Avoid Controversies

^"But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless" (Titus 3:9, NASB).

Knowing when to argue and when to leave it can be an art. More importantly, it requires dependence on the Holy Spirit and on wisdom from God. When we least expect it, we can be challenged on what we believe and why. In the verse above, Paul tell Titus to avoid foolish controversies. In the verse below, we see that we are to be ready to defend our beliefs, yet to do it with a sanctified heart.

"But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence" (1 Peter 3:15, NASB).

We are not to get caught up in arguments that divide believers, but should use it as an opportunity to learn more about what we believe and why. Our defense of our faith (apologetics) is as important as the attitude in which we respond.

Jaye Martin

Lord, whether I'm dealing with another believer or with someone who does not know You, help me keep my heart in the right place and depend on Your power and wisdom. Walk me through each moment of every day. May you be glorified in all that I say and do so that others may see You! Amen.

Jesus is the LIGHT 

of the World

"I am the light of the world; he who follows Me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life." (John 8:12)

Two weeks before Easter, our church decided to go out into the neighborhood to let the community know that our church was there to serve them. We handed out light bulbs to over a thousand families, saying, "Hi, we are your neighbors at West Broadway Baptist Church. We just wanted to remind you that Jesus is the Light of the World, invite you to our Easter services, and ask if there is anything we can pray about for you." We handed them a packet of information about the church along with the light bulb.

Sharon Beougher

Knocking on doors was a personable way to invite people as well as providing a 'first time' for many church members to get out of their comfort zone and talk to strangers. All but a couple people in homes who answered the door took the information and light bulb, along with a 'thank you' to us.

Jesus is indeed the LIGHT OF THE WORLD, and we need to boldly let a hurting world know!

Conversation Starters: Compliments

"I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are your works, and my soul knows it very well" (Psalm 139:14, NASB). 

Recently, I’ve gotten to see how much a compliment can encourage four-year-olds as they play soccer. As I was thinking about this and reading this part (Conversation Starters: Compliments) of the HeartCall course book, I see that truly everyone could use some encouragement. God created us and sees us as valuable, valuable enough to send His Son, Jesus, to show us how to walk in honor of God and to suffer in our place on the cross. This Creator has the power to turn our ashes into beauty, and He desires a deep relationship with the people He made.

Kelli Martin

A compliment may give us the chance to at least show - and maybe even share - the pure love God has for the world with someone else. As believers, we can point out the good we see in others, encourage them and help them see God's love and desire to bring people into His family.

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

See Shane and Shane play "Beauty for Ashes" on YouTube here.

Trustworthy Truths

"The eyes of all look to You, and You give them their food in due time. You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds." Psalm 145:15-17

Kari Beougher

Whenever I am tempted to be discontent about where the Lord has me, or long for Him to do something new in my life, I am comforted by the truths in this passage.
  
The eyes of all look to You- I love this reminder about what a great God we serve. Truly all of creation is dependent upon Him for life. He is the Creator and Sustainer of all things.

 You give them their food in due time- My favorite part about this verse is "in due time." It doesn't just say that God is Provider-though He is. It also shows His sovereignty and perfect timing. God knows what we need and is faithful to provide it for us...at the proper time.

 You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing- It is in Christ that true satisfaction is found. He is the Giver of all good gifts, and only in Him can true fulfillment be found.

 The Lord is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds- God's plan can be fully trusted. He is righteous and kind in all that He does.

What are you longing for today? Are you discouraged? You can trust in the care, providence, and faithfulness of our God. Rest in the knowledge that He is Sovereign over all creation, His timing is perfect, and His ways are kind.

Joyful Shouting

 

Those who sow in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, Shall indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. (Psalm 126:5-6, NASB)

When Tracy sent me this verse last night, it was a reminder that those who work a difficult harvest will rejoice when the fruit comes in. As I walk through my days, some are spent pouring over the computer. The pouring over can be the hours of labor working on a project or the tears of frustration of trying to get my technology to work. I know in the end that it will all be worth the effort.

This verse has to do with the work that goes into the harvest of souls. Time spent with those who need the Lord can be joyful but they can also be tedious. Sometimes it seems I watch God opens eyes to His Glory but at other times, it feels like no matter how much I work the field that they just don't get it. We are to keep working the field and to know that God is the one who brings the harvest.

Who are you praying for today? Who needs to know the love of the Lord? What is God calling you to do? Keep your nose to the grind and keep doing the work of answering questions or showing the love of Christ...and keep praying for God to bring the harvest. He will. And when He does, we will all shout with joy!

Conversation Starters: Interests

"But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God" (Acts 20:24, NASB).

What is something you're interested in? Do you know others with a similar interest?

For me, I love to run and I love Christ. As God becomes more a part of my life, I can see ways that He fits into the world we experience and decisions we make. As I have grown closer in my walk with God, I am drawn to sometimes pray while I run, and I can relate to passages about perseverance in the faith in the Bible. God is my strength, so He will help me press on as I run and in the faith. He offers forgiveness and renewal when I feel I've failed. He will give me wisdom when I need it (which comically can come in handy as things cross my path when I run in a park). When I don't run quite like I wanted to one day, then I know my God has grace and will be there with me the next time I try. All of those things relate so closely to my spiritual walk, I see, and so it is neat to get to talk about that with other runners.

What are some things that you are interested in? Is it business, art, family, technology, developing systems, entertainment, reading or exercise? Whatever it may be, how does God apply to it? How is He a part of that picture?

When you talk with others, ask them what their interests are. Try to find a common one, or listen to them as they share theirs. This is a great way to learn where someone is coming from. If you get to bring up how God works in our everyday lives, then you may get to share with someone about who Christ is.

God is a part of our lives, and so when others are open to sharing about life, then we may get to share about ours as well. Let's pray for the words to say and for a connection with others so that we can have these conversations.

Questions to think about:

• What are your interests? How does God relate to them? 
• What are your best friend's interests? How does God relate to them? 
• Is there someone you know now who doesn't know Christ, but that you have a common interest with?

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

Photo from www.runnersworld.com/masters-racing/price-competition.

Conversation Starters: Nature

"Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap; they have not storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them; how much more valuable are you than the birds" (Luke 12:24, NASB).

Do you love the crisp air in fall or the beauty of new life that you see in spring? I used to have a professor who couldn't help but stop on vacations to take pictures of eroded rock formations as he took road trips with family. What stands out to you in God's creation? This can be a great way to start a conversation with someone, to share more about our Creator.

Nature can be simply striking. Its beauty tends to draw us in, and its intricacy can lead people to wonder about its designer. As life in unfolds around us, we can talk with others about how carefully and intelligently God made the world. He didn't just make everything and then walk away. He is ever-present, watching over every living thing, like the birds of the air. He desires a relationship with the people that He made in His image.

"The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands" (Psalm 19:1, NASB).

Study based on the workbook HeartCall: Women Sharing God's Heart (Jaye Martin, 1999).
Photo by Keith Williams from www.birds.cornell.edu.