New Deal 21" Crucifix
3 years ago
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
I Finally Did It!!!
For about a year now, I have wanted to start leading a Bible study/exercise class at church. I let a few things get me discouraged and put it on the backburner for a long time. Funny how God brings things back up (although He will erase things just as easily)... affirmation everywhere. My major point of conviction was in something that Beth Moore said Saturday morning. She said that God expects us to act inobedience immediately when He lays something on our hearts. I didn't catch her scripture reference. But I think that my life verse is relevant: I Peter 4:10, "As each one has received a gift, let him minister it to one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God." Randy Davis's definition of being a steward is to act as caretaker of something that is not yours or that was given to you. You might be thinking, "April, do you really think that God gifted you with the ability to teach exercise classes?" And, well, in fact, yes I do believe this. I have taken a couple of Spiritual Gift survey thingys and my strength is always encouragement. Can you think of any better way to encourage women about who and what they are in the Lord's eyes? What a THRILL it is to know that I am going to be doing the Lord's will!!! I'm not sure I've ever taken seriously that I am actually caretaker of something that belongs to the Creator of the universe. Please pray that many many many women draw closer to the Lord as we start our committment to scripture memorization and prayer partnering, not to mention - uh-hem - kickbutt exercise routines! YAY GOD!!!
Monday, August 4, 2008
Rhapsody
Go to Rhapsody.com, search by artist Sara Groves, click Sara Groves then click "When the Saints" to hear the song for free. Sorry; I don't know why the link doesn't work.
What I've been working on...
http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=tra.17151702&variant=play
This link should take you to the Rhapsody website for a free play of the song "When the Saints" by Sara Groves. I was asked to sing tonight at our Marvelous Monday service and this song was laid on my heart. Since Sara mentions some missionaries, I thought it would be nice to put together a slide show of some soul-winners. Thanks to Jared for the book by Dr. Akin. It helped me a lot and added some personal inspiration as well. I can't figure out how to add the powerpoint, so if I do, I will post it. Sorry!
The people that I put in the video never said that they didn't know enough about the Bible. They never said that they didn't have the money to go. They never even said that they were afraid to go for their safety. They just said that they would go. Now, I am not saying that we should all become foreign missionaries, but I am saying that God wants to use us ALL. Jesus said, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me." Matthew 16:24.
If we have a desire to please the Lord and serve Him, we must empty ourselves of our fleshly wants and allow God to fill us with His desires. In order for us to be used of God to our full purpose, we must be properly equipped. In other words, we must be familiar- very familiar- with God's Word. God's Word is His being for us here on earth. We must know Him to reach others for him. This means spending time with Him all day, every day. Meditating on a certain verse and praising Him for all things. As weird as it would sound to an unbeliever, it is a real and intimate relationship that we must have.
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man (or woman) of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." II Timothy 3:16 & 17
So, as I challenge myself to take care of business, I challenge you to do the same. I don't know about you, but when I see the Lord face-to-face I want Him to be proud of me. I want to see others that came to a relationship with Him because I emptied myself and was filled with Jesus.
"You are enriched in everything by Him, in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ is confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." I Corinthians 1:5-9
If we are saved, we have everything we need to be effective. Yay, God!!!
This link should take you to the Rhapsody website for a free play of the song "When the Saints" by Sara Groves. I was asked to sing tonight at our Marvelous Monday service and this song was laid on my heart. Since Sara mentions some missionaries, I thought it would be nice to put together a slide show of some soul-winners. Thanks to Jared for the book by Dr. Akin. It helped me a lot and added some personal inspiration as well. I can't figure out how to add the powerpoint, so if I do, I will post it. Sorry!
The people that I put in the video never said that they didn't know enough about the Bible. They never said that they didn't have the money to go. They never even said that they were afraid to go for their safety. They just said that they would go. Now, I am not saying that we should all become foreign missionaries, but I am saying that God wants to use us ALL. Jesus said, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me." Matthew 16:24.
If we have a desire to please the Lord and serve Him, we must empty ourselves of our fleshly wants and allow God to fill us with His desires. In order for us to be used of God to our full purpose, we must be properly equipped. In other words, we must be familiar- very familiar- with God's Word. God's Word is His being for us here on earth. We must know Him to reach others for him. This means spending time with Him all day, every day. Meditating on a certain verse and praising Him for all things. As weird as it would sound to an unbeliever, it is a real and intimate relationship that we must have.
"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man (or woman) of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." II Timothy 3:16 & 17
So, as I challenge myself to take care of business, I challenge you to do the same. I don't know about you, but when I see the Lord face-to-face I want Him to be proud of me. I want to see others that came to a relationship with Him because I emptied myself and was filled with Jesus.
"You are enriched in everything by Him, in all utterance and all knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ is confirmed in you, so that you come short in no gift, eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord." I Corinthians 1:5-9
If we are saved, we have everything we need to be effective. Yay, God!!!
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