Freedom

Isn't it amazing how God intertwines and pieces together parts of your life? Pieces that don’t seem to ‘fit’ in the natural, but as your watch life unfold you can’t help but smile at the graciousness and love of an All Knowing Savior.

17 years ago I set foot on Philippine soil for the very first time. Little did I know that moment would forever alter my life. Exactly one year ago I was finally able to return to the country that stole a piece of my heart all those years ago. That trip opened up my heart to the millions of orphaned, abandoned, abused children living in unimaginable conditions daily. Volunteering in a rescue and rehabilitation center for orphaned, abused, neglected children called Gentle Hands broke my heart and stirred something in me. Just seven weeks ago we were able to return to the mission field, this time to India for the ground work stages of Gentle Hands, India. Although we knew we were called to India, we didn’t quite understand the magnitude of why we were being called there. As we drove through the streets of Mumbai, India we turned into the darkest darkness I have ever experienced. Here in the largest red light district in the world known as ‘the cages’, a stirring began in my soul. An understanding of why we were there. Tears filled my eyes as I watched girls the same age as my 12 year old daughter forced into a life of trafficking. Their faces empty, lost, terrified, broken. “Give them a voice” came a whisper. Looking into the faces of these girls there came a revelation. The lost bondage that they were in was written all over their tear stained dirty faces.

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, because the Lord has appointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the broken hearted and to announce that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed”. Isaiah 61:1 (NLT)

In that moment I gasped as my face became tear stained. These young girls are forced into their ‘prison’, but how many of us put ourselves there? How many of us live our lives locked away in prisons of addiction, pain, anger, disappointment, hurt? How many of us know we are locked away there? How many of know that we hold the key? The words are clear, “the captives WILL be released and the prisoners WILL be freed”. Today, if you feel that you are drowning in a sea of unforgiveness, an oceans depth of pain, the Word of God says that you WILL be freed!

“It is for FREEDOM that Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 (NIV)

“Now, the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV)

“But the one who keeps looking into God’s perfect Law and does not forget it will do what it says and be happy as he does it. God’s Word makes men free.” James 1:25 (NLT)

How do you live and walk in Freedom?

1. Be firm

2. Be in the Spirit

3. Be in the Word

Freedom is painful, it’s hard work, it’s ugly, it’s messy… but freedom in Jesus is worth it EVERY TIME. What does it look like? It is on the face of every girl rescued from unimaginable horror within the walls of an Indian Brothel, it is the weightlessness on the shoulders of the teenager who recognized the lies spoken to him from the enemy and chooses to hear the voice of the Savior, it is on the lips of the young mom who knows that sleepless nights, runny noses and dirty shirts are all part of the calling of Christ in her life and she can rest in that. And, it is in your heart as you read in the Word over and over again that you are ONE, but so was Paul, and Timothy, and David, and Rahab, and Esther, and John and JESUS, and THEY changed the world and set the prisoners free.

No matter which side of ‘the cages’ you are on, we should be continuously seeking freedom. For us, for them.

Two different countries. Two different missions. The same deep need. Millions of women and children sold into trafficking. My role? Give them a name, a face, a hope, a future. Millions of orphaned children. Where do I start? I start with one. I go. If I can’t go, I send. I bring light into the darkest places. I bring the love of Jesus to a dark and dying world who need to know that there is a Savior who has created them, purposed them, died for them and loves them right where they are… in this moment… and He sees them. ...And so do I…

Tara W.

The Book I Couldn't Put Down

A few weeks ago I went into a music/bookstore and browsed through some discounted books. I found only one book I was interested in (which was a good thing, 'cause I love books, especially for a good price). I tried to look at the other books but kept picking up this one book, reading some of it, putting it down, picking it up, reading some more  and felt compelled to buy it . . . so I did!

Have you ever experienced God talking to you about a certain issue in your life, and you finally clue in when the same issue keeps popping up "all over the place"? It is something you cannot ignore anymore, and if you did, you would be ignoring God. The book I bought, as well as the book our small group is studying addressed a certain issue God was dealing with in my life.

I will not put off telling you the title of the book any longer . . . the book I was compelled to buy is called "The Procrastination Cure" by Jeffery Combs.

I do not always procrastinate. When I do, it is usually to do something I really enjoy while postponing undesirable tasks. Procrastinating too often causes stress and anxiety in my life, which I could do without.

Spiritually speaking, for me, procrastination can happen when I make excuses for not sharing God's love with others (when the Holy Spirit prompts me). Some excuses I have made:

-this is not the right time

-she does not know me or like me

-I'll wait for her to talk to me

-tomorrow would be better

-next time I see her, etc.

I must act (sacrificially, if necessary) on the opportunities God gives me and ask for Godly wisdom to know which ones to let go.

Have you ever prayed the following "prayer"?

"Procrastination is my sin.
  It brings me naught but sorrow.
  I know I should stop it.
  In fact I will ------ tomorrow".
                                     (Gloria Pitzer)

Meditating on God's word and being obedient to His commands helps me with procrastination.  Ephesians 5: 15 - 17 says the following, "So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do."   

This is my prayer.

Kristina A.

Hope Again

Psalm 42:4-5

“My heart is breaking as I remember how it used to be: I walked among the crowds of worshipers, leading a great procession to the house of God, singing for joy and giving thanks amid the sound of a great celebration! Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again—my Savior and my God!”

Have you ever found yourself in this position? Looking back on your life, you were the one praising. You were full of joy, all in, worshipping, putting all of yourself in; maybe celebrating who God is and has allowed you to become. Later, life dishes out some tears. A close friend or relative dies. We or someone we know is diagnosed with a disease of some sort. We find ourselves in a tough spot financially, or emotionally. We are surrounded by people receiving answers to prayers, while we are still waiting on God for our answer . . . Life throws quite the array of troubles at us. We find ourselves in tears, discouraged or sad, just like David in this Psalm. 

There are a couple of things that I see in this scripture to speak to us. First, I recognize that it is okay to go through seasons of our life where we are discouraged or “downcast” as another translation says. It is okay to find ourselves following others who praise God joyfully, rather than leading. It is okay, as longs as we are not letting ourselves camp there long term. Seasons of this are perfectly normal, but look farther in the scripture. The psalmist speaks of the discouragement and sadness, but follows this with hope! “I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again – my Savior and my God!” He recognizes that this is a season, and that just as he previously experienced strong feelings of praise, they will come again. 

Hope is the only thing that gets us through the tough situation. Hope is a feeling of expectation; an anticipation of what we don’t see yet. Synonyms are trust and expectation. When we trust and expect that God is carrying us through these times, and that he is going to work in and through our situation, we put our hope in Him. He never fails us, and will bring us out of the tough time!

We will praise again! We will lead the crowds of worshippers again, and we will have a fantastic story of God’s hope and work to celebrate on the other side! 

If you find yourself there, remember, it is okay to be there, but put your hope in God! He will bring you to that place of praise again, because of who he is!

Kourtnay K.

Facing a Wall in Your Life?

As I'm walking along in life, sometimes I come across a blockade. I may have thought that the road went on forever, but instead, a wall pops up (ie: sin, debt, illness etc.). Sometimes, it's a surprise; but more often than not, I've had warning and not wanted to deal with the issues surrounding it.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.”  Romans 8:28

It's hard to appreciate in the heat of the situation isn't it? The idea that our pain could work for a greater good just does not make it any easier to bear. So there I am, thrown to my knees once more, begging for forgiveness, praying for restoration and then...waiting.

That's when I reach out and re-read for Isaiah 55:8-9:

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts says the LORD, and my ways are far beyond anything you can imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

It's so important we remind ourselves of what God thinks of us (the only thing that matters) and the process by which He promises to restore us (the only way that really works). It's easy (and encouraging) to read blogs and listen to sermons (interpretation of scripture and its messages) – however, there's no substitute for digging into the WORD of LIFE for ourselves. I hope and pray that each of you seeks His heart in His Word daily to help arm yourself against the battles of every day. There you will find joy and rest and lessons that will teach your soul. Have you heard from God directly lately?

The book of Isaiah also reminds us that He is the potter, we the clay, the work of his hands. Yes, being molded can be painful – but the beauty of any object restored is art. How much greater the beauty of a life redeemed and restored for His purposes.

That reminds me...Peter and John knew that the power to heal came from the Holy Spirit, when they encountered the crippled man. What reason did that man have to believe that he would be healed of his affliction? When he grabbed the strength of Peter's grip helping him up – he surely felt the confidence of his faith. Imagine how he must have jumped up and down in celebration after a lifetime of atrophy. Imagine the look on the faces of others watching the whole scene of faith unfold.

Rise up, my friend! Those walls are there – but so too are the miracles of our God – even in the modern day. So what are you hoping for? Grab a handful of faith and continue living changed.

Press in and press on,

Giselle L.

Sundays and Rest

I recently had a Sunday which felt like, and actually was, a day of rest. I went to church, came home and had an easy pre-planned lunch, had an afternoon sleep, another easy pre-planned supper and an evening of just sitting around. It almost felt like a lazy day, and then I reminded myself it was likely what a day of rest should feel like.

I’ve often wondered if weeding the garden on Sunday would be considered work if one actually enjoyed it (I’m not sure who that is, but perhaps someone out there enjoys weeding). Or is a game of baseball or hockey considered work if one enjoys it? And does a day of rest have to be a certain day of the week or should the purpose be to intentionally REST one day a week? And is a Sabbath more than just a day of rest or is it also a day of worship and reverence to the Lord?

Humans are finite creations. We can’t function indefinitely without sleep. We need regular meals and fluids to sustain ourselves, we need healthy relationships with other people and we need to rest. We need to regularly rest in order to be rejuvenated, replenished, refreshed and refueled.

When we try to squeeze church into an already too busy week we can often feel like church is just another thing on our plates. Perhaps if we shifted how we fit our Sundays into the rest of our week then we would see Sundays as our priorities and the rest of our week would revolve around Sundays.

Ahem . . . I think this would likely be a good place to start . . .

It is well documented in scripture that we are to take a day of rest. Personally I don’t question whether we need this, but I do question, in the midst of our busy seasons in life, how do I fit in a day of rest into my already busy week?

“Work may be done for six days, but on the seventh day there must be a Sabbath of complete rest, a sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; it is a Sabbath to the Lord wherever you live.” Lev 23:3 HCSB

Sunday:

            A day to worship our Lord and to be fed His Word

A day where our mind, body and soul rests

A day for perspective and refreshment

A day to be refueled for the coming days ahead

A day where our finiteness can be restored for the many things we do on a given day

A day to come and gather so we can go and be among

God didn’t make us like the energizer bunny . . . to keep going and going and going. He made us so we have to stop, to eat, to rest, to visit, to laugh and to share life.

When God says we are to observe a day of rest I don’t think He meant we are to define it by what we like to do as opposed to what is best for us. No, we are to stop, rest and re-fuel so our finite bodies are ready to go back to work.

Deuteronomy 5:12

“Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy, as the Lord your God has commanded you.”

*If you wrestle with whether you should observe the Sabbath, what that might look like or what was God really trying to say; Let me strongly suggest you pull out a concordance or do an online bible search (www.biblegateway.com) and read all of the scripture references for the word Sabbath. Ask the Lord to speak specifically to you and your situation. Then hear His voice and live according to His Word.

Jo-Ann P.

The Familiar

I’ve been displaced from my home this winter. We've moved out in order for our apartment to be completely gutted and renovated. I didn't look forward to moving out; I didn't relish the thought of two moves in three months, or sharing space with another family in the interim. However, I know that something much, much better is in store just on the other side of this temporary displacement. When we move back home next week, it will be a much bigger and much brighter space. I am very excited!

Our cat Lilly is much less excited than I am. She was on edge as we packed things in boxes. She twitched her tail whenever she walked into a room and things were missing, or not “where they should be.” When the last piece of furniture was being moved out, she literally laid on top of it and refused to move. I tried to move her and she became limp spaghetti. She was just plain NOT going to give up the last familiar fragment of her crumbling life!!

Have you ever tried to explain to a distressed animal that, just wait, you can’t see it now, but in the end this is going to be SO much better?? You’re going to have more sun-drenched windowsills to bask on. You’re going to have more rooms to race between at top-speed for absolutely no reason at all. Just wait, trust me, this is GOING to work out for the best… I know this FOR SURE… I can even SEE the progress of the renovations and I know it won’t be long…

Lessons about my relationship with God sometimes come from the most peculiar and unexpected places! As I tried to somehow reassure a still-not-thrilled cat, it occurred to me…

How often have I clung to the familiar, the known, the “safe”? How many times have I stubbornly laid down on the last piece of furniture in some area of my life, refusing to surrender what I CAN see for what I CAN’T see? Even when I know God is in control and has a much bigger plan, I sometimes struggle with the urge to grasp onto anything that makes sense and try to keep things in their place.

Over and over, God gently reminds me, “Just wait, you can’t see it now, but in the end this is going to be SO much better. Trust me, I have a plan; I just need you to allow me to work.”

My reading on Ash Wednesday set my focus for this Lenten season. It captures this ongoing battle to let Go, to surrender to the God who loves us infinitely and who knows the bigger picture. It says:

“Today I turn over my will, understanding that I cannot see the whole picture, and that I need to leave room for God to work.” - Dayton

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9

Arlene M.

Pearls

Aren't pearls stunning? Whether in a solitary setting or strung together as a necklace, pearls have a calming, appealing luster that exemplify class and style. Pearls in nature can be found in a variety of shapes, sizes and even colours. The most valuable ones, of course, are the ones which are perfect – perfectly smooth, perfectly round, and perfectly white. Doesn't that also seem to be how the world measures the value of a woman? Advertising, media, and retail all glorify and cater to ‘perfection’ in female appearance, leaving all of us in doubt of our value and self-worth because we know it’s unattainable. Yet we still try. Why? There is a constant craving in women to look beautiful so they can feel valuable. This lie has even penetrated the church. The good news is that as Christian women, we have all the tools we need to reverse this mindset and redefine what being a woman of value really means. And we need look no further than the pearl.

Have you ever reflected on how a pearl is made? In nature, an oyster has a hard outer shell to protect its tender inner tissue, and for the most part it lives out its days as happy as a clam (no pun intended.) Occasionally, though, this inner tissue can become sliced or wounded, or an unwelcome particle can get caught inside an oyster’s shell. This unexpected wound or annoying irritant disrupts everyday life. It is a constant, nagging presence that can cause great wear and tear if ignored. The oyster must exert great energies to secrete a smooth, healing balm to encapsulate the intruder or cover the wound. Over time, a beautiful pearl is created. We all have known seasons of brokenness and pain in our lives which leave us feeling drained, tired, scarred – anything but beautiful. Yet God wants to use each of those times to create a unique and beautiful pearl in your life; something of great meaning and value for you to showcase to others as proof of God’s powerful love. So how does God form these pearls, you ask? We all know many people who go through difficult times and come away with only bitterness and regret. How can we as Christian women demonstrate the truth that God really does work all things together for our good? We find the answer simply by examining the characteristics of pearl development.

First of all, pearls are formed in secret. In the wild, they are found in one of the most remote climates on earth – inside one of millions of oysters piled together at the bottom of the ocean. This hiddeness of the heart is also essential for every woman of God to have. What do you do during times of stress? Turn on the TV and try to escape? Vent your frustrations to those around you? Or do you take time to be alone with the Lord, asking for His peace and to bring your thoughts back in line with His perspective? Though God doesn't cause pain and grief, He often allows it in order to get our attention. He wants our hearts to be hidden with Him; He is the God of intimate relationship. Only through spending quiet time with God can He form the pearl and

reveal His beauty to us.

Secondly, pearls are formed in an environment that is very wet and messy. You may say you know all about God - yet when was the last time you allowed the Holy Spirit to move you to tears? As adults, we have learned how to analyze our feelings, which is good, but also to dismiss or suppress them, which is not so good. The worst pain and grief is the kind that pierces the heart; and the battle for your heart is a messy, emotional business. Tears bring healing and refreshment to the dry, ravaged battleground of your soul. I think there is great symbolism in the promise God gives us in the Bible that “[He] will wipe away every tear from [our] eyes” (Revelation 21:4). Its context is meant for heaven, but it’s symbolic of how God moves right now. He can’t wipe away tears until we allow ourselves to cry; and this can only happen when we are honest, genuine and vulnerable with God. Just like when you would cry unhindered as a child. Becoming child-like with its tears and mess is essential for pearl formation. Human hearts were created to be softened by the Holy Spirit and to pour out genuine emotion at Jesus’ feet – and tears can be our assurance of that essential process at work.

The third factor involved in making a pearl is time. Pearls develop over a period of many years. We live in a society of fast food and quick fixes, and we often forget how God’s time differs from ours. “But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” (2 Peter 3:8) During difficult times especially, the pain seems to make time stand still and all we want is for God to intervene quickly. Yet we have to allow God’s plans to unfold in His time; to let go of what we are doing and learn to just be His. Like a career resume is to a family tree, so the story of what we do is also strikingly different to the story of who we are. It takes time to grow a deep understanding of our unique identity as a child of God. Learning a new job skill make take only a few months, while learning how to exchange gladness for mourning may take a lifetime.

So how do you measure up on God’s scale of beauty? Just remember it’s the opposite of the world’s definition. The world defines value in terms of uniformity and perfection; God defines it in terms of diversity and brokenness. Who the world would deem worthless and throw away, God longs to rescue and restore simply because they are His. But it must start with a surrendered heart. Only then can the pearls begin to form.

Ruth-Ellen W.

Through The Wilderness

As I write this, I find myself in a very challenging time in my life. One of those situations that challenge the emotional, physical and spiritual all at once. One of those situations that makes you want to hide at home. 

While we all deal with challenges differently, it is fairly universal that we all go through these times in our lives.

Our ladies Bible Study is currently going through the book One in a Million by Priscilla Shirer, and many of us seem to find ourselves in the same place, while our situations are different. In the book Priscilla relates these times and situations to the Israelites time in the wilderness. Boy can it feel that way.

You see. If you read the story of the Israelites closely, you see that God intentionally led the Israelites to the wilderness. Priscilla goes on to show us that that wilderness time was meant to build relationship between the Israelites and God. While He could have led them straight to Canaan, they perhaps would have been more focused on the blessings of God than on God. The wilderness was a great way of showing the Israelites to have faith; to rely on Him and have relationship with Him.

In our lives, there are many times that we think we know how God should work in our situations, but He doesn't. I am realizing more and more that this is more for my development than I would care to admit. If God were to answer my prayers and work in my life the way that I would have it, would I be learning to rely on Him the way that I am? Would I be required to actually have faith in Him and the way he works? Would my character be growing? Likely not. I have to trust that God is working my life the way He is, for two reasons:

1 - to develop my relationship with Him

2 - to bring glory to Himself

1 Peter 1:6-7 says, “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

While living this out in the day to day is easier said than done, and we still may feel like hiding, we have to know that God's plan in our situation is better than our own. Our faith and relationship will be built, if we learn to trust Him.

Kourtnay K.