{Missions Conference}

You're invited!

You're invited to Heaven. We should be living invites from God to the world---invites to Heaven. The world only has to accept the invite; the rest is already taken care of. Free one-way ticket to paradise. All expenses paid by Jesus' precious blood. 

I had the best weekend! So much so that last night I felt really down-in-the-dumps and I wasn't sure why. Then I realized it was because I've grown and been shown so much by God this weekend that I didn't want it to end. In the past 3 days, my church has been hosting a missions conference. Momma and I went to the Ladies' Brunch on Saturday morning, I went to the Youth lunch that afternoon, and then my friend and I went to the final banquet that night. 

God has totally challenged and convicted me. Yet, in His own way, He encouraged me more than ever. 

In order to grow deeper into a relationship with Him and serve Him more effectively:

• I need to change my prayer habits.

      I always am praying for myself and praising and thanking God in my prayers, which is good, but in order to be a true witness and take advantage of my mission field right now- school- I need to pray for all my friends, enemies, teachers, everyone I interact with. Prayer is so powerful and I have been taking that for granted.

• I need to read and study the Gospel straight through.

      How can I live like Jesus if I don't know how He lived? This is super important and I don't know how I have overlooked it up until now.

• I need to be expectant.

      When God works in peoples lives, sometimes we can't see it on the outside yet. That doesn't means He isn't working on their hearts. I always expect that people don't want to hear about Jesus from me, but people have a natural need and desire for their Maker and Savior. 

• I need to watch God work in my daily life.

     Pay attention to His weaving. He weaves our lives with other lives in a beautiful way. I need to look out for that more often because it gives me a sense of wonder of God when I do.

• I need to remember Heaven. 

     The main street of the City was pure gold, translucent as glass... The City doesn't need sun or moon for light. God's Glory is its light, the Lamb its lamp! The nations will walk in its light and earth's kings bring in their splendor. Its gates will never be shut by day, and there won't be any night. They'll bring the glory and honor of the nations into the City. Nothing dirty or defiled will get into the City, and no one who defiles or deceives. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life will get in.

~Revelation 21:21-27

Thinking about heaven make me more passionate about serving here on Earth so everyone can have that!

• I need to remember Hell.

     If I remember how horrible Hell is, I will be more passionate about showing God to others so they don't have to go there forever.

• I need to truly pay attention to people and see each person I meet as an individual soul.  

     Each person is an individual soul with their own story, that I should be involved in.

• I need to step out toward others, even if it feels awkward.

     So hard for me.

It was a beautiful experience! I've been taught so much and I can't wait until next year to do it all again :)

Love and Joy, 

      Emma