MARKED, Connie’s blog 1/26/10

I’ve been considering lately, the concept of Christians being “marked” by God.

We all can think of people we know who have been marked in one way or another.  Marked by tragedy, or marked by blessing, seeming to have a charmed life.

The dictionary says being marked is being “designated or distinguished by a mark; hence; noticeable; conspicuous; as a marked card or a marked coin.”  In Nevada, we certainly are privy to more stories than other places, of individuals who are an “easy mark”.  They say originally, a chalk mark would be placed on the person deemed to be easily swindled so when other people saw them coming, they’d know they were an “easy mark”.

Another definition of being marked is, “being singled out”.

In Ephesians 1:13 the author talks about our adoption.  It says we are redeemed through the blood of Jesus, and we have forgiveness through Him.  It goes even further when it states that we are chosen by God.  It says, “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.  When you believed, you were marked in Him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.”

So is that saying,  when I was saved, I was marked by Him?

Throughout history, when a letter or important document was finished and being prepared to be sent, wax was melted to close the letter or package and then the signet or ring, the mark of power of the person sending it was pressed into that wet wax.  When it dried, with the impression of the ring it allowed the recipient to know that this did indeed come from the hand of the one who owned the ring, or signet.  The seal authenticated the package.

When we are adopted by the power of God, we are forgiven, redeemed and marked with the seal of God’s Holy Spirit.  The seal marks us with the impression of the Creator, and authenticates us as God’s own.

You carry the family seal of God, the mark of the Holy Spirit.  And it is powerful.  You carry the seal of having been chosen, set aside, and marked for His glory.

Not only do we carry His authority with us, people should be able to see us coming!  We carry the distiction of being favored, blessed, called, and empowered!  It’s a trememdous honor to be marked for God.  I want others to see His mark upon my life in ever growing measure.

You are Invited!

If you haven’t heard about it yet, I want to be the first to tell you…You are invited to join me for a conference created just for you!

God made you for a purpose and a destiny.  He designed you to shine!  Together, we will celebrate, be encouraged, and inspired. You will hear great teaching, (Shunna Jones-Moreno from Oasis Christian Center will be our guest, along with her dance team and vocalists and band!!!)You will experience incredible music, enjoy fun surprises, and a fantastic after party Friday night.  You will be surprised at every corner by how much you are loved and valued by God – and by us!

We are also excited to host a baby shower to benefit the Community Pregnancy Center.  So plan on bringing any item you can, to help these young girls who have chosen life!

Grab your friends and bring them to the party!

Tickets are $30.00 and childcare is available both days. Our web page will soon have all the details, but you can purpchase your tickets on line NOW!  I hope to see your beautiful face! It won’t be the same without you.

We Did It!

Uprising Student Ministries has officially moved its service to Sunday’s at 5:30pm. This Sunday was incredible. Seeing over 30 students integrated into Sunday morning’s service, the launch of our new service time, and the addition of 10 adult leaders demonstrates the drive and focus of where we are heading. God is moving in our students and we are going to continue to increase our reach and influence in our community. 2010 is looking good!

Real Love

I am so inspired by what I see in the lives of my friends, the women of Capital Christian Center.    I keep finding myself humming the line of that song by Eric Clapton.  You know the one, “You can change the world…”  The verse says, “If I could reach the stars I’d pull one down for you, Shine it on my heart so you could see the truth, That this love I have inside is everything it seems, But for now I find it’s only in my dreams.”  I believe it does not have to be a dream, but we are changing our world, even if we are just beginning right where we are.

Last night we began a new class, and the women poured into our classroom full of hope for a new year and the new thing God is doing in them. I saw their eyes.  I saw excitement and expectation as some were experiencing growth they never anticipated in life.  I saw hurt and pain in others, with husbands who are in poor health, and a myriad of heart stopping obstacles they are learning to overcome.

I was reminded, how practical it is to serve God.  Being a disciple of Christ, a Christian, a believer, or whatever label you put on it, is not some lofty, ethereal, wishful existence.  It is an in-your-face, get-your-act-together, get-your-gloves-and-work-clothes-on kind of relationship with someone who knows us better than we know ourselves. If it weren’t that way, we wouldn’t be ready to respond to the world around us.

When we are personally transformed by the love of Jesus, it inspires all those around us to seek change as well, and that has the potential to change our world.  I love it that Jesus is out to redeem the generations.  One life touches another, and His grace connects us to the people around us.

No matter what comes our way, His love is stronger than whatever fear we face and it is more stubborn than any of our excuses.  His love has always been, and it always will be.  All else may change, but His love is constant.  Psalm 100:5 says it well,
”For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

May His love be made real and visible in your life this week!