Making Sure:
Double-Checking the Most Important Decision of Your Life
By Lisa Bode

     Jesus said, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” – Matthew 16:26a.
     What will it profit you if you gain the coolest clothes, the coolest friends, and lose your soul?
     What will it profit you if you marry the sweetest husband, or succeed in the most fulfilling career, if you accomplish the most rewarding ministry, or complete the most impressive education, and lose your soul?
     What will it profit you if you gain the whole world, reach the pinnacle of a successful, fun-filled life, and in the end fall away because you missed, you forgot, you ignored, you assumed, on the most important point – the salvation of your soul?
     I wonder what you are thinking right now.  Are you about to turn the page?  Have you guessed that this might be an evangelistic article, certainly not what you need to read – hasn’t everybody here heard the Gospel before?  Why go through this again?  Of course we’re all saved, aren’t we?
     Our parents are saved.  We subscribe to The King’s Daughter.  We know the Bible.  We go to church.  We may even be involved in ministry.  We’re Christian girls.
     We’ve heard over and over the story of Jesus’ death on the cross.  Maybe we’ve even shared the Gospel with others.  Of course we’re saved – we were born saved!  Right?
     Or maybe you’re not so sure.  Maybe you feel awakening again the doubts that have been plaguing you for weeks, months, even years.  Am I really saved?  My mom said I prayed this prayer when I was six years old – I don’t even remember.  What if I go to hell?  How can I be sure?
     Whether you feel saved or not, don’t turn the page yet.  Set aside a few minutes of your time.  Where are you right now – on the way inside from the mailbox?  Sitting at the kitchen counter, waiting in the doctor’s office, reclining in your room?
     What is on your schedule right now?  Clothes, friends, music – work, ministry, education – the whole world – would you push that aside for just a few minutes?  Would you find a quiet place to read this article and to verify what is undeniably the most important decision of your life?
     Would you not leave this place, would you stay here seeking God, until you know with unshakeable certainty, beyond the slightest shadow of doubt, that you will not lose your soul, that your own name is written in the book of life (Revelation 20:15), that you will spend your eternity in heaven with Jesus?

Our need
     I wonder if you realize how desperately you need the Lord.
     Sometimes I walk near a cemetery.  Gravestones with crosses and flowers, names and dates, are scattered throughout the grass.  I wonder about the people who died – who they were, what was important to them, what they left behind, where they are now.
     Someday you will probably lie in a coffin at the front of a sanctuary, and then decay beneath a gravestone.  Then your utter weakness and inability will be open to the world, and you will find the Bible is true when it says “…For you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” – Genesis 3:19.  Look down now at your hands and arms – what seems so strong, capable, lovely.  It’s dust.  Any talent or ability you have is given by God, and He could just as easily take it from you.
     “…All flesh is grass, and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field.  The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the LORD blows upon it; surely the people are grass.” – Isaiah 40:6-7.
     We may feel strong now – young, healthy, ambitious, intelligent, the center of a little universe.  But someday – maybe even this day – we will pass away.  What will really be important then?  The fun of friends?  The stress of schedules?  The clock ticks.  Our days are numbered.
     Do you sense your utter inability, your helplessness before God?  You can’t make your own heart beat.  You’re as a speck of dust in His hand that He could crumble at any moment.  You are utterly dependent on God for everything.
     And you are worse than weak.  You are disgustingly sinful.  In your flesh is no good thing (Romans 7:18).  Your heart is deceitful and “desperately sick” (Jeremiah 17:9).
     Ouch!  Have I offended you?  Have I blown away your vision of the nice Christian girl who just wants to make people happy and have a good time, who word-perfectly recites verses like “...There is none righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10) and doesn’t stop to consider that it may apply to herself also?
     You may be able to hide your utter weakness, your sinful heart, behind surface niceness and normalcy.  You may be able to hide from everyone else, but not from God.  He sees beyond your words and actions, your style and schedule, and He knows the thoughts and motives of your heart (Hebrews 4:12-13).  He sees your every sin and He knows your ultimate destiny.
     “For all of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a filthy garment….” – Isaiah 64:6.
     God says, “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all.” – James 2:10.  If you are guilty of just one lie, or one impure thought, at any time in your life, you are found as a law-breaking sinner before God.
     God is holy, perfect, clean.  “…there is no unrighteousness in Him.” – Psalm 92:15.  Perfection is His standard, His prerequisite for heaven.  God cannot dwell with sin – not even the slightest, smallest, “whitest” sin.
     “But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.” – Isaiah 59:2.
     God’s justice demands that He punish our sin with blood, with death.
     “…without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” – Hebrews 9:22.  (See also Leviticus 17:11.)
     “For the wages of sin is death….” – Romans 6:23.
     This is our condition apart from God – helplessly weak, disgustingly sinful, incapable of any good, unable to save ourselves.  And the clock ticks away toward death and hell.
     We are very talented at living in denial – pushing the truth under the rug, pretending we’re strong and good and okay, assuming the righteousness of our parents or our church, or the mere knowledge of the Bible, will cover for us.  We are very talented at living in distraction – dismissing the truth as too serious or too spiritual, filling our schedule with plans that impress other people and friends that make us happy.
     Yet denying a problem does not solve it.  No amount of distractions, no style, no schedule, can save your soul in the end.  Are you willing right now to acknowledge your need before God?

God's gift
     I read a story of a girl falsely accused and about to be burnt alive at the stake.  She stood innocent and courageous, the moments before her brutal execution ticking by.
     At the last moment, a champion arrived to deliver her.  Riding up on a horse, he risked his life in a duel, struck down the opponent, and delivered her from death.  What a hero!  What a happy story!  How grateful she must be to him!
     Yet Jesus did so much more for us.  He did not merely put on armor, brandish His sword, and strike down our enemy in a duel.  He did not merely risk His life.  He actually died – a slow, unimaginably painful, shameful death.
     And He did not die for a falsely accused innocent.  He died for you, a wretched sinner, guilty, condemned, and at the moment of His death, not even alive yet to be grateful.  “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8.
     Jesus died because nothing else would suffice.  That was what you needed.  It was your only hope.
     He saw your sinful, helpless state.  He knew that the punishment of death must be given.  Sin could not be ignored.  It had to be paid for – if not by your life, then by someone else’s.
     By His own.  “But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon Him, and by His scourging we are healed.  All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the LORD has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on Him.” – Isaiah 53:5-6.  (Do you have tears in your eyes, on your heart?  Or have you become so used to this story that you’ve lost the wonder, forgotten the love?)
     Jesus loved you to the point of bitterest agony.  He valued you to the point of utmost sacrifice.  And He rose again and lives and intercedes for you now.
     This means that hell is not your only option.  You may be currently headed there, but you do have a choice.
     You have another option open to you, an option bought with the precious blood of Christ.  Because of His death, He can make you alive together with Him, forgive you all your transgressions, cancel out “…the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” – Colossians 2:14.
     “…the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:23.  This is your option.
     The disgusting sin we were talking of earlier?  It is reality.  Yet because of Jesus’ death, this can become your new reality: “…Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool.” – Isaiah 1:18. “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” – Psalm 103:12.
     The salvation from death, the cleansing of sin, is a gift of mercy, freely offered.  It cannot be earned by faithful church attendance, loving ministry, nice family, cool friends, or vast Bible knowledge. “He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy….” – Titus 3:5.
     “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9.

Your response
     Back to the story of the girl and her knight in shining armor.  Imagine this.  He risks his life, strikes down the opponent, wins the terrifying duel.  The girl, tied to the stake, watches his victory and knows that now she can be saved.  He rides over to where she stands, and he looks into her face.  The happy music is about to begin – but something is wrong.
     The girl stares at him in cold silence.  Finally he speaks.  “I love you.  I just risked my life to save you.  You can be free!  Let me untie your ropes and help you down.”
     “Oh, no, I’m happier here really,” she replies.
     He is confused, but tries to be patient.  “But they’ll burn you to death!  Look – they’re already approaching with torches.  I just risked my life so that I could get you out of here!  I defeated your opponent.  You can be free.  Let me untie you and you can escape.”
     She glares at him.  “No – leave me alone!  Let me make my own decisions!”
     Of course the story does not end that way.  Who would be such a fool?
     Or imagine if this Christmas your parents buy you a special gift.  They wrap it carefully, tie a beautiful bow, and present it to you on Christmas Eve.  They watch in anticipation.  They can’t wait to see your face when you open it.  You’ve been wanting this all year.
     “Thank you, it looks beautiful,” you say.  “I appreciate all your efforts.  I think I can guess what’s inside, and I acknowledge and understand that you’re offering it to me.”  And you put it under the Christmas tree and walk away.
     Of course not!  Who would be such a fool?  Who would do such a thing?
     We would, and we do.  We hear from our parents, we hear from our pastor, we hear from books and magazines and teachers and friends, about our desperate need for salvation, about God’s free gift.  We understand.  We acknowledge.  We may even memorize the Bible verses and store it all in our head.
     But then we say, we are happier really where we are.  We would rather make our own decisions.  We don’t want to be too spiritual.  We’ll put Jesus’ gift aside and nicely admire and acknowledge and understand it – but we won’t accept it.  We’d rather stay tied to the stake and watch the torches approach, thank you.
     God’s gift of salvation, Jesus’ death on the cross, did not automatically save the whole world.  A personal, individual response is necessary.
     “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9.  If you confess your sins.
     “…Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved….” – Acts 16:31.  If you believe.
     “…if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” – Romans 10:9-10.  If you confess with your mouth.  If you believe in your heart.
     The response is simple yet vital.  Girls, head knowledge is not enough!  An A+ grade on a Bible exam does not save your soul!  Nor does consistent church attendance.  Nor do family devotions.  Nor do wonderful parents, good works, cool friends, or ministry accomplishments.  All this that you may value, that you may build your life on, that you may put your hope in, none of it can save you!
     You must turn your head knowledge into a heart experience.  It is so easy, but it is so important!
     Have you “prayed the prayer” before?  That’s okay.  You can do it again.  You can be finished with doubt and guarantee your eternal salvation today.
     There are no magic words, no one recipe for the one right prayer.  The heart attitude is most important.
     Get down on your knees right now.  Acknowledge your disgusting sin and repent – confess it, give it up, turn away from it, leave it behind.  Ask Jesus to forgive you, and believe in His death on the cross as payment for your sin.
     Surrender your desperate weakness, your entire life, to the Lord Jesus.  Hand over the controls to Him.  Commit all you are, have, and do to Him in gratefulness for all He has done for you.
     And you are saved.  And you are a princess, a daughter of the King.  And your sins are cleansed and you are white as snow.
     “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me; and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand.  My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” – John 10:27-29.
     Have you struggled with doubts?  Are you afraid that you aren’t really saved, that perhaps by some accident, despite your best intentions to be saved properly, you’ll end up in hell?
     Read the Bible verses!  If you have repented and believed and given your life to the Lord Jesus, you are saved!  You will still sin.  You will still stumble.  But Jesus forgives, and you are saved!  Write down today’s date in the front of your Bible as a testimony that from this day forward, you are saved.  No more doubt.  Whether or not you were saved before, now you can know.
     And confess with your mouth.  Go tell your parents, your brothers and sisters, your friends.  Please write us an email and tell us! (editor@thekingsdaughtermag.com)
     Tell us that now you not only read The King’s Daughter materials, but you’re a daughter of the King.  You’re 100% sure and certain.  And though your body may decay beneath a gravestone, your soul will live eternally in heaven with Jesus.
     See you there!©

Maintaining a Daily Quiet Time
By Amy Vest

     Time with the Lord is the sweetest thing on earth!  It is the thing most necessary to draw us closer to Him!  Through it we come to know Him, to understand His ways, and to see how we are to live.  If we spend this time correctly, it will transform our lives.
     Yet why is our time with the Lord one of the things that most easily slides from our schedule, or a time when we struggle to stay focused?  Often it is because we forget its importance in our lives and the impact that it has on our relationship with the Lord, who we are, and the difference our lives make for eternity.
     When we ask the question, “What is the most important thing in life?”, the first thing that probably comes to our mind is – the Lord and our relationship with Him.  This is absolutely the right answer, but I sometimes wonder if we live our lives in line with this answer.  Dear sisters, I am writing this from my heart and personal experience.  We spend so much time talking and learning about it, but do we actually take the time to cultivate that personal relationship with the Lord?  Or do we become so busy doing things for the Lord that we don’t take time to be with Him?  We take time to do all the things that are required to stay alive – eating, sleeping, showering, etc.  In the same way, our quiet time with the Lord is so necessary for our spiritual survival.
     My devotions are my most treasured part of the day.  I cherish my time with the Lord, but at times I find myself allowing the length of it to be shortened, or struggling with becoming distracted during it.  I find that the cause of these problems is that I have unconsciously undermined the importance of my time with the Lord.  I have allowed less important things or activities (sleep, tasks, etc.) to take my time or distract me from the most important Person and activity in my life.
     Let’s look together first at the immeasurable importance and treasure of our time with the Lord, and then at how we can make it a meaningful and life-changing part of our lives.

The Impact
     Our time with the Lord is so vital to our walk with Him!  When we truly come into the Lord’s presence, meet with Him, and come to know Him in deeper and deeper ways, it will transform our lives.  For as we truly meet with Him and come to know more of who He is, our love for Him will grow.  As a result, we will desire to please Him with all of our lives, and our eyes will be opened in greater ways to who and how we should be, with the incredible comfort that He will be with us and give us the strength for each step.  He is an incredible Lord, Savior, and Friend!
     The saying “who you spend time with, you become like,” rings so true in a special way in our time with the Lord.  We long to be like Jesus, don’t we?  It is through our time spent with Him that we are changed into His likeness.  As we meet with Him and experience for ourselves who our Lord is, we cannot help but become more like Him.  When we come to know Him in a very real and personal way, we find that He is all that we need and that He fulfills every longing of our heart.
     It is so necessary that we come to this point of knowing and experiencing our Lord personally – for that is what transforms us!  In coming into His presence, spending time in His Word, and communing with Him in prayer, we come to know His heart, receive His mind, and be filled with His likeness.  Isn’t it a precious thing that the One who created and controls the universe loves us and delights in spending time with us?!  It is the sweetest, most transforming time!
     When we meet with the Lord, He gives us the strength to accomplish all that He has called us to do.  Our quiet time with Him is the fuel for our spiritual engines – we will burn out otherwise.  In our quiet times, as we surrender ourselves to the Lord as vessels for His use, He will fill us with His Spirit and do amazing things in and through us.
     My friends, we have a special treasure in our youth to focus solely on the Lord and to grow in our relationship with Him!  Let us not waste it!  This is the time when we are laying the foundation for our lives.  The choices we make and the things we do now will drastically impact who we become.  Our quiet time with the Lord (or lack thereof) plays a big role in this.  Isn’t that an amazing, sobering thought?
     The incredible delight and fulfillment that comes from knowing, obeying, and spending time with the Lord results in a truly exciting life.  Let’s pour ourselves wholeheartedly into seeking the Lord and treasuring our time with Him!  For He has promised us, “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:13.  The results will transform your life and bring you greater joy and fulfillment than you ever imagined!

The Ingredients
     How do we spend our time with the Lord so that we truly grow in our relationship with Him?
     Listed below are ingredients that I have found to be valuable in my time with the Lord.  These guides will help you to have a truly meaningful quiet time.
     The most important ingredient of our quiet time is our heart attitude.  In order for our time with the Lord to have a transforming effect, we must truly have a heart that is hungering for Him.  Seek with all that you are to truly meet with the Lord.  Be assured that He is “...a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” – Hebrews 11:6.
     A good devotional time starts long before you enter it.  I have found amazing results from turning my heart to the Lord in prayer and meditating on Scripture as I fall asleep at night.  When I wake up, my spirit is already in fellowship with the Lord!  (Also, get to bed at a good time so that you are awake and alert for your time with Him.)
     As you wake up, immediately turn your heart to the Lord in prayer.
     Roll out of bed and land on your knees – keep praying.  Tell the Lord good morning, that you love Him, thank Him for the new day, commit yourself and the day to Him.  Seek to come into fellowship with the Lord before you see anyone else.  It is a perfect start to the day!
     Either continue on in your devotions right then, or get ready for the day so that you are awake for quality time with the Lord.
     Find a quiet place where you can be with the Lord and hear from Him.  My two favorite places for my quiet time are my bedroom, and a bench halfway down to our lake.
     Schedule your time with the Lord so that you can make the most of it, and so that you can get everything in.  (Otherwise, if you are like me, you may tend to drift, or find that all your time is spent on one thing while other things are missed.)  For example, if you have thirty minutes for your quiet time, you could spend ten minutes praying, ten minutes reading your Bible, and ten minutes memorizing and meditating on Scripture, and recording what the Lord has shown you in your devotions.
     I have chosen to do most of my Scripture memory during the day by carrying the verse(s) I am memorizing with me on a piece of paper.  This way I can spend more time in prayer.  Find what works best for you with the time that you have!  (I just gave the thirty minutes as an example for how to segment your time – if you can spend more time with the Lord, that's great!)
     It is so key to start your devotions by coming into the Lord’s presence and fellowshipping with Him through prayer.  This way your spirit is in tune with Him as you read His Word.
     I have found it beneficial, though, to save the majority of my prayer time until after I have read my Bible.  This helps me to avoid getting lost in prayer and running out of time to read my Bible.  Reading Scripture before the majority of my prayer time also helps me to focus better in prayer and to know how to pray.
     Before you read your Bible, ask the Lord to speak to you through His Word – to help you to know Him more, to open your eyes to understand what you read, and to show you how to live.  It is amazing the things that God has to show us if we will simply ask Him and search His Word!  His Word is so living, and I am constantly learning how personally it applies to every part of my life!  (You will find it a priceless treasure to keep a journal of things that the Lord has shown you, so that you can remember them for years to come!)
     Once your Bible reading is finished, pray.  As you pray, remember that the Lord is right there with you.  He listens to every word you say, knows how you are feeling, and always has the perfect solution.  Prayer is made up of many parts, including pouring out your heart to the Lord, praising Him, dwelling/abiding in His presence, listening for Him to speak to you, bringing your requests before Him, examining yourself before Him, confessing and repenting of any sin He reveals to you, worshiping Him for who He is, and thanking Him.  I have also found great blessing in singing hymns to the Lord and in praying His Word to Him.
     A consistent balance of all these things is essential to a well-rounded, vibrant, and stable walk with the Lord.  We need so much to be in fellowship with Him, to share our heart with Him, and to have Him speak to us!  As we spend time with the Lord and experience the priceless treasure of His presence, we can’t help but long for our time with Him.

Other Ideas
     If you find yourself still having a hard time being consistent in this precious time with the Lord, find someone to keep you accountable for having a daily quiet time.  Often knowing that another person will be checking up on us gives us the extra motivation we need to do something!
     If you have allowed your quiet time with the Lord to slip from your daily schedule, you can start fresh now!  Our Lord is so faithful to us even when we are not faithful to Him.  He delights when we return to our times with Him.  He is not waiting for you with His arms crossed and a frowning reprimand for your inconsistency.  Rather, He is there with open arms and great delight to have you with Him again.  We have no reason not to run into His presence with a renewed resolve to consistently have a quiet time with Him!
     As we take this daily quiet time with the Lord, let us remember the reason we are doing it.  It is to know our Lord in a deeper way and to be transformed more and more into His image.  The exciting thing is, our devotions are not the end of our time with the Lord – they are simply a springboard to a day of fellowship with Him!
     This time in the presence of our loving Lord is something we cannot afford to forgo.  Seek with all that you are to have this vital time with Him, dear sisters!  It will transform your life, bless you, and cause you to know the Lord like never before.  There is truly nothing more important in life!  When we stand before our Lord at the end of this life, we will not regret a minute that we have spent in time alone with Him.©

Solving the Dilemma of Bible Study
By Kelly Richardson

     Here is a humorous look at some common, but flawed ways in which many people approach Bible study.  While you read this, evaluate your own Bible study habits.  Then be sure to read the last section of this article to learn practical ways to properly study the Bible. - Ed.

     To the sensitive person, Bible study might present a dilemma, particularly when a passage of Scripture is clear in its intent and application, but is awkward or inconvenient to obey.  The really clever person will want to interpret passages so that they no longer seem bothersome or personally relevant.  There are some simple, but highly effective ways for anyone who so chooses, to maintain an aura of spirituality while avoiding the intrusive teachings of the Bible.
     Anyone who has grown up in a Christian home, and has been taught the Bible “backwards and forwards,” probably knows the methods of proper Bible study.  In such cases, it is necessary to develop selective amnesia before applying the avoidance techniques which will be discussed below.  Thus, one needs to forget the active reading which begins all serious Bible study.  Rather, a simple cursory reading of the text will suffice in order to escape the clear teachings of Scripture.
     After all, one really doesn’t want to know what a passage of Scripture actually says if one wants to avoid its implications.  In such cases a paraphrase is a more useful tool than a good translation.  The goal is to skip the process of careful observation, which requires thinking and recording what God has said through the written Word.  Questions like Who, What, Where, When and Why are no longer helpful.
     When it comes to interpretation, the well-trained Christian, hoping to avoid the impositions of Biblical truth, will have to forget that God usually means what He says.  The process of interpretation involves both the context of the immediate passage as well as a comparison with other Scriptural truths.  This must be avoided at all costs if one is to minimize the need to apply Scripture accurately.
     It is not important to be able to express clearly, to yourself and others, what the passage is teaching, if one doesn’t want to obey the Scriptures in the first place.  It’s like doing a jigsaw puzzle, but hiding several important pieces so that no one can see the complete picture.
     If one ever finds oneself in the awkward position of actually having to make an application of Scripture to one’s life, be sure to spiritualize it first.  We must reject the notion that Bible application is a personal response in obedience to the truths of the Scripture, lest we run the danger of living a meaningful and useful life for the Lord.
     Good Bible students know why it is important to study the Bible.  It’s God’s Word, it’s inerrant, and it’s powerful.  Christians understand that an accurate knowledge of God’s Word also has practical value.  It is useful in witnessing and in preparing them to be involved in good works.  Such notions are reinforced by Bible verses such as Psalm 119:11: “Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You”, and Isaiah 55:8-11: “‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,’ declares the LORD....‘So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire....’”
     The very idea that we should be “doers” of the word and not just “hearers” (James 1:22), chills the heart of those who are satisfied with a superficial faith.
     One easy way to interpret away undesirable passages is to “discover” the deeper meaning of the text.  One does this through fanciful analogies or imaginative allegories.  When doing this it is vital to claim that you felt the Spirit of God reveal these new truths.  It’s hard to argue against the subjective experience of the Spirit’s working in a person’s life.  The advantage of this kind of approach is that it gives the appearance of faithfulness to the literal text, while allowing one to disregard the actual intent of the Scripture.
     Sometimes it is also necessary to impose one’s own views on the Scripture.  This not only helps one to avoid difficult truths, but it also advances one’s own agenda.  Everyone knows that the Bible says for all Christians to share their faith with unbelievers (Acts 1:8).  This is a terribly inconvenient Bible truth, particularly when one wants to enjoy the company of non-Christians.  How can such an inconvenient Biblical truth be avoided?  Simply insist that the verse doesn’t apply until one hears God’s leading.  One must feel “called” before this truth can apply to one’s life.
     When attempting to avoid an inconvenient truth, plucking verses out of their context is helpful.  A few random verses ripped from their settings can be very useful in maintaining a false spirituality.  For instance, Genesis 4:9 says, “...Am I my brother’s keeper?”  For the Biblical escapist, this verse is teaching that one need have no concern for the welfare of others.
     Another approach to misinterpretation is to “spiritualize” the text.  In this method, you simply overlook what the passage actually says in favor of the deeper spiritual meaning, thus avoiding the hassle of dealing with the literal truth.  Instead, one simply uses the verse as a point of takeoff for presenting other spiritual truths, which are in no way related to the text.
     The final avoidance technique is to use Matthew 7:1, “Judge not, that ye be not judged”, as a club over the head of one’s critics.  This is a classic misdirection ploy, in order to avoid any charge that one’s own actions or lifestyle are wrong.  Moral relativity lies in the heart of the person using such a technique.
     Given enough time and practice, many of these techniques will become second nature, and anyone can enjoy the liberating freedom that comes from a life no longer in bondage to the inconvenient truths of Scripture.

Or the other solution...

Guides to Effective Bible Study

For anyone willing to risk getting to know God and doing what He says...
(following these guides could change your life!)

Active Reading

• Read the Bible passage as if you actually want to understand it.
• Read each sentence thoroughly.
• Ask the five W’s (Who, What, Where, When and Why) about each passage.
• Write down the main points of the passage in a notebook.  Write down the answers to the five W's.

• Remember God always means what He says.
• Remember you are dealing with the perfect Word of God.
• Remember the goal is to discover what God is actually saying in a particular passage.  The goal is not just to pull a good truth out of it.  Don't read your own ideas into a passage, or use the text to support a point it's not actually making; instead try to discern what point God is making and what the passage reveals about Him.
• Look at the context (the passages immediately surrounding whatever passage you are looking at).
• Look up cross-references. The correct interpretation of one passage will not contradict the overall teaching of Scripture.

• Obey the truth of the passage! ©

Before the Throne of Grace
By Katrina Rebsch

     It was a beautiful morning of blue skies, sunlight filtering through the leafy trees, and birds twittering cheerfully. Looking out my bedroom window on this glorious morning, I was nestled in a soft blue chair (fondly dubbed “my quiet time chair”), a Bible open on my lap. I had been reading in Psalm 86, and the first part of verse 11 caught my attention. “Teach me thy way, O Lord....”
     How often had I prayed those words before? I cannot count the times. And as I sat there in the sunshine pondering them once more, I realized how faithful my Lord has been to fulfill this desire to learn of His ways from Him.  The classrooms have been varied, the subjects of a wide array, but always He has been there guiding, fashioning, bringing understanding. With renewed longing in my heart, I again cried, “Teach me Thy way, O Lord; I will walk in Thy truth!”
     Dear sisters, I would like to share with you what God has taught me about prayer.  Do you ever wish that there was something more to your prayer life? You are not the only one! I hope that by reading my struggles, joys, questions, and victories in this area, you will be encouraged that developing a meaningful prayer life and a deeper love for that special place before the throne of grace is possible!  Simply from my heart to yours, the following paragraphs contain some of the lessons of prayer I have learned.  By no means have I mastered this area; only Christ is the Master.  May this article be a testimony of His faithfulness!
     “Lord, why do You want me to pray?” This was the question of the hour one morning a few weeks ago.  I don’t know that I have ever asked God that question before, or even thought much about it!  He brought the verse to mind which says, “…the prayer of the upright is his delight.” – Proverbs 15:8.
     What an incredible thought!  God finds delight in our desire to spend quiet time with Him alone, in our worship and adoration of His Name, in our recognition of our need for Him, in our petition for that which only He can provide, in the pouring out of our hearts before Him, and the quiet listening to His voice.  Knowing this one simple truth about the reason behind prayer has transformed my whole motive when I pray.
     Prayer was never intended to be merely a dry duty every Christian is expected to fulfill!  We have been created to bring glory to our Maker (see Isaiah 43:7), and prayer is no exception. I encourage you to view prayer as an opportunity to bring delight to the God who loves you!
     One of the things I have struggled with regarding my prayer time has been a tendency to rush through it. As a task-oriented person, my thoughts were often on the many things I needed to accomplish in my day. Looming in my mind and on my desk would be a to-do list, my quiet time merely being an essential part of the day to be checked off! Therefore, to my knees I would go, and to the Lord would be poured forth an unceasing flow of hasty words before jumping to my feet to begin the next activity.
     Patiently and gently, God began to change my heart in this matter. He gave me a renewed hunger and thirst for the peace of His presence, for the fulfillment that comes in jubilant worship of the Name above all names.  Psalm 16:11 became a favorite verse. “Thou wilt show me the path of life; in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
     With this renewed desire in my heart, I began to make some important changes in my morning routine.  First, I stopped making out my to-do lists before my quiet time. Because I did not have as clear-cut a picture of all that needed doing, I was much better able to take my time with the Lord and concentrate in prayer.
     Secondly, I began “coming to the garden alone while the dew was still on the roses.”  I moved my quiet time to the very first part of the day rather than sandwiching it between activities of the morning. This meant setting the alarm clock earlier than usual!  It is not always easy to rise early, and some days I have to do jumping jacks to wake myself up (believe me, they work!) or stifle the temptation to roll over and go back to sleep.  But there is something about that early hour spent alone with my heavenly Father which He blesses richly.
     Dear sisters, if any of you are struggling with a tendency to rush right through prayer, ask the Lord to give you a change of heart.  He will.  Also, be willing to make changes. If removing your watch is helpful, do it!  Perhaps rising earlier or establishing a sort of prayer closet away from the busyness is the answer to your needs. Remember that giving top priority to seeking the Lord honors Him.
     [Another idea that may help to avoid the “rush-through” tendency is to set aside a specific amount of time for prayer.  Then, instead of feeling like the faster you get through your prayer list the sooner you can be done and on to other things, you are instead free to focus on the Lord and to spend your set amount of time in the best way possible. – Ed.]
     One of the things I have been learning recently is that prayer is simply a conversation with the Lord.  He is the God of all glory and worthy to be feared, as well as our Friend of all friends who loves us with an everlasting love. There is something so freeing in pouring out my heart before Him, knowing that He is powerful to move mountains and is listening with tender care!
     There is no perfect blueprint for prayer, but here are some ideas based on Scripture and my own experience for what the content of your conversation with Christ could include.

Worship
     “Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.” – Psalm 145:2.  God delights in the praises of His people! I encourage you to begin your prayer time by speaking words of worship.  Praise God’s attributes.  Praise His Names.  Thank Him for what He has done in your life.  Sing songs of worship just for your Savior!
     One of the things I love to do is to pray a Psalm. Usually I choose a shorter Psalm which especially speaks the Lord’s praise. Then, one verse at a time, I personalize the words, speaking them to the Lord, rather than about Him. For example, “My Lord, You are gracious, and full of compassion; thank You for being slow to anger. You are a God of great mercy!” (Based on Psalm 145:8.)  We are daughters of the King of kings – let us come before Him with praise!

Petition
     “…how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?” – Matthew 7:11b.  We serve a God who wants to fulfill our requests when they are in accordance with His will, a Savior who loves to show Himself strong on our behalf!  With humility of heart, let us bring our needs to Him.
     And it is important to ask Him not only for ourselves, but also on behalf of others.  Amy Carmichael said that prayer is the greatest weapon of warfare against Satan’s work. Let us be fervent to pray for our family members and friends, for missionaries, for leaders, for those who need salvation!
     I recently did a short study on the prayer life of Paul, and I made a list of all the things he mentioned praying for.  It has been a pleasure to go through the contents of that list in my prayer for other people.  Rarely did Paul pray for others’ physical needs, but almost always for spiritual qualities.
     Since we cannot pray for everyone we know every day, ask God to lay on your heart specific names of those who are in need.

Listening
     “Be still, and know that I am God….” – Psalm 46:10.  “My sheep hear my voice….” – John 10:27.
     Several weeks ago, I had my wisdom teeth removed. One of the biggest lessons the Lord taught me as I lay on my bed during difficult days of recuperation, was the importance of being still in prayer and listening to His still small voice.  This aspect of prayer has been so neglected in my life!  I have always been the one doing all the talking.
     Hudson Taylor was one among many heroes of faith who understood this principle of prayer.  In his little book Union and Communion he wrote, “When we bring our questions to God, do we sometimes either go on to offer some other petition or leave the place of prayer without waiting for a reply?  Doesn’t this show little expectation of an answer, much less desire for one?  Would we like to be treated in this way?  Quiet waiting before God saves us from many mistakes and many sorrows.”
     Sometimes the Lord speaks by bringing a specific Scripture verse to mind.  What a blessing His words of life are! The question is, are we listening?
     Because of the Lord’s mercy, I can honestly say now that the quiet place before His throne of grace is my most beloved place!  It is a place where sins are forgiven, affections are set above, and burdens are released.  It is a time when God receives delight and I grow in love for Him.
     If you desire to develop a meaningful prayer life, I encourage you to cry out to the Lord to teach you.  Sisters, He has so much He wants to teach us of His way!  May He bless you abundantly!©

Streams and Pebbles
By Jennifer Schlaudt

     On our yearly vacations to the majestic mountains of Colorado, my family has seen many awe-inspiring wonders of God’s creation.  But there is one marvel to which I return year after year, never ceasing to be enchanted.
     No matter how many times I have wandered along our sleepy, scenic country road, the beauty of the rippling mountain stream alongside can never grow old.  I could sit for hours watching the swirling currents among the glistening rocks and listening to the musical bubbling, trickling sounds of the gliding, crystal-clear water.  There is such a soothing stability in the fluid quality of its rhythmic flow.
     My love for the sound and feel of water has drawn me to the stream’s banks many a glorious mountain day.  Rambling there on sunny afternoons, I have discovered that my beloved brook has many lessons to impart.  An insightful poem by Amy Carmichael provides the basis for one of these principles.  She aptly calls it “The Pebble Parable”.

Where light and water mixed
and made a glory,
Glistened a pebble in a golden pool.
Wond’ring, we sought to
read its hidden story:
Where was it carven?
Shaped by what tool?

Then from the water did
we take it, craving,
A thing so lovely for our own desire.
Ah, but it dulled, missing
the water’s laving,
Missing the mystic ministry of fire.

Dear Lord, how often hast
Thou stooped and spoken
By parable, without word or sound.
Flow over me; my heart accepts the token.
Where but in Thee
are my fair colors found?

     The luster of this lovely pebble, desired so intently by the poet, immediately fades when it is taken from its place in the river.  Outside the influence of the sparkling water, it is only an ordinary stone, dull and without significance.  All the beauty and glory of this little rock – what some might consider to be its identity, in fact – comes directly from the stream, which has been its sole environment until the events recounted in the poem.
     Without the brook, the pebble is nothing.  If a pebble were a living thing, we would say that the river is its very life – not merely its locality and existence, but the very thing that makes the pebble the lovely, desirable stone that it is.
     The personal application of the parable’s lesson is so staggering, yet so simple.  The shiny little rock is an image of me, an ordinary person amid the throngs of others lining the riverbed of life.  The golden water in the tumbling brook is a picture of the Lord, “For in Him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28a).
     This is not so difficult to imagine.  He tells me in Jeremiah 17:13 that He is “...the LORD, the fountain of living waters.”  And the stirring words of Isaiah 33:21 add a beautiful new dimension to the metaphor.  “But there the majestic LORD will be for us a place of broad rivers and streams....”
     God flows over me, His little pebble, as a life-giving spring, animating and sustaining me both in this pilgrimage and in the life to come.  “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” – John 10:10b.  “But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.” – John 4:14b.
     His waters are delightfully cool and refreshing, more so even than my snow-fed stream of the hills, satisfying the deepest thirsts of my weary and flustered soul.  “As the deer pants for the water brooks… my soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” – Ps. 42:1-2a.  “...he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” – John 6:35b.  “…that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord”. – Acts 3:19b.
     His steadily rushing currents cleanse my soul of its accumulated grime and sin, as my rolling rivulet scours its stones for encrusted dirt and impurity. “...like launderers’ soap,” Malachi 3:2 tells me, the Lord will “wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.” – Psalm 51:2.  God’s objective is “that He might sanctify and cleanse [me] with the washing of water by the word” (Ephesians 5:26) and “...purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works”. – Titus 2:14.
     The Lord is to be my encompassing environment, my dwelling place (Psalm 90:1), the atmosphere in which I perpetually abide.  My very identity is derived from being in Christ and abiding in Him.  “...I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.” – John 14:20.
     Just as the gilded rock in the parable existed as part of the river and lost all its glory and beauty when removed from its place therein, so it is with me.  The Lord makes me what I am.  Any beauty in my life comes solely through His radiant presence.  Jesus shimmers and glows like sunlight bouncing on water – I merely reflect His glory.  “In God is my salvation and my glory....” – Psalm 62:7a.
     If I were to be “taken out” of my Lord, everything desirable in my life would fade and dissipate.  “...apart from Me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5b.  I am nothing without Him.  I am found in Him.
     What tranquil certainty I may find in this knowledge!  The stone at the bottom of the brook remains completely indifferent to the events transpiring above the surface.  It is immersed in the river, perfectly sheltered and secure from whatever storms or disturbances plague the world above it.  Under the Lord’s wings, I am insulated and kept from all harm (Psalm 91).  What more could I ask or desire?
     The course and currents of my River are utterly certain, ineffably dependable, and stably unchanging.  I serve the Father of lights, “...with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” – James 1:17.  The meandering mountain creek may carve out new channels, but my Father proclaims, “For I am the LORD, I do not change....” – Malachi 3:6.
     Amy Carmichael learned from her encounter that she would glisten and flourish, receive sustenance and strength, and find fulfillment only in her Lord.  The value, beauty, and glory of her life flowed through her place in the river, her identity in Jesus.  Being anybody special comes from belonging to Him and answering His call for one’s life.  May each of us be able to say with her, “Where but in Thee are my fair colors found?”©

Nursing Home Ministry
By Sarah Hamaker

     When you think of a nursing home, what comes to your mind?  Elderly people needing assistance or attention?  Lonely patients, far away from their families, and isolated from the rest of the world?  People suffering from distressing sickness and disability?
     I was totally clueless about nursing homes when I started visiting them with friends five years ago.  Following are some things I’ve learned and some tips for those of you who may be interested in a nursing home ministry.
     A friend of mine shared with me from Matthew 25:36, where Jesus tells us that whatever we do for the least of these, we are doing for Him.  When I read “...I was in prison and you came to visit me”, I thought of the nursing home, because so many people there feel trapped and lonely.
     Recently when my friend Lydia and I visited a nursing home, we met a woman who was a new resident there.  She was discouraged, lonely, and homesick.  We talked to her for awhile, and then asked if we could sing a hymn for her, and if she had a favorite that we might know.  She couldn’t seem to think of one, and kept saying, “I don’t know; I don’t know.”  So Lydia and I launched into “I Come to the Garden Alone”.  After we finished the first verse, she exclaimed, “That’s my favorite one!”  We couldn’t have known that, but God did!  Our God is so great!  By the time we left her room, she was talking about having her son send her some of her cassette tapes of hymns from home.  It was such a blessing to see how God had used us to encourage her!
     Sometimes God also uses my nursing home visits to really encourage me.  One day when I was especially discouraged, we went to visit the nursing home and talked with a woman we knew from many other visits.  As we were leaving, she started singing a simple song that God used in my life to bless me so much and encourage me to trust Him.  Praise His name!
     As with any ministry, it is important to determine whether or not God is calling you to a nursing home ministry.  It will probably take a few visits and lots of prayer to figure this out.  A friend of mine, who used to go with us, explained that she was stopping because she felt really drained after each visit and thought God wanted her to use her time doing other things for Him.  Most of the time, I come home encouraged – although there are some times that I don’t, and I just have to trust that God used me as He wanted.  However, if a nursing home ministry constantly seems to drain and discourage you, you may want to reconsider and pray about whether this is the ministry God wants for you.
     As you consider it, I would suggest that in addition to praying privately, you also include friends and family in your decision.  (My Mom and I prayed both separately and together about it.)  If you feel God isn’t calling you to this ministry, don’t feel bad, for God has different ministries for different people.
     If you do feel that God is leading you into nursing home ministry, here are some more tips.  You will want to find or form a group to visit a nursing home near you.  It can just be your family, or a group of friends, a church group, etc.  It is a good idea to start with just one nursing home (you can always add more later).  You will want to call beforehand to check your plans with the staff.  They will be able to tell you the best times to come, when people aren’t eating or sleeping, or taking part in a scheduled activity.
     Let me walk you through a typical visiting day.  Before we begin visiting, Lydia and I pray together in the lobby.  We ask God to use us and guide us as He desires.  After prayer, we enter the nursing area.  I have my Bible with me (in case I can read to someone), and we also bring a hymnal.  I ask the nurse if there are any rooms that we aren’t allowed to visit.  (A bright orange sign on the door usually means not to enter for health reasons.  If you have a fairly large group, perhaps you could get permission to sing from outside the room.)
     Lydia and I knock gently on a partially-opened door (closed doors usually mean “do not disturb”).  We enter and start a conversation with the elderly lady inside.  There are pictures in the room that make good conversation-starters.  (Most people like to talk about their families and their past.  Ask about what they used to do or places they’ve lived.  We’ve heard a lot of really neat stories!)
     After a few minutes of conversation, I ask her if we could sing a hymn or a song and if she has a favorite.  She names a hymn we know, so Lydia and I sing it.  (If we don’t know the song, we apologize and offer to sing one that we know.)  After the hymn, I ask if we can pray for her and she agrees (not everyone will).  Lydia prays this time.  Realizing that this lady needs a lot of encouragement, I offer to read some verses from Psalms.  After reading we say goodbye, give her a hug, and head to another room.
     One time while visiting, Lydia and I entered a room where a woman was in a wheelchair turned toward her bed, and she couldn’t turn it around.  She couldn’t reach the phone, or the emergency cord to call for help; she was completely helpless.  It was so sad, and we were glad we were able to help her.  It is always uplifting to me to know when I leave the nursing home that God has used me to bless someone and encourage them spiritually!  Remember your labor is not in vain in the Lord (see 1 Corinthians 15:58).©

Budgeting for Beginners
By Lara Bode

     Does the mere thought of the word “budget” make you shudder?  If so, you’re not alone.  Many people think of a budget as a stringent “fun-spoiler” that mercilessly prohibits a person from buying anything beyond the most unexciting bare necessities. 
     When it comes to budgeting, many people foolishly adopt a head-in-the-sand philosophy.  Believing the old lie that “what you don’t know can’t hurt you”, some have abandoned even the smallest effort to keep on top of their finances, vaguely hoping that if they don’t buy anything huge, everything will turn out okay.
     I hope you’ll all agree with me that the above mindset is hardly the wisest way to go!  I’ve actually found that – far from prohibiting me from buying anything – a realistic and well-planned budget ultimately allows me to use my finances for what is important to me – giving to further the Kingdom of God, taking care of my own needs, purchasing gifts for others, and yes, allowing for some fun purchases and vacations.
     A good budget is not a slave master, but a guide to help you intelligently manage your finances and stay aware of where your money is going.  So grab a notepad and pen, and we’ll work together on setting up a workable budget of your own!
     The budget plan detailed below assumes that you have a relatively consistent income.  But even if you don’t have a regular income except for an occasional baby-sitting job or something, you can still have a budget!  See the section at the end of this article.
     A word of warning before we begin.  Be sure to avoid creating an overly optimistic budget – i.e., “I think I can get by with just $5 a month for clothes...”).  Completely unrealistic plans will make you frustrated and ultimately encourage even more over-spending, as we all have a tendency to think that once we’ve totally blown the budget, a little more over-spending won’t make much difference.
     Begin by taking a realistic look at what you have to work with.  Write down your monthly income.  If you don’t have a consistent income, come up with a conservative monthly estimate.  (Then if you end up with extra, you’ll be happily surprised!)
     Next write down the amounts you’ll need each month for absolutely essential expenditures (tithe, tax, insurance, etc.).  Subtract this amount from your monthly income.
     The remaining amount is what you have to work with for categories like food, clothes, gas, gifts, miscellaneous, etc.  Make a list of categories that fit your needs.  Rather than overusing the miscellaneous column, categorize as specifically as possible.  For example, if you are regularly buying health supplements, make that a separate category, rather than just lumping it in with miscellaneous.
     Now get out your checkbook and take a look at how much you’ve been spending in each of these categories per month.  Assign a workable monthly amount for each one; remember it doesn’t have to be totally exact, just a good estimate.
     Remember to also budget for expenses that only come around once a year – like Christmas presents and some taxes.  For these, figure out your yearly needs and divide by twelve.  Add this number under an “Annuals” category to your monthly budget so you can be prepared for these expenses and you won’t have to go into debt once December comes!
     Now add up all your projected monthly expenditures.
     If the sum is more than your income:  you should be glad you’re reading this article!  It’s a good thing you’re forming a budget now, before you get into major financial trouble!  Don’t panic; start praying.  Remember that God has provided for all your needs, and you need to be a faithful and responsible steward by living within your income.  Asking God for wisdom, look over your categories and figure out where you can decrease spending.  It would be wise to try to save some, too, if at all possible.  Just do your best before God with what He has given you.
     If your projected monthly expenditures still leave you with some income to spare, smile!  The remainder is your savings category.  Anytime you can “beat your budget” (spending less than you planned), the extra goes into savings as well.  Anytime you over-spend your budget, you’re dipping into your savings.  Diligently saving will allow you to eventually make major purchases; from my savings I’ve been able to take a missions trip to Russia, buy extra-special gifts, get a CD player, take vacations, attend seminars, buy a car, etc.  A word of caution: don’t let your savings become too self-centered!  A practical way to deal with this is to send money to missionaries, Christian orphanages, etc.
     It’s a good idea to set aside a certain amount per month for long-term savings, money that is invested or kept in the bank and not spent without careful prayer and thought.  Realize that God may lead you into a new chapter in life when you may not have any income and may struggle to make ends meet.  With careful management now, you can save for future opportunities.  It would be silly to waste your money now on too many coffees and new clothes, and later on be pinching pennies or going into debt!
     Further budgeting helps: keep your checkbook up-to-date, including deposits, and balance your checkbook regularly.  Record on your budget page everything you spend, whether it’s by cash, check, or credit card.  If credit cards seem to encourage you to overspend, discontinue them.
     If your parents take care of your expenses and your income consists of just an occasional baby-sitting job (or something like that), it is still good to have an intelligent budget!  Get a notebook in which you will record every time you make any money.  Then divide it up something like this:
   ·  10% tithe
   ·  30% savings
   ·  20% gifts (for family and friends) and/or giving to missionaries
   ·  40% personal spending ©

For Such a Time As This: A Story
By Jessica Williams

     “Stacy, Dad would like us all in the living room for a family meeting,” Amanda called into the kitchen.
     “I’m on my way,” said Stacy.  As she dried her hands from washing the dishes, her mind wandered back to another family meeting.  It was five months ago when her father, Mr. Sherman, had asked the family to fervently pray about God’s direction.  He had just completed seminary and knew that God was calling him to pastor.  He asked the family to pray that God would carefully guide them.  I wonder what this meeting will be about, thought Stacy as she walked into the living room and sat down.  Having the family’s full attention, her father began to tell them the news that would forever change their lives.
     “As you all remember, we’ve been seeking God about the ministry He would have for us.  Well, God has answered our prayers!” he said with a smile.  “Our good friend Pastor Davis called me about a month ago and said that there is a real need for an inner-city missionary there in Chicago. He said that God laid on his heart that our family would be perfect for this ministry, and he asked us to pray about it.  So after much thought and prayer, your mother and I believe that this is where God wants us to go.”
     Stacy sat there stunned.  She never thought that they would have to move so far away.  Chicago was hundreds of miles from their home in Memphis, Tennessee!  She had prayed for God’s direction, as her dad had asked, but all the time she was sure that they would remain in the area.
     Her dad continued to explain, but Stacy didn’t hear much more.  Her mind began to race with many questions.  Dad wants us to leave our home, and move so far away?  What about our church, family, and friends?  How can he ask that?  How could God ask that of us?
     Just as Stacy was able to refocus, she heard her father say, “Most of the people in the ministry area are unsaved, and some have never been in church.  We have a great opportunity to minister to hundreds of people.  It will be challenging at times, but we must remember that God will always be there to help us.”
     “Where will we live?” asked Amanda.
     “Pastor Davis’ church has a parsonage available, and they have agreed to allow us to live there.  From the description, it will fit our family’s needs perfectly.”
     “When will we move?” asked her brother John.
     “In six months,” Dad answered.  Amanda and John started to talk about all that would have to be done before the move.  It seemed as if they really liked the idea.
     “Stacy, what do you think about all of this?” asked her mother.
     When she found her voice, Stacy managed to say something about its being such an unexpected surprise.
     “It was for me, too,” said her mother with a smile.  “But God has given us peace that this is what He wants us to do.”
     “That’s right,” Dad said.  “We have great peace about this decision. God has called our family for such a time as this!”
     Stacy sat there wondering if she would ever feel that same peace.  What did Dad mean about “such a time as this”?  Right now she could only think about all that she would have to give up.
     As the time neared for the family to leave, many good-byes were said, promises of prayers given, and tears shed.  Many people would miss Stacy’s family.  As the Shermans crossed the Tennessee state border, Stacy looked for the last time at the place she had called home for fourteen years.  Tears steaming down her face, she thought to herself, Why is God asking us to do this?  Doesn’t He know how hard this is for me?  Her heart felt cold and bitter, and she ached inside.  She simply could not imagine ever being happy anywhere else.

*           *            *

     Dad was right.  The parsonage was just what they needed.  They began the task of getting settled.  Pastor Davis also brought them the good news that God had provided a building where they could hold the church services.
     It was clear that God was opening doors and providing for all of their needs, but Stacy’s thoughts were still in Tennessee.  Her parents, along with Amanda and John, seemed so joyful.  Stacy tried to mask her true feelings.  But she felt a deep bitterness in her heart toward God.  She just did not think that He was fair in His decision.
     After about a week, the family went to see the building where the church would meet.  As they pulled into the parking lot of a small building, Stacy’s father happily announced, “Well, here it is!”
     “That’s it?” Stacy asked in disbelief.
     “Yes, dear.  Isn’t it a wonderful blessing?” her mother said with excitement.
     “It sure is,” said John with glee. As they entered the building, they found it to be one big room.  As Stacy looked around the room, her thoughts wandered back to their former church.  She remembered the beautiful sanctuary, the well-decorated classrooms, and the fellowship hall where they had enjoyed many potluck dinners.  How could this be used for church? she thought.  There are no classrooms. It’s just one room.
     While Stacy pondered the matter, her father approached and said, “Isn’t this such a blessing?”
     “But it’s just one room with no classrooms and no fellowship hall!” Stacy blurted.
     “There’s space for four Sunday School classes if we place one in each corner of the room.  Then, when it’s time for the worship services, we can all meet together in the middle of the room.”
     “I see,” Stacy said glumly.
     Sensing her attitude, Mr. Sherman began, “You know, Stacy, it is very important to have an attitude of gratefulness, even if things are not the way that you want them to be.  God has been so good to us, even though we don’t deserve it.  Think about the verse in 1 Thessalonians that says, ‘In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.’  Count your benefits rather than your burdens, and remember that being in this ministry is God’s will for you at this time.  Take the focus off yourself, and concentrate on what God has for you to do.  Will you think about these things?”
     “Yes, sir,” said Stacy.
     Leaving the building, they drove through the neighborhood, as Mr. Sherman wanted the family to see the ministry area.  Street after street, Stacy saw many rundown houses, but there were also hundreds of people – men, women, and children standing around with seemingly no purpose.  Stacy felt overwhelmed.  How could they ever minister to this many people?  Had God really called them to do this?
     “The fields are indeed white unto harvest, and God has sent us to be His laborers,” Dad said joyfully.
     That night, Mr. Sherman shared plans for the next few weeks with the family.  He stated that they would go door-to-door in the ministry area sharing the Gospel, learning the prayer needs of the community, and inviting people to the first church service which was to be held in two weeks.  He added that members from Pastor Davis’ church would also help in this effort.  “As you saw today, there are many people who need to know Jesus.  Let’s pray that their hearts will be opened to God’s Word,” he said.

*           *            *

     Stacy had been saved for eight years and had been door-to-door witnessing numerous times with her church in Tennessee.  She actually enjoyed sharing her faith, but this was very different.  She felt so incapable of reaching out to these people.
     And there was a part of her that didn’t really want to.  She still missed her old life – her friends and church family.  Yet she resolved to take the focus off herself, just as her dad had asked.  She realized that her attitude was selfish.  In the depths of her heart, she really did want God’s will.  She knew that being in God’s perfect will was the only way to live.  Before going to the door-to-door outreach, she prayed for God to give her a willing spirit.  She definitely did not want her wrong attitudes to hinder the Lord’s work in any way.
     Stacy was placed with two older ladies from Pastor Davis’ church.  They were very nice and helped her not to feel so nervous.  When they knocked on the first door, an elderly lady in a wheelchair answered.  They introduced themselves and then explained their purpose for being there.  She listened intently, and then her face lit up with a bright smile.
     “Oh, this is such a blessing!” she said.  “I am Mrs. Wallace, and I trusted Jesus Christ as my Savior thirty-five years ago and have been living for Him ever since!  I have lived in this community for ten years and have been praying for ten years that God would place a church in this neighborhood.  Many pastors have come, but none have stayed.  They didn’t really seem concerned about the people.  I asked the Lord to send someone who would really care about the spiritual needs of the people and it seems that God has answered my prayers.  I can’t wait to meet the pastor.”
     Mrs. Wallace’s words touched Stacy’s heart.  She thought about her own selfish attitude and how this dear lady had prayed all of these years for God to send someone to that community.
     For the first time since Stacy had heard the news of their moving to Chicago, some of the bitterness in her heart melted away.  She now realized part of the reason God had sent them there.  As they said goodbye to Mrs. Wallace and continued on their way, Stacy felt a spark of excitement.  She was actually looking forward to visiting more homes!
     They knocked on many more doors that day and met many more people.  Stacy was amazed at how open and inviting the people were.  Two people received Jesus Christ as their Savior that day, and many promised to be at the first church service in two weeks.
     When they later met with the other witnessing teams, there was a great spirit of enthusiasm.  Several of the others had led people to Christ and were encouraged by the promises of many to be at the first church service.  As each team reported on the day’s activities, Stacy could hardly wait until it was her turn.  Her outreach partners had agreed that she could share the report for their group.
     Mr. and Mrs. Sherman immediately noticed a difference in their daughter’s attitude.  With great eagerness, Stacy shared Mrs. Wallace’s testimony of faithfully praying for ten years that someone who really cared would start a church in that community.  With great joy, she ended by saying, “and she believes that we are the answer to that prayer!”

*           *            *

     The day of the first church service arrived speedily.  Stacy was surprised at how many people were there.  She saw many of the people that they had visited on the outreach, including Mrs. Wallace.  The morning message was about Queen Esther and how she was available to do God’s will even in the face of danger.
     Pastor Sherman spoke.  “You might wonder, ‘Can God use me to do His will with all my imperfections?’  Yes, He can!  God isn’t looking for people who are talented or perfect.  He is looking for those who are willing – willing to do His will without hesitation.”
     He continued, “Like Esther, for such a time as this, my family and I have been called here for this ministry.  Also for such a time as this, God is calling you for salvation and for service.”  At the close of the services, after the invitation for salvation was given, Pastor Sherman had a special altar call.  He asked those who were already saved and who were willing to fully surrender their lives to God, to join him at the altar for a prayer of dedication.
     As Mrs. Sherman softly sang “I Surrender All”, several who had been saved on the outreach efforts came forth. Stacy joined them at the altar and silently prayed, “Dear Father, please forgive me for my selfish and ungrateful attitudes and for having a bitter heart.  I was blinded by wanting things my way and could not see Your plans for my family and for all of these people here today.  I now surrender my will to You and ask that You will use me to accomplish Your purposes.  Thank You for bringing us here – for such a time as this.”
     A tremendous peace flooded Stacy’s soul as she realized that the final trace of bitterness was gone.

*           *            *

     It had been five years since that first church service.  Stacy had seen God change the lives of many.  People who had no purpose in life found purpose when they trusted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  Many were delivered from the chains of sin and darkness and became faithful servants in that inner city church.
     Mrs. Wallace passed away about a year after the church was started.  Before her death, she again expressed thankfulness to God for allowing her to see her prayers answered.  The neighborhood was changing right before her eyes, and it was because God had sent someone to minister to the people.
     Stacy faithfully served in that one-room church building.  In time, God gave her new friends, and she grew to love her new church family.  She often thought back to her early days in Chicago, and thanked God for bringing her family there and for giving her the privilege to serve Him, for such a time as this! ©