| Rutherford County, North Carolina |
I
have taken on a new role this year as a Core Group Leader for CBS. CBS started
in this county with a handful of women who met for prayer and Bible Study. They
had a fire burning within them to fulfill the CBS Vision: “Making disciples of
the Lord Jesus Christ in our communities through caring, in-depth Bible study,
available to all.” Their heart’s desire today is the same: to allow women to
experience the truth of the scriptures and the caring nature of CBS.
At
the end of May, 2013, one hundred and twenty women completed the study of Revelation
begun in September, 2012. That was an amazing, unprecedented number of
participants. In six years, it had grown from 47 women to 120!
All
through the summer, as the leaders met for training, the pre-registration
report was given. The first report showed that 120 women had registered, then140 women. Leadership prayed they
would be able to shepherd all these women and at the same time, we were praising
God for each woman He sent our way.
The study of First John began on September 11th
with 160 women registered and 14 additional ladies showing up to register that
day. Every Wednesday since then, we’ve had a few new sheep join the fold. We
are currently at 180 plus ladies. God is up to something good!
Monday
I attended the Sister Chicks for Christ Ladies Night Out at our local college. Well
known Christian author, Angela Thomas, brought the house down with her
exposition on Hebrews 12:1-2. With transparency, vulnerability, humor and
tenderness she pointed us to the truth of the scripture and to the feet of
Jesus. Many accepted Christ as Lord and Savior. Many re-dedicated themselves to
an everyday walk with Jesus. This ministry started as a circle of friends
meeting in a living room to pray for women in our county.
About eleven years ago,
the ladies decided to reach out to other women in the community through an
annual Ladies Night Out. Twelve women came that first year. Undaunted, the founders
prepared for the next year’s night out and prayed for more to attend. About six
hundred attended last year. When I went to the box office to buy tickets for
our writers group, I asked the attendant how sales were going. She answered,
“They are going real well. We’ve had to open up balcony seating and we’ve never
had to do that for this event.” We arrived on Monday night to signs saying SOLD
OUT. Every one of the twelve hundred seats held a lady ready to worship and learn.
From twelve to twelve hundred ladies in eleven years. God is up to something good!
He said, 1“And
I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” Our job
is easy: speak the name of Jesus in our everyday conversations and God will do
the work of wooing people to Himself. In another portion of scripture, 2He tells us
His word will accomplish the work He sent it to do. If we will use scripture in
our prayers and conversations with people, His words will make things happen.
It cannot fail. The pressure is off of us so let’s get busy in our neighborhoods
and communities.
I’d love to hear what
God is up to in your community. Leave a comment so I can praise Him with you.
Going out with joy today, speaking His name-
Cathy
1John 12:32 (ESV)
2Isaiah 55:11
(ESV) “so shall
my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.”
Cathy, this is WONDERFUL!! Thank you for sharing. You've inspired me today :)
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