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Mentorship/Wise Counsel
Wisdom Catcher’s Series: Christine defines wise counsel, accountability and mentorship and teaches tools for establishing these relationships.

Grace for the Process of Spiritual Growth Devotions

Articles
Click on the links below to read full article.

  • A Miracle Just For Me: Testimony of a public miracle and how God answered cries of a willing heart.
  • The Harder Road: God’s direction often seems more difficult, but we find much more than expected.
  • Name and Shield: How God reveals identity and direction through dreams and visions.


A Miracle Just for Me?

"Lord, I really don’t want to do this again. I’ve met with this lady many times now, and she just does not get what is going on. I am a box she checks off. She has no clue what to do with me and she has a bit of an attitude when we meet. I know she does not understand and I am not angry, but I just lift her up to You and ask that You open her eyes. Truthfully, I do not understand this thing You are doing. But I want to honor You with it and nurture it. All of a sudden, I have this precious gift You have given me but can find no one who is able, or willing, to help me with it. I want this gift to grow and I want to do Your will, but do not know how to do it on my own. I am praying for advice and help. I’m not looking for fame or fortune or even recognition. My desire is to water this seed so it can sprout and grow into something beautiful."

The grief stricken prayer continued as I stared at the computer screen, my hands poised over the keys. Several months before, the Lord placed something in me, a gift to steward and grow. He spoke to me during worship and simply said, “You can do that.” Clueless and shocked, I asked Him, “I can do what, Lord?” He very gently and lovingly pointed to what He was calling me.

I remember driving home after the event and saying, “Well, Lord, I’m willing, but I’m at a loss about this. It’s up to You to help me on this one. I am relying completely on You.” He was faithful and began a process of bringing this gift forward.

As I explored this new understanding, I began to seek out wise counsel. As I spoke to various people in my church, one name continuously came up. In fact, it was the ONLY name that came up. This person was a lady who was in leadership and was extremely busy, although extremely gifted in the area I was beginning to explore.

I spent time alone with the Lord working on this gift. The Lord prompted me to share it so, I set up a meeting with her. She looked at me with an astounded look on her face. “How do you know how to do this? Have you ever been taught this by anyone? You shouldn’t know how to do this…it’s impossible!”
I could only respond in one way. I shrugged my shoulders in my own lack of understanding and softly answered, “The Lord showed me?”

I met with her several times and we worked together on the outward expressions of this gift. I confused her. She struggled to get past her paradigm that what I was doing required extensive training. It hindered our ability to connect. I continued to ask others for referrals and always got referrals back to her. I even went so far as to ask her if there was anyone else who could help me that might not be so “swamped with work”. She shrugged her shoulders and said she couldn’t think of anyone.

So, I cried out to the Lord. I continued to pray for her. I asked the Lord to open her eyes and heart and to bless her with His abundance. I prayed her gift to be more fruitful and for it to deepen. I prayed He would bless her leadership and deepen the intimacy He had with her. During this search, I never once spoke harshly about her. My desire was to honor her calling and leadership.

I only expressed the frustration of feeling like my “wheels were spinning” to my accountability partners. I did not condemn her, but reminded them that she was perplexed by what the Lord was doing as much as I. They knew my heart to steward this gift, but they also recognized the barriers I was hitting. I wanted someone with expertise in this area to walk with me through this journey of uncertainty.

So here I sat at the keyboard of my computer, following the Lord’s prompting to meet again. To say, “I do not want to do this!” was an understatement. I asked the Lord to postpone it, but He gently and lovingly said I needed to hit the send button. I did.

The meeting was scheduled. I took the fruit of my labor with me and laid it before her. She examined it, worked through a few things and then looked at me. I thought, “Here’s the part I have been dreading.” She proceeded to tell me that I needed to expand the gift. She had no idea how, but gave me suggestions of things I was already doing. To her credit, she never told me to give up, but I left that meeting with a broken heart.

I went home and prayed. I face-planted on the floor before the Lord. “I’m tired of spinning my wheels, Lord. I only want what You want me to do. If you want me to continue pursuing this thing, I need Your confirmation. I want to be directed and focused on what You want for me. All this stuff I have been doing both with this gift and the “additional things” I am doing. All the things I have been preparing for, help me know that I am on Your path and not following some desire of my own.”

Within a few weeks, a different person I just met presented an opportunity for me to step into some of those “additional things.” I stepped into that situation and knew those things were confirmed, but what about this new gift and the relationship that went with it?

A month or so later, I was at a church event. The session designed for the 300+ women who were present was about to start. I ran into her just outside the meeting room. I complimented her on something she had done the day before that had meaning to me a lot of the women around me. She said, "Thanks," then took a breath, shook her head and walked away.

I noticed the hesitation, but thought nothing of it and found my seat. A few minutes later, the meeting began. It was a train wreck from the start. People did the wrong things, things were done out of order, the wrong parts were presented. She started over once…it was that bad. Then she stopped it all together.

What she did took a lot of courage. What she did proved her desire to be obedient to the Lord. What she did gave me the hope for my calling. In this room of 300+, she stood on that stage and spoke into the microphone, “The Lord told me to do something a few minutes ago and I did not do it. These problems we are having up here are because I was not obedient to the Lord for something I was supposed to do.” So, then she called my name and asked, “Where are you?”

Completely shocked, I raised my hand. She looked at me and from the stage and she apologized! She said we could talk about it later, but she needed to apologize to me. Then she moved on. The session was incredible and deeply moving for those around me. I immediately began crying and did not stop until much later that evening. God had confirmed my journey. I was on the right path.

I could not believe God had gone to such great lengths to confirm my direction. He created a miracle…a miracle just for me! But really that miracle was for many others. It was a miracle to keep me moving in the direction He needed me to go: A miracle where He moved heaven and earth and withheld the ability of many people to worship Him so that hearts could be opened and humbled before Him. But more than my life was changed.

Testimonies came in from my accountability partners who had been in prayer for her. They shared a need to know that this leader’s heart was pure. They shared about withholding connection with her until they could recognize a humbled heart. Things I had no knowledge of in our talks together.

The Lord moved me, and my family, from that city within a few months of that event. He established a person in the new location to help me with this gift. He continued to expand the gift, as well as other gifts He was releasing in me. He is faithful.

I am a person who is of no reputation. I have nothing to offer my King, but myself. God performs many miracles for each of us. They may be as visible as this one or they may be less obvious. However visible it is to others, the miracle is to encourage you and to reconfirm His direction for you.

Even when barriers are all around…Even when support seems far off, know that He is working. He is completing the work He has in you. He is with you, for you and empowering you to step forward in ever deepening relationship with Him.

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The Harder Road

Proverbs 4:11-15 I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in the right paths. (12) When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, and when you run, you will not stumble. (13) Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her for she is your life. (14) Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil. (15) Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on. (NKJ)

The Fork in the River:
A girl and boy swam in a pool with many other people. The water flowed out and split in two directions. As the people swam into the river, they saw a fork in the river. One path led to a way that was covered in gold. It was enticing, easy to navigate and was filled with riches. The other path led to an area that was dark and rocky. This rocky way was difficult to pass through and had more challenges and obstacles. As the girl looked at both paths trying to decide which way to go, she noticed most of the people swam into the fork that led to the golden path.

The girl continued to examine the opening for each way. Then she saw the signs. Over the golden path, she saw a sign that said “The Devil’s Way.” The rocky path had a sign, too. It said, “Jesus’ Way.”

The boy said he wanted to follow the people. They were following a path that seemed bright and easy and filled with riches. The other way looked dark, difficult, and kind of scary. The girl then pointed to the signs and said, “No. The golden path is not a good path. Let’s go to the rocky path.” The boy took a breath, not liking what he saw, but followed the girl along the rocky trail.

They continued to swim around the bend and suddenly the way opened up before them. The path that was rocky became smooth. The area was covered in gold. The water became a slow flowing river and traversed through the beauty of the land. The girl and boy drank in the beauty of their surroundings. The area around the river was covered in soft sand and the sandy beach was filled with jewels. The girl saw some of the jewels up close. They were red, blue, and green.

They continued to explore the area along the path. The girl stopped and thought about the golden path and wondered what the people found around the bend. She expected the path that looked so incredible and inviting turned into something dark and difficult. She suspected the riches quickly faded and the people wondered over many obstacles and treacherous water in dimly lit surroundings; finding it difficult to find their way. The girl took another look around Jesus’ path...

We Choose
Life is about choices. We are often faced with an either/or type of choice. What we choose directs our journey and has the potential to strengthen or weaken our personal character. What we choose has the potential to radically change our own lives, perspectives and growth. It also results in positive or negative repercussions for those around us.


Two Paths
Two paths of choice were described in the story. It seems that we often have to choose between two, paths, roads, or ways. Sometimes the roads may be represented in “yes or no,” “go or stay,” or “right or left.” One appears easier to follow and well known and the other appears challenging and unknown.

The easier road is usually depicted as known, wide, well traveled and cleared of obstacles. It is smoothed out and more populated. The way is mapped. Miles are marked and travelers are more frequent. Little thought or energy is needed as the way has been made. You just keep plodding on and you will eventually get to a destination. It is the easier road; the road that contains the least resistance. In life, it often represents the status quo or the cultural norm. It is the most accepted avenue or the one that requires the least amount of personal effort.

The other road is often the unknown road. It is the road that has not been cleared or is not often traveled. It is full of unknowns, potential pitfalls, and challenges. It is the “Great Adventure.” It requires constant vigilance, thought, and preparation. It is challenging to our minds, character and/or physical abilities. The way is unchartered, seems daunting, and looks difficult. There is no known rest stop, refueling station, traffic or cities. You have only what tools and resources you take with you. In life, it requires more self discipline, preparation, courage and quick thinking to meet the challenges. It is the harder road. BUT...It is also the road that brings us closer to the Lord. It is the road that pulls us forward into fulfilling intimacy with Christ and knowledge of who we were created to be.

But I thought…
Today’s misperception is that the harder road is always one requiring some extreme measure or result. We often think about some sort of entrepreneurial venture or strenuous fete like mountain climbing or backpacking across the country. Success in these situations does require a harder road of challenge, but choosing the harder road in our daily lives is not always so extreme.

The harder road is about choices. When faced with situations, we choose how we respond. What do we do? What is our character? As Christians, the choices we make reveal areas of maturity or deficit in our character. Is our natural response the higher or harder road that leads to maturity? Do we look at the longer term perspective or do we do what is best for the moment?

A Way of Life
Have you ever known a Christian who just oozed grace and love? Sometimes this way of life is so much a part of their character, it seems like they were just born that way! However, when you ask them about their lives, amazing stories of faith and strength come out. I have found many of those wonderfully grace-filled individuals had roads of extreme difficulties, hurt and hardship. They were placed in situations that required a choice to be made.

Romans 5:3-5 "(3) But not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; (4) and perseverance, character; and character, hope. (5) Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us."

The amazing truth is that most of them took the harder path. They chose to step into love and forgiveness. They chose to act in ways that were selfless and giving. They recognized that living a life of freedom required swallowing pride and learning humility. They never set out with a goal to be a super saint, but through making those daily decisions their lives became testimonies of what God can do with a human heart.

Offenses Decrease
There is an old hymn that states “They will know us by our love.” The harder road is the road that chooses to love others as ourselves. We do not become doormats, nor are we incapable of inner strength. It means we stop focusing on how others perceive us. Instead we focus on understanding who we are in the Lord and gain understanding of how He sees us. As we learn and accept His view of us, we begin to change in our hearts. We begin to extend that love toward the growth and encouragement of others.

We cease to live lives that are easily offended. Understand, we do not become robots or suppress our emotions! We grow in grace and find that as grace increases, the things that used to “chap our hides” no longer seem so important or irritating. We make choices that require courage of heart by responding in love and boldness of spirit and by reaching out to others. We begin to operate with honor toward others. The Lord stated that after loving the Lord with all our hearts, our next most important mandate, was to love others as ourselves. (Matt 22:37)

As we mature, we are better able to recognize when others respond out of their hurt. Hurtful responses are emotion based: hateful, angry and/or debilitating. How is hurt best alleviated? Ask yourself the question: Are you more likely to rise up to any challenge if you are being surrounded, encouraged and lifted up by others or if people are condemning you or turning away from you?
Proverbs 15:1, 4, 18 1 A gentle response defuses anger, but a sharp tongue kindles a temper-fire. 4 Kind words heal and help; cutting words wound and maim. 18 Hot tempers start fights; a calm, cool spirit keeps the peace.

The Run
Culture teaches us to be at the front of the race, doing all we can to get there first and ahead of everyone else. But in a Kingdom understanding, we grow to maturity in Christ by recognizing when the race itself is what is important.

My daughter came home from school and told me about P.E. She and a friend were running laps around the track. The friend, normally a good runner, had a cramp in her side and was having trouble. My daughter, who is also a good runner, could have finished the required minimum number of laps fairly quickly. However, she chose to stay with her friend, chanting, “Just a little bit further” and “You can do it! You’re almost there!” Because of her encouragement, the friend was able to continue. When they reached the required minimum, my daughter told her friend, “OK, you made it! You can stop now!” The friend, however, wanted to continue and go as far as they could together in the remaining time.

Because of the love and encouragement my daughter showed her friend, they were able to go past the minimum goal. Could my daughter have gone further had she left her friend? Possibly, but by making the choice she did, she deepened a friendship and showed a strong character I am blessed to know. That day was not about reaching a fleeting goal that would be forgotten in a few days, it was about making sure someone else was encouraged to go further. It was about choosing the harder road that strengthened character, denied self, and encouraged someone’s heart. It was about putting the needs of a friend above a desire to finish quickly.

Which Road?
As in the dream, we have two roads, or paths, before us. One is the way of the world. It seems covered in golden promises and looks much easier. This road is the path of least resistance. It is advertised, promoted and encouraged by most neighbors, friends, and business associates. It speaks to getting what we want, but does little to determine what is best for us.

This road requires less energy or thought. We do not learn to stand for what is right because we simply follow the norm without making any distinction as to right and wrong. The easiest path is the status quo. It teaches us to focus on ourselves and to get more of the things we “want.” However, as we round the bend, we find the things we chased did little to fulfill us. We feel empty, uncertain and weakened. What we wanted no longer has value as we seek after the next greatest thing.

Taking the harder road does not mean we reach perfection, nor does it mean we always make the best choice while on that path, but it does mean that we take the risks in life that promote character growth, edification, and honor. As we walk on this road and continue to choose the way of Jesus, the harder road becomes easier to determine. Just as in the story, the road becomes less daunting and smoothes out. The way becomes easier because our perceptions change about which choice honors the Lord. We stop fighting ourselves and allow value to be determined by the Lord rather than by the world.

We are in a constant process of transforming our lives. The harder road dictates that a drive to fulfill our human nature is replaced by the peace of grace and love of the Lord’s heart. Our paradigms change and we learn to rest in the Lord just like the girl and boy could rest in that slowly flowing river of the story.

The Choice
We can choose the harder road. It may seem more difficult and rocky at the beginning. Less certainty exists for what may lie ahead; this is where faith is grown. The harder road requires more effort initially as we learn to stand for the things of the Lord; this is where strength of character is built. The rewards are much deeper and more fulfilling than we can ever guess at the beginning of the journey.

The harder road allows us to get to the end of our lives, knowing we were able to make a difference in our lives and the lives of those around us; able to grow a mature character that allowed the fulfillment of a life well lived, with love expressed. Choosing this path allows satisfaction in KNOWING we made a positive difference in the lives of others.

Each day is an opportunity. We have an opportunity to follow the path of the world by taking the “golden” road; the path where status quo provides the least resistance to our lives. We also have the choice to follow the harder road of the Lord that builds and strengthens us and others around us; a road that challenges us, but invigorates us and fulfills us. At the end of the day, what will you look back and say? For me, let it be said…”I chose the harder road!”

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Name and Shield

The Lord often speaks to us through symbols He reveals during prayer and through others. The name Radiant Ministries International and its symbol, the shield, were given in such a way. During prayer, I asked the Lord for greater understanding and expansion on His will for RMI. The outcome of this prayer is below, but first, let's look at how and why symbols and their interpretation are valuable.

What does a symbol do? A symbol is a visual expression of something God is trying to show us. It is a sign: A picture of direction, warning, emotion, or understanding. This information is valuable because it gives us a measuring stick to determine our direction. In the case of Radiant MInistries, we were able to understand the focus, mission, and direction of the ministry through the information revealed in that prayer time.

Each component has a significant meaning and points to the Lord's direction for this ministry. RMI’s desire for the Lord's goodness to radiate to all we connect with is a reflection of the passionate love we have for God. Our first priority is that every person come into a fulfilling and growing relationship with the Lord.

The name "Radiant Ministries" came from Genesis and the story of Moses. His level of intimacy with the Lord was so deep his face actually shown or radiated God's glory. It glowed brightly enough that the Israelites had him place a veil over his face. How did this happen? God taught Moses about relationship with Him and prepared him for leadership during the Exodus. He raised Moses up to the God given calling he had and deposited a unique package of gifts for Moses. The gifts, partnered with intimacy with the Lord, allowed Moses the responsibility and honor of leading the chosen people out of Egypt and into the Promised Land.

In a similar way, God is calling us to intimacy with Him so that we can better discover the gifts He has for us, as well as the calling He has on our lives. Through closer relationship with the Lord, we can step out into the calling He has for us and "radiate" the fruit of the spirit (Gal. 5:22) to the lives of others.

The shield itself represents God as our defender and shield of protection. The sun in the middle represents the centrality of the Son, Jesus Christ to our Christian lives. The thick rays across the center of the shield form a cross that remind us of the sacrifice of Christ. He bridged the gap so that we could access the intimacy God desires to have with His creation. The additional rays represent our role as believers to radiate the glory, presence and nature of God to others.

The purple/burgundy color represents the fact that we are royal heirs through our adoption into the kingdom of God when Jesus is accepted as our Lord and Savior. (I Peter 2:4-10) The privilege to be part of the "royal" priesthood only comes through the shedding of His blood. The gold represents our desire to be purified and sanctified in our walks with the Lord.

Christ brings us freedom by breaking the chains of bondage. The broken chain at the top represents this freedom which allows us to walk in our God given authority.

Radiant Ministries is passionate in equipping the body of Christ toward this understanding: through Christ we gain intimacy with God, freedom from bondage (Luke 4:18) , and can have lives filled with the authority and power granted to us by Christ. (John 14:11-13)
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