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NEWS OF REBUILDING

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Keeping a spiritual journal is such an important tool for reminding us what God has done for us in the past. I have been writing in journals for many years and every so often I will come across one and read through it. Last week I posted a poem I found in one of my journals. Yesterday, as I was looking for a notebook for my husband to write in, I found another of my journals. The following is a poem I wrote on September 13, 2012 as I was working through a Bible Study on Nehemiah.

 

NEHEMIAH NEWS

The gates of the city were burned

the walls broken down.

People were resigned and discouraged

as danger lurked  around.

Then God placed a vision

in the heart of one man

to rebuild that which was broken

to restore God’s master plan.

By night, he travelled the walls

to see the damage done.

By day he called together the people

to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

The enemy didn’t like it

when the people began to rebuild.

But they did not stop their work,

they did not fear or yield.

“The God of Heaven will give us success”,

their faith and trust pushed them on.

They began with the gates, then on to the walls

until at last, their work was done.

With God all things are possible

even when obstacles come our way

because God has a plan for every task

He places in our hearts today.

Yes, we can all be builders

of that which is broken down.

As we trust God for overcoming power

when the enemy comes around.

The God of Heaven will fill our hearts

with that which is right and true.

He gives strength and courage

For every task He has called us to.

 – Virginia – 9/13/12

 

FAN THE FLAME

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The firepit sat in the garage for a while after our daughter gave it to my husband for Christmas. In the Spring, he brought it to the patio and has been building a fire in it every night. He sits around the firepit, watching the flames until they diminish, and the wood turns to ash. The next night, he will go out and rekindle the flame and repeat the process. It is now Summer now with temperatures in the 90s. I asked why he was doing this and he replied, “It gives me time to think and meditate.”

As I see him head out to the patio each evening, I am reminded of Paul’s words to Timothy. “Fan into flame the gift of God”. For me, fanning the flame comes in the early morning as I pray and read God’s Word. For my husband, fanning the flame comes in the evenings as he spends time in quiet contemplation of God.

Fan into flame the gift of God which is in you is a statement for us all to consider as believers. God has gifted each one of us in different ways but one purpose. God gifted us to glorify Him and serve as a witness for Jesus Christ that others may come to know Him too. Just like a fire, our passion for serving can burn until there is no kindling left if we do not fan it every day. I don’t know about you, but studying God’s word lights a spark in me each time I study. It is my passion. When the flame is burning, I know I am serving in His will.

What about you? What is your passion? How are you fanning the flame to know and serve the Lord according to the gifts He has given you?

God gifted Timothy to preach, but he was apparently fearful. Paul told him, “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control”. (2 Timothy 1:7 ESV) It is by the power of the Holy Spirit you are equipped to serve out your passion from the area of giftedness God has given. Because of this power, you need not fear or be intimidated to move forward by faith in what God has called you to do.

Fan the flame to keep the fire burning through prayer and Bible reading every day.

For this reason, I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God,

which is in you through the laying on of my hands…

2 Timothy 1:6 (ESV)

Empowered

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Throughout the history of this nation, women have fought for their rights of equality. Many good things have been accomplished over the years by women in leadership. But I believe we have reached a point in time where the motive has become skewed, venturing away from the original purpose of equality. Now we are seeing women’s rights becoming about control.

Don’t get me wrong. I am all for equality and unity. But when the desire for power and control outweighs the purpose of equality and unity, then something has gone awry. It is time to take a step back and look at what God has to say about these things, and how He empowered women in Biblical days without slighting their role as women.

Empowering women to speak the truth of God’s word in love and to stand up for Jesus is a purpose with godly motivation. The Holy Spirit of God empowers women to assess situations with wisdom, act in truth and love to accomplish God’s purpose for their lives. It is nothing to be embarrassed about. It is nothing to be ashamed of. Is it nothing to be silent about. Women of God, it is time to speak up for our rights as Christians and not allow those with ungodly public platforms to lead us astray or speak for us.

  • If you are a wife, dare to be a woman who enjoys marriage.
  • If you are a mother, dare to be a woman who teaches her children about Jesus.
  • If you are a career woman, dare to stand firm in your faith in your work environment.
  • If you are a school teacher, dare to make a difference in the lives of children.
  • If you are a widow, or single woman, dare to be content with your circumstances.

As a woman of God, you have the ability to assess a situation and act upon the need of the moment in order to accomplish God’s purpose. There are women just like you whose stories are told in the Bible.  These are women who assessed situations, acted upon them and accomplished God’s purpose through their lives. We can learn a lot from their stories as well as how to pattern our lives in a way that follows their examples of courage in the face of difficult, and in some cases, dangerous circumstances. (These stories are the focus of the Bible Study I have written titled, Embracing Faith. The book will be available in July.)

But just as the human nature of Eve took matters into her own hands in an act of daring and disobedience to God, there are examples of ungodly daring in the Bible as well as in the lives of women today. The important thing is to know the difference between godly daring to serve His purpose and ungodly daring to serve human desire. As people, we do not know better than God. His thoughts and way are so much higher than our ways. So, look for God’s intentions in the lives of women of the Bible and you will find His intentions for you as well.

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all, put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV)