A priest was preaching to his congregation concerning heaven and hell. To emphasize the difference between the two, he asked that all who wanted to go to heaven stand up with him. All the congregation rose. He then asked that all who wanted to to go hell stand up with him. No one rose. For the full dramatic impact he waited for several seconds before continuing. The silence was broken by a small boy who slowly rose to his feet. The astonished priest spoke to the boy, “Surely son, a fine young man like yourself does not want to go to hell.”
The boy answered, “Maybe not sir, but I just couldn’t stand the sight of you standing there all alone.”
Jesus can’t stand the thought of any one of going to hell. So he came to earth to serve us by being our ransom. As He ministered to others throughout His life and then paid the price for our sins, He became the greatest example of being a servant leader.
The foundation and basis of servanthood is giving – and Jesus gave His life as a ransom for all who believe in Him. No one “took” His life – He willingly gave it up. Jesus, with all of His power and might did not come to be served as He deserves, but by His love and grace, came down to serve us. He served us by giving us a way to spend eternal life with Him even though we do not deserve it, nor can we earn it on our own merit. He gave His life freely so that we might have eternal life. He served us by being the payment for our sins. Romans tells us that the wages of sin is death, but Jesus paid the price for us. He was our “ransom.”
The word “ransom” refers to the price one paid in Jesus’ day to release a slave. We are slaves to sin, but Jesus’ life became our ransom that set us free from the bonds of sin. To be a servant of Jesus, means we must be willing to give up all rights to our life and to do anything God wants us to do.
When we look at Jesus’ ministry, we can see how Jesus served others, just as the disciples had seen Him do: they saw Him touch those that were unclean. They saw him heal the sick, deaf, blind, and mute. They saw Him raise people back to life. They saw him feed thousands with just a small amount of bread and fish. They saw Him wash their feet. They saw Him beaten and nailed to a cross. They saw Him die – for them. Over and over again Jesus – the only Son of God – placed Himself in humble service to others. Jesus. He had ten thousand angels at His disposal. He was the creator of the world. He shared in the glory of the Father and the Holy Spirit. Yet He gave up all of Heaven to come to earth, born to a poor virgin girl in a stable with only an animal feeding trough for a bed. He gave up his own majesty for the humility of needing his diaper changed. He willingly accepted the humiliation and torture of the cross. Why would He do that for you and me? His only reason for doing so, was to minister and serve all of humanity throughout all the ages through His willing sacrificial death in our place so that we could one day spend eternity in Heaven with Him. The greatest servant of all gave us the greatest gift of all because of His love for us.
We often talk today about our desire to “serve” God. And certainly we should be obedient to do what He asks us to do. But we also need to remember that Jesus did not come to earth to be ministered to. He came so that he could minister to us. He still wants to minister to us today. We don’t have to do life on our own. He ready to help us. When we are exhausted or anxious or fearful, He tells us to cast all our care on Him because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). When we need wisdom, He tells us to ask Him for it and He will give it to us generously (James 1:5). When life gets busy and overwhelming, Jesus says, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10). Whatever it is we face in life, Jesus stands ready to minister to us. If He loves us enough to die for us, you can bet He stands ready to help us through every moment of life. How humbling it is to think that the Son of God longs to serve one like me.
Jesus, thank you for you dying in my place so that my sins could be forgiven. Help me to live my life so that it bring honor and glory to you. May I learn from your example of servanthood to serve others that you have placed in my life so that your love shines through every act of service and every spoken word. Help me to remember that you stand ready to serve and minister to me in every situation I face in life.Â
#ransomforall #cametoserve #SonofGod
Don’t forget to learn this week’s memory verse:
Don’t forget to learn this week’s memory verse:
1 Chronicles 28:9
Know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him.
Meditate and apply:
Will you commit to praying with us in 2020 that God will revive His people, renew our faith, and redeem our land? We feel such an urgency and desperation for revival. If God is moving your heart for revival, write your revival prayer in the comments along with your state or country.Â
#knowGod #headknowledge #heartknowledge #revivalinAmerica #revivalin2020 #WCM
This week’s featured design is taken from Matthew 17:20. A mustard seed is tiny; yet that is all the faith it takes to move mountains. Don’t be afraid to use your faith.Â
You’ll find this week’s design in two formats: a floral and a “mustard label.” Available in tees for men, women, kids, mugs, bags, and other products. The design is also available in white print or black. Check them out in the Spreadshirt shop.
Thank you for helping us grow!
Click here to view the Teespring store.Â
Click here to view the Spreadshop StoreÂ
#mustardseed #faith #notafraidtouseit #teespring #spreadshop
BOOKING NOW! Be a host site for the NEW God, Love & Marshmallow Wars Book Tour & Couples Conference:
This event helps couples understand why the daily activities found in the book will equip them to build a stronger marriage and the book provides them with 365 intentional activities to take what they learn at the event and apply it on a daily basis. Through the event, couples will discover the Biblical “why” behind the categories of activities found in the book and the “how” these activities are important to building a stronger marriage. Focus points of the event includes :
- How memorizing scripture together and studying God’s Word together as they study, meditate and apply scriptures related to marriage and life issues will help them develop marriages that honor God.
- Why utilizing fun conversation starters that spark meaningful conversations will keep interest alive as they continually learn new things about each other.
- Why keeping romance alive is essential to intimacy and connectivity.
- How making memories and working together builds relationship investment bonds and how these investment bonds can become the knots that keeps them together through the tough times.
- How they can understand what they are or are not contributing to the marriage as well as how they might be contributing to problems or potential problems within the relationship through the use of targeted, intentional personal reflections
- Why it is important that couples never stop dating and how group dates with Christian friends can be both an encouragement and accountability to their own relationship.
During the event, couples will be given an activity from each focus point to do together, making this event an interactive, fun, and engaging event with practical, hands-on learning. Unlike other couple events that are over when the event ends, couples who attend the GLMW event will be able to apply what they learn when utilizing the book on a daily basis for a year. Since the book is not dated, couples are able to reuse the activities year after year to continue being intentional in strengthening their relationship with each other and with God as they strive to live out God’s design for marriage every day.
Learn more about hosting this event at your church or conference site by clicking here.
About the book: The GLMW book contains 365 daily challenges for couples to strengthen their relationships to each other and with God. Couples will complete activities such as Scripture memory, conversation starters, relationship builders, learning about Biblical marriage, romance builders, personal reflections, and date ideas. Click here to purchase your copy. (This link will open a new widow and take you to Westbow Press’ bookstore.) It is also available at Christian Book Distributors, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble
#GLMW #couplesevent #GLMWbook #intentionalmarriage #Godlymarriage
Looking for a keynote speaker for your next ministry event? Julia is now booking for 2019 and 2020 Christian events for women’s and couples’ ministries for both small and large events.
Book with us now.
Julia is CEO of Wellspring Christian Ministries, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people and couples develop a passionate relationship with God. A public speaker, conference trainer, event planner, and blog writer, Julia is a two-time graduate from Grand Canyon University with a bachelor in Psychology and a masters in Professional Counseling. Saved as a child and raised in church and in a Christian home and private Christian School as a Pastor’s kid, Julia has taught Sunday school, led music, played the piano, served as Children’s Director, and engaged her gifts in many other areas of church life. Previously employed with the Florida Baptist Convention, Julia organized events and led conferences for church ministry assistants. Today, Julia enjoys sharing her journey as a growing Christian with others looking for a deeper connection with God. Through Bible study and her own life experiences, God has given Julia a passion to help couples understand God’s design for marriage while they learn to place God first in their marriage, cultivate meaningful relationships, build intimacy, and address the tougher issues that come in every marriage so that they can experience a marriage that honors and glorifies God. Julia also loves mentoring, teaching, and working with women to help them learn to live as Godly women.
With her history and experience growing up in both small and large churches, Julia enjoys bringing top level quality events to churches of all sizes. Her father largely pastored small churches and therefore she understands that these vital parts of the believing community need to be good stewards of the resources God provides them with. This knowledge inspires her passion for being available with a fresh perspective for those who want to provide their congregations with meaningful spiritual growth opportunities, regardless of size.
To request more information or a booking,Â
fill out the online form here.
Or call us at 904.524.8073
#JuliaBruce #speaker #keynote #author
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at CBD through any of these links. Your cost to purchase any item through an affiliate link is the same as purchasing directly from CBD.
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Check out these items from Christian Book Distributors.
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Made to Move Mountains: How God Uses Our Dreams and Disasters to Accomplish the Impossible
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The Key to Living by Faith (Hebrews)
By Harvest House Publishers This powerful series is ideal for personal study, small groups, Sunday school classes, family devotions, and discipling others. Days One through Six provide approximately 15 minutes of guided lessons to help you discover God’s precepts, purposes and promises on your own. Questions for group discussion or individual study are provided on Day Seven along with commentary and a memory verse. Find the wisdom you need to address the issues of life and grow closer in your relationship with God. |
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Faithful, Abundant, True – Member Book: Three Lives Going Deeper Still
By Beth Moore, Kay Arthur & Priscilla Shirer / Lifeway The Faithful, Abundant, True: Three Lives Going Deeper Still Member Book is a versatile study guide that can be used in a retreat setting or for a seven-session study. Beth, Kay, and Priscilla each present two weeks of study in a brief format that will take most women 15 to 30 minutes daily. As a bonus, Faithful, Abundant, and True Member Book includes a partnership with HomeLife Magazine in which each of the three speakers’ section also includes an article from HomeLife that illustrates faithfulness, abundance, and truth. The Member Book includes 6 Weeks of Guided Study, a Retreat Plan (great for a Friday evening – Saturday evening schedule), and Group Leader Helps. |
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Pursuing A Deeper Faith-Life Principles Study Series Vol 19
By Charles F. Stanley / Thomas Nelson Each workbook in Charles Stanley’s Life Principles Study Series features ten lessons that include Scripture study, questions for discussion or reflection, and application. In Develop a Closer Relationship with God, Stanley shares God’s invitation to grow in a heart relationship with Him, to hear His voice speaking to your spirit, and to feel a deep assurance that you are locked into a forever relationship that cannot be severed. Perfect for small group studies, a Sunday school class, or individual study. |
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Everything is Possible Study Guide: Understanding the Six Phases of Faith
By Rick Warren / Zondervan How’s your faith? Is it strong or weak? Is it steady or stretched? It’s an important question, because there’s a lot riding on your answer. More importantly, would you like your faith to be stronger? That’s what this six-session video study from ‘America’s most influential spiritual leader’ is all about. Faith, according to Pastor Rick Warren, is like a muscle. It needs to be exercised and developed. And God uses a predictable pattern and process to build your faith. It’s what Warren calls the Six Phases of Faith. Once you understand these six phases, you can cooperate with God in the process of strengthening your faith and building your character. The Six Phases of Faith is a groundbreaking small group video study with participant’s guide that will help you uncover and participate in God’s unique plan and purpose for your life. |
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Mustard Seed Pendant
By Angel Star Mustard seed pendant features seed surrounded by clear acrylic. 1″ pendant on 18″ nickel free chain with 2″ extender.In the story of the Mustard seed, even with faith the size of this tiny seed, you can still move mountains. These real seeds are reminders that with just a little faith, anything is possible. |
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Rounded Mustard Seed Drop Earrings, Silver
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Mustard Seed Stone
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Fresh Faith
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Finding God Faithful, Bible Study Book
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Benefits:
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Better: A Study of Hebrews, Bible Study Book
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Follower: Becoming More than Just a Fan of Jesus
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Don’t Give Up: Faith That Gives You the Confidence to Keep Believing and the Courage to Keep Going
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Only Jesus: What It Really Means to Be Saved
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Moving Mountains: Praying with Passion, Confidence, and Authority
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Walking With God: Talk to Him. Hear from Him. Really.
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Experiencing the Power of Life-Changing Faith-Romans
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By Jim Cymbala with Dean Merrill / Zondervan Every Tuesday night the Brooklyn Tabernacle is standing room only—for a prayer meeting! In this expanded edition, Pastor Cymbala shares updated stories of what God continues to do there. You’ll be led on your own journey to spiritual awakening; and be inspired to listen more closely for his voice and pray with utter dependence on him. 224 pages, softcover from Zondervan. |
God, Love, and Marshmallow Wars: 365 Daily Challenges to Grow Your Marriage
By Julia M. Bruce / WestBow Press
There’s no doubt that marriage is hard work. Yet it can also be one of the most fulfilling relationships you can experience, outside of your relationship with God. However, many marriages leave God outside of the relationship. Godly marriages do not happen without cultivating it, investing in it, and putting God first in your individual lives and in your marriage.
This book includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:
• Scripture to memorize and meditate on
• Conversation Starters
• Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages
• Romance Builders
• Relationship Builders
• Personal reflections
• Date ideas
• Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples
Each week we post a scripture to challenge you to hide God’s Word in your heart. Commit it to memory, meditate on it and apply it to your life.
