In The Fight by Katie Kilgore

Ephesians 6:10

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.

Matthew 5:11-12

“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Over the course of the past several weeks Satan has been very busy in and around my life.  He continues to attach through those I love, those I worship with, those I don’t even know, even my job.  He is a good schemer. 

I read Ephesians 6 about putting on the full armor of God in the midst of one day recently that was particularly difficult.  I had been persecuted by, none other, than those with whom I worship with on a weekly basis.  I was pretty down in the dumps about it.  Then, I read about putting on God’s full armor of protection.  As I considered God’s armor, I realized that I am a part of His army, fighting this battle of life, on His behalf.  I also realized the importance of Him allowing me to wear His armor.  Not only does His armor protect physically, but it also provides a spiritual and emotional shield as well.  Even after my “battle” had ended, and I felt bruised and tired, I was not defeated, but only because of His shield and sword.

As I consider persecution, I should think of it as a privilege rather than a battle.  If others are insulting me or saying evil things against me, could it mean that I am living a life of obedience to Christ?  He never promises a life of ease, however, he does promise a life of persecution.  And, then in Matthew 5:12, He tells us to “rejoice and be glad” in the midst of our persecution.  Jesus was not exempt from persecution, so why should we expect to be?  We shouldn’t, we just don’t want to deal with it because it is painful.  But, in the pain, comes the beauty of growth and strength that can only come from walking with Christ.

So, as persecution finds you, as it will continue to do, remember to rejoice in the Lord and be especially thankful that He gives us the protection and the armor that we need to fight the battle!  I am staying In The Fight, what about you?

Lord, I want to fight this battle of life, but only with you guiding and your armor protecting me.  Help me to see that persecution is a good thing, even when it hurts and leaves a bruise!  Help me to rejoice and be glad when persecution comes my way.

Amen

Tradition or Tradition, You Choose… by Katie Kilgore

You shall have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:3 (ESV)

I am currently reading a text called Who Stole My Church.  The author, Gordon MacDonald, speaks about a church being so filled with tradition and thoughts of the way we have always done this or that that our vision and need for reaching the lost gets lost.  MacDonald discusses the essential need for change in order to reach non-believers and how we get stuck in the same ol’ same ol’.

MacDonald says, “Tradition is a stage of shelf life where people do things over and over again but have no idea why.  They’ve lost their memory of the original need and vision.  You could say they’ve become addicted to institutional life and keep doing things over and over again without really asking why.  And to stop doing those things would be like going through withdrawal.  Church wise, it’s the moment when the insiders – the folks who have always been there – see themselves as more important than the people outside the church whom we were supposed to be reaching.”

So, I must ask, does this tradition become like a god set before us as our idol, our “only way,” our tainted vision?  I contend that this tradition, in fact, takes on a life form of its own, a monster, a force of great strength, the tradition becomes our god.  I would even say that we become so fixated on serving this god of tradition that we lose sight of anything beyond the walls of our church, we concentrate on ourselves.  We are now focused inward, which is exactly where Satan wants us to be.

Does any of this sound familiar to your current church situation?  It is sad, but true, our god of tradition takes on more conversation, more energy, and many more efforts than the God whom we are supposed to be worshiping.  We must choose to put aside our traditional mind-set, our opinions of “this is the way it should or shouldn't be done,” and choose to worship God, the one true living God.

Dear Lord,

Please help me to see when tradition is becoming a god and is idolized before you.  Help me to see your guidance for when and where change is needed in order for your vision and your needs to be met in our congregation, but even further, beyond the four walls of our church building.  Help us Father not to allow this god of tradition or any other god to be put before You.

Amen

The Forecast for the Future by Katie Kilgore

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

I don’t know about you, but I sure love to know the places, the forecast, the people for which I am headed, for the near future and especially the distant future.  However, we don’t always have the insight to know exactly where we are headed.

I began a new journey about 4 ½ years ago working in a law office.  First, I am not the “sit on my duff” type of worker.  Second, I had never worked in an office other than working for myself as a Realtor.  Third, my grandmother kept referring to me as a “secretary,” which I despised!  I find nothing wrong with secretarial types, it was just not what I preferred to be called.  However, my family needed to eat, my husband had just lost his job and we had to close my dream business in a down-spiraling economy.  We had a 2 ½ year old son and we had to provide for him somehow.  So, a job offer came my way, and I snatched it up, secretary or not, whatever hat I needed to wear.  God knew exactly what He was doing.

I still wonder at times why I am where I am.  But, it’s the little affirmations that the Lord gives to me that allow me a small understanding of His plans for my life.  Just last week, I had the opportunity to speak with an old friend.  I did not know where life had taken her over the past few years, not really anyway, I only knew the good things that she posted on Facebook.  She overheard a conversation that I was having about my job and took that as a chance to open-up with me about the path she had been traveling.  She had to file bankruptcy, the dreaded “B” word and also found herself without a home from foreclosure.  She heard me discussing that I am a legal assistant who works bankruptcy cases and that I find joy in being able to encourage those walking down this dark and lonely path.  I was given the opportunity to listen, cry, hug, and encourage my dear friend at a moment that I was least expecting.  Wow!  The Lord sure did know the plans He had in store for me as a “secretary” and I am so thankful the He does.

Now, I am embarking on another new journey, parenthood for the 2^nd time.  What plan does the Lord have in store for this part of my life?  If only I knew….but, I am trusting that His plans will prove to be “a hope and a future” for my family that only He can ordain.  I can’t wait experience the forecast.

Lord, help me to rest in the fact that YOU know the plans that you have in store for my future.  Whether I know them fully or not, you are in control.  I am thankful for your provisions and your affirmations.

Amen

The Act of Love by Katie Kilgore

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. ³ If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. I Corinthians 13:1-3

  

I had the chance to sit down with a seasoned Minister of Music, Rev. Mark Barnes, this week and “interview” him on his ministry, etc.  It was a joyful time of encouragement, excitement, and enthusiasm as he gave me practical suggestions for ministry as well as sharing some of his vision with me.  One interesting point he made was a nugget of information that he received from a previous Pastor / Mentor with whom he had the chance to serve with several years ago.  He asked the Pastor for one piece of advice for ministry as the Pastor was entering his retirement years.  The Pastor responded with, “I would have loved people more.”  Wow!  This sounds so simple and a direct commandment for each of us a believer’s, so why would a Pastor feel the need to make such a statement?  As Rev. Barnes and I continued our conversation regarding life and ministry, it became clear to me the reason for such a statement.  The Pastor was so focused on “doing” ministry, preparing for next week’s sermon, and administration of the church, that he neglected what the scripture in I Corinthians 13 tells us…”but do not have love, I gain nothing.”  What did this Pastor gain by spending so much of his time in preparation rather than spending his time loving the people of his church and loving his neighbors? 

As I think about my ministry as a worship leader, I must honestly evaluate my actions.  I wonder if sometimes I focus so much on the choir hitting the correct note, or pausing for the rest, that I neglect to simply love the folks in the choir.  Am I so concerned with the necessary administrative tasks at hand that I forget to give someone in our congregation a much needed hug?  Am I acting as a “resounding gong or clanging cymbal?”  Love is imperative to each of our ministry efforts, for without it, what have we truly gained?

Lord,

I pray for YOUR love to resonate through me as I plan, lead, and serve in your church.  I pray that others will see and know that You guide my every step in ministry and, above all, they will know Your love and I love them.

Amen

Humility through His Voice by Katie Kilgore

3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians

2:3-4 (NIV)

I am currently reading a text for one of my worship classes called “The Voice of Our Congregation.”  The author speaks of how each of our congregations has an collective voice in which they worship, speak, learn, and generally function.  As a choir director, I have often struggled with pushing the choir beyond their “comfort zone” and allowing them to remain in the mundane of what I consider to be the “same ol, same ol.”  There is such a fine line of leadership to this dilemma.  However, I have learned through this text that hearing the voice of the congregation and specifically the choir is vital to my leadership.  As a leader, I must first learn to hear from the One True Voice, the Holy Spirit. Without His divine leading in me, I am worthless.  So, here’s where humility is key.  Rather than choosing anthems and special music that I like, I must submit to the Holy Spirit’s leading while also remembering the voice with which our choir sings.  This is really difficult for me.  However, just last week as I was reading through this text, I had the opportunity to listen to some possible new music for the choir.  Honestly, had I not been in the midst of reading I would have shunned the opportunity for the sake of “that’s not MY choice of music.”  Instead, I popped the CD into my car and began listening.  I was pleasantly surprised in what I heard and even more aware of how the Lord is using this text to mold me as a worship and choir leader, bringing me back to humility once again.

Lord,

I pray for humility as I lead.  Help me to be confident, but only in your leading and your Voice.  Help me to be sensitive to the voice that has led our congregation for years before my arrival and will continue to lead for years after my departure.  I submit to your leadership Holy Spirit.

Amen

Discipline Equals True Discipleship by Katie Kilgore

For the moment, all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but in the end it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11

Discipline…not really a fun word or topic for discussion.  However, the significance of discipline in our faith journey is vital to the understanding of where we are going, or need to be headed…towards discipleship.  In Hebrews, we are told that discipline is painful.

I began my journey towards running a 5K race about a year ago now.  I knew as the date for the race neared that I must have a plan, a training plan, if I would somehow run the entire 3-mile race.  So, for 12 weeks leading up to the race, I trained.  The run times started off slow…as was my breathing.  Each week the run times would increase by only a small margin, however, I could feel it…the painful part of the training.  As the day of the race quickly neared, I still had not completed a full 5K run during my training.  However, I was assured by several “real runners” around me that it would happen the day of the race, as long as I was disciplined.  I held on to that hope and on that day, May 31, 2012, I did it, I ran a 5K race without stopping!  The right-ness with the Lord never felt so near as it did that night.  He did it!  He used my weak and tired body to cross the finish line.

As I think about my faith journey in comparison to that race, I ask myself where is the discipline?  I want so desperately to hear from the Lord.  To KNOW His plans for me, even if just for this day.  But, rather than blaming Him for not speaking, how about my part in this?  Do I seek Him through His word?  Most definitely not.  So now, the discipline of studying His scriptures must ensue, it will be painful for the moment, but in the end, He promises to bring His peaceful fruit of righteousness…so what am I waiting for…maybe the sound of the gun-start, I think I just heard it!

Lord, I hunger for your righteousness in my life.  I want to be trained by your written word of truth.  Please give me the discipline to choose daily to study Your word and You have promised to be faithful and speak through it.

Amen

Frightened and Fragile leads to Forgiveness By Katie Kilgore

The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love…He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.  As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. Psalm 103:8, 10-13

I have been a parent now for over seven years.  In that time, my husband and I have chosen to discipline our child with different forms of such depending on the offense.  A week or so ago we were faced with a new challenge in discipline that was not a fun episode.  Our seven year old told a lie.  It was blatantly obvious to us, but to him not so much.  It so happened that my husband has the not-so-good pleasure of being the disciplinarian on this particular evening.  As I sat in our kitchen, this is what I heard. “Son, you have lied to me and your Mother.  We don’t lie to you, so we expect that you don’t lie to us either.  I don’t believe that you have ever lied to us before, so I am going to give you a pass this time, but next time you will get a spanking.  Do you understand?”  Our son was sobbing like I had never heard him do before.   As I listened to the event unfold, the Holy Spirit gave me a clear picture of His mercy and grace that He freely gives us, His children.  If only we were as frightened and fragile from our behavior as our son was that night.  After all, forgiveness was all he needed…and it’s all we need from our heavenly Father.

Lord, help me to weep over my sins as my son did, and to weep often.  I am so thankful for the mercy and compassion that you show to me without end.  I am thankful that you allowed me the opportunity to witness an example of Your forgiveness through my husband and my son.

Amen