Grace to you!
So much has happened since I last blogged! Let's begin with the ministries...
The Next Door Bible study is doing well. We are up to date with the studies on the Mercy Abounds Facebook page so you can print the study guides and follow along. How I wish you could be here with us! There is no way I can put into a study page the depth of study we actually do. We spoke for a long time about Jacob and how his name would be changed to Israel. How from soon after Genesis 29 God would refer to Himself as the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. We talked about how Jacob left home with the reputation of a "Momma's boy", a thief and a cheat and how God changed him in one encounter. He changed Jacob so drastically that when this man, who didn't do physical labor, got to a certain well he rolled the large stone from the well with no help. God changed Jacob and if we have truly encountered Jesus Christ He has changed us. It will be noticeable!
The Up Bible study on Fridays had an interesting development. Once long ago when the Next Door Bible Study met the police came to see us for a erroneous complaint. This past Friday it happened again. What are the odds that it would be the same police officer? Sure enough, it was and he remembered us. It was clear he didn't really want to be there but we are meeting opposition from my neighbor who had to "beef up" her story to get them here. Bobby took the chance to glorify God for the resistance to His work and we prayed for her! He didn't miss a beat! The kids are doing well and we've started some new things including a rewards program. They get to choose from a basket of gifts if they put forth the effort to learn God's Word. God gives us rewards, too. I can't tell you how many times a scripture I've learned has come to mind in certain situations and saved me from trouble! What an awesome Savior. From time to time the kids will post a note in a blog for you. Stay tuned to this ministry.
The Kings' Kidz are doing well! We missed this Saturday because I was ill but we'll be back on track, God-willing, this Saturday. My dear friend Tracey who helps me on Saturdays received the best gift ever Sunday. Her husband was saved and now has a relationship with Jesus Christ. There's nothing like being sure of your salvation. He was stirred by another saint who found Jesus as an adult and couldn't rest until it was settled. God is so incredibly good!
If you have any doubt about your relationship with the Lord, nail it down! There are no gray areas when it comes to salvation or living according to God's word. "Gray areas" imply that God's direction is not clear or uncertain but God is a God of order and He, "God, who does not lie," Titus 1:2b, means what He says. When you come into agreement with God you agree with His opinion of you and your condition. When you decide to do God's will there is no halfway or it's not His way. Living for Christ can be hard but we can't let that stop us. There is no "grey area" but there is grace. "Grey" means we give ourselves the "break" we think we deserve. "Grey" means we aren't fully agreeing with God. God will not work in "grey", but He specializes in grace. In fact, God is the only giver of grace and God gives us far more than we would give ourselves. "In Him we have we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding." Ephesians 1:7,8 I would not give my only son to die for others wrongs especially if they were my enemies. Surely one who gives His enemies this opportunity for salvation and forgiveness surely knows how to bless His own child. Make sure you know this Jesus.
For those who have been praying for my provision, I was hired for a part time position with hours that will not at all affect these ministries. They are aware of my limitations and are working with me. This will lift some of the burden and worry from me so I can focus on the important. It is an opportunity to learn something totally different and some never get that chance this late in life. I have been so blessed. Please continue to pray for this ministry and the children it serves. They so desperately need Jesus.
To God be the glory!
Jamie
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Mercy Witnessed in the Flesh
Just a quick note to tell you all about Dusty. Dusty is a young man God gave me the pleasure of meeting and teaching in April of 2009. There are some people you just click with and He was indeed one of those young men. He was encouraged to come by his cousin Jeremy who is now one of the UP Bible study teachers along with Charlotte, Dusty's grandmother, and her husband Bobby.
A couple of months later Dusty was in the fight of his life. It was a long, hard struggle and Dusty almost lost this battle a couple of times. Some had given up but this family believed in the power of Almighty God and His ability to save! There were hundreds, possibly thousands of people affected by this young man's illness. Many people seriously looked to God for hope and answers.
Dusty survived and is now in the long process of recovery from the damage done to his brain during this attack on his life. He is walking and talking now with no apparent residual of injury. His reasoning and judgement is still under repair and the outcome of that is not yet known, however, we prayed for a complete recovery and God is not finished!
When we (a small group of people Dusty requested) visited last night Dusty and gained a few inches of height and breadth! He is a growing boy! But he recognized us and began to give details of knowing us. This is incredible because it shows that he can recall the past. He even recalled situations that were going on at the time. One of the girls had always admired a poster he had in his room of the cross with John 3:16. He gave it to her last night. He remembered and wanted her to have it!
He played a racing video game and his hand/eye coordination was great! He wanted us to stay until he won and thank God he finally did because he was getting tired. He asked to speak with me alone when we were about to leave. It was precious because that is what he did before. Dusty would always just ask for a minute alone to share his heart. That was such an incredible gift to me. He is healing and I am so grateful. Please continue to pray for this young man.
I would have you know that prayer was behind this healing. Prayer to an Almighty God who considers it precious when His children come to Him for a moment alone to share their heart. Whether it be a need or request or something wonderful that has happened. The sweet privilege of Dusty's confidence is only a small taste of the joy and kinship God must feel when His children come to Him. I absolutely beg you to spend some time with God in prayer today! He is the Only source of help. He is the Only power, the Only wisdom, the Only living, present, sure being Who can do anything for any of us. Any one or anything else is just either a representative of Him OR an imitation of Him. You can know the real God. Please start your relationship with Him today in prayer.
If you don't know Him and don't know what to say use this example prayer:
Dear God,
I know my life is not what it should be. I know that I have not pleased You and that I do not know You and have no right to ask for anything except that You would forgive me. (Romans 3:23"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.") I do not want to make excuses for my behavior or actions, but I want to be cleansed from my past. I am asking You to come into my life and save me from everything I've done to myself and things that have been done to me. (Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.")
I have heard about Your Son Jesus Christ, that He died to save me and I want to believe that. I want to believe I can be saved and I am asking You to do that and remove any doubt from me about Your power to save me. (Acts 2:21 "And everyone who calls upon the Name of the Lord will be saved.") I am asking You to help me from now on not to repeat these same behaviors. I want You to show me how to live because I know I can't do it alone. (2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore is anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone and the new has come!") I am asking You to be Lord(manager, controller, Savior) of my life. Even if I can't keep my promises I need You, because You can. (Philipians 1:6 "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.") In Jesus' Name, Amen.
If you have prayed this prayer please contact me at the email address on this blog or contact your pastor or a friend you know that follows God. (Romans 10:9 "For if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that He rose from the grave you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified and with you mouth that you confess and are saved." Matthew 10:32 "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.") We need to get a Bible for you and to help you find a church where the word if God is taught and people can pray for you and encourage you. You have just made the best decision of your life!
To God be the glory,
Jamie
A couple of months later Dusty was in the fight of his life. It was a long, hard struggle and Dusty almost lost this battle a couple of times. Some had given up but this family believed in the power of Almighty God and His ability to save! There were hundreds, possibly thousands of people affected by this young man's illness. Many people seriously looked to God for hope and answers.
Dusty survived and is now in the long process of recovery from the damage done to his brain during this attack on his life. He is walking and talking now with no apparent residual of injury. His reasoning and judgement is still under repair and the outcome of that is not yet known, however, we prayed for a complete recovery and God is not finished!
When we (a small group of people Dusty requested) visited last night Dusty and gained a few inches of height and breadth! He is a growing boy! But he recognized us and began to give details of knowing us. This is incredible because it shows that he can recall the past. He even recalled situations that were going on at the time. One of the girls had always admired a poster he had in his room of the cross with John 3:16. He gave it to her last night. He remembered and wanted her to have it!
He played a racing video game and his hand/eye coordination was great! He wanted us to stay until he won and thank God he finally did because he was getting tired. He asked to speak with me alone when we were about to leave. It was precious because that is what he did before. Dusty would always just ask for a minute alone to share his heart. That was such an incredible gift to me. He is healing and I am so grateful. Please continue to pray for this young man.
I would have you know that prayer was behind this healing. Prayer to an Almighty God who considers it precious when His children come to Him for a moment alone to share their heart. Whether it be a need or request or something wonderful that has happened. The sweet privilege of Dusty's confidence is only a small taste of the joy and kinship God must feel when His children come to Him. I absolutely beg you to spend some time with God in prayer today! He is the Only source of help. He is the Only power, the Only wisdom, the Only living, present, sure being Who can do anything for any of us. Any one or anything else is just either a representative of Him OR an imitation of Him. You can know the real God. Please start your relationship with Him today in prayer.
If you don't know Him and don't know what to say use this example prayer:
Dear God,
I know my life is not what it should be. I know that I have not pleased You and that I do not know You and have no right to ask for anything except that You would forgive me. (Romans 3:23"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.") I do not want to make excuses for my behavior or actions, but I want to be cleansed from my past. I am asking You to come into my life and save me from everything I've done to myself and things that have been done to me. (Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.")
I have heard about Your Son Jesus Christ, that He died to save me and I want to believe that. I want to believe I can be saved and I am asking You to do that and remove any doubt from me about Your power to save me. (Acts 2:21 "And everyone who calls upon the Name of the Lord will be saved.") I am asking You to help me from now on not to repeat these same behaviors. I want You to show me how to live because I know I can't do it alone. (2 Corinthians 5:17 "Therefore is anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone and the new has come!") I am asking You to be Lord(manager, controller, Savior) of my life. Even if I can't keep my promises I need You, because You can. (Philipians 1:6 "being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.") In Jesus' Name, Amen.
If you have prayed this prayer please contact me at the email address on this blog or contact your pastor or a friend you know that follows God. (Romans 10:9 "For if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that He rose from the grave you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified and with you mouth that you confess and are saved." Matthew 10:32 "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.") We need to get a Bible for you and to help you find a church where the word if God is taught and people can pray for you and encourage you. You have just made the best decision of your life!
To God be the glory,
Jamie
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Greetings from Alexis!
Hello everyone! My name is Alexis and I am a part of Jamie's Bible Study. I just wanted to tell everyone about how great it is!
We all gather around in the kitchen and get a plate of food that Jamie and other leaders have made for us and after we are all finished eating, we go into the living room and start our lesson for the week. Of course we start with prayer then move on to watching a video or reading bible verses. This week's lesson ( the week of 1/10-15/10) is to always have faith in Jesus Christ. Another girl who is also in the Bible Study was blindfolded and asked to put her arms straight out and to just fall backwards into someones arms. She did this 3 times and the first time she didn't have a lot of faith that someone would catch her, but the second and third time she had more and more faith. The main point was that no matter what kind of situation you're in, God will always help you get through it.
Just remember to always have faith in Jesus Christ!
That's my Lexie! She and her brother are visiting and we're just inside on a rainy day. She had never seen the blog before so I invited her to say "Hi!"
So, exciting stuff going on today. Four of us get the pleasure of visiting Dusty today. He's home after surgery to repair his mouth. I haven't seen him since he left Warner Robins the day he went into a coma. He is feeling up for visitors so... I'll have to let you know how it went. I am so glad God saved his life. Lots of prayers went up for him and our faithful God heard.
Last night at UP we did exactly what Lexie said. A wonderful lesson of faith and Hebrews 11 the hall of faith! What a chapter. We had a special prayer time afterward. I'm really enjoying the prayer afterwards. I love hearing the kids and leaders open their hearts to God and just lifting praises and concerns to the Only One who can do anything about our problems. He is a very present help in times of trouble. I am so glad that this is what God called me to do. I get so much joy from seeing the growth in the kids and learning them. I learn so much from teaching and seeing God move in other people's lives.
The King's Kidz this morning was also a lesson in faith from Acts. We did sign language to some of the message as Tracey taught. The youngest kids were lively this morning and it was hard to pay attention but God prevailed! The kids were able to understand anyway. It was great!
The breakfast was awesome as well! Struesel loaves and tangerines with hot chocolate! All I can say is if you weren't here-you missed out!
Speaking of missing out, tomorrow is Sunday. All of us have the opportunity to find a Bible believing church somewhere and lift up the Name of God. We can lift up praise and petitions to the Only One who can help. Won't you go see Jesus tomorrow? If you don't have a church home I invite you to mine-Green Acres Baptist-901 Elberta Rd. Warner Robins Georgia. Sunday School starts at 9:15, Church at 10:30-I'll save you a seat. Come and worship the King!
To God be the glory,
Jamie
We all gather around in the kitchen and get a plate of food that Jamie and other leaders have made for us and after we are all finished eating, we go into the living room and start our lesson for the week. Of course we start with prayer then move on to watching a video or reading bible verses. This week's lesson ( the week of 1/10-15/10) is to always have faith in Jesus Christ. Another girl who is also in the Bible Study was blindfolded and asked to put her arms straight out and to just fall backwards into someones arms. She did this 3 times and the first time she didn't have a lot of faith that someone would catch her, but the second and third time she had more and more faith. The main point was that no matter what kind of situation you're in, God will always help you get through it.
Just remember to always have faith in Jesus Christ!
That's my Lexie! She and her brother are visiting and we're just inside on a rainy day. She had never seen the blog before so I invited her to say "Hi!"
So, exciting stuff going on today. Four of us get the pleasure of visiting Dusty today. He's home after surgery to repair his mouth. I haven't seen him since he left Warner Robins the day he went into a coma. He is feeling up for visitors so... I'll have to let you know how it went. I am so glad God saved his life. Lots of prayers went up for him and our faithful God heard.
Last night at UP we did exactly what Lexie said. A wonderful lesson of faith and Hebrews 11 the hall of faith! What a chapter. We had a special prayer time afterward. I'm really enjoying the prayer afterwards. I love hearing the kids and leaders open their hearts to God and just lifting praises and concerns to the Only One who can do anything about our problems. He is a very present help in times of trouble. I am so glad that this is what God called me to do. I get so much joy from seeing the growth in the kids and learning them. I learn so much from teaching and seeing God move in other people's lives.
The King's Kidz this morning was also a lesson in faith from Acts. We did sign language to some of the message as Tracey taught. The youngest kids were lively this morning and it was hard to pay attention but God prevailed! The kids were able to understand anyway. It was great!
The breakfast was awesome as well! Struesel loaves and tangerines with hot chocolate! All I can say is if you weren't here-you missed out!
Speaking of missing out, tomorrow is Sunday. All of us have the opportunity to find a Bible believing church somewhere and lift up the Name of God. We can lift up praise and petitions to the Only One who can help. Won't you go see Jesus tomorrow? If you don't have a church home I invite you to mine-Green Acres Baptist-901 Elberta Rd. Warner Robins Georgia. Sunday School starts at 9:15, Church at 10:30-I'll save you a seat. Come and worship the King!
To God be the glory,
Jamie
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