"Just as you don't know the path of the wind, or how [bones] develop in the womb of a pregnant woman, so you don't know the work of God who makes everything. In the morning sow your seed, and at evening do not let your hand rest, because you don't know which will succeed, whether one or the other, or if both of them will be equally good" (Ecclesiastes 11:5-6, Holman Christian Standard Bible).

This book, Ecclesiastes, has encouraged me this week. As I've been reading it more, it's reminded me to trust God more. He is omniscient; He knows everything in the past, present, and future.  Colossians 3:23 reminds believers to work for the Lord. Our work can be done with peace and confidence in God's lead, knowing that His power is perfect in our weekness (2 Corinthians 12:19).

Today, I'm moving, and I was feeling pretty anxious earlier this week as I thought of things to do to prepare for it. It's relieving that we can rest in knowing that God can give us joy and strength as we go through whatever today. The Holy Spirit is with believers to help. I pray that we remember to trust in Him and to tell others about His work in our lives.

Freedom!

2 Corinthians 3:17 "Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."!

John 8:32 "You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free"!

The 4th of July, Celebration of Freedom, is a great opportunity to share where freedom can be experienced, In Jesus Christ! Who has God placed in our lives that needs Freedom? Freedom from Fear, Freedom from Worry, Freedom from Addictions, Freedom from Debt, Freedom from Sin, Freedom from Loneliness, Freedom from the Cares of This World? As we participate in July 4th Celebrations, let's share where our Freedom is Found = Jesus, with someone that is yearning to be Free!! In Jesus, Everyday can be "Happy Freedom Day"!!


Psalm 33: 1-22

Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous ones;
praise from the upright is beautiful.
Praise the LORD with the lyre;
make music to Him with a ten-stringed harp.

Sing a new song to Him;
play skillfully on the strings, with a joyful shout.

For the word of the LORD is right,
and all His work is trustworthy.

He loves righteousness and justice;
the earth is full of the LORD's unfailing love.

The heavens were made by the word of the LORD,
and all the stars, by the breath of His mouth.

He gathers the waters of the sea into a heap;
He puts the depths into storehouses.

Let the whole earth tremble before the LORD;
let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.

For He spoke, and it came into being;
He commanded, and it came into existence.

The LORD frustrates the counsel of the nations;
He thwarts the plans of the peoples.

The counsel of the LORD stands forever,
the plans of His heart from generation to generation.

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD—
the people He has chosen to be His own possession!

The LORD looks down from heaven;
He observes everyone.

He gazes on all the inhabitants of the earth
from His dwelling place.

He alone crafts their hearts;
He considers all their works.

A king is not saved by a large army;
a warrior will not be delivered by great strength.

The horse is a false hope for safety;
it provides no escape by its great power.

Now the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him—
those who depend on His faithful love

to deliver them from death
and to keep them alive in famine.

We wait for the LORD;
He is our help and shield.

For our hearts rejoice in Him,
because we trust in His holy name.

May Your faithful love rest on us, LORD,
for we put our hope in You."

"From the creation of the world His invisible attributes, that is, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what He has made. As a result, they are without excuse" (Romans 1:20, HCSB).

With the beauty of the summer months upon us, I am reminded of the simple truth that God reveals Himself in and through creation. As you enjoy the beauty of these warm months, share the warmth of the Lord with everyone you meet. You never know what God will use to draw people unto Himself. Let's remember that people are lost, without hope, and in need of Jesus.

May we always stay hot for Him!

God Is Faithful!

"...and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and has set us free..." Revelation 1:5 HCSB

Jesus is the greatest most faithful witness that we could ever model our lives after! As a follower of Jesus, He promises to teach and equip us as His disciple ( Background of Disciple The term “disciple” comes to us in English from a Latin root. Its basic meaning is “learner” or “pupil.” taken from Holman Dictionary from LifeWay's Online Bible Library @ http://www.bible.lifeway.com/)

Mt 4:19-20 The First Disciples “Follow Me,” He told them, “and I will make you fish for people! Immediately they left their nets and followed Him." HCSB

How many times have you heard this statement: "If you and I were on trial for being a Christian, a follower of Jesus, would there be enough evidence to convict us?" Let's make a list of the evidence that is in our lives and the evidence that you would like for there to be in your life to be a faithful witness as we remember what God promises in Philippians 1:6 "I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." HCSB

I often think about witnessing as if I am on trial because as a first-generation Christian I have had so many "trials" in this old world!! Witnesses in courtrooms are sworn to tell the truth. No speculation. No opinions. No hearsay. What "evidence" would people who know us give to support our claim that we are true and faithful reflections of Jesus? Jesus, who is called "the faithful witness" paid the ultimate price on trial for you and me...what more can we do than to testify and share with others the ways that He has ultimately, radically, and miraculously changed our lives from unfaithful to faithful until He returns...let's take as many others with us as we fill the courtroom of our lives and TESTIFY for HIM!! May all who come behind us find us faithful to "The Faithful One"! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s392HyzQ79M

Best Part of Phoenix

We were blessed to spend much of last week in Phoenix for the Southern Baptist Convention. Phoenix is a beautiful city full of wonderful people...but it is a bit hot. So many places we went had misters and it just turned the place from desert to paradise. We ate outside at Sam's Cafe underneath the misters and had a great time. I should have taken a photo but was too busy talking so thanks to Sam's...I'm using their photo.

The misters everywhere made me think a bit. They were such a breath of relief for all. That's what we should be as believers...just giving fresh sprays and blessings of the Holy Spirit for all to see and experience. As we go about our hot summer vacations, let's be misters for Jesus and spray some love all around. Who knows who might be blessed in the process?

"Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk in it" Isaiah 42:5, ESV

Happy Father's Day to the fatherless

just a simple reminder on this Father's Day...

"Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation" Isaiah 68:5, ESV.

God is there for you on this Father's Day. You may not know who your father is, he may not have lived up to what he should have (seldom humans do), he may not even be around anymore...but whatever the case, God is there for you. His is your everlasting Father, a Father to the fatherless, a protector of widows, and the only perfect Father there ever was or will be.

Today. let's honor Fathers in the name of Jesus. And if you want to meet the one who loves you the most, He is waiting for you to call on Him.

Praying for all.

The God of Hope

Devotional from HeartCall: The Call to Prayer, published 1999 by North American Mission Board, Jaye Martin compiler and contributor

June 19

Background Passage: Romans 15:13-33

Focal Verse: Romans 15:13

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Paul’s intention as reflected in these verses and throughout his letters in the New Testament is to always be ready to share the good news of Jesus Christ and His saving power.  His desire and ability to be obedient to this task is established in the God of hope who will fill him with all peace and joy.  As I read this scripture I find great encouragement in knowing that the same God of hope will fill me with peace and joy as I serve Him.  There have been times of anxiety to even pray specifically for a lost relative or friend fearing that God would tell me to speak a word of testimony.  As I spend time with the Lord He teaches me that I can possess peace and confidence when sharing my faith with others as I surrender these encounters to God, knowing that it is Christ working through me and the power of the Holy Spirit.  It is not my efforts which bring results.  Paul’s desire to give testimony to his faith in Jesus Christ flows out of the abundance of true joy he receives as a result of his daily walk with the Lord.  What an awesome God we serve!

Paul’s prayer for the Christians in Rome and mine for you is that you will be encouraged to pray for the lost and then under the direction and power of the Holy Spirit be willing to give testimony of the peace and joy you have through Jesus Christ.

Bridget Cavey

Catonsville, MD

For information on HeartCall, go to http://namb.net/heartcall

Where Do You Fit In?

Being Different Is A Gift From God!
1 Corinthians 12:4 "Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit."


Where do I fit In?
Spiritual Giftedness
(Ephesians 4, 1 Peter 4:10)

A. Understanding the Body of Christ - 1 Corinthians 12:12-26...

B. Understanding Spiritual Gifts
1. Gifts, talents, spiritual gifts and fruit of the Spirit
2. Spiritual gifts are found in these main passages in the Bible: Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, 28-30, Ephesians 4:8-12 & 1 Peter 4:9-11
3. Three Categories of Gifts: gifted person, sign gifts (to unbeliever), and body edifying gifts

C. Spiritual Gift Puzzle (do the puzzle as a group - gift inventory)

D. Understanding my Giftedness

E. Gifted2go – ideas for sharing Christ using my giftedness

(Gifted2Go Written & Created By Jaye Martin)

Gifted2Go Girl, You Are Gifted By God!

be a ripple of faith

Surely you have watched a pebble skip across the water and seen how it sent ripples that reached to the far edges of the lake. Imagine yourself by that lake again. Feel the warm breeze as it brushes across your face and blows your clothing. Sense the beauty of the sun and the way it makes the water sparkle as the sun hits it. Adjust your shades to catch its brilliance. Steal a glance at the clear blue sky and see how it colors the water. Play with the grass between your toes. And sit back and reflect upon the important things in life.  Imagine you have one of the smooth pebbles in your hand. Feel it. Think about how many years of rushing water had to flow over it to sand away all the rough edges. Now go ahead, give it your best shot and toss it across the water and pretend it skips and touches time after time across the lake. See the ripples it leaves. See how they just keep going and going and even run together as one set of ripples touches another set of ripples. What an impact one smooth little pebble makes on such a huge lake. Now imagine you are not alone but with an array of others scattered all around the waters' edge, each one passionately aiming their precious stones into the lake. The ripple effect can be seen and heard by all. What an incredible sight it is…each one just being faithful to cover its part of the lake, just what is within its reach, and thus making such a huge impact on the whole.

Thus are the effects of the ripples of faith that we can be a part of as believers. When we skip our smooth pebbles into the lake of life, we make an incredible impact on those around us. Not only do we see a difference, but that difference is seen unto the ends of the lake. Whether everyone joins you or you are there alone, you can make a difference where you are. Be a ripple of faith in order to make a difference in this kingdom on earth as well as in the kingdom to come.

wishy-washy

“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.”  Ephesians 4:14, NIV

Every time I read this verse, I think of how wishy-washy I can be. One minute I think one thing, the next minute I change my mind and think something else. This passage isn’t really talking about changing our minds on the little things; it is about being blown by every wind of teaching that comes along. In a world that changes constantly, we must stand firm on what we believe and why.

Let’s be careful to not be tossed by every new idea or wind of teaching that comes along. Let’s commit to stay in the Word and to stay focused on the Word of God. Today let’s focus on living and sharing the Truth – rather than sharing the latest fad.

touching ripples

I can see the picture clearly in my mind - the picture of a quiet lake rippling in the breeze. No part of the lake is untouched.  No part of it can escape the moving waters. It symbolizes for me a picture of what happens in our world when the Holy Spirit blows upon us. While some may seek to escape His influence, they can never get away. Quietly, reverently the breath of Christ touches all.

There was a particular late afternoon in Tennessee when I found myself watching the beauty of rippling waters in a lake. I was taken with the pushing of the waters against the shoreline and of the way the boats going by impacted the lake at every turn.  With every fish that jumped, ripples found their way far from where the fish had been. Ducks swam in groups and made trails of ripples of their own. None seemed to be able to escape the other. There we were, all on the same lake, all causing ripples on that perfect summer day.

What a picture of the body of Christ. All of us are out there, together, making ripples that point toward faith in Christ. No matter where one turns, Christ is in the process of working it all together for his glory. Romans 8:28 comes to mind, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Christ uses every ripple for good. And he desires to see us work together in order to accomplish His purpose on this earth.

Touching ripples. What are they? They are the ripples of faith that you and I leave. They are what happens when we run into each other out there in the kingdom of the lake of life. They are the impacts you and I make that when woven together, make an incredible difference in the kingdom.

Creation is a beautiful picture of touching ripples. Without the sun, the vegetation would not grow. Without the rains, everything would die. Each element of nature depends on the other to survive; thus creating for us a beautiful spiritual illustration of what the Christian community should be like…all working together.

Realize today that you are a ripple of faith, touching people, and changing their lives forever.

the call of evangelist

1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:1-5, ESV.


I have a very specific calling. It is "to do the work of an evangelist." To be honest, it is not a popular calling. If it had been up to me, I'd have chosen something else. I always wanted to be a singer and use my talent to lead people in praise, but alias, I can't sing a word. Over the years, people have tried to put me into teaching roles, administrator jobs, and social chairs; while I can do these things, they are not my primary calling and gifting. My main giftedness is that of the evangelist - that of equipping church members to effectively share their faith in Jesus. We are all called to share the gospel (Matthew 28:18-20) but my call is to help people do this one thing.


Years ago, I began to study leadership becasue I realized that I needed to be more effective at "this one thing I do." I needed to learn to lead and influence people to share Christ. While I believe I have also been gifted in this area, I believe my gifting is but for one purpose...to influence people to be evangelistic.

Why am I telling you all this? Probably to remind myself! While this season holds many opportunities, my greatest calling (apart from my calling as a wife and mom) is to be involved in the work of evangelism. If I, or my team, can help you to reach people for Christ or train you to do so, then let me know. If you just need a speaker, then I pray God will show you who that might be.

Thank you for your love, your prayers, and your encouragement. Pray for me to remain focused on the main thing - the work of evangelist. You are loved and prayed for.

Thoughts from One Leader to Another: #4

A huge lesson I had to learn is to set parameters where your home can be a place of refuge.  Screen phone calls.  Do what you can to protect his schedule as much as possible.  Don’t over-commit yourself so that you don’t have to be stressed out with all you have to do.  Learn to say ‘no’ to good things and save your ‘yes’ for the best things.  Be careful not to make your church family a priority over your own family.  Your first responsibility is to your husband if you are married and your children if you have them. However, if you are not married, it is still vitally important to set some boundaries around your time because it will be easy for you to burn yourself out.  Remember that is Satan can't get us to under-commit, He will make us over-commit. 

God Knows Exactly What We All Need 4 Summer!!

"For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 HCSB


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8i460c3ejw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8i460c3ejw&feature=related (Just Give Me Jesus! Ann Graham Lotz & Fernado Ortega)

I press on

12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained. (Philippians 3:12-16, ESV)

The heat of summer is upon us in Houston. The paper says it was 105 degrees here yesterday. I can't even think when it is that hot! The thought of going to even hotter Phoenix next week is not exciting me (although I am thrilled to see many wonderful ministry friends at the annual SBC). It is these days that I really have to focus and press on. Otherwise, I will never get anything done!

This passage in Philippians 3 is one of my favorites. It reminds me to press on. I must keep the focus on the what is important - winning souls to Christ - and on the things to which God has called me. Some days it seems that I will never reach my goal - whether it be that one who needs to be saved or to finish the writing projects - but I am reminded that Jesus never called me to do this in the flesh. He is there to help me to press on. I don't know who God may want you to talk to or what He may want you to do but whatever it is, press onward! Don't let the heat of summer keep you from focusing on the main thing.

Thoughts from One Leader to Another: #3

Another principle I have learned is to pray for wisdom in my speech. Proverbs 31:26 says:  “She opens her mouth in wisdom…” Be careful of your speech and what you share with others—especially about your husband or children. I think everyone needs some perspective on a certain situation from a trusted friend, but go to God FIRST, and then perhaps think of a friend or even a counselor who would not be connected to the church. “…and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.” Use your conversation to encourage and uplift others, not to criticize or gossip. And IF you are married, don’t forget to constantly build up your husband—not just others-- in your speech, both publicly and privately!


"Lord, help us know when to speak and when to be silent.  Also, let our speech be filled with kindness and wisdom."

"walk humbly"

"As He began [His ministry], Jesus was about 30 years old and was thought to be the son of Joseph, [son] of Heli, [son] of Matthat, [son] of Levi...[son] of Seth, [son] of Adam, [son] of God" (Luke 3:23-24, 38; HCSB).

This book I am reading today is The Lost Letters of Pergamum by Bruce Longenecker.  I like how the layout is different - it's letters of fiction, back and forth, from different people who lived during Luke's life.  Most of what I've read so far represents a discussion that could have happened about the book of Luke in the Bible. 

On about page 62 of the book, one Roman "wrote" to Luke about how he didn't know the people in Jesus' lineage and that Nazareth, where Jesus was born, was pretty unimpressive.  I remember first reading that list in Luke and how I tended to breeze past it and not think much of it.  Now, though, I think Jesus' lineage and birthplace shows His humility. 

God's character stands out among others in history and today.  He keeps His promises, is self-sacrificing, has great mercy and is loving, as He also created everything and has authority over all things. 

It's my prayer that the Holy Spirit works in me and in all of us to make us humble like Him.  I pray we see our need for Him and see how to share Him with others this week.

"Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousand streams of oil? Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression, or the child of my body for my own sin? He has told you men what is good and what it is the Lord require of You: Only to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with Your God" (Micah 6:7-8, HCSB).