurts.
There are days when I question why there is so much hardship in the world. Does Jesus not care about the person I’m praying for whose situation grows increasingly worse? Of course He does! Likewise, He cares about shaping me to be more like Him. That’s what a follower is supposed to do—reflect the image of the leader they are focused on. It’s in life’s trials that Christ reveals more of His love to me, and shows me how limited my capacity to love is without His Holy Spirit molding my heart.
Over the past few years God has given me many opportunities to feel a tiny speck of His immeasurable compassion for the whole human race. Often this involves watching someone I love suffer unbearably. There were moments when I beg Jesus to lift their cares and place them on me; fearing they will collapse under the weight of it all. I watch them trapped in their grief and in my love for them I long to pull them out of the pit of weeping into the light of rejoicing. My desire is for their season of mourning to be turned into dancing, as I cry for their plight. In my soul’s lowest hour of agony God’s voice broke through the wailing, and He shared this truth with me.
“Mary, I love them far more than you do. Your feelings of compassion come from Me. Every time you long to exchange places with them, and make their suffering your own, you are connected to My Son. I am giving you a small glimpse of my extravagant love for all mankind. Jesus loved you so much He couldn’t bear to let you die because of your sins. He elected to take your place, and it was His love for you that held Him on the cross in Calvary. His love is the greatest love. It perseveres in the face of death. It’s real, and real love hurts.”
As I ponder these words the Father has spoken to me, I am both thankful and challenged. Gratitude comes from knowing He is allowing me to experience a limited portion of Christ’s powerful love. Not only do I want more of this love, but I want to share it with hurting souls everywhere. The challenge set before me is to not give up. Real love never quits. It’s a forever love not based on whimsical feelings, but on continually choosing to love so tenaciously that I have the best interest of others in mind over myself. Praying for Jesus to help me be the lover the world needs to see so they will glorify His name. I think I’m on the right path because it hurts. “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).
Your fellow sojourner,
Mary
Have you ever loved someone so much you were willing to trade your comfort for their suffering? In the midst of their painful trial did your heart break as you stood by helpless to relieve their burden? Did you ask God to transfer their sorrow to you because you are strong and ready to fight for the weak? If so, whose pain were you looking to alleviate? Was it your own discomfort you wished to eliminate after you’d exhausted all your coping mechanisms? Or was it compassion for the one who suffers whose life you value above your own? Only the later is real love, and real love hurts.
There are days when I question why there is so much hardship in the world. Does Jesus not care about the person I’m praying for whose situation grows increasingly worse? Of course He does! Likewise, He cares about shaping me to be more like Him. That’s what a follower is supposed to do—reflect the image of the leader they are focused on. It’s in life’s trials that Christ reveals more of His love to me, and shows me how limited my capacity to love is without His Holy Spirit molding my heart.
Over the past few years God has given me many opportunities to feel a tiny speck of His immeasurable compassion for the whole human race. Often this involves watching someone I love suffer unbearably. There were moments when I beg Jesus to lift their cares and place them on me; fearing they will collapse under the weight of it all. I watch them trapped in their grief and in my love for them I long to pull them out of the pit of weeping into the light of rejoicing. My desire is for their season of mourning to be turned into dancing, as I cry for their plight. In my soul’s lowest hour of agony God’s voice broke through the wailing, and He shared this truth with me.
“Mary, I love them far more than you do. Your feelings of compassion come from Me. Every time you long to exchange places with them, and make their suffering your own, you are connected to My Son. I am giving you a small glimpse of my extravagant love for all mankind. Jesus loved you so much He couldn’t bear to let you die because of your sins. He elected to take your place, and it was His love for you that held Him on the cross in Calvary. His love is the greatest love. It perseveres in the face of death. It’s real, and real love hurts.”
As I ponder these words the Father has spoken to me, I am both thankful and challenged. Gratitude comes from knowing He is allowing me to experience a limited portion of Christ’s powerful love. Not only do I want more of this love, but I want to share it with hurting souls everywhere. The challenge set before me is to not give up. Real love never quits. It’s a forever love not based on whimsical feelings, but on continually choosing to love so tenaciously that I have the best interest of others in mind over myself. Praying for Jesus to help me be the lover the world needs to see so they will glorify His name. I think I’m on the right path because it hurts. “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).
Your fellow sojourner,
Mary
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