International Women’s Day of Prayer
March 3, 2007
Resource Packet
“Just Like Jesus”
Prepared by Joy Butler
South Pacific Division
General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists
Department of Women’s Ministries
Table of Contents
PAGE
About
the Writer 3
Order
of Service 4
Sermon 5
Sermon
Outline 9
God’s
Promises 10
Children’s
Story 13
Extra Resources
God Has Heard 16
God Heard the Prayers in Modern
Waiting on God to Answer 19
Praying can be so Simple 20
God’s Faithfulness to Me 21
Poem 22
About the Writer
Joy Butler, Director of Women’s Ministries and Coordinator of Prayer Ministries, South Pacific Division of the Seventh-day Adventist church is Married to Bob Butler, Manager of the Adventist Retirement Villages in Sydney, NSW and they have three adult children.
Joy has a major concern for the poor and hurting women of the world, especially in the developing and war torn countries. She helps to raise funds for the ADRA Thailand Keep Girls Safe Project, which helps young girls avoid prostitution, sex slavery, and abuse. She is also the Christian Outreach Superintendent for the World Woman’s Christian Temperance Union as of April, 2004.
When relaxing she enjoys – bush walking, canoeing, reading (including history and theology), ministering to the elderly, playing the piano, and listening to classical music. Her greatest desire is to encourage women to have a close walk with Jesus and to use their God-given gifts to spread His love to their own families and to the communities in which they live. She endeavors to help women look beyond their immediate environment to the bigger issues of the global village we now live in. She lives and serves enthusiastically and with passion to bring honor and glory to God.
Suggested Order of Service
Women’s Ministries Day of Prayer
March 3, 2007
Call to Worship & Welcome
Opening Song
“In the heart of Jesus”
SDA Hymnal No. 577
Pastoral Prayer
Use this time to pray for the world’s women and especially Adventist women as they meet and pray together. Pray for them to be women of courage and spirit who will be women of mercy, just like Jesus. Pray for Women’s Ministries.
Have a silent time to pray for individual needs. Open and close this time with music.
Offering
Musician to play music that emphasizes prayer
Offering Song
Choose own
God’s Promises Drama
See provided notes for this – 3 readers
Special Item/music
Have someone sing/play a song about prayer eg “There is a place of quiet rest”
SDA Hymnal No.495
Children’s story
See provided story
Sermon
See provided sermon
Closing Hymn
Rescue the Perishing
SDA Hymnal No. 367 or 311
Closing Prayer
Preacher
Sermon
Just Like Jesus
By Joy Butler
Director of Women’s Ministries, South Pacific Division
Welcome and Introduction to sermon
Scripture
David Livingstone was a famous missionary doctor who lived
his life in the way he thought Jesus would have wanted. Livingstone grew up in
God wants us to live our lives like David Livingstone, who put God’s will for his life above his own desires. When Jesus lived on this earth He made it very clear that He came to help people and to make a difference in their lives and in the world. His example is to help us know and understand how He wants us to live in this world.
We should live in homes where there is no place for fighting, unkind or harsh words; and where serving God and showing His love is first in our lives. We need to live here as Christians, in Christian homes and environments where love is the basis of all we are and do. The name Christian – means someone who lives like Christ – and those who do so are known as followers of Christ. Let’s look at Jesus’ life and see what He was like.
The Jews had been waiting a long time for a liberator, the
Anointed One. They knew the words of
Jesus knew very clearly who He was and what He was here for. He knew He had come to open the eyes of the blind and to set free the prisoners. He knew He was to set free those who were abused and oppressed, those who suffered domestic violence and cruelty and any kind of slavery. He knew He was here to heal the sick – those who had leprosy and who were untouchable – just like the millions who have HIV/AIDS today. And He did that.
Most importantly Jesus knew that He could not do anything of His own strength. He needed the help of His Father. And so He spent much time in prayer before and after He worked. He found quiet places, whether on the mountainside or by the lake, to be with His Father to talk, and to gain courage for the work He must do.
In the world today there are millions of suffering people –
millions are starving, 40,000 die every day of AIDS, there are 143 million
orphans in the world live and most of them live in
We know that God is on His way and while we wait we are to serve those around us just like Jesus did. We are to tell them of Jesus and His soon return. We are to tell them of the hope we have. We are to share the Good News.
Listen to this quote from an article written by E. G. White in the magazine Signs of the Times, 1889
“We want a religion that has some consolation in it, that has joy and peace and love in it to recommend it to others. Our religion should be of that heavenly character that will impress the world with the fact that we have been with Jesus and have learned of him.”
(At this time in the sermon invite a missionary or someone who works in
the community to share with the congregation about their ministry. Encourage
them to talk about their prayer life and how dependent they are on it. This will all be arranged before the sermon.)
(If you choose not to do this then share one or two of the stories
found at the end of this packet or the poem..)
Let us pray for ………. And show them our support today (Invite
It is our responsibility too, as Christians, as a church, to
live our belief in Christ. God seeks
obedience and justice – not just an act of formal worship or sacrifice. The whole chapter of
In this chapter, which the early Adventist pioneers quoted over and over again, we see the importance of ‘doing the truth’ instead of only ‘having the truth’.
In
Verse 13 says “Whoever
shuts her ears to the cry of the poor, will also cry herself and not be heard.”
Verse 21 says “She who
follows righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness and honour.”
The story is told of an elderly widow, who was restricted in her activities, but she was eager to serve Christ. After praying about this, she realized that she could bring blessing to others by playing the piano.
The next day she placed a small ad in the newspaper that read, “Pianist will play hymns over the phone daily for those who are sick and despondent. The service is free.” The notice included the number to dial. When people called, she would ask, “What hymn would you like to hear?”
Within a few months her playing had brought cheer to several hundred people. Many of them freely poured out their hearts to her, and she was able to help and encourage them.
What is God calling you to do? Where does He want you to serve? When you think of the unsaved in your community, your family, your neighborhood – what is your ministry? What do people want? The age in which we live is one where people are tired of talk. They want to see action. They don’t want to hear about Jesus, they want to see Jesus.
One song writer wrote these words, “You’re the only Jesus some will ever see. You’re the only words of life some will every read.”
So if we are to be just like Jesus. Then we must serve as He served. E. G. White tells us in Desire of Ages, E.G. White, pp 217
“Jesus was to do His
work, not with the clash of arms and the overturning of thrones and kingdoms,
but through speaking to the hearts of men by a life of mercy and self
sacrifice.”
The work of service is one that reaches to the hearts of those we serve. It is one that calls for us to reach out and touch individual lives just like Jesus did.
In Ministry of Healing pp 143, E. G. White writes,
“Christ’s method ALONE
will give true success in reaching people. The Savior mingled with [people] as
one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to
their needs, and won their confidence. THEN He bade them, ‘follow
Me’."
Again the an article in the Review and Herald magazine,
April
“At times, in
contemplating heavenly things, my heart has been filled with a rapturous joy
and love that is very precious, but that no words can describe. I love Jesus, I
love his law; I want to be like Jesus, that I may reflect his image perfectly.
I want to lie low at the foot of the cross, that I may be nothing, and Christ
may be all in all.”
I thank God that Jesus came to show us the righteous and just heart of God, the God of love of mercy, the God who wants to see captives free and hurting people healed.
This is why Jesus, the King of Heaven, came as a baby, to a very poor girl, born in a poor place, amongst poor people and lived a poor life – He can identify with the poorest and lowliest and so should we. What a great God we worship today.
Let’s sing and pray about this now. Let’s sing first -
Hymn 367 or 311 – Rescue the Perishing – sing it slowly from the heart
Let’s pray in groups of 2/3 and respond to God’s call on our lives to live prayerfully and to respond in living lives of mercy and self sacrifice. Let’s pray that we will be like Jesus.
Sermon Outline
“Jesus – Man of mercy”
Welcome and Introduction to sermon – title is “Just Like Jesus.”
Scripture
Opening Story
Tell the story of David Livingstone or any other famous person you know of in your country or the world, who was a person who showed mercy and self sacrifice and was a praying person.
Body of Sermon
Jesus came to earth to give us an example of how we should live and serve others. He showed us that we must rely on God for our strength to do this work and that it is our responsibility as Christians to live as Jesus lived.
Guest Speaker for 10 minutes
(Arrange for a returned missionary or some person in your congregation
who serves in some capacity in the community or overseas to speak for 10
minutes. Have this arranged in advance and invite them to tell about their work
and how they do the work of Jesus)
Pray for the guest speaker
Response
It is our responsibility as Christians, as a church, to act out our belief in Christ. God seeks for those who are willing to be His touch in a hurting world.
Closing
Story of Elderly Widow
Appeal Song and Pray
Sing hymn 367 or 311 first. Then call for those who desire that God will use them to serve others as Jesus did. Then pray in small groups and ask God to help us to open our hearts to the hurting people around us.
Ask the congregation to be quiet when people have finished praying and wait until everyone is silent.
Benediction
God’s Promises
When you are WEAKEST, GOD is ABLE to make YOU a PERSON of POWER
“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles.” Isaiah 40:31
“The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1
“The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:2
“So … do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you.” Isaiah 41:10-12
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Drama of God’s Promises
Satan seeks to keep us in bondage by telling us lies. Over the years many of us have come to believe these lies.
The following small
drama is full of truth promises versus
the lies we have believed.
(Select three people to do this: Two to read alternately the first part and the main reader to answer with the Scripture. This can be very well acted out by animated readers and is a very powerful Scripture reading. Stating the source of each verse is optional.)
1st reader “It’s impossible”
Reader God says “All things are possible.” Luke 18:27
2nd reader “I’m too tired.”
Reader God says “I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
1st reader “I can’t go on.”
Reader God says “My grace is sufficient for you.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
2nd reader “I’m not able.”
Reader God says ‘I AM able.” 2 Corinthians 9:8
1st reader “I don’t have enough faith.”
Reader God says “I’ve given everyone a measure of faith.”
Romans 12:3
2nd reader “I feel so empty.”
Reader God says “I came to give you ABUNDANT LIFE.”
John 10:10
1st reader “My life seems hopeless.”
Reader God says “I came to give you LIFE and a future.” John 14:1-3
2nd reader “I feel so alone.”
Reader God says “I am with you always.” Matthew 28:20
1st reader “My life is falling apart.”
Reader God says “Underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deuteronomy 33:27
2nd reader “Nobody cares about me.”
Reader God says “I care for you 1 Peter 5:7 see, I have engraved you on the palm of my hands.” Isaiah 49:16
1st reader “I am afraid.”
Reader God says “I have not given you a spirit of fear, but of love and power and a self controlled mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
2nd reader “Doesn’t God see my tears?”
Reader God says “I carry your sorrows Isaiah 53:4 and I weep with you. John 11:35
1st reader “I feel so lost.”
Reader God says “I am the way.” John 14:6
2nd reader “I feel beaten.”
Reader God says “I have made you more than a conqueror.”
Romans 8:37
1st reader “I feel bound.”
Reader God says “I am your deliverer.” Romans 11:26
2nd reader “I am confused.”
Reader God says “I am your counsellor, come to me any time.” Isaiah 9:6
1st reader “I am a failure.”
Reader God says “I have made you an over-comer.” 1 John 5:4
2nd reader “I am friendless.”
Reader God says “I am a friend that sticks closer to you than any brother.” Proverbs 18:24
1st reader “I am in darkness.”
Reader God says “My word is a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path.” Psalm 119:105
2nd reader “I feel misjudged.”
Reader God says “You are accepted and approved by me.”
Ephesians 1:6
1st reader “I am poor.”
Reader God says “I shall supply all your needs.” Philippians 4:19
2nd reader “I am troubled.”
Reader God says “I am your peace.” John 14:27
1st reader “I feel vulnerable.”
God says God says “I am your strength and your strong tower.”
Psalm 18:2
2nd reader “I feel worthless.”
Reader God says “Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life.” Matthew 13:46
“LORD SINCE THIS IS HOW YOU SEE ME, THEN I CHOOSE TO SEE MYSELF THAT WAY TOO AND ACT ACCORDINGLY. IN CHRIST’S NAME I PRAY, AMEN.”
Children’s Story
The Lost Purse
By
A Grandma from
“Derek, would you please go down to the grocery store and get me a few things?” his Mom asked when he got back from school.
“Sure, Mom,” Derek replied. “What do you want from the store?”
“Here’s the list, and here’s the purse with money in it. Do be careful with it. And please drop in at Auntie’s on the way and give her this paper I promised her.”
Derek put away his books and started off toward the store. After crossing the road, he walked under the railway bridge and came near the field where some of his friends were playing ball.
“Derek, come join us!” they shouted.
“I can’t stop now,” he called back. “I have to get some groceries for my Mom. But I’ll hurry, so I can play when I get back.”
On he went, waving to some men who were repairing a weak spot in the road. Soon he arrived at his aunt’s house and delivered the paper for his Mom. Then he continued on to the store.
When he was ready to pay for the groceries, Derek felt in his pocket for the purse, but it was missing! He searched frantically, turning out all his pockets, but it was nowhere to be found. Maybe he had lost it at his aunt’s house. He hurried back the way he had come.
Derek’s aunt was also distressed when she learned about the loss. The two of them searched the house, the front yard, and the street – but to no avail.
“Did you stop anywhere else?” Auntie asked.
“No, I was in a hurry,” Derek answered.
“Did you take anything out of your pocket?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
Auntie smiled reassuringly. “Don’t worry. We’ll pray that you’ll find the money again, and I’m sure God will help us out.”
Derek and his Aunt knelt down and asked God to help them solve their problem. When they had finished praying, Auntie handed Derek some money. “Here take this, and get the things your Mom wants. She can pay me back later. I’m sure your lost money will be found.”
In spite of Auntie’s confidence, Derek wasn’t happy. With a heavy heart he bought the groceries and headed home to tell Mom what had happened.
“Auntie thinks God will send the money back. I hope He does. Do you think He will, Mom?”
Derek’s Mom just sighed. She couldn’t afford to lose any money. But since there was nothing she could do, she turned her attention to preparing the evening meal.
The sun was just beginning to set when Derek’s Mom stepped outside to call the children in for supper. Her face still wore a worried look as she called, “Come, children. Wash your hands, and we’ll eat.”
Then noticing that the gate was open, she asked Derek to close it. But before Derek could reach the gate, a black dog darted inside, wagging his tail and looking pleased with himself. He ran up to Derek and dropped something at his feet.
The boy quickly stopped down and picked it up. He stared at the object in his hands for a second, hardly believing what he saw. It was the lost purse! He opened it – slowly. There was the money inside, just as Mom had given it to him.
“Mom, Mom, here’s the purse,” Derek exclaimed, handing it to her. “This little dog brought it here! God did send the money back to us.”
The family crowded around the dog. “He doesn’t live on our street,” Mom remarked. “How did he know that the purse belonged here?”
“Maybe the dog didn’t know, but God did,” Derek said. “Auntie was sure that He would help us.”
“Let’s thank Him right now,” Mom suggested. And together they bowed their heads and thanked God for answering their prayers.
Extra Resources
God Has Heard
by Carmen de Guzman-Sarmiento
Southern-Asia Pacific Division
It was almost one o’clock in the
morning when I got up to pray but my husband, Eljun, would not join
me. Often I would pray alone in the middle of the night and with tears I
would bring my petitions to God.
Just like any newlywed couples all we wanted from God was
a child. Sometimes, out of desperation and my earnest desire to have my
own child, I would resort to daydreaming—kissing and cuddling a baby—longing to
have my own.
My husband and I had set a special prayer time for this
request. But after more than two years of waiting, our hopes started to
fade. My husband was on the verge of giving up. God seemed to have shut
His ears from hearing us. Eljun did not want to pray with me anymore. And
I thought to myself, “Will I stop praying too?”
The nature of my husband’s work allows us only to be
together on weekends. But the issue of frustration over having our own child
had strained our relationship. The physical and emotional separation from my
husband continued to bring me stress and sadness. It was difficult for me
to sleep and it affected my home and my performance at work. I was feeling
lonely and hopeless.
One evening, fear gripped me when the tricycle we were
riding in ran straight towards a truck. The next few seconds, I felt blood
running down my face from a cut on my forehead when it hit the steel. Eljun was
there riding with me. We were rushed to the hospital.
That shocking experience made my husband and I realize
how much we meant to each other. If something worse had happened to either one
of us that morning, we would not have had the opportunity to see God work out
His plan in our lives.
From experience, I knew the Lord had always answered my
prayers. In His goodness and mercy He reminded me of the wonderful answers
to prayer in the past. As I looked back, I saw God’s guidance in my
life. He led me to Philippine Union College where I first found my Savior.
I sensed His leading until I finished school. He led me to the Southern
Asia-Pacific Division where I am now working. And more than all of these, He
had given me a loving Christian husband. God had been so good to me!
As I was reminded of His unfailing guidance in the
past, all the things I had been blessed with started to flood my mind. My small
flickering faith started to glow, and my lips could only confess, “Lord,
forgive me for my lack of faith.” As I pondered upon the goodness of the
Lord that night, I continued to fast and pray.
Two and a half years later, Jaden Careel was born.
Eljun, my husband, on hearing the good news, exclaimed, “Tatay na ako!” (I am
now a father!).
Our daughter, Jaden (Hebrew for God has heard), such a precious gift from God, restored the joy and happiness in our home. I will always praise the Lord for what He has done and what He is doing in our lives. I can truly testify without any reservations and doubts, that God still answers prayers!
God Heard the Prayers in Modern
On
the International Day of Prayer the Women’s Ministries Department of the church
in
As the women came to each place they stopped and prayed. Their prayers were for the women who were enslaved and misused and also for the Government and the Police that they would take action against these activities.
When the group returned to the church some of the women were upset that they didn’t have an opportunity to meet someone on the street with whom they could share the word of God. But then they were encouraged with the knowledge that the Holy Spirit would continue to work and hear their prayers.
On the TV evening news a few days later they heard that the police had arrested some criminals and closed some of the illegal sex places on the very street where the church was located. Many enslaved women were also released.
This good news was shared with the church members and much praise and thanks to God was given for a small victory in this sinful world. God had given them a quick answer to prayer.
Waiting on God to Answer
By Sally Lam-Phoon
Northern-Asia Pacific Division
Prayer is a wonderful attitude that enables us to completely be at rest and to keep trusting God. It’s also a wonderful way to experience God’s great love and care for each of us.
While on one of my trips around Southeast Asia, I lost my
passport in
Over the next few days, while I worked on evaluating a
school, the Lord still did not answer my prayer regarding my passport. Kind friends helped me with the long drawn
out process of getting a temporary passport so I could travel home to
Continuing to pray and exploring every avenue and
gathering information, I proceeded to
One of her journalist friends had planned to return to
Praying
can be so Simple!
Give yourselves wholly to prayer and entreaty;
pray on every occasion in the power of the Spirit. To this end keep watch and
persevere, always interceding for all God’s people; Ephesians 6:18 (The New
English Bible)
I was
sitting in the garden chatting with my 6-year-old daughter about the
kindergarten school, Grandpa’s upcoming birthday, and our last holiday in
Then she
joined me in the garden again, sat down, folded her hands in prayer and closed
her eyes. In a soft voice, she murmured to herself. There was perfect silence.
I wondered what this was all about. Janina opened her eyes and said: “My friend
Samira is writing an English task at school today. She showed me at what time
this would happen, and how the hands of the clock would indicate the exact
time. I promised her I would be thinking of her, and I know that God can help.”
Touched by
this child’s faith, and lost in thought, I held my little daughter in my arms.
How simple and natural for a small child to pray! God answers prayer. He loves
to be included in our daily routine. He longs to share our joys and sorrows.
Prayer makes a difference!
What a
privilege to give every new day to God’s loving care and guidance! Just to know
that nothing can happen to me in life before first passing God’s eyes, helps me
to tackle each new day, with trust.
One of the
most relieving experiences which God wants us to make again and again is, at
the end of a day, to hand over everything to Him. Leave all burdens, sorrows or pains behind,
in prayer.
However, it
is not only the difficult times in life that make me talk with God, but also
the happy moments. Some life situations may require more of me that I am able
to give. In such moments it helps me to remember that God knows and understands
me.
Thank you,
Lord, for this day, and for the joy you give me, and that you know me and love
me.
Sandra
Widulle
------------------------------
Sandra
Widulle is married and has two children. She loves to put her thoughts and
experiences down in writing. She is involved in Children’s Ministries and takes
care of the church’s showcase in
God’s Faithfulness to me.
By Collette Reith
Sri Lanka Mission
Our salary always came at the end of the month and this year in April 2006 was no exception. At the same time I also received the telephone, electricity, and water accounts. They all had to be paid. We were also busy preparing to move to a new home and this was added expense. The water account came to 7,000 rupees. The total phone and electricity accounts was almost 9,700 rupees which meant that our whole salary was finished. I prayed and said “God, how are we going to eat this month?”
Now I had only 500 rupees in my hand. With great difficulty I paid all my bills with the help of a friend who took the money to pay.
Later that day and in the evening the friend phoned me and said “Mrs Reith, your accounts are not outstanding and in fact you have a credit balance!”
I was shocked! He said to me “You have been paying an estimated (fixed amount) that has been credited to your water account.”
Then I realized that I sent the money to pay the account with a grumbling heart but I received credit in return with a happy face. I knelt and thanked God for sustaining us. I had simply prayed “Lord, how are we going to eat?” and He knew our difficulties and our needs. I thanked Him from the bottom of my heart for all His goodness in keeping His promise to be with us through every difficulty.
POEM
Why
I follow Jesus?
Author Unknown
You
ask why I follow this Jesus?
Why I love Him the way I do?
When the world's turned away from His teachings
And the people who serve Him are few.
It's
not the rewards I'm after
Or gifts that I hope to receive
It's the Presence that calls for commitment
It's the Spirit I trust and believe.
The
Lord doesn't shelter His faithful
Or spare them all suffering and pain,
Like everyone else I have burdens,
And walk through my share of rain.
Yet
He gives me a plan and a purpose,
And that joy only Christians have known,
I never know what comes tomorrow,
But I do know I'm never alone.
It's
the love always there when you need it;
It's the words that redeem and inspire,
It's the longing to ever be with Him
That burns in my heart like a fire.
So
you ask why I love my Lord Jesus?
Well, friend, that's so easy to see,
But the one thing that fills me with wonder is
Why Jesus loves someone like me.
When
I fall, He lifts me up!
When I fail, He forgives!
When I am weak, He is strong!
When I am lost, He is the way!
When
I am afraid, He is my courage!
When I stumble, He steadies me!
When I am hurt, He heals me!
When I am broken, He mends me!
When
I am blind, He leads me!
When I am hungry, He feeds me!
When I face trials, He is with me!
When I face persecution, He shields me!
When
I face problems, He comforts me!
When I face loss, He provides for me!
When I face Death, He carries me Home!
He is everything for everybody everywhere,
every time, and every way.
He
is God, He is faithful.
I am His, and He is mine!
My
Father in heaven can whip the father of this world.
So, if you're wondering why I feel so secure,
understand this...
He said it and that settles it.
God is in control, I am on His side,
and that means all is well with my soul.