New Years Resolution #1: Faith

It was by faith Able brought a more acceptable offering

It was by faith Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying

It was by faith Noah built and ark to save his family

It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave his home

It was by faith Sarah was able to have a child

It was by faith Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice

It was by faith Isaac blessed his two sons

It was by faith Jacob blessed Joseph’s sons

It was by faith Joseph, when he was about to die confidently spoke of God’s bringing Israel out of Egypt

It was by faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months

It was by faith Moses chose to share the oppression of God’s people

It was by faith the people of Israel went right through the red sea

It was by faith Rahab the prostitute did not die with all the others

It is by faith  INSERT YOUR NAME HERE

Having been raised going to church since I was a child, I read all the names above and recall many things I learned about each of these men and woman of faith. How they obeyed God, how they overcame obstacles, how they made hard choices, how they knew God. Heard God. Followed God. How exciting things happened because of their faith.

So often I want the exciting outcome, but I am too afraid to step out in faith to what God has called me to do.  This January, as much as I want to lose weight, keep up with the laundry, and read more books, those will not be what I will resolve to do.  I want to resolve to step out of the comfortable. To obey even when it does not make sense. To grow my faith in God. To live a story of faith for the generations to come.

As 2015 comes to an end and we look back on a year filled with highs and lows, faith and failure,  let us rejoice that we serve a God that wants to use us. Let's celebrate that His mercies are new EVERY morning.

So, even though we do not know what God has in store for us, let’s agree in 2016 we are going to be, as we say at GiveSendGo.com,  Living life Waayyy better!

Wow- isn't God Amazing?

After being greeted  by Angels, getting pregnant while still a virgin, giving birth in a barn while shepherds visit saying they saw a choir of Angels... I would think that nothing would surprise Mary and Joseph. They had witnessed so many miracles in such a short time, they head to the temple to perform the Jewish rituals.  While they are there it just so happened that the Spirit ( here He is again ..) led Simeon to the temple that same day because of a promise God had made to him that he would see the Messiah before he died.  So Simeon sees 8 days old Jesus and takes Him in his arms and praised God acknowledging Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior. The light to reveal God to the nations.

And in Luke 2 vs 33 " Joseph and Mary were amazed by what was being said about Jesus."

When was the last time you were AMAZED by Jesus?  By what He is doing in your life ? I know in my life I get caught up in the routine of things . When I get amazed it is at Churches doing great things, and people that are doing great deeds.  But when do I stop and say "wow God you are amazing at what you are doing in my life"
I want to live a life where I see God doing amazing things not just around me but through me. But I think that takes stepping out of the comfortable, out of the routine, Keeping our eyes open and hearts willing for God to do AMAZING things through us.
A CHALLENGE:  Ask God to do something AMAZING in and through your life today. I think He is waiting for us to be willing to take that step, to talk to the person He puts in front of us, love the person that seems unloveable, forgive the person that doesn't deserve forgiveness...
ASK GOD TO BE AMAZING IN YOUR LIFE TODAY..Then let us know what He did so we can all say
"WOW isn't God AMAZING!! "


GiveSendGo.com
Where people are experiencing our Amazing God. Check it out! 

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What does your worship say?

1 Corinthians 14:25  ( Speaking of unbelievers coming into our worship services)  As they listen, their secret thoughts will be laid bare , and they will fall down on their knees and worship God , declaring ,  "God is really here among you"

I have been to many church buildings over the last few years.  Seen many different worship styles, heard many sermons ,  seen big groups of people and small groups of people. Experienced different "philosophy" on how ministry should be done.  And all the while I am trying to figure it out for myself as well. What should the church look like? What should be our goal?  How do you stop it from becoming a business?  Are our meetings suppose to be for Christians or non christians or both?  How real are we presenting the Gospel? Are we just nice people allowing people to come to a place where they can "fit in" if they agree with us?    

Then I read the above verses.... When non believers see our worship to God , do they fall on their knees and also worship God, recognizing HIM and how real HE is?     And I think that pertains to us not just in a Church building corporately worshiping,  as we leave our "churches" and walk out the doors... can unbelievers see our worship to God...  and would it cause them to fall on their knees and recognize that God is REAL?


Good question.

Your spiritual report. How good are you?

We are still studying Ephesians in small group. I love getting together with people that are not afraid to go right to the Bible and read it word for word and discuss it. We talk about hard questions, challenge each other in our preconceived thoughts and ideas. 

Last week we ended with a very familiar verse to most Christians. 

“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. ⁹ Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.” Ephesians 2:8-9

WE CAN’T EARN SALVATION. No matter how much you serve at church, in your community or at the homeless shelter. You can’t earn it by praying enough, reading your Bible enough or by being a good person.

“God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. ⁹ Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.”

I think a lot of time we (meaning Christians) make each other feel like we have to earn or prove our relationship with Lord to each other. 

 We go to church and instead of rejoicing in the Grace that has brought us there, we eliminate the very Grace of God, by trying to prove to each other that we are worth it.

That is something that I struggle with. I so often want to ‘earn’ God’s favor.  To try and follow the rules so I can feel there is something I have done to deserve it.  I want to get all A's on my "Christianity Report card".  That’s not what God wants.

The verse doesn’t end in verse 9, it goes on to say;

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things He planned for us long ago.

A masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ.

Let me say that again. HE has created us anew in Christ.

And He finishes up with the Why –

So we can do the good things HE planned for us long ago.

Let’s stop doing good things simply to prove ourselves to God, or our Church, our neighbors or facebook . :)

GOD MADE US HIS MASTERPIECE. HE CREATED US TO BE NEW IN CHRIST. So we can do the things HE PLANNED FOR US long ago.

Notice it’s not about us. We can’t take the credit. Let’s keep it that way.

 (and lets stop making others pretend for us as well) 

When "Church" ≠ "Love"

I have been hurt.  By Christians. By the people that are called the church. I have my fair share of stories of unfair, unloving and downright mean ways the church has treated my family and I.   I make sure to read posts when they come down my newsfeed about how the  Church/Christians fail or are not doing things right, so that I can feel justified in my “hurt” after all there are a lot of people out there with the same hurts, frustrations and anger at what we see the church has become.

Then last week at small group we were picking apart Ephesians and we came across this verse:

¹⁵ That is why, ever since I heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and of the love you have for Christians everywhere,   Ephesians 1:15 TLB

It stopped me for a minute.  Paul was commending the Church, the body of believers, the people that attended one of the churches in Ephesus, for the rumors he was hearing about their strong faith and love for Christians everywhere. 

Now most of times, we, the hurt,  would take that verse and want to try and make it about how the church or church staff aren’t doing its job…

“Paul would have never written this to (Insert Church name)….”

“That’s what I have been saying (insert Pastor’s name) doesn’t show love….”

“That ministry should be doing things differently to show love…”

But what if you were to stop and ask yourself, like I did, “Would Paul have written that to me?”  Would he have heard about my faith and how I love Christians everywhere? 

No.

Not even a little bit.

I have been frustrated with the Church. I have been frustrated with Church People. I would rather blast different Churches for their differing beliefs, their 

shortcomings, and their mistakes, especially if they hurt me.

This verse challenged me.

I want to be like the people Paul was writing to.

So I asked myself-

What would it look like if we the Church extended Grace to each other? If we lived in humility knowing we all fall way short. What would it look like if each one of us that make up the Church, loved each other through the hurts, the disagreements about programs and wall colors, the bad choices and mistakes? What if we forgave freely, like Christ has forgiven us?  What if we loved each other like Christ loved us, unconditionally, even when it doesn’t make sense or doesn’t feel good.

What if?

Author:
Heather Wilson
Co-Founder GiveSendGo.com

GSG Challenge: Spend some time on Facebook!

GSG CHALLENGE! 3/9- 3/15

This week's challenge should be easy for you. Since you are reading this, I am assuming you spent some time trolling around Facebook, came across this link and clicked on it. You are reading it and then you will go back to Facebook to see if anything else catches your fancy. Does that sound about right?

Before you go, here's our challenge for you:

EVERYDAY this week. STARTING today.  SPEND time on FACEBOOK. (hmmm,  that seems too easy....)

Ok, Let me clarify, not just spend time on Facebook. Scroll through your friend list. Pick one friend a day (or more if you are an over achiever) and write them a personal private message.  Let them know you are thinking of them and offer some encouragement. You can let them know how they impacted your life, or just share some favorite memories. Pick people that you do not connect with on a regular basis.

Think of the moment of joy and encouragement you will bring to someone that least expects it.... and it costs you nothing!

Are you up for the challenge?

GSG Ketchup Challenge!

Oh, did I say Ketchup?

Oops.

I meant Catch-Up!

This week we challenge you to go back and look at the challenges that GSG has been making since the beginning of 2015. You can then decide to pick one you may have not participated in, or one that you want to re-do.

Regardless of the order you do the challenges, our desire is the same. We want to help you have a more meaningful year, a year full of great stories, memories and a year that marked a difference in the way you chose to Give. Send. Go.

Scroll through our past blogs here http://givesendgo.blogspot.com/ 

I want answers, don't you?

Do you believe God answers prayers?

I mean do you really truly believe God answers prayers?

I mean, today in 2015, do you believe that God answers prayers?

Have you ever asked God for something and seen your prayer answered? There are many Scriptures that tell us we should be continuously talking to God, requesting, and sharing with Him the things that concern us, and that He wants to answer.  I know it is easy to say a quick prayer when I am in the midst of something stressful, or if I hear of someone that is hurt or in trouble.  It can become a habit to just say a “quick prayer”, but not really expect my prayers to be answered. We give up on the answer before the prayer even leaves our mouths.

This week our challenge is to start (or continue) seeking God for needs, requests, and miracles in our lives and expect an answer. Put aside time every day this week to spend in talking with God. Not just at dinner or tucking kids in bed.  Every time we pray we need to be asking God to line up our desires with His. Truly believing that He can and wants to answer.

We encourage you to print out these verses below and place them around your home, office, the refrigerator,bathroom, your car dashboard, your TV or computer screen. Use these verses to remind yourself that God wants you to actively be asking and expecting from Him.

1 John 5:14-15English Standard Version (ESV)

14 And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him.

Isaiah 65:24New Living Translation (NLT)

24 I will answer them before they even call to me.

   While they are still talking about their needs,

   I will go ahead an­d answer their prayers!

John 15:7New Living Translation (NLT)

7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!

James 4:3Living Bible (TLB)

3 And even when you do ask you don’t get it because your whole aim is wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.

 

James 5:13-18New Living Translation (NLT)

13 Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. 14 Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord.15 Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.

16 Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. 17 Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! 18 Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:17New Living Translation (NLT)

17 Never stop praying.

 

Micah 7:7New Living Translation (NLT)

7 As for me, I look to the Lord for help.

   I wait confidently for God to save me,

   and my God will certainly hear me.

This week we really want to have you let us know how your challenge went. We believe that God wants to hear from us and answer, so we expect awesome testimonies of God stretching your faith and answering you in ways you can’t even imagine. https://www.facebook.com/Givesendgo

Free Romantic Valentine’s Day Note.

Dear Valentine,

I love you.  I can’t imagine life without you. You are all I think about.  You are first on my mind when I wake up in the morning and the reason for the smile on my face when I lay down at night.  I want to make you happy and I want to be your everything.  I want to show you how much I love you every second of every day. It just feels so right!  You are perfect for me.  I love you!

xoxo,

Me

Now, what if I told you that this note was written by me, to me? You would probably stop here and go back to re-read it. Does it have a whole different meaning? If so, I am sure you would agree with me, that this note is not really about love. God has a different thought as to what love should look like:


“4 Love does not give up. Love is kind. Love is not jealous. Love does not put itself up as being important. Love has no pride. 5 Love does not do the wrong thing. Love never thinks of itself. Love does not get angry. Love does not remember the suffering that comes from being hurt by someone. 6 Love is not happy with sin. Love is happy with the truth. 7 Love takes everything that comes without giving up. Love believes all things. Love hopes for all things. Love keeps on in all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

In the Bible, love is about sacrifice. It is about giving up our rights, and putting others before ourselves. Did you know that different people feel loved, in different ways? Gary Chapman wrote about this in his book, “The 5 Love Languages”. Each person has a primary love language that we must learn to speak if we want that person to feel loved.


So, this week, our challenge is to uncover the love languages of the people around us. This will take time and prayer, but God will be pleased to direct and teach us as we line up our desires directly with who He is! After all, the Bible does say :

“Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. 8 But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.  1 John 4:7-8

GSG Challenge

2/8/15- 2/15/15

The 5 Love Languages:

Monday

Use Words of affirmation: This language uses words to affirm other people.

Tuesday

Quality time: This language is all about giving the other person your undivided attention.

Wednesday

Receiving gifts: For some people, what makes them feel most loved is to receive a gift.

Thursday

Acts of service: For these people, actions speak louder than words.

Friday

Physical touch: To this person, nothing speaks more deeply than appropriate touch.

Saturday and Sunday:

Bonus Days: Repeat any of the above actions

The two hardest words in the English language.

Hand me a dictionary. I know there are some words in there that would be challenging for me to say.  Although I would have to admit, the two hardest words for me to learn to say were "I'm sorry".  Why is that? Why is 'I'm sorry' so hard for us?  What makes us choke back the words, put on our stubborn hats, and justify the defiance going on inside of us?

Here's my story:

1998. A wonderful year. I married my best friend, Dan. We were in love. Marriage was great, until our first disagreement. Do I remember what it was about? No, but I do remember a theme to our "fights". Not what they were about, or how they started, but with how they would end.  We would be upset at each other. Leave the room angry. Sometimes he was right, sometimes I was right, but it didn't matter. I was going to make sure I stoked the fires of self-pity, justification, and build a case about why I was allowed to be hurt and upset, angry etc.  Now when we allow ourselves to justify our behavior, thoughts, and actions, we become more and more self-righteous and stubborn and it becomes harder to break away from that pattern. 

So, there we were.  A few minutes, or a couple hours have passed. I would be stewing. Making sure he knew I wasn't happy. I wanted him to feel "in the doghouse". Sure enough he would come to me and look me in the eyes and apologize.  Let me know he didn't want to fight. Tell me he loved me and valued our relationship.

YESSSS!  I knew I was right!  He finally came to his senses!

Soon, I was realizing a pattern. I was never the one to admit I was wrong. Never the one to say I was sorry. I started to get frustrated that Dan was a bigger person than me, he could apologize more freely. That he could let go, put down his pride and love me. 

 Why couldn't I? I wanted to be the bigger person. I wanted to be mature. So, I would have inner dialogue." Ok - next argument I am going to apologize first. I am just going to spit it out."   Then it would come and I would sit there arguing with myself.

What was wrong with me? Why was saying I'm sorry so hard? My mind and heart were cheering me on "say sorry, say sorry, say sorry". My pride and my mouth were working hand in hand against me, "it's not your fault, it's not your fault,  it's not your fault".

Finally I did it. I apologized.  Did I do it for the right reason? I don't know. Do I think it matters? No, I think God was taking me on a journey to change my heart. He wanted to make me aware of this huge issue in my life. My pride. You can ask my husband.  We laugh and talk about it now. How far I have come, and how far I still have to go.

I love this verse below.

14-17 Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you’ll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God’s generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God’s lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God’s blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears.   Hebrews 12:14-17 The Message

Work at getting along with each other and with God. Sometimes that means being the one to say "I'm sorry". 

When is the last time you said I am sorry to someone in your life. When is the last time you said you're sorry to God? 

Are you keeping a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent that you might be allowing to grow?

Are you trading away God's lifelong gift to satisfy a short-term appetite? The appetite to be right, the appetite to prove a point, the appetite to ______. (You fill in the blank)

February 1st-8th

This weeks GSG challenge:

I bet you can guess:

SAY I'M SORRY

Need I say more? Think about people in your life. Is there anyone that you should have apologized to but were just too stubborn and let your pride justify your silence? 

Say sorry.  No excuses. I can tell you first hand, you will feel better. It doesn’t matter if the offense was today, last week or even years ago. Ask God to reveal a time that you let slip by without apologizing. 

Then say sorry! 

And as always

Visit our fb page to share any stories that you have experienced while creating your 2015 story. 
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https://www.facebook.com/Givesendgo

Would you be mine, could you be mine, won't you be my neighbor?

Would you be mine, could you be mine, 

won't you be my neighbor? 

Whether you live in an apartment building, or on a farm, in the suburbs, or in the city, there are people around you. People  like you. People who were created for relationship. Unfortunately, society has scared us into isolating ourselves. Into fearing those around us. This is not the life God wants us to live.

So, this weeks GiveSendGo challenge is to make a new friend- your neighbor.  Find a person that lives in the same general vicinity as you and pay them a visit. Maybe bake them cookies or bring them a candle (I know kind of random but who doesn't like candles?)  Introduce yourself. Be friendly. Have a conversation letting them know that if they need anything - eggs, butter, a listening ear, someone to pray for them, that you will be more than happy to be their neighbor and their friend. I think you will be surprised at the response.  

We hope our GSG Challenges have been encouraging you to step out of your comfort zone and create a new story for your life this New Year. 

Life doesn't have to fly by while you do the same routine over and over. Make it meaningful. Make a difference. 

Give.....Send.....Go  

Visit our fb page to share any stories that you have experienced while creating your 2015 story. 

https://www.facebook.com/Givesendgo