Our focus this week was on putting on the Lord Jesus. Our goal was to know the Lord more intimately, to love Him more ardently, to follow Him more faithfully.
Listed below are all the thought questions that were at the end of the daily devotions. Choose one or two of them and share your thoughts from those days.
1. What does the "New You" look like? What does
it mean, in a very real and tangible way, for your old self to be dead and for
Christ to be living in you now?
2. What is the Spirit teaching you about God's Kingdom?
2. What is the Spirit teaching you about God's Kingdom?
3. Take some time to think about what your role in God's
Kingdom, and specifically Women's Encounter, might be.
4. How do we usually go about making plans? According to the Bible, how should we go about making plans?
4. How do we usually go about making plans? According to the Bible, how should we go about making plans?
5. How do we, through Women's Encounter (and in other ways)
join Paul as an "ambassador" (messenger or representative) of
Christ? How is Christ as your Lord asking you to submit to Himself, and
how does this relate to the Women's Encounter ministry?
6. What fears do you struggle with living in a "jar of clay?" How is the Spirit teaching you to conquer this fear?
Please note, we are having difficulty getting comments made from a mobile device to post. I apologize for the inconvenience, but you'll need to post your comments from a PC or a laptop.
6. What fears do you struggle with living in a "jar of clay?" How is the Spirit teaching you to conquer this fear?
Please note, we are having difficulty getting comments made from a mobile device to post. I apologize for the inconvenience, but you'll need to post your comments from a PC or a laptop.
3. I feel that my role in God's kingdom is to love and to serve others the way God expects me to. He wants me to see them the way He does, and NOT judge them, but to show them through my life, what it is to live for Him. I try to submit to Him always, and encourage others to get to know God. My role in Women's Encounter is to lead by setting an example. If other ladies see me living for God, and see the joy and freedom I have, then I hope and pray they will want the same for themselves.
ReplyDelete1. I think for me, it means that I need to leave my sin nature dead in Christ and not pick it back up again. I can be a bit negative at times, and I hate, HATE that about myself. I need to take EVERY thought captive to Christ. Sometimes I think "well I can tell my husband how hard and crazy my day was, that's what husbands are for, right?" That is true; in moderation. I want to work on only sharing the good for a while; wouldn't it be nicer for him to come home to a "the day was great honey, how was your day? we missed you!" instead of a "crazy! The dogs threw up, the kids didn't nap, your son is poopy (hint him) and I haven't even been to the bathroom since you left this morning!" lol. maybe I don't need to be *quite* that honest everyday. I actually really stuck my foot in my mouth on accident this week, to a sweet friend. I have been just tummy-in-knots over it. I don't know exactly what I need to do about it, so I am just trying to work through it and see what the Lord would have me do.
ReplyDeleteI have been dealing with some heavy depression. So that would be my fear living as a jar of clay. I have been turning to Doctors and medication and at my wits end I would cry out to Jesus please take this!!!!In week2 day six Paul says, but with each affliction he encourages us that our circumstances cannot over power God.This not only went to my heart I felt it in my soul. I have been leaning on to my own understanding The clouds are still here but the Lord has shown me the light and his will will be done. I am excited to be a server but I am estatic to see what the Lord has in mind!!!!!
ReplyDeleteCarol, your comment makes me want to cheer! I pray that you will latch on to the knowledge that "our circumstances cannot overpower God" and never let go! Love you, sister!
ReplyDelete1. What does the "New You" look like? What does it mean, in a very real and tangible way, for your old self to be dead and for Christ to be living in you now? -- Understanding that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives inside of me is the way I have to remind myself that I am a 'new creation' and Christ lives in me. It is understanding the true freedom that Christ offers us by enslaving our self to Him willingly. The book I am reading right ('Not a Fan') now goes so well with all these devotions (by no accident I'm sure!) I have had to squirm in my seat a little and be convicted about how often I am a fan of Jesus and not a true follower... understanding the 'new me' also requires me to DAILY take up the cross and follow Jesus, where ever, when ever and no matter what!
ReplyDeleteLiving as a jar of clay is hard as a human. I struggle with knowing i have worth and not being perfect. He devil tries to tell me that my past makes me worthless. But God is revealing to me more and more everyday that my mistakes and past can be used for his glory and to help other with my story.
ReplyDeleteLiving as a clay jar, my greatest fear is being too fragile to do what God has called me to do. I need to learn to trust in the Lord more and to let my light shine through. He has blessed me with many gifts and I need to not be afraid to share them. The new me is learning and growing every day. I never know what I will be called to do and I need to be open to Gods call.
ReplyDelete3. As I prayed about my role in Women's Encounter, I envisioned a watering can. It's always around, sometimes it might be way on the way to take the trash out to the dumpster or continually ignored because other, more pressing items are on the "to do" list. (I'm so thankful for thie Holy Spirit-right now He is asking me if I have watered our newly potted plants on the porch...nope, not in a whole....I need to do that....haha!). Anyways, I see that I am a waterer-a server who is around all times of the day to encourage, challenge, and support the ladies that God has placed in my sphere of influence Prayer of Jabez. I will begin the friendship with the ladies when they sign up and I start to pray for them, when I find out who specifically is in my room I will pray for them by name, then I will befriend them at Encounter, and continue the friendship during and after post encounter. I will be there to support them in their adventure of a grace filled life.
ReplyDeleteI am having a hard time this week with sticking to the posed questions. I had the opportunity to hear from a missionary from Pakistan, a young Pakistani man who is the pastor of a small church and school. He and his wife spoke of the persecution and the horror that comes along with accepting Christ as your personal savior. I read of Paul's hardships and his response to them, and I looked at my life as a Christian... I am ashamed of how easy it is. Yes, we struggle with real issues and there is pain and suffering, but we are free to worship a God that saves us from this world with nothing to fear by doing so. When listing my fears... I saw how seemingly meaningless they were in the light of the suffering of other Christians like Paul and these missionaries. I wonder how a mighty God can hear the prayers of this free, American christian and not become enraged at my selfishness, and lack of perspective of His world and people. I am so thankful that the God of the universe who sees this world and its suffering in its entirety still cares to hear from me.
ReplyDelete3. As a manager type I struggle to accept that just because I can do it all by myself does not mean that I should or am called to. I think many women are this "manager type" that I speak of and could probably relate. This devotion and scripture reading was a great reminder to me that we are all called to be a part of God's work but that is just it, it is HIS work and HIS plan and HE is the manager. We are simply, the assembly line so to speak. I embrace the gift of being on God's assembly line and am striving to be obedient to only the job HE calls me to do while supporting the other servants He calls for the rest of the "line".
ReplyDeleteHello, friend. Will you tell me your name so I can include you on our list of participants? Thanks! :)
DeleteYes, Sorry I didn't realize it posted under my google name. Jessica Snyder :)
DeleteFrom Day 1 this week- I try to live my life as a dedicated, caring Christian EVERYDAY, not just by showing up for church on Sunday. I try to set a Christ-like example for others, although often I know I fall short.
ReplyDeleteThe passage in 2 Cor on Paul's hardships especially spoke to me. We tend to think encounter, or any ministry for that matter, is all fun and games. We get so caught up in the glory of it all that we can easily get blindsided by a hardship or trial. Ok, so maybe we won't be beaten, put in prison, or face angry mobs, but we WILL work to exhaustion, endure sleepless nights, and we may face some adversity. The thing I have learned about trials in a ministry or even in our daily life, is that when I'm standing before my Maker, I don't want to be caught next to someone who was beaten, imprisoned, or even died for Christ's cause. I think I would look pretty ridiculous in comparison!
ReplyDeleteI find myself now praying with and for anyone about anything they need. Being an ambassador for Him means I can share the peace I found through Christ! Women's Encounter is the best experience to introduce ladies to a new way of living & I am excited to bring another friend into the light. As a bondsman & nurse, I see so many people who are hurting & hopeless. I recommend the encounter to many. I tell them that I have found a new life through church, scripture, & prayer. The same could be for everyone!
ReplyDeleteI have to say this week brought me even closer to my Lord. Looking back at my life in the last 10 yrs I didn't feel loved, nor did I love myself. When I started with my walk with God again I felt at peace and I started to love me for me. God showed me that I'm beautiful, loving and all the things others told me I wasn't. I THANK God every day for his uncoditional love. The person I am today is at peace, patient and kind to others. I wasn't that way before. God has showed me through the bible and interactions I have with people that no matter what God loves all people and I should be doing the same. I'm a totally different person now with God in my heart and life. I wouldn't change it! My friends that knew my old self always ask what changed and I say I've found my love, the Lord.
ReplyDeleteI am learning that I need to not feel that I have to have all of the control and that I am not called to do everything for everyone! I also am learning that everything that I do, no matter how large or small affects God's Kingdom in eternity.
DeleteWhoops, that was supposed to be a comment, not a reply. :-)
DeleteThe "new you". Since my first women's encounter April 2012 & learning of cancer dec 2011. I can say I am free from cancer. Physically & mentally & have not given taken that back its has been left at the cross. I find that keeping jesus as the center of my life doing devotions each day helps me. Praying in the car on the way to work helps remind me that god is in control not me. There are days I have to remind myself each hr to be thankful about certain situations & when I do I feel gods presence.I did do these things before but in motions not really my whole heart into it. But since my first WE it has changed mylife & I am focused & restored & try to be a good example to others & to be more christ like than I was in the past...Christina Davin
ReplyDeleteThis entire week has opened up a whole new me. I have learned so much more about Jesus and what he had to endure. I want to be an ambassador for Christ. I want to be able to spread and water the seeds of Christianity to others. We as a family try to live our lives in Gods' likeness. We may not succeed but we are trying. I want to be able to help the other women at encounter experience the amazing love that God has for us. I want to be there to encourage them to open their hearts. I am a better person today than I was before I went to encounter.
ReplyDeleteThe "jar of clay" devotion truly speaks to me. In one of my darkest times of 3 very difficult years of depression God came to me in a very powerful way. I never thought I could go lower than "wishing death" until the day I came to question my own salvation. It was in that hour that God gave me an incredible vision and it was of him at a potter's wheel molding a vase of clay. I came to understand in that moment that I was indeed a "jar of clay" and that I need not worry over the cracks and chips that may happen to my jar because God himself is sitting at the potters wheel masterfully shaping me into the jar He has purposed me for. That only HE may pour himself inside that I would be full of HIM and his glorious Holy Spirit to be poured out to refresh others. God desires to quinch our thirst and fill us full of HIM!! AMEN AMEN AMEN!
ReplyDeleteThe "jar of clay" . My fears are that I am not good enough, that I don't rise up to the "challenges of life". I am learning that Jesus is with me thru everything that I face. All I need to do is pray for his peace, his help, and his understanding. I struggle thinking that I have to please everyone, but God is the only one who has any right to judge me, now and when we meet in Heaven.
ReplyDeleteTiffany Eikleberry
I feel I am a new creature in Christ since I have COMPLETELY forgiven my sister. Before Encounter, I had to forgive her on a daily basis and since I nailed her to the cross and have truly forgiven her, I don't even think about it anymore. Also, I have seen a new woman in her since she has given her life to the Lord which also makes the forgiveness easier. I feel my role as a server is to share my story with others and to set the example God wants me to be.
ReplyDeleteI am so proud of you! I love you !
DeleteIt's sad for me to say this but I don't feel like I'm doing my best. I live my life for the most part in and Godly manner always trying to do my best.But what I'm not doing is being a true Ambassador for Christ.I'm not sharing God's word with others. I am feeling very convicted today!!! I can and I will do better.
ReplyDelete"Jar of clay" I have in my life faced so many difficult challenges, from the time I was a child til now. No one understands how I have become the person I am today with everything I have endured. The Lord I say, and I truly mean that. I never took him so deeply close to me and seriously until womens encounter, and I was able to break free, and let him lead me through the next phase in my life. I am who God want's me to be, and I have gone through so much cause he knew I could handle it. With out his love, and friends pushing me to talk with him more I would not be here today. I talk to him everyday 5 times a day. I promise you that!
ReplyDelete6. I am a jar of CLAY. That means I was molded and shaped just the way my Maker wants me. I have been put under fire to be refined into the vessel I am. More refining is probably needed, but the Maker will determine that not me. The light He has placed in me is to shine wherever I am. Makes me think of the childhood song "This Little Light of Mine, I'm gonna let it shine."
ReplyDelete1. cause it shows howi have changed
ReplyDeleteI am coming to realize that my role in God's Kingdom is to share my faith with others. I have been blessed with the gift of being able to speak to others. I have always been a leader, but now I realize that I am also a follower. A follower of God. Because I follow God I am able to lead others to him. I have the ability to lead others to God or away from Him. I have not always made great choices. This is my time. Women's Encounter is giving me a great opportunity to spread the word of God to other women in the community. It is an awesome opportunity for me to become more comfortable in my relationship with God and in my role as a servant of God. I feel that I will come away from this Encounter better equipped to serve others in God's Kingdom. I know that my story and my faith can help others find the love of Jesus Christ.
ReplyDeleteLearning to trust God one day at a time. He teaches me through His word and other sisters in Christ. Over the years there have been learning experiences that God is showing me need to be used to show others how to have victory in His grace. Always anxious to serve by reaching out to others.
ReplyDelete5. - When we submit ourselves to Christ, He may ask us to do some pretty tough things, to endure some very difficult circumstances. I am finding this happening to me more and more. I have always been a leader, I can do it myself type of person. Not waiting for an answer and just plowing full speed ahead. Telling me to stop or put down things I value has been really hard for me. Leaning to put my trust in the Lord and knowing he will be there with me every step of the way has been such a challenging and yet rewarding thing for me. I feel so free and alive again. I want so much for everyone I know and love to feel this way! By having Jesus in my heart and trusting him, I have become a totally different, daughter, spouse, mother, sister, and aunt.
ReplyDeleteJust getting caught up on week 2. {5. How do we, through Women's Encounter (and in other ways) join Paul as an "ambassador" of Christ? How is Christ as your Lord asking you to submit to Himself?}
ReplyDeleteI would say the hardest part of being an ambassador for Christ, is the hurt caused from judgmental fellow believers. We, as sisters in Christ, do a really good job of looking down our noses at others, when really, we have NO idea what the Lord has asked of them in their personal journey.
We answer to ONE, the ONE TRUE GOD whose power is made perfect in our weaknesses.
Sharing from the heart at church, Bible study, on a blog, or at Womens Encounter, means exposing yourself, your life, your struggles for all to see. We own our truth then cringe, waiting for the back lash to come.
I think the Lord is wanting us to shout our truths from the roof tops, so that He may be glorified in the healing we are experiencing and the freedom we are finding in finally speaking the secret. The naming is bringing healing, and the healing bringing freedom. Freedom for ourselves and freedom for others to feel brave enough to share their own secrets.
My job is to submit my life to Him and praise Him when I am persecuted!
I am having trouble picking a question to answer. The reason being - WOW!! - I am so overwhelmed by the entire thought of it all. 1st - Jesus died FOR me, then you throw in there that my "old self" was crucified with Him. 2nd - What am I "called" to do, or do I just want to do it....aren't they the same? 3rd - A change in perspective, both in how I see myself and others and in how I handle adversity - this one was a little easier to grasp, but holding on to it is a trial. And lastly - 4th - As a "jar of clay" I am being trusted with something so valuable as the Holy Spirit, this makes me wonder exactly what is God thinking, oh, but He has given me insight into what he is thinking????
ReplyDeleteAs I ponder the entire week's worth of teaching and scripture and prayers I feel more unworthy than I ever have before. But then I realize -- why should I be surprised that there is SO MUCH to learn during this walk with Christ? I truly believe I've always been on a walk with Christ, but certain times in my life I've chosen to sit on the park bench and let him keep walking. I am now starting to be able to put into words what I've always wanted to see - I am a daughter of the King, I was crucified with Jesus and my "old self" is forever gone, I am called to share what I did wrong and how the Lord has forgiven me, I now have perspective in how I see myself and how I handle adversity, and I am a jar of clay and the Father has trusted me with his most valuable Holy Spirit to carry with me forever and ever.
My role in God's kingdom for the last many years has been to be a seed planter and I have seen many of those "seeds" grow and flourish to be wonderful Christian young adults serving in the Kingdom in various capacities. I don't know where God is leading me at this point in my life but I do feel that God wants me to serve in Womens'Encounter as an an encourager and a prayer warrior. Being of "jar of clay" was quite appropriate for this last week, and I was, a few times, a poor "jar" and the clay was not what God was trying to mold it into being. These devotions have really meant a lot to me and made me really pray, searching for where God wants me to serve in His Kingdom.
ReplyDeleteTonya, I feel the same way. This is part of what the Lord has been teaching me lately and these posts have reminded me of it. It's so easy to look at fellow Christians and think I cant believe they did/do that. I feel as an ambassador of Christ I/we should be different. Instead of forming opinions about others, believe the best. If the worst ends up to be true, pray for them instead of condeming them.
ReplyDeleteI feel my role is to humble myself. To remember I too have suffered but God led me through it and enabled me to forgive and to love people I hated before. I cannot say I do not fall back down now and then, but I remember to pray about it and ask God for strength and he manages to give me the strength. I want other women to feel God, to know him the way I have gotten to know him. To yearn for him and know he will always be there.
ReplyDeleteHi Ladies! So many things God has laid upon my heart this past week as I get caught up on this! I knew after my first Encounter in April I wanted to be a server. I have always enjoyed helping others either by just listening or praying for someone. I have been praying for God's guidance & wisdom everyday. I tell everyone I can about Encounter as they notice the changes in both my husband and I. They wonder how we can have such peace and freedom, able to forgive myself first and forgive others just like Jeasus does. What an example to be. I am really liking the changes that are coming.
ReplyDelete3. Be there for others, do not judge, listen and encourage ... Same with WE ... I really believe in this ministry! Beverly Domitrovic
ReplyDelete1) What does the new me look like? I find myself in constant communication with God. My thought processes have changed. Continuing in sinful behavior leaves me feeling convicted. I almost feel obsessive about it at times. With everything I do, every person I come into contact with, every thought that goes through my mind I'm making a conscience effort to do,say,think and act in a way that will be pleasing to God. Though I fail miserably every single day by the grace of God I get to start over the next day and try again.
ReplyDeleteThe new me... I am trying to see others as Christ sees me. I am seeking more of what he expects of me. I struggle with feeling like I have not much to offer. I want Him to mold me and use me in ways I could never imagine. I want God to be pleased with me in everything I do and say. I want to use that gentle voice with my kids and husband. I want to be that person that is calming and soothing with a gentle and humble spirit.
ReplyDeleteI am growing in my understanding of the character of God as He imparts His wisdom and gives me the ability to understand His thoughts. Having the mind of Christ is humbling and yet it is also powerful. I yearn to be more aware of the opportunities He gives me each day to die to myself and submit to Him. I say He is my Lord, but too many times I act impulsively and make foolish choices.
ReplyDeleteDay 6: what fears am I struggling with, being a "jar of clay?"
ReplyDeleteABSOLUTELY none! I do not fear my weaknesses. I've learned to embrace them. By doing so, I know that everything I do will glorify Christ. He has reminded me (repeatedly, I might add) that this ministry is not about any one person, including me. It about Him!
When you learn to embrace your weaknesses, you learn to depend on The Holy Spirit to work through you. It's our weaknesses and imperfections that we show Christ's power to redeem. Imperfection is a perfect example to these women. And recognizing my fear/imperfections keeps me in humble submission to our Lord!
Praying to be a strong, positive leader for the ladies I meet at Encounter. I pray that I will have the nerve and heart to share my story with people I don't know. Courage to share for the sake of reaching someone in the same, dark place that I was. Giving them hope that He is with them and will never give up on you. Realize that it isn't how others view my and more of how I can be an influence to those around me through my words and actions.
ReplyDelete