I love the latest song out by Casting Crowns, Until the Whole World Hears. It captures the desire of my heart over the past year, which is to usher in our heavenly Father’s love into every circumstance that crosses my path. To be His hands and feet, wherever my day leads me, get’s my blood pumping! This has been my prayer over the last year. Well, the Giver of All Good Things, has honored my request in some pretty remarkable ways, but none so profound as this past Saturday.
I had taken my kids to Budafest (aka small town Christmas parade, art and craft sale and carnival.) We’ve done this every year since our kids where born. Life in a small town is great! You get to know just about everyone and everyone gets to know you…for better and for worse. I had just finished talking and catching up with an old friend, when God gave me a nudge. “See the man on the park bench? I want you to go talk to him. He needs to know that I love him.” I looked and sure enough there was someone sitting alone on the park bench just watching the kids at the park and on the carnival rides. “Oh God, I don’t know him. He’ll think I’m some crazy person…some Jesus freak or something.”
“Well, you did say you wanted to be My hands and feet.”
“I know, I know. Ok, if I’m supposed to talk to this guy, you make it very evident. I’m going to go to the restroom and if the guy is still there when I come out, then I’ll go talk with him.” I went to the restroom and as I walked out I pretty much walked right into the man. (You’ve got to just love God, if you ask Him, He’ll make it very clear!)
“Hi, I noticed you sitting on the park bench earlier. Are you okay?” I asked. The 40-something year old man looked at me through eyes filled with tears and incredible pain and said, “No, not really.” John* (not his real name) proceeded to tell me that in three weeks the divorce he never wanted would be final. He shared how he felt alone, abandoned, rejected and unloved. I shared with John the “nudge” and that God wanted him to know how much He loved him. It got very quite and John didn’t say anything for a long time. He began to sob and then said, “I’m just so tired, I’m done with this game. It’s time to cash in my chips.” In that moment it became very clear that John was contemplating suicide and it also became very clear why I was to go and talk to this man.
I spent the next hour sharing my story of surviving a suicide attempt and the power of God to heal and restore the most broken of lives. As I spoke, I prayed that the words would bring encouragement and life into John's life. As I finished I asked if it would be okay if I prayed for him and he said, “Yes.” I hugged him and reminded him one last time that God wanted him to know that He loved him. I knew at that moment heaven had just invaded earth and that God had just entered into John's equation.
You want to be the hands and feet of Christ? Do you want to see Him set the captives free? Want to be a light in the darkness? You don’t have to look very far or too hard. The person who needs to hear from God the most today is most likely right before you or sitting next to you. The real question is, “Are you willing to be obedient when our Father asks you to be His hands and feet?” If you are, you will experience the incredible power of God in your life and be witness to life changing moments…let's do it until the whole world hears!
Monday, December 7, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Mess Up? Fess Up!
I don’t know about you, but from the very first day that we brought our first child home from the hospital I’ve been plagued with the following thought: How come there’s no owner’s manual that comes with these little guys? With little to no training we embark on this incredible journey of raising the next generation. Here’s a scarier thought, I have to do more to obtain a driver’s license than I do to become a parent!
How are two fallible human beings supposed to figure this whole parenting thing out? I am far from being able to answer that question with any confidence. But, I have learned that a major portion of my job is to role model our Heavenly Father’s relationship with us to my kids (actually to everyone!) and to call out the greatness God has placed within them and encourage them to step into that greatness.
Now, seeing as I’m still growing as a child of God, you can bet I’m going to make mistakes. I’m going to mess up. But here’s the good news, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. How cool is that? As my kids say, we get “do overs!” So what are we to do when we loose our patience, respond out of anger, or make any kind of mistake? Let’s model for our kids! Confess, ask for forgiveness and start over! In short “Mess up? Fess Up!”
Father,
What an incredibly loving, grace-filled and merciful Father you are! I come to you today and ask that You guide me in the task of raising Your children so that they have a right understanding of who You are and the greatness that You have placed deep within each of them. Amen.
Living It Out!
The next time you feel the Holy Spirit convict you on how you handled a particular situation, respond to the conviction by making it a practice to confess your sin, ask for forgiveness and pray for each other. Then sit back and watch God do a mighty work in you and them!
How are two fallible human beings supposed to figure this whole parenting thing out? I am far from being able to answer that question with any confidence. But, I have learned that a major portion of my job is to role model our Heavenly Father’s relationship with us to my kids (actually to everyone!) and to call out the greatness God has placed within them and encourage them to step into that greatness.
Now, seeing as I’m still growing as a child of God, you can bet I’m going to make mistakes. I’m going to mess up. But here’s the good news, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. How cool is that? As my kids say, we get “do overs!” So what are we to do when we loose our patience, respond out of anger, or make any kind of mistake? Let’s model for our kids! Confess, ask for forgiveness and start over! In short “Mess up? Fess Up!”
Father,
What an incredibly loving, grace-filled and merciful Father you are! I come to you today and ask that You guide me in the task of raising Your children so that they have a right understanding of who You are and the greatness that You have placed deep within each of them. Amen.
Living It Out!
The next time you feel the Holy Spirit convict you on how you handled a particular situation, respond to the conviction by making it a practice to confess your sin, ask for forgiveness and pray for each other. Then sit back and watch God do a mighty work in you and them!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Building Up or Tearing Down?
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Ephesians 4:29 (New International Version)
Words are powerful! In the beginning, God spoke and things happened. He said “Let there be light,” and there was light. Our words are also incredibly powerful. With the simple rush of air over our vocal chords and out of our mouths we can either speak words of blessing and encouragement or we can speak words that curse and destroy. By our words we are either building each other up or tearing each other down. Benjamin Franklin said, “Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do.” Ouch! Let’s not be fools! Let’s choose wisely to build up the people in our lives…especially our children! Let us bless them each day!
Beautiful Savior,
My heart’s desire is to build up! Build up those around me, in my home and whom I come into contact with. Give me ears to hear You and a heart to speak only when You desire and what You wish spoken into each circumstance, so that other’s are built up according to their needs and that it benefits those who listen. Amen.
Living it Out!
Ask yourself before you speak, “Will what I’m about to say build this individual up? Am I speaking into or calling out the greatness that God has planted within them or am I merely criticizing, complaining or condemning?” If you’re criticizing, complaining, or condemning, don’t speak.
Ephesians 4:29 (New International Version)
Words are powerful! In the beginning, God spoke and things happened. He said “Let there be light,” and there was light. Our words are also incredibly powerful. With the simple rush of air over our vocal chords and out of our mouths we can either speak words of blessing and encouragement or we can speak words that curse and destroy. By our words we are either building each other up or tearing each other down. Benjamin Franklin said, “Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain and most fools do.” Ouch! Let’s not be fools! Let’s choose wisely to build up the people in our lives…especially our children! Let us bless them each day!
Beautiful Savior,
My heart’s desire is to build up! Build up those around me, in my home and whom I come into contact with. Give me ears to hear You and a heart to speak only when You desire and what You wish spoken into each circumstance, so that other’s are built up according to their needs and that it benefits those who listen. Amen.
Living it Out!
Ask yourself before you speak, “Will what I’m about to say build this individual up? Am I speaking into or calling out the greatness that God has planted within them or am I merely criticizing, complaining or condemning?” If you’re criticizing, complaining, or condemning, don’t speak.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
How Do You Spell Love?
This is how we’ve come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves.
1 John 3:16 (The Message)
This week we’re discussing raising godly kids in an ungodly world. Don’t disconnect or think this doesn’t apply to you because you don’t have kids. This relationship stuff applies to anyone we are in a relationship with, whether it’s our husbands, wives, children, friends, co-workers, maybe even our Heavenly Father (Think about that one for a minute!)
1 John 3:16 (The Message)
This week we’re discussing raising godly kids in an ungodly world. Don’t disconnect or think this doesn’t apply to you because you don’t have kids. This relationship stuff applies to anyone we are in a relationship with, whether it’s our husbands, wives, children, friends, co-workers, maybe even our Heavenly Father (Think about that one for a minute!)
How each of us expresses and receives love can be very different. Some of us express love by giving words of affirmation, others by spending quality time with the other individual and still others love language might be receiving gifts. None of these ways is right or wrong, they’re just different. Why does this matter? Well, if we are following Christ we are called to live sacrificially for others and not just be out for ourselves.
You want to grow in your relationships? Become a student of the other person! Devote time to learning how they spell love versus how you spell love! Express love in a way that fills their cup, not yours. Now that’s love spelled best…sacrificially!
Father, I confess that I don’t get this sacrificial living, especially when it comes to those I am around the most. I come to You, the one and only sacrificial person and ask You to show me how to sacrificially live. Help me become a student of You and others, so that a godly generation is raised up on Your behalf.
Living it Out!
Take this 30 second quiz on the 5 different love languages and see where those around you and you fall out! Then spend some time talking about it with each other.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Exceptional Things for God
“It is inbred in us that we have to do exceptional things for God: But we have not. We have to be exceptional in the ordinary things.”
Oswald Chambers
In hearing this quote this past Sunday it made me think of another poem, written by an unknown monk long before my time.
“When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world.
I found it was difficult to change the world,
so I tried to change my nation.
When I found I couldn't change the nation,
I began to focus on my town.
I couldn't change the town
and as an older man, I tried to change my family.
Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself,
and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself,
I could have made an impact on my family.
My family and I could have made an impact on our town.
Their impact could have changed the nation and
I could indeed have changed the world.”
Do you want to do exceptional things for God? Start small! Start with yourself! (I don't know about you, but I can be a big enough task!) Do you want to see His will be done on earth as it is in heaven? Then keep your eyes open and your ears listening for Him. When His Holy Spirit speaks to you, do it! Don’t sit there and over analyze, or wonder about His timing or what other’s may think…just do it! God is constantly at work all around us! He’s inviting us to join Him in ushering His Kingdom into our world today through the people we will encounter…our spouse, our children, our friends and strangers.
Do you want to do exceptional things for God? Be exceptional in the ordinary things!
Oswald Chambers
In hearing this quote this past Sunday it made me think of another poem, written by an unknown monk long before my time.
“When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world.
I found it was difficult to change the world,
so I tried to change my nation.
When I found I couldn't change the nation,
I began to focus on my town.
I couldn't change the town
and as an older man, I tried to change my family.
Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself,
and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself,
I could have made an impact on my family.
My family and I could have made an impact on our town.
Their impact could have changed the nation and
I could indeed have changed the world.”
Do you want to do exceptional things for God? Start small! Start with yourself! (I don't know about you, but I can be a big enough task!) Do you want to see His will be done on earth as it is in heaven? Then keep your eyes open and your ears listening for Him. When His Holy Spirit speaks to you, do it! Don’t sit there and over analyze, or wonder about His timing or what other’s may think…just do it! God is constantly at work all around us! He’s inviting us to join Him in ushering His Kingdom into our world today through the people we will encounter…our spouse, our children, our friends and strangers.
Do you want to do exceptional things for God? Be exceptional in the ordinary things!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Unconditional Love-Part 2
So how did the whole love unconditionally experiment go for you yesterday? Yeah, not so good here, either. This whole dying to self stuff is hard…or is it? Could it be as simple as turning it over to our Father? Let’s find out!
Listen to this song by Shaun Groves titled, “Welcome Home.” Make it your heart’s cry to the Father this morning and throughout the day as each situation arises and let’s see how the day goes.
Let me know if there’s a difference in trying to live a life of unconditional love from our flesh and trying to gut it out versus living it out in the power of God’s Spirit.
Welcome Home by Shaun Groves
Take me, make me All You want me to be
That's all I'm asking, all I'm asking
Welcome to this heart of mine
I've buried under prideful vines
Grown to hide the mess I've made
Inside of me, come decorate,
Lord Open up the creaking door
And walk upon the dusty floor
Scrape away the guilty stains
Until no sin or shame remain
Spread Your love upon the walls
And occupy the empty halls
Until the man I am has faded
No more doors are barricaded
Chorus: Come inside this Heart of mine it's
Not my own Make it home
Come and take this Heart and make it All Your own
Welcome home
Take a seat, pull up a chair
Forgive me for the disrepair
And the souvenirs from floor to ceiling
Gathered on my search for meaning
Every closet's filled with clutter
Messes yet to be discovered
I'm overwhelmed, I understand
I can't make this place all that You can
I took the space that You placed in me
Redecorated in shades of greed
And I made sure every door stayed locked
Every window blocked, and still You knocked
Take me, make me All You want me to be
That's all I'm asking, all I'm asking
Listen to this song by Shaun Groves titled, “Welcome Home.” Make it your heart’s cry to the Father this morning and throughout the day as each situation arises and let’s see how the day goes.
Let me know if there’s a difference in trying to live a life of unconditional love from our flesh and trying to gut it out versus living it out in the power of God’s Spirit.
Welcome Home by Shaun Groves
Take me, make me All You want me to be
That's all I'm asking, all I'm asking
Welcome to this heart of mine
I've buried under prideful vines
Grown to hide the mess I've made
Inside of me, come decorate,
Lord Open up the creaking door
And walk upon the dusty floor
Scrape away the guilty stains
Until no sin or shame remain
Spread Your love upon the walls
And occupy the empty halls
Until the man I am has faded
No more doors are barricaded
Chorus: Come inside this Heart of mine it's
Not my own Make it home
Come and take this Heart and make it All Your own
Welcome home
Take a seat, pull up a chair
Forgive me for the disrepair
And the souvenirs from floor to ceiling
Gathered on my search for meaning
Every closet's filled with clutter
Messes yet to be discovered
I'm overwhelmed, I understand
I can't make this place all that You can
I took the space that You placed in me
Redecorated in shades of greed
And I made sure every door stayed locked
Every window blocked, and still You knocked
Take me, make me All You want me to be
That's all I'm asking, all I'm asking
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Unconditional Love
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
1 John 3:16,18 (NIV)
Unconditional love. That’s a hard one to wrap our minds around, isn’t? We live in a world in which we are constantly expected to perform to some standard. Whether it’s a revenue projection for a major corporation, a sales quota that must be met by a sales person, or an expectation for a home cooked meal at the end of the day, we all have expectations. We have become performance based people. If you do this, I’ll do that. If you meet my needs, I’ll meet yours. If you love me, I’ll respect you. The difficulty comes in when one of us doesn’t live up to the other one’s expectations. It is in these moments when who we say we are has the opportunity to be expressed with actions and in truth.
When the ones you are in relationship with hurt or disappoint you what are you going to do? Will you keep your love for them “turned on?” Are you willing to put the relationship above your own expectations? Are you willing to protect the relationship over protecting yourself? You see, unconditional means exactly what you think it means. It’s not limited or conditioned upon something else. It’s unlimited and unqualified. It means I can’t control what you choose to do or say or think. I can only control what I will choose to do and say and think.
Will I choose to die for the relationship? That’s unconditional love and we have the opportunity to show our love for the Father by demonstrating it in how we treat others, after all Christ did it for you and I! It is Christ living through us that allows us to lay our life down for our brothers.
Father, how you are able to love me, regardless of how I am towards you, is beyond my comprehension. But I am eternally grateful that You do! I ask that through Christ living in me, You will increase my ability to love unconditionally. Amen.
Living it out!
The next time you encounter disappointment or hurt at the hands of someone else, before you respond, stop and ask Christ to reveal to you what unconditional love looks like in the situation.
1 John 3:16,18 (NIV)
Unconditional love. That’s a hard one to wrap our minds around, isn’t? We live in a world in which we are constantly expected to perform to some standard. Whether it’s a revenue projection for a major corporation, a sales quota that must be met by a sales person, or an expectation for a home cooked meal at the end of the day, we all have expectations. We have become performance based people. If you do this, I’ll do that. If you meet my needs, I’ll meet yours. If you love me, I’ll respect you. The difficulty comes in when one of us doesn’t live up to the other one’s expectations. It is in these moments when who we say we are has the opportunity to be expressed with actions and in truth.
When the ones you are in relationship with hurt or disappoint you what are you going to do? Will you keep your love for them “turned on?” Are you willing to put the relationship above your own expectations? Are you willing to protect the relationship over protecting yourself? You see, unconditional means exactly what you think it means. It’s not limited or conditioned upon something else. It’s unlimited and unqualified. It means I can’t control what you choose to do or say or think. I can only control what I will choose to do and say and think.
Will I choose to die for the relationship? That’s unconditional love and we have the opportunity to show our love for the Father by demonstrating it in how we treat others, after all Christ did it for you and I! It is Christ living through us that allows us to lay our life down for our brothers.
Father, how you are able to love me, regardless of how I am towards you, is beyond my comprehension. But I am eternally grateful that You do! I ask that through Christ living in me, You will increase my ability to love unconditionally. Amen.
Living it out!
The next time you encounter disappointment or hurt at the hands of someone else, before you respond, stop and ask Christ to reveal to you what unconditional love looks like in the situation.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Creatures of Habit?
I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 7:21-25a (New Living Translation)
I realized at 5:30 a.m. this morning that I am more of a creature of habit than I care to confess. You see, I’m use to rising early, getting myself a cup of chai team and enjoying my time alone with God, while the rest of the house is still quiet. Unfortunately, I rose this morning to the ugly realization that I had no milk and without milk you can not enjoy chai tea. What’s a gal to do when her morning routine is broken?
Then I realized, perhaps it’s time to break a few other routines and habits in my life, especially the ones that come out of my human or fleshly nature and impact those around me. So, for this week following the celebration of Father’s Day, we’ll be looking at how we can help our fathers, our husbands and others in our lives by breaking some old and fleshly habits of our own.
Who will free us from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Grab a cup of coffee (or not) and join us this week as we discover the answer is in Christ Jesus!
Romans 7:21-25a (New Living Translation)
I realized at 5:30 a.m. this morning that I am more of a creature of habit than I care to confess. You see, I’m use to rising early, getting myself a cup of chai team and enjoying my time alone with God, while the rest of the house is still quiet. Unfortunately, I rose this morning to the ugly realization that I had no milk and without milk you can not enjoy chai tea. What’s a gal to do when her morning routine is broken?
Then I realized, perhaps it’s time to break a few other routines and habits in my life, especially the ones that come out of my human or fleshly nature and impact those around me. So, for this week following the celebration of Father’s Day, we’ll be looking at how we can help our fathers, our husbands and others in our lives by breaking some old and fleshly habits of our own.
Who will free us from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Grab a cup of coffee (or not) and join us this week as we discover the answer is in Christ Jesus!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Who Will You Exalt Today?
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38This is the first and greatest commandment.”
Matthew 22:36-38 (NIV)
Matthew 22:36-38 (NIV)
We’ve been looking at leadership this week, and specifically what it means to lead like Jesus, to be a servant leader versus a self-serving leader. In the end, if we desire to lead like Jesus, it will come down to our ability to fulfill the first and greatest commandment. You see, if we are in this love relationship with God and we can stand before Him and truly say, “I love You with all my heart and all my soul and all my mind and all my strength,” then our actions must reflect this love relationship. Our actions must display our love for Him…not our love for ourselves.
Father, I desire to love you with all my heart. I confess that I do not know how to do this. Send Your Holy Spirit to bring me into a whole-hearted love relationship with You, so that my actions exalt You. Amen.
Living It Out
Every moment of every day we have the opportunity to have our actions reflect the One we serve. Want to check yourself before you act? Ask yourself this simple question, “Is what I’m about to do going to exalt God or exalt me?
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
How Will You Lead Today?
"But Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Matthew 20:25-28 (New Living Translation)
Look around today and I think you will agree our nation and our world are in a bit of a leadership crisis. Financial institutions have failed. Major corporations are filing for bankruptcy, whole nations are being brought to the brink of collapse due in large part to their leaders being self-serving leaders versus servant leaders.
Let's bring it a little closer to home, where most of us are in a leadership role as a wife (or husband) and mother (or father.) The picture is not much better with close to 50% of our marriages failing. Typically, at the root of most of our fights and quarrels is our own self-centered desires (James 4:1.)
If we desire to lead like Jesus and reflect Him in our world we will have a servant's heart and we will exemplify sacrifice and selflessness. I know that these are not characteristics that most people would associate with leadership, but according to Christ they are the essential qualities.
How will you lead today?
Look around today and I think you will agree our nation and our world are in a bit of a leadership crisis. Financial institutions have failed. Major corporations are filing for bankruptcy, whole nations are being brought to the brink of collapse due in large part to their leaders being self-serving leaders versus servant leaders.
Let's bring it a little closer to home, where most of us are in a leadership role as a wife (or husband) and mother (or father.) The picture is not much better with close to 50% of our marriages failing. Typically, at the root of most of our fights and quarrels is our own self-centered desires (James 4:1.)
If we desire to lead like Jesus and reflect Him in our world we will have a servant's heart and we will exemplify sacrifice and selflessness. I know that these are not characteristics that most people would associate with leadership, but according to Christ they are the essential qualities.
How will you lead today?
Father, thank you for placing me in the role of being a leader. Please reveal to me the ways in which I am self-serving instead of being a servant leader so that I may change and better reflect You in all that I do. Amen.
Living it Out!
Ask yourself, "Am I a servant leader or a self-serving leader?"
Ask yourself, "Am I a servant leader or a self-serving leader?"
Why are you leading? Why are you a parent? Why are you a volunteer? Why are you a manager? Why are you a (fill in the blank)?
Are you doing it to be served or to serve?
Monday, June 15, 2009
Who's Leading?
Encounter
"With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not your own judgment. Always let Him lead you, and He will clear the road for you to follow." Proverbs 3:5-6 (CEV)
Experience
I love to dance! It's where I met my husband, of almost 20 years. We had only one problem when we first started dancing together...you guessed it, we both wanted to lead. Now, if you've ever danced with a partner you know that both of you can not lead. If both of you try to lead, it just looks like two cats going at in a sack! Trust me, it's not pretty. In order to make for a great dance team, one must lead and the other must follow.The same is true in our relationship with our Heavenly Father. We must learn to follow Him. This is easy to say and much harder to do. Most of the time we think we have a clear understanding of God's will and we busy ourselves with putting together plans and goals for seeing it come into reality. And before we know it, we are leading and God is standing on the side of the dance floor, just like the gentleman that He is, waiting for us to come rejoin Him.
Who's leading the dance today in your life?
Engage
Father, thank you for the incredible opportunity to go through this life as Your dance partner. I ask that You would reveal to me how to love You with all my heart and trust You and Your leadership in my life. Show me how to always let You lead me, so that You will clear the road for me to follow!
Express
Today, when you sense you are about to act out of your feelings or abilities, stop, drop and pray.
- Stop-make the choice not to react out of your own flesh and desires.
- Drop-take the position of a servant and mentally and physically go to your knees.
- Pray-seek God's perspective and counsel
Saturday, May 16, 2009
The Woman at the Well
I love the story of the woman at the well. Found in John, Chapter 4, verses 4-42. It lays out beautifully what happens when Christ shows up in our lives, whether we are believers or not and how we have an opportunity to experience, engage and express Christ in our daily lives.
Encounter
Christ asks the simple question, "Will you give me a drink?" "Will you allow me to enter into your day, your circumstance, your concern or your problem?" And here is the most incredible part, it's your choice! You can say, "Yes," and begin to experience Christ or you can say, "no," and go on about your day. Free will...it's a beautiful thing!
Experience
Our woman is intrigued and continues the conversation with Christ and the fun begins! Christ begins to speak Truth into her life and about her life. You see, whether you believe in Christ or not, He knows you. He knows your past, your present and your future. He can calm your fears, mold your dreams and shape your plans, if you open yourself up to experience Him.
Engage
After an incredible exchange in which Christ declares He is the Messiah, our woman leaves her water jar at the well and runs to town and tells the people, "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" The more we are in Christ's presence the closer we become to Christ. We are drawn in and begin to engage with Him.
Express
Because the woman shared her testimony many of the Samaritans believed in him. They chose to go out and encounter Christ and because of his words many of them became believers. Listen to what they said to the woman. "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." And then they told two friends, and they told two friends...and here we are today.
No matter where you're at on the journey, just encountering Christ for the first time or expressing Him in your daily life, you have the incredible opportunity to work with the Creator of the universe and step in to your destiny today!
What will you do when Christ shows up in your life today?
Encounter
Christ asks the simple question, "Will you give me a drink?" "Will you allow me to enter into your day, your circumstance, your concern or your problem?" And here is the most incredible part, it's your choice! You can say, "Yes," and begin to experience Christ or you can say, "no," and go on about your day. Free will...it's a beautiful thing!
Experience
Our woman is intrigued and continues the conversation with Christ and the fun begins! Christ begins to speak Truth into her life and about her life. You see, whether you believe in Christ or not, He knows you. He knows your past, your present and your future. He can calm your fears, mold your dreams and shape your plans, if you open yourself up to experience Him.
Engage
After an incredible exchange in which Christ declares He is the Messiah, our woman leaves her water jar at the well and runs to town and tells the people, "Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" The more we are in Christ's presence the closer we become to Christ. We are drawn in and begin to engage with Him.
Express
Because the woman shared her testimony many of the Samaritans believed in him. They chose to go out and encounter Christ and because of his words many of them became believers. Listen to what they said to the woman. "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world." And then they told two friends, and they told two friends...and here we are today.
No matter where you're at on the journey, just encountering Christ for the first time or expressing Him in your daily life, you have the incredible opportunity to work with the Creator of the universe and step in to your destiny today!
What will you do when Christ shows up in your life today?
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