Seeing His Heart for Others

I noticed through my office window, a customer leaving her home. A thought ran through my mind that I wish I could talk to her about my book. I knew the Lord would need to make it happen, because this customer usually only comes to our drive-up window.  

I went on with my work forgetting all about my random thought. An hour passed when suddenly that same customer walked into our branch. The services she needed required me taking her into my office where I kept a supply of my books.

I instantly told her that when I saw her earlier I felt a desire to show her my book.  She read the back cover, asked to purchase it, and informed me she just got back from the doctor's office with a depression diagnosis.

We both agreed that the Lord winked and provided me with the resources to give a story of hope and healing to her.  I love when the Lord uses me and my past to help others.

Do you follow the leading of the Lord when He lays it on your heart to do something?

A Welcomed Visitor with a Word

"...a woman named Martha welcomed Him into her home..." Luke 10:38

Martha invited Jesus into her home. In fact, she welcomed Him into her personal space. Yes, she got distracted by all the preparations, but we must not lose focus on the fact that she wanted Him in her home.  

When she spoke to Jesus over her concern with Mary not helping her, she once again invited Him into her life. She opened herself up for the opportunity for Jesus to speak into her life.  She believed Mary needed correcting when in fact the attitude adjustment was her own. 

Even though it must have been difficult to receive, she heeded the words of truth spoken to her by Jesus.  Later when we see Jesus in her home again, we find her serving Him well.

Do we welcome Jesus into our lives and give Him permission to speak truth into our lives? Or are we too concerned over what we believe others should be doing for us that we miss His loving instructions?

Guidance with a Promise

So you_______
           shall observe to do
                            just as the Lord your God has commanded you;______
you_________
            shall not turn aside to the right or to the left.
You _________
             shall walk in all the way which the Lord your God has commanded you,_______
that you ______
              may live
              and that it may be well with you,
              and that you may prolong your days in the land which you will possess.

Deuteronomy 5:32-33 | NASB

Fill in the blank first with your own name....seeking His heart, and then watch a Him keep His promises.  It's His will for all of our lives that we....
       1). Obey His commands
       2). Stay on His path
       3). Follow His direction

When we do, He promises:
        1). Life
        2). Success
        3).  Longevity

Will we take Him up on His Word and do what He directs us to do?

Man-made Solutions

So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him. Luke 15:15-16 | NASB

His inheritance had been used up. Still too proud to admit his foolishness, the lost son hires himself out to a farmer in the land he lives. He discovers his solution doesn't work when no one will give him anything to eat.

How often do we try to come up with our own answers to the messes we get ourselves in?  Why do we have to take so long to turn to the Father for help? He waits with open arms for us to turn to Him.

Receiving Back Challenge

The story of the Prodigal Son is filled with amazing life lessons regarding trust. One is ... Trust forgives the wrong decisions of others and receives them back.  Trust restores.  (Luke 15:21)

The father freely gave the younger son his portion of his inheritance and watched him leave. When he returned, the father celebrated his return. It's difficult to watch someone leave and make a mess of their lives, but how well do we leave the door open for them to return?

A Challenge from the Word

And He said, “A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his wealth between them.  Luke 15:11-12 | NASB

One outwardly demanded, but the father divides and gives each of them their portion. The younger takes off and squanders his portion on loose living, but the truth is, both sons need an attitude adjustment. The older son doesn't reveal his toxic character trait until his brother returns. 

Challenge:  Which son might we be like?  Is there some attitude we need to honestly address with our Heavenly Father?

2nd Annual Freedom Conference, Info & Registration

2nd Annual Ladies’ Freedom Conference “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  John 8:32 Saturday September 26th, 2015 9 am – 4 pm Breakfast & registration  start at 8 am. Grace Bible Church Dallas City, Illinois

NEW THIS YEAR – Free babysitting for children 2-8 years of age will be available for those attending the conference.  Indicate on the registration form the ages of the children you will be bringing. To ensure the highest quality of care for your children, we must know if you are bringing children by September 1st.

Please send in your registration form with payment to: Ladies’ Freedom Conference  c/o Grace Bible Church  2880 N. State Hwy 9 Dallas City, IL  62330.  Registration fees – By September 1st, 2015 –  only $22.  Registration fees received September 2nd and after are $30. If you register an entire group of six people by September 1st (sending their registrations and fees in together in the same envelope), the seventh person may attend free.

Ladiesfreedomconference@gmail.com Are you seeking encouragement from God’s word?  Looking for God focused truth?  Join Beckie at: HTTP//:www.cometomeandrest. blogspot.com Facebook: Come-Here And-Rest Please join the Ladies Freedom Team in praying for this event.  Requests: 1.    God to prepare the hearts of conference attendees. 2.    God to give our speakers, Beckie, Kathy, and Deanna His word to speak, health, and safety. 3.    For this time to be blessed and refreshing for all who come. 4.    God to speak to your heart and impact your spiritual walk through this day.

Schedule: 8-9 am – Registration and Breakfast Session I – “Trust Heals the Broken” Session II – “Rest Empowers the Healed” Session III - “The Healed Fly Free” Each session includes music by our all ladies praise team, prayer, worship, and a lesson. There will be hands on activities in the morning and afternoon.

Meet our speakers:   Our keynote speaker, Beckie Stewart, is the conference originator.  She is a published author, mother, and pastor’s wife.  Her new book will be available at the conference.   Kathy Fowler comes to us as a wife and mother living joyously through Jesus.  Kathy has an exciting testimony of how trusting God empowered her in overcoming a meth addiction.   Deanna Hartrick and her family have been through the fire this year, as her 16 year old son battled stomach cancer.  She shares “In this cancer journey I have learned that no one walks alone!!!”

Name: ____________________________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________ Town: ____________________________ Zip Code: ___________  Home phone: (_____)________________ Cell phone: (_____)__________________   e-mail address: __________________________________    Choose one for lunch: _____ Turkey sub sandwich  _____ Ham Sub sandwich Do you need babysitting?  ______ Yes   _____No.    If yes, ages of children coming:____________________ Special needs/accommodations: ____________________________________________________________________

Come “Trust, Rest & Fly Free” Saturday September 26th , 2015 Program: 9 am - 4 pm Registration & breakfast start at 8 am At Grace Bible Church Dallas City, IL This day of spiritual refreshment will focus on how trusting in God, allows us to rest in Him.  This resting in Jesus allows us to fly free to be who  God wants us to be. Bible lessons, praise and worship music, prayer, and hands-on activities are all part of this God focused event.  The continental breakfast starts at 8 am.  Lunch and snacks are included.