Well Done

2018 has been my year of “deep thought” and we are only forty-one days in. The year that I think I have put a lot more thought into my walk with Jesus, my spiritual growth, and my intentionality in that spiritual growth. The year that I have set my goal as setting my eyes on Jesus, keeping them there, and finish this race strong. I coach a group of 4^th-6^th grade girls Upward cheerleading, and each week I tell them in the last six minutes of the game, lets finish strong.

That is exactly how I want to walk my walk with Christ, and how I finish my walk here on earth, for Christ. My goal here is to empty myself, empty myself for Christ, so that He can be glorified. I found this quote scrolling through Pinterest, the author is unknown, but I love the quote. It says, “I don’t want to get to the end of my life and find I just lived the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it as well.” That was powerful to me. 

My goal and objective in this life is to get to Heaven and hear the Father say, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” I don’t want to get to Heaven and the Father say to me, “you were too busy watching mindless TV to spend time with me”, or “too busy complaining” or whatever I am too busy doing to make time for Jesus. I want to use the gifts and talents He has so graciously given me, to build His kingdom, not the kingdom of Jennifer. I don’t want people to see me, but to see the Father. 

So, what does that look like in my life?

*  Spending Time in God’s Word; praying and speaking to God. Cutting out all the unnecessary “junk” in my life.

* Share Jesus with others; bear fruit and serve others. 

* Worship with other believers. 

* Be a good Steward with all that God has given me; talents, time, financial resources etc. 

Scripture used in this post: 

Matthew 25:21 “His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy.” (CSB)

Hebrews 12:2 “keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (CSB)

Philippians 3:14 “I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.” (CSB)

How can I pray for you today?

Raising from the dead

Earlier this week I read a scripture and then today at a women's breakfast at Church it was brought up again, so I had to share :)

All through the New Testament Jesus raises the dead. Jarisus's daughter  (Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:41,42; Luke 8:40-56) A widow's son (Luke 7:11-15) and Lazarus (John 11) and of course the greatest resurrection ever Jesus (Matthew 28:1-7; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-12)

One story of resurrection, that I don't ever remember reading, was of Tabitha in Acts 9:35-41 36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor. 37 About that time she became sick and died, and her body was washed and placed in an upstairs room. 38 Lydda was near Joppa; so when the disciples heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two men to him and urged him, “Please come at once!”

39 Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

40 Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. 41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers, especially the widows, and presented her to them alive.

First, we see that Tabitha was a disciple, we see that she has a servant's heart, she was always doing good and helping the poor. Next, we see she became sick and died. Men went to get Peter, and he went with them. The widows were standing around him crying, and showing him the robes that Tabitha had made, this tells me they loved her so much and appreciated her hard work. Peter then sent everyone out of the room, he turned toward Tabitha and told her to get up. This is the first time we see someone, other than Jesus, raising someone from the dead. She opened her eyes, saw Peter and she sat up. He is then the perfect gentlemen and helps her to her feet. Peter then called for the believers and scripture says especially the widows, so I am left wondering (or concluding ;) that she must have had a huge impact on them. They were mourning her when she died, and immediately showed Peter the clothing that she had made, she was loved. 

It's amazing how God uses scripture to speak to us. I want to make sure that I am using the gifts Christ has given me each and everyday to further the Kingdom. I do not want to be sitting idly by and not fulfill the calling that the Lord has given me, what a waste that would be. 1 Peter 4: 10-11 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.  

In Christ,
Jen