DAY TWENTY-FIVE: "Being Doers of the Word" by Valerie Campbell
But be ye doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be hearers of the Word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of this work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. James 1:22-27 (KJV)
We discussed this passage of Scripture at Wednesday night’s prayer meeting. Kevin asked all of us 3 questions pertaining to this passage:
*Where do you see yourself in terms of being a hearer AND a doer of the Word?
*Who at The Church at Trace Crossing do you think of as a doer of the Word?
*What do you think stirs God’s heart about orphans and widows?
These questions caused me to evaluate myself in a deep way. It’s absolutely crazy to think that I could look at myself in a mirror and forget what I looked like as I walk away! How often do I hear the Word and know what is expected of me but then keep silent and take no action at the very next opportunity placed before me? Being afraid or uncomfortable is no excuse for inaction. How often do I justify this behavior due to these emotions? I think about Malachi 1:13 which says, “You say, ‘It’s too hard to serve the LORD,’and you turn up your noses at my commands,” says the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.
While I don’t like to think that I turn up my nose to the LORD’s commands, is that not what I’m doing when I don’t trust Him in ALL circumstances? I’ve realized that I don’t want to be real with myself in terms of going the extra mile for the Lord because it’s just too hard. It costs too much. Look at the situations I’d be in and the time I would have to put in if I chose to do what the Word says. I just can’t do it! And yet, this is exactly the moment that I must put feet to my faith if I really want to follow Jesus. I’ve let myself get complacent in my walk with Him. I’ve told myself that I’ve already given up a lot since being saved. Isn’t that enough?
I’m so thankful that Jesus wasn’t like me while He was on the earth. What if He would’ve said, “It’s just too hard to do what You’ve asked of me God. It costs too much! I’m scared and uncomfortable so I’m just going to quit. I’ve already done a lot for these people. Isn’t that enough?” Thankfully, Jesus knew that it wasn’t enough. We know He was scared and uncomfortable because He prayed three times for the cup to be taken from Him, however, His love for us kept Him on task in the ministry His Father had given Him.
As believers, we have all been given a ministry, but it’s our choice to be a hearer AND a doer of that work. My husband and I have only been living in this area for about two months now and Trace Crossing was the very first church we visited. We planned on visiting several others before we settled into a new church home but within the first few minutes of walking through the doors, we both felt that we were already home. Kevin asked us on Wednesday night to think of who at Trace Crossing was a doer of the Word. I couldn’t think of anyone who wasn’t demonstrating this quality!
I remember our first visit to Trace Crossing. So many came and introduced themselves to us with big smiles on their faces and open arms. We felt so welcome and loved by people we had never laid eyes on until that moment. It was incredible. The longer we attend, the more we see and hear of the great works being done by this congregation. Everyone is so passionate about meeting others needs (even to the point of donating an organ to save another member’s life). Wow!
I think the thing that stirs God’s heart about orphans and widows is that they are helpless and hopeless without someone to come along and meet their needs. We are all eternally helpless and hopeless except that Jesus loved us enough to do His Father’s will, no matter what He had to do, no matter how much it cost Him. The people at The Church at Trace Crossing have this kind of love for one another. They serve not out of obligation, but from a passion within to show God’s love to all who walk through the doors. They have challenged me to begin a new journey in my walk with the Lord, and for that I am so grateful.
My prayer for Trace Crossing:
Father, I thank you for bringing Michael and I to this body of believers. You have used them to stir my heart to be a better doer of Your Word and to be about Your business. I’m so thankful that You have allowed me to be a part of this wonderful faith family! I pray that You would help us all to be doers of Your Word without counting the cost. Help us to have a never-ending passion to serve people in Your name to bring You glory.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Sunday, September 14, 2008
DAY 24: "Grateful People" by Emma Kate Mikels
DAY TWENTY-FOUR: "Grateful People" by Emma Kate Mikels
Grateful People
It is time that we give you honor
This is the day to give you
All the praise that you deserve
Yes, it's time to give you honor
This is the day to give you
All the praise that you deserve
A Holy King, of everything
Inhabit the praises of Your people
A Holy King, of everything
Inhabit the praises of Your people
Have we waited far too long to surrender
Forgive us Oh God the years
We failed to seek your face
Oh Lord, your mercy turns us into
Grateful people
We can't seem to find the words
So take our lives that there might be enough
To tell you how grateful
Lord, we are grateful
lyrics by: Watermark
Grateful. That is what I am. Grateful. Incredibly grateful to worship every week with passionate followers of Jesus Christ. My gratefulness began though when our Lord gave us His man. Back when we were praying for this church that may be one day – we knew that we had to be patient and wait on a pastor sent from our Father above. We prayed that God would give him a burden for Tupelo – the Lord heard our cries and answered our prayer.
Sophie referred to the first encounter several of us had with Kevin Wood, our pastor. We heard a humble man, crying out to God on behalf of sooooooo many. It moved me to tears. We all walked away with hearts full of excitement. What if? God, would you really send us Kevin and Traci? They don’t even know who we are!
I remember when we went to Brook Hills to hear him preach in person. They announced he was preaching that day and over 2,000 people stood up to cheer. Just so thrilled to have Kevin “in the house.” I remember thinking – there is NO WAY they’ll ever leave all of this to come to a no name church in Tupelo. They did -- because they were obedient to the extraordinary call God placed on their lives.
My journal in June 2006 reads “God, may we, in your perfect time, walk into that church we dream of. A place where your man stands with a heart for you alone and you MOVE like mighty rushing water through him. Lord - may ‘water gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert’”(obviously I was studying Isaiah at the time). Lord, thank you for your faithfulness. Lord, thank you for a humble leader and pastor whose heart is tender and whose compassion runs deep. Thank you for Traci, whose giftedness runs deep and wide. Thank you for their servant hearts and gentle spirits. We love them so much!! If you haven’t had the opportunity to get to know them PLEASE reach out to them. They are fun lovin, hilarious, REAL, authentic, and bold believers!
Trace Crossing, my prayer is that we would be a grateful people, that we would never run short of expressing our gratefulness to our staff who all do more behind the scenes than we’ll ever know. We always want to be a body that prays for God to MOVE - to remove our “me” attitudes so that he can – and that thanks him in gratefulness with our praise.
My prayer for Trace Crossing:
Lord, thank you for Trace Crossing. Thank you for Kevin. Lord, we pray that you would protect his heart and pour out your blessings on him. May we be a body that expresses our gratefulness to your love and mercy with our very lives. Lord, you have richly blessed our faith family again and again and again. Forgive us Lord where we fall short daily and have mercy on us Father. May we be a grateful people who serves and loves you passionately.
Grateful People
It is time that we give you honor
This is the day to give you
All the praise that you deserve
Yes, it's time to give you honor
This is the day to give you
All the praise that you deserve
A Holy King, of everything
Inhabit the praises of Your people
A Holy King, of everything
Inhabit the praises of Your people
Have we waited far too long to surrender
Forgive us Oh God the years
We failed to seek your face
Oh Lord, your mercy turns us into
Grateful people
We can't seem to find the words
So take our lives that there might be enough
To tell you how grateful
Lord, we are grateful
lyrics by: Watermark
Grateful. That is what I am. Grateful. Incredibly grateful to worship every week with passionate followers of Jesus Christ. My gratefulness began though when our Lord gave us His man. Back when we were praying for this church that may be one day – we knew that we had to be patient and wait on a pastor sent from our Father above. We prayed that God would give him a burden for Tupelo – the Lord heard our cries and answered our prayer.
Sophie referred to the first encounter several of us had with Kevin Wood, our pastor. We heard a humble man, crying out to God on behalf of sooooooo many. It moved me to tears. We all walked away with hearts full of excitement. What if? God, would you really send us Kevin and Traci? They don’t even know who we are!
I remember when we went to Brook Hills to hear him preach in person. They announced he was preaching that day and over 2,000 people stood up to cheer. Just so thrilled to have Kevin “in the house.” I remember thinking – there is NO WAY they’ll ever leave all of this to come to a no name church in Tupelo. They did -- because they were obedient to the extraordinary call God placed on their lives.
My journal in June 2006 reads “God, may we, in your perfect time, walk into that church we dream of. A place where your man stands with a heart for you alone and you MOVE like mighty rushing water through him. Lord - may ‘water gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert’”(obviously I was studying Isaiah at the time). Lord, thank you for your faithfulness. Lord, thank you for a humble leader and pastor whose heart is tender and whose compassion runs deep. Thank you for Traci, whose giftedness runs deep and wide. Thank you for their servant hearts and gentle spirits. We love them so much!! If you haven’t had the opportunity to get to know them PLEASE reach out to them. They are fun lovin, hilarious, REAL, authentic, and bold believers!
Trace Crossing, my prayer is that we would be a grateful people, that we would never run short of expressing our gratefulness to our staff who all do more behind the scenes than we’ll ever know. We always want to be a body that prays for God to MOVE - to remove our “me” attitudes so that he can – and that thanks him in gratefulness with our praise.
My prayer for Trace Crossing:
Lord, thank you for Trace Crossing. Thank you for Kevin. Lord, we pray that you would protect his heart and pour out your blessings on him. May we be a body that expresses our gratefulness to your love and mercy with our very lives. Lord, you have richly blessed our faith family again and again and again. Forgive us Lord where we fall short daily and have mercy on us Father. May we be a grateful people who serves and loves you passionately.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
DAY 23: "Amazing, Actually" by Daniel Monaghan
DAY TWENTY-THREE: "Amazing, Actually" by Daniel Monaghan
Amazing. A word that we throw around quite casually and carelessly. During the recent Olympics it was used almost incessantly. Michael Phelps! Amazing! Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin! Amazing! Usain Bolt! Amazing! That Opening Ceremony! Amazing! Perhaps that casualness is why I am reluctant to use the word ‘Amazing’ in describing the birth and growth of The Church at Trace Crossing or especially my own involvement in TC2. But I find myself using that word over and over again.
It was two years ago (Wednesday, September 20, 2006 to be exact), that I acted on a decision (a commitment, actually, more to myself than to God) to show up at the furniture market to see if I could find a group of people (of whom I knew a total of one) who, over the past few months I had discovered, were in the process of beginning a new church. Amazing. I had first heard in the early spring that there were a few folks meeting and praying about starting this new church, but what lead me to make this decision?
In early summer I had received a message on CD that someone close to me thought I ought to hear. I listened and was positively impacted. Amazing. (I have heard LOTS of messages on CD) But I took no further action at that time. On August 29, I received an email containing a link to a blog by an unknown (at least to me) blogger – “coincidentally” the same person whose message was on the CD. The sender HIGHLY suggested I read the blog (Ancient Road, Modern World). I did so immediately. Amazing. (If you have not read it, you must!) I was overwhelmed, although my response to the sender was a quite-understated “got it fine…good read…who is this guy?” The sender responded with “This is the pastor the people … have called for their pastor. This is the new church name. The Church at Trace Crossing. He will be here Sept 24th.” Amazing.
This immediately sent me off on a series of ‘Google searches’ over several days, which led me to Brook Hills’s website and to Sophie’s blogspot – BooMama! After reading all that I could and exchanging a coupla emails with Sophie on September 15, I got an email from Kevin Wood and from Brad Mikels. With what I had read and heard I told Sophie and Kevin that I intended to show up the following Wednesday at the furniture market. I did. Amazing.
As I drove around the building a coupla times, just about deciding to leave, I finally saw a few cars. I told the lady that I saw as I pulled into a parking spot that I was looking for some folks starting a new church, to which she said “you’re in the right place”. Amazing. Michelle Taylor could not have spoken more accurately (perhaps even prophetically). The next person I met was a ‘big, burly’ young man, I guessed of about 30 years, who was keeping several young children, outside at that moment. Amazing. (Michael, I don't think I have ever told ya just how much that impressed me, but it really did!)
Going into the room where we were to gather, I met several more folks – with none of whom I had any previous direct connection, strangers you might say, but somehow they really weren’t. The first clue I really had of ‘something happening here’ (any ‘70’s kids out there?) was when a couple of the couples were talking about a single mother that the group had been helping with basic needs – yes, including school supplies! (I seem to recall saying to myself – YES!!) I think there were probably approaching 20 people that night – I didn’t meet everyone.
As I sat there listening, not saying a word, quite naturally, I was totally overwhelmed. I just sat there, and coming as close to actually hearing the Voice of God as I ever have, heard Him say, “I am doing a work here – in, with and thru these people!” Amazing. AND, on the drive home that night, “YOU are to be a part of this!” What? I don't know any of these people – the only one I knew was not there! But He was clear. Me, THE stranger part of this new work? Amazing.
You see, God had been providing me a ‘divine discontent’ for several years. I had told my pastor a coupla years earlier that I was just so tired of “playing church” (a phrase that would resonate much more as time went by) Later I would tell him I just could NOT play church any longer, and had been telling close friends for the same few years that I was feeling that God wanted me in a new work - didn’t have a clue what that meant. That night, I got the Clue! Amazing.
Now, two years later, to see what God continues to do in that new work is, well yeh – Amazing. So many people having been drawn by God to this new work. So many people NOT ‘playing church’. Not even ‘doing church’. But BEING THE CHURCH. Being Jesus to people. So many people with the freedom to worship God so passionately (Loving God). So many people reaching out to those in need – spiritually, emotionally and yes, physically and materially (Loving People). Not with condemnation. But in Grace. In Love. And not just to those who look like them, or dress like them or live by them, but to all. To all. Wherever, Whenever, and yes Whosoever! Loving, Living, Leading…’So many people, One passion’ is not just a slogan, it is fact and mission and well…
Amazing, Actually
My prayer for Trace Crossing:
Gracious Father, Enduring Friend, would you allow us always to be amazed by your Grace and that you would use us as instruments of that Grace to those around us, never condemning but always reaching out. And would you allow us to be continually amazed by your Love. Make us channels of that Love and never allow us to become complacent, apathetic or passive… Continue to help us recognize your Great and Awesome Being, to worship you appropriately and passionately…Continue to make us always sensitive to your voice, and make us bold always to follow your lead up close…wherever, whenever to whomever…
Amazing. A word that we throw around quite casually and carelessly. During the recent Olympics it was used almost incessantly. Michael Phelps! Amazing! Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin! Amazing! Usain Bolt! Amazing! That Opening Ceremony! Amazing! Perhaps that casualness is why I am reluctant to use the word ‘Amazing’ in describing the birth and growth of The Church at Trace Crossing or especially my own involvement in TC2. But I find myself using that word over and over again.
It was two years ago (Wednesday, September 20, 2006 to be exact), that I acted on a decision (a commitment, actually, more to myself than to God) to show up at the furniture market to see if I could find a group of people (of whom I knew a total of one) who, over the past few months I had discovered, were in the process of beginning a new church. Amazing. I had first heard in the early spring that there were a few folks meeting and praying about starting this new church, but what lead me to make this decision?
In early summer I had received a message on CD that someone close to me thought I ought to hear. I listened and was positively impacted. Amazing. (I have heard LOTS of messages on CD) But I took no further action at that time. On August 29, I received an email containing a link to a blog by an unknown (at least to me) blogger – “coincidentally” the same person whose message was on the CD. The sender HIGHLY suggested I read the blog (Ancient Road, Modern World). I did so immediately. Amazing. (If you have not read it, you must!) I was overwhelmed, although my response to the sender was a quite-understated “got it fine…good read…who is this guy?” The sender responded with “This is the pastor the people … have called for their pastor. This is the new church name. The Church at Trace Crossing. He will be here Sept 24th.” Amazing.
This immediately sent me off on a series of ‘Google searches’ over several days, which led me to Brook Hills’s website and to Sophie’s blogspot – BooMama! After reading all that I could and exchanging a coupla emails with Sophie on September 15, I got an email from Kevin Wood and from Brad Mikels. With what I had read and heard I told Sophie and Kevin that I intended to show up the following Wednesday at the furniture market. I did. Amazing.
As I drove around the building a coupla times, just about deciding to leave, I finally saw a few cars. I told the lady that I saw as I pulled into a parking spot that I was looking for some folks starting a new church, to which she said “you’re in the right place”. Amazing. Michelle Taylor could not have spoken more accurately (perhaps even prophetically). The next person I met was a ‘big, burly’ young man, I guessed of about 30 years, who was keeping several young children, outside at that moment. Amazing. (Michael, I don't think I have ever told ya just how much that impressed me, but it really did!)
Going into the room where we were to gather, I met several more folks – with none of whom I had any previous direct connection, strangers you might say, but somehow they really weren’t. The first clue I really had of ‘something happening here’ (any ‘70’s kids out there?) was when a couple of the couples were talking about a single mother that the group had been helping with basic needs – yes, including school supplies! (I seem to recall saying to myself – YES!!) I think there were probably approaching 20 people that night – I didn’t meet everyone.
As I sat there listening, not saying a word, quite naturally, I was totally overwhelmed. I just sat there, and coming as close to actually hearing the Voice of God as I ever have, heard Him say, “I am doing a work here – in, with and thru these people!” Amazing. AND, on the drive home that night, “YOU are to be a part of this!” What? I don't know any of these people – the only one I knew was not there! But He was clear. Me, THE stranger part of this new work? Amazing.
You see, God had been providing me a ‘divine discontent’ for several years. I had told my pastor a coupla years earlier that I was just so tired of “playing church” (a phrase that would resonate much more as time went by) Later I would tell him I just could NOT play church any longer, and had been telling close friends for the same few years that I was feeling that God wanted me in a new work - didn’t have a clue what that meant. That night, I got the Clue! Amazing.
Now, two years later, to see what God continues to do in that new work is, well yeh – Amazing. So many people having been drawn by God to this new work. So many people NOT ‘playing church’. Not even ‘doing church’. But BEING THE CHURCH. Being Jesus to people. So many people with the freedom to worship God so passionately (Loving God). So many people reaching out to those in need – spiritually, emotionally and yes, physically and materially (Loving People). Not with condemnation. But in Grace. In Love. And not just to those who look like them, or dress like them or live by them, but to all. To all. Wherever, Whenever, and yes Whosoever! Loving, Living, Leading…’So many people, One passion’ is not just a slogan, it is fact and mission and well…
Amazing, Actually
My prayer for Trace Crossing:
Gracious Father, Enduring Friend, would you allow us always to be amazed by your Grace and that you would use us as instruments of that Grace to those around us, never condemning but always reaching out. And would you allow us to be continually amazed by your Love. Make us channels of that Love and never allow us to become complacent, apathetic or passive… Continue to help us recognize your Great and Awesome Being, to worship you appropriately and passionately…Continue to make us always sensitive to your voice, and make us bold always to follow your lead up close…wherever, whenever to whomever…
Friday, September 12, 2008
DAY 22: "Give Me The Simple Life" by Julie Halbert
DAY TWENTY-TWO: "Give Me The Simple Life" by Julie Halbert
I don’t pay a lot of attention to detail. Once I was standing in front of one of my best friends and I commented to her how good her teeth looked and asked when did she get her braces taken off. She looked at me puzzled and said I got them taken off two years ago.
Perhaps as a result, I try to keep most things in my life simple without much detail. I only wear make-up enough to purchase maybe once a year, I have a coat size closet for my clothes, and best of all I don’t carry a purse. Yes, I said it right, I don’t carry a purse. I have a credit card size wallet for my drivers license, insurance card, and debit card.
Although I try to live a simple life, my spiritual life has not always been so simple. For the first ten years of my Christian life, I spent most of it in constant prayer begging God to forgive me of my sins. I thought if I did not say that prayer at the moment before I died I would be lost. The details of doing the things I needed to do to be saved and the details of how to stay saved seemed unattainable. I had no concept of grace.
It wasn’t until Mark and I started attending Chenal Valley Church in Little Rock that changed my relationship with God from a doomed one to a loving one. From an unattainable relationship with lots of details to an attainable one that was simple.
The decision to move to Tupelo was difficult because it meant leaving a church family who was so responsible for opening our eyes. But we wanted in Tupelo what we had in Little Rock. After years of dwelling on details once again, we discovered simplicity at Trace. A place open to "whosoever" and extending God's grace to all comers. Simple, yet full of depth.
Maybe that is why we have been so attracted to Kevin 's gifted preaching. He challenges and, like last Sunday, goes deep in scripture. Yet he honors simplicity such that my twelve year old son "gets it".
My prayer for Trace is to stay that simple church. Love God - Love People. Don’t get bogged down with details. Especially if that means I don’t have to carry a purse.
My Prayer for Trace Crossing:
Dear Lord and Father, thank you for the church at Trace Crossing. Thank you for the simplicity of your message that takes a child like heart to understand. Your word says unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. I pray we keep things simple. In Jesus name…..Amen.
I don’t pay a lot of attention to detail. Once I was standing in front of one of my best friends and I commented to her how good her teeth looked and asked when did she get her braces taken off. She looked at me puzzled and said I got them taken off two years ago.
Perhaps as a result, I try to keep most things in my life simple without much detail. I only wear make-up enough to purchase maybe once a year, I have a coat size closet for my clothes, and best of all I don’t carry a purse. Yes, I said it right, I don’t carry a purse. I have a credit card size wallet for my drivers license, insurance card, and debit card.
Although I try to live a simple life, my spiritual life has not always been so simple. For the first ten years of my Christian life, I spent most of it in constant prayer begging God to forgive me of my sins. I thought if I did not say that prayer at the moment before I died I would be lost. The details of doing the things I needed to do to be saved and the details of how to stay saved seemed unattainable. I had no concept of grace.
It wasn’t until Mark and I started attending Chenal Valley Church in Little Rock that changed my relationship with God from a doomed one to a loving one. From an unattainable relationship with lots of details to an attainable one that was simple.
The decision to move to Tupelo was difficult because it meant leaving a church family who was so responsible for opening our eyes. But we wanted in Tupelo what we had in Little Rock. After years of dwelling on details once again, we discovered simplicity at Trace. A place open to "whosoever" and extending God's grace to all comers. Simple, yet full of depth.
Maybe that is why we have been so attracted to Kevin 's gifted preaching. He challenges and, like last Sunday, goes deep in scripture. Yet he honors simplicity such that my twelve year old son "gets it".
My prayer for Trace is to stay that simple church. Love God - Love People. Don’t get bogged down with details. Especially if that means I don’t have to carry a purse.
My Prayer for Trace Crossing:
Dear Lord and Father, thank you for the church at Trace Crossing. Thank you for the simplicity of your message that takes a child like heart to understand. Your word says unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. I pray we keep things simple. In Jesus name…..Amen.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
DAY 21: "50" by Wayne Foreman
DAY TWENTY-ONE: “50” by Wayne Foreman
About 4 weeks ago Stephanie and I were in Louisville visiting her parents. We had planned this weekend because Beth Moore was speaking at their church. Stephanie’s parents purchased 4 tickets about a year ago for us to go with them. I’ll have to say I was a little skeptical about it because these events are for women, but they insisted more and more men were coming to listen to her. I knew I needed to here a word of some sort after the issues I had been dealing with at my work so I was on my way. Once we got there I began looking for all the men they were talking about. I couldn’t count John, Stephanie’s dad, because he was working as an usher. After I discounted all the men ushers and Beth Moore’s bodyguard I realized that instead of 50 there were only 3 and one of them was her brother.
I did however know the other man besides myself, his name is Roy. Roy is a good friend of John and Jan’s and I was very glad to see him there. The church that Beth was speaking at holds about 9,000 and the fellowship hall area holds another 1,000 and it was 100% sold-out. If you are counting, like I was, you will notice there were about 9,950 WOMEN and about 50 men and 47 of them were working. Roy had already been to one of her conferences so he was over the low testosterone levels and worshipping away. After the first night Stephanie and I got back to our room and began talking about the material we had covered. We both enjoyed the music and she had some good scripture but I still wasn’t getting it like Stephanie was. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoyed that night but I was ready for something life changing and I left that night still feeling a little empty.
When we got up the next morning Stephanie and I reviewed our notes again and prayed that God would give us a word about my job. Once we got back to the church we started listening to the praise band and worshipping God in such an awesome way. You could feel God’s presence in the room. After the music Beth got up and began teaching again and pulling the points from the night before and tying them in with new points. After a little while I realized why all of our wives have been so excited to listen to her for all these years. God anointed Beth that morning and she gave us a word that hit us directly between the eyes. Her message was in Luke chapter 8 about the parable of the sower. The points she gave us that day are as follows with some scripture:
1. Treasure the Wonder
2 Tim 3:16-17
Hosea 10:12
She talked about being “Thoroughly Equipped” and “Competently Competent”
2. Protect your Heart
John 10:10
Psalm 119:10-11
3. Expect the Test
Psalms 126:5-6
1 Cor 10:13
God will take you through trails to make you stand.
Satan will send temptations to make you fall.
4. Dig the roots
2 Kings 19:29-31
Eph 3:17
We need to take root below and bear fruit above
5. Stop the Choke
Phil 4:6-7
Speak scripture, pray scripture, and ask for release from anxiety
Ecclesiastes 11:6
6. Retain the word
Luke 8:14
7. Press forth to your 100-Fold
Finish what you started
Harvest will come with perseverance
Gal 6:9 - do not quit before the harvest comes.
When we left that day we felt God telling us to stand firm, don’t give up. No matter how bad it was at work I needed to finish what I started and not give up before the harvest time. Four days later I was released from work, but can I tell you we never doubted God. We never thought this would be the outcome but we knew God was going to do something big and something special.
Everyday since the Beth Moore conference Stephanie and I have been soaking in God’s word. We have had the best quiet times and prayer times together since then. When she has been down, I have been there to lift her up and when I have been down she has been there for me. We have been memorizing one scripture verse after another. God has brought us so close together these past weeks I get excited thinking about it. We never doubted that God would take care of us. In the past 4 weeks I went only 1 week without work and I had a dear brother who let me come to work with him a couple of days of that week. We have been able to see our children come and join us in our quiet times as well as pray with us and for us. Thank you God!
Today I was thinking about what to write and where to start, if any of you know me you know that I don’t read much and I never write but God told me to start from the beginning and He would finish the story. After my quiet time this morning in a hotel room I called Stephanie and God gave her some scripture that she shared with me and I want to share with you. It brings our journey that we have been on to full light now. Mark 10:29-30 says that God will bless us 100 times for our persecutions and leaving our family for His sake.
Today, Stephanie and Katherine, my oldest daughter, leave to the Ukraine for 10 days on a mission trip. Thank you God for the past 4 weeks and their faithfulness to stay focused on going instead of our circumstances. The harvest was never about my job but about God’s kingdom. What some may have looked as being bad, God made it good. My prayer is that we would continue to keep our eyes on God even when things get better. I would love to tell you about the great friends we have that came beside us when things were down and how my brother Roy called me to lift me up when he is fighting as well. God you are so good and so faithful. Thank you. To the other 49 men there that day my prayer is that God will bless you 100 fold as well.
My Prayer for Trace Crossing:
God I pray that you would bless our faith family 100 fold times 100, that we would reach out and bless 100 and they 100 and so on. I pray that we would plant in the good soil and dig roots with scripture and bear fruit serving and ministering others around our city and reaching our world.
About 4 weeks ago Stephanie and I were in Louisville visiting her parents. We had planned this weekend because Beth Moore was speaking at their church. Stephanie’s parents purchased 4 tickets about a year ago for us to go with them. I’ll have to say I was a little skeptical about it because these events are for women, but they insisted more and more men were coming to listen to her. I knew I needed to here a word of some sort after the issues I had been dealing with at my work so I was on my way. Once we got there I began looking for all the men they were talking about. I couldn’t count John, Stephanie’s dad, because he was working as an usher. After I discounted all the men ushers and Beth Moore’s bodyguard I realized that instead of 50 there were only 3 and one of them was her brother.
I did however know the other man besides myself, his name is Roy. Roy is a good friend of John and Jan’s and I was very glad to see him there. The church that Beth was speaking at holds about 9,000 and the fellowship hall area holds another 1,000 and it was 100% sold-out. If you are counting, like I was, you will notice there were about 9,950 WOMEN and about 50 men and 47 of them were working. Roy had already been to one of her conferences so he was over the low testosterone levels and worshipping away. After the first night Stephanie and I got back to our room and began talking about the material we had covered. We both enjoyed the music and she had some good scripture but I still wasn’t getting it like Stephanie was. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoyed that night but I was ready for something life changing and I left that night still feeling a little empty.
When we got up the next morning Stephanie and I reviewed our notes again and prayed that God would give us a word about my job. Once we got back to the church we started listening to the praise band and worshipping God in such an awesome way. You could feel God’s presence in the room. After the music Beth got up and began teaching again and pulling the points from the night before and tying them in with new points. After a little while I realized why all of our wives have been so excited to listen to her for all these years. God anointed Beth that morning and she gave us a word that hit us directly between the eyes. Her message was in Luke chapter 8 about the parable of the sower. The points she gave us that day are as follows with some scripture:
1. Treasure the Wonder
2 Tim 3:16-17
Hosea 10:12
She talked about being “Thoroughly Equipped” and “Competently Competent”
2. Protect your Heart
John 10:10
Psalm 119:10-11
3. Expect the Test
Psalms 126:5-6
1 Cor 10:13
God will take you through trails to make you stand.
Satan will send temptations to make you fall.
4. Dig the roots
2 Kings 19:29-31
Eph 3:17
We need to take root below and bear fruit above
5. Stop the Choke
Phil 4:6-7
Speak scripture, pray scripture, and ask for release from anxiety
Ecclesiastes 11:6
6. Retain the word
Luke 8:14
7. Press forth to your 100-Fold
Finish what you started
Harvest will come with perseverance
Gal 6:9 - do not quit before the harvest comes.
When we left that day we felt God telling us to stand firm, don’t give up. No matter how bad it was at work I needed to finish what I started and not give up before the harvest time. Four days later I was released from work, but can I tell you we never doubted God. We never thought this would be the outcome but we knew God was going to do something big and something special.
Everyday since the Beth Moore conference Stephanie and I have been soaking in God’s word. We have had the best quiet times and prayer times together since then. When she has been down, I have been there to lift her up and when I have been down she has been there for me. We have been memorizing one scripture verse after another. God has brought us so close together these past weeks I get excited thinking about it. We never doubted that God would take care of us. In the past 4 weeks I went only 1 week without work and I had a dear brother who let me come to work with him a couple of days of that week. We have been able to see our children come and join us in our quiet times as well as pray with us and for us. Thank you God!
Today I was thinking about what to write and where to start, if any of you know me you know that I don’t read much and I never write but God told me to start from the beginning and He would finish the story. After my quiet time this morning in a hotel room I called Stephanie and God gave her some scripture that she shared with me and I want to share with you. It brings our journey that we have been on to full light now. Mark 10:29-30 says that God will bless us 100 times for our persecutions and leaving our family for His sake.
Today, Stephanie and Katherine, my oldest daughter, leave to the Ukraine for 10 days on a mission trip. Thank you God for the past 4 weeks and their faithfulness to stay focused on going instead of our circumstances. The harvest was never about my job but about God’s kingdom. What some may have looked as being bad, God made it good. My prayer is that we would continue to keep our eyes on God even when things get better. I would love to tell you about the great friends we have that came beside us when things were down and how my brother Roy called me to lift me up when he is fighting as well. God you are so good and so faithful. Thank you. To the other 49 men there that day my prayer is that God will bless you 100 fold as well.
My Prayer for Trace Crossing:
God I pray that you would bless our faith family 100 fold times 100, that we would reach out and bless 100 and they 100 and so on. I pray that we would plant in the good soil and dig roots with scripture and bear fruit serving and ministering others around our city and reaching our world.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
DAY 20: "Jehovah Jireh" by Stephanie Foreman
DAY TWENTY: "JEHOVAH-JIREH: The Lord Will Provide" by Stephanie Foreman
I really can’t begin to tell you the infinite ways God has provided for me and my family. He has abundantly provided for our faith family as well. He blows my mind with His faithfulness to us even when we are not always so faithful to Him!
Katherine and I leave tomorrow to go to
He has blessed our church with a Godly, Holy-Spirit inspired Pastor; with a dynamic, faith-filled worship leader, and family after family of God- gifted people ready and willing to reach out to a lost and dying people. GOD’S PROVISION - What a glorious gift! There are no limits to what He can do! We see story after story in the Bible of how God provided for His children. He does the very same for us today!
Let’s not be so preoccupied today with what IS so that we lose sight of what CAN BE! Let’s step back and see the bigger picture. Greater things are yet to come! Let’s praise Him for His provision and believe Him for the BEST! He is so able!
My prayer for our faith family:
Gracious Lord, You are truly amazing! I stand in awe of You! Please help us to never lose sight of Your Greatness. Help us to be ever aware of Your daily provision in our personal lives as well as in our church. Thank You that You know what we need before we even know we need it! Thank You that You care about every detail of our lives! Help us to be faithful to You, Lord as You are so faithful to us! In Jesus Name I Pray… Amen
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
DAY 19: "Mustard Seed Faith" by Cindi Thornton
DAY NINETEEN: “Mustard Seed Faith” by Cindi Thornton
Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn't we drive it out [a demon]?"
He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:19-20
The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"
He replied, "If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it will obey you. Luke 17:5-6
Have you ever seen a mustard seed? If you haven’t it is a teeny, tiny, wrinkled brown ball. But, when that seed is planted it grows into a huge tree. Jesus told his disciples that if they had faith the size of a mustard seed they could look at a mountain and tell it to move. He also stated in the book of Luke that if they had that little amount of faith they could say to a mulberry bush to uproot and plant itself in the sea. Imagine if we had faith the size of a pumpkin seed or even a watermelon seed! Even though those are small they are still larger than the mustard seed. Think of the spiritual power and strength that we could have if we just increased our faith a tiny bit.
I am amazed at how satisfied I am with my little bitsy faith. How I can be satisfied with so little when I know how much more my life could be enriched with more faith? Satan really is doing a number on Christians by lying to us and convincing us not to believe how powerful our Father is. I wonder if we are afraid of what we will have to give up or how much we will have to put in to be more faithful. Why am I satisfied with mustard seed faith? What am I afraid of? Is it confessing a sin in my life I don’t want to give up? Or maybe having to come to church when I’m supposed to? Why can’t I just trust in Him and not worry about what I can or can’t do? It would be so much easier to put my setbacks in his hands and trust that he will fix it - to trust, with absolute faith and total belief - that He is able.
Is there a reason your faith is lacking? Is there something keeping you content with your small faith? I know that I definitely have some huge areas in my life I need to change. God is all powerful and I am robbing myself of so much more for not having faith. God is all powerful. Let us all plant that little seed and see what huge rewards we will reap!
My Prayer for Trace Crossing:
I pray that the members of Trace Crossing can grow in their faith. Think of what our church could accomplish with greater faith in our Father! Holy Spirit, pray for me and what I am struggling with that limits me as I learn to be dissatisfied with “little bitsy faith”.
*I would like to ask that you pray for me and what I am struggling with that limits me in my faith – Thank you!
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