Of the lessons God has been teaching me this summer, one of the biggest lessons is the importance of honesty. I've always wanted to be an honest person. But there has always been a fight in me....I want to be honest, I like to be honest, and yet, at the same time, I'm afraid to be honest.
The first thing I have had to do is ask myself the question, "What has made it difficult for me to truly be honest with people?" One of the biggest reasons is because I tend to care more about peoples feelings than I do about the truth or honesty I am sharing with them. I don't want to tell someone something that they don't want to hear. I don't want to take the risk of hurting someone's feelings! I don't like conflict, and I'll do almost anything to avoid it!
Through many various experiences this summer, God has showed me that it is ok to be honest when we are in tune with Him. In one instance, God was leading in another persons life, and they were open to the truth I was about to share with them. They asked me a question, and it wasn't a big deal, I could share what the truth was in the Bible, and they accepted it right off.
Another time this summer I was talking to one of my friends, and I was a little afraid to tell them something, but I told them anyways. To my amazement, they weren't upset at what I had just said! My honesty didn't create a conflict. They understood what I had said. They understood, because God had been working in their lives. I learned that God is the One ultimately in control.
Here are some things that I have been learning about honesty:
Honesty doesn't mean telling everything that's on your heart. Honesty doesn't mean telling people all the truth you know.
We are not called to the share at the same level of honesty with everyone. Not everyone is ready to hear the honest truth. I am not in control of how the other person reacts to the honesty or truths I share. I am only responsible to God to have integrity and to know that when I'm asked, I can answer in an honest humble way.
Honesty doesn't hurt relationships, honesty isn't what creates conflict. Honesty gives God the opportunity to work in your life. God wants us to be honest with him about our sinful condition. God wants us to be honest with others. Honesty doesn't hurt people when the Holy Spirit is working in their lives as well.
So whatever you are going through right now, don't be afraid be because the truth is that honesty isn't about you, it's about God. It's about being who God wants you to be. It's about sharing the honest truth as it is in Jesus!
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Monday, July 7, 2014
"Let the Little Children Come"
I had been knocking on doors all afternoon, and was about to go home for the evening, when I saw a group of little girls sitting together in a circle. "Will you read the Bible to us?" they asked, as I walked toward them. "Of course!" I replied. I ran to grab the Bible out of my car and give and make a quick decision of what Bible study to use for little kids.
The Bible study was a simple one on God's Word, and how to have a relationship with Him. As we began the study one of the little girls said, "I love true and false questions!" I breathed a silent prayer of thanksgiving that I had had this study guide with me! As we continued the Bible study, the children had lots of questions. "Is the Holy Spirit that little tingling you get sometimes when you are about to do something wrong your mom told you not to? The eleven year old little boy asks me during the study. "Why do people worship other gods? Didn't God create the world?" As I answered their questions, I told them how the Holy Spirit leads in our life. "He brought me to share the Bible with you," I said to them. "Wow that's so cool!" They answered. One young girl particularly stood out to me, her questions were a little deeper. What if you read the Bible but it doesn't seem to work for you? As we talked more I realized that she was working through hurts and fears. It was such a privilege to share with her how she is beautiful to Jesus, and she can trust Him, as well as forgive the person who has bullied her.
Several of the children in the Bible study came from broken families. For once, instead of just hurting for them, I was actually able to do something that brought joy to my heart, and light to their lives. Oh how I love those children, as I write this I can't help but keep back the tears. I want each of those children in Heaven! I want them to find in Jesus the One Who can heal their big hurts, their little hurts, and their insecurities. I want them to see that they are valuable to Jesus! I want them to hear Him calling at the door of His heart.
As I left that first Bible study with the children I thought of the promise which says "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give you the desires of your hearts." Psalm 37:4. I love children and I love teaching them about Jesus and the Bible. This experience was an object lesson about God's leading. When I let God lead in my life, and my desires are in line with God's heart, He will give me what I will love most in my life! He knows ultimately what gives me the greatest joy and what fills my heart! He knows what I really need! What I needed yesterday was children to share God's love with, because when your heart is full of God's love you won't help but want to share it with others!
The Bible study was a simple one on God's Word, and how to have a relationship with Him. As we began the study one of the little girls said, "I love true and false questions!" I breathed a silent prayer of thanksgiving that I had had this study guide with me! As we continued the Bible study, the children had lots of questions. "Is the Holy Spirit that little tingling you get sometimes when you are about to do something wrong your mom told you not to? The eleven year old little boy asks me during the study. "Why do people worship other gods? Didn't God create the world?" As I answered their questions, I told them how the Holy Spirit leads in our life. "He brought me to share the Bible with you," I said to them. "Wow that's so cool!" They answered. One young girl particularly stood out to me, her questions were a little deeper. What if you read the Bible but it doesn't seem to work for you? As we talked more I realized that she was working through hurts and fears. It was such a privilege to share with her how she is beautiful to Jesus, and she can trust Him, as well as forgive the person who has bullied her.
Several of the children in the Bible study came from broken families. For once, instead of just hurting for them, I was actually able to do something that brought joy to my heart, and light to their lives. Oh how I love those children, as I write this I can't help but keep back the tears. I want each of those children in Heaven! I want them to find in Jesus the One Who can heal their big hurts, their little hurts, and their insecurities. I want them to see that they are valuable to Jesus! I want them to hear Him calling at the door of His heart.
As I left that first Bible study with the children I thought of the promise which says "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give you the desires of your hearts." Psalm 37:4. I love children and I love teaching them about Jesus and the Bible. This experience was an object lesson about God's leading. When I let God lead in my life, and my desires are in line with God's heart, He will give me what I will love most in my life! He knows ultimately what gives me the greatest joy and what fills my heart! He knows what I really need! What I needed yesterday was children to share God's love with, because when your heart is full of God's love you won't help but want to share it with others!
The Last Few Hours
Another evening out in the field. I had been visiting people all Sunday afternoon. Even though not many people were home and I didn't have Bible studies scheduled, I still could see how God had blessed; but I want more blessings!
As I drive around the road leading up to the little dead end, I see there's not many houses. I had planned to start going door-to-door on that street, but with no houses, I began to wonder how this would work out! Then I see the little dead end. "Oh! It's apartments! God knew what He was doing! How exciting! I'll get to meet lots of people here!"
I left that door so happy!!! So overflowing with joy and smiles, that I could hardly talk calmly at the next door I was doing a survey at! I was so looking forward to coming back and studying the Bible with the new friend I had just met and I was sure she was the person God had brought me to this street to meet!
"Ok, it's time to go door-to-door and find more people to study the Bible with!" I thought to myself. I stop my car and I prayed - more earnestly this time - as there were only a few more hours of daylight left for me to work. "I need to work some neighborhoods close to the church and invite any children I see to Vacation Bible school!" I say to myself. Before I pull out the map my prayer is that God will guide me to those who will want to study the Bible - because I needed His Spirit to direct me where to go! As I look at the roads on the map nearest to the church, my eyes fall on a little street - a dead end. I feel drawn to go to that street. For a moment I question, thinking "It's only a little street." But then I remember, I had prayed. "There must be someone there who God wants me to reach. I will follow through with that plan."
As I drive around the road leading up to the little dead end, I see there's not many houses. I had planned to start going door-to-door on that street, but with no houses, I began to wonder how this would work out! Then I see the little dead end. "Oh! It's apartments! God knew what He was doing! How exciting! I'll get to meet lots of people here!"
After knocking several doors with no one home or no one interested, I meet a lady whose initial response to me is, "I'm not interested in what most churches offer, because I've been through a divorce, and most churches are totally against divorce, but in my situation I had to because I was abused." I affirm her in the fact that Jesus doesn't condemn for that, and neither does church, I say I understand why she would have had to get the divorce. She opens up to me and shares her story. As we connect, we speak of the beauty of how Jesus heals broken hearts. I am inspired as I see how Jesus has carried her through! She is so open, I can actually understand what she is telling me, we are both positive, and I realize I have just met a sister in Christ! "I always knew that God has been the one to carry me through this", she tells me.
I invite her to start exercising with a friend and I, and she said she would enjoy that. I continue to throw in questions from the survey, and she answers, "Yes, I would like that!" to every question. When I get to Bible studies, she says, "I love studying the Bible," and asks "What else do you have?" I invite her to come to church on Saturday. "Oh, I could do that", she says, "That would give me something to do to get out of the house and not just sit here lonely on Saturday mornings." I pray a heartfelt prayer with her and set up a time to come back and study the Bible, before I leave. She gives me a hug and I say, "I can't to come study with you Tuesday!"
I left that door so happy!!! So overflowing with joy and smiles, that I could hardly talk calmly at the next door I was doing a survey at! I was so looking forward to coming back and studying the Bible with the new friend I had just met and I was sure she was the person God had brought me to this street to meet!
We are in the last hours of earth's history, though we don't know the day or the hour of Jesus' return, we know that time is short. Oh how we must pray earnestly for the Holy Spirit to lead us to those who are open to God's Word! And oh how we must work earnestly, giving our all. Whether that means sacrificing our plans, giving of our time, or giving of our money, or giving of our talents, we must do it, we must give the message for Jesus!
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
The Woman at the Well
The story of the woman at the well never ceases to speak to my heart every time I read it.
It's the story of a woman who was thristy...thirsty for something that nothing on this earth can fill. It is the story of a woman who was longing for love. It's a story of a woman who was searching for fulfillment in her earthly relationships rather than a relationship with the One true Husband, Jesus Christ.
It's a story of Jesus caring for someone who others looked down upon. It's a story that shows how Jesus reaches the heart. It's a story of salvation. It's a story of a woman being filled with the greatest fulfillment and joy ever possible...a joy that is only found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. And it's more than that, it's the story of how the influence of one woman who's life is changed can be used to reach an ENTIRE town for Jesus!
Never underestimate the power that your own personal testimony can have!
God rewards those who leave all for Him. God knows that each one of us is thirsty for a fulfillment, a love, a peace, that ONLY He can satisfy! He says come unto me let him drink the water of life freely. "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled." (Matthew 5:6)
The story reminds me of my own experience. How many times I have tried to fill the desire of my heart with things that don't satisfy....good grades, or my friendships, or my "accomplishments". It's so easy to be deceived by your own heart and think getting good grades is important, and God meant for friendships to bring us happiness".... and yet there is no ultimate fulfillment in the things of earth! The only One who can truly make us fulfilled and joyful is Jesus Christ!
Another beautiful lesson is how God chooses people to work for Him. It wasn't the disciples who reached the city of Samaria. It didn't take many people to reach the city either. All it took was one woman who was COMPLETELY dedicated, and consecrated to Jesus! This shows me the beauty of how Jesus chooses people to be his messangers! No mistakes from the past disqualify me from working for Jesus! Because He offers new life! And a total transformation! God can take the sins, hurts, and mistakes of our past, and still make us more effective workers for Him! God evidently used her love of people, God evidently used her ability to love people-though in the past her relationships were used for her selfish reasons-now to draw people into a relationship with Him!
As I look at the town I'm working in this summer and think of the story of the woman at the well, I'm overjoyed that Jesus still calls women, like He called the woman at the well, to share the joy that they have found in Jesus! The people I have meant all have one thing in common, they haven't had a perfect past, they have had hurts, and pains and difficult experiences, and they are finding, and seeking to find a deeper relationship with the One who can satisfy the need of every soul! My prayer is, "Lord, make me like the woman at the well who reached an entire city for you!"
It's the story of a woman who was thristy...thirsty for something that nothing on this earth can fill. It is the story of a woman who was longing for love. It's a story of a woman who was searching for fulfillment in her earthly relationships rather than a relationship with the One true Husband, Jesus Christ.
It's a story of Jesus caring for someone who others looked down upon. It's a story that shows how Jesus reaches the heart. It's a story of salvation. It's a story of a woman being filled with the greatest fulfillment and joy ever possible...a joy that is only found in a relationship with Jesus Christ. And it's more than that, it's the story of how the influence of one woman who's life is changed can be used to reach an ENTIRE town for Jesus!
"The woman at the well had been filled with joy as she listened to Christ's words. The wonderful revelation was almost overpowering. Leaving her waterpot, she returned to the city, to carry the message to others. Jesus knew what why she had gone. Leaving her waterpot spoke unmistakably as to the effect of His words. It was the earnest desire of her soul to obtain the living water; and she forgot her errand to the well, she forgot the Savior's thirst, which she had promised to supply. With heart overflowing with gladness, she hastened on her way, to impart to others the precious light she had received."
-Desire of Ages 191
Never underestimate the power that your own personal testimony can have!
God rewards those who leave all for Him. God knows that each one of us is thirsty for a fulfillment, a love, a peace, that ONLY He can satisfy! He says come unto me let him drink the water of life freely. "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled." (Matthew 5:6)
The story reminds me of my own experience. How many times I have tried to fill the desire of my heart with things that don't satisfy....good grades, or my friendships, or my "accomplishments". It's so easy to be deceived by your own heart and think getting good grades is important, and God meant for friendships to bring us happiness".... and yet there is no ultimate fulfillment in the things of earth! The only One who can truly make us fulfilled and joyful is Jesus Christ!
Another beautiful lesson is how God chooses people to work for Him. It wasn't the disciples who reached the city of Samaria. It didn't take many people to reach the city either. All it took was one woman who was COMPLETELY dedicated, and consecrated to Jesus! This shows me the beauty of how Jesus chooses people to be his messangers! No mistakes from the past disqualify me from working for Jesus! Because He offers new life! And a total transformation! God can take the sins, hurts, and mistakes of our past, and still make us more effective workers for Him! God evidently used her love of people, God evidently used her ability to love people-though in the past her relationships were used for her selfish reasons-now to draw people into a relationship with Him!
As I look at the town I'm working in this summer and think of the story of the woman at the well, I'm overjoyed that Jesus still calls women, like He called the woman at the well, to share the joy that they have found in Jesus! The people I have meant all have one thing in common, they haven't had a perfect past, they have had hurts, and pains and difficult experiences, and they are finding, and seeking to find a deeper relationship with the One who can satisfy the need of every soul! My prayer is, "Lord, make me like the woman at the well who reached an entire city for you!"
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