This weekend we held the first graduation reunion at WATW. The enemy fought us at every turn as we were planning this weekend. We picked our date and had originally planned to hold it at Camp Cherokee, Calhoun TN. We found out only a few weeks from the date that the Camp does not have heat in the dining hall. We had to try to find a new spot for the event. It's amazing how we can make things more difficult than they need to be. One morning God woke me up and said "have the reunion at the Well". Duh!! Great idea Lord. That settled that dilemma. Then it seemed like no one was coming. Which tends to bring discouragement. We decided that canceling the reunion was not an option since we felt that the Lord had directed us to do it. We pressed on and God sent seven ladies to the Well. Michelle Ballard, Renee Edwards, Melissa Knowles, Debra Bell, Geanene Baker, Holly Raulston, and Liz Lee.
The reunion began with a nice dinner shared with Board Members and Friends of the Ministry. We had a very nice time of fellowship between staff, students, graduates, board members, and friends.
Then Carrie Watson, Sharon Pierce, and myself led the graduates to the classroom for some time of sharing and getting reacquainted. This a very special time and God began to open up the communication. We had not talked to in this way to some of the ladies in a long time. I felt the Lord knitting us together. I led a devotion entitled "A Crown of Rejoicing". A crown of rejoicing is awarded to those who have invested their lives in sharing the gospel with others. I shared how Paul's encouragement to those he had disciple in 1 Thess. 2:17-20. This is how we feel about our graduates. There are six points to this message. 1. Paul rejoiced in the believer's obedience (Romans 16:19-20, Matt 10:16) 2. Paul rejoiced in the believers fellowship (participation of the gospel) Phil. 4:4-6, Philemon 6, Heb. 13:16 3. Paul rejoiced in the believer's unity. Phil 2:2 4. Paul rejoiced in the believer's support Phil 4:10 5. Paul rejoiced in the believer's love. 6 Paul rejoiced in the believer's future. 1 Thess 2: 19-20, Ps. 126: 5-6 Dan 12:3
Then we adjourned for the in night and went to bed.
We had a big WATW breakfast. Biscuits, gravy, sausage and fruit. Yum Yum. Then we met in the living room staff, students, and graduates for some anointed praise and worship. It sounded angelic as we sang some of the WATW favorites. Such as, Because of Him, This is the day, I will enter His gates, Holy ground, Because He lives, Victory in Jesus (of course), Sanitary, There's just something about that Name, Amazing Love and our theme song Because of Him.
Then staff and graduates began our first session led by Sharon Pierce on Prayer. Sharon challenge each of us to spend time in prayer. Times of Silence, Solitude,and Fasting. One very helpful suggestions were to prepare for yourself a quiet time prayer basket containing things like: Bible, Devo book, Journal, Old Journals, Hymn Book, Classic devo, CD player & Worship CD's, photos of people you pray for, pen, notepad for reminders, index cards. Then when you get up you can just grab your basket and go to a quiet place and you have everything you need. We had some time of reflection and prayer time. She gave us a hand out with the following questions.
1. As you sit quietly and think about who God is and what He has done in your life, what is He saying to you right now?
2. As you renew your commitment to a special time daily with the Lord, what would you like have happen in your life?
3. If you don't have a life verse, ask the Lord to begin to show you where He would like to begin taking you and what verse would sum that up.
4. What one thing would you like to see happen in your life ing the next six month?
5. Do you have a life goal? If so, what are you doing right now to help you reach it? Remember, though, that life is about the journey as much as arriving at your destination.
We listen a praise CD.
Next I led a session on Bible study. We started by listening to a song called "Finish What You Started. I encouraged the ladies to continue or start some kind of Bible Study. 4 methods of Bible study I presented were, quiet time, personal Bible Study, Memorization of scripture and reading the Bible as a whole. The benefits to reading your Bible is:
1. The Word will make you strong (1 John 2:14)
2. The Word will give you confidence and power in prayer ( John 15:7)
3. The Word will cleanse you from sin. (John 15:3, 1 John 1:9 John 17:17)
4. The Word will bring you Joy (John 15:11)
5. The Word will produce peace in your life ( Col 3:15)
6. The Word will guide you in making important decisions of life. (Ps 119:105, Luke 11:28)
7. The Word will guarantee your success. (Josh 1:8, Ps. 1:1-3)
Then we broke for lunch.
The students prepared lunch. Taco soup, grilled cheese sandwich, hot peppers (a WATW favorite right out of our garden) brownies and ice cream. Yum again.
Our last session was led by Carrie Watson on relationships. She wrote the following on the board: Children, Husband, Family, and Loneliness. This was things she had observed that the graduates has shared the night before they had been struggling with. She shared the scripture in Eph 6: 10-18 (Spiritual Armor). She pointed out that we are commanded to STAND FIRM four times. God wants us to stand firm (You think?) We talked about spiritual warfare and Carrie challenged each one to continue to fight for their loved ones by using their spiritual warfare. We had some time of praying for each graduate. It was powerful. Each one had some kind of breakthrough. I felt the energy of the Holy Spirit in such a real and awesome way. At 2:48 pm there is a break through like I had never experience before. I look forward to seeing what is going to happen next. God showed up mightily. I expect great and mighty things in the lives of the ladies that attend the event.
I look forward the next time we can be together again. I hope more can come next time. I thing we saw God move in such a way that who know what's going to happen. It was so encouraging to me. I told the ladies to go out swinging and I fully expect them and us to see things they never seen before. Praise the Lord He is Good.
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Jesus is God
It's been a while since my last post. So much has happened since my last. Most of which I can not put in my blog. But during the month of September WATW really struggled to make it through but we did praise the Lord. Our new grandbaby is getting closer and closer to being here every day, only about six to eight weeks. I can't even imagine how things will change then. A little girl in the mix will make my life so exciting. I am already thinking of things I want to do with her and Clark. Like take them to Disney, camping, Dollywood, and someday Israel. (Don't tell their parents that one) But most of all I want to tell them about my special love for Jesus. Tommy and I are so blessed. Maybe God will let us lead them to Jesus, who knows.
A study of Romans has led me to a study of the Deity of Jesus. First of all I believe the Bible is the Word and all that is in it is TRUE. That is not up for discussion for me it's just the way it is. I have seen the Word made true in my life too many times to not have faith in it and live by it. So every thing about the Deity of Jesus is in the Word.
There are several verses that speak of this beginning with John 1:1 This verse says that God was with the Word in the beginning and the Word was God. From there go to John 1:14 that says The Word became flesh and dwelled among us and we beheld His Glory of the only begotten from the Father. So we have established that there was God and The Word and The Word took on flesh and John saw that person The Word in the Flesh. Then in John 8:58-59 Jesus who is The Word refers to Himself as "I am" this is God's memorial name forever in Exodus 3:14-15 God refers to Himself as "The I AM Who is I AM. As you read through the gospels you will see Jesus refer to Himself as I am many times. Read through them and mark it for yourself. John 10 30-33 Jesus says I and the Father are one. When Thomas saw Jesus after the resurrection he saw Jesus' hands and feet and touched His side and he said My Lord my God !!!! He knew Jesus was God. God says in Ish 44:6 I am the first and I am the Last and there is no God before me. In Rev. 1: 8 Jesus says I am the Alpha and the Omega (First and the Last) He is coming and all will see Him. Jesus said I was living and I died and alive forevermore in Rev 1: 17-18.
When you ask someone what do you believe about Jesus you may get several different answers like :
* He was a good man
* He was a prophet
* He was the Son of God
* He was a god
The truth is He is the God, God Himself, The Word that become flesh and dwelt among the One who came to take away the sins of the world. He's not a god, He is God, the I AM.
If you don't know Him the Bible teaches you don't know God and If you don't know God... well the Bible teaches you don't go to heaven and if you don't go to heaven then... well the Bible teaches you go to hell. There I said it I know it sounds preachy but it is eternity you know. What do you think? Do you believe that Jesus is God? Do you know Him? It's for real and it's forever.
(There are other excellent verses I studied for the deity of Jesus.)
A study of Romans has led me to a study of the Deity of Jesus. First of all I believe the Bible is the Word and all that is in it is TRUE. That is not up for discussion for me it's just the way it is. I have seen the Word made true in my life too many times to not have faith in it and live by it. So every thing about the Deity of Jesus is in the Word.
There are several verses that speak of this beginning with John 1:1 This verse says that God was with the Word in the beginning and the Word was God. From there go to John 1:14 that says The Word became flesh and dwelled among us and we beheld His Glory of the only begotten from the Father. So we have established that there was God and The Word and The Word took on flesh and John saw that person The Word in the Flesh. Then in John 8:58-59 Jesus who is The Word refers to Himself as "I am" this is God's memorial name forever in Exodus 3:14-15 God refers to Himself as "The I AM Who is I AM. As you read through the gospels you will see Jesus refer to Himself as I am many times. Read through them and mark it for yourself. John 10 30-33 Jesus says I and the Father are one. When Thomas saw Jesus after the resurrection he saw Jesus' hands and feet and touched His side and he said My Lord my God !!!! He knew Jesus was God. God says in Ish 44:6 I am the first and I am the Last and there is no God before me. In Rev. 1: 8 Jesus says I am the Alpha and the Omega (First and the Last) He is coming and all will see Him. Jesus said I was living and I died and alive forevermore in Rev 1: 17-18.
When you ask someone what do you believe about Jesus you may get several different answers like :
* He was a good man
* He was a prophet
* He was the Son of God
* He was a god
The truth is He is the God, God Himself, The Word that become flesh and dwelt among the One who came to take away the sins of the world. He's not a god, He is God, the I AM.
If you don't know Him the Bible teaches you don't know God and If you don't know God... well the Bible teaches you don't go to heaven and if you don't go to heaven then... well the Bible teaches you go to hell. There I said it I know it sounds preachy but it is eternity you know. What do you think? Do you believe that Jesus is God? Do you know Him? It's for real and it's forever.
(There are other excellent verses I studied for the deity of Jesus.)
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Pirate Clark
Had a great night tonight with grandson Clark these are photos of Clark in his pirate boots and hat.
Thank God for little boys.
Monday, September 7, 2009
The Law of God verses The Law of Sin
My quiet time this morning was in Romans 7. I did an overview of the Chapter.
Why is it that the good things I want to do I do not do? And the very thing I do not want to do I do? This was the question that Paul asked in this chapter. I know I struggle with this. I desire to be holy and obedient to the Holy Spirit. However there are times I do just the opposite of what I know in my mind to be good and right. I become very frustrated with this. So what's really going on?
I know I have been regenerated in mind and I know I have the mind of Christ. The Law of God is written on my heart. There is no doubt in my mind Who I belong to. Jesus of course. This was settled several years ago. So why do I not do what my King Jesus tells me to do sometimes?
I get some insight from Paul's writings in Romans 7 to the believers in Rome Jews and Gentiles. I still have the Law of sin in my flesh. The law of sin is that sin nature that all humans have from birth. It has been pasted down from Adam. That is how I was before I became a Christian. Then it had total rule of me. But now I have the Law of God in my mind. Since I surrendered my every being to Jesus I have had this Law in me. The Law of God that is in me gives me the capacity to love spiritual truth. The Law of sin continues to claim what it considers it's property even after I have become a Christian. This is a war that will be waged until I die. I do believe the Law of God will is greater that the Law of Sin. As I serve God by living for the Lord and as I am obedient to Him, sin will loss it's grip on me. I see that happening daily in my life.
This is why it is so important to set strict boundaries for yourself. The Law of God will help you stay within your boundaries. Some good boundaries are:
1. A portion of your day set aside to study and meditate on God's word.
2. Memorize scripture
3. Pray
4. Limited TV watching and internet. Don't watch programs that you know are feeding the flesh and promote ungodly lifestyles.
5. Keep your mind clean. Don't look at things that will cause your mind to wonder.
6. Be a faithful Church attender and get involved in a Bible Study Group.
7. Think on things of the Lord, always be thinking about what He would have you do. Go to Him for your answers.
8. Never stay the same. Challenge yourself to grow everyday in the knowledge of the Word of God and repent when necessary
9. Learn to use Spiritual Warfare. Use it daily.
10. Have the attitude in yourself that is in Christ Jesus. Humble Yourself. Think of others. Choose Love and Forgiveness.
Someday I will join my exalted Lord for all eternity in a new body free from the presence of sin.
Why is it that the good things I want to do I do not do? And the very thing I do not want to do I do? This was the question that Paul asked in this chapter. I know I struggle with this. I desire to be holy and obedient to the Holy Spirit. However there are times I do just the opposite of what I know in my mind to be good and right. I become very frustrated with this. So what's really going on?
I know I have been regenerated in mind and I know I have the mind of Christ. The Law of God is written on my heart. There is no doubt in my mind Who I belong to. Jesus of course. This was settled several years ago. So why do I not do what my King Jesus tells me to do sometimes?
I get some insight from Paul's writings in Romans 7 to the believers in Rome Jews and Gentiles. I still have the Law of sin in my flesh. The law of sin is that sin nature that all humans have from birth. It has been pasted down from Adam. That is how I was before I became a Christian. Then it had total rule of me. But now I have the Law of God in my mind. Since I surrendered my every being to Jesus I have had this Law in me. The Law of God that is in me gives me the capacity to love spiritual truth. The Law of sin continues to claim what it considers it's property even after I have become a Christian. This is a war that will be waged until I die. I do believe the Law of God will is greater that the Law of Sin. As I serve God by living for the Lord and as I am obedient to Him, sin will loss it's grip on me. I see that happening daily in my life.
This is why it is so important to set strict boundaries for yourself. The Law of God will help you stay within your boundaries. Some good boundaries are:
1. A portion of your day set aside to study and meditate on God's word.
2. Memorize scripture
3. Pray
4. Limited TV watching and internet. Don't watch programs that you know are feeding the flesh and promote ungodly lifestyles.
5. Keep your mind clean. Don't look at things that will cause your mind to wonder.
6. Be a faithful Church attender and get involved in a Bible Study Group.
7. Think on things of the Lord, always be thinking about what He would have you do. Go to Him for your answers.
8. Never stay the same. Challenge yourself to grow everyday in the knowledge of the Word of God and repent when necessary
9. Learn to use Spiritual Warfare. Use it daily.
10. Have the attitude in yourself that is in Christ Jesus. Humble Yourself. Think of others. Choose Love and Forgiveness.
Someday I will join my exalted Lord for all eternity in a new body free from the presence of sin.
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Benifits of Obedience
In my quiet time today I studied Romans 6. This is Paul speaking to the believers in Rome. He begins by reminding them that since they are under grace (saved) it is not a licence to sin so grace will abound. The abundance of God grace (giving us something we do not deserve) is never designed to encourage sin.
I am baptized into Christ and His death and I am buried with Him ( I was buried with Jesus to my former sinful ways of living) and as He rose from the dead I am to walk in newness of life. This is the guarantee of physical life. I received Jesus Christ when I believed He is God's Son and God raised Him from the dead. At that time I became separated from my sin that brings death and then I got life a new life. Believers can not live in sin (sin like they did before they were saved) if they are dead to it. This is the basis of the Holy Spirit's continuing work.
Death does not master over Jesus Christ and since I am dead with Him, death does not master over me. I am dead (separated from) sin and I am alive to God in Christ Jesus. Christ's resurrection was a removal from the sphere of physical death to an unending spiritual form of life. Which I have since I am HIS.
I will not let sin control me. I will not obey sin's desire. My body is a tool of righteousness. When one is reigned by sin, sin manifests itself through their physical actions in their body. Why should I give in to my mortal body? My mortal body is decaying. It would be strange for me to allow a dying body master me. My body is used to promote righteousness.
I am a slave to the one I obey. If I obey sin I am a slave to sin which results in unrighteousness (evil doings) but if I obey God the results is righteousness and I am being sanctified. I am obedient from the heart to the form of teaching to which I am committed (the Word of God). Righteousness is the natural result of obeying God and His word and living for Him. It would be totally contrary to God's plan for me to be a slave to sin !!!
When I was a slave to sin and did not regard righteousness the out come was death. Separation from God. Sin = death Free gift of God = eternal life The benefit of living for God so out weights the benefit of sin. When you live in sin you do things that will someday be ashamed of and even worse death forever. But respond to Jesus and accept Him and here is some of your benefits.
1. Set free
2. Clean living (nothing to be ashamed of)
3. Righteousness
4. Sanctification
5. Holiness
6. Eternal life
Which would you choose?
I am baptized into Christ and His death and I am buried with Him ( I was buried with Jesus to my former sinful ways of living) and as He rose from the dead I am to walk in newness of life. This is the guarantee of physical life. I received Jesus Christ when I believed He is God's Son and God raised Him from the dead. At that time I became separated from my sin that brings death and then I got life a new life. Believers can not live in sin (sin like they did before they were saved) if they are dead to it. This is the basis of the Holy Spirit's continuing work.
Death does not master over Jesus Christ and since I am dead with Him, death does not master over me. I am dead (separated from) sin and I am alive to God in Christ Jesus. Christ's resurrection was a removal from the sphere of physical death to an unending spiritual form of life. Which I have since I am HIS.
I will not let sin control me. I will not obey sin's desire. My body is a tool of righteousness. When one is reigned by sin, sin manifests itself through their physical actions in their body. Why should I give in to my mortal body? My mortal body is decaying. It would be strange for me to allow a dying body master me. My body is used to promote righteousness.
I am a slave to the one I obey. If I obey sin I am a slave to sin which results in unrighteousness (evil doings) but if I obey God the results is righteousness and I am being sanctified. I am obedient from the heart to the form of teaching to which I am committed (the Word of God). Righteousness is the natural result of obeying God and His word and living for Him. It would be totally contrary to God's plan for me to be a slave to sin !!!
When I was a slave to sin and did not regard righteousness the out come was death. Separation from God. Sin = death Free gift of God = eternal life The benefit of living for God so out weights the benefit of sin. When you live in sin you do things that will someday be ashamed of and even worse death forever. But respond to Jesus and accept Him and here is some of your benefits.
1. Set free
2. Clean living (nothing to be ashamed of)
3. Righteousness
4. Sanctification
5. Holiness
6. Eternal life
Which would you choose?
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Grumbling Not Allowed
Today in my time of Bible Study I read from Exo 15: 22-24, Exo. 16:2-12, Num. 14: 2-29, Psm. 106: 25, and Num. 16: 11-50. Each was an account of the grumblings of the Children of Israel. Here are some things I noted:
1. The Children of Israel were only three days out from one of the greatest miracles recorded in the Old Testament and they grumbled because they did not have water. They had just seen God move the water so they could walk through on dry land and destroyed their enemies with water but yet they did not trust that God could give them water on their journey.
2. They were grumbling against Moses and Aaron but really they were upset with God and did not like the way He was taking care of them.
3. God heard their grumblings and He knew what was on their heart.
4. God always showed up. In a cloud, in the tent of meeting, and in the fire. He came to Moses' rescue every time.
5. God has great mercy. He gave them water and did not punish them.
6. God listen to Moses. He was going to destroy the Children of Israel but Moses spoke on their behalf and ask Him not to so His (God's) name would not be spoken bad of.
7. Moses and Aaron humbled themselves before the people and fail on their face. They knew where their help came from.
8. There are some who are faithful like Caleb & Joshua who gave a good report and believed God could do what He says.
Some questions I would ask you & me are:
Do I grumble against my leaders when things don't go your way? If so, It's not them I am grumbling against it's God. I need to go to Him and pray for my leaders and trust God for my needs.
Do I trust God will show up when others are grumbling against me? Do I fall on my face before God and trust Him to show up or do I rise up in pride and try to defend myself?
We need to ask God If we are grumbling today and repent. Pray for those who God has placed in our life as leaders and authority. Trust God to meet our needs and look for Him to show up.
Humble yourself before the mighty hand of God.
1. The Children of Israel were only three days out from one of the greatest miracles recorded in the Old Testament and they grumbled because they did not have water. They had just seen God move the water so they could walk through on dry land and destroyed their enemies with water but yet they did not trust that God could give them water on their journey.
2. They were grumbling against Moses and Aaron but really they were upset with God and did not like the way He was taking care of them.
3. God heard their grumblings and He knew what was on their heart.
4. God always showed up. In a cloud, in the tent of meeting, and in the fire. He came to Moses' rescue every time.
5. God has great mercy. He gave them water and did not punish them.
6. God listen to Moses. He was going to destroy the Children of Israel but Moses spoke on their behalf and ask Him not to so His (God's) name would not be spoken bad of.
7. Moses and Aaron humbled themselves before the people and fail on their face. They knew where their help came from.
8. There are some who are faithful like Caleb & Joshua who gave a good report and believed God could do what He says.
Some questions I would ask you & me are:
Do I grumble against my leaders when things don't go your way? If so, It's not them I am grumbling against it's God. I need to go to Him and pray for my leaders and trust God for my needs.
Do I trust God will show up when others are grumbling against me? Do I fall on my face before God and trust Him to show up or do I rise up in pride and try to defend myself?
We need to ask God If we are grumbling today and repent. Pray for those who God has placed in our life as leaders and authority. Trust God to meet our needs and look for Him to show up.
Humble yourself before the mighty hand of God.
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About Me
- Robin Nation
- Athens, Tennessee, United States
- Married to Tommy. Two children Don & John. Two daughter's in love Alison & Lauren. One Grandson Clark(John & Lauren's) and a granddaughter Capri (Don & Alison's)
