Where Does Prosperity Come From? By Lisa Burkhardt Worley

June 21, 2022 No comments Article

There are few people in the world who don’t want to prosperous, whether it’s prosperous in business, ministry or health. Culture teaches us that prosperity is up to us. We work and strive, spending long hours in the office or at the volunteer job. Some religiously buy Lotto tickets in hopes that they snag the million dollar winner. But I’ve learned over the years that prosperity and success are gifts from God, and he wants us to steward them well. In Job 1 when Satan and God have a discussion about the upstanding and God-fearing Job, Satan said, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is!” (Job 1:9-10, NLT)

Many of us know the story of Job. God took everything away—Job’s children, livestock and health, but in Job 1:21 Job says, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” Job knew that everything he possessed came from the hand of God and God had the right to remove everything. He was only a steward of the property.

That’s the way we feel about the house we live in. Our names may be on the home loan, but we believe it’s God’s house. This week is my doctoral in-class residency, required once a semester. One of my classmates will be based out of here this week. When we tape television shows, we always offer guests a place to stay at our home and we’ve had several pastors stay in our guest room when they are passing through. Once, a friend and her family lived here for a few weeks because there new house was not ready yet. This is one way we can bless others with the blessing we have received.

I believe that when we acknowledge God as provider, he is pleased and it gives Him glory. James 1:17 says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.” And when we follow Jesus we should not worry about provision. Jesus said, “‘That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds!” (Luke 12:22-24).

Today, will you join me in thanking God for everything He’s given us—both large and small? Like any good Father, God wants His children to prosper.

“What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:11, BSB).

Boundaries by Mayada Naami

June 18, 2022 No comments Article

“All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.”

(Matthew 5:37, NIV)

A physical boundary is a defining line that marks the end of a property and the beginning of another. A personal boundary is that which separates one individual from another. It also helps to distinguish what you have authority over and what you don’t. Boundaries help us take responsibility for our own life choices which manifests or bears fruit to one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit-self-control. Personal boundaries can also eradicate our selfish inclination to manipulate or control others and help protect us from those who want to control us or who lack self-control. A person with clear and healthy boundaries effectively communicates with others about what is permissible and what is not, as it pertains to them. Many of us grew up learning that saying “no” isn’t polite, but the Bible tells us in Mathew 5:37, for our “yes” to be simply “yes,” and our “no” a “no.” Anything else may be considered deceitful, or not truthful.

“Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned” (James 5:12, NIV).

We are built for relationship, to be secure that we are loved. When God created the perfect universe, He said it was not “good for man to be alone” (Genesis 2:18). He was talking about being in relationship with other people. A relationship is an attachment to a person; someone you bond with, trust, and go to for support. Our first relationship is with our mother or father. Unfortunately, in this broken world, an infant may not bond with his or her parent so it is critical for them to learn that they are safe in the world. Children need a consistent, warm, loving, and predictable emotionally safe environment to develop into an adult with healthy boundaries.

Many people today live in a broken or dysfunctional family and learn to communicate from this place of brokenness. As adults, by the grace of God, we have a choice to break free from toxic patterns of behavior that stem from our childhood and are passed down from generation to generation. Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” My prayer for you is that you may be redeemed and transformed by the renewing of your mind in Christ Jesus.

“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you” (Titus 2:11-15. NIV).

The Final Lesson from Jewel by Lisa Burkhardt Worley

June 14, 2022 No comments Article

“You’ll know when it’s time.”

This was our veterinarian’s response when I asked him how I’d know when it was time to mercifully put our sweet Goldendoodle, Jewel, down. Over the past six months, she had been struggling with a number of health issues—a brain tumor, early–stage kidney failure, a heart murmur, a recent bout with Pancreatitis and a Urinary Tract Infection. She was on so many meds it was difficult to keep them straight. Still, I did not want take her life in my hands. I wanted God to tell me when it was the end.

Jewel had been having periodic seizures because of the brain tumor, but on Sunday she suffered back-to-back seizures. She was in apparent pain with the second one, which also affected her cognitive function. There are details I will not share but because of what happened following the second seizure, we knew it was time. Since it was a Sunday, we held on one more day so we could take Jewel to the veterinary hospital she was familiar with, a place where she boarded at times, received great care, and was loved by the staff. Unfortunately, at 2:15 a.m. Monday morning, Jewel had one more seizure prior to our taking her to the vet. It was a confirmation we were making the right decision.

Before the procedure took place, the veterinary staff filed in to say their goodbyes. One vet tech cried as she grabbed Jewel, hugged her tightly and kissed her. My own tears flowed as the staff paid an emotional tribute to a dear dog who knew no stranger, loved unconditionally and was always excited to see everyone. She was my own constant companion—at my feet in the mornings when I did my Bible study, and cuddling with me at night—always waiting for her belly scratch. She was my shadow throughout the day, following me from room–to–room, but the shadow would now be gone as I had to say goodbye.

And now the final lesson from Jewel: It’s okay to mourn.

The sadness I felt Monday was almost unbearable. I felt like I’d lost my best friend. I was unproductive and remained in bed all afternoon. Always one to push through difficulties, I kept my appointments on Tuesday, including a luncheon I attended. As I sat there in a haze, barely able to converse with the other ladies at the table, I realized I was not ready to be social. I was still struggling. Still grieving. At the dentist office Thursday there was a dog barking outside—unusual for an office space. On a Zoom meeting last week, someone’s dog was barking in the background. Every time I heard or saw a dog, I thought about Jewel.

I believe my hyper-sensitivity to dogs is part of the mourning process—it will pass. But through all this, I’ve realized it’s okay to mourn. God had a timing for Jewel’s life and He has a timing for our healing. Jesus said, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” And God did comfort me this past week, using countless Facebook friends who shared kind words on my post about Jewel. My husband, who was out of town all week, checked on me periodically to make sure I was okay.

I also received a couple of other blessings last week including the beautiful blooming of our Crepe Myrtle Tree in the backyard. I had been so preoccupied with Jewel that I did not notice it. I know God had something to do with all of the uplifting surprises because I believe his Word that promises He saves me when I am brokenhearted.

The truth is all of us will experience loss one day, whether it’s the death of a canine, feline or the loss of a beloved human in our lives, and we should allow ourselves to grieve. Don’t do business as usual. Take the time needed to heal. Cry a bucket-full of tears. It’s okay to mourn—my final lesson from Jewel.

Persecution or Blessing by Mayada Naami

June 11, 2022 No comments Article

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives (Genesis 50:20, NIV).

Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like you were being persecuted and then realized, in hindsight, that it was a blessing? I have, and still experience these moments today.

One instance occurred in 2016; my dad was very ill and thinking it was going to be his last Christmas, I booked a flight to visit him in Montreal from December 22^nd to December 29^th. At the time I was the General Manager of a restaurant, and for the previous five years, always took that week of Christmas off because it was a slow week. After booking the flight, I informed my boss, and for the first time in five years, she declined my request. She said it was not fair to the other managers that I always took that week off—she approved the week before or the week after—but not the week of Christmas. I was disappointed since it never had been an issue. She knew my immediate family lived in Canada and I visited them once a year during the holidays. Nevertheless, I called the airline company to change the flight and was pleasantly surprised when the person on the line waived the change fee because she heard I was visiting my ill dad. I ended up flying into Canada the night of December 15^th and went straight to the hospital. I spent the night with my dad, letting my mom go home and get some rest. The next morning at 8 a.m., my dad took his last breath. At that moment I realized how God uses every circumstance, good or bad, to bless us. If my “mean” boss had allowed me my usual vacation, I would never have spent that last night with my dad.

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 34, NIV).

God knows what is best for us even when we don’t. The Bible promises us He will give us the desires of our hearts when we take delight in Him. We must trust Him while praising and worshipping Him daily. At first, I was upset with my boss when she told me I couldn’t visit my family at Christmas, but I immediately trusted that God would work things out. In doing so, and not fighting back, I was able to spend the last night on earth with my dad and fed him his favorite thing to eat, ice cream, before he went to be with His Father in heaven. What a blessing it turned out to be. What the enemy meant for evil, God uses for good!

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28, NIV).

Holy Spirit Power by Mayada Naami

June 7, 2022 No comments Article

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8, NIV).

What does it mean to have Holy Spirit power? This past weekend we celebrated Pentecost—the day when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples after the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. A day that commemorates when God freely gave His Holy Spirit to anyone who believed in Him. This power is available to all of us right now. Romans 8:11 tells us that all those who place their faith in Jesus are immediately and permanently indwelled with the Holy Spirit. God’s Spirit convicts, teaches, equips, and empowers us so we can bear witness and reveal His life to others. It strengthens us daily in every situation we face.

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself. (Acts 2:38-39, NIV)

Soon after Peter was empowered, he preached his first gospel message saying “repent” (which means to change your mind), be baptized, and receive the Holy Spirit. It is that simple. As believers, the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each of us for some benefit. We are all parts of one body, the body of Christ. We are all baptized into one body and made to drink of one Spirit. This faith preserves the life of God in our souls. In Acts 1:8, Jesus says you will receive power when, not if, the Holy Spirit comes on you and you will be His witnesses to all the ends of the earth, We are called to witness and rejoice in the power of the Holy Spirit, and to bear the fruits of the Holy Spirit-love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When a person repents of their sin and believes in Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit enters their heart, and the believer is spiritually united with God through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. They become part of the body of Christ and Christ lives in them. What a beautiful gift available to us all!

For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired (1 Corinthians 12:12-18, NIV).