December 12, 2016
Good Morning Princesses!
Now that the Ohio weather has some of our attention, we can finally realize the full effect of the change in season. Yes, Winter is coming and is here! For those of you in the warmer states, well, we can only hope you stand in envy of us as you bask in the warm 60 to 70 degree weather.
For this week, see the updates below as it relates to to a few items...
This week our face to face team will be viewing Week 6 of David, Seeking A Heart Like His. (=> Study Information) and will be on break the following dates: December 20, December 27 and January 3. Our online team will be viewing Week 2 on December 14 and will be on break the following dates: December 22 and December 28. We will resume on Wednesday, January 4 with Week 3 of David.
1. Praise, Rememberance and Commitment At ALL Times =>FAITH (Part 2)
Even in times of his greatest dispair, David found strength in the Lord...
Did you have an opportunity to read Hebrews 11- Faith in Action? If not, please do so (maybe over the Christmas and New Year break). This particular chapter outlines and defines faith. Last week, I shared with you the highligted verses that spoke to me, take a look at Hebrews 11:32-34 and pay particular attention to verse 34:
32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak,Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.
Recall the last sentence in bold above and read the following:
The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker. 2 Samuel 3:1
2. Over the Course of Time... (Time, Conflict and Change)
Over the course of time, David grew stonger as Time + Conflict resulted in Change.
TIME + CONFLICT = CHANGE
David in the course of his conflict continued to have faith (praising, remembering and commiting to himself to God at all times) which resulted in his Faith becoming stronger and stronger. After 15 plus years of conflict and battle, change was bound to happen.
Beth Moore notes that "we will either grow stronger or weaker. We cannot remain the same after a severe and long battle."
For David, well, he grew stronger and God gave victory to His annointed. David continued to call upon God to fight his battles, he depended more and more on God (not himself) and over the course of time his Faith grew stronger and stronger. Over the course of time, David actually knew whose he was and who kept him. What a love! He knew the victories were from God. He knew God had a blessing just for him.
So, what do you think Princesses? Has your Faith become stronger or weaker? If you are in storm (conflict or battle), approaching one (conflict battle or storm) or headed out of one (conflict battle or storm) are you relying (or did you rely) on yourself or God?
3. We Are The Annointed
Did you know that as Christians, we are also God's annointed? (1 John 2:20)
Yes, remember in 2 Timothy (guard the deposit that has been entrusted in you)? We have been instructed to guard what has been entrusted in us (the Gospel and the gifting to share it). 1 Timothy 6:20
Therefore, as we go through our storms, battles or conflicts, we must know, we must remember, we must trust. Why? Because our God never acts on a whim, there's a bigger "Yes" awaiting and it is tied to our purpose. Whatever conflicts, storms or battles come our way, the test is always the same,
Will you trust me?
Will you have faith that I will always bring you through?
Will you realize I am preparing you for the next adventure?
David, God's annointed king grew to understand this and so his faith grew.
As Christians, God's annointed Princesses, we must come to a realize that our God always answers our call, our God is always faithful, time and time again. And so...like David, over the course of time our faith will become stronger and stronger and we will come to know...
Psalm 20:6-9
Now this I know: The Lord gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. 7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. 8 They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. 9 Lord, give victory to the king! Answer us when we call!
Prayer “empowers and ‘charges up’ every other piece so they can be used effectively against the enemy. Without prayer… your armor, cannot, will not, be infused with the power that only God’s-Spirit can give.”
Closing Thought-
Know that through the Holy Spirit you can:
do things you couldn't;feel things you didn't; andknow things you wouldn't.
For your praise and worship:
Our God- C. Tomlin
Let Go- D. Woods
Not About Us- Bishop N. Jones
God's Got A Blessing- N. Hutchins
Housekeeping:
Our Next Study?- It's not to late to join us for Session 5, David- Seeking a Heart Like His. Please forward to a friend. See the link for registration details => David- Seeking a Heart Like HisGO! Celebrates the Holidays-- There will be no face-to-face or online sessions the week of December 18, December 25 and January 1 in celebration of the Christmas and the New Year holiday. GO! will resume the week of January 8, 2017.
Remember, each day is an opportunity for us to...
Lead, Serve and GO!
Krista
Each day we have an opportunity to be the light and salt God has called us to be to others. Matthew 5:13-16 (NIV)