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a sisterhood of hearts burning for Christ
Under his GLORY a fire will be kindled like a burning flame ~ Isaiah 10:16c
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June 2018
One of my greatest joys is
to see the body fitted together building itself up in love. Paul says it well, "...the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work" Ephesians 4:16.
I just returned from Jerusalem where I was able to see and touch the remains
of the last temple. Could it be that this was God's plan
all along, that the
physical temple be removed so He could have His heart's
desire for a living temple made up of believers where He could dwell? He says we are "living stones being built up into a holy temple," 1 Peter 2:5. Wow! Not only am I a temple of His Holy Spirit, but together with other believers, we are building a place for His habitation, a holy temple.
As you take time to enjoy the long summer days, take time to grow your inner temple, and just as importantly, take time to consider and be intentional about building up others, that we might be His dwelling place.
Keep reading, and you will be encouraged with Yvonne's inspirational devotional on "Revival Fires". Don't stop there; look at Hannah's testimony, as she shares how she has taken on the challenge to be joined and held together!
Ester Smith
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| soul to soul, sharing our hearts |
R
evival Fire - His Presence
Waiting for the Lord, is to anticipate His appearance. While we are waiting patiently for the return of the Lord Jesus to take place (John 14:1-2), there's equally an eagerness for Him to come in the midst of His church, individually and corporately. This means that His Presence is preceding His Person.
"When you see how the Son of Man comes, surrounded with power and miracles, in the radiance of His splendor and with great glory and praise, which will make you jump for joy for the day of your full transformation" (Luke 21:25-27 Passion Version).
The Lord Jesus describes what those anticipating revival or renewal will experience. This will not happen in a vacuum, but will begin to take place in individual hearts, as a spark of God's holy fire. Hearts that are passionate and free from anxiety and worries of this life are awakened to, and by the cloud of the Holy Spirit surrounding us, and creating an atmosphere of great power by signs, wonders and miracles.
What then is the expectation? It is looking to God to do what He did with and through the apostles, prophets, and by men and women throughout the ages, to do it again in our day.
Peter and John were simply going up to the temple to pray as part of their daily routine. As they entered the Gate Beautiful, they encountered a man, who was lame from birth, who asked for money as he often did. Having neither silver nor gold to give, Peter offered him what he had, that is, revival fire (Acts 3:6).
In the name of the Lord Jesus, Peter took the man by the right hand and lifted him. As he did, the man immediately received strength in his feet and ankles. He not only walked, but leaped and praised God as he entered the temple with them (Acts 3:7-8).
Along life's paths, we may have money in our purses to give to those in need, but more than that, like Peter and John, we too have, and do carry the Holy Spirit, the very spark of revival
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The Holy Spirit fire that began at Pentecost and fired up Peter to preach the gospel, resulting in five thousand souls coming into the kingdom, is the same fire he released upon the crippled man that miraculously healed him. Peter cultivated and sustained the fiery passion within his heart, soul and body, and as he touched the crippled, and raised him up by the hand, the glorious power, splendor and radiance of the Lord's Presence was released, bringing wholeness into the man's being.
When the Lord does the spectacular, it draws attention. People want to know what is happening. "And the people saw him walking and praising God, and knew that it was he who sat begging at the Gate Beautiful of the temple, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him." (Acts 3:9-10).
The fire of revival is in each of our hearts. It's time to stoke it. Let us pray and ask God for opportunities to release the Holy Spirit into those lives in need of a spark of His holy fire, especially as we approach the summer months. Let us ask the Holy Spirit for miracles, signs and wonders, that will draw sinners to repentance, and for us to see His glory made manifest in our midst.
Yvonne Eason
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the word of the testimony
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"Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name and they're always glad you came."
Isn
't that true? Sure, those were the lyrics to a show about a bar, but I think it is the cry of our hearts, to know and be known, not just by God, but by people. We are called to live in community, and yet in our society today, that is almost extinct. We have jobs to get to, places to travel to, activities to attend to, and all those communities are different and competing for our time and attention.
In our society, we need to remember that what's written in Scripture is not to achieve, but rather to be a people who are salt and light to the world. Salt is saltier when there are more grains. Light is brighter when there are more bulbs. However, many times we make choices that lead us away from community and we find ourselves alone, just where the enemy wants us.
When I first walked into The Crossing, I was determined. Determined to make this a different experience than being a passer-by, a bystander, a visitor... an unknown. The cry in my heart now held action at its helm. Fortunately for me, it seemed The Crossing had the same thought. From the moment that Pastor Scott approached me to say how glad he was to see me getting involved, to the girls who find every excuse to be together, to Ester who always greets me with a great big smile and a hug, the Active Women Rock Climbing trip, or the small group, The Crossing provided opportunities
for me to find my community, and I repeatedly said "yes". And I would show up not knowing who I'd meet. As I said "yes", we created memories, we laughed, we loved and we lived. It was in these moments, and so many more, that communicated "home". This was my church. These were my people.
Community is meant to be a life lived out together, and I'm glad I found it at The Crossing.
Hannah Lee
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"We want to harvest the word of the testimony and allow it to grow and multiply in our hearts and in our midst."
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Hearts for Revival
This fall we have the opportunity to gather together to seek His presence, with hearts hungry for revival. Our retreat is aptly called; "Hearts for Revival"! Our heart's cry is for Him to revive us, for us to walk with Him and to walk in power on this earth.
We have limited spaces and our retreat center, Sandy Cove, is fully booked. Find a new friend, invite someone new to be your roommate and come build up a holy temple for His dwelling!
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"Dollar A Day" Jar
Keep on putting
your dollars and cents
into your special
get away savings! Encourage everyone
in the family
to discard their change
into your retreat jar!
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Tuesday Morning Bible Study:
Cindy Dancu: The Quest - 6 week Beth Moore Bible Study
The Quest is a six-week excursion with Jesus. Beth Moore uses questions from Scripture to lead you into intimacy with the One who knows you best. Learn to dig into the Word, respond to the questions of God, and bring your questions before Him.
Time: 9:30-11:30 am
Place: The Crossing - 307
Dates: Tuesdays - June 5,12,19, 26 & July 10, 17
You must register for this class by
emailing Cindy Dancu
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Thursday Evening Bible Studies:
Corinne Gokcen: Run the Race!
Ladies, we're called to "run the race marked out for us", and that is what we want to do! How are we meant to run? Join us as we examine God's word and pray together to -
Run Free, Run with Power, and Run with Purpose!
Time: 7pm
Place: The Crossing - 307
Dates: Thursdays, June 7, 14, 21
Shiphrah Kamble: Empower Hour!
Empower hour will be looking at how we can empower ourselves and the women around us. We are looking for God to move in the atmosphere of our women to create stronger bonds with Him and each other!
Time: 7pm
Place: The Crossing - 307
Dates: Thursdays, June 28, July 12, 19
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