Spread the Word

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

- Matthew 28:19-20

I love this Bible quote simply because it shows the power of words. In this verse, called The Great Commission, Jesus is basically telling His disciples to go spread the word. Yet, it's much more than that. Jesus cares for us so much that He doesn't want one person to have to live or die without knowing Him as their Savior. Jesus wants His disciples to use their words and tell everyone they encounter about God's commandments and His unfailing love. He wants everyone to know that they are never alone... He is with us always "to the very end of the age".

So what impact are your words having on other people? Are you lifting people up with encouraging words or talking about people behind their backs? Most importantly, are you spreading God's word? I just watched a movie today called The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry and in it, Mr. Sperry says, "It’s easy to put others down, anyone can do that. But you be different. Stand up for kindness. Show the love of Jesus in everything you say and sometimes what you don’t say”. To me, this resonates to be very true. Think of how many words we say in just one day. Are those words kind or discouraging? Do those words include anything at all about Jesus?

In our world, so many generations are growing up not knowing God. You can change that. There are so many ways to share God's word. Just a few of them are: simply telling others about the church you attend, inviting others to your local Bible study or Youth Group, telling others about your relationship with God and how He has changed your life, putting a Bible verse as your Facebook status, or donating a Christian children's book to a family or friend with children. 

If you are shy, but still want to spread God's word into the world, here is a fun way to do so. Get a post-it and write a short message on it. At the bottom of the post-it include the name of a Bible verse that has had a strong impact on you. Now stick that post-it somewhere random: on a bathroom mirror, in a book at the library, or on a park bench. Then just have faith that the person who needs to see that message will see it. Just make sure not to stick it somewhere you will get in trouble for, such as on a police car. Not a good life choice.

If you do stick a post-it somewhere please take a picture and post it here. I would love to see how creative everyone gets spreading the word :)

- Nicole

My Adventure Book

Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
- Joshua 1:9
 

To say that a lot has happened in the last few weeks would be quite an understatement. Lets start with the fact that two weeks ago I found out that I didn't get any of the Graduate Assistant positions that I interviewed for. Major disappointment... at first. When they pulled me into the office to tell me, I barely made it back to my room before the tears started pouring out.  I have to admit, it was a little pathetic, but at that moment I felt like everything I tried so hard for was for nothing. Furthermore, it was a week until graduation and I had no plans for my future. Great.

Thankfully, God blessed me with amazing people in my life. When I called my mom, sister, and fiancé they all said the same thing: God has a bigger plan for you than you do for yourself. Here I was so upset, discouraged, and afraid for the future that I forgot how blessed I already am. Duh! Right then I chose not to look fearfully at the future anymore. I didn't want to see the future as being scary, I want to see it as an adventure!

So many incredible things are happening in my life right now. I just graduated from college (with honors!), I'm getting married in 89 days to the man of my dreams, and I'm on my very first official job search. Yes, teaching jobs do seem hard to come by at this time, but I know God has something great planned for me and I can't wait to see what it is! Thank you God for planning this great adventure for me and letting me know that I never have to be afraid!

- Nicole

p.s. Here are some adventures I'm planning for myself... my "Stuff I'm Going To Do"

~ Get my masters degree in literacy

~ Become an amazing English teacher that changes thousands of young adult lives!

~ Do missionary work

~ Make my first quilt... by hand!

~ Have children of my own and become a foster parent

~ Live an amazing love filled life with my soon to be husband <3

The movie Up is a great example of how you need to view every day as another adventure!