Spreading the Gospel One on One

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Honestly, I don't usually do this. I'm talking about like witnessing to people or evangelizing.

I know the Lord would like His children to do that. I mean, Jesus said that in the Bible, so I guess it is His command to His children.

Like I said, that is not my spiritual gift. My husband, on the other hand, his spiritual gift is pastor/shepherding. So, really, if he wanted to ever do that, he would be really good at it. He also has a lot of bible knowledge. He actually is teaching Bible study with some of the family, some Sundays.

I'm a child of God, so, of course, I would like to do it. But it doesn't come easy to me. So, my heart doesn't jump at the first opportunity. However, if I'm in a situation, I would share what Jesus did for us, the sinners, and if you believe that, you would go to heaven and be with Jesus forever.

Since I don't really have the head knowledge, what I use is passion. And another way I share Jesus is through my "Deep Thoughts from Samantha" blog. I really hope many people who read my blog are getting encouraged. Can you let me know? I would love that!

What is your spiritual gift?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for today. Thank you for who You are. Thank you for blessing us with spiritual gifts. I pray that we will use our gifts to spread Your name. We love you, Lord. We pray all these things in Jesus' name. Amen.

Questions for Reflection:

1. Do you know what your spiritual gifts are?

2. How can you use your spiritual gift to spread the name of Jesus?

Thank you, everybody, for listening to my "Deep Thoughts!" Have a Blessed Day! Remember to smile because Jesus loves you!!!

Words - Hawk Nelson

Matthew 28:19 ESV 

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Psalm 96:3 ESV 

Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!

Romans 1:16 ESV 

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Tatay's Love

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I think this is a late post in celebration of Father's Day last Sunday.  I have three men who are important in my life.  Well, actually four, including my husband. 

My Heavenly Father, who has known me since before birth.  My Dad, who has known me since birth. My Papa, who has known me since I started dating my husband, Joe.

I really thank God for creating fathers.  What comes to mind is this.

There's this one show where there was a little kid who was asked by the host if the man in the audience was his father. The kid said, "No."  But quickly he said,  "That's my dad!"

I guess the word Father sounds too formal.  The word Dad sounds more relaxed.  I don't know.  That's just my deep thought.

Let me end my writing by explaining the meaning of my title.  Tatay, is Tagalog for Dad.  I don't really use this word, but other Filipinos probably do.  To all Dads or Tatays, thank you for your never-ending love, guidance, and support!   Happy Blessed Father's Day!!!

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank you for who You are.  Thank you for providing father figures in our lives.  I pray that we will always be mindful of expressing our appreciation for them.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

Questions for reflection:

1) Did you express your love and appreciation to your Heavenly Father today?

2) Did you express your love and appreciation to your father today?

3)  Did you express your love and appreciation to your earthly father figures today?

Thank you, everybody, for listening to my Deep Thoughts!  Have a Blessed Day!  Remember to smile because Jesus loves you!

Chris Tomlin - Good Good Father ft. Pat Barrett

Psalm 103:13 ESV

As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him.

1 Corinthians 8:6 ESV

Yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist.

John 1:12 ESV

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,

Blind

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If one is blind, what does that mean? That means one does not see! Duh!

What comes to mind is this. There really are people out there, myself included, who don't see the goodness of God. Actually, thank God, because I do now. I didn't before. But now I do.

It's quite sad because there really are people who are blind and don't see our awesome God. They only see what they want to see. I know it sounds confusing, right? Let me elaborate.

I think of loved ones who have lost loved ones who have passed away. Death is a part of life. Death is a part of humanity. It wouldn't even be here if Adam and Eve had not messed it up!

So, blame them! Don't blame God for the death of your loved one. Get it now? That's what I mean when I talk about being blind!

Fun memory! Pause, break! I am remembering when I was around 14 years old. I was at the FC Mall with my friends. I remember I was excited to go to this one store. I was running to the door and hit my face and forehead on a closed glass door that was supposed to be open! I think it was closed for cleaning. I don't know. I forgot. That was more than 20 years ago. You really expect me to remember?! Anyway, back to my writing.

So, yeah, let me end my writing with this. I had a question for Joe regarding the previous owners of our condo. I said, "Anything?" Joe said, "Anything I can see or touch belongs to us." (Talking about the previous owner of our condo leaving stuff when they moved out.) So, that brought to mind that anything we can see or touch belongs to God! What can you see or touch that you are thankful for today?

Prayer and Reflection

Psalm 24:1 ESV 

A Psalm of David. The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein,

Deuteronomy 10:14 ESV

Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it.

Exodus 19:5 ESV 

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine;

Blind Man Sat by the Road by Divine Hymns

We are Hyporcrites

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First of all, well, I know that there are times I can be a hypocrite. Because I'm pretty sure I know all about myself. Actually, God is the one who knows the full me, even things about myself I don't even know. Now, when it comes to you guys being hypocrites, how do I know that? I don't! So, I plead the Fifth and am not going to say anything about you guys and hypocrisy. Thank you.

Now, let's go back to what I was saying about me being a hypocrite. Now it's not like I'm a hypocrite. Well, it is not like I'm a hypocrite 24/7! Maybe there are some people who cater to that kind of lifestyle. And that's just crazy talk! But, again, I repeat that is just not me!

Hypocrisy. Well, I know God doesn't like that. What comes to mind is this: people know that you are a Christian, and other people don't really know what that means. And your testimony is making God look bad. Now, if God looks bad, why would other people want a relationship with Him? Think about it. You tell people about what is found in the Word of God. You tell people about applying what you read to everyday life. You yourself don't practice what you preach. Stop doing that. God doesn't like you being a hypocrite.

Prayer and Reflection

1 John 4:20 ESV 

If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.

Matthew 7:5 ESV

You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

Matthew 6:1 ESV

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

James 1:26 ESV 

If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.

DC Talk - What if I Stumble?

50/50 Life

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I remember way back in college when I was in one of my Communications classes. It's weird. I remember the face of my professor. I remember this one assignment he wanted us to do.

It was so interesting. So interesting, I still remember what the assignment was more than 20 years later. It was something like this.

My professor wanted all of his students to pretend like we were gone, like we had passed away. And, he wanted us to think about what would be in our obituary. I know it sounds interesting, right?

Well, I remember I wrote that I was a down-to-earth woman with a contagious smile and a bubbly personality. More importantly, I am a daughter of God. Because of that, I was so happy because I knew where I would be going after I died. I know some people don't even like to hear or talk about that. I know! That is stupid because it is inevitable. Meaning, one day you will die. One day I will die.

The question you should be asking yourself is,-- are you assured that when you die, you will go to heaven? If not, did you know there is a way you can be assured? Let me summarize it for you in one Bible verse:

1 John 5:11-12 NIV

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Let me share this deep thought that my caregiver Jessica shared with me. She said that if you think of the horror of hell always you would always want to be in heaven when you die.

Prayer and Reflection

Michael W. Smith - In Christ Alone

Follow Jesus

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Before people accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior, they usually have to give up something. So it's probably God in exchange for giving up drugs, adultery, pornography, or something else that is not good in the eyes of God. Personally, I gave up something, and it was the best decision of my life.

That is the thing. The exchange is pretty fundamental. And, like I said, for me, the acceptance of Jesus Christ coming into my life was the best decision I ever made. I decided to follow Jesus. Maybe you are at a time right now where you have to make this kind of exchange.

I have decided to follow Jesus - Lydia Walker

Matthew 19:21: "Then Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me.”

Luke 9:23:
"And he said to all, “If any one desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”

Matthew 6:24:
"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”