I heard an old, old story, how a Savior came from glory
How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me
I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood’s atoning
Then I repented of my sins and won the victory
Oh victory in Jesus, my Savior forever He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood He loved me ‘ere I knew Him and all my love is due Him He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood
I heard about His healing, of His cleansing power revealing
How He made the lame to walk again and ’caused the blind to see
And then I cried, “Dear Jesus, come and heal my broken spirit”
And somehow Jesus came and brought to me the victory
The LORD your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.
Deuteronomy 20:4
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
When I was an outgoing, confident young girl, I loved to sell stuff to strangers. I loved working at my grandma’s antique shop. I loved going to craft fairs with my aunt and uncle to sell their handmade pottery. I loved selling the “newspaper” that I wrote, typed and illustrated in my second floor guest-room office.
Most people don’t like to be sold stuff (Ask me sometime about my experiences with telemarketers and time share salespeople) … AND most people don’t like selling stuff that they’re not personally sold on themselves.
As a 23-year-old who knew next to nothing about home ownership, I tried selling real estate … then I tried selling Usborne books at home parties, but I didn’t feel right trying to convince people that they should buy books at full-price when I preferred checking them out at the library or buying them second-hand.
But as a disciple of Jesus Christ, I want to tell EVERYONE about the best, greatest, most fantastic way to living a life of meaning and purpose.
The love of Christ compels me – both the love that I have received FROM Christ and the love that I feel FOR Christ. I am compelled to share because I believe so deeply in what I have to offer others.
Jesus is so much more than the most magnificent house or the latest and greatest vacuum cleaner or the most life-changing kitchen gadget.
The good news is more important than anything Fox News or CNN could ever broadcast.
The gospel is worth more than any earthly possession that the Home Shopping Network could ever carry.
So, sisters and brothers, we have to stop seeing ourselves as peddlers of useless wares and optional gadgets … and instead see ourselves as Heralds of the King of kings and Messengers of God Most High.
Don’t know how? Do you need some help? Comment below or leave me a message, or check out my YouTube channel for some helpful videos about sharing the gospel:
“For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15 ESV)
“And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.” (Luke 14:23 ESV)
“Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.” (Acts 8:35 ESV)
“It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.” (1 Peter 1:12 ESV)
“So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:18-20 ESV)
“And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV)
Have you ever felt like your life was purposeless?
I felt that way for the first half of my life. I compensated by working extra hard, trying to prove my worth to anyone willing to notice me.
Then, the God of purpose came along and turned my world upside-down — in a good way. Believing that the God of the universe had INTENTIONALLY created me changed everything. I was no longer the result of a crazy series of chance events, a random variety of molecules having evolved over billions of years out of primodial goo. No. I was a child of a Holy God who had a plan and purpose for making me.
So, today on this 28th day of August (8/28), let’s remember
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.Romans 8:28 ESV
I hope you can take 5 minutes to learn how you can share the gospel using your personal testimony. In my personal testimony, I share how God gave me purpose in my life. Each of us have a unique purpose and a unique testimony to share. Let’s share it!
“And I said, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. But rise and stand upon your feet, for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to appoint you as a servant and witness to the things in which you have seen me and to those in which I will appear to you, delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'” — Acts 26:15-18 ESV
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel…” 2 Timothy 1:7-10 ESV
“For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.” Ezra 7:10
Teachers are held to a higher standard. We have to be careful to study, but we better not skip that personal obedience step before jumping straight to teaching.
Thank You, Father, for giving us Your Word. It is a light to our feet. It shines in the dark corners and speaks truth to our souls. Thank You for Your mercy and grace and for the wisdom that You give day after day. I’m praying for my own role as a teacher, but also for the teachers of our nation’s children, whether in the schools or the church. Give them Your wisdom and strength for the glory of Your name.
Rather than reading this and wishing that I could do anything I please, I’m choosing today to be thankful that God is on His throne and I’m not.
It might please me to sleep all day and eat peanut butter chocolate ice cream all night. It might please me to thumb through my Facebook feed for hours and bingewatch HGTV shows. But God … God is good and what pleases Him is always good … so I’m choosing today to be thankful that He is God and I’m not.
How about you? What are your thoughts about God’s total sovereign power … and your lack of it? ❤❤❤
“If deep in our hearts we suspect that God does not love us and cannot manage our affairs as well as we can, we certainly will not submit to His discipline.” – Elisabeth Elliot (Nor His Word or His plan for our life.)
The more we know the Lord’s loving goodness and mercy, as well as His almighty power, the more we will trust Him and His plans for us.
You can know God. Imagine that! God has given us His Word, so we can know and trust Him. The more you know and trust Him, the more closely you will follow and obey Him.
Having graduated my oldest two and now looking at my 11th grader and 8th grader, I took the time to write down a list – 6 pages long – of the skills and habits I’d like to help them develop before leaving home. Can you think of anything I missed? 🙂
Bible reading
Daily Bible Reading and Prayer Journal
Genesis – Deuteronomy
Joshua – Ruth
1 Samuel – 2 Chronicles
Ezra – Esther
Job – Psalms
Proverbs – Ecclesiastes
Isaiah – Daniel
Hosea – Malachi
Matthew – Acts
Romans – Colossians
1 Thessalonians – Revelation
Scripture Memory
John 3:16
Romans 5:8
Romans 6:23
Books of the Bible
Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17)
The Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13)
Psalm 1:1-6
Psalm 23:1-6
1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Philippians 2:1-16
Colossians 3:1-25
Romans 12:1-21
Matthew 5:1-16
Books to Read
Hudson Taylor, George Mueller, Gladys Aylward by Benge (or other Christian Heroes books)
The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe by Lewis (The whole Narnia series)
Mama’s Bank Account by Forbes
Man of the Family by Moody (the whole series is great)
The Hiding Place by Ten Boom
The Knowledge of the Holy by Tozer
Knowing God by Packer
The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions
Hymns
Amazing Grace
The Doxology
Come Thou Fount
It is Well with My Soul
Take My Life and Let it Be
Be Thou my Vision
How Great Thou Art
To God be the Glory
In Christ Alone
Before the Throne of God Above
Silent Night
The First Noel
Oh, Holy Night
Little Town of Bethlehem
Joy to the World
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Missions
Support a missionary in prayer, as well as financially and corresponding with them
Visit a missionary or serve with a local outreach ministry
Share the gospel clearly in 2 minutes
Social skills
Serve others – an elderly neighbor, a sick friend, your church – however the Lord leads (write a letter, cook a meal, help out)
Answer the phone properly and take a message
Set the table properly for your family
Use proper manners eating at home using silverware and a napkin
Order and pay at a fast food restaurant
Eat at a fancy restaurant using proper table manners
Express thanks consistently when others serve you
Greet and converse with adults with eye conduct, proper voice volume and listening attentively
Make a phone call to order pizza or other food delivery
Make a phone call to set up a doctor’s appointment
Life skills
Childcare
Play with, change diaper, feed bottle, make lunch, clean up, child development
Woodworking
Hand saw, table saw, miter saw, electric drill, hang a picture, repair nail hole, repair dry wall, caulk sink or shower
Electrical work
Check breakers, understand types of light bulbs, install a light fixture or ceiling fan, change outlet, install light switch
Plumbing
Plunge a toilet, unclog a drain, understand how a toilet works, turn off water to house at street, turn off water at a sink or toilet
Organize a closet, cabinet or dresser and your bedroom
Iron a button-down shirt and dress pants
Sew on a button
Mend a hole in a sock or shirt
Healthy Living
Plan a week of meals as well as make a list of meal and snack options
Grocery shop for a week’s groceries
Cook dinner for the family
Understand a variety of over-the-counter medicines and supplements
Know the name and phone number of your doctor, insurance and medicine you take
Learn how to store food – fruit, vegetables, fridge, freezer, pantry
First aid skills (choking, fainting, heart attack or inability to breathe, cuts, burns, fractures or sprains)
Make a First Aid kit
Academic skills
Tell time using an analog clock
Use a dictionary, a thesaurus and an encyclopedia
Read a book or story aloud to a group
Speak in front of a group
Find a book at the library using the Dewey decimal system
Put books on hold online
Check out and return books on time
Check out and listen to a digital audiobook
Computer skills
Keyboarding skills of at least 25 wpm
Type a chapter of the Bible
Write a letter to a political representative
Write a cover letter to apply for a job
Write a resume
Write a family newsletter or Christmas letter
Make a blog
Make a PowerPoint presentation
Build a computer from parts
Financial and Time Management Skills
Discuss stewardship – stewarding our time, talents, treasure and testimony
Make a daily schedule
Make an online annual calendar with important dates and birthdays
Open a bank account
Write checks, use a debit card at a store, use an ATM, set up auto pay, track your expenses and check your bank balance online
Learn about car insurance and health insurance
Discuss paying taxes
Discuss tithing and giving offerings
Memorize your social security number and know why you need it
Make a weekly, monthly and annual budget
Clothing shopping on a budget
List and price what you need to buy other than food and clothing (shampoo, deodorant, cosmetics, feminine care, shaving, laundry soap, dish soap, TP, first aid …)
If we believe that God is our Creator, Lord and King, then we should see ourselves as stewards for His kingdom. Using practical examples of stewardship, Kim explores the importance of being stewards of the time, talents, treasures and testimony which God has given to us.
My latest YouTube video
For more study on this, read Matthew 6:24, Matthew 24:45-51, Matthew 25:14-30 (The Parable of the Ten Talents), 1 Corinthians 3:4-4:4, and 1 Peter 4:10, “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.”
Teach What is Good 
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