Tag: God

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Sharing the Gospel: A Unique Conversation with a Nail Tech Who Had Never Heard of Jesus

I was shocked to learn that my Nail Tech had never heard of Jesus Christ.

It was a usual afternoon of getting my nails done with casual conversation between me and Gina (not her real name). Something was said and she asked me if I was a Christian and I said “yes”. I asked her the same question and she said “no, she is Buddhist”. Here’s how the conversation went.

Me: I thought you celebrated Christmas.

Gina: We did.

Me: Do you know why you celebrated Christmas?

Gina: Not really, it’s a custom here and my son, who is 6 years old, enjoys it very much.

Me: Do you know who Jesus Christ is?

Gina: No, I’ve never heard of him.

WHAT???

Don’t we live in America?

And hasn’t everyone in America heard of Jesus Christ?

Are we not sending Missionaries around the world to tell people about Jesus?

How can it be that someone I see on a regular basis living in the USA has NEVER heard of Jesus Christ?

It hit me and hit me hard! What was I going to say next? I prayed and asked the Holy Spirit to guide me in my words.

I consider myself a woman of faith and I have learned how to share the gospel over the years. I participated in a FAITH outreach ministry for three years and learned how to tell people about Jesus. BUT…all those people had heard of Jesus.

So, I did what anyone would do and started at the beginning.

Yes, the beginning.

Me: In the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth, he also created man and woman. He took them into the garden and told them they could eat from any tree except this one tree, the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Well, they did it anyway and sinned against God.

Gina: What is sin?

I did not see that coming.

Me: It is when you are disobedient or do wrong against God and others.

I told her we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Adam and Eve were the first to be disobedient aka sin, and it’s been happening ever since. I explained how people in the Old Testament times had to make a sacrifice for their sins. They would have to kill a perfect and spotless lamb every year to atone for their sins to be right with God.

Fast forward and we find God seeing us (humankind) needing a Savior, so He decides its time to send Jesus Christ. God sent Jesus in the form of a baby through a virgin birth (won’t get into the details of how I explained this) and that’s the baby in the manger at Christmas. He grew up living a perfect and spotless life to be the sacrifice for our sin. He died on the cross and then rose again three days later. He was resurrected and is alive in Heaven with God.

The Bible tells us if we confess with our mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved (Romans 10:9).

What that means is if you understand you have sinned, believe and confess Jesus, you will spend eternity in Heaven with Him and others. It’s an amazing promise of life everlasting.

The whole time I was sharing with Gina, she was completely present. She had stopped doing my nails and was listening intently as she looked into my eyes. Others around me were listening too and I felt like they were a bit of a distraction, but I kept sharing. It took a little time and felt like a long time, but I kept going until I could abbreviate the best I could in my words the story of God, man, and Jesus.

Gina politely thanked me for sharing. I am certain she didn’t fully understand what all I just shared but I’m glad for the opportunity of planting the first seed. It may take several seeds as it does with many of us, but I know the first seed was planted, nonetheless.

Upon reflecting on that day, I am reminded in Romans 14:12 that each of us will give an account of ourselves to God one day. I do not want to be found wanting and wishing that I would have shared Jesus more. Even though Gina had been in this country for six years, I needed the reminder that even in the good ole USA, not everyone has heard of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.

To take it a step further, consider all who have entered this country from other places far away over recent years, they may not have heard of Jesus Christ either. I do not want to take for granted who has heard of Jesus Christ. I hope I am not surprised again but I am grateful to the Holy Spirit, the Helper who gives us insight and words when needed. Praise God!

I am praying for Gina to come to know the love of God and the saving grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Who might you meet one day who has never heard of Jesus Christ?

Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
Isaiah 40:28

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Scars

27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”
John 20:27-28

My 15-month-old granddaughter gently moved her finger across my cheek, touching my face. I wasn’t wearing makeup when she arrived at my home that day and when I picked her up, she gently touched the left side of my face where I have a scar.

The scar is the result of Moh’s surgery due to skin cancer. When I wear makeup it’s not as noticable but when I am exposed without makeup, it’s pretty blantant. It screams, “look something happened here”. Well at least that’s what I think, so I rarely go out without makeup. I am better about it and will occasionally go out without makeup, but often times I do not want to see someone look at me and wonder. I have thought so many times, if I could wipe away the scar I would.

That was not the case with Jesus.
He kept His scars.
He could have made them disappear; He is God.
But He didn’t and maybe He did it for you and me.

Jesus was pierced on his side and had nails in His wrists and feet when He was on the cross. Once resurrected He appeared to the disciples first showing them the scars and they were overjoyed. Thomas was not there at the time and the disciples told him about Jesus. Thomas said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”

A week later, Jesus came through lock doors and was among the disciples in the room. He said, “Peace be with you”. Knowing Thomas needed proof Jesus said to Thomas 27 “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Jesus was gentle with Thomas allowing him to feel and believe for himself. God is good to us that way. We aren’t able to physically touch the scars of Jesus but it is a beautiful thing that He uses others to gently touch us in our time of need. 

Thomas needed to see for himself and replied, 28 “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

I don’t know about you, but I am keeping my scar. I learned a lot going through the skin cancer process and needed God to get me through it. It was not easy having a hole cut out of my face and in some ways, it was very traumatic. But sometimes scars are good reminders that we have been healed. And when I look at my scar, it’s more about believing God and seeing proof that I have been healed. I want my granddaughter to know that scars happen because we live in a fallen world but that her God can make beautiful moments and memories from those scars. I will always remember that day and gentle touch through my sweet granddaughter reminding me that God cares for me and loves me…scars and all.

Where are your scars? Some are physical, some are emotional, some are spiritual, some are mental, etc. We all have them and it is what you choose to do with them matters. Do you need proof that your scars have a purpose?

Ask God.
Believe in Jesus.
Confess your sins.
Stop doubting and believe.

Jesus said, “blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

May you believe and have life in Jesus name.

Amen

John 20:19-30

Sending Love

Who sends cards anymore?

I must admit I’m not good at sending cards anymore. However, I am reminded of the importance of cards during my recent birthday. I got several cards for the first time in years and it really blessed me.

A card says:

I’m thinking about you

I care about you

I wish you well

I’m sorry

I love you

It’s a simple card and I think many people quit buying them because they have become expensive over the years. But you can buy them for $.50 at the Dollar Store. They don’t have to be high quality cards and honestly who cares if they are or not. This is the one thing that truly has meaning left in this world that cannot be misunderstood.

Think about the last time you received a card and how it made you feel.

I started thinking about all the cards I’ve received over the years and a few came to mind. My dad got me a huge Valentine card one year when I was a little girl. I kept it and I’ve kept several over the years. I have cards my parents gave or sent me that are precious to me now since they are both deceased. Since letters are no longer a thing, a card is a simple way of sending love.

Did you know that sending love is like being generous?

And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ. Your love has given me much joy and comfort for your kindness has often refreshed the hearts of God’s people. Philemon 1:6-7

Putting into action the generosity that spurs love prepares our hearts to receive all God’s goodness. And refreshing the hearts of people by letting them know they are important is God’s simple work of love.

My sister-in-law is the absolute best at sending cards. Tonya has not missed one of my birthdays since I’ve been a part of the family. One year, her card was the only card I received in the mail. That may sound sad, but honestly it was so uplifting that she thought of me and went to the trouble of buying and mailing me a card. You never know how sending a card will bless someone and it will actually cost you more in love and time than it will in money.

So after reflecting on the importance of cards, I am going to try and send more cards this year.

Want to join me?

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Stuck?

Stuck between a rock and a hard place is an early 20th century saying described as faced with two equally dangerous or difficult choices or circumstances. It also means:

  • between a rock and a hard place
  • crunch
  • difficulty
  • dilemma
  • hot water
  • no-win situation
  • nuisance
  • pickle
  • predicament
  • quandary
  • sticky situation
  • tight situation

Do you ever find yourself in a situation like one of those above?

Sometimes it seems there is no good choice, and we feel stuck. Maybe it’s a situation, maybe it’s a season in life, maybe it’s a health decision. Whatever it is, you feel stuck and don’t know which way to turn.

May I suggest, turn to God.

He knows the way forward in your predicament, situation, season of life, or no-win situation.

He knows best path forward when it’s dark and you can’t see which way to go.

Neutral

Consider the role of Pilate in Jesus’ crucifixion. Pilate knew Jesus was innocent and that religious leaders were falsely accusing him. The crowd wanted to kill Jesus. Pilates wife had a terrible nightmare and sent word to her husband to leave this innocent man alone. The pressure was building from the crowd and Pilate decided to hand Jesus over to be crucified. Pilate washed his hands as a symbol of his innocence. But you and I both know God held him accountable. So next time you feel stuck, your inaction speaks of your intention as well as any action you would take on the matter.

What about Peter and Judas?

Repentance

Was Peter stuck when we he found himself in a life-threatening situation? Yes, he sure was and he found himself denying that he knew Jesus three times. He was scared that they would take him too and do harm to him like they were intending to do to Jesus. Peter found himself in a predicament, quandary, or tight situation. He didn’t know what to do to protect himself other than deny Christ (which is something he swore he would never do). Peter realized his sin immediately and felt sorrow that led to repentance. God forgave Peter and used him for His Kingdom.

Remorse

Was Judas in a predicament? He never gave his heart to Jesus. He followed him for three years and watched him perform miracle after miracle yet did not fully believe. Judas gave up Jesus with a kiss and watched the soldiers take him away. Maybe he thought Jesus would defend himself and rise to power since he was a King or maybe he thought Jesus wouldn’t go willingly and save himself. I don’t know, but I do know that Judas felt remorse and tried to confess his sin to priests who didn’t care about him and found himself in a quandary of feeling hopeless to the point of taking his own life. Sadly, Judas did not feel sorrow that led to repentance.

God

If you are feeling stuck with a major decision or situation, let me encourage you to take that first step toward God. God will meet you there…He’s there waiting for you.

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26

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Facing the Son

On my walk this morning sunflowers caught my eye. I noticed that some of them were facing the sun and others were not.

Before noticing the sunflowers, I had been talking to God and praying for people I know and love and others I don’t know who do not have a relationship with Jesus. I was feeling so sad thinking about it that I literally started crying.

I must be honest, it’s been a while since I felt so tender and heartbroken over lost souls. I found myself crying out to God and at that moment, a trash truck passed by. As it passed, the smell was awful and made me cringe and turn away. I felt God speak as if to say, “This is what sin smells like to me and I have to turn my head away because it sickens me to see what sin does to people and how it separates me from the ones I love.”

Sin separates and if you think you are without sin, you are wrong. Every single one of us has sinned and fallen short (Romans 3:23). The difference is having repented of your sins. God wants to forgive us, but first we must see the need to be forgiven and ask. We are all slaves to that which we obey. You may choose sin which leads to death or obedience which leads to righteousness (Romans 6:16).

The Bible also tells us the following in Romans 10:9-10, 13
If we confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

You may ask where does God say confessing of sin is a requirement for salvation? It is all throughout the Bible from the very beginning starting in Genesis with Adam and Eve. People have always had a sin problem and it is the very reason Jesus came to earth and suffered death for us. Luke 5 tells us the Pharisees and their scribes were upset that Jesus was eating with sinners and complained to the disciples. Jesus said to them, “The healthy don’t need a doctor, but the sick do. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners into repentance.” He came to call sinners into repentance.

I did a little search on why some sunflowers face the sun and others do not. It turns out that mature sunflowers do not move with the sun throughout the day, they react more strongly to the morning sunlight and then throughout the day they face east. I believe mature Christians are much like sunflowers as we seek God in the morning and then wait expectantly for Jesus. And if you know anything about Christianity, you know our Lord Jesus will return from the east and so believers and sunflowers alike will wait.

While waiting, let us pray and not forget what it’s like to be a seeker sunflower and pray for all to come into a relationship with God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

There is great joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents. Luke 15:10

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Spiritual Makeup Bag

Discovering Beauty from the Inside Out

I am excited to announce my first book Spiritual Makeup Bag is now available!

I wrote this book for busy women who struggle to find time with God each day before engaging with the world.

Spiritual Makeup Bag will give you tools to help you connect with God while getting ready and putting on your makeup. You will reflect on why you wear makeup and learn about two Old Testament women who wore makeup. These two women used this ordinary task for two vastly different purposes. One was motivated to honor God and the other was motivated to promote herself.

I can tell you from experience that my day goes much better when I first spend time with God. So how about some spiritual tools to help you get started? Guess what? They are right in your makeup bag.

Don’t try to make yourselves beautiful on the outside, with stylish hair or by wearing gold jewelry or fine clothes. Instead, make yourselves beautiful on the inside, in your hearts, with the enduring quality of a gentle, peaceful spirit. This type of beauty is very precious in God’s eyes. 1 Peter 3:3-4 CEB

Paperback | 978-1-9736-9515-8
E-book | 978-1-9736-9514-1

Available now from
www.westbowpress.com

Steadfast

What does it mean to be steadfast?

Steadfast can be defined as firmly fixed in place, immovable, not subject to change, unwavering, firm in purpose and faith.

The Bible says, You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3, NIV

Isaiah 26:3, is my very favorite scripture of all time. It was the scripture I held onto when my mom was dying, when my son was struggling in school, and many other seasons of grief and uncertainty.

And this season is no different.

I have a feeling you can relate. Let me ask you something that I ask myself.

Do you trust God enough?

Do you trust Him enough for today?

Do you trust Him enough for tomorrow?

During this season of social distancing, are we trusting God?

Like many of you, I’m missing my family and friends. I am an Ambivert and because of that, I enjoy time alone and time with people. However, whether you are an Introvert, Extrovert or Ambivert, we are all created for relationships. So I’m guessing everyone is yearning to see their people right now.

I want to encourage you to remain steadfast in trusting the Lord during this season of uncertainty. He has gone before us in this matter and knows what is on the other side. He is trustworthy and we can trust Him.

I also want to remind you that God yearns to be with us. Like I mentioned, He created us for relationship and not just for each other, but also with Him. It’s a beautiful thing to think that God wants to be with us and it’s absolutely true!

Keep your mind steadfast by reading your Bible, praying, reading your devotional, watching church online and singing songs of praise to God. Spend time with your Creator daily. I’ve found when I do these things, my heart is full and I’m able to trust God for the very day He’s given me. He doesn’t want us to worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:34.

Trust Him and trust in Him today and I promise you will be blessed with a peace that only comes from God.

Let us pray…God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalm 51:10

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Power of Influence

many-people-hands-holding-red-word-influence-caucasian-letters-characters-building-isolated-english-white-background-56209465

Have you ever considered the power of influence or ever thought about how much influence you have over people?

While researching a few women in the Bible, I noticed the amount of influence they had on the people around them, particularly their husband and community. Here’s one example I found in 1 Kings regarding Jezebel.

No one else so completely sold himself to what was evil in the Lord’s sight as Ahab did under the influence of his wife Jezebel. His worst outrage was worshipping idols just as the Amorites had done-the people whom the Lord had driven out from the land ahead of the Israelites. 1 Kings 21:25-26 NLT

Other translations read; urged on by his wife (NIV), pushed by his wife (The Message), his wife incited him (ESV/NASB/HCSB). 

Jezebel influenced her husband into idol worship. I think Ahab knew better but allowed his wife to influence him. He should have seen it coming since Jezebel was all about Baal worship, the false god that her father worshipped. However, King Ahab allowed the influence of his wife and devoted himself to do what was evil in the Lord’s sight. Later in 1 Kings 21:29, we see Ahab humble himself before God in true repentance.

Have you ever noticed that influencing begins in small forms and increases? You are either heading toward God with a godly influence or heading away from God with a worldly influence. Because the direction of the influence is a gradual process, you could be in way over your head before you realize it and heading in the wrong direction. Attitudes and addictions don’t happen overnight, it’s a process.

I recall a time in my life when I did not follow God. I followed the ways of this world and suffered the consequences of my bad decisions. Amazingly, God provided more grace than I deserved during that time since I made all my decisions based on worldly influences around me. I had accepted Christ as a teenager, but had gone my own way in my 20’s. Looking back, I can see where I suppressed the Holy Spirit and chose not to follow God.

This broke my mother’s heart. I found out after her death that she and my sister prayed for me during those years and I had no idea. Prayer is such a powerful tool so be encouraged to continue praying for those who need God in their lives.

I came back to God after 25 years and now my decisions are based on God’s leading and his Word. If you are a Christ follower, then you understand that we are here to further God’s kingdom and to be influencers for Christ.

Consider these three things with me regarding influence:

1. We have a great amount of influence. Influence over our households, children, work, church, and community. We need to be careful how we use our influence.

2. We are always influencing someone. Jezebel not only influenced her husband into idol worship she also raised a daughter, Athaliah, to be just like her.

3. Becoming a godly person is a process of allowing God to influence us. That’s why it’s so important to read your Bible and spend time with God daily so He can influence you and in turn you can influence others for God.

Spending time with God in the morning to start your day will have great influence on you for the rest of your day…and life.

In the morning Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I please my case to you and watch expectantly. Psalm 5:3

The Rest of My Story…New Church Home

Blue Mound UMC

I am so excited!! We made a commitment to join as members of Blue Mound United Methodist Church on Sunday, November 19, 2017.

Blue Mound pic with Jacob Fields
Pastor Jacob Fields, Kim and Doug Thomas

We’ve been seeking a new church to call home and we finally found it. Funny thing is, we actually found it a year ago and didn’t know it. A year ago, I was still employed at another Methodist church where we were active members. However, we attended a wedding at this quaint little church last October and fell in love with it then. When my employment ended earlier this year, we started seeking and visiting churches. There are many good churches out there, but it’s sort of like looking for a home and you know it when you find it. Our new church reminds us of a small church we once attended.

Now keep in mind I’m not one of those who loves only small churches. There are many benefits to small churches. However, I love all that comes with a growing church. It’s very exciting to see a church congregation grow and to see people use their spiritual gifts and talents to further God’s work and kingdom.

In today’s reading of God’s Word, I came across 1 Corinthians 9:1-27. There were a few verses that really jumped off the page to me such as verse 14, In the same way, the Lord ordered that those who preach the Good News should be supported by those who benefit from it. Let me ask you something. Are you supporting your Pastor? I know for a fact that the congregation I just joined is doing so. They completely love him and will make sure that he and his family are taken care of. How do I know this? I can tell by the way he preaches. In verses 16-19, Paul explains that preaching is not something he can boast about, he is compelled to do it, and says how terrible of him if he doesn’t. Paul goes on to say that even though he is a free man, he has become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ.

My new pastor has the heart of a preacher like Paul. I barely know him. But what I do know after having a meal with him, having coffee with him, hearing him preach a dozen or so times, is that he is called to share and preach Jesus Christ and does so beautifully. I am praying for his zeal to continue to share the gospel each week and for many to come into a relationship with Jesus Christ.

I’m super excited to see what God does in this little congregation as I’m expecting an abundance of unprecedented growth. I believe it to be true that wherever Jesus is preached, people will come, and the church will receive more.

This message is not new.

People are drawn to the gospel.

They come to church seeking.

There’s nothing more powerful and life-changing than the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

All are welcome to join us Sunday mornings at 10:45am.

I do everything I can to spread the Good News and share in it’s blessings.
1 Corinthians 9:23