Today started with the normal things – dragging lazy bones out of the bed, jogging for some, walking on the beach for others, witnessing to the hotel staff (oops, is that really a normal thing? It should be.) But for one very small group of our ladies, today was different.
These ladies started the day with a prayer walk.
A prayer walk is just what it sounds like, walk around the places where Beach Retreat is happening and pray for what will happen in that place today. We are encouraging other students to prayer walk tomorrow. Parents and church family, would you be willing to take a virtual prayer walk with us? Here are the places where Beach retreat is occurring and some prayer suggestions for each. Pray with us and for us as we take a virtual tour.
Our hotel (picture of one of our rooms) – pray for the safety of our students and leaders. Pray for our witness with the hotel staff. Pray that our rest would be good. Pray that our room share time would be productive, and that it would be pleasing to God. Pray that we would get the rest we need.
The Sego Center – this is where our worship and preaching times are held. Pray that God would work in this place. Pray that God would protect this place from any spirit but the Holy Spirit. Pray that we would allow the Holy Spirit to move in our lives. Pray for James Dollar, Jim Perdue, Larry Grays and Bro. Mike Dorough as they lead us in worship, that God would give them wisdom and the correct words.
The intersection – our hotel is on one side of the main drag here in Panama City Beach, and the Sego Center is on the other. This is the crosswalk where EVERYONE crosses. Pray for our safety here and everywhere else that we go this week.
The dining room – where we serve and eat our meals. Pray that God would keep our bodies healthy so that nothing would distract us from what God is trying to do in our lives.
The pools – pray that we would be good witnesses to others in our group and other hotel guests. Pray that we would protect our eyes and thoughts.
The room where our ladies bible study meets – Pray that our girls would listen to Mrs. Harriet and would be receptive to God’s message to them.
And finally: The beach – pray for a good relaxing time on the beach, a time when we recognize the power and greatness of God.
Thanks for taking our virtual prayer walk. And thanks for praying for us!! Feel free to pray for us any time, and many times.
Today’s breakfast was McD’s Sausage biscuits and KrispyKreme doughnuts.
After breakfast we had our devotional time. We worked through Romans 10:13, Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8, 10:9-10 and 2 Cor 5:17. We saw the gospel as it applies to our lives and the lives of everyone we meet.
Then the guys and girls split into different rooms for Bible Study.
Jim Perdue challenged the guys to step up and be the hero that God has called them to be.
Teaching through 1Samuel 17 – the story of David and Goliath. Will we stand for God no matter what anyone else says or does? Will we engage in the little battles that God is using now to train us for the big battles that he needs us to stand as a hero? If we play it safe, we will NEVER make a difference. Here are Bro. Jim’s notes:
In the girls section, Mrs. Harriet continued their study based on the book “Secret Keeper” by Dannah Gresh. Today they discussed:
The Mark – Is it fashion or sin? Sin is missing the mark. The Hebrew word for sin is an archery term and means missing the bull’s eye. When we miss the mark we miss the blessing. Our bull’s eye is God’s intended purpose for us. 1Cor 10:32 tells us do not be stumbling block, Ephesians 5:3 says that we should have not even a hint of sexual immorality. Sin, missing the mark, means we cannot share in the prize.
The Allure – Two false advertising are:
Showing less controls more
Perceived value increases worth:
If a guy doesn’t have to “work” for something, it has no value. Don’t give yourself away for free. You do this by giving any part of you that is meant for your husband. He should have to get to know the lady in principles and values. When we dress immodestly we cause a guys mind to automatically “complete” the picture.
Dr. Larry Grays bought the message for the morning: “What do you do during delays?” from John 11:17 This is more from the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Today we dealt with what Martha and Mary did while waiting for Jesus to show up and what that shows us about what we should do when waiting on Jesus.
1. Plop on the person of Christ – yes, plop as in plopping down on a sofa. Martha believed in Jesus, but needed to plop down and put ALL her faith in him. Jesus was telling Martha to believe in him, not in some program or religious view.
2. Press into the passion of Christ – Mary fell at Jesus feet, and then said exactly what Martha had said. The difference? Martha asked a matter-of-fact question to Jesus’ face, and got a matter-of-fact answer. Mary asked a heart felt question to Jesus’ feet (she fell down at his feet in worship before him and then asked her question) and she got an emotional answer. We need to worship to get in touch with God.
3. During the wait know that God cares!
After the morning sermon it was off to lunch (KFC chicken with all the sides) and then free time for the afternoon.
PM Activities
Fun in the sun all afternoon. The kids had a great time swimming, playing volleyball, searching for shells, and hanging out.
Dinner was Papa John’s Pizza and salad. Then it was on to the evening worship.
Tonight the men surrounded the altar to pray at the beginning of the service.
Worship tonight was led by Echoing Angels who played the late concert (more on that later.)
One of the great pastimes for “the folks back home” is to try to find their kids, so have some fun with these pictures of the kids enjoying worshipping God.
Dr. Larry Grays taught on “Caught” from John 8:1-11
The woman had been caught, the ones who caught her weren’t godly, and they didn’t care for Jesus, but they had most certainly caught her.
We are all caught in the act. It may be a different act, but we are all caught in sin. But we are also caught in God’s grace.
1. The woman had been caught in adultery. She had sinned against God. Jesus convicts of sin. Without conviction we see no need of God. Being caught brought about needed change in her life. Being caught was part of the grace of God in her life and God used it to change her destiny. She had been caught by grace.
2. We are cleared by God’s grace v5-11a Let him who is without sin (without even the desire for sin) throw the first stone. Jesus was the only one who could stone her under those rules. Jesus never said that what she had done didn’t deserve stoning, what he knew was that he was going to take the punishment for that sin on the cross. That is the same way that all of us escape the just penalty for sin. Romans 8:1 There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. – Are you IN Christ Jesus? If not, you face your on eternal punishment.
3. We are changed by God’s grace. V10b-11 Jesus deals with her with grace and honor – he treats her redemptively. Jesus always deals with sin the same way. He really does love the sinner but hate the sin.
Conclusion: The payment for sins only comes through a death. Jesus has paid it all so he can give us grace.
After a short break we were back into a concert with Echoing Angels.
Just before the concert we finally caught up with the gang from First Baptist Church Warner Robins. Here they are:
After the concert we had church share time, them room share time and then glorious sleep!!
