Day 2- The Brave Soldier " Joan of Arc"

Day 2- The Brave Soldier: Joan Of Arc

My favorite person in history is Joan of Arc. My Aunt bought me the book that I still have, at eight years old.

I am not sure if everyone is familiar with her story, but it was definitely one that spoke volumes.

Joan was born in Lorraine, France. She led the common life- was raised to follow the example of her mother. As all women at that time were called to take care of the house and family- Nothing more.

She learned the prayers of the Saints with her mother. Attended church every Sunday as a family.

A year before Joan was a teen-ager, her life changed dramatically.
She started to hear voices.

The voices were clear at what was demanded, ” Save France from England.”

We are asked to stop for a moment, especially if we have heard the story before.

Think on this, Joan was about 12yrs old, that’s about 6th grade for most children.
She was called by God to save France...let that sink in a little.

What was asked of you at that age? Probably not even close to that demand!

Something interesting to add here; Joan’s father, had a dream all of this would happen,
He saw her in the dream dressed up for army.
How do you think he took that? Knowing it was going to come true?

He vowed in front of her brothers that he would drown her out of disgrace.

God was calling her, and her family was completely against it.

John 15:18

“ If the world hates you, keep in mind it hated me first.”

Matthew 16:24
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

Joan decided to go stay with her cousin who was about to give birth.

She started to not just hear voices, but see visions of past Christian martyrs labeled as Saints.

When she knew the time came to carry out the mission and was being questioned by her own family, this was her reply.

“ Since God commanded it, had I 100 fathers and mothers, if I were born a King’s daughter, still I would have departed.”

Imagine for a moment, besides her family, the people she knew and loved for years started to question her sanity.

Afterall, how normal was it, and is it, to hear voices?

When Joan was 17yrs old, she went to appear before Robert de Baudicourt, the lord of her local district. She asked for her own army.

He was of course skeptical, but was impressed, and believed God had sent her.

She found herself on a journey to meet with Charles, the son of Charles VI. He would be the next King.

Of course her request to fight for her country’s freedom, and get him to the crown; it little more than disturbed him.

He wasn’t respected enough to become King, and telling them that he found someone to lead his army, but also heard voices…wouldn’t be something of a plus.

He got the church involved, they questioned her, and they too were impressed with her passionate faith, and believed then also that God had sent her.

A girl that at one time used to wear dresses, and bake bread, now wearing a suit of armor.

“ The Party of the King of Heaven” was a banner given to her, and one that would help lead the way as a public declaration.

Joan was naïve, she was afraid, but through her fears, she just kept her trust that God knew what He was doing. I wonder if she woke up every day with the thought,
“ What am I doing?”

She went to war, not always taken seriously, but not to be known as just an ornament of war.

She helped save France, and Charles was crowned King.

She not only saved her France physically, but God worked through her to restore them all emotionally.

In 1430, Joan was captured. Her claims of being able to hear God were seen as demonic.
She lived 8 months in prison.

Found guilty of idolatry for hearing voices, and wearing men’s clothing.

May 30, 1431, Joan walked in chains to her death, she requested that a cross be placed where she would be burned.

She cried out “ Jesus” over and over, the fire overcame her, it was a slow and agonizing death, her spectators who once believed that she her God, now saw her as a heretic.

Joan died at the age of nineteen.

Legends soon followed. Some say they saw a dove swoop over her hair at the stake.
Others said her heart would not burn, but remained in the ashes.

No matter what the legends said, one thing was clear, one ordinary girl, was given an extraordinary calling, and stayed devoted to it until her death.

What a way to die.

Ephesians 6:12

“ For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against spiritual forces of evil in
the heavenly realms. “

Reflections:

1. “ Since God commanded it, had I 100 fathers and mothers, if I were born a King’s daughter, still I would have departed.”

How would you have reacted to this whole situation with friend and family? Have you been in this kind of situation before? Explain.

2. Do you know what your calling is? And is it anything like you would have imagined? Explain why or why not.

3. If you were Joan, and you had that moment where you knew no matter what you did or said, that you would be seen as a heretic..
How would you have handled it, What things would be in your mind?

Okay guys, made it easier this week:)

Sister Freak Study Day 1: Karen Watson

" Sister Freaks Study" Day 1

Karen Watson, " No Regrets""

Karen Watson entered a war zone because she loved Jesus. She knew the risks.

News reports in early 2004 were riddled with American casualties in recently liberated Iraq. Car bombs blew in convoy trucks. Suicide bombers targeted civilians. Ambushes occurred weekly. "

A scripture was on Karen's heart, and she heard a voice from within," Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, " Whom shall I send, and whom will go for us?"Her answer echoed the words of Isaiah's, " Then I said, " Here I am, send me." ( Isa. 6:8)

Imagine being in a war like she was, imagine waking up each day knowing that anything could happen.

One hour she could be talking to a friend, the next hour that same friend could have lost his/her life.

One moment she could see a blue sky, the next nothing but black.

Karen found Christ as a teenager, after having years of grief from losing several relatives;her dad, grandmother, and her fiance' died in a two-year period.

The pain of that past brought her close to Jesus.

She knew early on after that she wanted to be a missionary for Christ; and would take the toughest climates.

She was accepted by IMB( International Mission Board), and was sent to Jordan for refugee relief. After they didn't show up, she was then sent to Iraq.

Everyday while she was there, some act of violence happened.

Bomb after bomb, shooting after shooting.She would call her family everyday to let them know she was okay.

One day, they didn't hear from her.

March 15, 2004, Karen lost her life while driving in a car that was overcome with automatic weapons and grenades.

She died instantly.

After she died, her pastor, Phil Neighbors opened a letter she had written him, advising him not to open it unless she died.It was a letter I am sure wasn't all that easy to open and read.

" Dear Pastor Phil, and Pastor Roger,

You should only be reading this letter in the event of my death.
When God calls there are no regrets.
I tried to share my heart with you, my heart for the nations.
I wasn't called to a place. I was called to Him.
To obey was my objective, to suffer was expected, His glory was my reward, His glory is my reward.

One of the most important things to remember right now is to preserve the work. I am writing this as if I am working,(in the mission field)

I thank you all so much for your prayers and support. Surely, your reward in heaven will be great. Thank you for investing in my life and spiritual well-being. Keep sending missionaries and keep raising fine pastors.

In regards, to any service, keep it small and simple. Yes, simple,
Just preach the gospel, If Jason Buss is available or his dad, have them sing a pretty song.
Be bold an preach the life serving, life changing, forever eternal GOSPEL.
Give glory and honor to our Father.

I once read in " Missionary Heart. "

Care more than some think is wise.
Risk more than some think is safe.
Dream more than some think is practical.
Expect more than some think is possible.

I was called not to comfort or success, but obedience.
There is no joy outside of knowing Jesus and serving Him.

I love you two, and my church family,

In His care,

Karen

Karen spent her life being a dedicated follower for Jesus, she knew what it meant to step out of her comfort zone, and lead a life that was not her own.

I can't imagine what she thought when the bullet pierced her body, knowing she was being pierced, just like Jesus.

Psalm 27:3-4

Though a host encamp against me,
my heart will not fear
though a war rise against me
in spite of this, i shall be confident
One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek
That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life
To behold the beauty of the Lord, and meditate in His temple.



Reflections...

Here you will have a chance to answer some questions that ask about your own heart as a servant for Jesus. The questions will change each week.

If you feel there are some too personal for the site, then answer the ones that you can.

Be Blessed:) You are doing great!

1. After reading Karen's story, do you feel like you need to change the way you serve God's people? Why or why not? How will you take those steps?

2. Share about a person you know with a true Servant heart?

3. What would your letter be if you knew you may not make it back to your loved ones? What would you say about being a Christian? How you feel you've lived your life?

4. Pray about the war zones that go on in your world daily, ask the Holy Spirit to intercede in a situation that is holding you down.

5. When was the last time you were asked out of your comfort zone?