Saturday, September 29, 2007

Devotional - 'Just Waiting'

Sometimes the wait is the best part - the anticipation of what's in store.......
Cindy

JUST WAITING
by Vonette Bright
"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised" (Hebrews 10:36).> > Little Margie sat in her wheelchair quietly playing with her doll. A neighbor stopped by and felt sorry for the child.
She asked, "Margie, does it bother you to be in a wheelchair?"
Margie smiled and answered, "A little, but it's all right. When Jesus comes, I'll be able to walk and run. I'm just waiting for Him."
Ah, dear friend, Margie is right! And her story is a reminder of the Bible verses that say, "When the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow.
So let it grow, and don't try to squirm out of your problems... then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete."
You may not be confined to a wheelchair, but your trouble is designed by God to make you better. Accept it... and be ready for anything!

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Discerning the Voice of God? How?


If you are participating in the current bible study, this is just what the Lord is using Priscilla Shirer to teach us, isn't it? How in the world do I know when it's the Lord speaking and not my own emotions? How do I know if the Lord has indeed sent my friend to speak a message to me or is she just being well meaning? The answer is simple yet we make it difficult.

When your good friend calls you on the phone, does she have to tell you her name? Or do you just recognize her voice? When you were a child, did your mother have to yell at you in order to make a point or could she simply look your direction speaking volumes? As we draw nearer to the Lord, we will know His voice and nope, He won't have to shout.

What are some of the things we have learned this week in bible study?


  • expect and anticipate

  • be patient

  • obey

  • be an aggressive listener

  • have faith

If we do not expect to hear from God, will we? We read about Habakkuk this week. If you are not a student of this bible study, read Habakkuk Chapter 1. When Habakkuk changes his tune from doubting to expectant, he begins to receive directions from God. Right? Expect to hear from your Father. For me, the anticipation of what's to come is the best part!!


Be patient. I have found that God's timing is, often times, not mine. The process of the wait can be exciting when you believe that God WILL speak. As I wait, my faith grows and so does my excitement. I think that Priscilla adds that her intimacy with the Lord grows. Why is that? I think about my husband. If I completely trust him with my heart and my soul in all things, do I have a connection with him that I might not have with any other person? Yes. Because of that trust, we share an intimacy that is not shared with another person. When we patiently wait trusting the Lord to provide direction, faith and intimacy in that relationship grows.


Obey no matter what. I wish that I could say that I have this down 100%. Over the years, the Lord has taught me through some very interesting situations that my obedience no matter what is what He expects. When we are obedient to what He says, our faith grows. The more we are obedient, the more sensitive we are to His voice. The more frequently we find that He speaks to us. I loved Lewis Sperry Chafer's quote on day 3 of this study. "HIS LEADING IS ONLY FOR those who are already committed to do as He may choose. To such it may be said: "God is able to speak loud enough to make a willing soul hear." I think Priscilla said 'obedience is key to hearing His still, small voice. ' No neon sign...no shouts from the heavens...no lightning bolts - just a whisper to our willing souls. I have to tell you that there will be times that, in your obedience, those around you will wonder. It is possible that even your Christian friends will have a difficult time believing that the Lord spoke something to you. It is possible that that friends/family will think it is you acting on your own. Obedience no matter what. Only you know what the Lord speaks to you. When you know His voice and you hear His voice, step boldly and confidently.


Be an aggressive listener! When we pray, do we speak the words and move on? Is our part now complete? No way, sister! Purposefully and deliberately listen. The Lord says it well through Mrs. Shirer on day 4. 'God wants aggressive listeners who look intently at His Word and listen deliberately to what He has to say.' I think that it is also on this day's homework, where Priscilla spends some time on prayer, meditation, and worship. We read Isaiah 50: 4-5 during a time of meditation. The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. The Sovereign LORD has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious; I have not drawn back. He wakes me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught. Do we wake up ready to listen to the Lord? When our feet hit the floor, are we aggressively listening for how He will direct the start of our day? Together, let's learn to be aggressive listeners throughout our entire day. How? We begin now, this minute as you read this blog, and deliberately make your day about Him.


Have faith in what He says and that you heard Him. It's important to keep in mind that what God says to us may not easy. In fact, based on my experience, it probably will not be. Part of our growth as a child of God is to stretch; to step out of that comfort zone. If you don't know it by now, the Lord is completely ok with challenging us to be uncomfortable. Someone recently said "I'm growing comfortable with being uncomfortable." When He speaks, boldly step in confidence; not confidence in you but confidence in Him - where He has you and what He has said to you.


As you go through your day, keep God's perspective - give Him your day. No, I mean really give Him your day. Don't just say it. (Cindy - don't just say it) Give Him your day. Drop to your knees. I'm serious. Drop to your knees where you are right now. If you are at work, maybe you can't. If you are at work, are you supposed to be blogging? Anyway, drop to your knees and repeat after me. (feel free to put in your own words) 'Father, I am guilty of losing perspective throughout my day. I even wake up on some days never giving you a second thought. Lord, for the rest of this day, I will make you Lord over my every circumstance. Father, I wonder how often you've spoken to me yet I missed it because I was too busy. Lord God, today, I will be an aggressive listener and not just in the big things but in all things. Father, I love you and it is for you that I live today. I am listening. Amen.'


I love ya girls. What has the Holy Spirit taught you this week that you can teach us? Post a comment to this blog and share if you are so lead. Have a great day in Him!


Growing Together,


Cindy

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Women of Faith

Tell us about how God worked in your life during your Women of Faith weekend!

Monday, August 20, 2007

Get Ready! Get Set! Let's Go!
"Discerning the Voice of God - How to Recognize When God Speaks" by Priscilla Shirer


How do you know when God is speaking? How do you discern His voice from your own voice or the voice of others? How do you hear God in the midst of confusion and emotion? God so passionately loves you that He sent His son to die for you. He wants a personal relationship with you and He will speak directly to you. We have to know His voice. We have to listen to His voice. When we are listening and know His voice, He will not have to send us a neon sign or shout out the answer. All He will have to do is whisper.
The more intimate your relationship with Him, the clearer God's voice becomes.


Begins Sunday, September 9 from 6:00-7:30 pm and Tuesday, Sept.11 from 9:00 -10:30am. (7 week study)
Sign up in the foyer today or email carrell8@embarqmail.com! Deadline to sign up: August 29 Cost: $10.00

Bible Study

Hi Everybody!

God has some exciting changes in store for Rocky Point. You will be hearing more and more about what He has in store for the church at large! It's going to be great - so get ready! A small part of what's to come is that the church will be offering more choices on Sunday night to the body. You've heard us talk about giving the women choices by offering a primary study along with a support study. This is similar but on a larger scale and in conjuction with other ministries. Sunday nights will bring something new, exciting, and diverse to the Rocky Point Family! Meetings/Bible studies held during the week will all eventually move to Sunday nights. This will be a gradual occurrence.

What does this mean for us, the women's ministry, specifically? Our monday night study will be moved to Sunday night. Our time of study will 'look' the same. We will just meet on Sunday nights instead of Monday nights. We will continue to offer Tuesday morning as usual. Childcare will be offered as usual.

It means diversity and choices on Sunday nights:


*worship and a message with the 12 men who alternate on Sunday nights
*support studies/bible studies for men, women, and couples (women's ministry studies, growing kids, financial peace, accountability groups, discipleship, point man, etc)

The positive stuff!
*more choices and opportunity to study and grow together
*moving our Monday night study to Sunday night means one less day we are away from our families as most are already at church Sunday nights
*We are just scraping the surface here on what the Lord has in store for us!

There is much more to come and it's exciting stuff! The Lord has spoken a vision for the church and our leadership will be sharing more of it with you soon. Sunday night support ministry is just a small portion of it. Email or call Sarah, Nicky, or myself if you have any questions at all. Always know, too, that you can talk to any elder, Gary, Alan, Art, or Brandon anytime. We are excited beyond excited and cannot wait to see what the Lord has in store.

Please remember Gary, Art, Alan, elders, deacons, and ministry leaders in your prayers as they walk faithfully and obediently to carry out this vision. I'm thankful that our leadership is so visionary and will obediently step out when God leads.


Think outside the box, girls! Think outside the box!

Monday, August 6, 2007

What's New?

Hi girls! Boy, are you ready for the new study or what? I am getting emails everyday from so many of you asking what is to come? Ok, so I'm not going to tell you much yet but I will tell you that we will start back up soon! So, get the kiddos settled back in school and enjoy some labor day weekend R and R. Then buckle up and getting ready cause the Lord has something great in store specifically for you!
You will see more promotional information at church and on email. Spread the word and invite a friend.

Love ya'll!
Cindy

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Ladies Night Out Picnic


Hi Ladies!
Thank you for a successful picnic! We had a great time!
God gave us mild temperatures! Thank you, Father.


You know, with everything we do through the Women's Ministry, we pray that there is always purpose. The purpose of events like the picnic is to give us time away from the busyness of our schedules to relax and take the time to get to know each other and have fun. We do not always have those opportunities when we are at church, so the social events and bible studies give us the opportunity to do that. When you see Mrs. Arminta, give her a hug! It is very rare that we get the chance to just sit and listen to a member of our older generation. Arminta is a woman who loves the Lord and she is a faithful teacher of His word. Last night, she allowed us time to get to know her and she is a hoot, girls! We can learn so much from her generation and I think that's what the Lord had in mind when He moved us to invite her to come and talk to us. Arminta and others just like her in the church want to be used and they are valuable having much to offer each one of us. We are thankful for her and thankful to you for loving her up while she shared!

Thank you to everyone who played a part in the picnic:

Matt - setting up the sound system
Brandon Carrell and Eric Hiitola - babysitting 12 kids so their moms could enjoy the picnic
All of you who brought all the great food!
Mrs. Arminta for sharing herself with us
Forrest and Kenya Mitchell for fogging the yard for mosquitoes!
Our neighbors for their driveway! (Randy and Rebecca Mcgeehee)