God's Plan - Proverbs

Last night, our group studied selected verses from Proverbs. We’ve done this twice before and each time we have learned more about ourselves, each other, and at the same time, deepened our understanding of God’s Plan for our lives.

Life is not easy--we all know that. God never promised that life as a Believer would be easy but He did give us a game plan for running this race, a plan which helps us ignore the pebbles in our shoe and navigate our way around the boulders in our path.

So what is this plan to handle life’s problems and to deal with difficult people and circumstances? The plan is in Proverbs. In this book of the Bible there are over 50 different categories of subjects: personal relationships, marriage, business, emotions, and pearls of God's treasures of knowledge and wisdom. In Proverbs there are all sorts of people, people like us and like those we interact with daily: the wise, the sluggard, the fool, the strange woman, the proud, the wasteful; all of us are there.

To get started on God’s Plan, grab your Bible, find a quiet nook, settle in a comfy chair and read Proverbs 3:5-6 as these verses instruct us on how to let God take the lead in our lives and follow His plan.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6, (NIV)

MISSING IN ACTION

It's been a few weeks since I've blogged. Why? I have been pondering that question. I think I have let life get in the way of living. Now that sounds silly doesn't it? We go to work, run errands, see friends, go to church, dispatch house chores, pray, hang with friends, sleep, watch TV, Google, and participate in a small group. How does life get in the way? --that is life. Nope there's an element missing that makes all the other things doable, more enjoyable, relieves stress and gives you a peace that surpasses all understanding. Got it? Yep, quiet time with God. If you want to know someone better what do you do? You spend time with them, talk to them and listen, patiently listen. Our quiet time should not be a daily appointment with God but a visit with our closest friend. Good relationships need time together. My quiet time affords me a greater understanding of God's word, heals me spiritually and emotionally. This time alone with God prepares me for daily life - its struggles, its joys and its simple pleasures. It helps me write this blog, love my cranky neighbor, and appreciate my many blessings.

OK you're thinking if quiet time with God is so great why haven't I been doing it? Ah, that is the $64,000 question (Google it) or in today's economy the $500,000 question.

Since our return from Haiti, I've been out of sorts -- going through the motions of my life a little like a bit actor in a walk-on role. Yes, it's true I did come back ill, injured and exhausted and my time there was disconcerting and troubling. But it was more than that. I was upset with God. So rather than go to Him and talk it out, I gave Him the silent treatment. Oh that works. However, God being God patiently waited. He knew I would come to my senses. I did and God rewarded me tremendously.

So if your life is getting in your way of spending quiet time with God…borrowing a phrase from Nike and following the example of Jesus....

Just do it!

"Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, 'Sit here while I go over there and pray'" (Matthew 26:36).

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed (Mark 1:35).

S.H.A.P.E. - Every Believer has a purpose and a calling.

For we are all God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).


Last evening our lesson was centered around Pastor Rick Warren's easy-to-remember acrostic called S.H.A.P.E. to help people discover the God-ordained work for each person to do.
Spiritual gifts
Heart
Abilities
Personality
Experience


This lesson was to identify our Spiritual gifts -- Just what are Spiritual Gifts? Spiritual gifts are those special abilities that God gives, according to His grace, to Believers to be used for building up the body of Christ.

This first lesson helped us identify our Spiritual Gifts. Afterwards, we were given cards with our gift and the passage of scripture relating to that gift. Our next lessons will explore our Heart, Abilities Personalities and Experience. All meant to guide and direct us to our place in ministry.

PROPHECY
The ability to publicly or personally communicate God’s word regarding a specific situation with challenge, comfort, and conviction so as to point people toward Jesus Christ and His will. 1 Corinthians 14:3

EVANGELISM
The ability to communicate the good news about Jesus Christ easily and naturally to unbelievers so that they often respond with faith. Acts 8: 26:40

MISSIONS
The ability and flexibility to bring Jesus to a culture or people other than your own. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 & Acts 13: 2-3

APOSTLE
The ability of plant new churches and oversee their development. Romans 15:20

TEACHING
The ability to teach the Bible or train others in a way that causes them to learn and implement life-change. Ephesians 4:12-13

ENCOURAGEMENT
(Exhortation)
The ability to care for others in a way that builds their courage and motivates them to follow Jesus; the ability to bring out the best in others. Acts 14:22

WISDOM
The ability to understand God’s perspective on life situations and share these insights in a simple, understandable way. 1 Corinthians 2:1, 6-16

DISCERNMENT
The ability to know whether one is following the Spirit of God or the spirit of error in a given situation. 1 Corinthians 2: 14

SERVICE
The ability of give practical assistance in a way that makes people feel care for and loved; the ability to see opportunities to service without being asked. Acts 6: 1-7

MERCY
The ability to show practical compassion toward suffering persons; the ability to sense people’s thoughts and emotions in order to care for them. Romans 12: 8

HOSPITALITY
The ability to make strangers feel welcomed and comfortable. 1 Peter 4: 9-10

PASTORING
The ability to walk with others through life in a caring way that helps them grow in faith; the ability to care for people’s spiritual needs and equip them for service (This gift can be exercised in a small group not just full-time ministry) 1 Peter 5: 2-4

GIVING
The ability to give of your resources without feeling put out. 2 Corinthians 8: 1-7

MIRACLES
The ability to pray in faith for God’s supernatural intervention into an impossible situation and see God’s answer; the ability to sense when God is prompting you to pray this kind of prayer.
Mark 11: 23-24

INTERCESSION
The ability to pray persistently for others. Colossians 1: 9-12

HEALING
The ability to bring physical or emotional healing into another’s life through prayer.
James 5: 14-16

PRAYING WITH MY SPIRIT
(sometimes called Tongues/Interpretation)
The ability to pray in a language understood only by God or one who interprets. 1 Corinthians 14:13-15

MUSIC and ARTS
The ability to create art that elevates people into God’s presence. Psalm 150

LEADERSHIP
The ability to bring out the best in others in their service to God; the ability to set vision, motivate, equip, train, or set an example of service in order to draw a group to reach a goal.
Hebrews 13: 7-17

ADMINISTRATION
(Organization)
The ability to mange people well and organize programs and ministries effectively.
1 Corinthians 14: 40

FAITH
The ability to trust God and to act on God’s promise, regardless of what the circumstances indicate; the willingness to risk failure in pursuit of a God-given vision, expecting God to handle the obstacles. Romans 4: 18-21

What are your Spiritual Gifts?

Haiti & Peru Mission Trips

Six of our members just returned from mission trips. Five were in Haiti together: Ruby, Debra, Sherrie, Karen and Michelle while Nancy was with another team in Peru.

Courtesy of Tim, highlights of the Haiti trip:

The Lord allowed us all to participate as part of a powerful wave in His rising tide of love that is overtaking the shores of Haiti. Prayer warriors, those who donated, family members and those who were called to go all share equally as we celebrate the great victory that was won last week by the authority of Jesus Christ.
Those who were in Haiti got the witness the power of God's word over what is seen and unseen. They were able to witness the worldly manifestation of the spiritual battle that rages each day. They got to see God bind the schemes of the enemy. They witnessed the power of His love and Truth.
The Lord declares to all in Haiti, "I have redeemed you"...
The following are just a few examples of the redemptive work that occurred last week:
305...
...people prayed to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior at the medical clinic. The clinic was held in an area known as a 'strong hold of satan'. The gospel was presented to people on an individual or small group basis as they waited to see the Doctors. The Lord used a 75 year old man as the messenger to most of those who received Christ.
Over 1600...
...people were seen by the Doctors, Dentists and Optometrist. The overwhelming majority of these people would not be seen by local Hospitals due to their inability to pay. Medications and vitamins were distributed to all in need. Hospital arrangements were made for several patients who otherwise would not have been admitted.
Over 900...
...people were provided a free meal during the medical clinic.
Construction...
...of a new church/ multi purpose building was taken to the next stage. Materials needed to complete the final stage arrive next week.
A Container...
...loaded with construction materials and needed supplies arrived in Port Haitian. We learned as we were preparing to leave Haiti that this container would be admitted duty free. This is very rare in Haiti.
4 Rallies...
...were held in remote villages. Local churches worked together to build a platform, provide music and a sound system at each Rally. Two of the Rallies where held in front of a witch-doctor's compound. The Rallies were attended by hundreds. Strong messages from the book of Isaiah and the New Testament were delivered. The call was made for God's children to throw down their idols and return to Him. The call was made for the enemies of God to accept the Lord's offer to make peace through His Son Jesus Christ. Many responded.
An Average of 300...
...Pastors and church leaders daily attended a discipleship/leadership seminar. The four day seminar was led by an 80 year old man.
Over 1200...
....people were provided free meals at the seminars.
Radio Broadcast of 6...
...Rally messages were broadcast live, in their entirety, throughout the week

Let us all rejoice in the Lord. He has been good. He has been compassionate. He has been mighty. He has been God.