To Each His Own

Good morning,

I don't hear that English expression much anymore, the title of this post.  In years past, I heard it often, to explain a person's choices or preferences.  I chose it for a slightly different meaning in the context of this post.

Yesterday I was telling a dear friend about the Peru trip.  She lamented the fact that she could not go. Not that she could not afford to go, but that she did not have the emotional endurance to go.  It is plain as can be that her spiritual gifts are different than mine.  The Holy Spirit has gifted her differently.  For example, while I have a small measure of the gift of hospitality, she has a heaping helping!  I love that about her.  She has the ability to make everyone feel welcome and loved.

God has equipped each of us differently so that, although we are united in our purpose to serve our Savior, we have the gifts to do that in a number of different ways.  Listen to what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12:1-12 (NET)

With regard to spiritual gifts, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans you were often led astray by speechless idols, however you were led. 3 So I want you to understand that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

4 Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are different ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are different results, but the same God who produces all of them in everyone. 7 To each person the manifestation of the ZonaSpirit is given for the benefit of all. 8 For one person is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, and another the message of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another performance of miracles, to another prophecy, and to another discernment of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 It is one and the same Spirit, distributing as he decides to each person, who produces all these things.

When preparing to go to Peru, the leader of Zona Zegura asked that I prepare teachings for the women on "the woman's leadership role in the church".  As I prayed about what to teach, the Holy Spirit led me to begin with personal holiness (although that segment ended up being taught by the other teacher, my pastor; so, I omitted that segment), then to move on to the woman's leadership role in the home, and then after proper spiritual authority had been established, the topic of spiritual gifts. I'm not going to reproduce that teaching here.

The point is this:  we must embrace the spiritual gifts the Lord has given us.  Why?  Because He gave them to us so that we can bless others, both within the Body of Christ and outside it as well.  Some gifts are given primarily for the unbelieving world (the gifts of evangelism and healing, for example) and others primarily for the building up of the Christian fellowship (the Body of Christ).  An example of that would be the gift of teaching.

The crux of this passage is in the underlined verses above.
1.  We are not the source of our spiritual gifts.  We receive them the moment we accept Jesus as Savior because it is at that moment the Holy Spirit comes to live within us.
2.  Because we are not the source of our gifts, we cannot take the credit for them nor can we accept any praise that comes from the use of our gifts.  Verse 11 clearly states that it is the Holy Spirit who produces both the gifts and the results of exercising them.
3.  It is SO important to remember that the purpose of our gifts is not only to benefit others, but also to glorify God.  Some of the gifts - - healing, for example, should always lead to a praise session and an invitation to others/observers to accept Christ, the One who performed the healing.

Finally, a common mistake we make in the Body of Christ is to glorify some gifts above others.  In fact, some use this "excuse" to not exercise their own gifts.  However, Paul goes on to say that this is a deception and a trap from the evil one.  Our gifts should bring unity, not disunity, peace not discord or dissension or envy or strife.  We'll examine those verses tomorrow.

Dear Father, I praise You for the gifts you give to Your children.  Each new day is an opportunity to use mine to advance Your kingdom, to encourage and support Your children, to bring You all the glory!  May it be done in my life today.  In Jesus' name, amen.

For Gloria

Good morning,

I met a delightful lady while in Peru.  Her name is Gloria, and her son, Cesar, is the leader of Zona Zegura, in Cusco.  She requested that I post the lyrics to one of the songs I sang in Peru, the one I sang at Zona Zegura's leadership retreat in Pisaq.

The English song lyrics were written by my friend, Alison Everill. The Spanish translation was done by my friend, Danny Smith.  I'm also indebted to Gladys Galindez, my friend and sister in Christ, who helped me rehearse.  Otherwise, what I sang would have likely sounded like gibberish.  Our generous and kind worship leader at FBC Canton recorded the accompaniment tracks, which (although my playing is nowhere nearly as good as Alison's) allowed me to sing unhindered.  Thank you, Aaron!!

Amazed

Asombrado/a

Verse 1:

There was a time I stood outside the holy place

Una vez estaba fuera del lugar sagrado

Wretched and blind, desperately reaching out for grace

Miserable y ciego/a, desesperadamente tratando de alcanzar la misericordia

I could not come before the most high and holy Lord

No pude venir delante del Señor altísmimo y santísimo

There was never any hope

Sin ninguna esperanza

There at the mercy seat, You met my deepest need

Allá en el propiciatorio, Tú me diste para mi necesidad más profunda

The pure and perfect One

El Puro y El Perfecto

Tore the veil so I could come

Rompió el velo para que pudiera entrar

Chorus:

Sometimes I dance

A veces bailo

Sometimes I bow

A veces me humillo

Sometimes I run into Your presence

A veces corro hacia Tu presencia

And I don't know how

Y no sé cómo

You love me still

Tú puedes amarme todavía

Knowing my shame

Cuando sabes mi pecado

I come to offer up this meager life You died to save

Vengo para ofrecerte esta vida miserable que Tú moriste para salvar

Oh, but most of all

Pero, más que todo

I come amazed

Vengo asombrado/a

Verse 2: 

And when I think of all the times You've drawn me near

Y cuando pienso en cuando Tú te has acercado a mí

There at your feet I've shared my hopes my dreams, my fears

A Tus pies, he compartido contigo mis esperanzas, mis sueños, mi temores

And, Oh, where do I begin, my dear and precious friend

Y, ¿cómo puedo empezar?, mi querido y precioso amigo

There is comfort in Your arms

Hay consolación en Tus brazos

And there in Your embrace, beholding Your lovely face

Y abrazándote, mirando Tu cara preciosa

My heart has found a home

Mi corazón ha encontrado su hogar

I will worship You alone

A Ti Solo Te alabaré.

Bridge:

I'm amazed

Asombrado/a

By Your mercy

Por Tu misericordia

I'm amazed

Asombrado/a

By Your love

Por Tu amor

all rights reserved, copyright 2009
Alison Everill, copyright owner, writer, composer
https://alisoneverill.wordpress.com/

You can also hear Alison sing this song at the YouTube link below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8ofgtPMBNo

Father, thank you for Gloria and for other new friends from Peru.  Thank you for my very gifted, anointed friend, Alison, who graciously allowed me to have translated and to perform her song in Pisaq, to share Your amazing love with the Zona Zegura believers.  Please continue to bless her ministry and use all of us only for Your honor and glory!  Soli Deo Gloria!  In Jesus' name, amen.

Peru, In Retrospect

Good morning,

Before beginning this post-Peru post, I re-read my last one.  The Scripture the Holy Spirit laid on my heart that day was one that was needed more than I even knew at that time.  We went to Peru with our agenda laid out, as best we could.  But, God had His own agenda.

As we were preparing to go, I was puzzled by the make-up of the team.  There were five fine and godly men...and then this one, solitary woman: me.  We prayed for others to go, especially for other women to go.  It was not to be.  When we got to Peru and began to minister to the people there, it became clear why those who went were truly chosen.  God did a mighty work there through our team, and I give Him all the glory for that.  There were times we laughed and rejoiced.  There were times our hearts were so broken that we sat, speechless.  There were times that drove us to our knees in prayer over the darkness that confronted us.

That battle is still being fought, though these soldiers had to leave the battlefield.  The chief weapon of this team will be prayer, until we can be present with our Peruvian brothers and sisters in person once again.  The spiritual darkness in Peru is great, and the laborers are few in number.  I now have a clearer understanding of the magnitude of the need there and of the scarcity of resources.  The disparity is appalling.  It is in these situations, when you realize that only God can save.  Only the power of God can bring the light which dispels spiritual darkness.

There were also times of outpouring of God's blessing, times of victory, encouragement, uplifting of hearts and hands.  I believe that God allowed us to experience the former in order to endure and to battle what lay ahead.  He did a mighty work in Peru these past few days, and to Him belongs all the glory.

These are the Scriptures that are in my heart as I look back and look ahead.

No weapon that is formed against you will prosper, and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn.  This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their vindication is from me, says the LORD.

Isaiah 54:17  NASB

2And He was saying to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. 3“Go; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. 4“Carry no money belt, no bag, no shoes; and greet no one on the way. 5“Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’ 6“If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. 7“Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they give you; for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not keep moving from house to house. 8“Whatever city you enter and they receive you, eat what is set before you; 9and heal those in it who are sick, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 

Luke 10:2-9

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6 NASB

God willing, I long to return to Peru next year, to teach and minister in whatever way God calls me back.

Cesar, Gabi, Fio, Vale, Matteo, Rollans, Friene, Deisy, David, Marilia and Luis - - - - you will all be in my prayers, until we meet again.

Father, thank you for the privilege of spreading the Gospel here at home and to the "ends of the earth". Please bless the work of Zona Zegura and Village of the Children and keep my friends in your tender care. Guide them, direct them, empower them in their efforts to reach Cachora, Cusco and ll of Peru for Jesus Christ.  In Jesus' name, amen.

Go Ye

Good morning,

Tomorrow, I leave for Peru, on a 8-day mission trip, to teach, sing and otherwise minister in various ways to new churches in Cusco, the orphans at Village of the Children in Cachora and the unsaved in various places.  There are 6 people on our team.  We would greatly appreciate your prayer support as we go.

Please pray specifically for :

• souls to be saved from sin's devastation, which leads to an eternity in Hell
• Christians to be discipled, equipped and encouraged
• team members to be filled with the Holy Spirit and not be distracted by less-important things
• traveling mercies
• protection from the attacks of our enemy, the evil one
• that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, will receive all the honor and glory and blessing, because only HE is worthy

I am so grateful for my loving husband, who will be keeping things grounded at home and who supports me to do the work I have been called to do.

Because of so many unknown factors, I will not be consistently blogging for several days, as I do not know what the availability of internet services will be.  If I can, I'll post; if I can't, I won't.  I'm going to try to be as responsive to the Holy Spirit about how He wants me to spend my time while in the field.

Thank you for visiting my blog and reading the devotional posts here.  I look forward to reuniting with you in a few days.

May the Lord bless you and keep you!

Ephesians 6:10-18  J.B. Phillips New Testament

In conclusion be strong—not in yourselves but in the Lord, in the power of his boundless resource. Put on God’s complete armour so that you can successfully resist all the devil’s methods of attack. For our fight is not against any physical enemy: it is against organisations and powers that are spiritual. We are up against the unseen power that controls this dark world, and spiritual agents from the very headquarters of evil. Therefore you must wear the whole armour of God that you may be able to resist evil in its day of power, and that even when you have fought to a standstill you may still stand your ground. Take your stand then with truth as your belt, righteousness your breastplate, the Gospel of peace firmly on your feet, salvation as your helmet and in your hand the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God. Above all be sure you take faith as your shield, for it can quench every burning missile the enemy hurls at you. Pray at all times with every kind of spiritual prayer, keeping alert and persistent as you pray for all Christ’s men and women.

Father, there is none like You.  Following in the footsteps of your Son, serving You, is such a privilege, whether it be in my own home, or town...or whether it be in a remote corner of the world. There is no greater calling.  Thank you, not only for loving me, forever and ever, but for loving this empty, pale and poor world so much that You gave us Your Son.  There is no greater love than this. In Jesus' name, amen.

War Room

Good morning,

Last week, right in the middle of the play performances, I needed a break, lol!  The movie, "War Room", was in its opening weekend.  Because I had heard that it was a great movie with a Christian message, I asked Hubster to take me to see it Saturday night.  If it was "that good", I wanted to give my money on opening weekend.

I was not disappointed --- great movie.  If you have not seen it, and you are a Christian, go. (Even if you are not a believer, you will find it provocative.)

Why blog about this?

Yesterday, I mentioned that I'm preparing for a mission trip to Peru.  I've been asked to teach Bible to a group of Peruvian ladies in Cusco.  One of the topics I've been asked to teach on is how the women can lead in their churches.

The religious culture of Peru is highly Roman Catholic.  There are a few charismatic Christian churches there as well.  The group we will be working with is called Zona Zegura.  It seeks to make Christian converts and start home churches, of which, last I heard, they had about 12 active, vibrant home-churches established.

This is, of course, a very different model from what we have here in the States, for the most part. There are no huge Sunday School programs to oversee, no children's choirs, etc.

The movie, "War Room", dealt with relationships, specifically relational troubles between human and God, and between husband and wife.  Some of you may find this strange, but before women can minister effectively in the church, regardless of that church's design, first their relationships with God, and then with their husbands (and children) must be right.
That's where we will begin.

We have a mutt dog, named Charlie. He loves to go to the park, which is allowed by city law, as long as he stays on a leash.  However, my idea of walking in the park and his idea of the same are totally different.  Charlie's path is not linear.  It is zig-zaggy, wherever his nose leads him.  He smells everything, licks most things, pees on a few things to mark his territory and, yes, usually wants to make a big...."deposit" (which I, as a dutiful citizen, then clean up).

Let's consider Romans 8:14 (NIV).

For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

We who are Christ-followers must allow the Holy Spirit of God to lead us.  We do not lead the Holy Spirit as Charlie wants to do at the park.

The Greek word for "are led" in Romans 8:14 is ἄγονται, , or "agontai".
The meaning or word picture is of an animal being led on a rope or bridle .... or leash.  We get an English word from this Greek word, and it is "agony".  Are you surprised?  Probably not.  Even for the transformed, redeemed soul, the human will does not want to be led.  It is an agonizing struggle. Yet, it is one we must face.

Before we can lead anyone else, we must allow ourselves to be led by God's Spirit.
Ok, so HOW do we do that?
The beautiful message of "War Room" showed us the way.  It's not "magic"; but, well, it IS supernatural.

We are led by the Holy Spirit when we can hear His voice and follow.  And, how do we hear it?  By immersing ourselves in prayer and in the Word of God daily.  (You knew that was coming, didn't you? Oh, I feel the tension in the rope.  The digging in of the heels has begun!  Beloved, I feel your agony because I resisted for over 50 years.)  This is where the battle begins, where leadership begins. If this is not right, none of the rest will be right.  This holy relationship is the foundation for all Christian leadership.  To lead well, we must first follow.

"Lord, I want to learn how to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. I know that You sent Him to be a Leader and a Guide for my life, so today I open my heart to Him. I ask You to help me learn to recognize the Holy Spirit’s voice and to know what He is leading me to do. With all my heart, I request that You help me become sensitive to Him so that He can lead me in all the paths You have designed for my life".1  In Jesus' name, amen.

Source:
1 http://www.renner.org/holy-spirit/learning-to-follow-the-leader/
2 http://biblehub.com/text/romans/8-14.htm

Move over!

Good morning,

Often people remark on my use of words in my speech.  Some of my former teachers have said that their vocabularies got expanded when they worked for me.  That was not my intention.  Another time, I was praying out loud in a group where people were praying out loud about a specific situation. I did not pray a long prayer, but directly afterwards a man prayed making reference to not praying with high, lofty language.  That hurt my feelings, actually.  It was not my intention then to be pretentious or snooty.  It is just that I absolutely love the English language, and words fascinate me.  I love to learn new words and use new words.  When I do so, it is in no way meant to connote a "better than thou" attitude.

In a little over a month I am going to Peru.  In talking about the trip with another who is going, he talked about the difficulty of working through an interpreter, something I will have to do and have never done.  What he was trying to say in a kindly way, without coming out and saying it, was "Gena, you are going to have to pare down your words."  He is exactly right.

The apostle Paul begins chapter 2 as an extension of the end of chapter 1, where he ended by talking about doing everything we do for God's glory, not for our own.  In that context, we find 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 (NKJV).  

And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.

Because Paul was a very educated man, he could have come to Corinth and beguiled the people with flowery speech and clever arguments.  (There are places in Scripture where he DID do this, because it was appropriate for the occasion.  One that comes to mind is when he persuaded the Greeks about "the unknown god" at the Areopagus in Acts 17:16-34.)  The point is that Paul, while in Corinth, submitted his own natural inclinations, which flowed from his God-given gifts, to make sure that he did not get in the way of the gospel message.  In retrospect, I should have done the same that day when I was praying in public with people who did not know me; and, I should do that when I go to teach in Peru next month.

Secondly, Paul did not depend on his own strength or knowledge to get the gospel message out with integrity and purity.  He knew that only the Holy Spirit could do that.  He was determined to "get out of the way" and let the Holy Spirit flow in, through, and out of him, so that his words would be a demonstration not of his power, but of the power of the Spirit.  His earnest desire was that the people's faith would be rooted in and strengthened by the power of God.  Yesterday, we talked about humility; this is a prime example, right here.

Paul's aim was to focus on the cross of Jesus Christ, His crucifixion, burial and resurrection.  This is the heart of the gospel.  Paul wanted to make sure that the Corinthians heard it loud and clear. After all, Paul's desire was to produce Christians, not "Paulians".  Warren Wiersbe, in his New Testament commentary, tells the story of a church that had a beautiful stained glass window, depicting Jesus on the cross, right behind the pulpit.  One Sunday, a guest minister came to preach; this man was very short in stature.  A little girl asked her mommy during the service, "Mommy, where is the man who usually stands there so we can't see Jesus?"

Boom! Move over! All of us need to make sure that we don't stand in the way of others seeing Jesus, don't we? The modern church in America is currently in love with gimmickry. We must do this or do that so that people will come to church.  Well....no.  We would be much more effective for the kingdom of God if we instead fell down on our faces in prayer, begging God to do His perfect work, and then resolved to get ourselves out of the way so that Holy Spirit can do the work He wants to do in the first place.

Lord, we call you that, but we often make ourselves "lord".  Basically, we need to "get over ourselves".  Please give us discernment.  Help us to recognize when we are in the way of Your Spirit and the work He wants to do, in any given situation.  We are so blinded, most of the time!  At least, I know I am.  Please help us, Lord.  Use us, in spite of ourselves, for Your glory.  In Jesus' name, amen.

Source:

Wiersbe, Warren W. The Wiersbe Bible Commentary. 2nd ed. Colorado Springs: David C Cook, 2007. 458. Print.