Witnessing to Children at Christmas-time

Couldn't be a better time to share the love of Jesus than in the glowing, festive season of expectation that Christmas brings with it.  And Christmas is definitely about giving... so I have a wonderful outreach idea for blessing children, that includes a free PDF you can print out.

The bare bones...
This is basically a 'be excellent in character' message from Jesus that incorporates a future hope along with the reason for Christmas. The 'character' theme is fun because we will be including a lego 'character kit' as part of the gift.

It is designed "2-up" and will be printed on both sides, cut in half and folded "card style".

The Message...
(Here is the body of the message included in the PDF):

I know Christmas is my birthday celebration, and usually the birthday boy is the one who gets the cards.  But I wanted to give you something in this very special season because you are very special to me.
It is a 'busy-busy' season, but we can learn a lot from the wise men that visited me on my birthday.  They stopped their worldly activities, sought the Savior, and offered a special gift to me.
Just as Christmas decorations make our homes pretty, so our lives can be beautiful when they are “decorated” with 'godly character' such as kindness, love, giving, faithfulness, gentleness, contentment and respect for others.
On that first Christmas morning, I may have been just a baby, but I had you in mind. Long before you were born, I knew you.  I came because I love you.  Just like there is a plan for this fun character you build… I have a great plan for you! Here is a special word from Me to you:

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.”  John 14:1-3

Someday we will meet face to face.  Until then, keep building godly character.  Have a very Merry Christmas.
Love,  Jesus

Things you will need:
• Preferably yellow copy paper, cardstock weight if you can.
• A lego or lego-style mini character kit
• Christmas treat bag

*Note:  I used a 'knock-off' of lego to keep the costs down.  I was able to find them sold in lots of '10' (bulk) on ebay.  We wrote "Merry Christmas" and my son signed his name before we taped the lego kit down... so it's like a nice surprise found after the kit is removed.

I simply tape the lego 'character kit' on the inside of the card.

An Encourager...
It's getting harder and harder to speak "Jesus" in schools today so I'm always on the look-out for ways to keep the door open.  In my case, the school ships the kids in a bus on fridays to the church across the street for "Religious Enrichment"... an opt program that must be parent-approved, and YAY, it's just Christian.  Every kid in the class has consent & goes to it! But that is my back up plan....we are going to try our "Building Good Character" gift as an elementary school Christmas party gift.  Where will you use it?  Homeless shelters, neighborhood kids, those once-a-year visitors at your Christmas church services... be creative!

I want to encourage any of you... especially if you are in an 'easy' community that hasn't succumbed to the pressures of atheistic culture, and if everyone is just fine with Jesus... to not be afraid to let the majority rule.  Make it known to the PTA that real Christmas songs are important to you & not white-washed 'holiday' mumbo jumbo.  Vie for the contested live nativity in the next town.  Encourage carolers and be a cocoa or snack stop for them.  There is so much we can do to spread the joy and message of Jesus our Emmanuel. It is only going to close up and clamp down more and more and the world needs you to stand for Jesus... for these little ones that need to HEAR.

Printable PDF ------>

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Spiritual Tips 4 - Tips for Teachers

Are you a God-ordained 'Teacher' of the 5-fold, in that the gifts have not passed away? If your drive is to open up and bless the body of Christ with any morsel of revelation of the kingdom of God. this is for you.

1.) Go with what you know. Nothing regurgitated. nothing from a book that you've read but not personally been through or God hasn't specifically shown you Himself. God gives all of us a facet if it weren't so then we wouldn't need a 'body of Christ'. There's nothing wrong with building upon more facets already out there, but if you hop on a bandwagon of sorts and it's not coming from the heart, it benefits no one and if it's not birthed from HIM, it's your own bad-self Pride that you need to be dealing with!
Some people put themselves in this position because they have a 'ministry' a 'following' that is expecting them every wednesday night at 7pm. Be careful people only do what you see the Father doing and don't get swept down the river with that old feeding trough trap.

2.) Go with what you know AND have Conquered, because--- you'll be tested by your words. If you haven't conquered something and blab it out prematurely guess what? You're going to deal with it some more. It's not only the devil that stands before God and says, "Hey, they say they are over it, I just had them a moment ago, talk is cheap, I ain't go'in nowhere unless they therefore STAND". But the enemy also enlists human weapons to rail against you, to whittle your faith down and make it even harder for you. Hey, let's face it the enemy is ruthless he knows you well. Your good witness is more important to snuff out than a christian that's minding their own business in unspiritual Logos-land. Teachers you know you're more accountable. If you don't have your 'stuff' together and the pressure is great and you fall what happens to the people that were listening to you?
I know, it's hard you start to get freedom and revelation and you get excited. But hold up lil' buck-a-roo don't let your excitement be captured by the enemy pushing you.

Part of the lie the enemy often pushes on people is that YOU HAVE TO BE FIRST. this is something 'new'. Nope, nothing new under the sun. There is no hurry if you are trusting in the Lord. You will absolutely know when the time is right to deliver the message of the Lord you'll be inspired, it will come out with an unmistakable anointing upon it; you will have peace and there won't be any feeding pearls to swine.

3.) God will bless you where you are at. No task He commissions you with is too small or unimportant. I have an immense burden to teach but one day He told me to do the bible promise series here on YouTube. That doesn't require teaching, just reciting from the good book. What I didn't realize is what an important tool, weapon and blessing it is for me! BUT, He knows! Now it's a referral I use when helping others.
The same with doing 'Children's Church'. I simply turn on the camera when I teach the kiddies & then spend some time editing & then what happens? My kids LOVE the episodes! Not only do they sit through it once but they watch the fun video after the fact! Do I want the word of God in me? Do I want it rooted in my kids? YES!

3a.) God will bless you where you are at because God gives us these teachings first for ourselves! As I go through old teachings, I find blessings there. Teacher, if you're not finding blessing in your own teachings-- if you don't feel that anointing there that excites you to go deeper--- analyze, was it 'you' or God-ordained?

4.) Look at me vs. Look at God. When you start a teaching as led by God, stay the narrow road. Are you equipping people or are you looking for accolades? People want to know how to go on deeper with God and how to be free. We are called to use our testimony, but there's a fine line there. Point to Jesus. Educate the people. And be 'Real' in your delivery-- don't only tell half of it cuz rest brings down your posh reputation. If you've conquered it, it shouldn't bug you anyways!

5.) Be You. God has designed you and equipped you just as you are. Don't squish yourself into the preacher on t.v. box of the month if that's not you. I have people call me a fake christian cuz I'm goofy instead of serious and stoic. But hey, I'm reaching who I'm supposed to all you cool people that watched this to the end!
www.hearingGod.tv

Spiritual Tips 2 Share It!

'The Skinny on sharing your Testimony'

Why do it?

1.  Why we need to testify...  It's plain in the word of God.... in the book of Revelation 12:11 "But they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony..." 

I also want to add that by stepping out verbally is part of a process...

In 1 Corinthians 2:4&5 we hear Paul say, "My conversation and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power so that your faith would not be based on human wisdom but on the power of God."

Your testimony is a shoe-in for people to be receptive to the power of God, and the process we go through is less and less of Us (as Paul was talking of those 'persuasive words of wisdom') but instead more and more of the physical presence of God flowing through us touching people.  So He's laid this burden upon my heart to encourage people in sharing their testimonies...  like an athlete has to train the body, we too should be taking heed of the scriptures and step out into being a vessel for the power of God.

2.  Multiplication with a video is wisdom.  If you find yourself repeating your testimony to people, consider all the people out there that could benefit from it that you don't personally run across.  Consider getting it out there 24/7 for people to come across and be blessed by it, by the direction of the Holy Spirit.  Seems like a no-brainer.  If you cast the net, Jesus will fill it, but the key is that you have to get that net out there.  Want to catch one fish... tell your neighbor.... want to allow God to do more, put it in a medium that can reach many.

3.  Reaching the one.  It's not about quality. The Spirit of God on a piece is felt regardless... and although multiplication is wisdom, as far as quantity... we could be used as a shepherd that goes after the 1 from the 99. So-- after publishing a video, and not getting responses, don't lose heart... you could be the only one to reach one that would then turn around and reach millions. Can you see the honor in that?  Some sow, some water and some harvest... each cannot live without the hand of the other and each is equally important in the Kingdom.

4.  Builds our own faith.  When our past is healed, we can give praise to God, which of course, encourages others (if you got through it, I can get through this too!).  The very act of delivering your testimony can be a powerful signpost for you.

So let's talk about Getting Hands-on and doing it!

From 'Bystander' to Participant

1.  Go with what bears. As I exhort you to share your walk of faith, I'm not asking you to throw all your pearls to swine.  If you have victory and you are at peace with a segment of your walk... maybe you are to only give a chapter in your life or just one experience.  There's nothing wrong with testimony blog style, so long as it doesn't focus on 'poor ole' me', NO, remember a testimony is 'look what the Lord has done!'.   

For some, you hold your audience better with small chapters of your walk then an exhaustive commentary of everything from birth to what you prayed this morning.  So also think of your audience... think of a person having one problem and your one segment of testimony perhaps only addressing that one issue.  I personally share tidbits of testimony throughout teachings…everyone is different, seek Yeshua for personal direction, Father knows best!

If inevitably, your sharing will be sharing pearls with swine  ..and you know what I mean... (Matthew 13:30a Let both grow together until the harvest..") sometimes it's better to reach the lost then some 'christians', who like to vaunt themselves over having a cleaner past then you might've had... anyways, if this is an issue but it still bears on your heart to share... get another youtube account, blur your image or put a picture backdrop with your testimonial voiceover.  Let there be no hindrance to the fruit you have to bear to help others draw near to Christ!

2.  Be real & don't sugarcoat!  People give the results & are too proud to elaborate that they 'know this' because they failed.... hey, I started to do this & God said "Ah, ah, ah... that's not what Really happened... you need to be real", and this is why; if you are too proud to admit the process...it just looks unattainable to people.  I think this is called humility  : )  So this is really the difference between a sermon and a testimony... a sermon says do this or that because of the character in this 'story' (again recall, Paul's mention of 'persuasive words of wisdom' in 1 Corinthians 2).... but a testimony says don't do it or do it because I'm a living witness to it's result.  There is real power in being the living breathing witness.

3.  On a technical note... you may not have a great camera or video editing software, but you can be aware of your surroundings.  Turn your camera on and speak a bit, then watch what you just created.  Are there any distractions... do you have a bobble head in the window sill? Not loud enough? Kids fighting or a cat meowing in the background, that might turn people off from taking your word of testimony seriously?  There are some quality issues you can control so take full advantage of doing the best you can... remember this isn't some story... this is a precious testimony of Faith in the creator of the Universe!

4.  Do you have stage-fright?  Consider writing out your testimony as a script you can scroll through on your computer screen as you record.  Or, invite a friend over and have them behind the camera and just focus on them as you speak or allow them to interact with you interview-style.  Worst case scenario... pick a spirit-filled person that your testimony has personally touched and have them share for you.

5.  Don't give up!  I can always tell when God is flowing out my mouth in power... it's because there is so much adversity in producing a video.  Everything you can imagine happens to try to thwart the production process. A video that should take a couple of hours from start to finish ends up taking days.

The enemy is going to throw all kinds of FEAR at you and excuses, but it's time you come off the sidelines and quit believing that you have nothing new to offer.  You have lots to offer.  This isn't about being a christian rockstar of sorts, or a ministry mogul.. this is about been there, done that... and my Redeemer Lives.
www.hearingGod.tv