Perhaps one of the biggest issues women face is their own insecurity.  Beth Moore, one of today’s most admired and trusted Christian writers, wants women to be free from the trap of insecurity.  Insecurities look different for each woman and can rise up with any given situation.  Moore says, “We all have insecurities. The question is whether or not our insecurities are substantial enough to hurt, limit, or even distract us from profound effectiveness or fulfillment of purpose.”  1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others”.  Moore reminds women that they are not alone on the journey of being the best wives, mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends.  Women of all ages can relate to this message of insecurity. We can discover truths that will free us emotionally and spiritually to help lead us to a better life as we walk with God.  

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Have you ever caught yourself comparing maybe your style or relationship with God to another woman? Let that question sink in.

Jesus Christ came, not to divide, but to unite. We are ONE body in Christ. 

In the eyes of our Creator, there is no comparison game. Although our race, personalities, or even clothing styles may be different, these things are of no value when it comes to our relationship with God through Jesus. We are heirs of the spiritual blessings God promised to Abraham (Gal. 3:29).  

When we put on Christ (Gal. 2:27), it is referring to a change of garments. We can lay aside the dirty garments of sin (Isa. 64:6) and, by faith, we receive the robes of righteousness in Christ (Col. 3:8-15). He adores us and gives all the significance we need! 

Our Christian lives should take on a NEW meaning and purpose when we realize all that we have in Him. Focus. You are a daughter in God’s family! Praise the Lord that He doesn’t stand us next to one another and pick apart who is doing “better” in their relationship with Him.  

Believers do not create unity but need to preserve the unity already established. We should look different than the rest of the world. We don’t have to compare ourselves with someone else. There is one body and one Spirit. Will you allow God’s word and His presence in you to unite and not divide, being one in Christ?

 *cover photo from here

“Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved, a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing the Word of Truth.”

II Timothy 2:15

We want to show ourselves approved unto God.  We desire to be workmen with no cause to be ashamed.  As we read & study the Word of God, we ask the Holy Spirit to lead us into all Truth, to speak Life to our spirits.  Initially, the thought of studying the Bible can be daunting, intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be!  As a believer, the promised Holy Spirit has come.  He lives in you. He promises to lead you into all Truth, to teach you, to give you the complete & wise counsel of the Word of God. 

When we are reading and a verse or passage leaps off the page, this is called a Rhema word. What is a Rhema? Rhema = The now Word of God.

There are two essential Greek words that describe Scripture which are translated word in the New Testament. In order to rightly divide the Word, we must have a grasp of both of these:

*Logos, refers to the total inspired Word of God and to Jesus, Who is the living Word.  (Luke 8:11 – John 1:1 – Philippians 2:16 – 2 Timothy 2:15 – Hebrews 4:12 – I Peter 1:23 – I Peter 2:2)

*Rhema, refers to a word that is spoken and means “an utterance.” A rhema is a verse of Scripture that the Holy Spirit brings to our attention with application to a current situation or need for direction. The Holy Spirit illuminates particular Scriptures for application that are confirmed in our daily walk with the Lord.  (Matthew 4:4 – Matthew 26:75 – Luke 1:38 – Luke 2:29 – Luke 3:2 – Luke 5:5 – John 6:63 – John 15:7,8 – Acts 5:20 – Acts 11:16 – Romans 10:8–9, 17 – II Corinthians 13:1 – Ephesians 6:17 – Ephesians 5:25–26).

Every word of God is inspired, and “all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).  “If ye abide in me, and my words [rhema] abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”  John 15:7–8  Take “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” Eph. 6:17; here the reference is to the individual scripture which the Spirit brings to our remembrance for use in time of need, a prerequisite being the regular storing of the mind with Scripture.

Ask God daily as you read His Word (logos) to speak to you through His Word (rhema) and give you insight into it. These passages that stand out with significant meaning or application are the rhemas of Scripture and should become a part of your daily thoughts and actions.

Observation:  Reading the actual content of the text & asking basic questions–Who’s writing? What’s happening? When? Where? Why? How?

Interpretation: Each verse of Scripture has only ONE intended meaning even though there may be MANY applications. Interpreting every verse is always discerning what GOD means by it, not what it means to ME.  We interpret the “logos” Word of God, seeking the “rhema” Word the Holy Spirit brings.

Application: Looking at the fullness of God’s Word (interpretation) & asking Him to show us the importance of this verse in light of our circumstances. After we interpret the meaning of the passage, we ask, “So what do I do with this?” If it’s a command, obey it. If there’s a promise, believe it. 

“Interpretation of the Bible isn’t a matter of personal opinion, feelings, or democratic agreement; it’s a matter of gathering evidence from the text & following established principles of interpretation…So many times we innocently move from observation to application, skipping interpretation altogether.”  

~Robert M. West

If we want to “rightly divide the Word of Truth” (II Timothy 2:15), we must set our hearts “as a flint” (Isaiah 50:7; cf: Luke 9:51), resolved & diligently seeking to understand the literary nuances.  If you don’t already have the following, you might consider adding these to your personal Bible study materials.  While I love flipping through the pages as I study, you’ll find that many of these resources are also available online:

Strong’s Concordance ( available @ www.eliyah.com under the tab Strong’s, also available as an application for your smart phone or iPad) 

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary ( available online @ www.biblegateway.com under additional resources)

The writings of Wayne Grudem, Jean Calvin, Martin Luther, Andrew Murray, Brother Lawrence, Charles Spurgeon, John Piper, Max Lucado, R. A. Torrey, R. T. Kendall, Kay Arthur, and countless others make great study resources as well.  Research the author/theologian/resource; be certain his/her beliefs/teaching line up with the Word of Truth.  Ask your pastor, Sunday school teacher, small group/Bible study leader, mentor or another reliable source for additional resources.  

As a church, we’ve read the Bible through each year for the last couple of years.  It’s good to have a plan for our in-depth study of the Bible. This year, we are going through YouVersion, which is tailored to the plan that works best for you.  

For your iPhone or iPad: 

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bible/id282935706?mt=8

For the Android application:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sirma.mobile.bible.android&hl=en

Also, a quick reference for the chronological readings:  www.oneyearbibleonline.com

-Sarah Joy Gannon 

*image from here

We’re so excited about annoucing an upcoming event! On Saturday, April 28th from 6-9 p.m., there will be a conference called Identity for all Middle School and High School girls. {Sorry, no boys allowed for this one!} It will be in the Venue at Crossgates Baptist Church.

The conference will be focused on our identity in Christ. There will be breakout sessions, two great speakers, one rockin’ girl band, and maybe even a dance party at the end of the night!

The cost is $7 which will include a t-shirt, snacks, and drinks. Please contact Missy Manning at the church offices to sign your daugther up. If you would like to help with the conference, please leave a comment below or contact us at crossgatesladies@gmail.com

Today I’ll be sharing the recipe for my favorite pie. My mama has been making this since I can remember. It always reminds me of Springtime.

Lemon Icebox Pie with Meringue

Pie:

1 graham cracker pie crust

1 can sweetened condensed milk

4-5 egg yolks (depending on the size of your pie crust- I bought a larger one this time, so I used 5 yolks)

1/4 cup lemon juice (I always add a little more because I like it more lemon-y – adjust according to taste)

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-20 minutes until set. It’ll have a custard like consistency. Set aside to cool.

Meringue:

4-5 egg whites (again, it depends on size of the pie crust)

1/4 cup sugar

1 tsp. of vanilla

1-2 tbsp. of marshmallow cream

Beat egg whites with a mixer on high speed until fluffy with stiff peaks. Add sugar & beat again. Add vanilla & beat again. Lastly, add marshmallow cream & beat again. The marshmallow cream will help the meringue stay stiff. Spread the meringue on top of the pie & place under the broiler (on low!) for a few minutes to brown slightly. Watch it carefully!

Let cool for at least 30 minutes. Then, cover & place in the refrigerator.

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Well, there you go. I hope you enjoy this!

Now it’s your turn. Please comment with you favorite dessert recipe(s).

Thanks to the City of Brandon and Crossgates staff & volunteers for all your hard work!

It’s Friday… but Sunday is coming!

*image from here

Thanks for the recipe, Mary!

Coconut Cake  

 1 cake mix (I use butter recipe, but the original recipe calls for white cake mix)

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 can cream of coconut

1 large Cool Whip

Grated coconut (from a bag or a can)

Directions: Cook cake as directed in a 9×13 pan.  Mix together the condensed milk and the cream of coconut.  While the cake is still hot, poke holes in the top of the cake with a fork or the handle of a wooden spoon.  Pour the milk/cream of coconut mixture over the top of the cake.  Let cool completely.  Top the cake with Cool Whip.  Top the Cool Whip with coconut.  Keep refrigerated.

- Recipe from Mary Sumner

**Be sure to stop by next Tuesday for our Monthly Recipe Exchange. This month is all about desserts, yay!  I’ll be sharing my Mom’s Lemon Meringue Pie recipe. It’s my favorite! 

You’ll be able to share your favorite dessert recipes in the comment section. Dig through your recipe boxes this weekend, ladies!

*image from here

Thanks, Shirley & Somer!

Squash Casserole

 2 cups of squash, drained (I use 2 cans of squash, drained)

10-12 crushed crackers (Ritz, saltines…whatever you have)

2 eggs, beaten

1 medium onion, chopped

1 1/2 cups grated cheese

1 can Cream of Chicken soup (I’ve used Cream of Celery or Cream of Mushroom too)

1 stick margarine, cut into small sections to spread throughout 

salt, pepper, garlic powder–I use whatever spices like this that I feel like using!

Directions: Mix all ingredients.  Spray a casserole dish with non-stick spray.  Bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees. This can be frozen before cooking.

Recipe from Shirley Yelverton

Green Beans

2-4 cans of green beans

1 cup of brown sugar

½ stick of melted butter

1 package of real bacon bits

Directions: Drain cans of green beans except for one. Mix all together and bake @ 350 around 30 minutes until they look parched a bit on top. Enjoy!

Recipe from Somer Wade

*image from here