Monday Writing...6/18/18..."Who Are You?

Good morning,

This is a very thought-provoking writing that has a theme of knowing who we really are. The answer is not a secret to us. However, often people get turned around and led by definitions others try to put on them. Collette wrote, "He’s our focus. He Is our exceeding great Reward. This is how we make a difference for The Kingdom. Stop focusing on what others’ expectations for us are and focus on Jesus and His Words." 

This is a woman who knows what is important and lets it be the guide to her unchanging paradigm.  

Peace, Love, & Joy, 
Collette 
    and Corinne
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Today's Devotional

"Who Are You?" 

by Collette Phillips

My husband is the pastor of a congregation. I’m his wife so, by default, I’m the wife of the pastor. I’m the pastor’s wife. Pastor’s wife is not a job title. It is not a box into which we just fit neatly. The Father called me to be my hubby’s wife, and called my hubby to be the shepherd of a flock, but not before calling him to be the shepherd for the flock that is his  wife and children. He’s shepherd and priest of our little flock and household, first.

Having said that, I’ve been called according to The Father’s purpose and whatever that looks like is His business and His definition, not someone else’s tradition, and not even my, or their, misguided notion of what that looks like. We are not called to be pastor’s wives, per se, as much as we are called to be children of The Most High God. He sets the borders, rules, and boundaries. He frames the artwork that He creates. 

I’m His workmanship, therefore, Christ, and His Word, are my focus. Let us be bold enough to lay aside every sin and encumbrance that so easily besets us and run with endurance the race set before us ... the race that He, Christ Jesus, sets before us, NOT the race that other Believers have set before us. 

Jesus didn’t call my impression of Ruth Bell Graham, or any other precious, saintly woman of God. He called crack-pot, flawed me to do His good work THROUGH me, so that HE gets all the glory. I may in some ways be similar, one day, way out in the future, to Mrs. Graham, but not by trying to be a rip-off version of her.  She focused on Christ, and so, was identified with Him. 

He’s our focus. He Is our exceeding great Reward. This is how we make a difference for The Kingdom. Stop focusing on what others’ expectations for us are and focus on Jesus and His Words. 

      “Therefore since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, 

let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily 

entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 

2fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author, and perfecter of faith, who for the joy 

set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has 

sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3For consider Him 

who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, 

so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”

Hebrews 12:1-3

     Suggested scripture reading:
Hebrews 10:1 through Hebrews 12:4

Casting Crowns

singing

"Who Am I"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Here is something to think about 

and create your own definition of what 

you believe God has made you to be

and how you are becoming that person.

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Prayers are lifted up daily for 

you by the Devotional Writers 

and the Monthly Writing Staff

of Women's Focus Ministries.

Blog Writers

Jan Andersen, Sandy Billingham, Carol Steficek,   

 Brother Thomas Ukwute, Jody Ward,  Karen Bennett, 

Collette Phillips, Cathy Friberg, and  Corinne Mustafa

Occasional Contributors
Kathy Bireley,  Lynda Kinnard, Mary M. Wilkins,

Terri Baker, Beverley Napier, Kelly Dobyns

Glenna Williamson,  Shelly Keith, Amie Spruiell,

Lisabeth Lipp,  and Nandita Bhatnagar