Learn, Pray, Act

“Write it. Shoot it. Publish it. Crochet it, sauté it, whatever. MAKE.”~ Josh Whedon, author, screenwriter, director

When I was a little girl, I’d trek alongside my father as he worked in his garden that spanned an acre or more of our property. The soft, hot Florida sand squished between my bare toes, and sweat streamed down my little cheeks. Sometimes I ran to keep up with his long strides. Sometimes he slowed his step and took my hand. If I had one word to describe my father, it would be the word “doer.”

God calls us to be doers of His Word (James 1:22). How do we prepare to be a doer? Or do we merely allow the Spirit to guide us in certain situations through divine appointments?

Both.

Imperative to Christian life, ministry effectiveness, and spiritual growth is learning—absorbing God’s Word and other Christian books and resources—in order to share with others. If we really want to be led spiritually, immersing ourselves in scripture is the first step.

And we should want to do this, right? I’m the first to admit I have trouble wading through genealogy, or details of the building of the tabernacle and outlining of the law in Exodus and Leviticus. But hidden in those genealogy lists are Bible heroes—their stories are ones of persecution, hope, deliverance, and ultimately, the birth of our Savior. Instead of skimming over, think of the sacrifices of Ruth, the failure and forgiveness of King David, and the obedience of Obadiah. Somewhere among these stories is our story, as well.

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

We also want to be led by the Holy Spirit. Actually, this is the ultimate goal. It’s only possible by coupling learning with prayer.

So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. Zechariah 4:6

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2

Think about it. Which friend do you count on the most? The one you regularly interact with, knows you intimately—the good, bad, and the ugly—and still loves you? Or the one you exchange pleasantries with occasionally?

The same is true of our relationship with God. When you know Him intimately, learn His nature, and are able to trust Him completely, this resonates in our message to others. We can’t possibly share a God we don’t know on an intimate level. When the Bible says we are made in His image, His handiwork, we can believe it. He longs for a relationship with us. Spending time with Him is the most important part of our lives. 

Learning and praying alone isn’t the endgame for a Chrisitan. Yes, we want to draw closer to God and become more like Christ for eternity. But, we’re saved not only for ourselves but for others.

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

That’s good news. God has prepared work for us to do. He wants us to act! It’s not enough to learn and pray, if we don’t use it to help someone outside ourselves. Humans are not static. Relationships are not static. God has placed us in family and friendships He deemed important. Whether it’s your neighbor, brother, or co-worker, God has a message to relay through you. We may not even be aware of what the specific message is, but God knows what that other person needs. You may be the one He has chosen to share it.

Explore whether God wants you involved in missions outside of your inner circle—foreign or domestic—physically or financially. We all have talents and spiritual gifts to share. Seek God’s wisdom in this. We are His workmen here on earth. May we always be one “who correctly handles the word of truth.”

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18 

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9 

Learn, Pray, Act.

• Do you want to know who you are? Don't ask. Act! Action will delineate and define you ~Thomas Jefferson
• Never confuse movement with action. ~Ernest Hemingway
• Faith is about doing. You are how you act, not just how you believe. ~Mitch Albom, author

What’s your favorite Bible verse that motives you to act? Is there one that caused a turning point in your life and called you to action?

If you have a prayer need, please leave a comment or email me confidential requests. I’d love to pray for you!

God bless,

Laura

© Laura Hodges Poole

Recommended resources available online for comprehensive Bible study:

BBN Radio Bible Institute. Free online classes in Bible doctrine, Christian living, Bible books and characters, and more with 117 divisions of study and multiple classes within each division. Certificates are offered with each completion of a division. I have taken a few of these classes and can highly recommend them.

Thru The Bible Radio. Tons of free resources including study guides, notes and outlines, and downloads are available to help you with an in-depth study of the Bible in five years. Even if you don’t listen to the audio, the other resources will provide you with tremendous study potential. I’ve listened to Dr. J. Vernon McGee for years on the radio and have downloaded and printed many of his resources.

Bible Gateway Scripture Engagement. “This section of Bible Gateway, created in partnership with the Taylor University Center for Scripture Engagement, outlines a set of practical exercises and activities you can undertake to interact more meaningfully with the Bible (Bible Gateway).” Many links are available to teach you how to successfully approach reading scripture. 

“Bible” image courtesy of Janaka Dharmasena/FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

“Young Woman Praying Sincerely” image by David Castillo Dominici/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

“Action Screen Show Motivation” image by Stuart Miles/FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Fear of Change

Are you afraid? 

“One reason we are so harried and hurried is that we make yesterday and tomorrow our business, when all that legitimately concerns us is today. If we really have too much to do, there are some items on the agenda which God did not put there. Let us submit the list to Him and ask Him to indicate which items we must delete. There is always time to do the will of God. If we are too busy to do that, we are too busy.” ― Elisabeth Elliot, missionary and writer

Overwhelmed…too many commitments…can’t say no…worry…sleepless nights…Do any of these describe you? They describe many Americans in today’s society. 

Yet, the irony is surveys have shown, despite the overwhelming circumstances many deal with, most people wouldn’t trade their own trials for someone else’s. 

Something to ponder.

This week my life finally settled back into routine after the Christmas holiday. With my son back in school, my daughter in North Carolina, and my husband at work, the house is quiet. I can hear the birds singing through the sunroom windows and the jingle of my Australian Shepherd’s dogtags as she tosses a ball around in the back yard on this crisp, sunny morning. 

With my Bible in hand, I settled into a comfy chair to pray over my goals for 2013. I’ve learned without God’s blessing, my goals are seldom achievable through my own strength. Mostly, this is because my goals involve Him and the ministry He has given me. 

I’ve said before I don’t do New Year’s resolutions. Instead, I ask God to show me a character trait or habit that, if improved upon, would help me achieve my goals. Last year it was better time management. I won’t say I mastered it, but I definitely improved, and it did make my work flow better. 

As I’ve prayed this week, one thing became apparent—most of what I want (or feel led) to do is impeded by fear. Maybe you have this problem, also. Fear of failure, fear of danger, fear of the unknown…and the list goes on and on. 

And maybe this sheds some light on what we were pondering above. Despite our circumstances, we won’t trade for someone else’s hardships, but apparently we’re often unwilling to take the necessary steps to change our own. We’ll continue in our own harried, overcommitted way.

Why?

Could it be fear in both scenarios?

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)

Through God’s grace and with His strength, we can overcome and be empowered to conquer anything to bring positive changes to our life and work.

If you have a prayer need or something you’re struggling with, I’d love to hear from you today. Share in the comments below or email me confidentially. Take a moment to pray for others on the list above. 

New prayer requests this week:

• Sarah asks for prayer for her niece Lori who has recently been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer.
• Jeremy, Elizabeth, and Ashley. These three young adults have turned their back on Christ and have chosen a self-destructive, sinful path instead. Pray for them to realize their sin and turn back to the hope only found in Christ.

I hope you are as blessed by this song as I was when I first heard it a couple of months ago.  

God bless,

Laura

© Laura Hodges Poole

Photo courtesy of Microsoft.com free clip art

Rejoice In Hope

“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without the words.” Emily Dickinson

Emily’s quote paints a beautiful image of a seemingly supernatural abstraction we all long for and find impossible to live without.

Hope is mentioned throughout the Bible, often coupled with other positive words.

“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12

Hope isn’t born in a vacuum, unaffected by outside influences. It’s a journey through life’s trials.

“And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” Romans 5:2a-5.

Despair does not defeat God’s supernatural hope which strengthens and edifies our souls. Hope whispers to us that tomorrow will be better, our problems have solutions, and healing can take place.

What is troubling you today? I want to assure you of the miraculous hope God can instill in your soul. All you have to do is believe.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11.

I’d love to add you to my prayer list. I encourage you to leave a request in the comments below, even anonymously, so others can pray for you. Feel free to email me, if you’d like your request to stay confidential. Remember to lift up the people who come to mind from past requests. If you have a praise report, please share those, as well.

As we take our petitions and intercessions to the Lord, take a moment to sing His praises with Avalon's Testify to Love. God bless you.

Leopard-Skin Coats

Back through the years
I go wanderin’ once again
Back to the seasons of my youth

…one is only poor
Only if they choose to be
Now I know we had no money
But I was rich as I could be
In my coat…my momma made for me

(Dolly Parton)

I’ve blogged previously about my childhood, my family’s meager financial existence, and my parents’ ability to stretch a dollar around to seven children. My dad now jokes that I can pinch a penny until it squeals. I say, “Takes one to know one.”

My mother made our clothes until we were old enough to earn money to buy clothes. A store-bought outfit was a special treat reserved for Christmas.

Remember the Dolly Parton song, Coat of Many Colors? My mother’s version was the leopard-skin print she transformed into coats for the three oldest girls and herself. To get several winters’ wear, she made them a little big, which wasn’t difficult. We were so small, everything hung big on us.

Two distinct memories linger about the coat. 1) I was warm, which was a nice feeling, and 2) our coats made me feel special. After all, no one else had matching coats like we did.

I’m not sure what people thought when three little leopards and their Mama leopard strolled into church or the grocery store. I don’t remember any negative comments. And some of the church ladies oohed and aahed over our matching ensemble.

I wouldn’t trade my childhood for anything in the world. In fact, I’m glad it was financially sparse. I learned a lesson so many Americans have a difficult time grasping. You can be content and have nothing. Tell that to the Occupy crowd who simultaneously embrace corporate America while slamming it.

But I digress.

Lessons learned during childhood carried me through my meager existence of early adulthood. When I had nothing else, I still had those, sustaining and reassuring me of better days ahead, if I worked hard enough. My experience also gave me great empathy for people truly in need.

Mom and Dad gave us much during those difficult times of our childhood with their hard work, determination, and perseverance, because they gave all they had.

Though her neck must have ached from bending over her work, her fingers prickling from stitching and the occasional poke of a pin, and weary from stretching money, Mom was so proud of her little girls decked out in their new leopard-print coats.

And I’m just as proud of her.