Hi Ladies,

I want to share something with you this week that Sheila Heath wrote. I hope it encourages you in your walk of faith as much as it has me. Please continue reading:

"God doesn't create evil or directly cause evil, but evil is not outside of God's control. He often uses it for His own glory. It is hard for us to understand why bad things come our way
We only see one piece of the puzzle for our life, but God sees the entire picture. The faithful Christian will walk by faith, trusting God to do what is right in every situation.

How do we separate ourselves from evil and focus on Good (God)?

Evil is all around us, and frankly, I think it is out of control. This past Wednesday, thousands of people gathered in various areas around the country to protest taxes. They were called tea parties. Unfortunately, they were not even acknowledged by the mainstream media or the White House. These people did not cause any riots. They were very peaceful, and several signs were held up with scripture written on them.

So how loud do we as Christians need to get before our voices are heard against the evil in this country? Does anyone listen? Will they ever listen? Have the ones that are in control of our country turned a deaf ear to our voices?

Isaiah 2:22Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?

So, how do we separate ourselves from evil and focus on Good (God)?

We can separate ourselves from evil and focus on Good (God) by:

Praying - Allowing God to hear our voices - Pray for the evil around us
Reading - Spending time in God's Word daily
Seeking - Asking God to reveal His purpose for you
Meditating - Close your eyes thinking on the goodness of God
Armour - Put on God's Armour so you can be prepared to be shielded from the evil one

Ask God to pour His spirit into you every morning. Spend at least 5 minutes meditating, hearing His voice. I encourage you to turn off evil all day and turn on good (God). Listen to Christian music or Christian talk radio/TV. Think on the things of God. Remember everyday what He did for you on the cross.

Deuteronomy 4:29But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for Him with all your heart and with all your soul.

God is Good! God is in control! "


Sheila

Memory Verse for the week:
This is the day that the Lord hath made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24


**Mark your calendars: Girlfriends Night Out, Saturday, May 9th, 6:00-8:00 at ABC Fellowship Hall. Don't be left out. Come join the fun. Bring your girlfriends with you.

In Christ Love,
Melody Merritt

Encouragement for Your Legacy

What kind of legacy are you leaving? I don't mean when you die, but each day as you are living! A legacy is what others see as they look at our lives. Our legacy influences the people around us for good or bad. It is hard to live a godly life in such an ungodly world. But we don't have to do it by ourselves.

Our God is good. He does not leave us to do this alone. He has called us to live a holy life. He has given us His Holy Spirit to guide us. "So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them (the world). For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you." (Deuteronomy 31:6). Be in the Word of God everyday. Let God speak to you through His Word. Pray, talk to God and listen to Him. Look for God's Presence in your life each day. He is there.

"Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil." (Ephesians 6:10) Ladies, you can be an overcomer and live victoriously in this world because our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ overcame the world. Whatever you are going through right now, stand firm and trust God. He is leading you to a glorious destiny.

g! Group Updates!!

Ladies!

Thank you to everyone who attended the “Taste & See” Women’s event last Sunday! We are overjoyed with your enthusiasm for “What’s Cookin” at ABC and have been so blessed by your feedback. Take a minute to stop by the Women’s Ministry bulletin board in the hall by the sanctuary for pictures and updates!

If you missed the event, I’m sure by now you’ve heard the buzz. The Women’s Ministry Council announced a new ministry tool that you’ll be seeing lots of, “Girlfriends Unlimited”. We also introduced g! groups which are small groups of women with a common interest. Ladies had an opportunity to sign up for one or more of the 14 small groups available. There was another group added during the 2nd service – “Line Dancing”! If you would like to sign up for a group and didn’t, please contact the FUNcilitator of the group you are interested in. These are the groups currently available.

g! Group FUNcilitator
Beading/Jewelry Kami Terry
Book Review Dell Pinkston
Coffee Group Fair Mims
Quilting/Sewing Grace Kirkland
Chick Flicks Laurel Veeder
Exercise Judy Oakley
Writers/Speakers Amy Carroll
Treasure Keepers Phyllis Wagner
Photography Angelisa Faucette
Gardening You?
Gaming Gals Gayle Yates
Cooking/Nutrition You?
Craft You?
Line Dancing Carla Torrence

The organization of the g! groups is well under way with FUNcilitators being identified and information being channeled. Over the next few weeks, here is what you can expect:

1. If you are a FUNcilitator, you should be getting a list of women who signed up for your group (if you haven’t already)
2. For everyone else, FUNcilitators will be contacting you with information about the g! groups that you signed up for
3. A list of all g! groups and FUNcilitator’s names & contact information will be on the Women’s Ministry website (www.apexbaptist.org/women)
4. G! groups will begin getting together for fun & fellowship!

If you have any questions, please contact one of the women on the Women’s Ministry Council. Also, if you’d like to get involved and are not sure how, give us a call or send us an email – we’d love to hear from you!

2009 Women’s Ministry Council Members

Melody Merritt HomeNC@aol.com
Dawn Ward dawnward@nc.rr.com
Holly Ladner hollyladner@embarqmail.com
Mary Cantrell mcantrell4@nc.rr.com
Susan Meyer meyerzone@yahoo.com
Margaret Lawrence Mlawrence26@nc.rr.com
Connie Womble gwomble589@aol.com
June Thompson June4als@aol.com

Blessings to you!
The Apex Baptist Women’s Ministry Council



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