2011 Conference Prayer Outline

Prayer outline for the next 10 weeks

Week 1, March 6-12- Pray for seeds to be planted in hearts of families to attend. Pray for the Holy Spirit to lead the way in changing hearts, even now.

Week 2, March 13-19- Pray that the ladies of OHF will be diligent in doing their tasks with a happy heart, and not be distracted by the business of life. Prayers over the OHF families in the next two months, and their military members as they support our country.

Week 3, March 20-26- Pray that churches in the area will raise up to support this ministry event. Prayers for local churches in general and to work as a team in supporting this event.

Week 4, March 27-April 2- Pray that the word will be out through advertising and those who hear may be receptive to the invitation. Pray for response for sign ups, and full attendance of 280 ladies, and 50+ men.

Week 5, April 3-9- Pray for the Juergens family as they prepare their words they have for us, and blessings to their family for their obedience. Blessings to their travels, safety, and children to be well and protected. 

Week 6, April 10-16- Pray for local businesses, that they may join in this cause, and be blessed for their donations. Prayers for all who donated items and that the door prizes will be given to the exact individual who would be blessed by that item. 

Week 7, April 17-23- Pray for the base, and that this conference may be the spark to a spiritual awakening with military families. Pray for FROs, COs, and all leaders to turn towards the Lord in their leadership. 

Week 8, April 24-30- Prayers for the children who will attend this event. May they have hearts that draw close to the Lord through this conference, and may Jesus be real to them. May they accept Christ through this event.Prayers for blessings over the childcare workers.

Week 9, May 1-7- Pray for the men and women attending this event, and may this conference be a turning point, in giving their hearts to Christ, or changing to be more like Him. May they be encouraged and filled up. 

Week 10, May 8-14- Pray that the Lord will work out all the small details that have to be done this week, and pray for those leading this conference. Give peace and organization this week. 

Circumstance, Shmircumstance

Life Work:

Circumstance, Shmircumstance

Scripture Memory Verse:

“I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

-        Philippians 4:11-13 NIV

 Life Work Assignments:

1.)    Take an honest assessment of yourself. Do you find yourself dependent on circumstance and independent of Christ? Or do you rely wholly and completely on Him alone and are independent of external circumstance, that is content?

2.)    The truth is most of us are pulled and pushed by circumstance. They determine our mood. They determine our attitude. They determine our actions. They control us. Circumstance usually gains control over us through our thoughts. Take a look at your thoughts and compare them to Philippians 4:6-9. Where are your thoughts coming from? Magazines or tv shows? A negative group of friends? Constant self-centered thinking? What do you need to do to make your thoughts reflect Philippians 4:6-9?

3.)    Look at Hebrews 11. Look up some of the stories of those mentioned in this Chapter. Answer these questions for the people listed in this chapter:  What was their circumstance? How could they have been swayed by it? What natural emotions might you have felt in their circumstance? How did they go against their natural inclination to depend on circumstance and how did they depend on God?

4.)    Read some verses on thoughts and attitudes. Meditate on them. Think about what they meant for the writer. Do some research about who wrote these verses and what they mean.

5.)    Contentment, regardless of what is going on around you, is a learned behavior that starts with knowing God’s truth. If you find yourself being pulled by what is going on in your circumstances, get into God’s word. Start learning His promises to you and memorize them. Speak them to yourself when you find yourself being pulled. Renew your mind daily. Read Hebrews 4:12 and Romans 12:2. Renewal is a process. It is done over and over again. God’s word is the only way to learn this process.

6.)    One of the greatest ways we can become dependent upon God instead of circumstance is to turn every fear into a prayer. When a thought pops into your mind that encourages you to become dependent on circumstance, turn it into a prayer.

2011 Military Family "A Day of Hope" Conference

Registration has begun for our 2011 Military Family Conference!!!

Get your form at: http://www.operationhopefront.org/

SHBC Operation: Hope Front Presents

"A Day of Hope"

2nd Annual Military Family Conference

Saturday, May 14th, 2011

Scotts Hill Baptist Church
Wilmington, NC

WOMEN'S EVENT:

Open to all Military Wives and Female Military Members of all ranks and branches of service

Cross Point Center

10am-3pm

Guest Speakers: Diana Juergens, Author of "Wife of a Soldier, a Journey of Faith" and her husband, COL Rich Juergens, US ARMY

Includes: Speakers, Lunch, Door Prizes, Music, Games and More!

Children ages birth-6th Grade will enjoy fun activities, lunch and more for FREE while mom attends the conference!

MEN'S EVENT:

"Bagels and Basketball"

Open to all Military Men and Male Military Spouse of all ranks and branches of service

Family Life Center

10am-11:30am

Guest Speaker: COL Rich Juergens, US ARMY

Includes: Breakfast, Door Prizes, Guest Speaker, Basketball and More!

To register, go to http://www.operationhopefront.org/

For more info, call the church office (910) 686-9885 or email us: military@scottshill.org

185 Scotts Hill Loop Rd. Wilmington, NC 28411

Weekly Devotional-Trees by Rachel W.

Hey Ladies-

Rachel has blessed us with a devotional for this week that ties PERFECTLY to our upcoming discussion of spiritual disciplines! Don't forget, you too could be featured on our blog by just submitting a piece of writing about anything: what this ministry means to you, what God is teaching you or anything else! Enjoy this one and thanks Rachel for blessing us with your gift!

Trees by Rachel, USMC wife

I’ve always loved trees. As a young girl, I would walk around our backyard in South Carolina with my father, and he would teach me all about the names of the trees, examining their colorful leaves. In college, I took pictures every season of the same tree on our campus, in every stage of its beauty. In winter it was bare and naked, and when spring came along, the tree would come to life and bloom with soft pink flowers. I was in awe of God’s creation, a love letter in the form of a tree just for me! When my husband returned from his first deployment, I placed a yellow ribbon around his favorite tree, our Japanese Maple. We both have not had the heart to take the ribbon off, even after he returned from his second “long trip.” In a way, I must have always related to trees. The Lord created them to grow and change each season, weathering the storms of life, yet remain the same in who they were created to be. This morning in my devotions, I read that just as a tree requires water in order to flourish and thrive, men and women need the Scriptures in order to enjoy fruitful and abundant lives!

He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. (Psalm 1:3 NKJV)

Of course I have always known that we as believers need to read God’s word, but I didn’t really think about the reason why. Isn’t just hearing praise and worship music, fellowshipping with believers, and going to Bible study enough to be fed?  A corporate relationship with God has been easy for me over the years, but the one on one, face- to- face time with God was more of a challenge. Getting into the scripture is sometimes painfully difficult with two boys pulling at my pajamas in the morning. And yet still, we were created to know God’s word, just as trees were made to know water. If either one of these is neglected of that need, they do not fulfill what God has created them to be. When either are not properly fed, they do not bare fruit, and will whither away.

I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty sure I don’t want to whither away! Start with five minutes a day, reading the Word. Most Bibles, and even Smart phones Apps, have reading plans that can help you begin. You have a great reminder to read God’s love letter to you, and a bird is sitting on it, right outside your window.

Week 2- Spiritual Gifts

Life Work:

Finding and Using your Spiritual Gifts

Scripture Memory Verse:

“For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us…”- Romans 12:4-6

Life Work Assignments:

1.)    Now that you “know” your spiritual gifts (if you don’t, take an assessment), you have no more excuses! Now it is a matter of praying for and finding opportunities to use them to STRENGTHEN OTHERS. Start looking around you. There are broken people everywhere. How can you strengthen them today? How can you use your gift to increase their faith through a difficult storm? Pray John Piper’s prayer, “Lord, Oh how I want to strengthen people’s faith today. Grant that at the end of this day somebody will be more confident of Your promises and more joyful in your grace because I crossed [her] path.”

2.)    In addition to gifts given to us by our Heavenly Father, He also gives us talents and passions. Make a list of your talents and passions. This will reveal other ways you can STRENGTHEN OTHERS.

3.)    Operation: Hope Front is growing! We are adding new ladies to the group and preparing for a conference in May. Think about ways your gifts, talents and passions can be used in this group. So often God is wanting us to go into our sphere of influence and shower those around us such as the ladies in this group and our families with our gifts, talents and passions so that we may STRENGTHEN OTHERS. Look around and find opportunities. Start something. Do something. Move forward. You will be surprised to see how God will allow that to move you from outside your own problems and issues into doing something that matters eternally.

4.)    If you haven’t figured it out yet, the purpose of these Holy Spirit helpings of abilities are to STRENGTHEN OTHERS. Walk around your world with that distinct purpose. Do it everywhere you go. If you know you have the gift of mercy and see someone hurting, take the time to sit with them and listen to them. If you know your gift is that of teaching, find someone who is a new believer or an unbeliever and offer to sit with them and teach them about God’s word. Christianity isn’t a “book knowledge” faith. You have to DO something with what you learn from His word!

Week 1- Ebenezer Stones

Life Work:

Ebenezer Stones

Scripture Memory Verse:

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV

Life Work Assignments:

1.     It is so easy to get caught up in the past. Past mistakes. Past regrets. Past accomplishments. Take an honest look at how you are caught up in the past. The word “dwell” means to live in, to make one’s home. How are you setting up shop and living in your past life or choices? How is that keeping you from seeing the “new thing” God is trying to do in your life?

2.     Sometimes, we need to dwell on our past. Our past with God. The ways He has delivered us. The ways He has kept us safe or prevented something from happening. But, also the ways, He has carried us through the most difficult of circumstances. Continue reflecting on your own personal “Ebenezer Stones” or stones of help-things, people or events that have happened that God used to remind you of His presence. Create your own Ebenezer reminder. Maybe you go for a walk, praying about the ways God has helped you this past year and take some things you find such as rocks with you. Maybe you create a bracelet or piece of jewelry to wear and remind you of your Ebenezer’s. Maybe you write something and keep it tucked in your Bible. Just create a physical reminder of how God has shown himself to you this past year.

3.     After we dwell on our past with God, we need to start looking forward. If you haven’t already, complete a Spiritual Gifts assessment. Start praying about how God wants you to serve this ministry and others. Ask Him to reveal how He wants you to use your gifts!

What This Ministry Has Meant for Me...

So, as part of our venture to keep an updated blog, I'd love for you all to be sending in your stories of what the ministry has meant to you, what God has been teaching you or anything else you'd just like to share with the group as a whole through written words. Since I ask this of you, I thought it only fair for me to go first :).

I was discussing with Rachel the other day what our "word" would be to describe our last year. Mine was "broken." Before you feel sorry for me, let me explain. The past 2.5 years have been the hardest I have ever endured. If you don't know my testimony of them, I'll gladly share with you sometime, but they have been by far the most trying, trial ridden ones of my twenty eight years on this earth.

I have believed in God and had a personal relationship with Him since as far back as I can remember. It is sometimes with a faith like that, you can have a lot of "head knowledge" without the heart knowledge. It is not until intense periods of difficulties come that you have to decide, am I in or am I out in this thing called Christianity? It is an all or nothing choice. Black and white. Yes or no. There is no maybe, on the fence, when it is convienent Christians. God's says, the gate is narrow, many will say "Lord! Lord!" like you know me but I will have never known you.

So the past couple of years, my word has been "broken." God stripped me down to my bones and made me decide if I was in or I was out. Was I going to trust or going to falter? In the midst of this, He planted in me a desire to minister to other military wives. The thing real brokenness has taught me is that we are all broken. Every one is walking wounded. Most of the time we try to hide this fact, but if you take the time with people and "get real" as Dr. Phil would say, you figure out we are all broken, hurting people, just in different ways. One of my favorite quotes is "Be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."-Plato. It's true, the deeper I get into this ministry, the more I realize we all got our own junk we are dealing with. And the more I realize we all just want someone to journey through the storm with us.

Anyway, so during my intense "junk fest," I somehow, through the Holy Spirit and some incredible Ebenezer Stones (this week's lesson if you missed it), got the awesome task to head up a ministry for military wives in our area. As I got deeper and deeper into this, God was doing an incredible work in me. Through serving, He was able to bind up some of my gaping wounds that I had and start the healing process in so many ways. He focused my mind and my energies on other people and I watched as He bandaged up a casualty. He put others in my path that were going through some of the hurts and pains I had already experienced and allowed me the chance to share how He brought me through those things and give hope. When you get those opportunities, it gives purpose for all the pain you have endured. When God can use your brokenness, He can start to do some incredible things, some healing things, some eternal things. Things that can make a stay at home mom, following a man around as he chases his dreams, feel as though her life matters.

So, when I think about what this ministry has done for me, I think it has healed me. God gave me suffering to allow me to understand just a small taste of the suffering Christ endured. He gave me ministry to help me understand the servant leader Christ was and how the old addage, "it is better to give than to receive" is more than just an overstated cliche, it is an enduring truth.

I know a lot of you are hurting. You are wading in a pool of your own junk. My prayer for you these next few weeks is that God reveals to you the ministry He has for you, both within this group and in your sphere of influence, so that you can start to experience the incredible healing work He so longs to do in your life.

Thanks for being one of my Ebenezer Stones...

In Him-
Catherine