The Power of the Written Word

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

John 17:17

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The ‘fear of the Lord’ means fearing to dishonor the Lord, which means fearing to distrust the Lord which means fearing to fear anything that the Lord has promised to help you overcome. In other words the fear of the Lord is the great fear destroyer.

-John Piper

To love means loving the unlovable. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable. Faith means believing the unbelievable. Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless.

-G. K. Chesterton

True friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to the appellation.

-George Washington

Suffering is a sacred entrustment by God for the further development of His child to have a greater ministry then he ever knew.

-Jim Binney

Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.

-Corrie Ten Boom

Knowing that God rules over all things gives you hope...there are things that happen to us that are awful...But here's what I know, God is good. He can't help but be good. And whatever has come to pass was for God's glory. And ultimately, because I'm His, it's for my good. I believe that. Because I trust a sovereign God...this is the only way you have hope in dire circumstances. It's the only way.

-Voddie Baucham

The Christian soldier must avoid two evils-he must not faint or yield in the time of fight, and after a victory he must not wax insolent and secure. When he has overcome, he is so to behave himself as though he were presently about to be assaulted. For Satan's temptations, like the waves of the sea, do follow one in the neck of the other.

-George Downame

Marvel not that we do not excel—marvel that we do excel in anything, unstable as we are.

-C.H. Spurgeon

Where there is much love, all discord ends. 

-Thomas Dekker

The devil is aware that one hour of close fellowship, hearty converse with God in prayer, is able to pull down what he hath been contriving and building many a year.

-John Flavel

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See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently: Being born again, not of corruptible seed,
but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. For all flesh is as grass,
and the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:
But the word of the Lord endureth for ever.
1 Peter 1:22b-25a

Friendship: With Young Ladies

He who loves purity of heart,

and whose speech is gracious,

will have the king as his friend.

~Proverbs 22:11

This was an article I wrote for a young ladies online newsletter in August. It is written specifically for the audience of other girls, but I thought I'd share it here as well. And, in doing so, I have no intention of diminishing the value of friendships I have with the young men in my life, for I value those friendships just as highly. And in more ways than one this article could also describe the Biblical model for friendships with anyone. The people in my life and the close friends I have made have indeed been godly friends to me, and I am grateful for them all. 

May the Lord bless you all, my friends. :)

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Friendships with sisters in the Lord can bring great joy and encouragement to us. I have had few close friends growing up, but during my late teens, I formed some very special relationships with other girls. Not all of them lasted, unfortunately, but even though some were temporary, both those and the ones that have endured have always blessed me in some way.

One of the things I have most enjoyed and appreciated in my friendships with young women is the closeness that we share in the Lord. The solid foundation that bonds believers together has only strengthened our friendships. We are able to encourage one in Christ as we share trials and joys. I find it difficult to open up and share with certain types of people, but the young ladies who have remained close friends know how to create a safe environment for me to share. I appreciate them so much for this. They also encourage me in my walk with the Lord by listening and gently rebuking when the Lord directs them to do so. They have learned that A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver (Proverbs 25:11).

These young ladies have been faithful ambassadors of Christ in their interactions with me, and provided refreshing direction when the way was clouded for me. As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters (Proverbs 25:13). Another way they encourage me most is by taking the time to talk with me. Several friends and I communicate online because of the vast distance between us, but technology has been a blessing to us, as it has provided a means for us to use the written word to keep up with each other’s hearts and lives.

There are several principles that I believe must be in place for friendships to exist, not only with girls, but with any other person. However, in light of communicating with our sisters in Christ, here are some of the more applicable points.

Friends talk freely with one another. This does not mean we have the liberty to gossip, but rather it means there shouldn’t be sin hindering our communication with one another. Talking should provide a means for encouraging one another in the truth, and sharing from the heart about how God is working in your life. Talking also provides a way for each young lady to talk through deep issues and to learn to trust one another.

Friends also should be loyal, not forsaking one another, but loving each other in the Lord. We all will face disappointments, trials, and confusing situations in our journey through life, but this should only draw us closer to one another. A friend loves at all times. A friend loves enough to rebuke when you’re sinning, but also loves enough to weep when you weep and rejoice when you rejoice. Loyalty is shown in words and actions, and it’s necessary to demonstrate love, loyalty, and sacrifice in order to keep a friendship strong.

Friendships must be maintained over time. Life’s activities, busyness, and general responsibilities often make us shove aside other people so that we can “get it all done”. It will take work, perseverance, and determination to seek out time and set it aside in order to maintain the relationship. Just getting together or chatting online might take effort in setting aside time, but it will be worth it in the long run. When you enter Heaven one day, you won’t be standing beside the list of things you accomplished or the degree you earned or the money you made. No, you’ll be standing beside fellow believers, sisters in Christ, and praising the Lord with them. Take the time to invest in the young ladies around you so that you can encourage them to pursue greater Christlikeness.

There is great encouragement in finding like-minded young ladies to walk along life’s pathway with you. They will encourage you, support you, strengthen you, rebuke you, and laugh and cry with you. But you must also reach out to them in the same way in order for the relationship to deepen and grow. Thank the Lord for the girls in your life who point you to Christ and share a bond in the Lord that can stand the test of time.

“It is a mercy to have a faithful friend that loveth you entirely

to whom you may open your mind and communicate your affairs.

And it is a mercy to have so near a friend to be a helper to your soul

and to stir you up in the grace of God.”

~ Richard Baxter

“Friendship is one of the sweetest joys of life.

Many might have failed beneath the bitterness of their trial 

had they not found a friend.”

~ Charles H. Spurgeon

He is All Things!

And he is before all things and by him all things consist. 

Colossians 1:17

Scripture verses for the Biblical references in this song: All Things to All

He is a path to the misled

And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not;

I will lead them in paths that they have not known:

I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight.

These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.

(Isaiah 42:16)

And to the hungry, He is bread

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: 

he that cometh to me shall never hunger;

and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

(John 6:35)

To the prisoner, He is free,

I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand,

and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light to the Gentiles;

To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison,

and to them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.

I am the Lord: that is my name:

and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

(Isaiah 42:6-8)

And to the weak, how strong is He!

For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.

And he said unto me, 

My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.

Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions,

in distresses for Christ's sake:

for when I am weak, then am I strong.

(2 Corinthians 12:8-10)

To those in darkness, He is light,

For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, 

hath shined in our hearts,

to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God 

in the face of Jesus Christ. 

(2 Corinthians 4:6)

And to the blinded, He is sight, 

Then Jesus answering said unto them,

Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard;

how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear,

the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

(Luke 7:22-23)

To the broken, He is health, 

He healeth the broken in heart,

and bindeth up their wounds.

(Psalm 147:3)

And to the needy, He is wealth.

But my God shall supply all your need 

according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

(Philippians 4:19)

He is defender of the scorned,

But thou, O Lord, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.

Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence.

But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning:

for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.

Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.

(Psalm 59:8-9, 16-17)

A comfort to the ones who mourn,

Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

(Matthew 5:4)

To the weary, He is rest,

Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden,

and I will give you rest.

(Matthew 11:28)

And He is hope to the oppressed.

The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed,

a refuge in times of trouble.

(Psalm 9:9)

O He is courage to the meek,

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage;

be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed:

for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

(Joshua 1:9)

The answer to the ones who seek,

Ask, and it shall be given you; 

seek, and ye shall find; 

knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

For every one that asketh receiveth; 

and he that seeketh findeth; 

and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

(Matthew 7:7-8)

Yes, He is peace to those in strife, 

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you:

not as the world giveth, give I unto you.

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

(John 14:27)

And to the dying, He is life.

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life:

he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.

Believest thou this?

(John 11:25-26)

We have no greater friend than He,

Who satisfies our every need.

Source of what was, what is, will be,

All things to all He is indeed!

http://grooveshark.com/s/All+Things+To+All/2yuQ7Y?src=5 

Coaching the Client's Vision

Discerning a vision is neither straightforward nor predictable.

Sometimes it takes a few weeks of diligent effort; sometimes it takes years.

The process is perhaps more important to God than the outcome because

the effort we go through draws us closer to him.

~George Barna

God gives each individual an unique purpose. Some people call it a mission, vision, passion or life purpose, but they all have similar meanings. I remember creating my own life purpose three years ago, with the instruction of my coach. A coach is very valuable in this step as they're able to help the client find his direction and ask pertinent questions to make him think. Ultimately, though an individual will need to spend time himself seeking the Lord's will for his life direction. The summary of my life purpose is this: "Purposing to use what God has given me, I will encourage others to stand fast for the Kingdom of God and equip them to defend the truth to future generations (1 Peter 3:15)." And you can find the more detailed version HERE. ;) 

The question I had to answer for this third discussion assignment was this: What is personal vision? Why is it so important? How can a Christian Life Coach help a client develop a vision? If a client's vision fades, what are was to reinvigorate that vision?

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Dreams may outline the desired future, goals may establish the path, passions may drive us forward, but vision is the target—the “potential for the future…anchored in the realities of the present”—that pulls a person forward (Collins, 2009, pg.171).

The practicality of a vision is its most vital aspect. Visions are big; they are the dreams brought down to reality, but visions also must be focused (Collins, 2009). A client will be easily discouraged if they see no practical progress through their coaching sessions, so it is part of the coach’s job to, not only expand the vision, but also to bring it down to tangible, visible results. The author of Proverbs says “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” (Proverbs 29:18, KJV). Good coaches will help each client to recognize and find their vision, obtain a clearer picture of the vision, and then provide support and encouragement to keep the vision alive (Collins, 2009). People must have some sort of vision in order to have purpose for their life, and a Christian Life Coach will help his clients to pursue a vision that is consistent with Scripture and with God’s calling for that individual (Collins, 2009).

A good coach will help a client find out the answer to “Where do I want to go?” [vision] (Collins, 2009). They will also coach the individual to seek the Lord’s will through prayer and consistent Bible reading. A vision for life is not a rushed process, but rather one that takes time, thought, and communication, and a good coach will be readily available to provide insight and questions in order to spur the client on in their life vision (Collins, 2009). During this process, the client will need to be introspective in order to determine his gifts, values, and passions, for these will be at the center of his vision (Collins, 2009). Information from outside resources such as other mentors, family members, or friends, will also be helpful for the client to clarify his vision and provide extra insight. A good coach will be actively involved with his client, not only to help him focus on a clear and concise vision, but also to eliminate distractions or trivial information.

Keeping the vision is part of a good coach’s job. Sometimes the client’s commitment and passion for the vision fades, and that’s when the coach takes action by encouraging him to progress and reminding him of his commitment. Reinvigorating the vision will require work. The coach may need to step back with the client and clarify values and beliefs or maintain enthusiasm for the vision during obstacles. A coach will not allow a God-given vision to fade for the client. Collins (2009) says, “Coaches are cheerleaders for their clients and their visions, stimulating forward movement so the goals are reached and dreams realized” (pg. 181).

Collins, G.R. (2009) Christian coaching: Helping others turn potential into reality. (2nd ed.). Colorado Springs, CO: NAV Press. 

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As you seek to walk in the center of God's will, it's important to establish the spiritual markers in your life that have led you up to the place you now stand. Looking back on what God has done in your life may bring great clarity toward what he wants to do in your life in the days to come.

~Henry and Mel Blackaby