Author: Lisa Womble

Encourager’s Devotional Series – March Wrap-Up

/ Lisa Womble / 4 Comments

To wrap up this month’s Encourager’s Devotional theme (Finding Peace in the Midst of Chaos), I thought I’d give you a list of ideas for ways to maintain a personal sense of peace and/or encourage others. This is a list I included, along with other support materials, in the Leader’s Guide for the March devotion. If you would like to receive the Leader’s Guide for each month’s theme, email me at pullupachairwithlisa@gmail.com.

  1. Help someone whose loved one is away for military duty. You can tie this into the theme of “a world in chaos” and how this puts added stress on military families.
    • People whose spouses are away suggested the following: stamps, packing materials, offer to babysit or organize a “spouses night out.”
    • Remember that some have basically been thrust into the role of single parenting. Any help with errands, home repair, carpooling, etc. is sure to be helpful.
    • Those who are actively serving also need support. One friend said her husband loved getting care packages, especially cookies.
    • Letters from children in Sunday School classes or other groups are encouraging.
    • I also really liked one idea I heard where someone bought two copies of a daily devotion book. They gave one copy to the wife and sent the other to the husband in Iraq. That way, they could have a daily “connection” by reading and thinking on the same things.
  2. Plan an event to make or view Christian artwork. Below is a picture from a mosaic making night we had at my church. Several of the people who came told me how relaxing the night was for them.

    Mosaic by Me Night @ The Merge

    Mosaic by Me Night @ The Merge

  3. Visit a Christian bookstore. The atmosphere is usually wonderful and you’ll find much to lift your spirit. You’ll also find things to help you minister to others. (Teacher: You could plan a group outing and then share what you each discovered over lunch. You might also give everyone the assignment to find at least one item they will purchase to give to someone they want to encourage.)
  4. Organize a prayer walk, set up a prayer room, or set a time of day you will pray with others even if you are not in the same location.
  5. And finally, how about supporting a local Christian radio station? The positive message they put out daily is a blessing to many. Most Christian radio stations do some form of fundraising during the spring. Your participation would not only be an encouragement to the people who run the stations, but also to those who benefit from listening. Here’s a link to a new Christian radio station that I highly recommend, The Rock. It’s based in the St. Louis area but you can listen online. Update May 15, 2015: The Rock is currently raising funds to create an app for their station. For more details, or to support this cause, click here.

Given our current situation in St. Louis, I’d also like to create a list of ways we can support local law enforcement families. While many are working to right the wrongs of those in law enforcement who have contributed to the problem here, we must remember that there are also many good people serving our communities in local police agencies. Recent events have put an incredible strain on their families. If you have any ideas on ways we can support them, please post them in the comments.

Encourager’s Devotional Series – March Bible Study Answer Guide

/ Lisa Womble / 2 Comments

These are the answers to the Bible study for the March devotional in the Encourager’s Devotional Series. Where responses may vary, I have not listed specific answers, but I would love to hear some of yours in the comments.

Information 

In John 14:27, Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

This passage is set in the midst of a long discussion that Jesus had with his disciples, in which He was trying to prepare them for future events. What did Jesus know was about to happen? (see John 13:1,21,33; 14:2,19-20,28; 17:1-5,11)

  • He was going to leave this world and go to the Father.
  • One of the disciples was going to betray Him.
  • He would not be with them much longer.
  • He was going to prepare a place for them and would return to take them with Him.
  • They would see Him even when the world could not because He would be in them.
  • He would be coming back.
  • He would be glorified.
  • The Father would protect them.

Read the entire discussion (John 13:1-17:26). What things in this passage let us know that “peace” according to Jesus does not mean absence of trouble? (see 15:18-20; 16:32-33; 17:14-15)

  • They would be hated and persecuted just as Jesus was.
  • Jesus says, “In this world you will have trouble.”
  • Jesus prayed they would be protected from the evil one, suggesting that the evil one would be out to harm them.

You may remember from January’s study that the word for encourage in Greek is parakaleson (parakavleson). In that case, it is used as a verb and has a broad range of meaning – from exhort, admonish, and urge strongly to comfort and come alongside someone. The same word is used as a noun (parakletos) in John 14:26, 15:26, and 16:7. Depending on your translation, the word may be interpreted as advocate, counselor, comforter, or helper. In these passages in John, the word is being used in reference to the Holy Spirit.  Continue reading →

A Hint of Life, but Death Is Still in the Background

/ Lisa Womble / Leave a comment
Reflections from time with God at Zion UCC Labyrinth, Florissant, MO

Reflections from time with God at Zion UCC Labyrinth, Florissant, MO

“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” Psalm 27:13-14 (NKJV)

This scripture kept going through my mind after my sister’s death (Janell Joy Bartz, June 5, 1966 – September 19, 2012). Two weeks after her passing, I plugged earphones into my digital Bible to help feed myself the Word at a time I was not feeling prone to read it. I thought it might help me get to sleep (another thing I was not prone to do at that time). Later in the night, I woke up at the exact moment this passage was being read.

A few days later, I was at a labyrinth that I go to for prayer walks. Before going onto the prayer path, I sat on a bench for a while. A line of trees surrounds the labyrinth. I noticed a purple flower bud (Janell’s favorite color) on one near me. For a brief moment, I was comforted. Then, almost immediately, I noticed the very next tree in line behind it was already browning for fall and the coming winter. I thought, “A hint of life, but death is still in the background.”

When I got to the center of the labyrinth and stopped for contemplation, the dead tree was directly in front of me and I became overwhelmed. You see, Janell’s death was preceded just a week prior by the death of a 22 year old cousin who died in a car accident. That death alone had been very difficult to take, not only because he was so young, but also because it was yet another tragedy in my family which has a long history of young deaths, and violence and many forms of chaos and heartbreak.

While standing there, staring at the dead tree, I also thought of the many people I was praying for who were dealing with depression, and addictions and … well, many forms of chaos and heartbreak. For many of them, I had been praying a long time.

At that moment, the only prayer I could muster was, “Lord, I need to see someone overcome! To continue to believe it’s possible.”

Then, I remembered the meeting I’d had just that morning (how soon we forget) with the friend I am partnering with to write his life story. His is a story of someone redeemed from the worst of life’s circumstances. It is a story of true transformation that can only be brought about by the power of Christ.

I was gently reminded by God that there are many stories of redemption and transformation out there. And there are more to come. I WILL see the goodness of the Lord – in the land of the living. All of our hope is not just found “in the sweet by and by.” We don’t have to wait until we get to heaven to see the heaven’s move on our behalf. There is still hope for deliverance, here among the living, even when death is seemingly mocking us in the background.

Encourager’s Devotional Series – March Bible Study

/ Lisa Womble / 2 Comments

This is the study guide to accompany the March devotional for the Encourager’s Devotional Series.

Information 

In John 14:27, Jesus said, “______________ I leave with you; my _________ I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be __________ and do not be _________.”

This passage is set in the midst of a long discussion that Jesus had with his disciples, in which He was trying to prepare them for future events. What did Jesus know was about to happen? (see John 13:1,21,33; 14:2,19,28; 17:1-5,11)

Read the entire discussion (John 13:1-17:26).

What things in this passage let us know that “peace” according to Jesus does not mean absence of trouble? (see John 15:18-20; 16:32-33; 17:14-15)

You may remember from January’s study that the word for encourage in Greek is parakaleson (parakavleson). In that case it is used as a verb and has a broad range of meaning, from exhort, admonish, and urge strongly to comfort and come alongside someone. The same word is used as a noun (parakletos) in John 14:26, 15:26, and 16:7. Depending on your translation, the word may be interpreted as advocate, counselor, comforter, or helper. In these passages in John, the word is being used in reference to the ____________   ______________.  Continue reading →

Finding Peace in the Midst of Chaos – March Encourager’s Devotion

/ Lisa Womble / 6 Comments

March Encourager's Devotion

Just a quick scan of news headlines can be very discouraging, even downright frightening.

Justice Department finds racial bias in Ferguson police practices

Netanyahu Says Iran Poses ‘Threat to Peace of Entire World’

Iran calls Obama’s 10-year nuclear demand ‘unacceptable’

Target to cut thousands of jobs

Get ready—Fed to cause major turmoil this month

It is hard to maintain inner peace when our world is in such chaos. Yet that is exactly what Christ came to bring us – a peace that the world will never be able to offer us (John 14:27), a peace that defies human understanding and guards our hearts and minds no matter what is going on around us (Phil. 4:7).

I remember a time when I experienced that kind of peace. I was pregnant with my first child, but had been put on 24 hour bedrest due to complications. I was fearful, worried I might be losing my baby. Lying in bed, I read Psalm 91 (NKJV):

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. … He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge … You shall not be afraid.”

Things like this are hard to explain, but as I read that passage, I could just picture God “covering me” and I felt peace in His presence.

My father once shared a story with me about God ministering peace to his spirit when he was going through a bout with cancer. He was driving down the road worrying about life, death, and his family. He had a Christian radio station on and a song called “Silent Partner” by Jessy Dixon began to play. Dad said he started to weep as he was comforted by the idea that God was his partner during that difficult time – a partner you might not always see or hear, but you know He’s there giving you strength and seeing you through.

A few years ago, I discovered prayer labyrinths (you can see prior posts about labyrinths and an explanation of what they are here). The image for this post includes a picture of one of my favorites at Mercy Retreat Center in St. Louis, MO. When my sister passed away in 2012, I was so glad I had found these beautiful places to pray. My time there brings me peace.

I share these stories with you because they show various ways to draw closer to God and attain the peace He promises – Bible reading, Christian music, prayer walks. Other means of finding peace might be through the company of friends and family, through worship services, or through inspirational reading. I have also had art minister peace to me. We might do as Paul suggested in Philippians 4:8-9 and think on anything we can that is good, or lovely, or praiseworthy when we are bombarded with negative news images. Paul also says in Philippians that when you do the things you know are right “the God of peace will be with you.” It is interesting that Paul wrote all this while he was in prison. He had discovered how to have peace regardless of his circumstances (4:11-13).

OUR PEACE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHAT’S GOING ON AROUND US.

IT HAS EVERYTHING TO DO WITH OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.

Now, what does all this have to do with being an encourager? Well, this is a time when those around us are worried and fearful. We will only be able to encourage them if we are at peace ourselves. You cannot lead someone to a place you  cannot find yourself. So, build yourself up in the faith and then go minister to others who need peace.

MAY YOU SHINE AS LIGHTS IN A CROOKED AND PERVERSE WORLD! (Phil. 2:15)

This post is part of the Encourager’s Devotional Series.

Accompanying materials for this month’s devotions: Click here for the Bible study for March and here for the answer guide.

Encourager’s Devotional Series – February Wrap-up – Giving Your All to the God Who Gives His All to Love

/ Lisa Womble / Leave a comment
This is the beginning of the Shema, the Jewish confession of faith made up of Deuteronomy 6:4–9, 11:13–21 and Num 15:37–41.

This is the beginning of the Shema, the Jewish confession of faith made up of Deuteronomy 6:4–9, 11:13–21 and Num 15:37–41.

The Shema, named for the first word of the Hebrew text “hear” in Deuteronomy 6:4, is the most important of Jewish prayers and is to be repeated twice a day.

Phylacteries

Phylacteries (Image Source)

 

When the Scripture says to write God’s words on their hands and foreheads, they do – in the form of phylacteries. They also mount the words on their doorposts with mezuzahs.

Mezuzah

Mezuzah (Image Source)

 

 

 

When Jesus referred to this passage in Mark 12:29–31, He said loving God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength is the greatest commandment. He followed that with the second greatest commandment – to love your neighbor as yourself. Jesus said the entire law and all the words of the Old Testament prophets are summed up with these two mandates.

To illustrate the importance of the Shema to the Jewish faith, the following rituals are attached to the prayer:

  • When the Jewish people quote the passage, they often put their right hand in front of their eyes as a sign that they are removing all distractions and focusing on the words they are saying and on their faithful God and King.
  • At times, the last letter of the first and last words of the Shema verse are written in larger print. This is because these letters form the Hebrew word ed, which means witness. This serves to remind them of their duty to serve as witnesses to God’s sovereignty by leading exemplary lives.
  • Similarly, if reciting the Shema while standing, that position is used to remind one that they are testifying, or bearing witness to God.
  • Other times, sitting is the required posture for saying the Shema because sitting is the place of a student and implies a desire to study the Word.
  • When a person is praying alone, he begins the Shema with the Hebrew phrase for “God, Faithful King” to bring the number of words in the Shema up to 248, the number of parts in the human body. This indicates that the worshiper dedicates his or her whole body to serving God.

When God instructs us to love Him with the whole of our being, He is not requiring anything from us that He has not first modeled Himself. The Shema presents God as being “one.” That’s not a surprising description of God in the context of Deuteronomy where the point is being made that the Lord is their God and they are His people, and also that He’s the one true God. The word for “one” used in this passage is not the expected word for a simple numerical one. Instead, this word stresses a oneness that is a unity within diversity. Some might say it’s a foreshadowing of the concept of the Trinity that would be fleshed out more fully once Christ came.

All this got me to thinking of how true it is that God loves us and ministers to us with the fullness of His being.

  • He is a Father. He is a Saviour. He is a Friend.
  • He is a comforter, a teacher and a counselor.
  • He brings judgment when we need to see the devastation and ugliness of sin.
  • And He brings mercy because we can’t meet Him without it.
  • He rules in the heavens, but brings Himself to earth.
  • We are in His heart. We are on His mind. And his mighty arm is extended toward us.
  • The very essence of our being is wrapped up in His image –
  • in Him we live and move and have our being.
  • He knows us fully and intimately and that’s why He can minister to us in every way we need him to.
  • He left His throne in heaven and lived as a human in order to be a High Priest who knows what it is like to feel our pain, our temptation and our suffering. And He overcame all these things for us.
  • On the cross, He resisted temptation until His dying breath so that we might have life free from the power and consequences of sin.
  • He now offers to dwell with us continually through His Holy Spirit.

Talk about giving your all. Our God ministers to us from the fullness of His being. Does He not deserve for us to love Him with the whole of our being?

When God commands this level of devotion, He doesn’t just leave us to figure out how to accomplish that goal. Instead, He provides the means for it to happen. His word and the Holy Spirit are available to sanctify and renew our minds, to transform our hearts, and to give us strength for the tasks He calls us to do. The question we have to ask ourselves is whether we are fully surrendering to this process.

As we wrap up this month’s Encourager’s Devotional theme and press towards a more mature love walk with God and with others, let’s consider few additional questions:

  • What would my life look like if I was loving God with the whole of my being?
  • How would that love relationship with God overflow to others?
  • How would my life be a witness to the love of God for others?
  • How might my thinking be changed?
  • What issues would be burning in my heart?
  • What would it be like if the very depths of my soul and being were Christ-driven?
  • What Scriptures would I be meditating on … and living out?
  • What activities might I be applying my strength and energy to?
  • How can I give my all to the God who gives His all to me?

Encourager’s Devotional Series – February Bible Study Answer Guide

/ Lisa Womble / 1 Comment

A FEW PRELIMINARY NOTES FOR THIS MONTH’S STUDY:

  • This is the answer guide for February’s Encourager’s Devotional Bible Study.
  • Many of the questions allow for various, personal responses. For those, I’ll not list answers but feel free to leave your answers to any question in the comments section.
  • If you would like a leader’s guide to this study, email me (pullupachairwithlisa@gmail.com).
  • All prior posts for The Encourager’s Devotional Series can be accessed by clicking here.
  • There were two meditation sections in the study guide this month – one up front to prepare our hearts for the study, and the other in its usual place the study.

MEDITATION (1)

Choose a few of the following accounts from the Gospels to read (or any others that may be favorites of yours which demonstrate the love of God). Remember, these stories are found in the other Gospels too, so you might want to do some cross-referencing and read several accounts. When you are finished, take some time to meditate on the extent of God’s love and express your thankfulness to Him.

  • The prodigal son (Lk 15:11-32)
  • Thomas’ doubt (Jn 20:24-30)
  • The crucifixion (Jn 19)
  • The adulterous woman forgiven (Jn 8:3-11)
  • “Father forgive them” (Lk 23:33-34)
  • Peter’s denials and restoration (Lk 22:54-62; 24:34; Mk 16:6-7; 1 Cor 15:4-5)
  • Do you have another favorite passage which demonstrates the love of God? Feel free to share it in the comments.

For the following question, I do not request you list the answers in the comments (though you may). If, however, you are doing this study with a small group, you may want to discuss it. 

Can you identify with any of these sinners?

  • the rebellious/wasteful son
  • the doubter
  • the mockers and unbelievers,
  • the one afraid to speak for Christ
  • the one led to sin by fleshly desires

From Romans 5:8, answer the following questions:

How did God demonstrate His love for us? Christ died for us

When did God demonstrate His love for us? while we were still sinners

Read 1 John 1:9 and reflect on the extent of God’s mercy and love.

INFORMATION

What did Jesus say were the two greatest commandments? Mt 22:36-40

Love the Lord your God, and love your neighbor as yourself.

List the five types of leaders Jesus gave as gifts to the church. (Eph 4:11)

apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers

What are these leaders supposed to do for the saints? (Eph 4:12)

to equip his people for works of service – That is, to empower the saints to DO ministry themselves. 

What is the purpose of our works of service to one another? (Eph 4:12) Continue reading →

Encourager’s Devotional Series – February Bible Study

/ Lisa Womble / 2 Comments

This Bible study correlates with February’s devotion for the Encourager’s Devotional Series.

Meditation

You will have two meditation sections in the study guide this month. I’m putting an extra one up front because I believe that before you can be truly loving to others you must “grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ” (Eph 3:18). Understanding how much He loves you, and how He demonstrates His love for you, should fill you with a sense of security, love and appreciation which will then just more naturally flow out to others. So, to help you think on the “length, width, height and depth” of His love …

Choose a few of the following accounts from the Gospels to read (or any others that may be favorites of yours which demonstrate the love of God). Remember, these stories are found in the other Gospels too, so you might want to do some cross-referencing and read several accounts. When you are finished, take some time to meditate on the extent of God’s love and express your thankfulness to Him.

Can you identify with any of these sinners?

  • the rebellious/wasteful son
  • the doubter
  • the mockers and unbelievers,
  • the one afraid to speak for Christ
  • the one led to sin by fleshly desires

From Romans 5:8, answer the following questions:

How did God demonstrate His love for us?

When did God demonstrate His love for us?

Read 1 John 1:9 and reflect on the extent of God’s mercy and love.

Information

What did Jesus say were the two greatest commandments? Mt 22:36-40

List the five types of leaders Jesus gave as gifts to the church. (Eph 4:11)

What are these leaders supposed to do for the saints? (Eph 4:12)

What is the purpose of our works of service to one another? (Eph 4:12) Continue reading →

What if missions is not my calling?

/ Lisa Womble / Leave a comment

I had the honor of guest blogging for Ally Keaton, one of my former college students. I love Ally’s passion for missions and for supporting others as they serve in their own contexts.

Ally's avatarAlly in Africa

This is a guest post by Lisa Womble, who is co-pastor and founder of The Merge, a coffeehouse/church/concert venue in St. Louis, MO. Lisa formerly served on the faculty of St. Louis Christian College. She received her Master of Divinity from Lincoln Christian Seminary and is a certified Grip-Birkman coach, helping people discern their gifts, calling, and vocational aptitudes through personality and gift assessments. To find out more about Lisa, you can visit her website.

whatifmissionsisnotmycalling

“That’s not my gift.” Whenever I lead a seminar or do team building using spiritual gifts assessments, this statement starts running rampant amongst participants. It’s usually done in jest as a way for people to jokingly say they don’t want to do a particular task. It’s funny. We all laugh. After all, one of my goals for these sessions is to help people “create a template for their ‘yes’ and ‘no’” and stop…

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