Category: The Gospel

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Crowning Moment

Every year, my daughter & I love sharing our identity as “true princesses” to different groups of girls. I can’t even tell you the joy it gives us to see these little ones light up in response to hearing that they are exceedingly special to the King! At the end of each talk, my helpers & I have the little girls try on crowns we’ve brought. Here’s my favorite part: We have each girl turn and look at herself in the mirror with the crown on! Each girl-every time-every year-responds the same way-they smile!! My prayer is always that they continue to believe who they are in Jesus as they grow up. Some kind parents have asked for a copy of this little talk to discuss at home. Finally, I remembered! Here are some example notes and a bit of the talk time! May it bless your girls!

 

CROWN Talk

 All of us love to dress up and play princess! Today, we noticed that you can look like a princess. But, is that enough to make you a TRUE princess?” Could God-the TRUE King-have anything to say about this? Yes!

I. God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life! JOHN 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

II. We are all sinful and separated from God. ROMANS 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

III. Jesus Christ is God’s only substitution for man’s sin. ROMANS 5:8 “God demonstrates His own love toward us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

IV. We must individually receive Jesus Christ as Savior. REV. 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to Him.”

Your Crowning God offers each of us a new identity-as TRUE princesses! Can you picture Him offering you this crown? Now, when does this crown become yours? When you take it! This is just like the gospel of Jesus. We receive our new identity as TRUE Princesses of a GREAT King when we respond in faith!  PRAYER “Lord Jesus, I need you. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive you as my Savior. Thank you for forgiving my sins and making a new person…a TRUE princess!”

Princess Power (Follow-Up!) Did you receive Jesus? The Bible promises eternal life to all who receive Christ. “And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.” (I John 5:11-13)

Princess Training Time (How to Grow!)

1. Read the Bible to grow into your identity as Princess.

2. Pray-you can tell the King anything! He wants to help you! You are His special Girl!

God has a plan for you, sweet princesses!

 

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Time to Lean Out

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You may know this, but if Jesus Christ lives in you-you are a missionary. GULP.  Surprising?  If we truly consider the fact that Jesus designed us to move outward toward the hurting world, we are grasping His heart for His created world. I appreciate how Jesus calls us in Matthew 28:18-20 to share His gospel-He assumes we understand the absolute magnitude of this calling.  Something happens when we ask ourselves an honest question, “Do I really believe this is the best thing in the history of the world?”

Is evangelism a spiritual gift? Yes! Is it a calling for each of us? Yes! For me, evangelism is an primary calling… yet, He still calls me to allow Him to grow the spiritual gift of mercy through me.  When Jesus calls me to be a person of mercy in Matthew 5, He doesn’t add, “But, Tristie ,only if it’s your gift.” Don’t you love that about Him?! He loves to call us into new territory with new power to see a new side of God!

Friend, you radiate the kindness and joy of Jesus to the world.  So, be ready because -I promise-THEY WILL ASK YOU ABOUT IT! “Hey, why are you so nice?” “Why do make those kinds of decisions?” “Why do you say “thank you” to people?” and a favorite…”Why are you so happy?” 

What do you say now? 

I explain that I was a very different person who looked at the person of Christ and asked myself “Who is this?” Through the book of John , I discovered that knowing Jesus as not a religious act as much as a realization moment. I needed His forgiveness to experience His life! Then-praying the WHOLE time-I try to share 4 truths:

1. God loves each person.(Jn. 3:16)

2. All have sinned and need a Savior. (Rom. 3:23)

3. Jesus Christ is that Savior.(Jn. 3:16, Jn. 10:30)

4. All you have to do is BELIEVE! (Jn. 1:12)

This is it. THE MOST IMPORTANT NEWS EVER! Forever freedom from sin’s prison and the absolute joy of possessing an everlasting kingdom destiny. You are made for this. Let Him use you in this way! Look up and lean out.  

 

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Do I make room for the rejected?

This week’s challenge: Initiative with 2 people that are different than you. Pay attention to people who can offer you nothing. Initiate friendship with those whom the world mocks. Learn names, high-five or hug, & commit to bringing love to the “tax collectors” around you. Every person you’ve ever seen or will see is made in the image of God. May He open our hearts!❤️#jesus #love #untouchable#uncool #outsider #lonely #sick #imageofgod#bookofjohn #bookofmark #bookofluke#bookofmatthew #lookforthelonely