Author: Christa Deann

Day 25- Move Out of His Way

Yesterday, we looked at our call to be fruity for Jesus. He is producing the fruit of The Spirit in us. Our fruit should be evident to all through the outpouring of our lives to others.

At this point in our Faith Journey, Ron and I have set-up a full-fledged after school program for Deaf children and their siblings. Each day, students were bussed to us. We had amazing volunteers and enjoyed having these children with us each afternoon. We provided hands-on tutoring help through Sign Language and worked on life skills with the older kids. On Wednesday nights, the parents were on campus for Sign Language and parenting classes.

As the Deaf children’s Ministry was growing, so was our ministry to Deaf adults. We offered interpreted services on Sundays, as well as, Bible study. And, our after school program provided service opportunities for our Deaf adults. We were amazed at all God was doing because we faithfully stepped through His open door.

At this time, Ryan was getting ready to transition from elementary school to middle school. As I began praying over and preparing for his IEP meeting, I just felt uneasy. I was not at peace about sending Ryan to middle school. I had heard stories of bullying and was not knowingly going to send Ryan into an abusive environment. So, we prayed about an alternative. The only answer that The Lord provided…home school.

“AAAHHHHHH!!! NO!!!!! Lord Jesus, please! This can not be the only alternative to public school for a Deaf kid.”

Please do not get me wrong, all you home school mommas, I admire you…I look up to you…I have the utmost respect for you. I just didn’t want to be one of you. I still do not feel that home schooling Ryan was my giftedness but it was necessary. For this season, I had to buckle down, and do what was best for Ryan.

I was so thankful that my friend, Joyce, came to the rescue again. She helped me get Ryan through science and math. Without her, poor Ryan was doomed in these subjects. I already confessed my severe inadequacy in the home school department. It was a struggle…for me. It had nothing to do with Ryan at all. I was not an educator. I never dreamed of being a teacher. Each lesson involved  hours of reading and prep work in order to adequately explain content in Sign Language to Ryan. However, Ryan loved it and did very well. We persevered through 4 years of home school together.

Then, it happened! My sweet, compliant, rule keeping, obedient Ryan, hit “that age.” You know…the age where kids become teens and turn into aliens right before your very eyes. Oh my…the last year of home school was horrible e-v-e-r-y-d-a-y! Two days ago I shared how conflict brings change. Well, we were certainly in the middle of conflict and needed change. But, what did that look like?

As I prayed over Ryan each morning, I pleaded for wisdom, patience, and nerves of steel. As Ron and I discussed Ryan’s behavior, we began to lean toward putting Ryan in public high school. To be honest, that was scarier than toughing out the next three years in home school.

But, I swallowed my fear and began exploring putting Ryan back in public school. I contacted the necessary departments for their guidance. I was instructed to visit our neighborhood high school and set-up a meeting. Throughout this process, I walked through doors The Lord opened and begged Him to slam doors shut if I was headed down the wrong hall way.

From the moment I stepped foot in the guidance office of Durant High School, I had His peace. I felt welcome, everyone was friendly and helpful, and if they did not have the answer…they committed to get it. Before long, Ryan was registered for high school. However, he was not happy about it! Not one bit!

Ryan had become used to finishing school at around 1:00pm each day with no homework. He enjoyed the flexibility that home school offered and was not excited to have that freedom strangled by school rules, homework, and class schedules.

He protested so much that I began to doubt the decision I felt The Lord had placed so strongly on my heart…

• Read Exodus 4:10-17

What excuse did Moses make to The Lord?

 

How did God confirm His call to Moses?

 

The more I prayed about sending Ryan to high school, the more The Lord confirmed that it was the right choice. In my mind, I thought that if it was the right decision, Ryan would be on board…he was not. He finally shared with me that he was scared of being different, had a fear of bullying, and did not think he could manage changing classes and all that involved. Ryan felt overwhelmed and inadequate.

But what The Lord revealed to me through His Word and exhaustive prayer was that it was not me making the excuses this time… It was Ryan. He gave me His peace so I could push Ryan toward God’s purpose for his life. This decision was about Jesus care and  love for Ryan. He desired to help Ryan understand a deeper faith in his Creator God. That required Ryan to step out of his comfort zone and trust that Jesus knew what was best. But, that meant The Lord needed me to trust Him with our Ryan once again. I had to reassure Ryan that God was for him.

“The Lord said to him, ‘Who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes him mute or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the Lord?” Exodus 4:11

Often we push our insecurities off on our children without realizing it. I don’t think it’s something we do intentionally. Our insecurities and doubts take root in us and become part of who we are. Then, without warning…they come out in our parenting. What can happen if we are not careful, is that we stifle our children’s God-given call. We can become so paralyzed by our “what-if” scenarios that we try to keep our loved ones in a bubble instead of allowing God to be God in their lives.

As we travel our Faith Journey, let’s be mindful that just as God has worked in and through our lives, He will do the same for those we love. I know it’s impossible to believe, but The Lord loves them more than we do.

Pray and then trust Him for the outcome of those you love. He has a work to do in their lives. You do not want to do anything to block The Lord’s refining and character building that’s necessary for their call, right?! God’s gonna need you to move out of His way.

Sisters, say this with me…”move it, move it, move it!”

Praying with you and for you as we keep movin’ on down the road.

 

 

 

 

Day 24- Faith Without Works

Ron and I are so thankful for Dr. Tommy Green and his wife Karen. As I shared yesterday, Pastor Tommy was sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit to call Ron on staff to start and lead the Deaf Ministry at First Baptist Church of Brandon. Pastor Tommy was, also, instrumental in helping us navigate our initial call to ministry that led us to Southeastern Seminary. We are forever thankful for how the Lord used he and Karen in our lives. We had the privilege to serve alongside them for 11 years.

As Ron and I began to pray about what Deaf Ministry would look like at First Baptist, we became aware of needs through Ryan’s school. I have always been involved in volunteering in Ryan’s classrooms. I got to know his teachers and helped out regularly with projects and field trips. Since the children were Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing, I was able to Sign with them.

It was in getting to know Ryan’s teachers that they presented both a need and a challenge. Most parents of Deaf children do not learn Sign Language. Therefore, they have very little interaction with their children at home. Which meant no help with homework, language development, or discipline.

Ryan’s teachers asked us to figure out how we could engage the parents and teach them Sign Language and provide tutoring opportunities for the children.

This caused us to think “outside the box.” The only experience Ron and I had with Deaf Ministry was with adults. We had never considered a Deaf Ministry to children and their families. So, we committed this to prayer knowing there were hurdles The Lord was going to have to knock down in order for an after school tutoring program to happen. So, we began to pray. “Lord, if you are in this thing, we need you to come through BIG time…”

• The children needed transportation from school to church for tutoring.
• Would the school let us reach out to families with Deaf children?
• We needed volunteers that knew Sign Language.

In the mean time, we began a Wednesday night Sign Language class. The teachers at Ryan’s school sent home information to the parents for us. We also offered a fun, interactive Bible class for their Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing children in Sign Language. The response was very encouraging.

One of the most amazing blessings is that my friend Joyce (that I shared about on Day 22), became a North American Mission Board Missionary to the Deaf. She sold her home in North Carolina and moved to Florida to be our “right hand” in this new version of Deaf Ministry to Deaf children and their families.

As word spread, we had more families get involved. God faithfully sent volunteers, and the Deaf Education teachers at school were so encouraged that they regularly sent home information about our Wednesday night Sign class and Deaf children’s’ class.

God had checked all the boxes for an after school tutoring program, except for one…

To have an after school tutoring program for Deaf children, we needed our school district to provide transportation from school to our church. With the input of the school’s Deaf Education teachers and a few calls to the district’s transportation department, God provided. This was a true miracle. No where else in our district did transportation drop off children at any business, especially a church.

Who but God?!

 

• Read James 2:14-26

In verse 17, “______ with works is dead.”

 

In your own words, what does James 2:14-26 mean to you?

 

Do these verses imply that we must “work” for our salvation? Explain why or why not:

 

Do you remember the fruit of the spirit from and earlier devotion? Write them out (hint: there are 9-Galatians 5:22)

 

Here’s the deal, my friends…we are known by our fruit. If there is no fruit, there is no faith. On this Faith Journey we have explored and verified through scripture that our faith is an active faith. To have a relationship with Jesus Christ means I am being built up in my faith… so that His character is produced in me…so that He can use me for His purposes to further His kingdom.

I want to be clear on this point, we are saved by faith alone in Jesus Christ and repentance from our sin. That is the grace gift from God that you and I  can not earn. His only son, Jesus, because of his death on the cross, burial, and Resurrection provided for our free gift of salvation. He did the work. And Jesus work of salvation in our lives is made evident by our fruit, call, and ministry to others.

Ron was ministering to a family whose son was in the hospital dying because of severe, long-term drug and alcohol abuse. The son was conscious and Ron felt compelled to share the gospel. As he finished up and was getting ready to ask the son if he was ready to repent of his sin and place his faith and trust in Jesus Christ, the mom spoke up and said, “Honey (to her son), you did that. Don’t you remember when you walked the aisle at church when you were 8?”  Ron explained that the fruit of her son’s life was contrary to the scriptural definition of salvation…there was no evidence, no fruit. The mom continued to excuse away her son’s actions until the son spoke up and said, “you’re right mom, I already made that decision.” The conversation ended and Ron left grieved over the justification of sin and ignorance over true salvation that possibly sent this man to hell.

I know what you are thinking…only God knows someones heart. You are right. However, even though we are not called to judge, we are called to be “fruit inspectors.” If the fruit of our life or those we know is rotten, then we have to ask ourselves a question. Is there true salvation or only belief like that of the demons in verse 19?

Ouch!!! I know…fruit inspection is painful but necessary. You and I are saved and called. If we are saved, we are called. We are known as Christ followers by our fruit/works/deeds/ministry.

“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.” Matthew 12:33

The Lord wants to work powerfully in and through our lives to make Himself known in ways that are beyond our imagination. Let’s trust Jesus for the miraculous that only He can accomplish through us…others will be amazed, not in us, but in Him alone.

Pray that the fruit of your life is good. That others will know you by your fruit that is good, ripe, aromatic, and nourishing to the soul. Most importantly, fruit that beckons others to the Tree of Life…Jesus Christ.

Praying for you my fruity sisters!

 

 

 

Day 23- Change is Challenging

On Day 22, I reminisced about my treasured friendship with Joyce. I hope you were encouraged by the Biblical example of friendship between Ruth and Naomi. Their’s is an example we should strive to follow in our own friendships.

Often God brings about change through conflict. It can be relational conflict or circumstantial conflict. I shared that The Lord had given Ron and I a brief season of rest. We were thankful for it…because change was a comin’.

The Deaf program at Ryan’s school was changing dramatically. They were adopting a new program for speech development that required Ryan (and us) to learn Cued Speech. Cued Speech is not Sign Language. It’s hand signals produced near your mouth area that signaled the recipient what sound or syllable to produce with their voice.

I am not a proponent or opponent of Cued Speech. But, after much prayer…we decided it was not an option. Ryan was doing well with Sign Language and we simply could not comprehend the confusion of adding hand signals into his curriculum.

So, we began to pray and I felt God was getting ready to move us. Where? We had no idea. We researched Deaf schools and programs all over the US. We visited a Deaf School connected to a Deaf Church and looked into the Washington DC area near Gallaudet University. While the programs and schools were impressive, we did not have God’s peace regarding any of them.

Almost simultaneously, Ron and felt God was calling us back to Florida so Ryan could attend his former elementary school. But, that was all we were sure of. Ron had no prospect of a job and we would need to live with Ron’s parents initially. Again, we were trusting Our Provider and Sustainer.

After we got settled back in Florida, we began looking for ministry opportunities with the Deaf in the area. Our former church did not have a Deaf Ministry. So, we located a Deaf church in the area and began to attend. However, after a few weeks of attendance, Ryan began to give us a hard time about going to church. He told us there were no other kids and that it was boring. Landon was not too keen on it either for the same reasons. The people were nice and welcoming to our family. But, for some reason both boys were opposed to it. Every Sunday was a struggle. That had never happened before. We persevered and continued to attend hoping and praying for His guidance.

Christmas 2004 was on a Sunday. The Deaf church decided to cancel services. So, I contacted the pastor from our former church, Dr. Tommy Green at First Baptist Church of Brandon. Through email, I explained our situation and asked if it would be okay for me to interpret the service for Ryan on Christmas Sunday. He graciously agreed.

As Pastor Tommy was preaching that Christmas Sunday, he put forth the vision for FBCB for 2005. He said, “I feel God is calling us to start a language ministry this next year.” On a phone call with Ron the next morning, Pastor Tommy said that as he was saying those words, he looked down at me interpreting and felt The Lord compelling him that FBCB was to start a Deaf Ministry. In the coming weeks, Ron accepted a part-time position over Deaf Ministry and Evangelism at First Baptist Church of Brandon.

When Ron and I left Florida, we did not expect to ever return. We had burned the plow so to speak. But, The Lord had other plans and AGAIN used our Ryan to propel us into His call for our lives.

We were excited but nervous about starting a Deaf Ministry from the ground up. We felt the weight of all that would entail. We had to cling to our Way-Maker and trust His guidance.

• Read Exodus 33

In the chapters leading up to Chapter 33, there was conflict in the camp. The Israelites were an obstinant people. While Moses was on Mount Sinai meeting with God and receiving the commandments, the people got bored and discouraged. They decided to make an idol of a golden calf. While still on the mountain, God told Moses what the people had done and wanted to destroy them. Moses interceded on behalf of the people and God showed mercy. But, The Lord was going to remove His presence. Again, Moses interceded for the people.

• Read Exodus 33:15

What does Moses beg of The Lord?

 

Oh Lord, “If your presence does not go with us, do not lead us up from here.”

 

When God calls us…He will lead us. We do not want to go ahead of Him or worse yet, go without Him. That doesn’t mean that what The Lord calls us to is laid out like Map Quest. I wish it were sometimes. But, we have to trust the open doors He provides and change directions when He closes doors that are wrong for us.

The Israelites had experienced God’s amazing miracles first hand and still turned their backs on Him at the first sign of trouble. That’s how the enemy works. At the first sign of trouble, he plants seeds of doubt in our minds and if left to their own devices, become full-fledged sin of disobedience. That’s why we must stand firm in our faith and proclaim…if You, Oh Lord, are not in this thing, DO Not lead us up from here. Make Your presence known.

Our path back to Florida was filled with uncertainty. But, we both knew beyond the shadow of a doubt, it was His will to step through that door and follow His lead. We had to trust that once we walked down the hallway through that open doorway, He would provide the next open door.

My friends, some open doors look good at first glance…but are not God’s plan for us. Pray and seek His guidance. Then, depend on His peace in the decision-making process. If you are unsure…beg for His conformation. He is faithful…always! He can be no less than who He is…

Praying that The Lord will guide and protect you today!

 

 

 

 

 

Day 22–The Gift of Friendship by Way of East Asia

I hope that Day 21 inspired you and encouraged you to armor up and join the battle against our enemy, Satan. I read a plaque one time that said:

” Be the kind of woman who when your feet hit the floor each morning the Devil says, “Oh crap, she’s up!”

Love it!!! Let’s be on offense against our foe. He won’t know what hit him!

In our time together , I have talked about the sovereignty of the Master Dot-Connector. Our God is in the business of orchestrating everything for our good and His purposes. As I have shared, God is actively involved in connecting the dots in our relationships with others.

One of the sweetest dot-connections He has orchestrated is with my friend, Joyce. Would you believe our friendship started in East Asia, of all places?

In 2002, our church partnered with Southeastern Seminary for a mission trip to East Asia. This trip had many layers of which were working in a Deaf orphanage and some medical expertise. Ron and I both prayed about it and felt strongly that I was supposed to go. My roommate was, Joyce Gerardi. She is actually Dr. Joyce Gerardi, a veterinarian.

Over the three weeks in East Asia we got to know each other very well and hit it off. We really bonded over stomach bugs, being followed by the police, remote village visits by bus, weird food, Dove Bars, tuk-tuk rides, elephant rides, sharing the gospel, and coffee. I even assisted her in a couple of animal surgeries.

The mission trip was so impactful in both of our lives. But, the greatest treasure that came out of that trip was a life long friend, sister, and ministry partner. Joyce became part of our family over the next 3 years. She learned Sign Language to be able to communicate with Ryan. Landon adored her. Both boys call her Aunt Joyce. Well, until she reached an age milestone, then Ryan started affectionately calling her Grandma Joyce. That boy…

When God called us back to Florida (that story to come in the days ahead), Joyce helped us move. I was heartbroken when she left Florida. But, we talked every week on the phone. God was doing a work that neither of us quite understood at the time. He was orchestrating a reunion in ministry that was quite profound in the not to distance future.

• Read Ruth Chapter 1

What happened to Ruth and Orpah’s husbands? Who is their mother-in-law?

 

What instruction did Naomi give to Ruth and Orpah?

 

“But Ruth said, ‘do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, and there be buried. Thus may the Lord do to me, and worse, if anything but death parts you and me.” Ruth 1:16-17

I can only imagine the deep friendship, love, and care Ruth and Naomi shared. Ruth had lost her husband and Naomi lost her sons and her husband. They were both hurting but clung to each other. Even in her grief, Naomi was willing to sacrifice her own needs for those of her daughters-in-law and release them back to their mothers’ home.

As you can see in the verses above, Ruth was having no part of leaving Naomi. She vowed her loyalty and care to her beloved mother-in-law til death. I have to believe that theirs was a relationship that goes beyond the norm. They were friends…the best of friends with an agape love for one another.

How sweet it is that The Lord sends those kind of precious friends into our lives. For the last 15 years, Joyce has been my prayer partner, burden bearer, and faith encourager. I thank God for her everyday! Being a pastor’s wife can be very lonely. Being vulnerable is difficult and loyal friends that you can depend on and confide in are rare. So, when The Lord sends you that kind of friend…you hold onto them with everything you have.

Pray for and over the friendships in your life. Spur one another on to good works, cry together over heart breaks, and rejoice over victories.

I love you, Joyce! I am praying for you, my friend!

 

Day 21- Not Today Satan!

On Day 20, we learned that we all need rest for our bodies and souls. Our souls can become weary just as easily as our bodies during seasons of “building up” our faith. Our souls can become war-weary and in need of His rest as well.

Today, I want to focus on a someone who is given way too much power over our lives…Satan. I have purposely waited until we were far down the path in our Faith Journey to bring him up. Over the course of my ministry, I have discovered that many Christians submit to the power of Satan before they submit to the Power of the Holy Spirit working in and through them. They surrender defeat and wave the white flag to the enemy at the first hint of trouble.

It has been my prayer in writing this Faith Journey, that we would establish a firm faith foundation in Christ. So that, when difficulties come, our first “go-to” is Jesus and not to surrender to the enemy.

Make no mistake…Satan seeks to steal, kill, and destroy those that claim Jesus as Lord and Savior. His greatest victory is destroying our testimonies. He cannot steal our salvation…but he can steal our witness. He cannot kill our souls… but he can kill our influence. He cannot destroy our giftedness… but he can destroy our effectiveness.

We, God’s people, have allowed Satan to steal our victories for far too long. We have given in to the enemy’s attacks rather than arming ourselves for battle under the command and power of The Almighty.

• Read Ephesians 6:10-20

Who are we battling?

 

What is our defense? Write it out–

 

Armor up daily, Sisters! Each piece of the armor reminds us who we are in Jesus Christ. We are not wienies…we are warriors. People are not our enemy…Satan is. And he has become quite effective in using others to stir up trouble, steal our joy, and render us ineffective.  BATTLE him…Satan only has power over you if you allow it. ” Greater is He in us than he that is in the world.” 1 John 4:4

• Read 1 Peter 5:6-11 and James 4: 7

1 Peter 5:9,  how do we resist Satan? If we stand firm and resist what will happen?

 

YES!!! Stand firm in our FAITH! We cannot stand firm in what we do not have. We are powerless to battle Satan without faith in the One and Only!

Job is a great example of enduring under Satan’s attacks. We see in the book of Job that God gave Satan permission to sift/test Job…twice. His body, his family, his business were utterly destroyed by the enemy. Why would God allow that? Because God was sifting Job for His purposes. God had faith in Job to stand up against Satan and claim victory through His almighty power.

Throughout our time in ministry, Ron and I have experienced seasons of sifting and refining through battles with the enemy. Our sifting took on various forms; relationships with others, unbelief, pride, self-sufficiency, feelings of inadequacy…and so on. After allowing Satan to defeat us numerous times, there came a point where we stopped, armored up, and prayed through those battles to victory.

There will be seasons The Lord will allow Satan to sift us like Peter and Job. But, remember as we have studied, He always has a purpose. Our Mighty God believes in you…He’s called you…He loves you…He has empowered you to stand toe to toe with Satan and render him DEFEATED!!!

Pray and armor up! Do not let Satan have one more victory in your life.

End today by reading Luke 22:31-32. We have a mighty intercessor that prays our faith will not fail. Take comfort in that today!

Praying for you Mighty Warriors of God! Let’s say it together…”Not Today Satan!”

 

Day 20- Rest for Your Body and Soul

I am so grateful that my hubby, Ron, shared his call and heart for the Deaf with us yesterday. Most importantly his call to disciple our boys in voice and Sign Language. I wouldn’t want to do this crazy life God has called us to with anyone else. He’s my spiritual hero, best friend, amazing preacher/teacher, godly dad, and makes me laugh ALL-the-time! Okay y’all …I’m done gushing on my love.

I hope that Psalm 37:3-7 was an encouragement to you. Our hearts’ desires will become the same as Jesus if we continue to actively pursue His call for our lives…

I was now immersed in Deaf Ministry and learning to interpret. By the time my interpreting mentor (Chip) parted, I was able to make it all the way through a sermon. I had come a LONG way from the previous six months. But, the struggle was real…mistakes, mess-ups, and mishaps.

One Sunday our pastor was sharing a story about his sister and her doll. As I’m interpreting, I notice the Deaf start chuckling to themselves. You have to understand, this group of Deaf were so loving and tender in their corrections with my signing. So, I was a little shaken. It was not a funny story. I was puzzled.

After service, still chuckling, the Deaf explained that I had confused the sign for “doll” with the sign for “a male body part.” WELL…that’s embarrassing! Those of you that sign…you know exactly what I’m talking about. I must have turned 30 different shades of red.

Obviously, I needed more preparation in my signing and interpreting skills. So, I enrolled in a local Interpreter Training Program through a community college.

During this time. Ryan was doing so well. He was becoming more expressive with his sign skills and was beginning to produce discernible speech. Landon was three and all boy. He was quite the signing machine as well.

I had started teaching Landon Sign Language at age four months. He produced his first sign at age 8 months. That coupled with Ron’s developing sign skills, we were becoming a signing family. I believe it’s this attribute that endeared us to our Deaf church family. Back when we were making the decision to sign or not to sign, we had NO idea what The Lord was calling us to.  We are so thankful for His sovereignty and leading.

While busy, we were in a season of rest…much needed rest.

 

• Read Matthew 7:24-27

In your own words, what do these verses mean to you?

 

What happened to the houses?

 

To build is a verb. It’s an action. On this Faith Journey we have been building a firm foundation of faith. When (not if) the storms and rains of life come, we can draw on the strength of our faith “built up” in us through Christ.

• Read Matthew 11:28-30

Who is Jesus calling to Himself? Why?

 

What does Jesus ask us to take?

 

After seasons of “building” our faith foundation through various trials, pain and trying circumstances, we need rest. We need rest for our souls not just our bodies.  Our spirit man can become weary just like our physical bodies become weary. Jesus invites us to take up His yoke. His yoke is a double yoke. Meaning Jesus helps carry our burdens making the load lighter as we go… learning from His gentle, humble heart.

What season are you in right now?

 

Pray–You can ask The Lord for rest. He invites you to come to Him with your burdens. After the heavy building of our faith foundation, we need His rest for our body and soul.

Praying your yoke will be lighter on your Faith Journey today. Let Jesus help you carry it.

 

 

 

 

Day 19- The Desires of Our Heart

On Day 18, Dr. Packer dropped some truth on us and we took a look at Joseph’s life from Genesis. God’s equipping for our call to ministry does not come easily. Does that mean because it’s hard, we give up? No, it does not…we press on.

Over the last couple of days, I shared how God was working in my life to call me into Sign Interpreting to the Deaf. At the same time, God was doing a work in Ron’s life as well. I have asked him to share his call with you today. Now, here’s Ron…

As Christa shared, I felt called into full-time ministry but had no idea what that call might be. Everyday, I would attend seminary classes to  learn theology and evangelism strategies. I had a friend that was in class with me named Marty. He was studying the Mandarin Chinese language to become a missionary in Southeast Asia. He was a country boy with a heavy Georgia accent. So, to hear him attempt Mandarin was amusing at times.

One day, Marty said, “man, I’m working so hard to learn Mandarin so I can share the gospel on the mission field… And it made me think of how hard it must be for you to be learning Sign Language so you can share the gospel with your son.”

That statement was a dagger of conviction through my heart. While Christa was picking up Sign Language at an exponential rate and so was Ryan. I had fallen into complacency. I knew enough to get by and have basic conversations with Ryan. But, I knew that I was not equipped to share the gospel, or share the Bible with Ryan.

In that moment, I realized that it wouldn’t matter if I reached the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ. If I could not share the gospel with my own son in his heart language of ASL, I was a failure.

I repented of my complacency and asked Christa to teach me more Sign Language. I began to grow in  my sign skills through conversations with the Deaf at our church. It was not long before I stepped way out of my comfort zone and started teaching the Deaf Bible Study on Sunday mornings.

It was during this time, I was doing some research regarding the Deaf.  I learned that only 2% of the Deaf in North America are born again believers in Jesus Christ. I, also, learned that 90% of Deaf children are born to hearing parents. My burden for the Deaf was growing. This was the beginning of God unveiling His call upon my life, which would include ministry with the Deaf .

Most importantly, I was being equipped to disciple and lead both of my sons to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and help them grow in their faith. The days I baptized Ryan (us both using sign language), and then baptized Landon (both using our voices) are two of the most deeply profound God-moments of my life.

 

• Read Psalm 37:3-7

What three things are we to do in verse 3?

 

If you delight in The Lord…what will He give you?

 

Write out verse 5:

 

(Hi, Christa again.) It was difficult to watch Ron struggle during this season of God’s call on his life. He was so burdened by his daily schedule of seminary, work, and balancing family. Adding in-depth Sign Language class to his list was quite overwhelming. Ron persevered, and God gave him the desire of his heart…to take the lead in actively discipling our sons in voice and Sign.

God longs to give us the desires of our heart…He’s our Abba, Daddy. But, our heart’s desires must begin to resemble His heart. Many want to take this verse out of context. God will not honor requests born out of selfishness, pride, or vain conceit. When our hearts begin to become enmeshed with His, then and only then do the desires of our heart become Christ-like. Hence, He will give us the desires of our heart…to know Him and make Him known.

Any time our hearts’ desire becomes others focused and not self focused, we are beginning to look and act more like Daddy each day. God will call you to ministries that are others focused. Why?! So that His gospel goes forth. We were created to be the hands and feet of Christ.

Pray and ask Jesus to show you areas of your life that need to look more like Him. Beg Him for a heart that loves others like He does. The EGR’s (Extra Grace Required) in your life need you too. Let’s be honest, it’s gonna take Jesus working in us to love them, right?! 🙂

Keep up the good work! The Lord is gonna use you in powerful ways. Praying you feel His mighty hand leading you today.

 

 

 

 

 

Day 18- Nothing Worth Having Comes Easily

Yesterday, we delved into the “how” of our callings. God will use others in our lives to confirm and encourage our call to ministry. Throughout our Faith Journey together we have explored many aspects of endurance and sanctification. The process, while often painful, is used by our Creator God to make us better able to minister in ways we could not fathom without it.

In his book “Knowing God,” by J.I. Packer, he says:

“…for the same wisdom that ordered the paths which God’s saints trod in Bible times orders the Christian’s life today. We should not, therefore, be too taken aback when unexpected and upsetting and discouraging things happen to us now. What do they mean? Simply that God in his wisdom means to make something of us which we have not attained yet, and he is dealing with us accordingly.

Perhaps he means to strengthen us in patience, good humor, compassion, humility or meekness, by giving us some extra practice in exercising these graces under especially difficult conditions. Perhaps he has new lessons in self-denial and self-distrust to teach us. Perhaps he wishes to break us of complacency, or unreality, or undetected forms of pride or conceit. Perhaps his purpose is simply to draw us closer to himself in conscious communion with him; for it is often the case, as all the saints know, that fellowship with the Father and the Son is most vivid and sweet, and Christian joy is greatest, when the cross is heaviest. Or perhaps God is preparing us for forms of service of which at present we have no inkling.”

Drop the mic!!! Thank you, Dr. Packer. We are perpetually a work in progress; every aspect of our lives.

I shared on Day 17 that Pastor Ken asked me to join the Deaf Ministry Interpreting Team. As I explained , I really did have to pray about it. One, that’s what we should do before entering into service and I was scared to death… stall tactic. And two, His encouragement about my limited sign ability took me by surprise and, did I mention, I was scared to death. He saw something in me that I was completely oblivious to.

With fear and trepidation, I stepped through the cracked door to learn how to interpret music. Thankfully, there were so many wonderful people to help me along the way. When it was my week to interpret the music, I would work for HOURS and HOURS to translate and practice. The Deaf members were encouraging and corrected me with love along the way. It was quite a difficult and humbling experience to say the least.

About a year into my “music interpreting training,” Ron and I saw a friend of ours, Chip, after a church service one Sunday. Chip was a student at Southeastern. He occasionally filled in and interpreted the sermons when he was in town. Chip was preparing to become a Pastor to the Deaf. He was hearing but both of his parents were Deaf. He was a CODA (Child of a Deaf Adult). This particular Sunday, he asked to talk to Ron and I. He said…

” Christa, you are extremely gifted in interpreting music but I think it’s time for you to get out of the boat. You need to be interpreting more than just music. I will be here for six more months before I leave to pastor a Deaf Church. The Lord wants me to train you to interpret sermons.”

What?! Completely out of left field! Dumbfounded…I prayed about it. With even GREATER fear and trepidation…I said “yes.”

Chip gave me homework and for the first two weeks of my training, I watched him interpret and took notes. We would meet (Chip, Ron, and myself)  after each service to debrief.

Poor Chip, he had no idea what he had gotten himself into. Finally, it was my turn to interpret a sermon. Chip would sit on the first row and “feed” me signs when he saw I was stuck. That first Sunday, I lasted a whole thirty seconds before I made Chip trade with me and take over. It was horrible! I was horrible!

After service, I quit…but Chip would not let me off the hook that easy and neither would Ron or our Deaf members. Looking back, I’m thankful they did not give up on me but this was one of the hardest things I had ever done. I questioned The Lord at every step. I felt so inadequate.

“God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called.”

• Read Genesis 45

What does Joseph tell his brothers in verse 5?

 

In verses 7 and 8, who does Joseph say sent him to Egypt?

 

A little background on Joseph. He was the youngest child and quite spoiled and full of himself. Scripture tell us that Joseph was his father’s favorite. And what’s worse, his brothers knew it and resented Joseph for it. At age seventeen, Joseph lacked self-control and wisdom. He tattled on his brothers to dad. He had a dream about his brothers bowing down to him…AND shared that dream with them. What was he thinking?!

Ultimately, the brothers were fed up and plotted to sell Joseph into slavery. They lied and told their father he was killed. Fast forward many years in Joseph’s life; he had some horrible things happen. He was a slave and put in prison, but He continued to wait patiently on The Lord.

That brings us back to the theme of redemption in Chapter 45.  God had an amazing work to do in and through Joseph’s life. But, Joseph needed some refining and sanctification before he could minister to his family and forgive his brother’s. His life was not easy…but he understood God’s purpose clearly. “God sent me here before you…It was not you who sent me here, but God…” Genesis 45:7-8

Our callings don’t come easily. Out of misery comes ministry. Don’t give up…persevere! Find joy in the journey.

Pray boldly today for resolve and determination like Joseph. Exhibit indomitable trust in the One who is equipping you. I love the last part of Dr. Packer’s statement, “perhaps God is preparing us for forms of service of which at present we have no inkling.” 

Praying for you my faith sister! Walk boldly in His confidence!

 

 

 

 

 

Day 17- The Power of Encouragement

On Day 16, we took a look at King David’s call or anointing as King of Israel. However, David did not actually take the throne until some 15 years AFTER his anointing. Why so long, you may ask?! Because the Master Dot-Connector was orchestrating His perfect timing. He was also doing some “faith construction” in David’s life in preparation for his rule.

All of us have experienced seasons of preparation in our lives. Times where The Lord was doing a work IN us…so that we could walk into our calling…our ministry. Our active participation is necessary in this process. Often, God will use others along our Faith Journey to speak truth and confirm His call on our lives.

At this point in the Smith family Faith Journey, we had said “good-bye” to everything familiar and moved to North Carolina for Ron to attend Southeastern Seminary. We lived in seminary housing and were surrounded by some amazing people who were called to full-time ministry as well. Some were headed on the mission field. Others were training to become pastors and church leaders. They seemed so sure of their call. Each of them shared testimony of how God had confirmed and defined their call along the way. With out exception, The Lord used other people to speak His truth into their lives.

Once we were settled in, we began to search for a new church home. Our search for a new church home had two requirements. First, we wanted a Deaf Ministry for Ryan. Second, we wanted to be involved in a church that was gospel and missions focused (locally and internationally). The Holy Spirit led us to a church plant that met in the local middle school gym. The amount of intentional effort it took to “do church” was pretty amazing.

Up to this point, I only knew enough Sign Language to communicate with Ryan. It was way out of my comfort zone to communicate with Deaf adults. For Ryan’s sake, I was willing to try. This Deaf Ministry was comprised of an amazing group of very patient and loving people that took our whole family under their wing.

Our Deaf Ministry had a sign choir. They invited me to join. It was comprised of Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing, interpreters, and a few hearing people that had some sign skills. For those that have never seen one,  A sign choir works in unison as a choir to sign music. So, instead of using our voices, we used our hands to interpret the meaning of the song in Sign Language. I was in way over my head, but I loved it and was learning a lot.

The lead interpreter and our church worship leader, Pastor Ken, showed up for practice the evening before our sign choir was set to sign in church. After a few corrections and run throughs, Pastor Ken approved for us to lead worship on Sunday.

After practice, Pastor Ken, told me he was impressed with my intuitive “sign touch” and emotion. He explained that those things could not be taught, they were something you had or didn’t. I was completely clueless about all that. I was simply learning Sign Language for our Ryan. I was just a signing mamma, enjoying time with my new friends in sign choir. Well, So I thought…

He went on to ask if I would be interested in joining the Deaf Ministry interpreting team to lead music during the worship services. I was quite taken back. Honestly, I thought Pastor Ken was going to politely kick me out of the sign choir because I was horrible.  So, still being in shock…I agreed to pray about it.

• Read 2 Timothy 1: 1-7

What did Paul acknowledge as Timothy’s strength or attribute?

 

In verse 6 and 7,  what does Paul remind Timothy?

 

Paul regularly called Timothy his son. He was Timothy’s spiritual father. Timothy’s discipleship started in his home with his mother and grandmother. Paul continued that discipleship and helped him to grow up into his call. In The Lord’s time and with Paul’s blessing, Timothy was put in charge of the church in Ephesus.

• Read 1 Timothy 4: 11-13

What was Paul’s encouragement to Timothy?

 

Paul had just laid out some heavy instructions to Timothy for the church in Ephesus in chapters 1-4. So, Paul needed to remind Timothy that he was capable and take away any excuse he might entertain including his youthfulness. Paul often reminded Timothy of his call, his giftedness through the Holy Spirit, and that fear is not from the Lord (2 Timothy 1:6-7)

God calls us to serve Him in ways that are beyond us. Not in our own ability. It’s the power of His working in and through us. So that, He receives all honor and glory. There is a saying based on Hebrew 13:20-21, ” God does not call the equipped, He equips the called.”

“Now may the God of peace…equip you with everything good for doing His will, and may He work in us what is pleasing to Him through Jesus Christ…” Hebrews 13:20-21

Pray that The Lord will encourage you in your call.. your ministry. Maybe you need to be an encouragement to someone else in their call. The Master Dot-Connecter places people in our lives for a reason. As we have learned in our Faith Journey…NOTHING happens by chance. Be encouraged and be an encouragement to someone else.

Praying for each of you as you step into your calling. Step up…and step out for His glory!

 

 

 

 

Day 16- Transition is Never Easy

Yesterday, I shared about the initial “call to ministry” for Ron and our family of four. We were sure of His call…but that was about it.

This Faith Journey has been focused on many aspects of God’s character, and learning to trust His character developing in us. The fruit of peace is a huge part of that “growing in Christ” process. His peace is ongoing…it’s confirming…it’s comforting. When everything else swirls around us…He is our peace.

My journal entry from March 12th, 2001:

“I am writing this entry from the Manor House at Southeastern Seminary in North Carolina. My emotions are overflowing as I think about how God has been preparing us for this new journey. We are overwhelmed and overcome by His faithfulness and grace. Our Admissions counselor has two deaf children, both with cochlear implants, just like our Ryan–I am in awe of the ways God is confirming His call.

To even contemplate that NC might be our new home is something I never thought I’d accept without kicking and screaming. But–He has given me such a peace…His peace…about His provision.

Florida is the only home I’ve ever known. I guess this proves that home really is where your heart is. Right now, my heart wants to seek and follow Him–even if that means leaving comfort in the pursuit of the unknown, by faith.”

• Read 1 Samuel 16

Here we see our Samuel (Hannah’s son) taking on an important task for The Lord. What was his task?

 

In verse 7, what does The Lord warn Samuel about? What does He look at?

 

Jesse brought out all of his sons before Samuel, except the youngest. The older brothers were bigger and stronger. It would seem logical from a worldly perspective to choose one of them. But, the Lord wanted someone with a heart for Him.

• Read 1 Samuel 15:10-11

 

What does God regret?

 

The Greek word  for ‘regret’ is nichamti, which  mean to have deep sorrow.  God was not confessing a wrong of His own, but was instead expressing His deep regret or sorrow for King Saul’s blatant sin of disobedience.

King Saul was a disappointment. Saul’s actions did not take God by surprise, but they did grieve his heart. So, the next choice for the role of King would be someone whose heart and mind would be for the Lord God Almighty.

There where approximately 15 years between David’s anointing and the time he actually took the throne. God had a work of preparation to do in David’s life before he would be ready to rule Israel. His life was filled with trails, anguish, and fear. But, The Lord was faithful to be everything David needed, exactly when he needed it. When David’s life was in turmoil, The Lord became his peace. David and His God establishing a deep faith relationship that we see played out through most of the Psalms.

You and I must learn to wait on The Lord and not get ahead of Him. Don’t be so eager to get to the “good stuff” of ministry that you try to miss the journey of preparation. God has appointed a season of preparation in each of our lives. While in your season of preparation, don’t sit idle and wait. Be actively involved in the process. Earlier in our devotional  journey together, we discussed having an active faith…it’s so important. If you are gifted to teach…teach. If you are gifted with hospitality…serve. If you are gifted with mercy…show mercy.

God had called Ron and I to something. What?! We had no idea. Similar to David, we were in a season of preparation filled with joy, impatience, sifting, and apprehension. But, In the midst of our preparation, God called us to serve along-side a church family that He would to use profoundly in our lives while Ron was in seminary.

God will use everything in your life as preparation for your calling. Your kiddos are preparation… your marriage is preparation… your church service is preparation… the mundane is preparation… even your trials and pain are preparation. (Remember 2 Corinthians 1:3-7)

Pray and ask The Lord to help you see each “hat” you wear as His preparation for your calling. If you are born-again, you are called and you have a ministry. So, what is God preparing you for?…Not sure yet? That’s okay. Take  joy in the journey.

Praying for you to walk in His calling today!

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8