Smile!

Ephesians 3:16-20 (Amplified Version.)

Now.
Go read it.
Com’n, right now- it doesn’t take that long people: just google it or bring it up on Bible Gateway or something. I just need you to read this verse for yourself.
Hold it.
Read it again. Soak it in- immerse yourself in its meaning, ask yourself questions about what it truly means…and what God wants it to mean to you personally. It meant something different for me-as it will for you!
The day I flipped to that particular scripture-I was having a rough day. Like: one of those, “cry-every-few-minutes” kind. I have those far and few between-but this was different. I needed the essence of that verse. I felt dry and cracked up inside-and all I wanted was to find some sort of acceptance or praise from somebody-but nothing was filling the gap. I needed Him.
Especially as teens: we focus WAY too much on grapeling with our own self esteem. We look to our friends, our parents, our teachers and pretty much anybody else but God. And there IS a point where we become so dry inside for a promise of love that we can’t take it anymore.
But in this verse, it not only is a promise of His love…Oh no, it goes beyond that. It is a “Blessing” to us…to not only experience that Love-but that others may come to know and desire that Love through watching us. THAT is powerful. Not only powerful-but world changing. This verse isn’t just some ‘encouragement for a sec’ guys. It’s a promise and a blessing. But you need to claim it for your own. So take that verse…In faith: accept it…rebuke the enemy for stealing it…receive the promise, and take it to heart…
Others will watch and see… and will be astonished at the Love of Christ flowing through you. And they will ask. And know. And also receive.
And run with it too…

Blessings,
Bri
(Written here in Jakarta, Indonesia)
See? That verse made ya smile. Admit it: your smiling. It makes me smile everytime I read it, too.

Update from here in Singapore!

Here’s an update from here in hazy but beautiful Singapore...(BTW: for 2 weeks out of the year, Singapore’s city skyline is filled with thick air and hazy smoke. Its because Indonesia is burning its crops at the end of their harvest. Its the middle of the two weeks now...But it looks like rain right now! Had a section of the Teen Track this afternoon for 100 middle schoolers at an international school! It went great, and we had fun hanging and speaking with them.

Praise God for making way before us, and for preparing the hearts of those we reach! Check out: http://generationsofvirtue.wordpress.com/ for
Generations of Virtue’s complete blog!

::In the living room of our apartment here in Singapore... a few members of the GOV team and I are sitting around each with his or her laptop::

Each intently working on emails, updating websites, Twitter, FB, Blogs, arranging and booking flights, taxis and different engagements, im-promtu staff meeting to sort out the kinks. One of the girls gets an email. It totally brightened and made our day over here in Singapore! Your support means so much, and we really do feel your prayers over here =D Blessings back at ya from here in beautiful Southeast Asia.

Hello GOV,
I attended a conference by guys back  in June at my local homeschool it changed my life!
You all are so encouraging and it strengthened my faith and I realized what a call to purity God has given us.
I just wanted to let you know that I will be praying for you all as you travel to Asia  and that God will grow you in your  faith and help you reach others for Him.
Grace, Peace and Love in our Heavenly Daddy....

.......Anonymous.......



Thanks for your prayers! =D
Headed for dinner!

Blessings,
~Bri

generationsofvirtue.org