Countdown to Christmas

Are you ready for Christmas? seems to be the most important question this week. I am ready in my heart to celebrate my Savior's birth. I still have things to check off my list, but I realized today that my heart is what matters. I hope and pray that each of you reach this same conclusion. My prayer for all of us is that we don't miss the baby that will grow up into the man that goes to the cross for you and me. Take time to give Jesus Christ a gift this week.

In Christ,
Melody

Bible Studies for Women

Amplify for Women

Come join other women as we study God’s Word together and grow to be women of Faith. You will get equipped and encouraged though our Winter/Spring studies. Join us Wednesday nights starting January 4, 2012 at 6:30pm in Room 211. This time will be facilitated by Melody Merritt. For more information, contact melody@apexbaptist.org.


Intimacy with God
Establishing a Vibrant Quiet Time and Prayer Time Bible Study Workbook
Foundational Study: Starting with the basics, this study teaches you how to see, hear, and talk to Jesus in your everyday life and circumstances.
KNOWING GOD and knowing about God are two totally different things…
Are you satisfied knowing God as a mere acquaintance?
Is He perhaps your Sunday obligation?
Do you yearn to know Him, to walk and talk with Him daily?
God loves you and is passionate about you! He desires more than anything to have a meaningful love relationship with you.
We can have a saved soul, yet live a wasted life… Life finds meaning and purpose when we know our Creator…


Living Free: Learning to Pray God’s Word

This study combines key concepts from Breaking Free, along with prayer practices taught in Praying God’s Word — for a more in-depth look at Christian freedom.
We will learn what it means to pray Scripture, to live in freedom, and walk close to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Apples of Gold

Apples of Gold

Apples of Gold is a women’s mentoring program. This seven week Bible study is based on Titus 2:3-5 and Proverbs 25:11 “A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” Join us each week as we learn meal preparation and hospitality tips, followed by lessons on Kindness, Loving Your Husband, Loving Your Children, Submission, Purity and Hospitality. There will be a different teaching mentor each week. After the group lesson we enjoy a meal together with further small group discussion of that week’s topic. You will be pampered and nurtured as you learn God’s Word. This study fills up quickly and is limited to 15 participants; please sign up by January 8, 2012.

Dates: Thursdays, January 12 – February 23, 2012

Time: 6:30-9:00 PM

Location: Home of Jill Zawierucha, 100 Highfield Avenue, Cary, NC 27519

Cost: $45.00 includes the book and seven meals
(Make checks payable to Apex Baptist, put “Apples of Gold” in memo line)

Contact: Jill Zawierucha at mitijill@bellsouth.net or 303-8987

A New Look!

Well, Ladies, it has been a whole year since I have updated the blog. It has not been that I have not wanted to. Time just always seems to fly by. As I looked at the new updated website at Apex Baptist today, I thought today is the day to just do it. So here I am taking a moment to share a word of encouragement with you.

Do you get overwhelmed when someone asks, "Can you believe it is almost Christmas?" Is it hard for you to find Joy in the midst of all the busyness? And to go along with the busyness, it seems the distractions multiply as tempers flare and peace goes out the window. I found myself in this same boat.

Thank the Lord that our Joy and Peace do not come from this world, "...for the Joy of the Lord is my strength!" (Nehemiah 8: 10b) I just have to take time to be still (Psalm 46:10) and know my Savior whose birthday I am celebrating. Take a few moments to sit and reflect on why we celebrate Christmas.

It is the time that we celebrate the birth of our Savior. He left the glory of heaven and came to this earth. He took on human form knowing He would die on the cross. Such a love is more than I can comprehend. But I love Him because He first loved me. Hallelujah! Joy to the world our Savior has come! "So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father's One and Only Son." (John 1:14)

Don't let Christmas come and go without giving a gift to your Savior. I think the best gift of all is ourself. Jesus Christ came to bring us into right relationship with His Father God. "You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of Your Presence and the pleasures of living with You forever." (Psalm 16:11)

My prayer for each of you today is that you find your Joy in Jesus Christ. "yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my Strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights." (Habakkuk 3:18-19)

Blessings,
Melody Merritt