Author Archives: escalanteministries.com
Esteem Away
There are people in life whom I have held in great esteem. For example, when I was a young teenage girl many of the pop culture music stars had my attention. Now when I say they had that attention I don’t mean only when I watched a music video. I attended to their articles in popular magazines that decorated the checkout stands, watched the talk shows that they appeared on, and even news segments that highlighted their lives. I took the time to get to know who they were as an individual and valued what they had to say. As I was in my early twenties, I held a great regard for friends I had built a certain amount of trust for. Giving them the same type of attention as I did to those stars, I would take a genuine interest in their lives. Unfortunately, as my trust was breached I easily let go of the value I held for their words or even who they were as a human. This became my defense mechanism; a wall so carefully built that it could not be penetrated by people rather taken down by God himself.
During the season of what I call my “heart renovation”, I was very skeptical of people and their intentions, inadvertently keeping at bay great people for fear of a catosrophic repeat of pain. Yet, one day I came across these words in the Bible, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4). This verse literally changed my outlook on life and my position in it.
You see, I would give to people the attentive dedication only if I didn’t feel threatened-my good was the first thing considered; not theirs. However, this is not how God freed me to live. He has freed both you and I to live and give of ourselves unhindered. As God’s children, we don’t have to walk around guarded, or looking out for our own interest all of the time; that is our heavenly father’s role. We can freely look out for the good of others.
We can highly regard people over ourselves, this is the model that Jesus displayed on earth. Although it isn’t always easy to do, it is much easier than painstakingly building walls that keep you bound to the pain of the past. Esteem my dear friend, esteem away.
Teresa Escalante
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Join the Team
I have heard it said that “you can’t win a championship if you don’t get on a team”. While others may dispute the validity of this statement, I believe it is also true for the body of Christ.
The church as a whole needs people who are willing to serve and take part in their local congregations. When we serve in the church we call our church-home, it is as though the Lord breaks the walls that distinguish what is called a surviving church to a thriving church. Blessings are poured out on the congregation because it has been awakened from the lulls of its selfishness and pride (more on that in a later blog). Such as; prayers being answered, marriages healed, children return to the Lord, and people are freed from sickness and immorality.
Joining the team reveals your identity. Over the many years that I have worked my uniforms have changed, although one thing remains- my uniform reveals my position. It shows those with whom you come in contact with what and who you represent. It lets others know what they can or cannot expect from you. For example, suppose I needed a fire to be put out, I would go to a fire fighter before I would go to a policeman because of what the fire fighters title represents. I would expect that the fire can be extinguished because I have confidence in that firefighter’s ability due to his training and years of expertise. Although I may not know him personally, I recognize the uniform. Can we get others to recognize that we are sent and called to be a blessing?
Allow me to ask you this? When was the last time you ever thanked your pastor for his un-ending service to you and your family? Can you recall a moment that your pastor was there for you in your troubling hour? If I may ask again? When was the last time you had prayed for your pastor and his family?
I want to encourage the Christian who feels that they may not have a skill to go and serve anyway. Serve with a willing heart. Serve as though your life depended on it. Pray, share prayers, literally be the church. Then something will happen. A dynamic change will occur simply because you and I made time to help our pastor fulfill the God-given vision for this church.
It’s time to join the team!
Ignited,
Mike
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#1 FAN
Recently, my beautiful wife was preparing for a women’s ministry event. It has been some time since she last spoke or sung in front of such a large group, not to mention since we moved from Washington.
She was nervous- I could tell, and rather tell her to ignore those feelings I stepped out in faith and began to encourage her. I let her know how much her joy makes me happy. I began to share with her how much I do enjoy what she does for Jesus. To translate in MAN: I even showed interest in what she was doing.
The thought then hit me like a truck! Does my Teresa know that I am her #1 fan? Really think about it brothers? Does your bride know that you truly support her? She should. She should know that you love her, not just in action but also in words. Think about it men– she chose you. You should try not just once or twice but at every opportunity that you are a fan of her. When she wins you win.
1 Peter 3:7 tells us that when we dwell with our wives according to the knowledge of them… really seeing them as how God sees them…it helps us honor them. Yes she is a woman, but she is an extension of you (GEN 2:23).
Escalanteministries.com 