In Love and in Season

Christians are obligated to share the word of God with unbelievers.  There are times when we may find ourselves at a loss for words.  God will open the door for each of us to minister to the hearts and minds of those who are hurting, lost, and broken.  In those times we have to remember the words God spoke to Moses, "Now go, I will help you speak and will teach you what to say".

Each morning I ask God to direct me in my speech.  My time at Lifeline Village has taught me the importance of speaking the right word at the right time.  Roger Ray wrote the below poem and the words remind me daily to speak in love and in season.

Kesha Franklin, Lifeline Village Program Coordinator

The Right Words

Lord, give me the right words to say

To broken hearts that come my way
To those who have been hurt before
That, I not hurt them any more

To those whose hearts have hardened up

To those who won't hold out their cup
That, Lord, You long to overflow
With love and mercy.  Lord, let me know

That I might have the words to say

That I might plant a seed today
That glory would be given to You
Through all I say and all I do

Lord, give me the right words to say

More hearts are breaking every day
They're out there crying in the night
I long to help them see the light

But, fragile are those souls and weak

So this is why Your words I seek
And pray Thee give me words to say
That I, not one soul, turn away.

God's Eye Perspective

I know God is in control of all things, but sometimes it is hard for me to submit.  I like having a “to-do” list.  I enjoy the sense of accomplishment when it is complete.  Although I know there are a million things I need to do today, somewhere in the recesses of my mind and heart it is being revealed to me that they are not important. 

God brought me here in His Word this morning:

                "And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."                                                             2 Corinthians 9:8

                "...Our hope is that, as your faith continues to grow, our area of activity among you will greatly expand, so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you..."                      2 Corinthians 10:15-16

 As you look at that daunting “to-do” list sitting before you, ask yourself which ones will impact the lives around you for eternity.  Sometimes, just putting things in an eternal perspective removes some items from our list.  Do we still have daily responsibilities? Yes. Which do you think matters most to God--if we make it to the post office today, or if we don't make it because we use that time as an opportunity to share the Gospel or minister to a believer in need? To help me keep things in perspective and to remind myself to SLOW down in order to see these opportunities, I am reminded of Psalm 46:10.  It simply says, "Be still, and know that I am  God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."  My prayer for you today is Peace and a God's eye perspective when tackling your "to-do" list today.

Hazel West, Lifeline Village

Minister to the Hurting

A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones. Proverbs 17:22

Many of the young ladies that come to Lifeline Village have been broken by life circumstances and let down by those they love. Fortunately God is able to speak life and restore all that has been broken and lost. He is able to rain down from above and let the skies pour down righteousness (Isaiah 45:8). The opportunity to serve a God who looks down and only sees the best in each individual whom He created in His own image should never be taken for granted. Take every opportunity to serve God by ministering to those who are lost and hurting. The staff at Lifeline Village has learned to count every young lady as an opportunity to share God's love and word.

Kesha Franklin
Lifeline Village Coordinator

"No matter what good we do, God knows our motivation for doing it. God judges our motives, not simply our actions."

The Love of God

A song writer states, "If I say I love Jesus, but you can't see my Jesus. My words are empty, if they can't see Jesus in me. No more excuses I give myself away, because I may be the only Jesus they see." As a disciples of God, we have been commissioned to go out into the world and draw men unto God. The disciples were advised to go into homes and spread the gospel, but if they were not received then they should shake off the dust that is under their feet (Mark 6:11). What about when individuals enter your home? The love of God should be so evident in the home, that each person that enters will leave with some knowledge of God. If someone enters a home where food is cooking, when they leave the scent gets on their clothing. That is how the love of God must be displayed in the home, it should be able to saturate the spirits of the lost, of the broken, and those who have voids in their lives. The staff at LLV has been given the awesome responsibility of ministering to the hearts, minds, and souls of those who are weary, lost, and wounded . Each day and each resident present new challenges, but with God as our guide victory is always the outcome.

As we continue in our ministry, we must always remember not to become weary in our well doing. All will not receive what is being offered immediately, but by faith we must know a seed has been planted and will take root.

Kesha Franklin
Lifeline Village Coordinator