Conversations that Count: Celebrating Conversion

"So the woman left her waterpot, and went into the city and said to the men, 'Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not the Christ, is it?' They went out to the city, and were coming to Him...

"From that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, 'He told me all the things that I have done.' 

"So when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they were asking Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. Many more believed because of His word; and they were saying to the woman, 'It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world'" (John 4:28-30, 39-42; NASB).

The inspiring thing to me about this woman is the way she responded to meeting Jesus. She clearly had been changed. She had met the Promised One, and when she realized it, she was thrilled to share about Him with others.

What a joyful moment! She was filled with joy at the thought that this could be the Messiah who had come to save. I pray that we have joy like that.

Let us pray we remember the purpose in sharing our faith with others so that one day, they will meet Christ and have joy like that, too. We can pray others also find joy in knowing who God is and what He's done for us all on the cross and through the Resurrection. May we all find joy in knowing just what it's like to have this relationship of reconciliation and fellowship with our wise Maker and Savior.

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

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."

Run Loose and Free!

"But let me run loose and free, celebrating God's great work, every bone in my body laughing, singing, 'God, there's no one like you.'" Psalm 35:9-10, The Message

Years ago, I began the long process of working on a doctorate. I love learning and applying concepts, especially in the area of evangelistic leadership. It has certainly taken me to a new level as I was challenged by the brilliance of the scholars and those with whom I sat in class. There is nothing like being with people who challenge you to be more than you ever dreamed to be.

While God is always with me helping me to prepare and to speak, He has especially been with me during this whole process of study. I have spent hours on my face praying to God to do a paper through me and many more hours waiting for my grade and just praying that I would pass. More tears and on-my-face-time came when that "A" arrived and I rejoiced that God had truly written the paper and somehow had mercy on me!

For the next two weeks, I am once again totally dependent on the Lord and out of my element as I try to complete a major chunk of my dissertation. I am completely pulling back from everything so that I can focus on this daunting task and I desperately need your prayers! I know myself well and I do know how to bail (and I do it well)! My self-worth is not in whether I am ever called doctor or not.

However, I do long to "run loose and free" and "celebrate God's great work" with "every bone in my body laughing, singing, 'God, there's no one like you!'" Please pray for me (and for Dana as he listens to the moaning and the tears) that...

• I will be able to concentrate and focus
• My writings will be accepted by the scholars who review it
• I will be given mercy (that would be a miracle)
• God will protect my time from all those who think they need to talk to me
• God will take care of the hundreds of other things that are being put on hold (including the master suite remodeling that is still not even close to being completed)

I pray that you may "run loose and free" and "celebrate God's great work" with whatever He has you doing today! Thank you for your prayers! You are loved!