Hold it Fast! - Luke 8:15

Do you sometimes struggle to remember any of the principles learned in the last Bible study you completed? Do you sometimes feel like you study and study God's Word but you see little change in your attitudes, actions or words?

Like many of you, I'm a good Bible study girl. I've participated in more group studies than I can count and even taught most of them. But not only do I make studying the Bible with a group of women a habit; I love unearthing the treasures of God's Word. I just really dig it!

But when I study His Word, or even hear it preached or taught, I don't want for it just to tickle my ears. I realize God's Word is truth and sustenance for daily living. I also know it is powerful, able to change my actions, attitudes and words. It can change my life, if I let it.

The Bible tells us in Luke 8:15 that in order for scripture really to take root and bear fruit in our lives, there are conditions which must be met.

But the seed in the good soil, 

these are the ones who have 

heard the word in an 

honest and good heart, 

and hold it fast, 

and bear fruit with perseverance.

Luke 8:15

I began memorizing Luke 8:15 when I determined that I didn't want to "waste my time" with the Bible, but I wanted it to "do something" in my life. According to the words Jesus spoke in this passage, the truth of God's Word is more likely to transform me from the inside out when I:

• receive it with an honest and good heart - ready to learn, willing to change, submissive to its authority, honest with myself and my God
• hold it fast - or press it in by mulling it over, thinking on it, memorizing it, taking time with it
• and bear fruit with perseverance - apply it over and over again, doggedly determined to obey it with consistency and holy accuracy, even when I don't feel like it.

The next time you read or hear or study a portion of God's Word you might want to remember the precepts taught in Luke 8:15. Check your heart and make sure you're receiving it well. Take the time and effort to hold it fast and press it in. And, finally, commit to persevering with it until you see the promised fruit.

Which do you find hardest to do? Receive the Word with an honest and good heart, hold it fast or persevere with it?

MOPS Magic

Don't you just love it when you attend your "regularly scheduled meeting" and irregularly grand things happen?

This past school year I've had the opportunity to speak at over 20 MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) meetings in different areas of the country. And in many of those meetings I noticed things that seemed to be real winners, both in my estimation and the opinion of those participating. So today I thought I'd share with you a few of those "home runs," whether they are winning group activities, fun decorating ideas, insightful ways to put your mentor moms to work, or fundraising projects. And if you're not in a MOPS group, you might still find something useful in this list. Many of these great ideas would work for other types of group meetings or women's ministry settings as well.

• Kids' Activity Swap - Each mom brings a predetermined number of instructions and supplies for a fun kid's craft assembled in large Ziploc bags, brown lunch sacks, or some other container. All the kits supplied are put out on the tables and moms go through a line gathering them all up and putting them in their own large shopping bag or box. The goal of the event is for every mom to go home with, say, 10 or 20 fun, ready-to-do, and easy activities for their kids. They could include crafts, games, travel activities, nature adventures, etc.
• MOP/Mentor Mom Prayer Journals - Each mom decorates and personalizes a simple composition notebook at the beginning of the year, including basic information about themselves such as birthday, husband's name, children's names and ages, etc. At each meeting the moms record prayer concerns, parenting questions, marriage dilemmas, personal issues, etc. which they would like to share with their mentor mom. The mentor moms then take the journals home from the meeting so they can read over them, pray for the moms accordingly, offer wise counsel if appropriate, share applicable scriptures, etc.
• Queen of the Day - Our own MOPS group honors a different mom at each meeting for having accomplished something significant (e.g., potty training a toddler, running a marathon, losing weight) or having contributed something meaningful (e.g., hard work on a fundraiser, leadership, organizing a mom's night out). That mom wears a pink boa and tiara during the meeting and her table gets to serve themselves breakfast first!
• Kids' Clothing and Toy Consignment Shop - A number of groups hosts consignment events so moms can make money selling their kids' outgrown toys and clothing while the MOPS group does, too. But only a few manage to turn this event into a major money maker and talk-of-the-town. I think the key is advance planning and lots of effective publicity.
• Meal Swap - Moms get together on an other-than-meeting-day day and supply one another with six or more dinner time entrees. Moms prepare a set number (5 or 6 is probably a good limit) of single-recipe entrees in disposable, freezeable containers and bring them wrapped or secured and ready to swap. Provide heating instructions of course. And everyone goes home with the same number of a variety of entrees. 
• Pinterest Party - Prepare dishes you found on Pinterest and supply the recipe; supply craft directions and materials for an easy craft you found on Pinterest; play a game you found on Pinterest; etc. Hook up a computer to a projector and actually "get on" Pinterest and browse each others' boards!

Do you have a favorite activity, craft, fundraiser or "system" you've enjoyed at your MOPS meeting this year? Curious minds want to know!

It's Time to Tell Them about Jesus!

I've been anticipating Saturday's event with excitement and at least an ounce of trepidation. Ever since the coordinators of this tea mentioned that they will have a largely "unchurched" crowd in attendance, I've known that I must be sure to tell them about Jesus!

So that's all the more reason I need your prayers as I travel to Phoenix early Saturday morning to speak at the Women's Spring Tea & Luncheon at North Phoenix Baptist Church. When women's ministry director Vicki Voyce contacted me about this event last spring, she told me they normally expect around 300 to 350 women, but when she e-mailed me a few days ago they had over 440 registered. And she reiterated that a large number of those sitting around the beautifully decorated tables that day would be women who do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ. In fact, some of them follow other faiths.

So, sweet friends, it's time to tell them about Jesus. I will be sharing the Satisfied...at Last! message, so if you've heard any form of that message you know it's all about how Jesus, the bread of life, can satisfy our hungry souls. And if you've done the Bible study or attended the SAL conference, you know I always say, "People don't know they need to be saved, but they know they're hungry!" My goal Saturday is to show all these hungry women (and we're all hungry women!) that Jesus, the Word made flesh, can indeed satisfy their hungry souls. But first they must know Him as Savior and Lord.

Will you please join me in praying for each woman who will be attending this very evangelistic event at North Phoenix Baptist on Saturday, April 27th? Yes, I want them to enjoy themselves, meet new friends, and feel pampered and loved. But I also want them to meet Jesus, the Satisfying Savior.

Where did you first hear about Jesus in a way that resonated with your spirit? I'd love to know. And as you think on that, pray that my simple message may somehow strike a chord with these hungry women.

I'm Not in Kansas Anymore...

But the Lord is still at work there! To tell you the truth, a few things were hard going about this trip to Olathe, Kansas. It's a good thing you were praying me through. One of my flights was cancelled last Thursday on the way to Kansas, and on the return trip I missed my connection in Chicago because the first plane was late. I had to spend the night in Chicago and catch a plane home on Sunday! Whew!

 

The women discussing the first session over snacks Friday evening.

But despite the travel bugs, God was so good to top off the weekend with His presence and His power. The women of Olathe Bible Church and Westbrooke Church, as well as their guests, received the message of Satisfied...at Last with humility, receptiveness, and even repentance. They ate it up, to put it succinctly!

The gifted worship team leading us in singing praises.

And to God be all the glory. As I always say, I am just one hungry but satisfied woman telling as many other hungry women as possible where they too can find ample satisfaction for their souls. Just one hungry beggar sharing the bread she's found with any hungry soul who will listen.

Me and Kim laughing with Ruth, the women's ministry director.

I'd like to thank Angie Clayton, Olathe Bible Church's women's ministry events coordinator, and Julie Phillips, Westbrooke's counterpart, for offering me the opportunity to speak God's Word to their women. These two ladies, along with their team of helpers, put together a humdinger of a conference weekend. They had the two-day event covered in prayer and they worked together to bless the ladies of their respective churches with a special event.

Angie Clayton, myself, Kim and Ruth

I'd also like to thank Ruth Cowles, Olathe Bible Church's women's ministry director. Ruth is a wise and strong leader for the women of her church, offering them counsel, guidance, biblical teaching, and a godly example. She was so encouraging to me.

Kim at the brunch hosted by Angie Clayton Friday morning.

I always enjoy opportunities like these to sit around
the table with other women in ministry and hear their hearts.
Tammy, a new friend in Christ, is beside me here.

The more I travel and present these simple but very practical messages of how God alone can truly satisfy our hungry souls, the more I realize that indeed we are all very, very hungry. If you know of someone who would benefit from hearing these messages, won't you consider ordering them the Satisfied...at Last! Conference CD set? You could even listen for yourself first and then pass it onto a friend, daughter, or daughter-in-law and promise to discuss it after she's listened. I hear it's a great discussion starter for some serious and life-changing conversations.

Women in line to receive one of the most yummy lunches
I've ever had at a conference.

Paulette Shilling, our wonderful book table helper. She could sell the
tablecloth right from under the books! What a terrific and sweet
sales lady! I need her everywhere I go!

Have you been a part of a women's retreat or Bible conference this spring? What did you enjoy most about it? Do share!

Toto May Not be in Kansas Anymore, but...

I am! I'm presenting the Satisfied...at Last Conference at Olathe Bible Church in Olathe, KS, this Friday and Saturday. And I'd be amiss not to ask you to pray for me and for those who'll be attending. Oh, how we need your prayers! God answers prayer, you know. He hears and heeds and handles and hastens!

So as I fly off to Kansas, I'm asking you to speak to the Father on my behalf.

Would you ask God for me to be able to speak, yes, the "same old" message I've spoken dozens of times now, with a fresh fervor and a compassionate heart? (If I speak wisdom and knowledge and soul-satisfying truth, but don't have love, I'm like a noisy gong! Ouch!) I'm passionate about the Satisfied...at Last message and I can honestly think of nothing better to present to any group of women in the United States. Not only that, but it seems to resonate powerfully wherever I share it. So I'm all for feeding as many people as possible from this same supernatural, satisfying manna, but, heavens, I don't ever want to pass out stale bread! So ask God to give me a fresh word for these dear women. They deserve nothing less.

I've been praying all week for the women of Olathe and the surrounding area who will be attending the conference. I'm asking God to give them a distinct dissatisfaction, an "insatiable" hunger. I don't want anyone to miss the gist of these messages because they "think" they are full, but all they really have consumed is the sugary, unhealthy offerings of this world. I want them to feel dissatisfied and hungry as they enter the church Friday night and as we approach God's Word on satisfaction this weekend. Will you echo my prayers?

And of course, I'm always thankful for prayers for traveling safety and such. But mainly I just want God to bless, to convict, to challenge, to console, and to bring seasons of refreshing. I don't overrate what I bring to the table on these weekends, but I also do not minimize what God is capable of doing. Lives can be changed, souls can be won, families can be restored, holy passions can be ignited. And God can be glorified.

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, 

But to Your name give glory 

Because of Your lovingkindness, 

because of Your truth.

Psalm 115:1

Thank you for your prayers!