June Devotional

From Mountain Tops to Suddenly

Living Life in the Dots

Church of Living Water

Pastor Ron Cobler 6/12/11

Habakkuk 2

Pastor Cobler’s sermon “From Mountain Tops to Suddenly” focuses on how God works through change which often results in us waiting. We are in the midst of change Nationally, locally and in our own lives and we find ourselves living in the dots. . . What are the dots? The dots are marks used between the end of one statement and the beginning of another but what happened in-between was too long to write so the writer uses a series of dots for what is omitted. These marks are called ellipsis from the Latin word meaning to fall short.  There are times when personal promises can come to us as we read scripture or when we pray. It is wonderful when we see the promise fulfilled, but the time between the promise and the fulfillment requires us to wait. That waiting time is living in the dots or the ellipsis.

In Acts 2:4b “He gave them this command: ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” The disciples may have been surprised when Jesus ascended into Heaven that the Holy Spirit did not descend sooner. Instead, they began a time of waiting in the upper room. The disciples were living in the dots waiting for the fulfillment of the promise. They were waiting for the “suddenly” of Acts 2:2-3 “Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from Heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.” They had gone from a mountain top watching Jesus ascend into Heaven to waiting for the “suddenly” to happen.  When we find ourselves waiting on the Lord, what should we do?

On way to survive living in the ellipsis is to embrace the dots trusting God and in faith believing that we may not understand the dots, but we trust the God of the dots. God’s timing is different than ours and we must not grow weary in waiting. We don’t want to be one dot Christians who step out in obedience and when circumstances don’t change we give up waiting and we go back to doing it our way. Often these dots over time can suck faith, hope and joy out of our lives and the dots become like a black hole drawing us into it. Psalm 23 promises us that even if we walk through the valley of the shadow of death we will fear no evil. God promises us that we will never be alone, someone greater than the black hole is on our side. Everything that comes into our lives has gone through the Father filter because God has allowed it. Embrace the waiting and hold on to God’s Word. 

A second way to survive the dots is to find a handhold from the Word in the midst of the ellipsis. In Habakkuk 1:2 we read “How long, O Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” God replies in Chapter 2:2 “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it. For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.”  Here we read that although it may take a while, what we are waiting for will happen. The only word that will get us across the bridge from ellipsis to the suddenly is the word faith. Without it, we will fall short. One day, we will look back on the dots with gratitude because we will see how God used the time of waiting for our good. Psalm 119:36 Incline my heart to your testimony and not to selfish gain. In the dots, we begin to see our hearts and who we really are and when we hold on we begin to see who God really is. The dots squeeze us so that we can see what is in us. We see our need for Him and we turn to Heaven and praise God that He loves us. Our independence turns to dependence, we become humble and we begin to look like Jesus more and more as we focus on His Word as our stronghold.

God is working in the change around each of us. As we embrace the time of waiting on the Lord we begin to trust Him more and we find peace. When we find ourselves living in the dots, we need to grab hold of something from the Word of God as our anchor. While we wait, we need to be intentional in increasing our faith in Jesus. God is using the change to conform us more to His image. One day when we see Him face to face, the ellipsis between now and forever will be filled in. All will be revealed and we will fall at His feet, grateful.  

First Saturday Prayer for June

Make It Right

From Oppression to Opportunity

The Western Washington chapters of Women of Vision have gathered together to present an educational event and fundraiser. Our South Puget Sound Chapter will be raising funds for our International project, the Aftercare Facility in Cambodia. We ask that you join us in praying for this event that will take place on September 18, 2011 at the Hyatt in Bellevue, WA. Sheryl WuDunn, author of Half the Sky, will be our keynote speaker with Renee Stearns, wife of World Vision President Rich Stearns.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We come before you in the matchless, wonderful Name of Jesus and ask that you would help us in this event planning, preparation and presentation. Our heart is to bring about a greater understanding of global, National and local human trafficking through Sheryl WuDunn. Give her the words to open hearts to the reality of this issue. Lord, we want to see captives set free, broken hearts mended, and comfort brought to those victims who mourn about their losses from injustice. Use us Lord to bring Light to the darkness!

Lord, we specifically ask for an emcee for the evening. We ask for someone who would be the catalyst to blend all facets of the evening into a smoothly flowing event, someone who will bring an aspect of entertainment, yet respect the seriousness of the topic and help bring people to a point of action. We need a person knowledgeable about human trafficking, familiar with the Seattle culture and who also has a heart for World Vision, Women of Vision and You. Thank you for opening doors for this person and bless them for their part.

Lord, we ask that You would help us to raise funds to impact the human trafficking darkness. We pray specifically that each chapter would raise their pledged sum for their projects. That the monies allotted for this event will be paid back in full and that funds would be raised for projects beyond what we could think or ask. We ask that You would sell each seat three times. We ask for underwriters to cover the cost. Lord, we ask BIG because we believe that You are the God of the BIG and miraculous.

Give us wisdom about the program for the evening. We ask that You would send the music that will be pleasing to You and that will honor and glorify Your Name with praise and thanksgiving. We pray that all details for the program will unfold this coming week so that the collateral, communication and advertising can begin. Let nothing hinder this progress.

We ask that people would use wisdom and follow the necessary protocols and procedures in all matters and that each responsible person would be able to complete their task with excellence remembering that each part is time sensitive.

We praise You Lord for each person connected with this event. We ask that you would bless each one. Lord, You have orchestrated a team of mighty, godly women who “do” so that others can live life in its fullness. We praise You that You have called us to this event at such a time as this and that You will equip us in every way to be all that we can be as a testimony to all that You are! We do not presume that we are sufficient in ourselves for this or any other task that we do to advance Your kingdom. We praise You that You send Your Holy Spirit to guide us through this process and that we cannot fail because You are the center of this work.

We praise You and worship You as the King of kings and the Lord of lords. Worthy is the Lamb to receive glory and honor and blessing. In Your Name, Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Prayer for "Finding Lacy" Conference

Prayer for "Do You Know Lacy?" Training Day June 3, 2011

Overlake Church, Redmond, WA

Information:

The name “Lacy” is used to represent all survivors of domestic minor sex trafficking.

“Hi, my name is Lacy.

I’m about 13 years old.

I am rented every night to different men.

I live in your community.

Will you please help me?”

"Shared Hope International exists to rescue and restore girls just like Lacy. They want to provide for her a safe and secure place to heal and an opportunity for new life. Prostituting of our children is so revolting. Shared Hope International works to assist activists and legislators to create laws to prevent the offense and punish the offender, so no more girls will have their innocence stolen like Lacy's was.

It is so easy to walk by this girl and not even know it . . . she's in your church, your school, the shopping mall, the drug store, the clinic, the nail salon. That’s why Shared Hope is also passionate about training people like to identify and help the girls like Lacy in their  community.

Training Track options : Law Enforcement, Social Service Providers, Advocates of Youth who directly work with youth in supportive roles – teachers and principals, youth pastors, students (university and high school), Crisis centers (such as pregnancy and drug) youth empowerment organizations, peer programs, anti-trafficking groups/task forces, the Boys and Girls Club, Boy/Girl Scouts, YMCA, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, etc.; Fighting DEMAND (Men Only),Community Advocates

Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before you in the Name of Jesus asking that You would make a way for people throughout the Puget Sound Area who are law enforcement agents, social service providers, advocates of youth, men who want to fight the demand and community advocates against human trafficking to attend this conference. Lord, we need people educated about the problem in this area, equipped to make a change and empowered to persevere in the fight against this atrocity against children. We pray that a grassroots task force would emerge from this conference that will impact the darkness in our local area.

Thank You for Shared Hope International. We ask that You would bless this organization and protect those involved with this ministry. Prosper them financially and allow them to extend their reach globally.

Thank You for what You will do through this conference.
In Jesus Name we pray, amen.

May Devotional

Just Stay

 A nurse took the tired, anxious serviceman to the bedside. "Your son is here," she said to the old man. She had to repeat the words several times before the patient's eyes opened. Heavily sedated because of the pain of his heart attack, he dimly saw the young uniformed Marine standing outside the oxygen tent. He reached out his hand. The Marine wrapped his toughened fingers around the old man's limp ones, squeezing a message of love and encouragement.

The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed. All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted ward, holding the old man's hand and offering him words of love and strength. Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest awhile. He refused. Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital - the clanking of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients. Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words. The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night.

Along towards dawn, the old man died. "Who was that man?" the Marine asked.

The nurse was startled, "He was your father," she answered.

"No, he wasn't," the Marine replied. "I never saw him before in my life.

"Then why didn't you say something when I took you to him?"
"I knew right away there had been a mistake, but I also knew he needed his son, and his son just wasn't here. When I realized that he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son, knowing how much he needed me, I stayed. I came here tonight to find a Mr. William Grey. His son was killed in Iraq today, and I was sent to inform him. What was this Gentleman's Name?"

The nurse with tears in her eyes answered, “Mr. William Grey.”

This is an email story currently circling cyber space. It gives us a strong visual image of what we are to do with God: Hold tightly to His Hand and “just stay” as we take this life journey. We are to wait on Him because “God acts on behalf of those who wait for Him” Isaiah 64:4. During the long hours of waiting it is easy to be discouraged, we feel as if God has forgotten as this dying man must have felt. Charles Stanley writes in 30 Life Principals on page 47

     “You may feel as if God has forgotten you. He has not. God is always at work, and
      at this very moment He is engineering your situation to provide His very best for you.
      In fact, He is lining up circumstances in a way that is better than you could ever imagine
      (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Another example to us from this story is how the Marine whispered words of strength and encouragement. As we wait on the Lord He whispers His Word of love and encouragement to us. Isaiah 40:28-31

    “Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the
     ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
     He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired
     and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their
     strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk
     and not be faint.”

When we stay focused on God and His Word nothing around us causes us to lose our focus and our strength is renewed, our purpose is verified and God’s plan is revealed to us. When we put blinders on our hearts and minds to the world and its resounding gongs and clanging symbols, He intimately speaks to us of His love and the pleasure He takes in giving us the best that He has for our lives.

Taking a second look at this Marine, we glean another lesson. We see how we are to be God’s Hands extended to bring encouragement and comfort to others. As we reach out to those marginalized in our world that live in poverty, we too can not only share words of encouragement but we can take action to make a difference and bring Light to their darkness. It is not easy to deny ourselves the conveniences and comfort that giving to others often requires. Some of us know like this Marine the smells, sounds and sights of sitting by a hospital bed as a loved one lingers and finally breathes their last breath. As Women of Vision, we know that the needs of those who are waiting to be released from modern day slavery do not present a savory picture to our world. Through our advocacy efforts we have seen how people prefer to stay in their comfort zone, live their life and turn an eye to the needs of victims of sex and labor trafficking. God’s Word admonishes us to reach out to the poor and needy in our world to bring them hope and freedom.

“He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” Isaiah 61:1b-3

Is this not a perfect picture of modern day slaves and what we can do to make a difference in their lives? As we stay the course of our cause against slavery, we know that God will bring His Word to pass and prisoners will be released from darkness, their broken hearts will be mended and they will wear a crown of beauty instead of ashes. They will walk in fullness of life in ways they never thought possible. Staying the course is stressful and we will come under attack, yet we know that “Though the righteous man falls seven times, he rises again” (Proverbs 24:16). The discomfort is worth it when we see bills become laws in Olympia and in Washington DC, when we see changed lives through documentaries like “Money + Sex” and when we learn about how Light has overcome darkness in the World Vision After Care Facility in Cambodia. God is faithful to His Word and to His children.

The title of this story is compelling to us as Christians. As we fulfill our role in our Women of Vision Chapter, let us remember it. We are faced with the planning, preparation and presentation of another major event to educate Puget Sound about the condition of women and children in the world who suffer. We find ourselves overextended, out of our comfort zone, and frustrated with a plethora of details. Let’s remember the image of this Marine in the story. Just stay holding tightly to the Hand of God; just stay on course as we present an event to raise funds for human trafficking victims; just stay and watch Him do the miraculous.

International Day of Families

International Day of Families

The International Day of Families is observed on the 15^th of May every year. The Day was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly resolution in 1993 (A/RES/47/237) and reflects the importance the international community attaches to families. The International Day provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families and increase the knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families. The Day may become an opportunity for all countries to demonstrate support to families. Governments, non-governmental organizations, educational institutions and individuals are encouraged to organize observances of the Day to promote a better understanding of the functions, problems, strengths and needs of families.

BACKGROUND:

Family Poverty

Family poverty usually refers to households earning less than a minimum amount of income. In high and medium-income countries family poverty levels refer to incomes falling below specific annual income levels or falling below 50-60 per cent of the national median income. In low-income countries, the standard measure involves income of $1.25 per person a day. With insufficient income families are not able to perform their multiple functions, like providing nutrition, education and security for their children or adequately care for other family members. Families are vulnerable to poverty at certain stages in the family life cycle, e.g. starting a new family and during retirement. They are also more likely to fall into poverty during times of financial and economic crises.

Social Exclusion

Poverty means more than income and material deprivation. Social exclusion can be seen as a form of poverty as they both originate in discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity and gender, inequality, unbalanced rural/urban development, unequal distribution of assets or unequal access to services. The excluded are mostly unable to improve their well-being due to socio-political structures of the societies they live in. Indigenous and ethnic minorities are often most affected by exclusion.

Child Poverty

The cycle of poverty continues when a family remains in poverty over successive generation. Investing in children is then seen as a priority to break the cycle of intergenerational poverty. Priorities in this area include: improving access to and quality of education, ensuring access to health services as well as investing in family stability. There is a strong correlation between social expenditures on children and family welfare and lower risk of families being in poverty.

Gender Equality

Gender inequality continues to be a major impediment to poverty eradication. Research in developing countries indicate that the greater a woman contributes to household income, the more money is spent on food, childcare and overall family well-being. At the same time, it is important to take measures encouraging men to take up bigger share of household and care responsibilities within families.

Family-Oriented Anti-poverty Strategies

Family-focused strategies aiming at poverty reduction often include income support policies, such as universal child allowances or child-focused earnings supplements. There is also a growing interest in specific policies in support of single-parent families, through cash allowances, tax incentives, tougher child support enforcement or by discouraging marriage dissolution. Benefits for family members caring for older persons and persons with disabilities have also been considered to help families cope with caring responsibilities and promote intergenerational support.

The importance of family-oriented strategies for poverty eradication has been increasingly gaining ground in development efforts around the world. In particular gender and child-sensitive social protection policies addressing family poverty and reducing the vulnerability of younger and older generations have been a focus of attention of increasing number of countries in developed and developing world alike.

Research and practice demonstrate that the effective delivery of social transfer programmes depends on efficient administrative structure and adequate financial capacity. Their success is also more likely if they are accompanied by adequate provision of basic social services, in particular health services, especially to those most vulnerable.

PRAYER:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We come before you in the Name of Jesus on behalf of families around the world, including America. Lord, we know that families are the building blocks of a culture and that a healthy culture has healthy families. Families are in trouble everywhere for many reasons. We lift troubled families before your throne and ask that your Hand of protection and provision would be upon them. For families struggling with relational issues, we ask for God-honoring solutions. For families in poverty we ask for God-given provision. For families struggling with health issues we ask for God-given healing. We pray that governments would make family stability a priority in decision making and goal setting. Lord, when we think of families in crisis globally through poverty, disease, corrupt government, and/or natural disasters we feel so small; yet, we know that You will make a way as we do our part in seeking You and asking You to show us what we can do. Bring this subject to our minds as we pray. Help us to remember global families.

We lift up the families in Network Tacoma. We pray for the salvation of family members who do not know You. We pray that the families living in these homes would benefit from the training that they receive from the Network Tacoma staff and this knowledge would transform their lives so that they are able to overcome their difficult circumstances. We pray for Alissa's healing and the healing of any who suffer from disease and sickness. We pray for a break in generational ties of poverty. We ask that those who need to will be able to receive educational opportunities. We pray for the children that they would receive the care, nurturing and love that they need to grow and reach their full potential. We pray for the families of the staff members who toil endless hours and give fully of themselves sacrificially for the benefit of families. Be their all-in-all and bless them in every way. Bless these families Lord, in ways that we cannot think or ask.

We lift our own families to You, Lord. Every family has needs so we entrust our family to You and ask that You would provide for, guide and reside in our families. We ask that You would show us a way of escape from besetting sins that we repeat as families. We ask that you break any generational ties that stop our families from being all that they can be. We praise you for provision. We adore You for Your love for our families and how You show us to be loving through Your unconditional love. We worship You by laying down our families before Your throne and asking You to bless our families with unity, peace and love.

Thank You Heavenly Father for creating families. We love You. In Jesus Name we pray. Amen 

First Saturday Prayer for May

National Day of Prayer Week

The 60th Annual National Day of Prayer will took place Thursday, May 5, 2011. Millions united in prayer at thousands of events from coast to coast. This year's theme, “A Mighty Fortress is Our God”, is based on the verse from Psalm 91:2 which states: “I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Mrs. Joni Eareckson Tada joined Mrs. Shirley Dobson leading the Nation in prayer as the 2011 Honorary Chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force.

Watch this year's National Day of Prayer here

Mrs. Dobson posts the following statement on the National Day of Prayer Taskforce website at  http://nationaldayofprayer.org/news/from-the-chairma/
"Throughout the six decades since Congress established an annual National Day of Prayer, untold millions of Americans have come together every year to express humble reliance upon the Almighty. On May 5th, citizens will once again gather stateside and at points around the globe to lift our nation and leaders before the Lord. In doing so, we pay tribute to the example set by our Founding Fathers and by presidents down through the years who have exhorted the American people to seek God’s help and deliverance during trying times. As Abraham Lincoln presided over a war-torn land, he called on his fellow citizens to take part in a day of fasting and prayer, making this statement: “…it is the duty of nations as well as of men to own their dependence upon the overruling power of God, to confess their sins and transgressions in humble sorrow yet with assured hope that genuine repentance will lead to mercy and pardon, and to recognize the sublime truth, announced in the Holy Scriptures and proven by all history: that those nations only are blessed whose God is the Lord…” What a powerful reminder of the true source of our well-being. It was in that spirit that our NDP Task Force chose A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD as our 2011 theme, inspired by the faith-filled declaration found in Psalm 91:2: 'I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in Whom I trust.’”

Prayer
2011 National Prayer by Joni Eareckson Tada, Honorary Chairman

Almighty God, you are our Mighty Fortress, our refuge and the God in whom we place our trust. As our nation faces great distress and uncertainty, we ask your Holy Spirit to fall afresh upon your people — convict us of sin and inflame within us a passion to pray for our land and its people. Grant the leaders of our country an awareness of their desperate need of wisdom and salvation in You until sin becomes a reproach to all and righteousness exalts this nation.

Protect and defend us against our enemies and may the cause of Christ always prevail in our schools, courts, homes, and churches. Lord God, send a spirit of revival and may it begin in our own hearts.

Remember America, we pray. Remember the foundations on which this country was built. Remember the prayers of our nation’s fathers and mothers, and do not forget us in our time of need.

In the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

Romania Team Prayer

Romania Team+ Cindy Breilh (not pictured)

Cindy Breilh, Women of Vision (WOV) National Director(not pictured), and five women from the WOV Colorado Chapter are off to Romania today. The WOV Colorado Chapter spent time on Sunday commissioning and blessing these travelers with their families. Please keep these women in your prayers for the next two weeks as they visit WOV projects.

In addition to Cindy, the ladies traveling are Eunice Bollinger, Eileen Diepenbrock, Jill Hansen, Ginny White, Judy Wonning.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father,

We come before you in the Name of Jesus on behalf of our sisters who are traveling to Romania today. Lord, we lift them before your throne as they travel in a world filled with uncertainty. We call on You, the Solid Rock and ask that You would be their certainty. Protect them, provide for them, and preserve them as they are away from their homes and loved ones. Give them sweet times of fellowship with You and one another. Let their hearts be broken for the things they will see that break Your heart. Empower them to be light in the darkness and salt on the earth. Enable them to accomplish those things that You would have them accomplish as they surrender their daily agenda to You. Equip them to be a blessing and be blessed. We love them Lord and thank you for them and for their zeal for children and women in poverty who are marginalized. Thank you that they are Your Hands extended in Romania. In the precious Name of Jesus we pray. Amen