You Are His Witness!

"It’s news I’m most proud to proclaim, this extraordinary Message of God’s powerful plan to rescue everyone who trusts Him, starting with Jews and then right on to everyone else! God’s way of putting people right shows up in the acts of faith, confirming what Scripture has said all along: “The person in right standing before God by trusting Him really lives.”  Romans 1:16-17 (The Message)

As we read one of the most life-changing truths from God's Word from Romans 1, we see that Paul was not ashamed of the gospel, because he knew it was the truth that set him free.  Paul had witnessed the life-changing power in the hearts of those that he walked with, talked with, and most of all shared the gospel with!  As Paul journeyed for Jesus, his actions and his words empowered others to admit they needed God, believe that Jesus was the one and only Lord, and confess to others the truth that would set them free too.

As I look back at the miracle of my salvation, my life was dramatically changed in EVERY way and because of "...the power of God..." (Romans 1:16), I went home, the very day that I gave my life to Christ, and I became His unashamed witness (I did not know that I was being a witness, I just could not keep my life-changing experience and the love of God to myself :-) ! )  As I began to share Jesus on my little street in Houston, Texas, God began to impact the lives around me "unto salvation" (Romans 1:16) through His love that was shared through actions and the truth of God's Word.  I began to experience God as His witness for the very first time as I learned that many were also searching for direction and purpose in their lives.

As we share Jesus with others, our testimony is one of the most powerful things we can share.  How has Jesus made a difference in your life?  How has Jesus made a difference in your life years ago, months ago, weeks ago, days ago, today?!!  As His witness, we always have something we can share as Jesus lives and works in and through our lives as His followers....I believe that this is one way that God keeps me full of His courage to share the Good News of Jesus Christ as He defeats any fear, pain, or shame that the enemy tries to silence me with!!!!

Is the life-changing power of God alive and active in your life today, are you His fearless witness when you are at the store, at a resturant, at work, on twitter, on facebook, at school, in the bleachers at the ballfield, at the bank, when you are shopping, at the nail or hair salon, everywhere you go?  If not, what fear, pain, shame, or other obstacle, has the enemy tried to silence you with?  Throw it off, lay it down, give it to Jesus, trust Him and do what you did when you were first His witness!  " For you will be a witness for Him to all people of what you have seen and heard."  Acts 22:15 (HCSB)  "You are to be a key witness to everyone you meet of what you've seen and heard."  Acts 22:15 (The Message)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNS5tGUoBCs  ( I Am Not Ashamed Of The Gospel! - Heritage Singers)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euPKtGqcu0w   ( No Turning Back! - Chris Tomlin)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KsfwvpcQhY  ( Trading My Sorrows!)

The Holy Spirit gives us God's power to witness

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth" (Acts 1:8, New American Standard Bible). 

The witness. Jars and vessels, like the basket jars pictured, are usually made to have something inside them. What is inside you? As believers, God has forgiven us of our sins and as He is transforming us from the inside out. The same God who transforms us also has the power to tell His story through us.

The power. In 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Paul explained his message was based on things He learned from God. We are saved by God's power, and the body of believers that have come to Him are a result of that power. We can praise God that others can be saved by God's power rather than our own wisdom.

The vessels. What is your story of God working in you? As followers of Christ we have a story, a testimony of what God has done in our life through His Son. 2 Corinthians 4:7 explains how we are like vessels and jars, since God works through us to bring others to Him. The origin and power of saving grace is from the Lord.

Lord, help us remember to share what You have done in our life with someone else. Help us depend on the power of the Holy Spirit to help us share our faith with others. Amen.

Above study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Photo of Williams Sonoma Vessel Jars found on seasidestyle.blogspot.com.

The Holy Spirit walks with us as we witness

"And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, 'All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age'" (Matthew 28:18-20, New American Standard Bible).

More than a ship's captain, God knows how to navigate waters that lie ahead. He can help us walk through whatever comes across the path He leads us, even as we are given opportunities to witness. We are not expected to make disciples and baptize them without God's help.

M. David Sills explained this commandment as he wrote, "Making God known is what faith is all about" ("The Biblical Basis for Missions" article from The Apologetics Study Bible). When Jesus gave this command to the apostles, He knew God would send the Holy Spirit to guide them. In this Great Commission to go and share God's good news with others, we are not expected to go alone. God gives the Holy Spirit to guide each believer.

Lord, thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to be with believers. Help us remember that You are Immanuel, God with us. Let us listen to the Holy Spirit's lead as we seek to witness who God is to others who do not know You yet.

Above study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Photo of Mortimer McCarthy at the wheel of the Terra Nova found on www.jamescairdsociety.com.

First Seat, First Row

An inspiring story from Mrs. Tracy Jones yesterday:

"Today, I had the privilege of reporting to jury duty - serving our community. Even though I was not chosen for this specific trial, God always has a Gifted2Go opportunity right where you are. Please pray for a fellow jury person, I will call him 'first seat, first row." One of the attorneys was asking us potential jury participants questions about their client. When the attorney asked, 'My client is a strong Christian. Would her being a strong Christian cause any of you to have a bias towards her?' The one sitting in the 'first seat, first row' raised his hand and said, 'I would have trouble with this, because I have never been able to believe in God or understand how to believe in God. I do not believe in Him.'

"Thank God for a ten minute break, because God graciously opened up an opportunity for me to share a witnessing booklet (please keep a witnessing booklet in your purse or wallet to share with others) with 'first seat, first row.' He gladly received it. My heart was humbled and bursting with an urgency inside me at the same time! Thank God for the seeds of truth that were planted into the heart of 'first seat, first row!'

"Would you please join me in PRAYING that these seeds of salvation will be watered and produce SALVATION for 'first seat, first row?' God is faithful, and He has a plan and purpose for EVERYONE! 1 Corinthians 3:6-7 says it best, 'I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth' (New American Standard Bible). 2 Peter 3:9 also says it well, 'The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance' (New American Standard Bible). You are Gifted2Go. Share Jesus!"

Hope - Jeremiah 29:11-13
Believe - John 3:16
Turn - Acts 3:19
Call - Romans 10:9-10, 13

We ask for power

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;
and you will be My witnesses both in Jerusalem,
and in all Judea and Samaria,
and even to the remotest part of the earth."
-Acts 1:8, New American Standard Bible

As Jesus was leaving the earth, He told His disciples to share the good news of His sovereign grace. He told the disciples they would not be alone in this. We may not physically see Jesus, God in flesh,  but we know that God sends the Holy Spirit to believers to guide us. The Holy Spirit has power, because the Spirit is a part of who God is. The thing about our own power is that it is not perfect or strong when we compare it to God's holy and almighty power.

Luke continues in Acts to explain how the Holy Spirit worked in the lives of disciples committed to sharing Jesus' message. In Acts 8:1b we can read, "And on that day a great persecution began against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles." Acts 8:4-5 explains how Philip began sharing His faith, "Therefore, those who had been scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them." In Acts 8:26-39, we can read how God led Philip to share who He was with a eunuch from Ethiopia. You see, God was making things happen. Word of Him and the power of His salvation was being spread across different peoples and communities. What He had instructed the apostles to do, to share His message with the world, was happening before their eyes as they trusted in His power to lead them and speak through them.

Lord, thanks for being there for us, and thank You for the transformation You make in people. Give us faith and power to reach out and share, to share who You are and Your love, to a world in need. Amen.

Devotion based on a guided prayer in the workbook, HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999)

Clip art "Dove in Glasswindow" by Stefanvon Halenbach (openclipart.com)

joy in pointing up

"John responded, 'No one can receive a single thing unless it's given to him from heaven.

You yourselves can testify that I said, 'I am not the Messiah, but I've been sent ahead of Him.'

He who has the bride is the groom. But the groom's friend, who stands by and listens for him, rejoices greatly at the groom's voice.

So this joy of mine is complete. He must increase, but I must decrease.'"

-John 3:27-30, Holman Christian Standard Bible

The verses above are an excerpt of John's account of part of John the Baptist's story.  It's neat to see how John the Baptist points to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, in his response to some people's question about purification.  He sees that his purpose is to prepare the way for Christ to come.

That was John the Baptist's unique mission, but I think it applies to Christians as well.  We are followers of Christ, through thick and thin, because God has changed us.  This is not because of what we have done but because of what Christ has done, as He died for what we've done against God, so we can have a good relationship with Him.  How can we share with others who Christ is?  We can share what the Holy Spirit has taught us about God in our own everyday life, invite people to join the body of Christ, and be with people as they want help understanding the Word of God.

I pray God gives us a heart like John the Baptist, who gladly points up to Christ.  I pray He gives us courage and wisdom to share this great news with others.

(illustration above by Trish York - http://www.trishyork.com/banners.html)

More of Jesus 2012!

"And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and people" Luke 2:52 (HCSB)

2012 A Year To Increase In JESUS! That is one of the deepest prayers of my heart for the New Year...that Jesus will Increase in my life so that I will keep growing in wisdom, stature, and favor with God to reach others for Jesus!

divine appointment at the preschool desk

"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 worked my volunteer job at church this morning. I'm the preschool check-in lady. That may not sound very important to you, but it is the open door that the Lord has given me to be faithful to do. Each Sunday morning, I arrive at about 9am and check in new preschoolers who come to our church. I usually leave at about 11am to go to the worship service. The church is quite large and just to give you an idea, we run about 700 preschoolers (birth through kindergarten) on a Sunday. It is quite a busy place and where I sit is also the "problem-solving headquarters" for all that is happening behind the scenes. I have to admit that I am not in charge but can problem-solve as need be. It is a perfect fit for me in this busy season when I am gone on numerous trips since it doesn't take any advance preparation (on my part - obviously there are hundreds of workers who do massive amounts of preparation!).

The best part about my job is that I get to meet newcomers to the church. You would not believe how many new parents come to church for the first time! I have gotten to share with many parents and grandparents about the love of Jesus and pray with them over things like broken relationships (separations, divorces, etc), special family needs, and lost family members. I have seen them walk up and burst into tears, seen them filled with joy over their newborn, and watched many a grandparent try to deal with armloads of young ones. Almost every week, I see someone that I know was encouraged or settled during a hectic morning.

This morning was another crazy one - but God granted a divine appointment right in the middle of it. I won't tell you all the confusion but there was a lot. God provided a moment for me to pray with a young mom who had never openly confessed her faith. I shared with her the gospel message and started with Jeremiah 29:11-13. She told me it was a sign. Yes, it was! It was a huge sign that God had led her there, was helping her to understand her new found faith, and to understand what had happened and what to do next. I promised you that I was more blessed than she was!

When we seek Him, we find Him! When we seek to lead others to Him, He uses us! What are His plans for you? How are you serving Him? Be faithful in the little things and He will show you great and mighty things! Let's make a fresh commitment for Him to use us to share the love of the Lord with those who are seeking Him!

RESCUED!

RESCUED FROM DARKNESS!!

"...for He has RESCUED from the domain of DARKNESS and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins..."! Colossians 1:13-14

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the One who called you OUT of DARKNESS into His marvelous LIGHT."! 1 Peter 2:9

The miners are ALIVE, RESCUED FROM the trap of DARKNESS, a confined pit called a mine, and raised into the marvelous LIGHT of FREEDOM!! Waiting for them are many people that have prayed continuously, worked tirelessly, and waited patiently for this day of RESCUE!

As we all watch the news reports we see many emotions that accompany the PRAISES of those that are being brought OUT of DARKNESS and into marvelous LIGHT!

As believers, when someone is RESCUED from darkness, the pit of sin, and into The Marvelous LIGHT of JESUS a TRUE MIRACLE takes place! For the first time some is capable of truly experiencing real LOVE, JOY, PEACE, PATIENCE, KINDNESS, GOODNESS, FAITHFULNESS, GENTLENESS, & SELF-CONTROL = THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT & LIFE IN JESUS CHRIST!!! (Gal.5:22)

A New Heart/New Life in Christ is contagious!! As we witness someone being RESCUED from Darkness hopefully we relive our moment of RESCUE~FREEDOM & HOPE, we shed tears of joy while watching others being RESCUED, and most of all we think about and are burdened for others that still need to be RESCUED from DARKNESS...NEVER GIVE UP ON THOSE THAT STILL NEED TO BE RESCUED & SAVED!!!!!!

What can we do as His "...chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His possession, so that you may proclaim the praises of the ONE who called you OUT of DARKNESS into His marvelous LIGHT" 1 Peter 2:9? LET'S GO SHARE JESUS & WHAT WE HAVE PERSONALLY WITNESSED (our story and the story of others) with PEOPLE THAT NEED THE LORD = EVANGELISM = GIFTED2GO!!

YOU ARE THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD!!!! WE HAVE THE JOY & PRIVILEGE OF SHARING JESUS TODAY!!!!

Jesus said, "I have come into the world as a LIGHT, so that no one who BELIEVES in Me should stay in DARKNESS."!! John 12:46

Who Gave You Your First Bible?

"For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as to divide soul, spirit, joints, and marrow; it is a judge of the ideas and thoughts of the heart."
Hebrews 4:12 (HCSB)

Who gave you your first Bible? How old were you when you got your first Bible? Where is your first Bible right now? These near and dear questions make me burst in tears because of a very special blessing God gave me this past weekend while sharing part of my testimony at a women's ministry forum in Conroe, Texas as a part of Jaye Martin's Gifted2Go Team. Before I share with you what happened that caused me to literally go from a standing position to a chair and almost to the floor, I must share with you how I received my Very First Bible: As a first-generation believer miraculously SAVED - snatched out of darkness into God's marvelous light at the age of 22...I DID NOT HAVE A CLUE about ANYTHING about GOD & HIS WORD & HIS WAYS, we are talking CLUELESS WITHOUT CHRIST! It was a children's minister that was doing follow-up outreach after Vacation Bible School in the summer of 1985 that came down my street in Houston, Texas and shared The ABC's to JESUS with the children that CAPTURED this young mother's life for JESUS and I WILL NEVER BE THE SAME since I RAN to JESUS that next Sunday, 7/21/85!!

Well, can I share with you that God's Mission began in my life and it began in DRAMATIC RADICAL ways as He began to transform my life in EVERYWAY...oh how I would love to sit down with you personally and pour out in details but that would take way more time and "word count" than I have on today's BLOG:-)...this brings me to My First Bible...Bro. Jim, the children's minister that came down my street, really helped my husband, Marshall, and I in the First Steps a Christian takes as a New Believer! I did not have a Bible, never had owned one, did not know what all the different "versions" of The Bible meant and which one should I purchase and where should I go to even purchase one...just picture the scene with me...walking up to Bro.Jim and asking him all of these questions about The Bible~Which One~Where Do I Get One~Who Is "King James"~Which One Is Better???? Do you know what Bro.Jim did.....He Gave Me His Bible right there on the spot...I am holding that very Bible in my hands right now, and YES I am in TEARS of GRATEFULNESS & AWE OF GOD...GOD'S WORD HAS CHANGED MY LIFE, I can not even begin to share that with you..we need a RETREAT:-)!!!

Fast forward to this past weekend...as I was sharing this very part of my testimony as the Lord led me to (I don't always share the same parts every time~that is up to The Holy Spirit), after Jaye Martin shared her powerful message from GOD'S WORD, 3 precious ladies walked up to me and asked me if I was talking about their children's minister, Bro. Jim???? I have been praying for over 20 years that my path would cross once again with Bro. Jim so that I could THANK HIM for giving me his BIBLE...God Answers Prayer because I now have Bro. Jim's telephone # in my cellphone...I could not wait to get home and share with my husband what had happened because Bro. Jim was instrumental in my husband's salvation 3 months after I became a believer, my husband, Marshall, gave his life to Christ and became a believer...we can't wait to call Bro. Jim and share what God has been doing in and through our lives in Christ for the past 25 years....GOD'S WORD NEVER RETURNS VOID!!!

There is so much more I want to share with you, but I must wrap this up for now with a challenge for us all: Do we LOVE God's Word~Is it our DAILY Bread, Are we RUNNING to God's Word for EVERY answer we need, Are we HIDING God's Word in our hearts, Are we SHARING God's Word with others that may not have a Bible or may not have a Bible that they can understand...I can not think of a better GIFT during this season of LOVE we call FEBRUARY than to GIVE someone a copy or some verses from GOD'S LOVE LETTER~THE WORD OF GOD....may we FALL IN LOVE with GOD & HIS WORD in a FRESH NEW DEEPER way TODAY!!!!!
IN JESUS' NAME~AMEN!!!!!!!
"I have sought You with all my heart; don’t let me wander from Your commands. I have treasured Your word in my heart so that I may not sin against You. " Psalm 119:10-11
"Help me understand Your instruction, and I will obey it and follow it with all my heart." Psalm 119:34
"I have Your decrees as a heritage forever; indeed, they are the joy of my heart." Psalm 119:111
"I call with all my heart; answer me, Lord. I will obey Your statutes." Psalm 119:145
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTY-UKgLlXs (Word Of God Speak~Mercy Me!!)

The Battle Is The Lords!

Jesus told him, "Go away, Satan! For it is written . . ."

Matthew 4:10 (HCSB)

As we share Jesus we need to be ready to put the enemy in his place! Tell him to "GO AWAY!", not if, but WHEN he tries to throw his schemes at you..because JESUS SAID SO~AMEN!

Ephesians chapter 6 is another passage that all witnesses need to CAMP OUT in over and over! Let's take some time today and the rest of the week to read Ephesians 6:10-20 and really dig into the PROMISES given us through THE ARMOR OF GOD!! I am so excited that part of the new gifted2go resources, that will be coming soon include Ephesians Chapter 6, because warfare is such a HUGE part of the witnesses day in and day out experiences to be equipped to overcome!

I have been attacked, as a first-generation Christian, in more ways than I could ever describe to you, the LORD keeps my heart very full of HIS discernment as HE teaches me more and more about the enemy so that I can constantly STAND FIRM with THE ARMOR OF GOD securely on! But, it is my job to daily PUT ON THE FULL ARMOR OF GOD so that WHEN the schemes of the enemy come I CAN STAND and let THE LORD FIGHT EVERY BATTLE!!

As Jesus said, we also need to say to the enemy "GO AWAY, satan! FOR IT IS WRITTEN...!!!! Those are the best marching orders I could hear today as I believe God will take care of every battle, how about you? Are you under attack, PRAISE THE LORD, because the enemy could care less about us unless we are allowing Jesus to make a difference as His Light & His Salt! You are doing something RIGHT if you are in the enemies cross-arrows...take courage...JESUS OVERCOMES IT ALL!!! GO GOD!! GO AWAY, satan...GOD ALWAYS WINS!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EDz1Sl5kAk HELP IS ON THE WAY!!!!!

Run The Race!

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1

How many of us have been running the race marked out for us and life's circumstances and/or the enemy tries to get us tangled up so that we will stop running?

God's Word gives us the plan we need to persevere as we run the race marked out for us as His witness!

• Throw Off Everything That Hinders & Easily Entangles Us From Running God's Race!

The Holy Spirit is faithful to show us anything that needs to go! Anything that is causing us to get tripped up and/or stop "on God's straight and narrow track" that leads to knowing Jesus, Sharing Jesus, and Leading Others to do the same! What do we have to do? It is important to know what easily entangles us personally, develop a plan of perseverance, and Obey God!! THROW OFF EVERYTHING that is not helping us Run God's Race! We can get "entangled" in unhealthy attitudes, habits, thoughts, actions, relationships...ask God to search EVERYTHING in our life as we trust Him for His ability to Run Unhindered towards the finish line = JESUS!

• Run With Perseverance Your Race!

When I run if I look to my right or to my left, I get off track! When I keep my eyes fixed straight ahead on the race marked out personally, I stay on course as His witness and I am able to run with perseverance! God has a race marked out personally for each one of us, as His witnesses. He has specific people that He puts in the path of our race that He strategically organizes supernaturally! How many times have we met someone that we knew God put in our path that needed to hear The Good News about Jesus or needed to hear something specific about our personal testimony? When this happens to me, it gives me a "a kick, a second wind, a burst of spiritual energy" to keep running and keep sharing Jesus! The race we run is like a marathon that requires perseverance! Take heart because Jesus runs ahead of us and prepares the pathway of perseverance! Jesus loves us so much that He gives us "witnesses" that "cheer us on" as we RUN His RACE! Who can we "cheer on" that is Running His Race With Perseverance?

You Can Do It!!! Keep Running God's Race For JESUS!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1YhP5zSicdk (Run With Perseverance!)

Christmas Parties With Purpose!

The film, "It's A Wonderful Life" by Frank Capra, tells the story of George Bailey and the Hope that is found in Life! Jaye Martin has taken this movie and created a party with a purpose; "It's A Wonderful Life" Christmas Party, shared in a way that provides an opportunity to "gently" introduce your faith & hope in Christ with others especially during the wonderful Christmas season! This "Christmas Party With Purpose" and many more for those of all ages can be found on this free download listed below as we look for creative fun ways to Keep Christ In Christmas!!! Here are the 4 great evangelistic Christmas Ideas & Parties for you to enjoy and share, each with great simple detailed step by step instructions that are found in this free down-loadable evangelistic women's leadership notebook. My prayer is that this will enriched your life in Christ in many specials ways like it has enriched mine!

http://www.namb.net/atf/cf/%7BCDA250E8-8866-4236-9A0C-C646DE153446%7D/2005%20HCLL%20NOTEBOOK.pdf (written by Jaye Martin, Director of Women's Leadership, SBTS)

The above download notebook is 51 pages full of awesome ideas and tools for anyone desiring to share Jesus in and through their lives! Here are the specific Christmas Parties With Purpose and the pages that you can find all of the fun simple step by step details for you:

"Christmas Traditions Home Decorating & Tour" can be found on Pages 37-41: Christmas decorating ideas that each have a purpose that all point to Jesus! You will LOVE these ideas can be used in many ways; for a Christmas home tour, personal home witness, personal Christmas focus on the real meanings of Christmas as you raise your children and/or desire for your home to point others to The Reason for the Season~Jesus!

"It's A Wonderful Life" Christmas Party can be found on Pages 42-43: This evangelistic party is based upon Frank Capa's film "It's A Wonderful Life" starring Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed. This party of fun and hope has been used to provide opportunities to "gently" introduce individuals to your faith in Jesus Christ as you also send a message of hope and availability to those needing to know more about where your Hope comes from! There is a step by step party planning guide that you will LOVE! I can already smell the popcorn:-)!

"Happy Birthday, Jesus" Christmas Party can be found on Pages 44-45: This evangelistic party is planned with young children and their parents in mind. The party host/hostess are your children or any children's ministy. You and children of all ages will LOVE the fun party planning simple guide as a Christmas atmosphere is enjoyed by all!

"Jesus Cake" Celebrations can be found on Page 46: You will LOVE this edible witnessing tool as the fun simple baking directions are listed for a wonderful evangelistic dessert! What a great tool that helps us all keep Christ in Christmas and keeps the message of Christ coming from our kitchen:-)! You can share this cake with family, Christmas gatherings, co-workers, neighbors, delivery people, anyone..... as we share The Greatest Gift~Jesus through this evangelistic edible GIFT~"Jesus Cake"!

Happy Birthday Jesus~Welcome To Our Christmas As We Share You With Our World!! AMEN!!!!

Welcome To Our Christmas Jesus~Welcome To Our World!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogWRU29J78I (you will love this song!)
Happy Birthday Jesus!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQyXWllz5Ao (you will love this song!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oar123wgUH4 (you will love this song!)

Be on the Offensive Team!

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." (Eph. 6:10-11)

This week I had the privilege of hearing Dr. Chuck Lawless speak to a group of ladies about spiritual warfare. He challenged us that in dealing with spiritual warfare, we need to be on the OFFENSIVE team. We are intentionally engaging the enemy when we are witnessing or trying to build a relationship in order to love that person and share Christ. We must do it with the full armor of God.

We will get defeated when we try to get involved in evangelism in our strength. We are told in the Scriptures that we have already won the battle; therefore, we must keep on keeping on. Dr. Lawless challenged us to remember that the enemy wants us to either (1) Mess up (2) Give up or (3) Get puffed up. Let us stand firm together, not fall into those three lies of Satan, and stay on the offensive!

Jesus~The Faithful Witness!

"...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

(the cross pictured above was handmade in The Holy Land and reminds me that Jesus is Alive to help me be the witness that He has called me to be!)

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

If you and I were on trial for being a Christian, a follower of Jesus, would there be enough evidence to convict us? I encourage you to make a list of the evidence that is in your life and the evidence that you would like for there to be in your life as 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