Pastors and Directors Blog 
The War Against Jesus
August 29, 2010
Hi Ladies,
It was my joy to see so many of you last Tuesday. The evening was a joyous reunion that did indeed feel like coming home. We missed those of you who couldn’t attend, but look forward to seeing you soon at other events. Thank you for you faithfulness to stand firmly in truth and prayer for our nation. It takes courage to speak the truth when the truth and those who profess it are attacked daily. And it takes love, contrary to what the popular culture would lead you to believe, to stand firmly against tolerance for sin. While confusion comes from the Father of Lies and is manipulation, corruption is the choice to profit from other’s confusion.
This week we will pray as soldiers in the “War Against Jesus.” This is a war the enemy has been waging since the Fall. But “though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God…” (2Cor 10:3-5)
Take heart. We don’t need to be discouraged; we know how it ends. Matthew 5:10-12 promises “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great…”
I want to share an opportunity with you to see Beth Moore live in simulcast in Tucson on September 18th at New Life Bible Fellowship (4900 W. Cortaro Farms Road). The simulcast is from 9:30 (doors open at 8:30) until 4:00 and is $20 which includes lunch. For tickets and more information, please contact Linda Kimmel at 887-6447.
Homecoming: An Evening of Reunion
August 26, 2010
We often approach prayer thinking we can conform God to our thinking when we are the ones conformed to His will. I wondered this week as I prayed for our liberties if we are losing them or just giving them up in much the same way that Esau gave up his birthright, by deception and the weakness of the flesh. However, our freedom isn’t in the laws of man but in the blood of Jesus Christ. Praise God. Men will not know freedom until the scales fall from their eyes and the truth is revealed by the Holy Spirit through the Gospel, the good news of our Savior. I hope you are finding new insights as I have been finding while praying for our country. God not only answers prayer, but blesses us for our obedience to pray. Our focus this week is: Confusion and Corruption. “Youths oppress my people, women rule over them. O my people, your guides lead you astray: they turn you from the path. The Lord takes his place in court; he rises to judge the people.” Isaiah 3:12-13. It is not difficult to see the effects of both confusion and corruption in our society today.
Have you noticed that whether you have cause for celebration or are in need of some understanding, the first place you think of is home? I hope you are planning to join us Tuesday at 6:00 for our Homecoming: An Evening of Reunion even if you haven’t signed up. And bring your daughters, friends, and neighbors as there will be plenty of celebration, understanding, and food to go around. (Childcare is limited.) I am looking forward to seeing each one of you!
In God’s love and mine,
Paula
Unemployed
August 13, 2010
Hi Ladies,
I don’t know about you, but praying not only for the unemployed, but also for those who are not using their gifts to the fullest in their jobs, but are grateful to have a job, has led me to think about the joy of being useful and productive. God ordained that work would be good. It was only after the fall that it became toil. How good God is to provide for us by allowing us to contribute to others through the talents He has blessed us with.
I think we will all be blessed by this week’s focus: The Rapid Erosion of Our Liberties. “It was for freedom that Christ set us free, therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1. We have freedom in Christ only because we have first submitted to His lordship. I guess a good question to ask myself is, do others witness that in my life? Do others see a submitted heart to the Lord? How can we as a nation enjoy the freedoms that the Lord has bestowed upon us if we as a nation do not recognize the sovereign Lord as our provider and protector? Many who have gone before us have known the truth that, “The only life that counts is the life that costs.” (Frederick P. Wood) Let us stand firm in our commitment to pray and “never be subject again to a yoke of slavery.”
I appreciate hearing from you as you share your thoughts and encouraging Scripture. God bless you each day this week.
In His love and mine,
Paula
Paula Donley
President, WIC
Commitment to pray
August 6, 2010
Hi Ladies,
Thank you for your many encouraging notes of commitment to pray in agreement for our nation! Have your found a time in your day to dedicate to this yet? I found that when I am putting on my spiritual armor (Wouldn’t Pastor Mark be encouraged to know we do that?) it reminds me to “go into battle” in prayer for the freedoms we hold dear in our country. The focus this week is Increasing Unemployment. “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” This strikes close to home. Who of us doesn’t know someone who is unemployed or underemployed? Praise God He is our Jehovah Jireh, our Provider! You are all such a blessing to me, a strength to the country, and precious to our Father.
In His love and mine,
Paula
Paula Donley
President, WIC
The summer has just flown by...
August 1, 2010
Hi Ladies,
The summer has just flown by, and I hope yours was filled with family, friends, times of rest and relaxation, long, lazy days, and plenty of ice cream. I am looking forward to seeing all of you again and to our “Homecoming: An Evening of Reunion” on the 24th. It is going to be a wonderful evening with old friends and some new, great food and music, and lots of fun! It would be a great time to bring a friend and introduce them to the warm women in our church—and to our Savior if they don’t know Him!
If you were in church a few weeks ago when Andy Tracy gave the sermon, you may remember that he challenged us to pray each day for our country between now and the November elections. He used the examples of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego as they stood firm in their faith in a culture hostile to their beliefs (Daniel 3). It impressed upon me the need to go to my Father trusting in His sovereignty as He raises up godly leaders for our nation.
If you are like me, you begin a commitment intentionally but can be distracted by the many demands of the day. I need to be reminded of my initial passion. I found a schedule of topics for weekly prayer at In Touch Ministries, and thought I would share it with you to encourage all of us to pray with other believers around the country during these challenging times for our country. The first of each week you’ll receive the prayer topic for the week along with a Scripture verse. This week the topic is: Increasing Taxation. “For You have tried us, O God; You have refined us as silver is refined. You brought us into the net; You laid an oppressive burden upon our loins. You made men ride over our heads; We went through fire and through water, yet You brought us out into a place of abundance.” (Psalm 66:10-12)
Paul encouraged the believers of his day to run the race to win the prize. Let us stand together in the boldness of the Lord and trust God to restore our nation to one which gives Him all glory. There are many who have given their lives to preserve the freedoms we have. It is a small offering to lift our voices and call out for mercy that we may continue to live our lives boldly for the Lord, preserving our heritage—even against the culture of the day.
Thank you for your prayers.
In His love and mine,
Paula
Paula Donley
President, WIC
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