Bless this day, Lord

Today is the first day of school for my oldest three children. My husband took our youngest son to first grade and I took the older two boys to high school and middle school. Afterwards, we called each other to report how our drop-offs had gone. Long before the boys entered the doors of their schools, I was praying for God to bless their first day. So far, so good.

No matter what day it is, I begin each day with prayer. I have specific verses that I claim for my husband, and I ask God to bless him with wisdom and discernment for the decisions he will make that day. For my children, I pray for blessings and for safety, for obedient hearts, for wisdom, and for them to glorify God by their actions. I pray for the concerns of my own heart, for the concerns that I know weigh heavy on the hearts of those dear to me, and for specific things that my friends share with me--job interviews, surgeries, etc. I think that it is important to dedicate each day to God and to center my focus on Him. I think that prayer is the most important aspect of my ministry to my family: Interceding on their behalf.

As we continue our 30 days of prayer for Muslims (to see my beginning post on this topic, go here), pray today for Muslim understanding of Jesus' divinity. Jesus is more than a prophet; He is the Son of God. Muslims object to this title, as they believe it refers to God having sexual relations with Mary. Pray that Muslims have a biblical understanding of this title. Also, be in prayer for the Guhayna people, a Muslim people group that are currently not being reached with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Blessings and peace,

Jennifer

Be Holy

The Lord God says in Leviticus 19:2: "Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy." We are to be set apart from the world as believers in Jesus Christ. This is important in ministering to people outside of the Christian faith, because many perceive Christianity as part of the Western culture exemplified so often in music, movies, and television. For many Muslims, their perception of Christianity is confused with Hollywood's depraved depiction of materialism, idolatry, and carnality.



Today's prayer focus: Pray that Muslims will be able to meet sincere practising believers and discern how they are different from cultural Christians.



Today's scriptures: Leviticus 19:2, Matthew 5:48, and Romans 12:2.



Go here to see my previous post on the 30 Days Ministry.



May God's richest blessings be upon you,



Jennifer

30 Days of Prayer for Muslims

Today begins Ramadan. My friend, Cheryl Karanja, a missionary to Kenya, Africa, sent me a prayer booklet sponsored by the ministry 30 Days. This ministry attempts to share the gospel with Muslims throughout the world. Cheryl sent me the booklet in order that I might begin 30 days of prayer and fasting for Muslim people.

I would encourage you to visit www.30-days.net, and sign up for e-mail prayer updates. In this way, we can join together in prayer. Today's focus: Our attitudes. Do we sincerely love Muslims? We cannot reach people if we do not love them. Join with me in asking the Lord to reveal to us our unrighteous attitudes, if they exist.

Pray and meditate on: Matthew 19:26, Jeremiah 32:27, and Romans 12:1-2. Also, please pray for Cheryl Karanja as she ministers in Kenya. She is recovering from a very painful sunfly bite (sunfly bites are debilitating). She cares for orphans, so she can use all of the prayers and support that we can send her way!

May God's richest blessings flow over you today,

Jennifer

Accountability

Did you see that bad word up there? Yes, that's right, accountability. That word is anathema to so many in the Christian world. I have heard often from people that they are accountable to noone but God. While it is true that we are all accountable to God, we are also called to hold one another accountable (Gal. 6:1).

There is a difference between being the morality police in the church or in the community and lovingly restoring someone when they are involved in sinful action. Ultimately, accountability should be protective. If I know that a friend of mine is stealing from work, I should pray and then discuss this with her. Stealing is an offense before God, and also an offense to an employer. It would be wrong to allow someone to do something that jeopardizes her relationship with the Lord, her position at work, and her witness. The ramifications when one person is willfully disobedient to God are often long-lasting, like ripples in a pond.

About a year and a half ago, a friend of mine confronted me about something I had said to a mutual friend. I had shared information that I should not have; in short, I gossiped. I was terribly embarrassed and ashamed of my actions. I had to apologize for what I had said, and knew that it was important to make amends, as well. I vowed to spend time in prayer and to make myself accountable to others who would keep me honest about my speech and language. I have been involved in a prayer and accountability group with two trustworthy friends for some time now. I can honestly say that my speech has been far more God-honoring than it was. That does not mean that I do not face temptation, or that I never sin with my mouth. I have to watch carefully the positions that I put myself in, and be thoughtful about what I say. I begin each day with prayer, that God will "keep my tongue from evil and my lips from deceitful speech" (1 Peter 3:10).

Through the accountability group, the ladies and I now have a deeper, more meaningful friendship. We pray for one another honestly and are cautious about one another's temptations. I honor the trust that my friends have placed in me by not sharing things that are mentioned in our time together to others. Had I known how much I would gain from an accountability group--deeper friendship, spiritual maturity, prayer--I am sure that I would have joined one sooner.

If you are not involved in an accountability group, then consider joining one. It doesn't need to be formal or very big. No more than three people is ideal. Commit to bearing one another's burdens in a healthy, Christ-honoring way. You'll be better for it!

Blessings and peace to you,

Jennifer

Last week, I went to one of our local dollar stores to pick up a few things that I needed. I had all four kids with me, and didn't want to go to one of the large discount stores, because I always wind up spending way more than I should when they're with me. I needed some dishwasher detergent, and was pleased to find that they carried a liquid detergent that was a fraction of the cost of my regular brand. Much to my chagrin, I find that this brand doesn't work as well as my regular brand. I have had to re-wash my dishes a few times now, which defeats the point of spending less on detergent--not to mention the additional water that I've had to use.

Sometimes, things cost more because they are worth more. I am reminded of the movie The Apostle starring Robert Duvall. In this movie, Mr. Duvall plays a wayward Christian, the Apostle E.F. My favorite line in the movie is when E.F. says that "grace is free, but it ain't cheap." To me, this is so true and profound. God's grace--though free--is not cheap. We may attempt to substitute God's gift of grace with other things that seem less costly, but in the end are a poor substitute. No other thing on this earth will fill our hungry souls the way that Christ does. All other things are cheap substitutes that don't last.

"Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." Ephesians 5:18

Blessings and peace,

Jennifer

Consider the Lilies...

I am a recovering worrier. When I became a mother almost fourteen years ago, I was stunned to find that with the tremendous love that I felt for my newborn son came a crushing sense of worry and fear for his safety. By the time that I was pregnant with our second son less than two years later, I was a full-blown mess. I was staying at home full-time and had become an insomniac. I would lie away at night, thinking of all of the things that could happen to my husband, my son, or to me. Looking back, it seems so absurd to allow fear to control me. My sweet husband bought me a book called When Mothers Pray that was a tremendous help to me. That book began a journey for me--a journey back to the heart of God.

At some point during this time, someone pointed out to me that in Matthew 6:25, Jesus says,"Do not worry." Since Jesus is God, then when He says not to do something, that means it is a command! It was as though a weight lifted from me. Of course, through the years, there has been a temptation to fall back into my old worrying habits. The book When Mothers Pray taught me some exercises to release my worries to God through prayer, which I still use when I am tempted to worry.

We have a painting above our bed that says, "Consider the lilies." This is a portion of Jesus' words in Matthew 6:25-34. It reminds me to place my trust in Jesus, because He loves me far more than the lilies of the field, and yet He cares for them. I wanted to put this sentiment above me while I lie in bed at night, when the temptation to worry is at its peak.

God bless you, Dear Friend, in whatever situation you find yourself in. May God keep you in His perfect peace, free from the worries that plague us,

Jennifer

Woman of Valor!

I am leading the Bible study Esther by Beth Moore on Monday nights. This past Monday, during the video session, Beth points out that in Proverbs 31:10, the Hebrew word translated as "noble" in the NIV translation of the Bible is the same word used in Judges 6:12 that is translated as "valor". It means "to be brave". In other words, we may describe the wife of noble character in Proverbs as a brave wife--a woman of courage. I like that, don't you? This confirms to me that we should pursue courage and strength.

Women may be the "weaker partner" (1 Peter 3:7), but that does not mean weakest. Being weaker than something that is very strong does not mean that we have no strength. Additionally, God uses the weak--He declares that "my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9). I think that the world may confuse gentility with wimpiness. I also think that women forget that being brave doesn't mean that you have no fear--it means that you press on despite of your fear.

I was encouraged to know that being a woman of virtue is more than being good--it means being a woman of valor!

Blessings and peace,

Jennifer