"100 FOLD WORD"

Review of the Beth Moore Simulcast

           We all want to make the most of our life, but too often we find ourselves settling into a routine, or dealing with difficulty, or losing our enthusiasm. We were recently reminded that these distractions are snares used to discourage growth of God's truth and His work in our lives—causing us to settle for less than the best.

           On August 1 & 2, women from all over the Golden Triangle participated in the Beth Moore simulcast hosted at Westgate. There certainly were many glitches and hurdles the leadership team faced to pull the evening together. In the end, these obstacles only served as a reminder to persevere when difficulty arises, for God surely has a blessing to bestow! Beth encouraged us through the parable of the sower, as told in Luke 8, to persevere so that the seed God has planted yields a harvest. And not just any harvest, but a "100 fold harvest."

           This parable is one of the most powerful that Jesus gives, for it stresses the importance of hearing and understanding God's word. Without hearing and understanding, we lack the power necessary to live wise, God honoring lives. This parable serves as a reminder that even though we may hear Him, we often allow busyness, distractions, difficulty, or complacency to diminish His work within us. Without His power, we struggle along in our own strength, frustrated and discouraged that our efforts don't achieve what we are certain God has promised.

           To those "who have ears to hear," Jesus is encouraging us to persevere through the difficulty now in our life. Today, He is calling us to hear Him, and to seek understanding of His Word. There IS a harvest growing, despite the outward appearances. Our willingness to respond to God has an effect on its fruitfulness for us. Turn to Christ, The Master Gardner, and allow Him to cultivate His purpose to its full potential.

by Janelle Templeton

"Rolling for Jesus"

           Baking rolls or some sort of bread has been a part of life for centuries.  Even today there are very few people who would turn down a freshly baked warm yeast roll with butter.  Making bread with yeast is not difficult, but people decide they cannot possibly achieve results themselves.  They set themselves up for failure before they ever start. 

           Telling others about Jesus is very similar.  We don’t think we will be successful, so we never even try.  The neat thing about baking bread is the more you work at it, the more successful you will become.  Rolls can be so light and fluffy and, well, just perfect and delicious.  Sometimes rolls may not rise much, they can be “flatter than a flitter” and generally a disaster. Telling others about Jesus is exactly the same. Sometimes we feel successful witnessing, other times we feel like a failure.

           Cooking is one of my life passions.  I love nothing better than being in the kitchen especially on a rainy day.  If it begins raining I just want to start cooking!  I cannot go outside to engage in my other passion in life—gardening— so, I just cook.  I acquired my recipe for rolls from my dear Mother-In-Law, who I have loved just like my own Mother.

           Baking rolls can be a little tricky, but if you just follow the recipe, they always turn out well.  The most active and important ingredient in making rolls is yeast. Cooking with yeast seems to make many uneasy. It is what causes the action in the flour, causing the dough to expand.  But it must be handled with care.  The right temperature will produce perfect rolls.  Too hot and you kill the yeast.  Too cold and nothing happens.   

           That little packet of power is very much like the Holy Spirit—active and alive. He is the power in witnessing.  The Holy Spirit is the active ingredient that expands God’s kingdom.  Yet, Jesus says we are to go and share the news of Christ.  Are we going?  Not too much I am afraid.  Why? We are afraid we will flop, just like those rolls. 

           Are you getting the picture?  We as Christians do the same thing to people.  When we are too overbearing in our desire that others come to know Jesus, we may cause people to be turned off by our message. When we are too cold, nothing happens. If you try and be yourself and follow the recipe things will turn out much better.  You don’t have to be perfect, you just need to get started. 

           Jesus did not say when we received our Ph.D. in religion we would be ready to tell others about Him.  He said go.  If you know Jesus as personal Lord and Savior you are ready to tell someone how to find Him.  Here is a suggestion to help get you started. Write down your own personal testimony about how you came to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, in 100 words or less.  Keep it brief, and learn how to tell your own story to others.  It is your testimony and no one can contradict what happened to you.  You own it, and you need to take possession of that message.  It is powerful and effective when combined with the power of the Holy Spirit.  Always keep in mind that you are not doing the saving, it is the Holy Spirit who convicts the heart of the unbeliever; for down in their heart of hearts every person knows where they stand with God.  They either accept Him or reject Him.  It is as plain as that.  It is up to us to help them understand the love of Christ.  That is your job!  And, when you begin giving that message you will be amazed at the results.  Like the rolls, when you begin making them over and over you will also be surprised at the results.

           Once you are comfortable making rolls, you are ready to move on to cinnamon rolls, which are the icing on the cake, so to speak.  They can be made from the same dough as the homemade rolls.  Just add spices, sugar and butter.  Discipling a young Christian can be like those cinnamon rolls.  They get sweeter as they learn to walk with the Lord.

           There is nothing more appetizing than the smell and taste of fresh homemade hot rolls.  God’s Word also reveals the satisfaction that comes from a relationship with Him.  Psalms 34:8 says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man who trusts in Him.”  Don’t be afraid to take a chance making homemade rolls, or at witnessing.  It may be your creation God will use today to feed someone hungry for Him. 

by Gayle Jones