I am so excited to share that we have uploaded some Bible Study materials to the Mercy Abounds Facebook page. Now you can study with us if you choose or see some of the material we cover. I am so excited that you can know that we are serious about discipleship and service! What an awesome opportunity for you or someone you know.
We had the best time just discussing Genesis 24 and the servant who was challenged with the task of finding Issac a wife. He was such a wise servant! We talked about the way his obedience and focus on his task showed God's plan. I won't share much more because I hope you see for yourself. But, the good news is God is no respecter of persons. What He's done for one He can do for another. The Israelites crossed over waters on dry ground three times if my count is correct. Why would He not be the same God yesterday, today, and tomorrow? He is not a man that He should lie! The key is relationship and obedience. How I sincerely hope you find such a relationship with Him and by doing so desire obedience which brings about the glorious work so easily seen in your life! May you be blessed by reading and studying His Word.
To God be the glory,
Jamie
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
From Fear to Fearless
Grace and peace to you! I hope your week has been wonderful!
As always we have had and exciting week at Mercy Abounds. Tuesday Bible Study was awesome. We had a sweet time of prayer afterwards. We studied from "Lessons Learned in the Dark" from Jennifer Rothschild about walking by faith and not by sight. It was a sweet time in the Lord. We had the opportunity to encourage each other to keep walking and trusting God and then we prayed for one another. My sweet friend, a new sister in Christ of only about two months now, was so incredibly filled with the Spirit as she encouraged a sister who had been walking with Jesus for a while but was discouraged. There is nothing on this earth like the excitement of a new Christian as they see God work. I hope I see much more of this! The sister appreciated the lift and we parted ways peacefully filled and exhausted. Wow!
The Next Door Bible Study met and we just shared what God has been doing in our lives, what we were thankful for lately and heard some testimonies. Then we got the surprise of our lives! Dustin called from rehab. This young man had gotten ill some time ago and suffered for so long. We all struggled for so very long in prayer for him. His grandmother, Charlotte, who works with us on Fridays (UP) gave me bracelets today that say, "I prayed for Dusty". Oh what a wonderful gift! We passed the phone around and he asked us for the name of some songs he could be practicing while in rehabilitation so he'd be ready to sing with us when he got out. Dusty had, at the Dr's best guess, a viral brain infection. They still have no proof of anything, and no firm diagnosis has been given. Those of you who know about spiritual warfare can understand that we all battled on a spiritual level for the life of this young man with prayer, fasting, and sharpening each others faith. It was a tough time for all of us. He has a long way to go and we are so glad to have him any way we can get him. It is a miracle he was able to dial the phone and speak with all of us. He was able to remember almost everyone. It was amazing. Next week we will continue with Genesis 24 as planned!
Today was [UP] Bible Study. We had the most incredible time ever! I know I say that every time but it is so very true! We talked about fear again. Building 429 has the song "Fearless" and the band spoke about their troubles and fears. We talked about ours. We talked about being careful what we put into our minds and to avoid sinful things. We talked about fighting fear with scripture and prayer, that scripture memorization was crucial for fighting our fears and that praise was also a weapon of warfare. They learned about Jericho and Joshua. We wrote in the palm of our hand the risks we'd be willing to take for God this next week. Then we discussed that our names, if we are saved, are engraved into the palms of Jesus Christ and we didn't need to fear for nothing can ever take us out of His hands. Let's rehearse Paul's words from the Holy Bible, "For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39. Now that's good stuff! You can't find those promises and the promises be true in any other publication or speech. God's Word is Truth and authority but it is also love and encouragement. God is good! Our laminin is in the shape of a cross, we are unique down to our DNA and we bear the image of God. Amazing!
Well, if this doesn't encourage your heart, friends, I don't know what will. Please pray for us as we continue. Pray especially for the Next Door Bible Study. So many of these young folks are at a crossroad in their lives right now. Pray they will make right decisions and that they will be courageous for Christ in all they do.
Pray also for God's continued provision in my life. I am still not working but am beginning to walk some with a walker and am trying to learn a different trade. God has miraculously provided for me so far and I have no reason to believe that it will end. He hasn't put me in my Promised Land yet so I can earn a wage that will sustain me. Your prayers are much appreciated.
To God be the Glory!
Jamie
Monday, November 2, 2009
Mercy Reigns
I wish you could all be with us when we meet. We have the best time. Last week was wonderful! Our Tuesday Bible Study was wonderful as you've read. I met several women this last week who expressed an interest in coming on Tuesdays. Praise God for the increase!
The Wednesday Bible study(High School and College) went very well. We studied Genesis 24 and learned a lot about being a good servant. We will begin posting The Next Door Bible Study on line, more to come about that. I learned much this study about serving and walking. God is so gracious. This group's verse is Revelation 3:8 "I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My Word, and hast not denied My Name." Pastor Mike Winfree (Green Acres Baptist Church) is my accountability partner now with this material as it is from God through my pen. I look forward to being even more challenged with his instruction. Please feel free once the material is on line to invite your friends to print it off and study with us. You can also forward questions to the email address listed on this blog and I'll respond as soon as possible.
The Friday UP Bible study(Middle School) was a BLAST literally! We started off with the most incredible display of a soda fountain ever! A huge three liter root beer just absolutely exploded. It was great fun and I'm still finding it all over the kitchen! Bobby and Charlotte Hutchison(First Baptist Church Centerville) have joined the team on Fridays. God is taking the unique gifts given to each person and pouring it out into the children. We decided to start off each session with questions from the kids about anything. This has worked so far. They are very smart and we are very blessed that God lets us participate in the teaching of His young creations. It is our hope that they all come to the saving knowledge of Christ. Bobby and Charlotte are such a blessing to me personally and such a delight to the kids. Faye Gayton (Green Acres Baptist) will be joining us from time to time and the kids adore her! Please pray for us as we are all learning and being challenged to step out of our comfort zones. These kids challenge us each time and the scriptures tell us, "...be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." 1 Peter 3:15 Pray with us that the Holy Spirit would direct every answer as we prepare our hearts and attempt to live our daily lives as close to Him as possible.
The King's Kids (Elementary and younger) should be up and running soon. Tracey Kicklighter (Green Acres Baptist), and possibly Tayler Daniels (Christ Chapel) have agreed to help out with King's Kidz on Saturday for the younger kids. We plan on serving breakfast, doing a devotional and a craft or game just to start off their Saturday right!
I cannot tell you how very excited I am to see God working in so many ways all around me! I am so proud to know Him as my Savior and thrilled that I get to help minister to the body of Christ. Would you pray with us for each ministry and continued provision for each one? This is definitely the most important work I've ever done.
To God be the glory!
Jamie
The Wednesday Bible study(High School and College) went very well. We studied Genesis 24 and learned a lot about being a good servant. We will begin posting The Next Door Bible Study on line, more to come about that. I learned much this study about serving and walking. God is so gracious. This group's verse is Revelation 3:8 "I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept My Word, and hast not denied My Name." Pastor Mike Winfree (Green Acres Baptist Church) is my accountability partner now with this material as it is from God through my pen. I look forward to being even more challenged with his instruction. Please feel free once the material is on line to invite your friends to print it off and study with us. You can also forward questions to the email address listed on this blog and I'll respond as soon as possible.
The Friday UP Bible study(Middle School) was a BLAST literally! We started off with the most incredible display of a soda fountain ever! A huge three liter root beer just absolutely exploded. It was great fun and I'm still finding it all over the kitchen! Bobby and Charlotte Hutchison(First Baptist Church Centerville) have joined the team on Fridays. God is taking the unique gifts given to each person and pouring it out into the children. We decided to start off each session with questions from the kids about anything. This has worked so far. They are very smart and we are very blessed that God lets us participate in the teaching of His young creations. It is our hope that they all come to the saving knowledge of Christ. Bobby and Charlotte are such a blessing to me personally and such a delight to the kids. Faye Gayton (Green Acres Baptist) will be joining us from time to time and the kids adore her! Please pray for us as we are all learning and being challenged to step out of our comfort zones. These kids challenge us each time and the scriptures tell us, "...be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." 1 Peter 3:15 Pray with us that the Holy Spirit would direct every answer as we prepare our hearts and attempt to live our daily lives as close to Him as possible.
The King's Kids (Elementary and younger) should be up and running soon. Tracey Kicklighter (Green Acres Baptist), and possibly Tayler Daniels (Christ Chapel) have agreed to help out with King's Kidz on Saturday for the younger kids. We plan on serving breakfast, doing a devotional and a craft or game just to start off their Saturday right!
I cannot tell you how very excited I am to see God working in so many ways all around me! I am so proud to know Him as my Savior and thrilled that I get to help minister to the body of Christ. Would you pray with us for each ministry and continued provision for each one? This is definitely the most important work I've ever done.
To God be the glory!
Jamie
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)