BSF

BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) is a great place to dig deep into your Bible and grow in the knowledge of God's word... and really learn to love reading the Bible. I went all last year, and unfortunately my son's kindergarten schedule doesn't allow me to go this year, but I will be back as soon as I can.

Anyway, I still want to tell you about it, and let you know it is starting tomorrow morning, Thursday, September 11th.... at 9:10am at Grace Church in Abbotsford, on McMillan Road (off Marshall).

There is a time of singing, discussion, and a wonderful Lecture, then you have questions that you can complete in your devotional time at home. You will love it... the one at this location and time is for women, but there is a men's class that meets on Monday nights at Central Heights Church in Abbotsford as well. I hope you will consider joining if you are able! It is well worth the time you put in.

Kids' BSF... Last year I was able to take my boys along with me to BSF and they learned so much. They are the reason I joined, because I had heard such wonderful things about the kids' program - and I was not let down... songs, stories, gym time and music... all in a safe place with loving and caring teachers. Your kids will love it too! I hope you'll check it out. (Kids must be at least 2 years old to join the kids program).

Favourite Verse(s)

Do you have a favourite verse? I do... but it's not the same favourite that I had 5 years ago, and different again from what it was 10 years ago. There seems to always be a perfect verse for where you are at in your life at the time.

Currently, my favourite verse is Philippians 4:13...

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

But, as I was reading through the whole chapter this morning, along with the notes at the bottom (my new Life Application Study Bible... I totally recommend it!) I decided that I don't have a favourite verse anymore - I have a favourite CHAPTER!!!!

Look at the verses that are in this chapter... they are powerhouse!!

verse 4 REJOICE in the Lord always, and gain I say, REJOICE!

verse 6 Be careful (or anxious) for nothing: but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

verse 7 And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep you hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

verse 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

verse 13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

verse 19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

verse 20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever Amen.

Then just when you think he is done, Paul sends a final greeting to his friends - and remember... Paul is in PRISON when he writes this. He is rejoicing in Jesus from behind bars. Wow!

verse 23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

What is YOUR favourite verse? Please feel free to leave a comment and a bit about why it's your favourite.

Have a great day!

Peacemakers....

Ephesians 4:3-6

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to one hope when you were called- one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Matthew 5:9

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

While there are 2 sides to every story, situation and relationship... the Bible clearly states that we are blessed when we choose peace. Hmm.... that's not always fun, and almost never easy. But in the long run there are benefits. It's easier to get along with people, you aren't seen as a troublemaker, and you don't have to worry as much about high blood pressure.

But what about the times when you KNOW you are right? What about the times when you KNOW it should be the other person to bend? Whether this is in your marriage, your church or some other relationship, there is only one good choice... pray. Pray that the eyes and hearts of the other person are softened, and pray that you would be gracious if you are found to be right. And if you are NOT right (gasp, that's not possible... is it??) then you need to accept that, too, and make every effort to keep the peace. And where there is no peace, then find a way to restore it, be a peaceMAKER.

Here are a few more verses on peace... from the NIV version of the Bible...

Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future for the man of peace. Psalm 37:37

There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil, but joy for those who promote peace. Prov. 12:20

You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Isaiah 26:3

The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the congregations of the saints. 1 Cor. 14:33

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

God is Able....

Ephesians 3:20 - 21

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Jesus is watching you...

I thought this was a cute story that my brother just sent me.....

A burglar broke into a house one night.

He shined his flashlight around, looking for valuables; and when he picked up a CD player to place in his sack, a strange, disembodied voice echoed from the dark saying, 'Jesus is watching you.'

He nearly jumped out of his skin, clicked his flashlight off, and froze. When he heard nothing more after a bit, he shook his head and continued.

Just as he pulled the stereo out so he could disconnect the wires, clear as a bell he heard, 'Jesus is watching you.' Freaked out, he shined his light around frantically, looking for the source of the voice. Finally, in the corner of the room, his flashlight beam came to rest on a parrot.

'Did you say that?' He hissed at the parrot.

'Yep,' the parrot confessed, then squawked, 'I'm just trying to warn you.'

The burglar relaxed. 'Warn me, huh? Who in the world are you?'

'Moses,' replied the bird.

'Moses?' the burglar laughed. 'What kind of people would name a bird Moses?'

'The kind of people that would name a Rottweiler Jesus.'

School's OUT!

The most significant thing for me about school being out this year for Summer is that when it goes back in, I will have a school-aged child. Yikes! Where did the last 5 years go? I know that in my day to day I am far less busy than some women, but sometimes I still feel like there is no time to rest, relax and just be.

One of my friends has chosen Psalm 46:10 for her life verse...

Be still and know that I am God.

What a great verse. Slow down. sit still. read your Bible. meditate.

In the midst of your busy Summer, while you are traveling here and there, or BBQing with these friends or those friends... remember to take the time to be still and rest in God. Even if you go away on holidays somewhere, find a church to worship in. Or if you are far from a church, gather everyone close and take time to "do church" on your vacation. Where 2 or 3 are gathered in His name, he is there too. You don't need a fancy building, but you DO need the fellowship of other believers.

Have a great summer! I hope to do a weekly post on here, so please check back!

The Priority is LOVE

During the last several weeks, our Ladies Bible Study went through a DVD series by 5 different women speakers. One of the speakers was Beth Moore. After having the opportunity to go to a Beth Moore Conference in March, I have grown to love her style of teaching, and how she presents the Gospel message in a clear and to-the-point kind of way. (The only think my husband doesn't like when I listen to Beth Moore is that for some reason I pick up her accent after I've heard her speak... say this with a Southern accent, "I need me some JESUS!" I love her voice, but I suppose it suits her better than me..... it just happens!)

One of Beth's messages was on LOVE. Here are some of the thoughts that I took away from her message....

One of the hardest things in life is rejection. And the only way to feel rejection is if we have first loved someone. All we need to create an environment for rejection is relationship. Jesus was rejected by his own people (John 1:11 - He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.) So, Jesus knows how we feel when other people hurt us.

Rejection can wound deeper and last longer than hosts of other injuries. It can also tempt us to invite things into our lives that we never dreamed we would have welcomed, and cause us to act in ways we never dreamed of behaving.

When we feel rejected, we sometimes take 2 very erroneous actions... first, we want to recover what rejected us (I want it back), and secondly we want to reject who/what rejected us. (we want revenge, but it won't work). Nothing makes the fool of us that rejection does.

There is life after rejection. Rejection gives us the perfect opportunity to fellowship in the sufferings of Christ... he KNOWS how we feel. Sometimes rejection on one hand leads to reconciliation on the other hand.

If someone rejects you for your belief in Christ, Christ takes it personally, and HE will deal with it... let him.

Through all our life long, we need to remember the Sovereignty of God... Romans 11:15 For if their rejection is the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

And the other is the Supremacy of God.

The Stone the builders rejected has become the Cornerstone... you are a chosen generation. God is in CONTROL of all things.

In 1 Samuel, the people of Israel demanded a King so they could be like the other Nations... but the LAST thing God wants is for us to be like everybody else. Be set apart.... 1 Samuel 8:7 And the LORD told him: "Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.

The word rejection appears 120 times in the Bible, and many of those times are referring to the rejection of Jesus Christ. When you feel rejected, don't think for a minute that nobody feels your pain... Jesus does, and he is where you will find healing for your hurts, as well.

We will not be hurt if we do not love, but we are commanded to love one another. There are so many verses in the Bible where love overcomes hurts and pain, perfect love drives out fear (1 John 4:18) God is love (1 John 4:16) 1 Cor. 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

And the last one, which may be the hardest, is Luke 6:35 which tells us "But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked."