Women Alive

                                         A New Beginning

Women ALIVE in Christ!   Women Alive 2012!

“A new command I give you:  Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  John 13:34-35 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”  2 Corinthians 5:17 

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord.  For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8

“There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.”  Proverbs 23:18

 At the beginning of a New Year, people often make resolutions and then break them shortly after.  It has been suggested that one should not only make resolutions, but one also needs goals to put those resolutions in practice.  As we look at these passages about newness, I would like to suggest that we make these our goals for this year.  God has commanded us to love one another, just as He has loved us.  Let’s stop for a minute and ask ourselves if we really do this.  Yes, we can be caring, kind people, but do we really see all people as God does?  His love is unconditional.  It does not matter what a person looks like, how they behave, what they have or have not done to us – God loves each one.  If we truly love each person as God loves them, people will know that we are His disciples and what a ministry we can have!  For some people, 2011 has been a very dismal year.  They may have experienced loss of employment, of loved ones or of relationships. This may have created much stress and sorrow and challenged their faith and hope.  As we shine through with God’s love, let’s believe that others will have a New Beginning in 2012 – that they will become a new creation, with life in Christ and a hope for their future.  As we serve and love God this year, let’s pray for ministry opportunities in our day-to-day life.  We have a great message to share and people need to hear it.  For many people, we are the only sermon they may hear!  God Bless you in 2012!

Praying for Canada and the World:

Pray for an outpouring of God’s Holy Spirit on Canada throughout 2012.  (Joel 2:28; Acts 2:17)

Pray for the staff and volunteers that serve in local churches in your city or community, that the Lord will anoint them for effective service.

Pray that the Lord will put a desire in the hearts of those in business to follow God’s principles and act honourably and ethically.

“He will rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.”  Psalms 72:8

Praying for Women Alive:

Pray that God would help us to develop a stronger prayer ministry within Women Alive.

Pray that Women Alive will develop a strong interactive online ministry with webcasting, Bible Study groups and other social and spiritual connecting features. 

Pray that we would work more effectively with churches and denominations by offering programs and ministry resources to help their women and teen girls. 

Pray for the upcoming events – that through all of the programs and activities God’s Faithfulness will be praised:

“The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.”  1 Thess. 5:24

Praying for People:

1. Pray for a couple who have some major decisions to make in the New Year.  Please pray for God’s direction in this situation and that He will give wisdom and the ability to make the right decision.
2. Pray for the family and friends of 15-year-old Julia, who lost her 7-month battle with brain cancer, 2 days before Christmas.  Pray that they will be comforted, knowing Julia is free from pain, and the short 15 years she had on this earth left an impact on many people. 

                                              TAKE GOD’S HAND

(Zechariah 4: 6)

As we enter this New Year

Let us take the hand of God,

Let us follow as He leads,

Be comforted with staff and rod.

Jesus calls each one of us

To walk in holiness and love,

To walk in righteousness and truth,

To glorify our Lord above.

Let’s ask our Lord to help us know

How to walk in one accord,

“Not by might nor by power

But by My Spirit,” says the Lord.

In God’s hand is power and might,

In His hand is love and grace,

The day will come, He’ll call us home,

Then we’ll see Him face to face.

Muriel Stephenson Dec. 28/11