#3 October 2, 2010

“Dropping In”

Luke 24:30-32 NIV

³⁰When He was at the table with them, He took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. ³¹Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him, and He disappeared from their sight. ³²They asked each other, "Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?"

How many times have you had someone “drop in” in your life? A phone call, a visit, a letter or card, that just appears at the right moment…

Cleopas and his friend are going to the village of Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem, when Jesus came up to them and starting walking along side of the two.

^“17He asked them, "What are you discussing together as you walk along?"”

“Cleopas asks Him, "Are you only a visitor to Jerusalem and do not know the things that have happened there in these days?"

¹⁹"What things?" Jesus asked.”

Cleopas and his friend respond and tell Jesus, who they do not recognize, the events that have happened, the crucifixion, the resurrection and about the women going to the tomb and not finding this great prophet.

I like what the Message Bible says:

^25-27Then he said to them, "So thick-headed! So slow-hearted! Why can't you simply believe all that the prophets said? Don't you see that these things had to happen, that the Messiah had to suffer and only then enter into his glory?" Then he started at the beginning, with the Books of Moses, and went on through all the Prophets, pointing out everything in the Scriptures that referred to him.

Jesus and the two talked about Scriptures those seven miles! He took the time and even stayed for dinner. Now He broke the bread and gave it to them, their eyes were opened and Jesus disappeared. The two friends realized who they were talking to and reflected on how their hearts burned when He was talking to them.

What does this have to do with mentoring? The Bible says:

² Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 2 Timothy 4:2 NKJV

Blessings,

Liliane

#2 July 20, 2010


Mark 12:30 (NASV)
And you shall love the Lord your God with all Your heart, your soul, and all your mind and with all your strength.

Have you ever been so hungry that whatever you ate did not satisfied your body? You would eat even chocolate and still have a feeling of no nutritional value entered you body. I remember those feelings spiritually. I would go to conferences, workshops, inner-varsity, FCA, church and would still feel empty. I finally realized I was looking in the wrong places to be filled. I needed to spend time in the Holy Bible not at workshops or conferences. I turned my eyes to the Word and found my mentors: Moses, Daniel, Elijah, Ruth, Ester, Paul, and Jesus. With the help of the Holy Spirit, I became a student under the direction of God.

I loved what Kelly wrote in the LIFETOGETHERBLOG:
“Remember, what we believe translates into how we act and think.
My prayer for each one of us is that because we have spent time in the word, our lives will literally be food for others. It is the Word that has value for ALL things.”

Take the first step in your life and love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and all your strength. God will use you to mentor someone when you spend time with The Heavenly Father. Do not forget to journal what you are learning.

Blessings,
Liliane

Good Advice

A long, long time ago, I accepted Jesus into my heart. A family in Pella, Iowa became my spiritual parents. While I went to school, Sharon would spend time with me every Saturday teaching me to bake bread, the old fashion way, no bread machine or pre-frozen rolls to be thawed. I had to use my hands and knead that large dough ball. It was work, but I enjoyed the results. Yummy! I remember one Saturday morning we put the loaves in the oven; we sat by the fireplace in the rocking chairs. After 15 minutes of silence, Sharon said to me, “Bathe everything in prayer, Liliane.” She continued to rock in her chair and work on rug piece she was making for her kitchen. That’s all Sharon said. The little timer went off and we enjoyed our baked bread with homemade butter and jam.

The years I spent with that family helped me grow up in the Lord. That piece of advice has stuck in my heart and taught me to pray fervently in every opportunity.

Discipleship and mentorship brings in an element of growth. God designed us to have relationships. We are not taking any of our possessions to heaven.
Matthew 6:21….for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Treasure your relationship with people and make the most of it. Your children, grandkids, relatives, co-workers, baby Christians, whomever God puts in your path, pray for that person and spend time. A little encouragement goes a long way.
Blessings,
Liliane