Eddie and Martha Marie Smith

Caroline’s Promise

 

James 1:27 says “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

 

There are 143 million orphans across the globe and as the Body of Christ it’s time we come together and take the responsibility God has given us. 

   

My heart breaks over the need of orphans and because of this I have agreed to head up and direct a ministry here in South Carolina called Caroline’s Promise.  Caroline’s Promise has been an established non-profit ministry in North Carolina for five years, and we have felt the Lord place it on our hearts to expand into South Carolina. 

 

Our vision is to see many children find forever homes, but most importantly our prayer is that they will find everlasting hope by accepting Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.  In order to accomplish this, we want to help churches, families, and individuals all get involved and do their part in making a difference in the lives of orphans across the globe.  Caroline’s Promise not only wants to educate people about the need of orphans but wants to provide financial support to families who are in the adoption process in South Carolina and offer prayer and encouragement along the way.  Churches also have a great opportunity to partner with orphan projects in their community as well as around the world.  Getting involved with mission trips that Caroline’s Promise leads every year to the countries of Guyana, Guatemala, and Uganda is one example of the many opportunities that exist.

 

There are plenty of opportunities for volunteers, prayer intercessors, and financial giving in this ministry. I invite you to join me in taking part in this grassroots movement and consider getting involved in the 1st Annual Seeds of Hope Banquet to be held April 14, 2009 at The University Dining Commons on the campus of Southern Wesleyan University in Central, SC.  For more information go to www.carolinespromise.net or contact marthamariesmith@carolinespromise.net

Revelation 21:7 – He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.

1.       We must overcome sin and the flesh

o        Romans 3:23 (New International Version) – ²³for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

o        Romans 6:23 (New International Version) – ²³For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life inChrist Jesus our Lord.

o        How to overcome and avoid sin:

§         Forgiveness

·         Repent

o        Acts 3:19 – Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,

·         Believe

o        Acts 16:31 – They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”

o        John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

·         Confess

o        1 John 1:9 (New International Version) – ⁹If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

·         Receive

§         Resist temptation

·         1 Corinthians 10:13 – No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

§         Scripture

·         Psalm 119:11  I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

§         Discipleship

·         John 13:35 – By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

·         We don’t wait on a ‘call from God’ to watch t.v. but many think they must ‘wait on a call’ to care for the poor, etc (Francis Chan)

§         Starve the flesh and feed the Spirit

·         John 3:6 – Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

§         Accountability

·         Proverbs 27:17 – As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

§         Solitude

·         Psalm 46:10 – “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

2.       We must overcome Satan

§         1 Peter 5:8 – Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

§         How we can overcome Satan

§         Resisting Satan

·         James 4:7 – Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

§         Allow no footholds

·         Ephesians 4:26-28 (New International Version) – ²⁶“In your anger do not sin”^[a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷and do not give the devil a foothold.

§         Identify him and his work

·         2 Corinthians 11:14 – And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.

·         2 Corinthians 2:11 – in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.

§         Prayer

·         Ephesians 6:12 – For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

 

3.       We must overcome the world

§         1 Peter 2:11 – Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.

§         Romans 12:2 (New International Version) – ²Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

March 28……exactly one year ago today I received a phone call telling me that I had two brain aneuryms…..talk about a call changing your life, it definitely did! 

I woke up this morning thinking about this past year….what I’ve learned…what God has taken our family though….the amazing grace that He has shown every step of the way…and I have to admit I was extremely thankful.  Thankful that I am alive….thankful that He did miracle after miracle in our lives this past year….thankful that He taught me to never take a day for granted.  I’ve learned that we are only here for a very short time….we’ve got to make it count!  Do we realize how much is at stake?!?   Do we as Christians truly get it?  I’m sure most of know exactly what the Great Commission is, but does knowing what it says affect our actions in any way!??!   I guess for me I had to come to the point where I thought there was a chance I might be going to Heaven sooner than I thought in order for me to cherish life and cherish the purpose God put me on this earth for….we’re here to make disciples and to gloify God…..at least that’s the nutshell I put it in…so how am I doing that every day?  

Right before I had brain surgery last May I felt God gave me an overwhelming peace that I was going to be completely fine.  That peace was amazing, but it also made me begin to think about life after brain surgery….what did God want me to do?   What was His reason for keeping me on earth longer?  What did He want me to accomplish?  I felt very strongly that one thing I needed to do was finally learn how to play the guitar….I had felt for awhile that I was supposed to and I had played around with it, but I had never been really committed…until after brain surgery…I’ve been taking lessons from a friend who has been so gererous in giving me free lessons for the last 9 months.  Tomorrow at church I will lead worship and play the guitar…..I didn’t really try to time it to this exact week-end…it just worked out that way.  Honestly I never thought I would get to this point.  To the point that I was willing to step out of my comfort zone and do what I felt called to do…..I had been completely satisfied in playing in front of my kids stuffed animals.  They seemed to enjoy it and so did I…it was a win/win….why play in front of actual people?!   Especially when it scares me to death!??!  Because God wants me to….I don’t even have to understand anything beyond that…I just need to step out of my comfort zone because that’s what God wants and I don’t need a better reason than that.  Am I slightly crazy?  YES!  Everyone who is a Christian and follows Christ is seen as crazy at times, because we do things that sometimes just don’t make sense…but God’s ways are higher…they are better…and they ALWAYS make perfect sense…

The other thing I’m doing is directing a ministry here in SC called Caroline’s Promise….it is so beyond my comfort zone that it is almost funny!  I am WAY in over my head, but that’s ok….this is God’s thing…I’m just along for the ride….he’s teaching me a lot in and through it…definitely stretching me and it’s not very comfortable, but I know without a doubt that He’s going to do great things through this ministry…He already has in NC and now He’s going to blow us away with what He has ahead for SC!  Lives will be saved….children will be loved…we are reclaiming Hope for orphans!   What’s really funny is that what gave me such a heart for this ministry is from going through foster care this past year with our little guy that we are in the final stages of adopting….and I remember how deciding to do foster care was such a HUGE step for us, but now look where we are because God gave us the strength to say yes and go for it!! 

So I sum up this past year with this verse….”For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord.  “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you…plans to bring you hope and a future.”

And I end with this question…what has God been challenging you to do…how does He want you to step out of your comfort zone?!!?  Whatever it is, DO IT!!!  There is sooooo much joy, peace, and hope ahead for you and your family if you do it!!  Trust me…I speak from experience