iShineInMinistry

Zechariah 1:3(HCSB)

So tell the people: This is what the LORD of Hosts says: Return to Me” – this is the declaration of the LORD of Hosts – “and I will return to you, says that LORD of Hosts.

Is there a certain someone missing from your small group? Is there a lady that has not made it to a fellowship event, outreach or retreat in years and you are just wondering, “What ever happened to _______?” (fill in the blank as needed). Maybe, just maybe, God may be placing her on your heart right now because she needs to come back to what she knows is true. Maybe she switched churches, moved or attends some other study you don’t lead. Or maybe, she has drifted from the truth that used to set her free. God knows and maybe this an opportunity He has to use you in a new and exciting way.

We have to remember that while ministry is amazing in group settings, we sometimes need to make sure to check up on that one. God wants all of His sheep to continue to feed on His word and truth. We all know about the story of the 99 and the one sheep. Let’s make sure to be the hands and feet of Jesus as we serve so that we can do His will, reach out to those that need some encouragement and bless the heart of our loving Savior.

Matthew 18:12-14 (NKJV)

“What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

Pray this week about who the Lord may have you reach out to…then make sure to follow through!!

Psalm 5:2 (NKJV)

Give heed to the voice of my cry,

My King and my God,

For to You I will pray.

I have been on bed rest for almost one full week...and reading a book about radical prayer between my moments of rest. I know that as ladies who serve in full-time ministry we understand how important it is to pray. However, while we may know it in our mind, are we practicing what we know to be true in our daily lives? I know that God allowed me to really see this again in a new way recently, so I want to challenge us all to come to the Lord in prayer as we encounter day-to-day ministry events.

In the midst of planning for a huge ministry outreach I found myself face to face with an obstinate and difficult personality. I was on the offensive already, knowing that the enemy was trying to distract me from the ministry at hand; but I also knew that I needed to extend grace, put on the full armor of God and get praying! I was not going to use my skill and talent to win this person over. I needed to seek God's face, ask Him to soften their heart and allow them to see my heart for ministry so they could kindly and graciously work with me as we planned.

Now, obviously, in the middle of planning, running around and serving, having a little "extra" obstacle is not ideal. But, we must remember to wait continually on the Lord and let Him be our peace, hope, grace and guide. When we do that, we will be blessed with the final outcome and He will produce a more godly character in you (and me) in the process!

Let's always choose to give God the opportunity to show His great faithfulness. Pray and watch Him move, then praise Him for who He is! Enjoy the chances to get to pray and see God move mountains...it's one of the many fabulous blessings of living #TheCharmedLife in ministry!

#The Charmed Life – Charmed Guests

This week, each of the iSparkle sites will feature one of my younger #TheCharmedLife girls. Meet Dasia, a fabulous tween that loves to write and serve Jesus. She is a wonderful big sister, daughter and friend...and this week she wanted to share about love and serving since it's Valentine's Day weekend. I hope you enjoy. Hearts and Hugs! Dasia (age 12)

Luke 6:35 (NIV) But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.

This weekend going on a service trip for church, helping throughout the retreat, others, and I have learned about how much work and time it can take to serve others. (Who knew it takes so many people to set up chairs?) Serving others - does that mean something like giving a chip to your little sister? No, this kind of serving is truly honoring God and shining His light through you. This has also has taught me about caring more for others, especially for Valentine’s Day!

This Valentine’s Day, take time to put others in our shoes- it may not make you incredibly happy, but it really matters in God’s eyes. Show your love for someone by putting them first, just like you would for God. Pray for them, do chores for them, (I’m sure my mom would love that!) give your time to them! And not only that, take your new outlook on serving each other through your whole week, month, year and life!

Mark 6:34 (NKJV)

And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.

With Valentine’s Day just a week away, love is in the air! We ministry girls always know that love is all around us; because we serve in full-time ministry and get to see amazing ways that God works through His love and in people’s lives. We have such an amazing privilege as we often get to witness blessings and miracles first hand. I hope that you will not ever lose the wonder of the beautiful calling you have…that your heart will continue to be filled with compassion so that you can see God’s love at work in every part of your life in full-time ministry.

As we walk through this week, I want each of you to think of someone that you minister to that you have not seen or spoken to in a while (think 2-3 months). Reach out to them, whether through text, a phone call, social media or otherwise and see how they are doing. If you are at a loss of who to minister to, ask the Lord whom He would love you to show grace, kindness and compassion to during this season of love and see who he reveals to you.

There may be someone hurting that has fallen off your radar and needs to see the compassion of Christ through your obedience. Let’s all purpose in our hearts to be charmed life ministry ladies that show the compassion of our Lord and Savior so that we continue to be His hands and feet. We are so very blessed to minister to those around us and this lost and dying world. Happy serving and Happy Valentine’s Day!

It is almost the first day of February and also the start of thinking of all things Valentine’s Day! I personally adore this holiday…it’s the pinkest holiday of the year! There is also an abundance of all of my favorite things. Things like hearts, bows, treats and glitter…I’m so excited! But, I, like so many of you other charmed life girls, love the beauty of LOVE!! There are so many people in my life that I love, there are hobbies I love to do in my spare time, there are a variety of ways I love to serve the Lord. I LOVE JESUS!! I could keep going, I’m sure you can tell.

However, what I want all of us girls to really think about is how we can take a moment out of each day this month to make someone feel loved. I really want us to pray about this, ask the Lord and see what He tells us to do. He could ask us to serve in a new ministry. He could begin to have us write a journal to our future husband (God already knows who he is even if we don’t yet). We may get to spend time with loved ones more often or simply send a sweet gift for no reason at all. Whatever way He shows you to give love, do it!

I am personally joyful for the month of February and all that it brings. I pray that we will all find ways to be loving and kind, live the charmed life of love and allow God to do something new and fantastic in our lives…starting today!

Happy February…

PS – It’s also Black History Month, you should LOVE to learn something new too!

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NKJV)

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails…