Insurance Agents!

This post is by Jessica Honc!  She is so creative.  I guarantee you this will put a smile on your face!

 

 

TO MY FELLOW INSURANCE AGENTS:

Romans 8:38-39 (NIV) 

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Our time on earth is too short to not have a sense of humor. J

I took advantage of the early morning peace today to clean out my wallet.  Soon I discovered that I have been carrying around an expired insurance card.  Oopps.  As I got up from my desk to get a more recent insurance card from my “Insurance Information” binder (I am a little organized), I noticed that my daughter’s goldfish had also expired.  Suddenly all of these puns began running through my head regarding the fact that all of us will eventually “expire”.  Our earthly bodies will someday die & then what?  Well, if you are smart enough to grab the FREE INSURANCE OF JESUS, then you are in the clear.  Your insurance policy will never expire, even after your earthly body is caput!  What a good deal!  I love a good bargain.

Like a good neighbor, JESUS is there. (State Farm)

When Mr. Mayhem / Satan appears, are you in good hands? (AllState)

15 minutes (of accepting the Lord as your Savior) can save you……forever. (Geico)

It’s at times like this, that you can set yourself apart. (MetLife)

Our business is salvation, and our customer is you. (Wellpoint)

Jesus brings peace of mind. (Chubb)

Let Jesus be your rock. (Prudential)

Helping people live an eternity in heaven. (United Health Group)

Here is my thought this Christmas season, we should all become insurance sales people for JESUS.  Now, I know insurance agents can sometimes get a bad rap for being too pushy, so we should keep that in mind while we are trying to sell the policy we currently have.  A good sales person can convince other people that they not only want, but they NEED the policy that is in front of them.  By showing others the light of Jesus that lives in us this holiday season and all year long, we can become the greatest insurance agents ever, and we won’t even have to have a cheesy commercial to do it.

Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

 

The Persecuted Church

Last night, I was reading an article about the U.S. Army telling troops that American Family Association should be classified as a "domestic hate group".  This basically means that to them, people who hold to Biblical Christian values and "Traditional family values" fall under the same category as the K.K.K., Black Panthers, and Islamic extremists.  Is anyone really surprised that under this Administration we are seeing this?

You will not find this post to be all about politics, I promise.  First of all, I am not near intelligent enough to debate politics.  Secondly, I have one passion and His Name is Jesus!  He governs everything anyway!  I don't need to wait and see how this unfolds because I know the end of the story.....JESUS WINS!

The thing I want to talk about is the fact that I saw someone post on Facebook that the Church in America is under such persecution.  REALLY?  Apparently, the "American Church" has no idea what persecution looks like. 

In the world, there are approximately 60-65 restricted countries/states.  This means that these places have a government restriction on the Gospel of Jesus Christ being shared.  Of the 60-65, 2 of them are in Mexico and 2 are in South America.  The rest are found in the eastern hemisphere.  THE CHURCH IN THESE PLACES ARE BEING PERSECUTED.  What might that look like?  Believers are being skinned alive, burned alive, tortured, and made to watch their spouses and children tortured and killed.  If they are lucky to escape with their life, they are left with no shelter and no belongings.  Most of these believers meet in what is called secret church.  Most of them walk for hours in the middle of the night to meet in a secluded place to hear someone share the precious Words of the Gospel.  Some of these secret churches are lucky to have a Bible, while others have one page of the gospel that they tore out of a Bible before it was burned.  Real people smuggle in Bibles and provision to help the persecuted church.  There are people martyred every day!

These believers have made up their mind that at all cost they will not deny their Savior.  They are my heroes!  They can read the words of Paul and actually know what he was going through. 

I see a line in the sand for the American Church.  For far too long, Christianity has cost us hardly anything.  We have churches on every corner.  Some of them are much like attending a concert and listening to a feel good "talk" so we can have our "Best Life Now."  Very few believers are ever made fun of, much less persecuted, for their belief because the evidence is not there to prove that they might actually be a Christian.  It is time for the church to rise up in boldness and say, "No matter the cost, I will proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ." 

Oh that we would have the courage to say, " For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Phil. 1:21)  Get these words in the context they were written.  Paul was in prison in Rome.  (His first Roman imprisonment.)  He wasn't sitting in a McDonalds eating a Big Mac with his favorite soda or preaching to a large congregation in a state of the art, Billion dollar building.   

Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come

and see you or am absent, I may hear of your affairs, that you stand fast in one spirit,

with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, 

²⁸ and not in any way terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition,

but to you of salvation, and that from God. 

²⁹ For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him,

but also to suffer for His sake,

  ³⁰ having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me. 

Philippians 1:27-30 

If you are interested in learning more about the Persecuted church, check out Voice of the Martyrs and Open Doors International. 


 

Pure Religion!

Pure and undefiled religion before
God and the Father is this:
to visit orphans
and widows in their trouble,
and to keep oneself unspotted
from the world. 

James 1:27 NKJV



 

 

Did just reading that verse make you feel convicted like it did me???  If you have been reading my blog very long, you know that whatever is in my mind gets on this blog!  (I guess that is the luxury of having one.)  I have a reason I want to share this with you.  My daughter and I were sitting in the doctor's office the other day when I was reading the information below.  I almost started crying so my daughter had to know what I was reading.  When I read it to her, she was just heartbroken!  Since that day, she has prayed for food and homes for orphans during our morning Bible time.  We can live in our perfect, little bubble sometimes and I think the Holy Spirit popped mine.   

 

Here are some startling statistics! (All of these statistics came out of the book, Interrupted by Jen Hatmaker.)

-Of the 6 billion people on the planet, 1.2 billion live on $0.23 PER DAY.

-Half of the world's population live on $2 PER DAY.

-If you make $35,000 annually, you are in the top 4 percent.  If you make $50,000 annually you are in the top 1 percent.

-Someone dies of hunger every 16 seconds......EVERY 16 SECONDS.

-27,000,000 children and adults are trapped in slavery. (Sex slaves, labor slaves, child soldiers, child slaves)

-More than 143,000,000 children in the world have been orphaned or abandoned.  (FYI: This is half the population of the U.S.)

-Roughly 1 billion people in the world do not have suitable housing, and 100 million are entirely homeless.

In the last hour:

-1,625 children were forced to the streets by the death of a parent or abuse of an adult.

-115 children became prostitutes

-66 children under the age of 15 were infected with HIV.

DO YOU FEEL LIKE CRYING YET?

What about babies who are in the mothers womb?  If the parents have decided to abort the baby, wouldn't you consider the baby an orphan, because it has no parents to care for it?

-There are approximately 300,000 abortions in the U.S.A. every year. (That would equal about 53 million since Roe v. Wade in 1973.)

If we are to be the hands and feet of Jesus, it requires more than being a good church member.  We have to take our resources, abilities, and talents and use it to bring justice and meet needs for those who can't do it themselves.  At this moment, I can't hop over to Africa or India and minister to the beautiful orphans there, but there are some things I can do locally.

Coming up shortly, my daughters and I are going to the Hope Center (Pregnancy Crisis Center) to volunteer. (My girls are ready to now!)  Samaritan's Purse is beginning this year's Operation Christmas Child, where they collect shoe boxes filled with gifts for children all over the world.  (This is probably one of our favorite projects!)  Many churches in our area collect boxes for O.C.C.  This is something any family or organization could easily do. (If you aren't familiar about any of these ministries and would like some details about how you can get involved, send me an email at terabill6@gmail.com.  I will get you some information.)

Until this week, I had forgot about our local Christian Care Center. This ministry does operate all year long, but during the Christmas season they collect gifts for needy children in our area.  A Bible is placed in every family's gift set.  (I was told by the Director of this project that they are extremely low on Bibles and gifts.)  The very cool opportunity that they offer is for volunteers to meet with the clients who come to pick up the gifts.  You get to share about Jesus, one on one, and your children are welcome to come and serve with you.  How cool is that!

I do not want to forget that James 1:27 says we must take care of widows as well.  I have seen my parents take care of both of their widowed mothers.  (One is remarried, and the other has gone to be with the Lord.)  They were so giving and selfless.  I also have great in-laws, who are also my pastors, who selflessly take care of many widows in our church.  What great examples of what James considered to be pure and undefiled religion!  Hopefully, I have learned from them.  

There are multiple things for us to do, we just need to get in action! 

       

He who oppresses the poor

reproaches his Maker,
But he who honors Him has

mercy on the needy.

Proverbs 14:31

 

 

For I was hungry and you gave Me food;

I was thirsty and you gave Me drink;

I was a stranger and you took Me in; 

I was naked and you clothed Me;

I was sick and you visited Me;

I was in prison and you came to Me.’  

“Then the righteous will answer Him,

saying, ‘Lord, when did we see

You hungry and feed You,

or thirsty and give You drink?   

When did we see You a stranger

and take You in,

or naked and clothe You?   

Or when did we see You sick, or in prison,

and come to You?’   

And the King will answer and say to them,

‘Assuredly, I say to you,

inasmuch as you did it to

one of the least of these My brethren,

you did it to Me.

 

Matthew 25:35-40

I heard about Visiting Orphans on an E-course I am taking.  I love what they do and just felt like someone needed to hear about them!  If you are interested in Missions, you should definitely click on the link above and go watch their promo video.  Have a great Tuesday! 

Be Careful What You Ask For!

I don't usually post on Saturday but today I just am!  I was going to try to save this until Monday, but I want it to be fresh from my heart as the Holy Spirit gives it to me.  I hope that you have a GREAT weekend and have a great time of fellowship with other believers tomorrow.  I know I am looking forward to church!  I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the House of the Lord! Psalms 122:1
 
Matthew 14:22-33 NLT 

Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home.
²³ After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.
²⁴ Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves.
²⁵ About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water.
²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!”
²⁷ But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”
²⁸ Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.”
²⁹ “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.
³⁰ But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
³¹ Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”
³² When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.
³³ Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.

I love this story for so many reasons!  It resonates so much TRUTH that the Church needs to hear.  More importantly, that I need to hear. 

I have to tell you that before, when I have read this story, the emphasis was always on the fact that Peter started to sink.  Oh ye of little faith!  Why couldn't he just trust Jesus, right!?!  Today as I read, the Holy Spirit echoed in me, "AT LEAST PETER WAS WILLING TO GET OUT OF THE BOAT!"  That's right, he got out when no one else would.  He did not know the outcome.  He didn't know if He would stand on top of the water or sink.  As a matter of fact, the circumstances surrounding this calling looked pretty alarming.  All Peter knew was that Jesus called him and he had to go.

Many Believers want to be used for the Kingdom of God.  We pray that the Lord will open doors to use us or put people in our path who need us.  We ask for it.  BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR!  The Lord will take you at your word and call you out.  We begin to hear Jesus calling us.  We feel a tug at our heart to make a move toward Him.  It just looks too scary.  The waves are crazy.  It seems like a really long way to even get to Jesus and as far as I know, I have never been able to walk on water.  It seems impossible.  He's beckoning us out into the unknown!  Just like Peter, we're not even sure where we are headed, the vision isn't completely clear, but we are just following the voice of God for direction.  (Can you relate to this!?!  I am not sure of the entire mission Jesus has for me, I just know it's time to go forward.)

NOW HERE IS THE MESSAGE THAT REALLY CONVICTED ME!!!!!!  Step out of the boat!  Quit looking around.  Quit waiting for someone to get on this journey with you.  All the other disciples might not go with you because this is YOUR calling.  I have a habit of wanting everyone around me to be excited about what I am excited about at the time.   (I'm sorry,my friends!)  If I am dieting, I need everybody around me to be dieting. We need to talk about it, study, eat it, breathe it.......I think you get it!  I don't necessarily want to step out of the boat unless ____________ (insert friend's name) can go with me on the journey.  I think if I don't have someone along on the same ride, I can't do it.  For once in my life I get it.....I REALLY GET IT......He is ALL that I need.

We are all going to be like Peter.  We will begin to sink because we can do nothing in our own power.  They key is grabbing hold of Jesus.  His strength causes all things to be possible.  I think that is why Jesus choose the least likely men to be His disciples.  They were just real people with faults and failures who heard the call and went.  He took care of the rest!  It demonstrated Jesus' ability to use whomever He pleased for whatever He wanted to be accomplished.  He doesn't need someone with a good resume, He just wants a willing heart. 

This song is my hearts cry in a song.  I love it!  Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders. Let me walk upon the waters wherever you would call me.  Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander and my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior! Yes, Lord!!!!!!!

           

1..2..3...JUMP!

Where to begin?  I have not posted in a few days because the Lord gave me a specific burden that I felt like I needed to commit some time to pray for.  The few hours I get before the girls wake up is normally when I read my Bible and write on my blog.  I needed this time to pray. (I'm sure you'd never confess to it, but you enjoyed the break from me as well! LOL)  I have also had some sick kiddos.  (I hate strep!)

As I type, I feel such a stirring in my Spirit.  God is moving!  I know, I know.  He's always moving.  BUT right now, he's moving in me!  I don't know about you, but when He starts shaking things, He really has a tendency TO GET ALL UP IN MY BUSINESS!  It can really be uncomfortable sometimes.  I feel like the Lord of Hosts is constantly trying to push me outside my comfort zone. (Yikes!)  I feel like I'm standing on the edge of a cliff and he's telling me, "Just jump, Tera!  I am with you.  It will be the most adventurous thing you will ever do.  Can you trust me?"   (As embarrassed as I am to admit it, I am not really the most adventurous person you've ever met!  I have a tendency to stick with safety, rather than adventure!)  While my heart is screaming a resounding "YES" to his command, somewhere inside me, a trace of fear is squeaking out a tiny, barely audible, "No, I don't think I can do this." 

I have my things that I do for the Lord that I am comfortable doing.  I play the piano and sing at church.  I home school my children and dedicate my life to nurture and disciple them.  I support my husband in His ministry.  I give financially to help causes of the church that are reaching out to hurting people like the Hope Crises Pregnancy Center, Samaritan's Ministry, Soul Winners India, and A21 (Rescuing girls from Human Trafficking).  I volunteer for VBS and work with our church's Home school Co-op.  Oh, and I blog!  I AM COMFORTABLE HERE!  These are all things that are needed.  (Except, perhaps the blogging!) For some reason I can't shake this. I keep hearing the Lord say, "Jump, Tera!"  For the last few days, I keep feeling something that I am almost scared to share.  I know that when you share, then you are accountable to your words. 

Serving in the church is needed, don't misunderstand me, but what if I use all of my resources only on the church.  If all I do is serve the church and be a blessing to those who are already blessed, when have I fulfilled the Great Commission?  If I only chose to be around those who are saved and act like good church members, I choose safety over courage.  Look at that list above!  What part of that list is not ministering inside the church?  None.  Giving to a ministry is not the same as doing ministry.  What part of that causes me to jump?  None.  What part of that requires great faith and strength from God?  Those are all things I WANT to do.  I know that I can do them, because I have the physical ability to.  Trying to live a comfortable, sheltered life just won't do.  God's mission can make life a little messy sometimes.  Are we ready?

“The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me,
Because the Lord has anointed Me
To preach good tidings to the poor;
He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;
To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
And the day of vengeance of our God;
To comfort all who mourn,
To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes,
The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

Isaiah 61:1-3 NKJV

 

The one thing I hate with a passion is public speaking!  If you know me at all, you know that is so true!  Isn't it a little funny that in the last year, I have been on our platform twice to speak to our congregation.   I have a feeling that it probably won't be the last time either. God has such a great sense of humor doesn't he?!?!  There are a multitude of things like speaking that are out of my comfort zone!  For example, going to  minister at a prison.  Yet, I keep feeling a tugging at my heart to go.  It's time for me to jump! 

 

How about you?  What are you afraid of?  I could make a list a mile long of things that I hope the Lord never calls me to do.  (Like going door to door to spread the Good News of Jesus!)  I know people who have the gifting for those things, and it is NOT ME!  (It's so scary and my words get jumbled up...surely, you can relate.)  I am reminded of the song by Casting Crowns,

If we are the body why aren't his arms reaching?  Why aren't his hands healing?  Why aren't his words teaching?  And if we are the body, Why aren't his feet going?  Why is his love not showing them there is a way?

I DO NOT WANT THIS TO BE MY THEME SONG BECAUSE I WAS TOO AFRAID TO LET GOD USE ME IN A WAY THAT WAS OUTSIDE MY COMFORT ZONE!

We will not win a lost and dying world from inside the four walls of the Church.  I remember sitting in a class, probably ten years ago, taught by Buddy Buckner.  I can still see the seriousness on his face.  He said, "The only way we will reach the world is by being Jesus to the world through practical service out of love!  Service and ministry are one in the same.  You are a tract (piece of literature that Christians will pass out as a witnessing tool) in human form."  Simply brilliant, don't you think!

 

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon us!  His anointing can allow us to do things that in our own ability, knowledge, or strength would never be possible.  There is a hurting world outside the four walls of the church.  We need to go preach good news to the poor not wait until we can get them in the church so the Pastor can convince them they need Jesus.  That might look like serving food at a soup kitchen or collecting jackets for the homeless.  Who knows how God will allow us to share His good news!?!  It might not look like the way we think it will.  We are sent to seek out the brokenhearted and those bound up and point them to Jesus!  Go to that prison ministry!  Go serve at a Pregnancy Crisis Center!  Bring food to the widow.  Keep children for a single mother.  Bless someone who has found themselves in a financial mess.  WE HAVE WHAT THEY NEED and God will give us what we need when we JUMP!

It is time to plant seeds.  I don't know if you have ever planted a garden, but you can believe me when I say, IT DOES NOT LOOK LIKE THE PICTURES!  I had this fairytale dream of working in the garden to relieve stress.  You know, dressed in my beautiful 1950's Leave It to Beaver dress and apron, with perfect hair and makeup!  That it would be such a joyous occasion. Um...... I did not find that to be the case.  My knees and back ached from being bent over.  I was filthy.  I got attacked by ants multiple times.  It was not the glamorous work that I had set out for.  Working in the field of The Lord's garden is the same way.  It might be messy.  You will probably get dirty and you might get attacked.  You might get tired and sore from the labor.  Oh, but the fruit of your labor is so sweet! 

What does the Lord want you to do?  Are you willing?  Will you jump and trust Him?   

 

JUMP,
LET'S DO IT TOGETHER! 


1....2.....3  GO!