Acts 2:1 "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place."
Whether or not the disciples were in the temple or in their own upper room, we find they were all together in one place. However, don't forget how often, while their Master was with them, there were strifes among them, such as who should be the greatest; but now all these strifes had ended and they were all in one accord. They all had the same goal and mission for their Lord.
United-Believers is something that has been weighing heavy in my spirit and heart lately. With the upcoming date for our ladies retreat, my heart's desire has been to unite 'Sisters in Christ' from different churches and communities. We all have the same goals and missions...so why would we not come together as one for the sake of the Lord? Why do we not fellowship or pray together more than what we do? Could it be distractions of life? Could it be strife of who should be the greatest? Could it be fear of the different styles of worship? If allowed, we could come up with many questions and excuses, but please listen with your heart to what I would like to share with you.
Do you have faith in the Lord? Do you find hope in the Lord? Do you love the Lord?
Corithians 13:13 "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
Brothers and sisters, this is what it's all about...LOVE. If we love the Lord, then have to acknowledge that we are commanded to love each other. Luke 10:27 "He answered: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself."
In Acts 2:1, the disciples display the perfect example of coming together as one accord. Each one was unique and different in some way, but the love they shared for the Lord is what united them and allowed them to be the witnesses that they were to spread the gospel.
Lord, may we all agree to love one another, serve, and worship as your united family as we share the gospel to this lost world! Fill our hearts and souls with your Spirit and command blessings upon us when You see our unity as good and pleasant for your glory. Amen!
Psalm 133:1 "A song of ascents. Of David. How good and pleasant it is when brothers (sisters) live together in unity!"
Please join us at this year's ladies retreat for a time of united sweetness with the Lord! Click here for more information and/or to register. Hope and pray we see you there!
Your blood-bought sister,
Tonya
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Zero or Hero?
1 Chronicles 4:10 "Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, "Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain." And God granted his request."
Who in the world is this Jabez person? What is he doing in only two verses of the bible? What is so special about Jabez that a man would be inspired to write a book about him? Further more, the book became a best seller and has sold over 15 million copies? I mean, the man is only mentioned in two verses in the bible? What is so special about him and what can we learn from him?
My friend, there is such a profound word to receive from the this man known as Jabez! Jabez is not known for some heroic action but he is known for his heroic prayer! Jabez was no zero; He most certainly was a hero! I have often heard people say that you should not pray for yourself, but only for others. For some reason, we have the perception that praying for ourselves makes us selfish. But Jabez displays a different picture in 1 Chronicles 4:10.
Jabez prayed for God to enlarge his territory! He prayed for God to keep His hand on him at all times to protect him from harm and free of pain! Jabez desired to more than just the average Christian. He didn't want to be ordinary, he wanted to be extraordinary! He didn't want to sit the bench, he wanted his coach to use him in the game wherever and as much as He needed him! And God granted his request!
So, do you think Jabez was being selfish for his prayer? Absolutely not! I believe Jabez was being as sincere and humbled as he could be in his mighty prayer to the Lord. What a confident and bold prayer request he made!
I have been seeking God in prayer to be more confident and bold in Him. Being confident and bold in Christ is more than standing up for Him in this world...it is receiving His spirit and running just as hard as you can after Him continuously! Jabez said a confident and bold prayer, and God granted his request. What if we all exercised the 'Jabez mentality'? Wow! The blessings that would flow, the territories that would be enlarged, and the abilities that would be bestowed in reaching people that we think are unreachable!
Are you up for the challenge of requesting a sincere-heroic prayer such as Jabez? For someone that is scarcely mentioned in the bible, his short prayer was (is) an abundant blessing!
Lord, bless me and enlarge my territory for Your glory! Keep your hand on me at all times guiding and keeping me free from harm and pain. God, hear my cry and grant my request! Amen.
Your sister in Christ,
Tonya
Who in the world is this Jabez person? What is he doing in only two verses of the bible? What is so special about Jabez that a man would be inspired to write a book about him? Further more, the book became a best seller and has sold over 15 million copies? I mean, the man is only mentioned in two verses in the bible? What is so special about him and what can we learn from him?
My friend, there is such a profound word to receive from the this man known as Jabez! Jabez is not known for some heroic action but he is known for his heroic prayer! Jabez was no zero; He most certainly was a hero! I have often heard people say that you should not pray for yourself, but only for others. For some reason, we have the perception that praying for ourselves makes us selfish. But Jabez displays a different picture in 1 Chronicles 4:10.
Jabez prayed for God to enlarge his territory! He prayed for God to keep His hand on him at all times to protect him from harm and free of pain! Jabez desired to more than just the average Christian. He didn't want to be ordinary, he wanted to be extraordinary! He didn't want to sit the bench, he wanted his coach to use him in the game wherever and as much as He needed him! And God granted his request!
So, do you think Jabez was being selfish for his prayer? Absolutely not! I believe Jabez was being as sincere and humbled as he could be in his mighty prayer to the Lord. What a confident and bold prayer request he made!
I have been seeking God in prayer to be more confident and bold in Him. Being confident and bold in Christ is more than standing up for Him in this world...it is receiving His spirit and running just as hard as you can after Him continuously! Jabez said a confident and bold prayer, and God granted his request. What if we all exercised the 'Jabez mentality'? Wow! The blessings that would flow, the territories that would be enlarged, and the abilities that would be bestowed in reaching people that we think are unreachable!
Are you up for the challenge of requesting a sincere-heroic prayer such as Jabez? For someone that is scarcely mentioned in the bible, his short prayer was (is) an abundant blessing!
Lord, bless me and enlarge my territory for Your glory! Keep your hand on me at all times guiding and keeping me free from harm and pain. God, hear my cry and grant my request! Amen.
Your sister in Christ,
Tonya
Friday, September 23, 2011
Happy Week-End!
Whew! Happy Week-End! I must say this has been one of the busiest yet most relaxing week in Jesus's arms that I have had in a long time! I have loved spending time and sharing with each of my iStudy Bible ladies and just soaking up God's word this week! If you haven't visited Melissa's blog this morning, cruise on over there and check out her 'gotta get down' Friday video. http://www.melissataylor.org/ It will certainly lighten up your morning and put a smile on your face!
Today, let's reflect back on what we have read this week and what God has spoken to each of us through His word, and pray that God will help us to apply it to our lives faithfully. This doesn't just apply to our iStudy Bible group. This is for you too my blogger friend! What have you been talking to God about this week in your quiet time with Him? What has He revealed to you? Has He answered yes or no to your prayers? Just receive whatever He has been saying to you and share your joy in Him with someone!
iStudy ladies, have you been working on your memory verse for this week? Can you fill in the blanks today? Can you recite it without any help? Give it a try and if you feel confident enough, do a short video of yourself reciting the verse and share it on facebook on Melissa's Online Study page! This task may take a little more encouragement and prayer for me...videos of myself scare me! But lookout youtube world...I'm coming soon! Ladies, we will take the weekend off, but I look forward to meeting up with you via the internet world on Monday!
So __ not ___ ____ your _______; it will be _____ _______. You _____ to ________ so that _____ you ____ ____ the ___ of ___, you will ______ what __ ___ _____.
~ _______ 10:35-36
Have a great weekend! Spend time with your family at a football game, hunting, shopping, or whatever you like to do with your loved ones!
Striving to hold onto confidence,
Tonya
Today, let's reflect back on what we have read this week and what God has spoken to each of us through His word, and pray that God will help us to apply it to our lives faithfully. This doesn't just apply to our iStudy Bible group. This is for you too my blogger friend! What have you been talking to God about this week in your quiet time with Him? What has He revealed to you? Has He answered yes or no to your prayers? Just receive whatever He has been saying to you and share your joy in Him with someone!
iStudy ladies, have you been working on your memory verse for this week? Can you fill in the blanks today? Can you recite it without any help? Give it a try and if you feel confident enough, do a short video of yourself reciting the verse and share it on facebook on Melissa's Online Study page! This task may take a little more encouragement and prayer for me...videos of myself scare me! But lookout youtube world...I'm coming soon! Ladies, we will take the weekend off, but I look forward to meeting up with you via the internet world on Monday!
So __ not ___ ____ your _______; it will be _____ _______. You _____ to ________ so that _____ you ____ ____ the ___ of ___, you will ______ what __ ___ _____.
~ _______ 10:35-36
Have a great weekend! Spend time with your family at a football game, hunting, shopping, or whatever you like to do with your loved ones!
Striving to hold onto confidence,
Tonya
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