The winter had been especially difficult in the mountains of North Carolina. Heavy snowfall and cold temperatures had allowed the snow to accumulate to several feet at the higher elevations. The people who lived in the small mountain village located in a valley became concerned about an older couple who lived in an isolated cabin up on the mountainside. No one had seen either the husband or the wife for several weeks. Realizing that they were snowed in, the villagers would watch for smoke coming from the cabin chimney. One day when smoke was no longer apparent, the people of the village decided to call in the Red Cross. A helicopter flew over the cabin but no sign of life could be seen. Two Red Cross workers equipped with medical supplies and food parachuted into a clearing some distance from the cabin. The two young men made their way through the deep snow, clearing a path to the door of the cabin. One of them knocked. Momentarily an old man appeared at the door. The young rescuer replied,  “We are from the Red Cross.” The old man looked at him and said, “Well, you know it has been a right hard winter up here and I just don’t hardly see how we can give anything this year.”

How many times when the offering plate is passed at church or when our churches are looking for volunteers or for people to do missions or ministries we quietly say within ourselves, “Lord you know it’s been hard this year and I just don’t hardly see how we can give anything this year.” Or perhaps we give, but grudgingly, wondering how we are going to be able to pay that bill after dropping our tithe into the plate. Some might give out of the idea of “this is what I ought to do” rather than “this is my joy to do.”

Giving is an act of worship. It’s a way to say thank you to God for all that He has given and provided to us. God knows our hearts and what motivates us to give or not give. What if when the plate was passed each week, there was a scanner that measured our willingness to give? In Exodus 25:2, God told Moses to only accept the offerings that were given willingly. Would our churches still be able to operate if they only accepted the offerings that were given willingly? Would our pastors and other church staff be able to be paid? Would the lights be on? Would the programs and ministries still operate? Would missionaries be sent out into the world to tell others about Christ?

God doesn’t need our money – He owns the entire universe. He wants us to give our hearts and out of our love for Him we give Him back a tithe. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”

What motivates you to give and what is the attitude of your heart when you do?

 

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.  

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, 
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.

I Repent: A Journey Into the Heart By Caleb Gave Mathis / WestBow Press

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

How to Repent – Word Document [Download] By Christianity Today International / Christianity Today

America Return to God: Repent from Sin, Rebuild the Wall, Repair the Gates, Restore the Dream By Alveda C. King / Elijah List Publications

Missional Evangelism: Help Others to Repent – Word Document [Download] By Christianity Today International / Christianity Today

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.

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.

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:

1. Who Are You?
2. You Are Broken
3. You Are Chosen
4. You Surrender
5. You Declare

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

God, Love, and Marshmallow Wars: 365 Daily Challenges to Grow Your Marriage

By Julia M. Bruce / WestBow Press