Stay in the Word

Christian, stay in the Word!
Leader, stay in the Word!
Missionary, please, STAY IN THE WORD!

There really is no other way. This week I was reminded of this great truth.

Over the years, I have counselled many young women. Today, some of those women are faithfully following God. Some, sadly, are not. What's the difference? The Word.

Take a look at Deuteronomy 17:14-20:
"When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that are about me; Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother. But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way. Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.
And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them:
That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel."
(emphasis mine)

Here is a passage dealing with the law of the Israelite kings. They were given instruction and guidelines for their ruling: basic things, about obtaining horses for personal gain, wives/concubines, riches... all usual issues for kings. These would be "normal" human pitfalls. Eventually, most of these laws were broken by one king or another.

Yet God had given a remedy to keep them from succumbing to these pitfalls... His Word. Each king was to write his own copy of the law and keep it before him constantly. This would help him to fear and obey God, to stay humble, and to prolong his days.

Now, I know we are far removed from being a king of Israel, but perhaps this passage gives us the key to staying faithfully on the path of righteousness. Especially as ladies in positions of leadership, we too need to fear and obey God, stay humble, and prolong our days.

I find great encouragement in writing out verses from the Word of God. It helps with meditation, memorization, and application. However, there are many other ideas for staying in the Word. It matters not how much or little you read, but rather that you are in the Word daily, seeking the face of God. This is how God changes our hearts and lives to be more like Him.

Long day? Stay in the Word.
Family trouble? Stay in the Word.
Financial difficulty? Stay in the Word.
Wrongly treated? Stay in the Word.
Facing pain, illness, and/or death? Stay in the Word.

There are so many stories of Christians who were in leadership falling away into a life of corruption. Ladies, we cannot afford to leave off our Bibles. This is basic, yes, but it is the ONLY prevention from becoming a casualty in the war of the work.

"Sanctify them by thy truth: thy word is truth."
John 17:17

Closer to the Source

We have been blessed thus far with two children and one on the way. It is amazing to me how different two children can be even though they have the same parents, upbringing, and looks. I mean, I know that everyone is different; but to see it in my two sons at a very young age is completely different. God is an awesome Creator!

My oldest son, Jude, is 3 years of age. He's mostly a social light, loves to play with trains, and likes to go see new places and things. He likes everything neat, clean and tidy and will avoid pain at all costs. He is extremely curious and has a bit of an engineering mind. Already he is picking up letters, in both languages, and is eager to read. However, you sit him down to a meal at the table, and he is TOTALLY disinterested. He eats to stay alive (because we make him eat, as any good parent of course) and not really for the enjoyment of it. - Unless it's ice cream!

My second son, Zachary, is not quite 2 years old. He is into everything so much that we tease we should have called him "Trouble". He goes from one "off limits" thing to the next. Yet, he has picked up language here in Georgia much better than his brother, has intense and genuine emotions, and loves to get dirty. Pain doesn't bother him. He also LOVES to eat. Though he's still having some lingering issues with food texture, he really can put food away! He already eats more than his brother, and if we get out snacks, he sidles up real close so he can sneak a bite.

When the boys go up to "Bebia's" house (a Georgian Grandma), Jude sits on the couch to watch cars or trains or some other multi-film cartoon while Zachary heads straight for the kitchen to look for any goodies left out on the table. These boys are as different as can be!

Yet to me, it is always amazing. If I get out crackers or chips, I give one to Zachary. Usually though, he's not satisfied with just one. He wants one for each hand. Then a handful. Then, he gives up trying to hold enough and attempts to climb on my lap or squeeze in next to me so that he can get to the bag of treats himself. He wants to get closer to the source.

It humbles me to watch him and reminds me of what my relationship with my Father should be. I shouldn't be satisfied with just one chapter in His Word, just one blessing that He sends, or just one service at church. I should be going for two, then a handful, then, why not? Just sit on His lap. After all, He is the source. The only way to get to the source of joy and blessings is to have a RELATIONSHIP with the Giver.

Our spiritual appetite is just like our physical one: the more we give it of something, the more it wants. If you watch a lot of television, you tend to want to watch even more. If you eat a lot of junk food, you crave more. If you prefer carrot sticks, then they're your go-to food. If you grew up with meat and potatoes at every dinner meal, chances are, you still want that meat and potatoes. Yes, we can change our appetites. We can train them, curb them, sometimes yes, force them into a new habit.

It is the same spiritually. The more we read God's Word, the more we want. The more of Jesus we have, the closer we desire to be. The more we fill our lives with choices that are pleasing to God, the easier it is to do the next time... not because the choices will be easy, but because our spirits are strong, walking in the Spirit.

So, I strive to desire to be closer. I must schedule/choose/prioritize to make time for God. Whatever it takes. Not just for one nugget of feel-good booster, but for the whole bag! Even in a busy life and amid the craziness of little ones, I must not neglect the most important Person in my life. The Source is waiting. There's so much He has in store!

Just a closer walk with Thee

Grant it Jesus, is my plea,

Daily walking close to Thee,

Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.

- Anonymous -

Big Hurts, Big Joys

Missionaries probably experience the hardest hits in all the world’s professions. Opposition comes from within and without. It comes from misunderstandings and misjudgments and outright attacks. Some is brought on from our own failings, and some from ignorance, lack of faith, and just plain stubbornness. Sometimes, we aren’t willing to compromise. Sometimes we’re selfish. We get our eyes off of the Lord. Sometimes, evil attacks.

Missionaries get physically threatened and robbed. They even get death threats. (I don’t think these are uncommon, by the way.) Missionaries experience issues with host government paperwork. They stand in lines and wait . . . and wait. In some countries, officials want bribes in order to “expedite” permission.

The biggest heartaches come from ministry. Those are the hurts from unjust personal attacks and also seeing the natives turn from what is biblical and right and do their own thing. It’s watching them crash and burn—when it wasn’t necessary. It’s pouring our love into these people and caring for them, as if they were family . . . then seeing them reject godliness . . . and sometimes us, as well.

But, a missions ministry also holds the greatest joys. Nothing in the world is as beautiful as seeing a soul come to Christ. There is no joy greater than being privileged to lead someone to the Lord.

It’s satisfying to watch baby Christians follow the Lord in baptism and begin to grow. It’s a thrill to see faithfulness, a church plant, and spiritual growth. It’s exciting to see families acting according to the Word of God, and it’s also a privilege to give the Word to another human being.

Many of us get to speak at least one other language, live in a beautiful environment, and learn another culture. We get to see gorgeous architecture, appreciate native art and music, and travel to places other people only dream of.

We learn to love souls who are so different from us—yet so much like us. We see ourselves in a new way, and we understand more than ever how much we need the Lord every day.

We’ve become partners in God’s work. We’re ambassadors from our supporting churches to people they’ll never meet.

It’s a good life! 

It’s the best life.

A missionary woman’s joy depends on two factors:

1. Her relationship—intimacy and communion—with God
2. Choosing joy

Here are some wonderful passages about how to conserve your joy, no matter what your circumstances:

• Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. . . . If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full (John 15:4-5, 7-11).
• My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him (James 1:2-5).
• Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. . . . Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. . . . But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. (Philippians 4:1, 4, 19-20).

Abide in Jesus.

Choose joy.

Therefore, my beloved brethren,

be ye stedfast, unmoveable,

always abounding in the work of the Lord,

forasmuch as ye know that your labour

is not in vain in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58).