Six Degrees of Separation

For nothing is impossible with God.  Luke 1:37

1. In May, Polly buys 2 tickets to the Deeper Still Women’s conference featuring Kay Arthur, Priscilla Shirer and Beth Moore in Birmingham, December 3-4. God tells her to wait and He will show her who should have the other ticket.

2. In August, high school friend, Lynne Croxton, contacts Polly about the possibility of attending a Beth Moore conference in Birmingham the first weekend of December. Polly informs Lynne that God already has a ticket waiting for her and all she has to do is come to Birmingham to spend the weekend with her lifelong friend. (They haven’t spent that much time together since they visited another friend together over ten years ago before she died of cancer.)

3. Lynne comes to Birmingham for an awesome weekend with her friend, Polly. Lynne wants to pay Polly for the ticket before they go to the conference, but Polly refuses and tells Lynne to “pay it forward”.

4. Completely unbeknownst to Polly and Lynne, Allison Springer (who neither knows or has ever met) receives a ticket at the last minute to attend the conference in Birmingham.

5. Allison has been called to join a mission venture, The World Race, uncertain how God would provide the resources she needs for this venture.

6. Allison sends a handwritten note to the speakers of the conference asking for prayer, specifically about God’s provision.

7. After lunch, Priscilla Shirer, one of the speakers, announces several prayer requests of many they received to over 14,000 in attendance, one of which was Allison’s. While those in charge of the conference are not prepared to take up an offering for her trip, they do place her email on the screen for those that want to make donations.

8. Lynne and Polly look at each other and agree that this is the “pay it forward” opportunity that God had in mind for the cost of Lynne’s ticket.

9. Lynne makes the donation to Allison after her return trip home.

10. Polly forwards the response from Allison and Lynne to Carol, a friend who will definitely would appreciate the way God has worked in this situation.

11. Carol screams with amazement because not only was she in attendance at the conference, but she has been friends with Allison’s Mom since elementary school. Carol contacts Allison and makes a donation to Allison’s trip.

NOT, the end.

For more information about Allison’s trip, http://allisonspringer.theworldrace.org/.






God's Favorite Charity

Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.

Luke 1:28

 

This is the greeting that the angel, Gabriel, spoke to Mary . The Greek word for highly favored is charitoo and is only used one other time in the New Testament. In Ephesians 1:6, Paul writes that we are the objects of God’s grace and that He has freely given (charitoo) it to us because He loves us. Just like Mary, we, as believers, are the recipients of Divine favor through His grace.

 

Being the object of Divine favor brings about special privileges. Paul continues in verses 7 & 8 of the first chapter of Ephesians to say that as God’s favored ones, we have:

 

1. Redemption through his blood.
2. Forgiveness of our sins.
3. Riches of God’s grace.

 

As I hear all the requests for donations to various charities this holiday season,  I am thankful and humbled to be the recipient of God’s gift of love and grace through His son, Jesus. Gabriel’s words to Mary are meant for us all-

 

Do not be afraid, YOUR NAME, you have found favor with God. For nothing is impossible with God!

 

A Man of Faith and Influence

When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” Luke 7:9


When I heard the scripture from today’s reading from www.pray-as-you-go , I immediately thought about one of the five pledges of faith from our recent Beth Moore Study, Believing God,

God can do what He says He can do.

Jesus is talking about a Roman centurion who had sent word to Jesus asking that his servant be healed. In ancient Rome, a centurion was a loyal, courageous captain over 100 foot soldiers in the Roman army. Working their way up the ranks, they were highly respected for their dedication and leadership skills in battle. This was a leader that had notoriety.

Undoubtedly, this was a man of action. His request of Jesus was one that had the ability to influence many-not only those under his immediate authority, but also others that heard of his request and the subsequent healing of his servant.

What is noteworthy in this passage is the centurion’s humble position before the Lord, “That is why I did not consider myself worthy to come to you.” His lack of bravado and understanding of his position before the Lord spoke volumes to those that were sent to make the request to Jesus.

“His purpose from the moment He created humanity was to invite man to partner with his Maker in His work. Simply put, faith partners with God. Faith also invites God. Swelling faith can hasten swelling works of God because frankly, He favors the invitation.” Believing God, Beth Moore

Jesus favored the faith of the centurion and used his faith to perform a miracle that had an impact on many-not only those that were under his authority, but those that bore witness to the miracle as they shared the story with their family and friends. Even today, we can be impacted by the faith of the centurion as we read the story.

Dear Lord, Give us the same attitude of the centurion, humble and full of faith that You can do what You say You can do. Partner with us so that we can be your vessel for wonders and miracles to a hungry world that needs You. You are Immanuel, God with us.

Thanksliving from a Widow’s Perspective

Taking the time to reflect on the ways that God connects the moments of my life always brings revelation. It’s one of the gifts that He has given me since leaving the busy life of sales. Yesterday, God’s word to His people at His church was how to live a life of thankfulness-thanksliving. Our minister asked us to use the thank-you cards provided to write a note to God during the service. She laughingly commented that “Polly McClure will probably use a whole card-back AND front, but yours can be as brief or as long as you want”. She was right, I did use the whole card-I have a lot to be thankful for! I could spend the rest of my life thanking God for all the things He has done and continues to do in my life.

As I listened to the words of Mark 12:43-44 this morning, I realized that I don’t hold a candle to the widow.

I can tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything-all she had to live on.

How long had it been since she lost her husband? How had her lifestyle changed since his death? What was her source of income now? In spite of her situation in life, she was thankful enough to give everything she had to live on. Now that’s real thanksliving and, as we just learned in our Beth Moore study, Believing God, she was practicing present-active-participle believing faith. There’s no doubt that God credited this act of belief as righteousness to her.

The question that God is burning in my heart is “What are you going to believe me for?” How does God want me to put thanksliving into practice?

Dear Lord,

Give me the faith of the poor widow that was thankful enough to give you everything she had to live on. Reveal to me the things that I need to believe you for. Lord, help my unbelief. Amen

Change of Plans

Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away.  You give them something to eat."  "We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish", they answered.  "Bring them here to me", he said.  Matthew 14:16-18

For the last several years, my husband and I have taken a few days away from home in celebration of our anniversary.  This year, the discussion of where and when centered around a Eastern Apiary Society Meeting in North Carolina (he's a beekeeper) that was scheduled during our anniversay date.  Since the meeting was going to be held in a desirable location (Boone, NC), I envisioned a weekend prior to the meeting in a quaint bed & breakfast in the mountains.  I would accompany him to Boone where I would work during the day while he attended the meeting and we would enjoy our evenings together during the week.  As we started to plan the details, it was apparent that the extra expenses of the weekend prior to the meeting couldn't be justified with the upcoming household and personal expenses (mainly, extended dental work for me-not the anniversary present I had planned).  Change of plans #1.

About a month before our departure, I learned that one of my husband's beekeeping buddies was planning on attending the same meeting, following us on our trip to the meeting and being with us during the week. Change of plans #2.

So, as I read and listen to the story of the Feeding of the Five Thousand in Matthew 14:13-21 this morning, God reminds me that the disciples had a change of plans, too.  They were counting on sending the large crowds away to get something to eat.  I also imagined them feeling exhausted and wanting Jesus a little for themselves after a full day.  "They do not need to go away." Change of Plans #1

"Okay, okay, Jesus, they can stay, but how do you propose to feed them?"  "You give them something to eat." What, are you kidding? "We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish".  "Bring them here to me". Change of Plans #2

And the rest of the story is the miracle that we know so well. 

I don't know what God has in store for me this week with the change of my plans and expectations, but I will surrender this time to Him and trust that His ways are higher than my ways and His thoughts are not my thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9)......and wait expectantly for the miracle....He is Immanuel, God with us! Amen

Job Opening: Harvest Field Worker

Then Jesus went throughout all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues,preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and sickness. When He saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were bewildered and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.” Matthew 9:35-37

As I listened to this scripture this morning, I couldn't help but think about our outreach ministry at church, "LRE"-Loving, Relating and Encouraging.  Each week we go out into the community and make friends and meet neighbors, asking God to lead us to those places that He wants us to go. Those that go each week are very dedicated and have great stories to tell about their experiences each week. 

But, in addition to our LRE ministry, it seems that God desires for us to become a worker in the harvest field in our daily lives.  I don't think God saves one night each week for a few of us to meet the "bewildered and helpless". 

So, what are the job requirements for being God's worker?
1. God-Vision-"He saw the crowds"
The enemy loves to keep us busy so that we do not take the time to "see" those around us each day that need the love of our Savior.  Take that next step in your relationship with one person that God seems to be putting in your path each day.
2. God-Heart-"He had compassion on them"
The Greek word for compassion means of emotions: heart, affection, tenderness, compassion. Just as Jesus opened Lydia's heart to respond to Paul's message in Acts 16:14, Ask God to change your heart so that you can have His heart for those that are lost or need His love.
3. "Worker" Experience-"but the workers are few"
According to Jesus, only a few of us qualify to be a worker. Ask God to give you  life-experiences that could help build your "worker resume". 

A couple of months ago I received an email from a member of our church:
"I do want to share something about the experience this morning. I was planning for a whole day of sitting in the courtroom. So I brought my Bible and Intercessory Prayer by Dutch Sheets to read. I hadn't gotten very far into the chapters of Intercessory Prayer. I picked back up with my reading in Chapter 3 about re-presenting Jesus and what is intercession-how the work has already been laid out and prepared, that God needs someone (an ambassador) to represent Jesus and use His authority here on Earth to distribute what God has prepared in lives around us.

Then, I read the story about the little (insane) girl tied to a tree. It wasn't just luck or coincidence that I was reading this story while sitting in that courtroom with several people walking around in chains(a VERY visual picture of people chained by their sins). As I read the story and then sat to ponder on what I read, I heard the judge telling an inmate in chains to wake up and face the music. God prompted me to pray for that person, to awaken her spiritually and to remove from her eyes what has been blinding her to God, interceding on her behalf, no matter what she had done to put her there physically in chains. As I began praying for others in the room, the air got thick and heavy and smells began circulating around me. At one time I could smell overwhelming alcohol, another time a sweet nauseating scent, and then a nasty stench, all coming and going to the point my head started hurting and I started getting quesy."

Lord, with the power of Your Holy Spirit, change our vision and heart so that we can become a qualified worker to be sent into the harvest field. And, when the call comes for a worker to be sent, help us to gladly go to share Your love and healing power to those that are bewildered and helpless.  You are Immanuel, God with us!

What Designer Do You Wear?

These days, most of my shopping for clothes is done in consignment and thrift stores.  With the loss of weight and change of jobs, I find myself with clothes that no longer fit or are useful.  I must admit that I am somewhat ashamed of the amount of money that was spent during my sales career days on clothes, not to mention the time spent on trying to find those that were "in style" as well as the storage space required for those that were out of season.  So much time, money and effort spent on "stuff" to adorn our bodies seems almost laughable at this time in my life.
As I read a passage in Galatians this morning, I gave thought to what Paul meant when he wrote:
for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.  Galatians 3:27
Jesus used the same word when He said, "I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high."  Luke 24:49
The prophet, Isaiah says the following about being clothed: I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God for He has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness.  Isaiah 61:10
As I pondered these verses, thoughts of the media commenting on which designer certain actors and actresses are wearing as they come down the red carpet during those award shows come to mind. Words like "stunning", "beautiful" and "exquisite" are used repeatedly to describe the dresses or suits worn by the rich and famous. 
I can't help but think that if we allowed ourselves to wear the clothes provided by Christ and His sacrifice, those same words would resonate through the voices of heaven and from our Heavenly Father.  When we allow God to be our designer, we're wearing those "clothes" that will allow us to delight and rejoice in God...in other words, we'll look good from the inside out. 
Dear Lord, help me to clothe myself with your designer clothes, garments of salvation and robes of righteousness.  Use me to share those same clothes with others.  Help me to remember that the clothes provided from your designer closet come with power from on High. 
You are Immanuel-God with us! Amen.