This year our speaker talked about "blindness" how we can be blind to the things that God wants us to get rid of. Our idols etc. He used Mark Chapter 10: 13-52. I think I will have more posts from this talk but, part of this talk took me back to something I was thinking about in February, a place God took me to, one day in our discussion groups me talked about this questions:
What has failure taught you? Tell us about times when things have not gone as you had hoped and what you learned as a result.
This took me back to support raising on our furlough a year ago - we spent 6 months back in the states building up our support. I went into the furlough with this grand plan, thought, hope, prayer; that we would have all our support by November of 2012.
By Thanksgiving to be specific; that lovely American Holiday where we express our thankfulness.
That date, by the way, came and went, but out of that I wrote the following on February 17, 2013. I knew I had written about this and have been meaning to post it to this blog for some time, but I've been BUSY. (insert chuckle you see why I'm chuckling when you read the post below.)
I do want to add that we are currently 100% supported on our lower budget. We don't have a car yet, but that will come in God's time as I have learned and relearn it is His Will, Way and Time. I'm just along to enjoy the journey.
Our time between going to South Africa and getting to Moldova the first time was a walk of obedience. Everything we learned during that time pointed to being obedient. Up until now it has been about contentment. I'm not sure what the next lesson is yet, or if I'm still working on the contentment one, but anyway - I'm blathering here is the post:
Martha and Jesus Concerning the Dead Things in Life....February 17, 2013:
Contentment and trusting in the sovereignty of God is something
I've decided I need to finally learn or God will continue to try to
teach me about Contentment.
I've decided I need to finally learn or God will continue to try to
teach me about Contentment.
I get it! Be content!
Raising support always puts me in a place that requires me
to fully trust in God's provision.
to fully trust in God's provision.
Paul wrote about it:
God's Provision Phil. 4: 10 - 20
10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length
you have revived your concern for me. You were
indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.
11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have
learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how
you have revived your concern for me. You were
indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity.
11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have
learned in whatever situation I am to be content.
12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how
to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have
learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger,
abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through
him who strengthens me. 14 Yet it was kind of you to
share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves
know that in the beginning of the gospel,when I left
Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with
learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger,
abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through
him who strengthens me. 14 Yet it was kind of you to
share my trouble. 15 And you Philippians yourselves
know that in the beginning of the gospel,when I left
Macedonia, no church entered into partnership with
me in giving and receiving, except you only. 16 Even in
Thessalonica you sent me help for my needs once
and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit
that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full
payment, and more. I am well supplied, having
received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent,
and again. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit
that increases to your credit. 18 I have received full
payment, and more. I am well supplied, having
received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent,
a fragrant offering, a sacrifice acceptable and
pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every
need of yours according to his riches in glory in
Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be
pleasing to God. 19 And my God will supply every
need of yours according to his riches in glory in
Christ Jesus. 20 To our God and Father be
glory forever and ever. Amen.
Here is such a picture of a missionary trusting on the giving of others to do
his ministry as he also depends on God to supply his every need. It is often
scripture like this that gives me confidence that raising support is Biblical.
his ministry as he also depends on God to supply his every need. It is often
scripture like this that gives me confidence that raising support is Biblical.
I really hate support raising, but writing about it, asking and giving
people the opportunity to support us is good and right. It makes us
all part of the great commission and going into the world. Because
through giving to us, people who stay "here" are making it possible for
people the opportunity to support us is good and right. It makes us
all part of the great commission and going into the world. Because
through giving to us, people who stay "here" are making it possible for
us to be their hands and feet on the ground in Moldova. But all that said -
I also need to be content in any and every circumstance. Not being
worried or fretting about this or that because God will take care of my
needs. Not my wants - my needs. Like Paul says it - not that I seek the
"gift," but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. Giving to him was
I also need to be content in any and every circumstance. Not being
worried or fretting about this or that because God will take care of my
needs. Not my wants - my needs. Like Paul says it - not that I seek the
"gift," but I seek the fruit that increases to your credit. Giving to him was
part of their fruit that blessed them in the giving of it. God blesses us when
we are faithful to give - not in a (as my pastor would put it) "sugar daddy"
way, but in ways that might be unexpected.
we are faithful to give - not in a (as my pastor would put it) "sugar daddy"
way, but in ways that might be unexpected.
What does Martha and Death have to do with all this?
In my low down times during these past six months of support raising I
get into these panic modes. Because…well, in short, God isn't doing
it my way! Yeah, I know how could He? I think this is because he is
trying to get me and us to understand contentment.
get into these panic modes. Because…well, in short, God isn't doing
it my way! Yeah, I know how could He? I think this is because he is
trying to get me and us to understand contentment.
Contentment is:
'acknowledgement and satisfaction of reaching capacity.' The level of
capacity reached may be sought after, expected, desired, or simply
predetermined as the level in which provides contentment.
capacity reached may be sought after, expected, desired, or simply
predetermined as the level in which provides contentment.
During one of these low times - I had been starving myself of the word.
I will admit I did this intentionally because I was getting into this mindset
that if I didn't read x-number of pages of the Bible each day, I was
somehow not a "good" Christian.
I will admit I did this intentionally because I was getting into this mindset
that if I didn't read x-number of pages of the Bible each day, I was
somehow not a "good" Christian.
I don't advise anyone to try this unless they reach this place. I did a test of
sorts on myself. How dry could I get without the word, how would I focus on
God without the word. How would God speak to me if I wasn't in the word.
Yeah, I know kind of dumb - but at the same time it really showed me something.
Because as you know there are people out there that have one page of the Bible,
or have none of the Bible and have only memorized parts of it and they live most
of their lives without the word of God as part of their daily routine. So I knew in
theory it had to be possible.
sorts on myself. How dry could I get without the word, how would I focus on
God without the word. How would God speak to me if I wasn't in the word.
Yeah, I know kind of dumb - but at the same time it really showed me something.
Because as you know there are people out there that have one page of the Bible,
or have none of the Bible and have only memorized parts of it and they live most
of their lives without the word of God as part of their daily routine. So I knew in
theory it had to be possible.
Though I will say - we are very distracted in this modern world. There are so
many ways to forget to seek out God and God's word because we are so
busy by other "STUFF" and not really important stuff. I don't know how many
times I might hear that someone is BUSY but then their (or I am) on Facebook
half the night. SO at least I know that I'm not the only one with this idea of being
BUSY when really I am just occupying my time by being BUSY but if
many ways to forget to seek out God and God's word because we are so
busy by other "STUFF" and not really important stuff. I don't know how many
times I might hear that someone is BUSY but then their (or I am) on Facebook
half the night. SO at least I know that I'm not the only one with this idea of being
BUSY when really I am just occupying my time by being BUSY but if
I would take away that "STUFF" I wouldn't really be BUSY at all.
So here I was starving - myself of the word - but I had all these talks with God.
Or I should say, to God about what my timeline is or was. How I saw things
playing out. If things were not going my way - I would think of all the other possible
ways it could go. In effect making my mind busy. I did pray a lot. I also prayed -
"good" prayers and sought God to direct me, but so much of time, the greatest
hindrance we can have to living mission minded is being ourselves and putting
ourselves first.
Or I should say, to God about what my timeline is or was. How I saw things
playing out. If things were not going my way - I would think of all the other possible
ways it could go. In effect making my mind busy. I did pray a lot. I also prayed -
"good" prayers and sought God to direct me, but so much of time, the greatest
hindrance we can have to living mission minded is being ourselves and putting
ourselves first.
One day - in prayer God said - "My Word, Sharon." Okay he didn't say it quite like
that but it was close. In my heart I knew that what I needed was to stop starving.
So since I was laying in my bed I looked for a Bible and found one. I turned to the
date that day - since it was a daily devotional and read about Jesus hearing that
Lazarus was sick and him waiting. He didn't rush to do what Mary and Martha
wanted him to do. He didn't do it their way. He did it His way. He finished up
what he was doing and then when he knew Lazarus was good and dead he
headed their way.
that but it was close. In my heart I knew that what I needed was to stop starving.
So since I was laying in my bed I looked for a Bible and found one. I turned to the
date that day - since it was a daily devotional and read about Jesus hearing that
Lazarus was sick and him waiting. He didn't rush to do what Mary and Martha
wanted him to do. He didn't do it their way. He did it His way. He finished up
what he was doing and then when he knew Lazarus was good and dead he
headed their way.
He was 4 days dead by the time he gets there.
4 days in the ground.
He was truly dead.
4 days in the ground.
He was truly dead.
Martha runs out to him and says: "Lord if you had been here, my brother would
not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will
give you."
not have died. But even now I know that whatever you ask from God, God will
give you."
Jesus proceeds to tell her that Lazarus will rise.
Martha says - Yeah, sure on the last day he will rise.
Here I imagine Jesus looking into Martha's eyes as he says, "I am the resurrection
and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone
who lives and believes in me shall never die.
and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone
who lives and believes in me shall never die.
Do you believe this?
I love this question - do you believe this? In other words - Where is your faith Martha
dear? Martha says -" Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God who
is coming into the world."
dear? Martha says -" Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God who
is coming into the world."
Here is the text:
I Am the Resurrection and the Life John 11: 17-27
17 Now when Jesus came, he found that Lazarus had already
been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem,
about two miles off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to
Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother.
20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went
and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house.
21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my
brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that
been in the tomb four days. 18 Bethany was near Jerusalem,
about two miles off, 19 and many of the Jews had come to
Martha and Mary to console them concerning their brother.
20 So when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went
and met him, but Mary remained seated in the house.
21 Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my
brother would not have died. 22 But even now I know that
whatever you ask from God, God will give you.” 23 Jesus
said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to
him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the
last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and
the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he
live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never
die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord;
I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is
coming into the world.”
said to her, “Your brother will rise again.” 24 Martha said to
him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection on the
last day.” 25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and
the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he
live, 26 and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never
die. Do you believe this?” 27 She said to him, “Yes, Lord;
I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is
coming into the world.”
So I read this and I lay back down and ask,
"Okay, but what does this have to do with our support?
"Okay, but what does this have to do with our support?
Where is it God, it doesn't seem to be coming on my time table."
God quietly asks, looking into my eyes -
(okay I'm still laying in my bed but work with me here.)
(okay I'm still laying in my bed but work with me here.)
Do you believe this?
Am I the resurrection and the Life?
Do you believe that whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live?
That because you believe in me you will never die?
Do you believe in me?
Are you content to live in me and let me take care of the details?
Are you willing to follow me?
Not follow the world?
Or trust in the world?
Or the way the world sees your life?
Or the things around you?
Are you willing to be content to let me be in control?
Not follow the world?
Or trust in the world?
Or the way the world sees your life?
Or the things around you?
Are you willing to be content to let me be in control?
YES, gosh it is hard, but yes.
I will learn to be content.
I will learn to let you lead,
I will learn to follow you and to feed the sheep you give me.
To be the aroma that is pleasing to you, not to the world.
I will be who you have created me to be.
Yes, Lord I believe that you are the Christ,
The Son of God who is coming into the world!"
The Son of God who is coming into the world!"
The dead things in life are not my concern -
I am concerned about life and the living.
I am concerned about life and the living.
