A Little Cleaning Up

As you can tell something is going on...

I've decided to re-vamp this site.

One of my goals for this year is to post more on this blog,

ideally I will try to post at least once a week.

 I realized how slack I had become.

And as I began to think I began to realize that I need the accountability

of sharing what I've been learning.

To push me further in my learning.

So part of my cleaning has to do with what I feel

the Lord had showed me for the new year.

Normally I seem to have a focus passage

that the Lord impresses on my heart around

the beginning of every year.

This year:

2 Corinthians 1-3,

particularly the end of verse 3 

"...from the simplicity that is in Christ."

Start of Our Revival

I can't believe that it has been so long since I last posted! Not that I haven't had anything to post but haven't had much time.
We have revival going on at my church this week and Sunday nights message was really good. It was basically a message pleaing with people to surrender to Christian service. Brother Ron Comfort gave some staggering statistics of the world. If you have ever been to another country you understand a little of the need.
75% of the world has heard of Coca Cola, and 50% has tried it, but only 10% of the world has heard the gospel!
I was burdened by the fact that I begun to be complacent in my Christian life, kind of nonchalant in my ministries, which ought not to be. My heart cried out that many teens would see the need. Brother Comfort asked who was going to take the place of those faithful people in leadership when they pass on to glory. I know I don't deserve to take their place but I want to be available and usable for the Lord. But I was praying that it would click to the teens, and at the invitation 8 came forward to surrender for Full time Christian service. It was good, but pray that they would remember this and not take back the string they've now given to the Lord. I so want God to use me for His service, it's an ache that fills my being. There's nothing that soothes it but serving Him.
Well I need to go and get ready for church tonight. I'll try to post again soon.

Full Consecration

The following is taken from the book Kept for the Master’s Use by Frances Ridley Havergal:
“’Take my life!’ We have said it or sung before the Lord, it may be many times; but if it were only once whispered in His ear with full purpose of heart, should we not believe that He heard it? And if we know that He heard it, should we not believe that He has answered it, and fulfilled this, our heart’s desire? For with Him hearing means heeding. Then why should we doubt that He did verily take our lives when we offered them, our bodies when we presented them? Have we not been wronging His faithfulness all this time by practically, even if unconsciously, doubting whether the prayer ever really reached Him? And if so, is it any wonder that we have not realized all the power and joy of full consecration? By some means or other He has to teach us to trust implicitly at every step of the way. And so, if we did not really trust in this matter, He has to let us find out our want of trust by withholding the sensible part of the blessing, and this stirring us up to find out why it is withheld.”
Pretty powerful paragraph isn’t it. I don’t think I need to say anything else, it speaks for it’s self.

Are You An Encourager Today?

Mrs. Bullock taught our dean session today and we have been studying the life of Barnabas, the encourager. There were some things that stuck out to me and I though I would put them up here, to be an encouragement to others.
Barnabas’s encouragement changed many lives and furthered the spreading of the Gospel. In Acts 11:19- 26 we see that Barnabas ended up going to Antioch, then he went and retrieved Paul and they returned to Antioch to abide there for a year. After that year was up there were many added to the church and the people were first called Christians. Barnabas brought Christ out of these people by encouraging them to live and serve Him, because they had the courage to live for God they were called Christians, “little Christ’s”.
So Barnabas changed lives… What about us? Whose life are we changing and encouraging to live for God?
An encourager:

• Is committed to the success of others.

• Doesn’t focus on the failures of a person but focuses on their potential.

• Infuse courage into someone else, helping them to be bold enough to do what they should for God.

• Prays for others and lets them know it. When was the last time you asked to pray with someone? To hear someone pray for you gives you the courage and strength to get through that day.

So today start little and be an encourager. Keep in mind that God takes our failures and makes them successes.

One Thing I Would Outlaw

In creative writing class, Lizzy thought about using the topic: If You Could Outlaw One Thing, What Would It Be? So I'll tell you what my choice would be.

Insincerity in Christians

Some one comes to you expressing their love for God and desire to serve Him, yet they turn around and continue in sin. Do they not understand? God cannot use someone who continually disobeys Him and His laws. Yes, I understand we all sin, but to say one thing and then deliberately disobey is a different situation. God longs for sincere Christians who say what they mean and do what they say. There is nothing so unnerving as someone talking nice about your God, then dragging His name through the mud. If I had the power to outlaw one thing it would be insincere Christians who fake their devotion to God.

We Need Revival

There was a time when the Spirit of God,

Moved in a mighty way.

There was a time when the people of God,

Lived in a godly way.

Something's wrong, it is time to turn around.

Somethings wrong, it is time to heed the sound.

Verse Two

Now is the time, and this is the place,

We are the ones who must make the choice.

Now is the time, we do not hesitate,

The people of God must lift their voice.

We must be strong, in the power of God's might,

We must be strong, this darkness needs our Light.

Chorus

We need revival, all across the land,

We need revival, it is time to take a stand.

We better fall on our knees and pray,

And turn from our wicked ways,

We need revival all across the land.

Qualities of Love

Pastor was preaching yesterday on Faithful men and how in leadership they must have love. But I learned so much from it myself, I wanted to post it. It is taken from I Corinthians 13.

1. Love is long-tempered and patient, doesn't have a short fuse.
2. Love isn't a sour attitude or a sarcastic remark; it's Christian kindness- open your heart to help others.
3. Love sees every person equally, regardless of money or status. Ask God to bless everyone(Rom.12:15). Don't want what you don't have.
4. Love doesn't brag or boast what they've done (Prov.27:2). "Don't live so others may be impressed with you but they are impressed with your God."
5. Love is mannerly and considerate; leads is to act as ladies and gentlemen, live for the good of the family and God's family. Ladies are to be cherished and treated as special.
6. Love is "others" oriented, the love of Jesus. This causes you to get along with others.
7. Love isn't offended and isn't concerned with their "rights".
8. Love doesn't wish evil on others or think evil of others.
9. Love doesn't rejoice over someone backsliding, loosing, or hurting. He doesn't enjoy things God has commanded against. They love this that are pure and godly.
10. Love lives with silence, endures patiently, forbear. They are silent about another person's faults, we all have them. This is the opposite of hatred. Proverbs 10:12- God condemns us from covering our own sins, deal with your sin. (I Peter 4:8)
11. Love has a trusting outlook on life, other believers. They are trusting God and at peace. Choose not to believe the worst, believe the best.
12. Love is a calm trust in the Lord, that He will take care of everything. Nothing is bigger than our God. (Rom.8:35-39, Ps. 37:23)

Obedience to the Father

The other day I was reading in my devotions and came across something interesting in Psalm 119. Verses 17-24 were where I was reading. Psalm 119 is full of references to the law, statutes, and the word, and all these can represent the Lord and His commands. We must obey His word. There are many examples and lessons in verses 17-24.
Verse 17 ~ The Lord saves us so we live for Him and obey His commands.
Verse 18 ~ Everyday was must ask the Lord to show us His way and obey it.
Verse 19 ~ We really are only strangers in this world and we need a guide.
Verse 20 ~ Does your soul really long to know God and follow Him?
Verse 21 ~ There are consequences to not obeying the Lord's commands.
Verse 22 ~ People will falsely accuse you and make fun of you, just continue to obey, God will bless for it.
Verse 23 ~ Don't just learn it, think and apply it!
Verse 24 ~ Let God's Word be the guiding force in all you do and rejoice that He is leading you.

Children

"Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD:" ~Ps 127:3~

Since the beginning of the summer I've had the chance to work with different age groups in various situations. Teaching the 4&5's, counseling in the 15-18yr. old girls cabins, getting ready to help with 1st graders in VBS, playing with the Youth Pastor's baby. The more I've thought about it, Psalm 127:3 doesn't necessarily have to apply to parents. Those of us that work with children know what a blessing they can be. The word heritage means an heirloom- these special people that God has allowed us to work with are treasures. And each one is different in their own unique way.
The baby has no care in the world except to eat, play and smile at everyone.The young ones are so frank with what they say and how easily they tell you they love you. The middle aged ones are so excited about learning and discovering things. The teen girls I worked with are at the age of trying to figure out what it means to know God and live for Him but they have all these struggles of being a teenager too. Each age is at a different stage in life and yet each one still needs guidance to help them in their lives with Christ.
I've heard others say that they "love babies" or they "love working with teenagers" and I know what they mean, but I think I've discovered that to me it doesn't matter what age they are, I love working with them. I love each group and I look forward to the day when Lord willing I may have children of my own.
The Lord showed His love for children in Matt. 19:14, "But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Children are the future generation, they need to be our focus, winning them to Christ and helping them grown to be the next spiritual leaders. Well, enough of my rambling, I think I've discovered one thing: I Love Children, no matter how different they may be!

*Sidenote:The picture is one of my sister Erin(with the curly hair), my cousin Jake,and my other cousin Tristyn(in the pigtails). It was taken years ago at a Davis family reunion.*

Stand in the GAP

I just wanted to post quick, I was thinking of something Mrs. Bullock told us. In Psalms 142:4 it says, " I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul."
We have all heard messages where the preachers have begged for someone to stand in the gap, step up and be the one that God can use. And that is the case; yet, we still need people to stand in the gap. Mrs. Bullock showed us something in a verse that is so familiar to most Christians. Romans 12:2 says, "And be no conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." She told us that one of her teachers had shown them that God wants people to be doing these things. Be Good - following what is right. Be Acceptable - Doing that which is pleasing in the Lord's sight. Be Perfect - Mature in your faith, Complete in Christ. Then you will be one that God can use to stand in the G.A.P.

Plea to My Brothers!

I have thought over the past few months about how much I saw in our churches and schools that I wished I could change. This post will be aimed toward my "brothers", those males that are saved my the grace of God; so through His blood we are all brothers and sisters in Christ. So this is to you brothers; may you see what we as your sisters see and what we can't do anything about.Please understand that these things are things that we as females are not able to do.

My Brothers:
Please don't be afraid to stand up for Christ. When the pastor or teacher asks for someone to lead in prayer or to read a section of Scripture, please don't look around! Don't think to yourself, "Well, I don't want to speak to soon when there is someone else that really wants to do it." Don't wait for everyone else, go out of your comfort zone and do it! Even if you are the only one that ever does it, do it anyway! Don't be afraid to sing out in the service or join in special music. It doesn't really matter to us if you can sing or not, if you are truly doing it to praise the Lord nothing gives us more joy. Don't be afraid! You aren't doing it to perform, your doing it to serve the Lord.
"For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind."
2 Timothy 1:7

My Brothers:
Please don't be afraid to do things for us girls. Yes, there are some of us that won't admit that we need help and we claim we can do it ourselves but really we can't. Please be gentle with us! We are the weaker vessel, don't be afraid to hold the door for us or offer to carry something that we are struggling with. And please realize that we really want to talk about spriritual things but so many times we feel it is out of place for us to start up a conversation like this. Please don't be after us to win our hearts and be our boyfriends. We need brothers first that will protect us and take care of us, like a brother.
"We should be brothers in the Lord who are not acting as thieves—trying to steal their sisters’ attention and hearts; but who are acting as warriors—standing guard over girls’ hearts."
-Joshua Harris

My Brothers:
Please follow the Lord where ever He leads you. Don't let anyone else talk you out of doing what you feel God wants you to do. If God wants you to do it, then by all means: DO IT! Don't let anyone or anything take your focus away from God, follow Him to the end. That's what we need, we want to end up with a husband that is going to follow God no matter what. And remember that there are all those younger boys looking at you and wanting to be just like you. Do you really want them to be like you? Because you can't do anything about their desire to be like you but you can do something about who you are. Be the man that some little boy and even those teenagers could follow as an example.
"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."
I Tim. 4:12
These are just few things that we sometimes wish we could change, but we can't. Only you can! Before I end I found a poem that I thought was really good.

"What Does God Want My Husband-To-Be to Be?"

If some day in God’s perfect plan,
He provides just the right man.
What is my husband-to-be to be?
What kind of man is the one for me?

I want him to please God as Abel did,
And to walk with God as Enoch lived.
I want him to obey as Noah did so
And Abraham followed when not knowing where to go.

May he like Isaac, be ready to die
Or to meet the Lord when He comes in the sky.
Meek as Moses, not enjoying sin,
Persevering as he fixed his eyes on Him.

May he like Joseph be pure and forgiving
When in temptation—flee without sinning.
May he manage with care, faithful and true
Awaiting God’s timing to come into view.

May he like Job be patient when tested.
And combat Satan when he is molested.
May he like Daniel be wise to God’s will,
Learning understanding in all science and skill.

Like the Hebrew children, may he stand his ground,
Not about to flinch when he hears the music sound.
Or like Joshua, not afraid to fight,
When the enemy comes within his own sight.

May he like Elijah, be one with God,
Knowing that the fire can lick the bullock and the sod.
Not like Jonah who from God tried to flee,
But like Isaiah said, "Here am I send me."

May he like Samuel, do what he is asked,
Obeying willingly when God gives him a task.
Tenderhearted as David the beloved
Able to sing praises to his Shepherd Above.

As John the Baptist preparing the way,
Careful not to lead others astray.
Like Peter, there are times he will fall,
Please lift him up, Lord, and stand him tall.

May he be mission-minded like Paul,
Protected well when let over the wall.
Showing like Aquilla hospitality and care
Entertaining friends and angels unaware.

Taught as Timothy, discipling others, too
Forgiving as Philemon, someone who’s untrue.
As to Christ, John was near,
May he hold You, to his heart dear.

Most of all like Christ, may he always be,
Compassionate, kind, tender-hearted and free;
Strong, pure, just , caring for another
True, meek, forgiving, and righteous altogether.

Gentle, trustworthy, a lover of God’s WORD,
Caring for nature and each little bird.
May he gladly tell the story—
"CHRIST in me,—the HOPE of GLORY!"

-Rebecca (Adamson) Smith

Pastor Nazaruk's sermon

This morning we went to fellowship Baptist Church. Our friends the Nazaruks, pastor this church(Well pastor Nazaruk does!) and we hadn't visited them in a while. So we decided to go over to their church this morning, they took this church in York when the pastor passed away. It is very small, their building is in a strip mall and they need a bigger building, please pray they find one soon. Most of the congregation in older, well all of it is besides the pastor, his wife and their 4 boys. So we went there this morning and it was a wonderful service. In Sunday School he taught on Joshua and how obedience brings victory. Disobedience is open rebellion. But true obedience is doing what your told, when your told, and how your told. He talked of how Joshua was the leader and he applied it to us. We all are leaders, it doesn't matter is we are Sunday School leaders, mothers, fathers, deacons, pastors, or in charge of some other ministries, or none of these; we are all leaders, there will always be someone looking up to us. And he made this challenging statement: "If a leader is following the Lord's will and walking in it, the people will following you will follow God also." What a responsibility!
Then during the morning service he spoke on John 14:1-3, on not letting your heart be troubled. We let ourselves become worried sometimes and don't let the Lord truly take care of everything. We must learn to truly trust in the Lord with all our hearts. John 14:27, "Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
It was a good morning and it made me think of some other things that I could post on. But I'll do that a little later though there is one thing that I do want to post on today, I need to look some things up first.