Clicking on the Scripture links above will open a new window where you can read the scripture from the English Standard Version at Biblegateway.com or choose the Bible version you prefer to read. Check back each day to get the Scripture to read in the One Year Bible Reading Plan.
#ReadYourBible #Esther #Acts
Now you can enhance your Bible Reading with the Verse Mapping Template
Our Verse Mapping download is FREE and includes 6 pages: 3 pages of instructions for using the template and the 2 page template, plus the cover page. If you’re looking to go deeper into God’s Word, learn more about God and develop a stronger spiritual life, Verse Mapping will help you dig into the scriptures. As you apply God’s Word to your life, you will develop a more intimate knowledge and relationship with God.
[Download not found]
Download our Free 2021 Bible Memory Verse Plan
We’ve put together 52 memory verses for you to hide God’s Word in your heart! You can download the full document for free and then print a new verse each week and as many copies as you’d like. Each verse prints four times on a page so that you can then cut them into index size cards and place them in prominent places where you will see them frequently throughout the day to help you remember to memorize them. Just because you visited our site, they’re yours for free! Download today.
[Download not found]
Why is daily Bible reading important?
Bible Reading is vitally important to growing spiritually and keeping our spiritual selves full. God wants us to hide His Word in our hearts, meditate on it and apply it to our lives. When we have a plan, we are more likely to follow through. Here are eight reasons you should have a daily Bible Reading plan:
We can find His will for our lives
Bible reading is our spiritual nourishment
It helps us be able to discern the thoughts and intents of our heart.
The Bible instructs us in righteousness
It gives us power to overcome trials, heartaches, and sin
God gives us many promises, but you won’t know them unless you read about them, memorize them, and know if it’s a promise intended for us today
God reveals Himself to us and we learn about Him which strengthens our relationship with Him
He also speaks to us through His Word.
Don’t miss what God has to say to you today. It’s time to practice spiritual self-care and read your Bible!
Practice Spiritual Self care and dig into God’s Word today to berevived and renewed!
Click here to listen to our devotions on Spotify be sure to follow us.
Help support our ministry:
One-Time
Monthly
Yearly
Make a one-time donation
Make a monthly donation
Make a yearly donation
Choose an amount
¤5.00
¤15.00
¤100.00
¤5.00
¤15.00
¤100.00
¤5.00
¤15.00
¤100.00
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated and will help us grow and expand our ministry. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
We’ve added a new canvas print to the Teespring Store.
God instructed the Israelite priests to pray the prayer of blessing every day over the people. The prayer is found in Numbers 6:24-26. Hang the canvass in your home or carry the mug, tote bag, or water bottle and let the prayer of blessing impact all those who you meet throughout the day.
This book includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:
Scripture to memorize and meditate on
Conversation Starters
Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages
Romance Builders
Relationship Builders
Personal reflections
Date ideas
Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples
Available in hardback, paperback and ebook from Westbow Press Bookstore, Christian Book Distributors, Amazon, and Barnes & Nobel. Click the icons below to purchase from your preferred bookstore. Now also available at WalMart online.
Join the community of couples on Facebook who are committed to intentionally growing their marriage and learning how to have a marriage that honors God. Here you can post photos of the different activities as you do them, ask questions of other couples, share how God is using this book to strengthen your marriage, and grow with other Christian couples. We’ll see you in the community.
Bible Studies, Bibles, Books & More
Everything Christian for less!
Looking for a Bible Study, Bible, book or Christian gift? We are an affiliate with Christianbook Distributors and receive an 8% commission on any item purchased through one of our links. However, the commission never increases your cost of any item. View some of our favorite items by clicking on the logo and thank you for supporting our ministry.
Wellspring Christian Ministries receives an 8% commission on any purchased made from Christian Book Distributors through any affiliate link on this site. Your price for any item is the same as purchasing from CBD directly.
Jesus had already ascended into heaven and the disciples were busy growing the Church. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, thousands were coming to faith in Christ and the church was growing faster than the apostles could keep up. Every pastor and church leader would like to see the same thing happen in their local body of believers. But with growth comes growing pains and in Acts 6 we find some growing pains that gives birth to a new role in the church: the role of deacons.
The apostles believed that prayer and preaching were their primary duties. It was their ministry that God had called them to do. As with most growing pains, some complaints started being filed. The Hellenists criticized the Hebrews because they felt their widows were being neglected in the early church’s charity distribution. While this neglect could have been caused by logistical challenges and the rapid addition of Hellenistic Jews to the Christian faith, the current church structure proved unable to meet the growing demands.
Time for a Change
Some of us have real problems with change. Personally, I have a problem with routine. Change is exciting and an opportunity for something new. An opportunity for growth. While change also brings with it a certain level of stress for the unknowns, overall, I like change and I enjoy challenges. I admit that makes me somewhat abnormal by most people standards – but it’s the way God made me. But if the average person today doesn’t like change, than it is probably a true statement in the days of the early church as well. Can you just imagine the committee meetings? Committee A says, “we need a new way of doing things so we can meet all the needs. We propose to add deacons to the leadership team” Committee B says, “Yes, we need to meet the needs of all the saints but what’s wrong with our current model?”
(Incidentally and nothing to do with this devotion, one Sunday a pastor that spoke at our church went through the trouble of asking the congregation what different groups of animals are called. For example a group of fish is known as a school. A group of wolves is known as a pack. But, do you know what a group of vultures is called? I don’t think anyone got the answer. I certainly didn’t know it. However, if you google it, you’ll find that Wikipedia states a group of vultures is called a committee.) Now back to the devotion.
Deacons: The New Church Model
In Acts 6, we find the roles within the church taking shape and being defined. As a result, duties are divided and two roles emerge: The pastor and the deacons. In verses 2-4, a distinction is made between those responsible for preaching the word of God and those responsible for distribution of food.
During the early days of the church, the apostles believed prayer and preaching were their primary duties and to be taken away from those duties violated the command Christ gave them to spread the gospel message. Yet, as leaders of the early church, the apostles recognized it was time to appoint a new role in church leadership and the birth of deacons emerged. The apostles said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, seek out from among you seven men…whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
Qualifications of the Seven
The seven men appointed over the business of food distribution were not men from the local pub. The apostles gave some specific qualifications for these seven men. Verse 3 says they were to be men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. At this time these seven men would be responsible for seeing that everyone received of the charitable donations. And these simple qualification of the first seven deacons were ample requirements for the role they would play.
Expanding the role of deacon and growing qualifications
As time goes by this role would grow to look more like the role of deacon we know today. Paul would go on to expand these qualification in 1 Timothy 3:8–13 and gives nine qualifications for deacons. We still use these qualifications today when appointing deacons within our churches.
Paul’s Qualifications in 1 Timothy 3:8-13
Dignified (v. 8):
A deacon is to be honorable, respectable, esteemed, or worthy
Not double-tongued (v. 8):
Those who are double-tongued say one thing to certain people but then say something else to others, or say one thing but mean another. They are two-faced and insincere. Their words cannot be trusted, so they lack credibility.
Not addicted to much wine (v. 8):
A man is disqualified for the office of deacon if he is addicted to wine or other strong drink. While drugs are not listed in the Bible, by principle, if a deacon is to not be addicted to alcohol, they should not be addicted to or misuse drugs, including nicotine, prescription pills, or over-the-counter medications. Such a person lacks self-control and is undisciplined.
Not greedy for dishonest gain (v. 8):
If a person is a lover of money or not honest in the way he handles financial affairs (personally or in business or in the church) he is not qualified to be a deacon, especially since deacons often handle financial matters for the church.
Sound in faith and life (v. 9):
Deacons need to hold firm to the true gospel without wavering. If so, then it goes without saying that a deacon should be a student of the Word, active in daily Bible reading and prayer, and willing to share his faith with others. He should demonstrate continual spiritual growth and the desire to every grow closer to God. His behavior must be consistent with his beliefs. He can’t teach the Word of God on Sunday but then live like the world at home or work.
Blameless (v. 10):
Paul writes that deacons must “be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless” (v. 10). “Blameless” is a general term referring to a person’s overall character. At a minimum, the deacon’s personal background, reputation, and theological positions should be examined. He should also have a tried and true track record of service in the church. .
Paul’s 9 qualifications for deacons: dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to too much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain, sound in faith and life, blameless, husband of one wife, he should have a Godly wife, and manage his children and household well. (1 Timothy 3:8-13)
Paul writes in 1 Timothy 3:11 that the deacon should have a Godly wife. According to Paul, the deacon’s wife must “be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things” (v. 11). She must be dignified or respectable. She must not go around spreading gossip and she must be able to make good judgments. The deacon’s wife must be “faithful in all things” (1 Tim. 5:10) and be above reproach.
Husband of one wife (v. 12): The best interpretation of this difficult phrase is to understand it as referring to the faithfulness of a husband toward his wife. He must be a “one-woman man.” That is, there must be no other woman in his life to whom he relates in an intimate way either emotionally or physically.
Manage children and household well (v. 12): A deacon must be the spiritual leader of his wife and children
The Deacon’s Role
The Decon’s role in the church is not to control the church – or even the pastor. The Bible clear that the pastor is to be the shepherd of the flock. In the early church, the role of the deacon was intended to aid the apostles by taking care of some of the physical needs of the congregation. That is still their role today.
Strong’s uses the word diakonos and holds the idea of attendant, waiter, or servant. So clearly the role of the deacon is to serve the people. They can serve by teaching a small group or helping the pastor by visiting the senior adults and those in the hospital. A deacon can sever by mentoring a young or teen boy whose father is not around. They can serve by keeping the building and grounds in top condition. Deacons should serve by being witnesses and willing to evangelize the lost. They can serve by praying for the pastor and the leadership he provides to the church. And they can serve by ensuring the integrity of the gospel is taught throughout the church.
Change for the Good is Good Change
Sometimes we can be guilt of change just because we’re bored. Other times we can be guilty of holding on to traditions and stubbornly refuse to change to change is needed. But in Acts 6, the apostles recognized a change was needed and then implemented a new role within the church leadership team. The result was good for the entire body of believers. Growing pains often means that a change is required. At times the change itself can be painful – but that doesn’t mean change is bad or not needed. As leaders of Christ’s church every change should be prayerfully considered and when a change is needed, make sure the change is a good one.
click here to listen to our daily devotions on Spotify and be sure to follow us.
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Make a yearly donation
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¤100.00
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¤5.00
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¤100.00
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Your contribution is appreciated and will help us grow and expand our ministry. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
Now you can enhance your Bible Reading with the Verse Mapping Template
Our Verse Mapping download is FREE and includes 6 pages: 3 pages of instructions for using the template and the 2 page template, plus the cover page. If you’re looking to go deeper into God’s Word, learn more about God and develop a stronger spiritual life, Verse Mapping will help you dig into the scriptures. As you apply God’s Word to your life, you will develop a more intimate knowledge and relationship with God.
[Download not found]
Download our Free 2021 Bible Memory Verse Plan
We’ve put together 52 memory verses for you to hide God’s Word in your heart! You can download the full document for free and then print a new verse each week and as many copies as you’d like. Each verse prints four times on a page so that you can then cut them into index size cards and place them in prominent places where you will see them frequently throughout the day to help you remember to memorize them. Just because you visited our site, they’re yours for free! Download today.
[Download not found]
Download our Free 2021 Daily Bible Reading Plan
With just 30-40 minutes per day, you can read the entire Bible in one year. The One-Year Bible Reading Plan consists of both Old Testament and New Testament readings for each day of the year. The Bible is God’s personal Word to you. What is He saying to you today? Open your Bible and find out!
The Self-Care Wheel provides ideas for practicing self-care in six dimensions of yourself: Spiritual, Physical, Emotional, Intellectual, Sensory, and Social. NOTE: You will need 11X14 paper to print the wheel.
Want to know more about self-care? Our Self-Care blog series targets people who serve in any ministry position and takes a Biblical approach to self-care.
God, Love and Marshmallow Wars is a book that includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:
Scripture to memorize and meditate on.
Conversation Starters.
Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages.
Romance Builders.
Relationship Builders.
Personal reflections.
Date ideas.
Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples.
Looking for a Bible Study, Bible, book or Christian gift? We are an affiliate with Christianbook Distributors and receive an 8% commission on any item purchased through one of our links. However, the commission never increases your cost of any item. View some of our favorite items by clicking on the logo and thank you for supporting our ministry.
Wellspring Christian Ministries receives an 8% commission on any purchased made from Christian Book Distributors through any affiliate link on this site. Your price for any item is the same as purchasing from CBD directly.
Clicking on the Scripture links above will open a new window where you can read the scripture from the English Standard Version at Biblegateway.com or choose the Bible version you prefer to read. Check back each day to get the Scripture to read in the One Year Bible Reading Plan.
#ReadYourBible #Esther #Acts
Now you can enhance your Bible Reading with the Verse Mapping Template
Our Verse Mapping download is FREE and includes 6 pages: 3 pages of instructions for using the template and the 2 page template, plus the cover page. If you’re looking to go deeper into God’s Word, learn more about God and develop a stronger spiritual life, Verse Mapping will help you dig into the scriptures. As you apply God’s Word to your life, you will develop a more intimate knowledge and relationship with God.
[Download not found]
Download our Free 2021 Bible Memory Verse Plan
We’ve put together 52 memory verses for you to hide God’s Word in your heart! You can download the full document for free and then print a new verse each week and as many copies as you’d like. Each verse prints four times on a page so that you can then cut them into index size cards and place them in prominent places where you will see them frequently throughout the day to help you remember to memorize them. Just because you visited our site, they’re yours for free! Download today.
[Download not found]
Why is daily Bible reading important?
Bible Reading is vitally important to growing spiritually and keeping our spiritual selves full. God wants us to hide His Word in our hearts, meditate on it and apply it to our lives. When we have a plan, we are more likely to follow through. Here are eight reasons you should have a daily Bible Reading plan:
We can find His will for our lives
Bible reading is our spiritual nourishment
It helps us be able to discern the thoughts and intents of our heart.
The Bible instructs us in righteousness
It gives us power to overcome trials, heartaches, and sin
God gives us many promises, but you won’t know them unless you read about them, memorize them, and know if it’s a promise intended for us today
God reveals Himself to us and we learn about Him which strengthens our relationship with Him
He also speaks to us through His Word.
Don’t miss what God has to say to you today. It’s time to practice spiritual self-care and read your Bible!
Practice Spiritual Self care and dig into God’s Word today to berevived and renewed!
Click here to listen to our devotions on Spotify be sure to follow us.
Help support our ministry:
One-Time
Monthly
Yearly
Make a one-time donation
Make a monthly donation
Make a yearly donation
Choose an amount
¤5.00
¤15.00
¤100.00
¤5.00
¤15.00
¤100.00
¤5.00
¤15.00
¤100.00
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated and will help us grow and expand our ministry. We are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
We’ve added a new canvas print to the Teespring Store.
God instructed the Israelite priests to pray the prayer of blessing every day over the people. The prayer is found in Numbers 6:24-26. Hang the canvass in your home or carry the mug, tote bag, or water bottle and let the prayer of blessing impact all those who you meet throughout the day.
This book includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage that you can then apply to your marriage, as well as helping you talk through concepts that can help you develop a solid relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:
Scripture to memorize and meditate on
Conversation Starters
Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages
Romance Builders
Relationship Builders
Personal reflections
Date ideas
Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples
Available in hardback, paperback and ebook from Westbow Press Bookstore, Christian Book Distributors, Amazon, and Barnes & Nobel. Click the icons below to purchase from your preferred bookstore. Now also available at WalMart online.
Join the community of couples on Facebook who are committed to intentionally growing their marriage and learning how to have a marriage that honors God. Here you can post photos of the different activities as you do them, ask questions of other couples, share how God is using this book to strengthen your marriage, and grow with other Christian couples. We’ll see you in the community.
Bible Studies, Bibles, Books & More
Everything Christian for less!
Looking for a Bible Study, Bible, book or Christian gift? We are an affiliate with Christianbook Distributors and receive an 8% commission on any item purchased through one of our links. However, the commission never increases your cost of any item. View some of our favorite items by clicking on the logo and thank you for supporting our ministry.
Wellspring Christian Ministries receives an 8% commission on any purchased made from Christian Book Distributors through any affiliate link on this site. Your price for any item is the same as purchasing from CBD directly.
Jesus had already ascended into heaven and the disciples were busy growing the Church. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, thousands were coming to faith in Christ and the church was growing faster than the apostles could keep up. Every pastor and church leader would like to see the same thing happen in their local body of believers. But with growth comes growing pains and in Acts 6 we find some growing pains that gives birth to a new role in the church: the role of deacons.
The apostles believed that prayer and preaching were their primary duties. It was their ministry that God had called them to do. As with most growing pains, some complaints started being filed. The Hellenists criticized the Hebrews because they felt their widows were being neglected in the early church’s charity distribution. While this neglect could have been caused by logistical challenges and the rapid addition of Hellenistic Jewish to the Christian faith, the current church structure proved unable to meet the growing demands.
Time for a Change
Some of us have real problems with change. Personally, I have a problem with routine. Change is exciting and an opportunity for something new. An opportunity for growth. While change also brings with it a certain level of stress for the unknowns, overall, I like change and I enjoy challenges. I admit that makes me somewhat abnormal by most people standards – but it’s the way God made me. But if the average person doesn’t like change, that was probably a true statement in the days of the early church as well. Can you just imagine the committee meetings? Committee A says, “we need a new way of doing things so we can meet all the needs. We propose to add deacons to the leadership team” Committee B says, “Yes, we need to meet the needs of all the saints but what’s wrong with our current model?”
(Incidentally and nothing to do with this devotion, last Sunday the pastor that spoke at our church went through the trouble of asking the congregation what different groups of animals are called. For example a group of fish is known as a school. A group of wolves is known as a pack. But, do you know what a group of vultures is called? I don’t think anyone got the answer. I certainly didn’t know it. However, if you google it, you’ll find that Wikipedia states a group of vultures is called a committee.) Now back to the devotion.
Deacons: The New Church Model
In Acts 6, we find the roles within the church taking shape and being defined. As a result, duties are divided and two roles emerge: The pastor and the deacons. In verses 2-4 a distinction is made between those responsible for preaching the word of God and those responsible for distribution of food.
During the early days of the church, the apostles believed prayer and preaching were their primary duties and to be taken away from those duties violated the command Christ gave them to spread the gospel message. Yet, as leaders of the early church, the apostles recognized it was time to appoint a new role in church leadership and the birth of deacons emerged. The apostles said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. Therefore, seek out from among you seven men…whom we may appoint over this business; but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
Qualifications of the Seven
The seven men appointed over the business of food distribution were not men from local pub. The apostles gave some specific qualifications for these seven men. Verse 3 says they were to be men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. At this time these seven men would be responsible for seeing that everyone received of the charitable donations. And these simple qualification of the first seven deacons were ample requirements for the role they would play.
Expanding the role of deacon and growing qualifications
As time goes by this role would grow to look more like the role of deacon we know today. Paul would go on to expand these qualification in 1 Timothy 3:8–13 and gives nine qualifications for deacons. We still use these qualifications today when appointing deacons without our churches.
Paul’s Qualifications in 1 Timothy 3:8-13
Dignified (v. 8):
A deacon is to be honorable, respectable, esteemed, or worthy
Not double-tongued (v. 8):
Those who are double-tongued say one thing to certain people but then say something else to others, or say one thing but mean another. They are two-faced and insincere. Their words cannot be trusted, so they lack credibility.
Not addicted to much wine (v. 8):
A man is disqualified for the office of deacon if he is addicted to wine or other strong drink. While drugs are not listed in the Bible, by principle, if a deacon is to not be addicted to alcohol, they should not be addicted to or misuse drugs, including nicotine, prescription pills, or over-the-counter medications. Such a person lacks self-control and is undisciplined.
Not greedy for dishonest gain (v. 8):
If a person is a lover of money or not honest in the way he handles financial affairs (personally or in business or in the church) he is not qualified to be a deacon, especially since deacons often handle financial matters for the church.
Sound in faith and life (v. 9):
Deacons need to hold firm to the true gospel without wavering. If so, then it goes without saying that a deacon should be a student of the Word, active in daily Bible reading and prayer, and willing to share his faith with others. He should demonstrate continual spiritual growth and the desire to every grow closer to God. His behavior must be consistent with his beliefs. He can’t teach the Word of God on Sunday but then live like the world at home or work.
Blameless (v. 10):
Paul writes that deacons must “be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless” (v. 10). “Blameless” is a general term referring to a person’s overall character. At a minimum, the deacon’s personal background, reputation, and theological positions should be examined. He should also have a tried and true track record of service in the church. .
The Deacon’s Role at home:
Paul writes in 1 Timothy 3:11 that the deacon should have a Godly wife. According to Paul, the deacon’s wife must “be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things” (v. 11). She must be dignified or respectable. She must not go around spreading gossip and she must be able to make good judgments. The deacon’s wife must be “faithful in all things” (1 Tim. 5:10) and be above reproach.
Husband of one wife (v. 12): The best interpretation of this difficult phrase is to understand it as referring to the faithfulness of a husband toward his wife. He must be a “one-woman man.” That is, there must be no other woman in his life to whom he relates in an intimate way either emotionally or physically.
Manage children and household well (v. 12): A deacon must be the spiritual leader of his wife and children
The Deacon’s Role
The Decon’s role in the church is not to control the church – or even the pastor. The Bible clear that the pastor is to be the shepherd of the flock. In the early church, the role of the deacon was intended to aid the apostles by taking care of some of the physical needs of the congregation. That is still their role today.
Strong’s uses the word diakonos and holds the idea of attendant, waiter, or servant. So clearly the role of the deacon is to serve the people. They can serve by teaching a small group or helping the pastor by visiting the senior adults and those in the hospital. A deacon can sever by mentoring a young or teen boy whose father is not around. They can serve by keeping the building and grounds in top condition. Deacons should serve by being witnesses and willing to evangelize the lost. They can serve by praying for the pastor and the leadership he provides to the church. And they can serve by ensuring the integrity of the gospel is taught throughout the church.
Change for the Good is Good Change
Sometimes we can be guilt of change just because we’re bored. Other times we can be guilty of holding on to traditions and stubbornly refuse to change to change is needed. But in Acts 6, the apostles recognized a change was needed and then implemented a new role within the church leadership team. The result was good for the entire body of believers. Growing pains often means that a change is required. At times the change itself can be painful – but that doesn’t mean change is bad or not needed. As leaders of Christ’s church every change should be prayerfully considered and when a change is needed, make sure the change is a good one.
#qualifications #deacons
Right click and copy this graphic then paste it in your social media and help us call the people of God to pray and fast for America or email julia.bruce@wellspringchristianministries and request a copy of the graphic.
Will you pray and fast with us and lead your church to pray for God to send a revival to America?
This week, we are preparing for a day of fasting and prayer by focusing on seeking God’s face.
#revival #America #seekingGod #prayandfast
Do you have a daily Bible Reading plan?
If not, come join us as we read the Bible through in one year. Each day we post the scripture reading along with links to read it online.
O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.
Do you serve in ministry? Great! The self-care blogs are here for you.
In this series of blogs, we breakdown why people in ministry need to practice self care. We explain the differences between stress, burnout, and compassion fatigue. Drawing from both psychology and Biblical principles, we teach self-care to keep ministry servants living out God’s call. These self-care principles are for any ministry staff, volunteer, or lay-leader. Regardless of the ministry service God called you to, self-care is crucial to continuing God’s work.
Test your Bible smarts and see if you can answer our trivia questions. We post a trivia question every other day and the correct answer on the next day. Stop by the trivia page and grab a question and see if your friends and family can answer it.
You can check out our Christian t-shirts for men, women, kids and infants in our Teespring and Spreadshop stores. Also available on mugs, bags, aprons, hats, and more. We also have some Christian themed canvas art available at Teespring. Browse the stores with the links below:
This book includes 365 daily activities and takes you on a guided journey through Biblical principles about Godly marriage. As you work through the various activities, you will strengthen your relationship. Inside you will find simple, quick activities that include:
Scripture to memorize and meditate on
Conversation Starters
Concepts from the Bible on Godly marriages
Romance Builders
Relationship Builders
Personal reflections
Date ideas
Group date ideas for you and other Christian couples
Available in hardback, paperback and ebook from Westbow Press Bookstore, Christian Book Distributors, Amazon, and Barnes & Nobel. Click the icons below to purchase from your preferred bookstore. Now also available at WalMart online.
Join the community of couples on Facebook who are intentionally growing their marriage. Discover together how to have a marriage that honors God. Here you can post photos of the different activities as you do them, ask questions of other couples, share how God is using this book to strengthen your marriage, and grow with other Christian couples. We’ll see you in the community.
Need a speaker for your next church or ministry event? We’re booking!
(Due to COVID-19, we are only tentatively booking speaking engagements for events after September 2020. We will continue to follow the recommendations as issued by the CDC and our government officials.)
Regardless of size, we are eager to be part of your next church or ministry event. We can bring one of our ministry programs to your church, or we can tailor a message to your event theme. To request more information or schedule a booking, fill out the online form at the link below. Or call us at 904.239.8937.
Check out this week’s featured affiliate products from Christianbook Distributors. We receive 8% commission (without any increase cost to you) for every item you purchase through our affiliate links. Thank you for supporting us.
Clicking on these links will open a new widow where you can
read the scripture from the Holman Christian Standard Bible at Biblegateway.com or choose the Bible version you prefer to read.
God, Love and Marshmallow Wars: This book contains 365 daily challenges for couples to strengthen their relationships to each other and with God. Couples will complete activities such as Scripture memory, conversation starters, relationship builders, learning about Biblical marriage, romance builders, personal reflections, and date ideas. Click here to purchase your copy. (This link will open a new widow and take you to Westbow Press’ bookstore.) It is also available at Christian Book Distributors, Amazon, and Barnes & Nobel
Looking for a speaker for your next ministry event? Julia is now booking for 2019 and 2020 Christian events for women’s and couples’ ministries for both small and large events. Book with us now.
Julia is CEO of Wellspring Christian Ministries, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people and couples develop a passionate relationship with God. A public speaker, conference trainer, event planner, and blog writer, Julia is a two-time graduate from Grand Canyon University with a bachelor in Psychology and a masters in Professional Counseling. Saved as a child and raised in church and in a Christian home and private Christian School as a Pastor’s kid, Julia has taught Sunday school, led music, played the piano, served as Children’s Director, and engaged her gifts in many other areas of church life. Previously employed with the Florida Baptist Convention, Julia organized events and led conferences for church ministry assistants.
Julia enjoys sharing her journey as a growing Christian with others looking for a deeper connection with God. Through Bible study and her own life experiences, God has given Julia a passion to help couples understand God’s design for marriage while they learn to place God first in their marriage, cultivate meaningful relationships, build intimacy, and address the tougher issues that come in every marriage so that they can experience a marriage that honors and glorifies God. Julia also loves mentoring, teaching, and working with women to help them learn to live as Godly women.
With her history and experience growing up in both small and large churches, Julia enjoys bringing top level quality events to churches of all sizes. Her father largely pastored small churches and therefore she understands that these vital parts of the believing community need to be good stewards of the resources God provides them with. This knowledge inspires her passion for being available with a fresh perspective for those who want to provide their congregations with meaningful spiritual growth opportunities.
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