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Events Calendar has been updated with all of Dr. Lambs travels in the coming months. Check it out to see if he will be in your area soon! Planning an event? The LFL speakers bureau has a number of qualified life-affirming speakers ready to come to your area! |
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FORUM: If you have a local event you would like added to the calendar, email jrichard@lutheransforlife.org for instructions. |
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Equipped to be Christian Stewards God’s word says: “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:31-33). Are you worried or anxious about what you will eat or drink? Are you concerned about the type of clothes you wear? Do you trust God to supply all your daily needs? Are you worried about having enough money to pay your bills? How do we seek God’s Kingdom and His righteousness? Seeking His righteousness means remembering what Christ has done for us because He is the righteous one who was perfect and without sin. We are not. Other ways we seek God’s Kingdom is by praying for ourselves and others, studying God’s Word and reading devotions like Portals of Prayer. We talk to our family, friends, and those we meet about Jesus, the author and preserver of our faith. We talk to those we meet about life issues and our faith in Christ as Savior and Lord. As we put Him first we trust in the Lord with all our heart. We believe God’s promises. He has promised to take care of us. And He will. Even when difficult times come He walks with us through the trials of life. Another way we put God’s Kingdom first is by remembering the Church and its needs. We donate a portion of our earnings to the Lord’s work. 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 says, “The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” God’s Word teaches us a lot about being good Christian stewards. We remember that the Lord gave us everything—physical life, family, home, food, faith, and eternal life in heaven. God owns all our possessions. They are His, not ours. As we learn about stewardship through the Bible we become equipped to be Christian stewards. In 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 the Bible says, “Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come.” God’s word tells us to plan ahead for needs that will arise so we are not caught unaware. We should set aside some of what we earn for needs that will arise. Planning for the needs of the Church is just good stewardship. Sometimes financial needs come from bad choices and decisions someone made. It might be someone you don’t know at all. Or it might be your daughter or granddaughter who is pregnant and needs help and support. As we seek first His kingdom, we are there for friends and loved ones. We tell others of the importance of life, of God’s forgiveness through Christ, and give of our time, talents, and treasures to help. Do you know there are over one million nonprofit organizations in the United States? Many are Christian organizations that do wonderful mission work and accomplish much for the Lord. Lutherans For Life is one of them. Lutherans For Life has three initiatives that will help reach more people with the good news about life. The following are summaries of these initiatives: Renewal for Life®: This is a major initiative from Lutherans For Life that seeks to equip Lutheran congregations to be Christ-centered, enthusiastic, and ongoing voices for life. RFL is a way to help congregations incorporate life issues into their ongoing ministry. This initiative helps pastors and congregations deal with the life issues more effectively. Through RFL, we provide members with an online library of easy-to use, Word-based For Life resources. RFL also supports and trains Life Advocates who assist the pastor and other leaders in the congregation. These are volunteers from the congregation who are in contact with LFL, receive updates and ideas, research the online library, and organize and coordinate the life ministry of the congregation. Our current strategic plan includes securing needed funds to expand this initiative to include Directors for Renewal For Life in numerous states. In 2011 we hired our first part-time regional Renewal For Life Director of Texas. Jean Amundson, now works with Renewal For Life congregations, their leaders, and RFL volunteers. Teaching for Life®: Teaching For Life® is a Gospel-centered curriculum developed to help Lutheran school teachers apply God’s Word to the life issues. This curriculum teaches nine key pro-life concepts, one for each month of the school year, and provides ideas on how to integrate them into religion, math, social studies, and other subjects. As funds become available we will expand this initiative to include: adult Bible studies, Confirmation bookmarks, Sunday school resources, and a VBS curriculum.
Youth4Life: Our newest initiative, Youth4Life, seeks to establish LFL as a leader in providing Gospel-centered, For Life resources and creating opportunities for younger generations of Lutherans to have an influence on their peers in the Church and society. The first phase of this initiative includes establishing and maintaining relationships with leaders on Lutheran campuses of universities and high schools, and developing multi-media resources for the younger generations. We are currently developing an online, interactive training course for youth, young adults, and those who teach them, such as pastors, teachers and youth leaders How Can You Help? Start a Life Team ® As always, thank you for your prayers, volunteer service, and financial support. We pray that the Lord will bless you and equip you to serve and share Life. Together we are equipping Lutherans to speak up For Life in a loving, and Gospel-motivated manner and are making a difference in our world.
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RESOURCES: Christian Responsibility: New resources from the LFL conference on the RFL site:Kay Meyer, LFL’s Director of Development, shared a power point devotional at the LFL national conference. The script for “Equipped to be Christian Stewards” is included in the Development section. If you would like to use this power point, you can find the slides at http://www.rflonline.org/resources/christian-responsibility/teaching-tools/. Carol Tobias, president of the National Right to Life Committee, spoke on “Answering the Call of the Helpless”. You can view this video at http://www.rflonline.org/resources/christian-responsibility/audio-and-video/. LFL’s State Federation Presidents panel shared ideas and resources that individuals and LFL grassroots can use to promote life issues in congregations, schools, etc. Renewal For Life/Christian Responsibility/Audio and Video. Doug Merkey, president of Churches For Life: Equipping with Renewal For Life: Renewal For Life/Christian Responsibility/Audio and Visual. Corrie Ten Boom: The true story of Corrie Ten Boom, portrayed by Marlene Eidsmoe, was told at the close of the 2012 National LFL Conference. To view the video go to: Renewal For Life/Christian Responsibility/Audio and Visual. Equipping for the End of Life: Carl Schroeder, J.D. and Barb Kinast, R.N. presentation explored the changing medical ethics and societal values and the challenges Christians are now dealing with. Renewal For Life/End of Life/Audio and Visual.
Regional Director of Texas Update: “On June 21, Dr. Lamb announced Renewal For Life and introduced Jean Amundson as the first Regional Director of Texas to the LCMS Texas District Convention assembly. Following the announcement, he was asked to give a one minute Pod-Cast. We both felt that his announcement was well received and well worth his time to attend the convention.” Texas has a number of Life Teams in the works. 3 churches have taken the training from Churches For Life. Project Ideas for Life Teams: The Renewal For Life site has a number of project ideas for your Life Team. Click here to learn more. If your LifeTeam has a project idea you would like to share, please visit the FORUM – and join the Life Advocate group to connect and share with other LFL Life Teams!
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Life Team Training through Churches For Life: If your congregation is interested in participating in in-depth, Gospel-centered training, both for Life Advocates, and Life Teams, please contact jrichard@lutheransforlife.org for more information, or visit the Renewal For Life site at What is Renewal For Life/Life Team Training/Churches for Life
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Links: Word of Hope – LFL’s post-abortion ministry, which offers confidential, post-abortion referral, counseling, and reconciliation. Links to “Life Quotes” and “Life Thoughts” can also be found on the Renewal For Life home page. |
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Past issues of the Paraclete can be found on the RFL site in the What Is Renewal For Life/Life Team Training section. |
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RFL Team: Jerilyn Richard Kim Nessa |
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