"We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us."

2 Corinthians 4:7







Monday, November 23, 2009

Will Not Be Taken Away

"Martha, Martha." The Lord answered, you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:41-42

I've read the story of Martha and Mary over and over and I know Mary did the right thing. I get that, but today as I read this story again these words jumped out at me.

IT WILL NOT BE TAKEN AWAY FROM HER!

Wow! Jesus said, that the time Mary spent with Him could not be taken from her. That is an incredible promise.

It seems we live in a world where people take whatever they feel like taking.

We know there are thieves that steal all sorts of things from money to cars and lately we hear alot about "identity theft", but what about stealing the "credit" for a job that someone else did?What if that sort of stealing caused you to receive a job promotion you really didn't deserve?

In a world that seems to be all about SELF, it's easy to get caught up in an "every man for himself mentality" or I am going to work harder and harder so I will get the glory the next time.

Unfortunately, I have even seen this type of mindset in the church. Seeking position, trying to outshine others, and seeking praise and glory.

And yes, at times I have had to check my own motives and examine if I am doing this or that because Jesus has instructed me to or am I doing it for myself and my glory?

So........as I sit and ponder about what Jesus said to Mary, I crave to hear those words and desire to have His peace and His promise in my heart that no one or nothing can take from me.

Thanksgiving is just a few days away & it is my prayer that I will not neglect the ONE to whom all thanks and glory is due! May my Thanksgiving preparation be spent by being alone with my Savior and then all these other things............................

Long after the turkey is ate and the dishes are clean, I can still have His abiding peace and joy, which will not be taken from me!

Happy Thanksgiving,

Cheri

Monday, November 2, 2009

Have a Very "Mary" Christmas!

This is an article I wrote back in 2005 for the Women's Ministry Newsletter at my church. Do you realize that we have just under 8 weeks before Christmas Day? I am not trying to cause you anxiety, but I thought it would be a good time for us to challenge each other to keep our focus. If your calendar is like mine, it starts filling up fast with party invitations, family gatherings, etc. Let's pray for wisdom to know how to respond to each invitation.

Blessings, Cheri



"Have a very “Mary” Christmas!"

Christmas is just around the corner! Does that thought bring you joy or anxiety? As Christian women, we know that Christmas is the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Many of us start out every December promising ourselves that THIS YEAR we will not lose our focus. We promise ourselves everything from, “I will not over commit myself,” to “I will not overbuy!” What happens to all of those promises? How can one stay focused with so much to do?

Let’s look at the Bible story of Mary and Martha. Martha welcomed Jesus into her home and immediately went to work preparing to serve Him a meal. Martha had a sister named Mary who chose to sit at the feet of Jesus and listen to Him. Martha being distracted by all of the preparation, approached the Lord and said, “Do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her to help me.” Jesus answered and said, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)

Let’s remember during this Christmas season that in the midst of our long “To-Do” list we must take the time to sit at the feet of Jesus. He has much to say to us. He desires to give us a gift that cannot be taken from us. As we sit at His feet He will help us stay focused. He will keep us from being worried and troubled about many unnecessary things. He is calling us to sit at His feet and have a very “MARY” Christmas. Will you accept His invitation?

Sunday, November 1, 2009

Me, Myself and I

Several years ago country singer, Toby Keith, wrote a song called, "I Wanna Talk About Me!" Isn't that so true? How many of us really want to talk about ourselves? How many of us will be honest enough to admit it?

Why would Christian author, Max Lucado, even have to write a book a few years ago called, "It's Not About Me."?

Could it be that we have made the Christian Life all about us? Has church become all about us? Do we read the Bible and esteem the men in the Bible that God chose to use over God himself?

How many sermons have you heard calling PAUL a spiritual giant, and then you hear someone say...."I could never be like Paul."? Or any other Bible Character that we lift up and compare ourselves to.

God has not called us to be like any other person, nor did He call us to salvation to make us more like US. We are called to BECOME more like HIM.


"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me." Galatians 2:20

I want to share with you something I learned from T.W. Hunt several years ago and I hope it helps you as much as it has helped me. I have to constantly remind myself that "It's Not About Me." The flesh doesn't die easy and I find myself wanting to feed it when it gets hungry instead of letting it starve to death.

We have already established that our lives are not about us, but Christ.

T.W. Hunt reminded me a few years ago that the Bible is about GOD. Now you may say, I know that, but do you practice it? He challenged me to think about how I teach the Bible and to think about how many times I have heard lessons and sermons where the REAL story is missed.

Here are some examples of the "supposed story" we often teach or hear taught and then the REAL story where God is the focus.


Story/Supposed Story/RealStory

David-Goliath/"heroism"/God does not need help.

Jehoshaphat/ "trust"/God does not need an army

David's hurts/ "sin lasts"/ A heart right with God always returns to God

Hannah/ "God rewards"/Prayer changes history.....

Job/"remained faithful"/ God reveals Himself in suffering

Corinth/"superior attitudes"/God's love is greater than our superiorities

Peter /"all are weak"/ God foreknows and provides for our weakness

It's all about GOD!

Let's tell His Story!











On Mission

As I have mentioned before on my blog, I follow Ed Stetzer on Twitter. He works for Lifeway Research and travels all over doing conferences. I heard him speak at a conference last September in Orlando. The link below is Ed teaching on "Missional Leadership".

Extremely thought provoking..............................

http://blogs.lifeway.com/blog/edstetzer/missional/

Rethinking,
Cheri