The Transforming Power of Christ

March 29, 20102 Comments

Hello Dear friends,

It was great to be with you last week at PWC. I hope that the truths from Philippians 4 are enriching your life this week. Remember whenever you feel the temptation to worry or be fearful, pray and turn your fears over to the Lord. Rejoice in the Lord always, and let your gentleness be evident to all because the Lord is near.

Here is an additional Easter encouragement from God’s word:

The Bible says if anyone is in Christ, then he or she is a new creature. Old things are passed away, behold all things have become new. That’s a big change! We are talking about a major transformation, a total overhaul, a complete new creation. What does it mean to be a new creation? The Bible tells us that when we place our faith in Christ:

We become children of God and a part of His family (John 1:12)

We become citizens of Heaven (Philippians 3:19)

We become God’s possession (Ephesians 1:13)

We are holy and dearly loved (Colossians 3:12)

We have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us (Ephesians 1:13)

We are declared righteous (Romans 1:17)

We are no longer controlled by our sinful nature (Romans 7:9)

We are no longer condemned (Romans 8:1)

We are forgiven (Colossians 2:13, Ephesians 4:23)

Paul put it this way, he said as Christians we have taken off our old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. I’m thankful for the difference Christ’s presence makes in my life. You know in Biblical times, Roman citizenship was highly honored and revered. People paid large sums of money to acquire the right to be a Roman citizen if they were not born into it. Those who were Roman citizens were proud of it and were expected to live up to the honor.

We have the great privilege of being citizens of Heaven. Our citizenship was bought at a high price, the blood of Jesus. May we walk in a manner worthy of our calling, our high calling as daughters and sons of the king. Take some time today to thank the Lord for calling you to Himself and the great honor of becoming a new creation and a part of His family.

A Season of Change

March 15, 2010Leave a comment

Make your plans to join us at the Positive Woman Connections next week:

March 23 at Prestonwood Country Club

March 24 at Cottonwood Creek Baptist

RSVP: dskell@roaringlambsministries.org

Here’s a devotional for you to ponder.

March is a time when I am reminded of changes. During this month we experience some dramatic changes in the weather from winter to spring and even a time change on the clock. Life often brings about change. In fact very few things in life remain constant. We are always growing, learning and adapting as we face new twists and turns in life whether it is changes in relationships or changes in job or changes in our kids lives.

How do you handle change? Do you welcome it and embrace it, or do you buck against it and resist it. Not all change is good, and yet some changes can be delightful. We may not be able to control the changes that take place in our life, but we can control our response to them. I want to give you three points to ponder when it comes to the changes you face in life.

Remain flexible. Recently I read an article which studied the qualities of happy people. It stated that happy people are creative people because they can always think of new and positive ways to adjust when change happens. Be consistent, but don’t be so immovable and stuck in your ways that you get angry every time plans change.
Enjoy the Detours. Once you realize you are not on the road you had always planned to travel, it is important to choose to enjoy the detour. Plan B may be even better or more beautiful than the original plan. Look for the good, decide to enjoy the change and find fun in every turn.
Find your refuge in God. The Bible reminds us continually that God is our refuge and our strength. He is our strong tower. He is our Good Shepherd. We can turn to Him for guidance, wisdom and strength in the midst of the difficulties.

I’m reminded in James 1 that God does not change like shifting shadows. He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Although the changes in life may be shocking to you, they are no surprise to God. He is close beside you and will navigate the road ahead. Pour out your heart to Him for God is our refuge.

The Treasure of God’s Grace

March 7, 2010Leave a comment

Hello Precious Friends! I hope you are having a good month. I look forward to seeing you on March 23, 24 at PWC. Mark your calendars now and be sure to invite a friend. You can RSVP to Dskell@roaringlambsministries.org

Here’s a devotional thought for this week:

When’s the last time you received one of those gifts that was less than thrilling? After you wrote your thank you note, I’m guessing you either put the lackluster gift in the “gift closet” to pass on to someone else down the line, or you took it to Goodwill in order to get a tax write off. Let’s admit it, we’ve all received a few gifts that weren’t quite our favorites.

On the other hand, each of us has also received a few gifts that we would consider treasures. We really enjoy them and use them. They make us smile. There are some gifts that are “keepers” with all certainty. The Bible talks about one gift that is the best by far. Paul called it “God’s unspeakable gift.” In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul urged them not to receive God’s grace in vain (2Corinthians 6:1). The word vain means uselessly. Paul is telling them not to take the treasure of God’s grace lightly or to live as though it is worthless (as we would if we had received a bad gift). Instead we are to take the grace of God seriously, recognizing the true treasure it is to us.

George Barlow said, “Grace is what all need, what none can merit and what God alone can give.” Oh how precious the grace of God. Because of His grace we have hope. Because of his kindness we are forgiven, redeemed, transformed, reconciled and made new. God’s grace is the greatest treasure we can ever receive. It is not a throw away gift, yet how often do we treat it as such? Do we value God’s gift with our lives? Do we live in gratitude each day for the treasure we have received? Do we share this gift with others? Let us not neglect so great a salvation!

May we live each day with thankful hearts for the great treasure God has so lovingly granted! Jesus gave His life so that we may have life. My friend if you have never received this gift through faith, I encourage you to put your faith in Christ who gave his life on the cross for you and for me. He rose again giving us promise of eternal life. “Today is the day of salvation,” Paul said in this very same passage. If you have already received this gift, I want to encourage you to take time today to thank God for His kindness. It is my hope that each of us will reflect the glory of His grace in our daily lives as we radiate the joy of the greatest gift ever given.

What Does Your Uniform Look Like?

February 22, 2010Leave a comment

Looking forward to seeing you this week at the Positive Woman Connection Bible Study. Tuesday, Feb 23 at Prestonwood Country Club or Wed Feb 24 at Cottonwood Creek in Allen.

Here’s a Positive Thought for the Week

Are you enjoying the Olympics? I think it is a thrill to see the determination and competitive spirit in these talented athletes. As I watch the races in the skiing and skating events, I’m always on the look out for the American coming around the curve or crossing the finishing line. The only way to be able to determine the American in the pack is by their uniform. It’s their uniforms that reveal the country they represent.

In a similar way, our love for others reveals who we represent. Jesus said people will know we are Christians by our love. Do other people see a sincere love shining brightly from Jesus’ followers? What about a genuine compassion? How about loving our enemies or forgiving those who have hurt us? If we want to look like we are on Jesus’ team, we need to love like he did. His love went beyond loving those who were easy to love or who loved him back. He loved the unlovely, the sinners, the difficult people and the annoying ones.

Francis Schaeffer said, “Love – and the unity it attests to – is the mark Christ gave Christians to wear before the world. Only with this mark may the world know that Christians are indeed Christians and that Jesus was sent by the Father. “

Let us ask the Father to pour His love through us each and every day. Admittedly we need His help, because true love isn’t so easy in our own strength and power. May the Lord’s love shine brightly through us so that all the world may see whose team we represent.

See the Potential

February 15, 2010Leave a comment

Hello my positive friends. I want to remind you that we will be meeting again on the fourth Tues (North Dallas) and Wed (Cottonwood Creek) for Bible Study, fellowship and lunch. The message is from Philippians 3 and the title of our lesson is “Press On.” Looking forward to seeing you on Feb 23 and 24. RSVP to Donna Skell – 972-380-0123 or dskell@roaringlambsministries.org

Here’s a little devotional thought for this week:

It’s Presidents Day, and it’s a good time to think about the lives of our national leaders. When I consider the humble beginnings of Abraham Lincoln, I think about the tremendous story of persistence and achievement his life portrayed. He could have given up many times throughout his life, yet through each defeat he continued to press forward. Instead of focusing on his limitations and his past, he recognized what he could do and the difference he could make for good in our nation. Take some time today to read Lincoln’s(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Lincoln#Childhood_and_education) and recognize your own abilities and strengths.

God has given each one of us gifts and talents to offer this world. This past weekend my husband and I attended a banquet in Abilene, Texas honoring the wonderful folks at Disability Resources. DRI offers vocational opportunities and a loving home environment for adults with physical and mental disabilities. Several years ago a gifted woman named Kathy Taylor put together a bell choir teaching the special folks from DRI how to play and perform. The “Bell Peppers” bell choir performed for us on Saturday night and they did a fantastic job. I am grateful for the way Kathy and the staff at DRI builds on what the folks can do, instead of focusing on what they are not able to do. http://www.driabilene.org/bell2

What an important lesson for all of us. We may not be able to do everything, but we can do something. Every person has strengths. Play to your strengths and stop focusing on your weaknesses. And when it comes to the people around you, build on their abilities and talents instead of wasting your time worrying about the things they can’t do. Make a deliberate effort to search for strengths and see the best in the people God places in your life.

Watching the DRI bell choir reminded me that no one should ever say, “I just can’t do anything.” The precious folks at DRI learned vocational skills and how to work together playing bells. They have asked the question “What can I do?” and found the answer. So step up to the challenge. Ask yourself, what am I able to accomplish with the gifts I have been given.

Hebrews 10:24 says, “Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds.” Let’s make it a personal challenge to ourselves to search and see the potential in others and seize the opportunity to build them up and encourage them in their gifts, talents and strengths. Don’t forget to focus on your own strengths as well. And like Lincoln, don’t let disappointment get you down. Persist as you build on your potential.