Many years ago, when Phil and I were new in our church, someone thought it would be a good idea if we became youth leaders. There was a need and, I guess, we looked like youth leaders. We were eager to please and eager to serve, so we agreed.

It was a disaster. We didn’t know what to prepare and we didn’t connect with the kids. It was a struggle and something we dreaded every week. Like that shoe, it didn’t fit and it hurt. A ministry may look like a good idea, may be attractive and may even be something you really want, but if God hasn’t called you, it won’t work.

So, how do you know if you’re doing what God wants you to? Being in the wrong ministry feels awkward. It won’t be enjoyable and you won’t look forward to doing it. Like the shoes we admired, it will be uncomfortable. It’s helpful to make a list of the things you like to do, are good at and have been encouraged to pursue. What do you feel passionate about and what gets you excited?

“Balance, peace and joy are the fruit of a successful life. It starts with recognizing your talents and finding ways to serve others by using them.”   Thomas Kinkade

We are asked to be good stewards of our gifts. We need to value our talents, nurture them, and focus on what God has designed us to do. Don’t shy away from service if you’re not sure where you fit. Experiment. Try new things. You may discover areas of ministry you never considered before.

Since those first years as a new believer, I’ve been careful to serve in areas where God has gifted me. I haven’t always gotten it right, but that’s part of the growth process. Don’t try to squeeze into an area that’s uncomfortable. Find out what your gifts are and use them. If you’re seeing spiritual growth through it, it’s probably the right fit. God will call you to an area of ministry that is exactly suited to your temperament, desires, talents and abilities. He’ll equip you as you settle peacefully into a ministry you love … like slipping into your most comfortable pair of shoes.

“Each one should use whatever gifts he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace  in  its various forms.”  1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

Kitty Nancekievill is a member of WSPC who lives in Gravenhurst with her husband and daughter. She enjoys reading, writing, traveling and spending time with her five children and their families.

The Holy Spirit enables us to accomplish more than we thought possible, giving us the confidence and courage we need to spread the message of Christ and all He represents. This gift is offered to each one of His believers today. Will you accept it and use it for God’s glory?

Scriptures to study:

• Acts 2:1-21
• Luke 24:46-49
• Acts 1:4
• Acts 1:8
• John 20:19
• Acts 5:27-33
• 1 Corinthians 12:7-11
• Acts 19:1-7
• Acts 10:44-46

We all get stuck in sin sometimes, but Jesus never leaves us in that place. If we follow the guidelines He’s provided in His Word, we can prevent ourselves from falling into the trap of disobedience. Jesus wants to transform us! All it takes is a little effort on our part.

Download audio file (052012.mp3)

Scriptures we read:

• Genesis 4:1-7
• Romans 6:15-19
• Hebrews 12:1-3

Video we watched on being “stuck”:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=go43XeW6Wg4

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

This summer we’re going to enjoy our Muskoka setting by worshiping together under those same skies that proclaim God’s glory. These are great services to invite a friend to. A free burgers & dogs BBQ will follow every service. While we have picnic tables, you might want to bring your own more comfortable lawn chair.

• July 1
• July 15
• August 5
• August 19

Reunions are scary—we feel that we will be judged according to what we have accomplished or attained since we last saw these people. The most confident among us will suddenly turn into anxiety ridden insomniacs, feeling that we should have accomplished more, or that we will appear weak because we have gained quite a bit of weight. Most reunions would run along those lines. My reunion didn’t.

When many of the Dutch Christian Reformed people immigrated to Canada, they began churches and schools that reflected what they believed in. Having been born into such a family, my sister and I had attended schools from Grade 1 – 12 that reflected a God-centered curriculum. As a result, there was a common thread that bonded my classmates and me together—our faith.

A classmate was asked to pray before dinner. Before he did, he read to two passages from scripture that at first seemed quite odd for the occasion. The first passage was the story of Passover. The second was the story of the Lord’s Supper. He brought them together and spoke on how both were about gathering together, sharing a meal and remembering who God was and what He had done for us.

As we reminisced and spoke together about our journeys the hierarchy of high school was non-existent. As a class, we had all gone from high school, spread our wings and tried to figure out how to take what we had learned and apply it to our lives. The joys, sorrows and tragedies of life had levelled out the playing field and we were able to approach each other as equals.

The common thread of faith wove its way through each conversation, from the faithfulness of God in the restoration after divorce to His comfort through the loss of a loved one. It was there when a friend talked about her “miracle” child and when another friend talked about her prodigal. It was there when a classmate rolled to the stage in his wheel chair to help emcee the evening. The thread was there in the circles of classmates, many of whom would never have even looked twice at each other in high school, but who were now laughing together as old friends.

I noticed another truth too. The common thread was notably absent with those among us who had rejected God and chosen to live life on their own terms. Although our time together was great, the inability to share what God had done for us resulted in superficial conversations.

My husband and I didn’t talk a great deal on our two hour drive home. When we did it was to marvel once again at how that common thread of faith can bring together such different people and unite them as smoothly as if it were just yesterday. It was the realization that the faith that had brought us together 30 years ago had taken root and grown into something far greater than any of us could have dreamed or imagined.

“Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, … let us run.” (Hebrews 12:1 ESV)

Jeanetta van Leeuwen is a member of WSPC who lives in Bracebridge. She loves to scrapbook, journal, and enjoy life with her husband and three children.

The story of the lost sheep in Luke 15 tells us that Jesus was not side tracked by what others thought, and He believed that those who were missing, were worth finding. We are reminded that Jesus rejoices when the one missing is found and will desperately search for those who have lost their way.

Are we an accurate representation of Christ and do we look for opportunities to lead others to Him?

Download audio file (051312.mp3)

Scriptures we read:

• Luke 15:1-10
• Matthew 21:1-11

Jesus is confronted by those who oppose Him, asking Him to clearly state whether or not He is the Christ. He answers by reminding them that they have already witnessed all the miracles He has done in His Father’s name and tells them, “I and the Father are one.” They’re ready to stone Jesus for blasphemy, and once again, He tries to explain himself. Jesus’ actions proved who He was … He did what His Father did. Jesus’ works were an example of who God was.

It’s true that we are saved by faith. We can’t do anything to make God love us more, but sometimes we become so focused on that truth, we forget how important works are.

• we are told to let our light shine so that our lives will point to Jesus (Matthew 5:14-16)
• we will be known as Jesus’ disciples if we show love to one another   (John 13:35)
• we need to persist in doing good and be faithful so we can see fruit  in our lives (Galatians 6:7-10)
• don’t neglect doing what you know is right (James 4:17)
• we do good works to set an example and be a model of Jesus (Titus 2:7)
• we are asked to encourage and motivate others to do good           (Hebrews 10:24)

How closely do our actions resemble our Heavenly Father … are we worthy of stoning? Our actions should prove that we know who God is and what He does. Do our deeds exemplify our special relationship with our Father, as Jesus’ did?

Watch this unique version of The Good Samaritan:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3GJCK4Wy-0

I had an unlikely encounter like that a few years ago on the streets of Las Vegas. I went for a walk while Phil was attending a convention, and felt oppressed by the blatant displays of excess and sin all around me. I whispered under my breath, “Jesus, can you really be here?” Just then, I saw a homeless man (there were many) sitting on the curb with his head hung so low I couldn’t see his face. There was a sign  perched beside him that simply said: I”M HUNGRY. I passed by, with the rest of the crowd, but felt the undeniable weight of the Holy Spirit challenging me.

I don’t have space to explain all the emotions that scurried across my heart or all the arguing I did with Jesus as to why it might not be a good idea to approach a strange man in a questionable mental state. I’m ashamed to say, I resisted longer than I should have, but eventually, I submitted, bought some food and hurried to return to the man on the street.

Crouching down to where he could hear me above the noise of the traffic, I handed him the bag. Choked with compassion (and more that a little fear) I said, “I brought you some food.” When he raised his head, I looked directly into his clear, coherent eyes. He answered, “Bless you,” while the verse in Matthew 24  ran through my head … “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” It was like looking into the eyes of Jesus and it was the last place I expected to find Him. He was whispering, “I am here.”

Worship should not be confined to a church building. It should be in every act of kindness, every acknowledgment of God’s creation and every grateful sigh. We worship when we work diligently for an unreasonable employer, when we turn the other cheek, when we keep a confidence or stand up for injustice. We worship when we feed the hungry, when we care for the sick and when we come through desperate situations without bitterness.

Worship should rise up in every circumstance. It’s not something we muster up on a Sunday morning in a church building because it’s expected, it’s something that should be poised just beneath the surface of our being, ready and expectant at any moment when Jesus whispers, “I am here.”

The next time someone asks you where you worship, tell them, “Wherever He is.”

Kitty Nancekievill is a member of WSPC who lives in Gravenhurst with her husband and daughter. She enjoys reading, writing, traveling and spending time with her five children and their families.