GPS 4th Quarter 2015

October.November.December 2015 Edition

Mentor One 4

Liquid Love 12

Project Kid 24

IPHC Women’s Publication

2015

contents October.November.December

Snapshots 19 8

14

Project Planning in Genesis My Expectation is From Him Using the Creation Story

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Liquid Love The Best Medicine

Trusting Jesus

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Amazing Grace

Biblical Grace

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Lay Down Your Life

Love Must Do Something

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Rev Up the Power

Holy Spirit in Your Life

Designer: Lindsey Snider Photo Credits: Fotolia, Lindsey Snider, Travis Hall Photography

IPHC WOMEN’S MINISTRIES DEPARTMENT EMAIL: women@iphc.org PHONE: 405-792-7132 www.facebook.com/iphcwomen ADDRESS: P.O. Box 12609 Oklahoma City, OK 73157 www.twitter.com/iphcwm www.pinterest.com/iphcwm

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A Place of Vision

r o t n e M

A

beautiful story of relationship begins at a time of famine and the loss of loved ones. Out of this time of suffering is where the relationship was developed that forever changed their lives. Naomi was going to move back home as her husband and sons had died. Ruth, her daughter in law, whose husband had died, went with her despite Naomi’s resistance. She was hoping Ruth’s life could be better with her own family rather than her uncertain future. Ruth’s faithfulness to Naomi in the midst of trials was a place of encouragement for Naomi that she is not alone in this. As the story unfolds, God’s favor is on this relationship and He blesses it. They are both provided for financially and Ruth marries again. A wonderful closure in the journey of life birthed out of relationship.

Ruth and Naomi’s relationship was a place where wisdom flowed down and encouragement flowed up. Both benefited by their relationship with one another.

Mentorship is just that; the mentor and mentee both benefit from the relationship. It is birthed out of a desire to learn, a desire to help others learn and of course God

One inspired relationship. Let’s talk about that. God knows the end from the beginning and knows when people should connect. We can call them “divine appointments” or “God meetings”. It is an awesome thing. Then there is the intentional, purposeful pursuit of what God desires for that relationship. Ruth was very intentional in her pursuit of Naomi. This is our intentional responsibility to the connection He has provided.

Mentorship is just that; the mentor and mentee both benefit from the relationship.

Suzanne Faure states this about mentoring, “Mentoring is a long term relationship that meets a development need, helps develop full potential, and benefits all partners, mentor, mentee and the organization.”

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We are identified as the body of Christ and all are unique, serving different functions that are each necessary to reflect Him completely. In every phase of our lives, we present our unique self and the gift of that generation to each other. We give in each place of our lives, with the plan and purpose that He has for each one of us in His kingdom. It is unique for a specific season; it is unique for a person; and it is unique for a purpose. It could not be done in any other season of life. There is a time for everything.

Mentorship is a powerful thing.

Christianity was cultivated under mentorship. Jesus mentored 12 people and we see that 2000 years later this cultivation has proven to be effective. We are now mentored by the Holy Spirit, His Word and the wonderful people God has placed in our lives.

We are in relationship in order to deposit into each other; to mentor those that follow and for the mentee to breathe new life and ideas into the mentor, all working synergistically and beautifully as God has designed it.

We are all here for such a time as this. That is an ageless statement. God has a reason for our every breath. So,

let’s hear what He has to say and live it in this moment in relationship with one another at every age, mentoring one another in love and raising up the emerging leaders to lead and cause God’s glory to rest on us while revealing the one true God to the world.

The Call:

Mentor One - To Be One and to Have One Let us purposefully and intentionally Mentor One. I am giving a call out for us to intentionally Mentor One person.

If you do not have someone to mentor at this moment, begin to pray for God to reveal the person to you. With this resolve, He can bring them to you or open your eyes to see the very person He had brought into your life for this relationship. You have something that God has given you to give to someone else. Now find that person and intentionally connect.

Secondly, look for One Mentor. This is an ageless proposition as a mentor does not have to be older. They just need to have something that you want; something you want to learn. God has someone in mind to bring new wisdom and revelation to you in this season. Find that person and intentionally connect.

God has a plan and in His plan we do it together!

A Note From Sam

I am excited to see relationships within the people of God catapult to new levels of flourishing.

As we seek to find His design in each relationship and the people He places in our lives, we can run with the opportunity to grow and cause others to grow.

Let’s do this - let’s Mentor One! Samantha Snipes

Director IPHC Women’s Ministries Ssnipes@iphc.org

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www.iphc.org/girls

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www.iphc.org/women - Leader’s GPS 7 -

PROJECT PLANNING IN

GENESIS Using the Creation story to plan your next project or event

W

hether you’re planning an event, starting a business, or creating a new ministry, it can be easy to become bogged down in the details and logistics. Many a time have I cried over a task list or calendar!

The Lord places big dreams on our hearts and it can feel so overwhelming when you think of what exactly you’re trying to accomplish. Reach a generation! Start a new church?! Create a business from thin air? Feelings of inadequacy are quick to fester in our spirits and next thing you know, we’re setting aside those big dreams or we’re

reverting to what we know rather than what the Lord has placed on our hearts, because it seems too much and we just can’t.

But the Lord himself is a creator, in fact He’s the Ultimate Creator! By studying how our Heavenly Father works and operates, we can begin to see a structure that will help us wade through all of those details and successfully accomplish what He has placed on our hearts!

Look at the Creation story in Genesis. This is a fantastic example of strategic planning that we can easily adapt to our lives today:

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The Lord creates the Heavens and the Earth. (Gen. 1:1-2) This is the basic structure, the blank canvas if you will.

This would be the “big picture” that you are trying to create, whatever that may be. Here is where you sit down and ask God, “What is it you truly want me to accomplish? What is the goal?” Always start with prayer, seeking the Father’s guidance, no matter what the project is. You can’t do the Father’s will if you don’t know the Father, and a dream will not truly be successful unless it is from the Father!

The Lord creates Light and Dark, Waters, Sky, and Land (Gen1:3-10) Here God takes that huge idea and separates it into bite size pieces. These would be the major components of your project. You may have 2 major components, or 10. Either way, write out the “big ideas” that would accomplish your dream.

The Lord creates Vegetation and Animals (Gen 1:11-13;20-23) This is where the Lord begins to work on the details. He creates inhabitants for each of His major components so that every area has detail and structure, and he does this systematically! He doesn’t just say, “OK animals, be!” He focuses on each area and calls into being specific animals and plants for that section. This is a great example to follow in our own projects. By separating out each piece of the puzzle and focusing one piece at a time, you can handle all of the details much more successfully. You may also have to rank the areas in order of importance. For example, you don’t want to drown in color schemes for your new Kid’s ministry before you have thought through your ministry model!

The Lord creates Sun and Moon (Gen 1:1419) This is one of my very favorite sections, and one that I think we can really learn from. By creating the sun and the moon, God allowed His creation to be self-sustainable. He didn’t have to keep creating new plants and animals! The plants grew by photosynthesis, and the animals were able to survive by eating the plants and reproducing. What a beautiful circle!

In our own projects, we have to create systems that do not solely rely on the leader but can function successfully on their own, with guidance and vision from the leader! This

system is further enforced by the final addition to Creation…

The Lord creates Man and Woman (Gen. 1:26-31) God empowered his creation to be leaders! He gave Adam and Eve dominion over His creation, to tend to and protect and cultivate in relationship with Him. It was a team effort! Now our projects differ slightly here, simply because we need relationship to function successfully. God did not need us; but we need Him! For our dreams and projects to be successful, we must accept our dependence and reliance on our Heavenly Father. You feel inadequate because you’re trying to do everything yourself! God did not give us these dreams and projects to carry out alone. We must first rely on the Creator to direct and guide our vision, and then we must create a team of leadership to continue that vision!

If you have a dream that God has placed on your heart or a project that you are feeling overwhelmed by I encourage you to sit down, and using the Creation structure, plan out your project. From the basic structure, to the small details, organize the entire plan! You can use generic terms and add in more detail as you go, but this system will help you see what to focus on first and what to set aside for later. But before you begin your planning, pray for God’s wisdom in your project. Acknowledge His rightful place as Director over your life, and give the Holy Spirit the power to guide you!

Kaleigh Bishop is a graduate of Southwestern Christian University and a born-andbred Oklahoman. Since 2011 Kaleigh has worked in the Discipleship Ministries Department of the IPHC, specifically in Student Ministries. Her areas of expertise include graphic design, social media marketing, writing, promotional design, typography, and event planning. Kaleigh currently occupies the Logistics and Communications Portfolio under the Student Ministries Advisory Team. Catch her blog at aramblingfancy.com.

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What’s the quirkiest thing about you?

I did not have a passport and had never been outside of the USA until I was 22. In the seven years since then I have been to twelve foreign countries. Since childhood I dreamed of faraway places and think how amazed that little girl would be if she knew she would grow up to visit the Great Wall of China, hold a lion cub, or live in Rwanda.

- Leslie Tignor IPHC Missionary to Rwanda

I have held a wide array of jobs. High school counselor’s secretary, statistical clerk at gas company, consultant for accounting firm, and dean of girls and teacher at Berea Bible Institute.

- Lydia Salazar WM Director, Texas Latin

Some people think certain foods should only take salt and pepper to spice them up. I eat my mac n cheese with sugar on it! As well as grits ...... they all get the special sugar treatment.

- Brenda Grasty WM National Board Member

I get really involved in movies, and by involved I mean I am emotionally invested in whatever movie I am watching. This includes crying, shouting out and jumping up if inspired. I am there in that moment and cannot explain why. I am sure it can be hilarious or distracting to others as these reactions do occur in the theaters. I try to keep it together but somehow it comes out.

Now you are prepared if we end up going to the movies together!

- Samantha Snipes, IPHC General WM Director

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A Place of Healing

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ach of us possess the world’s most amazing medicine, a medication for certain sicknesses such as cancer, hemophilia, and even some cases of AIDS. This amazing medicine and other medications made from it are saving more lives than any one drug that science has ever discovered.

In 1628 it was discovered that the blood flowing in our bodies was a “river of life”, causing doctors to begin trying to replace lost blood with blood of other humans and animals. Many patients died, but occasionally a life was saved.

But so many failures occurred that in the 17th century blood transfusions were forbidden.

Then in 1900 a German scientist discovered different blood types and unlocked the door to successful blood transfusions and the saving of many lives. “Universal blood donors” are those with type O-negative blood which can be given to people of all other types, while they can only receive O-negative in return. But then we have the “universal blood recipients”, which are those with AB-positive blood who are able to receive any other type blood.

In 1915 two scientists discovered a solution for pre-

serving blood which resulted in the first blood bank being established in 1917 leading to community blood banks endeavoring to serve their area day and night with a slogan of “BLOOD IS LIFE-HELP SAVE A LIFE”! We are able to show love to others and to help save lives through the process of becoming a blood donor.

Yes, blood is life and this truth is verified in God’s Word.

Blood is the very life of the Christian faith, and the world’s greatest blood donor is God’s own Son, Jesus Christ, who willingly and sacrificially gave His blood so that those dead in trespasses and sin could be healed and have eternal life.

In Genesis 4:10 when Cain murdered his brother, Abel, the Lord said, “Yes, blood cries and speaks”! The life is in the blood of Jesus which causes us not only to live eternally, but imparts the personality, nature, and ability of the family of God. We look different, talk different, act different, and become a new creation because of the blood.

Why would the God of the Universe concern Himself with every individual on earth ... Because of love! Because He loves us so much that He was willing to pour out His blood to satisfy His great love for the whole

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world. Ephesians 2:4-5 tells us that because of the richness of His mercy and love for us, he made us alive together with Christ, and Romans 5:8 says that God commands His love toward us by the death of Christ. The blood of Jesus is truly liquid love that flows from the very heart of God, the greatest expression of the Father’s eternal love for humanity. Blood reaches from heaven’s holiest place to extend love to man’s lowest place, freeing mankind from Satan’s dominion while infusing righteousness, mercy, redemption and healing. The blood is alive and proves God’s relentless love for us.

And in the spiritual realm, there is only one “universal blood donor” ... we can only receive the blood of Jesus Christ for spiritual life. What can wash away my sin (death)? Nothing but the blood of Jesus! What can make me whole (alive) again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus!

Dr. Brenda Grasty

Assistant Director IPHC Women’s Ministries

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My EXPECTATION A Place of Hope

IS FROM HIM Caregiver Ministry

“My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him” Psalm 62:5 NKJV

I

believe that God called me into a ministry dedicated to caregivers for I have lived a life of caregiving. I wholeheartedly know that God longs to use my hurts and challenges for good and as a testimony to encourage the hearts of others who feel so alone and lost. I share with you today in my thoughts an excerpt from my book “Brian’s Update”. What makes my book so different and real is that it is written from the actual emails I wrote to family and friends during my first year as my husband’s caregiver.

Read and know that this was my heart at one of the worst moments of my entire life. One thing I can promise you is that God NEVER left me nor forsake me.

From my book “Brian’s Update”...

As I sit this morning in Brian’s room, I am only with Jesus. What a special thing I have learned to enjoy.

Jesus and I sit together. I saw His face in the kind nurses this morning and He helped encourage me with words from one of the nurse’s aids who transported Brian downstairs.

All of my life I have been afraid to be alone. This morning I finally realized that I never have to be. I feel a peace that I know can only come from the Lord. I feel comfort. I long for this to be over, but I know that God is in it all. I sit this morning and Praise God’s name.

How funny that may seem to you. I sit here this morning greatly and abundantly blessed by the Master.

We have been able to tap into the awesome power of God. He is alive and working in our lives and in our unfortunate circumstances. He is in ultimate control.

What a humbling place we are in to know that we can-

not heal Brian. To understand our inability to “fix” things is at first frightening, but then becomes comforting. I am so happy that I do not have to make the decisions and God does. What a relief to me! Please know today that God loves YOU! Please know that God wants to be the Master of your heart and life.

Please know that God wants what’s best for you.

God wants you to be happy and wants to make your situation or circumstances better. When you feel that God has left you, He is so close. You just have to open yourself to Him fully if you want Him to enter into your problem. Brian’s condition and journey of fear and uncertainty is his and my testimony. God has called Brian in a special ministry to touch lives and bring hearts to Jesus Christ.

Each person that God has sent into our journey has been placed there for a reason. God really does have a plan. A special friend wrote to me once and said that life is like a big puzzle. We can only see the one piece that we hold and that God has the top of the box that shows the finished picture. How beautiful and how true!

“My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him.” Psalm 62:5 Jessica Daly presently serves as Coordinator of Research & Instruction for the Jerry Falwell Library as well as an instructor for Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. She along with her husband, Brian, lead My Daly Outreach (MDO) Ministries full time. For more info check out mydalyoutreach.com

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GR AC E

A Place of Love

I

A M A Z I N G

t was a defining moment and the Lord proved himself faithful again! I saw her and froze. There she stood, the one who had captured our hearts, then in a short time, wounded our family. I had prayed for an opportunity to visit with her and have closure. And there she was just two aisles away in a local retail store. I had a choice. My heart was beating rapidly. One part of me wanted to hug her and wish her the very best for her future and well, the other part wanted to give her a piece of my mind. In that instant, the Lord spoke so sweetly into my spirit and I made the necessary steps toward her. After a brief conversation and hug I returned home to have myself a good cry. You know the kind of cry? The one that leaves you looking like a raccoon and creates puffy eyes the next day! It was a cry mourning a lost relationship, the closing of a life chapter and praising the Lord for his sweet presence, overflowing love, answered prayers and unending grace!

Grace is defined as:

*God’s Favor (Genesis 6:8) *God’s free and undeserved love that

never quits (Ephesians 2:8) *The Gift of God that comes as eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23) The Lord has exhibited much love and grace to each of us in our daily lives! I’m in awe of Him and how He, time and time again, just forgives, forgets and encourages us to just keep moving forward, trusting and relying on Him through every trial and situation. Aren’t you?

Biblical Examples of Grace:

*Mary….Mother of Jesus/Stall Behavior/ Cross Behavior

*Esther.....Outward Beauty/Inward Beauty *Ruth….Daughter-in-law to Naomi /Ruth at the feet of Boaz

*Phoebe….Paul appointed her as a deacon because of her character & ability

*Deborah….Judge in a male dominated society

Proverbs 11:16 [If] this graciousness is the fruit of godly character, springing from a heart committed to the Lord, then such charm becomes a tool for drawing others to the Savior and for service to Christ in the kingdom. Such a “gracious” woman retains a great honor.

Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but not I’m found was blind but now I see!

Thank you Lord, for your amazing grace! Continue to speak into my spirit so that I may be a witness for YOUR glory to others.

Michelle Drake

Board Member IPHC Women’s Ministries

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DownTIME

Michelle’s Book Recommendations

Lazarus Awakening Finding your place in the heart of God

When Our Grown Kids Disappoint Us

Growing Up Social Raising relational kids in a screen-driven world

Letting go of their problems, loving them anyways, and getting on with our lives

Purchase one of these books for your next Secret Santa gift!

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A Place of Relationship

Lay Down Your Life For Someone

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ut if anyone has this world’s goods (resources for sustaining life) and sees his brother and fellow believer in need, yet closes his heart of compassion against him, how can the love of God live and remain in him (1 John 3:17 AMP)?

No one has greater love (no one has shown stronger affection) than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends (John 15:13 AMP).

I recently read a devotion entitled “Love Must Do Something” written by Joyce Meyer in her book Trusting God Day

by Day that spoke expressly to my heart. If you have the book you will find the article recorded for August 21st.

Humanity tends to relate love to a feeling; however, John 15:13 and 1 John 3:17 teach us it is about doing. In 1 John 3:17 when John speaks of opening our hearts and giving of our resources for sustaining life he wasn’t speaking only of food and financial assistance. Every believer has “resources” to help sustain someone’s life. People contemplating committing suicide have testified of being saved by an unexpected hug or act of kindness. There is a popular account of a student who left school with the intent of committing suicide when he got home. Along the way he was attacked by bullies who knocked him to the ground resulting in him losing his glasses and dropping his books. Another student saw the attack, helped him recover his glasses, gather up all his books and then walked him

home. Later it was discovered this simple act of kindness caused the young man to change his mind.

In John 15, Jesus said one of the greatest ways to express our love is to lay down our life for a friend. The Amplified Bible clarifies the words “lay down” with the words “give up.” The greatest example of this act of love is Jesus. But we, too, have occasions from day to day to do the same.

Joyce said it this way, “Every time you put aside your own desire or need and replace it with an act of love for someone else, you are laying down your life for a moment, or an hour, or a day.”

My schedule is like most, packed from the time I get up to the time I go to bed. But anytime I feel the prompting of the Holy Spirit to make a call or write a card of encouragement, or go visit a shut-in and I respond by pushing aside the pressing “to dos” on my list, I am laying down my life for another.

If the Holy Spirit is prompting you to do something for someone, go do it. Go lay down your life for them!

Janice Marshburn

Board Member IPHC Women’s Ministries

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y a d i l Ho s t o h s Snap

Know someone who is pregnant? Fall is the perfect season to grab a pu mpkin and take pic tures with the “little pumpkin”! Ge t creative with the pumpkin. . . . . write the due date , “coming soon”, or carve a heart.

Snider

by Lindsey otography avis Hall Ph Photos by Tr shop h Bi and Kaleig

It’s that time of year again when people across America are getting ready to take seasonal photos.

Spice up your new wall hanging by adding elements of who you are and what you like to do!

Find a great photographer and you are set to have lasting memories!

tmas your local Chris to ad he d an ds lights Grab some frien d the Christmas n ou ar s ot sh e ng your tree lot for som ts to it by weari en em el n fu dd Santa hat! and trees. A ies along with a or ss ce ac r te in cutest w

e up in g tents? Set on in ak m or g n pi Like cam s you the pictures! It give r fo rd ya ck ba your and adds a bit of e us ho ur yo of ilt. special memory use grandma’s qu the past if you

Flea markets, Antique Show s, and Pump offer great kin Patches scenery and p ro ps. Got Gra truck hangin ndpa’s old g around? J ump in the b some fun pic ack and tak s with aunts, e uncles and c ousins!

A Place of Prayer

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eing an encourager among God’s people is just as important as any other function or position in the Body of Christ. To encourage is defined as “to stimulate by assistance or approval” or “to inspire with courage, spirit or confidence.” Other words for encourage are: embolden, hearten, reassure, urge, support, aid, and help.

If we take the time to encourage people, we can give them new strength and new desire. Paul said in Colossians 2:2,

“My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart…”

How we need this type of ministry today.

By contrast, to discourage means “to deprive of courage or hope, to dishearten, to deter” or “to express or make clear disapproval of, to frown upon.” I remember the titles of some earlier popular movies such as “The Enforcer” and “The Terminator.” We tend to be “Enforcers” when we selfrighteously disapprove of and try to make people conform to our way of thinking. Then, if people won’t obey or agree with us, we become “Terminators” as we quickly judge and condemn them with our body language or harsh words, and destroy what little faith they had left. Unfortunately, this happens even among Christians. We can be a healing presence to those in our lives, or we can step over them and leave them wounded. Isn’t it much better and fulfilling to be an encourager instead? That is exactly what God expects of us as Christians.

As it is, living by faith can at times seem so difficult that the temptation to give up would seem almost a relief. But thank God we’re not alone! When one believer is struggling to keep their head above water, that’s when another believer should throw a life preserver to save and keep him/ her from giving up and drowning. Hebrews 10:24 instructs us to “…consider one another in order to stir up love and

good works.” I believe that by allowing kindness to come forth, we will be much more productive in reaching and keeping people for Jesus. People do not really care about how much you know or how well you speak. They want to see how much you care. They want to hear kind and encouraging words that will lift them up.

A lot of who I am today in ministry, I owe it to people who have encouraged me. Throughout the years special people have left memorable imprints in my life that to this day echo encouragement for me. These special friends believed in me, and this changed my life forever. I know that many of you can relate to this. This is what encouragement can do. Harsh words destroy and leave scars, but encouraging words give life and stay lingering in our hearts as treasures.

We need each other. Let’s give expressions of love, such as words of affirmation. Let’s give each other time and attention. The giving of gifts, acts of service and kindness, and even a physical touch may be all that someone is waiting for. These opportunities are all around us. May our prayer be that we stay under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to send us to those in need of encouragement or a special touch from you and me. It may change someone’s life to hold on and not lose heart. Your small ounces of encouragement every day can go a long way and could make a ton of difference for everyone you meet.

Lydia Treviño

Board Member IPHC Women’s Ministries

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A Place of Destiny

G

Rev Up the Power

iving gifts to family and friends is probably something that you are very accustomed to doing. It has been part of our culture for centuries. God has been giving gifts to us since the beginning of time. All you have to do is take a quick look around at His creation. He created the perfect place for man to live even before he created us. God’s Word tells us in James 1:17 that “every good and perfect gift is from above” and comes to us from our Heavenly Father. The theme for IPHC Girls’ Ministries week and the new school year is Unconditional Gifts. Gift-giving is an expression of love, respect, or a special bond with someone.

God’s gifts to us are an expression of the highest form of love. And with His

gifts, there are no strings attached. Have you ever given a gift in hope of getting a gift back from that person? God’s gifts are given purely out of love for us. He doesn’t even require us to accept His gifts, although He hopes we will.

While there are so many gifts referred to in the Bible, the two greatest gifts from God are the gift of salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit. And salvation comes with an added gift of eternal life! The second greatest gift is the Holy Spirit.

Just before Jesus ascended into Heaven, He gave a great promise in Acts 1:8: “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.” Boldness and power are part

of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Think about Peter before he received the Holy Spirit. He literally denied knowing Christ and went into hiding. This same Peter, after being filled with the Spirit on the day of Pentecost, went out into the crowds and preached his famous message. He challenged the crowd that had gathered to “repent and be baptized… in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.

And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).

After Peter’s message, about 3,000 souls were won into the kingdom of God. How can you argue that kind of power?

So why do we need the Holy Spirit today? I am saved; is that not enough? There is often even fear associated with being filled with the Holy Spirit, especially when you talk about speaking in a heavenly language. When we fully grasp the potential that we have through the power of the Holy Spirit, it sharpens our desire to seek that gift.

As we explain this power to the girls in the IPHC Girls’ Ministries classes, it makes it easier to use ideas that they can identify with. For younger children, that could mean a toy that needs batteries to operate. For older girls who might be driving now, or at least thinking about it, you can talk about the many options available. There are cars built simply to provide a mode of transportation while others will get you there in style. There are engines built for fuel efficiency and there are engines built for pure power!

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When I was a junior in high school, my parents somehow managed to buy me a small car. My little red Hornet was one of those cars designed strictly for providing transportation. It was pretty fuel efficient, but the word pretty doesn’t describe any other feature of the car. The seats were vinyl (and hot in Oklahoma summers) and the floors had no carpet. It had no air conditioning or anything else that might have been considered a luxury in the early 70s.

Despite its plain looks and low-powered motor, it got me and my best friend to school every day. It took us to ballgames and to church functions. It worked well for its intended purpose of transportation.

However, when Friday night or Saturday night rolled around, my little red Hornet sat in my driveway. Why? Because Karlene, my best friend who would ride to school with me, had a car as well. Her car was not very fuel efficient because it was built for power! It was a Corvette! I have to admit that I have always loved the sound of a revved up engine. And I love pushing the limits (within the reason of the law of course). And yes, it was a thrill to be challenged

by a couple of guys who thought they could beat us down the strip (street). We took great pride in showing how much power that car possessed as we waved bye.

Accepting the gift of the Holy Spirit is like choosing the

That extra power will take you to new heights in your Christian life. It will give you a boldness like nothing else. It power-charged Corvette.

will allow you to experience even greater things in the Lord.

Why would we be willing to settle for less when God is offering us the gift of power?

Irvina Parker

iparker@iphc.org Director IPHC Girls’ Ministries

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TOOLS for the FAMILY

>>QUESTION My child is coming home telling me that he is being picked on at school because he is short. Seeing how this is something that I can’t physically fix, what can I say to help him? >>ANSWER by Kid Min Consultant, Dr. Ellen Moore

There are few things more heart-wrenching than seeing our children in pain, be it physical or emotional. We naturally want to just “fix it,” whatever “it” is. There are certainly times we need to encourage our kids to speak up, say “No” or “Stop,” and tell a helpful adult. As parents, it is important that we not lose sight of our ultimate mission, which is so much more than making sure our children are comfortable and happy. Ultimately, we want our kids to “love God with all their hearts, souls, minds, and strength, and love their neighbors as themselves” (Deut. 6:5-7). That mission is much more of a marathon than a sprint. It’s a steady process of training our children in “the way they should go” (Pro. 22:6), which includes helping them learn how to think about and process things that life brings our way in a healthy way. Our kids must be equipped to recognize that while our feelings, our interactions, our thoughts, etc. are real, they are not always true.

Truth is the weapon in our arsenal that we must be ready to use at a moment’s notice.

Unfortunately, our kids are going to hear and experience hurtful things. But as we help them learn to fight words and feelings with truth, that hurt does not have to take root in their hearts and minds. When someone says something unkind, let’s help our kids not immediately accept it. We can let them know we are so sorry that the other person was unkind and hurtful with their words, but quickly remind them that just because someone says something doesn’t make it true. As followers of Jesus, we find the truth about who we are in God’s Word and His Word trumps everyone else’s. So when our feelings get hurt, we remind our kids (and ourselves) of what God says about us - that we are wonderfully made (Ps. 139:14), that He has good plans for our lives (Jer. 29:11), that nothing can disconnect us from God’s love (Rom. 8:35), and He knows what’s going on with us and is always with us, helping us (Eph. 3:20). These situations are opportunities to teach and demonstrate to our children what living life with and for Jesus looks like.

The first ever study Bible with an emphasis on the Holy Spirit. It draws kids into the Word, builds family values, and teaches how to apply biblical truths for daily living. There is also an interactive app you can download for free!

Just like the adult book,The Prayer Covenant, The Power of the Prayer Covenant for Kids provides an explanation of each line of the Kid s Prayer Covenant. It provides a wonderful and engaging handbook on prayer and discipleship. The first half of the book is just for kids. The second half is written as a teaching guide for parents and teachers.

Order at Lifespringsresources.com

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Stocking Project Metro World Child

Though not required, you and your kids can decorate the outside of the stockings.

Get together with the family and turn your Christmas project into an outreach opportunity for you and the kids! Metro World Child (Metro Ministries) needs your help creating stockings that are filled with toys or a $10 donation.

Visit iphc.org/women for further details.

Take the kids along to choose a green felt for boys and a red felt for girls.

Get mom and grandma together to sew the felt pieces together.

Download your stocking pattern.

Find it online, iphc.org/women.

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