Surviving or Thriving?

Hi Friends!

Recently, the Lord used a number of Scriptures to speak to me in preparation for a talk I was giving, including James 1:3, 4 NLT: “For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”

Ultimately the Lord is bringing all of us to maturity – to know Him and walk with Him intimately – to make Him known and embrace the call He has on our lives. We need the endurance to mature us and for the Lord to accomplish all He is calling us to in this life. He is calling us to a life of patient endurance.

Our response – will we survive or thrive?

In Job 1:22 we learn that Job did not accuse God of wrongdoing. The enemy will try to discredit God in our eyes. We need to remember His character is good. As we posture ourselves to surrender, to give up control, to praise and thank Him in the midst, the Lord will use the endurance to mature us. We need to remember that the Lord Jesus submitted to the will of His Father. Surrender makes way for the grace and strength and help we need.

May the Lord enable you to keep your eyes on Him and not your circumstances – to put your hope in Him, to get to know Him – His character – to seek hard after Him. May He help you reframe – ask God what He is doing in your circumstances? What is He trying to teach you? Remember – He is training you to depend upon Him and trust Him.

In the NIV, James says that “perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything!”

“We also pray that you will be strengthened with all His glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father.” (Colossians 1:11&12 NLT)

God bless you as you serve and trust Him,

Donna Mitchell, Director, Connecting Streams Women’s Ministry

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Verses of the Month

“Now may the God of peace – who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with His blood – may He equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to Him. All glory to Him forever and ever! Amen.” ~ Hebrews 13:20,21 NLT

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Quote of the Month

“This is what the past is for! Every experience God gives us, every person He puts in our lives, is the perfect preparation for the future that only He can see.” ~ Corrie ten Boom, The Hiding Place

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Video of the Month: JJ Heller’s “What Love Really Means”

Click above to watch the video.

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God Is Speaking:

“The Lord has been moving in the lives of some of our “Regulars”. They are actually starting to reach out to help and encourage others to understand scripture and witness for Jesus. I feel so privileged to see how they are not only growing in their journey with Him, but they have become His hands and feet. They are like beautiful flowers growing through the cracks in the concrete. We just pop in to a share a little living water once a week, and the Spirit gives them all the nurturing that only Jesus can deliver.” ~ Caroline, CS Volunteer Leader

August coffee in the chapel

“Outside the chapel, I spotted an inmate in the hall. I approached her and introduced myself. I told her she looked lost, and she responded by telling me that she was looking for the chaplain. She said that she had some questions for him. She explained that she was reading a book called Soul Cravings, and the author said that God’s love was unconditional. She wasn’t sure about that, so she wanted to see what the chaplain had to say. I was able to tell her that the chaplain was out, but that she was welcome to join us in the chapel, which she did. Guess what the devotion was on….yup, you guessed it, God’s unconditional love!” ~ Deanna, CS Volunteer Leader

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Lead Well Conference Talks

I recently spoke at the Lead Well Conference. Because the conference messages were so inspiring, I wanted to share them with you. They can be accessed here starting this Friday.

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Make Your Life Count

Power to Change and TruthMedia films have just completed a film called “the Life”. The question they are asking Canadian believers is what would your life look like if you were completely available to God? A prayer… “Dear Jesus, I want You in the center of my life and I commit, through Your power, to serve and obey You any time, anywhere, at any cost, to do any thing.” That is a powerful commitment. Are you ready to engage? Watch here.

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Faith Adventure Opportunities

When we step out and follow the Lord into a hurting world, there is an adventure of faith ahead of us! Is the Lord calling you to take the next step in your spiritual journey and help others discover a relationship with Jesus? Click here to find a list of opportunities for men and women to take a faith adventure in the Edmonton area. Would you be willing to help begin a Connecting Streams team in your area, or at a venue for which you have a burden and that we have not yet considered? There are also opportunities within our organization in administration, event planning, volunteer coordination, etc. View a list of our current volunteer and staff opportunities. Contact us at 1-866-416-4661 or email us at info@connectingstreams.com for more information.

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Change a Life, Become a Mentor

Join Power to Change every week day for Daily Devotional Chat in women’s chatroom at 10:30am Eastern. Your neighbors want to hear about God, and we have the emails to prove it. Each month thousands of people send in their questions. We use The Mentor Center (TMC) to match each one with a trained volunteer mentor. Click here to read more. Become a mentor and see for yourself how easy it is to minister right where you are. Watch the video How to Become a Mentor.