I love the first part of John Chapter 3. It is such a visual picture to me of the principle of Salvation and Security in Christ.
John 3:1-7
You Must Be Born Again
1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’
There it is! Those words you MUST be born of Water and Spirit to enter the kingdom of God. This past week Patty, our Technical Support and Financial person for Pure Joy International, and her husband Kenny (Pure Joy Board member) became Grandparents for the first time with a baby girl, healthy and precious as she can be. Then yesterday another friend had their first baby who is a little girl as precious as she can be too. Last night as I held that newborn, all I could think of was this verse. You must be born of water and the Spirit. Well, the water part is done. Both of these girls have been born in the physical because Mom’s water broke before the baby arrived. Now the quest is to pray for their Spiritual birth! It is never too early to begin praying for your children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews to be born again!
Here is the Security part. A man cannot be unborn physically. You cannot change the fact of who your physical birth parents are and be born physically again any more than you can change the truth below that says we are born spiritually not by the will of the flesh, nor of man, but of God!
John 1:12-13
12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.
Who’s Your Daddy? God is!!!!!!
His,
vickie
Monday, October 26, 2009
Monday, October 19, 2009
Putting on the Armor of God...
Last night, our Youth Pastor taught on the ‘Armor of God’. It reminded me of the many times I have had the opportunity to teach on that subject. My opening for that teaching is usually a question. How many of you left your home this morning naked and headed off to school, work, play, church, etc? It always draws a good laugh from the crowd. I’m sure that's because we all know what a scary sight that would be. And if you are a proponent of nudist colonies, I just want to say I’m confident Adam and Eve ruined that for you. Anyway, I start with that because of how ridiculous it would be for us to start the day without covering ourself. But, yet most ‘Believers’ walk out of their houses daily ‘spiritually naked’ and don’t think a thing about it. The Pastor also said something else that we lose sight of, “Spiritual victory is not passive; it involves daily discipline and obedience.” That’s right --discipline. One of the biggest weaknesses of the body of Christ today is self-discipline. And if you are practicing the disciplines as a believer-- being in the Word, prayer, obedience, love, etc.-- God's Word says ‘put on’ the armor. It requires action daily! Discipline puts it on! So hop over to Ephesians 6:10 and start reading and ask yourself….Is there a breeze in here? Hmmmm
His,
vickie
His,
vickie
Monday, October 12, 2009
Fall is upon us...
Just returned yesterday from a road trip to Richmond, Virginia to see my god-son get married. The trees were just beginning to turn as we drove through Tennessee and parts of Virginia on Thursday, but even more colorful in just a four day period as we drove home yesterday.
There is something about the fall that just brings out the frisky playfulness in all of us. My grandpa used that word all the time, frisky. Where he was concerned it always meant fun and laughter. There is something about the fall that makes us a little more rowdy than normal. If you don’t have a clue what I’m talking about then you live in a place where you never see the temperature drop below 65 or 70 degrees. For the rest of us, we get frisky. Right?
The wedding was held at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens in the Rose Garden and it was beautiful. If you are ever in the Richmond area, I highly recommend the visit. You can see more at http://www.lewisginter.org/gardens/index.php .
As I watched Dylan stand with Katie, his wife to be, I was reminded of how God has a plan for all things. To know Dylan and Katie from their High School years was to know that this day would come. I am sure I was as proud as any parent could possibly be. There is something about watching your god-son grow from baby boy, to child, to teenager, to young adult, to man. It would be my heart's desire that every parent could love their child with the heartbeat God gave me for Dylan the first time I held him in my arms. So many of the children born into this world today do not know that kind of love.
Can I encourage those of you who today have children of all ages still at home… Be frisky with your kids this fall - laugh, play, enjoy them, because someday they grow up and then they are the ones doing the watching.
Continue to lift up Pure Joy in prayer. Continue to pray for us as God is at work with our schedule for the next year or so.
His,
vickie
There is something about the fall that just brings out the frisky playfulness in all of us. My grandpa used that word all the time, frisky. Where he was concerned it always meant fun and laughter. There is something about the fall that makes us a little more rowdy than normal. If you don’t have a clue what I’m talking about then you live in a place where you never see the temperature drop below 65 or 70 degrees. For the rest of us, we get frisky. Right?
The wedding was held at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens in the Rose Garden and it was beautiful. If you are ever in the Richmond area, I highly recommend the visit. You can see more at http://www.lewisginter.org/gardens/index.php .
As I watched Dylan stand with Katie, his wife to be, I was reminded of how God has a plan for all things. To know Dylan and Katie from their High School years was to know that this day would come. I am sure I was as proud as any parent could possibly be. There is something about watching your god-son grow from baby boy, to child, to teenager, to young adult, to man. It would be my heart's desire that every parent could love their child with the heartbeat God gave me for Dylan the first time I held him in my arms. So many of the children born into this world today do not know that kind of love.
Can I encourage those of you who today have children of all ages still at home… Be frisky with your kids this fall - laugh, play, enjoy them, because someday they grow up and then they are the ones doing the watching.
Continue to lift up Pure Joy in prayer. Continue to pray for us as God is at work with our schedule for the next year or so.
His,
vickie
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Awesome two weeks...
Greetings sister and brothers in Christ. Yes, I realize some of you guys are taking a look into the blog every once in a while. We girls aren?t holding that against you! Ha,ha
Last Tuesday night I had the opportunity to travel to Jonesboro, AR and minister to the ladies from the Jonesboro area as they met at Walnut Street Baptist Church. God is really doing an awesome thing there for the women in the community. Five minutes with the group of ladies there in leadership and you can tell that this was a God idea not a man made one. You actually can see the fruit of their obedience to provide ministry to these women throughout the summer. Way to go girls!
Then last night my mom and I traveled to Texarkana to share with a group of ladies there at First Baptist church. The Women?s ministry provided a meal and the theme was ?Dinner with the King?. The Spirit of God was all over the place and we all had the great privilege of getting in on the time with Him. Again, just able to see the response to the Spirit throughout the evening!
I want to plant a seed in some of your hearts out there. We are headed to Nicaragua in May. If you think your church would be interested in this opportunity please contact me through the website staff page. I would love to visit with you and come visit your church, if you would like.
We had an all day Ministry Staff meeting last week We are seeking God on several opportunities for 2010. As those become clear, through prayer, we will share them with you.
I want to encourage you more than ever to pray about becoming a part of Pure Joy as a Friend, as a prayer partner, as a monthly giver, and as someone who actually goes with us! Please ask God how He would have you be involved! He knows the plans He has for all of us! Thank you from the Pure Joy Staff for coming alongside us to be obedient to what God has directed us to do. Don?t forget to pray for our missionaries on the field and the ones who are stateside as well. They need us to undergird them!
His,
vickie
Last Tuesday night I had the opportunity to travel to Jonesboro, AR and minister to the ladies from the Jonesboro area as they met at Walnut Street Baptist Church. God is really doing an awesome thing there for the women in the community. Five minutes with the group of ladies there in leadership and you can tell that this was a God idea not a man made one. You actually can see the fruit of their obedience to provide ministry to these women throughout the summer. Way to go girls!
Then last night my mom and I traveled to Texarkana to share with a group of ladies there at First Baptist church. The Women?s ministry provided a meal and the theme was ?Dinner with the King?. The Spirit of God was all over the place and we all had the great privilege of getting in on the time with Him. Again, just able to see the response to the Spirit throughout the evening!
I want to plant a seed in some of your hearts out there. We are headed to Nicaragua in May. If you think your church would be interested in this opportunity please contact me through the website staff page. I would love to visit with you and come visit your church, if you would like.
We had an all day Ministry Staff meeting last week We are seeking God on several opportunities for 2010. As those become clear, through prayer, we will share them with you.
I want to encourage you more than ever to pray about becoming a part of Pure Joy as a Friend, as a prayer partner, as a monthly giver, and as someone who actually goes with us! Please ask God how He would have you be involved! He knows the plans He has for all of us! Thank you from the Pure Joy Staff for coming alongside us to be obedient to what God has directed us to do. Don?t forget to pray for our missionaries on the field and the ones who are stateside as well. They need us to undergird them!
His,
vickie
Monday, September 28, 2009
Dead things...
This past Friday afternoon I walked out behind our house to spot something in the distance that I couldn’t quite make out. As I got closer to the object, I realized it was a big ol catfish head and part of the body that had been discarded by someone fishing the lake. (We live on a peninsula of the lake.) I took a stick to it to roll it over and whewwww we are talking some major stink!!
I went in the house and got my mom and told her she had to see this. (In retrospect, I don’t have a clue why she needed to see it!) Anyway, she came out and looked at it and we both had no problem agreeing that it stunk! Then we began the process of trying to figure out how it got in that close to the house, buzzards, a raccoon, cat, etc. (In retrospect, I don’t have a clue why either one of us needed to know that either!)
That ole dead fish reminds me of how the enemy likes to drag up the past. But it also reminds me that when something is dead the only thing that can come from stirring it up is a big stink! Next time the enemy tries to drag up your past, don’t roll it over...just keep walking! Jesus paid it all!
Keep all the missionary women all over the world in your prayers and also pray for Pure Joy as God directs us on our trips for 2010-2011.
His,
vickie
I went in the house and got my mom and told her she had to see this. (In retrospect, I don’t have a clue why she needed to see it!) Anyway, she came out and looked at it and we both had no problem agreeing that it stunk! Then we began the process of trying to figure out how it got in that close to the house, buzzards, a raccoon, cat, etc. (In retrospect, I don’t have a clue why either one of us needed to know that either!)
That ole dead fish reminds me of how the enemy likes to drag up the past. But it also reminds me that when something is dead the only thing that can come from stirring it up is a big stink! Next time the enemy tries to drag up your past, don’t roll it over...just keep walking! Jesus paid it all!
Keep all the missionary women all over the world in your prayers and also pray for Pure Joy as God directs us on our trips for 2010-2011.
His,
vickie
Monday, September 21, 2009
Two in One...
I’m asking Patty to post this in the Friends of Pure Joy letter and to the blog so we can all get back on the same page together. I had several people say they went to the blog while we were gone to the Middle East but didn’t see updates there. The reason there are no blogs posted when we travel is because we use our "Friends of Pure Joy" distribution list to update you. If you want to get the updates when we are out of the country, please go to the web site and sign up as a Friend of Pure Joy.
Now for the update from our trip! We are all back and doing well. This is the first time we didn’t have any of the team members get really ill. Thanking and praising our Lord and Savior for that! We had a couple of people have bouts with some stomach stuff, but nothing like we usually experience when we are gone overseas.
We had an incredible time with the ladies we were given the opportunity to minister to in the Middle East. God clearly spoke to the hearts of several of us on the team regarding some personal decisions we had been praying over. I personally had clarity from Him on something I have been struggling with almost five months. Sometimes I think the retreats are more for the team than the ladies, but I know He touches both!
I want to take a moment to ask every one of you who are reading this as a blog or as a "Friend of Pure Joy"….please take some time to pray about if God wants you to partner with Pure Joy in some shape, form or fashion -- not just as individuals, but your church. We have several retreats on the horizon for 2010. Each of those will need sponsoring churches. I encourage you to talk with your Women’s Ministry Director, WMU Director, and or Missions Director about my availability to come in and visit with your church family. We are looking for sponsoring churches from all over the U.S.
Please pray as you never have before for His Kingdom Work! Near and Far! It is time for the Children of the King to start letting others know who our Abba (Daddy) is!
His,
vickie
Now for the update from our trip! We are all back and doing well. This is the first time we didn’t have any of the team members get really ill. Thanking and praising our Lord and Savior for that! We had a couple of people have bouts with some stomach stuff, but nothing like we usually experience when we are gone overseas.
We had an incredible time with the ladies we were given the opportunity to minister to in the Middle East. God clearly spoke to the hearts of several of us on the team regarding some personal decisions we had been praying over. I personally had clarity from Him on something I have been struggling with almost five months. Sometimes I think the retreats are more for the team than the ladies, but I know He touches both!
I want to take a moment to ask every one of you who are reading this as a blog or as a "Friend of Pure Joy"….please take some time to pray about if God wants you to partner with Pure Joy in some shape, form or fashion -- not just as individuals, but your church. We have several retreats on the horizon for 2010. Each of those will need sponsoring churches. I encourage you to talk with your Women’s Ministry Director, WMU Director, and or Missions Director about my availability to come in and visit with your church family. We are looking for sponsoring churches from all over the U.S.
Please pray as you never have before for His Kingdom Work! Near and Far! It is time for the Children of the King to start letting others know who our Abba (Daddy) is!
His,
vickie
Thursday, September 3, 2009
It's time...
Well, the trunks are full and the team is ready and those awaiting our arrival are ready as well. Now it is down to the last minute details. You know the ones where no matter what you do you think you are forgetting something. And when you’re sitting on the plane you realize you actually did forget something but why waste a good parachute!
I want to thank all of you that have been giving to this trip and to the ministry through prayer, finances, and letting your loved ones go with us. I know that there will be treasure stored up for you in Heaven when the day comes.
Please remember to sign up as a Friend of Pure Joy if you want to stay up with us while we are gone. I will be trying to write daily updates and Patty will post them for us.
His,
vickie
I want to thank all of you that have been giving to this trip and to the ministry through prayer, finances, and letting your loved ones go with us. I know that there will be treasure stored up for you in Heaven when the day comes.
Please remember to sign up as a Friend of Pure Joy if you want to stay up with us while we are gone. I will be trying to write daily updates and Patty will post them for us.
His,
vickie
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