"inexpressible joy"

"Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls" (1 Peter 1:8-9).

During a summer soccer camp, a friend and I were following up with a boy who came forward after praying to follow Christ.  We asked him why he prayed, and then he looked at us as he paused to think.  He replied, "I just love Jesus."  My friend and I smiled and then looked at each other, since it was refreshing him to say that. 

"And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son" ( 1 John 5:11).

At this session of camp, this boy was the only one in the older group that came to talk.  He explained how his brother had been telling him about what he was learning about God.  He said that he decided that he believed in God and wanted to follow Jesus.

"If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us" (1 John 4:15-16).

I pray that we and others see how our belief in our Savior King is grounded in this great love that He has for us and our trust in that love. 

"No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us" (1 John 4:13). 
 
Recommended reading: 1 John, chapters 4-5

Neighbors Reaching Neighbors!

Romans 13:9 "Love Your Neighbors As Yourself"! Romans 15:2 "Each Of Us Should Please His/Her Neighbor For His/Her Good, To Build Him/Her Up"!

My dear christian neighbor just celebrated her 90th Birthday this past weekend! WOW what a milestone and testimony of God's Goodness! It was a time to celebrate a life living for Jesus and on a course of finishing strong for the Lord!! As I took in this entire celebration it was a first for me because I did not have the privilege of knowing any of my grandparents...we have adopted my dear neighbor just like an adopted GRAND, we love her just like she was our own.

The Lord is so good to us to provide blessings even when it comes to who lives in our neighborhood! My dear neighbor use to serve my children as their "lunch line lady" when they were in elementary school and now we have the joy and privilege of serving her in many special simple ways!

Who can we serve in our neighborhood as we are called to build up our neighbors and love them as we love ourselves? What are some ways that we can invest in the lives of our neighbors?

Here are some simple ideas and we would love for you to share one of your favorite ways to love your neighbors:

• Share Your Garden Produce ~ Freely share the blessings from your garden, your flower garden, your fruit trees. As we hand our neighbor a basket (or grocery store plastic bag) of homegrown love we can include a special promise from God's Word that will lift our neighbor up!
• Share Your Prayers ~ Freely share your prayers in times of celebration and in times of need. Jaye Martin's "neighborhood brownie ministry" is a great place to start! As we share with our neighbors that we are praying for/with them, we can include a gift from our kitchen and we can include a special promise from God's Word that will lift our neighbor up!
• Share Your Time ~ Freely share your time helping someone in your neighborhood that would be blessed by your gift of time! As we share our time with newcomers to our neighborhood, newly married, new moms, mothers of preschoolers, mothers of teens, mothers of college kids with newly empty nests, and senior adult women that are unable to accomplish all that they use to....include a special promise from God's Word that will lift our neighbor up!

As we include the gospel in everything we do for our neighbors, God is faithful to cause the seeds of love that we are planting and watering to GROW as Neighbors Reach Neighbors for JESUS!!

Called to Lead

“According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the standard of faith; if service, in service; if teaching, in teaching; if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness” (Ro.12:6-8).

The gift of leadership is given by God for the purpose of leading in the local church to direct the members of the body of Christ in fulfilling the purpose of the church. It is the ability to hear God’s vision, based on the truths of His Word, and lead people to work together to accomplish God’s plan.

“And God has placed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, next, miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, managing, various kinds of languages” (1 Cor 12:28) .

The gift of administration is given by God for the purpose of managing the entities of the church in accomplishing the plan of God. It is the ability to organize and implement the plans given to God by the leader.

Each of has, by the very fact that we are believers, the calling and the capacity to lead. Some are gifted in leadership and so that gift is obvious to all. Consider the fact that we are all called to serve, yet some have the gift of service. Many of us are called to teach, but some of us are especially gifted in teaching. We are all called to be encouragers, yet some are have the gift of exhortation.

Whether we are gifted in the gift of leadership or not, we are all called to lead. The question is, how will we lead?

(Excerpts from Women Leading Women, chapter four, B&H Academic, Martin & Stovall.)

"listening" to art

"being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Phillipians 1:6).

This summer, I have gotten to join a group named Imago, made up of people who are interested in art and Christ.  Some people share their personal art, and this week some people shared art based on the verse above. 

In between these "art shares," the main leader asked us a question:  What is "Christian art?" 

One woman recalled that a number of famous painters in history have done Christian art merely because it was popular.  Someone else noted how Christian art may depend on the viewer.  Another noted that they thought of Christian art as something created by a believer in Christ.

One statement especially stood out to me:  a woman said that art is a conversation between the artist and the viewer. Can God use art to communicate?  I believe He can use it to inspire others, tell a story, and help someone see from a different point of view.

Some questions I've been asking myself:  Am I "listening" to art?  How can God use art to tell part of His story?   Do I know someone who may need encouragement in this area?  God has gifted each of us, and He can use those gifts to share His story.

An example of an art show that Imago organized to display at Houston's First Baptist Church: http://www.houstonsfirst.org/imagoartshow2009photos

The Greatest 25 Years Of My Life!

♥July 21, 1985♥

I am overtaken by The Love of God today because His One and Only Son ~ JESUS ~ Has Been My Lord ~ My Savior ~ My Everything for The Greatest 25 Years Of My Life!!

Almost to the exact minute 25 years ago I ran down the isle of a small church in Houston Texas and accepted The Greatest Gift of All Gifts, JESUS! I entered that very special church as a very lost and searching outsider (Colossians 4:5), BUT left that very special church as a forever part of The Body of Christ, A First-Generation Forever Never To Be The Same Christian (2 Corinthians 5:17)....Glory To God as I burst into tears this day, my 25th Spiritual Birthday, that I pray I will NEVER get over!!

There is a book in my heart today that I could write you. There are more testimonies than I can count of God's life-changing transforming purpose overtaking my life. Each memory I am reliving reminds me of a bride remembering her once in a lifetime wedding day on each anniversary that follows as love is celebrated!

My heart is full of love, great thankfulness, and awe as I am overcome with a fresh touch from God as He whispers in my heart "Jesus Loves You & Gave His Life For You, Tracy, So That You Can Know Him (Love), Share Him (Love), and Lead Others To Do The Same (Love)!!!.....

♥"For God So Loved The World That He GAVE His One And Only Son, That Whosoever (Tracy) Believes In Him Shall Not Perish But Have Eternal Life."♥! John 3:16 (the FIRST Bible verse I ever heard as I RAN to JESUS July 21, 1985...25 Years Ago TODAY!!)

Who needs to hear your testimony today? Who needs us to Share Jesus with them today? Who needs today to be the first day of their Spiritual Birthday?

♥Dear God, Thank You For JESUS And Everything He GAVE So That We Could RECEIVE Eternal LIFE♥ AMEN!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_4g8_e16dc&feature=related (Come to Jesus!) Chris Rice

GIFTED and CALLED

“Based on the gift they have received, everyone should use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God” (1 Peter 4:10) .

If God gave gifts to men, then we know that God had to be those things to give them. He can give leadership because he is the leader. He can give teaching ability because He is the teacher. He can give people the ability to shepherd because He is the shepherd. The list goes on. God is who He says He is and that is His character. While we could look at many aspects of His character, we will focus on that fact that God is the ultimate leader. We need to be looking to Him and His Word on just how to lead.

There has been a discussion for years whether leaders are born or bred. The answer is both are true. Some are gifted by God but as Christians, we are all called to lead. Leaders are those who see what needs to happen and then know how to make it happen. They know how to follow God and while doing so, know how to lead others. It is that balance of total submission to Him and His vision; but yet, total confidence in themselves as leaders. People follow people with vision.

Lord, help me to be faithful to serve others through the gifts you have given me.

(Excepts from Women Leading Women, chapter four, B&H Academic, Martin & Stovall.)

Eyes Like His

The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Galatians 5:14

Keeping with the theme of praise, I submit a song for thought that flooded Christian radio in days past. Certain expressions of praise strike a chord with the heart. Conviction is the note this song hits. When we consider the second greatest commandment we would be arrogant indeed to think we have no room for growth. As you watch this brief video, I encourage you as a lover of Jesus Christ, member of His church, and leader of His women to ask Him to make your love abound and grow in such a way that it becomes like His own.