Conversations that Count: Confession

"The woman said to Him, 'I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.'

"Jesus said to her, 'I who speak to you am He'" (John 4:25-26, NASB).

I would have loved to see the look on this woman's face when Jesus told her that He is the Messiah. Do you remember the first time you realized and received Christ as the Messiah, the Lord who came to earth to save the world?

Jesus made a confession of His identity. Where are our roots, and where do we get our water?

Our confession as believers was made to Christ to receive forgiveness, that we are sinners in need of God. We can make this same confession to others, that God has since forgiven us from our sins and our debts were paid on the cross for those sins. Now, we aren't perfect - we are still human. As believers, God is still working in us. Yet, God has given us this forgiven, new life with Him as a part of His family. He walks with us, guides us and helps re-align us as we continue our relationship with Him.

This Easter season, you may get the chance to invite someone to church. It may help you start a conversation on where your hope is from. We can live with hope and peace because we know and believe that Christ loved us, died for us and forgave us. His forgiveness has covered us, and that is what makes the cross so wonderful. A cross is a symbol of death and condemnation, but Christ turned it into something beautiful as He paid the price for our sins and suffered on one.

No matter where we are at the moment, as believers, we know that having this mended relationship with God is the best thing we have going for us. We have a God who is always there for us, who loves us unconditionally and who suffered in our place, taking victory over sin's hold. Our strength and peace comes from Him, even in challenging or tough situations.

Let us share our faith in Him, His love for the world and how He came to save it. Our confession has helped us, and it could help someone else as well.

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

Please Share A Prayer!

Please Share A Prayer!

"For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen." Ephesians 3:14-21

As we read Ephesians 3:14-21, that is listed above, we are excited that these are some of the scripture verses that Gifted2Go is based on.  Let's "bow our knees before the Father" and share the GIFT of PRAYER with Jaye Martin and her team as Jaye Martin Ministries, HeartCall, & Gifted2Go are launched in the month of April and throughout 2013!!

• Please Pray for Jaye, her family, and Jaye Martin Ministries (JMM) as the JMM Website will be launched very soon in April 2013
• Please Pray as HeartCall is refreshed, republished, relaunched, & shared across our nation & world 
• Please Pray as Gifted2Go is published, launched, & shared across our nation & world
• Please Pray as God raises up evangelistic leaders, trainers, and team members for JMM
• Please Pray as God raises up churches that are being led by Him to host a training and share Jesus using HeartCall and Gifted2Go  
• Please Pray that God will take care of the hundreds of other things that need to be done in His timing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlwEzPurnXk (As We PRAY! Edgewood Live)

"Remember your leaders who have spoken God’s word to you..." Hebrews 13:7a (hcsb)

Conversations that Count: Change

"'Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.' 

Jesus said to her, 'Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 

But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth'" (John 4:20-24, NASB). 

At this point in the story of Jesus talking with the woman at the well, Jesus could have gone into a lengthy conversation about the differences in their religious practices. Instead, He changed the conversation from one about religion into one about the relationship she could have with the Father.

There were many differences between Jews (like Jesus) and Samaritans (like this woman) in that day. Samaritans had some practices that were uncommon to Jewish folk, and some customs and ways they worshiped God were different. Yet, Jesus decided to continue the conversation and focus the discussion on this woman's relationship with God.

If someone does not know Jesus as their Savior, then how would they follow Him?
If someone does not genuinely believe that God is who He says He is, then should they be expected to love God?

This woman needed a life change, but Jesus saw that this would happen through a relationship with Him where she finds her life in God. Our faith in Jesus, this relationship we have with God and the Holy Spirit's power from Him is what enables us to grow and mature in living for Him. Let us approach others with this same consideration, helping them see the importance of a relationship with God made possible by the lovingkindness and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

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

Conversations That Count: Concern

"'Go back and call your husband,' He told her, 'and come back here.'

'I don't have a husband,' she answered. 

'You have correctly said, 'I don't have a husband,' Jesus said. 'For you've had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.'

'Sir,' the woman said. 'I see you are a prophet'" (John 4:16-19, NASB).

Jesus showed He cared for this woman by taking time to listen to her. He built openness and trust out of this care. At this point in the story, she didn't quite see yet that He was the Messiah. Yet, He was taking note of who she was individually and then addressed her needs.

In the movie, The Blind Side, Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy showed concern for a high-school aged boy, Micahel Oher. The movie is based on a true story and the book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis. This couple "went big" as they showed concern for Oher, offering kindness to him, seeing potential in him and later adopting him. In the movie, Leigh Anne pointed out that Oher was teaching her, and you can see how this couple acted with sincere hearts and a cheerful spirit. The couple even wrote a book together, In a Heartbeat: Sharing the Power of Cheerful Giving. Oher went on to be an Ole Miss student and football player, and recently won Super Bowl XLVII with the Baltimore Ravens (more at www.nydailynews.com).

A need may not be physical, but showing someone you care by listening to them and showing concern can go a long way. It contributes to building a genuine relationship. Concern can display the love that we can have because of what Jesus has shown us and because of the Holy Spirit who transforms the lives of believers.

Study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Photo courtesy of Gotham Books, found in the photo gallery, "Michael Oher - Beating the Odds" at www.commercialappeal.com.

Jelly Beans For Jesus!

Easter is just around the corner and for Christians it is one of the most awesome days to Celebrate Jesus being ALIVE!  Easter is one of the greatest opportunities to be Sharing Jesus with those that need Him to be ALIVE in their lives!  It is like our Super Bowl Sunday but even much much more exciting!

Candy is always a great way to open the door for spiritual discussions.  At Easter, sharing Jelly Beans For Jesus, along with an invitation to your church's Easter celebration may open the door to sharing Jesus with your unchurched neighbors, unchurched friends, your children's sport team, and much more.  Be Creative & Have Fun for Jesus this Easter!!

Jelly Beans For Jesus Is A Great Way 2 Witness!!!  What are some ways that you witness at Easter?  We would love to hear about your ideas, please e-mail us or share your ideas on Facebook as we encourage one another to Share Jesus during the greatest time of year that reminds us that Jesus Is Alive!  Happy Easter!!

"Jelly Beans For Jesus"

Great Activity for Moms & their Children, or at an Easter Party:  You will need: Snack size ziploc bags, the Jelly Beans For Jesus poem written below, colored pencils, scissors, paper, Easter grass, witnessing booklet.



Directions: Type out the special poem written below on colored paper (2 poems per 1 piece of paper).  Cut paper poems in half, Roll up poem, then put poem and witnessing booklet into an empty small ziploc bag that has some Easter grass in it.



As you read the poem, below, have children drop two to three of each of the matching colored jellybeans into their bag.



(Using a child-friendly Bible version, and read Scriptures with poem.).



“ORANGE is for Heaven so bright. (2 Samuel 22:13-14)

YELLOW is for God's perfect light. (Revelation 21:23)

BLACK is for the sins we've done. (Romans 3:23)

RED is for the blood He gave. (Romans 5:8)

WHITE is for our cleansing from sin. (Psalm 51:1-2)

GREEN is for new life in Him. (Colossians 1:10)

PINK is for His gift to share. (Matthew 28:19-20)

PURPLE is for the crowns we'll wear! (2 Timothy 4:8)

The witness of the Jelly Beans is true; trust in Jesus, because He loves you! (Romans 10:13)”



Presentation idea: Cut colored poster board in the shape of jelly beans (make them extra large). On the back of the poster, write the matching line from the poem. Have children stand side-by-side, hold up their jellybean when it's their turn, and then recite their line. Afterwards, distribute small packets of jellybeans along with the printed poem.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3StQfGXwKQ0 "Easter Song"  Keith Green

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwZqhx8eSN4  "JESUS SAVES"  Easter Song by Northland Church

Conversations That Count: Curiosity

"Therefore the Samaritan woman said to Him, 'How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?' (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 

"Jesus answered and said to her, 'If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.' 

"She said to Him, 'Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep; where then do You get that living water? You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself and his sons and his cattle?' 

"Jesus answered and said to her, 'Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again; but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him shall never thirst; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.' 

"The woman said to Him, 'Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty nor come all the way here to draw'" (John 4:9-15, NASB).

There is something about a great storyteller. It is a special talent, I think, but then again, we can learn some things from them. For example, Dr. Seuss tends to stir up curiosity and the imagination of his readers as he gives characters names such as a "Wump" and "Mr. Gump," and then writes about a cat in a hat and a fox in socks. These words have kept many reading in search of just who those characters are.

In John 4:9-15, we can read how Jesus sparked this woman's interest at the well as he used the term "living" water. I can see her wondering something like, "What's this crazy man talking about?" She decided to ask this man what He meant.

Through this, Jesus got the opportunity to share about eternal life found through Him, the Messiah, who was sent by God. This "living" water metaphor helps explain how there is something that can satisfy us more than water. Water for the body is needed, but God satisfies and brings life on a deeper and a longer-lasting level. Words like "thirst" and "springing up" helped Him explain how much greater this water satisfies than physical water from a well.

By using the word, "living," Jesus invited curiosity into His conversation. Today, we can help draw others into the story of God by using metaphors, examples or even using ourselves as a curious character. We can speak truthfully and still use vivid, relevant words to help explain the amazing, saving grace we have found in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

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

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: 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.

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.

Reward of Inheritance

"Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve" (Colossians 3:24, NASB).

I love morning runs, because there are less distractions. There's a great morning air, and things can be quiet if you get to go before traffic picks up. After about ten minutes in, I feel like I can get into a "zone" so to speak. It is just easier to get into the finish when I reach this, as it becomes easier for me to focus and keep going. As believers, where is our focus? Where are our eyes? We have this relationship with God that lasts forever. All because of grace. Now, I think that's a finish line to fix our eyes on.

Inheritance. This inheritance is our reward. What is it? The word itself is commonly known today as something that is passed on to someone else in your family - like a treasured vase or a piece of furniture. In this case, we are reminded that as believers, God has accepted us into His family. As we have put our faith and trust in Christ and what He has done, we know we are forgiven and called God's children, His sons and daughters.

He is glad to welcome family in. We are able to be near God and have this restored relationship with our Creator, forever - longer than accomplishments, physical health or any possessions we may have at the moment. Our King welcomes those who trust in Him as their heavenly Father.

Whom do we serve? As people who put our trust in God, the Lord is the One we aim to serve. Earlier in Chapter 3, we can read how we are to "set our mind on things above" (Colossians 3:1-4). God is is love and cares for the world (John 3:16-17). He stands for truth and yet has this amazing mercy. He is the One who saves, revives, and guides us.

So, we live for the One who rules over all the tribes, tongues and nations; the One who is just and sent Jesus to pay the price we owed for our wrongs on the cross; the One whom offers forgiveness and invites us to be a part of His family - forever.

Lord, thank You calling us sons and daughters. As we serve, help us keep our eyes on bringing honor to You. Thank You for being our Creator, Redeemer, Healer...you know, we could go on and on. We love You. In Your great name, Amen.

Check out the song "Your Great Name" by Natalie Grant:

• This version was posted by New Hope Oahu
• Natalie worships with others at Saddleback Church in this YouTube video
• This recording is an acoustic version

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