Finding Fulfillment

 “I will listen to God the Lord. He has ordered peace for those who worship Him!” (Psalm 85:8 NIV)

My daughter and I love to shop together. On one occasion something made me realize that shopping wasn’t just something to do, it was a bonding time between a mother and daughter.

 At a clothing store one Saturday, we picked out a few articles and proceeded to the change rooms. We found stalls next to each other and we were soon engaged in a wonderful chat about our findings, among other things. Suddenly we heard a voice from the adjacent stall saying, “You two must be mother and daughter.” We both acknowledged that we were. Then the mysterious elderly lady’s voice said somberly, “I never had a daughter; listening to you both makes me wish that I had. You seem to be really close. I have a son whom I love dearly, but my son doesn’t like to shop,” she chuckled.

 We were speechless, hoping to say something to appease her sorrowful and unfulfilled heart. At the same time we realized how grateful we were to have a special mother/daughter relationship. Neither of us saw that elderly woman. She left the change room before we did. We were having too much fun trying on clothes.

 Throughout the rest of the day, we couldn’t get that woman off our minds. She must be so lonely, I thought. I wondered if she had found fulfillment in life. We didn’t know anything about her, yet our hearts ached for her. Was she widowed? Was she living all alone? Does her son live nearby? Did she browse the shopping centres frequently to fill the void in her life? Did she know God? We simply didn’t know.

 But God knows. The woman was blessed with a son, yet she hoped to have had a daughter to bond with. The woman was also blessed with a long life, yet it seemed she was feeling empty and unfulfilled in her senior years. Even through her blessings, she had a longing for peace. The Bible says that God is the peace and joy giver. His promises are for her. His uncompromising peace is for her. Psalm 4:11a says, “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.”

 How about you? Are you content and at peace with God? Fulfillment comes through trusting and walking daily with God. Your life is carved into his hand. As I remember that lonely woman, and how I was caused to feel her emptiness, I pray that she will find the peace and contentment she is longing for. Proverbs 30:5 says, “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.”

Lord, help us to seek and find fulfillment when we feel empty and lonely. We believe you are the true source of life, who offers peace and joy to everyone.

Amen.

 

 

 

Take a look at Evangelism Helps

An update on my book, A Journey to the Heart of Evangelism. 

 I have placed excerpts from my book on the “evangelism helps” page. Feel free to use it as a personal study and if you are interested in the book please inform me by leaving a message in the comment section. I will announce the release date as soon as it is confirmed. I plan to create a facebook group page soon. keep an eye out!

A Journey to the Heart of Evangelism

These days I am getting ready to launch my book, A Journey to the Heart of Evangelism. I have been working on this for some time and I am so excited to have found a publisher. The book will be available by late September. I have included a synopsis of the book as a preview of what is to come. If anyone is interested in ordering a book or any amount of books for your group, feel free to pre-order and I will make sure I will get it to you whether it’s through a website contact or personal mailing. (Indicate by leaving a comment) I love to read comments so feel free to leave a message!!!

 

A Journey to the Heart of Evangelism

Have you ever been challenged and stymied when asked where you stand in your faith? Do you ever wonder who is responsible to reach those who have not yet heard the Gospel message? Do you wonder what your role is as a messenger of God’s love? Are you filled with questions or have doubts and fears about relationship evangelism?

Do you believe that God can release your fears to be a spokesperson for the sake of the Gospel?

This book will enable and equip you to embark on the simple journey of reaching people for Him! You will learn how to prepare your very own faith story by actually writing it out and putting it into practice.

There are thought provoking questions to prepare your heart as you journey with Jesus. Included are charts to determine where you are in the faith and to help maintain the progress of evangelizing!

Whether you need to actively develop soul winning skills or simply get back to the basics and refresh your desire to share your faith, this book will equip you to keep your faith story alive and prepare you to be used for His glory!

Get ready for the blessings and excitement as you put your faith into action!

 

 Endorsement:

“Touching on principals of the Christian life Jan makes the application unmistakable. I like the format as we can take the learning in bite sized pieces and digest it at our own pace and in our own time. Surely with the world in the turmoil it is in we should get serious about what we believe and why we believe it! The time is short, the days are evil.

I have a theory that people the world over have ‘not rejected Jesus they haven’t had a chance to hear the gospel and respond. Let’s give them this chance. After all someone gave it to us! This book shows us how!”

 Jill Briscoe. Author and Bible teacher. 

 

Chapter Summary:

 1 – Can God Use Me?

 In the beginning of A Journey to the Heart of Evangelism, I have selected various Biblical illustrations of how God interacted with people. It varied greatly, from the disciples dropping their nets to leave their way of life behind, to speaking in a dream to Jacob. Each illustration challenges the readers to place themselves in that particular situation. There are spaces provided to write notes following each illustration. It provides encouragement to each reader to allow God to use them just as any of the others that have been portrayed.

     

2 – Duty Calls

 In Chapter 2, the reflection is on the duty of the Christian. There’s a series of thought provoking questions intended to arouse new intentions of actually learning obedience to God’s work.  There are several Biblical perspectives on this subject.

I focused on John chapter 6 where some of the followers became disgruntled with following and serving Jesus. They grumbled about His work being too difficult for them. Of course, Jesus was firm with His response, reaffirming that the words that He had spoken are ‘Spirit and they are life.’  I stopped the reader just as Jesus stopped the disciples and the followers to reevaluate the relationship and commitment to Jesus and the Gospel Mission.

Forgiveness is integral in the duty of the servant. Scriptures declare that without the forgiveness from each other then there cannot be a clear path with God. Forgiving each other is not always easy because it causes deep-rooted hurts and anger but understanding and heeding Jesus viewpoints and His words, there is ample room for healing and restoration.

Then there’s the ultimate duty of sharing the Gospel with others. “For the Son of man came to seek and save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10) It is our duty to persuade men everywhere to repent and be saved!

3 – The Message Revealed-

 What is the message? What is the Gospel all about? Only one word can best describe it- LOVE. There is so much to learn about God’s love; it is the foundation of the Gospel mission or the ‘Love Story.’ The Lord has come to do the Father’s will. The Lord has come to proclaim and offer eternal life to the world. He has come to rescue His people from darkness. Just as forgiveness is taught, so too, is love for each other equally important. Jesus actually displayed His love to multitudes and also in a one on one relationship. Examples are given.

 4 –  The Results are in-

The crowds are indeed heeding the message!! Peter speaks to the crowds and thousands are finding salvation through the Living Word! The crowd is listening and paying attention. Peter declared, “Repent and be baptized everyone of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” There it is, the enthusiasm of sharing the Word and the results of the efforts and obedience to the work of God.

Paul’s personal history and the transformation are explored in this chapter. The purpose is for the reader to understand the difference that Jesus makes and there is proof that Jesus can make the vilest sinner clean. For further encouragement, there are Biblical character sketches of those who have been redeemed, and transformed through the blood.

 

 5 – Reaching Your G.O.A.L.S. Go Out And Labor for Souls-

 A detailed format is shown to aid the worker in writing a personal faith story. Essentially, these questions are explored: How did the journey begin? What changes became evident? Compare life with and without Christ. What has kept you faithful to God? Have friends noticed a change?

The chapter continues in the steps that are necessary to be personally prepared to share the love of God and how to put into practice the methods learned. Various Scriptures are used that demonstrates how God uses the whosoever, namely, Moses, who had a stuttering tongue. The Apostle Paul who went to great lengths to destroy the church and found forgiveness and has since become one of the greatest soul winners of the time.

 Janice Keats is a freelance writer, and speaker. Her passion is developing and teaching workshops on various Biblical Studies. She is a certified lay Pastoral Counselor and is presently employed in ministry. She is the author of Poems of Inspiration and Occasion (1998). Future works include, a study on Spiritual renewal, a devotional book and an audio book of her poems. She is married with three grown children, all of whom are accomplished musicians.

My Two Year Journey to the Lord

Shortly following my conversion to Christ, I was invited to share my testimony in an evening church service. I began by saying, “Imagine becoming a Christian at the age of 30.” Afterwards a gentleman approached me and said, “Imagine becoming a Christian at the age of 60.” Wow! I was pleasantly surprised. I thought 30 was late in years. In fact, I had no intention of becoming a Christian or even seeking knowledge of Christianity. One of the reasons being, I just never had any connection in the first place. So, I lived my life as normal as it actually was. I didn’t have a Christian upbringing.

 

My husband and I lived in Fort McMurray in the early 1980’s. Our 3 children were born there. After awhile I began to feel desperately lonely. I wanted my children to be surrounded by family and the only way that could happen was to move back east. With some persuading my husband did agree to take the risk but now it meant that my husband had to look for employment elsewhere.

 

Soon after our move back to NL, my mother-in-law suggested that I take my children to Sunday school. Like a good Mom I sent them with someone else. It wasn’t long before I was going along to watch my children’s performances in choir and other events at the church. From the very first service I felt something within me that I hadn’t felt before. I couldn’t describe it because I didn’t know what it was. But it made me curious enough to want to go back and try to decipher the experience.

 

It wasn’t long before I became involved in church activities myself, initially as a guide leader. My quest to understand the emotional churning that was going on in my heart intensified. So my search took on a deeper meaning. I borrowed books and tapes from friends. In my own secret mission, I studied Christians at church to try and discover what brought them joy. I watched Christian TV programs, and I purchased Christian material. I simply wanted to know what was going on.

 

 I remember one tape in particular of a former convict of whom I listened to many times. He was sharing God’s word and all of a sudden he said, “stop that car, stop your bicycle or whatever you are doing; stop and give your heart to God.” Well, I wasn’t really dressed for the occasion, I was baking and preparing supper and was wearing an apron. What was I supposed to do? Turn off the stove and fall to my knees with dough filled hands? I was so touched by the Holy Spirit’s presence I began to pace the floor. Then I shut off the tape player.

 

I was rapidly becoming discouraged with the so-called torment I was finding myself in. I was searching for peace without realizing it. I was trying to live the right way in hopes that was the answer. I even practised the sinners’ prayer to see if that would make the aching heart go away. Nothing happened. I struggled with the reality of choosing to allow myself to find the solution of my longing to know Christ. I remember asking my friend one day, “Why is it that when I’m in church I feel really good, and when I’m away from the church the loneliness and emptiness that I feel comes back again?” She replied, “You know Jan, you can take Jesus home with you.”

 

I wanted to be free of the heartache. I needed to surrender to God. I was yearning for Jesus to come into my life but coming to the point of surrender felt like walking against 100-kilometer-and-hour winds. Somehow I couldn’t reach Him; I lacked the courage and faith. My friends outside the church were noticing a change in me; the peer pressure increased. They were baffled at the half good, half bad Jan they were seeing. Little did they know the struggle in my heart – a struggle I could not share with them. I felt drawn like a magnet to my church; yet the closer I came to the foot of the cross, the more difficult it was to trust God fully with my life.

 

It had been two years from that very first Sunday of ‘unknowingly’ and later ‘knowingly’ searching for that something which was tugging at me, I realized I had to make a decision. I needed to surrender to God who was prompting me all along. One particular Sunday evening I went to my room to pray for courage and strength to make a decision for Him. I had enough knowledge by now that I could decide to follow Christ at any time and any place but I wanted the special experience to be in my church among my new peers.

 

When I went to church that night, my moment had come. As the congregation was stood in worship I began to crumble. It was my final struggle. My legs weakened and my heart was pounding. A friend noticed me and all he said was, “God bless you, Jan.” With that I asked him to lead me to the Lord. I immediately felt the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus entered my life. What an incredible sense of freedom I experienced. I’d been carrying a burden for so long; suddenly it was gone! Now I realized after all this time who was knocking on my hearts door!

 

My immediate reaction was, now I know for myself that God is real! And no one can argue otherwise. I developed a good habit of prayer and reading my Bible. I would get the kids ready for school in the morning and then take time to read the Bible quietly. One particular morning I had a question for God. As I was sitting in my living room reading I quickly closed the Bible and wondered, “Why is it that I have to pray to God anyway? Why do I have to do this every day?” (You see my previous morning routine was drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes.) All of a sudden a Scripture verse came to my mind. It was Job 21:15 “Who is the Almighty that we should serve Him? What would we gain by praying to Him?”

 

 

Yikes! I didn’t know that God really spoke to people. I thought I was talking to myself. That was the first time that I experienced God in a conversation. It was both startling and awesome to actually witness God speaking to me through His Word. I discovered that I had the gift of evangelism. I shared my story with many people. I felt compelled to tell people that I found Jesus. During the first year of my conversion I led 13 people to the Lord. It was the simple sharing of my experience, it was my faith in God, and it was the joy I now experience every day. My faith in God increased as I attended Bible study and gradually grew in His grace. I have since led various Bible study groups and other outreach events.

 

It’s amazing how God can bring out the best in you. My writing career began immediately after I made a decision for Christ. I wrote a poem about my testimony. Can you guess the title? It is called, Where is God? When my file folder got too thick, I self-published a poetry book which was my first of 3 books and remains my personal best seller. Over the years, I have grown so much as a Christian. My main interest is writing and teaching and communicating the Gospel with others and planning evangelism seminars. I have asked God to use me over and over again and like one of my friends had said to me, “be careful what you pray for because God will answer.” My favourite Bible verse is found in Psalm 20:4 which reads, “May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.” 

 

I am so thankful to be employed with a Christian organization. It means so much to be able to fulfill the Christian mission of simply sharing God’s love with the people I come into contact with. I often refer to myself, as being a “late bloomer” for God, since I thought 30 was old. In fact now that I think of it, 40 and 50 is not really old either. I encounter people of all ages at my workplace. I also encounter people who have so many various circumstances of need, which requires a tender listening heart. Age is not a barrier to making a decision to follow Christ. In fact, my uncle was 82 when he received Christ. Neither is the lack of knowledge of God a barrier to making a decision. God invites us to come to Him as we are. For me it was a learning process, and I certainly did not have complete understanding what God was all about. I learned and developed my walk with God on a daily basis.

 

You may be wondering about your relationship with God as I did. Perhaps God has spoken to your heart during a church service and yet resisted for some reason. You may ask , “Why do I have to serve You?” as I had. God provided answers for me and He will do the same for you. It all came down to trusting Him enough to yield to Him. I once penned a quote that says, “You need not have great faith to meet Jesus, you just need enough to say Yes.” Allow God to draw near and allow Him to use your talents, even if you are 40, 60 or 80. Once you make a decision to follow, He will take you by the hand and lead you His way and yes, He may even surprise you when he answers your prayers!

 

Janice Keats

 

 

 

The Source of Joy

A Christian friend and I met each other in a shopping mall recently and as we were chatting I couldn’t help but take notice his expression of joy. I felt it was proper and due him to make mention of his exuberant joy that I know comes from serving the Lord. I said to him, “you are always so full of joy!”

 

He didn’t respond with words but by action. Placing his hands on my shoulders he whisked me around full circle and pointed upward to the store name that was directly behind me. It was called “The Source.” The word ‘the’ was in small letters and ‘Source’ was in very large and prominent letters. As I turned back, he paused for a moment and gave me that raised eyebrows look as if to say, Need I say more? “God is my source of joy, what else can I say?” he said reassuringly.

 

It is true that most Christians radiate the joy of the Lord. Sometimes people glow with the love of God when engaged in conversation. I especially noticed that before I became a Christian. When I was seeking Christianity some years ago, I found myself studying Christians just to find that something different about them to make me want to say, “yes Lord, I will follow you.”

 

After all, isn’t that what Jesus exemplified? Pure joy? Doesn’t He long for His children to experience His joy? Even in the midst of trials God is our ever-present companion. He provides the pure joy that gives us strength to endure all kinds of trials. In the book of James we find that joy is exemplified when faced with trials of many kinds. (James 1: 2-3)

Jesus promised that once we discovered His pure joy, no one would ever be able to take it away. (John 16:22) His words make our joy in Him complete. (John 17:13)

Even the angels become joyful as people choose to follow Christ!

As I continue to come in contact with my friend, his expression of joy is always evident, and his faith is always joyfully expressed. His true joyful attitude is one that has confidently spilled over to others and me.

 

ãJanice Keats

 

 

 

 

 

 

Taking Your Stand

 

There’s something about how music draws a crowd of people, especially when a live band is performing in an outside venue. It happened to me recently. My husband and I were taking a leisurely stroll in a very popular downtown area and we happened to notice a lively band playing very good upbeat music. They were actually very entertaining which was the reason for the large crowd that was gathered.

 

It wasn’t long before it was revealed that they were a Christian family band. They consisted of fiddle players, singers, and tap dancers. It was when the leader of the group spoke about God’s love and expressed the plan of Salvation that caused the crowd to disperse. In the two minutes it had taken to share a simple message, most of the crowd had already walked away. I saw them walk away one by one, then in clusters and then it was almost like the group was finished their event for the evening. The only people that remained were the people who were seated in the front section.

 

As I watched in complete amazement as to what was evidently taking place, I literally laughed aloud. “This is so predictable,” I thought. The people had no interest in hearing the Gospel message even though it was a brief two-minute talk between songs. Secular bands do the same, especially when they change instruments or make other adjustments; I haven’t yet seen a crowd leave.

 

My thoughts took me to the story of when Jesus was teaching in a Synagogue in Capernaum. Many of the disciples began to grumble among themselves saying, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” Consequently many decided right there at that moment to discontinue in the journey with the Lord and turned back. Moments later, Jesus directed an important question to the twelve disciples, “You do not want to leave too, do you?” They didn’t leave; they assured Jesus that they believed in Him who is the true master who holds the words of eternal life. (John 6:60-69)

 

They were willing to take their stand for Christ. They believed in the Gospel message and were willing to share their faith along the journey and take a stand for Christ publicly. The Scriptures says that since Christ suffered we too must share in His sufferings. Are we willing to stand in the gap and be noticed as followers of Christ and perhaps bear the persecution and verbal attacks? Or walk away and denounce Him? Was the Gospel message from the Christian band so difficult that the hearers could not accept it? Or is the message foolishness to those who are perishing? (1 Corinthians 1:18a) Could it be as Jesus had foretold in His word, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:4) You see, there was no pretence to the two-minute talk. It was an evening of music and entertainment, which included God’s wondrous story. But the mere mention of the name of Jesus caused most to become uninterested.

 

  As Jesus was explaining to the disciples the promise to send the Holy Spirit in His absence he said, “The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him or knows Him.” (John 14:17) Is that why people walk away? Is that why people cannot accept Jesus’ words of life because they do not really know who He is? Jesus explained further, “Before long the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.” (John 14:19) Those who have accepted the word of life, know the road of life.

“However, if you suffer as a Christian, praise God that you bear that name..” (1 Peter4:16)

 

  God gives courage and strength to continue in the journey. “In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:6) Taking a stand for Christ enables the Christian to walk in faith. Even Jesus directed His faith with the Father saying, “I stand with the Father who sent me.” (John 8:16b) What crowd are you journeying with? Are you standing firm in your beliefs and faith? 1 John 2:5b says, “This is how we know we are in Him: Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.” There’s no need to walk away in shame because to those who place their trust in Christ will never be put to shame. (Romans 9:33b)

What can God do for you? “He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.” (1 Corinthians 1:8,9) Remain in me and I will remain in you.” (John15:4a)

Copyright Jan Keats

Does Everyone Need a Time of Refreshing?

Scripture Reference: Luke 7:36 – 50

A woman just found out that Jesus was in town. She learned that He was a guest at a Pharisee’s house. So she decided to make her way there carrying  her best perfume. What do you suppose she was thinking as she walked toward that house? What did she have in mind? When she approached Jesus who was sitting there in the home as a guest, she fell beside Him, and began to weep and His feet became wet with her tears. Then she wiped His feet with her hair. She kissed His feet and poured perfume on them.

 

          I wondered what her motive was. It must have taken great courage to make that decision to go and visit the King of Kings, especially when all the townsfolk’s knew her reputation. So, what was her yearning all about? Jesus knew. He even explained it to the Pharisee and the other guests who had negative thoughts about her, teaching them a lesson at the same time, which we will learn a little later.

 

          Imagine the expression that must have been on their faces when she showered her affection on Jesus. They wondered if Jesus really knew what this woman was really like. The Pharisee in his own mind was testing Jesus credibility as a prophet. So he waited for a response from Jesus to see if he was going to acknowledge this woman.

 

          Of course Jesus knew this woman. He also knew the men who were sitting there…their thoughts. The Pharisee must have forgotten that part. Jesus was quick to point out that the woman’s expression of love and actions was far greater than that of the Pharisee. “Look at this woman kneeling here. When I entered your home, you didn’t offer me water to wash the dust from my feet, but she has washed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You didn’t give me a kiss of greeting, but she has kissed my feet again and again from the time I first came in. You neglected the courtesy of olive oil to anoint my head, but she has anointed my feet with rare perfume.”

(Like 7:44-48)

 

          The Pharisee was hospitable in inviting Jesus to dinner and it very well may have been a three-course meal but the sinful woman did so much more. She brought expensive perfume, she wept in repentance, she gave herself to Him, and she met the Savior. He was the one she had heard who was coming to town that day!

 

          She must have heard that Jesus could offer something better than living a deliberate sinful life. She must have grown tired of her sinful ways. Perhaps she needed renewal and refreshment in her life. It was her intention to seek Jesus when she set out to meet Him. Her mind was made up. “I am going to change my bad habits,” she may have said. “I want to know what this Jesus can do for me,” she may have determined.

 

          Her experience that day was far greater than words can say. This woman whose name we do not know, was determined to find new life. She directed her attention totally to Jesus. She showered Him with love. She may have been prepared to repent of her sins but was she prepared to enter into the presence of the Almighty and loving God? So much that the encounter resulted in tears in place of words?

 

          Then the omnipotent Jesus forgave her of her sins. Jesus didn’t have to wait to be told by the Pharisee what kind of life this woman was living. The master knew her yearning heart. The Lord’s forgiveness was hers without question! Jesus said to the woman, “your faith has saved you. Go in peace!”

 

 

 

Copyright Jan Keats