Leaders, Grace and Peace?

"Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my god in all my remembrance of you" Philippians 1:1-3, NASB.

 

This past weekend, it was my honor to again be with Ashley Allen and the wonderful women of North Carolina. As we looked at the lessons of evangelistic leadership from Philippians, I began with these verses. Paul wrote to overseers, so as you can imagine, the book is packed with truths to take to heart. I love that he begins with the simple words of grace and peace. "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." I asked these leaders if they were giving grace and peace to those under their leadership. So simple, so profound.

 

What is grace? It is the free and unmerited favor of God. As a leader, I have to ask myself the same

question. Am I extending grace to others? Grace is the gospel message. It is the reality that in God's grace, He has blessed us with the gift of salvation, the gift of Himself. I must always extend His grace to everyone by my words and my actions. As a Christian, it is the best place to start.

 

What about peace? Do I carry the peace of God in every situation all day long? When I continue to find editing errors in the resources, how am I responding? Regardless of what happens, I need to always look to God for His peace so that I can extend it to others.

 

Grace and peace to you, my friend. May He fill you with His salvation and His Spirit so that you can pour it out on everyone.

 

 

Looking Forward

"For the grace of God has appeared with salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous and godly way in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ" (Titus 2:11-13, HCSB). 

What motivates you? Lately, pictures of Corpus Christi have been motivating me keep up my runs, since I will be running in a long distance race there soon. There is this feeling within me that can emerge, though - a feeling that routine runs will wear away at me and drain my energy. When I remember why I am excited about that run in the future, my mind shifts. My heart lifts. I remember why I love to run, and even what may seem like a purely mechanic routine is a good time as I remember the end goal with its purpose and meaning.

As believers, we have this future hope that Jesus will return one day. This hope comes from God's promises. He is an unchanging promise keeper. God is Lord over all and Jesus, our Redeemer. With help from the Holy Spirit, we can seek to live our lives as His people, representatives for Him until He comes again to restore His kingdom on earth. My hope is that as we seek to follow God, we shift our eyes from obedience that can look like routine and see the underlying love for our Savior that can drive all of that.

Kelli Martin

Let's be a people who love Him from the inside out. Let's share with others and pray that they see that our obedience is a work of the Holy Spirit. Let's pray that God renews our hearts daily so we can reflect Him more.

"So we must not grow tired of doing good" (Galatians 6:9a, HCSB). 

"God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit in me" (Psalm 51:10, HCSB). 

Recommended song: "Absent from Flesh" performed by Sojourn Music. You can see a YouTube video here or listen to the audio version here. This song was inspired by the hymn written by Isaac Watts, and you can find the words to that here.

Throne of Grace

"Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16

One of the great privileges of being a believer is the ability to take concerns, fears, joys, and sorrows before the Lord and trust Him to provide what is needed. One biblical passage that greatly encourages me in this is 1 Samuel 1, where Hannah, who is barren, goes to the temple to pray for a child. As she is praying, Eli the priest comes to her assuming she is drunk due to the intensity of her prayer. I love what Scripture describes following: 

But Hannah replied, “No, my lord, I am a woman oppressed in spirit; I  have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but I have poured out my soul before the Lord.... So the woman went her way and ate, and her face was no longer sad. (1 Samuel 1:15;18).

What Scripture doesn't say is "the Lord immediately granted her request so her face was no longer sad." Instead, it says after she had poured out her soul before the Lord and taken her requests to Him, she was no longer sad. The presence of the Lord was enough to satisfy Hannah and give her peace. As believers, we have the freedom to pour out our heart before the Lord and also can rest assured 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).

Today, may we be thankful for the incredible gift it is to approach the throne of grace with CONFIDENCE. May we praise the Lord for the mercy and grace He gives in our time of need, and trust that He will provide for us. May we find our greatest comfort, peace and satisfaction in His presence.

According to His Mercy

"So then as through one transgression there resulted condemnation to all men, even so through one act of righteousness there resulted justification of life to all men. For as through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous." Romans 6:18-19

Kari Beougher

My Dad is a pastor and professor and loves to use stories about his children as illustrations. Unfortunately, over the years I have frequently been used as his illustration for sin. When I was 15 months old, I was playing outside and walking toward the road. Concerned, my parents said, "Kari Michelle, don't you dare put one foot in that street." So I walked over to the road, bent down and put my two hands in the street. Though I obviously don't remember this, I have heard the story enough times to feel as though I do. My Dad's point is that they did not have to teach me how to sin or choose disobedience. Integral to our human nature is the propensity toward sin and the inability to choose righteousness. Left to ourselves, we are absolutely unable to live in a way that is pleasing to God.

The good news of the Gospel is "although you were formerly ALIENATED and HOSTILE in mind, ENGAGED in EVIL deeds, yet He has now RECONCILED you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him HOLY and BLAMELESS and BEYOND REPROACH- if indeed you CONTINUE in the faith firmly ESTABLISHED and STEADFAST, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel..." (Colossians 1:21-23).

While we were still ENGAGED in evil deeds, God sent His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for our sins and thus reconcile us to God. Now, we who were formerly unable to choose obedience are made righteous through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Titus 3:5 says, "He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but ACCORDING TO HIS MERCY."

Today, may we thank God for His incredible mercy and grace toward us. May we continue in our faith, not shifting from the hope of the Gospel.

Conversations That Count: Common Ground

"...and Jacob's well was there. So Jesus, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, 'Give me a drink.' For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food" (John 4:6-8, NASB).

A common thirst, a common need. When Jesus met this woman at the well, He knew they were from different cultures but picked up on their common desire for water. Being God and man, Jesus knew she needed more than just water - she needed a better relationship with God. So, Jesus took this opportunity to start a conversation with her.

In this, we learn how we can look for ways to start a connection with others and opportunities to share who Jesus is with others. When we come across others, we can ask ourselves, "What do we have in common?"

We are unique people, and yet -

• We live in the same world. What's going on around us? 
• We are all human and have struggles in some way or another. Have you had a similar struggle as someone else? 
• Most importantly, we have the same God who desires a restored relationship with His creation. Does the person know this? 

Lord, help us keep our eyes open for ways we have common ground with others. Give us the words to say, if we're able to connect and share something about You with them. Thanks for taking time to help us know You more. Amen.

Study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Photo from bibleplaces.com.

Sharing God's Heart: Seasoned Just Right

"Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person" (Colossians 4:6, NASB).

It is pretty amazing how even a dash of salt can help a meal's flavors come alive. Salt also acts as a perservative for food. Much like salt to a meal, one element that is a key part of God's makeup is grace. It reveals the goodness and purity in Him. In Colossians 4:6, believers are encouraged to live out the grace God has shown us. This is the same grace that He offers others.

Consider salt that is mixed with other elements. In Biblical times, it is known that salt from the Dead Sea was mixed and sold with other impurities. It wasn't pure sodium, which gave it less flavor and made it generally less favorable. Disciples who lose their saltiness (grace) are not as effective witnesses of Christ as they could be. We can pray that when we speak, God helps us do so with grace, so others can see more of Christ, the One we love, serve and testify.

Do you remember a time when you were caught up in sin or a tough situation?
How did God help you out of it, or how did He walk you through it?
Let's remember to show others the kindness of Christ that drew us to Him. Also, let's pray for those who don't know Christ yet.

Lord, thank You for your grace. Help us be aware of our speech, and help us speak with the grace You show us. Father God, equip us to be outstanding witnesses for who You are. Help others on our mind, ones that don't know You, embrace the grace You offer through Your Son. Amen.

"Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and tolerance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?" (Romans 2:4, NASB).

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:23-24, NASB).

Check out an acousitc cover of the song "Kindness" by Chris Tomlin, sung live by Greyson Sawyer here on YouTube. You can hear Chris Tomlin's version on YouTube here.

Study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Researched with the help of Stephanie Carey.
Photo from www.naturaltherapypages.co.uk.

Throwing out the old: Malice and slander

"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear" (Ephesians 4:29, New American Standard Bible).

On the past season of the television show, So You Think You Can Dance, I admired how the judges gave constructive criticism with grace to a young contemporary dancer. They not only helped her see certain areas to work on, but also they expressed where she had admirable talent and skill. She went on to be one of the top four finalists.

The thing I appreciate about the verse above is that we see there is an alternative to malice and slander. God has shown us an overwhelming amount of grace, especially through Jesus. Are the things we say about others truthful and full of grace?

Let us pray to have grace with others, whether they are in the same room with us or not. This may be a challenge at times, since this is something we know only God can do perfectly. The reason we can love, though, is because God first loved us and showed us what His love looks like. Let's ask God to help us live without malice and slander.

Lord, thanks for showing us Your stunning grace. Help us speak to and about others with grace. Give us speech that oozes with more of Your influence. Amen.

Above study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Photo from http://media-cache-lt0.pinterest.com/upload.

The Holy Spirit gives new birth

"Jesus answered, 'Truly, truly I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit'" (John 3:5-6, New American Standard Bible).

The Holy Spirit brings great spiritual renewal from God. In the verses above, Jesus explained to Nicodemus, a well-studied man, what it meant to have a "second birth." God has the power to forgive us, since He rules over all. We are asked to ask Him for forgiveness and believe in Him. Then, the Holy Spirit is given to us at this time of conversion. It is a new birth, because the old has passed away and the new life, walking with Christ, has come. We are brought into God's family.

Our good and loving Father is there to keep forgiving us for sins that come. The Holy Spirit is there to help us understand God's will and turn to God. Jesus is there as an example of how to live on earth and as a reminder that our sins have been paid for on the cross. The Holy Spirit is there to guide us out of sin and into God's truth.

So, this new birth is a monumental moment. When we have it, we no longer live under wrath but we live under grace. We can rest knowing that the Holy Spirit is with us as we live today until we are able to be in God's presence forever in heaven.

Lord, thank You for this new life with You. Help us share You with others so they can have new birth, too, and experience the healing You bring. Thank You for Your presence. Amen.

Above study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Photo from www.photo-dictionary.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 look for opportunities

"Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person" (Colossians 4:5-6, New American Standard Bible). 

Some translators note that "making the most of the opportunity" means "redeeming the time." It reminds me of "soaking up the moment." When we run across someone else who does not have a relationship with God, I pray that we are aware of times that God gives to us, to share with them who He is and how He wants us to have a relationship with us.

Moments like that, to share our faith with someone who doesn't know Him, are like open doors. Doors can be so unique, like the one pictured above. They can symbolize a way to welcome outsiders. Have there been times recently that you have seen an "open door" to share something about your faith in Christ? I pray that God gives us the wisdom to see how to respond to opportunities where we can welcome people into knowing our life-giver, Lord, and Savior - Jesus Christ.

A wise woman, who preferred to be called Sistah Pat, once wrote, "Ask God to show you the opportunities.  They are all around.  Be encouraged that God is still using the ordinary to do the extraordinary."

Lord, thanks for all You've done and for what You're doing in our lives. Help us see opportunities to share with others who You are. Lead us in making the most of those moments. Amen.

Verse and topic used for study from HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart by Jaye Martin (1999)

Photo of carved door found on artfactory.com  - inspiration from Chateau des ducs de Savoie, 16th Century France

Unmatched Faithfulness

"This saying is trustworthy: For if we have died with Him, we will also live with Him; if we endure, we will also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He will also deny us; if we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself."
-2 Timothy 2:11-13, Holman Christian Standard Bible

The last part of the verses above, "If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself," stood out to me.  God is unchanging in His character and virtue, and that is one of the things I love about Him.  He is faithful to us, and His grace is great.  Our God is both loving and just.

How can we love Him today?  How can we reach out and love others like He loves us?  My prayers after reading these verses:

• thanks to our God, who simply can't deny His character
• for the Holy Spirit to continue to transform our hearts to be more like Christ's
• that we see times to share God's unmatched faithfulness with others

from a need to a change

"This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.  If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.  If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us"  (1 John 1:5-10, ESV).

Lately, I have seen how I am not as strong as I would like to be - mentally, physically, and spiritually.  I can have trouble focusing, and the last mile that I try to add every two weeks to my runs, to train for a half-marathon, is my toughest.  Spiritually, my friends have been teaching me more about confession.  The thing is, is that I think confession really opens us up for growth in our relationship with God and with everyone you meet.  I think it helps to at least share how we have this deep need for a relationship with God.

It is a process, I think, to mature in our faith.  When we speak with others, we can know that we are neither perfect nor worthy to be in God's family, but that we are able to be a part of it because of Jesus' sacrifice for us.  We are weak by ourselves, but we are strong with God.  The Holy Spirit sanctifies us. 

My challenge for myself, and to any others, is to take time to remember how much we need God in our lives.  If we explain this need to others, then we could help each other grow closer to Him.  It is an everyday need that we all have, and we can praise God that He is strong enough for anything.

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Corinthians 12:9, ESV). 

An old music video about change - "May Your Power Rest on Me"

the riches of His grace

"In him we have redemption through his blood the forgiveness of our trespasses, 

according to the riches of his grace which he lavished upon us, 

in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, 

according to his purpose, 

which he set forth in Christ"

-Ephesians 1:1,8-9 (ESV)

When I think of how God blessed us, I am in awe.  He is perfect, and yet He wants us to be a part of his family.

God is the author of our lives, and I believe He wants us to be a part of it.  I like most movies with a narrator (like George of the Jungle and The Princess Bride), since there is usually more insight into the story.  Some narrators and authors seem to focus on entertainment.  The outcomes of some stories are not always based on what is best and true, but on what amuses them.  God, though - He is full of truth and wisdom, and He wants to bring us into His family.  He sent his Son to save us from our sins, like an addiction to living for ourselves.  How can we help others know who He is?

Our holy, saving God, who is king over all things, sent his Son to save us.  He has this deep grace that can rescue us from our sins as we turn to trust in Him.  How can we share with others about this Savior, who is full of grace?

check that off?

Romans 11:35-36 reads, "Or who has ever first given to Him, and has to be repaid? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen" (Holman Christian Standard Bible).  


This afternoon, I saw an exercise t-shirt that read, "Check that off!"  It made me question myself, "Do I sometimes obey God like it is a check-off for my to-do list?"  Do we obey Him out of habit?  

God's grace and mercy make His character stand out.  God meets us where we are, no matter how messy life can seem. Action and obedience are important, yet it is God who gives us the strength to follow as we believe in, turn to and trust in Him.

I pray that we will share the Good News of His grace.  We can take a deep breath and rest in knowing that He loves us and is there to guide us every step of the way.


Flashback: 2007 music video by Switchfoot, "You Already Take Me There" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8l1KgHI5GxA

catching my fall

This week, my understanding of God's power has increased through a series of events. All were humbling, some were from the Bible, some from teachings about it, but one is embarrassing!

Tuesday, the girls that I babysit had two neighbors ask them to play in their backyard. As I walked towards the girls, who were playing on a swing, I tried to pet their neighbor's Shetland Terrier. One of the girls called my name, I looked up, and walked onto a covered pool! I fell and was close enough to the edge to not slide into the middle. I think the girls were playing and didn't realize, and I just laughed.

Sometimes, I let sin fog my mind, and then I feel like it is inescapable. It takes time for me to realize that God is the only one who has the power to save me.

This week, as I listened to Tony Rose speak, he said (rephrased): "You are in a race. Your biggest competitor? You." He referred to this verse to show how to find power to run:
"For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as to divide soul, spirit, joints, and marrow; it is a judge of the ideas and thoughts of the heart." – Hebrews 4:12 (HCSB)

Why, this sin that holds on to us can actually help us see our need for God. He, in His incomparable mercy and absolute power, has given us the opportunity to turn to Him and away from sin. When we focus on the sin and do not forgive ourselves, do we truly trust in His incredible power? Hebrews 4:16 (HCSB) explains: "Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time."

Christ is strong enough to fight the sin! I pray that we are quick to turn to Him when we fall.

Other verses: Daniel 6:26-27
Picture from swimmingpoolcovers.blogsavy.com