It was certainly good to be back at Prince of Peace Lutheran! Donnie and I arrived early and were joyfully greeted by Anne Biggs (the Pastor’s wife). A gentleman who DID look familiar walked up to me and said, “Hi Bonnie, Steve Roach, so glad you are back with us today! Margie is coming in right behind me.” I stood there a little dumbfounded, as I tried to make sure I wasn’t about to make a wrong assumption. After a minute I jumped in with both feet and said, “Uh are you my Margie’s husband and didn’t you guys move away?” Quickly I was blessed to find out that these dear people did NOT move away and I was going to get to spend the morning with them!
Before the event I was prayed over and you could truly feel God’s Presence. I walked out knowing in my spirit it was going to be a great morning! We started with worship and a wonderful devotion on worry by our MC, Heather. What a wonderful reminder she gave us through the Scripture in Matthew 6 that God knows our “needs” and will meet them! And on a personal note, I loved sharing the microphone with a fellow blonde haired Italian!
I love how God personalizes a message for each group and on this day I felt He did by emphasizing that Jesus is our Redeemer and HE LIVES! He lives to redeem and restore us and what He does for one He most assuredly does for us all. We must not only allow people to change, but be an encourager to them as well.
I love having one on one time with the ladies afterwards. I can’t share every story, but there is one about a woman who took a step of faith that human logic would dictate makes no sense at all. A working Mom (the main bread winner) realizes one day she is an excellent employee and a great Mom, but as a wife she needs much improvement. After bringing this revelation before the Lord, a series of events unfolded and one of them was an offer to opt out of her job with a severance package. Talk about a step a faith…she took it! The result now years later…a strong and loving marriage, well balanced, Godly children and financial stability. Only God can do that and He says He will in Matthew 6 which Heather shared with us! It’s a long one, but SO worth reading and meditating on.
Matt 6:25-34
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
But, I think the New KJV says the last line best:
Sufficient for the day is its own trouble!
Thank you so much for inviting me back and allowing me to share what God laid on my heart for you. I was ministered to as well by all of you and I am thankful to count you as Sisters in the Lord. (I am eagerly awaiting the pictures that were taken by your very own photographer, Sam and will post them as soon as I receive them from her...until then, here's just a few that My Donnie took while we were there.)
Click here to see photos of our time together!