At a summer religious camp for children one of the counselors was leading a discussion on the purpose God has for all of his creation. They began to find good reasons for clouds and trees and rocks and rivers and animals and just about everything else in nature. Finally, one of the children said, “If God has a purpose for everything, then why did He create poison ivy?” The discussion leader gulped and, as he struggled with the question, one of the other children came to his rescue, saying, “The reason God made poison ivy is that He wanted us to know there are certain things we should keep our cotton-pickin’ hands off of.”
God’s Ten Commandments provide the basic moral and spiritual compass for all humanity. They tell us what we should do and what we should “keep our cotton-picking hands (and eyes) off of.” They lay the foundation for all of our laws. Our government may try to pass laws that remove any display of the Ten Commandment from government property, but to remove the commandments, would be to strike the very laws we live by out of the statutes that govern society. Could you imagine living in a society where there are no laws that prohibit murder or theft? The more we try to remove God’s laws from our lives, the more chaotic and lawless the world becomes. The state of our society today begins with the breaking of the very first of these commandments: You shall have no other gods before Me. When we take God out of the equation, only lawlessness remains. God wants to be God over all parts of our lives. When we move Him out of that position, Satan creeps in with temptations and too often, we fall into sin.
God never intended His laws to be a rigid list of rules so that life would be miserable. Instead the list is a display of His character and shows us the way to have a full and abundant life. Our greatest joy comes when we live in such a way that we show His character in all that we do and say. Since God knows our thoughts and He knows the way that each one of us naturally responds in different situations, His laws provide the means towards having healthy relationships with others and with Him.
God also knew that no human being would ever be able to keep these laws, except for His holy and righteous Son, Jesus. Still He gave them so that we would have a moral compass to follow and to show us our own sinful nature in need of a Savior. Where we err in sin, God’s grace abounds in the loving sacrifice of Jesus.
Just as with our governmental laws, where a law is broken there are consequences, so there is a consequence with breaking God’s law. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death.” The good news is that this statement is followed with a “but”….”but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” God’s grace and forgiveness comes much easier than that of the government! It’s a simple gift of faith and trust and the belief of Jesus as God’s only Son. The government would have you pay the fine and/or do the time. God simply says, “Come to Me with a repentant heart by faith and ask Me to forgive you and I will.”
Don’t forget to learn this week’s memory verse:
Ezekiel 14:6
This is what the Lord God says: Repent and turn away from your idols; turn your faces away from all your detestable things. Â
Our key verse for revival is 2 Chronicles 7:14. “If my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. Our verse last week focused on praying. For the next few weeks, we will be focusing on repentance.
#revive #renew #redeem #revivalinAmerica #revivalin2020 #WCM
Would you consider giving Wellspring a tax-deductible financial gift? We’re raising fund for some media equipment needed for our ministry. Click here to make your secure tax-deductible contribution.
BOOKING NOW! Be a host site for the NEW God, Love & Marshmallow Wars Book Tour & Couples Conference:
This event helps couples understand why the daily activities found in the book will equip them to build a stronger marriage and the book provides them with 365 intentional activities to take what they learn at the event and apply it on a daily basis. Through the event, couples will discover the Biblical “why” behind the categories of activities found in the book and the “how” these activities are important to building a stronger marriage. Focus points of the event includes :
- How memorizing scripture together and studying God’s Word together as they study, meditate and apply scriptures related to marriage and life issues will help them develop marriages that honor God.
- Why utilizing fun conversation starters that spark meaningful conversations will keep interest alive as they continually learn new things about each other.
- Why keeping romance alive is essential to intimacy and connectivity.
- How making memories and working together builds relationship investment bonds and how these investment bonds can become the knots that keeps them together through the tough times.
- How they can understand what they are or are not contributing to the marriage as well as how they might be contributing to problems or potential problems within the relationship through the use of targeted, intentional personal reflections
- Why it is important that couples never stop dating and how group dates with Christian friends can be both an encouragement and accountability to their own relationship.
During the event, couples will be given an activity from each focus point to do together, making this event an interactive, fun, and engaging event with practical, hands-on learning. Unlike other couple events that are over when the event ends, couples who attend the GLMW event will be able to apply what they learn when utilizing the book on a daily basis for a year. Since the book is not dated, couples are able to reuse the activities year after year to continue being intentional in strengthening their relationship with each other and with God as they strive to live out God’s design for marriage every day.
Learn more about hosting this event at your church or conference site by clicking here.
About the book: The GLMW 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 & Noble
#GLMW #couplesevent #GLMWbook #intentionalmarriage #Godlymarriage
Looking for a keynote 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. Today, 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, regardless of size.
To request more information or a booking,Â
fill out the online form here.
Or call us at 904.524.8073
#JuliaBruce #speaker #keynote #author
Wellspring receives an 8% commission for any item purchased
at CBD through any of these links. Your cost to purchase any item through an affiliate link is the same as purchasing directly from CBD.
Clicking any affiliate link will open a new browser page and take you to Christian Book Distributor’s website.
Christmas Items at Christian Book Distributors:
Check out these items from Christian Book Distributors.
We are praying and seeking God for Revival in America in 2020. The path to revival can be found in 2 Chronicles 7:14. Watch the video on this verse created by our CEO.
2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves….” This week we have featured several resources on prayer. We hope you’ll choose one for your own personal Bible study and join us in seeking God with a heart of humility and pray with us for God to send a revival to America in 2020.
Check out the Christian Book Distributor resources below.
Our organization receives an 8% commission on any item you purchase through these links. However, the product price is the same for you. There is no increase in your cost for us to receive the commission. All commissions receive support the work and ministry of Wellspring Christian Ministries.
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Ezekiel: A 12-Week Study
By Crossway
The Book of Ezekiel proclaims God’s uncompromising judgment against his rebellious people – but also his promise of of restoration if they repent. Exposing the depth of Israel’s disobedience, the prophet Ezekiel calls the nation to find forgiveness by turning away from their sin and back to God.
The Knowing the Bible Series is edited by theologian J. I. Packer, and includes contributions from an array of influential pastors and church leaders. Perfect for both small groups and individuals, these gospel-centered studies will help you see and cherish the message of God’s grace on each and every page of the Bible. The study includes:
- Reflection Questions designed to help you engage the text at a deeper level
- Gospel Glimpses highlighting the gospel of grace throughout the book
- Whole-Bible Connections showing how a passage connects to the Bible’s overarching story of redemption culminating in Christ
- Theological Soundings identifying how historic orthodox doctrines are taught or reinforced throughout Scripture
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Face-To-Face With A Holy God (Isaiah)
By Harvest House Publishers
When Isaiah encountered the Holy One of Israel, he was transformed and given a mission. God is ready to speak directly to you through His Word. As you probe Isaiah’s message, you’ll see a society at a crossroads, much like ours: Will they face judgment and captivity, or will they repent, look to their Savior, and be delivered?For individual study, one-on-one discipleship, or small groups, 13 weeks of daily lessons are designed to help you discover God’s ways and what he wants from his children. Questions for group discussion are included. |
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Gospel Treason: Betraying the Gospel with Hidden Idols
By Brad Bigney / P & R Publishing
Is it harder for you to change and grow as a Christian than it should be? Do you wonder what is holding you back? Have you ever considered that it might be idolatry?
Using real-life stories and examples, Brad Bigney’s Gospel treason: Betraying the Gospel with Hidden Idols shows us how the idols we might not even recognize can still have devastating effects in our lives. In this transparent, honest book, he helps us to identify our idols, understand how they lead us to commit treason against the gospel–and finally repent of them and root them out forever by turning to the only One who can fill our every need. |
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A Nation in Crisis
By Ray Stedman / Discovery House
Every day the headlines announce more violence and evil. Our hearts groan as we wonder what life will be like for the next generation. It all seems hopeless, which is probably how Jeremiah felt as he lived among the people of the nation of Judah.
Jeremiah was a reluctant but faithful prophet who spent forty-two years serving God and warning the people to repent. His heart was saddened and angered by the people’s indifference to God and the moral decay that surrounded him. Everything was falling apart–yet Jeremiah continued to seek the Lord.
As we face personal trauma and national crisis, we can learn from the prophet’s example. Ray Stedman walks us through the book of Jeremiah, revealing that repentance was the only answer then–and it’s the only answer today. When people repent, God is faithful to His Word, planting the seeds of new life and giving us hope. |
Overcomer DVD Bible Study Kit
By Stephen Kendrick & Alex Kendrick / B&H Books
Many people feel they are less than who God says they are. We get our identity from our careers, our political positions, family roles in the family, and other things. This small group study uses clips from the film Overcomer to examine how we determine our identity and how we can find our true identity in Christ.
The Bible study is geared for adult groups to use prior to the movie or just after seeing the movie. The study includes clips from the movie.
The Overcomer Bible Study Kit has five sessions and includes:
- one Bible Study Book
- one DVD with a promotional video and five 2-4 minute video sessions
Session Topics:
- Who Are You?
- You Are Broken
- You Are Chosen
- You Surrender
- You Declare
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Overcomer, Blu-ray/DVD/Digital
By Provident Films
From the creators of War Room, Courageous and Fireproof. Basketball coach John Harrison’s high school team is crushed by the closing of the town’s largest employer. Hundreds of families move, leaving him running a struggling cross-country program. But then he meets Hannah and begins helping this unlikely runner attempt the impossible in the year’s biggest race. Starring Alex Kendrick, Priscilla Shirer, and Aryn Wright-Thompson. Rated PG. Dove approved (12+). Approx. 119 minutes.
Blu-ray Exclusives:
- The Heart of Overcomer
- Creating the Opening Drone Shot
- Working with the Kendricks
- Post-Production Behind-the-Scenes: Editing, Scoring, Coloring, and Sound Design
- “Enough” (Lyric Video) Featuring Koryn Hawthorne
- Don’t Mess with the Editors
Special Features:
- The Making of Overcomer
- Bloopers
- 10 Minutes of Additional Scenes
- Commentary with Director Alex Kendrick and Producer Stephen Kendrick
- Overcomer in 60 Seconds
- The Theme of Identity
- The Power of Forgiveness
- “Overcomer” (Lip Sync Music Video) Featuring Mandisa and More!
Other Features:
- Audio: English, French (PAR), Spanish, Thai
- Subtitles: English, English (SDH), Spanish, Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), Tagalog, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese
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God, Love, and Marshmallow Wars: 365 Daily Challenges to Grow Your Marriage
By Julia M. Bruce / WestBow Press
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