The Presence of God

We (Christians) are always in the presence of God. There is never a non-sacred moment! His presence never diminishes. Our awareness of His presence may falter, but the reality of His presence never changes. ~~Max Lucado

Conviction vs. Condemnation

When God speaks to us about our sin it is to convict us, when the devil speaks about our sin it is to condemn us. The word sin means to ‘miss the mark.’ Its origin lies in archery. If you shot an arrow and missed the target, it was called ‘sin!’ By how far you missed was not the issue. An inch or a mile, it’s still sin.

"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God". Rom. 3:23
We are by nature sinners; we are not what we were created to be. Both God and the devil speak to us about sin – but they speak very differently. God convicts us of sin, whereas Satan condemns us. The devil is called, ‘the accuser of our brothers and sisters’ (Revelation 12:10). Condemnation sits on us like a wet blanket, with no way out. When God speaks to us about our sin, He convicts. Conviction not only makes us aware of our sin, but also points to a way out – through the cross of Christ. He convicts us not to humiliate us, embarrass us or condemn us, but to liberate us and set us free.

Paul is able to confidently write, ‘There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.’ (Romans 8:1). To know that is true is wonderfully liberating.
Has a past sin left you feeling paralyzed? See where that condemnation is coming from, because that voice is not God’s. Thank Him for the forgiveness available in Christ and move forward in peace. - Charles Price

Greenware Needs

We will be collecting baby items for Greenware each Sunday until August. Here is a list of specific items that are  needed:

-Diapers
-Baby Wipes
-Baby Soap
-Baby Clothes
-Baby Blankets
-General Health Supplies for the moms

This is a wonderful way to help someone less fortunate than ourselves!

School Supplies Needed

It's time:

The church is collecting supplies for the schools we sponsor. While any supplies are appreciated, these are some specific needs:

-Clorox Wipes
-Dry-erase Markers
-Dry-erase Board Cleaner
-Tissues
-Hand Sanitizer

Please drop items off on the sides of the stage. Thank you.

Trials

"Every person in the world, including yourself, will encounter various trials throughout life. Satan seeks to defeat you by tempting you to trust your own wisdom, to live according to your self-centered feelings, and to gratify the desires of your flesh. In contrast, God's will is for you to be an overwhelming conqueror in all of these tests for His honor and glory. --Andrew Murray"

Visions of Hope- Fundraiser/Vendor Fair

If you are interested in being a vendor, please contact Melissa Brusoe a.s.a.p. to get a vendor registration form. This is going to be a great event! I hope to see you all there!

Walking on Water

Christ walked on the water before He calmed the storm. If He had simply calmed the storm, the disciples would have missed His majesty. And what a shame. His majesty was the whole point. We want Christ to hurry and calm the storm. He wants us to find Him in the midst of it first. --Beth Moore

John 15:5

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NIV) Have you ever really thought about the relationship between a branch and the vine? We don’t use these kinds of word pictures very much anymore, but think about it — if the branch is not attached to the vine, it withers and dies. The very life of the branch depends on being attached to the vine.

6 Steps To Accountability

6 Steps To Accountability:

Believers cannot live the Christian life without the power of the Holy Spirit. But they also cannot live without the influence and support of other believers. In the battle against the flesh, accountability is vital. Here are six steps for establishing an accountability relationship:

1. Begin with prayer, asking God to lead you to the right partner.
2.Emphasize things you share in common. This helps break the ice and creates a context of comfort.
3. Focus on the relationship first. Build the friendship and trust.
4. Commit to transparency and confidentiality. Without these characteristics, accountability relationships will founder.
5. Refuse to harbor offenses. Correction can be painful, but it is necessary. Remember the motivation for the words.
6. Love beyond limits. Make sure this is the driving force of the relationship.

                                                                                            -From (LIVE) your  faith every day-Life Truths

A Way to Serve

There are some needs for the Wood family:

-Lysol Spray
-Gloves (the kind you find in the Dr.'s office. These can be purchased at Walmart)
-Masks (These can also be found at Walmart)

On Sunday, we'll be taking a contribution in our class to be put toward a gas card for them. If you feel led to give in any of these ways, Sunday is the day to do it! Most importantly, please continue to pray for Andrew and his family (Jon and Mandi, their son, Brady, and daughter, Grace) as they go through this tough time.

Understanding

Don't let what you fail to understand about God shake your faith. Instead, cling to the reality of who He is, what He has done, and what He still promises to do in our lives.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding." - Proverbs 3:5