Happenings
’s Ministry Newsletter, Summer, 2024
“Connecting Women to Women with God’s Love”
“Joy in Believing: Forget the Past and Reach to the Goal” (Philippians 3:12-14)
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
These encouraging words about this passage come from the Life Application Study Bible:
“Paul said his goal was to know Christ, to be like Christ, and to be all Christ had in mind for him. This goal absorbed all his energy. This is an example for us. We should not let anything take our eyes off our goal Christ. We must lay aside everything harmful and forsake anything that may distract us from being effective Christians.
We have all done things for which we are ashamed, and we all live in the tension of what we have been what we want to be. Because our hope is in Christ, however, we can let go of past guilt and look forward to what he will help us become. Grow in knowledge of God by concentrating on your relationship with him now. Realize you are forgiven, and then move on to a life of faith and obedience. Look forward to a fuller and more meaningful life because of your hope in Christ.”
Take a few minutes to read Maggie’ Smith’s devotional on “Keep On Keeping On” on pages 2 and 3 of this newsletter. We live in some very troubling times where we often lose our focus easily and sometimes very quickly. Maggie’s words provide us with hope and remind us of some of God’s promises that should strengthen our faith. May God bless you as you seek to be more like Him.
UPCOMING ACTIVITIES IN JULY
Tuesday, July 16, 10:00 A.M. in the Fellowship Hall
“Queen Esther” is a captivating tale of beauty and bravery. Join us for this story of how an ordinary life was changed forever.
Tuesday, July 23, 10:00 A.M. In the Fellowship Hall
Come and learn how to add a special touch to your own cards and make someone feel loved. Chris Davis, Teacher
KEEP ON KEEPING ON
This year I have been so encouraged and exhorted by writings in a Bible reading plan I found on the YouVersion Bible app. In this plan, designed and commentated by British pastor Nicky Gumble and his wife Pippa, the Gumbles share deep and inspiring insights into God’s Word and challenges for the Body of Christ. I want to impart some of them to you.
The world has become quite a mess lately, hasn’t it? Do you find yourself feeling discouraged, frustrated and maybe even a little frightened these days? Life has drastically changed over the past several years and the world seems to be teetering on the verge of panic, war, and imminent destruction. Threats between countries have escalated significantly. I’m sure I’m not the only one battling these unsettling feelings. Yet, how do we rise above this flood of emotions? And what does God want His children to be doing in the midst of all of this? Based on what we know of God and His character and His Word, I think we probably already have a pretty good idea.
He wants us to keep on keeping on. We keep on trusting, we keep on praying and praising, we keep on witnessing, we keep on standing strong, we keep on resting. Wait a minute! How do we keep on resting in all of this? If we’re panicked, how can we rest? One of the main differences between fear (panic) and rest is FAITH. In the words of a popular Gaither Vocal Band song, “When fear comes knocking, let faith answer the door.” Remember that the power of faith is in the object of our faith – the object of our faith is the HOLY, SOVEREIGN, ALL MIGHTY GOD OF THE UNIVERSE! And we’ve all read the end of the book – GOD WINS!
So, we know that, but we forget it so easily. How do we keep from forgetting it? We stay in the Word of God; we stay in fellowship with the Body of Christ; we encourage each other more and more as we see the day drawing near. (Heb. 10:23-25) God’s Word is so powerful and strong, so rich and full! Let us know it, let us memorize it, let us cling to it, for it is truth, it is God’s heart.
We know that Gods’ Word is spiritual food to us; it stays our sins; it calms our lurking fears. In the abovementioned devotional series, Nicky Gumble made a statement I had to think about: “Spiritual food is equally as effective as physical food.” Is it? That was a new thought to me – but, of course it is, right? We all know that we cannot continue to survive if we don’t consume food; yet I find myself viewing God’s Word, our spiritual food, as somehow less vital. Yet, it isn’t! How is it I think I can get by in life without nourishing my soul at least as consistently as I feed my body? Let us fill our lives and souls with the Living Word of God. We must consume the Word of God at least as much as we feed our bodies!
I could go on and on, but let us, each of us, commit ourselves to more fervent, consistent pursuit of God. We, His children, need to know Him! “Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord; His going forth is as certain as the dawn.” Hosea 6:3
Our gracious Heavenly Father has given us some many promises we can rely on. In Joshua 21:43-45, we find these verses: “So the Lord gave Israel all the land He had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord gave all their enemies into their hands. Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.” (emphasis mine)
As believers in Jesus Christ in this day and age, we have many good promises the Lord has given us. Ladies, may I exhort us all to setting ourselves to the task of knowing and laying hold of these promises. We believe them to be true because “The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it.” (1 Thess. 5:24)(emphasis mine). Let us seek to know these good promises and take possession of them. Taking possession of them means to live them as the truths they are. Here are a few examples: (can you find more?)
We have the righteousness of Christ: Righteousness is a right relationship with God. We receive this righteousness of God as a gift, “through faith in Jesus Christ,” (Rom.3:22; Phil. 3:9). “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (I Corinthians 5:21) Just like the children of Israel when they entered the Promised Land, they had to “take possession” of the land and live there. We need to do the same – God has given us the “righteousness of Christ” when we trusted in Him, we need to remember that when we face temptations.
Which reminds me of another good promise from God. We have the Holy Spirit of God living in us. We can trust Him to empower us to lay hold of these good promises and live them out. What are some other of God’s good promises to us?
One that comes to my mind, given all the turmoil in the world today, the “wars and rumors of wars”, is courage. We all seem to be needing more courage these days. In John 16:33 Jesus tells His disciples, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” “And you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you be not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.” (Matt. 24:6)
Ladies, may I encourage each of us to ask God to show us more of His “good promises”? Let’s start making a list, perhaps in a journal, or on a sheet of paper and then let us encourage one another with these good promises we have discovered. And when we become fearful or disquieted, let us lay hold of these good promises and walk in them. (Isaiah 30:21)
I have found it unsurprising two Godly teachers of the Word of God have spoken this “ message” at this time – totally independently of each other. I have above cited numerous ideas, truths, concepts from Pastor Nicky Gumble. He’s smack on in the timeliness of his truth-speaking. And, it should not surprise us to find Dr. David Jeremiah with a message and a new book containing so many of the same truths. David Jeremiah’s message is, “Keep the Faith” and his words reflect these same concepts: “In the midst of weakness, God is strong… Don’t’ worry about anything, instead pray about everything… I do not have to be defined by my physical situation or my circumstances… He strengthens you to do what He’s called you to do… Be a man/woman of God in the midst of adversity… His grace is sufficient for each day.
When the Good Shepherd speaks to His own, He never uses words of despair, hopelessness, frustration, defeat, discouragement, fear, confusion, or failure. Instead, He gives His sheep words of hope, rest, victory, peace, power, joy, triumph, and love.
-Roy Lessin
Take some time during the holiday to thank God for all of the freedoms we enjoy in this country. Let’s pray for our country that we can focus on appreciating what we stand for and give God the glory for everything He has provided for us to live a joy-filled, abundant life..
ENJOY!
Happy Fourth of July!!
AUGUST-SEPTEMBER, 2024 (Tuesdays, 10:00 A.M. in the Fellowship Hall)
Beginnings includes the first 5 books of the Bible. These books describe the origins of God’s creation, the human rebellion, and the family of Israel the people God chose to be a light to all peoples.
Join other women as we discuss the reading of Beginnings over an 8-week period. If you need a book, please order it now by letting the office know on the connection card or by calling Johnna. Books will be on sale for $5 in the next couple of weeks.
Join Janie Carnal for these discussions beginning on August 6th.
September 27, 2024
Women’s Fall Luncheon
Shared by Kathleen Daughtry and Lisa Anderson