Darcie's blog

has God hardened your heart?

23/5/2020

A friend of mine posted on a social network this: “14 times in the Bible God hardened someone’s heart. So if you’re having a hard time following God, maybe it’s his will.”

I immediately felt a sense of despair. Then I struggled and grappled with this. Firstly, I was concerned for his own soul - this view of God, his view of life - it’s kind of hopeless. And secondly, I felt conflicted because yes, these things he says are true - there are statements in the Bible in which it appears that God has hardened someone’s heart purposely, whereby not giving the person a choice in their response; but in the same regard, I also felt this idea doesn’t display the full understanding of who God is in all of His attributes.

As such, I had to do some study for myself. I want to share my findings with you, in order to give you confidence and comfort in the loving and accepting nature of God.

I have not been able to find all of the 14 instances that my friend spoke of, I found about 7 - there’s maybe more, I just haven’t found them yet.

Exodus probably has the story most well-known where God hardened the heart of the Pharaoh and his officials. Israel was trying to get away from Egypt. Of course Egypt didn’t want them to go - Israel was their workforce! God provided sign after sign (the plagues) which brought suffering on the Egyptian people. God hardened the Pharaoh's heart in order that HIS strength and sovereignty would be understood, not only by the Egyptians but the whole world at that time. As Israel’s God brought them deliverance through truly awesome ways, news spread ahead of them, putting fear in the hearts of the nations that were in their path next.

Therefore, the hardening of his heart wasn't about Pharoah. It was about the establishing of a whole nation into the promise which God had made hundreds of years before, which literally changed the face of the world.

Most of the examples I found were similar in nature to this incident - it was about God needing to do something BIG in order to fulfil a prophecy, an agenda or promise. It had nothing to do with an individual - God’s hand in this had to do with national issues. (The other instances I found also took place with kings/nations which Israel was to subdue as they took over the Promised Lands or kings during the times of the prophets)

Going back to my friend's statement, he suggests if a person is having a hard time following God that it must be God’s will. I’d like to suggest a different mindset - that 99.999999% of the time, God is trying to “win” you over, show you who He is, draw you into His family, accepting you for who you are. Here are some scriptures that I think back this up well.

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)
[God] wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (I Timothy 2:4)
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live! (Ezekiel 18:23, 32)
As he says in Hosea: “I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people; and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one. (Romans 9:25 and Hosea 2:23)
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)
For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. (I Timothy 2:5-6)
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. (Titus 2:11)
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. (I John 4:9)
[God] accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. (Acts 10:35)
For through him we [both Jews and Gentiles] have access to the Father by one Spirit. (Ephesians 2:18)
I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.(John 10:9)
...whoever comes to me I will never cast out. (John 6:37)

God doesn’t want anyone to suffer or die or to live apart from Him. He takes pleasure when ANYONE follows him. He is calling each person. I propose the problem is some people have walked so far away they can’t hear Him any more, or refuse to choose to listen.

God is always making a way to be with Him. There’s a story that Jesus told about a shepherd who left his whole flock of sheep just to look for 1 that was missing - he went out of his way to look for that one! That’s what Jesus did - leaving his heavenly home, going out of His way to make sure we all had a way to get to Him.

So unless God is going to use you to display His sovereignty to a nation or nations, I think it’s safe to say that He has hopes that you turn to Him

Don’t let the struggle, the difficulties of life, the sadness assume to tell you that God doesn’t care or that he didn’t make a way for you. He has, and he wants to show you His character which is loving and accepting.

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The Missionaries' Backbone

14/4/2019

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Finding purpose as a logistical missionary - Part 2

I have a friend who works in the Records office for our Mission. I know it sounds weird, but he loves records. He once told me it’s because Records show the story of people, and a journey of their development and where God is taking them! I’m inspired to hear him talk this way.

Most of us, including myself, have entered into missions to work with people. When we hear of a job opening in the ‘Records Office’, or other such logistical role, some people even think “Well, I could do that at home and make money doing it - I didn’t come to missions to do that!”

Backbone Staff* is a term used to describe those within a missions setting who hold roles that are operational, logistical or administrative. It’s called “Backbone” because without these roles, many other ministries wouldn’t happen, or wouldn’t happen quite so effectively. Just like our backbone, they hold up and support the other parts. I mean, where would everyone be in a ministry without the computer networks? Or buildings being maintained?
In Acts, the new Church found this also to be the case. They obviously had some type of food pantry or meals service for the poor and widows, like many churches and ministries now have. This was being run by the church leaders (the apostles), because, as still happens today, the church leaders are often the ones doing most of the church work. But it was getting too much. They couldn’t do both the preaching and discipleship, and the ministry to the needy. So they appointed people to be servers.

This appointment was in no way a statement to say the preaching ministry was more important! Actually, what I read says completely contrary to that. They were recognizing that both ministries must happen. If the apostles were not preaching, then the gospel was not getting out there; but they didn’t want the mercy ministries to suffer. The preaching is the gift THEY had, and they recognized that others had the gift of administration and mercy. So they appointed HOLY SPIRIT-filled church members to serve; even praying and commissioning them into their task!
(When was the last time we commissioned in prayer the secretary, the nursery workers or the maintenance guy?)
What I also notice is Stephen had a mercy heart, he served in this practical task. But he was able to preach, and did so right before his death. (Acts 6)

Just because you serve in a logistical or administrative role, doesn’t mean you have to give up all other types of ministries as well. I work administratively, but several times a year I get the chance to teach. My friend John, in the Records office, gets to travel, teach, meet people and lead worship. My friend Wayne works in the maintenance department but he weekly works with the kids at his church. Gary is the IT guy, but also serves in the kids ministry at church. My friend Christina worked in YWAM hospitality, often making baked-goods, cause she knows it will make people smile and sees that as a part of her ministry.

It’s not about the task. “Whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father…” (Colossians 3:17). I’m glad I can do what I do. I am supporting others in what they do. I’m so thankful for all the others who do the same, in missions and church ministry all over the world.

And even for those of you who serve practically a few hours a week in your church or local ministry or charity group - thank you. It’s a job well needed and well appreciated.

*Operational roles and Backbone staff in a missionary organization might refer to such positions within the ministry as - office workers, kitchen staff, hospitality, marketing, IT, maintenance, administrators, personnel, property and project managers, communications, media, finance office, etc.

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Why I'm not in the FBI

28/10/2018

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Finding purpose as a logistical missionary - Part 1

Before deciding on a career as a Christian missionary, I didn’t want to do anything remotely administrative. As a matter of fact, at one stage in my teenage years I thought of going into the FBI. I looked into what types of college courses one would need to pursue that as a career, and it was suggested that an Accountancy major was the best option. Well, I quickly moved away from pursuing an FBI career!

So as I came into missions work, I started out working as a discipleship mentor of young people, and facilitating the discipleship programs. This was good, I enjoyed it and grew a lot myself; and hopefully others grew too! I don’t think I was terrible at it.

I remember talking with a volunteer staying with us at YWAM for a few months - she was planning to go into missions long term and she said she was passionate about Administration and Children.

I could see this to be true in her life, she did both of these things well. But, what a strange combination, I thought; and how strange it was for someone to actually enjoy administration, and admit to it, when they obviously had a heart for missions and people. It was a concept that I couldn’t seem to wrap my head around.

Then God started dealing with my own heart on the matter and the gifts and skills he put into my own life. It took a few years - and to be honest probably still struggle with it a little bit from time to time. I am good at administration. But never thought this was something interesting, or attractive.

However, as the years went on, my ability to administrate was made more and more obvious to other leaders around me.

But I refused to listen. In all honesty I felt like it was a lesser role - lesser valued, less important, less effective. Even though in my head I knew this was not true, but it is subconsciously what I felt.

It was a process, but through the help of one of my leaders, I became aware of the skills God gave me, and realized I could be of service in so many other ways using those skills, instead of denying them and trying to force myself into some other role. So that’s what I do now, I administrate, facilitate, manage and teach.

I don’t think I’m the best at these things either, I don’t think I have some special talent or anything, but I can do it and I can do it well enough to serve and be productive in what I do.

Over the years God continues to show me that he puts in each person skills, gifts, strengths and talents that are useful - and we just have to use them in a way that is pleasing to Him.

What I think is pleasing and honoring to God comes just by simply using those skills - with integrity, and respect of others, and to our best, and uplifting others, and seeking the Holy Spirit in our decisions.

I think Nehemiah is a good example of this - an example to my own life, I suppose. Nehemiah has a whole book named as such in the Bible. We’ve probably all assumed he was one of those full-time prophets, that did nothing but preach to Israel all day. Actually, the way I see it, Nehemiah was a Project Manager.

He saw a need no one else was filling - the need for the wall of Jerusalem to be rebuilt. He recruited people, he arranged supplies, he negotiated with superiors and opposers, he arranged a census; and once in awhile, he also had to play the role of the Prophet as he saw Israeli leaders treating their own people unfairly or not following certain commands.*

I feel we can learn a lot from this guy - I know I have. It’s not about the specific tasks themselves, it’s understanding the purpose of it, and the results from it. And ultimately, taking God with us in whatever we do in service to him and others.

We all want to find purpose in what we do. But even when we don’t know the purpose, know that we can do it with excellence, using our abilities to the best we can, serve God and people, ask for joy and peace, and don’t forget the Holy Spirit is there to help.

*See the book of Nehemiah in the Old Testament for more details about his life and work.

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3 Reasons why you shouldn't support missionaries

20/6/2018

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As a long term missionary, I was thinking one day about my support raising strategies. And the thought occurred to me - Why would people want to support us? Then my overly analytical brain decided to work overtime and I began realizing there are actually some reasons why people SHOULDN’T support missionaries. And although this seems to be in conflict with my desired outcome, it seemed good to explore this.

1. You shouldn’t support missionaries because their job is more important than yours.

Unfortunately, many attest to the phrase “working for the Lord” or “doing the Lord’s work” as a way to define anyone in a vocational Christian ministry field (such as pastors and missionaries). They feel that those in this ‘field’ have more ‘Godly’ work and is more important than what they do as a secretary, a manager, a plumber, or a designer. With that mindset it leads to the thought process of “well, I can’t work for the Lord since I’m in this job, so I should give my money so I can at least do something ‘for the Lord’”.

Paul the Apostle said, “Whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father…” (Colossians 3:17).

A missionary’s job is not more important than yours, it’s not more Godly than yours, and it’s not necessarily doing a better job of reaching people for Christ than yours.

2. You shouldn’t support missionaries because you’ll get a financial reward.

Yes, there is a number of scriptures that discuss generosity, and even a couple that suggest reward and fulfilment for your giving. I love these scriptures and am challenged by them myself. I think we all can, and need to, learn how to be more generous.

However, if we’re giving to missionaries because in some way we think that it magically means we’ll get your own financial reward here on earth, I don’t believe this the formula God intended.

3. You shouldn’t support a missionary if you feel guilty or manipulated.

This goes with point 1 as well - if you’re giving because you think you can’t ‘work for the Lord’.
Or there may be other reasons for your guilt:

If the missionary is your family member and you can’t stand to see them going ‘without’
If the missionary has given a compelling argument that you feel manipulated by
If you feel you’ve let God down for not giving

Paul says, “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

So the choice is yours, you either give because you want to or you don’t.

On another note -

Should you give to a missionary if their social media feed looks like they’re having too much fun?

The first thing to note here is we all know that a person’s social media feed usually shows the bright side of life, the good times, and the nice moments. And so, missionaries are likely doing the same - posting photos of fun with friends, the pretty places around them and the good times.

Rarely on social media will you see missionaries sharing of the boring tasks they have to do (which, believe it or not, come with any job), the long days of trying to get all their work done, the heartache of missing family and family events, the conflicts they have with friends who may also be their colleagues (or even worse, their supervisor), the questioning thoughts they have if they really should be doing this ... Everyone has difficult parts of their life, but most don’t broadcast those to the world. Most of us put out on the social platform only the good things we want other people to know about. Missionaries are no different.

The second thing to note here is the concept that missionaries shouldn’t have fun. I hope you don’t think this. Missionaries often are working long hours, because 1) There’s always more to do, and 2) due to the job being unsalaried, there are less people to do the job (“the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few…”). I think that everyone needs some down time. It’s called rest.

I’ve been there. Once, my husband and I were provided with a week at a holiday unit just 5 minutes walk to a beautiful beach, including a car for the week and groceries - and all this from a pastor and church who hardly knew us! As a missionary, I actually find it hard to share those beautiful experiences with others, for fear they may think I misused my support money in some way.

I was saddened by the occasion I met a missionary who moved his whole family to a remote part of the world. As he showed us his house, he made it clear that his house and some personal belongings were paid for by the sale of their family house in their home nation before they left, and not paid for from their supporter income. Apparently, he felt some may not feel it appropriate for them to live in a proper house, and so he needed to clarify to us as guests (and fellow missionaries!) where those funds came from!

So why DO we give to missionaries then?

If we think back to Old Testament times, God put in place the tribe of Levi to do the ‘religious’ duties. God didn’t give them any land of their own, but told the rest of the Israelite people they were to provide for the tribe of Levi for their service.

Now, in no way am I suggesting that we are to consider Old Testament living with the religious rituals, as God’s plan for now.

What I am suggesting is this: Most vocations have a product which you use to barter, trade or sell for another product, service or monies. In Christian ministry, there is not specifically anything to sell to gain an income, no physical trade off to pay the bills.

Therefore, those in Christian ministry as a dedicated vocation rely on the financial support of other Christians. We all know pastors do it this way. And those in missions service don’t have a specific congregation as pastors do, so they raise funds through their connections.

Try this:
If you have been giving out of guilt, talk to God about it. Decide in your heart what you WANT to give, and then do it. Repent of your guilt, and take on God’s grace.

If you have decided you want to give, also decide TOWARDS WHAT you want to give - a person, a cause, a ministry.
In closing I’m obviously by no means suggesting you should stop supporting missionaries. Just consider why you’re doing it or why you’re not doing it. Then decide for yourself (with God) what you want to do and then let God do the rest.

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My first blog: I have a problem with blogs

12/8/2017

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I’ve been trying to decide whether to write a blog or not. There are so many out there - is another one needed? Everyone is doing one - so, should I?

But everyone once in awhile, I just have a thought to share that I wonder if it would help others. So I’m going to try my hand at this. And for my first blog, I’m going to tell you my problem with blogs!

I actually have a problem with blogs. Not all blogs as a concept. Rather, a growing concern over the merit that is given to the writings of an individual, simply putting their thoughts and opinions into the world wide web, and those that read them not keeping their minds and emotions in check.

As we are in an age of information, there are books, articles, blogs, research, memes, studies, talk shows, and documentaries about anything and everything under the sun. Many of these are well-written. Many of them contain truth or light. But as Abraham Lincoln once said “Don’t trust everything you read on the internet.”

My concern is as we read a well-meaning article (blog, book, documentary), we are easily swayed by whatever the opinion or pre-supposition is of the writer, simply because it’s communicated well.

We have to remember that many people writing blogs are just sharing their opinions, or their observations of life, how they’re dealing with life. They may not be experts. They may not have full perspective or wisdom. Just what they’ve experienced.

For example, I have read blogs which I knew I probably disagreed with this writer’s sentiments. But as I read, he was very persuasive, using personal experiences and emotional connections which I realized clouded my judgement. Instead of rational thought and leaning on my understanding of Biblical truths, my own emotions were turning my thoughts against what I believed.

I’m not saying we SHOULDN’T be open to other ways of thinking. Actually, just the opposite. We need to be open to what is truth. And we also need to hear others opinions in order to get a perspective of the world and what others are going through. But that means what we view on TV or read in blogs and articles needs to be scrutinized and analyzed and not just accepted.

The Bible says “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.” (2 Timothy 4:3)

I don’t think most of us go around desiring to find things that are wrong to believe in or to have an opinion on. But we are very easily moved by our emotions. There are some really good communicators out there. But don’t let the flowing words and heart-felt ideas lead you to assuming its right.

Here’s what we SHOULD do:

By all means, read, watch and listen. Get information.
If you’re a Christian, take the opinions expressed in that piece to the Bible. Do a study on the concepts presented. If you’re not sure how to do that, get together with someone else.
For everyone, even if you’re not a Christian, consider these ideas:
- Is this concept loving to me and loving to others?
- Is this concept morally and ethically right and just?
- Why do I believe what I believe? Is it because that’s what I’ve been taught? Is it because that’s the current popular mindset?

There’s plenty out there about politics, social issues, religion, parenting styles, or opinions on what diet will give the best results... Don’t just go along with something because it “just makes sense” or it’s the current popular opinion, or because some celebrity said it, or a well-known pastor said it. But also don’t just throw it out the door because of that either.

Don’t create for yourself a set of values, beliefs or way of life just by what a well-spoken, passionate or emotive communicator can give you.

Find what truth there might be in the message. But ultimately find truth, by what is right, loving, integrous, and built around God’s word.

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has God hardened your heart?

The Missionaries' Backbone

Why I'm not in the FBI

3 Reasons why you shouldn't support missionaries

My first blog: I have a problem with blogs

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