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Quest For Christ

Posted by on in Quest For Christ
Elisabeth Elliot On Radio Again!

This is great news! Elisabeth Elliot's radio program "Gateway to Joy" is now airing again with Bible Broadcasting Network. 

I find myself walking my mother's footsteps in receiving so much from Mrs. Elisabeth Elliot Gren.  Her radio programs and books are to the point and like being taught of the older woman as God intended.  Through the years, she has helped me out of many a slump of self pity, grief, discouragement and fear of unknowns. Mrs. Gren has challenged me to live a Christianity that is not a fakey ordeal but genuine, approachable and geared toward service. 

Yes, Mrs. Elisabeth Elliot Gren's soothy, truthful Biblical message has been so instrumental in my life.  I'm delighted to find her radio broadcasts are finally available again.

If encouragement, challenge or just Christian fellowship is needed--then grab your Bible and listen to this dear Christian lady.  

Listen On Demand online (click here).  You can also visit her website www.elisabethelliot.org 

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Poetry has never been a strong point in my writing (or even a real interest), however, I have found this year that the Lord gives me a message once written down, it finds itself in rhythm.  Of course, I haven't gotten the stanzas all to match in syllables--so you writing folks out there--I'm an amateur! But there's no denying that He gave me this poem very quickly on my drive home yesterday.  I could not rest or get anything done until I sat down and the words flowed forth, almost effortlessly.  I've edited it a little, but here it is almost exactly as He gave it (read below).

We have to be willing to receive from the Lord and be where He wants us. It takes a daily acceptance and saying "Yes, Lord--I will obey and trust You."   Yesterday, I felt it would be impossible for me to be of any use to the Lord--that my call to ministry would need to be set aside for a time.  I had given all I could and felt I could no longer be effective--so I thought. Yet the Lord answered many prayers and I experienced His work, His grace and His renewal in a very personal, shockingly quick way that has lasted to a new day.  No one can fully comprehend this--unless they too experience the Lord's vibrant work in their lives.  

There are times in our lives we so wonder "why"--every one of us, if we are honest, are going to have those times of "wonder" and even "deaths" (however great or whatever they are) that put us to that question. Yet--in Christ, if we are truly submitting our lives to Him, we realize we have a responsibility to respond to any trial as Christ would and to let His mindset be the "sieve" in straining out our thoughts to only dwell on His truths.  Much of our walking through shadows relies on our being willing to obey Him by faith and not doubt God's mercy, will or sovereignty.     

I hope you will be encouraged and realize, you too are chosen.  We when accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we truly have what we need to make it. He causes us to mount wings of eagles (Isaiah 40:31), soaring above the storm, restoring our strength--when we need to be restored.  He promises that no matter if we take the wings of morning or dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea (Ps. 139:9-10), EVEN THERE, He is with us.  We are never alone and we are so safe within His will. 

I cannot know who reads most my articles or blog posts. I do not know your circumstances, but if you are human, there's probably a few of you out there today that need to be encouraged and experience a renewal.  Seek the Lord with full vigor. He promises to right all wrongs (Romans 12:19), heal the broken hearted (Luke 4:18), restore the weak and provide the grace in measure to each need (2 Cor. 12:9).  Remember when you confess Christ--you are chosen to be His and chosen to dip from His unending, overflowing stores of grace and goodness! Be encouraged, my friend and wait on the Lord--He will not fail you.

 

 

I am Chosen

Rebekah L. Holt

 

I am Chosen

When I confessed my Lord

The Savior of my Life

He died that I might live

Free from sin’s binding strife.

 

I am Chosen

Restored. Redeemed, Purchased.

His life He gave for mine.

The Amazing story becomes real

As I walk this journey in time.

 

I am Chosen

Because He loves me deeply

With unfailing, ceaseless love

Faithful to fill me daily

Sending mercies from above.

 

I am Chosen

To be His cherished one

Experiencing His provision

Overflowing and abundant

No restrictions in what is given.

 

I am Chosen

And wholly forgiven

Knowing the same measure

I too must all forgive

No wrongs must I treasure.

 

I am Chosen

To give and give and give

Not fearing slight or shun.

Freely given, freely received

God can never be outdone

 

I am Chosen

To rise, refreshed again

Triumphant—As He Lives!

A reflection of His Imagine

Submitted to what He gives

 

I am Chosen

To be joyously filled

To rejoice everyday

To find myself in raptures

Of delights He sends my way

 

I am Chosen

To keep on going

Tho’ the path the soul tries

His grace is all sufficient

He enables, satisfies

 

I am Chosen

To sing sweet praises

To the One Who made for me

The sunset and the dew drops

Children who laugh merrily

 

I am Chosen

To see His beauty

Daily framed in each glance

A world that dazzles, exclaims

Details Handcrafted--not “chance”

 

I am Chosen

To receive abundance

In kind and thoughtful deeds

By those also Chosen

Dear Believers, indeed.

 

I am Chosen

To be enriched

By prayers in United Band

These are also Chosen

Extensions of Nail Pierced Hands.

 

I am Chosen

To know Him

He is enough to fill

Every hole, every void

In storm, in grief or still

 

I am Chosen

To have no doubts

As to His real, tender care

He knows the very numbers

Of silver threads in my hair

 

I am Chosen

To wait for Him

His wing beneath to rest

Unknowns may vision cloud

His will is always best

 

I am Chosen

To see Him work

Every day in my behalf

Whatever guidance needed

He leads me with rod and staff.

 

I am Chosen

To travel Pathways

Enriched by Kingly gold

Wisdom, charity, peace

Spirit Fruits never old.

 

I am Chosen

To abide with Him

Every day with Christ Jesus

He lives in me; I in Him

Strength overcoming weakness

 

I am Chosen

A daughter of the King

Created to do His work

I am made for a purpose.

With His grace I will not shirk.

 

I am Chosen

You are chosen too

Your unique Life greatly counts

Say “Yes” to Him always

You He never will denounce

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As Christians--it's important that we take the time to rehearse the work of the Lord in our lives.

While the Lord taught the Israelites He was their God after releasing them from captivity in Egypt, He instructed them to set up memorial stones--lest they forget.  Through the generations, God's followers rehearsed how He had delivered, judged, defended, provided, enabled, sustained, supported, redeemed, etc. (Read Ps. 105)

Likewise, today we find ourselves with many distractions that can perhaps tempt us to lose focus on the blessings today.  It boils down that we need to stop often to rehearse, remember and rejoice in what God has done. In remembering the works of God Who of yesterday, today and forever remains ever true--we will be refreshed and grateful for what He has done. 

I was thinking today of April 13, 2012. I was unemployed and had done all I could to pursue work, filled out multiple applications, pounded the pavement for nearly 4 months.   That day I remember applying "do the next thing" and waiting on the Lord.  That morning I was sitting down to sew a hot pink blazer.  My thought--I might not have work, but I'll prepare for it (my warewobe needed a facelift!)! My Dad brought me a phone and said, "Rebekah, maybe this is an interview!"  I was so hopeful!  

After saying, "Hello"...to my utter shock, the man on the other end of the telephone told me he had found my article on contentment and asked me to be a guest on his radio program that afternoon. 

I was not impressed and very skeptical.   I was wanting work--the last thing I ever thought about was being on the radio!!  I told him I'd think about it and get back with him.  I wanted some time to pray, consult with my parents and probe into checking out the radio program.  

It's often this way when following the Lord. Our agenda is not what God planned for the our day. Here I was having to apply my very words about being content and they wanted me to talk about it to listeners in Pennsylvania???

Having a need does not keep us from pouring out of it. The Lord instilled in me this was His work! For some reason, He wanted me in my state of learning to be content, to speak about it--despite my natural recoiling from such public experiences.

To this day, i have no idea who might have been listening.  I have no idea if anyone was blessed, encouraged, strengthen to be more content. Yet I know that I was personally renewed in contentment through studying for the most nervous 12 minutes I've lived thus far. Many times we are called to serve without knowing why we were.  We're simply the Lord's servants.  

You can listen to my nasal East Texan discussion about the article I wrote "A Christian's Twelve Practical Principles to the Path of Contentment" here:

Incidentally--the Lord didn't bless me with excellent paying work until November of that year.  I had a long stent of doing the next thing. I found myself doing what I could, where I could and learning to be thankful in it. I was seasonal help in a bakery; I did some photography and website work; I cleaned a house. Then the Lord blessed me with a happy, corporate job that lasted until the following November 2013--when I once again had to trust the Lord until March 2014 for employment!!  The Lord taught me that a Christian is never unemployed when in His service. I had plenty to do--and all my immediate needs were met. TRUE--I still haven't recovered my savings account to this day!!  Yet, I know my God is faithful and His ways are not my ways.  

Take a moment and do a little rehearsing yourself.  Remember what God has done in the yesterdays...it will strengthen your joy for today and your hope for tomorrow.

Ps. 77:11-12

I will remember the works of the Lord; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. I will also meditate on all Your work, And talk of Your deeds.

Ps. 105: 1-5; 43, 45

Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;
Talk of all His wondrous works! Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the Lord !Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face evermore! Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth...

He brought out His people with joy, His chosen ones with gladness...That they might observe His statutes and keep His laws.

Praise the Lord!

 

 

 

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Putting on the Whole Armor of God

Excerpt from: Putting on the Whole Armor of God

Rebekah L. Holt

Equipped for the Battle of Life –

To face the battle of life—the Lord has provided us with armor that is 100% impenetrable, bullet proof—spiritually speaking!

Ephesians 6: 10-18 is the familiar passage outlining the armor of God:

“Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”

The WHOLE armor includes:

 

A Girdle/Belt of Truth –

TO “gird” [or girdle] up the loins” is a common expression in the KJV for putting one’s self in readiness for any service that might be required…The girdle was a symbol of strength, activity, and power…”  This often referred to the skirt of a robe being tucked into a belt at the waist for freedom in motion.  Likewise, to gird one’s loins in battle was to protect vital organs and provide a useful utility belt that other articles could be hung on.

In a spiritual sense, truth is a foundation for Christianity.  Without being girt about with truth, we leave ourselves dangerously exposed for compromise and deception; our potential for effectively defending our Christianity is thus handicapped.  Mixing false ideologies (e.g. evolution, etc.) and heresies (e.g. theistic evolution, prosperity doctrine, etc.) limits the spiritual and intellectual freedom that our Savior desires us to engage in.  John 8:28 – “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.”

“It was prophesied of Christ (Is. 11:5) that righteousness should be the girdle of His loins and faithfulness the girdle of His reins.  That which Christ was girded with, all Christians must be girded with.  God desires truth…  This is the strength of our loins; and it girds on all other pieces of our armour, and therefore is first mentioned.”

In the book of Psalms, truth is also said to be our shield and buckler—a method of defense (Ps. 91:4).   Scripture reveals that the wicked are not valiant for truth (Jer. 9:3), instead, they resist (2 Tim. 3:8) and turn away from it (2 Tim. 4:4).  Those who are devoid of truth are likened to the devil who “abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him.  When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar and the father of it” (Jn. 8:44). 

It is sobering to consider the words of Christ, “He that is not with me is against me…" (Mt. 12:30). Those who choose not to believe what God has revealed in His Son (Jesus Christ), His written Word (the Bible) and His natural revelation (a created world) are rejecting the truth.  They are without excuse (Ro. 1:20). 

Like many people today, Pilate asked, “What is truth4?” when the answer was standing before him.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (Jn. 14:6).

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Good News We Need To Hear

For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. Phil. 4:8 AMP

While sitting at my work desk yesterday, a gentleman walked into the office. He was delivering a vehicle and was finishing up with his part of the check in.  As I listened, he mentioned his wife with a marked kindess that is so remarkably refreshing. She just happens to be named "Priscilla." 

I don’t know exactly what I said to start a conversation, but the name of Priscilla is an easy topic for me.  Since her birth, my youngest sister, Priscilla, has been one of God's sweetest blessings in our family’s lives (we'll all tell you that same story!).  Though twenty one years her elder—Priscilla fascinates me with her ability to be quite the responsible little woman and still manage to have the charm and sweetness of a freckled faced daisy.

Obviously—this man shared a similar styled “sweet spot” for his “Priscilla.”

Turning around to face me, I could see that his blue eyes twinkled.  His honest face seemed perpetually wrinkled with a rosy cheeked smile. “Well, you ask anyone up here and they will tell you that my wife is the sweetest lady ever.”  He then stopped to look around the room and amplify this claim by asking my co-workers to second his motion.  They all did—readily. “She thinks about everybody else first. And even puts me above thinking about herself.  You’re looking at a very spoiled man.”

How could such a profession be met with anything but awestruck delight?

He went on to say, “We’ve been married 52 years and I’ll tell you, we love each other more than when we got married years back. She rides with me on trips [to pick up vehicles] so we can be together. Priscilla loves me for who I am, not my money—I don’t have much.  Not my looks because I’m ugly…” he stopped to chuckle at himself.

From my point of few, he had a seraphic glow in every wrinkle and gray hair peeking beneath his cap.

“…She just loves me for me.  At 74 years of age, I’m the richest man in the world.”

We then introduced ourselves and I thanked him for what he called his “testimony.” “In a generation that doesn’t understand for the most part what to value, I so needed to hear this today. How encouraging!”

This well seasoned gentleman by the world’s classification is just a little old man living in a small town, but in his simple, heart felt profession, he remains one of the world’s greatest orators and is truly one of the world’s richest men.

This gentleman confirmed the scriptures and outlined a living example of a selfless, virtuous woman in Proverbs 31:28-31--“Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.”

  

Now that’s worthy of praise!
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