You are invited

Today is a celebration of a tradition that defines a Christian as separate from the world. Sometimes it is hard for the world to see them as a distinct group because the Scripture giving instructions for this feast is the one that causes the most division within the body. Christians can use it to unify believers and invite others to the feast as Jesus expected. All people are welcome. Jesus was even happy to have his closest friend there who he knew betrayed him. He refused to recognize a possible division. instead Jesus found joy in just knowing that His brothers and sisters were at the feast. They accepted the invite, which was more important than discussing their motive for doing so. Jesus only wanted to share the love of the Father God. will you allow him to serve you? Will you participate in the feast with him? Come as you are because he loves you exactly as you are. Make the choice on your level of RSVP using your own free will. ADDITIONAL RESOURCE http://www.renewalministries.net/?module=Events&class=Media&event=Show&mediaID=4

I can't do it myself!

I couldn't say it any better myself! TODAY’S THOUGHT FROM YOU VERSION BIBLE APP 40-DAY READING PLAN It’s been said, inviting Jesus into our lives to be our savior will be one of the easiest things we’ll ever do. However, living for Him will be one of the most difficult things we’ll ever do. We are under constant pressure from the world, other people and the culture around us to conform to it’s ways. The demands of life can easily defeat us. This is why it is so important to realize that we cannot be self-reliant in our Christian life. We need God’s mighty power to help us remain strong in our faith. We must remember the devil is out to “kill, steal and destroy.” He works overtime to design strategies that will trip us up when we least expect it. This is why we need to put on “all” of God’s armor so that we can withstand the spiritual attacks from the devil. God’s purpose is that we live a life of victory and maximize our one and only life to it’s full potential. As believers, we are called to make an impact with our lives. However, in order to do that effectively, we must “stand firm” so that we can “stand out” for our Lord. TODAY’S PRAYER Father, thank you that you have not given us a life of defeat but a life of victory. Today, I ask that you give me the strength to stand firm against all of the devil’s ways that are designed trip me up. Give me your mighty power today to make an impact for you. In Jesus’ name, Amen. All of the above inspired by Ephesians 6:10-18 MSG And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

No time to lose

Two weekends in a row, I worked and attended two entirely different Christian conferences and the Word was clear; now is the time. Now is the time to take that opportunity to walk the faith, not just talk it. People heard enough; they want to see it and experience it as the witnesses claim to. Now is the time to clean up your inner heart, stir up the rocks and get out the dirt. A rejuvenated you will light up the world and draw others to Truth. Now is the time to be honest and real. Tell it like it is. Don't be afraid of how you or the Truth will be accepted. Let God take care of that. Now is the time to forgive. Make amends with people and even find ways to compliment the ones who irk you. Encourage everyone in right directions that lead to joy. Just a smile will change the world. Now is the time to reevaluate your choices. Ultimately it is what we decide is a priority that will become what our life revolves around. Now is the time to take life seriously. If you believe Jesus is the Way, then you know there is one sure route or you are on the wrong road. You know what is the right thing to do, do it. Any other way is frustrating and unfruitful. Now is the time to grow closer to God. Take those opportunities to know Him and accept his friendship. If you can't understand certain things about Him or His Word, ask Him. Now is the time to be accountable. This world will say you are your own person and have no effect on others; do your thing and carry on. Well if you are the type of Christian who believes how the salvation story even began, then you know it only took two people to bring evil to the world for eternity. There are consequences to our actions and we are called to humbly look at others before we choose for ourselves. Jesus took every opportunity to set His needs aside from stopping to talk to a loose woman at the well on a busy tiring day to continuing to pray for others while dying of breath on a bloody cross His torn skin hung from by three nails. Now is the time to be the example of Christ to a world wondering who He is. Church walls aren't helping and people with their lights cut out aren't shining as they should. Think about how many times this was brought up in the news as the world watched the Pope selection go on at the Vatican. Think of how people are in a season where they are preparing for Easter. What a perfect time to lead people to the joy a supernatural friendship brings. I think Jesus is worth it to take the time to try. How about you? Romans 13 (MSG) 11-14 But make sure that you don’t get so absorbed and exhausted in taking care of all your day-by-day obligations that you lose track of the time and doze off, oblivious to God. The night is about over, dawn is about to break. Be up and awake to what God is doing! God is putting the finishing touches on the salvation work he began when we first believed. We can’t afford to waste a minute, must not squander these precious daylight hours in frivolity and indulgence, in sleeping around and dissipation, in bickering and grabbing everything in sight. Get out of bed and get dressed! Don’t loiter and linger, waiting until the very last minute. Dress yourselves in Christ, and be up and about!

Time flies when you are having fun with Jesus

It looks like 2013 is an express train to summer. Events planned every weekend until those beach days are back. How did February even get to its second half? Ash Wednesday was just a day off from eating pounds of sweets the Mardi Gras/Carnival festivities and Valentine’s day mushiness that surrounded it. It was almost hard to remember that we are in this solemn season of Lent. Friday I tried to bring myself back to the prayer and Bible reading I said I'd devote to Jesus. I only really caught up this morning. These 40 days are the weeks I cherish most in the year because it is my season to grow closer to God. We experience the Charismatic Conference and this time annually since 2008 and it just invigorates our home with energy, life and joy. No New Year’s resolution can mean much in January. The Lord has to kick us off to the right game plan during this season of Lent. Then it is game on Easter to Easter! The lessons learned during these 40 days have proven to be life changing. All I have to do is give up a bit of me, stop talking and let God breathe wisdom into my ears. Nothing compares to the experiences I've had during this time. Cherish it. Get to know the Lord and his Word. It has a power inconceivable and unexplainable. God speaks to us each in our own unique way. He knows us best. The icing on the cake - Christians around the world are preparing for Easter. A united Body of Christ is what the world really needs to witness! Be the beacon of light that draws people to the love the Father always wanted us to know, share and live in.

Stop to Go

Our existence in this world is far greater than any purpose or plan we create on our own.

If we don't stop to be Jesus to the world when Spirit interrupts...Jesus' mission stops.

"But now you have arrived at your destination: By faith in Christ you are in direct relationship with God. Your baptism in Christ was not just washing you up for a fresh start. It also involved dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe—Christ's life, the fulfillment of God's original promise."
Galatians 3:25-27 MSG

This verse really hit me when I was listening to a lesson on kindness at Lead Her. Based on Colossians 3, kindness is one of the items we should be wearing daily as Christians. Does the world see it? If they really saw Christians united in love, we would have a united front for Jesus that would be credible Truth by the evidence in acts of kindness.

Defnately overloaded

Ever be in the middle of something so HUGE you can't wrap your mind around it? I'm definately overloaded by the messages pouring into my life this last month. They've come from everwhere! Read Paul's letters, bonded with sisters who encourage and stretch me forward, spent quality time with family and emabarked on new adventures. God is so good! Opportunities to serve Him in deeper and much busier ways fill my heart more than the tasks can ever fill my email inbox. Best of all He provides the will, do, power and grace to get it done. I don't know how I got here and I don't know where I'm going but I'm swimming in the rip current of AMAZING Grace. How sweet it is! Just look what God can do when you let Him set the scene.

Year of sisterhood

My 2013 theme song appears to be something about sisterhood. We are family! Girls are so bad at knowing they need eachother but being too busy to always get there. Ever notice how busy we are? Then ever notice how excited we are when we can get a day to be with just the girls? With an invite to welcome my first sister into my family via brothers wedding and a volunteer job offer to work on a regional women's Christian conference I'd say God has his plans for me. This year I'm gonna find those close girlfriends I should have. They are out there! Maybe I even met them before.