Would you like to attend a Christian Womens Fellowship that is designed to challenge you to go deeper in your relationship with Christ..then this is the group for you. This group is made up of women all ages and stages in life. Any denomination or any religious background are welcome. We meet together every Tuesday evening at 7:30PM at Media Church in Oxford. www.mmchurch.org .
We recently finished a study on the Lord's Prayer.. I have recited the Lord's Prayer many times in the past, and to be quite frank with you, didn't really appreciate it like I should. It seemed to "religious" to me. I would much rather pray my words from my heart so what a surprise when I decided to do a study on Prayer and sensed God telling me to begin with the Lord's Prayer. When God speaks...I listen and I'm so glad I did!
The Lord's Prayer is a prayer given by God to God's Son (Jesus Christ) for us when the disciples asked him to teach them how to pray. (Luke 11:1) The Lord's Prayer is also recorded in Matthew 6:9-13 as an example of how we are to pray. So don't you think we should take it seriously? It is the perfect prayer which covers all area's of prayer. When we pray this prayer from our hearts, it pleases our heavenly Father, and He takes note of it.
I know I will never be able to say this specific prayer as I have in the past....just reciting what I memorized from my head not really giving any real thought to what I am saying....it was nothing but vain repetition. (Matthew 6:7 kjv) The reason I wasn't connecting, was not the prayer, it was me.
Have you been connecting with God in prayer lately? If not why not? Are you experiencing life to the full as Jesus talked about? (John 10:10) If not why not? Is somthing missing in your life? Together we may be able to discover exactly what that is and things will begin to change for you.
The purpose of our Oaks Class is to come together and learn what it means to be a woman of faith, to study God's word and discuss how it applies to our lives today. What is it that we are doing right, and what is it that we are doing wrong? Together we encourage and pray for one another.
So come join our class. I would love to meet you! You can contact me at robinmartin3@hotmail.com for more info.
Joyfully Serving Jesus
Robin Martin
Friday, June 29, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Whats Love Got To Do? A Second Hand Emotion??? NOT!
Last week on Valentines Day our Oaks class discussed God and the Church. I opened up the meeting by Reading 1 Corinthians 13, better known as the Love Chapter.. "Love is patient, Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. Love never fails..."
How have you been showing God's LOVE to the world around you. One thing I did this past week was to buy a heart shaped box of chocolates to share with the women in OAKS class. Our class also surprised the men who meet separately downstairs with a surprise delivery from Pats Pizzeria, a large fully loaded pizza, along with a Valentines Day card from the Oaks Class telling them we love and respect them. Boy did it get noisy downstairs when that pizza was delivered!! Remember Valentines day isn't the only day to share love with others. This is something we can do everyday...it is so much fun to bless others in the name of LOVE!!! Expressing LOVE doesn't have to involve money. Time, a listening ear, words of encouragement are ways to express LOVE. Get creative and spread some love around in the name of JESUS!!
I was reminded of Tina Turners song..."Whats love got to do, got to do, got to do...whats love but a second hand emotion...whats love got to do..." Most of you know the song, its got a great beat but the message....stinks!! LOVE is not an emotion. LOVE is an action. A gift from God and it all started in the New Testament church with the birth of JESUS CHRIST, Gods Son, the Savior of the World.
"For God so LOVED the world that He gave His only begotton Son (Jesus Christ). That whosoever believes in Him (Jesus Christ) should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). The NT commandments that replaced the OT commandments are to "LOVE the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and to LOVE your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37-39). That brings us to the Church, the Body of Christ. I'm not talking about a building, I am talking about a people. Those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior, have repented (turned) from their sins and have been baptized into the Body of Christ. What does it look like when we gather together in His Name? The church then becomes your "neighbor".
Acts 2:42 says "And they (the church) devoted themselves to the apostles teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayers."
Are we devoted to our church gatherings? I had to look up the word devoted. It means: zealous, full of passion, strongly attached, enthusiam, strong affection for. Is this how you feel about your church gatherings? Why or why not? What can we do about it?
Did you know that the church is a "living body, created by Christ? (Matt. 16:18) And the head of the Church is Christ. (Col. 1:18) Its through the church body that God intends to extend His kingdom throughout the earth, therefore it is very important that every Christian is a active part of a church family.
How should we act toward each other in this body? The Bible teaches we are to accept one another and not to argue over disputable matters (Rom 14:1, 12-13), It also teaches that we are to not just seek our own good but the good of others (1 Cor. 10:24), We are to speak the truth, in LOVE, and only speak what is good for building one another up in the faith (Eph. 4:25-29), We are told to submit to one another (Eph. 5:21), We are to accept one another and forgive each other....and above all we are to put on LOVE ...the perfect bond of unity. (Col. 3:13-14) Scripture tells us that when one part suffers we all suffer and when one part rejoices we all rejoice. We are all connected, united in Christ. The bible also tells us that the world will know we are Christians (followers of Jesus Christ) by the LOVE we have for one another. This LOVE its powerful stuff, and in my opinion, LOVE without action, like faith is dead.
Too many folks today go to church for what they can get out of it, not for what they can contribute. Meeting together with God's people is an opportunity to join God in His work there. Often we go sit in the church, listen to the message, listen to the music and leave. Have you ever prayed and asked God to reveal to you by the power of HIS Spirit, someone who is hurting who needs encouragement. Someone who may think no one cares so that you can reach out to them and share the LOVE of Christ.
Our churches should be a place where we are taught and live the Truth according to God's Word and where God's people come together to Pray, and commune together. Jesus Christ himself said that "my church shall be called a house of prayer" (Matt. 21:13) Would your church be called a house of prayer. Or would it be called a house of preaching, a house of entertainment, a house of bickering and complaining? Jesus words were my house should be called a "house of prayer". Something to think about!
I hope this blog helps you to examine your church, your heart, and your part in your church. What is it that God is calling you to do? How can you make your church better? How can you reach out to your church family in a way that pleases God? So to answer Tina Turners question, Whats LOVE got to do with it? I hope after reading this blog that you will realize that LOVE'S got everything to do with it...and its not a "second hand emotion". It is so much more. It is a gift from God that HE gives to HIS people. He fills our hearts with LOVE overflowing so we can go share HIS LOVE with others beginning with His family the church, the Body of Christ.
If you are looking for a loving church family to be devoted to, I would recommend that you check out Media Church in Oxford. We are not perfect, no one is, but you will Experience God in our church. We are a place where the Lost get Found and the Found go Deeper. Check us out on the web at http://www.mmchurch.org/
I would also like to invite you to our Oaks class. This ministry is open to all ladies any church affiliation or no church affiliation. Here you will experience the LOVE of Christ and the Love of His people. Women gather together every Tuesday evening at 7:15 at Media Church to study the Word of God, for Christian Fellowship, for Prayer and to Worship. Its a warm, comfortable place that I think you would enjoy...I know I do!!! I guess you would say I am DEVOTED!! I hope you are too!!!!
Joyfully Serving Jesus
Robin
robinmartin3@hotmail.com
How have you been showing God's LOVE to the world around you. One thing I did this past week was to buy a heart shaped box of chocolates to share with the women in OAKS class. Our class also surprised the men who meet separately downstairs with a surprise delivery from Pats Pizzeria, a large fully loaded pizza, along with a Valentines Day card from the Oaks Class telling them we love and respect them. Boy did it get noisy downstairs when that pizza was delivered!! Remember Valentines day isn't the only day to share love with others. This is something we can do everyday...it is so much fun to bless others in the name of LOVE!!! Expressing LOVE doesn't have to involve money. Time, a listening ear, words of encouragement are ways to express LOVE. Get creative and spread some love around in the name of JESUS!!
I was reminded of Tina Turners song..."Whats love got to do, got to do, got to do...whats love but a second hand emotion...whats love got to do..." Most of you know the song, its got a great beat but the message....stinks!! LOVE is not an emotion. LOVE is an action. A gift from God and it all started in the New Testament church with the birth of JESUS CHRIST, Gods Son, the Savior of the World.
"For God so LOVED the world that He gave His only begotton Son (Jesus Christ). That whosoever believes in Him (Jesus Christ) should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16). The NT commandments that replaced the OT commandments are to "LOVE the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and to LOVE your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37-39). That brings us to the Church, the Body of Christ. I'm not talking about a building, I am talking about a people. Those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior, have repented (turned) from their sins and have been baptized into the Body of Christ. What does it look like when we gather together in His Name? The church then becomes your "neighbor".
Acts 2:42 says "And they (the church) devoted themselves to the apostles teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayers."
Are we devoted to our church gatherings? I had to look up the word devoted. It means: zealous, full of passion, strongly attached, enthusiam, strong affection for. Is this how you feel about your church gatherings? Why or why not? What can we do about it?
Did you know that the church is a "living body, created by Christ? (Matt. 16:18) And the head of the Church is Christ. (Col. 1:18) Its through the church body that God intends to extend His kingdom throughout the earth, therefore it is very important that every Christian is a active part of a church family.
How should we act toward each other in this body? The Bible teaches we are to accept one another and not to argue over disputable matters (Rom 14:1, 12-13), It also teaches that we are to not just seek our own good but the good of others (1 Cor. 10:24), We are to speak the truth, in LOVE, and only speak what is good for building one another up in the faith (Eph. 4:25-29), We are told to submit to one another (Eph. 5:21), We are to accept one another and forgive each other....and above all we are to put on LOVE ...the perfect bond of unity. (Col. 3:13-14) Scripture tells us that when one part suffers we all suffer and when one part rejoices we all rejoice. We are all connected, united in Christ. The bible also tells us that the world will know we are Christians (followers of Jesus Christ) by the LOVE we have for one another. This LOVE its powerful stuff, and in my opinion, LOVE without action, like faith is dead.
Too many folks today go to church for what they can get out of it, not for what they can contribute. Meeting together with God's people is an opportunity to join God in His work there. Often we go sit in the church, listen to the message, listen to the music and leave. Have you ever prayed and asked God to reveal to you by the power of HIS Spirit, someone who is hurting who needs encouragement. Someone who may think no one cares so that you can reach out to them and share the LOVE of Christ.
Our churches should be a place where we are taught and live the Truth according to God's Word and where God's people come together to Pray, and commune together. Jesus Christ himself said that "my church shall be called a house of prayer" (Matt. 21:13) Would your church be called a house of prayer. Or would it be called a house of preaching, a house of entertainment, a house of bickering and complaining? Jesus words were my house should be called a "house of prayer". Something to think about!
I hope this blog helps you to examine your church, your heart, and your part in your church. What is it that God is calling you to do? How can you make your church better? How can you reach out to your church family in a way that pleases God? So to answer Tina Turners question, Whats LOVE got to do with it? I hope after reading this blog that you will realize that LOVE'S got everything to do with it...and its not a "second hand emotion". It is so much more. It is a gift from God that HE gives to HIS people. He fills our hearts with LOVE overflowing so we can go share HIS LOVE with others beginning with His family the church, the Body of Christ.
If you are looking for a loving church family to be devoted to, I would recommend that you check out Media Church in Oxford. We are not perfect, no one is, but you will Experience God in our church. We are a place where the Lost get Found and the Found go Deeper. Check us out on the web at http://www.mmchurch.org/
I would also like to invite you to our Oaks class. This ministry is open to all ladies any church affiliation or no church affiliation. Here you will experience the LOVE of Christ and the Love of His people. Women gather together every Tuesday evening at 7:15 at Media Church to study the Word of God, for Christian Fellowship, for Prayer and to Worship. Its a warm, comfortable place that I think you would enjoy...I know I do!!! I guess you would say I am DEVOTED!! I hope you are too!!!!
Joyfully Serving Jesus
Robin
robinmartin3@hotmail.com
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
Returning To God
AND let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, not staying away from our meeting, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
As I read and meditate on this verse, I am reminded of the many people that have walked with God, and for some reason have turned and walked away. I hear Him calling them back to Him. For the time of His return is drawing near as mentioned in the above verse. I received this email today from a woman who attended a womans conference with our class this past weekend. Listen to her story and see if you can relate.
Dear Robin:
"This is the testimony that I have since my return from Sandy Cove. God reminded me of His Great Love. I am back in the word, and hungry for more. You have helped me to see my sin, and have encouraged me to turn away. I know it is a process. I shared with Allen. He is supportive. I have a mature Christian prayer partner and we will meet once a week to pray specifically for each others lives. I am looking up churches on line and have a plan to visit a couple locally. I have already noticed a difference in my attitude as I drive down the road. I am listening to Christian music now and my spirit is uplifted. You are welcome to share this with the ladies. As I do my "Jesus Calling" (Sarah Young) I have a photo of the group and I pray for each of you. I love you and thank you for your obedience to our Lord." Have a blessed day. (and she continued with)
"My Morality is sin. In that I gave my self physically to many men. Thinking and desiring to fulfill the desires of the flesh. I wanted to be loved unconditionally and so complete. I wanted a man to sweep me off my feet everyday of my life. After 12 years of backsliding I have found no man can do that for me. I left my true love looking for that prince charming.
In my captivity, I connected with a man and thought He is my soul mate. I have waited on him to make the holy convenant with me. I really wanted to be his helpmate. In my sin I have destroyed that possibility. I have made myself unworthy of his love. This man is just a man and not my true love Jesus. I have gone astray and I have opened doors to the enemy of my savior.
I must rush back to his arms and turn from my worldly deeds. I will wait upon the Lord for I know he is good and faithful. I am sorry Lord that I have not trusted in you. Forgive me.
I have been playing house. I have been so disappointed, so often in the past 8 years. We seemed to fit perfectly in each others arms. Now I know I must let go. I have done all I can to try and please him. I have used my own power, and every time I fail, I seem to fall deeper into a pit of darkness.
In my end, I wanted to die. Please Lord I cried how much longer do I have to live with no purpose? God strategically placed the right people in my life, to show me this: I am very precious in his sight, He hears my pleas for help. He provides the way. Just trust and obey He tells me. Do what you know, that I have taught you by my spirit. I will remember your sins no more. I will remind you of what I taught you. I will give you direction and remind you that my enemy is a defeated foe.
I love you....You know how to pray and together we can mend those broken fences of 12 years, we can kick those squatters' out, and put on a fresh coat of paint. Remember you are washed clean by the blood of the lamb. You are as white as snow. My angels are ministering to you. I love you."
Can you relate to this story? I am hear to remind you that God loves you very much and has not forgotten you. He wants to restore your broken relationship with HIM. The following steps will tell you how to do that.
1. God's mission is to redeem a world that does not know Him and is lost in sin. (Rom. 5:8)
2. Because of sin in our lives, we are separated from God. (Jeremiah 3:20-22)
3. When we stray from God he disciplines us in increasing measure until we return. (Heb.12:5-11)
4. We cry out to God in our distress and return to Him. (1 John 1:9) Confession and repentance go together. We you repent of sin, you turn away from that sin and return to God.
5. When we return to God, he returns to us in a fresh way and begins again to fulfill His purposes for us. (James 4:8) The joy of your salvation, the power of God and His holy cleansing of your life will not occur until you sincerely return to God.
We all at times have walked away from God. Some of the ways we do that is through worldly distractions (we take our eyes of Jesus and slowly drift away), by being careless with our spiritual lives (we get so occupied with other things that we no longer go to church, pray or spend time in God's word) and sometimes we make a deliberate choice to walk away from God (to pursue a worldly lifestyle, refuse to obey God's commandments) Because of sin in our lives we lose our joy, we no longer hear God's voice and our lives do not produce spiritual fruit (Gal. 5:22-23). To prevent this from happening we must surround ourselves with folks who will hold us accountable, and seek to love God with all our heart, mind and soul and make it a practice to immediately obey whatever God tells you.
Where are you at in this picture? Have you strayed away from God and the church? Is the enemy whispering in your ear that you will never fit in and you have strayed to far? I want to remind you that HE is a liar and no truth is found in him. (John 8:44) So won't you come home running for His arms are open wide... His name is Jesus.... yes He's the One...He is the answer.... you 've been looking for.... so come home running.... just as you are.......Is He calling you ....can you hear His voice? (John 10:3-5)
At Media Church in Oxford our mission is that the lost get found and the found go deeper. I invite you to join us on any given sunday. Check us out on the web at http://www.mmchurch.org/
I also invite you to Media Church on Tuesday evenings at 7:15PM. I would love to meet you and together we will grow so we don't groan.
If you are not interested in church at this time but would like to talk about life issues. I offer biblical counseling free of charge... contact me at robinmartin3@hotmail.com to set up an appointment.
* Some of the info on this blog is taken from "Experiencing God" Henry and Richard Blackaby and Claude King. In class we will discuss in next 3 weeks how to Experience God in the Church, the Workplace and in His Kingdom. I covet your prayers for me as I lead these sessions. Thanks :-)
Joyfully Serving Jesus
Robin
As I read and meditate on this verse, I am reminded of the many people that have walked with God, and for some reason have turned and walked away. I hear Him calling them back to Him. For the time of His return is drawing near as mentioned in the above verse. I received this email today from a woman who attended a womans conference with our class this past weekend. Listen to her story and see if you can relate.
Dear Robin:
"This is the testimony that I have since my return from Sandy Cove. God reminded me of His Great Love. I am back in the word, and hungry for more. You have helped me to see my sin, and have encouraged me to turn away. I know it is a process. I shared with Allen. He is supportive. I have a mature Christian prayer partner and we will meet once a week to pray specifically for each others lives. I am looking up churches on line and have a plan to visit a couple locally. I have already noticed a difference in my attitude as I drive down the road. I am listening to Christian music now and my spirit is uplifted. You are welcome to share this with the ladies. As I do my "Jesus Calling" (Sarah Young) I have a photo of the group and I pray for each of you. I love you and thank you for your obedience to our Lord." Have a blessed day. (and she continued with)
"My Morality is sin. In that I gave my self physically to many men. Thinking and desiring to fulfill the desires of the flesh. I wanted to be loved unconditionally and so complete. I wanted a man to sweep me off my feet everyday of my life. After 12 years of backsliding I have found no man can do that for me. I left my true love looking for that prince charming.
In my captivity, I connected with a man and thought He is my soul mate. I have waited on him to make the holy convenant with me. I really wanted to be his helpmate. In my sin I have destroyed that possibility. I have made myself unworthy of his love. This man is just a man and not my true love Jesus. I have gone astray and I have opened doors to the enemy of my savior.
I must rush back to his arms and turn from my worldly deeds. I will wait upon the Lord for I know he is good and faithful. I am sorry Lord that I have not trusted in you. Forgive me.
I have been playing house. I have been so disappointed, so often in the past 8 years. We seemed to fit perfectly in each others arms. Now I know I must let go. I have done all I can to try and please him. I have used my own power, and every time I fail, I seem to fall deeper into a pit of darkness.
In my end, I wanted to die. Please Lord I cried how much longer do I have to live with no purpose? God strategically placed the right people in my life, to show me this: I am very precious in his sight, He hears my pleas for help. He provides the way. Just trust and obey He tells me. Do what you know, that I have taught you by my spirit. I will remember your sins no more. I will remind you of what I taught you. I will give you direction and remind you that my enemy is a defeated foe.
I love you....You know how to pray and together we can mend those broken fences of 12 years, we can kick those squatters' out, and put on a fresh coat of paint. Remember you are washed clean by the blood of the lamb. You are as white as snow. My angels are ministering to you. I love you."
Can you relate to this story? I am hear to remind you that God loves you very much and has not forgotten you. He wants to restore your broken relationship with HIM. The following steps will tell you how to do that.
1. God's mission is to redeem a world that does not know Him and is lost in sin. (Rom. 5:8)
2. Because of sin in our lives, we are separated from God. (Jeremiah 3:20-22)
3. When we stray from God he disciplines us in increasing measure until we return. (Heb.12:5-11)
4. We cry out to God in our distress and return to Him. (1 John 1:9) Confession and repentance go together. We you repent of sin, you turn away from that sin and return to God.
5. When we return to God, he returns to us in a fresh way and begins again to fulfill His purposes for us. (James 4:8) The joy of your salvation, the power of God and His holy cleansing of your life will not occur until you sincerely return to God.
We all at times have walked away from God. Some of the ways we do that is through worldly distractions (we take our eyes of Jesus and slowly drift away), by being careless with our spiritual lives (we get so occupied with other things that we no longer go to church, pray or spend time in God's word) and sometimes we make a deliberate choice to walk away from God (to pursue a worldly lifestyle, refuse to obey God's commandments) Because of sin in our lives we lose our joy, we no longer hear God's voice and our lives do not produce spiritual fruit (Gal. 5:22-23). To prevent this from happening we must surround ourselves with folks who will hold us accountable, and seek to love God with all our heart, mind and soul and make it a practice to immediately obey whatever God tells you.
Where are you at in this picture? Have you strayed away from God and the church? Is the enemy whispering in your ear that you will never fit in and you have strayed to far? I want to remind you that HE is a liar and no truth is found in him. (John 8:44) So won't you come home running for His arms are open wide... His name is Jesus.... yes He's the One...He is the answer.... you 've been looking for.... so come home running.... just as you are.......Is He calling you ....can you hear His voice? (John 10:3-5)
At Media Church in Oxford our mission is that the lost get found and the found go deeper. I invite you to join us on any given sunday. Check us out on the web at http://www.mmchurch.org/
I also invite you to Media Church on Tuesday evenings at 7:15PM. I would love to meet you and together we will grow so we don't groan.
If you are not interested in church at this time but would like to talk about life issues. I offer biblical counseling free of charge... contact me at robinmartin3@hotmail.com to set up an appointment.
* Some of the info on this blog is taken from "Experiencing God" Henry and Richard Blackaby and Claude King. In class we will discuss in next 3 weeks how to Experience God in the Church, the Workplace and in His Kingdom. I covet your prayers for me as I lead these sessions. Thanks :-)
Joyfully Serving Jesus
Robin
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Seven Realties of Experiencing God
In our Oaks Class we have been studying the book "Experiencing God" by Henry & Richard Blackaby and Claude King. This has been one of the best studies I have ever lead in all the years I've been teaching class. I personally have been challenged to go deeper much deeper in my relationship with God and I hope that this blog will give you a taste of what I am experiencing and create a desire within you for more of God in your life.
We have discovered that there are 7 Realities of Experiencing God that we must take to heart if we are going to go deeper with Him.
Reality 1: God Is Always At Work All Around You - God did not create the world and then abandon it to function on its own. He is at work all around us, but often we don't notice.
Reality 2: God Pursues A Continuing Love Relationship With You That is Real And Personal - The key word here is a "continuing". To think that the creator of the universe and mankind is "chasing after" us...He is in "hot" pursuit of us because of His great love for us. It is His desire that we return that love in a real and personal way.
Reality 3: God Invites You To Become Involved With Him In His Work. Often we ask God what is your will for my life? That is the wrong question to ask.(its too self-centered) The question we should ask is "What is God's Will"? You will find that answer in Matthew 22:37-40 and Matthew 28:18-20.
This is often referred to as the two greatest commandments and the great commission. You will discover that God's will is for mankind to be reconciled to Himself.
Reality 4: God Speaks by The Holy Spirit Through The Bible, Prayer, Circumstances, and the Church to Reveal Himself, His Purposes, and His Ways. Do you believe that God speaks to us today? Well He does. We cannot get to know God personally if we don't listen to His voice or learn to recognize His voice. In John 10:2-4 God says that his children recognize His voice and follow Him. Do you hear the voice of God calling you? If not, why not?
Reality 5: God's Invitation For You To Work With Him Always Leads You To A Crisis of Belief That Requires Faith And Action. To follow God you have to walk by Faith because without Faith it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6) Often times when God asks us to do something we will think that we cannot do it. God delights in taking weak vessels like us and displaying His power through us. Then He gets the glory He deserves. Folks will say "Whats that"? Wow!! Its God!!!!
Reality 6: You Must Make Major Adjustments In Your Life To Join God In What He is Doing? These adjustments may relate to your thinking, circumstances, relationships, commitments, actions, and beliefs. You can't stay where you are and go with God at the same time. We need to be moldable and be at God's disposal to be used as God chooses.
Reality 7: You Come To Know God By Experience As You Obey Him And He Accomplishes His Work Through You. When you come to Know God is is essential that you obey Him. The more you walk in obedience the more God will reveal Himself to you.
In our Oaks class we are now discussing ways in which God speaks to us. Last Tuesday November 2nd we discussed how God speaks through His written Word the Bible. We had an awesome experience practicing this principle. I wrote 20 different scriptures on a slip of paper and passed them out. Before each person choose a slip of paper we prayed that God would give the write scripture to the right person for whom He wanted to speak through His Word. We separated for 10 minutes and mediatated on the scriptures chosen before we came back and shared as a group.
It was amazing the women that received a message from God. The scripture they had chosen was perfect for the situation they were in. One lady shared that she has been worrying too much lately and God revealed to her even before she chose her verse that it would be one on worry and it was! Another lady was struggling with being a good example at school. Her heart is that others will know that she is different because of her faith. Her verse was "let your light shine before men so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven". Another lady who is going through some health issues got the verse "outwardly you are wasting away but inwardly you are being renewed day by day". A reminder to keep her focus on that inward renewal and that the troubles she is facing are light and momentary. Time and Time again when heard testimonies of how the verse chosen was perfect for the situation. Ladies I am here to tell you that God cares about everything you are going through and wants to help you through it.
I am so thankful to have a group of ladies to connect with on a weekly basis. I invite you to join us if you are interested in growing stronger in your faith. We meet weekly on Tuesday evenings at 7pm at Media Church in Oxford. http://www.mmchurch.org/ All women all ages and stages are welcome. The youngest that attends our class is 11 and the oldest is in her 60's. We accept everyone just where they are. Come and feel the Love and Christ and the love of the church. There are no fees or pre-registration required. Just show up..you'll be glad you did!
If you have any questions, please contact me at robinmartin3@hotmail.com
Robin
We have discovered that there are 7 Realities of Experiencing God that we must take to heart if we are going to go deeper with Him.
Reality 1: God Is Always At Work All Around You - God did not create the world and then abandon it to function on its own. He is at work all around us, but often we don't notice.
Reality 2: God Pursues A Continuing Love Relationship With You That is Real And Personal - The key word here is a "continuing". To think that the creator of the universe and mankind is "chasing after" us...He is in "hot" pursuit of us because of His great love for us. It is His desire that we return that love in a real and personal way.
Reality 3: God Invites You To Become Involved With Him In His Work. Often we ask God what is your will for my life? That is the wrong question to ask.(its too self-centered) The question we should ask is "What is God's Will"? You will find that answer in Matthew 22:37-40 and Matthew 28:18-20.
This is often referred to as the two greatest commandments and the great commission. You will discover that God's will is for mankind to be reconciled to Himself.
Reality 4: God Speaks by The Holy Spirit Through The Bible, Prayer, Circumstances, and the Church to Reveal Himself, His Purposes, and His Ways. Do you believe that God speaks to us today? Well He does. We cannot get to know God personally if we don't listen to His voice or learn to recognize His voice. In John 10:2-4 God says that his children recognize His voice and follow Him. Do you hear the voice of God calling you? If not, why not?
Reality 5: God's Invitation For You To Work With Him Always Leads You To A Crisis of Belief That Requires Faith And Action. To follow God you have to walk by Faith because without Faith it is impossible to please Him (Hebrews 11:6) Often times when God asks us to do something we will think that we cannot do it. God delights in taking weak vessels like us and displaying His power through us. Then He gets the glory He deserves. Folks will say "Whats that"? Wow!! Its God!!!!
Reality 6: You Must Make Major Adjustments In Your Life To Join God In What He is Doing? These adjustments may relate to your thinking, circumstances, relationships, commitments, actions, and beliefs. You can't stay where you are and go with God at the same time. We need to be moldable and be at God's disposal to be used as God chooses.
Reality 7: You Come To Know God By Experience As You Obey Him And He Accomplishes His Work Through You. When you come to Know God is is essential that you obey Him. The more you walk in obedience the more God will reveal Himself to you.
In our Oaks class we are now discussing ways in which God speaks to us. Last Tuesday November 2nd we discussed how God speaks through His written Word the Bible. We had an awesome experience practicing this principle. I wrote 20 different scriptures on a slip of paper and passed them out. Before each person choose a slip of paper we prayed that God would give the write scripture to the right person for whom He wanted to speak through His Word. We separated for 10 minutes and mediatated on the scriptures chosen before we came back and shared as a group.
It was amazing the women that received a message from God. The scripture they had chosen was perfect for the situation they were in. One lady shared that she has been worrying too much lately and God revealed to her even before she chose her verse that it would be one on worry and it was! Another lady was struggling with being a good example at school. Her heart is that others will know that she is different because of her faith. Her verse was "let your light shine before men so that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven". Another lady who is going through some health issues got the verse "outwardly you are wasting away but inwardly you are being renewed day by day". A reminder to keep her focus on that inward renewal and that the troubles she is facing are light and momentary. Time and Time again when heard testimonies of how the verse chosen was perfect for the situation. Ladies I am here to tell you that God cares about everything you are going through and wants to help you through it.
I am so thankful to have a group of ladies to connect with on a weekly basis. I invite you to join us if you are interested in growing stronger in your faith. We meet weekly on Tuesday evenings at 7pm at Media Church in Oxford. http://www.mmchurch.org/ All women all ages and stages are welcome. The youngest that attends our class is 11 and the oldest is in her 60's. We accept everyone just where they are. Come and feel the Love and Christ and the love of the church. There are no fees or pre-registration required. Just show up..you'll be glad you did!
If you have any questions, please contact me at robinmartin3@hotmail.com
Robin
Monday, October 3, 2011
Experiencing God? What is that all about?
As I sit here and think about EXPERIENCING GOD, I say to myself, "Who wouldn't want to experience God". Who would not want to connect with the GOD of all Creation? The ONE who LOVES you just the way you are. (Enough to send His only Son to die on the cross for your sins) The ONE who is ALL- KNOWING (His directions are always right). The ONE who is ALL-POWERFUL (He can do anything). Who would not want to get to KNOW I mean really KNOW and EXPERIENCE a living relationship with this GOD? Unfortunately there are many out there who really don't seem to care. Maybe they don't believe He exists? Maybe they don't believe He Loves them and cares about them. I am here to tell you that whether or not you believe it doesn't change the facts.
GOD loves and cares for you more than anyone ever will and HE desires for you to know Him, Hear His voice and to Follow HIM. For He knows that this relationship with Him is what you have been looking for. It is the missing link in your life.
You may say but Robin, I accepted Christ as my Savior, a long time ago, I was baptized, I attend church every week. Or you may say but Robin, you don't have to go to church to be saved, I did all that religious stuff and I know I'm saved now I can move on, do things my way. I say, deep inside are you
at peace, or is something still missing? For many out there, something is missing and that something is
a personal relationship with a living God. Many out there know about God but they do not KNOW GOD. They are not living their lives the way the Bible teaches..they have been doing things their way and are living miserable, depressing lives in bondage to sin. JESUS wants to set you free. God is doing a new thing, He is calling WOMEN back to Him. Its not about getting "religious", its about really letting go of life as you know it, and letting God do HIS thing in your life. Learning to trust HIM completely and living your life in a way that others will know that you are "GODS WOMAN" and trust me God takes care of His women. God is inviting you to join Him in His Work.
Having said I that I invite you to join us on Tuesday evenings at Media Church at 7PM. We are currently studying "Experiencing God". The women there are all at different stages in life. God is drawing them into a deeper relationship with Him...and He is calling you too. No matter where you are or what you've done...... Come Home Running His arms are open wide, His name is JESUS yes He's the One. HE is the answer you've been looking for, Come Home Running just as you are....Hope to see you soon. If you have any questions, please e-mail me at robinmartin3@hotmail.com or check us out at "Oaks of Righteousness" womens ministry page at http://www.mmchurch.org/
GOD loves and cares for you more than anyone ever will and HE desires for you to know Him, Hear His voice and to Follow HIM. For He knows that this relationship with Him is what you have been looking for. It is the missing link in your life.
You may say but Robin, I accepted Christ as my Savior, a long time ago, I was baptized, I attend church every week. Or you may say but Robin, you don't have to go to church to be saved, I did all that religious stuff and I know I'm saved now I can move on, do things my way. I say, deep inside are you
at peace, or is something still missing? For many out there, something is missing and that something is
a personal relationship with a living God. Many out there know about God but they do not KNOW GOD. They are not living their lives the way the Bible teaches..they have been doing things their way and are living miserable, depressing lives in bondage to sin. JESUS wants to set you free. God is doing a new thing, He is calling WOMEN back to Him. Its not about getting "religious", its about really letting go of life as you know it, and letting God do HIS thing in your life. Learning to trust HIM completely and living your life in a way that others will know that you are "GODS WOMAN" and trust me God takes care of His women. God is inviting you to join Him in His Work.
Having said I that I invite you to join us on Tuesday evenings at Media Church at 7PM. We are currently studying "Experiencing God". The women there are all at different stages in life. God is drawing them into a deeper relationship with Him...and He is calling you too. No matter where you are or what you've done...... Come Home Running His arms are open wide, His name is JESUS yes He's the One. HE is the answer you've been looking for, Come Home Running just as you are....Hope to see you soon. If you have any questions, please e-mail me at robinmartin3@hotmail.com or check us out at "Oaks of Righteousness" womens ministry page at http://www.mmchurch.org/
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Oak of Righteousness??? Huh...thats not me!
Oak of Righteousness???? Say what? Thats certainly not me!!!!
Lately I have heard that statment more than once and I smile. Just so there is no confusion I'd like to share with you what you are in Christ.. A person is a "Oak of Righteousness" when they have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior, Repented of their sins, and are sincerely following the teaching of the Bible but only in God's sight. When God looks at us, he doesn't see what we used to be...He see's Jesus in all his perfecton..... Even though we are not perfect, we are forgiven and our sins have been washed away. Therefore we are an "Oak of Righteousness" in God's sight... Praise the Lord!!!!
Although from our perspective..some of us are little acorns....a seed that hasn't sprouted yet...others are acorns with a little sprout...and others are young oak trees, and others are mature Oak Trees with a strong faith. No matter where you are in this example....the important thing is that you are alive and growing in faith. Someone told me one time that if you are not growing in your faith you are backsliding...cause there is no such thing as standing still. What do you think?
In our Oaks of Righteousness Class, we have just started reading and discussing the book "Experiencing God". So many folks "know about" God but they don't "know" God. God desires a deep intimate personal relationship with each one of His children and has made that possible through Christ. (John 17:3)
No matter where you are in your life, no matter what stage or age. You are welcome to join us on Tuesday evenings at 7PM at Media Church. I'm sure you will fit right in. Contact me at robinmartin3@hotmail.com if you have any questions.
Read: Isaiah 61:1-3
Look at the type of people God was referring to when He referred to them as Oaks of Righteousness....interesting.
Come check us out and don't let our name scare you!
Robin Martin
Lately I have heard that statment more than once and I smile. Just so there is no confusion I'd like to share with you what you are in Christ.. A person is a "Oak of Righteousness" when they have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior, Repented of their sins, and are sincerely following the teaching of the Bible but only in God's sight. When God looks at us, he doesn't see what we used to be...He see's Jesus in all his perfecton..... Even though we are not perfect, we are forgiven and our sins have been washed away. Therefore we are an "Oak of Righteousness" in God's sight... Praise the Lord!!!!
Although from our perspective..some of us are little acorns....a seed that hasn't sprouted yet...others are acorns with a little sprout...and others are young oak trees, and others are mature Oak Trees with a strong faith. No matter where you are in this example....the important thing is that you are alive and growing in faith. Someone told me one time that if you are not growing in your faith you are backsliding...cause there is no such thing as standing still. What do you think?
In our Oaks of Righteousness Class, we have just started reading and discussing the book "Experiencing God". So many folks "know about" God but they don't "know" God. God desires a deep intimate personal relationship with each one of His children and has made that possible through Christ. (John 17:3)
No matter where you are in your life, no matter what stage or age. You are welcome to join us on Tuesday evenings at 7PM at Media Church. I'm sure you will fit right in. Contact me at robinmartin3@hotmail.com if you have any questions.
Read: Isaiah 61:1-3
Look at the type of people God was referring to when He referred to them as Oaks of Righteousness....interesting.
Come check us out and don't let our name scare you!
Robin Martin
Sunday, August 14, 2011
God Is Life - 1st John 5
WE have been taking a look at the book of 1st John and learning that God is Light and God is Love and God is Life....and hopefully learning what all of that means. Now we will continue our study.....
John is telling us in Chapter 3 how much God loves us and that we ARE His children. Take comfort in that...we are children of the only true God...we are HIS and HE loves us so very very much.
He continues to repeat the importance of living a life worthy of the name of Jesus. The importance of
obeying God's word and loving one another in the body of Christ. John goes as far as to say if you choose to live in sin after accepting Christ then you are not a child of God. He also says that if you do not love those in the body of Christ that you are not a child of God. What does it mean to love your brother or sister in Christ? We need to have concern for them and help them whenever we can. John ends chaper 3 by telling us that we will know that Jesus lives in us by the Spirit that he gave us.
In Chapter 4 John begins by telling us to test the Spirits to see if they are from God. John is recognizing that not all spirits are God sent and we should not believe all of them. John says that any spirit that says that Jesus did not come in the flesh is not from God. You cannot have God w/o acknowledging that Jesus came as a baby through the virgin birth. Anyone who does not acknowledge Jesus is anti-christ which means against Christ and a false spirit is at work. John continues to tell us that we have nothing to fear from them because we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us and God's Spirit is greater than the other spirits in the world. False teachers will have a following....the world...they follow the false teaching of evil spirits because often they will tell them exactly what they want to hear. But we are from God and those that listen to us know the true God in whom is the Spirit of Truth.
Remember that God is Light and in Him there is no darkness at all and God is Love and whoever lives in love has been born of God and when we live in love we can have confidence on judgment day that we are His. We will not live in fear of the coming judgment because "perfect love casts out fear". And Jesus Christ is perfect love. John reminds us again that if we love God we will love our brothers and sisters in Christ. As many times as John repeats this it must be awful important.
So many folks today say they love God but they don't want to be involved in the local church which is the Body of Christ. I have a real hard time with this. How can a person say they love God and yet not
love His Body. One of the first signs I had when I put Jesus first in my life was a love for the body of Christ. A love that I didn't have prior to that. And still yet today God has put a love in my heart for people that the world just don't understand. Often I am asked "why do you care"? I often answer its a God thing and that it is. If you are ever going to be what God wants you to be you must get over this hurdle and stay connected to a body of believers. Not just for what you can get but for what you can give. The church will be the ones you spend eternity with. Why would you want to go to heaven to spend eternity with Gods people when you can't seem to stand a couple of hours a week down here with them.
Examine your heart cause something ain't right!! If you are in this position you need to cry out to God in prayer and ask Him to give you a willing heart, to give you a brand new start. To create in you a love that is real...to give you a willing heart. And keep crying out to HIM until something inside of you changes.
Chapter 5 begins GOD IS LIFE.
Making God first in your life means that you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and have made Him Lord of your life. You are thus living a Life of Love which God enables you to do. We love God so we carry out His commands all day every day. And His commands are not burdensome...they are not a heavy load. What commands am I referring too? Not the OT commandments but the NT commands. To love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and to Love your neighbor as yourself...thus the world will know that we are from God, His children and be drawn to Him. Because we love God we love to do his will.
I've explained this to others like this. When I was a child and even now...I love to please my earthly parents. Why? Because I love them. I don't want to disappoint them. Thats the way it is with my heavenly Father...I obey Him because I love Him and don't want to disappoint Him. And it really is a JOY to serve and follow Jesus. I am able to overcome the world because of my faith in Christ. What does this mean. It means that I can rise above the temptations of the world. It means I can choose to respond to the situations in life that God allows in a way that pleases Him. Why? Because I know that He will give me the ability to do what He has called me to do. God will never call you to do something that He cannot equip you to do.
This power from God comes to all those who put their faith in Jesus. John makes it very clear in verses ll and 12 that if you have the Son you have eternal life and if you do not have the Son you do not have ethernal life. So you see that God is LIFE, not just LIFE here on earth but ETERNAL LIFE. John concludeds this book by saying that He wrote this letter so that we can KNOW we have eternal life and with that knowledge comes special privileges. One of them being the confidence that when we come to God in prayer that He hears our prayers and we have whatever we ask of Him if it is His will.
John proceeds to tell us some of the things we should pray for....He says that we should pray for each other....he refers to a sin that leads to death. What is that sin? It could be many things. In the Bible there are accounts of folks that committed a sin and were killed instantly for it. You see God doesn't take sin lightly and neither should we. John reminds us again, that anyone who is "born again" should not continue to live a lifestyle of sin. John also reminds us that those that are "born again" are kept safe by God and Satan cannot touch us. John ends this book by reminding Gods children to keep themselves from "idols". An idol is anything that you put between you and God.
We live in a world where there are so many "idols". A 21st century idol could be money, sex, drugs, alcohol, anything that you are addicted to that you know isn't God's will for you. It could be a person, your husband or your children or your job or your home. It could even be your ministry. I must constantly examine my heart and let God speak to me about such things. Then as His Holy Spirit teaches and leads me I must be willing to let them go and "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness" knowing that everything else will take care of itself.
Its my prayer that the Holy Spirit has spoke to you as you have read these lessons. Its my prayer that if you are not in a right relationship to God through Christ that you will consider taking the steps to do so.
It is also my prayer that you will live a life worthy of the calling that you have received. It is my prayer that you will continue to grow in your love relationship with God...for no one no where will ever love you like HE does. It is also my prayer that if you are not part of a church family that you will start looking for the right church for you. Its out there...ya just gotta find it...and I bet you won't have to look
very far.
WE are told in John 10:10 That Jesus came that we may have life and have it to the full. The abundant life....are you living the life God desires you to live?
Remember that GOD is LIGHT...GOD IS LOVE...and GOD IS LIFE...now what more could a girl want?
Joyfully serving Jesus
Robin
* We have begun our study of "Experiencing God" in our Oaks class that meets on Tuesday evenings at 7PM at Media Church in Oxford. All women all ages and stages are welcome to join us. If you have any questions contact me at robinmartin3@hotmail.com.
John is telling us in Chapter 3 how much God loves us and that we ARE His children. Take comfort in that...we are children of the only true God...we are HIS and HE loves us so very very much.
He continues to repeat the importance of living a life worthy of the name of Jesus. The importance of
obeying God's word and loving one another in the body of Christ. John goes as far as to say if you choose to live in sin after accepting Christ then you are not a child of God. He also says that if you do not love those in the body of Christ that you are not a child of God. What does it mean to love your brother or sister in Christ? We need to have concern for them and help them whenever we can. John ends chaper 3 by telling us that we will know that Jesus lives in us by the Spirit that he gave us.
In Chapter 4 John begins by telling us to test the Spirits to see if they are from God. John is recognizing that not all spirits are God sent and we should not believe all of them. John says that any spirit that says that Jesus did not come in the flesh is not from God. You cannot have God w/o acknowledging that Jesus came as a baby through the virgin birth. Anyone who does not acknowledge Jesus is anti-christ which means against Christ and a false spirit is at work. John continues to tell us that we have nothing to fear from them because we have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us and God's Spirit is greater than the other spirits in the world. False teachers will have a following....the world...they follow the false teaching of evil spirits because often they will tell them exactly what they want to hear. But we are from God and those that listen to us know the true God in whom is the Spirit of Truth.
Remember that God is Light and in Him there is no darkness at all and God is Love and whoever lives in love has been born of God and when we live in love we can have confidence on judgment day that we are His. We will not live in fear of the coming judgment because "perfect love casts out fear". And Jesus Christ is perfect love. John reminds us again that if we love God we will love our brothers and sisters in Christ. As many times as John repeats this it must be awful important.
So many folks today say they love God but they don't want to be involved in the local church which is the Body of Christ. I have a real hard time with this. How can a person say they love God and yet not
love His Body. One of the first signs I had when I put Jesus first in my life was a love for the body of Christ. A love that I didn't have prior to that. And still yet today God has put a love in my heart for people that the world just don't understand. Often I am asked "why do you care"? I often answer its a God thing and that it is. If you are ever going to be what God wants you to be you must get over this hurdle and stay connected to a body of believers. Not just for what you can get but for what you can give. The church will be the ones you spend eternity with. Why would you want to go to heaven to spend eternity with Gods people when you can't seem to stand a couple of hours a week down here with them.
Examine your heart cause something ain't right!! If you are in this position you need to cry out to God in prayer and ask Him to give you a willing heart, to give you a brand new start. To create in you a love that is real...to give you a willing heart. And keep crying out to HIM until something inside of you changes.
Chapter 5 begins GOD IS LIFE.
Making God first in your life means that you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior and have made Him Lord of your life. You are thus living a Life of Love which God enables you to do. We love God so we carry out His commands all day every day. And His commands are not burdensome...they are not a heavy load. What commands am I referring too? Not the OT commandments but the NT commands. To love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and to Love your neighbor as yourself...thus the world will know that we are from God, His children and be drawn to Him. Because we love God we love to do his will.
I've explained this to others like this. When I was a child and even now...I love to please my earthly parents. Why? Because I love them. I don't want to disappoint them. Thats the way it is with my heavenly Father...I obey Him because I love Him and don't want to disappoint Him. And it really is a JOY to serve and follow Jesus. I am able to overcome the world because of my faith in Christ. What does this mean. It means that I can rise above the temptations of the world. It means I can choose to respond to the situations in life that God allows in a way that pleases Him. Why? Because I know that He will give me the ability to do what He has called me to do. God will never call you to do something that He cannot equip you to do.
This power from God comes to all those who put their faith in Jesus. John makes it very clear in verses ll and 12 that if you have the Son you have eternal life and if you do not have the Son you do not have ethernal life. So you see that God is LIFE, not just LIFE here on earth but ETERNAL LIFE. John concludeds this book by saying that He wrote this letter so that we can KNOW we have eternal life and with that knowledge comes special privileges. One of them being the confidence that when we come to God in prayer that He hears our prayers and we have whatever we ask of Him if it is His will.
John proceeds to tell us some of the things we should pray for....He says that we should pray for each other....he refers to a sin that leads to death. What is that sin? It could be many things. In the Bible there are accounts of folks that committed a sin and were killed instantly for it. You see God doesn't take sin lightly and neither should we. John reminds us again, that anyone who is "born again" should not continue to live a lifestyle of sin. John also reminds us that those that are "born again" are kept safe by God and Satan cannot touch us. John ends this book by reminding Gods children to keep themselves from "idols". An idol is anything that you put between you and God.
We live in a world where there are so many "idols". A 21st century idol could be money, sex, drugs, alcohol, anything that you are addicted to that you know isn't God's will for you. It could be a person, your husband or your children or your job or your home. It could even be your ministry. I must constantly examine my heart and let God speak to me about such things. Then as His Holy Spirit teaches and leads me I must be willing to let them go and "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness" knowing that everything else will take care of itself.
Its my prayer that the Holy Spirit has spoke to you as you have read these lessons. Its my prayer that if you are not in a right relationship to God through Christ that you will consider taking the steps to do so.
It is also my prayer that you will live a life worthy of the calling that you have received. It is my prayer that you will continue to grow in your love relationship with God...for no one no where will ever love you like HE does. It is also my prayer that if you are not part of a church family that you will start looking for the right church for you. Its out there...ya just gotta find it...and I bet you won't have to look
very far.
WE are told in John 10:10 That Jesus came that we may have life and have it to the full. The abundant life....are you living the life God desires you to live?
Remember that GOD is LIGHT...GOD IS LOVE...and GOD IS LIFE...now what more could a girl want?
Joyfully serving Jesus
Robin
* We have begun our study of "Experiencing God" in our Oaks class that meets on Tuesday evenings at 7PM at Media Church in Oxford. All women all ages and stages are welcome to join us. If you have any questions contact me at robinmartin3@hotmail.com.
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