All About GOD - Growing Relationships with Jesus and Others
ARE YOU A VOLUNTARY VOLUNTEER (FURTHER COMMENT REGARDING GRACE)
INVOLUNTARY VOLUNTEER (FURTHER COMMENT REGARDING GRACE)
The Involuntary Volunteer said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23 (NIV)
It's a classic riff in the handbook of comedy. A leader stands before a group and says, "I need a volunteer. There's little chance of success and most likely you will die, but if you're willing to do it, take one step forward."
Everyone in the group looks around, then collectively they all take a step backward, except for one hapless bullwinkle who now appears as if he took a step forward. He's become an involuntarily volunteer.
By its very nature, service-is-sacrifice must be voluntary. Jesus says no one took his life from him, rather he gave it up freely: "I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father" (John 10:18 NIV).
Jesus, as a voluntary volunteer, shows us how to pour ourselves "out for each other in acts of love," doing "for others what they cannot do for themselves."
Likewise, the first Christian martyr, Stephen, offered up his life voluntarily. We may not be asked to die for our faith, but Jesus does expect us to die daily in sacrificial service for one another (Luke 9:23).
In some ways, our daily dying may be more difficult than a one-time physical death because it may mean staying silent when every bone in our body wants to do otherwise.
In matters of service-is-sacrifice, are you among those who take a step backward, leaving someone else to involuntarily volunteer? The Jesus model of service-is-sacrifice suggests you step forward, offering to take the place of the involunteer.
Understand this, your freedom in Christ allows you to make a choice. If you decide to stay in sacrificial service, you're no longer an involunteer because you're volunteering to remain.
May God supply us with the courage to serve with sacrifice.
<:))))>
Your Friend
Ramona P.
The Involuntary Volunteer said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." Luke 9:23 (NIV)
It's a classic riff in the handbook of comedy. A leader stands before a group and says, "I need a volunteer. There's little chance of success and most likely you will die, but if you're willing to do it, take one step forward."
Everyone in the group looks around, then collectively they all take a step backward, except for one hapless bullwinkle who now appears as if he took a step forward. He's become an involuntarily volunteer.
By its very nature, service-is-sacrifice must be voluntary. Jesus says no one took his life from him, rather he gave it up freely: "I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father" (John 10:18 NIV).
Jesus, as a voluntary volunteer, shows us how to pour ourselves "out for each other in acts of love," doing "for others what they cannot do for themselves."
Likewise, the first Christian martyr, Stephen, offered up his life voluntarily. We may not be asked to die for our faith, but Jesus does expect us to die daily in sacrificial service for one another (Luke 9:23).
In some ways, our daily dying may be more difficult than a one-time physical death because it may mean staying silent when every bone in our body wants to do otherwise.
In matters of service-is-sacrifice, are you among those who take a step backward, leaving someone else to involuntarily volunteer? The Jesus model of service-is-sacrifice suggests you step forward, offering to take the place of the involunteer.
Understand this, your freedom in Christ allows you to make a choice. If you decide to stay in sacrificial service, you're no longer an involunteer because you're volunteering to remain.
May God supply us with the courage to serve with sacrifice.
<:))))>
Your Friend
Ramona P.
Views: 87
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Carla on
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Hi Ramona,
Thank you for sharing this... So true! This is the part that I have related to so strongly...
"In some ways, our daily dying may be more difficult than a one-time physical death because it may mean staying silent when every bone in our body wants to do otherwise."
In living with an unbelieving spouse....even antagonistic. I am reprimanded for putting a bible in my sons hand... Anyhow, so yes, we must die to ourselves daily...and live for Christ. It is difficult to stay quiet. I know that's what I am called to do...and to quietly model the Christian Life.
I know that I am to submit to him as long as it honors God...Gos is teaching me to find that balance. I am not allowed to take my kids to church, but we do devotionals at home. I read them the bible, against my husbands wishes...to that I cannot submit!
I want to scream at him "OPEN YOUR EYES YOU STUBBORN SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS MAN"....but I cannot!
So...for me, your words ring true!
Blessings..and Happy New Year! Carla
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Permalink Reply by Ramona P. Jacobsz on
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Dearest Carla
I can only empathise with you and offer you my prayers... I sincerely pray that I can help you more??? God is your only anchor. It does, of course, help if you speak to someone about it because if we bottle up our frustration and hurt it "festers"...
Emotionally and physically, we suffer. We wish we didn't suffer, of course–but we do.
So the question for us is: How does being Christian help us with our suffering?
Well, here are six truths about suffering that should prove comforting to any Christian in pain:
God didn't cause our suffering. God never, ever wants us to suffer. He hates it when we hurt. We hurt because pain is part of the human legacy, period. God could, of course, instantly stop all human suffering, but doing so would involve interfering with our free will, which he loves us to much to do. He allows us to suffer, but that we do is agonizing to him.
Christ, who loves us, knows our suffering. Christ proved his love for us on the cross. And on the cross he also proved to us that he knows the depth of earthy, human suffering. When we call upon Christ to comfort us, we can do so confident that He who heals us understands the full measure of human pain.
Christ wants to love and comfort us. Christ's purpose is to comfort and heal us. He loves us—and he proved he loves us. He is our friend, our bringer of peace, our soul's physician. God cares; he is the opposite of indifferent to our suffering.
Through suffering we can grow in our identification with Christ. As Christians, we want nothing more than to as fully as possible identify and commune with Christ. Christ purposefully suffered for us on the cross. Our suffering provides us with a means of more fully appreciating the depth and reality of that sacrifice.
Suffering clears a way for God. Suffering has a way of clearing our minds of superficialities, of focusing our attention on the core essentialities of life. When we're suffering, Channel God tends to come in a lot clearer than when we're not.
God sees our suffering in the context of eternity. A big part of our suffering is the fear that we won't get better. But God already knows just how fantastically better we're going to get. We see ourselves as earthly creatures; God sees us, already, as the angels we will become.
If you're suffering, here are three things your can do to help yourself heal:
Pray. Ask for God's peace. Don't be shy about asking for it; don't be hesitant about asking for it; don't in any way qualify your desire for it. God is there for the suffering. And He can bring to you what you cannot deliver to yourself; God, and only God, can make 2 + 2 = 5. When suffering, you need something extra, something beyond yourself, something unfathomable: You need a miraculous calming of your waters. Calming stormy waters is what God does. Ask, and you shall receive.
Share your troubles. Suffering tends to make us crawl into ourselves, to isolate with our anguish. Resist that counterproductive impulse, which only serves to coddle and thus empower pain. Instead, reach out to others when you are hurting. Share your troubles with your spouse, your friends, your family. With them be honest and open; free yourself to be as vulnerable as you feel. Receive their input, their sympathy, their care. Receive their love. Allow God's greatest power to come to you through God's greatest creation: People.
Seek the support of others afflicted as you are. The value of being in a support group with others who share your specific affliction cannot be overstated. There's nothing like communicating with others who know exactly what you're going through to relieve the psychological stress that is often the worst part of suffering. Look for a local support group to join. Start one if you have to; there are sure to be others in your area going through whatever you are. Join an online community. Do anything to begin sharing your story with others who are already living so much of it.
Oh, dearest friend, I wish there was more I could physically do... but I promise to pray for you and your "house"...
Be blessed in Jesus and I do so wish you a Christ-fille house for the New Year... May all your problems be resolved by FAITH... AND PRAYER...
<:))))>
Your Friend
Ramona P.
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God has shown me to 'hold my tongue'...which He knows is hard for me. :) So in this I am being obedient! As Craig's wife....I want to scream at him and shake him into truth (that's the fleshy part of me)...But God is always gentle, He meets people where they are, and in all humility will lovingly accept all people when they humble themselves to Him. God never forces anyone into submission....so who am I to go against God. I am simply called to live in submission and service to my husband...as long as I am honoring God. So when it comes to Craig accepting the Lord, that is up to Him. But when it comes to my kids-- teaching them about God and accepting Jesus as their personal Saviour...no holds barred! I will not submit to my husband when he tells me not to teach the kids....In that I must honor God....despite the persecution I face.
So...to answer your question...I always take it to God. I break down in His Awesome Presense...and He is always faithful to comfort me and encourage me by other fellow believers..and many other means.
I have broken down and yelled at my husband....but I have learned not to, because that is what the enemy wants me to do. It's a scarry place to be when we allow ourselves to fall into a trap and pit that the enemy has set....I am falling into them less and less.
Love you right back! Carla :)
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I am tempted to go off the topic here...
I AM SHIFTING THE TOPIC SLIGHTLY TO ACCOMMODATE CARLA... AND I ASK
What are the roles of the husband and wife in a family?
Question: "What are the roles of the husband and wife in a family?"
Answer: Although male and female are equal in relationship to Christ, the Scriptures give specific roles to each in marriage. The husband is to assume headship/leadership in the home (1 Corinthians 11:3; Ephesians 5:23). This headship should not be dictatorial, condescending, or patronizing of the wife, but should be in accordance with the example of Christ leading the Church. "You husbands must love your wives with the same love Christ showed the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by baptism and God's word" (Ephesians 5:25-26). Christ loved the Church (His people) with compassion, mercy, forgiveness, respect, and selflessness; in this same way husbands are to love their wives.
Wives are to submit to the authority of their husbands. "You wives will submit to your husbands as you do to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of his body, the church; He gave His life to be her Savior. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives must submit to your husbands in everything" (Ephesians 5:22-24). Being submissive is not only the responsibility of women who have Christian husbands. We should never submit to our husbands if it requires disobeying God; ******the relationship we have with Him is the most important (Deuteronomy 6:5). But preaching, nagging, whining, and refusing to serve will only turn an unbelieving husband away from God more. Instead, showing her husband the love of Christ through godly behavior, serving him and loving him, will give him an excellent example of how Christ served and loved the church. If a Christian woman has an unbeliever for a husband, she must not leave him if he wants to stay with her. And if a Christian husband has an unbeliever for a wife, he must not leave her if she wants to stay with him. But if the unbelieving spouse wants to leave, it is okay to let them go (1 Corinthians 7:12-15). ******
Although women should submit to their husbands, the Bible also tells men several times how they are supposed to treat their wives. The husband is not to take on the role of the dictator,****** but show respect for his wife and her opinions as well. "In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man is actually loving himself when he loves his wife. No one hates his own body but lovingly cares for it..." (Ephesians 5:28-29). "So I say again, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband" (Ephesians 5:33). "You wives must submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord. And you husbands must love your wives and never treat them harshly" (Colossians 3:18-19). "In the same way, you husbands must give honor to your wives. Treat her with understanding as you live together. She may be weaker than you are, but she is your equal partner in God's gift of new life. If you don't treat her as you should, your prayers will not be heard" (1 Peter 3:7). From these verses, we see that love and respect characterize the roles of both husbands and wives. If these are present, authority, headship, love and submission will be no problem for either partner.
In regard to the division of responsibilities in the home, the Bible instructs husbands to provide for their families. This means he works and makes enough money to sufficiently provide all the necessities of life for his wife and children. To fail to do so has definite spiritual consequences. "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially his family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an infidel" (1Timothy 5:8). An infidel is one who is an unbeliever. So a man who makes no effort to provide for his family cannot rightly call himself a Christian. This does not mean that the wife cannot assist in supporting the family—Proverbs 31 demonstrates that a godly wife may surely do so—but providing for the family is not primarily her responsibility—it is her husband's. While a husband should help with the children and with household chores (thereby fulfilling his duty to love his wife), Proverbs 31 also makes it clear that the home is to be the woman's primary area of influence and responsibility. Notice that her real estate ventures do not preclude her preparing food and making clothing for her household (vv. 13-24). Even if she must stay up late and rise up early, her family is well cared for. This is not an easy lifestyle for many women—especially in affluent Western nations—and too many women are stressed out and stretched to the breaking point by trying to wear too many hats. When this occurs, both husband and wife should prayerfully reorder their priorities and follow the Bible's instructions on their roles.
Conflicts regarding the division of labour in a marriage are bound to occur, but if both partners are submitted to Christ, these conflicts will be minimal. If a couple finds arguments over this issue are frequent and rancorous, or they seem to characterize the marriage, the problem is a spiritual one, and the partners should recommit themselves to prayer and submission to Christ first, then to one another in an attitude of love and respect.
<:))))>
Your Friend
Ramona P.
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Dearest Bev
I hear what you are saying... and I agree but Carla is probably doing the best that she can... She has two children to consider and it is heart wrenching... However please note that the following I wrote does apply... I specially marked it with ****** to make my point or at least God's point (His Word)...
"We should never submit to our husbands if it requires disobeying God; ******the relationship we have with Him is the most important (Deuteronomy 6:5). But preaching, nagging, whining, and refusing to serve will only turn an unbelieving husband away from God more. Instead, showing her husband the love of Christ through godly behavior, serving him and loving him, will give him an excellent example of how Christ served and loved the church. If a Christian woman has an unbeliever for a husband, she must not leave him if he wants to stay with her. And if a Christian husband has an unbeliever for a wife, he must not leave her if she wants to stay with him. But if the unbelieving spouse wants to leave, it is okay to let them go (1 Corinthians 7:12-15). ******"
As I said to Ron we can only take hands and pray - for Carla's husband (for her situation) and for many, many lost sheep...
Be blessed
<:))))>
Your Friend
Ramona P.
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Dearest Ron
Your comment is so much appreciated. If you read my first reply to Carla you will probably know where this is coming from. Also, in the second reply I am adhering to Scripture. But you are so right - we cannot change people... only GOD CAN and that is why I stress constant and continual prayer...
See my last comment... I put ****** to show that this is actually Biblical quotations. However, it is so sad and we must join hands and pray for Carla's husband - not only for him but for a great many lost sheep...
I feel so destitute and lost... for words, for answers. And the only good advice is PRAYER...
<:))))>
Your Friend
Ramona P.
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Dearest Ron
The last para in my comment to Carla definitely applies to Christian marriages... as some of us in a Christian marriage also have "temporary fasilures" which, with prayer and consultation can and should be set right.
Fond love in Jesus
<:))))>
Your Friend
Ramona P.
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Thank you to all my brothers and sister in Christ who care so deeply for the cross I bear... I know you all care deeply and that you are all speaking out of Love.
We must carry our cross...this is mine! I will not succumb to complaining...I live a blessed life. I am simply thankful to the Lord for the many blessings that I have. When I am able to serve the Lord in the full capacity that my heart desires to...that is a day I will again rejoice (but don't worry--I am already rejoicing that the Lord has Saved me and my kids)!
My Father has me, and I know He will not let me go....The same as He has all of you dear ones....
So yes...you may get the occasional message from me that it is too much to bear...Just as I hope to get the message from you when your personal cross becomes too much to bear. God will work all things together for good for those who Love Him and are called according to their purpose.... Step by step we just need to trust Him.
Just think...one day, There will be a grand celebration. I am hopeful that it will include my husband. Jesus has told us, that if any of us wish to be His disciples...we must take up our cross and follow Him.. I am simply saying 'Yes, Lord'.... and I am also saying...."Come QUICKLY Lord Jesus come.....
(.....but please make it after my husband, and many other lost souls accept you as Saviour)".
So please know...I do not want any special attention here. Thank you for offering it...in the Love you have shown me, I know you are my sisters..and brother in Christ.
There are many considerations when speaking of a 'Voluntary Volunteer'......I voluntarily volunteer here on AAG, because it is where I have received the most freedom in expressing my Love for the Lord.
Be blessed, Carla
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Thank you Bev for your encouragement. It is simply that I have learned the hard way to not force anything on to him.
One day..I made such a HUGE mistake....Even now it makes me sigh so deeply... Anyway, In my fleshy wisdom, I thought it would be a 'great' idea to show Craig a video of 'hell'...That was when I was early in my walk with the Lord...Let me tell you, it was the wrong thing to do. I know that God can use even that.... I have messed up so many times trying to force him to just 'open his eyes'...but it is the work of the Holy Spirit//not me! So I have stepped aside (for about the hundredth time...but truly this time), and I am letting the Lord do what He does so well. So now, as Carol typed down below that her husband has responded...I have recently gotten a response of 'No Thank you, but thanks for asking" when I asked my husband to go to Christmas eve mass with me. He didn't glare at me, or grunt, or say 'as if'.....Praise God! baby steps! God is faithful.....even when I am faithless!
Blessings, Carla
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Dearest Carla
Bless you... In everything you do you try to do what is right in God's sight! Admirable and wonderful and I am sure God loves you much more than I do - and I do love you. But the only "solution" here is TO TAKE HANDS AND PRAY... I will pray for you constantly and continuously. I am sure we have a lot of "intercessors" on the net and let us pray for all who do not know the Lord. After all, some of us have been at that stage some or other time? Blessed is the man who has always walked the paths of righteousness... I put my hand in my bosom and what do I get " A lepor's hand " I would rather remove the beam from my eye before I try to remove a splinter from another... Criticism and "whining" is not the answer... I do believe that Prayer is the only answer. and here I halt comments on this particular issue with fond love in Jesus to all... ( :) I rest my case :))
A day you waste is one you can never make up.
George Allen
(American Football Coach)
So, let us get onto our knees.... xxxx
<:))))>
Your Friend
Ramona P.
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