Jeannie Waters, Author at Jeannie Waters, Writer & Speaker

Stir Encouragement into Fellowship

March 3, 2020Jeannie Waters25 Comments

Butterflies danced the rumba in my stomach.

What will they think?

This may be embarrassing.

Do I even belong here?

Have thoughts like mine ever pestered you?

Two years ago, my friend, Robin Dance and I started a local chapter of Word Weavers International, a Christ-centered writing critique group. At the first meeting, I was excited until it was my turn.

As per Word Weavers guidelines, after someone read my words aloud, the group critiqued my writing. Old patterns of people-pleasing surfaced as I wondered what the responses would be. Although I sat among kind women, I felt vulnerable instead of thankful for help.

I breathed a sigh of relief when my turn ended. The group pointed out strengths in my writing I hadn’t noticed.

Great! I’ll keep using that technique.

They also made suggestions to correct or clarify my words.

Oh, I didn’t notice that. How much better the piece will be with their input. Thank you, Lord.

Now I see that as fellow group members highlight strengths and offer help for weak areas, we grow stronger as writers in a nurturing environment.

Isn’t the purpose of Christian fellowship similar—to encourage fellow believers, thus strengthening our walk with Christ?

Not only does spending time with other Christ-followers kindle friendships and help protect us from Satan’s attacks (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12), but it also provides a forum for giving and receiving encouragement and sharpening biblical insight.

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another…
Hebrews 10:24-25

Why is “stir up” paired with encouragement in this verse? In food preparation, utensils like spoons, whisks, and mixers incorporate air (think meringue peaks) and combine ingredients for palate-pleasing tastes and textures.

If a teaspoon of cinnamon remains at the bottom of a bowl filled with banana nut bread ingredients, the flavor will go undetected and the baked product won’t be as tasty. Stirring lifts that flavor and aroma to the top and gently blends it with others.

Christian friends can “lift” the gifts of others to the surface by pointing out strengths. They may even highlight opportunities for service while being cautious to suggest and not coerce.

Group members can also whisk in biblical wisdom and hope when challenges arise. A hand on the shoulder and the promise of prayer add sweetness to fellowship.

Consider the results of mixing encouragement into companionship. Individuals gain strength as they share Truth. Also, as each person sprinkles in unique ingredients of God-assigned gifts, the taste and fragrance of His love permeates the church and wafts outward to others.

Has the spoon of Christian fellowship stirred you to love and good works? I had a lesson to learn before that could happen to me.

As a young adult, after years of wanting to be more like my friends Susan, Cynthia, and Connie, I learned that God wants me to identify and imitate the characteristics of Christ I see, not other people who display them.

Association with these ladies did, however, show me the error of some of my ways as well as provide pictures of gentleness, patience, and love. Spending time with dear friends led me to ask God to add those aspects of His character into my life.

How kind of God to institute the precious gift of Christian fellowship as a stirring tool for our good and His glory.

Would you join me as I evaluate my participation?

Do I engage in fellowship that prompts me to love and serve more faithfully?
Am I promoting love and good works in my circles of influence? Am I listening well to others as I seek to encourage them?
Which characteristics of Christ does my life reflect?

I do hope you’ll share today in the comment section.

How does spending time with other believers strengthen you?
How do you or how could you stir encouragement into Christian fellowship?

To read more about my friendship with Robin, click here Robin Dance. Please share the link with writers you know who may be interested in the information about Word Weavers International that Robin includes.

Bible verses are taken from the ESV.

Rescued from Fear and Worry

February 18, 2020Jeannie Waters28 Comments

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is IMG_3944.png — JeannieWaters.com

Pulled under by a powerful riptide, my thoughts dragged me from the peaceful shores of Truth. Efforts to control my thoughts buoyed me for quick gulps of air and the hope of escape. However, as quickly as I found relief, the black water of fear eclipsed the sunshine as I sank again.

My strength was no match for this fearsome foe. The cruel undertow of my enemy was relentless. I lacked wisdom and strategy to fight and swim ashore to safety.

Mental wrestling exposed the identity of my enemy—one whose strength and cunning far surpass mine. His lies tugged at my mind and taunted me with fear of a medical appointment and concern over neglected household chores. He waved my agenda in front of me and stamped “Impossible” across the list.

My usual morning smile melted into a frown. I gave in to the temptation of negative thoughts. I considered prayer but succumbed again to the evil one’s ploys. It was as if this enemy threw sands of distraction into my eyes. I struggled to see clearly.

How did this happen? Why did worry and fear assault me early in the morning? It seemed my alarm clock’s buzz activated a battle. I remembered…

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
1 Peter 5:8

I made a choice and determined the enemy of my soul would not win; his strategies would fail. My own negative thoughts would not drown me. Although my strength was insufficient, my Rescuer, the Lord Jesus Christ, is all-powerful.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1

Truth began to sparkle in my heart like sunlight on the ocean. The Lord God Almighty stands beside me ready to rescue me. I quickly turned to my Savior.

He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
1 John 4:4b

Lord, I’m listening to the wrong voice. I can’t get past this. I give up. I need Your help. I confess this morning’s sins of worry and lack of trust and ask You to help me.

As I prayed, my loving Father plucked me from the dark waters of fear and worry. He reminded me to trust Him and replaced the negative thoughts with a heavenly one.

Tomorrow is my fiftieth spiritual birthday!

Fifty years ago, I knelt beside my bed, looked out at a starry sky, and asked God to forgive my sins. Then, with heartfelt longing, I surrendered to Jesus as Savior and Lord. I rejoiced at the memory of the night He’d lifted me from the depths of my sin.

But then, another thought threatened to drag me back into despair.

Fifty years is a long time. What have I done with that time?

I should know more Scripture by now.

My faith should be stronger.

I’ve wasted time and opportunities God provided.

With this assault of negative thinking, I quickly turned to God in prayer.

Thank You for salvation in Christ alone. You placed the longing in my heart that only Jesus could fill. I’m grateful for what I’ve learned about Your Word and for the times You allow me to share it with others. I praise You for who You are and for walking beside me these fifty years.

Instantly, like an earthly father holding a child’s hand while wading along the ocean’s edge, God pointed out the treasures He’d given me.

He reminded me of many ways He’s worked in my heart.

He brought to my mind the countless blessings He’s crafted just for me.

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Like pretty shells and colorful bits of sea glass in the bucket of my cleansed heart, today’s treasures from God glistened in the sunlight of His saving grace and love.

No more regrets or negative thinking for this girl this day! I’m going to celebrate fifty years of walking with Christ Jesus my Lord.

If you’ve never surrendered to Jesus, I urge you to seek His forgiveness and accept His free gift of salvation. Only then will true peace and joy wash over you.

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8

If you know Christ, please share in the comments how He helps you in times of trouble. How encouraging to know that we can trust God to rescue us from any enemy, even negative thinking!

If you want to know more about surrendering to Jesus, feel free to send an email to jeannie@jeanniewaters.com.

All Bible verses are taken from the NKJV.

Ingredients for Successful Service

January 29, 2020Jeannie Waters19 Comments

“Prepare this healthy, delicious meal in seventeen minutes,” the host of the television cooking show claims.

Yeah, right.

Why did it take me ninety minutes, and why did my meal lack the color and glamour of the one on the screen?

Don’t you love to watch celebrity chefs produce picture-perfect entrees? And have you noticed they’re not standing on their heads retrieving a misplaced sifter or lamenting over the carrots they forgot to buy? How do they do it?

Although I’m sure Emeril and Rachael have extensive training and experience, part of the answer lies in the preparation. Sous-chefs purchase, wash, slice, dice, and arrange ingredients before the star even graces the stage to thunderous applause.

The necessary tools and ingredients are on the table, but the work doesn’t start or end there. Let’s pull back the curtain and peek at the chef’s timeline before fame and fortune appeared.

Professional chefs invest a lot of time in culinary education and spend years perfecting their style. Disappointments, fallen soufflés , burned flan, and cut fingers precede that starched, monogrammed jacket.

Even chefs with prep teams and Michelin stars, use two ingredients of successful service: preparation and hard work.

Our work

As Christians, we know that God designs work for us to do and sets high expectations.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10

God’s provision

God equips all believers to pray, tell others about Jesus, extend kindness, and help the poor, among other deeds. Each day He places on our “table” all that we need to serve Him, including opportunities.

Our heavenly Father uniquely gifts us to complete assigned tasks in His kingdom’s work (1 Corinthians 12:4-7). The writer of Hebrews said:

Now may the God of peace …equip you with everything good that you may do his will.
Hebrews 13:20-21

In addition to God’s provision, we need Him—His presence, His voice, His wisdom, and His strength. Sometimes we exercise a gift or talent He’s already given us, and at other times, He develops our skill after we say, “Yes” to His call and seek Him for guidance.

Our preparation

As good stewards, we can utilize the gifts God places on our “table” by preparing well and working diligently to serve Him. How can we know God’s will and prepare to obey Him?

Suggestions for Preparation

Pray.

Spend time in prayer asking God to deepen your relationship with Him and show you His will for your service in this season of life. I find this step necessary each day. Although Jesus was God Incarnate, even He sought the Father’s will in prayer.

Read the Bible.

Listen for God’s guidance as you read and study. Ask Him to lead you to service opportunities and equip you.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
2 Timothy 3:16-17

Record His answers in a journal.

Is He showing you the first steps? Do you see a Bible character to emulate or know a person to consult? Do you need to step forward as Esther did for “such a time as this” (Esther 4:14)?

Complete a spiritual gifts inventory.

Ask at your church or search a trusted online site for a spiritual gifts inventory that could help you discern your gifts.

Prepare physically.

Service is not always easy. Choose healthy foods and get adequate rest to generate energy for each week’s service.

Look for mentors.

Is there someone with the same gifts you have who has more experience? Moses served as a leadership mentor for Joshua who led the Israelites into the Promised Land.

My experience

When God called me to direct Vacation Bible School, I knew I needed help. After praying, I requested guidance from a mentor whose experience and wisdom exceeded mine.

The former VBS director shared ideas for schedules, materials, and special activities. In addition, she answered numerous questions for which I was grateful. Asking for help prepared me for the job.

Ingredients for Successful Service

Chefs prepare and labor diligently to serve delicious entrees, using all that is set on the table before them. Although God places all that we need on the “table” before us each day, we can give our best by using two key ingredients for successful service: preparation and hard work.

Only expert chefs earn Michelin stars but Christ-followers who prepare and use their gifts as the Lord directs, look forward to Him saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).

Please share the ways you prepare for the work God calls you to do or tell us how God led you to a place of service. Thank you for reading and commenting.

Bible verses are from the ESV.

Sharing Joy in January

January 15, 2020Jeannie Waters21 Comments

She plodded down the hall of the rehab hospital with the help of a walker, head bent downward, each step an effort. When she passed me, she looked up with a radiant smile and answered my greeting with a cheery “Good morning! How are you?”

As my family would predict, I couldn’t leave it at that and go my merry way. You see, my “hobby” is meeting new people. Each person has a story, and I love to hear those tidbits tucked away in the memory banks of strangers. When spontaneous visits include a conversation about God, they are even more precious.

I said to the lady I met, “You seem joyful this morning even though you’re using a walker. I think God wants us to be filled with joy, don’t you?”

Her smile widened. I believed her when she responded, “You are right! I wake up with joy every morning.”

I asked, “Do you know Jesus?” (I suspected she did.)

She nodded and answered, “Oh, yes, I’ve known Him for a long time. My name is Kwajalein.”

We had a brief conversation about the Lord as Kwajalein became my new “joybit” friend. (That’s my name for dear folks I meet in places like waiting rooms, elevators, and shopping lines. We may never see each other again, but we share a bit of joy and friendship for a short time.)

My sweet, new friend went her way and I went mine, but we parted with smiles and joyful hearts because of our shared relationship with Jesus.

Kwajalein and I may never meet again as both of us were outpatients. However, God used us to fill each other’s joy tanks that day.

I left with a smile as big as my new friend’s because Kwajalein’s trust in the Lord eased anxiety about my back pain and reminded me to rejoice as I trusted Him.

An oft-quoted verse reads:

This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24 ESV

We don’t always feel like rejoicing and “being glad,” but with the joy of the Lord in our hearts, we can choose to do so, just as Kwajalein did even though she needed assistance to walk.

Despite our circumstances, we have the capacity to rejoice. Once we accept Christ as Savior, the fruit we bear by the Holy Spirit’s work in our hearts includes joy (Galatians 5:22) and brings honor to God.

We sometimes pass people who wear frowns or whose surface smile seems to mask sadness or anger. Maybe those folks have heavy burdens or simply don’t feel well. Maybe they need a relationship with Jesus, or perhaps they are believers who need a kind word.

Does someone in your path today need a “joybit” friend—someone to smile, engage them in conversation, and share the encouragement Christ offers?

For the rest of January’s thirty-one days, let’s agree to “rejoice and be glad” as we obey God’s nudges to encourage others.

(Of course, we proceed with safety and respect in mind. As my husband reminds me, not everyone is open to making “joybit” friends. But plenty of folks are.)

Please share in the Comments a time someone shared joy with you or an instance when you lightened someone’s heart. The joy of the Lord is worth sharing.

Now, please don’t miss the treasure below that relates to today’s topic.

The Joy Box Journal by Adria Wilkins
https://www.joyboxstories.com

The Joy Box Journal by Adria Wilkins is one of my favorite books! It’s a collection of short devotions that illustrate finding joy in each day. Space for journaling is included.

Adria Wilkins, the author, endured the death of her three-year-old son, yet she spreads joy more than anyone I know.

LOOK at the special features below which are included: joy notes and easy-to-assemble box for storing them

I promise you’ll love it!

No commission involved.

Welcome the New Year with a Decluttered Heart

December 31, 2019Jeannie Waters34 Comments

The tall, imposing cabinet would make a wonderful wardrobe passage to Narnia in a stage play of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. Our huge cherry entertainment center fought for space with the new sofas we added to the living room; it demanded notice and changed comfortable into crowded.

After donating our past-its-prime monstrosity, we purchased another entertainment center. The shorter, light-colored piece creates a new look and magically enlarges the space—now cozy but not crowded.

The room is prettier, more spacious, and it makes me happy.

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Removing what hinders and adding what refreshes can bring a smile, a deep breath, or a fresh view that somehow lightens our step. New renews.

Simply exchanging an on-its-deathbed plant for a shiny green one or replacing uneaten holiday leftovers in the fridge with crisp salad fixings delights us.

What about a new year? Replacing the 2019 calendar with a 2020 version offers a clean slate, a deep breath moment, a fresh start.

How would you like 2020 to be different from 2019? Attempting to remodel our entire life at once is overwhelming and usually results in failure. What if we start with decluttering one room—the room of our heart?

Are there negative attitudes looming large and crowding out godly ones? Is there room for joy, patience, and kindness instead? (I’m answering the questions along with you.)

Negative attitudes about people or situations encroach on our peace and crowd the fun out of life. These insidious invaders slip under the gate when we don’t guard our thoughts. Then, the scoundrels can fester and grow until their poison seeps out to taint those around us.

These pests, called sin by God, become our “pets” when we refuse to give them up and instead protect and nourish them, insisting that we’re justified in “feeling this way” (James 4:17).

I mean…seriously, look how THEY act!

I just don’t FEEL like forgiving her. SHE’S the one who was rude.

Why is her life SO easy while mine is SO hard? It’s not fair.

I could accept her IF she would just…

These negative attitudes crowd our minds like oversized furniture commandeering center stage. They refuse to share space with thoughts of forgiveness, gratitude, contentment, and the needs of others.

Negative attitudes also thwart the work of God in our hearts. When I consider sinful attitudes that creep into my mind, I’m thankful for the following truth:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9

Removing the clutter of negative attitudes by confessing them opens our heart space for God’s forgiveness and His transforming work in us.

In the heart of believers, the Holy Spirit cultivates new attitudes and produces the refreshing fruit of the Spirit that honors God and blesses those around us (Galatians 5:22-23). With clean hearts focused on our heavenly Father, we can learn to say with Paul, “for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content” (1 Timothy 6:6).

Welcome Sign, Garden Decoration, Welcome, Home

A clean heart filled with contentment and gratitude welcomes a new year of God’s work in our lives. Would you agree?

As we prepare our hearts for 2020, what changes will we make? Which old “pieces” need to be removed from our hearts? Which new “pieces” will we ask God to produce in us?

How refreshing it will be to welcome the new year with a decluttered heart!

I’m praying for you, dear reader, as I pray for myself, that God will guide us through a purposeful and peaceful year as we seek to know Him better and allow Him to remove negative attitudes and refresh our hearts.

I hope you’ll share strategies that help you develop biblical attitudes because we all need encouragement on this first day of 2020. Happy New Year, friends.