Gifts...Kelly Minter

Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

1 Corinthians 4:2
 

Kelly Minter is an author, musician, Bible study author and teacher. She has demonstrated her faithfulness through the use of her gifts and talents. She's written three books and four Bible studies as well as recorded three CDs. 

Recently, she spent a week in Brazil with Justice and Mercy Amazon. Check out Kelly’s website www.KellyMinter.com where you can learn more about her work. If you’d like to learn more about the Justice and Mercy Amazon ministry, please click Justice and Mercy Amazon link to the right. God bless Kelly for her dedication to the Lord's work.

I was first introduced to Kelly through her Bible study, “Ruth: Love, Loss and Legacy.” While I haven't read any of her books, in that study, Kelly took me through each verse in the book of Ruth. Doing so gave me remarkable insight into Ruth, her mother-in-law and Boaz. I’ve completed a number of other Bible studies, but “Ruth” has been my favorite. I believe that God leads us where we need to be, whether we want it or not—whether we think we have time for it or not—whether we are comfortable or not—whether we’ve done a Bible study before or not. Years ago, God led me to Kelly and her “Ruth.”

God is now leading me to Kelly's study “Nehemiah: A Heart That Can Break." There is obviously something God wants me to learn from this study. I'm looking forward to traveling back in time and discovering how Nehemiah's story applies to my life today.

If you’d like to follow along with, please feel free to comment below. At the right is a link to Lifeway’s site where you can purchase the workbook. You’re not required to purchase a book to follow me in my study, but it is helpful to have other to discuss the group questions.

FOR NEW CHRISTIANS: What is The Trinity?

The Trinity is God in three persons: God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit. This is one of the most difficult concepts for a Christian to grasp.

How do we even know that God is three persons? Because the Bible tells us! Let’s examine some verses.

GOD, Most High, the Father of Jesus

The very first verse in the Bible introduces God. He was here before anything else. He created everything that exists.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Genesis 1:1

HOLY SPIRIT, the Spirit of God

Read Genesis 1:2:

Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. Genesis 1:2

This verse introduces the Spirit of God. The Spirit is also known as the Holy Spirit or the Holy Ghost.

JESUS, Son of God

We find “The Son” and “The Father” in John 1:14

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

How do we know that the “Son” John refers to in John 1:14 is Jesus and that God is His father? Two verses, Luke 1:35 and Matthew 1:21 give us the answer.

NOTE: in Luke 1:35, the “her” is Mary and in in Matthew 1:21, the “She” is Mary and the angel is speaking to Joseph.

The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God. Luke 1:35

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[a] because he will save his people from their sins.” Mathew 1:21

NOTE: Before Jesus was even born, Mary knows that He is coming to save his people from their sins.

So, there we have it: God, Most High, the Father; Son, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, Spirit of God. God in three persons, The Trinity.

Ten Guidelines from God

I saw this quite sometime ago and I apologize, I don't remember where, but I thought it would be a great reminder for the women here.

Credit: Anonymous

Author: God

MY GUIDELINES

Effective immediately, please be aware that there are changes YOU need to make in YOUR life. These changes need to be completed in order that I may fulfill My promises to you to grant you peace, joy and happiness in this life. I apologize for any inconvenience, but after all that I am doing, this seems very little to ask of you. Please, follow these 10 guidelines 

1. QUIT WORRYING:
Life has dealt you a blow and all you do is sit and worry. Have you forgotten that I am here to take all your burdens and carry them for you? Or do you just enjoy fretting over every little thing that comes your way? 

2. PUT IT ON THE LIST: 

Something needs done or taken care of. Put it on the list. No, not YOUR list. Put it on MY to-do-list. Let ME be the one to take care of the problem. I can't help you until you turn it over to Me. And although My to-do-list is long, I am after all...God. I can take care of anything you put into My hands. In fact, if the truth were ever really known, I take care of a lot of things for you that you never even realize. 

3. TRUST ME:

Once you've given your burdens to Me, quit trying to take them back. Trust in Me. Have the faith that I will take care of all your needs, your problems and your trials.
Problems with the kids? Put them on My list.

Problem with finances? Put it on My list.
Problems with your emotional roller coaster? Put it on My list. I want to help you. All you have to do is ask.

4. LEAVE IT ALONE:

Don't wake up one morning and say, "Well, I'm feeling much stronger now, I think I can handle it from here." Why do you think you are feeling stronger now? It's simple. You gave Me your burdens and I'm taking care of them. I also renew your strength and cover you in my peace. Don't you know that if I give you these problems back, you will be right back where you started? Leave them with Me and forget about them. Just let Me do My job.

5. TALK TO ME: 

I want you to forget a lot of things. Forget what was making you crazy. Forget the worry and the fretting because you know I'm in control. But there's one thing I pray you never forget. Please, don't forget to talk to Me - OFTEN! I love YOU! I want to hear your voice. I want you to include Me in on the things going on in your life. I want to hear you talk about your friends and family. Prayer is simply you having a conversation with Me. I want to be your dearest friend. 

6. HAVE FAITH:

I see a lot of things from up here that you can't see from where you are. Have faith in Me that I know what I'm doing. Trust Me; you wouldn't want the view from My eyes. I will continue to care for you, watch over you, and meet your needs. You only have to trust Me. Although I have a much bigger task than you, it seems as if you have so much trouble just doing your simple part. How hard can trust be? 

7. SHARE:

You were taught to share when you were only two years old. When did you forget? That rule still applies. Share with those who are less fortunate than you. Share your joy with those who need encouragement. Share your laughter with those who haven't heard any in such a long time. Share your tears with those who have forgotten how to cry. Share your faith with those who have none.

8. BE PATIENT: 

I managed to fix it so in just one lifetime you could have so many diverse experiences. You grow from a child to an adult, have children, change jobs many times, learn many trades, travel to so many places, meet thousands of people, and experience so much. How can you be so impatient then when it takes Me a little longer than you expect to handle something on My to-do-list? Trust in My timing, for My timing is perfect. Just because I created the entire universe in only six days, everyone thinks I should always rush, rush, rush.

9. BE KIND:

Be kind to others, for I love them just as much as I love you. They may not dress like you, or talk like you, or live the same way you do, but I still love you all. Please try to get along, for My sake. I created each of you different in some way. It would be too boring if you were all identical. Please, know I love each of your differences. I want to hear you talk about your friends and family.

10. LOVE YOURSELF:

As much as I love you, how can you not love yourself? You were created by Me for one reason only -- to be loved, and to love in return. I am a God of Love. Love Me.

Love your neighbors. But also love yourself. It makes My heart ache when I see you so angry with yourself when things go wrong. You are very precious to me.

Don't ever forget...

Love,
God