Just For the Record

I recognize my shortcomings, they are many.
I admit my infirmities, they are debilitating.
I confess my inadequacies, they are my downfall.
However
I know my Redeemer, and Praise my LORD,
His Love covers a multitude of sin.

Thank you, Lord, for friends who overlook, yea, even forgive my inevitable blunders. Please, be my mouth. Let me reflect only You.

RUP4IT?

RUP4 a weekend away of R&R? Don’t be AWOL, MPN! It will be a time of GR2BR. Believe me when I say this will be an occasion that is HBB. Don’t take my word for it, CTO. In fact, AFAICT, only an ACORN would miss this. Don’t wait 2HBASTDO before you commit to come with us. You know it’s true, it’s too hard to just HITAKS anymore. ISTM we need this event to be TGWOG. Let’s BHB/CGH!

So, RUP4IT?

MC
DWM, FM
* Associated with the AAAAA.

This is just a fun way to say, "Let's get away from the distractions of this world, get alone with The LORD God, and get our priorties right." You know we all need it from time to time, so, my church women's ministry is planning a spectacular weekend for just that purpose. We will have fun, hear fabulous music, learn from prominent and encouragings speakers, play, eat, and in general, regenerate.

Need a key for the above message? Here it is. And, I hope to see you at HeartSong Ministry Retreat RUP4IT?


*Key to ACRONYMS
2HBASTDO – To Hit Bottom And Start Digging Out
AAAAA – American Association Against Acronym Abuse
ACORN – A Completely Obsessive Really Nutty Person
AFAICT – As Far As I Can Tell
AWOL – Absent Without Leave
BHB/CGH – Be Holy Because God is Holy
CTO – Check This Out
DWM – Director of Women’s Ministries
FM – First Mansfield
GR2BR – Good Riddance To Bad Rubbish
HITAKS – Hang In There And Keep Smiling
HBB – Hip Beyond Belief
ISTM – It Seems To Me
MC – Michelle Canton
MPN – Make Plans Now
RUP4IT? – Are You Up For It?
TGWOG – Truly Great Women Of God

Keys to Reconciliation

We are studying 2 Corinthians on Wednesdays. Today, Paul addressed forgiveness in his quest for reconciliation between he and the Corinthians. Someone had bad mouthed Paul to his good friends in Corinth and he wanted to make it right. As I considered the importance of the issue of working through conflict with others, I listed 5 steps to enable us to do a better job at reconciling with those who have offended us. See if you agree with me.

1. Understand that the sin is against God and not me.

This is evident in Psalm 51 where David states that his sin (adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband) is "against You and You only have I sinned, Oh God!"

2. Be concerned with my offender's reconciliation with God rather than with justice for myself.

When the other's relationship with the Lord is unbroken then my relationship with them will benefit.

3. Forgive like God.

Ephesians 4:32 - 5:2 states that we are to forgive like God forgave us, we are to be imitators of God. That means we must be ready, willing, and able to forgive BEFORE asked. We will deal with forgiving our offenders as soon as the offence occurs so as not to allow bitterness to set in.

4. Remember that bitterness and grudge holding will affect your future by anchoring you to your past. Also, your children and your children's children will learn this trait from you.

5. If it is only a difference of opinion, agree to disagree and GET OVER IT! MOVE ON! GET A LIFE!

Living Beyond Suffering: Closing Comment

I guess the main theme of yesterday's lesson was this: As we experience suffering and persecution, Christians should respond differently than those who do not have the Comforter and Consolation of Christ. Everyone, Christian or non Christian will experience trials and times of pain and anguish. Affliction is not without purpose: In Christians it is to reveal the glory of God through us. Our answer to situations of difficulty or even if we are persecuted because of what we believe must be godly and above reproach. The world is watching to see if we (even when life is not "peachy") believe that God is sovereign and we trust Him.

Proverbs 24:10 If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small. (paraphrase: Adversity reveals your character. The times of tribulation are not when you develop your moral fiber.) Therefore, decide in whom you will trust now, then rest and be comforted in your time of need.

PS. My apologies to the morning class, I didn't have a clear thought all morning. It was a long and arduous morning for you. I took cold medicine before class. That's my story and I'm sticking with it!

Living Beyond Suffering

Closing Comments – Rom 8:1-19, 26-27

I. Pitfalls of persecution (an unsuspected difficulty, danger, or error that one may fall into)
A. Belief of Condemnation – Rom 8:1
B. Fear of Failure - Rom 8:15
C. Belief of Rejection – Rom 8:16
II. Protection of The Spirit
A. Free from the law of sin and death - Rom 8:2
B. The law can be fulfilled in me – Rom 8:4
C. Have the freedom to set my mind of the things of the Spirit – Rom 8:5
D. Free to have a life worth living here and now – Rom 8:11
III. Advantages for all when we are comforted by the Spirit during suffering
A. Christians
1. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God –

Rom 8:16-17
2. Gives me an eternal perspective – Rom 8:18
3. We have an intercessor – Rom 8:27
B. Non Christians
1. They are treated by Christians in a godly manner – Rom 8:4
2. They experience their earnest expectation, the revealing of the sons of God. Rom 8:19

PS. I will never again take cough medicine before Bible study. I didn't have a clear thought all morning!

The Calling

Have you ever just wanted to know what your "calling" in life was? You know, that certain occupation your were predestined to do. The activity where you find fulfillment. Your perfect fit. Your passion.

As I consider my "calling", it seems that my passion is, in general, women's ministry. And, again, I find that total immersion is the only option for me. Not because I need something to fill my time and consume my energy, but because I have found that serving God with all my capabilty is the only place I find perfect satisfaction.

In the last few months I knew that God was challenging me to leave my current occupation, real estate. God has been very good to Husband and I through this vocation. He has met many financial needs in this way. However, I had become increasingly unsatisfied and even irritable as I worked with my clients doing tasks that in the past had been pleasurable for me. So, as an opportunity was presented to me to have a lead in our women's ministry at my church, in a complete attitude of prayer, I humbly accepted the challenge that God had set before me.

So, even though inadequacy haunts me and an unworthiness troubles me, God, in all His sufficiency has promised good to me. My prayer is that our WM will be His ministry. I long for other women to find their passion and come along side me and forge new ways to enable our peers at church and in our community to experience the LORD God, know Him, love Him, worship Him, cede to Him.

"And may these words of mine, which I have prayed before the LORD, be near to the LORD our God day and night, that he may uphold the cause of his servant(Me) and the cause of his people Israel(You) according to each day's need, so that all the peoples of the earth may know that the LORD is God and that there is no other." I Kings 8:59-60

January 7th!!

January 7th! How could it possibly be January 7th? So many events have taken place in the past four weeks and I have so much to share. Husband and I have shopped, eaten, wrapped, eaten, talked, eaten, visited with family and friends, eaten, worshipped the Living Savior, eaten, and in general had a spectacular holiday season.

I will not be wrong in sharing with you that on Christmas Day we took a break from our ordinary lives and spent the day with our children, children's children, and other relatives. We feasted and gave one another gifts to celebrate the fact that Christ has saved us from utter annihilation. What a wonderful day! Generosity was the theme, love was the reason.

Last week husband, 16, 18 and I skied some fabulous slopes in Colorado (perfect powder I might add). We drove the 13 hour trip with my dad and brother and simply enjoyed every moment together.

This morning, as I walked to squeeze in my cardio exercise for the day, I noticed how overcast and windy it was. My first inclination was to relate it to the past year. For me, I would catergorize the last twelve months as cloudy, somewhat dark and difficult. There are many reasons, some I have shared with you and some that I couldn't possibly relate, they are just too private. However, the temperature this morning during my walk on January 7th, was a balmy 67 degrees. That's right, 67 degrees. It occurred to me that the clouds were keeping the temperature moderate and the wind felt good on my face and in my hair. I could have looked at the day and thought how depressing it was, how I was being deprived from the sun. But, instead, I see that if the clouds were not in place, the heat would dissipate and a cold, cold wind would prohibit me from going on a walk that keeps me healthy.

Maybe that is what the past year has been about. It has been cloudy and windy in my estimation. I know that God is sovereign and has provided a covering to keep the freezing and harmful wind from causing irreparable harm. The comforting Truth is this: God is Lord of all and I can trust Him.

Husband is an eternal optimist. He expects this year to be the best year ever. So do I.

A Regret

Every once in a while I look back over my life and, over all, I have very few regrets. Most of my mistakes, which are countless, I have been able to learn from, make amends (still with fairly harsh consequences, but deserved, nonetheless), and even overcome. However, there is one that continues to haunt me to this day.

Sometimes, I even feel I am shackled to it and there is no key.

As I look at that statement and try to be reasonable, possibly only part of it is true. I have been inexorably constrained by my error. This reality is difficult to swallow. That specific decision I made as a very young adult has molded me into the woman I am today. What shall I do with that fact? In truth, I am humbled continually by my previous lack of judgment, and, I must admit, humility is a trait that I esteem in others, so I will not condemn that attribute even in myself. I believe God has used it for good as I have experienced life with Husband and Children.

So, you are probably asking, what is the problem? Well, the conclusion of the statement is where my misery takes root. Is there a key? Yes, there is, however, it is an expensive key. What I may be realizing is that it is the same key that I refused to use before. I chose not to utilize it in my past because it was just as costly way back then. There is a difference in the price. The expenditure will be paid by my whole family, not just me.

Now, what will I do? Truthfully, I'm not sure. I know, it doesn't sound like me, does it? Usually when confronted with a difficult decision I tackle the task head on and just do what needs to get done. Why does this issue stump me? I think because I hesitate to have my family pay for my past mistakes. But, it really is getting to the point that I cannot wait any longer to redeem the past.

Lord, lead me, relieve me, provide for me, redeem my past for future good.

Noise

Does anyone else find this ironic?

Yesterday I was going to vacuum the front room. It's the room we all spend most of our time in. It's where we watch the most tv (the best tv is in there), the kids toys are in there and they really make a mess with their snacks and drinks. Anyway, I was on my way to clean it, 18 was in the dining room, across the foyer, writing a paper.

18 - Oh no! You're not going to vacuum now, are you?

me - Why, yes, I am. That room is a mess and I want to clean it before the Maverick game tonight. ( We are avid Dallas Maverick Basketball fans)

18 - Please, don't, I won't be able to concentrate, it will be too loud.

me - ok. I can wait a while. How long will you be?

18 - (no answer.)

She had already popped her ipod earphones in and promptly turned it up so high she couldn't hear a word I said.

Someone please save me from my reasonable self!

Black Friday

Why do we do it? Rise hours before dawn to stand in line and be some of the first customers to rush a store for "doorbuster" deals? I'll tell you why I do it.

My friend invited me a few years ago to Black Friday shop with her because her "regular" shopping friend couldn't go. I had never been before, and frankly, had never considered it. "Well, those people are just crazy. I do not need a sale that bad!" I used to declare. But, I really like this friend and wanted her to have the shopping experience she desired, so I drug myself out of bed, grabbed a cup of coffee, a short shopping list and embarked on what would prove to be the first of many fanatical Black Fridays.

I admit it, I am hooked. It was so much fun standing in line with my friend, sipping coffee, sharing our Thanksgiving memories from the day before, our hopes for our children and our children's children for the future (while we are shivering), and, I cannot deny, we entered each store to win the prize of the deal of the day.

We make a pretty good team. We usually separate at the door, grab our trophy deals, and meet at the register to check out (cell phones are a must!) She has, on several occasions, enabled me to be next in line for cameras that were limited to the first 10 customers, grabbed vacuums that were being considered by other people and I really needed that last one, and she simply helps me make those decisions that need a second opinion.

I believe Black Friday Shopping is first about being with my friend and second about shopping. Husband loves it because he gets to stay in bed, yet he benefits from me getting more for our money at Christmas.

Thank you friend for inviting me years ago to share your life with you.

Why Do We Go To Church Sunday and Wednesday Nights? (and why do we feel guilty when we don't)

I must answer this simply from my personal desires and needs. When my family was looking for a church about a year ago one of our first desires was that our new church would have Sunday p.m. and Wed p.m. services. It was more difficult to find churches that had these services than those that had ceased their worship at these times. We desire these times with other believers because of our need to be taught, encouraged, and lifted up more than just once a week.

If my desire is to be less like this world and more like Christ, I must spend extra time with like minded Christians who remind me that this world is not my home and that I shouldn’t fit in with it. My human nature tells me constantly that I can have both, this world and Christ. But that is a lie. So, when I go to see my Christian family I hear and see Truth more clearly.

I love Sunday and Wednesday nights. That is when most of the people who are there are serious about their walk and those are the people I need. I hunger for learning from them and experiencing Christ with them. Worshipping with them moves me. Sunday mornings are great, too, but Sunday p.m. worship is more intimate and personal for me.

When I miss, I don’t feel guilty, and neither should you. I think when we feel guilty, it is because of what we believe others might think of us. I am not keeping score, are you?

Women's Ministries

I guess I feel I just need express my opinion about Women's Ministries (WM) and their role in the early 21st century church. I know it sounds academic, but, this is really merely my own personal ponderings. I may really be off the mark, so let me know if I need to change my view.

I have been intimately involved in WM for 23 years. I have started ministries, served as a team member, led them, and faithfully supported and attended organizations that others have built. I freely admit that when I first began the arduous task of building the first WM I would be involved with, I was young, at an adolescent church, and I had no experience in this area. Even with these obstacles, this group of women understood their need for community. Not just any community, but a sisterhood of like minded Christians who needed each other to encourage one another in our sojourn. We ministered together to others outside our church, met together to serve one another, and ultimately our church benefitted. Of course, this position was voluntary.

As the years have passed, our family has changed and so have the churches we have attended. I have served on a team or led the WM at every church we have belonged. The ministry that I remember with the most fondness was, suprisingly, not the largest church we joined (300). It did eventually grow to be rather large (1500 in attendance of each Sunday morning). I was paid staff at this church. I had a volunteer team of 8, and they had teams of their own that successfully engineered and executed their segment of the ministry with a creativity I could never have generated myself.

In my experience, and I will agree it is limited, most churches (of any denomination) do not have a WM staff position. The job of WM leader is expected to be filled by a volunteer. Most churches will express their desire to have a WM, but, realistically, if no one steps up to do the job, our churches will wait for someone to "feel" the need to organize activities for the women, especially since it is a volunteer position. Each volunteer tends to have their favorite activity to support, so as the leaders change, so does the personality of the ministry. Now, this is true of most positions, however, in ministry at a church whose foundation is the Bible, we really should have a cornerstone of Bible study for WM no matter who is in leadership.

So, now I must ask myself (and you) these questions:

*Why isn't WM a necessary component in our church?
*Is WM just a nice, additional activity for us to put in our bulletins on Sunday to show how much we have going on?
*If we are going to spend millions on our children and youth ministries (and I believe this is the right thing to do), will we be satisfied for these women to just drop their children off and leave our parking lot? (Our numbers say that this is happening)
*Why don't we find a professional WM leader and include that position on our church staff so we can have an effective ministry that affects over half our attendees, and, in turn, benefits our church as a whole? (On any given Sunday over half of the adults in attendance are women).

To conclude, I love my church. My desire is for us not to follow trends in the 21st century church, but to create them. Effective trends that will affect our world for Christ. That is why we are here.

Fear God and keep His commandments

Closing Comments
Ecclesiastes – Week 6

I. Fear God

A. FEAR (Holman Bible Dictionary) A broad range of emotions that embrace both the secular and the religious worlds.

1. Secular fear is the natural feeling of alarm caused by the expectation of imminent danger, pain, or disaster.

2. Religious fear appears as the result of awe and reverence toward a supreme power.

B. FEAR 3372. yare', yaw-ray'– (Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary); a primary root; to fear; morally to revere; causative to frighten:--panic, be (make) afraid, dread(-ful), (put in) fear (-ful, -fully, -ing). (be had in) reverence (-end), X see, terrible (act, -ness, thing).

1. Obedience to even the hardest commands is our goal, because the consequence of disobedience (separation from God) is dreadful. Gen 22:12

2. We should not fear anything or anyone but God alone. This will protect us from sinning. Ex. 20:20

3. The fear of the LORD in our children begins with us. Josh 4: 22-24

C. FEAR - When I realize my own frailty, understand my lack of control in my circumstances and future, and get a glimpse of God’s glory, power and sovereignty, I am distressed and require God’s sheltering presence from myself and the effect of this sinful world.

II. Keep His Commandments

A. Jericho…
1. glimpsed Jehovah Sabaoth before Israel came to their city.
2. had already begun to respond to His might.

B. Israel
1. Fundamentals of fearing Jehovah Sabaoth
a. Circumcision – v2-7
b. Healing – v8
c. Reflect on God’s deliverance in the past – v10
d. Recognize that the battle was God’s – v13-14
e. Acknowledge the Holiness of God – v14-15

1. Experiencing Jehovah Sabaoth
a. God gave Israel exactly what He had promised
1. sustenance
2. The land

b. God did all the work. Israel was only required to keep His commandments.

III. For this is the whole duty of man.

BE THE WORD.

Ecclesiastes - Week 5

Closing Comments

I. Submission – Literally – Under (sub) – Cause or Purpose (mission)
mis·sion - noun
1. a sending out or being sent out with authority to perform a special service;
2. a group of persons sent to a foreign government to conduct negotiations; diplomatic delegation; embassy
3. the special task or purpose for which a person is apparently destined in life; calling
4. any charitable, educational, or religious organization for helping persons in need
5. a series of special religious services designed to increase faith or bring about conversion
6. * Mil. a specific combat operation assigned to an individual or unit;

II. Submission to God

A. Our cause is the law of God which brings life and peace. (Rom 8:6-7)

B. Ultimately, all will submit to God’s authority. (1 Cor 15:26 – 28) - The order of this world is hazy. But eventually God will make it all right. Every creation will be subject to Him, cede to Him now and enjoy the blessings of God’s order before the appointed time.

C. Submission is a hierarchy from God. ( Eph 5:17 – 24 ) God to Christ, to man, to woman, to child as the sequence. However, the tone of this hierarchy was not military, but voluntary and self-sacrificing. It is wise, understanding, and perceptive of God’s will. It is about pleasure and order, and out of our desire to please our Redeemer.

III. Submission to others

A. Our submission to man’s ordinances will silence fools and glorify God and give us liberty. (1 Pet 2:13 – 20) (Rom 13:1 – 7) Anyone God has put in authority over you is so that you will have someone to minister to you. Do you believe you are not in need of someone to serve and protect you? Give over that area of your life and allow God to lead as well as shelter you from this dangerous world.

B. Be humble towards all and ready to learn from anyone God chooses to use. (1 Pet 5:5 – 8) Yes, usually it is the younger who offer submission to the older, however, it is not always the case. Grace and humility go hand in hand. This will keep you from the wiles of The adversary.

C. Submission is a hierarchy from God. (Eph 5:17 – 24) God to Christ, to man, to woman, to child as the sequence. However, the tone of this hierarchy was not military, but voluntary and self-sacrificing. It is wise, understanding, and perceptive of God’s will. It is about pleasure and order, and out of our desire to please our Redeemer.

D. We must be committed to the mission of God even when we doubt our husband’s devotion to the call of God. (1 Pet 3:1) Even if your husbands are not Christians or are not obedient to Christ, you must be submissive to them, as if they were, so that your obedience to Christ will cause them to turn or return to the Lord.


Doctrine statement concerning submission

Submission is an act of admitting the authority of God over me in every area of my life, ceding to the order God has ordained, and resisting my human desires to deny the leadership and protection God has provided in this carnal world.

Tulle, tulle, & more tulle

tulle - noun- a thin, fine netting of silk, rayon, nylon, etc., used as for veils and scarves.

To me, tulle equals wedding. It's that lovely, wispy, netting that blows gently in the wind and drapes everything in romance. There was an irresistable aura of love in New Waverly, Texas this past weekend. Neice 21, married her beau on Saturday in an outdoor wedding, in the country, among 100 friends and family. The gazebo was beautifully draped in tulle and lit with lights amid grapevine pulled from the trees on the land behind the house.

I had the fabulous honor of helping sister in law decorate the acres where the wedding and reception would be held. We had great fun from Thursday til right up to the minute of the wedding planning where the tulle and lights would be hung, calculating how to best host 100 people, and simply playing in the tulle.

It was hot, difficult work at times, but I wouldn't trade one minute of the experience of observing Neice 21 and her mother prepare for her new life on those few days. Even more endearing was watching my brother organize himself, not only to give her away to her groom, but to perform the wedding ceremony. He has been her pastor for 19 of her 21 years. It was only proper. His words will forever be embedded in my heart. My brother said:

"I have many memories of 21 when she was young, but, the two I want to share with you are these two things. When 21 was small and had a bad day and was really upset, I would simply hold her until she would calm down and quit crying or go to sleep. And one day when she was only 2 yrs old she put the car in reverse while I was raising the garage door and the car went racing across the street, all I could do was run to rescue her from the danger that I could see was imminent. I was ready to do whatever it took to bring her to safety. "

"Groom, that is your charge, if 21 is having a bad day or a rough time, hold her and let her know that everthing will be ok. If something is dragging her away, Go get her and bring her back! Her mother and I give her away, to you, and now that is your responsibility, her security and her safety."

Now they are cruising the Caribbean. What a glorious beginning of what will be a lifetime of memories.

Ecclesiastes – Week 4

Closing Comments


I. When is it time to forgive?

a. After every offense (Luke 23: 34)
b. Before asked (Ps 86:5)

II. How do I forgive?

a. Just like God forgives me, completely. (Jer 31:34b)
b. With the compassion of God because we are called to hold a different standard in our relationships. (I Kings 8:50-53a)

III. What does complete forgiveness look like?

a. It looks like pure love. I must remember that I am here to allow the people around me to experience a shadow of their relationship with Christ. Rejoicing in good decisions, facing and dealing with poor decisions.

b. Forgiveness doesn’t mean an absence of consequences. Natural consequences are godly consequences.

Riches of God

Closing Comments
Ecclesiastes – Week 3

I. Riches of God all benefit me.

a. Goodness, forebearance, longsuffering. (Rom 2:4)

b. Patience and mercy. (Rom 9:22 -23)

c. Redemption, forgiveness, makes known His will for our lives. (Eph 1:7)

d. Christ in you. (Col 1:27)
1. Preserving God's Word (Jn 14:26)
2. Testifies of Jesus (Jn 15:26)
3. Conviction (Jn16:8)
4. Illumination (Jn 16:12)
5. Glorifying Jesus (Jn 16:14)
6. Regeneration (Titus 3:5)
7. Prayer (Rom 8:26)
8. Comfort (Acts 9:31; 2Cor 1:4)
9. Cleansing, Sanctification, Justification (1Cor 6:11)

II. My Investment in God’s Riches is doing today what I was called to do today. (Rom 11: 34-12:1)

a. Mercies of God – I can only consider becoming “rich in God” because God has withheld reasonable judgment from me.

b. Body as a Living sacrifice
1. Body – that which I have control over
2. Living Sacrifice – lively, moving, and quickened. Not idle.

c. Holy, acceptable unto God
1. Pure and morally blameless
2. Well pleasing

d. Reasonable service
1. Reasonable - Rational, (root word logos), of the word
2. Service – worship

III. My Investment in Others is the same as my investment in God’s Riches.

Be faithful to have an intimate relationship with the Lord, let Him work through me, so that the rest of the world will know that He is the Lord God and there is no other, which will be evidence of an undivided heart (a heart at peace with God). – 1 Kings 8:59-61

"Practice Hospitality"

OK, OK I admit it, in the chaos of raising a family, trying to make a living, making every attempt to diet and exercise (or maybe I should just say "making" an attempt), and endeavoring to keep my home in order, that little command I read in Romans 12:13 goes straight to the bottom of my list of to-do's. Especially as the holiday season approaches, and my list grows each day, can I really be expected to "practice hospitality"? It is just two little words, perhaps I can just gloss over them and look more closely at them next year when my life will be a little less hectic (ha,ha).

I decided I should do a little research and discover what I could about that small phrase and how it should impact my schedule. After all, if it is in Scripture, I really must heed that advice, and I do believe the Bible is for my good.

Several questions come to mind:

1. What is hospitality? Hospitality is generously receiving guests in my home and having a welcoming attitude toward them.

2. How can I practice hospitality? To practice means to perform habitually or regularly. So to practice hospitality I must make a habit of welcoming guests into my home.

3. What good can it be for me and others? Simply put, Christian fruit is in Christian relationships (Rom 1:13). We meet one another's needs in developing friendships and relationships. I need others and the encouragement they offer and they need me.

4. How can I "practice hospitality" in my home? This is too hard for me! My greatest excuses are that my home is not nice enough or clean enough. Honestly, when I consider the times I have been invited to someone else's home, I never judged their possessions or how neat or clean it was. I was genuinely grateful for the invitation and the friendship that was offered.

So, now what? Now that I know I must "practice hospitality" what steps can I take to be faithful to that duty? I think I will start small. I will ask a friend that I already know and a new "someone" from my Lifegroup over for dessert. That should be easy. Then, maybe I'll move up to inviting a couple over for dinner and games. Maybe I'll even have a Christmas party! Being obedient to the Word could have lasting blessings through the friendships that will be developed by "practicing hospitality"!

The more I "practice hospitality", the more fun it will be. The more relationships I have the more support and encouragement I will receive at exactly the right time. I knew God's Word was good for me!! Thank you, LORD, for those two little words, "Practice Hospitality".

Seeking God - Ecclesiastes - Week 3

“Simply be faithful and find pleasure in doing what you are called to do!”

I. Determine what I am called to do.

A. Circumstances which prohibit me from seeking God.

1. Is the LORD God my God? (Lev 20:6-8)
2. Do I believe that God is sovereign? (1 Sam 23:14)
3. Pride (Ps 10:4;2 Chr 7:14;Jer 29:13)

B. How to seek God’s will for today.

1. Prepare my heart. (Ezra 7:10; 2 Chr 12:14)
2. Have a willing mind. (1 Chr 28:8 -9;)
3. Abide with Christ. (John 1:38 -39)

II. Finding pleasure in seeking God and doing what I am called to do.

A. Having a prepared heart and a willing mind and abide with Him continually. (1 Chr 16:10 -11)
B. If we seek Him we will lack no good thing. (Ps 34:10)

C. Freedom comes in the discovering and following God’s principles. (Psalm 119:45)


III. Be faithful to my calling.

A. Is 58:11-14

B. Heb 10:38-39


Doctrine statement concerning seeking God:

“The fundamental reason I cannot hear from God is because I have not sought Him in humility. Humility leads me to thirst for Him, seek forgiveness, realize my infirmities, ask continuously, and follow when I hear His answer.”

The Heritage: Ecclesiastes - Week 2

Heritage (Webster's Definition)

1 : property that descends to an heir
2 a : something transmitted by or acquired from a predecessor
3 : something possessed as a result of one's natural situation or birth

Synonyms: LEGACY, INHERITANCE b : TRADITION, BIRTHRIGHT

I. God’s inheritance for me is …
a. Eternal (Ps 37:18)
b. Steadfast (Ps 94:14)
c. Vindication and Righteousness (Is 54:17)
d. Forgiving, Merciful, and Compassionate (Micah 7:18-19)
e. God Himself (Ezekiel 44:28)

II. Is the heritage I am leaving…
a. Eternal?
b. Steadfast?
c. Dependent on God for vindication and righteousness?
d. Forgiving, merciful, and compassionate?
e. God Himself?

III. No regrets
a. Have I been faithful with what God has given me? (Jer 2:7)
b. Have I considered my children a heritage of the Lord? (Ps 127:3)
c. Walk wisely, redeeming the time. (Eph 5:15-16)