The Family of Faith - a new post by Debra Courtney

“... for you had become so very dear to us. 1 Thessalonians 2: 8 AMP

During the 1990’s, a singles class at our church became a close-knit family for many people who had lost a spouse through divorce or death. I have experienced this for myself through the passing on to eternal life of my husband last year.

When someone needed to move, class members or members of the church packed boxes, carried furniture, and provided food. Birthdays and holidays were no longer solitary events as faith and friendship emerged into an ongoing relationship of encouragement. Many of those bonds forged during adversity a couple of decades ago continue to flourish and sustain individuals and families today.

Paul’s letter to the followers of Jesus in Thessalonica paints a picture of life-giving relationships in God’s family.  “But we behaved gently when we were among you, like a devoted mother nursing and cherishing her own children.”   1 Thess.2:7 AMP.

“For you recall our hard toil and struggle [and plied our trade] in 0rder not to be a burden to any of you…” 1 Thess. 2:9. “For you know as a father [dealing with] his children, we used to exhort each of you personally, stimulating and encouraging and charging you”. 1 Thess. 2:11

Like mothers, fathers, brothers and sisters, Paul and his associates shared the gospel and their lives with these fellow believers who “had become dear” to them. Vs.8.

In God’s family of faith, He provides mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers for us. The Lord gives His joy as we share our lives together in His grace and love. Our Abba Father has called us to serve one another - to give us a heart willing to accept the care of others. May we ask for help when we are in need and respond with a heart of grace to others when they ask for help.

God loves you and me; let’s love one another.

"What Do You Want?" By Debra Courtney

Photo Courtesy: havencaraliers.com

“She was quick: “You’re right Master, but beggar dogs do get scraps from the master’s table”. Matt. 15:27.” MSG

A surplus of leftovers was stacked in the fridge. So precariously, in fact, my thoughts of unpacking the milk for morning tea caused me to settle for yogurt and granola. I had no time to risk the probable avalanche, nor the energy to rearrange before my first cup of tea kicked in.

Like last year as I pushed back from a Christmas Buffet laden with ham, turkey and all the trimmings, etc… I vowed never to eat again. Yet, before the dawn’s early light had broken and with only the light of the refrigerator piercing the morning, my bleary-eyed glimpse of sliced turkey and some persimmon pudding caused me to eagerly anticipate my next meal.

Leftovers are rarely considered choice fare. But, for the Canaanite woman, seen only as a “dog” and deemed unworthy of anything more, even leftovers were desirable.

Desperation regarding her daughter’s illness seized her soul as she pushed past the self-righteous glares of the crowd and fell humbly at the feet of the Master.

Jesus sat silent. (Reading this to myself I am thinking that Jesus is saying to himself, hum; I’ll see what she “says” first before I make a comment.)   

A sense of smugness must have engulfed the disciples as Jesus’ initial reaction appeared to validate their deeply embedded beliefs of superiority. Little did they know, a few “incisive words” from Jesus would quickly extract their shallow roots.

Undaunted by Jesus’ alleged indifference, the Canaanite women voiced her unwavering hope.

Jesus gave in. “Oh woman, your faith is something else. What you want is what you get!” Right then her daughter became well. Vs 28.MSG

Jesus came to save the pharisaical community; yet most blindly looked on in self-righteous indignation. In contrast, the outcast woman believed even a single word or touch from the Master would be enough to restore her daughter’s life.

This morning, as I munch on my yogurt and granola with an abundance of food piled high in my fridge, I question if I take for granted all I have while feeling entitled to more. Do I humbly receive whatever God desires to give me, knowing that even the scraps from his hand will bring more healing to my body than the surplus of leftovers stacked in my fridge?

It is not what we receive, but the spirit with which we receive that brings the results we desire, and the surplus sounds of Thanksgiving our Master longs to hear.

This New Year, give God thanks and share from your place of abundance with those around you.

Debra’s life goal is to inspire and motivate women globally to become all they have been created and designed to be by using the guiding principles of their Creator’s word in gaining wisdom, understanding their designed-given personality identities & create their purpose!  You can contact Debra at dwcscc@yahoo.com.

Obedience produces Abundance by Lori Kennedy

“Can you fathom the mysteries of God?   
Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?”

Job 11:7 (NIV)

I love the teaching of Pastor Crawford Loritts. One Sunday he said, “Sometimes subtraction is multiplication in God’s economy.”

The mysteries of God never cease to amaze me…

I remember when I was laid off in a horrible market and our income was cut in half in one day. The company I was working for went out of business so there was no severance and I did not even get paid for my unused vacation time. Although I had known it was coming, it was still a shock when it happened. How do you really plan for that?

 

This was to be a time of faith building in our lives. I had always been in homebuilding and there were no homebuilding jobs to be found when the market crashed in 2008. The market conditions were not good to sell our home and downsize and we still had two boys in high school that I didn’t want to change their school district.

In all of this, we were determined to continue to tithe even though the math just didn’t add up. However, God is gracious and His mysteries of abundance abound. Somehow, at the end of each month, we had paid ever bill, tithed, and we never missed a meal! It was a modern day miracle of fishes and loaves because in God’s economy 1+1 had not equaled 2, but 5, or 6 or even 10!

Another way God multiplies our abundance is in our obedience to His calling on our lives and our service to His people.

I just returned from an Overcoming conference in Maine where God had connected me with a precious woman who brought me in for this conference.  I was reminded that we are called to serve, but in that service God blesses us. It’s another one of the great mysteries of God’s abundance.  When we are obedient, we are blessed. Do you know that your obedience can even lead to someone else receiving the answer to a prayer?

I would love for you to respond to this message by sharing a time when your obedience produced God’s mysterious abundance.

Christian vocalist and speaker Lori Kennedy believes in sharing the gifts and talents in which Christ has blessed her.  Authenticity, transparency, and vulnerability are imperative to touching hearts for the Lord.  As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse from those in authority over her outside of her family of origin, Lori has had to overcome much to fulfill the destiny that God created just for her!