Loving others enough to serve them and share the Gospel of Jesus with them is God's desire for us. Here is a story that I hope will inspire you to be about sharing your faith.

Tina Blessitt a writer from Kentucky writes about her son Austin, who at the time was 9-years-old. He was having surgery to have his tonsils removed. Before the surgery, Austin 's anesthesiologist came to start an IV. He was wearing a cool surgical cap covered in colorful frogs. Austin loved that "frog hat." The doctor explained that he had two choices. He could either try to start the IV, or he could wait until Austin was up in the operating room. In the OR the doctor would give Austin some "goofy" gas, and start the IV when he was more relaxed. "So, Austin ," he asked, "which do you want?" Austin replied, "I'll take the gas." But when the doctor started to leave, Austin called, "Hey, wait." The doctor turned. Yeah, buddy, what do you need?" "Do you go to church?" "No," the doctor admitted. "I know I probably should, but I don't." Austin then asked, "Well, are you saved?" Chuckling nervously, the doctor said, "Nope. But after talking to you, maybe it's something I should consider." Pleased with his response, Austin answered, "Well, you should, 'cause Jesus is great!" "I'm sure He is, little guy," the doctor said, and quickly made his exit.

After that a nurse took me to the waiting room. Someone would come and get me when Austin 's surgery was done. After about 45 minutes, the anesthesiologist came into the waiting room. He told me the surgery went well and then said, "Mrs. Blessitt, I don't usually come down and talk to the parents after a surgery, but I just had to tell you what your son did." Oh boy, I thought. What did that little rascal do now? The doctor explained that he'd just put the mask on Austin when my son signaled that he needed to say something. When the doctor removed the mask, Austin blurted, "Wait a minute, we have to pray!" The doctor told him to go ahead, and Austin prayed, "Dear Lord, please let all the doctors and nurses have a good day. And Jesus, please let the doctor with the frog hat get saved and start going to church. Amen." The doctor admitted this touched him. "I was so sure he would pray that his surgery went well," he explained. "He didn't even mention his surgery. He prayed for me! Mrs. Blessitt, I had to come down and let you know what a great little guy you have."

A few minutes later a nurse came to take me to post-op. She had a big smile on her face as we walked to the elevator. "Mrs. Blessitt, I couldn't wait to tell you something exciting that your son did." With a smile, I told her that the doctor already mentioned Austin 's prayer. "But there's something you don't know," she said. "Some of the other nurses and I have been witnessing to and praying for that doctor for a long time. After your son's surgery, he tracked a few of us down to tell us about Austin 's prayer. He said, 'Well girls, you got me. If that little boy could pray for me when he was about to have surgery, then I think maybe I need his Jesus too." She then recounted how they joined the doctor as he prayed to receive Christ right there in the hospital. Wow! Austin had played a small part in something wonderful. But then, so did the nurses who prayed and witnessed. I thought about John's words in his Gospel, "One sows and the other reaps" (John 4:37). Austin's experience taught me that, although we never know which role we may be called to play, in the end it doesn't matter. What's important is that we remain faithful in sharing the gospel.

            There was a girl who worked in a factory and she became very frustrated by the words and actions of her co-workers. One day she went to her pastor for some help and began to tell him how difficult it was for her to work with so many non-Christians. "Pastor," she said, "you just don't know how hard it is to go to work on Monday morning and hear all the stories about the partying that took place over the weekend."

            The pastor replied, "Where do you place lights?"

            The girl, barely hearing his question, pressed on saying, "and you can't imagine how hard it is working with people who cuss and smoke all day!"

            "Where do you place lights?" he questioned again.

            This time the girl hesitated with a puzzled look on her face and then continued on. "Pastor, you couldn't possibly know what it is like to work around people that are so anti- the things of God and the teaching of His Word."

            Again the pastor challenged the girl, "Where do you place lights?"

            This time the girl stopped in frustration and responded, "Well, I don't know where you place lights--- in dark places, I guess!" The words had barely left her lips when it hit her and she understood the point the pastor was making. She was to be God's light in the factory where she worked. She left her meeting with the pastor that day with a new vision burning in her heart for what she could do to reach her co-workers for Christ. Over the next several months she led nine of them into a faith relationship with the Lord.

            What's the point... we need to love our neighbors, co-workers, classmates, friends enough to share Jesus with them. We need to realize we have been placed, on assignment from God, at our school, at our job, in our neighborhood, etc. to be a light in the darkness! We must take what we learn in the church and what we have experienced first-hand about His forgiveness and love and share it with the world around us. We must Love Enough to Share!

            Know this... you will never share with someone whom God does not love. You will never share with someone whom God has not dealt. You will never share with someone who would not be better off as a Christian. You will never fail as a witness for Christ when you lovingly and faithfully share Him with others.

            Most of you have heard of Rick Warren or at least one of the books he has written, maybe, 'Purpose Driven Church' or 'Purpose Driven Life.'  A few years ago our church did a study focused on the purpose driven idea. I was not here then but I have been through a similar study. Its' design was to help us answer the question, 'What on earth am I here for?' Rick has since written other books and developed other studies to help believers on their journey through this life. The one I am most excited about is called, "Better Together- 40 days of Community." In fact, Sunday, March 2nd, we will be starting a 6 week series based off this study. This 40 day journey will help us answer the question, "What on earth are WE here for?" Each Sunday morning from March 2nd- April 6th, I will be preaching messages designed to help us see from God's Word how we are designed to be better together. Then on Wednesday Nights from March 5th- April 9th we will be doing small group Bible Studies that feed off the topic preached on the previous Sunday.    

            Our journey through 40 days of Community will help us more clearly see how God uses other people, specifically other believers, for our good and our growth. It will also help us see how God use us to bless others. First Corinthians 13 will be the lead passage in this journey. It is commonly called the 'love chapter' and is used frequently in marriage ceremonies, but I want us to see it in the context of the family of faith, the church. This will be a great time for all who attend and I pray you will make every effort to be involved and help us all see that we are Better Together!

            If you would like a copy of the study guide and/or the devotional book for the small group study let me know or call the church office by February 24th so we can have them here in time for the study. Cost will be $7.25 for each one.

God is Good All The Time!

Jason Yarbrough

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and watch video answers from experts in their fields.

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All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name!

Have I ever told you that I really do enjoy music. I love to sing. I enjoy hearing stories of how songs came about and how they have been used to touch people's lives. "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name" is an old hymn written by a preacher Edward Perronet. This hymn has earned him a special place in the history of church music. It also has a place in missionary history, being greatly used in evangelistic endeavors.

Here is one story. Rev. E.P. Scott, missionary to India, wrote of trying to reach a savage tribe in the Indian subcontinent. Ignoring the pleadings of his friends, he set off into dangerous territory. Several days later, he met a large party of warriors who surrounded him, their spears pointed at his heart. Expecting to die at any moment, Scott took out his violin, breathed a prayer, closed his eyes, and began singing, "All Hail the Power of Jesus' Name!" When he reached the words, "Let every kindred, every tribe," he opened his eyes. There stood the warriors, some in tears, every spear lowered. Scott spent the next two years evangelizing the tribe. Wow!

Here are the words to this great hymn: "All hail the power of Jesus' name! Let angels prostrate fall; Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all; Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown Him Lord of all.  Ye chosen seed of Israel's race, ye ransomed from the fall, hail Him who saves you by His grace, and crown Him Lord of all; Hail Him who saves you by His grace, and crown Him Lord of all. Let every kindred, every tribe, on this terrestrial ball, to Him all majesty ascribe, and crown Him Lord of all; To Him all majesty ascribe, and crown Him Lord of all.  O that with yonder sacred throng, we at His feet may fall! We'll join the everlasting song, and crown Him Lord of all. We'll join the everlasting song, and crown Him Lord of all.

May God use these words to remind us of the power that is in the name of Jesus and may we be compelled to speak about His power to those in our sphere of influence. Remember what Philippians 2:10-11 says, "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." There is power in the name of Jesus....let's use it!

God is Good All The Time!

Jason Yarbrough

Looking for answers to Life's Hard Questions? visit http://www.truelife.org/

and watch video answers from experts in their fields.

Want to know what the most important thing is in my life?

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            Have you ever played HORSE? A basketball game where you make a shot and then others have to make the same shot and if they miss they get a letter, H-O-R-S-E. The way I played the game as a youth went something like this: When a player has spelled HORSE as a result of missing shots they are out of the game but only after someone has PROVED that they can make that shot two times in a row.

            Proof is necessary not just in the game of HORSE but in almost everything. You have to prove you can drive in order to get a driver's license. You have to prove you can do a specific task before you get a job. You have to prove that someone is guilty of a crime. You get the idea. To prove means to give evidence; to show something to be true; to test the worth of or quality of, specifically: to compare against a standard.

            What proof do we give in our lives that we love the Lord? That we love one another? That we love the community in which we live? What evidence is there in our lives that love exists? Love is seen in what we do. Love is action. The title of the book I am reading right now by Bob Goff sums it up pretty well, "Love Does." Love does whatever is necessary

            What are you doing? What am I doing? What are we doing with the life we have been given to prove that Love Does? This month we will look to several passages of Scripture to help us answer these and other questions to help us live out the love God desires for us to have. Here is one Scripture for your reading today, 1 John 3:16-18, "This is how we’ve come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves. If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God’s love? It disappears. And you made it disappear. My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. (The Message)

            Love prays, love studies, love gives, love serves...Love Does!

Jason

God is Good All The Time!

Looking for answers to Life's Hard Questions? visit http://www.truelife.org/

and watch video answers from experts in their fields.

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               In honor of Sondra and her serving these past 39 years as our pianist/accompanist I share this story about a girl and her desire to become a great pianist. Thank you Sondra for your service . Thank you to everyone who allows God to use them to carry on the ministry here at FBC Glenpool! God is looking for availability because He gives the ability! God IS Able!
               A little girl wanted to become a great pianist, but all she could play on the piano was the simple little tune, "Chopsticks." No matter how hard she tried, that was the best she could do. Her parents decided after some time to arrange for a great maestro to teach her to play properly. Of course, the little girl was delighted.
               When the little girl and her parents arrived at the maestro's mansion for the first lesson, they were escorted by the butler into the parlor, where they saw a beautiful concert grand piano. Immediately, the little girl dashed over to the piano and began playing "Chopsticks." Her embarrassed parents started across the room to tell her to stop, but as she played, the maestro entered the room and encouraged the little girl to continue. The maestro then took a seat on the piano bench next to the little girl, listening to her play. After a moment he began to play along with her, adding chords, runs, and arpeggios. The little girl continued to play "Chopsticks."
               The parents couldn't believe their ears. They were hearing a beautiful piano duet, played by their daughter and the maestro, and amazingly enough, the central theme of it was still "Chopsticks."
               At times you may feel like you're a nobody, that you will never accomplish great things. But think of that little girl. All she could play was "Chopsticks." Nobody wanted to hear "Chopsticks." It was an embarrassment to her parents and annoying to everyone else. Yet the maestro encouraged her to keep on playing.
               God knows what you can do. He created you with gifts and talents. Sure, compared to some people's abilities, your gifts and talents may seem like "Chopsticks"-not very original and not very spectacular. But God says, "Keep on playing-and make some room on the piano bench for Me." God is able to take the little that we are able to do and turn it into something beautiful for Him.

God is Good All The Time!

Jason Yarbrough

Looking for answers to Life's Hard Questions? visit http://www.truelife.org/

and watch video answers from experts in their fields.

Want to know what the most important thing is in my life?

Then visit www.mostimportantthing.org and enter my name.

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                At the first of the year I made a post on my Facebook page asking for book suggestions to add to my reading list for 2014. This came about as a result of recognizing my need to spend more time reading, challenging my mind and stretching me out of my comfort zone. I received many good suggestions and I am pleased to say that by the time you read this article I will have finished my first book of the new year. I know, some of you have already read several books this year, but for me this is a big deal!!

                The book title is "God Is Able" by Priscilla Shirer. Vickie was reading the book and said she thought I should read it along with her because it was focusing on one of my favorite Bible verses, Ephesians 3:20-21..."Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever, Amen." (Note to the guys....it's a good idea to listen to your wife--- God did give her to you as a helper) The book was a great reminder that no matter what you are facing, what you are going through, what decision you have to make---- God can handle it-- He IS Able!

                Why do I share that with you? It has to do with me committing myself to Him to make the biggest impact I can for Him with the days He gives me. It has to do with growing. For me growing in my relationship with the Lord included adding more reading. It also includes spending more time with Him in prayer, more time in community with others- developing relationships, and sharing Christ more faithfully among other things.

                Here's to growing - will you join me on your own personal journey of growing in Christ? I am  starting book number 2, "Love Does" by Bob Goff, and I can't wait to see what God has to teach me this week!

God is Good All The Time!

Jason Yarbrough

Looking for answers to Life's Hard Questions? visit http://www.truelife.org/

and watch video answers from experts in their fields.

Want to know what the most important thing is in my life?

Then visit www.mostimportantthing.org and enter my name.

Want to know what is happening at FBC Glenpool?

Take a few minutes and visit our website www.fbcglenpool.com