HeartCall - A Helpful Tool to Seminary Student Wives

"Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and he Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:19-20).

Seminary Wives Institute is a program for student wives at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville. Founded by the president's wife, Mrs. Mary Mohler, it is designed to equip ministers' wives to be better prepared when they leave seminary with their husbands to go to a place of ministry. The three year program consists of 4 six-week course segments of twelve instructional hours per year as well as opportunities for condensed classes. Courses vary from Discipleship, Old and New Testament Survey courses and Worldviews to courses in Hospitality, Marriage and Family, Parenting, etc.

One of the courses I have the privilege of teaching is Leaderhip I--which is actually women and evangelism. Over the years I have used HeartCall as part of the curriculum for this and was able to add Gifted2Go along with it this year. The feedback I got from the 35 students in it this term was that it was a simple method that gave them a tool to use in sharing the gospel. Many in the class had never memorized Scripture in their lives and said they were glad to have been trained in it, especially memorizing the verses to go along with Hope Believe Turn and Call!

The students memorized the verses to go along with the simple diagram, were given two HeartCall tracts to give away during the six weeks and were given a HeartCall Bible to give away as well. If you have not looked carefully at these materials, take a good look. This is one tool to help us all be obedient to carrying out the Great Commission!

Sharon Beougher

God's Voice

- C.S. Lewis

"When you go through deep waters, I will be with you" (Isaiah 43:2a, NLT).

"And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20b, NLT).

The quote above from C.S. Lewis is one that I repinned on Pinterest earlier this week. I felt that God was in a moment of silence about something I've been praying about for a while, but I knew I still trusted Him. Even when we don't hear Him responding about a certain prayer, He is there.

Not long after that, God reminded me how He speaks. Several things began happening, and He brought verses like this to my attention: "The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over many waters" (Psalm 29:3, ESV). You see, God has a voice that can even thunder. The verses and things that have been happening this week came in such great timing. My Savior has spoken. 

Kelli Martin

God may seem silent, or His voice may seem like thunder. Either way, He can't go against His nature. He is Immanuel, God with us. 

As you go today, remember the second half of Matthew 28:20,"And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (NLT). It comes in great timing in the passage, at the end of the Great Commission. Let's praise God that He's at work not only in our lives but also around the world. Let's pray He reveals to us what He wants us to do next to be a part of His good, grand plan.

Recommended music: "Savior's Here" by Kari Jobe
Recommended reading: Psalm 29, Matthew 28:18-20, Isaiah 43

The Holy Spirit walks with us as we witness

"And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age'" (Matthew 28:18-20, New American Standard Bible).

More than a ship's captain, God knows how to navigate waters that lie ahead. He can help us walk through whatever comes across the path He leads us, even as we are given opportunities to witness. We are not expected to make disciples and baptize them without God's help.

M. David Sills explained this commandment as he wrote, "Making God known is what faith is all about" ("The Biblical Basis for Missions" article from The Apologetics Study Bible). When Jesus gave this command to the apostles, He knew God would send the Holy Spirit to guide them. In this Great Commission to go and share God's good news with others, we are not expected to go alone. God gives the Holy Spirit to guide each believer.

Lord, thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to be with believers. Help us remember that You are Immanuel, God with us. Let us listen to the Holy Spirit's lead as we seek to witness who God is to others who do not know You yet.

Above study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Photo of Mortimer McCarthy at the wheel of the Terra Nova found on www.jamescairdsociety.com.

Growing your leadership strengths

What has God called you to do to lead others? How can God help you grow in the strengths He has given you?

On July 30-31, 2012, the North American Mission Board hosted the SEND North America Conference at First Baptist Church of Woodstock, Georgia. Church leaders, church planters, and others joined in worship, breakouts and discussions. Through these sessions, they sought to share and gain wisdom in how we can reach the world today with God's message of salvation.

One breakout led by Jaye Martin, called "Growing My Leadership Strengths," talked through how you can grow as a leader and become more effective in the skills you need to follow God's call. A link to the audio from this breakout session may be found at the link below. Also, panel discussions, question and answer sessions, and sermons can be found from the conference at the link below it. May God fill You with wisdom and encouragement in how He is leading you to grow and lead for Him today.

www.namb.net - SNA Conference - "Growing Your Leadership Strengths" Audio with Jaye Martin

www.namb.net - SNA Conference - Audio/Video

Image above from http://www.namb.net/SendNetwork/Resources/

We pray that we be obedient

"And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:18-19, NASB).

These verses make up the climax of Matthew's gospel. After Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection, Jesus, God in flesh, asked disciples to be the "through" - His instruments to tell the world of His great message. Instruments, like the guitars pictured, can help musicians communicate a sort of message. As believers, our message tells of how God's great love is demonstrated, in that He would die for and forgive sinners like us (Romans 5:8).

Jerry Rankin and Ed Stetzer wrote:

"We, just like Israel, are to be instruments of His mission
to make His way and His salvation known upon the earth
until all nations rejoice and sing His praise" (Spiritual Warfare and Missions, p. 21).

Together, with the power of the Holy Spirit, believers can make a beautiful symphony, as we worship our Lord and share who He is with others who don't know Him yet.

More reading on this: 1 Chronicles 16:7-36, Romans 6:12-14

Dear Lord, thank you for Your faithfulness and sacrifice. Please help us remember how much we need You and how much others need You, too.  Make us into your instruments in making disciples and helping others know You. Amen.

This devotion based on the guided prayer in HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart workbook (Jaye Martin, 1999).

Photo of Ibanez guitars from guitaristmaximus.com