My dear friend Jerry wrote a message on his Facebook that began…. “As 2009 comes to an end I am reflecting on my....” This started me thinking….we are coming to the end of another decade – what did I do with my life?
It has been an interesting decade so far. I feel that I have grown in my walk with the Lord, and have helped others grow also. Who could ask for more? But I can always do better, move closer to the things of God.
God has had me on the move in the past years. I call these my “missionary journeys for the Lord.” Since 2000 I have moved cross country three times and was a member of seven wonderful churches. I have been a member of a church of a well known t.v. pastor that would fill with 1,000 each week, and a church that had 50 in attendance. I have had pastors that were soft-spoken and humble, and others that were outgoing firebrands, and everything in between. I have been blessed to have led women in Bible Study at each church.
With a year left in this decade it is a good time for me to not only reflect on what has passed, but to wonder what lies ahead. As a senior adult, and with the condition of the world, every year, every day counts. As I look ahead, and attempt to have a plan, I ask myself these questions – perhaps you might ask them of yourself also:
Where I am with the Lord? Am I still growing? Do I still have that wide-eyed wonder and reverence that I had as a new Christian?
I say I am growing, and say that I love the Lord. What things might indicate my spiritual growth and closeness to the Lord? Talk is cheap. Action speak louder than words.
Communication with the Lord. Do I pray? What do I pray for? Is my attitude, “God meet my needs,” or “ Thy will be done”? I need to pray more often.
Do I read the Word? Do I study the Word and seek to understand its meaning, and the message to me from the Lord? How much time to I spend studying the Word in relation to time I spend at the movies, reading magazines, or Christian fiction? How much time do I spend in the Word, even in relation to textbooks that I might be studying?
Church membership. Do I look forward to attending church? Is my focus worship, or entertainment? Is my focus worship or meeting my own needs? I want to always keep the sense of awe and reverence as I approach the Lord on “the Lord’s Day.” I want to have my attitude and attire reflect that I am approaching the Lord on ‘His Day.” It should never become just another day to me – I want it to be a special, set-apart day. Its all about Him, not about me.
Service and sacrifice. I love verse from Romans 12, to “…present my body a living sacrifice”…. But I can do better. A sacrifice is brought to the Lord, spotless, whole and dedicated. I want my entire life to be focused on the Lord. Like Anna in Luke 2, who “lived in the temple, praying and fasting.’ I want to be like Anna, totally given over to things of the Lord.
Attachment to the world. I want to separate myself from the world. This is difficult. The world surrounds me. Worldly people surround me in my family and in the community. My true family is in the church. I must come apart from things important to the world – “sex, drugs, rock and roll” as we used to say, represents the things of the world. Attachment to success, money and most of all attachment to “things.” I see this creeping into even the church family. Paul said that he was ‘content in all things.’ Let me remember that spiritual treasures are more important and longer lasting than earthly treasure and “things.”
What else…so much more….this is just a beginning. My prayer is that the year 2010 will be a decade of great change for me…that I might be not only tucked safely under the wing of the Lord, but that I am changing to be more and more like Jesus every day. That I am obedient and faithful. This is just the beginning.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
He Called Her Daughter
This was printed on the web site "Celebrating Hope" in March 09
http://celebratehope.net/2009/03/27/he-called-her-daughter/
He Called Her Daughter
March 27, 2009
by Jeanne Sant
Two of my friends and I are touched by cancer. One in remission, one with a recurrence, and one with the dreadful new diagnosis. As I prayed for us today, not in fear or sadness, but in faith, I was reminded of the woman in Scripture, who like us, was dreadfully ill – the woman with an issue of blood in Luke 8:43-48:
And a woman who had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and could not be healed by anyone, came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of His cloak, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped.
Jesus said, “Who is the one who touched Me?” And while they were all denying it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing in on You.”
But Jesus said, “Someone did touch Me, for I was aware that power had gone out of Me.”
When the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came trembling and fell down before Him, and declared in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched Him, and how she had been immediately healed.
And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
The doctors had done what was earthly possible. The woman went to Jesus in faith and reached out to just touch the hem of His robe. Aside from the miraculous healing, the thing that touches my heart in this story is that Jesus called her “daughter.” This is the only woman in Scripture that Jesus addressed as “daughter.”
He did not call her “daughter of Abraham” nor “daughter of Jerusalem.” He did not call her “woman,” a bland and generic label, which he even used to address his own mother.
He called her “daughter.” His daughter. An endearing term. A term of relationship. His “daughter?” If we can be called His “daughter,” we can be secure and safe in the knowledge that our Father knows us and loves us even in our most dark seasons of life.
I am His “daughter,” and that gives me great comfort.
May you also be comforted today .
http://celebratehope.net/2009/03/27/he-called-her-daughter/
He Called Her Daughter
March 27, 2009
by Jeanne Sant
Two of my friends and I are touched by cancer. One in remission, one with a recurrence, and one with the dreadful new diagnosis. As I prayed for us today, not in fear or sadness, but in faith, I was reminded of the woman in Scripture, who like us, was dreadfully ill – the woman with an issue of blood in Luke 8:43-48:
And a woman who had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and could not be healed by anyone, came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of His cloak, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped.
Jesus said, “Who is the one who touched Me?” And while they were all denying it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing in on You.”
But Jesus said, “Someone did touch Me, for I was aware that power had gone out of Me.”
When the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came trembling and fell down before Him, and declared in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched Him, and how she had been immediately healed.
And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
The doctors had done what was earthly possible. The woman went to Jesus in faith and reached out to just touch the hem of His robe. Aside from the miraculous healing, the thing that touches my heart in this story is that Jesus called her “daughter.” This is the only woman in Scripture that Jesus addressed as “daughter.”
He did not call her “daughter of Abraham” nor “daughter of Jerusalem.” He did not call her “woman,” a bland and generic label, which he even used to address his own mother.
He called her “daughter.” His daughter. An endearing term. A term of relationship. His “daughter?” If we can be called His “daughter,” we can be secure and safe in the knowledge that our Father knows us and loves us even in our most dark seasons of life.
I am His “daughter,” and that gives me great comfort.
May you also be comforted today .
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Another Christmas Story
Women’s Study Hall: Samaritan Woman
(John 4:1-42)
December is here and thoughts turn to the Christmas story. My friend Judy, called and asked me to suggest a text or theme for a short devotional she has to present to her Sunday School class for Christmas. “Something unusual, not the same thing that everyone else might present,” she said.
The answer for me is easy. I believe the story of the Samaritan Woman is a great Christmas Story!! It is the story of a gift - the gift of a miracle - the miracle of a life changed for eternity.
Stop
Read John 4:1-42. Slow down and read each word. Make a list of words that are repeated, or that you do not fully understand. What seems surprising to you? Or new to you?
Ask out three questions: Why has God given me this story? What would I miss out on if this story were not in Scripture? How can I apply this story to my own life? Add a forth question: How is this a Christmas story?
Look
Read John 4:1-42 again.
In the study of the Woman at the Well, we are drawn to the main character – Jesus. He is our focus as the Messiah who comes to a village in the early part of His ministry, and reveals something to a sinful woman, that He reveals to very few people; the long awaited Messiah has come and is standing in front of her.
The story of Jesus and His encounter with the Samaritan woman is preached and studied often with the emphasis on evangelism – how Jesus reaches out to a Gentile woman to offer her eternal life. We study His love, care and concern, and her response. She is the first person to whom Jesus admits that He is the Messiah. She believes, accepts His gift of eternal life – then goes and tells the others in the village.
Jesus selected different metaphors to explain salvation to individuals. In the chapter before this one (Luke 3) Jesus uses the metaphors of “being born again” and “the wind blowing” to explain in a word picture the truths of salvation to a religious and educated man. Here in this story of the sinful, pagan woman in Samaria, Jesus uses the metaphor of a “gift” to explain to her about the life changing, and sustaining salvation that is available to her. “If you knew the gift of God and who it is who says to you, Give Me a drink….,” (verse 10) He never uses this exact metaphor again in recorded Scripture.
The Greek word used here for “gift” means a supernatural, God-given gift. It is not the word that means a charismatic gift, like spiritual gifts given to believers, and it is not the word gift that means the giving of a present to someone. Jesus never uses this particular word again. This alone should make us want to study the meaning of this particular type of gift that Jesus offers to the woman…and to us.
A supernatural, God-given gift. It is only the Lord Jesus Christ who can give the gift of eternal life. He comes to her, as he does to us in various ways, and offers her this supernatural gift. He places the offer of the gift before her, without any indication that she has done anything to deserve it, and her response is to reject it or accept this miraculous, eternity changing, offer. She accepts, and her life is never the same.
Listen
Ask: Why has God given me this story? What would I miss out on if this story were not in Scripture? How can I apply this story to my own life?
This story can be used at Christmas to explain the gift of eternal life. Because it is not the usual Christmas story, people may be more inclined to listen to what you have to say.
Jesus comes to a woman and offers her a gift. A supernatural gift. Did she really understand it all…like us probably not, but she realized that He was the Messiah, the one who would bring cleaning and peace to her soul. Jesus made his way to her at her place of comfort, her place of usual routine. He reached out and ‘got her attention.’
That’s what Christmas is all about. Jesus comes as a baby and offers the world a supernatural gift, the gift of eternal life. He comes to a world, to us, who are so unworthy to receive this gift. Anyone can receive this gift, and no one really deserves it.
I love the Christmas season. I love standing in long lines at the mall and WalMart! I love it!! I use this opportunity to mention the name of Jesus to those standing around me! You can do it too. You can tell people in a friendly, non-threatening way about the gift of eternal life! My technique is to get eye contact with someone, and glance at the magazine rack. Make some comment about what is on the cover of that gossip magazine, and say something about it and the condition of the world to spark the conversation. During the year I say, “I’m so glad that Jesus is coming back soon and is going to get us out of this mess.” Then I don’t say anything more. They just have to think about it! Believers will nod their heads, or say something in agreement. Non-believers will look quizzically or dumbfounded - at least they have heard the name of Jesus this day and have something to think about!
This Christmas let us rejoice and worship in an attitude of thanksgiving. God gave us the baby in the manger. God gave us, He offers to us, the gift of salvation. “Happy Birthday Baby Jesus…and thank You for giving to us the gift of eternal life.”
I would love to hear your comments – jpsant@netzero.net.
Samaritan Woman
Like the empty jug
Fill my empty soul,
I feel dry and dead,
Fill and make me whole.
Scorned and alone,
Knife of hostility cut deep,
Townswomen, not friendly,
Would never speak.
Always looking for love,
Bad life choices,
Then you come to me,
My once-dead soul rejoices.
“Give me a drink,” His followers gone,
Conversation that would burn my soul,
With gentle eyes and gentle voice,
He was unlike men of my previous choice.
Man with the kind voice, You are much like me, always looking for someone to love You.
I was intrigued by this Jew who spoke to me,
Little did I know He would set me free.
A gift to give of eternal life,
I realized my sin, and had new life.
Man with the kind voice, You are much like me, always looking for someone to love You.
Like the jug of water, made of clay,
He took control, like the potter that day,
Living Water filled to the brim,
Overflowing with life, I believed in Him.
Man with the kind voice, You are much like me, always looking for someone to love You.
You too were scorned,
But with nails and a cross,
You took my sin
I am reborn through your loss.
Man with the kind voice, I love you.
(John 4:1-42)
December is here and thoughts turn to the Christmas story. My friend Judy, called and asked me to suggest a text or theme for a short devotional she has to present to her Sunday School class for Christmas. “Something unusual, not the same thing that everyone else might present,” she said.
The answer for me is easy. I believe the story of the Samaritan Woman is a great Christmas Story!! It is the story of a gift - the gift of a miracle - the miracle of a life changed for eternity.
Stop
Read John 4:1-42. Slow down and read each word. Make a list of words that are repeated, or that you do not fully understand. What seems surprising to you? Or new to you?
Ask out three questions: Why has God given me this story? What would I miss out on if this story were not in Scripture? How can I apply this story to my own life? Add a forth question: How is this a Christmas story?
Look
Read John 4:1-42 again.
In the study of the Woman at the Well, we are drawn to the main character – Jesus. He is our focus as the Messiah who comes to a village in the early part of His ministry, and reveals something to a sinful woman, that He reveals to very few people; the long awaited Messiah has come and is standing in front of her.
The story of Jesus and His encounter with the Samaritan woman is preached and studied often with the emphasis on evangelism – how Jesus reaches out to a Gentile woman to offer her eternal life. We study His love, care and concern, and her response. She is the first person to whom Jesus admits that He is the Messiah. She believes, accepts His gift of eternal life – then goes and tells the others in the village.
Jesus selected different metaphors to explain salvation to individuals. In the chapter before this one (Luke 3) Jesus uses the metaphors of “being born again” and “the wind blowing” to explain in a word picture the truths of salvation to a religious and educated man. Here in this story of the sinful, pagan woman in Samaria, Jesus uses the metaphor of a “gift” to explain to her about the life changing, and sustaining salvation that is available to her. “If you knew the gift of God and who it is who says to you, Give Me a drink….,” (verse 10) He never uses this exact metaphor again in recorded Scripture.
The Greek word used here for “gift” means a supernatural, God-given gift. It is not the word that means a charismatic gift, like spiritual gifts given to believers, and it is not the word gift that means the giving of a present to someone. Jesus never uses this particular word again. This alone should make us want to study the meaning of this particular type of gift that Jesus offers to the woman…and to us.
A supernatural, God-given gift. It is only the Lord Jesus Christ who can give the gift of eternal life. He comes to her, as he does to us in various ways, and offers her this supernatural gift. He places the offer of the gift before her, without any indication that she has done anything to deserve it, and her response is to reject it or accept this miraculous, eternity changing, offer. She accepts, and her life is never the same.
Listen
Ask: Why has God given me this story? What would I miss out on if this story were not in Scripture? How can I apply this story to my own life?
This story can be used at Christmas to explain the gift of eternal life. Because it is not the usual Christmas story, people may be more inclined to listen to what you have to say.
Jesus comes to a woman and offers her a gift. A supernatural gift. Did she really understand it all…like us probably not, but she realized that He was the Messiah, the one who would bring cleaning and peace to her soul. Jesus made his way to her at her place of comfort, her place of usual routine. He reached out and ‘got her attention.’
That’s what Christmas is all about. Jesus comes as a baby and offers the world a supernatural gift, the gift of eternal life. He comes to a world, to us, who are so unworthy to receive this gift. Anyone can receive this gift, and no one really deserves it.
I love the Christmas season. I love standing in long lines at the mall and WalMart! I love it!! I use this opportunity to mention the name of Jesus to those standing around me! You can do it too. You can tell people in a friendly, non-threatening way about the gift of eternal life! My technique is to get eye contact with someone, and glance at the magazine rack. Make some comment about what is on the cover of that gossip magazine, and say something about it and the condition of the world to spark the conversation. During the year I say, “I’m so glad that Jesus is coming back soon and is going to get us out of this mess.” Then I don’t say anything more. They just have to think about it! Believers will nod their heads, or say something in agreement. Non-believers will look quizzically or dumbfounded - at least they have heard the name of Jesus this day and have something to think about!
This Christmas let us rejoice and worship in an attitude of thanksgiving. God gave us the baby in the manger. God gave us, He offers to us, the gift of salvation. “Happy Birthday Baby Jesus…and thank You for giving to us the gift of eternal life.”
I would love to hear your comments – jpsant@netzero.net.
Samaritan Woman
Like the empty jug
Fill my empty soul,
I feel dry and dead,
Fill and make me whole.
Scorned and alone,
Knife of hostility cut deep,
Townswomen, not friendly,
Would never speak.
Always looking for love,
Bad life choices,
Then you come to me,
My once-dead soul rejoices.
“Give me a drink,” His followers gone,
Conversation that would burn my soul,
With gentle eyes and gentle voice,
He was unlike men of my previous choice.
Man with the kind voice, You are much like me, always looking for someone to love You.
I was intrigued by this Jew who spoke to me,
Little did I know He would set me free.
A gift to give of eternal life,
I realized my sin, and had new life.
Man with the kind voice, You are much like me, always looking for someone to love You.
Like the jug of water, made of clay,
He took control, like the potter that day,
Living Water filled to the brim,
Overflowing with life, I believed in Him.
Man with the kind voice, You are much like me, always looking for someone to love You.
You too were scorned,
But with nails and a cross,
You took my sin
I am reborn through your loss.
Man with the kind voice, I love you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)