Shining in Dark Times

“Esther must have wondered so often about the plan of God and his promises.  The plan of Tod was to redeem lost mankind.  That divine plan concerned her nation Israel.  From this special people, the bright Morning Star, the Messiah himself, would come.  Esther literally staked her life on these bright and enduring promises, and she trusted even when she lived in possibly one of the blackest and darkest periods of her nation’s history.

This we know, she staked her life on the providence of God that would enable him to keep his promises concerning his plan.  What happens to us when we find ourselves in the middle of dark situations?  Do we believe the things that are happening to us are accidental? Do we seek to change our circumstances, or do we accept them with a fatalistic attitude? Can we change our circumstances, or should we even try?

Sometimes we can change things, and we must try. That is why we are there! At other times, having tried, we find we cannot alter anything, nor can we escape, and so we must allow those situations to change us and we must accept the privilege of shining there.”

                                                                                                                   Jill Briscoe

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Stewardship

Webster Dictionary states that a steward is a person put in charge of something. Are you being a good steward with what God has blessed you with? Whether it be time, money, Sunday School, Bible Study or time spent with God in study and meditation. Are you truly being a Godly steward or are you cheating God? Please think very seriously on these questions.

Will a man rob God: Malachi 3:8. Have you robbed God of tithes and offering? Have you not bought tithes into his storehouse?

Fanci Harrington
Stewardship Director

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In Rest, Find God

In the solitude of a cave Elijah experienced God’s awesome healing and saving power. The Lord had allowed Elijah to rest for a moment before reminding him that he understood and knew his pain.

Elijah came out of the cave and found that the Lord was an ever-present reality. Elijah was not alone! The earthquake and the fire both got his attention. Yet, it was in the still, small voice–a whisper from God–that Elijah rediscovered the Lord for himself.

Perhaps out of Elijah’s experience we can find hope and help for our own lives. God made a time and place for Elijah to pull away from his ministry to rest. In the same way, God allows us to retreat and rest from our weariness and fears. He gives us this time to allow ourselves to relax physically, spiritually, and mentally so that we can recognize the presence of God.

We often feel alone because God does not manifest himself in our lives with great fanfare but in quiet, barely perceptible ways. Perhaps we can learn to be still and sit silently so we can recognize the presence of God. As the psalmist said, "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10). For the Lord is always faithful to his Word, saying, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5).

God’s Words of Life for Women

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How Families Grow Spiritually
 

1. Worshiping together regularly.

2. Attending church together.

3. Give thanks to God at mealtimes.

4.  Having fun together.

5.  Expressing love and affection openly.

6.  Under girding and supporting one another.

7.  Working together; accepting responsibility for doing chores and jobs around the house.

8.  Reaching out to others as a Christian family.

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ANTIOCH, A CHURCH ON THE MOVE
SPIRITUALLY

Acts 13:1-4

The local church that is on the move spiritually must exhibit the qualities of
a New testament Church.  We also will find that in Matthew 16:13-19.  Jesus incorporates His Church thereby setting its membership and purpose.  The members of the church are those who know Jesus as the Christ, the
Son of the Living God.  The purpose of the church is to prevail against the gates of Hell.

1.  God is always at work around you.

2.  God pursues a continuing love relationship with you that is real and personal.

3.  God invited you to become involved with Him at His work.

4.  God speaks by His Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church to reveal Himself, His purpose, and His ways.

5.  God's invitation for you to work with Him always  leads you to a crisis of belief that requires faith and action.

6.  You must make major adjustments in your life to join God.

7.  You come to know God by experience as you obey Him and He accomplishes His work through you.

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FASTING AND PRAYER:

Duration of fast:                          ½ day, (5:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.).
Number of times per month:        2
Days of the month we will fast:    1^st and 3^rd Wednesdays
                            
                             5:30 AM prayer meeting of group

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Rules from God for 2008

1.) Wake Up!!-Decide to have a good day.
                                                            Psalms 118:24

2.) Dress Up!! The best way to dress up is to put on a smile.                                                    I Samuel 16:7

3.) Shut Up!! Say nice things and learn to listen.
                                                            Proverbs 13:3

4.) Stand Up!! For what you believe in.
                                                           Galatians 6:9-10

5.) Look Up!! To the Lord.
                                                           Philippians 4:13

6.) Reach Up!! For something higher.
                                                           Proverbs 3:5-6

7.) Lift Up!! Your Prayers.
                                                           Philippians 4:6

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