Jean Stockdale...

The Power of the Spoken Word

God has granted us the marvelous privildge of communicating through words. Proverbs 10:11 says, "The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life." Words are powerful. Properly used they can edify, encourage and instruct; wrongly used they can cut, criticize, and crush. Words are powerful. Proverbs 18:21 says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." Did I mention, words are powerful! God has given us the grace gift of using words to minister life to those outside a personal relationship with Christ through sharing the good news of Jesus Christ, encouraging those within the body of Christ or speaking a word in due season. Words are powerful. Use yours to minister life to those who hear.

God's Wisdom

I am currently teaching a study on the Book of Proverbs, God's condensed book on wisdom. All of God's Word is "inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work." (see II Timothy 3:17) Reading and studying any part of it is beneficial. However, the Book of Proverbs contains nuggets of wisdom for daily living. It is written in the form of a series of essays on living, given to a young man coming of age by his father. It is a road map for godly living.

The problem with most of us, is that we do not know God's Word. We have come to rely on godly preachers and teachers to give us bite-sized pieces of the Word, but we have failed to learn to feed ourselves with the Bread of Life. Consequently, the lives and homes of many believers are imploding upon themselves. The foundation of Jesus Christ is in place, but the evidence of a life built of wood, hay, and stubble is revealed with the storms of live come. We must become students of the Word of God. We must saturate our souls with the Word of God and surrender our wills to the Spirit of God.

Many Christians know the parameters of the Christian life, rather than the power. Parameters of our faith can be learned by listening to godly preachers and teachers, but the power of God is reserved for those who also become obedient students of God's Word. The occupation of every child of God should be the active aggressive pursuit of personal holiness and practical righteousness. That comes one way, but studying the Word and obeying the Spirit.

If you have God's Word, you have truth. If you read God's Word you have knowledge. If you study God's Word you have understanding. If you obey God's Word you have WISDOM. Proverbs 1:1-4 says that Proverbs was written that we might know wisdom and understanding, that we might be able to discern the sayings of understanding and receive instructions in wise behavior, righteousness, justice and equity. Study to show yourself approved so that you do not have to be ashamed before God or man. (see II Timothy 2:15). Become a student of God's Word. Gain His wisdom and it will guide you through the minefields of this life and see you safely into the next. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Women's Conference

Just a quick reminder...If you live anywhere in the Memphis area, Bellevue Baptist Chruch is hosting a Women's Conference on Friday, September 29th from 7:00 pm-9:00 pm and on Saturday, September 30th from 8:00 am-12:30 pm. It is not too late to register. You can click from my blog to Bellevue's webpage and register online. The founder of the MOPS ministry, Elisa Morgan, is one of the guest speakers along with Gary Smalley and Kathry Troccoli, just to name a few. Sweet friends, do not miss this incredible opportunity if you can help it! As busy wives and mommas, we need these kind of teaching opportunities. Get a gang of friends together and come on. I hope to see you there.

Friends

This week in the Moms Ministry, I taught on the subject of friends. It is one of my very favorite topics. True friendship have their basis in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. John wrote that Christian fellowship "is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ" (see I John 1:1-3). That is, we have a depth of friendship and fellowship within the body of Christ that is not even available to those outside a personal relation with Jesus. Why? Because our relationships are based upon our commonality of faith in the Lord Jesus.

True friends are a grace gift, part of our birthright, having been placed into the family of God by grace through faith in Jesus. Proverbs 18:24 says, "There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Jesus is that friend. He has promised to never leave or forsake us. He is the ultimate friend. A true friend in the Lord is His representative to us, His visual aid, His ambassador to reveal the character of Christ to us through forever good and godly friends. We have the privilege of sharing in fellowship that is based upon a common faith in Jesus Christ, a friendship that will last throughout eternity.I encourage you not to ignore this great privilege, but to carefully cultivate godly friends and to invest heavily in them. Friends in the Lord...what a privilege!

Hello Again

I have not been a good steward of my blog! Perhaps you will forgive me when I tell you that life has been happening at an alarming rate. You can probably relate.

I have just recentely returned from a mission trip to India. In July I was invited to travel with 17 other Christian women from all over the world to speak at a Women's Conference for 650 women in Hydrabad, India. I will have to give you a report of that incredible trip at another posting, but suffice it to say that God is moving in unbeleivable ways. Many are being saved and discipled to the point that they are able to reporduce themselves in new converts. It was awesome to be a part of such a great move of God.

I have also watched God "enlarge my borders" in the Moms Ministry. I have taught Moms for 17 years at my home church, Bellevue Baptist. This summer I sold the dvds of last semester's study and the notebook for "Traveling Light" to three other churches. It is a study on II Peter that I wrote and taught last semester at Bellevue. First Baptist of Central Florida, Central Church in Collierville, TN. and First Baptist Collierville are all using the dvds and studing "Traveling Light". It is so exciting.

I am currently teaching a study on Proverbs that I wrote entitled, "Proverbs and Principles for Parenting Practically Perfect Prodigy" at Bellvue every Thursday. We started up last week but it is not too late to join us. Go to www.bellevue.org and click on Women's Minsitry to see the schedule of events offered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays for women. Belleuve is also streaming live video feed of Moms on Thurdays at 10:45-11:30. It is accessible by clicking on "watch live feed" on Bellevue's home page. Join us if you can.

Bellevue is also streaming Donna Gaines, our pastor's wife, on Tuesday as she teaches at 10:30. Let me encourage you to avail yourself to her powerful Bible teaching. She is a great blessing in my life personally and in the life of our church.

It surely goes without saying, but if you do not currently have a church home, please prayerfully consider visiting Bellevue Baptist. Dr. Steve Gaines has just celebrated his one year anniversary with us at Bellevue and he is a fabulous proclaimer of the Word of God. If God should so lead, please join us. God is doing exciting things at Bellevue!

I am in the final stages of contracting with Hannibal Books to publish my current Bible study, "Proverbs and Principles for Parenting." I am still stunned by this turn of events, even as I type this, but it should be in print by December. It will be available with dvds and cds through my website, in Christian bookstores, and through all on-line bookstores including Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble. "This is the Lord's doing and it is marvelous in our eyes." Craig and I are awestruck by what we see God doing. This is a "God thing" if ever ther was one. I will keep you posted.

Thank you for checking in with me. I promise to regularly and faithfully post devotional thoughts to encourage, instruct and inspire you. Please return to my site. My intention and heart's desire is to post new blogs every 3 days. Press on in the Lord.