5 important steps to share with people

Do you know why you believe what you believe?  Can you show someone what the Word has to say about salvation?

On Sunday I was preaching from Romans 1:16-17

I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I started with a teaching segment on how to be prepared to talk with someone about your faith and have the Word of God ready to show them what it has to say.

Obviously, there are all sorts of ways that conversation can go.   How many times have you said “I can’t remember where it is but, in the Bible it says….” Here are 5 verses that can get you started.  An easy way to remember them is to write on the  inside cover of your Bible  “Romans 3:23″ — as that is the starting verse.

With each scripture you can share from your heart what it means to you.

Romans 3:23 – all have sinned.  All means me, you and everyone.  At the end of this verse  write 6:23 – that is the next verse.

Romans 6:23  — the penalty for sin is death – gift of God is eternal life.  At the end of this verse  write “5:8″

Romans 5:8 – Christ died for us.  He paid the price we could never pay.  It is not the blood of a bull, ram or dove but the precious blood of Jesus Christ.  At the end of this verse  write “10:13″

Romans 10:13 – whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.   God hears us when we call.   At the end of this verse we leave Romans and go to John 14:6.  Write “John 14:6″ at the end of verse 13.

John 14:6 ^” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”   This verse is extremely important to share as Jesus clearly states how we come to the Father.  If there was any other way, if His blood was not required…..  Jesus, Himself, prayed in the Garden “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

It is important that we, as Christians, share what God has done and is doing in our lives.  Now you can easily take the Word of God and share the Gospel with anyone!

til next time

(I will post sermon notes later — lots of good things come from Romans 1:16-17)

arms outstretched

One of my favorite classes in college had to do with communication and body language.  A person can say volumes without ever saying a word.   We have all been around people who will be saying all the ‘right’ things but their body language is screaming a different tune.

Yesterdays challenge (45 day love revealed challenge) was all about living in God’s love.   What is your approach to the love God has for you?   Some people have an “arms folded” approach to God.    Others have an “arms wide open” approach to God.

^{Jude 20-21}But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God’s love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life!

Feeling weak?  Check your prayer life.   Recently I have drastically increased my prayer life.   Everywhere I look people are facing huge issues.  Only God can give me the words to say that will encourage and strengthen those around me.  A word fitly spoken (Proverbs 25:11) makes a huge difference.

Where is the best place to be? — in the center of God’s love.   God’s love flowing through me enables me to love others.  Are people getting on your nerves?  Check your love tank.  How much time are you spending with the One who loves you most?

“keeping your arms open and outstretched.”

Open — outstretched — what a picture.   Are you feeling overwhelmed, sad, stressed??  Open your arms and reach up.    God is reaching down to you.   His mercies are new every morning.  His love is available every moment of every day.

Yes I come to God with my arms outstretched.

til next time

for more on the 45 day challenge click here

ready or not

1, 2, 3, 4,……………..50  Ready or not here I come!!

Remember that childhood game of hide and seek?   We would play it for hours.   My favorite version was “kick the can”  played at night.    It didn’t matter if I was the one hiding or the one seeking.  I loved it!

What I didn’t like was when the seeker would cheat and not count to 50.

Well ready or not the fall semester has begun.  I am not ready.  I don’t think that summer counted to 50.  I want a count do over.  ~~sigh~~

Along with pastoring, my husband is a professor.  He started his classes yesterday.  He is a great teacher.  He wants the students to do well.  He wants them to learn.  That said it takes energy and effort on his part to do the job right.   There is a cost involved with being bi-vocational.

This year it seems to be a bit harder for me to adjust to the change that teaching brings into our life.   Maybe it is the season of life I find myself in.  Maybe it is a test.  Maybe a change is coming.  Maybe I need to shift my focus.

Focus?  Yes, I am sure I need to adjust my focus.  I am not expected to do this on my own.

Where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.  (Psalm 121:1-2)

2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

His grace is enough.  Where I am weak, He is strong.  I am counting on that for I know that I don’t have the strength to keep this pace up.    Yet in my weakness He will shine through.   That’s His promise to me and His promise to you.  When our lives are placed in His hands and life heats up, He is an ever present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1)

His grace IS enough!

 til next time

what are you dishing out?

Relationships are multifaceted. I guess that is what makes life so entertaining and at times stressful.

My daddy used to say “Don’t dish it out if you can’t handle it.”  He loved to play practical jokes on people.   He loved it when people gave it right back to him.

I  remember coming home to a whole lot of junk piled in front of our front door because his brother had stopped by and we weren’t home.  It was their family calling card.   I also remember being a partner in crime at his brother’s house  when they weren’t home.

Later there would be the expected phone call.  I can still hear my daddy laughing.  He loved to laugh.

But what about when people dish out words that hurt?

I have been thinking about relationships lately.  A scripture that always pops in my head when dealing with relationships is Psalm 19:14  “Let the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer.” 

I can’t possibly expect good words to come out of my mouth if I am mediating on junk.  If I am rehashing what so and so did to me or said about me or my kids or my husband then I am pretty sure that my mouth will reflect that.

What I think and how I feel about a relationship will be evident in what I say.  What I say will come from what I have allowed myself to meditate on.

“I believe their heart toward me is good.”   Try meditating on that.  Give the person the benefit of the doubt.  Look for the good.

Read how the Message Bible puts it in 1 Corinthians 13

So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.

   Love never gives up.
   Love cares more for others than for self.
   Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
   Love doesn’t strut,
   Doesn’t have a swelled head,
   Doesn’t force itself on others,
   Isn’t always “me first,”
   Doesn’t fly off the handle,
   Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
   Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
   Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
   Puts up with anything,
   Trusts God always,
   Always looks for the best,
   Never looks back,
   But keeps going to the end.

Always looks for the best — Think about your relationships.  How would always looks for the best change that relationship?

What about puts up with anything?  Yes that does mean the clothes that are two inches from the laundry basket.  It can be so easy to nag.   Why not, instead, start commenting on the good things?    Build up instead of tear down.

It’s easy to love people who are loving me  back.  It takes God’s love flowing through me to love people who are being unkind.  It takes God’s love to not be ugly right back.   This is a on-going process.

For a Christian, there is no excuse for ugliness.  That said, there is forgiveness when we fall short.     My prayer has been and will be “Lord help me to not do or say something that I will need to apologize for later.”    You know what?  He does answer that prayer.

til next time

day 10

I am on day 10 of a 30 day challenge.  To say it has changed my life would be an understatement.  (the challenge — For the next 30 days I am going to be mindful to not complain about anything. click here to read more)

How am I doing?

Some days it is absolutely not a challenge.  I breeze through those days.  Others days, however, make up for it and are challenging beyond measure.

What I have found is that I am much more aware of when it is coming out of my mouth.  It is happening less and less.  The coolest thing, though, is when the thought is there but I recognize it before it leaves my mouth.   This is happening more and more.  (hmm reminds me of the scripture to take every thought captive)

I had a co-worker tell me Thursday that she was going to do the same thing.  I was very excited for her.  Although I did tell her to be ready.  As a christian, the devil loves it when we grumble, murmur, or complain.  Therefore he will kick it up a few notches when we purpose to stop doing those things.  He doesn’t think we can do it and he is working to stack the deck in his favor.

That said, the good news is that God does think we can do it.  He is right there ready to help us. After all, He wants us to walk in joy and peace.  Last I checked grumbling, whining, and murmuring were not synonymous with peace.

All of that said, today -day 10 – is starting off very challenging.  I heard some news today that just makes my heart sad.  It’s like this fountain of weariness has threatening to overtake me.

Knowing this is a trial and that I don’t have to act on or live by my feelings.  This is what I did.

I turned to my love letter from God.  Isaiah 40:27-31  I read it in various translations.  The Message bible says it best for me today.

^27-31Why would you ever complain, O Jacob,
or, whine, Israel, saying,
“God has lost track of me.
He doesn’t care what happens to me”?
Don’t you know anything? Haven’t you been listening?
God doesn’t come and go. God lasts.
He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath.
And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don’t get tired,
they walk and don’t lag behind.

I read it over and over again until it permeated my very being and quieted those feelings.   I looked for, found, and allowed truth to rise up.  (Feelings can lie to us and try to sway us to go down a road that is not in our best interest.  I don’t want to be ruled by my feelings.  I want to walk in truth.)

My heart is still sad, but my hope is renewed.  I know that God has a plan.  He is working things out and He is my strength.   I will walk in His truth.

Are your feelings lying to you?

til next time

made it 1 entire day :)

grumble……..murmur………complain………….whine

How much of my day includes one of those things?  Well if you would have asked me two days ago I would have said “I don’t have a big problem with it.”  –click here to read earlier blog –

In fact, I decided two days ago to be mindful of what and how I am saying things for the next 30 days.  No problem??   or so I thought.

I like to talk a lot.  Did I mention that? 

Yesterday went by pretty smoothly.  To the best of my knowledge no complaining, murmuring, whining or grumbling came forth from my mouth. 

Ah, but this morning I had to be to work early and the first thing out of my mouth was “it is way too early to be up.”  I barely got it out of my mouth when I remembered.  UGH!  I told Curt that it really didn’t count because I wasn’t fully awake.  (heavy sigh)  Ok that is reaching just a bit. 

It just showed me how easy it is to grumble and not even realize you are grumbling. 

I much prefer mornings when I wake up and before getting out of bed, I say “Good morning Lord, it’s gonna be a great day.”   Hmmm I am sure God prefers that too,  along with my family and friends.

Then off to work.  I need to go back to the doctor for a follow-up visit.  I mentioned to Susan, “I hate spending money on doctor bills.”  

Oops, there it is again.  Yes, that is a true statement but murmuring none the less.  Instead I am grateful that I can make payments to such noted doctors.

So I have had two strikes today and it is only lunch time.  However, this is not baseball and I am not limited to three strikes. 

Yes, being mindful of my words and purposing in my heart to stop any and all griping is a good thing.   After all, I am confident that God is at work.  God will take care of those things that come my way.  With my mouth I will be grateful and thankful.

Oh, I forgot to mention, when I got home at lunch there was yet one more explanation of benefits from our insurance.  It was a shocker.  Let’s just say that Curt has met his $4,200 deductible for the year. 

Strangely though, I am not freaked out about it nor do I even want to grumble.  It just isn’t worth it.  I am determined to live in peace. 

What about you?  How often do you complain, grumble, murmur, gripe?

I challenge you to replace it with gratitude.  Let your hope in God rise above the fear.

What we say does impact our lives and those around us.

til next time

christian?

A few months back we celebrated 20 years of ministry in a small town church.  20 years!  I’ve lived here longer than anywhere else in my life.

A lot of people have come and gone.   Babies have grown up and are now having babies.   What a joy that is to see!  There is the joy of  new life  and then there is the sadness as we have bid farewell to those who have gone on before us.  One day we will meet again  on that Golden Shore.  (Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His godly ones.  Psalm 116:15)

There have been weddings.  I love weddings!  If I could do it over again I would have started a scrap-book with the very first wedding.

There are those who have moved away and those who have moved on.  There are those who have recently joined our family  (quick count and I am up to 23 in the last year and a half  – Thank you God!)

All in all, it has been and is my desire to be real in a world where so many people are trying to be someone who they aren’t.   I have good days and I have bad days.  Life happens.  Yet in and through all of it, God is there.   I am not the perfect Pastor’s wife (not by a long shot)  or the perfect pastor.   However,  I love Jesus and I am learning how to walk in love.  I am finding that to be a life long process.  Some days are easier than others – for sure.

Awhile back I was at a craft store with a dear friend and  saw this fairly large wall hanging.  We talked about what it had to say – about what it means to be a christian.  For our 20th anniversary she gave it to us.  Here is what it said.

When I say “I am a Christian” I’m not shouting “I am saved.”   I’m whispering “I get lost – that is why I chose this way.”

When I say  “I am a Christian”  I don’t speak of this with pride.   I’m confessing that I stumble and need someone to be my guide.

When I say “I am a Christian”   I’m not trying to be strong.   I’m professing that I’m weak and pray for strength to carry on.

When I say “I am a Christian” I’m not bragging of success.  I’m admitting I have failed and cannot ever pay the debt.

When I say “I am a Christian” I’m not claiming to be perfect. My faults are all too visible, but God believes I’m worth it.

When I say “I’m a Christian” I still feel the sting of pain.  I have my share of heartaches – which is why I seek His name.

When I say “I’m a Christian” I do not wish to judge.  I have no authority.  I only know that I am loved.

Christian?

What does it mean to you?

til next time

what do you see?

Just another Tuesday or is it?

I’ve had one of those ‘time stands still‘ moments.

Let me back up a bit………..

A few years ago I was blessed to be at a conference where Kristi Northup was the worship leader.   You can’t help but feel her love and excitement for God.   She has a heart of  passion.  It is evident in her music.  It is all over her face.

So tonight, I get home from work and jump on facebook.  I think there must be a 12 step program for that.  Ah, but would I go?

It’s Tuesday night and hubby is home.   (During the school year he teaches on Tuesday night.   Have I mentioned that I love summer?  I do!)    As usual, when he is home, the music is on.

He is attempting to play through our cd collection.  This is a good thing because we tend to get in a rut and play the same cd’s over and over again.

So there I was when …  wham.  This song comes on.  I jump up and tell the family that this song is the whole reason I bought 3 of her cd’s.

As I tend to do, I put the player on ‘repeat 1 song’ to the moan of my family.  OK, so this time they moaned silently.  It really is a good song.

I am transported back to that retreat.  I remember like it was yesterday.   God calling me to see past the junk.  God speaking to my heart through this song -  wanting me to be willing to let Him show me what He sees – to love with His love.

What do you see?

How’s that working for you?  Ok,  so I am not Dr Phil, but seriously sometimes we get so caught up in ‘I…, I…, I….,  and how things affect me’.   I’ itus  as my dear Opal calls it.

I encourage you to let God show you what He sees!

Here is the song.  Kristi captures it.

I see desperation.   I see pain.   I see a life in ruins hopeless to ever change.  I see a city broken in two.  Is there anything that You can do?

 I see condemnation and I see shame.  I see the bride of Christ covered in human stain.   I see a finger pointing back at me.  I’m ashamed of my hypocrisy.

 You see beauty where I see dross.  You see value where I see loss. Cuz You are the light and the darkness cannot overcome it.  

 I see Simon, but You see Peter.  I see the adulteress, but You see a leader.   I see a desert.  You see a well.  I see Jacob, but You see Israel.

 I see China.  You see believers.  I see aids in Africa.  You are, You are the healer.

 I see religion.  You see the church.  I see the horizon but You see the whole world.

You see beauty where I see dross.  You see value where I see loss. Cuz You are the light and the darkness cannot overcome it.

Whatever we face, whatever comes our way,  God is still so very faithful.   Sometimes it is hard to understand why some things  happen.  I think too much time can be wasted trying to figure some of that stuff out.    Kristi’s song has reminded me again that I don’t have to figure it out.  I also don’t have to stay in the trap of ‘what I see’.    I see…………. but God sees……….and I choose to go with what God sees.

I trust God.  I believe He is at work.  I know that my life is in His hands.  I long for His will to be done — that is really what it is all about.  It isn’t about me and my will but that His will be done in my life, in my family, in my relationships, and in my church.

til next time

If you want to hear some of Kristi’s music– check out her website.   http://www.kristinorthup.com  go to listeners, music, then play.

God said no

Many years ago I was reading an article by a prominent minister.  The article was on the will of God and he had some good things to say.  At the end, he made the statement — “God has never told me no.”

What?

Huh?

Never?

Really?

That was the last article I have read by that minister.  Oh, I know there is the concept of -take the meat and spit out the bones – which is a good rule but with the limited time I have for reading and so many things I want to read, this author doesn’t make the list anymore.

God never said no?

I don’t know this man personally.   I do know that however good he is or how close he may be to God, He is not Jesus and God told Jesus no.

Yes, you read that right.

In the garden, it is recorded that Jesus prayed 3 times.  Matthew 26 – …My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me;  yet not as I will, but as You will.”    (no it is not possible)  2nd time  “My Father, if this  cannot pass away unless I drink it,  Your will be done.”  (no it cannot- you must drink it)  3rd time  “…went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more.”      (italics are my words)

We know the outcome of those prayers.  Jesus went to the cross and died for our sins.  His love for mankind -what a price to pay.  If there were any other way  to God, … but clearly there wasn’t.

I believe that Jesus knew all along that this was the plan.  He was/is God.  Yet He used His time on earth to show us – to be an example we can look at.

There are many things we can grasp from His time in prayer that night.  One  key  is “Not my will but Yours”.    The recognition that God is in control and He sees the whole picture, not just the part we see.  He knows what is best for us.

I pray.   I ask in faith believing that God hears my prayers.  I stand on His word and His many promises.   I trust God!

I also recognize that I don’t know the whole situation.  God does.

I can’t see down the road.  God can.

So I pray with an attitude of  yet not my will or my plan but according to Your will and Your plan.  For I know that God’s ways won’t always make sense to me.  After all He is God and who am I to think I can understand all the thoughts and ways of God.  He wouldn’t be a very big God if that were the case.

My God is greater than that.  He is the creator and sustainer of life.  He is all -knowing, all-powerful, and yet He loves me.  He is not some far off god.  He desires to have an intimate relationship with me and with you too!!

As I look back on  some of those times God said no, I can see why.  I am grateful that God did not give me some of the things that I so desperately thought, at the time, was His plan.

So with my prayers today, I will continue to pray in faith, believing and expecting God to work in the situations.  I will continue to lay out my requests before Him.  It will be with an attitude of  ‘Your will be done Lord’ because I know that God’s plans for me are good.   Each day is an adventure!

His plans for you are good too!!

til next time

content and blessed

It’s Easter weekend and that means a busy Sunday for a pw.   I love Easter.    New birth is seen everywhere.  My flowers are popping up.  The trees are budding.  The grass is now green.  New life is all around me.

I can wear white shoes again!  (Yes, my momma taught me well — white shoes come out on Easter Sunday.  Some things you just never  forget.)

It is also the celebration of the resurrection of my Lord Jesus.  This is actually something that I celebrate on a regular basis but there does seem to be something just extra special about Easter Sunday.

This year Easter falls on my twin boys birthday.  While this could be a really great thing, it actually threatened to pull me down into sadness.  Not only would neither boy be here for their birthday but neither one would be here for Easter either.   Chris is celebrating with Galina’s parents and Andrew is on his way to the Grand Canyon on his Harley.

Yet the goodness of God shines in a bright way.  Long before I realized that neither boy would be home, plans were set in motion.    My dear college friend, Rosie, would be stopping here on her way back to MN after spending the last 2 years in Israel.

A get together was planned with another college friend (Donna) that we hadn’t seen since 1985 or 86?    I love reunions!   I was grateful for the distraction.  God knew that it would be just what I needed.

  We had a lot of catching up to do.  In between there were laughter breaks.  Sometimes it seemed that the main thing we were doing was laughing and we needed conversation breaks.

Laughter is hard on the tummy.

At one point there was a mall disturbance.  No it wasn’t us, but I did tell Rosie it would not be good for her to have survived the dangers in Israel only to be shot in a United States mall.   We quickly moved on.

   

  Rose was able to spend the night and stay for the early service and breakfast.

Then she was on her way to MN.

Easter services were even better than normal.  I love my church family.  With our nearest relatives 6 hours away the church has become our family.  What a great family we are blessed to be a part of.

It really does matter what you set your mind on.  I choose to look for the good and to be content with what God sets before me.  I am truly blessed.

til next time