August 2007 Pearls of Encouragement
for Christian Working Moms
Welcome
Blog/Online Bible Study
Article – Are you a People Pleaser or a God
Pleaser?
Final Thoughts
Welcome
How are you doing? Are you enjoying
your summer? Yesterday, we topped out at 100 degrees.
It is so hot here and I’m staying inside. We
just finished school shopping and ended up spending
two days trying to find modest clothes for my daughter.
How frustrating!!! If you have a daughter you know
what I mean.
We continue to have new Christian Working
Moms from all over the world. You all are welcomed
to the CWM community. If you ever want to read any
back issues of Pearls of Encouragement for CWM you
can go to http://www.christianworkingmom.com/newsletters/archives.htm.
Below you will see a link for Pocket
Power. This is an organization that will give you
30 free gospels of John a month. They have many different
designs. You can give the gospels of John to the check-out
person at the grocery store; leave them at restaurants,
etc. So, check it out for an easy way to share your
faith.
PocketPower.org
Use sponsor number 245460 when you sign up.
Blog/Online Bible Study
We have had some real good discussions
on the CWM Blog. A current question is, “How
could your church support you as a CWM?” We
also have questions in the open comment section. I
know a lot of you read the blog, but don’t post.
That is fine, but we would love to hear from you.
The CWM Blog is at http://christianworkingmoms.blogspot.com.
There are 6 lessons posted for the Online
Bible Study. Hopefully, I will add another one soon.
August is always a crazy month for me. The Online
Bible Study can be found at http://cwmbiblestudy.blogspot.com.
Please share your thoughts and comments there as well.
Article – Are you a People Pleaser
or a God Pleaser?
Recently I heard a very good sermon
on this topic and wanted to share some thoughts with
you. Do you aim to please people or God? I think as
women we often are people pleasers, we try to keep
everyone happy. Often we keep everyone happy at the
expense of ourselves. What does the Bible say about
whom we are to please?
In 2 Corinthians 5:9 it says, “So we make it
our goal to please him, whether we are at home in
the body or away from it.” Colossians 1:10 says,
“And we pray this in order that you may live
a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every
way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in
the knowledge of God.”
So, I would like you ask yourself some
questions and I hope they change your perspective
like they did mine:
1. Do I seek the praise of others more
than God?
2. Do I truly believe that I am God’s
child and he loves me no
matter what? There is nothing I can do to lose his
love.
3. Do I seek to please God?
4. When people see my life do they see
I’m more concerned
about my self or others?
5. Do people see Jesus in me? Do people
see Jesus’ love
expressed through me to them?
As children of God we reflect God’s
characteristics. Jesus is living in us so we reflect
his love to others. In our work place, home life,
and church life we need to be sure we don’t
stamp the name of Jesus on anything we would be ashamed
of or he would be ashamed of. Colossians 3:17 says,
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed,
do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks
to God the Father through him.” Jesus lives
in us and we are his ambassadors to a hurting world.
Listen to this statement from the sermon, “All
of me belongs to all of Christ, all of Christ belongs
to all of me.” Spend some time pondering that
statement. There is nothing we can separate from Christ.
We are Christ followers and people do see Jesus in
us. What characteristics of Jesus are they seeing?
In conclusion, I’m afraid most
of us spend more time trying to please others than
pleasing God. How different would our lives be and
look like if our focus was on pleasing our heavenly
Father and not others. When we please our heavenly
Father we will give and love others sacrificially.
We need to long to hear from God, “Well done
my good and faithful servant.” instead of the
praise of men or women. Remember who is living in
you and through you. You love others not through your
own strength and power, but through the power of Jesus
Christ.
Final Thoughts
What a comfort to know God loves us
period!!! I need to hear that and live that promise.
Please take comfort in God’s love for you today.
Till next time,
Kimberly M. Chastain
Kimberly M. Chastain, MS, LMFT is
the Christian Working Mom Coach and a Licensed Marriage
and Family Therapist. She is the author of 2 ebooks
and an online Bible study. You can find more information
at
www.christianworkingmom.com.
For a free, initial coaching session send an email
to
free@kimberlychastain.com.
