“And let us consider one another in order to

stir up love and good works” Hebrews 10:24

At one of our recent retreats I was feeling par-

ticularly tired. There was a group of women in the

lobby that were so blessed by what they had just

experienced that they couldn’t help sharing about

it with their Christian sisters. In their excitement

they got louder and louder. Unable to get the cher-

ished sleep I desired I stormed out to the lobby

and quoted Heb. 10:24 to them, with emphasis on

“consider me”. Of course this was a totally wrong

use of this scripture. I would have used it correctly

if I had joined them and then encouraged them to

lower their voices because people were trying to

sleep. Do you see the difference? In the first ex-

ample I was condemning and in the second I

would have been encouraging.

James MacDonald, in his commentary on He-

brews, says “The book of Hebrews is saturated

with lessons and illustrations on how to grow in

our faith.” He goes on to say “faith flourishes in

community….not by expecting others to do for us,

but by considering how we may cause the faith of

others to grow.”

We need each

other. We need to

encourage and chal-

lenge each other to

do good. Mutual

accountability is

about sharing with

each other how

we’re doing but

also stirring up, or

prodding, or stimu-

lating others to do

better. The word

consider as used in

Hebrews 10:24

means to really

think about how you might do this. And of course

“the how”, as usual, can be found in the Holy

Scriptures. Philippians 2:3-4 says, “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.”

In my preparation for this letter I came across

this illustration that of the benefits mutual consid-

eration. A traveler was crossing the Alps and an

unexpected snow storm came in. To return to

where he started would take to long because he

was almost at his destination. So he continued

going forward. The cold became so intense but

still he traveled on. His limbs started to go numb

and drowsiness started to overtake him. Finally he

lay down on the snow, just to get some rest, when

out of the corner of his eye he saw another traveler

in worst condition than himself. He crawled over

to the man because he was unable to walk. He

took the man’s cold frozen fingers in his hands

and began to warm them. He rubbed his feet and

applied friction to his body. A funny thing hap-

pened, in trying to warm the frozen man his body

became warm and revived. The two men and got

up and continued on their journey together.

Of course the lesson for us is that there is mu-

tual benefit in considering others and how we

might encourage them to consider others as well.

In this case both men lived as they warmed each

other. The Christian life is to be lived together.

We need each other. Think about this, the next

time you are angry or upset with your sister in the

Lord, “How might I encourage them to love and

good works instead of thinking of yourself and

how they should treat you.” If the first traveler had

waited for the second traveler to come to his aid,

they would have both perished.

Love, Sandie

Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks July-August 2014

Portraits From

Sandie

1

Praise & Worship 2

Fruit of Her Hands 3

Titus 2 4

Joyful Books

Recipe

5

Devotional 6

Expressions of Love 7

Calvary Chapel Info

Calendar

8

Inside this issue:

Our Desires For

Women’s Ministry

To encourage deeper

relationships and spir-

itual growth for the

women in the body of

Christ.

To provide a place

where women will be

encouraged and uplift-

ed to seek God’s best

for their lives.

To give opportunity to

study the Word of God

together that women

might grow in the

grace and knowledge

of our Lord Jesus.

To equip women to be

lights in their homes,

neighborhoods and

workplaces reflecting

the love of Jesus Christ

to all.

Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks

Fragrant Life Women’s Ministry Newsletter

A Woman Who Considers Others

First

Hebrews 10:24-25

Page 2 Fragrant L ife Women ’s

Praise & Worship A Woman Who Cons iders Others F i rs t

WITH ALL MY HEART

(By Pam Snyder – May 2014)

Trust in the Lord with all of Your heart

Lean not on your own understanding

In all of your ways acknowledge Him

And He shall direct Your path

(repeat)

I will trust the Lord, I will trust the Lord

With all my heart, With all my heart

I will trust in the Lord

I will trust You Lord

I will trust You Lord

With all of my heart

He Will Direct Your PathsHe Will Direct Your PathsHe Will Direct Your Paths

There is always such an air of excitement within our hearts

as we prepare to go to our Women’s Retreat each year. The

anticipation for me makes me feel like a young girl again

going on a weekend get away with my friends. My seventy

one years of age suddenly feels like seventeen years of age

as the energy of the Holy Spirit takes control of my com-

ings and goings, and I mean just that.

I was so emotionally on a spiritual high that there was no

room in my day or night for rest. I craved every bit of

teaching I could receive from our speakers. I welcomed the

time to praise and worship my God. I was blessed to be

part of the prayer team and have my sisters come forward

and ask me to pray for them. Without me praying con-

stantly for the refilling of the Holy Spirit to overflow into

me His words, my prayers could not be effective. Only

through Him are we led to fulfill our ministries.

God’s grace and love flowed throughout the week-

end. Sisters laughed, shared memories, tears flowed, and

new friendships were born. Cameras made remembrances,

and hugs displayed love. We shared laughter and tears as

our sisters performed in skits, each with a special lesson

received for each one of us. I think the one that impressed

me the most was Kerry Golden presenting herself as a

homeless person finding refuge from the cold night inside

a church. I can still hear her voice crying out, “Are you

there God?” “Can you hear me God?” She was alone in

life, no place to call home, no one to turn to, but in her

heart she felt the tug to be drawn to the house of God for

refuge. She left us all with the question, did she hear God’s

answer when she laid down in His house to rest her weary

body for a warm nights rest? In my own interpretation I

saw Jesus wrapping His arms around her for warmth and

the love of God embracing her. I can hear God answering

her saying, “Yes, I am here, can you trust in me to direct

your paths?” “Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways

acknowledge Him and he will direct your

paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6.

In my heart I have not left the mountain top, and I pray that

all my sisters, just like me, will pray this scripture and con-

tinue on singing His praise that we all shared together at

our 2014 Calvary Chapel Women’s Retreat.

In His Love, Mary Jane Robinette

Women’s Retreat at Lake Tahoe Proverbs 3:5-6

Page 3 Fragrant L ife Women ’s Min i s try A Woman Who Cons iders Others F i rs t

Fruit of Her Hands Ministry Handmade with Love by Kelly Gardner

“And let us consider one another in order to stir

up love and good works, not forsaking the as-

sembling of ourselves together, as [is] the man-

ner of some, but exhorting [one another], and so

much the more as you see the Day approaching.”

Hebrews 10:24-25

I grew up wearing homemade dresses with pina-

fores, playing with cloth dolls who had embroidered

faces, wrapping up like a burrito in snuggly afghans

made by my Mom and Grandma, and watching my

Mother create a “Sunbonnet Sue” quilt for my bed

made with left over fabric from dresses from my

Great Grandma all the way to me.

My memories are rich and filled with love as I

think about all the ways my family showed love to

one another through cooking, sewing and wood-

working. I can still remember the texture of the red

gingham covered buttons on a hot, itchy, polyester

navy blue dress I wore in Kindergarten my mother

had made for me.

But now, times have changed. Imported, store

bought items seem to have superseded

“Handmade.” We as consumers are lead to believe

that it is not considerate to give homemade. Gift

cards have taken over in the area of appropriate

gifts, and DYI gifts on Pinterest are just a fad for

those who want to seem crafty!

As I remember my upbringing I believe my family

instilled in me the application of what it means when

the Bible tells us in Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us

consider one another in order to stir up love and

good works, not forsaking the assembling of our-

selves together, as is the manner of some, but ex-

horting one another, and so much the more as you

see the Day approaching.”

To consider means to “observe,” “contemplate,

“or “have intelligent insight into.” When my mother

taught me to make things with my hands, she also

taught me how to consider others, to think about their

likes and dislikes, to show love by taking time to con-

template another person’s feelings. The Bible tells

us also to not forsake the assembling of ourselves

together. When we recall in history, Christian wom-

en who assembled together, we are often reminded

of home making activities, such as quilting, baking,

canning and child care. I believe we can look back

to our ancestors and learn from their examples that

fellowship and exhortation among Christian women

is a gift and blessing that allows us to come along-

side one another, inspiring one another to remain

faithful to Jesus Christ, so much the more as we see

the day approaching.

Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks

WOMEN’S KONONIA Please join us Saturday, August 16th, 2014

10am—12pm

(Sign ups at the Women’s Ministry Counter)

Fruit of Her Hands

Handmade with Love

Please join us Saturday, July 12th, 2014

10am—2pm

At the home of Kelly Gardner

We will be making receiving blankets for the Reno Cri-

sis Pregnancy Center. Sign-ups and supply list at the

Women’s Ministry Counter.

Page 4 Fragrant L ife Women ’s A Woman Who Cons iders Others F i rs t

Titus 2 Putting Others First with Putting Others First with

God’s LoveGod’s Love By Beverly Chong

John 13:34, Jesus

said “A new commandment I

give to you that you love one

another; as I have loved you,

that you also love one anoth-

er.” And again, Matthew

22:37-39, “You shall love the

Lord your God with all your

heart, with all your soul, and

with all you mind.’ “This is

the first and great command-

ment. And the second is like

it: You shall love your neigh-

bor as yourself.”

Our lesson for this newsletter is, A Woman

who considers Others First. Jesus made it very clear

that if we loved God we are to love others. We

would love unconditionally, unbiased, nonjudgmental

and certainly without prejudice. As we read this

verse, we need to understand all that it entails, but

exactly what does it all mean and how can I possibly

commit myself to follow Jesus’ command. We have

all heard others confess at one time or another, as

well as our own resonating confessions, “I believe in

God and I know I love God, but I don’t like that per-

son over there. That person just irritates me.” Or,

God can’t really expect me to genuinely love that

person….Why, look at them. They don’t act like a

normal God loving person should act…like I do.”

Really?

Sometimes, I think many accept His love self-

ishly, for themselves only and figure that’s enough.

“I’ve got my share and it’s all good. Don’t have to

worry about anyone else.” But that is not how God

wants us to live. Then again, I suppose it would be

great if God came down here and just loved every-

one Himself, so we wouldn’t have to worry about

showing love to the “unlovable,” but that is not what

He wants or chooses to do, either. He

wants us to take on His heart so He can

flood it with His Agape love, to the point

that it over flows to others. Jesus said,

“You will know them by their fruits.” The

world will know you by your fruits because

you have accepted and been filled with

God’s love, allowing yourself to share that

love so freely with others. That is how we

show we are His children, and when that

happens, we so love others that we will

not question putting them first, above our-

selves.

God sent His son, to become man just like

us, to die for our sins because our world;

our lives had/have became so corrupt and sinful, that

it was going to take something really special; Some-

one so special to forgive it all and pay for it in full,

cancelling our debt to God, once and for all, in order

that we could have eternal life with Him. The bible

teaches this truth and we are confirmed this truth

constantly, whether reading it or hearing it in church

sermons and bible studies, or when sharing with oth-

ers. But have you really thought about all that He

did, really did for us, for all mankind? Jesus gave up

Himself for us. He died for us. He didn’t have to,

but He did, and He did it because of God’s love, gen-

uine, unconditional love for us. Wonderful to realize

this, but then Jesus taught us the importance of lov-

ing others just like we love God, and my friends,

when we can honestly say we love God, we are able

to love others because He has asked us to, and

when we love others, we willingly, unconditionally,

being unbiased and non judgmental, are able to put

others first. Have a beautiful sunshiny “putting oth-

ers first” kind of day!

Page 5 Fragrant L ife Women ’s Min i s try A Woman Who Cons iders Others F i rs t

Joyful Books Book Club Ministry Our next Women’s Ministry

book Selection is, “Love the More

Excellent Way” by Chuck Smith.

This book is a delightful teaching

on what it means to love one an-

other.

FROM THE BACK COVER: “The

loneliness of existence; the empty

feeling of walking through life by

yourself, searching for something greater–a purpose

and meaning! We all have trodden down this path at

one time or another. All generations have had to

grapple with this search– be it the youth culture of

today, the 1960s hippies, or the 1360’s knights in

shining armor. It doesn’t matter what generation the

person lived, the truth is we are all looking for love

and meaning.

One thinker has said that there is a God– shaped

hole in each of us. Until we fill that hole with the love

of God in Christ, we will continue to walk our journey

lonely, empty, and confused. The good news is that

God as demonstrated His love for us– sending Jesus

to show us God’s love, which is the more excellent

way.”

Joyful Books Book Club Ministry, will be meeting

during the month’s of July and August at “Starbucks” on

the corner of Longley Lane and McCarren on Wednes-

day Mornings from 9:30am-10:30am. We will be discussing

(2) chapters each week; finishing on August 27th with a

“Potluck Brunch” at the home of Kelly Gardner. You are

welcome to join us anytime,

“Serving Him”

There is no greater joy than knowing you are serving

The Living God and following Him where He leads

you.

Our missionary friends, Salomon and Rosario Ojeda

will soon be moving to plant and Pastor a new

church for the people in Tejaro, Michoacan, Mexico.

Please remember to continue to pray for them.

Prayer Requests

1. Please Pray that The Lord will keep their hearts

united and focused on serving Him!

2. Pray for travel mercies, health and saftey .

3. Pray that the Holy Spirit would fill them to over-

flowing with His Spirit.

4. Pray that the hearts of the people in Tejaro would

be softened and ready to receive ALL that God

has prepared for them.

Turkey Ciabatta

with guacamole

Ciabatta Roll

Deli Turkey

Provolone Cheese

Sliced Tomatoes

Sliced Purple Onion

Homemade Guacamole

Crispy Bacon

Pickled Jalapeño's

Jalapeño Ranch

1. Prepare

guacamole, fry bacon

and set aside.

2. Slice Ciabatta Roll

and lay deli turkey

and provolone cheese

on top. Toast in oven

until cheese melts.

3. Remove from oven

and layer: jalapeno

ranch, tomatoes, pur-

ple onion, guacamole,

crispy bacon, and

pickled jalapeño's.

My daughter said this was her absolute

favorite sandwich and so easy to make!

Page 6 Fragrant L ife Women ’s A Woman Who Cons iders Others F i rs t

A Woman Who Considers

Others First

When thinking about

writing on “A woman

who considers others

first”, I began to pray,

“Lord show me what this looks like in Your Word. Sever-

al weeks later, during my morning studies through the Bi-

ble, I was in 1 Kings Chapter 17. I read of a widow who

was about to feed herself and her son their last meal, with

the last amount of flour and oil she had. I then read of the

prophet Elijah who asked her to make him a small cake

first, and afterward make some for herself and her son,

and she did. It was then that I knew what God was show-

ing me. “A woman who considers others first” is a woman

who is willing to give the last of what she has, for the bet-

terment of others.

As I looked a little closer in this passage I saw in verse

eight of 1 Kings Chapter 17, that the word of the LORD

had come to Elijah telling him to arise and go to Zarephath

and dwell there, because God had commanded a widow

there to provide for him. God had appointed and com-

missioned this widow to provide for Elijah before provid-

ing for herself and her own son.

Elijah obeys and goes to Zarephath, and the minute he

comes to the gate of the city he sees the widow that God

told him about gathering sticks. He calls to her to bring

him some water, and as she was going to get it, he also

asks her to bring him a morsel of bread. That is when she

explains to him that she doesn’t have any bread, only a

handful of flour in a bin and a little oil in a jar and she tells

him that she was gathering a couple of sticks to go and

prepare “the last meal” for her and her son, that they may

eat it and then die.

Elijah then tells her not to fear; and tells her to go do as

she planned, but he says this, “Make me a small cake

from it first, and bring it to me; and afterward make some

for yourself and your son. For thus says the LORD GOD

of Israel: The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall

the jar of oil run dry, until the day the LORD sends rain on

the earth”.

What!!! You are asking me to feed you with the last

amount of flour and oil that I have?! You are asking me to

consider you, above my own flesh and blood, above my

own son? And then I got it! Considering others first is ex-

actly what God the Father does and He proved it by the

giving of His only Son; He considered us above His own

son. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only

begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him, shall have

everlasting life!” John 3:16. Oh Lord, we can be so selfish

at times. “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 oth-

ers” (Philippians 2:3-4).

This widow acted in faith and believed the words of

Elijah the prophet; that God would provide for her. She

considered Elijah first, and by doing so, she proved God’s

Word to be true. We read back in verse 8 that God had

commanded her to provide for Elijah. She was appointed,

for such a time as this, to trust and obey; and although the

nation of Israel was suffering from a drought, God provid-

ed for a widow who willingly took Him at His Word and

was willing to “consider others first”. God not only pro-

vided for her, but used her to encourage the prophet Elijah

and I bet her son’s faith grew as he saw the hand of the

LORD. As Elijah obeyed and as she obeyed, they were

both used to encourage one another.

Verse 16 said that the bin of flour was not used up, nor

did the jar of oil run dry, according to the Word of the

LORD which Elijah spoke. Each day that she partook of

the flour and oil she would be reminded of the value of her

faith in God, who alone is sufficient to meet our every

need.

Hebrews 10:24, “And let us consider one another in or-

der to stir up love and good works”.

Simply His, Pam Snyder

Devotional

Putting Love Into Action by Mary Jane Robinette

When we accepted Jesus into our hearts we were filled

with God’s love. Left behind us should have been all

tendencies to think and act selfishly. The Holy Spirit at

the same time came to take up residence within our hearts

and the love of God grew from within us like a new bud-

ding rose. The splendor of God’s love became a new radi-

ance that shines from within each one of us.

1John 4:16 “God is love, and he who abides in love,

abides in God and God in Him.” This is one of my favor-

ite scriptures. And let me share why. I had the privilege

several years ago to share conversation with my brother in

his last days. He ever so softly spoke these words to

me, “Mary, love everyone.” I realized how important it

was for him to make sure his sister always remembered

those three words. He spoke to me knowing that soon his

earthly body would no longer be able to greet and spread

the love of God. He was going home to be with Jesus.

What a blessing my brother left with me to always be pre-

pared to encourage and come before others in sharing the

love and grace of God. These free gifts from the Lord cov-

er us like a kiss of dew on a summer flower awakening to

the warm morning rays of sunshine. What a godsend it is

for us as a body of Christian sisters-in-Christ to use these

precious gifts in ways to consider other’s needs first.

God’s love and grace is power. The Lord is always giv-

ing us opportunities to share His gifts. Considering others

first involves sensitivity, humility, and a genuine unselfish

desire to love and serve others. God will give us the ability

we need to comfort, to encourage, to pray with others, the

time to run errands, visit the sick and more, when we show

we are available. Putting love in to action requires a heart

that walks in God’s love. Hebrews 10:24 “And let us con-

sider one another in order to stir up love and good

works. Pastor Chuck Smith reminds us “we want to

grow in our understanding and knowledge of the purpose

and will of God in our lives, so let’s “consider one anoth-

er in order to stir up love and good works.” Let’s encour-

age each other to love and to do the right things.”

It is during our fellowship with others that we soon dis-

cover the areas where we are sometimes called by the Lord

to come beside a sister. Book Club is a time to share our

own feelings related to the book of the month. Sometimes

things are revealed where we can pray together, or assist

another sister through a difficult time, and even share in a

happiness. Wednesday evenings and Thursday morning

Women’s Prayer meetings are a valued time to come to-

gether to pray for others. I have been privileged to Greet

on Sundays where the love of Jesus shared with a simple

hug can make a lonely heart feel special and loved. Our

Women’s Bible Study sessions brings us together to study

God’s Words. What a special atmosphere of bonding and

love shared. We are so blessed at Calvary Chapel to have

so many Women’s Ministry choices. Each one in some

way gives us the opportunity to show consideration to put

other’s needs first. I feel tremendous joy when the Lord

touches my heart to give love and grace to others. We

don’t need to be noticed about these things, we just do

them. God will cover all the details. The person you bless

can feel your heart attitude of love in the manner in which

you make yourself available to walk along side of her dur-

ing her difficult times. This is a pay forward kind of love

in action. Just like Pastor Chuck said, “Let’s encourage

each other to love and to do the right things.” It is an

awesome feeling to help others difficulties and emotional

pains feel lighter.

I also find that our demeanor outside of our church en-

vironment is also a meaningful time to consider one anoth-

er in putting God’s love and grace into action. I frequently

find that while out shopping I am nearly always put in the

path of someone not having a good day. Taking the time

to smile and say good morning, or to help someone disa-

bled to reach things from higher shelves, to bless someone

with your place in line, with these little acts of love will go

a long way to make other people’s days more encouraging

to pay it forward in doing the right things.

Our Women’s Ministries gives us many paths we can

choose from to serve with the purpose of considering oth-

ers first. We should consider the many opportunities we

have to placing someone else’s needs on our busy daily

schedule. God gives us these moments of decision to help

others and He will provide the time. It is up to us to gra-

ciously receive them, implement them, and use them to

glorify God in serving others needs first. Putting love in to

action requires a heart that is always ready to listen, to

share, to help, and to be available in making others needs a

priority.

Page 7 Fragrant L ife Women ’s Min i s try A Woman Who Cons iders Others F i rs t

Expressions of Love

Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks

July-August 2014

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED AT CALVARY CHAPEL?

First: Present yourself to God (Romans 12:1) for confirmation that He has planted you in this fellowship. If so, then

discover your gifts and God’s calling your life.

Second: Study to show yourself approved unto God (2 Timothy 2:15). As you grow in your relationship with God,

let Him prepare you for effective service.

Third: Be doers of the Word (James 1:22). Commit yourself to the work of Jesus Christ in this fellowship. Get in-

volved as a yielded vessel to God’s guiding anywhere He directs.

Helps Ministry: Food Pantry, Meal Ministry

Café 2:42

Women’s Greeter’s

Women’s Monday Bible Study: 10am & 6:30pm

Women’s Conferences, Koinonia’s & Retreats

Women’s Wed Evening & Thursday Morning PRAYER

Children’s Ministry, Nursery, Childcare

Fruit of Her Hands Ministry

Widows Meeting (Encourage &Prayer) 2nd Sunday of the

Month in Café 2:42 8:15 am

Mom’s In Prayer Monday’s 12pm. This ministry is for moms who

want to get together and pray for their children. We meet on a

weekly basis in the 3rd/4th grade classroom. Child care will

be shared as needed. Call DiAnn at 843-1386

Fragrant Life Newsletter (Recipes & Devotionals) Contact: Kelly

Gardner at 843-0650

Joyful Books Wednesday’s 9:30am

Contact the Church Office and Fill Out a Ministry Questionnaire

(775) 856-1110

Calvary Chapel Reno-Sparks

220 Edison Way, Reno, NV 89502

(775)856-1110 FAX (775) 856-2031

www.calvarychapelreno.org

Senior Pastor Tom Luitwieler

Admin. Pastor Rob Wolfe

Youth Pastor Juan Rodriguez

Worship Pastor Scott Cresta

Mission Pastor Leonard Sanchez

Secretary Kim Bowser

PRAYER CHAIN

ANN-(775)673-1238

EILEEN (775)972-1790

CHURCH OFFICE: (775) 856-1110

Summer Break Women’s Bible Study

2,9,16,23,30 Joyful Books 9:30am

6th Mission’s Prayer 12:30pm

13th Widow’s Meeting 8:15am

2,9,16,23,30 Evening Prayer 6pm

3,10,17,24,31 Morning Prayer 10am

12th Fruit of Her Hands 10-2

8th-12th Youth Mission Trip to S.F.

Summer Break Women’s Bible Study

6,13,20,27 Joyful Books 9:30am

3rd Mission’s Prayer 12:30 pm

10th Widow’s Meeting 8:15am

6,13,20,27 Evening Prayer 6pm

7,14,21,28 Morning Prayer 10am

9th Church Baptism Sand Harbor

16th Women’s Koinonia 10-12

23rd Couples Potluck 6pm

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