Abundance Movement Youth Group | Fuel For The Weekend

Come one, come all! What an exciting night tonight is going to be! I am speaking it out and declaring it to be a wonderful kickoff for Resurrection Life Ministries youth group: Abundance Movement! God has been showing up in all our church services and these young girls are going to the altar seeking the gifts God has for them and pouring their love out for the Master. I am expecting God to do amazing things for these youth!

My daughter is co-youth pastor with Jeremy, a young man I used to babysit when I was in high school. Our families have been connected in ministry for years and it is so awesome to see Kadesia take and CARRY the baton her father and I have passed to her. Paul and I were youth pastors for years and I was in kids ministry five years before I met him. That season of our lives have past, but it is so awesome and EXCITING to see both of them RUN with what God has put in their hearts and spirits for these youth!

The Bible says in 1 Timothy 4:12, "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." And I know this verse meant a lot to Kadesia as I poured this into her as a teenager. I am so excited to see Javan go and be blessed as he learns more about who Jesus is and what He plans on doing for him as Javan attends youth group.

I am excited about every boy or girl ages 7-19 who show up at Resurrection Life Ministries in Mitchell, Indiana at 6:30 p.m. tonight, Friday, November 19, 2021. God is going to show up like He always does when His children gather and He is going to set these kids on fire for His glory. I pray their gathering will create a spiritual awakening in the community of Mitchell and set that town on fire for God's glory!

Youth group is fun and exciting when you do cool things and meet up with friends and eat good food. I am expecting FAR MORE than the usual fun youth group events. I am expecting REVIVAL and I am so excited to see the ABUNDANCE of GOD's MOVEMENT through these kids! Be praying for the big kick-off tonight. It is going to be so awesome! I am praying for God to show up and show out like only He can do!!!!

God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens

He Did Not Give Up On Me | Thankful Thursday

I am so thankful that God has never given up on me. I do not always do what I am supposed to do. Sometimes I get angry and quickly act when I should pray and ask God to help me. Sometimes I want to justify myself when I am wrongly accused, instead of praying for those who despitefully use me. I admit to volunteering to do things I know I am good at, because it will require little effort on my part and others will notice. I admit that I still need Jesus's love, grace, and mercy every single moment of my life. I need His forgiveness, His goodness, and His truth to make me free. I need to get closer to Him, listen better, and act quicker than I do.

But, instead of rehearsing these things over and over, my faults and failures and flaws... the way the enemy would like for me to do, I am choosing surrender. I surrender fully to the power of Christ to free me from the bondage of sin, to untangle me from the cares of this life, and to burn my pride to the ground. I want to decrease so He can increase in my life. I want people to mention my name far less than they mention His. I want to shine the light God gave me for the world to see Jesus shining bright, not Bridgett. I want to use my talents and gifts to please God instead of man. I am a work in progress. He is still working on me. He is still challenging me to go deeper in His Word. He is still asking me to deny myself and daily take up my cross to follow Him. He is still in pursuit of me and He has never given up on me.

PSALM 55:22 "Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."

1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18 "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

PHILIPPIANS 1:6 "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ."

What are you thanking God for this week? There is ALWAYS something to be thankful for. I am so thankful that God loves us so much that He keeps working with these vessels of clay until we become vessels of honor. Isn't He wonderful?

God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens 

 

 

Philippians Chapter Two | Bible Study Wednesday

Welcome back to Bible Study Wednesday. We are in the second chapter of the book of Philippians. If you did not start out with me for this study, just take a look at this post here. You can catch up and join us this week. If you are ready to begin, grab your Bible and a notebook. Let's take a moment to invite Holy Spirit to teach us what only He can teach and show us how to apply what we have learned to our lives.

We are starting in Philippians chapter two. There are 30 verses, just like in the first chapter. I am using my Women's Study Bible and will follow the breakdown they use.

Verses 1-11 BE OF ONE ACCORD AND ONE MIND

Paul begins this letter desiring for the church at Philippi to be united. I think if he were to write a letter to the body of believers of Jesus Christ today, especially the church in America as a whole, it would he would not write a different letter than we read in chapter two. He is telling them, as he would tell us today, that his joy is full when he knows they are thinking the same way, loving the same way, in agreement and unity of mind; not allowing anything to be done with arguing and striving but in humility. In chapter one he brought up humility and emphasized the need for each of us to be humble. We should be more concerned with helping meet the needs of those around us than to fulfill our own selfish desires. The unity of mind can only happen when we think like Christ. In verse five Paul writes, "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." Until we learn to think like Jesus we will not have unity in the body. He is our head and we must line up to His thought patterns and His behavior. We must pattern our way of life after the way He led His. Paul continues this portion of the letter to remind us what Jesus looked like. He was a servant. He was humble. He did not make Himself the main thing, but He continuously pointed everyone to God the Father. He knew Who He was and He knew Who He belonged to. And we see that Jesus also was obedient to the death, even willing to die on the cross for our sins. God has given Him the only name that men can be saved by, the name of Jesus Christ. Verses 11 and 12 say this: "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

Understand that God set aside His glory, not His deity. He was still God in the flesh when He dwelt among men. He set aside His privilege and His ability to do whatever He wanted to do. He humbled Himself to become a human being and that was a new concept to many. It was the opposite of what we even see superheroes in cartoons and movies do. Usually the ordinary become extraordinary and do amazing things by becoming something larger than themselves. Instead we see God come down in the form of a man and live in this cruel world to suffer and bleed and die for you and me. It just is not something that any other story or myth or fairy tale would ever come up with. It is a real, true story, though. It actually happened that Jesus left the splendor of glory to come to earth and be a mortal to save all of humanity. Jesus humbled Himself. Why should we not do the same?

The very way that Jesus died, death by crucifixion, was not something a Roman citizen ever had to worry about. They were not ever subject to such a cruel sacrifice. His death carried with a curse according to Deuteronomy 21:23 in the Old Testament which reads, "he that is hanged is accursed of God." Jesus' blood was pure, sinless, perfect, and able to pay the debt of the sins of the entire world. Nothing but the blood of Jesus could ever do that.

Verses 12-18 SHINE AS LIGHTS IN THE WORLD

Verse 12 tells us to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. Note that it does not say work FOR your own salvation. There is nothing we can do to be saved aside from believing in the Lord Jesus Christ and confessing with our mouths. There is no good deeds, kind thoughts, nice gifts, large sum of money that will ever save us. Those things mean nothing when it comes to being saved. Jesus's blood was shed for the remission of sins and that alone is what can save us. Anything good we do is just to honor our Savior. It is not to save us. We read on and it says that it is God who works in us for His good pleasure. We are told what not to do, as children of God. Verse 14 tells us to do all things without complaining and fighting. We are not supposed to argue over doctrine, gifts of the Spirit, baptism, paying tithes, or anything! The world is watching, desperately seeking something to believe in, and we are fighting and carrying on for them to see and they are walking away, shaking their heads, thinking we are just like them! Friends, we need to show them who Jesus is! Not who we are in our sinful, carnal nature. Let's start bearing fruit of self-control, love, goodness, kindness. Let's show them how wonderful it is to be a child of the Most High God. We are supposed to shine our lights in this messed up, backwards-way-of-thinking world. We are supposed to be lights and beacons for Jesus to pierce the darkness and show the world there is a better way, the ONLY way and His name is Jesus. 

Verses 19-24 TIMOTHY'S FAITHFUL SERVICE

Paul tells them he is sending Timothy. He honors who Timothy is. He builds him up and points out his godly character. How do we speak of one another? Do we share our thoughts about others in the body of Christ as honorable and good? May we never tear one another down and tarnish the reputation of another. Paul had hoped to come see the church members but he was sending Timothy, recommending him to them. He said he had trained him like a father teaches a son. Paul loved the people of Philippi so much he wanted to make sure they had someone to watch out for them, look out for their best interest. He said there was no one else he could trust to care more about the things of Jesus than about themselves, so he was going to send them the very one he trained like his own child to go be the leader and helper to them that Paul desired to be.

Verses 25-20 EPAPHRODITUS'S SERVICE TO PAUL

Paul wraps up this second chapter with an update on Epaphroditus. The church heard he was sick and had been praying for him. Epaphroditus was very ill to the point of nearly dying. Paul tells them that God had mercy on Epaphroditus and on himself as well so that Paul would not have his brother's death to add to his sorrow. Paul tells them he is sending Epaphroditus to them and tells them to receive him with all gladness. He builds up his reputation and character, again setting the example of how we should treat our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Today's big takeaways are that we must be united as a body of believers. Christ is the head and we are His body. We are the working parts that go and tell others who He is. We are to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick, pray for our leaders, help the homeless, widows, and orphans. We are to give generously to the church so we can further the Kingdom of God. We are to have compassion and love. If we want to be moving in harmony with one another, we must be in the same mind. We will be in one mind and one accord when we think like Jesus, act like Jesus, love like Jesus, and give like Jesus. There is no other way. 

I hope this Bible study has been helpful to you. Please join me next time as we read the third chapter of this book. I enjoy breaking the Bread with you. I pray something I have said today has given you strength for your journey and light for your way! God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens

Paul's surgery | Thankful Thursday

 

I am thankful for a lot this week! November 1, my husband Paul had surgery to remove a lipoma on the back of his head. Five years ago he was rear-ended and the trauma from hitting his head in the collision caused a fatty tumor to grow. It started bothering him when he wore his welding hood. He had a consultation with two different surgeons and they both recommended having it removed.

I am thankful that I was able to get off work to be with him at the hospital. I am thankful that even though someone side swiped my car in the parking lot, and won't call me back, I can still drive my vehicle and I can have it fixed without using my insurance because they hit me. I am thankful that my husband is home and healing well. I am thankful that I can use my nursing skills to take care of his drain and change his dressing on his surgical site. I am thankful that the doctor does not think it is cancer. I am thankful that the doctor cut a wide margin around the lipoma so it would have less of a chance to grow back. I am thankful that Paul is resting more and eating well and taking it easy... even if he is forced to.

I know God will heal him completely and without complications. I know he is going to be back to his old self soon and will be able to do all the things he used to do but without the pain and discomfort of the tumor. If you have been praying for him, thank you! We feel the prayers and see God's fingerprints all over this situation. If you have not known about this and feel led to pray for him, we definitely appreciate those prayers and are thankful for them.

PHILIPPIANS 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

EXODUS 15:16 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and will give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statues, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.

What are you thankful for? God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens

Philippians | Wednesday Bible Study

This month we are going to study the book of Philippians. I love it!! I have a Women's Study Bible and I would like to share what it says about the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Philippians:

"The apostle Paul, in a night vision a decade before the writing of this letter, received a call to preach in the region of Macedonia (Phil. 1:1; see Acts 16:6-10). Paul had never before been to Europe, but, obedient to the vision, he sailed to Macedonia's coastal port Neapolis, then walked nine miles inland to Philippi, the area's foremost city (Acts 16:12). Timothy, his young disciple and traveling companion on that trip, may have served as an amanuensis or secretary for this letter (Phil. 1:1; Acts 16:1-5; 1 Tim. 1:1, 2; 2 Tim. 1:1,2). Philippians is categorized as one of Paul's four prison epistles."

The time this letter was written is said to be around A.D. 60-63. "Philippi's river bank was mentioned as a gathering place for prayer for Lydia and other women (Acts 16:13). Caesar Augustus designated Philippi a Roman colony (Acts 16:12). For the Philippians, this designation made a tremendous social and psychological difference: The surrounding province of Macedonia, physically lower in elevation, now had no authority over them. And like all other Roman citizens, they were exempt from taxes, could buy and sell as they pleased, could file legal suits, and could assume privileges appropriate to being part of empirical Rome (Acts 16:20, 21, 37-39). This situation might explain their tendency to arrogance and the need for Paul to stress humility in his letter to them."

The women in that area were very independent. "They gathered for meetings (Acts 16:13); they ran their own businesses (Acts 16:14); and they even feuded in the church (Phil. 4:2,3)." In this book more than any other, women played a prominent part. "The Philippian story began with women meeting "by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made" (Acts 16:13). Since Philippi became the first European city in which Paul preached, his first European convert may have been a woman, Lydia of Philippi and her household (Acts 16:14); later came a Philippian jailer and his family (Acts 16:27-34). Paul's persecution began over his compassion for a young woman -- a Philippian girl abused by the occult (Acts 16:16-19). And a decade later, trouble within the church focused on two feuding women, Euodia and Syntyche (Phil. 4:2, 3)."

"The primary emphasis of joy (an idea occurring more than fifteen times) with resultant unity and humility as secondary emphases. The book from beginning to end lends itself to a rich study of these wonderful themes." Joy is my word for this year and I am excited to spend this month studying these four chapters.

As with any of my Bible studies, I ask that you would take some time to pray and ask Holy Spirit to lead you through this study. Read through chapter one. There are thirty verses to read but it goes quickly. Have your Bible open as you read this blog post. Take notes if you want in the margins of your Bible, in a notebook, or something that you will refer back to. As always, please feel free to share your thoughts and insight in the comments section below. It is so enjoyable to read what you all are thinking and sharing and experiencing. Let's begin.

Greetings Verses 1-11

Paul begins the letter with giving Timothy and himself the title of servants. Then he addresses those at Philippi as saints. He writes as a friend and in humility. The church is blended so Paul combines two languages and cultures when he says Grace and Peace. Lydia, a Gentile, joined other Jewish women in prayer. The jailer and his family were Gentiles. My study Bible says this: "But beyond the simple greeting, Paul is linking two important Christian concepts, God's gifts to His children of "grace" or unmerited favor and "peace." Ultimately, there can be no peace without first receiving His grace." I love that! He tells them that he is always thinking about them and praying for them, requesting things they need from God with joy! It gives him great pleasure to pray for these friends of his. When Paul says "Your fellowship in the gospel" it is acknowledgment of their financial support of his ministry. Verse six he is giving them confidence that even though God is still working on their hearts and in their lives to transform them into the image of Christ, they had sure salvation. It is the security of knowing that they were saved and safe! You can feel the love and compassion he has for these people as he talks about having them in his heart. He finishes up this portion of the letter with what his prayer is for them. He wants them to grow in love, knowledge, and right judgement; to approve excellent things; to be sincere and without offence until Jesus comes back; and lastly to be filled with fruits of righteousness by Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God. He wants them to have the evidence of righteous living the way Jesus did to bring God the honor that is due Him.

Paul's Bonds In Christ Verses 12-19

Paul wants them to know upfront that the circumstances he finds himself in is serving to further the Gospel message. He says that the bonds in Christ are made known in the palace and all other places. It is no secret he was arrested and waiting trial. He goes on to say that many brothers in Christ have taken notice of what Paul is going through for the cause of Christ and it has empowered them to speak boldly about Jesus in their circles without fearing the repercussions. As is the case in our culture today, Paul says some preach to cause division and arguments, but others are sharing the Truth of God's Word so that it can help others turn from sin to salvation. He says whether they are preaching for their own recognition or they are preaching about Jesus in sincerity, Paul will rejoice. He has decided that at least the message is being preached and he will rejoice about that, regardless of their motives. He says he knows it will turn to his getting out of prison through their prayers and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Doesn't that always get us through personal prisons?

Christ Is Magnified Through Paul Verses 20-30

I love that Paul says that according to his earnest expectation and his hope he will with all boldness, not be ashamed, but will magnify Jesus in his body whether he dies or he lives. He says if he lives then he can continue to share the saving message of the cross of Christ. If he dies then he gains eternity with his Savior. He says he is caught between two feelings. On the one hand he wants to go Home to be with Jesus and experience everything he has been living for since encountering Jesus on the road to Damascus. But he realizes it is so important to keep working in his ministry to encourage others and help those who are lost. He says that he has confidence that he will stay and help them go further in their faith with joy. He understands that they will rejoice in Jesus even more when Paul is able to come visit and fellowship with them again. He then gives them some instruction. He wants them to speak to one another in a way that honors God. Whether Paul is able to come again or not, he wants them to conduct themselves in a way that would glorify God. Paul says he wants to hear good reports about how they are unified and working together for the cause of Christ. He encourages them to not be afraid of their enemies. To their enemies it is sinful but to them it is evidence that God is still with them. Paul reminds them they have been given the opportunity to not only believe in Jesus but to also suffer for His sake, much like Paul is doing. Paul is leading by example here. He said you have the same conflict that you heard I had and do have as I am facing trial. 

I hope you have been able to take a closer look at Paul's letter with a different perspective. It is so good to dig a little deeper into the scriptures and get to know our brothers and sisters in Philippi better. If we see things they are going through we can understand why Paul wrote the letter the way he did. We can even find similarities so we can be strengthened with these letters, too. 

I have enjoyed breaking the bread with you today. I hope something I have shared in this blog post has given you strength for your journey and light for your way. God bless you!

~Bridgett Owens