What's up everyone?
Here's my brother-in-law Ross's testimony. We recorded it Sunday before he went back to college. It's great to hear how God works in people's lives, but make sure this testimony makes you look at God more carefully through His Word (The Bible) rather than exalting or belittling Ross or any other Christ-follower. This is all about the One Love of Jesus (1 John 4:9), not Ross or anyone else...
Enjoy:
I hope you guys are able to hear my heart with what I'm saying. I want to see OneLoveSkateOutreach.com filled up with lots of amazing stories of how God has worked in peoples' lives, but
I pray we can all keep in focus Acts 17:25 where the Apostle Paul reminds us that God is not served by human hands. God doesn't need us. Our labor for Him is a result of our thankfulness for the work He has done (1 Thess 1:3). We're not "doing God favors" serving Him by any of our good deeds (i.e. recording our testimonies, giving to homeless people)... Yet, as we are reminded of how incredible God is, we rejoice in the tasks He enables us to do for His Glory, and we work hard to represent Him well doing all the good deeds we can with everything we are (Rom 12:1-2, Col 3:17).
As Christians, our individual testimonies are about God, not us. So I pray we can keep the focus on the amazing love of God and remember that God calls us all to be slaves to His amazing freedom (1 Pet 2:18-25).
None of us are perfect. But we do know a perfect God, and we live to make His Name famous.
God wants us to obey Him and love Him rather than simply sacrificing our time, money, or reputation for Him (1 Sam 15:22-23; Ps 51:17; Jer 7:22-23; Matt 9:13).
I'm Praying that as you read this blog and/or listen to this testimony
that you are knowing Jesus Christ and
that you are growing in faith that is changing your outward actions.
Also, Nicole and I are part of Stomp Out Hunger this year because, like OneLoveSkateOutreach, SOH exists to meet people's needs with hope that people will meet Jesus. We went to a meeting last weekend at Grace Bible Church and decided to donate $10/month (which will feed a homeless person for a year) and also start a team.
You can help out in either of two ways.
1.) You can start a team and recruit people to donate.
or
2.) you can donate to a team member (Preferably ours: http://soh.toolsfororgs.com/sponsor.php?5VUG-KYA) =)
Sohmaui.org does a better job explaining the ministry than I could, but $10 will totally cover groceries for one homeless person for a month. This year, it's easy to donate with your credit card, and they have it set up to automatically take your donation each month for as long as you are willing to donate.
All the funds go straight to feeding homeless people on Maui. Thanks for being generous.
Hope you guys have a great day.
One Love (1 John 4:9),
Josh Marburger
p.s. Two Prayer Requests:
1.) Last week, I had the opportunity to lead an evangelism workshop on Oahu with the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention, and it went really well. I was also able to connect with some awesome leaders on Oahu who will hopefully be putting together Gospel Presentations and Testimonies soon. Please pray that God would use their stories for His Glory and give them video-production skills. =)
2.) I'm going to be teaming up with a Pastor from Kihei to put together some videos for OneLoveSkateOutreach, and you guys can pray that God will use the videos we produce to bring people to Himself.
Thanks in advance for the prayers, Rep the King (2 Cor 5:20)!
