- May it be led by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 3:20)
- Obedience to God's will (Acts 5:29)
- Faith in God's wisdom (James 1:5)
Monday, March 15, 2010
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Day 21: My Response to the Campaign
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Day 20: Arts Ministry (Psalm 95:1-3; Psalm 22:3)
When I was a sophomore in college I felt God calling me to serve for a month in China on a mission trip. The problem was that I lacked the funds to go. The trip cost was over $3000.00, and I was paying my own way through school and working side jobs for spending money. $3000.00 was, literally, and impossible sum for me to raise on my own.
To make matters worse, my parents had just moved from Tennessee to Florida and I no longer had my church home to ask for support.
But I felt that God was calling me to go and I knew he would make a way. So I signed up and started praying.
I headed “home” to Florida for spring break and talked to my parents about the trip. They told me that they could offer no financial support, and that I should probably rethink going to China.
But I felt God calling me to go, and I knew he would make a way. So I looked for a summer job.
Just as school was ending, and like all other college students do, I got a credit card application in the mail. The limit was $1,500.00. Normally I would have just tossed the application in the trash with the countless others, but I thought about the cost of my plane ticket ($1,700.00) and the tips that I would be making soon at the “Happy Tomato Café” and decided to apply.
I felt God calling me to go, maybe this was how he was making a way.
I got my credit card in the mail, right as I was going home.
My first week at the “Happy Tomato Café” was definitely happy, but I didn’t make even close to the $3000.00 that I needed to get to China, and I was only going to be able to work about a month before I headed out of the country. I went home that Friday very discouraged, questioning if what I had felt and heard was really the call of God, or if it had simply been my wishful thinking.
On my drive home from work I devised a plan: when I got home I would call the travel agent and ask if I could pay for most of my ticket with my new credit card and then pay the rest by check in a few weeks.
I picked up the phone and called the travel agency. I reminded her of who I was and before I could tell her of my plan, she told me: “we received your full payment yesterday and your tickets are in the mail.”
“Excuse me?” I asked, sure that I had heard her wrong.
She repeated herself clearly. “We received your full payment yesterday and your tickets are in the mail.”
“So my tickets are paid-in-full?”
“That’s correct. Is there anything else that you need today?”
“No, thank you.” As I hung up the phone, I realized what had just happened: I had felt God calling me to go and he had made a way.
I had said that he would, I had told people that he would, but I hadn’t really believed that he would. But he did.
I had no idea then and I still do not know where the payment for my tickets came from. I do know that God understood my financial situation and I learned that when God calls us to do something he already knows how it’s going to work. How reassuring.
~Tirzah Turner
- Members would seek God each day in anticipation of leading worship
- Gifts are used for sole purpose of honoring God
- Growth of children's and preschool choirs
When I was a sophomore in college I felt God calling me to serve for a month in China on a mission trip. The problem was that I lacked the funds to go. The trip cost was over $3000.00, and I was paying my own way through school and working side jobs for spending money. $3000.00 was, literally, and impossible sum for me to raise on my own.
To make matters worse, my parents had just moved from Tennessee to Florida and I no longer had my church home to ask for support.
But I felt that God was calling me to go and I knew he would make a way. So I signed up and started praying.
I headed “home” to Florida for spring break and talked to my parents about the trip. They told me that they could offer no financial support, and that I should probably rethink going to China.
But I felt God calling me to go, and I knew he would make a way. So I looked for a summer job.
Just as school was ending, and like all other college students do, I got a credit card application in the mail. The limit was $1,500.00. Normally I would have just tossed the application in the trash with the countless others, but I thought about the cost of my plane ticket ($1,700.00) and the tips that I would be making soon at the “Happy Tomato Café” and decided to apply.
I felt God calling me to go, maybe this was how he was making a way.
I got my credit card in the mail, right as I was going home.
My first week at the “Happy Tomato Café” was definitely happy, but I didn’t make even close to the $3000.00 that I needed to get to China, and I was only going to be able to work about a month before I headed out of the country. I went home that Friday very discouraged, questioning if what I had felt and heard was really the call of God, or if it had simply been my wishful thinking.
On my drive home from work I devised a plan: when I got home I would call the travel agent and ask if I could pay for most of my ticket with my new credit card and then pay the rest by check in a few weeks.
I picked up the phone and called the travel agency. I reminded her of who I was and before I could tell her of my plan, she told me: “we received your full payment yesterday and your tickets are in the mail.”
“Excuse me?” I asked, sure that I had heard her wrong.
She repeated herself clearly. “We received your full payment yesterday and your tickets are in the mail.”
“So my tickets are paid-in-full?”
“That’s correct. Is there anything else that you need today?”
“No, thank you.” As I hung up the phone, I realized what had just happened: I had felt God calling me to go and he had made a way.
I had said that he would, I had told people that he would, but I hadn’t really believed that he would. But he did.
I had no idea then and I still do not know where the payment for my tickets came from. I do know that God understood my financial situation and I learned that when God calls us to do something he already knows how it’s going to work. How reassuring.
~Tirzah Turner
Friday, March 19, 2010
Day 19: Child Development Center (Proverbs 22:6)
Faith with action – So last November I came to my normal Monday team meeting and for the first time read scripture and shared what God had lain on my heart. I told each of them that from that day forward we will not be working on real estate on Sunday and I was so convicted about it that if anyone worked it was grounds to be fired. I had to clarify this for the team because in Joshua they stoned and burned Achan and I could tell they were a little nervous (that firing doesn’t sound so bad now).
God steps in to encourage me immediately- my team sat there stunned but each of them smiled and said that they loved the idea and they were in full support of me and more importantly of God’s commandment. Since that Monday in November I have been tracking my business and it has grown year over year and month over month and we are doing more business in less time. More business allows me to glorify God to other members of my industry and to provide more financial resources to His kingdom.
By honoring God and giving Him what was already His he has blessed me, my team, their families and our clients. I am reminded in Matthew 6:33 of God’s promise – “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
~Chris Dyer
- God's direction and guidance
- Staff and their families
- Increase in enrollment
Faith with action – So last November I came to my normal Monday team meeting and for the first time read scripture and shared what God had lain on my heart. I told each of them that from that day forward we will not be working on real estate on Sunday and I was so convicted about it that if anyone worked it was grounds to be fired. I had to clarify this for the team because in Joshua they stoned and burned Achan and I could tell they were a little nervous (that firing doesn’t sound so bad now).
God steps in to encourage me immediately- my team sat there stunned but each of them smiled and said that they loved the idea and they were in full support of me and more importantly of God’s commandment. Since that Monday in November I have been tracking my business and it has grown year over year and month over month and we are doing more business in less time. More business allows me to glorify God to other members of my industry and to provide more financial resources to His kingdom.
By honoring God and giving Him what was already His he has blessed me, my team, their families and our clients. I am reminded in Matthew 6:33 of God’s promise – “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
~Chris Dyer
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Day 18: Benevolence Ministry (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
In August of 1990 we relocated our family from the New Orleans area back to Florida as a result of an opportunity with Mike's job. We were enjoying life as a family with three young children and being involved in the church where we grew up and were married. Mike was working at the Kennedy Space Center and had been there for just over a year when the company he was with announced “cut backs”. Being the “new kid on the block” and surrounded by men who had years of seniority, Mike became the one that would be looking for a new job. We were very perplexed by this development since we had earnestly prayed about the move and the Lord opening those doors for us to move back to Florida. It was not only a good career opportunity it also allowed our children to be close to both sets of grandparents. We prayed for God to provide a new job during the two weeks notice Mike worked. On day 13 Mike received a call from the HR person from the same company and was offered a job that was similar to a summer job he worked while in college. It was half the salary he had been making and was less than challenging. During that time we trimmed our budget and evaluated what were “needs” and what were “wants”. We cut out all unnecessary expenses and watched how God met our every need and even some of our “wants”. He was FAITHFUL! During that time we continued to tithe knowing that He was in control of our situation. We continued to pray for a new job opportunity as Mike applied for every job he was qualified for. About 3 1/2 months had passed and I received a call at home from a man who had seen some of the work Mike did while in New Orleans. He had been trying to locate him for a month and had finally obtained our home number! Mike contacted him and an interview was set up. About the same time Mike received an interview call with a competitor company. He received offers from both companies! We knew that this was God's hand at work! After much prayer, he chose the company that had the best opportunity for growth over the one with the higher salary offer. Part of our prayer had been that God would provide a job that he would truly enjoy...and that He did. The Lord has allowed us to have many “job related” adventures since then to include three more moves. With each move we witnessed events that are truly only attributed to “God at work”...no other explanation is possible!
These verses have meant so much to me through the years and were a comfort when moving...there are so many unknowns..."Where will we live? Where will we go to church? Where will the kids go to school? Will we be able to make strong Christian friendships?"
Matthew 6:25 – 34: 25 For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body than clothing? 26 "Look" at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27 "And which of you being anxious can add a single cubit to his life's span?" 28 "And why are you anxious about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29 yet, I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these." 30 "But if God so arrays the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more do so for you, O men of little faith? 31 Do not be anxious then, saying, "What shall we eat' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'With what shall we clothe ourselves?" 32 "For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you." 34 "Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day is enough trouble of its own."
God has been, God is and God will ALWAYS be FAITHFUL! As His children when we trust Him with the unknown and then see His Mighty Hand of Provision we have great confidence that when faced with the next challenge we can TRUST Him to provide what we need and to guide us!
~The Creightons
- Wisdom and discernment when responding to requests
- Families and individuals ministered to
In August of 1990 we relocated our family from the New Orleans area back to Florida as a result of an opportunity with Mike's job. We were enjoying life as a family with three young children and being involved in the church where we grew up and were married. Mike was working at the Kennedy Space Center and had been there for just over a year when the company he was with announced “cut backs”. Being the “new kid on the block” and surrounded by men who had years of seniority, Mike became the one that would be looking for a new job. We were very perplexed by this development since we had earnestly prayed about the move and the Lord opening those doors for us to move back to Florida. It was not only a good career opportunity it also allowed our children to be close to both sets of grandparents. We prayed for God to provide a new job during the two weeks notice Mike worked. On day 13 Mike received a call from the HR person from the same company and was offered a job that was similar to a summer job he worked while in college. It was half the salary he had been making and was less than challenging. During that time we trimmed our budget and evaluated what were “needs” and what were “wants”. We cut out all unnecessary expenses and watched how God met our every need and even some of our “wants”. He was FAITHFUL! During that time we continued to tithe knowing that He was in control of our situation. We continued to pray for a new job opportunity as Mike applied for every job he was qualified for. About 3 1/2 months had passed and I received a call at home from a man who had seen some of the work Mike did while in New Orleans. He had been trying to locate him for a month and had finally obtained our home number! Mike contacted him and an interview was set up. About the same time Mike received an interview call with a competitor company. He received offers from both companies! We knew that this was God's hand at work! After much prayer, he chose the company that had the best opportunity for growth over the one with the higher salary offer. Part of our prayer had been that God would provide a job that he would truly enjoy...and that He did. The Lord has allowed us to have many “job related” adventures since then to include three more moves. With each move we witnessed events that are truly only attributed to “God at work”...no other explanation is possible!
These verses have meant so much to me through the years and were a comfort when moving...there are so many unknowns..."Where will we live? Where will we go to church? Where will the kids go to school? Will we be able to make strong Christian friendships?"
Matthew 6:25 – 34: 25 For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body than clothing? 26 "Look" at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27 "And which of you being anxious can add a single cubit to his life's span?" 28 "And why are you anxious about clothing? Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29 yet, I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these." 30 "But if God so arrays the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more do so for you, O men of little faith? 31 Do not be anxious then, saying, "What shall we eat' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'With what shall we clothe ourselves?" 32 "For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you." 34 "Therefore do not be anxious for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day is enough trouble of its own."
God has been, God is and God will ALWAYS be FAITHFUL! As His children when we trust Him with the unknown and then see His Mighty Hand of Provision we have great confidence that when faced with the next challenge we can TRUST Him to provide what we need and to guide us!
~The Creightons
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Day 17: Mission Partners (Matthew 25:39-40)
One day, my son Tom called me and asked “mom, are you paying your bills?” I told him yes and asked him why he was asking. He seemed to think I had too much money in my bank account and asked where it came from. I told him “there’s a reason for that.”
One day shortly after, my daughter Patty asked me where I got all the money I had. I gave the same answer – “there’s a reason for that.”
See, I am very frugal and don’t spend a lot; consequently, I am out of debt. What a wonderful feeling that is. I was determined to get out of debt and didn’t want to die in debt. And that could certainly be one reason. But I knew what the real reason was. Several years ago I was thinking about tithing and feeling I should start. That’s the magic word “start.” Just start so you have a reason to finish. I had been considering how tithing would impact my life and knew God would approve so I asked Him if I could afford to tithe. His answer was “give us this day our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11). I realized then that I could trust God to provide for me. All I really need is my daily bread. So I started tithing – giving 10% of my income to the church. Since I began doing that, my bank account has been overflowing. And now my children are seeing the blessings I receive by tithing.
So I encourage you to just start, and imagine what the Spirit can do!
Phil. 4:13: “I am able to do all things through the one who strengthens me.”
~Rita Royster
- Faith Connections, Frederick Rescue Mission, Life Connection Mission, Lee Street Baptist Church, Open Door Baltimore, Shady Grove Pregnancy Center, Katrina relief projects (New Orleans), Germantown Help, and FCA Sports Camp
- Workers and volunteers, funds, responsiveness of those helped
One day, my son Tom called me and asked “mom, are you paying your bills?” I told him yes and asked him why he was asking. He seemed to think I had too much money in my bank account and asked where it came from. I told him “there’s a reason for that.”
One day shortly after, my daughter Patty asked me where I got all the money I had. I gave the same answer – “there’s a reason for that.”
See, I am very frugal and don’t spend a lot; consequently, I am out of debt. What a wonderful feeling that is. I was determined to get out of debt and didn’t want to die in debt. And that could certainly be one reason. But I knew what the real reason was. Several years ago I was thinking about tithing and feeling I should start. That’s the magic word “start.” Just start so you have a reason to finish. I had been considering how tithing would impact my life and knew God would approve so I asked Him if I could afford to tithe. His answer was “give us this day our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11). I realized then that I could trust God to provide for me. All I really need is my daily bread. So I started tithing – giving 10% of my income to the church. Since I began doing that, my bank account has been overflowing. And now my children are seeing the blessings I receive by tithing.
So I encourage you to just start, and imagine what the Spirit can do!
Phil. 4:13: “I am able to do all things through the one who strengthens me.”
~Rita Royster
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Day 16: High Seas Expedition (VBS 7/19 - 7/23)
Commitment to God and generous giving are closely related... Ex. 35:21
Well doesn’t that in its self speak volumes?
“and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work on the Tent of Meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments.”
Commentary Notes:
Those whose hearts were stirred gave cheerfully to the Tent of Meeting (also called the tabernacle). With great enthusiasm they gave because they knew how important their giving was to the completion of God’s house. Airline pilots and computer operators can push test buttons to see if their equipment is functioning properly. God has a quick test button he can push to see the level of our commitment – our pocketbooks. Generous people aren’t necessarily faithful to God. But faithful people are always generous.
Personal Story:
It says “everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him came and brought an offering to the LORD.” In December my heart was moved on several occasions to give, three separate instances were brought to my attention and the Holy Spirit prompted me to give, generously. In each case I used a single bill, sometimes one sometimes more than one. Keep in mind this is Christmas time right, well the amount of money I gave on these three occasions significantly reduced my Christmas budget. But that is ok…. I felt solid about what the Holy Spirit was prompting me to do. Well wouldn’t you know, for Christmas in a card I received the exact amount back that I had given, in the exact number of bills I used. I just LOVE it when God speaks so directly to us, gives us strokes of encouragement and affirmation – which increases our faith. The commentary states “Generous people aren’t necessarily faithful to God. But faithful people are always generous.” We should not forget who the author of our faith is, who increases it and who guides it.
Money is just one small area of our lives that we should trust God and allow him to build our faith.
*Reference taken from my Bible’s index.
~Melissa Dyer
- Children reached for Christ (Ps. 119)
- God's Word is true (v151), comforting (v50), surprising (v18), life-changing (v37), for everyone (v90)
- Leadership team and volunteers
Commitment to God and generous giving are closely related... Ex. 35:21
Well doesn’t that in its self speak volumes?
“and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work on the Tent of Meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments.”
Commentary Notes:
Those whose hearts were stirred gave cheerfully to the Tent of Meeting (also called the tabernacle). With great enthusiasm they gave because they knew how important their giving was to the completion of God’s house. Airline pilots and computer operators can push test buttons to see if their equipment is functioning properly. God has a quick test button he can push to see the level of our commitment – our pocketbooks. Generous people aren’t necessarily faithful to God. But faithful people are always generous.
Personal Story:
It says “everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him came and brought an offering to the LORD.” In December my heart was moved on several occasions to give, three separate instances were brought to my attention and the Holy Spirit prompted me to give, generously. In each case I used a single bill, sometimes one sometimes more than one. Keep in mind this is Christmas time right, well the amount of money I gave on these three occasions significantly reduced my Christmas budget. But that is ok…. I felt solid about what the Holy Spirit was prompting me to do. Well wouldn’t you know, for Christmas in a card I received the exact amount back that I had given, in the exact number of bills I used. I just LOVE it when God speaks so directly to us, gives us strokes of encouragement and affirmation – which increases our faith. The commentary states “Generous people aren’t necessarily faithful to God. But faithful people are always generous.” We should not forget who the author of our faith is, who increases it and who guides it.
Money is just one small area of our lives that we should trust God and allow him to build our faith.
*Reference taken from my Bible’s index.
~Melissa Dyer
Monday, March 15, 2010
Day 15: Praise the Holy Spirit
“A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.’” Mark 4:37-39 (NIV)
Mighty Lord, master of unexpected waves and storms, remind me of what you did for us that night. And as you do, may I continue to depend on your power for what I will need today.
~Pastor Tim Simpson
- Our Greatest Prayer Warrior! (Rom. 8:26)
- Our prayer life (Psalm 42)
- The Prayer Ministry (Eph. 6:18)
“A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, ‘Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?’ He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Quiet! Be still!’ Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.’” Mark 4:37-39 (NIV)
Mighty Lord, master of unexpected waves and storms, remind me of what you did for us that night. And as you do, may I continue to depend on your power for what I will need today.
~Pastor Tim Simpson
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