http://youtu.be/U0l7_vsOxp8 - Forever - Fireflight
Go and Tell
For the last few months, I've been working for the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. My job is temporary and will end in just a few short weeks. But during this "temporary" assignment God gave me, I
was blessed to see the community of which I am a part, the community of believers, come together with
One purpose - to reach out to those who are lost in our own backyard. There was no "this church" or "that church" - just brothers and sisters in Christ who wanted to go and tell the Story of Jesus and His love for us.
I think I remember Jesus praying that we would all be One, just as He and the Father are One. This community came together with love towards the community and each other. I don't think we'll ever be the same.
Going on an international mission trip is awesome and everyone seems to come back feeling like they'll never be the same. God is so good! I think what happens is, because they "go and tell", God blesses them in even greater ways than they bless the people they serve. God tells us that we cannot out give Him and when we are obedient to the call He puts on our lives, He blesses us in amazing ways.
I had the opportunity to hear some "love" stories from our Youth Group members at church who decided to spend Spring Break helping others. They served in McAllen, Texas helping to build homes for people who don't have the material blessings most of us have. I also listened to some Dallas Christian students who went on mission trips over Spring Break. The message they all kept sharing - "I'll never be the same." God opened their hearts and eyes to what really matters. They were ambassadors for Christ to people who desperately need a Savior. Once again, God said "go and tell" and when these young people obeyed, God blessed them with so much more than they ever would have imagined.
These kids could have gone skiiing, to beach, on some other fun vacation, and that would have been fine. After all, don't they need a little break from school? A time of refreshment and rest? And what fun they would have playing and having a great time! But then when they come back to school, what do they have? They have some fun things to remember, but after a few weeks, that experience, that happiness is just a memory. Then they can't wait for the next "happy" vacation. Right?
But the kids that put aside their own selves and chose instead to spend that week helping others, the joy they experienced from serving those who are less fortunate, that joy will last into eternity. God touched their hearts with love for others. That changes the way we look at things forever.
But going on a mission trip is not the only way we can Go and Tell. The Will Graham Celebration this weekend in Terrell is a mission trip into our own community. It no less important for us to tell our neighbors and acquaintances about the love of Jesus than it is to tell those across the ocean. Christ gave us a commission to GO and Tell His Story to all the world. Even to the people in our own town.
Last night was the first night of the Trinity Valley Will Graham Celebration. It was eye-opening for me.
The Celebration is an evangelistic ministry with the goal of spreading the message of hope that is found
in Christ. Last night many people responded with a desire to have the forgiveness that Christ offers us.
It made me seriously consider how many people I know who feel that they are just too far gone for Jesus
to save. How many people desperately want what I have? Am I reaching out to the lost with my life?
Am I willing to tell others about my Savior without feeling embarrassed or awkward?
Tonight is Student Night at the Celebration. We have special performances by Fireflight, Tedashii and Rend Collective Experiment. These are young people who use their special talents in music to bring glory to God.
They testify to the faithfulness and love of Christ through song. Last night we heard Rend Collective Experiment and also Brenton Brown performed. Brenton wrote "Everlasting God", "Your Love is Amazing", and Lord Reign in Me" among other praise songs we sing all the time.
Jesus told us to go and preach the gospel to all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things which He commanded. Are we doing that in our own community? Someone you know needs to know Jesus. Look for those people. Seek them out. Ask God to give you opportunities to be His witness. If you know someone who desperately needs the burdens of this world lifted off their shoulders, if you know someone who feels they are just too bad, too far gone into sin for Jesus to forgive them, please bring them to the Celebration tonight at the Performing Arts Center in Terrell. Give them an open door to hear what Christ did for us all - He came to save sinners and we are all sinners.
The Celebration starts at 7:00 but the doors will be open at 6:00. The Performing Arts Center is located at 400 Poetry Road in Terrell. The admission is FREE. What you will get out of this time of worship is priceless. Go preach the gospel and as St. Francis of Assisi would say, "use words if you must". Show others there is hope and that HOPE, Jesus Christ, can change everything.
http://youtu.be/O5OAunLHw9A - Wrapped in Your Arms - Fireflight
http://youtu.be/umVl0Mb7CsU - Unbreakable - Fireflight
Come join us at the Terrell Performing Arts Center in Terrell - 400 Poetry Rd. I can't think of a better
way to spend Saturday night!
It's not about me.
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
http://youtu.be/98nG3xH02wo - I know You're there - Casting Crowns
There are people I love who are going through difficult circumstances this day. Surgery, loss of a loved one, devastating illness - my heart is burdened for these precious ones. Most of these people know the Lord and find strength and comfort in His Presence. They trust even when they don't understand. That's amazing faith.
What's especially difficult is watching people face hard times without Jesus. There are people I love who have not trusted in Him; where can they find comfort?
Larry and I watched a movie last night. Descendants with George Clooney was a thought provoking movie. The language was not appropriate, and it distracted me from the message some what. I didn't like that at all. However, I watched and looked for the message. The story line follows Matt King (George's character) who is faced with the realization that he has not been an involved father or husband. Unfortunately, it takes his wife being in a terrible accident which leaves her in a coma for him to see what he needs to change. This is a love story of a dad re-connecting with his daughters.
I can't tell you much without giving away the ending, but what I got from it was each day needs to be precious to us. We need to treat one another as if every moment we have could be our last. We need to make time for our family and friends. Most of all, we need to make sure they know Jesus BEFORE tragedy strikes, and they can no longer make a choice to accept Him.
Who do you love who doesn't know Jesus? What if they had a terrible accident today and were left in a coma? What if they died? Did you share the gospel with them? Or were you like me, to embarrassed, to afraid? Too busy? Afraid you might offend them? Afraid that they would think you are a fanatic?
You have what they need. Hope. Eternal Life with God. Don't let earthly fears keep you from telling everyone about Jesus. You never know when it will be too late.
Pray for opportunities to share God's plan of Salvation. Watch for open doors. You don't have to be able to recite the entire bible to someone to deliver the message of God's mercy and grace. Just share what He's done in your life. Be a witness by the way you live. And never give up on people. Keep praying. Trust God to make the seeds you plant grow in His time. He loves them, too.
Psalm 139 niv
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
1 You have searched me, LORD, and You know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
You perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
You are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue, You, LORD, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
and You lay Your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from Your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, You are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, You are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to You; the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to You.
13 For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in Your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are Your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with You.
Praying that you feel His presence today and every day.
I love this song so much. I believe every word. Yesterday I was in the car and it came on the radio and my soul was just soothed. He is with me every single moment, and He cares about everything that concerns me. He loves each one of us as if we were His only child. I feel safe and protected - no matter what He may allow in my life, I know He'll be with me through it all.
I do make one little change in the lyrics when I sing this song. I change one word. I sing "I know You're HERE", not I know You're there, because He is with me, right here, right now, always and forever, never "there", here with me. And with you. With us all.
If all I had was one last breath
I'd spend it just to sing Your praise
Just to say Your name
If all I had was one last prayer
I'd pray it 'cause I know You're always listening
If I could live a thousand lives, bind the hands of time
I would spend every moment by Your side
'cause I, I know You're there, I know You see me
You're the air I breathe
You are the ground beneath me
I know You're there, I know You hear me
I can find You anywhere
If all I had was one more song to sing
I would raise a noise to make the heavens ring
If all I had was one last chance, I'd take it
I would stake it all on You
If I could raise up high and catch a glimpse of every eye
I would make them believe
What I feel inside
If I could live a thousand lives and bind the hands of time
If I could rise up high and catch a glimpse of every eye
I know You're there
I know You're there
I know You're there, You're there
http://youtu.be/fmFd0MvU7zo - Perfect Peace - Laura Story
There are people I love who are going through difficult circumstances this day. Surgery, loss of a loved one, devastating illness - my heart is burdened for these precious ones. Most of these people know the Lord and find strength and comfort in His Presence. They trust even when they don't understand. That's amazing faith.
What's especially difficult is watching people face hard times without Jesus. There are people I love who have not trusted in Him; where can they find comfort?
Larry and I watched a movie last night. Descendants with George Clooney was a thought provoking movie. The language was not appropriate, and it distracted me from the message some what. I didn't like that at all. However, I watched and looked for the message. The story line follows Matt King (George's character) who is faced with the realization that he has not been an involved father or husband. Unfortunately, it takes his wife being in a terrible accident which leaves her in a coma for him to see what he needs to change. This is a love story of a dad re-connecting with his daughters.
I can't tell you much without giving away the ending, but what I got from it was each day needs to be precious to us. We need to treat one another as if every moment we have could be our last. We need to make time for our family and friends. Most of all, we need to make sure they know Jesus BEFORE tragedy strikes, and they can no longer make a choice to accept Him.
Who do you love who doesn't know Jesus? What if they had a terrible accident today and were left in a coma? What if they died? Did you share the gospel with them? Or were you like me, to embarrassed, to afraid? Too busy? Afraid you might offend them? Afraid that they would think you are a fanatic?
You have what they need. Hope. Eternal Life with God. Don't let earthly fears keep you from telling everyone about Jesus. You never know when it will be too late.
Pray for opportunities to share God's plan of Salvation. Watch for open doors. You don't have to be able to recite the entire bible to someone to deliver the message of God's mercy and grace. Just share what He's done in your life. Be a witness by the way you live. And never give up on people. Keep praying. Trust God to make the seeds you plant grow in His time. He loves them, too.
Psalm 139 niv
For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.
1 You have searched me, LORD, and You know me.
2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
You perceive my thoughts from afar.
3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
You are familiar with all my ways.
4 Before a word is on my tongue, You, LORD, know it completely.
5 You hem me in behind and before,
and You lay Your hand upon me.
6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.
7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
Where can I flee from Your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, You are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, You are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to You; the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to You.
13 For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in Your book
before one of them came to be.
17 How precious to me are Your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them!
18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with You.
Praying that you feel His presence today and every day.
I love this song so much. I believe every word. Yesterday I was in the car and it came on the radio and my soul was just soothed. He is with me every single moment, and He cares about everything that concerns me. He loves each one of us as if we were His only child. I feel safe and protected - no matter what He may allow in my life, I know He'll be with me through it all.
I do make one little change in the lyrics when I sing this song. I change one word. I sing "I know You're HERE", not I know You're there, because He is with me, right here, right now, always and forever, never "there", here with me. And with you. With us all.
If all I had was one last breath
I'd spend it just to sing Your praise
Just to say Your name
If all I had was one last prayer
I'd pray it 'cause I know You're always listening
If I could live a thousand lives, bind the hands of time
I would spend every moment by Your side
'cause I, I know You're there, I know You see me
You're the air I breathe
You are the ground beneath me
I know You're there, I know You hear me
I can find You anywhere
If all I had was one more song to sing
I would raise a noise to make the heavens ring
If all I had was one last chance, I'd take it
I would stake it all on You
If I could raise up high and catch a glimpse of every eye
I would make them believe
What I feel inside
If I could live a thousand lives and bind the hands of time
If I could rise up high and catch a glimpse of every eye
I know You're there
I know You're there
I know You're there, You're there
http://youtu.be/fmFd0MvU7zo - Perfect Peace - Laura Story
Monday, March 19, 2012
Being an intercessor for the lost
http://youtu.be/pYqogpLpC5Q - Mighty to Save - Laura Story
When I pray, if God doesn't answer exactly the way I want, sometimes, I stop
praying. But Jesus told us to be persistent in making our requests known. He also
said that when we pray in accordance with His will, He will answer.
What prayer could be more in accordance with the will of God than praying for the salvation of others?
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.
1 Timothy 2:1-8
1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.
8 Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.
Paul tells us to pray for all people because it is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. He tells us to lift up holy (pure, righteous) hands - in other words, He wants us to pray with a clean heart and loving spirit for all people.
If we want to be a mountain - moving prayer warrior and intercessor, we must come before God with praise and thanksgiving, and then ask Him to cleanse our hearts and renew a right spirit in us.
God has put several people on my heart. These are people I love who need to know the saving power of Christ in their lives. Many of them were raised in church but never really got to that place where they completely trusted God. I was one of those people for too long and I wasted a lot of years rebelling, doing things my own way. I found out the hard way how pointless my way of living was. My new life in Christ is so much better and I want my friends to enjoy the peace and joy that I now have.
I can't make them listen if they aren't willing to hear. But my life can be a testimony to His love and goodness. I can be His witness without a word, if that's what it takes. And I can pray for them every single day.
"When we pray for others the Spirit of God works in the unconscious domain of their being that we know nothing about, and the one we are praying for knows nothing about, but after the passing of time the conscious life of the one prayed for begins to show signs of unrest and disquiet. We may have spoken until we are worn out, but have never come anywhere near, and we have given up in despair. But if we have been praying, we find on meeting them one day that there is the beginning of a softening in an inquiry and a desire to know something. It is that kind of intercession that does most damage to Satan's kingdom. It is so slight, so feeble in its initial stages that if reason is not wedded to the light of the Holy Spirit, we will never obey it, and yet it is that kind of intercession that the New Testament places most emphasis on." - Oswald Chambers
"Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water" - Hebrews 10:22
Holy Father, I give You all my praise and adoration for You alone are worthy. You brought me up out of the pit. You lifted me up and clothed me with the righteousness of Your Son. Because of Your love, I am a new creation in Christ. My sins are gone, I've been set free because Jesus took my punishment. My sins are nailed to His cross and the new life He has given me, I live for Him and in Him. Thank You for Your amazing love and grace to a sinner like me. Oh Father, how can I not tell others of this precious gift I have received? Forgive me and show me how to speak life to those I love and those I meet every day.
Father, I have several people whom I love and they have been blinded by the enemy. He is constantly whispering lies in their ears, causing them to doubt and to question Your love and Your goodness. Lord, You know the precious ones I'm lifting up. They need You. They need the joy that only You can give. Father, please draw them to Your Son. Open their eyes to Your Truth. Take away the confusion of the Enemy and break down every strong hold in their lives that separates them from the victory that they can have in Jesus. Help them to seek You with all their hearts and help them to find You, Lord, just as You promised. Father, please help my friends and family members to see Your faithfulness. Give them the peace that surpasses all understanding as they put their hope in You. Father, for those who question Your existence, show Yourself in powerful ways in their lives. For those who are angry because You didn't answer a prayer they way they wanted you to answer it, Father soothe their heart, hold them close and comfort them. Help them to feel Your love and to trust Your goodness - Your plan for good and not evil, Your plan to give them a hope and a future. For those who don't realize they are lost, show them Father, whatever it takes, show them they need need You. Humble each one so that they will call out to You for forgiveness and mercy. Holy Father, bring these precious ones to Jesus. Father, help me to be persistent in praying these ones who need Your salvation. Help me not to give up but to intercede faithfully, as You have called me to do. I ask all these things in the Name of my precious Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
http://youtu.be/pYqogpLpC5Q - Mighty to Save - Laura Story
When I pray, if God doesn't answer exactly the way I want, sometimes, I stop
praying. But Jesus told us to be persistent in making our requests known. He also
said that when we pray in accordance with His will, He will answer.
What prayer could be more in accordance with the will of God than praying for the salvation of others?
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.
1 Timothy 2:1-8
1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.
8 Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing.
Paul tells us to pray for all people because it is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. He tells us to lift up holy (pure, righteous) hands - in other words, He wants us to pray with a clean heart and loving spirit for all people.
If we want to be a mountain - moving prayer warrior and intercessor, we must come before God with praise and thanksgiving, and then ask Him to cleanse our hearts and renew a right spirit in us.
God has put several people on my heart. These are people I love who need to know the saving power of Christ in their lives. Many of them were raised in church but never really got to that place where they completely trusted God. I was one of those people for too long and I wasted a lot of years rebelling, doing things my own way. I found out the hard way how pointless my way of living was. My new life in Christ is so much better and I want my friends to enjoy the peace and joy that I now have.
I can't make them listen if they aren't willing to hear. But my life can be a testimony to His love and goodness. I can be His witness without a word, if that's what it takes. And I can pray for them every single day.
"When we pray for others the Spirit of God works in the unconscious domain of their being that we know nothing about, and the one we are praying for knows nothing about, but after the passing of time the conscious life of the one prayed for begins to show signs of unrest and disquiet. We may have spoken until we are worn out, but have never come anywhere near, and we have given up in despair. But if we have been praying, we find on meeting them one day that there is the beginning of a softening in an inquiry and a desire to know something. It is that kind of intercession that does most damage to Satan's kingdom. It is so slight, so feeble in its initial stages that if reason is not wedded to the light of the Holy Spirit, we will never obey it, and yet it is that kind of intercession that the New Testament places most emphasis on." - Oswald Chambers
"Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water" - Hebrews 10:22
Holy Father, I give You all my praise and adoration for You alone are worthy. You brought me up out of the pit. You lifted me up and clothed me with the righteousness of Your Son. Because of Your love, I am a new creation in Christ. My sins are gone, I've been set free because Jesus took my punishment. My sins are nailed to His cross and the new life He has given me, I live for Him and in Him. Thank You for Your amazing love and grace to a sinner like me. Oh Father, how can I not tell others of this precious gift I have received? Forgive me and show me how to speak life to those I love and those I meet every day.
Father, I have several people whom I love and they have been blinded by the enemy. He is constantly whispering lies in their ears, causing them to doubt and to question Your love and Your goodness. Lord, You know the precious ones I'm lifting up. They need You. They need the joy that only You can give. Father, please draw them to Your Son. Open their eyes to Your Truth. Take away the confusion of the Enemy and break down every strong hold in their lives that separates them from the victory that they can have in Jesus. Help them to seek You with all their hearts and help them to find You, Lord, just as You promised. Father, please help my friends and family members to see Your faithfulness. Give them the peace that surpasses all understanding as they put their hope in You. Father, for those who question Your existence, show Yourself in powerful ways in their lives. For those who are angry because You didn't answer a prayer they way they wanted you to answer it, Father soothe their heart, hold them close and comfort them. Help them to feel Your love and to trust Your goodness - Your plan for good and not evil, Your plan to give them a hope and a future. For those who don't realize they are lost, show them Father, whatever it takes, show them they need need You. Humble each one so that they will call out to You for forgiveness and mercy. Holy Father, bring these precious ones to Jesus. Father, help me to be persistent in praying these ones who need Your salvation. Help me not to give up but to intercede faithfully, as You have called me to do. I ask all these things in the Name of my precious Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.