Giving It All Up For Me

by Debbi Weeks

Many of my friends have taken up observing Lent in recent years, but I have never participated. One friend shared with me what she learned from her Lenten observance this year—it’s much harder to give up something that you already have and enjoy than to have never had it in the first place. Although she gave up a familiar indulgence, chocolate, the act of giving up something she regularly enjoyed caused her to think more about her own family situation as they are struggling with their finances in these economic times. At one time, money was not an issue in her household, but now they are suffering from financial loss of income and hardship. She said it’s more difficult to lose it than to have never had it. This led her to consider the fact that Jesus had it all before His incarnation. She came to a greater understanding of the sacrifice He made in coming to earth knowing the glories of heaven and yet willingly forsaking it all and giving Himself.

When she shared her new deeper understanding with me I was reminded of

Philippians 2:5-8 which says, “Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.” (The Message)

He gave it all for me. And He did it for me, a sin-sick woman. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Oh praise Him for His great sacrifice for me!

Father God I praise You that You are sovereign with an eternal plan.

Please forgive me when I take your great sacrifice for granted.

Thank You that You had it all, yet You gave it all – for me.

Please remind me anew during this Passion week of Your love for me and the demonstration of that love through all that You gave up to come to earth to live and die – and praise You that it didn’t end there. I praise You for Your resurrection!

In Christ’s Name, Amen.

No Condemnation

by Debbi Weeks

A dear friend spoke God’s Word from Romans 8:1 to me last week: “Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Those words fell anew on my heart. What freedom, what peace! I was reminded that my loving Father convicts, but does not condemn. Satan takes God’s good and turns it around to paralyze and imprison us – it is Satan that condemns.

Another friend asked the question that we should always ask when we see a therefore in a sentence: “What’s the therefore, there for?” To get enough context we must read what came before the therefore. Here’s what Romans 7:14-25 says: “So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.” (NLT) After these verses comes Chapter Eight’s therefore. Wow! It’s awesome to know what the therefore is there for!

I know this sin struggle described in these verses all too well. What a blessing to know that God through Jesus Christ has already taken care of it all for me and for you. I do not need to wallow in the guilt of my sin, that’s what Satan wants for me - to feel condemned and unworthy. Christ on the other hand offers me repentance and restoration! Yes, there is now no condemnation for me (because I am in Christ Jesus)!

Father God I praise You that You convict, but don’t condemn.

Please forgive me for the times when I lose at this sin struggle.

Thank You for giving me the peace and freedom of not being condemned. And, thank You that You provide the answer in Jesus Christ.

Please allow my heart to live convicted, but not condemned.

In Christ’s Name, Amen.

Don't Worry, Trust Christ

by Debbi Weeks

Shortly after learning the news that I was pregnant with my son I was horrified to find out that in the first few days of his development I had been working in our enclosed garage stripping paint with toxic chemicals, clearly labeled NOT to be used while pregnant. I remember taking the can into my OB/GYN’s office in a panic. His wise advice still resounds in my mind as if he told me it this morning. He said, “There’s nothing that can be done about that now. The worst thing you can do for your baby growing inside of you is to worry.”

God gives the same wise advice in Matthew 6:27: “Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?” And, I would include, which of us can add a moment to our children’s lives by worrying about them? In fact, worrying can actually detract from life – our children’s and ours, as they watch and learn from us. Stress and worry suck the life right out people.

So how do we keep from worrying? We trust. We trust in a sovereign God whose plan cannot be thwarted (check out Job 42:2). He says in Philippians 4:6 and 7: “Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” (The Message)

I love that – let Christ displace worry at the center of your life!

Father God I praise You for being sovereign and in control. I praise You for being worthy of our trust.

Please forgive me for worrying when I should be trusting and experiencing Your peace.

Thank You for showing me that worry takes away and trusting You gives peace.

Please displace my worry with Christ.

In Christ’s Name, Amen.

Where Do You Go To Get Fed?

by Debbi Weeks

When my daughter, Rebekah, was a toddler (she’ll be 18 in May!) she ate her meals at the family table in a high chair. But in between meals when she wanted a snack she was trained to sit on the mat in front of our kitchen sink to eat – this was supposed to avoid food and crumbs from being scattered throughout the house. It was pretty cute when we would visit friends’ or family’s homes because she would search out their kitchen, find the rug in front of the sink and plop down expecting a snack or treat. She would wait there in anxious anticipation of being fed (can you say Pavlov’s dog?! ) Rebekah knew where to go for her needs to be met.

So, this just begs the question (or at least in my mind it does), do you know where to go to get fed? I’m not talking a physical place like Rebekah, but rather where you go to be truly fed; where you go to be spiritually nourished and have your needs met. Where do you go to be fed? The even better question is, do you go where you can be fed?

God says, “Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” (Psalm 34:8) and “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:35)

Come to Jesus. Feed on Him. Come have your needs met. He is all we need.

Father God I praise You for being the bread of life – our sustenance.

Please forgive me for not always going to where I will be truly fed.

Thank You teaching me through my children.

Please take me to where I can feed solely on You.

In Christ’s Name, Amen.

Beautiful People

by Debbi Weeks

Back when I was in college I hung around with a group of 15 or so friends from Grace Church. We had such fun, fellowshipping, studying, playing, and just being together. One evening there was a group of us hanging out and as I looked around at all of them the thought came to mind of how incredibly beautiful they all were. I looked at each of them and declared each a “10”. Almost as soon as the thought crossed my mind I let out a little laugh, for in the world’s eyes the best-looking one there was perhaps a “7” and most of us would probably rate more like a “4” or “5”!

I smiled as I realized that I knew their hearts. I was looking at them with God’s eyes and they were beautiful! The eyes of God are a wonderful way to look at His people. And, as I grow older and slip further down the world’s beauty scale I’m thankful that God looks on the inside and sees me as beautiful.

1 Samuel 16:7

“But the LORD said to Samuel, ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.’"

Father God, thank You that You created us beautiful in Your sight. Thank You that You look at the heart and not the outward appearance.

Please forgive me when I fall back into looking at others with the world’s eyes.

Thank You for the beautiful people You have placed in my life.

Please allow us to look at others with Your eyes that we may see them as beautiful.

In Christ’s Name, Amen.

Be Filled

by Debbi Weeks

There was a break in the rainy weather we’ve been having on Saturday and I just had to get out of the house and get some exercise. After calling several friends and not finding a walking partner among them, in my desperation I decided to head out on my own. I was barely out the door when I realized I just couldn’t walk alone (I know, I know it’s silly, but I’m really into the social aspects of walking! J). But still, needing to move, I got my bicycle out to go for a ride. It had been a couple of weeks since I road my bike, but not too terribly long.

I noticed the tires appeared to be a bit low on air, but not knowing how to turn on the air compressor and really wanting to get moving, I took off on my regular route. I had barely begun when I noticed that I was already exerted far more than normal. As I continued on, I was really huffing and puffing. I cut my ride short and headed up the small incline home. I thought I was going to pass out! It was unbelievable. When I reached my driveway, I was having a hard time deciding whether to just throw up in the bushes or go inside. I finally decided to go in. As soon as I got my bike in the garage and the garage door down, I flung myself on the carpet at the bottom of the stairs. And I stayed there, motionless, for the next five minutes. My heart was pounding – I envisioned my hubby finding me dead there at the bottom of the stairs in a few hours after he woke up. I decided I needed to get upstairs, so I crawled. Yes, I crawled up the staircase. Once there, I managed to get to the couch where I plopped and stayed for more than half an hour.

I couldn’t imagine how I had gotten so exhausted with such a brief workout. After all, I walk several times each week and I ride my bike regularly.

Later, as I was relaying the story to my hubby, I remembered how the tires looked low and I asked him if he could show me how to use the air compressor to fill my tires. We went downstairs and used the tire gauge to check the air pressure. It didn’t even register on the gauge! I had been riding on completely flat tires! The resistance I was peddling against (especially uphill to my house) was huge. No wonder it was such a workout! We filled the tires and Matt had me go for a little spin – you would not believe the difference. I could ride with such ease. It’s amazing what a little air can do!

The whole thing got me thinking about how we, as believers, can live without being filled with the Holy Spirit (note that this is different than being sealed with the Holy Spirit which is something all believers have when the believe). But “unfilled” living is difficult and arduous. When we are living filled with the Spirit, we are strong and effective. Being filled with the Spirit is yielding to God’s will.

Ephesians 5:15-20

“So be very careful how you live. Do not live like those who are not wise, but live wisely. Use every chance you have for doing good, because these are evil times. So do not be foolish but learn what the Lord wants you to do. Do not be drunk with wine, which will ruin you, but be filled with the Spirit. Speak to each other with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord. Always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

After experiencing what it’s like to ride with flat tires, I know the difference that being filled makes. And, it makes all the difference! So, are you filled with the Spirit today? Are you yielding to God’s will for your life? Are you able to be strong and effective? From my own experience, let me encourage you to live filled with the Spirit today!

Father God, I praise You that You seal us and fill us with Your Spirit.

I confess I too often do things my own way and tire easily from living in my strength.

Thank You that You use ordinary physical things to teach us of extraordinary spiritual things.

Please fill me with Your Spirit and let me yield to Your will today.

Sacrifice

by Debbi Weeks

My friend, Sharon sent me an e-mail the other day with images from various World War II posters. I’ve been thinking a lot about sacrifice lately and these posters just seemed to shout “Sacrifice”! The Encarta World Dictionary defines sacrifice as, “a giving up of something valuable or important for somebody or something else considered to be of more value or importance.” The people depicted in these World War II posters knew what it meant to give up valuables for what they considered to be of greater importance – freedom through the war effort.

I think my generation knows very little of true sacrifice and the generation following knows even less – especially when compared to the generations that came before us. I know I sure don’t fully understand what it means to sacrifice. Yet, as believers we are called to sacrifice. The Christian life is a life of sacrifice. Christ sacrificed his life for ours and we are called to sacrifice our lives for His. We’re not called to die for Christ; we’re called to live for Christ.

Romans 12:1 (NLT) says, “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.”

Matthew Henry’s commentary has this to say about our sacrifice:

“We receive from the Lord every day the fruits of his mercy. Let us render ourselves; all we are, all we have, all we can do: and after all, what return is it for such very rich receivings? It is acceptable to God: a reasonable service, which we are able and ready to give a reason for, and which we understand.”

So what are we sacrificing? What are we giving up for Christ - who is of greater value and more important than anything we could possibly forfeit?

We can learn a lot about sacrifice from Jesus. In Luke 22:42 He says, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." Our sacrifice is the same – a sacrifice of our will, submitting to God’s will for us. And, just as Christ, we, through faith have the certainty that His will is better and greater than ours. That makes it easy (ha! ha!) to sacrifice! No, even in giving up we’re reliant on Him!

Father, God I praise You for Your sacrifice of Your Son for me.

I confess I sometimes take Your sacrifice for granted and selfishly neglect being a living sacrifice.

Thank You for the example of Your Son and previous generations in sacrificing for me.

Please enable me to be a living sacrifice.

In Christ’s Name, Amen.

God's Good Plan

by Debbi Weeks

I’ve really been “into” World War II lately. After reading, Things We Couldn’t Say, by Diet Eman, (see September 3, 2008 post) I have been fascinated by that slice of history. We recently saw two movies based on true stories of World War II, Valkyrie and Defiance. Valkyrie is based on the 15^th assassination attempt by the Nazi’s of Hitler. Defiance is based on a group of Jewish people who escape to live in the forest during the German occupation of Belorussia. Both are astounding stories and I was amazed at the courage of the people depicted in the films.

I couldn’t help but question why God had not allowed the assassination attempt to be successful (or the previous 14 attempts for that matter!). Although Hitler committed suicide just seven months after the attempt that was depicted in Valkyrie, I still couldn’t help but wonder how many lives would have been saved had the SS been disbanded sooner.

There were points in each of these films that I questioned why God didn’t act differently. From that small sliver of one piece of the world, at that one particular moment in history, it didn’t make sense to my little finite mind. Why didn’t God allow something that looked like it would have brought so much good? I wrestled with this question for a little while and then the Spirit reminded me of what I know of God. Isaiah 55:8 and 9 came to mind: “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the LORD. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’”

I needed to be reminded that God sees the entire world in that moment in time, as well as every moment in time, on an eternal continuum from the beginning to the end. He is the author and the orchestrator of it all. He knows the impact of one set of circumstances on every other set of circumstances. That small slice in time that I saw was just that—a very small slice. And the circumstances that were depicted were just a small part of all that was going on at that time and really, an even smaller part of eternity’s circumstances. Finite me must trust the infinite God. His ways are not my ways. No, His ways are far higher and though I don’t always understand, I can trust and praise Him for His sovereign plan.

Father God, thank You that You are infinite and that You have a plan that is far beyond what our mere finite minds can comprehend.

Please forgive me for questioning your sovereign plan.

Thank You for showing me that what I see is just one small slice of an incredibly big eternity.

Lord, please help me to trust Your plan for yesterday, today and tomorrow.

We Live for Comments!

by Debbi Weeks

Okay, so that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but they really do encourage us. If there really are as many readers of the Sojourner’s Journal out there as we think (and we know that there are – there’s a counter for goodness sake! ), then we should be getting scads and scads of comments each and every day. Like what was up with only one comment to my January 14^th post asking you how you meet non-believing women?! Are we all in the same boat – I don’t think so!

So, my encouragement to you today is to encourage us, the writers of the SJ, by leaving a simple comment now and again (even a few words, ladies – throw the dog a bone!). Let us know that you’re reading and if you’re being challenged and/or blessed. Or maybe we don’t see eye to eye on things – that’s okay too, but at least let us know that we caused you to think. Are we drawing you close to our Lord and Savior? Then let us hear it!

Hebrews 10:24 and 25

“And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities, Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together [as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing (warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more faithfully as you see the day approaching.” (Amplified Bible)

“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” (NLT)

Oh, and the need for encouragement isn’t just limited to the writers of this blog – we could all use a good dose! But, us contributors do love those comments!

Father, God I praise You for Your care, concern and faithfulness to us. I praise You that You are unchanging.

I confess that I, too, neglect to encourage those You have put in my circle of influence. Please forgive me and remind me to encourage others.

Thank You that we have been able to use this medium of an internet blog to input Your Word and Your ways in women’s lives.

Please show us how we can respond and bring encouragement to one another.

A Friend and God's Word

by Debbi Weeks

Years ago I was the mother of a toddler and for a period of time my husband, Matt, was working the night shift. I couldn’t get to sleep and I didn’t sleep well. Endless worries and fears of all that could happen without him there by my side filled my dark nights. Overcome by the lack of sleep and through tears, I shared with my small group at Bible Study and asked them to please pray for me.

One dear, sweet sister, whose husband has always (or as long as I’ve known her) worked the night shift did something more. Robbin Mote (or Mama Mote as she’s referred to in blogland) wrote out a couple of scripture verses that had ministered to her and gave them to me. I still have the 3” x 5” card she gave me. Robbin told me that she kept them by her bed and whenever she was afraid at night she would read them to herself to remind her of God’s care and protection over her. These are the verses she shared with me:

Psalm 4:8, “In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for Thou alone, O Lord, dost make me to dwell in safety.”

Proverbs 3:24-26, “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. Do not be afraid of sudden fear, nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes; for the Lord will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being caught.”

Never before nor since have I experienced the power of God through His Word work so quickly in my life. The first night I read those verses, I slept like a teenager (I know the expression is “baby,” but in my experience babies just don’t sleep that well and teenagers do! ). I have kept that verse card in my nightstand all these many years, but I have never needed to reference it again because I was not afraid any longer.

I praise God for His sure and complete work in my life in this area of trusting Him when I go to sleep alone. And, I thank Robbin for her help in directing me to God’s Word for my troubles. Robbin, you’re a true friend to comfort me with His Word, may you lie down and sleep in peace!

Father God, thank You that Your Word is truth and that You are faithful to it.

Please forgive me for being afraid when I should be trusting You.

Thank You for Robbin and her sharing Your Word with me and ministering to my deepest need – to trust You.

Lord I would ask that we would all experience Your Word as it is meant to be – for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16) and may we all in peace lie down and sleep.

Salt and Light

by Debbi Weeks

Matthew 5:11-16 (The Message)

“. . . count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble. Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.”

I have been so convicted by this passage; that I’m hiding my light under a bucket. I have unintentionally become a monk surrounded by my Christian bubble. I have a Christian family and Christian friends. I work at the church for goodness sake! What a blessing and yet, it makes me useless in being salt and light. Other than a few moments with the grocery clerk each week as I check out, I have basically no contact with non-believers and definitely no substantial relationships where I could really make an impact. “Let me tell you why you are here,” – I’m not being what I’m called to be.

It used to be easy when my kids were small and in the public school. We would have their playmates over and I would get to know their moms – in those relationships, I was salt and light. Now I need to make more of an effort. I need to be more intentional. I need to get out and meet non-believers. Do you have any suggestions for an old mom who feels like her plate is full, has a busy schedule, has enough friends (to be a good friend to), but really needs to interact with non-believers on a deep level? It sounds like a silly question, but where do you even meet non-Christians? I want to be who I’m supposed to be. I want to be doing what I am supposed to be doing. I want to live to make an impact on the world around me. But I need help to “keep open house.”

How’s your light shining? Are you up on a hill for the world to see? Please pray with me and for me that I would build relationships with non-believers where I can shine my light and have an impact. I am open to any advice/help/suggestions you might have for me.

Soon I think I’ll share my thoughts on salt losing its saltiness!

Father God, thank You that You are sovereign and that You allow us to be a part of Your plan.

Please forgive me for moving into my comfort zone so much that I no longer can even impact those who need you.

Thank You that Your Word has convicted me and that these women will be praying with me.

Please allow me to meet and get involved in the lives of people where I can be light in their lives.

Practical Help

by Debbi Weeks

First, birthday blessings to my wonderful sister, Tammi. I praise God for her influence in my life and I praise Him for speaking to her heart at that Billy Graham Crusade back in 1971 - because without her going forward to trust Christ, I probably still wouldn’t know Him. I love you, Tammi!

I’ve grown a lot since that July night back in 1971. God has been faithful to grow me up in Him – and praise Him, He’s still faithful and I’m still growing! Two of the spiritual disciplines that have been so important in my spiritual growth are prayer and meditating on/memorizing God’s Word. But, being dull of mind, I’m a big forgetter – I practically have to have a note to remind myself to go to the bathroom (okay, so that’s a bit of an exaggeration, but you get my point)!

In order to curb my forgetfulness, I’ve developed two ways of incorporating these disciplines into my day that work for me and I want to share them with you to encourage you to be praying and meditating. When it comes to prayer, I start out by typing out a prayer reminder sheet and then I put it in a strategic place. My scripture meditation is similar as I post verses that God has laid on my heart, all around my house and in my car. I need to always have the prayer reminder or the verse(s) in front of me if I’m even going to remember to pray or focus in on the verse, and my shower/bathroom time is some of the beginning part of my day, so it’s there I want to be reminded first.

Okay, I’m going for really practical here today. I regularly (my goal for this year is to have regularly be more often, like maybe once a month or so – I tend to be lazy and go off of a really old list!) make up a list of people I need/want to be praying for – and sometimes I include specific requests along with their name, i.e. President Bush – wisdom, integrity and listening to the Lord, were the things the Holy Spirit led me to be praying for him recently.

I print my list out on the computer and put it in a plastic sleeve (you can buy them at Staples) and then use packing tape to adhere it to the tile in the shower – it stays for a really long time (if the water isn’t directed right at it! J).

So this is what my shower prayer list looks like:

As I’m showering, I look at the list and pray for the different people God has laid on my heart. Then I move on to styling my hair, brushing my teeth and putting on my make-up. This is what my bathroom mirror looks like (obviously, I’m not going to be shown in House Beautiful magazine, but maybe someday God will call my heart beautiful!):

I post Scripture on my bathroom mirror for me to look at and focus in on as I continue to get ready in the morning.

Here’s my suggestion for the weekly Scripture meditation (see Saturday’s Sojourner Post), type out the verse(s) (you could just print them out, but typing them helps in thinking through the words – writing them out by hand can be even more effective sometimes!). I print out a bunch of copies. Usually I do them all in the same version, whichever one speaks to my heart when I first read it, but if you’re just meditating on it (versus memorizing it) you may want to have several different versions around. I put them up on my bathroom mirror, on the dash of my car, on my nightstand, on my desk, at the kitchen sink and any other place I frequent throughout my day. As I repeatedly read God’s Words, they begin to sink in – He is faithful to use them to change me.

Isaiah 55:10-11 (The Message)

“The rain and snow come down from the heavens
 and stay on the ground to water the earth. 
They cause the grain to grow, 
producing seed for the farmer
 and bread for the hungry. 
 It is the same with my word. 
 I send it out, and it always produces fruit. 
It will accomplish all I want it to, 
and it will prosper everywhere I send it.”

I’ve heard it said, “Failure to plan is planning to fail.” So, I’ve incorporated these little things into my life to help me with prayer and Scripture meditation. Perhaps they’ll be of help to you as you strive to grow in Christ in 2009.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (Amplified)

“Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always); Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly]; Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].”

Father God, thank You for your faithfulness in bringing us to maturity.

Please forgive me for neglecting to pray perseveringly.

Thank You for giving me practical ideas for remembering who and what to pray for and for meditating on Your Word.

Please allow us to draw close to You in 2009.

In Christ’s Name, Amen.

I HAVE A WEAKNESS (OR PROBABLY MORE THAN ONE)

by Debbi Weeks

I woke up this morning with a rotten cold. Actually I’ve been fighting it off for three or four days. I’ve been doing everything within my power to make sure I didn’t end up with this zinger. This morning I learned the cold won.

Physically, my greatest area of weakness is my chest (I could make quite a few jokes here, but I’ll just let your imagination write your own). If a cold gets into my chest I’m a goner. Ten years ago I even had to have back surgery due to a cold! The doctor told me I ruptured several discs in my back coughing and seven months later I had to have disc removal surgery. It’s important for me to know my physical weakness so that I can do my best to keep from getting really sick.

So it is with my spiritual weaknesses as well. I need to identify and be aware of my spiritual weaknesses for two reasons: first Satan likes to prey upon my weaknesses telling me lies so that I become really spiritually sick. And second, when I recognize my weakness and offer it up to God then He turns my weakness into strength.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 “. . . So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

I’m learning to be thankful for my weaknesses both physical and spiritual because they cast me onto my Father’s lap where I can see His strength in me. Just the same, I hope I get over this cold quickly and can fully celebrate my Savior’s birth!

Father God I praise You that You are omnipotent. You are all powerful in creation and in our lives as individuals.
I confess that I sometimes wallow in my weakness and listen to Satan’s lies.
Thank You that when I am weak, then I am strong because of You.
Please allow me to see the power of Christ working in my weaknesses.
In Christ’s Name, Amen.

God At Work

by Debbi Weeks

Romans 8:28 - “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

Every week at staff meeting the first thing we do is share how we have seen God at work that week. Although He is always at work, sometimes it’s easier to see than others. Such was the case for me this Sunday when God caused several things to come together for me causing me to see a glimpse of Him at work.

I started Sunday morning working on my Bible Study. I was studying about the Bread of the Presence. The connection was made between the amount of flour in the loaf and the double portion of manna given to supply the needs for the daily need and the day of Sabbath rest. The connection was taken further to the double portion being the heritage of the firstborn and then noting that Christ is our firstborn (Romans 8:29). It was fascinating to see the type of Christ in the Bread of the Presence.

Then I went to my Adult Bible Fellowship class where we have been slowly working our way through Hebrews and this particular week we landed on Hebrews 9. Leon Maksoudian was expounding on the text – all about the tabernacle! Hebrews 9:1-2 says, “Now even the first covenant had regulations of divine worship and the earthly sanctuary. For there was a tabernacle prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the sacred bread; this is called the holy place.” Leon pointed out that the lampstand and the bread were types of Christ. Jesus said, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life" (John 8:12) and “Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst.” (John 6:35)

After my ABF, I went to the main worship service where Pastor Tim began a series on the “I Am” statements of Christ. His text was John 6:35-51 titled, “I Am the Bread of Life!” His five main points were 1) Jesus is the Bread for our hunger. 2) Jesus is Bread from heaven. 3) Jesus is Bread for life. 4) Jesus is Bread for the world. 5) Jesus is the Bread to be eaten.

My quiet time, ABF and the worship service - each focusing on the same aspects of Christ! God was definitely at work in my life on Sunday morning reminding me that my daily provision is from Him and that I need to continually feed on Him. I get so excited to think that God is communicating with me and that He repeats Himself until I listen. He works to get my attention and continues until I have understanding. I think I’ll bake some bread and remember my sustenance comes from Christ.

Father God I praise You that You are the Bread of Life.
I confess that I sometimes try to fast and skip feeding on You in my life.
Thank You that You are at work in my life and that You make sure I learn what You have for me.
Please continue to show me glimpses of You.
In Christ’s Name, Amen.

The Following Journey

by Debbi Weeks

We drove home on Sunday from the state of Washington after visiting our son for the Thanksgiving holiday. We got up at 3:30 a.m. and left at 4:00 a.m.! We finally got home at 11:30 p.m. – 19 ½ hours in the car! I told Matt I don’t think I can do that again; I’m just too old and crickety (I know that’s not really a word, but it describes how I felt and what I looked like! ☺).

It was actually pretty smooth sailing until just south of Stockton, and then I-5 became a parking lot. It took us roughly five hours to travel about 150 miles! You can’t believe the number of cars on that road! Then the tulle fog set in. I suppose it wasn’t the worst fog, but there were places you couldn’t see 20 feet in front of the car. Everyone had to slow down; there just wasn’t any other option. We were looking forward to turning off onto Hwy. 41 (to Hwy. 46) into Paso Robles assuming that the climb would take us out of the fog – which it eventually did, but not for a LONG time.

When we got off on 41, I was driving and quite surprisingly we were the only car we could see get off of I-5. As I drove in the dark and fog, it was so difficult to see the road to stay on it. When cars came from the other direction their headlights made it almost impossible to see the road. I had been praying, but these circumstances surely increased my fervor.

After some time a truck came up behind us and I noticed he didn’t seem to be having the same difficulties I was having. We eventually got to a passing lane and he went in front of me. It was then I realized how much easier it is to drive in the fog following the taillights in front me. The oncoming traffic didn’t even bother me as much. I could almost relax as I drove with my eyes glued to the path of those blessed taillights!

Our journey home made me think of my spiritual journey. Just as I had everything I needed to drive in the fog – headlights and lines and reflectors on the road, we have everything we need to follow Christ, the Bible and the Holy Spirit – directing our path and leading and guiding us. Still the journey is made so much easier when we can follow the “taillights” of those who have gone before us. Sometimes seeing a life lived for Christ is such an encouragement along the path of righteousness. I think that’s why I love Christian biographies so much.

In I Corinthians 11:1, Paul exhorts, “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.”

Who has God placed in your life as a “taillight” and who can you be a “taillight” for? Perhaps it’s someone in your own home or maybe you’ll need to look a little further – whichever it is be a Christ imitator on this following journey.


Father God I praise You for your guidance and direction in this life that takes different forms. I praise You for providing Your Spirit and Your Word to teach us. I praise You, too, for providing brothers and sisters in Christ that we can imitate.
I confess I sometimes close my eyes to all that You have provided and I forget that others may be following me.
Thank You that You allowed us to arrive home safely. Thank You for providing taillights for us to follow in the fog of our physical lives as well as in our spiritual lives.
Please allow me to imitate those who imitate You and thereby follow You closely.
In Christ’s Name, Amen.