Don't lose heart!

Mike and I on our way to vote. We just read Luke 18 and received this reminder from our Lord - men ought always to pray and not lose heart! "What is impossible with men is possible with God."

Two Faithful Women

These are my notes from Erik's sermon on October 19th. I may have added my own thoughts as I listened so for the most accurate understanding go to the Four Oaks website and listen to the sermon.

TWO FAITHFUL WOMEN
Luke 1:39-45 The Visitation. Traditional name given to this meeting.
Luke's Focus:
1. transition from Mary's confession of faith to Mary's song of praise
2. the importance of godly women FULL OF POWER, noble godly wives and mothers
This is not egalitarianism but complementarianism – the interdependence of man and woman under God's leadership. We must affirm this.

How does God confirm His word?
1. Through faithful obedience: Mary went with haste… moves from confession to action… walking by faith (in Mary's case literally!) and radically. Mary is the counterpart, the second Eve. She states categorically, "I am the servant of the Lord" and then backs it with her deeds.
2. In His providential care – God's provision confirms His word and will (His providential will shown from day to day)
3. By prophetic exhortation
Erik's prophetic exhortation regarding the sanctity of life: the embryo that lept is a person, Jesus at 1 week post conception is a person!
Word of God spoken and taught confirms His moral will – speaking to one another for edification
Heb. 3:13; 4:12; 10:13 The Word of God alive and active among us so use for instruction, correction, exhortation as we keep meeting together.
4. Guardianship of the Word
We keep His Word as He keeps us in the word
- in reputation - against slander and false accusations
- our physical needs – provide for one another out of God's provision for us
- our spiritual needs – use what God has given you to train others
discipleship in love. Elizabeth and Mary examples of Titus 2:3-5 The interaction of older women and young women "that the word of God not be blasphemed".

God's Design for a Process for Praise
1. Revelation from God
2. Fear – anxiety – sorrow "Sorry and worry keep both soul and spirit from celebrating the goodness of God." (Calvin)
3. Grace in discipline – the terrible face of grace
4. Faith – Submission and trust - Psa. 94:12 "…thy consolations delight my soul…"
5. Obedience – God's Grace in Action
6. Confirmation in fellowship of believers – local body
7. Provision for everything we need for life and godliness
8. Joy burst forth in
9. Worship and Praise and we glory in our Lord and Savior!

The Lord is My Strength and My Song

I woke this morning "feeling low" as my mom would have put it. Sort of moped around for a while, feeling sorry for myself and so on. I decided to work with the Old Testament references for Mary's song in Luke 1:46-52 Jill Mattox had put together for us for the Luke study. The first passage I read is 1 Samuel 2:1-10 - Hannah's song and from there I went to Isaiah 12:2-5 quoted again in Psalm 89:17-18. "Behold God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid for the Lord is my strength and my song and he has become my salvation." What a soul lifter!
Do you need to be lifted up today? Go to God's Word and let his consolations delight your soul.
Here is the list of references:
Luke 1: 46-55; I Samuel 2:1-10; Isaiah 12:2-5; Psalm 34: 2,3; Habakkuk 3:18; Psalm 35: 9; Habakkuk 3:18; I Samuel 1:11; Psalm 138:6; Psalm 71:19; 126:2,3; 111:9; Genesis 17:7; Exodus 20:6; 34:6,7; Psalm 103:17; Psalm 98:1; 118:15; Isaiah 40:10; Psalm 33:10; I Samuel 2:7,8; Psalm 107:9
Isaiah 41:8; Psalm 98:3; Jeremiah 31:3; Genesis 17:19; Psalm 132:11; Genesis 17:7

Cassidy's Song

"Sing, oh Heart!

"Sing a new love song to the Lord!

Picking up my dead, lifeless body, Jesus breathed in it life and said, "You, Cassidy, look like me."

And I shamefully lowered my gaze. In my hands were my idols.

On my body were their scars. I stood condemned.

But he lifted my face and said, "Because of my great love with which I love you, you are my daughter."

And in his presence, with the intensity of his pure love and righteous, holy wrath satisfied,I rested.

For he has become my Redeemer.

Sing a new song to the Lord!

God, rich in mercy, pulled me out of the pit of sin and death.

While I was still inflicting my body with sin, he freed me.

Once without hope, I have him, perfect Hope.

Once alienated an orphaned, I have a Father.

Why? It makes no sense to me.

Because of the great love with which he loved me.

Sing, oh heart!

Sing a new love song to the Lord!

- Cassidy Summers

Songs of Summer Study

Songs of Praise and Worship
Summer Ephesians Bible Study 2008

Carey's Song:

Praise the Lord - all my soul- who has seen me dead in my transgressions, separate from the chosen and by astounding grace has chosen me to share the heavenly place through Christ Jesus. Praise God for His peace and reconciliation that there need be no more death or enmity. The Lord has filled me with His grace and abounding love that I may have full knowledge of Him - what LOVE! I praise the Lord for His Spirit which has sealed us for heaven for Christ which has brought us near by His blood. What love He has for us!

(Carey Mitchell)


Brittney's Song:

Once far away, dead to life,
My former life was ruled by flesh
The prince of this world led me so off course
I was a child of wrath, dead to life.
But God, praise God, full of mercy and love for me
Even when I was so far away
He made me alive - He gave me Christ
Now seated with Him , I am a child of His love for me.
This precious gift of life is only through His great grace
I boast only in my Lord
I am God’s workmanship - created in Jesus for good works
God chose me to walk in His path through His great grace.
I shall never forget that I was once far from Christ
Having no hope and without God in this world
I was so far off but have been brought near
I shall never be far, oh so far, from Christ.
His peace reached my life and I am now one
Family with the saints
A household, a temple, Christ is my cornerstone
Praise Father, Son and Holy Spirit - I am now home.
(Brittney Harlacher)

Shannon's Song:

My Psalm
He has made me a saint
To the Praise of His Glory
He has blessed me with every spiritual blessing
In the heavenly places
To the Praise of His Glory
He chose me before the foundation of the world to be His child
Adopting me in love
To the Praise of His Glory
He redeemed me, forgave me, and lavished His grace and love upon me,
To the Praise of His Glory
He has made me an heiress,
To the Praise of His Glory
He has sealed me with His promised Holy Spirit,
To the Praise of His Glory
He revealed Himself to me when I was just a child,
And continues to enlighten the eyes of my heart,
To the Praise of His Glory
His great power that raised Christ from the dead is at work in me
To the Praise of His Glory
Though I was dead in my sin, following the course of this world, living in the passions of my flesh, a child of wrath, separated from God,
Even then, because of His great mercy and love toward me, He made me alive together with Christ by the greatest gift of His grace
To the Praise of His Glory
I am His workmanship and He is my peace,
To the Praise of His Glory
I am a citizen in God’s holy household,
To the Praise of His glory.
I am a saint, a loved child of God,
To the Praise of His Glory!
(Shannon Pifer July 14, 2008)




Jan’s Psalm:
I will praise the Lord, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
I will thank Him with my whole heart for choosing me to be His child,
Even before the foundations of the world.
Praise you, Lord, for blessing me with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, for your grace which you freely bestowed on me in my beloved Christ.
Praise you for your gift to me of salvation - by faith which you gave me. It isn’t something I could earn or work for.
Praise you, Lord, for saving me as a young girl, dead in my trespasses and sins, having no hope and separated from Christ, and without God in my world.
Praise you, Father, for always being with me and guiding me through life’s journey
For being my strength in times of weakness, for being my hope when all appeared hopeless.
Praise you for blessing me with your gift of children when I had despaired of ever being a mother.
Praise you, Lord, for showing me your goodness and for teaching me to wait on you, for giving my heart courage and strength as you work in my marriage.
Praise you, Father, that I can be anxious for nothing but instead pray to you about everything. Continue to help me to have a thankful and grateful heart.
Praise you, Lord, for showing me that you could supply all I need according to your riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Thank you, Jesus, for giving me the confidence of knowing that the work you have begun in me, you will continue to perfect until the day of Christ Jesus. (Jan Wilson)

Nicole's Song:
Praise the Lord!
I will give thanks for His great mercy,
For His great love with which He loves me.
He loved me even in my deadness of sin,
Even in my deadness of heart.
Who am I that God would love me?
I was a stranger to God, His Son, His Spirit
I was a stranger to His promises, His gifts, His grace.
But God, who chose me for Himself,
Brought me near
Though I was far away
Brought me peace
Though I was hostile to Him
Placed me in His household
Though I was a stranger
Made me a citizen of His kingdom
In spite of my great sin
Great are the works of the Lord
Who raised Christ from the dead
Who seated Christ at His right hand
Great are the works of the Lord
Who raised me from my deserved death
Who seated me with Christ in the heavenly places.
Praise the Lord, the God and Father of my Lord Jesus Christ,
who chose me before the foundation of the World.
Praise the most Holy Lord who predestined me to adoption through Jesus Christ.
Praise the Lord God who forgave me my trespasses.
Praise the Father of glory who gave me knowledge of Him and, while I was still dead in my sins, being rich in mercy, raised me up and seated me in the heavenly places with the Son.
For I walked in the world, in darkness, in sensuality, and in the lusts of my flesh.
But God the Father brought me near by the blood of Christ and made me an heir and fellow partaker of the promise in Him through the gospel.
Therefore, praise the Lord God who sealed me with the Holy Spirit of promise as a gift of grace through faith in Him.
Praise His name forever!
(Nicole DeZego)


Jackie's Song:

Oh God, the Father, Creator of all things, I will praise You, praise your holy name. Yet when I was dead in my sins, my heart hardened, walking in the ways of the world, You called me by name -- before the foundation of the world. You chose me. Lavished your love, grace and mercy upon me.
Thank you Father for pursuing me. I heard Your voice from an early age, and yet walked in the ways of the world -- separate from Christ. I would feel your presence and comfort in the valleys, yet I did not understand. Thank you Lord for your patience as I struggled against your teachings -- not understanding that your ways are best; your plan is perfect. Thank you Father God for bringing me into the light -- for illuminating for me the goodness and rightness of your ways. Thank You Lord Jesus for giving me the faith that I might understand. I praise You for bringing me near by the blood of Christ, for adopting me as a daughter, for making me a citizen in your household, for making me alive -- alive in Christ to the praise of the glory of Your unfathomable grace. (Jackie Pugh)



Christy's Song:
Praise the Lord, who drew me out of darkness into the light of the Lord.
I once was without hope and without God in the world, but He saved me through faith and brought me near to Himself, establishing peace.
For the Lord hath taken this former child of wrath and raised me up with Him, making me a fellow citizen with the saints. I am His workmanship, created for good works.
I know that the Lord is great. He took me, a stranger and alien, and has given me access in one Spirit to the Father that I might come boldly to Him with my prayers.
I praise the Lord because He has renewed me in the spirit of my mind. Once I was tormented, scattered, anxious and fearful but His love cast out all fear. He is truth and He promises that the truth will set you free (John 8:32).
I will praise His holy name!
(Christy Neal)

more encouragement for the saints and faithful

This from Terry Dudley:
After doing my word study ( I only looked up about 30 cross references) on saints, this is my long paragraph I wrote to summarize what God says about His beloved saints: Beloved, my faithful one (Eph 1:1), I want you to see how I have lavished my love on you. Do you realize you are my inheritance (Eph 1:18); I have given you grace and peace ( Col 1:2) and equipped you in everyway for works of service; building up the body(Eph Eph 4:12). I've given you my Spirit so that your heart can comprehend the immeasurable dimensions of my love for you and be filled to the fulness of God (Eph 3:18). I have given you community with the saints where you will find yourself sharing (Ro 12:13) and serving each other and persevering with prayers and petitions on their behalf (Eph6:18). Your love for them comes from my love that abides in you. Know my Beloved that angels gather you heart-felt pleas for one another and yourself in a golden bowl and lay them on the altar where a sweet aroma arises before Me (Rev 5:8, 8:3-4). Awaken and wipe the sleep from your eyes that you can capture my glory and see all that I have entrusted you . Contend for the faith (Jude 1:3)with fear and reverence and awe for I have called you out of darkness and into my glorious light through the sacrifice of my Son, Jesus, who I dearly loved. Strengthen your hearts and be holy (1Thess 3:13), (you are to be holy as I am holy). Repent of your sin and allow your heart to overflow with thanksgiving (Eph 5:3). Jesus will be glorified in His people called by His name(2 Thess 1: 10), wash the feet of the saints and greet all the saints (1Tim 5:10, Heb 13:24), share your faith (Phile 1:5-7). The Spirit I have given you as a deposit til I return and fully redeem you will intercede for you (Ro 8:27). There will be hard times. Those that fear the Lord will lack nothing (Ps 34:9). In the end I will come and pronounce judgement in favor of my saints (Dan 7:21), stand firm in your faith in me, rejoicing. One day you will possess the kingdom with me which will last forever and ever. THe fear of the Lord will leave you securely anchored, embracing my glory and you will lack nothing for the days ahead inorder to follow me. Meantime make yourself ready for my coming, prepare for I have the finest of white linen that you will be dressed in and shine brightly with purity of the righteousness (Rev 19:8). (1Cor 1:26-31) Boast only in the Lord, because formerly you were weak and despised and through the death and resurrection of Jesus you were given His righteousness, holiness and redemption. The Lord will reward the saints who revered His name (Rev 11:18). P.S. I love you more than you will ever imagine.

from study of Ephesians 1:15-22

this from Katie Hughes:
Hey Susan, I know you like to hear from us re: how we're doing in the study. Well, I just wanted to tell you how wonderful last week was for me. I learned so much. Probably the most difficult spiritual discipline for me is prayer, and it always has been. I struggle with inconsistency and distraction, finding it hard to sit still and rest in the presence of God when there is always so much going on and so much to be done. I realized last week what a wonderful resource the Word is to us, not just in Bible study, but in prayer as well. Prayers can be surprisingly simple and powerful at the same time, like Paul's prayers in Ephesians. Praying that prayer for people made me love them more, and caused me to truly desire those things for them. One person in particular I prayed for is my brother, who is 21, and rather apathetic and unmotivated these days, particularly with regard to his faith. I of course tend to worry about him and not pray for him, and praying this prayer relieved me of my worrying, forced me to confess that only God can change him, and gave me great hope for what God can do in and through him. Katie