Bread Crumbs

Strength for Surrender

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. - Phi 4:13 NKJV

Achieving success becomes paradoxical when we try to live our lives for Christ's cause.  In many ways we can't handle the truth.  Knowing all that God expects from us sometimes becomes more than we can bear because it is then that we recognize that all of our "self help" gets us nowhere with God.

Its no wonder that God's expectations can weigh us down.  He does, after all, expect us to completely surrender to His plan.  If we sincerely seek God's face through His Word, He encourages and convicts us, builds us up and breaks us down.  We must become soft clay in God's hands as He molds our character and our lives.  But it takes effort and strength to surrender, doesn't it?   Therein lies the paradox.  We have to be strong to become weak and so much strength is required that the strength for surrender must also come from God.

Why is surrendering so difficult?  It would appear that surrendering is best suited for the weak people of the earth.  Isn't that what happens in physical warfare?  The weaker army simply stops fighting and surrenders to the stronger one.  That sounds reasonable enough, but our reasoning is not wise in God's eyes.  God's Word says:

For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.  Where is the wise?  where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world?  hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? (1 Cor 1:19-20)

As the apostle Paul says numerous times throughout scripture, we must die to ourselves - to our own needs, ambitions, and desire for outcome control - in order to live for Him.   This "dying" cannot be achieved by the weak in faith.  Strength and discipline are required to achieve the moment-by-moment surrender God desires for His cause and no one of us is strong enough to do that in their own power.  The good news is, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.  He can even give us the strength to surrender.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Janna Rust is a Professional Coach and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her at www.purposefulpartnerships.com.

Set Apart By Truth

Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. - Jesus, John 17:17 NIV

I am excited to announce the start of a new blog, Truth Talks, co-authored by Sharon Houk and myself.  The purpose of the blog is to provide a place where we can sort out the issues in this postmodern culture of our day through the lense of a Christian worldview.  In short, it will be a place where the truth-seeking Christian can get equipped to know what they believe and why they believe it. 

Come visit me today over there with my post entitled "Set Apart By Truth".

Tomorrow, I'll be back here!   Thanks for reading!

The Source of Rest

Come to Me, all you are labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. - Jesus, Matthew 11:28 NKJV

Our American culture runs at a frenzied pace.  We work more hours than probably more than any other country in the world in order to accumulate more things. We wear our busyness like a badge of honor.  We also have more choices in which to spend our leisure time than ever before in history.   However, with all of this "quantity" of life we are still lacking quality of life.  We have all the things that money can buy but have no time for the things it cannot.   We can't buy inner peace.  We can't buy more time.  As a result of our lifestyles, many of us simply need some rest.  Real rest...the kind that money can't buy.

Jesus said that all of us who labor and are burdened with life could come to him and receive rest.  But there is a catch.  Do you see it?  The "rest" of God requires us to do something.  We need to find time out of our busy schedules to come to Him.  When we do, He will give us more "rest" than any leisure activity could ever provide.  He is the Source, after all. 

Points to Ponder:

• How would you rate your life's busyness on a scale of 1 to 10 (1="I'm extremely lazy", 10="My life is crazy/hectic?
• What does God think about your level of activity?
• Are you really giving God enough of you? 

_____________________________________________________________________________

Janna Rust is a Professional Coach and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her at www.purposefulpartnerships.com.

Taking Sides

...then Moses stood in the entrance of the camp, and said, "Whoever is on the LORD's side-come to me!" And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together to him. (Exodus 23:26 NKJV)

What a scene this must have been.  Moses had just come down from being on the mountain with God, most likely excited to share what God had given him in those two tablets of the law, when he saw THE CALF.  You know the one.  The one that "came out" when Moses was away.  The idol.   In his fury over the sight, Moses threw down the tablets and took that calf to the fire where he burned it and ground it into powder.  So much for the little god calf.

After confronting Aaron about the calf and hearing his brother's excuse for the happening, Moses called the people to action.  It was a moment of reckoning for the people of Israel.  They had to choose sides.  Their god or THE God.

We've all been in situations where we need to choose sides.  With the world getting "smaller" due to technology,  we have more choices today in all aspects of our lives than ever before.   Today we still have choices about what to believe or not to believe with respect to what God we serve.   How do we make our choice?  How do we know what is truth and what is a lie?

Logic says that two conflicting "truths" cannot both be true.  Therefore if we know the Truth, we can easily distinguish the lies, even the subtle lies that are woven inside some truths.  The Truth is in God's Word...the Bible.  I have read The Book, the Bible.  I have read the book "A New Earth" by Eckart Tolle.  They present two different "truths".  Both cannot be true.  I'm choosing the Bible and I know why I'm choosing it.  What side will you choose and why?  _____________________________________________________________________________

Janna Rust is a Professional Coach and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her at www.purposefulpartnerships.com.

Chosen With a Price

What does it mean to be chosen by God?  What is required of us?

Come find out today over at Laced With Grace in my post entitled "Chosen With a Price".

Hope to see you there!

_____________________________________________________________________________

Janna Rust is a Life Coach and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her at www.purposefulpartnerships.com.

When the Cat's Away the Calf Comes Out

And the LORD said to Moses, "Go, get down! For your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves... They have made themselves a molded calf, and worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, 'This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!'" - Exodus 32:7-8 NKJV

Life and leadership principles abound in the book of Exodus.  Reading the story of the Israelites' journey to the promised land gives plenty of chances to see the errors of our own ways.  Like the people of Israel, we too lose faith when bumps in the road of life appear, and forget that it was God who brought us this far in the first place.  Then, to make matters worse, we take those matters into our own hands.  Yikes!

I suspect Moses was having the time of his life on the mountain with God as the molded calf was being crafted.  Moses was talking with and receiving instruction from God, yet while he was away, his trusted partner Aaron was being swayed by an unbelieving people.  One has to wonder how they could have possibly turned to another "god", when the real God was so close at hand!  Here are a couple of thoughts to consider:

1. A Misplaced Faith -The people of Israel put their faith in man, not in God.  Once they started doubting the fate of their earthly leader, Moses, their faith crumbled along with their obedience to God.
2. A Misguided Leader - The bottom line is, Aaron should have known better.  And to his credit, he did recognize his mistake, albeit too late.  Leaders need to be stronger than all the rest.  Had Aaron's faith been unshakeable, I doubt he would have helped them make the golden calf.

As leaders, we need to keep close to God so that when trials come, we can trust God's plan.  We also need to make sure that we keep pointing others to follow God rather than us.  That way, no matter what happens to us, that "calf" will never come out.

For further thought:

• Who do I trust for my faith?   
• Am I living on someone else's faith coat tails or does my faith stand on its own?

_____________________________________________________________________________

Janna Rust is a Professional Coach and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her at www.purposefulpartnerships.com.

The "gods" Before Us

Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, "Come, make us gods that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him." - Exodus 32:1 NKJV

As I typed the last part of that verse, I thought that some of you might be wondering what has become of me over the last few weeks with my sparse postings here!  In short, I've been wrapping up some new projects for my business and ramping up for another project that is ministry related, which you shall be hearing about soon.  But enough of me, let's get to the good stuff!

The scene pictured in the above passage has always intrigued me.  First of all, I can't imagine praying to a "god" that I've made with my own hands.  That doesn't make sense to me.  But is not praying to the real God because we are too busy with all of our own little "gods" of material things and activities for our children, ministries and personal leisure really any different?  Sadly, we are just as guilty as the Israelites.   But why did they and why do we stray from a deep relationship with the one true God?  Let's look at the Israelites in this verse to see what happened to them.

1.  Impatience - The Israelites didn't want to wait for God's timing, they wanted blessings on their own terms so they coerced Aaron to take over.

2.  A Short Memory - Did the Israelites forget the nature of their God?  How could they think that Moses, or God for that matter, would abandon them after rescuing them from the clutches of Pharoah?  Apparently their faith was small and their memory short.

3.  Faith by Proxy - I wonder if the Israelites really ever had their own relationship with God.   If they were strong in their faith, why would that faith in God disappear in 40 days time, so much so that they were willing to make other gods to replace God? 

There is a lot to this one verse, isn't there?  Christians today aren't much different the Israelites in Moses' day.  We get impatient, we have short memories regarding what God has done for us and who He is, and we rely on others to give us messages from God.  In reality, if we would devote ourselves to spending time with Him through the Bible, our faith would be strong enough to withstand uncertain times.  With a strong personal faith, we won't put other "gods" before us as frequently.  How strong is your faith?

_____________________________________________________________________________

Janna Rust is a Professional Coach and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her at www.purposefulpartnerships.com.

God Will Provide

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: "See, I have called by name Bezalel ... And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship ... and to work in all manner of workmanship.  And I, indeed I, have appointed with him Aholiab ... and have put wisdom in the hearts of all the gifted artisans, that they may make all that I have commanded you:" (Exodus 31:1-6 NKJV)

God always equips those he calls to do his work.  Plain and simple.  Time after time in scripture we see examples of God providing resources to his appointed leaders, whether in the form of material resources, people or character qualities.  The example above with Moses is no different. 

Moses was nearing the end of his tiem on the mountain with God and had probably received more instruction than he could handle.  I wonder how Moses took notes of all the things God told him he would have to do with respect to every law and the intricate details of the temple/tabernacle construction!  If it was me, I would be really worried about how I could do all of it myself!

God never intended Moses to "go it alone".  As we see in our passage above, God provided human resources to Moses, and not just any warm bodies.  God provided to Moses men that were not only skilled in the various necessary crafts, but wise and knowledgeable men as well.  Now that is my kind of team! 

Has God called you to a task that is larger than yourself?  Pray and ask God to provide you with the appropriate resources to get His job done.  On the contrary, He may send you to someone else.  Nonetheless, His will and work will be done.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Janna Rust is a Professional Coach and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her at www.purposefulpartnerships.com.

Christianity vs. Spirituality

But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, - 1 Peter 3:15

I've worked out my body, engaged my mind and fed my spirit already this morning.  Not quite  a bad start to the day, in my opinion.   I was not planning on posting today because I do have a packed day ahead of me, however, after reading today's post from a friend's blog, I thought I'd comment on something that I am very passionate about these days -the topic of spirituality, specifically Christianity vs. Spirituality.  Did you know that there is a big difference between the two?  If you know there is a difference, are you prepared to explain the reason for the hope that you have? 

I'd love to know your answers to the questions I've posed above.  There is no right or wrong because they are your answers.  There will also be no judgment passed here.  I'm merely interested in how many of my readers are aware that there is a difference between Christianity and Spirituality.  As you know, I want to help people understand why they believe what they believe.  We can have an unwavering faith and trust in God's Truth.

Now, its your turn.  Do you know the difference between Christianity and Spirituality?

Ordinary for the Extraordinary

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.--Ephesians 3:20-21 NKJV

In my last post, I wrote about Moses and how all of us, like Moses, tend to make excuses for why we aren't able to do what God has called us to do.  Today, I'd like to follow up that post by sending you over to visit Deborah Shank at Chocolate and Coffee to read her April 9th post entitled "God Uses Ordinary Folks". 

Here's a teaser for you from her post there.  Deborah says:

"Our success in Christ should never be limited or measured by man's opinion or evaluation. God has given each of us incredible gifts and talents. As He opens doors for our ministries we should approach them with confidence thanking God for the continued work He is completing in our lives each day. He doesn't necessarily need the most educated and the most talented individuals to accomplish great tasks...God equips the called."

Deborah concludes by exhorting us to press on in confidence...

"Don't allow the enemy to discourage you by telling you that you are unworthy for the task God has placed before you. God uses ordinary people to do extraordinary works for His Kingdom!"

Yes, God does use the ordinary for the extraordinary.  He tells us that in scripture all of the time.  We just need to start believing Him.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Janna Rust is a Professional Coach and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her at www.purposefulpartnerships.com.

Excuses, Excuses

But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharoah, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?" - Exodus 3:11 NKJV

When it comes down to it, Moses was no different than we are, was he? God asked him to do something and he came up with all kinds of excuses for why he wasn't the man for the job.   As you read through the list of Moses' excuses, ask yourself "Have I ever said the same thing to God's call on my life?"

1. Who am I? (Ex 3:11)  Moses didn't feel qualified.
2. Who is sending me? (Ex 3:13) Moses didn't know God well enough to describe him to others.
3. What if they don't listen to me? (Ex 4:1)  Moses was intimidated.
4. I am not a good speaker. (Ex 4:10)  Moses felt inadequate.
5. You can find someone else, can't you? (Ex 4:13)  Moses felt inferior when he compared himself to others.

I think it is interesting that God did not take "No" for an answer.  After every excuse, God replied with reassurance that He would not only provide what Moses needed to do the work, but He also reminded Moses of how big He was.  Moses was not alone.  Moses had God at His side.  And so do we.  With God at our side helping us to achieve His God-sized goal for our lives, we cannot fail. That should keep us from making excuses. 

For further thought:

• What is God asking you to do in your life that you feel is bigger than your capabilities?
• How would you fill in the blanks to this question?

Who am I that I should ______________________ and that I should __________________?

• How big is your God?  How can He help you do what He has called you to to?  Ask Him to provide what you need.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Janna Rust is a Professional Coach and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her at www.purposefulpartnerships.com.

Ransom Money

And you shall take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shall appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of meeting, that it may be a memorial for the children of Israel before the LORD, to make atonement for yourselves. - Exodus 30:16 NKJV

Have you ever thought of what price in dollars God would have you pay to get into heaven?  Another way to look at this would be that this payment would be ransom money to get us out of the hell we deserve because of our inherent sin nature.   Since the beginning of God's relationship with man, that relationship has cost someone something.  Please stay with me here. 

It struck me in Exodus 30:12 that God spoke to Moses telling him that "every man shall give a ransom for himself to the LORD ... that there may be no plague among them when you number them."   The "ransom" here was a mere half shekel, equating to 33 cents.  Sounds like a small price to pay for security with God, huh?  But what would that 33 cents equate to today?  We all know about inflation, don't we?  I do have somewhat of a financial background so I thought I'd look into this a little further.  However, I couldn't find a calculator that would give me the future value of 33 cents invested 3500 years ago! 

But I was able to calculate what 33 cents would equate to in 1000 years at a 3% inflation rate (this is a good historical average rate for the U.S.).  Drumroll please.... the answer is a mere $2,268,499,276,285.98.  Over two trillion dollars.  The point here is to see that there is no way we could possibly give atonement to God with our own efforts.  We can't afford our own ransom money.

However, Jesus bought us with the price of His sinless life.  He paid our ransom when he gave his life for us through the death of a Roman crucifixion.  Don't forget that He not only suffered that agonizing death, but he came from a throne in heaven to live on earth with us.   And I don't even like staying in a cheap motel!  I can't even fathom what he did for me.   Because of Him, because I've believed on Him, my ransom has been paid.  I owe Him my life.  What about you?

For further thought:

1) Whose atonement money am I relying on to achieve a right standing with God, to gain entrance into heaven?  My good works or Jesus' sacrifice?

2) How can I repay God for what He has done for me?  How should knowing what I "cost" Him, change the way and quantity of my service to Him?

_____________________________________________________________________________

Janna Rust is a Life Coach and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her at www.purposefulpartnerships.com.

My Way On the Highway

Can anyone relate when I say I like to defy my car's GPS system by taking my own route?  While sometimes we can outwit our GPS, we should not treat God's directions the same way. 

Come visit me today over at Laced With Grace for the rest of my post entitled "My Way On the Highway".

Hope to see you there!

_____________________________________________________________________________

Janna Rust is a Life Coach and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her at www.purposefulpartnerships.com.

And Thou Shalt Offer

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  -- Romans 12:1 NKJV

Reading through Exodus 28-29, I am astounded at the requirements they had for approaching God in the tabernacle.  We learn here of the priestly garments and the seemingly endless offerings required of the priests for their personal sanctification, without which, they could not approach God.   Isn't that something? 

1 Peter 2:9 says that we Christians are also part of the priesthood, designated to proclaim God's praises!

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; (NKJV)

Being representatives of God ourselves, "priests", we need also to keep ourselves in a position to be most effective as witness for God.  Our position requires offering ourselves as living sacrifices each day, keeping ourselves acceptable to God, so that we can come into His presence and serve Him.  This is no small task.  Fortunately, God will help us out and clean us up.

Connecting learning to living

• What unconfessed sin (thought or deed) is in my life that might keep me from approaching God?
• What am I doing that might hinder the effectiveness of my witness?
• How can I "sacrifice" one aspect of my behavior today for the good of someone else?

_____________________________________________________________________________

Janna Rust is a Professional Coach and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her at www.purposefulpartnerships.com.

Announcement: New LWG Contest Drawing

Hello everyone!  I wanted to make sure everyone knew about the latest "contest" going on over at Laced With Grace.   In addition to a lot of good devotionals there, you will get a chance this month to win a month of free coaching services from yours truly. 

Click here to see how you can participate!

No More Tears, No More Pain

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.  - Rev 21:4

Of all the blog posts I've written in the nearly three years I've been writing this blog, one of my most popular posts has been found by people typing the words "feeling helpless" into their web browser's search engine.  Does that strike a chord in you?  It does with me.  I wonder what about their situations and the pain they must be feeling.  I wonder how deep their loneliness is that causes them to type the words in the privacy of their own homes.  Do they have someone to talk to or turn to?  Do they know God?

I think we've all been in that "helpless" place before.  We may have experienced the feeling a little differently than our friend, neighbor or coworker, but the core emotion is still the same.  What can we do when we feel this way?  First of all, we can rely on our faith foundation, trusting that God is in control of everything in our lives, good and bad.  Secondly, we can know that the situation is temporary.  One day all of our tears will be wiped away and God will make all things new.  That is a promise.  It is declared in God's word by God Himself:

And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new.  And he said unto me.  Write: for these words are true and faithful.  - Rev 21:5

These words are true and faithful.  One day, maybe not here in our earthly lifetimes, God will create lives for us with no more tears and no more pain.  We can wait for that day with a confidence more sure than anything we have ever known.

Dear Father in Heaven, I thank you for your faithfulness and care over us as we struggle through the day-to-day, feeling helpless at times.  Strengthen your faithful servants in Your word and Your promises and give us hearts to reach out to those in need.  Let those who are desperate hear Your call.  Amen.

_____________________________________________________________________________

Janna Rust is a Life Coach and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her at www.purposefulpartnerships.com.

An Acceptable Offering

Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering.  From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering. And this is the offering you shall take from them ... - Exodus 25:1-3 NKJV

How often do you ask yourself what God wants from you in the form of an offering?  Do you know what would please Him coming from you specifically with respect to your own time, talents and treasure?  I wonder how many people give God what He wants.  I wonder how many times I allow my own motives or laziness to get in the way of what God wants from me specifically.

God is very specific with the types of offerings he wants from his children.  In the initial days of Israel's relationship with him, God bent Moses' ear for 40 days on Mount Sinai explaining to Moses all the details surrounding God's laws, the temple construction and the type of offerings acceptable to Him.  God knows exactly what he wants from us and tells us so.

The passage above tells us this:

1. God wants offerings.
2. God wants pure offerings.
3. God wants specific offerings.

It is amazing to me that while God "owns" everything, he still wants something from us - a specific something.  Why waste our time and treasure giving him something he doesn't even want with impure motives to top it all off?  We definitely can't fool God.  Remember, He has the ultimate in surveillance equipment - Himself!  He knows what we can offer. Let's spend time with Him God through his word, seeking him and his will for our lives with sincerity, so we can give him the pure, specific offering he desires. 

From learning to living...

• What can I offer to God that is specific to Him from me in the area of my abilities?
• How can I make a sincere offering of every area of my life to Him this week?

_____________________________________________________________________________

Janna Rust is a Life Coach and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her at www.purposefulpartnerships.com.

Obedient for His Presence

Then Moses went up, also Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and they saw the God of Israel.  And there was under His feet as it were a paved work of sapphire stone, and it was like the very heavens in its clarity.  But on the nobles of the children of Israel He did not lay His hand.  So they saw God, and they ate and drank. - Exodus 24:9-11 NKJV

What a rare occasion this must have been for many people other than Moses to actually stand in God's presence and look upon Him.  Try to picture the scene above in your mind. I'm sure that words cannot adequately describe what they saw.  Interestingly enough, not too much earlier than this scene, all of the people but Moses were told to stand back (Ex 24:1-2)  What changed?  What does is take to see God and be in His presence?

Two things changed.  The hearts of the people and the applied mercy of God.  Moses received the words of God, told them to the people, and the people in united fashion proclaimed to Moses their obedience to God.  As a result, Moses took blood from the burnt offerings and sprinkled it upon the people as a sign of God's covenant.  (Ex 24:7-8)   It was only then that some of the people were allowed to approach God.   And oh, did they see Him!

Individual obedience to God's call on our lives allows us to draw near to God.  Our first act of obedience is to respond to His "call" by believing on Jesus Christ for salvation and asking Christ to be Lord over all of our lives.  That is our blood "covenant", allowing us in to heaven where God dwells in all His majesty.  Day to day obedience allows us to draw near to God while we are here on earth in the form of prayer and worship.  It takes a lot of surrender to our own wants and desires, but it is worth it.   Do you want to get a closer "peak" at God?  Ask God to give you a heart examination and show you how you can be more obedient.  He'll let you see Him.

Hope Through His Resurrection

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade - kept in heaven for you, (1 Peter 1:3-4 NIV)

How are you feeling today?  Hopeless and helpless?  Joyless & jilted?  No matter what the trial is in our lives, we don't have to feel that way.  If you've accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior, you can be hopeful and joyful through it all.  The key is all in where we choose to focus our attention. 

If we keep an attitude of gratitude, remembering the good things we have rather than the seemingly "better" things we don't have, we can have an inner sense of peace and joy no matter what the situation.  We can choose to be thankful for God's great act of mercy in allowing his only son Jesus to pay for our sins by his death of the cross.  We can choose to be thankful that God also raised Jesus from the dead, allowing us to relish in the certain hope of a glorious eternal life with God and an inheritance in heaven.  Think about how great that life is going to be!  As Christians, we have that to be thankful for. 

This Easter weekend, let's choose to put on an attitude of gratitude rather than one of grumbling over the way our lives have not turned out like we've planned.  After all, how do we know that our lives aren't turning out exactly as God has planned?  If He's in charge, things have got to end up well!

Wishing you all a blessed Easter holiday.

For further thought:

1) Have you personally accepted Jesus into your life?  Do you remember a specific time and place where this occurred?  If not, you may not yet be a Christian.  Check out this link to know more about becoming a Christian.  If you do accept Christ today, would you email me to let me know that you did?

2) What area of your life do you need to give total control of to God?  Give it to Him today and be thankful that He is in control of all.

3) How can you thank God for His mercy on you today?

_____________________________________________________________________________

Janna Rust is a Life Coach and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her at www.purposefulpartnerships.com.

What Does a Life Coach Do?

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. - 1 Cor 9:24 NIV

Since I've started down the career path of coaching, I have to say that I love every minute of it.  It is truly my passion to help other "runners" run in such a way as to get the prize -- attaining their God-given purpose in life. 

Following is a YouTube video featuring Christopher McCluskey, my instructor during my coaching training.  He addresses the five roles of a Christian Life Coach very eloquently here.  A coach, especially a Christian one, can help you run your race of life so as to attain the prize.  In a nutshell, they catch your passion and run alongside you toward it.  What God-sized goal is out there waiting for you to reach?

Now for the video:

_____________________________________________________________________________

Janna Rust is a Life Coach and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her at www.purposefulpartnerships.com.

Prepare the Way

"The Lord God has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary.  He wakes Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to hear as the learned." (Isaiah 50:4-5 NKJV)

I attended a speaker training seminar this past weekend hosted by Sharon Houk, who in addition to having her own speaking ministry, is a Stonecroft Ministries Regional Speaker Trainer.  The room was filled with a range of attendees, young and old(er), experienced and not-so-experienced.  All of us were eager to pick up some speaking tips and ideas and Sharon did not disappoint.  In addition to the tips we received, we were charged to know the Truth and proclaim it based upon the foundational passage of 2 Timothy 2:2:

And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

We are all called to share the truth of God's word with others in some fashion and God will prepare the way for us to share it.  He will give us opportunities to proclaim His truth if we in our own hearts are prepared.

2 Tim 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. (NKJV)

As I sat in church on Sunday and sang the song "Prepare the Way" by Jared Anderson, I reflected upon the seminar and the importance of being who I need to be so God could do the work through me that He wants to do.   I've got a long way to go!  In spite of what my car's GPS system says, I have not arrived.   So in closing, take the time to reflect with me on a portion of the song lyrics.  Let the King of Glory enter in to your life to change you and prepare the way for you to proclaim His truth and to speak that word in season to those that are weary.  Let all who call His name prepare the way.

Prepare the way
Make straight the path for Him
Let the King of Glory enter in
Let the King of Glory enter in
Who is this King of Glory

The Lord strong and mighty
The Lord mighty to save
The earth is full of His glory
Creation calls prepare the way
His love endureth forever
His power is without an end
His strength is victory's treasure
Let all who call His name prepare the way

_____________________________________________________________________________

Janna Rust is a Life Coach and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her at www.purposefulpartnerships.com.

Importance of Teamwork

No one can be an island, cut off from the world and from the help of others.  All of us can benefit from someone else at some point in our lives.  Join me over at Laced With Grace today as I discuss the importance of teamwork.

And...don't forget, the contest is still going on over there to sign up to win $250 towards registration at the upcoming She Speaks conference.

 

Hope to see you there!

_____________________________________________________________________________

Janna Rust is a Life Coach and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her at www.purposefulpartnerships.com.

Its All About Timing

I will not drive them out [Israel's enemies] from before you in one year, lest the land become desolate and the beast of the field become too numerous for you.  Little by little I will drive them out from before you, until you have increased, and you inherit the land. (Exodus 23:29-30 NKJV)

Everything is all about timing, isn't it?  But not our timing, God's timing.  Not unlike God's words to the Israelites, it seems like God is always telling us to wait as well so that we do not get ahead of Him.  He tells us to wait because He knows what is best for us.  He also knows that pride will get the best of us if we become successful too quickly.  He knows that our impatience will set us up to fail. 

This passage reminds us of some very important truths about God's plans for our lives.  We need to remember that we need to remember that His plans are all about Him, not us.  They are wrapped in His will, His timing and His wisdom.

1.  God's will.  Notice that the "I" in the above passage was about God, not the Israelites.  God was the one doing all of the "doing".

2.  God's timing.  Everything the nation of Israel had been promised wasn't all promised at once.  He gave them the promised land piece by piece, in His time.  Why would God be any different with us?

3.  God's wisdom.  God knows the right time for everything and He is wise in His timing for the events in our lives.

God wants what is best for us.  Our challenge is to let Him do it His way, not ours, humbling ourselves under His mighty hand.

Remember Where You Came From

"Also you shall not oppress the stranger, for you know the heart of a stranger, because you were strangers in the land of Egypt." - God, Exodus 23:9 NKJV

In the midst of all the laws given by God to the Israelites regarding violence, property, animals and idolatry, we see two almost identical statements telling the people of Israel not to oppress strangers.   (Ex 22:21, Ex 23:9)  Interesting.  God doesn't want strangers - those not of the Israelite heritage - dwelling with the Israelites (Ex 23:32-33) because they could cause them to stray from their faith.  However, Israel was still to be kind.   God reminded them that they too were former "strangers".

How does this apply to us?  Who is the "stranger" in a Christian's life?  Commonly we think of strangers as people we do not know.  However, let's stretch this a bit further because I think sometimes in our culture today it is easier to treat a stranger with kindness (or to not oppress them) than it is to embrace those we know.  Could a stranger then be anyone who doesn't hold the values we hold?  Could a stranger be that person in our life who isn't as far along in their spiritual or other maturity as we are?  Basically, I don't think a stranger always needs to be a person we do not know.

So what are we to do with those strangers in our midst?  One thing God tells us to do is to not oppress them.  He also tells us that we were also once strangers.  In my words, we should remember where we came from.  We didn't just "arrive" today.  When we were "strangers" in whatever area of life in which we are speaking, we might have been just doing the best we could do given our stage in life.   Is that something to be oppressed for?  You be the judge.

Connecting Learning With Living:

1) Who is a "stranger" in your life?

2) How can you treat them with kindness today?

3) What do you need to change in your own life so that you can be less "oppressive" to the "strangers" in your midst?

_____________________________________________________________________________

Janna Rust is a Life/Business Coach and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her at www.purposefulpartnerships.com.

A Giver's Reward

But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.  So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. - 2 Cor 9:6-7

Last night I had the privilege of having dinner with my high school French teacher.  We have kept in contact over the years, having dinner together once a year or so since I graduated.   Too much time had passed, several years, since we'd last connected.  However, the time lapse had no effect on our conversation. 

She is retiring this year.  And as we talked about that, I kept thinking of the legacy she will leave behind.  She was one of the good ones.  Always giving of her best and expecting the best of others.   Always loving what she did.  I know her students saw her passion and I believe she was probably more inspiring to others - fellow educators & students alike - than she gives herself credit for.   

A giver's reward is in the fruit of their labor.  If we sow bountifully we will reap likewise.  And if we give with a cheerful heart, we will be blessed all the more because God loves a cheerful giver.   How will you give of yourself today?

Questions to ponder:

1) In what area of my life am I "giving" grudgingly?

2) How can I give cheerfully of my time, talent and treasure today?

_____________________________________________________________________________

Janna Rust is a Life/Business Coach and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her at www.purposefulpartnerships.com.

Dangerous Wisdom

Let no one deceive himself.  If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.  For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.  For it is written, "He catches the wise in their own craftiness;" (1 Cor 3:18-19 NKJV)

UPDATED NOTE: As of mid-April 2008, I have read the Eckart Tolle book discussed below.  In addition, I have listened to a couple of the webcasts for Oprah's class.  My position has not changed.  In fact, I am concerned about how many times Mr. Tolle references Jesus and a bible verse yet misinterprets the meaning of the biblical text.

***

Yesterday an historic event took place on the internet.  According to a statement on Oprah's website, "more than 500,000 people simultaneously logged on to watch Oprah and Eckhart Tolle live" as they discussed Tolle's book "A New Earth" in most likely the world's largest classroom.  I can't help but wonder what would happen if Oprah picked the biblical book of Romans to teach in her "classroom"?

But what was her classroom teaching?  Could it be dangerous wisdom?  A couple of weeks ago I mentioned this classroom on this blog.  If you haven't read the post, I suggest you do so because I also reference another new age class Oprah has been involved in teaching.   I have not read Eckart Tolle's book, but I have perused his website.  In reference to his teachings, the website states:

At the core of the teachings lies the transformation of consciousness, a spiritual awakening that he sees as the next step in human evolution.  An essential aspect of this awakening consists in transcending our ego-based state of consciousness.

Also according to Eckhart's website, Tolle's partner, Kim Eng,

...sees our "God-nature" as living in and through our human bodies.  When we awaken from unconscious to fully conscious living, we are naturally aligned with our God-nature and thus bring into creation a new world.

This is indeed dangerous "wisdom".  The subtle teachings of the New Age can lead us down a slippery slope to destruction.  It is deception in its finest form, perhaps even deceiving the teachers themselves into believing a false truths.   

Friends, please know that I am not condemning Oprah.  I believe she truly thinks she is helping the world.  Tolle may be in the same position.  But the truth is the truth.  Two "truths" cannot be truth if they contradict each other (i.e. New age teachings vs. the Bible).  There is only one way to God, no matter what anyone but God says, and that is through Jesus Christ, God's son.  Stay away from dangerous "wisdom" and seek the wisdom of God.

Note: For further reading regarding the New Age influence on Oprah and how she's passed on her influence to our culture through her media empire, see this 1998 article from Vantage Point.  It is the best I've seen regarding her and New Age influences.  Be sure to read it in its entirety. 

The Power of Purpose

The question “What is my life’s purpose?” is a popular one these days as many people in our materialistic and pleasure-seeking culture search for a deeper meaning life.  Most recently, superstar New England Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady, admitted that there was more to life than winning the Superbowl.  However, he was not sure what that was.  Do you know yours?  If you do, how are you living out your life’s purpose or calling? 

Join me over at Laced with Grace today to read more about the power of purpose. 

Hope to see you there!

_____________________________________________________________________________

Janna Rust is a Life Coach and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her at www.purposefulpartnerships.com.

The Ultimate Center of Influence

The Lord said to Moses, "I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you." (Exodus 19:9a NIV)

Networking.  It is the "thing to do" for a small business owner and entrepreneur.  It is all about who you know.  Not only is it important to know a lot of people, but if you know influencial people who know a lot of people (i.e. centers of influence), then you have really got something! I am learning this firsthand as I work on building my own business. 

Moses had the ultimate center of influence in his "network".  God himself said he would make sure the people knew of his connection with Moses.  God wanted the people of Israel to trust in Moses as their leader and was willing to be a "referral source" for Moses.  Now that is some connection! 

But Moses did not build that connection with God overnight.  He faithfully spent time alone with God as he strived to do what God wanted him to do.  Moses built such a strong relationship with God that God called him "friend."  We can have the same connection with God as well.  It just requires time, effort and a willing heart on our parts.  We too can have God as a center of influence in our "network". 

Connecting Learning With Living

1.  How would you relate your relationship with God on a scale of 1 to 10?  (10 being the most satisfactory)

2.  Do you know what that perfect "10" looks like?  What is preventing you from having the perfect "10" in your relationship with Him? 

3.  What one thing can you do starting today to move toward your perfect "10"?

_____________________________________________________________________________

Janna Rust is a Life/Business Coach and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her at www.purposefulpartnerships.com.

Laced With Grace Contest

The Laced with Grace team and Proverbs 31 Ministries have teamed up to send one woman to the “She Speaks” conference in June.

One of our Laced with Grace team members has donated a partial scholarship (valued at $250) toward the registration fee to attend “She Speaks” in Concord, North Carolina.

To find out how to register to win, please visit the Laced with Grace team blog. The contest will run from March 1st through March 31st. The winner will be announced on April 1st.

NOTE: I copied this announcement from Iris at Sting My Heart.

Have a great day!

The Blessing of Unsolicited Advice

So Moses heeded the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he said. - Exodus 18:24 NKJV

How many times have you given advice that was not taken well by the recipient?  To the contrary, how often have you received advice and not reacted well to it?  Unsolicited advice from a friend, family member or work associate can have mixed results.  More often than not, the well-meaning advice should have never been verbalized.  Sometimes though, the advice we receive may be exactly what we need to hear.

In Exodus 18, we see a perfect example of how such advice should be given and received in the continuing saga of Moses leading Israel to the promised land.  His father-in-law, Jethro, pays a visit which had a huge impact on Moses.  At the time of Jethro's visit, Moses was really getting bogged down in the details of judging every case of law brought to him by the people.  Hard telling how petty some of them were!  We can only imagine.  In short, Jethro saw what was going on and advised Moses to start delegating the smaller tasks so he wouldn't get burnt out. 

The key points to remember from this passage are related to when we should give advice and how we should receive it. 

1.  When giving, be educated.  We see in Exodus 18: 14 that Jethro spent some time observing the situation.   I'd venture to say that Jethro was also sensitive to God's leading as well. Advice should not be given unless all of the facts are known and mutual respect is established.

2.  When receiving, be humble.  Moses implemented all that Jethro advised him to do because he was a humble leader.  Moses valued effectiveness more than his ego.  He listened to wise Jethro and was a more effective leader for it.

Yes, giving unsolicited advice is a risky thing to do, but may be just the thing someone in your life needs to hear.  If given in the right way, it could be life-changing.  Who in your life might need your help today?

_____________________________________________________________________________

Janna Rust is a Life/Business Coach and Speaker dedicated to encouraging others towards lives God intends for them.  For more information, visit her at www.purposefulpartnerships.com.