Seek Out The Very Best For Your Life!

If you were to take an internal passion test, what would be the result? Has your zest and zeal fizzled? Are your relationships struggling as a result? Are you? Don't settle for “making do”, when the very best is in sight. The solution may just be re-prioritizing.

Every day you are exchanging time and resources for your efforts. Each day arrives fresh and new as a gift from God. What if you were you live your life boldly, with passion?

He gave us life in Him. We are gifted to live life for Him. After all, God has purposes in mind for our lives!

Today, as I visited a friend, we settled in for a talk and some coffee. Enthusiastically we caught up on our lives and encounters with others and we rearranged a vase on her table filled with flowers. It was a lovely sight – full of colour presented in a beautiful vase. However, just as the bouquet was bought, it was plunked right into the vase. As we removed the beautiful stems, we reflected on each flower and its beauty. Gingerly, we started to put them back – tallest in the middle, tapering out, accented with filler and a variety of colour. The end result was stunning! Pulled together! Extraordinary! The flowers hadn't changed, just the arrangement of them.

“The plans of the diligent lead surely to plenty, but those of everyone who is hasty, surely to poverty.” Proverbs 4:26

So it is with our lives, we have a bunch of things to do in our day. We can just haphazardly go about doing just that or carefully . . . deliberately . . . intentionally . . . consider all the different tasks to prepare for, take care of and carry out and then prioritize and place them in position in our schedule. A life of excellence!

“Ponder the path of your feet, and all your ways will be established.” Proverbs 4:26

We must seriously consider the value of our tasks, prayerfully, this one change can greatly affect our lives and the passion conveyed with it.

“Commit your works to the LORD, and your thoughts will be established.” Proverbs 16:3

Press in and press on,

Giselle

The Church

This past Sunday, my family and I went to a joint church service with 80+ churches. We gathered in the new football stadium and joined together to celebrate One Lord, One Church and One Harvest. It was amazing to sit with approximately 15,000 people and be The Church together.

The service began with a parade of nations. Individuals in traditional dress from all over the world, each walking down the centre of the field holding their flag from the many countries represented. I was reminded of the size of our world and we Canadians represent only a small portion of it. By the time the final ones were walking across the field I had a lump in my throat and goose bumps on my arms. There is something unique and unifying seeing people from around the world coming together because of Our Lord.

As I watched the flags move across the field I was reminded of this verse from Revelation 7:9-10 which says, “After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were robed in white with palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: Salvation belongs to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (HCSB)

I don’t know what your background or your country of origin is, but there will come a day when ALL believers will stand before the throne of God with one focus – worshipping the One and Only King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The great I AM.

In the final minutes of the service there was a fly-by of jets flying in formation over the stadium and over the city. I don’t know about you, but I love to watch air shows and see the power of those jets exerted as they pass by so quickly. Sunday was no different for me. It was a thrill to hear the engines roar by, to see the precise flying ability of the pilots and to feel the stadium pause for a moment to watch them go. Then I was reminded of a verse Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:51-53. It says, “But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.” (NLT) [bold mine]

Here I was sitting in a large stadium with approximately 15,000 other people joined together to worship Jesus, and I was reminded of that final day when, “in the blink of an eye”, there will be “a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.”  Wow!

I love the local church (however big or small it is) where week in and week out we get to rub shoulders with each other on Sundays, but I love the opportunities which come along where the larger body of saints come together. And “true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth” John 4:23 (NIV)

In a large crowd it can be easy to sit back and observe, but with a little self-discipline and personal intent each of us can engage in the service and worship together. This past Sunday was one of those days for me where I was reminded I am part of a much bigger picture and those I worship with from week to week are part of a much bigger body of believers from around the world.

Come Lord Jesus, Come!

Jo-Ann

Speed of Love

I was at my brother’s church recently, and the pastor was preaching about unity as a church, but it was one point in between that stuck with me. 

The pastor was talking about the importance of empathy, and taking time for other people. He touched on the point that we all know so well about our world functioning too fast and how fast we, as the body of Christ, should be functioning. He said we should be functioning at a speed in which God can use us, and if God is love (1 John 4:8 “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”), then we should be functioning at the speed of love. 

The speed of love . . . those words have not been far from my mind for almost 2 weeks now. What is the speed of love? At what speed do I have to function in order to show love to people. How does that look in my life?

I thought of my everyday life and all the things that I do. One thing that came to mind was grocery shopping. What does it mean to move at the speed of love while shopping? Does that mean stopping to help someone get something off the shelf? Does that mean letting someone else go in front of you in line? Does that mean opening a door for someone? Does that mean being patient with a slow or grouchy cashier? And that is just at the grocery store!

What about the speed of love in my relationships? I thought about my husband and my toddler. With my husband it is stopping cooking to greet him when he comes in the door from work. It means taking time out of the to-do list for a chat, or a kiss. With my son, it means allowing him to function at the speed of a three year old, and patiently encouraging him rather than rushing him at my speed. It means taking time to appreciate and teach the little things even if that means that I don’t get as much other stuff done.

Functioning at the speed of love often requires deep listening; it requires allowing myself to think and function at the speed where someone else’s need is at. The speed of love is moving at the speed that Jesus did. Seeing everyone as a person and not a pawn in his day, acting in love towards them, and speaking words of encouragement to them! 

Easier said than done in my journey . . . how about you?

Kourtnay

Alabaster Jar

Do you ever have a moment, when you've heard a story a million times but all of a sudden it makes sense and takes on a WHOLE new meaning? I re-read the story of Jesus being anointed by the sinful woman. There were ‘light bulb’ moments for me as I really READ this story again.

Luke 7:36-38

^“One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to have dinner with him, so Jesus went to his home and sat down to eat. When a certain immoral woman from that city heard he was eating there, she brought a beautiful alabaster jar filled with expensive perfume. Then she knelt behind him at his feet, weeping. Her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them off with her hair. Then she kept kissing his feet and putting perfume on them.

Jesus had just been speaking to a crowd about John the Baptist (Luke 7:18-35), so we can only assume that there were a lot of people following him around. One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to come to his home for dinner with him. Having left the crowd outside, he would have entered the house for a dinner party. Here’s when it got interesting for me. This ‘immoral woman’ would have heard that Jesus was in town, known of his promise of forgiveness and known of her past of sin. And still she chose to approach HIM. Knowing her sins were great, and knowing the reputation she would have had in the community she lived in. Knowing… knowing… and still she came. Boldly.

The jar of perfume this woman carried would have cost her everything. All of the money she would have made would have gone to pay for this rare and expensive jar of perfume. Am I giving ALL of me? Everything.

Picture with me, Jesus sitting down with the Pharisees for dinner, small talk around the table before the meal is served when all of a sudden a woman walks into the room. No invitation. No permission. She walks straight through the crowd and into the house. And this woman- immoral, outcast, society’s social pariah- walks right up behind the Messiah. Can you hear the gasps in the crowd? Can you see the frowns on the staunch Pharisee faces, and watch the smirk form on the face of Jesus?

There, in front of her enemies, she pours out her sin at the feet of Jesus. A ‘jar of sacrifice’ before the King, before the only one who could take away all of the pain. The only one who could take away all of the sadness. The only one who could take away all of the guilt. The only one who can take away all of the sin. Her act of worship, an act that should have been performed by the owner of the home, was performed by the one who had no home. Had nothing to offer but herself and her sacrifice.

In today’s society the idea of ‘sitting’ for a while seems useless and unproductive, after all, I have a list a mile long and it HAS to be done today. But what if, for just a little while, we quieted ourselves and poured out a sacrifice at the feet of the King? What if, for just a little while we sat in the presence of the Holy One? What if, for just a little while we let HIM do the healing of our brokenness, the fixing of our soul, the cleaning of our hearts? What if, my job is to just pour out my sins before Him and let him do the rest?

Jesus’ words in verse 50 breathe life to my busy, restless soul, ‘Your faith has saved you; GO IN PEACE’.

So, pouring out my sin before Him, letting Jesus carry it away, letting Father heal my brokenness, letting the Spirit wash me clean will bring PEACE? What a simple recipe. What a beautiful act of Worship to the King. Let’s take the time today to pour out at the feet of Jesus, to put all that we are inside that alabaster jar and pour it out before the King.

Tara W.

From Inspiration to Action

Have you ever heard a speaker, watched a movie or listened to a podcast and been inspired? Inspired to change the world, begin guitar lessons or try a new recipe?

Inspiration is a great thing. We all need to be inspired, but if we don’t see action then the inspiration is only information. And information (like education) without action is only filling brain space.

Inspiration doesn’t mean completion  it means, “I’m beginning”.

Inspiration doesn’t mean perfection it means, “I’m working on it”.

Inspiration doesn’t mean successful it means, “I’m trying”.

Inspiration is what starts the ball rolling. It’s the beginning of something great – either personally or for the world to see.

Action is often the splash of cold water on our face as the reality sets in with sore fingertips after our first guitar lesson. Or the tip for the pizza delivery person when the new recipe fails drastically. However, action is the first step forward. Action is what moves it from the inspiring thought to the process towards the goal. Action is what causes us to apply for a course at school and begin walking towards the degree.

I am reminded of the woman with the issue of blood who, in a wall to wall crowd of people, touched Jesus’ robe and was healed. Mark gives us a bit of insight into the intentionality of her actions.

“A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding. She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse. She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe. For she thought to herself, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed of her terrible condition. Jesus realized at once that healing power had gone out from him, so he turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my robe?”  His disciples said to him, “Look at this crowd pressing around you. How can you ask, ‘Who touched me?’” But he kept on looking around to see who had done it. Then the frightened woman, trembling at the realization of what had happened to her, came and fell to her knees in front of him and told him what she had done. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.” Mark 5:25-34 (NLT)

Luke 8:46 says, “But Jesus said, “Someone deliberately touched me””

The word 'deliberately' gives such a clear picture of the intentionality of this woman. She obviously tried many options to cure her ailment and nothing but touching the robe of Jesus healed her - immediately. There is no question the crowds gathered around Jesus because they had heard of him, they had seen him and people were definitely changed when they encountered him. This woman had a significant issue, she heard about Jesus and took the intentional steps to reach Him.

I’m not sure what words God has been whispering in your ear lately, what nudging you have felt in your heart or what doors have been opening up to you, but it begins with the inspiration and then the move to action before the completion is seen.

Let’s be moved from inspiration, towards action, so we can be part of God’s hand of completion.

Jo-Ann

Mothers & Mentors

Spring is my favourite time of year – particularly the month of May.  It symbolizes new birth, new possibilities, and new hope.  It’s no wonder, therefore, that we also celebrate mothers during this month.  Being a mother carries with it tremendous creative potential, and from God’s perspective, it is not limited to only birthing and raising your own children. We all know what it means to be a daughter, and how our mothers had a profound impact on the women we grew to become.  But we have also each benefited from other women who have chosen to encourage us and speak into our lives.  I had the wonderful opportunity recently of serving as a mentor in my church’s Woman To Woman mentoring program. It was a beautiful experience that really stretched and challenged me, and definitely made me stronger.  When a Christian woman reaches spiritual maturity, God will open doors of opportunity for her to become a ‘mother’ to the next spiritual generation, whether it’s through a formal program at a church or a burden for someone that the Lord has placed on her heart.  From serving the Lord for many years, she will know very well how many ‘pearls’ the Lord has allowed her past trials to create in her, and with authority and determination she can speak through her brokenness into the life of another. It is an intentional choice that requires time and energy as well as vision and insight.  Ask any such mother, though, and they’ll tell you it’s so much more than just teaching. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 4:15 “for though you might have ten thousand [teachers] in Christ, yet you do not have many [mothers]; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.” This was written by the apostle Paul, who knew great suffering in his life. Yet his passion to see others come to Jesus and to reach spiritual maturity was fueled by the heart of a father, not just the mind of a teacher.

Teachers simply pass on what they know; mothers pass on who they are.

So for those of you who have not seen the fulfillment of your heart’s desire to birth and raise natural children, or you are feeling the ache of an empty nest, I would offer you Isaiah 54:1: “’Sing, O barren, you who have not borne! Break forth into singing, and cry aloud, you who have not labored with child! For more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married woman,’ says the Lord.” God views spiritual mothering as even more important than physical mothering. So whether you have natural children or not, the experience of being a spiritual mentor to someone in need of guidance will always be worth the effort. You will certainly feel opposition from the Enemy at times, but through your maturity you will recognize any tiredness, frustration, or inconvenience for what it is and use it to further refine your character.

Being a mother takes all you have to give.

But take heart - the fulfillment, joy and sense of purpose that comes from creating in, and giving to, those around you will confirm the importance of the role that you play.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Ruth-Ellen W.

Twinkle Little Star!

There’s a precious natural piece of art that appears when the sun shines its way through my front dining room window onto the far living room wall. God’s Promise I call it. A stunning display of God’s rainbow promise, love for His creation, reflects across the wall from the front stained glass window. Beautiful!

Soaking up the warmth of the sun and the stunning shades cast across the wall today, it reminded me to be mindful of how God’s light in and through me is reflected. What image do I cast upon those whose lives I touch?

It is important to remember that even if we do not have an accountability partner, reminding and encouraging us to do what is right – we must be careful about what we believe and how we live. We must guard ourselves against getting side tracked. Paul, in Philippians 2:12-13, sums it up like this:

“Dear friends, you have always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases Him.”

God is in the marinating business. Patiently and tenderly seasoning us to perfection. Our short term pains can equal long term gains. This process however requires commitment. Moment by moment dedication and conviction. We must strive for unity and peace in everything. At times, we may need to be creative in our approach – but above all valuing others above ourselves. We must stop and regularly ask ourselves, are we doing all we can to spread God’s life-giving message? Where are we really on the path to fulfilling our part of Jesus’ mission? No step taken towards this is too small. Keep moving in the direction of His call.

May we shine like stars!

Press in and press on,

Giselle L.

Generous

Generous:

            -liberal in giving or sharing

            -marked by abundance; ample

            - having a rich bouquet and flavor

            (Open handed, copious, kindly)

Acts 4:32-35 (TLB)

“All the believers were of one heart and mind, and they felt that what they owned was not their own; they shared everything they had. And the apostles gave powerful witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and God’s great favor was upon them all. There was no poverty among them, because people who owned land or houses sold them and brought the money to the apostles to give to others in need.”

Living a generous life. Naturally we scan to the number on the tax line beside ‘charitable donations, puff out our chest a bit and pat ourselves on the back for the sum of money we have given this year to be “generous”. 

Is that what it means to be generous? To give out of our abundance? The world often marks our contribution to society by the large (or small) number on Form 1040 (totally had to Google that) J . But we are not supposed to be “OF” the world, so what exactly does generous look like? It is inclusive to monetary giving, but beyond that, AM I GENEROUS?

Acts 2:42-47 (TLB)

“They joined with the other believers and devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, sharing in the Lord’s Supper and in prayer. A deep sense of awe came over them all and the apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders. And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything they had. They sold their possessions and shared the proceeds with those in need. They worshiped together at the Temple each day, met in homes for the Lord’s Supper and shared their meals with great joy and generosity – all the while praising God and enjoying the goodwill of all the people. And each day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.”

What attracted the unsaved to the apostles? What was it about them caused people to turn away from their lives of sin and follow the ways of Jesus? Was it the money they gave them? Was it land they awarded them? Or was it their hearts and their homes that were shared with them?  What would it look like to be a generous person – to be generous with ALL that I am?! Verse 46 says “they met in homes for the Lord’s Supper and shared their meals with great joy”. NIV says “they broke bread in their homes and ate together with GLAD AND SINCERE HEARTS”. 

They offered to each other their possessions but also their hearts and their homes. To offer someone your seat in church, your batch of muffins, a couch to crash on, a hot cup of coffee; that’s one thing. That takes a personal sacrifice. But to offer someone your heart? That’s a completely different sacrifice. What would THAT look like? . . . Well, I’ll tell you.

“The Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved” (NIV)

There you have it; a life of generous living would mean Salvation for communities and cities, countries and nations. A heart transformation leads to righteous living, righteous living leads to generosity. 

Psalm 37:25-26 (NIV)

“I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be a blessing.”

This scripture is used to link righteous living with generous giving. Am I generous with WHO I AM? Am I generous with my compliments, my willingness to forgive, my help, ideas, abilities, my compassion, my . . . my . . . Dare I keep going?

Do my ‘people’ know me as a generous person who gave of themselves freely without recognition or reward?

Now, hear my heart.  It IS important to give generously in the areas of tithes and offerings.  In fact, it’s commanded of us. However, generosity goes way beyond that.  It goes to the core of who we are.  It should be exactly WHO WE ARE.  We should be known as generous people who love deeply, give freely, off all of ourselves to the alignment of Christ’s will and find the very heart of Jesus in the midst of it.

Tara W.