Rev. Deb

This past week

This last week has gone by so fast.  The day after Thanksgiving we drove to Raleigh to be with Pastor Steve and Connie Caronna for the weekend.  Pastor Eddie ministered at LWFC on Saturday night and twice on Sunday morning.  It was really great to be at LWFC again and see everyone.  LWFC is doing a great work in Raleigh and around the world.

On Monday we had a fun day and then on Tuesday morning we both spoke to the LWFC staff before we traveled home.  Of course I had to stop at Southpoint (mall) for an hour or so before we came home.

This week has been a time of catching up and getting ready for another busy weekend. 

Thanksgiving

As we approach Thanksgiving I hear a lot of people reciting what they are thankful for.  As Christians it is so important that we acknowledge our blessings and gratefulness.

In my own life I have endeavored to maintain "an attitude of gratitude".  Our God is so faithful and we have so much to be grateful for everyday.  I have noticed that when I practice a lifestyle of gratefulness it keeps me focused on Him and out of the pity party mode.  There are times when I am tempted to feel sorry for myself because of what I don't have but then I am reminded of all the things that I have been blessed with and I can't be ungrateful.

Sometimes we just have to make that effort to be grateful when we are tempted to be discouraged because of some situation.  We always have a choice, we can focus on what we don't have or what we have been blessed with.    I have found that when I am grateful for the blessings I do have it opens the door for even more.

I hope you will have a really great Thanksgiving and take the time to recall all the things you have to be grateful for.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING! 

Candlelight Communion

Once again this year we will have a Candlelight Communion Service at Valley Word the Wednesday evening before Thanksgiving.

We will serve communion four times on Wednesday evening, at 6:00, 6:30, 7:00 and 7:30. 

We hope to see you and your family there, it is always a special and meaningful evening for our Church family.

Remembering

Last Sunday we heard the news that Pastor Billy Joe Daughtery had moved to heaven.  It's always hard to see someone who has been such an blessing to the body of Christ leave us so unexpectedly.

For the last couple of days I have been remembering all the wonderful services that we enjoyed at his church for the two years that we lived in Tulsa.  When we were at Rhema in the early 80's we attended quite a few of his evening services.  There were many Sunday nights that we attended and it was so exciting to get to hear ministers like Kenneth Copeland, TL Osborn, Oral Roberts and many others. 

During those evenings in the Mabee Center we experienced many new things.  Worshiping with so many others and seeing so many people our age  excited about God.

I will always cherish the wonderful memories I have from the services we were able to attend at Victory.

Thanks to Billy Joe and Sharon for their faithfulness over the years.  We will be praying for the family and church during this time.

Happy Birthday

I wanted to wish a Happy Birthday to a very special lady.

She is a great friend and co worker but she also wears a lot of other hats, wife, Mom, Grandmother etc.  She is always full of energy and up to the task and loves to laugh.

We know her as Lana, she is truly a woman of God and such a great inspiration to all here at VWC.  

The Kingdom

Last Sunday I talked some about how we have to stay in the Spirit if we expect to win in life.  Last night Pastor Eddie started his teaching with a similar statement and a story that really brought this truth out.

If you weren't at service last night I hope you will listen to it online or get the CD.

Walking in the Spirit gives us the advantage, when we start operating out of the natural realm, (making decisions based on feelings or circumstances) we are at a disadvantage.  Jesus said He was sending us the Holy Spirit to be our guide and teacher, He (the Holy Spirit) has so many things He wants to share with us.  It is His job to lead us from  victory to victory, we just have to learn to listen for His direction.

One of the things that Pastor has talked to us about many times is following peace.  If you don't have peace about something don't move forward with it.  I know there have been times that I didn't have peace about a decision but I went ahead because of some type of pressure.  Those are the decisions that we end of regretting and sometimes there are consequences that follow.

It is so helpful if we will start our day with a few minutes of listening in His presence.

Operating in the Kingdom of God

Pastor Eddie is teaching a series on "The Kingdom of God".  Last Sunday I had the privilege of teaching on "Operating in the Kingdom".  In the next few posts I want to share some things that I didn't get to on Sunday morning and also review some of my notes that I did cover.

Let's start with a verse that I didn't get to on Sunday.

Matt 6:31-33

31 "So don't worry about having enough food or drink or clothing.  32 Why be like the pagans who are so deeply concerned about these things? Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs,  33 and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.
NLT

In this verse it tells us that if we make the Kingdom of God our first concern that God will make sure we have everything we need.  Let's look at the word "concern" that is used in this verse.  One definition of concern is "to be about".  Remember Jesus saying that he had to be about his Father's business?  Everyday of our life God has a plan for us and as we go about our day there is Kingdom business that we need to take care of.  It may be that you are prompted to pray for someone on your way to work, or give a co worker an encouraging word.  You may be prompted to give something or just to remind a family member that you love them.  Being sensitive to the Spirit of God and acting on these promptings is being about Kingdom business.

Of course it all starts with giving Him your day, I always like to start the day with Bible reading and prayer and fellowship time so that I am sensitive to what the Spirit is saying.

We will continue on this subject more in my next post! 

Sunday

Tomorrow I have the awesome privilege of speaking at VWC.

My topic will be "Operating in the Kingdom" in staying with the great series Pastor has been teaching.

I have been working on this message for weeks.

Look forward to seeing everyone on Sunday!

Last post

In my earlier post this week I wrote about a verse I have been praying for you in Colossians.

When I was looking at the comments today there was one from Ajay and it is well worth reading.

He should have written the last blog, he said it so much better than me.  Thanks for reading and commenting Ajay.

You can find the comments below the last post.  Enjoy! 

Prayer

Last week I did a post reminding you that I am praying for you.

This week I wanted to share a scripture that I have been praying over you.

Colossians 1:10

".....so that your lifestyle will please God, your efforts in ministry will be productive, and your understanding of who God is will continually enlarge."

I love the scope that this one verse covers in prayer. 

I know all of us who are born again desire to have a lifestyle that pleases Him.  When our hearts are right and we miss it, we feel grieved.  I am praying for you that your lifestyle will please Him. 

Next I praying that you will be productive in ministry.  All of us as Christians have a ministry.  It may not be in a pulpit but God has put people in your life that need your ministry.  When we minister we like to see results.  Sometimes our ministry is in prayer for others, a testimony or word of encouragement or maybe an act of kindness. 

Then the last part of the verse talks about our spiritual growth.  We need to be growing spiritually everyday.  Never let a day go by that you don't feed on the Word.  Whether it's reading the Bible or listening to a CD while you are driving to work, get the Word.  We have to make a conscious effort to move forward or we begin to slip back.

I wanted to share this verse with you and I hope you will use it for your prayer time too.