iShineInMinistry

Philippians 4:11-12 (NKJV)

Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:

I know how to be abased and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have leaned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and suffer need.

Content: in a state of peaceful happiness

Do you ever have those days when nothing seems to fall into place? You complete five huge tasks just in time to find out that you forgot about three other more important projects? You are sleep-deprived and everyone wants to be around you today…right now! Life seems to be spinning out of control and all you want to do is take a nap. Remember when you were a toddler and all you wanted to do was get out of taking naps? If only we knew then what we know now!

Ministry is constantly moving and the Lord is always doing some amazing new thing that we get the privilege of being part of as we serve Him. We may lose sight of that when we need rest or need resources or want to sit down for just five minutes to catch up on emails. The thing we need to remember is that we should also be content in the hectic times. Yes we may be overwhelmed, but think of the person that could potentially be saved from your diligence for this busy season. Yes we may not have all the funds we need right now, but think of the person that has the Spiritual Gift of giving that may get to step out in faith for the need you have. Yes we may be tired and want to take a nap, but think of how much deeper that sleep will be at the end of the night when the day truly is over.

Let us not lose sight in those times of weakness, because we know that moments where we are abounding are right around the corner. Let us remain content in all ministry moments and let the Lord continue to help us in those times of need…He will give us the strength to continue this calling we have been blessed with!

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NKJV)

And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”

On this wonderful Sunday I just want to encourage all of us "iShine Ladies" to focus on the cross and the beauty of the Lord's sacrifice. He loves us so much and every opportunity that we are given to be a blessing should be taken with joy.

We get the added bonus of being able to serve in full-time ministry during this amazing time of year...do not take this fabulous blessing for granted! Have a wonderful Sunday and be blessed as you walk in His plans for your life as you faithfully serve Him. Happy Resurrection Day!!

Listen to this fantastic song and be blessed by the goodness of our Savior!

http://youtu.be/-79joJJOdQs

Hearts and Hugs,

Jacquelynn Marie��

1 Peter 1:2 (NKJV)

…in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:

Grace to you and peace be multiplied.

Just because we serve in full-time ministry, it seems as though people think we do not have sin issues that we struggle with in our daily lives. Whether our issue is fear, a false sense of control, pride or a tongue that refuses to be tamed, we can sometimes find ourselves trying to ‘fake it until we make it’. Although we teach grace and the work that the Lord does in the hearts of others in our Bible Studies, retreats, conferences and small groups, we sometimes forget that those same messages and bits of wisdom that we impart are also for our walks with the Lord. Here are some things we need to guard against as we serve in leadership so that God can also do a work in those areas of our lives where we struggle.

We need to make sure that we do not try little shortcuts as the Lord deals with those areas in our lives. Many of us try the route of avoidance with the problem we have and having someone hold us accountable. We simply brush off our bad attitude, hostility, and prideful thoughts and excuse them as something else that sounds less sinful. Or, we may even admit we have a problem, but then skirt the issue of having a sister in the Lord help to hold us accountable. Another thing we may do is focus in more on the things we do better in our walks and hope that it balances out that ‘bad thing’ we struggle with. Each of these options are quick fixes that do not allow us to truly deal with what our problem is…sin!

Let us be transparent with ourselves, with the Lord (He already knows anyway, we might as well admit it) and someone that is strong in the Lord that can help us to overcome those areas where we need a little extra assistance in becoming more than conquerors. The end outcome may take longer than we would like to admit, but the blessing of drawing nearer to God as He prunes those dead aspects of our lives away is well worth it in the end!

Will you do the following things this week?

Pray about that “thing(s)” that is an area of struggle

Pray about who the Lord will bring to help hold you accountable (we need to be discerning about who we share things with)

Pray that you will let the Lord deal completely with the issue, even if it takes years!

John 17:17 (NKJV)

Sanctify them by Your truth, Your word is truth.

Romans 12:19 (NKJV)

Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.

Imagine if you would that someone that you volunteer with is speaking ill things about your character and you as a person overall. They are passive-aggressively commenting or downright telling people things about you when you are not around... You may not even have to imagine this. We have all been on the receiving end of gossip, slander or someone recounting a truth about us that we may not want others to know about. These are very uncomfortable times in ministry, yet we must remember two very important things when this happens.

The Lord is your defense! Do not launch a PR campaign in an effort to tell everyone and anyone you come into contact with about what is going on and how you are innocent. You are not an elementary child on the playground trying to get friends to be on "your side". You are a woman of God and your character should speak for itself.

We should live in such a way that no one would even dare believe we are capable of what people may accuse us of. However, if what they are saying does hold some truth and we are trying to keep us appearances...the problem may actually be us! Although they are in the wrong, do not go to that place with them. Ask God to search your heart and take that trait out so that no one would able to talk badly about our character.

Secondly, if you are the object of slander, gossip or some other random drama, do not play the victim! You are a big girl that trusts the Lord in every circumstance, not a manipulator that needs people to sympathize with your situation. Bad things happen to people all the time...even you. Our eyes should be on the Lord, not the potential adoring fans that we can gain from being pitied. In addition, your character actually is questionable if you go the route of playing the victim.

Ultimately, the truth usually comes out somehow. However, if it does not, the Lord knows the truth and He is the only one that really matters anyway. Serve diligently and trust Him even as these trying relational storms occur. He will make us women after His own heart that fully and completely show His love, grace and mercy in all areas of life (not just the easy ones)!

Psalm 7:10 (NKJV)

My defense is of God,


Who saves the upright in heart.

John 8:7 (NKJV)

So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let Him throw a stone at her first.”

I love when I hear about people that are new in their faith growing little by little in their belief in the Lord. It is such a blessing to see their hearts get more understanding about the character of Jesus. I also love when someone that has been battling and struggling with a life-dominating sin issue gets victory as they cling to Jesus. It is such a blessing to see God do a work in people’s lives. I love that He continues to do work in my life and struggles too!

I think it is healthy and a genuine show of our relationship with the Lord when we can have hearts of compassion as we see people have sin issues and not judge, condemn or be ready to write them off as a failure. I love how Jesus does that with us…so why are we unable to do that with one-another? We should always look to edify, encourage and redirect as we see people get sucked back into things of the world. The Lord does not just say, “I knew she couldn’t handle this. I’m over her”, so why should we always have our self-righteous fingers ready to point out when someone stumbles?

As we walk with the Lord and continue to be sanctified each and every day, let us not forget that we too are works in progress, just like the people we decide “aren’t Christian enough” or “must not really be saved”. We are all being made into a reflection of our Savior as we learn to trust and obey. So, let’s be a blessing, pray for one another rather than point fingers when someone falls into sin and be the body of Christ that is so filled with the kindness, gentleness and unconditional love of Jesus that people actually want to know our Lord, because of our gracious witness that shows godly character and humility.

Here are a few scriptures to look at as we walk this walk of faith.

Luke 6:37-38 (NKJV)

Ephesians 5:19 (NKJV)

Philippians 1:6 (NKJV)

Read John 8:1-11 about the woman caught in adultery.

Also, please make sure to keep people in prayer if you know they are struggling. Keep those that are in the spotlight in prayer as well. Lastly, keep those that have walked away from the Lord in prayer and keep interceding for them; with God all things are possible!

Are you always waiting, watching and ready to point out sin in someone else’s life and decide whether or not they are truly saved? Are you aware of the fact that only God really knows? What if people always pointed out your area of struggle and said the same about you? How would you feel?