God's Fellow Workers

Do You Worship The Work?

By: Oswald Chambers

My Utmost for His Highest

April 23 Devotional

We are God’s fellow workers . . . —1 Corinthians 3:9

Beware of any work for God that causes or allows you to avoid concentrating on Him. A great number of Christian workers worship their work. The only concern of Christian workers should be their concentration on God. This will mean that all the other boundaries of life, whether they are mental, moral, or spiritual limits, are completely free with the freedom God gives His child; that is, a worshiping child, not a wayward one. A worker who lacks this serious controlling emphasis of concentration on God is apt to become overly burdened by his work. He is a slave to his own limits, having no freedom of his body, mind, or spirit. Consequently, he becomes burned out and defeated. There is no freedom and no delight in life at all. His nerves, mind, and heart are so overwhelmed that God’s blessing cannot rest on him.

But the opposite case is equally true–once our concentration is on God, all the limits of our life are free and under the control and mastery of God alone. There is no longer any responsibility on you for the work. The only responsibility you have is to stay in living constant touch with God, and to see that you allow nothing to hinder your cooperation with Him. The freedom that comes after sanctification is the freedom of a child, and the things that used to hold your life down are gone. But be careful to remember that you have been freed for only one thing–to be absolutely devoted to your co-Worker.

We have no right to decide where we should be placed, or to have preconceived ideas as to what God is preparing us to do. God engineers everything; and wherever He places us, our one supreme goal should be to pour out our lives in wholehearted devotion to Him in that particular work. “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might . . .” (Ecclesiastes 9:10).

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
As we go into preparations for the Sheryl WuDunn Event in September in addition to the other events and responsibilities that we have, we ask that You would keep us centered on You. Give us wisdom to know when to stop the task and take the time to focus on You. Go before us and multiply our time so that we can spend more time at Your feet. We want to be co-workers concentrating on You, not our agenda or our busyness. Help us to cooperate with You. Let us do our Women of Vision responsibilities with all of our might, yet balanced with You at the center. We give You all the praise and all the glory for the results that will come as we surrender our time and our talents to You. In Jesus Name we pray. Amen

Network Tacoma Mom Needs Prayer

Network Tacoma Mom Needs Prayer

Alisha has given permission to post this picture as a prayer reminder for her and her family. She is soon facing heart surgery. She had surgery when she was five years old and they will do a similar procedure to replace the artificial valve in her heart. She is feeling very tired as her current artificial valve is failing. She is a lovely woman who along with her husband and three children are regulars at the Network Tacoma monthly dinners.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We come to you in the matchless Name of Jesus on behalf of Alisha and her family. We lift her before You and ask that you would be her strength as she awaits this heart surgery. Give her the energy that she needs to be the mom and wife that she wants to be as she waits. Encourage her and her husband and children and take away their fears about the surgery. We ask that you would guide the physicians hands and that all who come into contact with her while she is in the hospital will be kind and caring. We ask that the procedure will be successful, without complications.

Lord we know that You have a plan for this woman that is for good and not calamity that gives her a future and a hope. We ask that Your perfect plan for her will happen during this surgery and throughout her life. Thank you for the privilege of meeting her and seeing her courage as she faces this difficulty. If she does not know You, we pray for her salvation and if she does know You, Jesus, we ask that this trial will draw her closer to You.

We ask these things in Jesus Name. Amen   

Lorraine Pierce: 1917-2011

 



              Lorraine Pierce: 1917-2011

Lorraine Pierce, wife of World Vision founder Bob Pierce, went home to be with the Lord on April 4, 2011, surrounded by her loving family. Please pray for her family and the World Vision family during this time.

Life Story:
Ruth Lorraine Johnson was born on Jan. 18, 1917, in Chicago, Ill. Her father, Dr. Floyd B. Johnson, was a radio evangelist in Chicago and Los Angeles and pastor of the Los Angeles Evangelistic Center for 11 years. Her mother, Ethel Niemeyer, of German Methodist descent, was also a strong Christian role model for Lorraine, particularly during Ethel’s second marriage when she helped minister to the needy on Chicago’s Skid Row.

Lorraine met Bob Pierce in the spring of 1936 when she accompanied her father to Los Angeles for meetings organized by Nazarene churches there. A student at Pasadena Nazarene College, Bob was already making a name for himself as a preacher. Lorraine’s father approved when she and Bob began dating. Lorraine attended Pasadena Nazarene College for a semester to be close to Bob. The relationship continued when Lorraine returned to Chicago.

Lorraine and Bob married in Chicago in November 1937. Lorraine hoped for a settled life in which Bob would pastor a church, but it never turned out that way. In the first few years of their marriage, the couple traveled the West Coast as Bob preached in small churches.

They lived on a meager salary provided by church offerings—Bob said they averaged $5 a week—and stayed in the homes of their hosts. This was an adjustment for Lorraine, who had watched her own parents’ marriage fall apart under the demands of her father’s traveling evangelism duties. She described preparing herself for the challenges through an intense, spiritual experience of “dying to self.” Later she conducted a daily exercise of mentally donning the armor of God to shield against the inevitable attack involved in doing the Lord’s work.

When Bob served in Youth for Christ, and later with World Vision, he was often traveling. Lorraine saw God’s hand in her role as homebound supporter and caretaker. Though she longed for her husband, her faith deepened as she learned to depend on God’s promises. Although she joined Bob on a few trips to Asia, her energy was primarily devoted to their children: Sharon, (now deceased); Marilee; and Robin. Lorraine took the lead in caring for the girls, physically and spiritually. She prayed with them every day and encouraged them to read the Bible. When Sharon was young, Lorraine started child evangelism classes for neighborhood children, continuing the classes for years.

While Bob worked to build up World Vision, Lorraine contributed to the ministry in several unassuming ways. Inspired by her husband’s stories about Korean widows who needed a way to support themselves, she arranged to speak in several churches to raise the money to buy 10 sewing machines for the Tabitha Widows Home. She established the World Vision Women’s Auxiliary, a group of wives who gathered twice a month to pray together and support one another. The group took on service projects. Lorraine designed and promoted the Viet Kits program in which thousands of hygiene, sewing, and children’s kits were assembled by volunteers and sent to needy families in Vietnam. Lorraine also championed her husband’s dream of a children’s hospital in Korea, raising $50,000 through the Women’s Auxiliary.

After Bob’s death in 1978, Lorraine established a living memorial called the Robert W. Pierce Award for Christian Service, which annually honors men and women serving the Lord around the world with a prize of between $5,000 and $10,000, through which Christians from many different countries have been recognized. Lorraine believed this was how Bob would have wanted to spend the money—encouraging fellow believers as they labored faithfully in difficult places.

Former World Vision U.S. President Bob Seiple called Lorraine the “birthing mother” of World Vision, and she maintained a mother’s loving link to the ministry for the rest of her life. She prayed for World Vision daily and kept in touch with its leaders, enjoying a close friendship with World Vision U.S. President Rich Stearns, World Vision Canada President Dave Toycen, and past and present World Vision International Presidents Dean Hirsch and Kevin Jenkins. Lorraine Pierce always saw World Vision as a gift from God and a channel for His love and mercy. She never failed to remind the organization of its evangelical roots.

In September 2000, during World Vision’s 50th anniversary celebration, Lorraine traveled to Korea as well as attended the dedication of the U.S. headquarters’ chapel in Federal Way, Wash., to her family. Her last visit to World Vision was in 2006, when she addressed chapel.

Lorraine lived the last years of her life in southern California, near her daughters Marilee Dunker and Robin Ruesga. She is survived by six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Memorial Service Details:
Friday, April 8, 1:30 p.m. PDT
Wee Kirk o’ the Heather Chapel
Glendale Forest Lawn, Calif.

First Saturday Prayer for April

South Puget Sound Chapter

Women of Vision

Our Chapter has many events coming in the next six months for which we need much prayer. Please read about the event and join with us in praying.

Network Tacoma "Dinner for 50": April 11, 2011
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for Network Tacoma workers and clients. We lift this organization before your throne and ask that You would bless each staff member spiritually, physically and financially. Thank you for providing for the needs of this organization. Go before us as we serve them dinner on April 11. Bring volunteers to serve the meal. Bring the finances we need to present and serve a lovely meal to bless each one eating with us. Help us to be a blessing to each other and to the Network Tacoma men and women on this day.
 Partners Overnight Retreat: April 15-16, 2011
Thank you for this wonderful opportunity that we have to go to the Talley's gorgeous Swiss chalet in Cle Elum, Washington. Bless the Talley's in every way, Lord and multiply back to them as they are giving to us during this retreat. Please send the women that You would have to this retreat. Bind us together, Lord, with chords that cannot be broken. Give us sweet fellowship with each other and with You. Train us and equip us to be leaders in our communities and light in the darkness around us. Bless Tom as he brings his expertise to us. We ask that he be blessed as he gives of his time and talents on Saturday. Let us leave there with a new vigor, a renewed sense of purpose and with Your blessing as we embark on another season of serving You on behalf of the poor and the needy. Bless our agenda of relaxing with friends, praying, sharing, training, reviewing, creating and planning and let it be Your agenda throughout our time together. Give us safe travels and sweet memories.
Heart of the Matter Module 2 Study Group: Spring 2011
Thank you Heavenly Father for the HOTM study currently going in Federal Way and for the one to come in Gig Harbor. Enlighten us to Your call and give us conviction about how we are to help the marginalized women and children in our world. Break out hearts for the things that break Your Heart. Equip us to be your women for this generation.
Joeseppi's Restaurant "Takeover" Fundraiser: May 16, 2011
Lord,
We need Your help with this fundraiser. We believe that this is a way to raise funds for our projects. Please help us Lord. We need a leader for this event who will coordinate all of the parts. Help us Lord  by sending hundreds of people to eat dinner between 4:00 and 8:00 PM. Help us Lord by sending the bussers and servers too. We know that when we pray and ask You that You do amazing things, so we turn this over to You and ask that You go before us and open the door for many to come and for us to earn all the money that You want us to earn for Network Tacoma homeless women and children, our National Project in Appalachia and the World Vision After Care Center Project in Cambodia. We are looking to You for big things on that night and we will be sure to give You all the praise and the honor and the glory for what You will do.
Half the Sky Book Club: May 23rd and June 6th, 2011
Oh Lord, this book is difficult to read in  many chapters. When we read first hand about the atrocities of modern day human slavery it makes us weep and it is difficult to read page after page, yet we want to understand, we want to know so that we can be impassioned to act. Thank you for the hopeful ways presented in this book to help the victims of these heinous crimes against girls and women. Give us the courage to read this book, the commitment to discuss it at these book clubs and the conviction to take action.
Seattle Rock n Roll Marathon - 1/2 Marathon: June 25, 2011
Lord we ask that this team will raise at least $1000 for our projects. Give those participating generous sponsors. We ask that you would give them strength and stamina for this race. Bless their efforts, Lord and let this event be a testimony to the community of your compassion and love. Thank you for the good report that will come about this day.
Appalachia Trip: Week of July 24, 2011
Heavenly Father, thank you for the opportunity for this life-changing trip for the women who choose to go. Thank you for the opportunity that they will have to view and participate in World Vision's U.S. Programs work taking place in rural West Virginia. We pray that they will bond with their traveling companions and return even more motivated to make a difference. Thank You, Lord, for using them to minister and be a blessing to those in Appalachia. We ask for traveling mercies and reasonably priced airfare and car rental rates. Thank You for being present throughout this trip in every way throughout each day.
Sheryl WuDunn Event Fundraiser: September 18, 2011
Finally, Lord, You gave Brenda a vision for this event and You moved on the heart of a World Vision donor to bring Sheryl to Seattle. Thank you for this opportunity to share with the Seattle community the truths about modern day slavery and the hope that we have in You as we stand against it. Bring Sheryl here safely, bless her as she comes. We know that we serve a God of the amazing and we know that You are going to work all things together and weave a beautiful tapestry, orchestrate a wonderful symphony and bring women and men from the north, the south, the east and the west to this event who will be moved and whose hearts will be stirred to make a difference against modern day slavery. This is our big fundraiser, Lord. We need You. We need You to coordinate all of the Washington chapters planning this event; we need You to give wisdom and favor; we need You to open doors and close doors to bring about an evening that will raise funds to sponsor our projects. Help us to remember that we do all of this for the poor children and women in Tacoma, Appalachia and Cambodia, the places of our projects. Lord, this is bigger then all of us put together, yet it is nothing for You. We thank you in advance for what You will do and for the funds that you will bring to these projects through this event.

Lord, we don't want to be busy for busy's sake; we want to make a difference for Your Kingdom's sake. We ask that You would help us to leave a foot print in this community that will draw all people to You through what we do and who we are as Women of Vision and Your women. Give us Your perspective on these events and help us to view them from that perspective. When we get stressed from over doing, give us peace. We we lose our way and feel overwhelmed, bring us back to the solid Rock. We are frail and weak, yet we know that You are strong and mighty to stand. Thank you for the privilege of serving You and others. We ask all of these things in Your Name, Jesus. Amen

World Vision USA Friday Prayer

 

 
PRAYER FRIDAY: for those affected by recent global disasters, like the earthquakes in Japan, Myanmar, and New Zealand; and for the many others suffering because of war, hunger, disease, and poverty.
 
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before you in the Name of Jesus asking on behalf of those affected by the earthquake, tsunami and the radiation scare in Japan. We think of the families who have lost everything. Lord help them to see their need for you through these tragedies, comfort them and bring them peace and renewal of mind and spirit. We pray for the children who are without family and homes. Thank you for your provision for them in all facets of their small lives. Thank you for the World Vision staff and for others who are sacrificing to be your Hands extended to these little ones.  We think of those who remained at the nuclear plant compromising their health and endangering their lives to assist in getting the reactor to stabilize. Touch their bodies and bring them health and reverse any harmful affect from radiation. We think of American military families stationed in Japan and lift their concerns before You. We pray for the spouses and children who have left Japan and returned to America for the safety of their children that you would comfort them during this separation by distance. We ask that fears would be taken away. We know that Japan is an economically wealthy Nation, Lord, yet despite their material wealth currently they have great need and we pray that the nations of the world will have compassion and remember these people who are poor in spirit during this tumultuous time.
 
Lord, we continue to pray for Myanmar, New Zealand and Haiti. Lord the needs of these peoples continue and yet we forget often because the names and places are omitted in the daily headlines. Help us to remember them. We praise you for all of the ways that they have been remembered in the past and ask that You would remind us to pray and do what we can to show them Your Love and our love.
 
Lord, media bombards us with news of war, hunger, disease, and poverty in our world. We feel helpless and overwhelmed by these reports and find ourselves desperate for You, wondering what our role in this could be that would bring honor and glory to Your Name. Show us our part, Lord. We trust that You have allowed these events and situations in our world. We believe that You do work all things together for the good to those who love You and are called according to Your purpose. We pray for those in our world who don't know You, the Life Giver, the Way Maker, the Provision Provider. We thank You that through circumstances that these afflicted peoples will see their need for You as we do our part to bring the Good News and minister to them through our prayers, World Vision and our churches. 
 
Lord, we know that at any second this calamity could befall us. As we hear reports and see pictures of the suffering of these nations, we are reminded of the frailty of mankind. We look to You as our Rock, our Comfort, our Source. We acknowledge that without you we are nothing and that we can endure very little without the power of Your Holy Spirit, the Wisdom of Your Word and our relationship with You. Help us to worry on our knees before Your Throne bringing all of our petitions before You, letting You know our requests. Thank you that as we remember You and others that You restore our joy. We love You, Jesus and it is in Your matchless Name that we pray. Amen  

Prayer for Japan

Japan Quake and Tsunami

Posted By: WORLD VISION

To: Members in 337 Causes
Update: Japan Quake and Tsunami Relief
Supporters -
Thank you for your help in raising funds for Japan. Here is an update on the situation:
Update, Saturday, 3/12, 7:07 am, PST: World Vision Japan today is preparing staff members to travel to areas affected by yesterday’s devastating earthquake and tsunami. Staff will assess the needs in affected areas and prepare supplies and programs to serve those left homeless by the twin disasters. “We are now facing the most tragic disaster in our country’s history,” said Kenjiro Ban, Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs Manager, World Vision Japan.

World Vision plans to establish one or more Child-Friendly Spaces–sites for children affected by disasters to resume normal childhood activities and experience structure and security that are often lost following emergency situations.

We appreciate all of your support, and ask that you continue to promote this project in any way you can.

Thanks,
World Vision staff

*Donate through Causes here
*If you would like to donate directly to the relief efforts, please click here 

Prayer from Beth Yeager Women of Vision Headquarters Federal Way, WA
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of thee sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved; God will help it when the morning dawns…The Lord of hosts is with us…..Psalm 46


Mighty God, stand watch in the hours of this day and the nights to keep all from more harm. Renew our capacity for hope by healing the despair and anxiety brought on by this unexpected act of our natural world. Bring those whom you summon into the lives of those needing assistance. Allow them to reveal your love and mercy to all they care for. Amen.

First Saturday Prayer for March

Prayer for the Trauma Recovery Center in Phnom Penh

Our Passion:
In the picture above, the survivors of trafficking and exploitation release balloons in Cambodia as a sign of the healing process they are experiencing at one of nine projected Trauma Recovery Centers that World Vision (WV) is funding as part of a five year project. Our Chapter has chosen to help support this Project as a result of our heart for advocacy against human trafficking. We are passionate about making a difference in the lives of exploited women and children and pray that many children in Cambodia will be protected and restored at these WV centers. Our prayer is that the children once hopeless willl find hope just as the children in the picture above, and that they too will write their experiences of the past on balloons and then let them go, leaving behind some of the pain from their past. What follows is a snapshot about the Project and our prayer. Project details here.

General Information:
The Trauma Recovery Project, which provides aftercare to sexually exploited and abused girls—who come from many provinces in Cambodia—through a shelter in Phnom Penh WV will be engaged in two types of partnerships for the Child Protection Program in Cambodia. The first involves governments, United
Nations bodies, and international and local NGO providers, with which they collaborate to ensure appropriate, timely, and relevant policies and responses to the needs of children and communities.

The other type of partnership is with community-based or grass roots organizations, such as parents groups, Child Protection Networks, and various interest groups, including those by which communities plan and act on protection issues. Through these partnerships, WV works to mobilize communities, build their capacity, and expand participation in planning and programming. For example, Hagar Cambodia, is an international Christian organization with which WV works to provide restorative care for sexually abused and trafficked children.

WV—through their own Trauma Recovery Center in Phnom Penh—and partner NGOs will provide child victims of sexual exploitation and abuse with therapeutic residential shelter that meets or exceeds established care standards. Children will be assessed upon admission, and individual case plans will be developed. Care will include nutritious meals, clothing, vocational education, life-skills training, formal or nonformal education, counseling, and healthcare. The ultimate aim is to promote restoration of the child, improved functioning and resilience, and increased hope.

Analysis of the Problem in Cambodia:
Girls in their teens or even younger are sold into prostitution in Cambodia, forced to perform sexual services over weeks, months, and even years. Such abuse causes the girls to become angry and physically and emotionally traumatized—an impact that lingers well beyond their removal from brothels. Before returning to family life or their communities, these children need intensive counseling and highquality restorative care in residential facilities—a level of service that is in limited supply in Phnom Penh and across the country. This is one part of the challenge. Another is to ensure that survivors are spared from experiencing additional trauma during the police investigation and legal proceedings. WV also seeks to keep children from becoming further victimized in their communities. The risk is quite real. Girls who have lost their virginity are considered damaged or disreputable. Such attitudes make them highly vulnerable to repeated abuse and in danger of becoming trapped in a cycle of exploitation. Protection also is needed for young girls and women who are targeted and sought out because they are virgins. Perhaps the most far-reaching task—one with potential for long-term impact—is to help change both the environment (where children can be exploited easily) and systems (which are inadequately equipped to respond to cases of abuse).Prevention. Protection. Restoration. As the gaps in these areas are filled, significant progress can be made in building a safer world for Cambodia’s children.

World Vision's Response:
World Vision has more than 30 years of experience working in Cambodia. Over five years, with funding of about $7.1 million, this program will provide protection and restoration services to nearly 5,500 beneficiaries, including shelter care for 445 girls and protection support, such as assistance with the legal process, for 500 children and 250 families. About 70,000 community members, including 28,700 children, will benefit from strengthening of local and government systems that protect children and respond to instances of abuse. We at the South Puget Sound Chapter of Women of Vision in conjunction withWorld Vision would be privileged to have you join with us in building a safer world for children in Cambodia.

Our Part:
Our partnership with WV will advance the cause of child protection, helping to restore children who have been hurt, protect children who are vulnerable to abuse, and make communities safer for girls and boys in Cambodia. Mindful that child protection issues are difficult, WV is nonetheless hopeful that they can reflect God’s love into the lives of children at risk and help them find paths to a brighter future—a future in which they will feel valued and empowered to achieve their potential. Our Chapter along with WV would be privileged to have you participate in this work. With WV's long-term presence in Cambodia, their experience in trafficking and exploitation issues, and strong programs, we have before us a remarkable opportunity to reach hurting and vulnerable children and impact their lives in enduringly positive ways. Please join us in making a difference for these children.

Our Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before you in the Name of Jesus and ask that your merciful Hand would extend to these girls and boys in Cambodia to bring them protection and restoration. Lord, this heinous crime of human trafficking and sexual exploitation is beyond what we can imagine, yet we know that You are able to undertake for these children in ways that we cannot even think or ask. For the ones who have arrived at the Trauma Recovery Center in Phnom Penh today, bring them peace and comfort and take away their fears. For the ones who have been at the Center already we ask that they would be successful in their program and that they would continue to be renewed and recreated in You. Thank you for bringing these children newness of life and life in all it's fullness.

We pray for the counselors and the staff working with these children that You would encourage their hearts today as they work in this heartbreaking reality. Give them strength and patience as they work to be Your Hands extended to these children. Work a miracle in relationships and let there be a triple cord bond between each child, their counselor and You. bless them for the sacrificies that they make daily to be available to these children. Provide for their spiritual, emotional and financial needs.

We pray for the Nation of Cambodia that there would be changes in their government so that children are protected. We pray for the ones exploiting these children. We lift them before You and pray for their salvation. We pray that the demand for these children would stop as a result of these men and women who offer these girls wrongfully seeing their wrong and walking away from this corrupt practice. We believe that it is possible to end human trafficking in our world becasue we know that nothing is impossible with You!

For our part, Lord, please give us favor in our fundraising. Give us new and fresh ideas so that we can share our passion for advocacy and ignite that passion in others. Open doors for us that only You can open as we plan our largest fund raiser through the Sheryl WuDunn Event. Give us each creative ideas about how we can raise funds that will directly support this Center in Cambodia. Lord our dollars make such a huge difference in what can be done for these children. Show us Lord who to ask and when to ask to our events. Help us to convey to others the need for vigilence and determination in this fight against human trafficking in our world. Lord our motives are that You would be blessed as we obey Your call to help the poor, that children would be rescued, restored and renewed and that our world would see You through all of our efforts.

We praise You, Lord for You are worthy of our praise. We worship and bow down before You for we know that we can do nothing without You. We dream big, Lord, because we know that we serve a BIG God who hears us and answers us. We are excited about how You will use us to make a difference in the lives of these children in Cambodia. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen