Join Us Tonight For Our....
PTL BAKE-OFF
Devotions start at 6:10 p.m. in the church
Yummy Baked Goods
Minute-To-Win-It Family Games
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Just Be Held
I was driving to work this morning when this song came on the radio. I have heard it several times, but today there was one specific phrase that stood out to me.
Romans 8:28 reminds us "God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves Him. They are the ones God has chosen for His purpose."
Wow, right? So often it seems like there are so many things going on day to day, it's hard to see the big picture of what God is doing in our lives. If you're anything like me, I tend to focus on each of the individual pieces that bring worry, stress, uncertainty, and then I lose focus of the big picture. Faith requires that we trust in Him and His plan even if we cannot see how it is all falling into place. We need to know that He is on the throne.
This means that we need to be patient waiting on His timeline not our own, trusting that He knows what is best for us, and prayerful believing that He hears us and is FOR us.
And then we need to step back, rest easy in His arms, and just be held while He weaves it all together into the beautiful masterpiece only He can create!!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me and for knitting together an amazing masterpiece in my life. Even when there are times that I don't trust, You continue to prove faithful in bringing together all the pieces of my life as you promise. Thank you for holding me when it seems like it's all falling apart, and for reminding me that you are crafting the beautiful story of my life according to your plans. I can't wait to see what You have in store. I love you, Lord. Amen
"Your world's not falling apart, it's falling into place."
Romans 8:28 reminds us "God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves Him. They are the ones God has chosen for His purpose."
Wow, right? So often it seems like there are so many things going on day to day, it's hard to see the big picture of what God is doing in our lives. If you're anything like me, I tend to focus on each of the individual pieces that bring worry, stress, uncertainty, and then I lose focus of the big picture. Faith requires that we trust in Him and His plan even if we cannot see how it is all falling into place. We need to know that He is on the throne.
This means that we need to be patient waiting on His timeline not our own, trusting that He knows what is best for us, and prayerful believing that He hears us and is FOR us.
And then we need to step back, rest easy in His arms, and just be held while He weaves it all together into the beautiful masterpiece only He can create!!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me and for knitting together an amazing masterpiece in my life. Even when there are times that I don't trust, You continue to prove faithful in bringing together all the pieces of my life as you promise. Thank you for holding me when it seems like it's all falling apart, and for reminding me that you are crafting the beautiful story of my life according to your plans. I can't wait to see what You have in store. I love you, Lord. Amen
Winter Jam
Several of our middle school students attended Winter Jam 2016 at the Palace of Auburn Hills on Sunday evening. It was an amazing evening of worship and fellowship. The messages spoke truth about hope and life with Jesus Christ as the foundation of your life. I love watching our youth praise their Lord and Savior with such passion and enthusiasm. I continue to pray for all of our students that they may continue to grow in their faith and strengthen their walk with God as they grow in intimate relationship with Him.
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
In The Storm...
And I once heard a message
where the pastor said,
"God does not always promise to calm the storm, but
He does always promise to calm You in the storm if you trust Him."
Monday, January 11, 2016
Be Still...
Here's a question to ponder. And I only ask the question because it is one that the Holy Spirit has really put on my heart over the last few weeks. God is moving in my life in this area at this time and so I want to share some of my thoughts with you. So here's the question...
How many of you are taking a moment to be still, take a deep breath, exhale, and listen for the quiet whispers of the Lord as we begin this new year?
Now I am sure that many of you are silently thinking "I am," and I am sure that some of you are saying, "Are you kidding me, my life hasn't slowed down one bit. School's back in session which means homework, basketball practice, projects, church activities, school fundraisers, etc."
I understand because my original answer was "I am" followed by this gently nudging of "Okay, well I am still pretty busy" and then finally a full on push reminding me in every way possibly that He is still asking me to BE STILL AND KNOW THAT HE IS GOD!!
I understand because my original answer was "I am" followed by this gently nudging of "Okay, well I am still pretty busy" and then finally a full on push reminding me in every way possibly that He is still asking me to BE STILL AND KNOW THAT HE IS GOD!!
So as He lays this message on my heart, I have to ask these questions: How many of you are taking the time to reconnect with your families even when there isn't a holiday to celebrate, to be still in the busyness of your life to focus on the important relationships, to read a story or play a game with your kids, have a family dinner around the table, or quietly reflect on a daily devotion? How many of you are being intentional in your quiet time with Christ, getting to know Him more intimately and fully surrendering your heart to Him?
Wow! I know! Those are some pretty awesome responsibilities, and the truth is, our families need for us to be intentional in thinking about these things. Then they need for us to be intentional about following through with these actions. Sometimes they need us to be still in the worldly things and focus on connecting with each other and with God.
Thank you Jesus for putting this message in my heart and reminding me of it in every which way you can over the last two weeks. I get it! I hear you and I am listening!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help me to be still and know that YOU are God. Help me to be intentional about my time with You and in my relationships. Thank you for loving me so much to remind me of this truth. Amen.
Thank you Jesus for putting this message in my heart and reminding me of it in every which way you can over the last two weeks. I get it! I hear you and I am listening!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help me to be still and know that YOU are God. Help me to be intentional about my time with You and in my relationships. Thank you for loving me so much to remind me of this truth. Amen.
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Happy New Year!!
Welcome to 2016!!!
My prayer is that you receive God's richest blessings on your life throughout this coming year!
Much love to all Bethlehem families and friends!!
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
The More I Seek You!
This is one of my favorite songs from Kari Jobe. It is so simple, yet so profound and reflective. The words touch me deep in my core. Can you even imagine what it would be like to be in God's presence? To sit at His feet? To feel his embrace? To hear his voice? I don't think the word overwhelming really even begins to describe it.
Proverbs 8:17 "I love those who love Me, and those who look for Me, find me." (MSG)
It's as simple as that. He loves us and He is easy to find if we just look.
As I go through this Christmas season, I am reminded that I need to stop and remember the real reason I am celebrating, and that is, the birth of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I want to slow down and seek Him in every Christmas activity I participate in. I want to be intentional with my physical, emotional, and spiritual "presence" in a time that is too often focused on "presents", and I just want to connect with Him in every way that I can find.
Prayer: Lord, Jesus, most gracious, loving, Father, often times I am focused on the things of this world instead of focusing on the real reason for the Christmas season...you! Please help me to be present this year. Help me to seek you at every turn and share you with every breath. We don't deserve your overwhelming love, but we thank you for giving it to us.
Proverbs 8:17 "I love those who love Me, and those who look for Me, find me." (MSG)
It's as simple as that. He loves us and He is easy to find if we just look.
As I go through this Christmas season, I am reminded that I need to stop and remember the real reason I am celebrating, and that is, the birth of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I want to slow down and seek Him in every Christmas activity I participate in. I want to be intentional with my physical, emotional, and spiritual "presence" in a time that is too often focused on "presents", and I just want to connect with Him in every way that I can find.
Prayer: Lord, Jesus, most gracious, loving, Father, often times I am focused on the things of this world instead of focusing on the real reason for the Christmas season...you! Please help me to be present this year. Help me to seek you at every turn and share you with every breath. We don't deserve your overwhelming love, but we thank you for giving it to us.
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