MENTORING ~ Part 1

“A quick glance at the women’s magazines on the end of the aisles at the grocery store gives proof of the need for influence among today’s women. The feminine masses are preoccupied with who is the most influential, the most beautiful, the most successful, the happiest. Why? With the separation of families, many are left with the absence of a woman of influence in their day-to-day lives” (Baptist Bulletin, May 2001).

We live in a very independent world. We are extremely independent women. It is difficult to spend time with an outpouring of influence into the lives of others. We live in a world of independent people who don’t want anyone to meddle with their values or their plans. At the same time, there are many who live behind a facade. What an opportunity to be that someone to whom they will divulge their aching heart!

What does it take to be a woman to whom one would come to find help? Does our godly walk and our godly character single us out as one with spiritual depth mingled with graciousness, love and understanding? Have we walked through the valley with God so that we have learned to edify ourselves — all because our hearts have been entwined with Him through our temptations and trial

Women need companionship and comfort as they journey through their transient and troubled experiences. They are searching for someone who has been through the fire. The dross has been removed and she gleams with pure gold. They are looking for someone who possesses a mothering heart. One who will not judge or condemn, but who will love, be patient and understanding, pray with her, and help her through trials (cf. Phil.2: 1-4).

Mentoring is not a circumstance of older to younger. Age has nothing to do with it. Yes,  it can be a grandmotherly ear bent to a young child, or teenager with teenager, or friend with friend, or youth at the footstool of an aged one. It is tenderness, loving concern,  coupled with consistent godliness which results from a consistent walk with God.

Oh yes, there must be the willingness to give the treasure of time. There is no substitute. Influence is deepest and most penetrating when invested over time. It is time consistently spent in the Word and in prayer that prepares us to be a mentor.

Reaching out has no barriers. It can be done via email, letters, phone conversations, or over a cup of tea. It is the godly mothering influence that is being searched out. One who can be depended on to  keep confidences. One who will not condemn. One who has compassion (cf. Phil. 2:1-4).

Question: Are we ready to lay aside the trivia of life (make you own list)  to make/spend time investing our godly influence and insights into a searching heart? There are droves of such ones out there. If you know not such a one, pray that God will lead her to you or you to her. “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Gal. 6:9).

WORSHIP ~ Part 2: Whom Do We Worship?

“In some form worship is all but universal. Wherever on earth man is found, there he presents to the Power above the offerings of his devotion. Doubtless there are cases without number in which worship has degenerated into mere superstition. Yet, where worship is at its best, it is one of the very highest manifestations and exercises of human nature.” Jesus cast more light upon this subject in His few words to the distraught woman at the well at Sychar than in any other event (cf. John 4:21 - 23).

I do so want to worship my Savior more seriously, more pleasingly to Him, and more effectively from my heart. It is with this in mind that I dare broach this subject. John 4:24 tells who God is and how we are to worship Him. “God is Spirit.” When I delved into that I was shockingly disappointed. In my ignorant years I anticipated the day I would see Him face to face, fall before Him, and cast my crowns at His feet. I thought that while I could not see His face on this earth I would certainly do so in Heaven. Well, this is where we dig. “God is a spirit, for He is an infinite and eternal mind, an intelligent being, incorporeal [having no material body or form], immaterial, invisible, and incorruptible. If God were not a spirit, He could not be perfect, nor infinite, nor eternal, nor independent, nor the Father of spirits” (Matthew Henry Commentary).

God is infinite, but I shaped Him to fit my finite ideas! My worship may have been true yet it was not pure and entire. No wonder I was left wanting, cold and dissatisfied when I “worshipped.”

Whom are we to worship? Idolaters worship natural objects such as the sun and moon or the works of their hands, as images made of wood which they can hold. Those of perplexed minds have worshipped an “Unknowable God.” We Christians worship the God who is revealed by the Lord Jesus Christ. Who is He?

“God as the Spirit, apprehended [seized] not by the senses, but by the soul. The Divine Being, spiritual in nature, everywhere present, everywhere conscious, everywhere acting, is the proper Object of human worship” (The Pulpit Commentary). Ponder that for a long time. It is profoundly deep.

“God the Father, who is not distant and unapproachable, is very near. To Whom we owe our being, who supplies our wants, exercises over us a constant care, and trains us for the future by a moral discipline. Such is the affectionate relation which is sustained to us by the great Object of our adoration” (The Pulpit Commentary). Ponder some more. Ponder deeply.

If we do not worship God, who is spirit, we neither give Him the glory due His name, nor do we perform an act of worship (Mat. 15:8).

God has credentials! When we really know Him and what He is constantly doing for us, we will worship Him in spirit and with sincerity. Our hearts and His will be knit together in a bond that is inseparable and unexplainable. Know Him. Study Him. Praise Him. Worship Him.

WORSHIP

Dear friends, it is with profound enthusiasm that I approach this subject of worship. At the same time I realize that my enthusiasm far exceeds my ability; therefore, I have bowed low before the Spirit of God, deeply studied His Word, and referenced several commentaries. I feel that, as yet,  I have merely scratched the surface.

“In some form, worship is all but universal. Wherever on earth man is found there he presents to the Power above the offerings of his devotion. Doubtless there are cases without number in which worship has degenerated into mere superstition. Yet, where worship is at its best, it is one of the very highest manifestations and exercises of human nature. Much has been said by philosophers, by poets, by theologians, concerning the nature and the virtue of worship. But more light has been cast upon this subject by Jesus, in the few words recorded to have been spoken by Him to the poor Samaritan woman at the well of Sychar, than has been yielded from every other source. Few portions of our Lord’s discourses have been more quoted or more admired than this. But the world has still much to learn from these memorable sayings” (The Pulpit Commentary).

For a few weeks I have been focusing on the discourse of the ignorant, despicable, thirsty, Samaritan woman who sought for that which could assuage her thirst. Little did she realize her actual need. God did know and set up a series of events that would lead her to recovery.

I am so thankful that God has imparted wisdom to men (and women) to help us delve deeper.  The Pulpit Commentary has been my source for this meditation. (Ladies, I can’t impress enough the necessity of using a reputable commentary.)

The study of these thoughts from the Sychar experience focus on worship (cf. John 4: 5-24). Oh, how every woman of God needs to learn how to worship our Father in spirit and in truth!  The Word instructs us whom we are to worship, how we are to worship, when and where we are to worship, and why we are to worship.

Our portrait is not a pleasant one. We are poor, needy, helpless women, but we are the objects of God’s quest. To Him nothing is more precious than our souls. The Holy Spirit groans and longs to reach out to help us. Why don’t we find time to be in His Word so that He can teach us? Oh no, we will never merely find time. We have to ignite the discipline of making concentrated time.

It is hardly fair to make a need known without giving guidelines to help you in your study. That will be the touchstone of our next topics. In the meantime, please give time to think and pray about your involvement with the Lord and His Word covering the subject of worship -- to Whom, how, when, where, and why. He will teach you.

I have been spellbound by my study of Jesus’ and the Samaritan woman’s Sychar experience and so much want to share my study with you. Please pray for me as I delve into the riches of God’s gold mine.

Norma Whitcomb

JOY ~ Part 3

Joy is medicine to the heart, to the soul, and to the body. Joy is a “spa” to the physical and spiritual entities of life. Joy brings health and healing.

My morning Bible study for some time has been in the Book of Philippians -- and what a medicine it has been! My prayer is that you might take time to grasp the principles of joy that this treasure book provides. “If you master the truths in Philippians, you should be filled with joy as you live the Christian life,” suggests Warren Wiersbe.

The greatest joy killer is unbelief in God, in His Word, and in His promises. Peter provides the remedy. “(Jesus Christ) Whom , having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable” (1Pet.1:8). Thomas believed after he touched Christ’s resurrected body (John 20:29). Peter heard those words and now repeats them. That depth of faith brings joy because it gives confidence and assurance.  Have you ever thought that it would be more real if you could see Jesus, could touch Him, could hear Him speak? Probably. That brings us to the present joy of anticipation. Someday, by God’s time table! Glory!

What should we do until that day arrives? God’s inexhaustible gold mine gives us simple but not easy answers. As I turned the pages of my Bible the answer came. It is one that has carried me through many years. After my husband, Robert, unexpectedly died at the age of 43, I spent every opportunity that I could, searching Scripture to find answers and direction. I had two young sons to rear, a Master’s degree to complete, the responsibility to support three of us, and I was grieving the loss of the one dearest to me. God always gives answers to those who diligently, expectantly, and humbly seek. Phil. 3:13-14 was that direction.

Paul, who had the horrible memory of persecuting countless Christians did not live in his dispiteous past. He said, “ this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press [on].” In order to victoriously move on, grief could not be my focus. Grief could not consume me. But how could I forget eighteen years of marriage to the one with whom two sons were born, with whom eleven years were spent on the mission field (the fulfillment of our heart’s desire), the one whom I helped support through seminary, and so much more?

This is how I put Phil. 3:13,14 to work for me. I did not want and I could not possibly forget numerous day-by-day precious memories. I would treat them like a book to be put high up on a  shelf. To know that book was there was a comfortable feeling; however, I would not take it down and open its pages. There were numerous books to be read and profited by and enjoyed. But only the Word of God, the will of God, and the purposes of God would lead me step by step into the then unknown future. I  opened my heart, my mind, my will, and my focus on Jesus. I would move onward and upward with Him and for Him.  He has not failed.

“Lord, disperse my sin and sadness. Speak salvation to my heart.      
 Then I’ll serve with joy and gladness. Then I’ll show how good Thou art.”

JOY ~ Part 2

“The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh. 8:10). Thank you Lord! The 8th chapter of Nehemiah is extremely important because it tells of spiritual revival among God’s people through Ezra’s public reading of God’s Word. The people were weeping when they heard God’s laws and how far they had strayed from His instructions. Nehemiah, Ezra, scribes, and others told them they were to be filled with joy because the day was a holy day. This was to be a celebration day. They were to take their eyes off themselves, even their sinful selves, and think about God and about others. “‘This day is holy unto the Lord, your God’ ... Then Ezra said to them, ‘Go your way, eat the fat and drink the sweet and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared [those in need] for this day is a holy day unto the Lord. Neither be ye grieved; for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’”

This instruction caused me to blink several times before I could accept it. Perhaps you are wondering as well. The people were right in taking the Word of God seriously. There is a proper time and place for everything. But the people were not to be overwhelmed with grief. This was a celebration. The celebration feasts were to be kept with joy. Of all their yearly celebrations, only the Day of Atonement was for mourning and fasting. Note the ratio. One celebration for mourning and several feasts for rejoicing.

 There is a time and place for everything as we walk in obedience to God and His Word. We don’t badger ourselves when God has a positive purpose for us to experience, grow from, and enjoy. Long terms of discouragement, frustration, murmuring, complaining, downcast spirit, and turmoil will wreak havoc with our health. Worse than that, it displeases God Who has provided freedom from all such sins. Jesus Christ is at God’s right hand interceding for us. Oh joy, joy, joy!

As I have mentioned before, the application of scripture must go through the grid of my own heart before I dare share with you. How are we to deal with sin in our lives? We may have a period of deep sorrow and confession, but there is a next step. “If we confess our sin, He[God] is faithful and just to forgive us our sin and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 Jn.1:9). We repeat that so glibly. There are reams of insights in that verse! Think about it. We confess and we are set free! Why should we not celebrate?

    CHRIST HAS FOR SIN ATONEMENT MADE -- WHAT A WONDERFUL SAVIOR
 
                     REJOICE WITH JOY UNSPEAKABLE AND FULL OF GLORY

Joy

A keen observer once said, “You Christians seem to have a religion that makes you miserable. You handle your Christianity like a man with a headache -- he does not want to get rid of his head, but it hurts him to keep it.”

That startling statement gives a person reason for serious pondering! It sent me to the Word of God via a commentary and I was awestruck when I clustered the OT joy pearls together. Reference is made to trees singing together (1 Chr. 16:33). Job speaks of the morning stars singing together and causing the sons of God to shout for joy (Job 38:7). God causes the dawn and the sunset to shout for joy (Psa. 65:8). Meadows and flocks sing for joy (Psa. 65:12). Mountains shout for joy at the name of their Father God (Psa. 69:12). Rivers clap their hands (Psa. 98:8). The Psalmist admonishes all the earth to shout and sing praises of joy  (Psa. 98:4). Did you know that? I had never thought it through.  Now that I have, it boggles my mind.

One big question loomed up, i.e., if the Lord God uses inanimate objects to sing and shout for joy, what is wrong with Christians (myself included) who so often seemingly have nothing to rejoice about? Why don’t we exude the joy of the Lord all the time? Yes, when children stray; when separation occurs; when we are jobless; when a loved one dies; when our cat is lost; when a tire goes flat? Certainly we are people with emotions. Is that the only reason? Could it be that our focus is misplaced?

Perhaps one of the first verses that comes to mind when we think of joy is James 1:2, which stands as a conundrum until we give it serious and biblical application. Certainly, we don’t rejoice because we are in a comfort zone. We ought to look to God’s purpose for allowing affliction rather than to the affliction itself. When we set our mind on Christ, the answers to all things come together.  He immediately whispers (or shouts) the assurance that I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. It is then that I can assuredly sing , as does all the earth, “Jesus, I am resting, resting in the joy of what Thou art.”

Let’s further look into James chapter one and verse two. What are the benefits /graces/blessings of suffering? Psychology may instruct us to be calm under our troubles, but God tells us to rejoice  knowing that they come from a loving and not furious God. Even Job testified, “Happy is the man whom God correcteth” (Job 5:17). God, in His expressions of love, has other blessings in correction. “I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless, nor forsake you, nor relax my hold upon you--assuredly not” ( cf. Heb. 13:5). Faith comes from focus on the promises of our heavenly Father.

The trial of faith works patience (v.3). “The trying of one grace produces another; and the more the suffering graces of a Christian are exercised, the stronger [the Christian] grow[s].” When has patience had its perfect work? “When we bear all that God appoints, as long as He appoints, and with a humble obedient eye to Him, and when we not only bear troubles, but rejoice in them, then patience has its perfect work.” It is then that we shall  be perfect and entire and wanting nothing (v.4). That spells J-O-Y.  May we work towards its perfection in 2014.        

CHRISTMAS ~ MUSINGS OF MARY

God chose Mary to be the mother of His Son, the Lord Jesus. Doesn’t that boggle your mind?

When did God choose Mary to be the mother of the Lord Jesus? Revelation 13:8b tells us that the “Lamb (Jesus) [was] slain before the foundation of the world.” Mary must have been chosen way back then. Mary was the “virgin” of Isaiah’s prophecy (Isa 7:14) which was written hundreds of years before Christ was born. God prepared and committed this most delicate task to Mary. Mary was in the mind of God before the world was created. You and I were in God’s mind that far back also (Eph.1:4). Unfathomable but wonderful!

Why did God choose Mary? Again God’s prophecy gives us the answer. Both Mary and Joseph, her legal protector, were descendants of David (Luke 1:20,36). This fulfilled the prophetic requirement. Mary was a Jewish princess, but the royal line was not ruling at that time so she considered herself of “lowly manner” (Luke: 1:48).

God endowed Mary with the beauty of humility. She was the absolute one for such an honor as were Ruth, Sarah, and others. Doesn't that encourage us as we note how God has chosen faulty material to accomplish great things? It is all of God’s grace; not our worthiness.

As we look at Luke 1:38 we see another endowment of Mary which prepared her to be a worthy vessel of the Lord’s choosing. Mary was submissive.  “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to Thy word”. What must have crossed her mind as she uttered her words of surrender, “according to [your] word?” Realize the embarrassment of her position. Think of her stigma of unwed motherhood. How could she explain this to Joseph? Certainly he would realize that the child to be born was not his. She would be accused of adultery by everyone. Adultery was an offense punishable by stoning (Deut. 22:13-21). Yet she graciously submitted to God’s will.

As we turn to the Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55), we are impressed that Mary’s heart and mind were saturated with the Word of God as she quoted from the Old Testament. If she had not been familiar with O.T. scripture would she have realized that she was part of God’s plan to send the Messiah? Her knowledge of God’s Word led her to give up her plans and follow God. Are we so prepared?

From the human standpoint let us consider what Jesus’ birth cost Mary. Nagging thoughts must have put question marks in her mind. Will Joseph believe my story? Or will he allow my stoning?   What will the townspeople think? Then there was the trip to Bethlehem which must have made her cringe. At birthing time there was no privacy: only hard ground, unpleasant smells, no medical help, no friends, and an unsanitary environment. But there were compensations. An angel chorus announced the event and shepherds came to worship the Jesus.

“Christmas was a costly affair to God.” We are the beneficiaries. “He (Jesus) came to pay a debt  He didn’t owe, because we owed a debt we couldn't pay.” His Christmas gift to us. Let us rejoice and thank the Giver of such a costly gift.