Friday, July 6, 2007

Sleepless Yet Productive

It is 12:47 am. I just finished working on sending some e-mails out regarding tasks for church. New Beginning Fellowship (NBF) has come into my life at just the right time. I always say, "God is right on time, isn't he?"

As I lay here, still excited about the Women of Worth (W.O.W.) ministry, I realize that this is just the beginning. God has already mapped it out. We cannot see it, and He wants us to remain faithful, even though His plans are not tangible. That is powerful! Therefore, I cannot sleep. So I decided to be productive and pull up the blog God has encouraged me to use as one of His tools to reach out to women after His own heart!

I am reading Joyce Meyer's book, Knowing God Intimately, for the second time. And I am learning to increase my faith in God, to trust Him completely, and let Him do His wonders.

One subtitle in her book has caught my attention:

"You cannot win your battles without God's help."

2 Chronicles 20:15 says, "The Lord says this to you: Be not afraid or dismayed at this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's."

And then Joyce goes on to say the following:

"The Amplified Bible gives a definition of faith in Colossians 1:4 that I really love. It says that faith in Jesus is 'the leaning of your entire personality on Him in absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness.'" These are just some of the many inspirational messages God uses Joyce to share with us in this book. I am so inspired, inspired by God's on-time messages. He wants us to lean entirely on Him. We cannot journey through this world under our own power. It simply is not possible. We have our own plans, yet God mandates that we follow His plans. He already has the plans for us, plans to prosper us, and His promises are guaranteed.

For so long, I was afraid to express myself. My heart was willing, and my flesh was weak. I was afraid that people would not accept me if I voiced my feelings, thoughts, and ideas. And years later, after college, I finally got the message from God. And that message was, "April, I accept you and that is all that matters." God told me to put my trust in Him and not into people. He will never disappoint me. He will never hurt me. And it took me a long time to receive this message. And here I am, expressing what I believe God has put on my heart to share with other women (young and old). I once was afraid, and now I see that I don't have to be. God is behind me, beside me, and within me. This blog encourages me to grow stronger in seeking God's purpose for my life, and empowers me to empower others through His power. What a blessing!

This late morning: I encourage you to stop being afraid of those things that are causing you turmoil. Stop letting fear interfere with God's plans for you. "And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into ministry." - 1 Timothy 1:12. God is faithful and just, step out on faith. God is doing a new thing for us as we diligently seek Him. The plans He has for your life are already planned. All you have to do is grab hold of faith and embrace His promise. We have been given freedom to choose His way or our way. He will not let you down. Though you may stumble, He will always be there to keep you on the path of righteousness.

What are you afraid of? Pray. Trust. Believe. Pray. Trust. Believe. God will handle your needs. Don't continue to hide in fear. He is ready for you to step out boldly, willingly, and favorably.
The choice is yours. Don't delay. Be faithful and do it God's way!

May you faithfully lean on God for all your needs.
Best wishes and many blessings,

**Until next time...
ats

Tuesday, July 3, 2007

Welcome to GEMS for Women After God's Own Heart!

Welcome! Please join me as we work to fulfill God's purpose for our lives and please feel free to comment, if your heart desires.

GEMS stands for Growing, Educating/Empowering/Encouraging, Motivating, Support for women desiring God's love and seeking a closer relationship with Him. I encourage you to walk with me as we begin the journey of listening to God for guidance, growing to become more intimate with God, and ediying each other as women of God.

May this blog encourage you, empower you, and inspire you as you begin this new journey!

Love & Many Blessings,

-ats

Proverbs 31:10

Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies! -- Proverbs 31:10


This past Saturday (June 30, 2007), the last day of the month of June, I had the honor and opportunity to participate in a wonderful women's ministry that has blessed my life in more ways than I can ever imagine! God is amazing in His love, in His grace, and I am ever grateful for all that He has created for us and through us.


June 30, 2007 was a day filled with love, power, and excitement! The W.O.W. power breakfast began at 9:00 am. W.O.W. stands for Women Of Worth. This is a ministry that Sister Kim Brown (loving wife of Pastor Anthony Brown- New Beginnings Fellowship) began through God's guidance and wisdom. The W.O.W. ministry was created to encourage women, of all backgrounds, to be empowered by God's power. This is powerful and this ministry is anointed by God to do His wonders for women seeking God's love and desiring to fulfill His purpose for their lives. The scripture used for this ministry is taken from Proverbs 31:10.


We had over 15 women attend the power breakfast at Shady Maple restaurant in East Earl, PA (Lancaster County). The power breakfast provided the opportunity for women of worth to meet other women of worth, to share the vision for W.O.W., and to encourage women to participate in our ministry.


We had activities, prizes, and gifts for each woman who attended! Each woman was given a journal to brng to the W.O.W. ministry sessions and to record any reflections, thoughts, and prayers. We had a wonderful time and thank God for the opportunity for us to get together and fellowship. Women's lives were transformed and God's presence was clearly evidenced by testimonies shared with women at the breakfast! I was deeply touched by the women present at this gathering, and by God's presence. My heart has increased with the desire for God's unchanging heart. I am still on a spiritual high from this power breakfast and this is just the beginning of what this ministry is doing for women of worth!


I am thankful to have had the opportunity to experience this power-filled, inspiring breakfast. Many thanks to you God for spreading the vision of women of worth through Sister Kim that morning.


I am looking forward to resuming the W.O.W. Ministry sessions and praise God for His on-time message during the power breakfast!


Here are a few scriptures that have been on my heart. Feel free to record them on cards and put it in a visual place to remind you that God is with you always and He promises to give you the desires of your heart. All you have to do is ask, believe, and have faith!


(1) And be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.
- - Romans 12:2


(2) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.
- - Galatians 5:22


(3) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. - - Colossians 3:16


**Until next time. Best wishes & Many Blessings,

-ats