Controlling Our Tongues

Making It Count for the Lord

For Such A Time As This (Queen Esther)

A Lesson in Faith

Where are your priorities?

Be Ye Kind

Thick-Skinned and Tender-Hearted

Controlling Our Tongues

     I count it a privilege to have been asked to write to the wonderful Godly ladies of the church.  As I reflect on this months topic on controlling our tongues, I cannot help but to pray and ask God to reveal to me some of my weaknesses and strengths in such a critical area.  Psalms 34:13 says:  Keep thy tongue from evil and thy lips from speaking guile.

     I am thankful (but always aware) that in most cases the Lord has enable me to control most of what I say, as to not to offend or hurt other Christians, or worse a lost soul. To what would it profit Christ, the HOLY one, who gave us such a precious gift of our Salvation.  I sympathize with those who constantly struggle and at times fear that they will speak words from their flesh and then they must deal with the consequences. But our God also warns us in James 3: 8. But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.   God knew that some would struggle in this area but if we lean on him in prayer and acknowledge his ways he will direct out paths.

     God also commands that we be prepared always to speak and witness for him.  2 Tim 4:2 says:  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  This area of not using our tongues for Christ can be just as devastating.  Perhaps its because of fear of what to say or because of rejection, regardless we could sinfully loss the opportunity for a loss soul to be saved.  This area is one that I struggle with most.

    I believe that every Christian lady could easily fall into one of these categories.  I challenge you all as ladies of Blackstone Valley Baptist Church to work out these weaknesses so that we can develop a Godly balance between the two. Every word spoken should glorify our heavenly father.  Psalms 35:28  And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the daylong.

Pat Boucher

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Making It Count for the Lord

      What is the first thing that we think of when we wake up? Is it the Lord, or is our mind filled with all the things that we have to do today? I know for me it’s two loud kids trying to get my attention. The Lord is waiting for us to say good morning to Him first, He is trying to get our attention. Psalms 5:3 says “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and I will look up.” We need to tell the Lord all about the day ahead of us. He wants to hear from us. He will guide us and direct us in the way He wants us to go. We need to trust that the Lord has everything under control, because He does.

     If we start the day off right, we will have the strength to face what the day has to bring and He will bless us more than we could ever imagine.  I’m reminded of the song “O Be Careful Little Eyes What You See, Mind what you think, Feet where you go, Heart who you trust, and Hands what you do.” If we don’t give the Lord our day right from the start Satan will steal it. He wants to fill our minds with things that don’t really matter. He is waiting to deceive us and rob us of the joy that the Lord has planned for us. When we pray in the morning for our day we need to pray that our eyes will see good things, that our minds will think good thoughts, that our feet will go where the Lord wants us to, that our heart will trust the Lord, and our Hands will do things that are pleasing to the Lord.

     Ephesians 6:11-18 talks about putting on the whole armor of God. If we do this our day will count for the Lord, we will be doing the things that He wants us to, not what we want to do. At the end of the day when you look back at what you did, can you say that your day counted for the Lord? I’m speaking to myself; I know I need a lot of work in this area. Sitting through the ladies seminar made me realize that I was not making it count for the Lord. I know I was challenged to talk to the Lord first thing in the morning no matter what the distractions are and to make my day count for the Lord. I hope and pray that you will be challenged to do the same. Just remember, God has been waiting all night long, and He can’t wait to hear from you in the morning.

Erica Bissonnette

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For Such A Time As This (Queen Esther)

     As in the days of Queen Esther, the enemy of God's people is still trying to devise a plan of destruction for His children. Esther an orphan girl being raised by her elder cousin, Mordecai, would seem an unlikely candidate for the redemption of her people. But, our God, knowing the end from the beginning, was preparing the stage for their unknowing need for redemption. Not so different from us today, these Jews were in a land of captivity. This was not their home.

     We too, can see that this world literally puts us in a physical bondage, as we anxiously await the return of our precious Savior, to free us from the captivity of both flesh and the world.

     The book of Esther is a great allegory of the gospel. Through the sin of Queen Vashti, another would have to be chosen. Her one year purification process is a wonderful picture of how only the pure could stand before the king. Like ourselves, it is only through the purity of the precious blood of Christ that we can be worthy to stand in the presence of our righteous King.

     It was through the obedience of one, Esther, and her willingness to seek the face of the Almighty, and lay down her life if necessary, with her brethren, that finally lead to both their salvation and their prosperity.

     Only our Father can take the very seeds of the enemies destructive devices and turn them around for our good. So we trust, we wait, and we seek, and let the God of heaven lead our path. As women of faith, it could be said "...who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this." Esther 4:14b

     So, Be prepared, It Could Be YOU!!! 

Donna Maranda

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A Lesson in Faith

     Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who loved us and died for us. To begin, our family joined the church about 6 1/2 months ago, but before that we had served in other churches together for 10 years. I was brought up in a Christian home; I was saved at the age of 4 1/2. I had always heard and talked about faith, but did I truly understand faith? The answer - though I didn't realize it at the time - was a resounding "No". Thirteen months ago, my life changed dramatically. There is really too much to go into here, but the short of it is, while coming home from handing out tracks at the Salvation Army as a family, we saw a black man walking down the road. We found out that he was a Christian from Nigeria, Africa and in much need. He has been living with us for the last 13 months and we love him.

     We ended up starting a medical staffing agency with this man, Emeka, as a partner. A month later, my husband lost his computer-engineering job because the company was shutting down the Boston location. God's timing is perfect. We had for over 8 years of marriage lived very comfortably on his high salary. I never went to the store thinking about what I needed but what I wanted.  We had both been praying for God to  grow our faith, not realizing what was in store.

     This past year has been such a lesson in true faith. My husband has not been paid since Thanksgiving of last year. We lived exclusively on his severance pay - including the expenses of our start up business - which we only started because God led my husband to do it. We have not made enough from the business to pay the expenses of the business let alone our home expenses. Through it all God has provided though. Our four children have never been without food. We haven't been able to pay any of our bills - including our mortgage - this last month we have called the companies and they have been more than gracious. God has blessed us through family and friends immensely. We are also beginning to see a light at the of the tunnel. But through it all, God has NEVER left us. He has and is providing in ways we could NEVER have imagined. He truly has grown our faith. My faith in God and his hand of mercy is so much greater than it was a year ago. I have seen him work in ways that are so miraculous that if they were in a fiction book no one would read it because they would think they were ridiculously unreal. 
Many, many people came to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ even before a single penny was made.

     I do not give you this testimony to feel sorry for us, on the contrary, I give it to encourage each of you to understand God's love and how much He truly cares for each His children. This has been the best year of my life! My priorities have changed. An example is, my mother-in-law sent me $20 for my birthday and told me to "treat" myself. I was so excited. My "treat" was toilet paper, trash bags and paper towels. I had just been asking the Lord how I would get those 3 things right before the mail came with the card. Isn't He so good? This was the first year my mother-in-law sent me money for my birthday.

     We named the business Above the Clouds so to honor our Lord. Because our source of joy and everything we have comes from He who is above the clouds. I urge you all to pray that God will grow your faith. But pray it sincerely; be ready for whatever will come. He will NEVER leave you who trust in Him. Remember that growing sometimes causes discomfort - we call it "growing pains" but it is worth it for in the end we become new creatures. We never stay in one spot. If we are not growing, we are shrinking. Let us be Growing Christians for the Lord. I have no idea how this part of our life will end, but I know that Jesus Christ will never forsake us. He wants your faith to grow as well.  2 Corinthians 5:7 "For we  walk by faith, not by sight." Ephesians 6:16 "Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked."

April Sanders

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Where are your priorities?

     It has been a year of blessings and encouragement from the Lord. Prayers answered in the salvation of Jeff Boucher, the ladies coming together in unity, souls saved and baptized at Blackstone Valley Baptist Church. My family and I have been blessed and are very thankful for being able to serve the Lord.

       I count it a privilege to serve the Lord. It was wonderful working with the children for the Christmas program and to just be a part of the Music Program. People sometimes ask "Do you mind doing this?" I always love and enjoy serving the Lord.

     My husband and I continue to pray for God's direction towards His will. At the start of the new year, people like to make resolutions or set goals for their lives. I Corinthians 14:40 says "Let all things be done decently and in order." I believe it is a good time to evaluate and set Godly priorities in our lives.

     Here are some Godly priorities that have been taught to me:

1) Our fellowship with God. Psalm 1:2, We need a time of prayer, reading and studying God's Word. Ask Go to give you something each day from His Word. Questions you can ask yourself; Is there a command to obey? Is there a sin to avoid? Is there a promise to claim? Is there an example to follow? What can I learn about God and Jesus? Write in your journal what you have learned.

2) Being a Help Meet to our husband. Proverbs 3:10-12, A Help Meet is a wife who is a helper, completer and companion. She is designed by God to fulfill her husband's needs. She was designed to be that virtuous woman in Proverbs 31. She was a woman of strength, ability, moral worth - meaning great value to her husband - not a spoiler. She is different from the world and is highly treasured. A Help Meet is submissive, honors and is humbly obedient unto her husband. Submission is an act of faith in God, 1 Peter 3:5. 

3) Children. Proverbs 22:6, Proverbs 31:14-16, Proverbs 31:27, Children are a heritage of the Lord. We need to be Godly mothers that love, control and discipline our children. We need to feed, clothe and guard our family each day.

4) A Helper to others. Proverbs 31:20

5) Take Care of Ourselves. Proverbs 31:17,22, Keeping our priorities in order has been an area and a reminder that I needed for a New Year. I pray it has been a help and encouragement to you ladies. Thank you for letting me share with you.

Kim Keller

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Be Ye Kind

     It says in Eph. 4:32 "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

     Kindness is a wonderful art that all of us appreciate.  It always seems to smooth out rough situations or cheer a visitor when they visit our church.  A smile can go a long way when the surroundings around you seem totally new and foreign.  Sometimes we get so caught up with our own little "click" that we forget about others.  It's been said, "Most of us don't plan to be unkind, we just don't plan to BE kind."  Kindness can be summed up in this saying - Kindness is love doing little things, things that seem scarcely worth doing, and yet which seem so much to those for whom they are wrought.  Kindness lends a hand when another is burdened.  It speaks the cheerful word when a heart is discouraged.  It gives a cup of cold water when one is thirsty.  It is always doing a good turn to somebody.  Kindness goes about performing little ministries with a touch of blessing.  It scatters its favors everywhere.  Few qualities do more to make life beautiful!  Lord, make me kind today, full of love!
     "Scatter then your seeds of kindness, all enriching as  you go - Leave them.  Trust the Harvest Giver; He will make Each seed to grow. So until the happy end, your life shall never lack a friend." De Jong

Miss Victoria Keller

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Thick-Skinned and Tender-Hearted

     Longevity has it's won rewards. I've come full circle and have never been happier. When my children were little I started serving in the children's ministries of Blackstone Valley Baptist Church. First as a nursery worker, then teaching the 2-5 year old Sunday School Class and working in children's church. Now I am back working with babies and 2-5 year olds but this time my grandchildren are in this group.

     I have a formula that helps me remain steadfast. It is based on scripture though I have simplified it. The years have taught me that one of the main reasons people don't stay busy for the Lord and faithful in the ministry is because they are offended by someone in the church. If you associate with people in any capacity at some point you will be offended by something that is said, or by what someone has done or not done to you. It is a guarantee that offenses will happen during our Christian walk. I have also been the someone who has offended another and I was not even aware of the offense until they told me. The formula is simple, we need to learn to be thick skinned and tender hearted.

Colossians 3:13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

2 Corinthians 11:29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?

Romans 14:21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.

Ellen Bissonnette

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