lavished love

"I exalt You, my God the King, and praise Your name forever and ever…I will speak of Your splendor and glorious majesty and Your wonderful works. They will proclaim the power of Your awe-inspiring acts, and I will declare Your greatness. They will give a testimony of Your great goodness and will joyfully sing of Your righteousness" (Psalm 144:1, 5-7). 

Last weekend, I was in a wedding of one of my best friends from college and her husband. One of my favorite moments was at the rehearsal dinner when people gave toasts to wish the couple well. This was especially neat, since my friend has the love language of words of affirmation. Her now husband gave the last speech, and it was neat to see how he could go on and on about his soon bride-to-be. The whole weekend, in fact, the couple could be found showering compliments on each other.

One thing that I want to do this Easter is seek this deeper relationship with God where I just overflow in praise to Him. I think there is something powerful in thanking Him not only for blessings like family and friends, but also for who He is. It reminds us of how great He is, and it also gives worship and honor to Him. It can also be a witness to others that His people are comforted in His presence.

Kelli Martin

Let the memories and praise of Him resonate within you. It can do something within us and also can be such a witness to others to see how our Savior comforts us and refreshes us like cool springs. He loves us not just in mind - He loves us in action, words and truth, as we see when we remember the cross He sacrificed on for us. Yes, He loves us directly.

What are some reasons you have found peace in Him? What do His names mean? Praise Him for who He is. If you are going through a tough time, praise Him in advance. Let this love spill out and let others see that our Savior is here through the tough times and the good. He is always here to speak to us.

Let's remember the love that He lavishes on us, and let's lavish our Savior in love. He is risen! He is risen indeed.

Check out this song by All Sons and Daughters on YouTube: "Hear the Sound"

Not Ashamed: 16 reasons from Romans 1-16

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16, NASB

I've been listening to Dr. Ed Young's sermon podcasts on Romans and reminded of how much this book of the New Testament has to offer. So when Nancy Taylor asked if I'd teach her Life Bible Study class at Houston's First Baptist Church, I was thrilled to hear that they had also been studying Romans. Yesterday, I was blessed to meet this great group of ladies and share with them not only the HeartCall way to present the gospel, but teach them 16 truths (one from each chapter) from Romans on why we are NOT ASHAMED of the gospel of Jesus Christ!

In the months to come, on this blog, I will be posting 16 reasons we are not ashamed and I encourage you to begin reading in Romans and looking for the answer to the question, "Why are we not ashamed of the gospel?"

It's a bit hard to define not ashamed, but the idea here is that because of what Christ did for us, we are not to hide what we believe and why we believe it. If we really know that Christ is alive, we want to tell it. In Romans 1, Paul tells us that we are set apart for the purpose of the gospel (good news of Christ). Because of Christ, we want to tell others! Especially during this Easter season, let's look for ways to get to know people and share with them the difference that Christ makes in our lives!

Start reading Romans and see what you find. I'd love to hear so post it on our Facebook page at Jaye Martin Ministries or send us an email through our website, www.jayemartin.com/contact.

Happy Easter season! He is Risen!

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).

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

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!)

The Wonderous Cross!

"...looking to Jesus, the founder and profector of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured THE CROSS , despising the shame , and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God..." Hebrews 12:2 (ESV)

"Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished the race we're in. Study how He did it. Because He never lost sight of where He was headed-that exhilarating finish in and with God-He could put up with anything along the way: CROSS, shame, whatever. And now He's there, in the place of honor, right alongside of God..." Hebrews 12:2 (MSG)

The Wonderful Cross

(Chris Tomlin~Matt Redman)

When I survey the Wonderous Cross

On which the Prince of Glory died

My richest gain I count my loss

And pour content on all my pride
See from His head, His hands, His feet
Sorrow and love flow mingled down
Did ever such love and sorrow meet
Or thorns compose so rich a crown
O the Wonderous Cross, O the Wonderous Cross
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live
O the Wonderous Cross, O the Wonderous Cross
All who gather here by grace draw near and bless Your name
Were the whole realm of nature mine
That were an offering far too small
Love so amazing, so divine
Demands my soul, my life, my all
O the Wonderous Cross, O the Wonderous Cross
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live
O the Wonderous Cross, O the Wonderous Cross
All who gather here by grace draw near and bless Your name

♥Who can we share Jesus with this Good Friday & Easter? Someone needs to hear about THE WONDERFUL CROSS & they need to receive THE WONDERFUL SAVIOR JESUS!!♥
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sKcw9_PQYA

(The Wonderful Cross! Chris Tomlin~Matt Redman)

Jesus is Risen! Dance Your Shoes Off

Dance Your Shoes Off was created to share the love of Christ and to donate new shoes to those in need. Watch this video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KX2-J6uS-o

In Kingdom work, we should be all about sharing Christ...and applauding those who do so. Second Baptist Church in Houston, Texas baptizes more people than almost any Southern Baptist Church (over two thousand every year). Say what you will, question it if you have to...but I am telling you, lives are being changed because of the presentation of the Gospel. Let's pray that each of us, our ministries and our churches, are found faithful to spread the hope of Jesus Christ this Easter season...and every season.

Pass on this video. But more importantly, pass on the HOPE found in Jesus!

HeartCall: Your Purpose

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:11-13, ESV)

I never cease to be amazed at the gifts of women. One of our Women's Ministry Institute (WMI) students at Southern Seminary, created this video using some of the words and verses from the HeartTalk track that I wrote. What a message of hope for the Easter season! I am so proud of Karen Brawner, member and bible study leader at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY! Thank you Karen for using your gifts to share the message of hope!

We are all gifted2go! Jesus is THE GIFT! Let's share the message of hope with women who lead lives of emptiness. Please pass this on! And, share with us how you are telling the good news of Christ!

God loves YOU! Pass it on!