For the past two years, I have listened to some of the recent sermons available at the Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church website and have been blessed with what I had heard. In fact, periodically, I have made reference to these archived sermons, on this blog.
On 10/31/10 when I was unable to attend a church service, I decided to once again listen to an archived sermon. I was unaware that the GSPC website had undergone a dramatic transformation, so it took me a minute or two to become acclimated to where the recently archived sermons were housed. I quickly found the site map and was overjoyed to discover that visitors to the http://www.gspc.org website can now not only listen to but also actually see the sermons as they were originally presented. I scrolled down and tried to decide which one to listen to first. My eyes settled on the A Perceptive Request - Mark 10:46-52 sermon. Please see http://www.biblegateway.com to read this passage.
The sermon, A Perceptive Request, was delivered by Rev. Dr. James Wilson. This very thoughtful, contemplative, unassuming pastor always delves deep into scripture and uses related subject matter found in the news, literature and other resources to highlight some of the key points of his sermon. Consequently, I was prepared to listen to a message that would be a blessing. However, I believe that this sermon goes far beyond being a blessing to those who are able to listen to it. This pastor effectively shared a personal experience in a manner that can deeply touch your soul and aid you in your Bible lesson plans about Bartimaeus.
I encourage you, now, to take a block of time to hear this sermon. Please see Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church - Sermon A Perceptive Request to access the audio and video links. After you have experienced the message, please return back to this blog to access the lesson plans.
As I was listening to Dr Wilson speak, I found myself wondering about how many listeners could, in some way, identify with Bartimaeus. Many of us may have had something happen throughout the course of our life to make us feel unworthy. Like Dr. Wilson, we may have buried the experience, and it isn't until later in life, we discover how profoundly that past event has impacted us. As Dr. Wilson pointed out, Jesus can both understand and release us from our pain. For example, in Mark 10, we see that Jesus engages both James and John and later Bartimaeus in conversation and poses the same question twice. The responses to Jesus' question are vastly different. In fact, James and John's comments cleary demonstrate that they still didn't understand Christ's purpose for coming to earth.
Please see http://www.biblegateway.com
Mark 10:35 - 37.
35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”
36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”
38 “You don’t know what you are asking,” Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”
39 “We can,” they answered.
Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”
41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
In Mark 10:51 http://www.biblegateway.com, we see the same question addressed to Bartimaeus.
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.
Unlike John and James, Bartimaeus, understood who Jesus was and why he was placed on earth.
The magnitude of Bartimaeus' healing is a concept that may be misunderstood by children and teens. It’s important for children to realize that Bartimaeus lived in a society that labeled the blind as being "unworthy" and "useless". Bartimaeus' faith in Christ, his determination to shed this label, and willingness to reach out and allow Jesus to heal him, are pivotal points that need to be underscored.
Bartimaeus saw something others couldn’t comprehend. He saw that Jesus was placed on earth to show what service was about. Because Bartimaeus understood the concept of serving others, he wanted to be healed and was eager to follow Jesus.
Children and teens can greatly benefit from object, hands on and other lessons about this passage in scripture. The lessons and lesson planning ideas below can serve to help children see the relationship of faith and healing to the desire to serve.
Blind Bartimaeus - PreK - Kindergarten
Absolutely awesome set of crafts, object lessons, and more.
Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus - Elementary Grades (Integrated Activities and Printables)
Bartimaeus - Act It Out! These lessons are designed for the lower early elementary grades, but they can be adapted to accommodate other grade levels, as well.
Jesus Heals the Blind Man - These PreK/3s lesson plans and activities can be used in either large or small group settings.
Prayer Lessons from Blind Bartimaeus
These lessons can be adapted for grades 5 - adult.
May God richly bless you for your faithfulness. :-)
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Serving God throughout the Hoilday Season
Serving God throughout the Holiday Season
Perhaps, like me, you are in a season, where more doors for service seem to be closed, rather than open. Currently, I am helping to care for two people who have serious chronic health problems. Jesus wants us to serve our family members, especially our parents. Yet, God uses the Holy Spirit to show us additional opportunities for service, as well. God knows our strengths and weaknesses, and He uses service opportunities to help us to grow and become mature Christians.
For some us, the areas of “boundaries” is a stumbling block, creating an inner conflict as to how much or too little serve. Some, reading this message, may be too rigid in setting boundaries. When faced with a chance to serve the overwhelming fear may be that the task will be draining and too much energy will be expended in an attempt to try to serve others.
For others the need to serve tends to be never ending. These servers are overly generous with their time and talents. This can result in a feeling of exhaustion, at times. These servers brush off any signs of fatigue or self-neglect. Their innate need to try to “give” as much as possible can cause an emotional and/or physical imbalance that can lead to poor health.
All of us, from one time or another, may have been undecided as to what service roles we should accept. As Christians, we desire to be good role models for the children and teens in our lives; therefore, it is important for us to set aside our wants and needs and prayerfully ask God how we are to serve.
It is certainly difficult to leave a service situation when we have felt that the Holy Spirit has called us to serve. This is especially true when we know that God used us in a larger way to bear fruit for the kingdom. Yet, we need to be obedient to God's plan. If we are spiritually aware and know that we are being guided by the Holy Spirit, we can see the signs of a door that is about to shut. We must allow the door to close, be patient and willing to walk through new doors of service that will be open to us in the future.
Today, as I listened to a sermon Walking in the Spirit, delivered by Dr. Charles Stanley, I was reminded of how powerful the Holy Spirit is in our walk with God. The Spirit will lead us to the areas where our spiritual gifts can most effectively be used. If we are walking with God and are spiritually aware, the Spirit alerts us to these opportunities. We, in turn, are given the free will to be obey or to disobey. Naturally, it’s much easier to desire to be obedient when we are leading a God's centered life. If we find ourselves in a place where we are being led astray, the Holy Spirit will step right in, and help us to get back on the right track.
Take some time each day to pray to God about how He wants to use you. Perhaps, this holiday season there is something special that God has planned for you and the children in your life. Your service opportunities may lead you to projects that will bless many people. Or, perhaps, God will be selecting you to participate in smaller, behind the scenes types of service opportunities. These types of service opportunities are just as important and should never be discounted. There isn't one single service opportunity that is more important than another. In Romans 12, Paul talks about spiritual gifts and the importance each of us equally can play for the benefit of God's kingdom.
To help you to discover how God can use you to serve others, please read an earlier message that I wrote this year.
Please see Having a Heart for Jesus
You can help your children lean about service throughout the upcoming holiday season by becoming involved in community service projects. The following is from the amonco.org website. Copyright 2007-2010.
“Become involved in a project and possibly enlist the help of other families and friends. First, call your local nursing home or children's hospital and explain that you would like to bring handmade gifts to the patients. Find out the do's and don'ts of acceptable gift giving. Now, get busy and go to work.
Visit the FamilyCares website. Scroll down until you see Project Ideas. Decide whether you want to make a cooking, sewing or other type of craft project. One word of caution here. The first time we became involved in a community project, we got a little carried away by our enthusiasm and spent more than we wanted. Don't make the same mistake. Meet with your other community project partners and agree that you will set a spending limit. To make the project enjoyable for everyone, be sure to also consider the age, ability, interest, and attention span of the children/teens involved in making the gifts.
Visit some craft, yardage and stationery stores in your area, and ask to speak with the manager. Explain what your group is doing and ask to see the remnant racks and bins. Inquire about possible discounts. You can also cut costs by purchasing baking items at many discount grocery chains. Peruse through your favorite Sunday newspaper for sales and coupons. Although many stores have greatly limited their inventory, with a little perseverance and a positive attitude, you will find what you need.
Below, are some additional sites and recipes to consider for your cooking projects."
Sara Ambarian provides ideas and resources to help us minimize the cost and maximize the enjoyment of this season. Numerous helpful links will help you to get started on your family gift giving and Christian community service projects, as well. Please read Re-thinking Holiday Priorities During Tough Times to access this article.
Links to additional Christian based holiday projects are listed below:
Teaching Bible Verses Using Crafts
Thanksgiving Bible Crafts from Christian Preschool Printables
Kids' Christian Thanksgiving Crafts
Christian Christmas Crafts for Kids - Religious Christmas Craft Ideas
May you and those around you who participate in these Christian outreach projects also be blessed in numerous ways throughout this special holiday season.
Perhaps, like me, you are in a season, where more doors for service seem to be closed, rather than open. Currently, I am helping to care for two people who have serious chronic health problems. Jesus wants us to serve our family members, especially our parents. Yet, God uses the Holy Spirit to show us additional opportunities for service, as well. God knows our strengths and weaknesses, and He uses service opportunities to help us to grow and become mature Christians.
For some us, the areas of “boundaries” is a stumbling block, creating an inner conflict as to how much or too little serve. Some, reading this message, may be too rigid in setting boundaries. When faced with a chance to serve the overwhelming fear may be that the task will be draining and too much energy will be expended in an attempt to try to serve others.
For others the need to serve tends to be never ending. These servers are overly generous with their time and talents. This can result in a feeling of exhaustion, at times. These servers brush off any signs of fatigue or self-neglect. Their innate need to try to “give” as much as possible can cause an emotional and/or physical imbalance that can lead to poor health.
All of us, from one time or another, may have been undecided as to what service roles we should accept. As Christians, we desire to be good role models for the children and teens in our lives; therefore, it is important for us to set aside our wants and needs and prayerfully ask God how we are to serve.
It is certainly difficult to leave a service situation when we have felt that the Holy Spirit has called us to serve. This is especially true when we know that God used us in a larger way to bear fruit for the kingdom. Yet, we need to be obedient to God's plan. If we are spiritually aware and know that we are being guided by the Holy Spirit, we can see the signs of a door that is about to shut. We must allow the door to close, be patient and willing to walk through new doors of service that will be open to us in the future.
Today, as I listened to a sermon Walking in the Spirit, delivered by Dr. Charles Stanley, I was reminded of how powerful the Holy Spirit is in our walk with God. The Spirit will lead us to the areas where our spiritual gifts can most effectively be used. If we are walking with God and are spiritually aware, the Spirit alerts us to these opportunities. We, in turn, are given the free will to be obey or to disobey. Naturally, it’s much easier to desire to be obedient when we are leading a God's centered life. If we find ourselves in a place where we are being led astray, the Holy Spirit will step right in, and help us to get back on the right track.
Take some time each day to pray to God about how He wants to use you. Perhaps, this holiday season there is something special that God has planned for you and the children in your life. Your service opportunities may lead you to projects that will bless many people. Or, perhaps, God will be selecting you to participate in smaller, behind the scenes types of service opportunities. These types of service opportunities are just as important and should never be discounted. There isn't one single service opportunity that is more important than another. In Romans 12, Paul talks about spiritual gifts and the importance each of us equally can play for the benefit of God's kingdom.
To help you to discover how God can use you to serve others, please read an earlier message that I wrote this year.
Please see Having a Heart for Jesus
You can help your children lean about service throughout the upcoming holiday season by becoming involved in community service projects. The following is from the amonco.org website. Copyright 2007-2010.
“Become involved in a project and possibly enlist the help of other families and friends. First, call your local nursing home or children's hospital and explain that you would like to bring handmade gifts to the patients. Find out the do's and don'ts of acceptable gift giving. Now, get busy and go to work.
Visit the FamilyCares website. Scroll down until you see Project Ideas. Decide whether you want to make a cooking, sewing or other type of craft project. One word of caution here. The first time we became involved in a community project, we got a little carried away by our enthusiasm and spent more than we wanted. Don't make the same mistake. Meet with your other community project partners and agree that you will set a spending limit. To make the project enjoyable for everyone, be sure to also consider the age, ability, interest, and attention span of the children/teens involved in making the gifts.
Visit some craft, yardage and stationery stores in your area, and ask to speak with the manager. Explain what your group is doing and ask to see the remnant racks and bins. Inquire about possible discounts. You can also cut costs by purchasing baking items at many discount grocery chains. Peruse through your favorite Sunday newspaper for sales and coupons. Although many stores have greatly limited their inventory, with a little perseverance and a positive attitude, you will find what you need.
Below, are some additional sites and recipes to consider for your cooking projects."
Sara Ambarian provides ideas and resources to help us minimize the cost and maximize the enjoyment of this season. Numerous helpful links will help you to get started on your family gift giving and Christian community service projects, as well. Please read Re-thinking Holiday Priorities During Tough Times to access this article.
Links to additional Christian based holiday projects are listed below:
Teaching Bible Verses Using Crafts
Thanksgiving Bible Crafts from Christian Preschool Printables
Kids' Christian Thanksgiving Crafts
Christian Christmas Crafts for Kids - Religious Christmas Craft Ideas
May you and those around you who participate in these Christian outreach projects also be blessed in numerous ways throughout this special holiday season.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Preparing Ourselves and Others for the Harvest Season
Fall is almost upon us. The slight chill in the air and falling leaves remind us that harvest time, is only weeks rather than months away. This morning I perused through the Biblical topic guide, Where to Find It in the Bible, by Ken Anderson, as I wanted to research the references for the word harvest in the Bible. My eyes fell upon the Parable of the Sower - Matthew 13:3-23.
Take a moment to visit http://www.biblegateway.com to read this passage.
As I read through the passage, I found myself becoming very introspective. I knew as I read, that I wanted to be among the seeds that fell on good soil. I found myself questioning if I was sufficiently growing as a Christian. Only God knows the answer to this question, however, I have a responsibility to repeatedly check to make certain that I am walking closely with God.
Matthew 13:8-9
“8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9He who has ears, let him hear." See http://www.biblegateway.com
.
I know that my desire, as a Christian is to continue to grow and spread the good news to others. However, sometimes we experience prolonged seasons of difficulties. Financial concerns, health issues and/or other major problems can interfere with our passion to serve our Lord. These matters tend to draw us away from centering our lives around Jesus.
I have been on a ten year journey with a loved one whose health has steadily declined. Watching my mother struggle with pain and seeing her enter hospice twice in the past five years has taught me much about myself and my relationship with Jesus. On several occasions, I have also been allowed to see her trust in action, as she has turned to our Savior for comfort. In fact, right now, she is again, out of hospice. Sometimes, though, fatigue sets in, and I find myself struggling to do everything that needs to be done. It’s at these times that I realize that I must stop, take a step back, and refocus on my Savior.
Think back to when you first became a Christian. Do you remember the enthusiasm you felt that day? Unfortunately, some Christians turn away, when faced with personal disappointment and heartache. Because their faith and trust in God never really took root, they gradually stopped going to church and reading the Word. They soon forget about serving Jesus. Please see the quote below.
“Matthew 13:5 -6 "It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.” http://www.biblegateway.com
It’s a struggle to keep Jesus first and foremost in our lives. Yet, we know that we need to do this. We can share the joy that we have found in Jesus with the children we encounter at home, school and/or church.
Below, are some harvest based creative lessons, designed for PreK - Grade 8.
May these lessons be a blessing to those you teach. In turn, may God bless you richly for your faithfulness.
Awesome Collection of Harvest Time Lessons
Annie’s Thanksgiving Page
Holiday and Special Day Links - Resources for Christian Teachers
Reaping and Sowing - The Law of Harvest - Elementary and Middle School Level
Take a moment to visit http://www.biblegateway.com to read this passage.
As I read through the passage, I found myself becoming very introspective. I knew as I read, that I wanted to be among the seeds that fell on good soil. I found myself questioning if I was sufficiently growing as a Christian. Only God knows the answer to this question, however, I have a responsibility to repeatedly check to make certain that I am walking closely with God.
Matthew 13:8-9
“8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9He who has ears, let him hear." See http://www.biblegateway.com
.
I know that my desire, as a Christian is to continue to grow and spread the good news to others. However, sometimes we experience prolonged seasons of difficulties. Financial concerns, health issues and/or other major problems can interfere with our passion to serve our Lord. These matters tend to draw us away from centering our lives around Jesus.
I have been on a ten year journey with a loved one whose health has steadily declined. Watching my mother struggle with pain and seeing her enter hospice twice in the past five years has taught me much about myself and my relationship with Jesus. On several occasions, I have also been allowed to see her trust in action, as she has turned to our Savior for comfort. In fact, right now, she is again, out of hospice. Sometimes, though, fatigue sets in, and I find myself struggling to do everything that needs to be done. It’s at these times that I realize that I must stop, take a step back, and refocus on my Savior.
Think back to when you first became a Christian. Do you remember the enthusiasm you felt that day? Unfortunately, some Christians turn away, when faced with personal disappointment and heartache. Because their faith and trust in God never really took root, they gradually stopped going to church and reading the Word. They soon forget about serving Jesus. Please see the quote below.
“Matthew 13:5 -6 "It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.” http://www.biblegateway.com
It’s a struggle to keep Jesus first and foremost in our lives. Yet, we know that we need to do this. We can share the joy that we have found in Jesus with the children we encounter at home, school and/or church.
Below, are some harvest based creative lessons, designed for PreK - Grade 8.
May these lessons be a blessing to those you teach. In turn, may God bless you richly for your faithfulness.
Awesome Collection of Harvest Time Lessons
Annie’s Thanksgiving Page
Holiday and Special Day Links - Resources for Christian Teachers
Reaping and Sowing - The Law of Harvest - Elementary and Middle School Level
Friday, July 23, 2010
Taking That Leap of Faith in Uncertain Times
This morning, I checked my inbox and was treated to a guest devotional by Jon Walker, Please see Daily Hope and then click back to this blog.
Like millions of Christians, I subscribe to Rick Warren’s Daily Hope blog. As usual, today’s message was inspirational and caused me to take a step back and focus on my faith in God's divine power.
In today's devotional, the author uses Peter's lack of trust as an example. I, too, found myself thinking of Peter's dilemma when Jesus beckoned him to walk on the water. As you will recall, Peter was cautious about leaving the safety of the boat. The challenge to leave a safe situation and leap into something unknown gave Peter great cause for concern. I sometimes struggle with making faith based decisions as well. Do you?
The following, from Jon Walker’s inspirational message, really pinpoints the predicament that many of us may experience when faced with a crisis or near crisis.
“It's a paradox of faith: Our first step of faith places us in a position where faith becomes possible. By our obedience, we learn to be faithful. If we refuse to follow, we never learn how to believe. We stay stuck in the shallow end of faith, trusting in ourselves, living by sight and not by faith.”
Today, while reading the news about Rick Warren, I felt inspired to write a blog entry about the struggle of trust that we all, from time to time, experience. As you may know, Rick Warren was recently temporarily blinded due to an unfortunate gardening accident. Please see OC Register for details. How did Rick react to being temporarily blinded by a toxic milky poisonous sap? He became humble and prayed, and he asked others to pray for him as well. Rick placed his trust in God; he knew that God would not forsake him. He was modeling how a Christian should react in a time crisis. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (New International Version)
7We live by faith, not by sight. See Biblegatewaycom
It’s sometimes difficult in the unchartered waters of our life to step out and make a faith based decision to trust God. However, when we do take that leap of faith and trust Him, we feel truly blessed when He, in turn, reaches out and steers us to safety.
Stop and reflect about events in the past when you did reach out and felt that God was walking right there beside you. Surely, as a Christian, you can think of more than one time when you made that leap of faith and could feel His blessings.
Last Sunday, Charles Stanley presented a sermon about the 23rd Psalm and reminded the congregation of God's faithfulness to David and to us. David experienced many blessings and challenges throughout his life, as he walked with God. During many pivotal moments, David called out to God for help, and God responded and blessed him. David wrote the 23rd Psalm to affirm his awareness of God's love and protection. Likewise, when we have asked God for help, He has reached out to us. When we were weary, we could feel that he was carrying the burden for us. We could feel His love and help. With that knowledge in mind, why would we ever doubt that He will be with us now and in the future?
To help the teens and children in your life learn more about the power of faith, please type in Some Biblical Expressions of Faith, Fall Forward in Faith, Object Lessons in Faith, and Holding on with Faith When You are Approaching the Edge in the search box of this bog. You will receive commentary and links to free faith based lesson plans.
May God bless richly bless you.
Like millions of Christians, I subscribe to Rick Warren’s Daily Hope blog. As usual, today’s message was inspirational and caused me to take a step back and focus on my faith in God's divine power.
In today's devotional, the author uses Peter's lack of trust as an example. I, too, found myself thinking of Peter's dilemma when Jesus beckoned him to walk on the water. As you will recall, Peter was cautious about leaving the safety of the boat. The challenge to leave a safe situation and leap into something unknown gave Peter great cause for concern. I sometimes struggle with making faith based decisions as well. Do you?
The following, from Jon Walker’s inspirational message, really pinpoints the predicament that many of us may experience when faced with a crisis or near crisis.
“It's a paradox of faith: Our first step of faith places us in a position where faith becomes possible. By our obedience, we learn to be faithful. If we refuse to follow, we never learn how to believe. We stay stuck in the shallow end of faith, trusting in ourselves, living by sight and not by faith.”
Today, while reading the news about Rick Warren, I felt inspired to write a blog entry about the struggle of trust that we all, from time to time, experience. As you may know, Rick Warren was recently temporarily blinded due to an unfortunate gardening accident. Please see OC Register for details. How did Rick react to being temporarily blinded by a toxic milky poisonous sap? He became humble and prayed, and he asked others to pray for him as well. Rick placed his trust in God; he knew that God would not forsake him. He was modeling how a Christian should react in a time crisis. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (New International Version)
7We live by faith, not by sight. See Biblegatewaycom
It’s sometimes difficult in the unchartered waters of our life to step out and make a faith based decision to trust God. However, when we do take that leap of faith and trust Him, we feel truly blessed when He, in turn, reaches out and steers us to safety.
Stop and reflect about events in the past when you did reach out and felt that God was walking right there beside you. Surely, as a Christian, you can think of more than one time when you made that leap of faith and could feel His blessings.
Last Sunday, Charles Stanley presented a sermon about the 23rd Psalm and reminded the congregation of God's faithfulness to David and to us. David experienced many blessings and challenges throughout his life, as he walked with God. During many pivotal moments, David called out to God for help, and God responded and blessed him. David wrote the 23rd Psalm to affirm his awareness of God's love and protection. Likewise, when we have asked God for help, He has reached out to us. When we were weary, we could feel that he was carrying the burden for us. We could feel His love and help. With that knowledge in mind, why would we ever doubt that He will be with us now and in the future?
To help the teens and children in your life learn more about the power of faith, please type in Some Biblical Expressions of Faith, Fall Forward in Faith, Object Lessons in Faith, and Holding on with Faith When You are Approaching the Edge in the search box of this bog. You will receive commentary and links to free faith based lesson plans.
May God bless richly bless you.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Summertime - Sowing Seeds for Christ
Today, like many families, we celebrated the 4th of July. Having the 4th fall on a Sunday, this year, was such a blessing. In many worship services, pastors reminded us of how fortunate we are to live in a country that allows us to pray to God without fear of retribution. Like many others, I believe, I found myself thinking about how God entrusts us to sow seeds of faith in the lives of others. Throughout the day, I found myself taking stock of how I could best use the spiritual gifts that God has entrusted me with to reach others.
The summer months seem to fly by, as we are sometimes pulled in many directions and wear many hats. Even though work, vacations, entertaining house guests and other distractions can easily us pull us away from our time with God, we know that it's essential to always include Bible study and devotional time in our daily lives.
Continue to be observant and obedient to service assignments that Christ provides for you. Don't overlook opportunities to help other children learn more about Christ. Perhaps, you will be tutoring or involved in VBS. Sometimes, unexpectedly, God may place a child or children in your path, and you see the possibilities for sowing seeds. Use the free resources in this blog, to plan lessons which may serve to foster an interest in Jesus.
See First Things First
Summer Solstice - A Time for Pruning
The Metamorphosis of the Butterfly
Object Lessons in Faith
The Prodigal Son - Lessons Learned
Fall Forward in Faith
Some Biblical Expressions of Faith
Recently, I spoke with a parent about using a collection of Bible stories, written for second through fourth grade students, as part of the reading comprehension curriculum. This parent was delighted that her daughter would be learning more about Jesus, David and other principal figures and stories found within the Bible.
Encourage all children to memorize scripture, as well. Please see Teachers' Tips, Tools, & Topics for some excellent Bible scripture memorization tips.
Have a blessed summer!!
The summer months seem to fly by, as we are sometimes pulled in many directions and wear many hats. Even though work, vacations, entertaining house guests and other distractions can easily us pull us away from our time with God, we know that it's essential to always include Bible study and devotional time in our daily lives.
Continue to be observant and obedient to service assignments that Christ provides for you. Don't overlook opportunities to help other children learn more about Christ. Perhaps, you will be tutoring or involved in VBS. Sometimes, unexpectedly, God may place a child or children in your path, and you see the possibilities for sowing seeds. Use the free resources in this blog, to plan lessons which may serve to foster an interest in Jesus.
See First Things First
Summer Solstice - A Time for Pruning
The Metamorphosis of the Butterfly
Object Lessons in Faith
The Prodigal Son - Lessons Learned
Fall Forward in Faith
Some Biblical Expressions of Faith
Recently, I spoke with a parent about using a collection of Bible stories, written for second through fourth grade students, as part of the reading comprehension curriculum. This parent was delighted that her daughter would be learning more about Jesus, David and other principal figures and stories found within the Bible.
Encourage all children to memorize scripture, as well. Please see Teachers' Tips, Tools, & Topics for some excellent Bible scripture memorization tips.
Have a blessed summer!!
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
The Power of Pentecost
As we approach Pentecost, we are encouraged to reflect back to times when we have been obedient to the Holy Spirit's intervention. Throughout the day, we are gently nudged by the Holy Spirit to recognize important truths, as we are vessels to be used in ways that are pleasing to God. We are the clay, and God is the potter.
You may vividly remember specific times when the Holy Spirit used you in profound ways to positively affect another person's life, At other times, you can look back and see that you were placed in a life transforming place where you could sense the Holy Spirit attempting to open your ears and eyes to truths that were, in fact, difficult to handle. Perhaps, you are in such place right this minute.
Take some time to read Acts 2 http://www.biblegateway.com and then click back to this blog entry. Now, take a moment to visualize this scene. Picture yourself there in the crowd of people. Suddenly, you find yourself and many others in the crowd being transfixed by the Holy Spirit.
"2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them. " From http://www.biblegateway.com
I get goosebumps just reading it. Have you ever felt the Holy Spirit like these people did? I can recall four times in my life where I profoundly experienced the Holy Spirit in a church setting, two of which I will share in this entry.
One occurred close to the advent. I was teaching a Sunday School class at the time, and I ushered the children into the church to sing a song. The Holy Spirit's presence was clearly felt the moment I entered the sanctuary; the feeling of Christian love and fellowship totally enveloped the atmosphere.
The second occurred during a special day of prayer event that I attended. Christians from various churches in the Southern California area spent many hours praying for Christians throughout the world. Powerful testimonies were sprinkled throughout the periods of prayers. I remember participating in a small group, conversing with members from other churches that I had never met. However, none of us felt the least bit self-conscious. We openly shared our thoughts and prayers. Many of us commented on the "feeling of love" in that sanctuary, and we all agreed that the Holy Spirit's presence was there with us.
The Day of Pentecost reminds us that we are to continue to place ourselves in an environment where the Holy Spirit can touch and use us. That's what Peter did.
Peter's spiritual odyssey prepared him for this pivotal moment in history. For an overview of Peter's hardships and life lessons see,
http://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/13bchara/13bible13.htm Finally, in Acts 2:14-41, we see a mature, confident speaker who was the ultimate conduit for God to use.
If you look around, you will see others who are following in Peter's footsteps. My cousin will be leaving in less than a week to travel to the outskirts of a rural part of an underdeveloped country. As a nurse, she travels regularly to Brazil, China and elsewhere to allow God to use her. As part of a medical team, she helps to provide people who are desperate for medical attention with the medical aid they require as well as the spiritual foundation they need to form a relationship with God. She is a shining example of the courage and determination that Peter showed on the Day of Pentecost. In a similar way, the Holy Spirit can use her and others on her team to help people discover God's love for them.
We, and the children in our lives, can follow Peter's example, by using the gifts that we have been endowed with to share the good news with others. Pentecost based lessons help children to see the connection between the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and their role as conduits. As educators, we search for the best ways to help children understand the concept of the Holy Spirit and the significance of having the Spirit help to shape the meaning and direction of their lives.
For many children, the Holy Spirit may seem to be an abstract concept. Even adults have difficulty explaining the triune. Therefore, a hands on approach is probably one of the best tools to help children conceptualize and apply the Holy Spirit to their lives.
At http://rotation.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/6536088121/m/6636088121 you will find a blog brimming with many creative hands on lesson planning ideas. For example, Nora Joy discusses how to present a music workshop "we talked about what those colors could represent - people, doves, fire, wind." to introduce the concept of the Holy Spirit. Told the story, beginning with background info on Pentecost through the beginning of the church using Stravinski's Firebird Suite as background. See June 10, 2002 by Nora Joy for complete details.
Mazurh provides a detailed lesson plans for K-1, Grades 2 - 3, and Grades 4 - 6 She includes a list of items needed, warm up, lesson objectives and procedures. See July 12, 2004 posting by Mazurh.
The May 22, 2002 posting by Brenda V is also very imaginative and will help children both understand the force of the Holy Spirit as well as its lasting power. I would only add that it may be better to have a teacher light the candles.
Spend time at this blog, and use the lesson planning ideas that are best suited for your learning environment. I was really inspired with the diversity of ideas and details of how to implement the lesson plans.
May you and the children in your life be especially blessed this Pentecost Sunday. May you be reawakened to the power of the Holy Spirit and be used as a vessel to reach God's people.
You may vividly remember specific times when the Holy Spirit used you in profound ways to positively affect another person's life, At other times, you can look back and see that you were placed in a life transforming place where you could sense the Holy Spirit attempting to open your ears and eyes to truths that were, in fact, difficult to handle. Perhaps, you are in such place right this minute.
Take some time to read Acts 2 http://www.biblegateway.com and then click back to this blog entry. Now, take a moment to visualize this scene. Picture yourself there in the crowd of people. Suddenly, you find yourself and many others in the crowd being transfixed by the Holy Spirit.
"2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them. " From http://www.biblegateway.com
I get goosebumps just reading it. Have you ever felt the Holy Spirit like these people did? I can recall four times in my life where I profoundly experienced the Holy Spirit in a church setting, two of which I will share in this entry.
One occurred close to the advent. I was teaching a Sunday School class at the time, and I ushered the children into the church to sing a song. The Holy Spirit's presence was clearly felt the moment I entered the sanctuary; the feeling of Christian love and fellowship totally enveloped the atmosphere.
The second occurred during a special day of prayer event that I attended. Christians from various churches in the Southern California area spent many hours praying for Christians throughout the world. Powerful testimonies were sprinkled throughout the periods of prayers. I remember participating in a small group, conversing with members from other churches that I had never met. However, none of us felt the least bit self-conscious. We openly shared our thoughts and prayers. Many of us commented on the "feeling of love" in that sanctuary, and we all agreed that the Holy Spirit's presence was there with us.
The Day of Pentecost reminds us that we are to continue to place ourselves in an environment where the Holy Spirit can touch and use us. That's what Peter did.
Peter's spiritual odyssey prepared him for this pivotal moment in history. For an overview of Peter's hardships and life lessons see,
http://www.middletownbiblechurch.org/13bchara/13bible13.htm Finally, in Acts 2:14-41, we see a mature, confident speaker who was the ultimate conduit for God to use.
If you look around, you will see others who are following in Peter's footsteps. My cousin will be leaving in less than a week to travel to the outskirts of a rural part of an underdeveloped country. As a nurse, she travels regularly to Brazil, China and elsewhere to allow God to use her. As part of a medical team, she helps to provide people who are desperate for medical attention with the medical aid they require as well as the spiritual foundation they need to form a relationship with God. She is a shining example of the courage and determination that Peter showed on the Day of Pentecost. In a similar way, the Holy Spirit can use her and others on her team to help people discover God's love for them.
We, and the children in our lives, can follow Peter's example, by using the gifts that we have been endowed with to share the good news with others. Pentecost based lessons help children to see the connection between the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and their role as conduits. As educators, we search for the best ways to help children understand the concept of the Holy Spirit and the significance of having the Spirit help to shape the meaning and direction of their lives.
For many children, the Holy Spirit may seem to be an abstract concept. Even adults have difficulty explaining the triune. Therefore, a hands on approach is probably one of the best tools to help children conceptualize and apply the Holy Spirit to their lives.
At http://rotation.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/6536088121/m/6636088121 you will find a blog brimming with many creative hands on lesson planning ideas. For example, Nora Joy discusses how to present a music workshop "we talked about what those colors could represent - people, doves, fire, wind." to introduce the concept of the Holy Spirit. Told the story, beginning with background info on Pentecost through the beginning of the church using Stravinski's Firebird Suite as background. See June 10, 2002 by Nora Joy for complete details.
Mazurh provides a detailed lesson plans for K-1, Grades 2 - 3, and Grades 4 - 6 She includes a list of items needed, warm up, lesson objectives and procedures. See July 12, 2004 posting by Mazurh.
The May 22, 2002 posting by Brenda V is also very imaginative and will help children both understand the force of the Holy Spirit as well as its lasting power. I would only add that it may be better to have a teacher light the candles.
Spend time at this blog, and use the lesson planning ideas that are best suited for your learning environment. I was really inspired with the diversity of ideas and details of how to implement the lesson plans.
May you and the children in your life be especially blessed this Pentecost Sunday. May you be reawakened to the power of the Holy Spirit and be used as a vessel to reach God's people.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Easter Lesson Planning
Since April 4th is fast approaching, I thought I would devote this entry to some Easter ideas you may want to use in your school and home classrooms.
First, please revisit to blog entries from my blog:
The Metamorphosis of the Butterfly - Our New Life in Christ
and
Object Lessons in Faith
Scroll down until you see the Easter Object Lesson link.
Resurrection Easter Eggs
Easter Devotion
Creative Bible Study
Bible Verses about Easer
Easter Parade Ideas for Children
How to Make an Easter Basket Craft
First, please revisit to blog entries from my blog:
The Metamorphosis of the Butterfly - Our New Life in Christ
and
Object Lessons in Faith
Scroll down until you see the Easter Object Lesson link.
Resurrection Easter Eggs
Easter Devotion
Creative Bible Study
Bible Verses about Easer
Easter Parade Ideas for Children
How to Make an Easter Basket Craft
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Experiencing God Moment by Moment
The Season of Lent gives us an opportunity for self- reflection. We are now on the cusp of spring, a season which embraces new life and new beginnings. Nature celebrates God’s glory by giving us a canopy of color, sweet-smelling fragrances, and an opportunity to shed any winter blues. Once again, our very being can sense God’s presence all around us.
My reawakening occurred slightly before the dawning of spring. Many things in my spiritual walk have converged within the past month and served as a powerful reminder of the role God plays in our daily life. First, my devotions and Bible study class have centered around being aware of God in everything we do. Rick Warren’s devotional, We Know God’s Truth through Creation was particularly helpful. Please take a moment to read it and then click back to this blog entry. Wasn’t this devotional awesome? Have you really stopped to consider the 60,000 varieties of beetles designed by God or many of the other points mentioned by Rick?
In this particular devotion, Rick Warren uses the following scripture to underscore how God’s presence is everywhere.
But the basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is! Romans 1:19
What a simplistic truth. However, how often do we really stop and do this?
We know of individuals mentioned in the Bible who struggled with this important truth. Job readily comes to mind, so let’s take a moment to consider Job’s plight. Unfortunately, as we may remember, Job was very unhappy with his life and endured much hardship before developing a fully connected relationship with God. Job was unable to sense, feel and understand God’s presence and suffered miserably because of his inability to do so. In Job, Chapters 37 - 39, Biblegateway.com. God directly speaks to Job, in an attempt to to put Job’s life into proper perspective and proportion. We, too, can benefit from reviewing the material found throughout Job. In particular, the poetic and powerful retort by God, in the selected chapters mentioned, reminds us of our place with God.
About one month ago, in my Bible study class, Dr. Bill Creasy, from Logos, preesnted the book of Job. I sat in awe, as he expounded on what appears in these two chapters. I suddenly found myself musing on God’s omnipotence and presence in everything around us. As you reread the passages in Chapters 38 and 39, you, too, will be reminded of God’s power and enormity.
Two weeks ago, I was at Borders Bookstore and purchased The Sacrament of the Present Moment authored by Jean-Pierre De Caussade. The book was initially written in French and later translated into English. Father Caussade, an obscure priest who lived in the 18th century, wrote the book for the Visitation nuns of Nancy, France, in an attempt to assist them with their unique spiritual journey.
The premise of this book is to help the nuns understand the necessity of surrendering to God’s love so that they will become obedient to His will. Although I am a lay Christian, I gleaned invaluable information from the book, and I will refer to it periodically. It will serve as a perfect tool to help me keep focused on my relationship with God.
We understand that God has designed each of us for a specific purpose. Unfortunately, sometimes we fail to allow Jesus to work through us to accomplish His will. We rebel with the foolish notion that we are in complete control of every situation that life presents to us. When we attempt to divert from the path that He has chosen for us, we feel spiritually disconnected and vapid. This struggle continues throughout our lives and greatly interferes with the progress that we were designed to make.
Jesus wants us to know that He is always with us. Even in times of great sorrow and stress, He is there. We are never alone, for he never abandons us. In fact, as we mature spiritually, we are able to see God in the moments of our daily life. We may not always be able to understand the timing of certain events nor the outcome, but we can trust that God is in control and that His determination of the outcome of everything in our lives will be perfect.
About two weeks ago, a Christian friend of mine informed me that her oldest daughter was diagnosed with inoperable cancer. During our initial telephone conversation, she asked for prayer and promised to provide me with updates. Two days ago, we spoke again, and the slight trepidation that was apparent during our initial conversation had all but disappeared. Instead, I was greeted with a robust, upbeat voice that was brimming with hope.
She enthusiastically informed me that her daughter had received her first round of chemotherapy and was doing quite well. in fact, she was able to attend a Bible study class during the same week. My friend’s other daughter had composed a well written, awe inspiring account of how friends were rallying around and offering support to her sister. In the letter, she remarked of many blessings, including the superb treatment given by the medical team, exquisite timing of certain events and her sister's positive, almost bubbling enthusiasm in spite of having to traverse this difficult path. The letter was written by a Christian, read aloud by another Christian to yet a third fellow Christian. I could immediately see Christ’s footprints in the life of this Christian indelibly written throughout the letter. Because I have been concentrating on seeing God's presence everywhere, I could truly appreciate the full impact of Christ’s blessings in this situation.
Throughout the Season of Lent, we are continually called to examine our relationship with God, and consider what changes need to be made. On Ash Wednesday, I went to an especially meaningful Presbyterian Ash Wednesday service. First, the minister carefully outlined a cross on my forward with ashes. Then, he gently reminded me of how I came from dust and would have returned to dust, but because of Christ’s sacrifice, I will have eternal life with Him. Since that evening, I found myself beginning to reflect again on Christ’s last days and my desire to immensely please my Savior.
I have a long road ahead of me, as I continually fall short in my walk with Jesus. I am thankful for the Season of Lent and the opportunity to see ways in which I can do more and ways in which I need to sacrifice. Most importantly, I am thankful for the lessons presented to me throughout this month which will help me see God’s blessings and presence in my life, moment by moment.
Discovering God's Preseence
Peruse through the following Bible lesson planning material found at the links below to discover some exciting
material that can adapted for school and home classrooms..
Sunday School lessons for Preschool - In the Beginning
Spring Activities and Resources - Elementary
Lent Sunday School Resources - Elementary
Ash Wednesday and Lent Sunday School Lessons - Elementary
Great Ideas for Children’s Ministry PreK - Elementary
Job Bible Study Commentary - Teens
God is in Control
Logos - Ash Wednesday and Lent - Teens & Adults
Job, a Servant of God - Elementary
Biblos Cross References and Parallel Translations Upper Elementary and Teen
Job’s Argument - Teens
Job’s Argument Study Questions - Teens
My reawakening occurred slightly before the dawning of spring. Many things in my spiritual walk have converged within the past month and served as a powerful reminder of the role God plays in our daily life. First, my devotions and Bible study class have centered around being aware of God in everything we do. Rick Warren’s devotional, We Know God’s Truth through Creation was particularly helpful. Please take a moment to read it and then click back to this blog entry. Wasn’t this devotional awesome? Have you really stopped to consider the 60,000 varieties of beetles designed by God or many of the other points mentioned by Rick?
In this particular devotion, Rick Warren uses the following scripture to underscore how God’s presence is everywhere.
But the basic reality of God is plain enough. Open your eyes and there it is! Romans 1:19
What a simplistic truth. However, how often do we really stop and do this?
We know of individuals mentioned in the Bible who struggled with this important truth. Job readily comes to mind, so let’s take a moment to consider Job’s plight. Unfortunately, as we may remember, Job was very unhappy with his life and endured much hardship before developing a fully connected relationship with God. Job was unable to sense, feel and understand God’s presence and suffered miserably because of his inability to do so. In Job, Chapters 37 - 39, Biblegateway.com. God directly speaks to Job, in an attempt to to put Job’s life into proper perspective and proportion. We, too, can benefit from reviewing the material found throughout Job. In particular, the poetic and powerful retort by God, in the selected chapters mentioned, reminds us of our place with God.
About one month ago, in my Bible study class, Dr. Bill Creasy, from Logos, preesnted the book of Job. I sat in awe, as he expounded on what appears in these two chapters. I suddenly found myself musing on God’s omnipotence and presence in everything around us. As you reread the passages in Chapters 38 and 39, you, too, will be reminded of God’s power and enormity.
Two weeks ago, I was at Borders Bookstore and purchased The Sacrament of the Present Moment authored by Jean-Pierre De Caussade. The book was initially written in French and later translated into English. Father Caussade, an obscure priest who lived in the 18th century, wrote the book for the Visitation nuns of Nancy, France, in an attempt to assist them with their unique spiritual journey.
The premise of this book is to help the nuns understand the necessity of surrendering to God’s love so that they will become obedient to His will. Although I am a lay Christian, I gleaned invaluable information from the book, and I will refer to it periodically. It will serve as a perfect tool to help me keep focused on my relationship with God.
We understand that God has designed each of us for a specific purpose. Unfortunately, sometimes we fail to allow Jesus to work through us to accomplish His will. We rebel with the foolish notion that we are in complete control of every situation that life presents to us. When we attempt to divert from the path that He has chosen for us, we feel spiritually disconnected and vapid. This struggle continues throughout our lives and greatly interferes with the progress that we were designed to make.
Jesus wants us to know that He is always with us. Even in times of great sorrow and stress, He is there. We are never alone, for he never abandons us. In fact, as we mature spiritually, we are able to see God in the moments of our daily life. We may not always be able to understand the timing of certain events nor the outcome, but we can trust that God is in control and that His determination of the outcome of everything in our lives will be perfect.
About two weeks ago, a Christian friend of mine informed me that her oldest daughter was diagnosed with inoperable cancer. During our initial telephone conversation, she asked for prayer and promised to provide me with updates. Two days ago, we spoke again, and the slight trepidation that was apparent during our initial conversation had all but disappeared. Instead, I was greeted with a robust, upbeat voice that was brimming with hope.
She enthusiastically informed me that her daughter had received her first round of chemotherapy and was doing quite well. in fact, she was able to attend a Bible study class during the same week. My friend’s other daughter had composed a well written, awe inspiring account of how friends were rallying around and offering support to her sister. In the letter, she remarked of many blessings, including the superb treatment given by the medical team, exquisite timing of certain events and her sister's positive, almost bubbling enthusiasm in spite of having to traverse this difficult path. The letter was written by a Christian, read aloud by another Christian to yet a third fellow Christian. I could immediately see Christ’s footprints in the life of this Christian indelibly written throughout the letter. Because I have been concentrating on seeing God's presence everywhere, I could truly appreciate the full impact of Christ’s blessings in this situation.
Throughout the Season of Lent, we are continually called to examine our relationship with God, and consider what changes need to be made. On Ash Wednesday, I went to an especially meaningful Presbyterian Ash Wednesday service. First, the minister carefully outlined a cross on my forward with ashes. Then, he gently reminded me of how I came from dust and would have returned to dust, but because of Christ’s sacrifice, I will have eternal life with Him. Since that evening, I found myself beginning to reflect again on Christ’s last days and my desire to immensely please my Savior.
I have a long road ahead of me, as I continually fall short in my walk with Jesus. I am thankful for the Season of Lent and the opportunity to see ways in which I can do more and ways in which I need to sacrifice. Most importantly, I am thankful for the lessons presented to me throughout this month which will help me see God’s blessings and presence in my life, moment by moment.
Discovering God's Preseence
Peruse through the following Bible lesson planning material found at the links below to discover some exciting
material that can adapted for school and home classrooms..
Sunday School lessons for Preschool - In the Beginning
Spring Activities and Resources - Elementary
Lent Sunday School Resources - Elementary
Ash Wednesday and Lent Sunday School Lessons - Elementary
Great Ideas for Children’s Ministry PreK - Elementary
Job Bible Study Commentary - Teens
God is in Control
Logos - Ash Wednesday and Lent - Teens & Adults
Job, a Servant of God - Elementary
Biblos Cross References and Parallel Translations Upper Elementary and Teen
Job’s Argument Study Questions - Teens
Friday, January 22, 2010
Having a Heart for Jesus
Next month, we are reminded of the role our heart plays in our lives. The American Heart Association designates February as National Heart Month. We are encouraged to take the necessary steps needed to protect our health and are provided with an assessment which underscores risk factors that can interfere with our heart health. At some point in our lives, we may have wondered if someone close to us died from a broken heart. According to cardiologist Dr Michael Brodsky this isn't far from the truth. Brodsky states, "An emotional broken heart can really kill you." To read this article in its entirety visit a Google.com and type in keyword phrase broken heart and Dr. Brodksy.
We see the tie-in between our emotional and physical health; yet, we often neglect one important component. We may forget, from time to time, the importance of our service to God and how, it, too, impacts our heart. In today's Purpose Driven Life Devotion, Rick Warren shares some insight on this topic in his When Serving God, Listen to Your Heart Take a moment to read this devotional and then click back to this blog.
Indeed, we are given different gifts, talents and opportunities. Yet, we sometimes focus on the gifts, talents and opportunities that others have and may make unfavorable comparisons. You may have often heard that we are to 'bloom where we are planted'. Perhaps you are experiencing some financial, marital or significant problems that just seem overwhelming to you. You would like to serve abundantly, but you just can't right now. You feel anxious because you want to feel that God is using you. Your desire is to bloom elsewhere.
Have you ever watched a fellow Christian perform an act of service and wish that you could be used by God in the same way? For some time now, you may have felt that the door to more service continues to remain closed. You are puzzled as to why this is so. Have you, in fact, felt that intense frustration of wanting to more fully serve, but just couldn't?
Or, perhaps, you sometimes feel that because you have more free time than many of your friends, there is an unspoken assumption that you can serve beyond your capacity to do so. For example, let's suppose that you have spent several hours at a hospital assisting a friend and have just gotten home. You feel weary and a bit anxious, when the phone begins to ring. Will this be yet another request to serve? Again, you may feel a bit frustrated and resentful.
In either case, these feelings of frustration and resentment really aren't serving any purpose in your life. They are, in fact, negative emotions that stand between you and the service you can, at this time, perform. If you can relate to any of what you just read, take some time now to consider how you can best serve God.
First, remember to keep the focus on what is important. God designed us for many specific service roles throughout our lives. We are to be obedient to only Him in the way in which this service is carried out. Seek scripture to learn about the role of service in your life. Please see Serving Others
Second, search your heart right now. What does God want you to do for Him? Maybe, you are very occupied with helping members of your family with their problems. Don't discount this as not serving Him. However, just because your plate is overflowing with needs that have to be filled, you will be called to serve. Don't overlook these opportunities. When possible, open your heart to the needs of others outside your family. Look for the open doors and walk through them. If your service is limited right now, keep in mind that the time will come again, when you can more actively serve in many different capacities.
Third, if you have much free time and enjoy serving, pray and ask God to show you what He has designed for you to do. Even if you have been serving Him in many ways, it's important to check in with Him, frequently, to ensure that you are serving in ways that He deems best.
Fourth, make certain that you continue to take care of your own physical and emotional needs so that you won't burn out. It's always important to set boundaries, so that in your heart, you feel the real joy of giving.
Finally, our hearts are overjoyed when we know that we are doing God's work. There is no better feeling for our overall health than to allow the Holy Spirit to direct us in our actions. By doing so, we see the fruit produced by our obedience. The joy that radiates from your face and spirit will be felt by the children in your life, and they will truly see that you have a heart for Jesus.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Faith in Action - Serving God throughout 2010
God designed each of us with a special purpose in mind. You and I have unique talents and abilities and spiritual gifts that God designed us to use for the benefit of His kingdom. Sometimes we are unsure as to what our spiritual gifts are and/or how we are to use them. However, the Bible is clear in informing us that we are given such gifts, and it is our obligation to put these gifts to good use.
In Hebrews 5:12-14, we learn that we are expected continue to grow and learn in the World and develop as mature Christians. When we were new Christians, we were not equipped to do the work of a maturing Christian. As our faith strengthens, we develop the confidence to put our spiritual gifts into action, and God commands us to do so.
As mentors to children and teens, it is also our responsibility to help them discover what their gifts are. Children and teens model our behavior and can be influenced by our actions. If we are active, participative Christians, they see the difference we can make. Children and teens are learning about their own capabilities and talents and are often eager to participate but may be hesitate to proceed. We need to provide them with guidance and some freedom so that they can explore and discover what they too can do for the kingdom.
By visiting Spiritual Gifts List and Gift Definitions you will see which books of the Bible discuss spiritual gifts. (Keep in mind that I have not purchased any materials yet through this website, but I am impressed, thus far, from the material that I have seen.) Take just a moment, now, to visit this web page. Scroll down until you see the tabulated list of spiritual gifts. For example, by looking under Romans 12, and clicking on exhortation, you will be connected to the scripture that speaks about this gift. You will also be provided with various resources to help you develop your own spiritual gifts and foster those you see emerging in the young people in your life. As you go through this process, continually ask God's guidance. As always, spend time in prayer seeking His will for you. By doing so, God can more effectively use you to help others.
For hypothetical purposes, let's say that you are teaching a second grade Sunday school class. You notice that one of the students, who has always been unusually shy, approaches you and asks if he can help one of the new students with a Bible related coloring project. Of course, you give your consent. You step back, and watch, in awe, as she quietly but effectively helps the new student to relax and feel part of the group. On subsequent Sundays, you see that this once shy student is repeatedly called to interact with other new students. Through astute observation and by being obedient to God's use of you, you discover that this student quite possibly has the gifts of mercy and service. She undboutedly has many additional gifts to offer, but, for now, is being called to use these two. By becoming sensitive to this student's desire to use her gift, you have given her an opportunity to explore and develop her inner calling.
As we know, sensitivity is often one key, in helping young people develop their talents and gifts. We need to apply this same sensitivity throughout 2010, as we help children and teens discover and use their very unique spiritual gifts, as well. This can be accomplished by often stepping back and observing what the young people in our life like to do at church or for the community at large. Talking about ways children and teens can serve will also provide some clarity and direction as well.
Explore the following websites for additional information about Spiritual Gifts, Spiritual Gifts Inventories
Spiritual Gifts Inventory
Children and Spiritual Gifts - Ministry Tools
Spiritual Gifts Bible Teaching, Online Test and Resources
Spiritual Gifts for Kids, Helping Your Child Understand God's Plan
May Jesus provide you and your family with blessings throughout 2010, and may you be open to the many ways He will call you to serve throughout the year.
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