The Sheep and the Goats

"When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal." Matthew 25:31-46

A couple of days ago, I was reading a note that one of my friends wrote on his facebook page about investing. He quoted the story of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30. He made some good points. However, he said that investing in people was not wise (this was not the main point of his note, but it was the one part that spoke to me the most).

But if we read the rest of Matthew 25, we see that investing in people is not only a wise investment that is worth the risk, but it is also a commandment.

God has invested a lot in us. He lovingly created each of us, investing His time and creativity into each of our lives. He sent us His only Son to die for us so that we could be saved. He has definitely made a hefty investment in us.

My friend's main point was that we should work to give God a good return on His investment. I agree. After we accept Jesus into our hearts, every day of our lives should be lived for Him. We should chase after His Spirit and use the talents and abilities that He has blessed us with to work for Him and further His kingdom. (Just like the parable in Matthew 25:14-30.) We will never be able to repay Jesus for what He has done for us, but when we live a Spirit-filled life that honors and glorifies Him, that pleases Him.

And part of living a Spirit-filled life for Christ is investing in people.

Matthew 25:31-46 talks mainly about supplying the physical needs of people out of love and compassion. We are commanded in 1 John 4:7-8 and John 13:34-35 to "love one another." You can't love someone without investing your time and heart into them.

I understand that people are a risky investment. They mess up. They hurt our feelings. They don't always return our love. But the risk is worth the reward.

In Matthew 25:31-46, we see 4 things:

1. The Judge Will Come: (Matt 25:31) Jesus is coming back. He never said "if the Son of man returns," but always said "when the Son of man shall come." He is coming back. Are you ready for His return?
2. All Will Be Judged: (Matt 25:32-33) No one escapes judgment. Hebrews 9:27 says "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." Matthew 12:36 says " But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment." We will all be judged. And how we treat people will be part of that judgment.
3. The Righteous Will Be Blessed: (Matt 25:34-40) Those that invest in people and sharing the love of Christ will be blessed. Matthew 5:12a "Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven!"
4. The Wicked Will Be Cursed: (Matt 25:41-46) It is so sad to me that people miss out on all the blessings of this lifetime because of fear. We fear the unknown, we fear rejection, and we are so often too afraid to do what God is leading us to do. We cannot let fear - or the risks of investing in an imperfect people - keep us from doing God's work. We will be judged for what we do - and those that don't show love and compassion will be cursed.

The Savior will come again. He will separate us into two groups: the sheep on His right hand and the goats on His left.

Do you know why a shepherd separated sheep and goats? It was because sheep could stand the cold weather better, and the goats had to be kept near the fire.

If we are sheep, and weather the cold, hard times of this life (like sacrificing to serve others, investing in people and risking getting hurt or rejected, for the glory of the Lord), the Shepherd will bless us.

If we are like the goats, we will get burned.

What about you? Are you one of the sheep or one of the goats?

*This outline was taken from Fusion Devotional Magazine, March - May 2009, Randall House Publishing.

"A May that Matters" Part Five

Freedom Matters (Based on a sermon by Bro. Rick Taylor 5/31/09)

Romans 8:1-3 "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak thorough the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh."

What do you think of when you hear the word freedom? Do you think of an American flag flying proudly? Do you think of cute little houses with white picket fences and kids playing in the yard? Do you think of yellow ribbons tied around trees and the soldiers that sacrifice for us daily?

In America, we have so much to be thankful for. We are free to worship. We are free to share our faith. We are free to pursue happiness.

But we have an enemy that is attacking our freedom everyday. Satan tells us that we can find freedom in sin. He wants us to believe that when we follow our sinful desires and do whatever we please, that we will be free. And too many Christians have chosen to live their lives in bondage to sin.

But take heart - because we can be FREE:

Who is free?

1. "Them which are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1) We are free when we accept Jesus and become a part of Him. How do you know if you're living in Christ? Think about how much you let Him be a part of your decisions. Do you go to Him with ever question and every care? Do you seek Him daily?
2. "Who walk not after the flesh" (Romans 8:1) There is a daily battle waging within us between our flesh and the Spirit. (Imagine those old cartoons where the angel and the devil would pop up on the character's shoulder and argue out what he or she should do.) Galatians 5:16-17 "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would."
3. Who walk "after the Spirit" (Romans 8:1) Walking in the Spirit begins with PRAYER. We cannot get closer to God or be more like Him without prayer. Prayer is followed by PURGING. As we get closer to God and follow the Spirit, He will purge things from our lives that are holding us back. This is a constant process of sanctification. Purging is followed by PROGRESS!

What are we free from?

1. The law of sin (Romans 8:2) We are all bound by our sins. We try to manage our sin, but our sins always end up controlling us. Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
2. The law of death (Romans 8:2) Hebrews 9:27 "And it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment." We will all face death and judgment, but if we accept Jesus we can be saved from the punishment and eternity of death and have eternal life!

How are we set free? (Romans 8:3)

1. We were condemned by sin, but Jesus came and condemned sin to set us free.
2. We have a choice to live a life of sin, or to accept Jesus and live a Spirit-filled life for Him.

Romans 8:30-32 "Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? IF GOD BE FOR US, WHO CAN BE AGAINST US? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"

Romans 8:37 "Nay, in all these things WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS through him that loved us."

"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32

Let Us Love One Another

Have you ever noticed that God will send you the same message over and over again until you finally get it? For example, you might do your devotion for the day and read a scripture that really speaks to you. Then, later in the week, you run across the same scripture in your Sunday school class, then again in your Bible Study group, then again in your favorite online devotional blog, then you hear it on your favorite radio program...it just goes on and on.

Some people call it a coincidence, but I don't believe that it happens by chance. I know that it's God's perfect plan and that He puts these scriptures and messages in our lives and makes them unavoidable. He is so patient that He continues to feed us the same message over and over again until we finally say, "Okay, God, I get it. What do You want me to learn from this?" and let Him show us His perfect truth.

That's been happening to me lately. Last Wednesday night, the lesson that I taught was a familiar one - we studied about Pharaoh forcing the Israelites into slavery and learned that even when bad things happen we can still trust God because He sees what we go through and He has a plan. The lesson also pointed out that we should love one another and always treat people with kindness and love instead of being mean like Pharaoh. (I know this is kind of elementary, but I teach toddlers through fifth grade, so hang with me for a few minutes.)

Our memory verse (which I hope all the kids learned, because it's a really important one) was 1 John 4:7-8 - "Beloved, let us love one another: For love is of God and everyone that loveth is born of God and knoweth God. He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love."

I typed that verse up to give out to my classes on Wednesday night, put it on our Mission Kids blog (check it out at http://www.ssfwbmissionkids.blogspot.com/) and even taught the kids a little song to help them remember the verse. Every week, when I give the kids a memory verse, I try my best to learn it and memorize it as well, but I had learned this verse when I was younger, so I just put it on the fridge for my brother to learn and didn't really look at it anymore.

Well, apparently, I hadn't learned my lesson to God's satisfaction, because He kept putting that verse in front of me all week. It popped up on my friends' facebook profiles, in the online devotions that I read, in my personal devotion, in a book that I was reading and on the radio show that I listen to every day.

But what lesson did I need to learn? Loving people is hard, but I already knew that I was supposed to treat people with love (and I try - I really do! My sarcastic streak makes it really hard sometimes, but I try nonetheless), so what was God trying to teach me?

When I finally said, "Okay, God. I get it. What do You want me to learn from this?", He started showing me.

I've been studying the Samaritan woman at the well (check out her story in John 4) and have been reading Paperdoll by Natalie Lloyd. One of the lessons in the book is about love. The Samaritan woman knew about love. She had been married five times and was living with a man that was not her husband. She had plenty of experience in love. She knew exactly what it was. Right?

Wrong. She thought she knew what love was. To her, it was just an emotion. Something that she used to fill the void in her life. She was so desperate for real love that she filled her longing with an artificial, pop-culture, made up version of love. She looked for love in all the wrong places, and all the wrong faces (sounds like a country song, right?). But that day at the well, she learned what LOVE really was.

She learned that she was worthy of love -

How many of you know a Samaritan woman? I'm not talking about a person that was born in Samaria, I'm talking about an outcast. An outsider. Someone that is living on the edge and desperately longing to be on the inside. Someone that has no self-esteem. Someone that had been beat up and defeated by the cruelties of this world. She avoids your gaze, she walks down the hallway alone, she carries around her broken heart and searches every face for any semblance of acceptance and love.

Guess what? She is worthy of love. So are you. So am I. God lovingly created each of us. He placed a longing in our hearts to love and be loved. The Samaritan woman had been passing out her heart to every person that would take it, hoping that someone would finally take care of her and her heart and love her the way she so desperately wanted and needed to be loved.

That modern day Samaritan woman that you know? She's the same way. She needs to be loved. And since Jesus isn't walking around on the earth in human form anymore to meet her at her modern day well and show her what love is, it's up to us to do it. He told us in John 15:15-17, "Henceforth, I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, that ye love one another."

Jesus came to earth and suffered and died to save us. Now, He wants us to go tell the world what He did. It's up to us to show them what His love looks like. The Samaritan woman was worthy of love. Jesus showed her love. We should do the same for those modern-day Samaritans.

She learned that she should love herself -

Do you have a healthy self-esteem? As women, we all struggle with body image. We all struggle with loving ourselves. The Samaritan woman was no different. She definitely struggled with her own self-worth. This is evident from her past. She had been married five times and when she met Jesus at the well, she was living with a man that was not her husband. She used men and their empty promises of love and affection to feel like she was special and worthy of being loved.

1 Corinthians 6:18-20 says, "Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is a temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and you are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's."

The Samaritan woman was trapped in sin because she didn't understand how special she was. She didn't love herself, and she allowed people to use her and mistreat her. When she met Jesus and He told her all the things she had ever done and showed her what love really was, she finally got it. She was not only worthy of love, she was allowed to love herself. She was Created by God and was loved by Him, and she was His temple.

Do you love yourself? Do you treat yourself like a temple of the Lord, or do you allow your body to be used and abused by yourself and others?

She learned that she should love others -

After the Samaritan woman spoke with Jesus at the well, the first thing she did was run throughout the streets and tell others about Him and all the wonderful things He had done for her. She was so excited about sharing His love and His message with others that she left her water pot at the well and ran through the streets. The men in the village thought she was crazy!

How excited do we get about sharing God's love today? I'm afraid we've lost that excitement that the Samaritan woman had. After she learned that she was worthy of love and that she could love herself, she couldn't wait to share that love with others.

She wasn't instantly a Bible scholar. She didn't instantly gain all knowledge and understanding of what had just happened to her at the well, but she did know this: she had finally filled that void in her life and there was a fountain of living water springing up in her soul and it was overflowing and she HAD to share it!

"As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country." Proverbs 25:25 She had good news - she had been thirsty and now she was filled. And she knew the Man that could fill others that were thirsting.

So, "Beloved, let us love one another." We are all worthy of love, we are all loved by the Father, and we all have love to share.

Prayer Request Update

Hey, everyone! Thanks so much for praying for Mrs. Geraldine. She came through her surgery well and is at home. Please continue to keep her in your prayers as she heals from this surgery and considers treatment options. Your prayers matter so much! Thank you! :)

Prayer Request

Please be in prayer for Mrs. Geraldine Strickland today. She will be having surgery in Birmingham today to treat her cancer. Please pray for her and her family, as well as the doctors and nurses that will be working with her today.

"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:16

Upcoming Fundraisers for Nationals

As most of you know, we have been so blessed to have so many students participate in this year's National Youth Conference at the Free Will Baptist Convention! Because we have so many students participating this year, we are taking a very large group to the National Convention in Cincinnatti, Ohio in July. In the next two months, we will be hosting many fundraisers to help cover the costs of travel and our hotel rooms during the convention.



On Sunday, May 30, we will have a Spaghetti Lunch after church. Plates will be available for dine-in and carry out at the Family Life Center. Each plate is $6.00 and includes spaghetti, a side salad, a roll and tea.



During the month of June, we will be selling PartyLite Candles. You can purchase a set of 12 votives for $20, a set of 2 jar candles for $20, or a tin candle for $15. Contact me at cmhopper.warrior@gmail.com for more information or to find out how to order.



On Friday, June 19th we will have BBQ plates for sale at the Family Life Center. Each plate is $7.00 and includes BBQ, baked beans, cole slaw and bread. All plates will be carry-out and we will be serving from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m.



Thanks for all your support as we prepare to go to Nationals. We are so proud of our kids and all the hard work they have put into preparing for their Bible and music competitions this year. Please be in prayer for all of our kids that are competing this summer.

"A May that Matters" Part Four

Looking Forward to the Future - Remembering the Past (Sermon by Bro. Rick Taylor 5/24/09)

Our future depends on the faith we have had in the past and the things that we have gone through.

"Choices, no matter how small, do matter. Your day-to-day decisions have a way of determining your destiny. The person you are becoming - situation by situation, decision by decision, choice by choice - is ther person you will be forever." David Ausburger

2 Timothy 1:3-7 "I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my prayers night and day; Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; When I call to remembreance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."

Remembrance in Prayer

1. Paul had been taught how to pray. As parents, it is our responsibility to teach our children how to pray. Do they see and hear you pray to God on a regualr basis? Is prayer something that you do together? Do they know that you pray for them? Do they know how to pray?
2. Paul prayed without ceasing. "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving." Colossians 4:2

Remembrance of Faith

1. Timothy had been shown what it meant to have faith by his mother and grandmother. *Women that have to be the spiritual leaders in your homes - do not give up! Keep the faith, and God will bless your homes for your faithfulness!
2. Timothy had a pure and uninhibited faith. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1

Remembrance of the Gift of God

1. The Gift of God is our salvation and the Holy Spirit that dwells within us. "Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift." 2 Corinthians 9:15
2. The Gift of God is personal. You can't receive His gift unless you know Him. "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Matthew 7:21
3. The Gift of God should stir us up! Don't be afraid to get stirred up! "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of POWER, and of love, and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7

God wants us to always remember what He saved us from and what He saved us to do. We can't move on to the future without remembering the past.

"A May that Matters" Part Three

Forgiveness Matters (Sermon by Bro. Rick Taylor on 5/17/09)

Check out the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. There are many lessons that we can learn from the prodigal son, but today we're going to look at forgiveness.

WHY DO WE NEED FORGIVENESS?

Because an offense has taken place:

1. The son's demand - "And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me, And he divided unto them his living." Luke 15:12
2. The son's devouring of his inheritance - "And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living." Luke 15:13 *The far country represents any place that we are or that we want to be that is out of God's will.
3. The son's devotion to another - "And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine." Luke 15:15 *The citizen of the far country represents our sin (and the devil).

The responses to sin - The younger son:

1. He recognized his sin. He knew that he was living in sin because of the way he had been raised. When he "came to himself" (Luke 15:17) he realized that he was living in sin. *Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go" and when he is old, he will not depart from it." As parents, it is our responsibility to train our children in God's ways and educate them with God's word so they will recognize sin.
2. He repented of his sin. We cannot be forgiven of our sins until we ask for forgiveness. The son admitted his sins to his father and asked to be forgiven.
3. He was restored to his previous position. After the son asked for forgiveness, his father received him back into his home. This represents the way that God takes us in as His children when we repent. He not only restores us, but He promotes us - we are taken from being beggars and are made into children of the King!

The responses to sin - the father:

1. He was waiting for his son to return. This represents the way that God waits for us when we turn from Him and to sin. He patiently waits for us to come home, and he rejoices when we do.
2. He was wanting his son to return and he welcomed him with open arms. Just like the prodigal son's father welcomed him home, God is waiting to welcome us into His kingdom.
3. He was willing to forgive his son. God is willing to forgive us, too. "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." Ephesians 1:7

God is that Father that is waiting for us to come back to Him. He wants to restore us and promote us to the place that we need to be.

Something to Say

I just started reading a new book called Paperdoll: When an Ordinary Girl Meets an Extraordinary God by Natalie Lloyd. It's about image and how the media and the world tell women what we need to be successful and happy, but that all we really need is God. So far, it's been great.

One of the things that really caught my eye last night was this quote: "When God speaks, He always has a purpose to accomplish."

Matthew 12:36-37 says, "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shall be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned."

That's a pretty scary scripture to a girl like me. My mouth is moving every minute that I'm awake. I'm one of those people that talks just to hear my own voice. And I'll have to account for every idle word that I say? Ouch...

What if we never spoke without having a purpose to accomplish? Think about all the great work we could do if we used our mouths to build each other up instead of tearing others down. Imagine all the great and wonderful things we could talk about and tell people if we truly surrendered and gave our words to God...

What if we REALLY had something worthwhile to say? Guess what...we do! All of us have a story, and your story can save a life. When we open up and say what God leads us to say, and share our stories of triumph over tragedy, or loss and redemption, or defeat and victory, then we are shining for Christ. He gives us the words we need, IF we're willing to speak them.

What about you? Do you have something to say?

Through the eyes of a child

"The LORD has done GREAT things for us and our HEARTS are filled with JOY!"

Psalm 126:3 (NIV)

Every Wednesday night, before we begin class, I line up all the kids (usually between 30-40 from 2 years to 5th grade) and let them tell me prayer requests and praise items.

They always amaze me! They can't wait to share stories about the things that are happening in their lives, and they give God credit for every little thing that they enjoy - from playing a baseball game with their mom that afternoon to getting to go to the mall and have a cookie for snack.

Kids are so wonderful. They are completely honest and they find beauty and wonder in the simplest things. I wish that I was still that innocent and that open to seeing God working around me.

Jesus instructed us to keep a childlike faith in Mark 10:14-15. "But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein." (Also see Matthew 18:2-4)

Think about what life could be like if you looked through the eyes of a child...they see past the piles of laundry and stacks of mail and scattered toys on the carpet. They see wonder in the clouds and hear music when the birds sing. They see love in the tiniest actions. They see joy in a lollipop and adventure in a walk through the woods.

Take some time to see your life through the eyes of a child. God has done great things for you, and He wants to show you all that He's done.

Will you open your eyes and let joy fill your heart?

What God does lasts forever...

"I know that whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him." Ephesians 3:14

Whatever God does will be forever. What are you letting God do in your life? Are you letting Him make changes in you that will last forever? Are you letting Him mold you into the person you need to be? Are you willing to let Him do something with your life?

This afternoon, I was scanning the clearance tables at my local Christian bookstore and I found a student's Bible study journal. It has spaces in it for Bible study notes from group and personal Bible studies, as well as pages for prayers and thoughts. As I was flipping through it, I thought about how much time we give to God every day.

I was recently asked to come to a teen camp as a counselor this summer. I'm not sure if I'll be able to attend yet, but if I do, I want to challenge the girls I'll be teaching to keep a journal like this. I'll go ahead and challenge you to do the same.

For the next week, keep a written record of what God speaks to you. Take notes of your pastor's sermons. Write down a quote that makes you think or sparks your curiosity. Jot down the lyrics to a song that made you smile (or cry) and why it made you feel that way. Write down your prayer requests and write down how God answers them! Tape in a picture of a beautiful sunset that reminded you of the awesomeness of your Creator. Write down your favorite memory verse and what it means to you. Write the hard questions that you want to ask God, them look up the answers in the Bible. Make a list of the things you're thankful for.

Then, at the end of the week, read what you've written.

This kind of exercise can show you just how much you're allowing God to move in your life. The more you open up to what He wants to show you and do through you, you'll notice His hand on your life more and more each day.

What God does lasts forever. And He's always working. We don't stop to look around very often, but He's there.

I'd love to hear what God tells you during the next week. You can leave a comment or email me at cmhopper.warrior@gmail.com. Thanks for reading!

"Free to be Real" EWomen Part 2

"You are writing a best seller with the days of your life."


That's how popular Christian fiction author, Karen Kingsbury began her message on Saturday morning at the Extraordinary Women Conference. She has written over 40 novels and has been on the USA Today and New York Times Best Seller List. This weekend, she told us her story - and reminded us that "life is not a dress rehearsal. You only get one chance."


One Chance to Love (John 13 and 1 John 4:7-8)

One Chance to Laugh (Proverbs 17:22)

One Chance to Live


She also reminded us to cherish our "lasts" and reminded us that we never know when the lasts will come, so we have to be prepared. (Moms, you'll definitely want to read her book Let Me Hold You Longer - Just make sure to have a box of tissues handy!)


After Karen Kingsbury spoke, we heard from the Extraordinary Woman of the Year - Thelma Wells. Mrs. Thelma told us: "Don't give in, God wants you to win!" She spoke to us about putting on the armour of God (Ephesians 6:10-18), which she called "dressing for success."

1. Fix your hair: the helmet of salvation
2. Cover your heart (aka - pad your bra): the breastplate of righteousness
3. Tighten your girdle: gird your loins with truth using the Sword of the Spirit
4. Put on your stomping shoes: having your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace
5. Wear the shield of faith - "For without faith, it is impossible to please him..." Hebrews 11:6

On top of all the wonderful speakers, we were blessed to have Newsong with us this weekend. They led our praise and worship time and also performed for the closing concert. They were incredible, as always. My favorite song that we sang during the praise and worship time is called "Rescue."

You are the source of life
I can't be left behind
No one else will do
I will take hold of You
I need You Jesus, I need You Jesus

My heart is Yours for life
I need Your hand in mine
No one else will do
Lord I put my trust in You

I need You Jesus to come to my rescue
Where else can I go?
There's no other Name by which I am saved
Capture me with grace
I will follow You

My heart is Yours for life
I need Your hand in mine
No one else will do
Lord I put my trust in You

This world has nothing for me (I will follow you)

"Free to be Real" EWomen Part 1

The theme for this year's Extraordinary Women Conference was "Free to be Real." Throughout the weekend, we were taught about God's love and grace and that He wants us to be FREE from the burdens of life that weigh us down and keep us from living an abundant, glorious life. The only way to find that freedom is through total surrender to Jesus Christ. (Matthew 11:29-30 "Take my yoke upon you...for my yoke is easy and my burden is light.")

Our theme verse came from 2 Corinthians 3:17 - "The Lord and the Spirit are one and the same, and the Lord's Spirit sets us free." CEV (And for my fellow FWB ladies, I'll include the KJV as well - "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.")

On Friday night, we laughed until we cried with Chonda Pierce. Through comedy and open, honest testimony, she shared with us that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14) and that we are beautiful to God just the way He created us.

After her message, recording artist Matthew West brought us an amazing concert. He has an incredible testimony about trusting God and following Him through the valleys of life. His hit song "Motions," is a beautiful reminder and challenge to all Christians to really LIVE for Christ instead of just going through the daily motions of life.



On Saturday morning, Mrs. Stormie Omartian (author of the Power of a Praying... series), spoke to us about finding transformation and POWER in the presence of God. One of my favorite things she said (and I hope I quote this correctly - I was scribbling notes as fast as I could!) was "God can take the broken pieces of your life and piece them together to make a beautiful stained glass window that His love can shine through." She challenged us to diligently seek the presence of the Lord (Hebrews 11:6 "...he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.") and challenged us to pray for God to change us, because "only God can make changes in us that last."


Our next speaker was Mrs. Angela Thomas (author of When Wallflowers Dance and Do You Think I'm Beautiful). She is an amazing speaker and spoke about not letting our vision be blurred when it comes to recognizing the glory of God that's all around us. She read from 2 Corinthians 2:13-18, which tells of the Israelites having "their minds blinded" from seeing the glory of God. But in verse 16, Paul tells us that the "vail will be taken away." Praise the Lord! Now we can see the glory of God shining in our lives. We no longer have to be blinded and we are welcomed into a personal RELATIONSHIP with our Holy God. How awesome is that?

Mrs. Angela reminded us that:

"We serve a REAL God,

Who REALLY shows up,

And REALLY loves us,

And REALLY rescues us,

And REALLY wants to know us,

And that's what it means to be REAL!"

All these great messages made me think - How REAL is your relationship with Christ? How REAL is my relationship with Christ? He revealed to me this weekend that I need to spend a lot more time with Him, especially time listening to Him. Think about it this way -

If you were a teenage girl and the totally cute quarterback of the high school football team wanted to spend time with you, you would have jumped at the chance, right? I mean, he's the quarterback. Everyone knows him, everyone likes him, and he's pretty much awesome. So you'd definitely pencil him into your busy high school schedule, right?

I know that most of you are already out of high school and your schedules now are even more crazy than they were then, but the GOD OF THE UNIVERSE WANTS TO BE IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU! HE WANTS TO KNOW YOU AND TO SPEND TIME WITH YOU! HE WANTS TO HOLD YOU IN HIS LOVING ARMS AND PROTECT YOU AND COMFORT YOU AND GIVE YOU PEACE AND HOPE AND LOVE! And unlike that quarterback, HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU OR FORSAKE YOU.

He thinks that you are beautiful. He tells us that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made." He finds us captivating and wonderful. He loves us with a love so deep and so pure that it is beyond our understanding. He offers peace, joy, hope, love, abundant and everlasting life! HIS LOVE FOR YOU IS REAL! What about your love for Him?

God created you with the sole purpose to love you and for you to love Him. That's REAL. That's TRUTH.

He offers you freedom. Are you ready to be FREE?

Are you "FREE TO BE REAL?"

Extraordinary Women Conference 2009

What an incredible weekend! I just got back from the Extraordinary Women Conference in Birmingham. I went with an awesome group of 14 ladies from my church and community.

I have a lot more posts to add about each speaker that we saw, but for now I just wanted to send out a huge word of thanks and praise to God for all the amazing messages and concerts that were presented to us this weekend. I don't think a single person left the conference without feeling the presence of God move.

It is just indescribable to be worshipping with that many women - from all different cities and towns, different backgrounds, different circles - and it's amazing that God can bring us all together as one to worship Him with hearts on fire for seeing His work done and hearing His word.

This weekend was a blessing that I was definitely in need of. The devil tried and tried to keep me from going this weekend, but I was determined to spend this time with God and He has blessed me tremendously. I hope that everyone that went was touched as much as I was by the great speakers and music.

I am so excited about what God is doing in the group of ladies that attend my church and WAC group, and the ladies in our community. We have been so blessed with growth, and all of us have great testimonies of answered prayers and God's never-ending love and mercy.

I will post more about the speakers and add pictures later, but I just wanted to get this on here as soon as possible.

Thank you, Lord, for the extraordinary women that I know that are such great examples of living by faith and staying in Your word and on their knees in prayer. I am so blessed to be able to participate in events like EWomen and am so thankful for all that You are doing in my life and the lives of those around me. I give You all the praise, for You alone are worthy. - Amen

Operation Worship

From now until July 4th, LifeWay Christian Stores will be participating in Operation Worship. During this event, you can purchase the Operation Worship Bible for $4.99 and help send God's Word to our troops.

Each Bible (there are different versions for Army, Air Force, Marines and Navy) has a blank introduction page where you can write a letter of thanks and encouragement for our soliders. Then, leave the Bibles at the store and LifeWay will ship them to our troops that are serving our country overseas. To get more information, call your local LifeWay store or visit http://www.lifewaystores.com/.

Other ways you can support our troops:

1. Pray - Our troops and their leaders need our prayer support daily.
2. Send a card or care package - If you know a soldier that's serving our country, surprise him or her with a care package (this is great to do with a kids' class or a Sunday school class).
3. Purchase an Operation Freedom Bell - These bells (available at LifeWay and other Christian retailers), are $10 each and when you purchse one (it has a verse on it and serves as a reminder of the sacrifices our soliders make for us and a reminder to pray for them daily) a Bible is sent to our troops. (Also check out the book American Heroes by Oliver North.)

"A May that Matters" Part Two - Happy Mother's Day!

Family Matters

What is the Mother's Role in the Family?

Titus 2:3-5 "The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed."

THE MOTHER SETS THE EXAMPLE:

1. She is the example of holiness. (Hebrews 12:14 - "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." and Ephesians 4:24 - "And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.")
2. She is the example of honesty. (Titus 2:3 - "...not false accusers...")
3. She is an example of humility. (Titus 2:3 - "...not given to much wine..." - Also see Proverbs 20:1 and Proverbs 23:29.)

THE MOTHER SERVES AS AN EDUCATOR

1. She is an educator of good things. (Ephesians 5:22-24 - "Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything." - Our children must be taught about God's plan for the family. Our best lesson is one taught by example.)
2. She is an educator of godly things. (Titus 2:5 "To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands..." - It is a parent's responsibility to teach our children about modesty, how to behave in the home and in the church, and about God's plan for the family.)

THE MOTHER IS AN EXTENSION OF GOD

1. Titus 2:5 "...that the word of God be not blasphemed."
2. A mother must raise her children in a way that glorifies God.

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

She riseth while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

She looketh well to the ways of her household, she eateth not the bread of idleness.

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, he praiseth her.

Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

Give her the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 31:10-31

"A May that Matters" Part One

This month, Bro. Rick is preaching on things that matter. His first sermon (May 3, 2009) was on FAITH.

Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."

Take a minute to think about the 3 things in your life that matter the most to you. What are they?

1. _______________________
2. _______________________
3. _______________________

Is your faith on that list?

Hebrews 11:6 "But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

Why is faith so important?

FAITH IS ELEMENTARY: It is our basic starting point in a relationship with God. (Ephesians 2:8 - "For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.")

1. It is our foundation. (1 Corinthians 3:11 - "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.")
2. It should be our focus. (Galatians 2:20 - "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.") Our focus should always be on Jesus. Where is your focus?

FAITH IS ESSENTIAL: We cannot have a personal relationship with God without faith. (Hebrews 11:6 - "...without faith it is impossible to please him...")

1. It is essential for salvation. (Ephesians 2:8 - "For by grace ye are saved through faith...")
2. It is essential for seeing miracles happen. (Hebrews 11:1) What miracle do you need God to do today? (Mark 9:23 - "Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.")

FAITH IS ETERNAL: Our faith ensures us that we have a home in Heaven.

1. It is our responsibility to be faithful. (Hebrews 11:6 - "...he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.")

HOW DILIGENT ARE WE IN OUR FAITH?

State Youth Competition

Today was the Free Will Baptist State Youth Competition. We met at First Free Will Baptist Church in Northport for the competition, which consisted of Bible Memorization, Music, Creative Arts, and Bible Games.



Our church was well represented! We began the day by watching our Bible Tic-Tac-Toe team. Bible Tic-Tac-Toe is a team competition for grades 7-9. The teams learn 500 Bible facts and quotes and study specific books of the Bible. They are then asked questions from their Bible facts and books of the Bible. During each turn, they get to pick a square in a game of tic-tac-toe. If they answer the question correctly, they win that square and the game continues until one team wins the board. Bible Tic-Tac-Toe usually plays for the best 2 out of 3 games.



Today, our team came in 2nd place and will get to go to Nationals in July to represent our church. They are a first year team and did a great job!


After Bible Tic-Tac-Toe, the music competition began. Sulphur Springs had three students representing us in the music competition: Marisa Ballard, Joseph Summerlin and Jacob Summerlin.


Marisa competed in the female vocal solo for grades 10-12. This is her first year to compete as well, and she placed first and will also represent us at Nationals.


Joseph competed in the piano competition for grades 7-9. He has competed for us at the state and national levels before, and as always, did an excellent job. He won first place and will represent us at Nationals in July.

Jacob competed in the piano competition for grades 1-3 and in the percussion competition for grades 1-3. He did well in both competitions and will go to Nationals to represent us in the percussion competition.

Our last team to compete was the Bible Millionaire team. Bible Millionaire is a team competition for grades 4-6. Each team must study their weekly Sunday School lessons, specific Bible Memorization material and a specific book of the Bible. At competition, they are asked multiple choice questions from that material. (The game is set up like "Who Wants to be a Millionaire.") The teams all compete at the same time and at the end of the game, the team with the most correct answers wins.

Our Bible Millionaire team is a first year team and we really weren't sure what to expect, but they did a great job and came in first place! However, we will not be able to attend the national competition and forfeited our title so that the other two participating teams could advance to Nationals.

This year's competition was great - we had a lot of churches and students participate in all categories. Please pray for these young people as they prepare to compete at the national level.

State Youth Competition at First FWB Northport TOMORROW!

Don't forget to come out to support our kids at the State Youth Competition tomorrow at First Free Will Baptist Church in Northport!

Competition starts at 9:00 a.m.

Sulphur Springs has a Bible Tic-tac-toe team, a Bible Millionaire team, and three students competing in the music competiton. Your support would be appreciated!

After competing at the state level, our kids will get opportunity to attend the National Youth Conference in Cincinnati, Ohio this July where they'll get to represent their churches and learn about God's Great and Precious Promises.

Please pray for all the kids that will be competing tomorrow - that they will all do their best, that they will remember that they are doing this for God's glory and that they will all get to and from the competition safely.

Thanks! :)

National Day of Prayer

The theme for this year's National Day of Prayer is HOPE.

"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance."

Psalm 42:5

"Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord."

Psalm 31:24

"But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more."

Psalm 71:14

"It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord."

Lamentations 3:26

"Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the tevelation of Jesus Christ."

1 Peter 1:13

We must have hope for a great revival in our nation.

Please join in prayer for our country, our national, state and local leaders and our troops during this National Day of Prayer.

WNAC Emphasis Month

This month is WNAC Emphasis Month. During the month of May, the WNAC National Office is asking us to celebrate the women in our lives that fear the Lord and have made a difference in our lives.

Together With God Magazine

Our WNAC National Office does so much to help our local and state WAC groups as we minister to our members, churches and communities. They publish Together With God Magazine, a bi-monthly magazine that provides our local groups with an ongoing women's Bible study. They also offer daily online devotionals, online resources with free downloads for our group meetings and a discussion board for group leaders, and email and phone assistance for WAC members and group leaders. They organize our Provision Closet, which benefits our missionaries that are serving here and around the world. They host retreats and marriage conferences, missions trips and even give scholarships for the FWB Bible College.

WNAC Mission Trip

WNAC Provision Closet

Once a year, they provide us with the opportunity to give back to them. We can do that by participating in our WNAC Emphasis Mother's Day Offering. You can give in honor or in memory of a godly woman that had a part in your life. For more information about WNAC Emphasis Month check out http://www.wnac.org/.

You can send your donation to Women Nationally Active for Christ at P.O. Box 5002, Antioch, TN 37011-5002.

Our WNAC Staff

Our WNAC Executive Committee

Prayer Request

Please be in prayer for Mrs. Geraldine Strickland and her family.

"These things I have spoken unto you, that ye might have peace. In the world, ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer: I have overcome the world." John 16:33

"And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James 5:15-16

Ladies' Night Out

Wow! We had a great time tonight at Ladies' Night Out! Thanks so much to everyone that sold tickets and worked so hard to make this night possible! And we have to send out a special thank you to our men that helped set up, serve, babysit, and clean up tonight.

This was our 7th Annual Ladies' Night Out. Our WAC President, Janet Nichols, did an excellent job of organizing everything (as she always does! Thanks Mrs. Janet!). She arranged for The B-Team Angels from Arab, Alabama to come minister to us.

The B-Team Angels are a volunteer group of Christian women who serve their community in many ways. Their main purpose is to spread joy, happiness, laughter and love through Jesus Christ. To get more information about their organization or to request a performance at your church/event you can log on to http://www.bteamangels.com/.

Through music, drama and testimony, the B-Team Angels are sure to bless your heart! Here are some more pictures from the night:

Allee and The B-Team Angels

We had almost 200 ladies attend for worship and fellowship. Praise the Lord!

Angel Food - Words of Wisdom from the B-Team Angels:

"You can't sing in a pig pen." Check out the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. When we're at our lowest point (the "pig pen") we can't effectively share Jesus with others, but Jesus is like that father, just waiting to welcome us back home!

"God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called."

"The problems you face will either defeat you or they will develop you."

"You have no testimony without the test."

"God uses problems to inspect us, to test us, to correct us, to protect us and to perfect us."

"God is more interested in your character than your comfort."

"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope; And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." Romans 5:3-5