Matthew 28:19-20
“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, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen
James 1:27
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and the widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
Psalm 19:7
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
I believe that, as Christians, the greatest responsibility we have is to share the gospel and our personal testimony with others who don’t know Christ—to share what He has done in our lives. Without a doubt, the single most important thing in this world is love. God is love; therefore, it is the most powerful force that exists. Every person has been created with a God-sized hole in their heart. Each one of us has tried, at one point or another, to fill the hole with many different substitutes. However, the only one that can completely fill the void is Jesus Himself. There is no other way. Trust me. I know this from experience. I tried filling the hole with sex, drugs and alcohol among other unhealthy choices. In the end, I still felt empty and unfulfilled.
Until we receive the love of God in our own hearts, we cannot truly love another person with pure intentions. We cannot give what we don’t have. What does it look like to love another person the way God loves them? God’s Word tells us to think of ourselves less and to think of others more. We should put the needs of others before our own needs. When we give, we do so freely, never looking for repayment or some kind of benefit. Giving yourself to others will cost you time, money, resources and will deplete you of your energy. When we give with pure intentions, it blesses our Father’s heart. I believe that a great deal of the work in this ministry will not be fully realized until we get to glory. However, receiving glory and recognition is not the reason for this ministry.
Over the past year, I have witnessed God provide 20 warrior women who have dedicated their time and resources to assist me in this wonderful ministry of life and love. I am so humbled and grateful for each and every one of you. Because of your love and dedication, we are able to reach more women. For each woman that is healed, she in turn reaches one more woman. Gradually, families are experiencing healing and the transformation power of God through your testimonies. We make a real difference in this world. Moms and their babies are being spared from the barbaric practice of abortion. As women are saved, discipled and equipped with the truth of Christ, the cycle of death stops. Jesus continues to work miracles by restoring broken families through those who love Him and serve Him.
As Believers we are commanded by God to take care of the most vulnerable in our society—the widow, the orphan, the single mom, the baby in the womb, those who have no protection and no voice. In the book of James Chapter 1, “Pure religion undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and the widows in their affliction, and keep himself unspotted from the world.” How are we living out our religion and our faith in the Lord Jesus in this world? Do people know you love and serve the Lord? Are you different from the world? What do you spend your time and money on? Are you laying up treasures in heaven or on earth? God is Holy and He wants us to be set apart and Holy too. We will never be perfect because we are human, but we can keep ourselves untainted from the world. So, what are you doing to keep yourself separated from the world’s system?
I thank God for the day He had mercy upon this broken and depressed woman. He removed the scales from my eyes so that I could truly see my need for Jesus. Because of what He has done for me on the cross when He bore my sins, I can’t help but to share this precious gift with others. The greatest need in this country and the world is a relationship with Jesus. Use your voice and share your testimony with others. Tell them about the great things God has done for you. No one can argue about your experience. We have no idea the effects our work in the ministry will have on families for generations to come. Our primary purpose is to glorify God in our service to Him.
Building relationships and loving others sits at the center of the Great Commission given to us by Christ. Here, at My Ashes to Beauty, we share the gospel, pray, equip, and give each woman a safe place to come and lay her burdens down. I am so thankful to God for the good work He is completing in us and through us. Stay teachable dear one. Stay humble. Stay close to God so that you understand His heart for those who are suffering in this world. Then, you will be filled with the love of Jesus for them. Honestly, isn’t that just what we need—to feel loved and accepted by others? Now go, and share your testimony of God’s greatness and faithfulness. Proclaim His wondrous works for all the world to see.
Are you sharing your testimony with others? If not, what is holding you back?
Do you struggle to love others?
How can we pray for you?
Blessings,
Toni
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