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April 2017 Kids Happenings

Hello Church Family,

I am so excited for the month of April in the life of our children’s ministry.  First, we get to give praise to our Lord who was resurrected and overcame death.  What an exciting time to teach our children of God’s promise and blessing to us.  Second, we get to be out in the community during our annual Easter Eggstravaganza.  We will be showing the love of Jesus to so many and be able to take in all the blessings of seeing children laugh and have fun.  Third, Vacation Bible School “Vision Casting” (this is my new name for our volunteers meeting).  There will be SEVERAL changes this year.  New time frames, rotations, donation incentives for the kids and much, much more.  If you signed up for helping, please do your best to be present for this “Vision Casting” event.  You won’t want to miss it!  And fourth, it’s my name so it makes it a pretty special month for me.  LOL .  See I told you we have exciting things
happening!

I also would like for you to check out the ads below regarding “volunteers needed.”  I, along with so many others, are anxiously awaiting our new children’s ministry format starting in August.  Is God calling you to pour into the lives of our children?  If so, please contact me to discuss how you, with God’s help, can make a difference in our children’s ministry on Sunday mornings.

Thank you for allowing me to love on your children. God Bless,

 April Sharp

April 2017 Spiritual Development

Spiritual development is hard work!  The process of daily denying ourselves, taking up our crosses, and following Jesus (Mark 8:34) requires us to lay down those things that we naturally want to hold on to.  This process is also described in Ephesians 4:19-22 as “putting off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires” and “putting on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”

I have recently begun the process of becoming certified by the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors, which has required me to attend a few weekend seminars.  During one of the sessions we were taught about spiritual growth and how to encourage people to pursue Jesus more faithfully in their walk of faith.  One of the main points that was made is that sanctification, the process of growing spiritually, is a life-long commitment.  We should be continually developing as Christians.  We should be able to look back each year and see the ways that God has grown us as we participate through the power of the Spirit.  God instructs us at many points throughout the Bible of how we can develop     spiritually.  I wanted to share a few that I learned from attending these seminars.

1. Spiritual growth equips you to overcome joyfully the trials of this present life. (James 1:2-4) 
2. Spiritual growth is a process that enables you to "grow up" in Christ. (Eph. 4:15)
3. You must constantly examine yourself in accordance with God's Word. (2 Tim. 3:16-17) 
4. You must consistently examine yourself in light of God's Word instead of comparing yourself with the lives or expectations of others. (2 Cor. 10:12; Gal. 6:3-6)
5. Spiritual growth entails learning to accurately handle the Word of God. (2 Tim. 2:15) 
6. Spiritual growth requires continual hearing of God's Word and practicing it. (James 1:19-27)
7. You must deny yourself by putting off your natural self-centeredness to follow Christ. (Matt 10:38-39; Luke 9:23-24) 
8. You must seek to please God in all things. (2 Cor. 5:9; Eph. 6:6-7; Col. 1:10; 1 Thess. 4:l; Heb. 13:21) 
9. Spiritual growth requires continual prayer with thanksgiving. (Phil 4:6-7; I Thess. 5:17-18)
10. Spiritual growth entails placing the welfare of others ahead of your own, following the example of Christ. (Phil 2:3-8) 
11. You must love others in biblical ways. (l Cor. 13:4-8a) 
12. You must faithfully use your spiritual gift(s) for God's glory and for the benefit of others. (Rom. 12:3-8; Eph. 4:1-16; 1 Pet. 4:10-11) 
13. You are to regularly worship the Lord, remaining in fellowship and in ministry with other believers. (Ps. 29:1-2, 122:1; John 4:23-24; Heb. 10:24-25; 1 Pet. 2:5; 1 John 1:7)