According to HIS Will Not Mine & Not Others

The weekly Scripture Promises for the month of May were stirring to me. (If you did not read them, I hope that you will take a few moments to do so.) Every time I turned to a verse for the week, I sensed the Lord swooshing my Bible to areas that spoke clearly and even specifically to me and to those whom I know and love. I do not just let the pages fly open. I pray and ask God to direct me. He is always so faithful. There is so much in God’s Word that ministers. We have no need for anything else.

For the first complete week in May, I was drawn to a verse in Daniel. I think of Daniel as that precious saint who was sold out to God from beginning to end. Oh, that we would be the same! “...O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace be unto thee, be strong, yea be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my Lord speak for thou hast strengthened me.”
Daniel 10:19 KJV

And even when we don’t think we always know what God’s perfect will is for our lives, He IS most assuredly with us, and readily available to strengthen us in our troubles and to lead us and guide us.

The second full week of May I felt strongly led to turn to a verse in Isaiah, which reminded me of the importance of LISTENING to HIM. One of HFC newer Team Sisters (Karen) shared also of the importance of “listening” especially when we are so busy talking all the time. How in the world can we hear Him if we do not be still and listen? You may think immediately that I am going to go to the Psalm, which says, “Be still and know that I am God” but there are many others, which speak loud and clear to our hearts. What gets in the way of your listening power? Do you ever feel as if you have cotton in your ears? I do.

“Incline your ear and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live: and I will make an everlasting covenant with you.”
Isaiah 55:3 KJV

I wonder what wonderful promise God has for you and for me today. Let’s sit quietly and wait for Him to speak.

But there is more! God wants to remind us also of his wonderful shield of protection. You know what it is like when you are at your wit’s end and you just don’t know where to turn? We all know where to turn we just don’t always turn there. The Lord Jesus is available for all of us, all the time; He sustains us CONSTANTLY! He shelters us from the storms; He defends us when we are undeserving. He gets us through it all no matter how devastating we think the trial has become. Do not allow yourself to fall into the “slough of despond” when times get rough, as John Bunyan writes about in Pilgrim’s Progress. Look to Jesus.

“But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter of mine head. I cried unto the Lord with my voice and he heard me out of his holy hill. I laid down and slept: I awakened; for the Lord sustained me.”
Psalm 3:3-5 KJV

Hungry for more in that final week of May, I said, “Lord, I need one more solid piece of meat to chew on as my spring turns into summer.” Only He can feed me what I really need. It is He and He alone who will satisfy my soul and meet my needs. It is not according to my will or even the will of those who are nearest and dearest to me that I place my dependency. May our prayer be this, to lean on and trust in Him and not others to show us just what his will is for our lives.

“It is better to trust the Lord than to put confidence in man.”
Psalm 118:8 KJV

Lord willing that will be the desire and prayer of us all.

~ Name it, Claim it ~
Contributed by Joyce C. Locke

You've heard the expression 'Name it, Claim it'. Though we'd first need to know the intent of one's heart, the phrase implies to the Christian version of a spoiled brat ... "I'm your child. You owe me!"

It has been said that God is honor bound to do as He said He would do. That statement is more correct. But, first, what did He say?

God will love us in at least as many ways as He did the people of old. But, we don't get to pick out our favorite verse, stomp our feet, and say, "I want it now!"

To claim what God has named, we first ask Him to show us His will, to give us a promise, or whatever we need to know His desire for our given situation. It could even be a Bible verse that touches our heart, wherein we can know that that is God's desire for us also (as our heart is where He dwells).

Once we've heard from God, then we can claim it, in full assurance, that God will bring it to pass. Our faith is not to be placed in our ability to have faith, to believe it enough, to command loudly enough. Our faith is to be in our God, who promised, who would never break His word, who will love us beyond what we have yet imagined. Our stand is not based upon who we are, but who God is.

The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
Psalm 33:11

He names it. Then, you claim it.

© 2003 by Joyce C. Locke

“If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it 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” 1 Peter 4:11

The Virtuous Woman in MINISTRY

What does God’s Word tell us about the Proverbs 31 Virtuous Woman in ministry? “Who can find the Virtuous Woman?” Women in ministry are more common today because this ministry is not only in the church realm, but also in the home and around the neighborhood. This woman in ministry is open to the leading of the Holy Spirit in how ways to successfully minister to the spouse and family but also to other women who are younger in the faith – and maybe those that have not yet heard about our wonderful Lord. How can she teach them appropriately the things of God? What about teaching men? What about evangelism? What does the Bible say? What does it say in Proverbs and elsewhere in God’s Word?

She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
31:15

Let us look at this verse with spiritual eyes for a moment. When we as women of God are feeding spiritual meat “God’s Word” to our children, we are completely involved in ministry. Does it matter the age of our children? It gives no reference to age here. The keyword is HOUSEHOLD. What about the maidens God has brought our way or in our care? These maidens could be our church friends that come to our home, or our neighbor friends, or those young women we meet in the store, at our children’s school, in the break room at the job site, or at the hair salon. How can we minister to them from God’s Word? By our witness and testimony of Jesus Christ in our life and by the things that the Lord is teaching us through daily study in His Word. But are we staying prayed up and well versed in God’s Word or are we involved with reviewing books? Someone else’s thoughts are nice but God’s Word is eternal. Are we seeking Him daily for guidance? Consistent study and fellowship at our church home should be a part of our lives as well.

“She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.”
31:20

Another aspect of ministry is to take on the traits of Dorcas/Tabitha [see Women of the Word Studies] who used a needle and thread to accommodate the needs of others. What a wonderful woman of ministry this saint was. What do we do when we see a need? How do we respond? These days so many of us are too busy to make a pot of soup for the ill or stop by to pray with a loved one or friend because time constraints just don’t allow for it…or maybe we are afraid we will get sick as well. What about that phone call? What happened to this gift of ministry? It is exercised so little these days.

I was recently quite ill with a virus that attacked my back. This caused me to be laid up for a solid two weeks most of which I could barely move. My husband did all the cooking and caring for me but he had to go out and work as well. We live on a little farm and he had to cover for me in that area as well. He was one busy fellow! One day we received a call from a neighbor friend who said a big pot of stew and bread was on its way…enough for three complete meals. This woman was led by the Holy Spirit to minister to a need…being obedient to the leading of the Spirit and God will bless her beyond measure for her Dorcas – like heart. I was also unbelievably blessed by the prayers of many many women who just felt led to pray, to call, and to send uplifting emails. That is true ministry. That is taking the time. That is a virtuous woman of ministry responding.

“She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.”
31:21

This is my favorite evangelism verse. It shows us how a woman can fearlessly be an evangelist in her home and share the gospel with those in her home. The scarlet represents the blood of Jesus Christ washing us clean and making us all white as snow. This woman of virtue makes certain those in her household hear the good news of our wonderful Lord. Can we be evangelists? You bet we can. Think about the many times God uses you. It is the little things. People see Jesus when they see you. Eventually they respond. Do not be afraid to minister to others of the love and saving grace of Jesus. Our lives were worth saving to God. He is not willing that any should perish.

“Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.”
31:25

We are all weak by ourselves but as women of virtue, we need to look to the Lord for intensity with our words of wisdom. He will provide every syllable and he will provide all the strength we need.

“She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.”
31:26

Part of ministry comes with speaking words God gives us to speak rather than what we might conjure up ourselves. The Epistle of James in the third chapter tells of the dangers of using the tongue incorrectly. The woman of virtue, this godly woman, learns to moderate the tongue and learns to be quiet when it is important to be quiet. This too is part of ministry.

Do we teach men? When the Bible speaks of ministries for women it lists hospitality, comfort, for the anointing of Christ, serving the church, helpers to Paul, prophetesses [for encouragement, comfort, edification, admonishment] for the teaching of (older to the younger) women -- but never in any authority over a church.

But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
1 Timothy 2:12

Heavenly Father, I praise and thank you for your everlasting love and merciful kindness towards us as women of your Word. Lord God, Abba Father, I pray that you would help us to be the kind of women you have called us to be whether in our homes, as mothers, out in the workplace, or in ministry. Help us not to be puffed up and think we are more than what you intend. Help us to live as the Titus 2:3-5 woman – “...in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of GOOD things; that they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”

We thank you for the gifts you bestow upon us as wives, mothers, home-managers, counselors to other women, teachers, prophetesses, women of hospitality, servants, co-laborers, intercessors, church workers, patriotic women, women of benevolence and so much more. Help us to be satisfied with our place and to serve you diligently from morning until night. How we love you, give you all the praise and glory, and honor in Jesus Precious Name. Amen

From the Kitchen of...

Mary Mizrany of Texas

This sounds great and of course not a drop of fat. Whoever decides to make it, my PO Box is below. I will be expecting a piece!

Hearts for Christ Ministries thanks Maryxo for this recipe!

Do you have a RECIPE that you would enjoy sharing? Send it to us here in the Hearts for Christ Ministries Comments Section or e-mail direct: info@heartsforchrist.org. We will be thrilled to pass it along to our readers.

If you like to work with your hands...check out “She Worketh Willingly” and send in a photo of something you or someone you know has made to the glory of God. We will display it lovingly on Hearts for Christ Ministries. (Your photo will be returned)

Sharing Hearts One with Another... The following letters are excerpts from the correspondence Hearts for Christ Ministries has been receiving. Dear Hearts For Christ: I read your story about your life travels to NY and California and all the trials and tribulations you've gone through (and your husband) in this world. I needed to read this because my husband and I are now in NY after all the doors closed for us in Colorado. However, it's been hard here and we are now jobless and down to our last few dollars. I was thinking we had made a mistake in coming here, even though it was the only door open to us after months of praying and seeking Gods direction. I have many physical problems, and I too have become tearful often, lately, like you did. I don't have cancer and have not been that road, but had gone the road with my mom who had cancer and went through many surgeries and chemo etc. She made it through and is now in remission. Praise God even more because she is not saved. (My heart aches for the salvation of my family out west.) Anyhow, it was a blessing to know that just because things go wrong doesn't mean we are not in Gods will. Your testimony is a bless to my heart and I read part of this to my husband who has been turned down for many jobs these past five months here. Lets just say for us, it has been a long 10 years of one thing after another. We are not giving in or up! Thank you for sharing and encouraging others, and God bless your work. Jan Farmington, NY Dear Jan: Your letter regarding the "Counting it all Joy" testimony/study really ministered to my heart. Trials are definitely difficult, whether they be physical, emotional, or spiritual, but praise be to our Lord that He knows how much are able to handle and how much we are to lean on Him. The importance of expressing joy in our trials regardless of what things "appear" to be is the key to getting past those trials and into the victories God wants us to have through them. I have always believed just as the Word says that it will rain on the just as much as it rains on the unjust. We are not the only ones who go through the hard times. God just gives us the strength to endure them doesn't He. Bless His name. Thank you again, and thank you also for signing up for Koinonia. We will look forward to getting to know you better in Jesus, sister. Our prayers are with you. Shirley and the HFC Ministry Team Dear Hearts For Christ: Thank you so very much [for the prayers]. I can't seem to find the right words to tell you how thankful I am for the prayers, but I'm sure I will find the right words in my praise report. God bless you, Sister In Christ Ruth W Dear Ruth, We praise the Lord for the opportunity to lift up your needs. There are so many countless times that He comes through and we find strength in knowing others are lifting up our requests. The Lord has shown us repeatedly how faithful He is in bringing an answer. We are so blessed when He chooses to use Hearts for Christ as part of His prayerful instrument. "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men..." 1 Timothy 2:1 NKJV Many blessings to you dear sister. In Christ, Hearts for Christ Ministry Team

We are ready to Hear from YOU too! What is the Lord doing in your life today? Do you have a question, an experience, or a victory in trial you would enjoy sharing in a future newsletter? Send your comments and inquiries to "Dear Hearts for Christ." Article Submissions and Testimonies should be sent to info@heartsforchrist.org. The editor reserves the right to edit submissions.