A beam of light - Light up the night

"Now this is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in Him" (1 John 1:5, HCSB). 

A couple weekends ago, I got to go camping with a group of friends in the Texas Hill Country. It was beautiful and a fun trip. One night, some of us walked away from our campsite to find an open space to look at stars. Sure enough, we found a great space where we found so many shining brightly. When we left to go back to our campsite, I was relieved that a few of us had bright flashlights to help us find our way. The stars had light of their own, but the flashlights were closer to us and beamed to guide us through the trees and back to our tents.

Kelli Martin

Do you remember a time you were lost in darkness? Maybe you can recall a time you were outside late one night, or maybe spiritually you remember being lost when God was not your guide.

God, our Creator wishes to draw us close to Him and to help us navigate through life. That's why Jesus, the light of the world, came to earth, to die in our place so we wouldn't have to live and remain in darkness. Sin separates us from God, but God is faithful to forgive our sins against Him out of His lovingkindness. He offers a beam of light, because He is light.

I pray we look to Him as our guide today. Let's share this light that brings hope with others, this light that can shine in the darkest of places.

Photo by Murfy Kristiadi. You can find it here: http://yourshot.nationalgeographic.com/photos/1198727/

A few songs to YouTube music video links:
Light of the World / Here I Am to Worship - Tim Hughes .
Fuego - Lecrae feat. KB and Suzy Rock

More verses:
1 John 1:5-10, Psalm 119:105, Proverbs 20:27, John 8:12, John 12:46, 2 Corinthians 4:5-6

Entrusted

"Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you" 2 Timothy 1:14, NASB

Paul tells Timothy that he is to guard the treasure entrusted to him. In this verse, he also says that the Holy Spirit will help him to guard that treasure.  That treasure is the gift of Christ. It is the gift of faith that has been entrusted to him as a believer.  Timothy has the treasure of Christ and the calling as a teacher to pass on the truth of the Word of the Lord that has been entrusted to him. Paul reminds Timothy that he is not alone on this mission, God is with him.

In a world that is so full of people who do not want to trust Christ, it is comforting to know that God is still at work in our lives helping us to treasure His gift of eternal life, His everlasting love and the hope of His calling. Through the work of the Holy Spirit, we know that we can share the good news of Christ with others. We can be true to our calling. Regardless of what they say or do, we can guard the treasure that has been entrusted to us.

Just like you, I have been involved in several recent conversations with those who deny Christ. I thank God that it is not my job to convince or convict them, but I can guard the treasure entrusted to me,

Lord, help me to share. Help me to guard your truth! Amen.

Opportunities To Share Jesus Are Flying By!

On a recent airplane trip to Louisville, Kentucky to team teach HeartCall and Gifted2Go with Jaye, God gave me an opportunity to share Jesus, at the airport I was traveling from, and on the airplane I was flying on...

As I missed my first flight, God used all the details of my second flight to build a quick relationship with the airline representative, we will call her Sally.  As I shared a "HeartTalk" witnessing booklet with Sally, then saw her again right before I boarded my flight, she expressed to me that she was going to go home after work and do exactly what she just read in "HeartTalk."  Sally expressed those words to me with tears in her eyes while God whispered in my heart that He took my missed flight and used that experience to share Jesus with Sally, Praise The Lord!

Tracy Jones

As I settled into the the final leg of my flight, a group of more than 30 women that were very friendly boarded my flight.  God placed one of them next to me and we became fast friends, we will call her Jane!  As I got to know my new fast friend, God gave me the opportunity to share with Jane about HeartCall, Gifted2Go as I shared a "HeartTalk" witnessing booklet with her.  Jane took the time right away to read her HeartTalk booklet and, as we were about to get off the plane, she shared with me that she was going to go to her hotel room and do exactly what she had just read in "HeartTalk"!

My heart was bursting with joy for the privilege of sharing Jesus with these 2 precious women!  All around us there are people to share Jesus with as God gives us these opportunities and God gives us the words to share!  God is so amazing to pour into our lives what He desires to pour out of our lives as we look for those "opportunities that are flying by" as we GO!!!

Do you have some witnessing booklets everyday everywhere you go?  That is one way that God equips you to be Gifted2Go!  Please put some booklets in your pocket, in your purse, in your car, at your desk, at the door of your home, everywhere you spend time!  You are Gifted2Go Share Jesus as you are Go-ing!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYvUym9E_nQ&playnext=1&list=PLCcSRKFsRpIfpCMfJaXMrb_sdQzEQl1dX  Each One Reach One!!  (Babbie Mason)

Sharing God's Heart: Hope

"But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to anyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence" (1 Peter 3:15, NASB).

Ready. I remember sitting at a table in a high school photojournalism class when a friend asked me a genuine question about my faith in Christ. I froze for a second. My face flushed red. It was an unexpected question, but I was glad she asked it. We can rest assured that God will give us the words to say at the right time. We can pray and prepare now for the next time someone asks about our trust in Him.

Account for the hope that is in you. What has God done in your life? When did you believe in Jesus and His message? In case you are having trouble putting your faith into words, it may help to reflect on your testimony, remember how you came to know Christ, search the Bible and ask God questions (your questions aren't too tough for Him). The Apologetics Bible and HeartCall resources have helped me personally in this area. The core elements of HeartCall are:

• Hope - God has a plan for you
• Believe - God sent Jesus to die on the cross for you
• Turn - Turn to God and away from sin
• Call - Call on God to be your Lord and Savior

Gentleness and reverence. The big idea that I see from that part of the verse is to treat others with consideration and respect as we share. We don't know everything about them, and they are God's creation. In a way, we have been in the same shoes they have - we all have done things against God, and we all need Him.

Father God, You have made such a difference in our lives. Prepare our hearts and give us the words to say when someone asks why we trust in You. Amen.

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

Jesus Gave EVERYTHING!

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
"And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood." Hebrews 13:12
"The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life." Luke 9:22




JESUS GAVE EVERYTHING for you and for me.....let's spend some time thinking about these 3 capitalized words:


JESUS: What Does He Mean To You?


GAVE: How & What Did He Give To You?


EVERYTHING: What Does Everything Mean?


As we experience God during the GREATEST week of all weeks for us as Christians, Good Friday & Easter, God so wants to be EVERYTHING in our lives! God is calling us to never forget The Cross & The EMPTY Tomb! Our Redeemer is ALIVE! Jesus GAVE His Life for you, to GIVE His life to you! What Amazing Grace!! JESUS LIVES!


Is Jesus ALIVE in and through our lives in a fresh meaningful way that we can share with someone that needs Him? Good News=Today is a New Fresh Day!


What a perfect opportunity we have to REMEMBER!
Remember what Jesus has done for us!
Remember where Jesus found us!
Remember where Jesus has brought us!
Remember the reasons that Jesus has saved us!
Remember all the pain and suffering that Jesus went through just for us!
Remember the gifts Jesus has given us!
Remember those around us that still need JESUS!

How will others that are searching for LIFE=JESUS find it?

Others will find Jesus as we keep Sharing ♥Jesus♥!

The Cross and The Tomb is EMPTY so that your lives can be FOREVER FULL with JESUS....

WE PRAISE YOUR NAME OUR LORD AND OUR SAVIOR~JESUS!!!

Have a BLESSED ♥Good Friday & Easter♥

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9p4G2GbPYQA (My Redeemer Lives!)

Share Your Story!

"For God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness, but one of power, love, and sound judgement. So don't be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, or of me His prisoner. Instead, share in suffering for the gospel, relying on the Power of God." 2 Timothy 1:7-8 (HCSB)


"So don't be embarrassed to speak up for our Master..." 2 Timothy 1:8 (MSG)



You have a special story to share , your story, your testimony!

One of the greatest tools you have as His witness is to share your personal testimony, His Story in your life, with someone that needs that Lord or needs to turn back to the Lord!


I thank God for the first Christians in my life that encourage me to share my personal story with others as they shared with me that God could use my testimony to plant and water seeds of Good News of Jesus Christ in someone's life! When we share our story, we are His Witness!


There are many ways you can prepare to share your story. Here is a simple but powerful plan/outline you may want to use (you can find this simple tool in chapter 4 of "HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart" (page 28):

• What Was My Life Like Before I Became A Christian? (list some of the things that God saved you and forgave you from)

• What Happened & How You Accepted & Believed That Jesus Loved You & Gave His Life For You? (list some of the details about the day you accepted Jesus as your Lord)

• How Has Your Life Been Different As A Christian Since You Gave Your Life To The Lord? (list some of the ways that your life has changed and is new)

Thank God that He has saved you and that you have a story to share with others as His Witness! If you have never committed your life to Him, this would be a great time to do that. Please let someone know of your decision to follow Christ so that they can pray celebrate with you, pray for you, and help you begin to grow as a New Believer!!

We would LOVE to hear Your Story! Please feel free to share Your Story using the outline above! Sharing your story by using this simple outline above is a great way to practice as you prepare to share your story with others!

I am compelled to stop and pray for you based on Colossians 4:2-6!! "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us too that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders (non-Christians); make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone."!! Colossians 4:2-6

IN JESUS' NAME!! AMEN!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jbe7OruLk8I
(Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) - Chris Tomlin)

A Simple Way To Share As You GO!

Summertime is often a time of GOing here and GOing there; travel, vacation, outdoor activities, days filled with more sunshine to experience times of togetherness with family and friends, & GREAT opportunities to Share Jesus as we are GOing!

Often while we are GOing there are many people around us that are sharing their services with us; those that help us as we travel, eat out at restaurants, drop clothes off at the dry cleaners, service our car, service our home, service our pets, service us at our favorite vacation spot, etc.!

As we prepare to GO this summer, we can also prepare to SHARE Jesus with others through our words and actions!

Simple Idea: Share a simple note with each person that serves us and include John 3:16 in that note in your own personal GIFTED way! Our words, however brief they may be, may be the ONLY kindness that person has received all day! Our expression of thanks may be the ONLY communication that person has had recently to build them up, encourage them, and SHARE Jesus & His Love with them!!

Jesus said that even a "cup of cold water" given to a thirsty person in His Name was a way of Blessing & Honoring HIM (Mark 9:41)!! WOW, what a Simple Way To Share JESUS as we Share A Cup Of Cold Water to a Spiritually DRY World that needs a special GIFTED2GO word of kind thankful encouragement♥

God Has Set You Apart!

"...know that the Lord has SET APART the godly for Himself; the Lord will hear when I call to Him." Psalm 4:3 NIV

I will never forget the first godly counsel that I received about being "set apart" as a first-generation Christian! As a new believer striving to be a new witness in the midst of learning how to be a Christian wife and mother, I first heard the words; "God has set you apart", and I needed to know what that meant. Christians are set apart to be "in the world but not of the world anymore" and we are just passing through this world on a mission to share Jesus with others and take as many of them with us to heaven...this was my first evangelism one on one training!

This sure helped me understand what I was feeling as a new Christian experiencing some of my first attacks from the enemy as he attacked me and tried to make me feel so alone and different! The good news is that as God's Witnesses...we are set apart in Jesus...we are different...and In Jesus we are NEVER alone but the path we travel will NOT look like the world's path that I had just been rescued from.

As a Christian, are you feeling like "you do not fit in"? Good News, those are "set apart" feelings as you are "in this world but not of this world" anymore!

In Psalm 4 David describes so well some of the circumstances and feelings that come with being set apart for God's Victory living and sharing Jesus with others that are searching searching like we once were!

I must close with writing the entire fourth Psalm as God is so faithful to speak and minister to each one of His Set Apart Saved Sisters right at the point of our NEED!! The Message paraphrase describes each word in modern day words that we can meditate upon...

Psalm 4 (the message paraphrase)
"When I call, you give me answers. God, take my side! Once, in a tight place, you gave me room;
Now I am in trouble again: grace me! hear me! You rabble-how long do I put up with your scorn?... Look at this: look who got picked by God! (set apart) He listens that split second I call to Him. Complain if you must, but do not lash out. Keep your mouth shut, and let your heart do the talking. Build your case before God and wait for His verdict. Why is everyone hungry for more? "More, more," they say. "More, more." I have God's more-than-enough, More joy in one ordinary day than they get in all their shopping sprees. At the day's end I'm ready for sound sleep, For You, God, have put my life back together"!

http://www.utube.com/watch?v=7x2IpLSfqp8 (All to Jesus I Surrender!)
http://www.utube.com/watch?v=TI9RIbaa87I&feature=related (More Than Enough!)

Everyone Needs HOPE!

"There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!"

Romans 5:3-5 (msg)

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jer.29:11-13 (NIV)

Romans 5:6-8 (ESV) "For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."!!

As God's witnesses, as the constant changing circumstances around us are often very difficult, we have a great opportunity to share the ONE truth that NEVER CHANGES=JESUS! Right now in our communities as we look around us there is such a huge opportunity to share JESUS because of all of the uncertainty and questions about the future that are in The United States of America and the WORLD! Just like it is written in Romans 5:6 "for while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly..." Our world is full of people that are searching searching searching for someone & something that they can put their trust in that will not let them down or change! We have THE ANSWER to every one's needs and His name is JESUS!! JESUS is who equips us and calls us as His Gifted2Go witness♥

WOW, like me, do you remember what it was like to be lost (without hope)? Lost people look and live like lost people! Romans 5: 6-8 compels my thoughts right back to the time in my life that I was LOST and how desperately I was searching for Peace and Purpose "weak and ungodly" and NEEDING JESUS~PEACE WITH GOD & HOPE for my future...how many people around us right now are needing HOPE & PEACE? Would you join me and make a "who needs Jesus" prayer list?

As followers of Christ, our hope is in Christ Alone, not in this world! The more difficult times grow around the world, the greater opportunity we have to share JESUS!

Today is a great opportunity to share your personal testimony with someone today that needs Jesus. Here are 3 simple steps in sharing your testimony:

1. Share what your life was like before you gave your life to Jesus Christ:


2. Share how your heard about Jesus and the day you believed and surrendered your life to Him:


3. Share about how your life has grown and changed because of Jesus. Who are some of the people that you have been able to share your testimony with? You are His witness as you share your testimony with others!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sKcw9_PQYA (The Wonderful Cross!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y83-vMeWc9E (You Never Let Go!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMSd7XQE5yk (My Hope!)

Christmas Parties With Purpose!

The film, "It's A Wonderful Life" by Frank Capra, tells the story of George Bailey and the Hope that is found in Life! Jaye Martin has taken this movie and created a party with a purpose; "It's A Wonderful Life" Christmas Party, shared in a way that provides an opportunity to "gently" introduce your faith & hope in Christ with others especially during the wonderful Christmas season! This "Christmas Party With Purpose" and many more for those of all ages can be found on this free download listed below as we look for creative fun ways to Keep Christ In Christmas!!! Here are the 4 great evangelistic Christmas Ideas & Parties for you to enjoy and share, each with great simple detailed step by step instructions that are found in this free down-loadable evangelistic women's leadership notebook. My prayer is that this will enriched your life in Christ in many specials ways like it has enriched mine!

http://www.namb.net/atf/cf/%7BCDA250E8-8866-4236-9A0C-C646DE153446%7D/2005%20HCLL%20NOTEBOOK.pdf (written by Jaye Martin, Director of Women's Leadership, SBTS)

The above download notebook is 51 pages full of awesome ideas and tools for anyone desiring to share Jesus in and through their lives! Here are the specific Christmas Parties With Purpose and the pages that you can find all of the fun simple step by step details for you:

"Christmas Traditions Home Decorating & Tour" can be found on Pages 37-41: Christmas decorating ideas that each have a purpose that all point to Jesus! You will LOVE these ideas can be used in many ways; for a Christmas home tour, personal home witness, personal Christmas focus on the real meanings of Christmas as you raise your children and/or desire for your home to point others to The Reason for the Season~Jesus!

"It's A Wonderful Life" Christmas Party can be found on Pages 42-43: This evangelistic party is based upon Frank Capa's film "It's A Wonderful Life" starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. This party of fun and hope has been used to provide opportunities to "gently" introduce individuals to your faith in Jesus Christ as you also send a message of hope and availability to those needing to know more about where your Hope comes from! There is a step by step party planning guide that you will LOVE! I can already smell the popcorn:-)!

"Happy Birthday, Jesus" Christmas Party can be found on Pages 44-45: This evangelistic party is planned with young children and their parents in mind. The party host/hostess are your children or any children's ministy. You and children of all ages will LOVE the fun party planning simple guide as a Christmas atmosphere is enjoyed by all!

"Jesus Cake" Celebrations can be found on Page 46: You will LOVE this edible witnessing tool as the fun simple baking directions are listed for a wonderful evangelistic dessert! What a great tool that helps us all keep Christ in Christmas and keeps the message of Christ coming from our kitchen:-)! You can share this cake with family, Christmas gatherings, co-workers, neighbors, delivery people, anyone..... as we share The Greatest Gift~Jesus through this evangelistic edible GIFT~"Jesus Cake"!

Happy Birthday Jesus~Welcome To Our Christmas As We Share You With Our World!! AMEN!!!!

Welcome To Our Christmas Jesus~Welcome To Our World!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogWRU29J78I (you will love this song!)
Happy Birthday Jesus!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQyXWllz5Ao (you will love this song!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oar123wgUH4 (you will love this song!)

ready to run

"...for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones." –Proverbs 2:8 (NIV)

Have you heard about the first woman to officially complete the Boston Marathon?

In 1967, according to The Women's Running Magazine (July/August 2009), a number of people outside of the running profession were not sure a woman could run 26.2 miles. Yet, 20-year-old Kathrine V. Switzer registered for the Boston Marathon that year.

During the race, after four miles of running in the cold, a co-race director noticed her and became upset. He actually tried to physically pull her out of the competition, but Kathrine's boyfriend (who was running by her side) "body-blocked" the man! She kept running with her trainer and finished the course in about 4:20.

Kathrine became the first woman to run the Boston as a numbered entry. In our lives, trials can come from different angles (John 16:33), but Jesus Christ and God will be there for us every step of the way as we keep our trust in Him (Jeremiah 17:7-8)! I pray that we are confident, like K. V. Switzer, to keep "running" and share God's great, unmatched love with others today.

more info: http://www.katherineswitzer.com/

picture from: http://blog.solestruck.com/?p=142