The Beauty of Need

"For he trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel; so that after him there was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor among those who were before him. For he clung to the LORD, he did not depart from following Him, but kept His commandments, which the LORD had commanded Moses" (2 Kings 18:5-6). 

With Thanksgiving coming up, I bet you've heard lately, "What are you thankful for?" At the same time, I have been seeing a flood of ads that suggest what we may need for Christmastime.

My prayer is that as we realize our blessings and our needs, we are drawn to an even deeper relationship with God. This may seem odd in a society that often praises independence and self-reliance. Yet, I know God is stronger than anything I can do myself. So, when I read the passage above, I long to have a solid trust in God like King Hezekiah's.

Hezekiah's trust was not only remarkable in itself but also stood out among his generation. How did he trust? Hezekiah clung to the Lord. He persevered in following God and keeping His commandments.

Kelli Martin

Wherever God leads you today, cling to Him. Remember His faithfulness and saving grace. Keep learning from His Word and following the Holy Spirit's guidance. Turn to the Lord in prayer and reliance. Express to Him your thanks and your needs in full trust of His listening ear, faithfulness and plans.

There's a world full of people who may be noticing their blessings or needs this season. In prayer, let's ask for moments to share about God, the One we trust with our lives. Let's share stories of what He has done in our hearts and lives, and what He can and wants to do in anothers' heart and life.

"Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah" (Psalm 62:8). 

A lasting promise

"We have this hope as an anchor for our lives, safe and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain." -Hebrews 6:19

Have you been in a boat before? Quite a few years ago, I remember sailing with some friends and my friend's grandfather near Kemah, Texas. We left the shore mid-afternoon, planning to come back to land in time to eat dinner. It was a beautiful day, but as the sun started to set, we realized something may be wrong. We had drifted into waters that seemed too deep for an anchor, and the wind seemed to have stopped. After a while of searching, we found a way back and my friend's grandfather was able to find a spot to anchor the boat. We were hungry and tired, so we were relieved to have a spot to eat and rest before nightfall.

There is this rock solid, anchor-like hope we find in God's promise, when we come to Him by faith in Christ. When we believe in His sacrifice, ask for forgiveness and turn to Him for guidance, we are forgiven and considered a part of His family. We are able to be a part of God's family because of His great love for us.

Christ is our intermediary high priest. He is the way we can have a mended relationship with the holy God the Father, because Jesus has paid the price for our sins. Let us praise God that He has forgiven us like that, as if

Kelli Martin

we are white as snow.

Let us praise God in light of this promise, and let us walk by faith because of it. Let's look for ways to share this hope that we find in Him, our rock, and pray that others come to embrace Him as Savior and Lord.

A great song: "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)" by Hillsong United (a YouTube lyric video link)

Side by Side for the Faith of the Gospel

"Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel" (Philippians 1:27, ESV).

Last week, groups from my church went out to other churches to help them with their Vacation Bible Schools. It was neat see the kids learn more about God, but also to get to see the community of Christ coming together to share the gospel.

After that time at VBS, these words that Paul had written to the church in Philippi made me think. He hoped they would be:

• "standing firm in one spirit, with one mind" - a common bond. Picture soldiers who are resolute in their mission, standing their ground even as they face their enemies. As believers, we all face struggles. Yet, we have the same, unmatched Savior King.
• "striving side by side" - a common walk. Can you see a football team in position, ready to play until the buzzer sounds? They function best as a team. Just like the cornerback is not alone on the field, we are not alone in this pilgrim's progress to live out what we believe.



Kelli Martin

• "for the faith of the gospel" - a common goal.  As people, God created us in His image and loves us. As believers, we have been changed because of His blood and mercy. He is the reason we are united.

What could God do through believers who are united?

Recommended music video and song: Kari Jobe at Passion 2013 singing "Revelation Song".

Relationships are Important!

"How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring the good news of good things'" (Romans 10:14-15). 

I have some good friends who are missionaries in Brazil. This is an excerpt from their newsletter:

"Romans 10 contains a beautiful passage of Scripture that describes the necessity of hearing the gospel message in order to be saved. This necessity does not only mean that someone hears words, but that they hear with such understanding that they can apply these words to their own lives. In order to communicate anything with anyone, you must have a relationship with that person. When relationships are strong, the likelihood that your message will be listened to increases.

Sharon Beougher

"The best thing about living in Brazil is the relationships that we have developed. It is extremely encouraging for us to spend time with nationals and experience life with them. Why? Because God designed humanity to live in relationships to facilitate the spread of His glory. What a privilege to do what God has designed us to do!"

No matter where we live, God works through relationships. Let us press on to build the relationships God has put in our lives.

The aim of our charge is love

"The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith" (1 Timothy 1:5, ESV). 

As I was on a trip with my parents last week, we got to see some friends in town. It was honestly a bit humbling finding them, as we attempted to master the mass transportation systems. So, after the travel, it was refreshing to talk and laugh with some good friends. Some were fellow believers in this diverse, hustling city.

Kelli Martin

As I read this chapter in Timothy during our trip, I noticed how encouraging it must have been for Timothy to receive this letter from Paul, his mentor. In Timothy's community, there were some false teachers. Paul explained that the source of a disciple's hope is rooted in Christ, and the aim of this message from God is love. This encouragement came at a timely moment for Timothy. He was not alone in his devotion to God. It must have inspired him to remain centered on Christ and keep teaching His Word.

As we share Him, let us be refreshed and give thanks that we are not alone in this message of hope that we share. There is already a great cloud of witnesses to the truth of the hope, forgiveness and new life that we have because of Christ. Let us pray for other believers as they share Christ in their cities, and let us pray that God gives us the wisdom, grace and boldness to share who He is. Let us be a light wherever God has us this week.

By Faith

"In hope against hope, he believed, so that he might become a father of many nations according to that which had been spoken, "SO SHALL YOUR DESCENDANTS BE." Without becoming weak in his faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah's womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. Therefore "IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS." Romans 4:18-22

Kari Beougher

Waiting is a reality in the Christian life. People wait for jobs, husbands, children, the salvation of a loved one, health. In Genesis 15, God specifically promises Abraham that He will give him a son and yet Abraham doesn't see the fulfillment of that promise for years. Instead of doubting God, this passage shows that while waiting, Abraham did not "waver in unbelief" but instead was strengthened in his faith, trusting in God's character and faithfulness.

Unlike Abraham, we may not have a specific promise from God for a job, husband, children, someone's salvation, or health. But we do have the promise that "ALL the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness and truth to those who keep His covenant and His testimonies" (Psalm 25:10). Not some. Not most. All. God has promised that He "causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28).

What is it you are waiting for? It is so easy in the midst of waiting to doubt the promises and ultimately the goodness of the Lord. Yet, the type of faith He delights in is walking by faith and not by sight. Trust in the promises of God. Pray that you may exemplify faith that pleases God. Ask Him to help you walk by faith and not by sight, trusting in His character and goodness and fully convinced that what God has promised, He is able also to perform.

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.

We pray they believe in God's Word

"For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe" (1 Thessalonians 2:13, New American Standard Bible).

"So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17, NASB).

What do you believe in? I believe tomorrow the sun will rise and may wake me up before my alarm goes off and that my neighbor will walk her dog around the same time I go for a run. Yet, there is more to believe in, of course.

In the book of 1 Thessalonians, we can read how the Thessalonians received God's Word. They not only heard it, but also believed it as true. God's Word brought a revolution in their lives and community.

As believers in His Word, we believe in who God is and accept the sacrifice Christ made and the forgiveness God offers. Believing in the Word of God can save us from the damage of sin, and God transforms us as we are in a good relationship with Him. We are saved by God's grace, as we respond to His Word by having faith in Him (Ephesians 2:8).

Is there someone on your mind who does not believe in God's Word?

Lord, help this person on our mind believe in You and receive Your Word as true. Help us to continue to learn from and trust in Your Word. Let us experience the positive transformation that comes from believing in You and allowing You to work within us.

"Let the word of Christ dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God" (Colossians 3:16, NASB).

Above study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Photo of Amish Oak Bible Stand from www.dutchcrafters.com.

Gifted2Go Opportunities 2 Pray 4!

God is doing amazing things in the lives of women all across our nation!!  You can attend this awesome conference by saying yes to the opportunity to PRAY!!  You are Gifted2Go Pray for New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary's Women's Conference & Gifted2Go creator leader Jaye Martin!!

What’s the buzz about the NOBTS Women’s Conference?

The Gifted 2 Go NOBTS Women’s Conference, to be held in the Cafeteria, begins this Friday, October 5 at 6:30 p.m. and continues Saturday, October 6 at 8:30 a.m. We’ll wrap up by noon. Tickets are on sale through 10/3/12 for $5 in the Dean of Students office (Hardin Student Center) from 8 to 5 daily. You may also reserve a spot by emailing HYPERLINK "mailto:nobtswomen@nobts.edu" nobtswomen@nobts.edu. This is for NOBTS Women: students, wives, staff, faculty, and anyone else they want to bring with them. We don’t turn anyone away. Expect a time of instruction from the Word, connection with your peers, and inspiration to press on.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God" Ephesians 2:8 (ESV)

http://www.nobtsgatekeeper.com/p/announcements.html#!/p/nobts-womens-ministry.html

We ask for wisdom

"But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf on the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord..." 
-James 1:5-7, New American Standard Bible

When I first think of wisdom, I usually think of being practical. When I worked in downtown Louisville, I had a couple of pairs of work heels that I loved to wear. After a couple of trips, I realized how much these business shoes were not built for the rain or for running.  I was grateful when some co-workers said they had spare shoes for walking along the streets.  What's the wisdom that James wrote about, though?

Wisdom from God is full of goodness and truth.  James advised readers to ask God for wisdom, and to ask for it full of faith instead of doubt.  As we ask for wisdom from God and trust He has the best answer, He is faithful to lead us as we put Him first in our lives.  James described God's wisdom as he wrote, "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy" (James 3:17).

Lord, thank You for Your goodness and wisdom. Please let our source of wisdom come from You and help us show others more of who You are. Amen.

The study above is based off of the verses mentioned for study in the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).

Illustration "Dr. Who" above by Steve Mack from spotillustration.com

More about wisdom: 1 Kings 3:9-28, Ephesians 4:14-16, Craig Blomberg's commentary at zondervan.typepad.com/koinonia/.

treasure and living faith

 "Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord" (1 Samuel 1:28, ESV).  

This quote is from the story of Hannah.  She had wanted a child for a long time, but she did not have one until she was older.  Before this son came, she was mocked (verse 6) and anxious (verse 16).  She cried out to the Lord and poured her heart out to Him (Eli, the priest, sees this in verses 12-18).  

What happens is that God remembers her (verses 19-20).  At the end of it all, Hannah gives her son to the Lord (verse 20).

Verse 20 reminds me that whatever we receive from God, it is His.   A relationship with Him is our greatest treasure, on earth and in heaven.

Where do we take this?  We can take this knowledge, that God has this ability to work miracles, to heart.  We can share with others this living faith that we have because of what Christ has done for us. We can give our troubles to the Lord and trust that He is living and at work today.  I pray we show others how God is our treasure.

"Treasure" by Tree63 - myspace.com link to audio play

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21, ESV).

Photo from movie National Treasure - photo link

♥VICTORY in JESUS♥

"For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the VICTORY that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only thee who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."!

1 John 5:4-5 (NIV)

When is the last time you watched a sporting event? In every event there is the thrill of VICTORY and the agony of defeat!

As we just experienced a victory at a college baseball game, my thoughts turned to the many times in our Christian walk that we are faced with some of the same things that take place much like what athletes go through.

Here is a list of a few things that happen in our lives on "the field" of evangelistic ministry: opposition, things that are for you, things that are against you, rules, time, authority, rejection, pressure, encouragement, discouragement, good calls, bad calls, cheering and booing, ups and downs, errors, mistakes, good plays, working together, teammates, coaches, role models, trainers, on the field, on the bench, safe, out, sportsmanship, friendship, and much more...

We see in 1 John 5:4-5, that because of JESUS we will always have VICTORY, but "by faith" we must daily overcome the difficulties and defeats that try to come into our lives! Without the competition and battle, there could be no Victory. Without the ups and downs of real life living we would not appreciate the Thrill of VICTORY in JESUS!

As a witness in a world that needs the Lord, take heart, Jesus has overcome the world! Just like in a sporting even there are innings, quarters, rounds, matches...as a witness for Jesus Christ it often feels like we are in one overtime match after another battling towards VICTORY and wondering how each situation will work out....Good News, there is Always Victory In JESUS no matter what we have to overcome in this old world!

As a witness in situations that you would not believe, I can honestly share with you that if it was not for the Battles, the Victories would not be so sweet in our Lord!

It will be worth it all because of Jesus, and someone needs to hear those very words TODAY! I am amazed at the opportunities to share "worth it all" words of Victory over and over with those that are one step closer to the Cross, one step closer to a life Full of VICTORY in JESUS♥!

GO GOD!! JESUS ALWAYS WINS!! Who needs to hear us Cheering Them On Towards VICTORY?!

Let's Shout Evangelistic Encouragement From The Bleachers Into The Precious Lives That God Places In Our Path Towards Victory in JESUS!

Cheering You On In Jesus With Joyful Everlasting ♥VICTORY♥

a beautiful mystery

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 (New Living Translation)

Click! (Pause) Click! Huff.

Click! (Pause) Click! Hmm.

The man next to me on the plane and I stared up -- the lights above us refused to work. We were both on our last leg of an eventful traveling experience. He seemed ready to sleep, and I was ready to read. As we waited to tell the flight attendant about the lights, we slowly began to talk. Within a few minutes, our conversation turned to a discussion about God.

My row-mate asked me what I believed about God's divine nature, and I explained that I think that God is three-in-one – God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. He said that is what he believed, but he recently talked with someone who believed that Jesus and God were one, but not the Holy Spirit.

His eyes got as big as the mandrill on The Lion King (Rafiki, picture link below) as he said, "He is God! We cannot always explain Him." We laughed as we talked about how we try to explain God sometimes, but our minds are not like His. He exclaimed, "We must just have faith!"

It was a relief to be reminded that God does not expect us to understand everything about Him. No matter how confusing some things are about Him – such as the idea that God can be three in one – we are free to choose to have faith in the all-powerful, all-knowing God whose love never ends.

I pray that even though we may never fully understand our Lord, we may grow in our faith in Him this year.

Isaiah 40:28-31
Picture from iGoogle's "Places to See"

Picture of Rafiki: www.normsoft.com/tim/pics/RafikiPic.jpg

breathe in + exhale

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." –John 16:33

God is there for us through thick and thin. With Halloween approaching, personally I tend to see deadlines steadily approaching. I have a few papers due, and it seems like some responsibilities can flow like a waterfall. However, God can make that "waterfall" flow smoothly instead of ending in a crash. He brings peace.

Max Lucado, in his book Come Thirsty, explains, "Our Father makes the same request. 'Stay close to me. Talk to me. Pray to me. Breathe me in and exhale your worry.' " I love that part: "Breathe me in and exhale your worry."
This peace that we find in Him, how can we find and share it? Romans 5:1 explains how we have peace: "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." How can we share it? Maybe Colossians 3:15 offers an idea: "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful."

So, I pray that we can breathe Him in and exhale our worry or whatever binds us. In the face of what we see in this world, we can have confidence and peace in the strength of our Father. "The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace" (John 14:27).

More verses: Isaiah 9:6,7; Phillipians 4:9
Drawing by Picasso