True Satisfaction

There is no joy in selfish ambition.
Yes, shallow pleasure, but not the deepest, soul-satisfying type.
The only true pleasure comes from pursuit of, and fulfillment in, first Christ and then in His will.
This is what we were created for, and is the only place we will find true satisfaction.

Psalms 37:4, "Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart."

Trust in the Lord

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
~ Proverbs 3:5-6

April Ministry Update #2 - Discipleship Training Program

Last Saturday was the final LTL Discipleship Training Program meeting for the class of 2008-2009. We looked at "Gaining a Clear Vision for Your Life" and the importance that we allow Christ to be our vision/purpose in life, walk with Him, and THEN allow HIM to give us a vision for our lives.

Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

It was a powerful time of looking at God's Word, seeking His heart, understanding His ways, and learning how to set goals to make the visions He gives us a reality!

This DTP class has been marked by hearts earnestly seeking God, rich encouragement in following Him, sweet friendships, and honest accountability in seeking the Lord!

We concluded with DTP young women sharing short speeches and personal testimonies from their lives with the rest of the group. It was powerful to hear the special work that the Lord has done and is doing in each life - and the unique message He is giving each young woman to share as a result!

Hebrews 11:6, "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

The Love of God

Today I spent a few moments near the lake watching the sunlight sparkle on the water... This always makes me think of the Lord's love.
As I thought about His love, the words to "The Love of God" came to my heart.

The Love of God

The love of God is greater far
Than tongue or pen can ever tell;
It goes beyond the highest star,
And reaches to the lowest hell;
The guilty pair, bowed down with care,
God gave His Son to win;
His erring child He reconciled,
And pardoned from his sin.

Refrain:
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure!
How measureless and strong!
It shall forevermore endure—
The saints’ and angels’ song.

When hoary time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’ and angels’ song.

Could we with ink the ocean fill,
And were the skies of parchment made,
Were every stalk on earth a quill,
And every man a scribe by trade;
To write the love of God above,
Would drain the ocean dry;
Nor could the scroll contain the whole,
Though stretched from sky to sky.

~ by Frederick M. Lehman

Have a beautiful day rejoicing in the Lord's love for you!

Because Jesus Lives

What we remember today is the most important event of all time!

This event was Jesus dying on the cross, taking the punishment for our sins, and rising victoriously from the dead.

Because of what Jesus did, we can:
- be forgiven and cleansed from our sins
- be made right with God
- walk with Him
- live with Him in Heaven for all of eternity

Jesus’ saving work on the cross is open to everyone - IF we will personally realize our need for a Savior, confess our sins to Him, trust in Him to save us, and receive Him as our Lord and Savior.

Romans 10:9, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."

When this is real in our lives, then we can have the relationship with the Lord that we were created for and grow in knowing, loving, and living for Him!

There is nothing greater about which to rejoice!!!

May today be a meaningful day of rejoicing in Jesus’ resurrection, treasuring your salvation, and standing in awe of the love the Lord had to reach out to us that we might walk with Him and live with Him forever!

Romans 5:8, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Jesus, Thank You For The Cross

Jesus, thank You for the cross.
Where You hung for me.
The place You suffered utmost loss,
That ransomed I may be.

You gave Your all and suffered,
That through You I may live.
Compared with this no thing,
I have is too much to give.

When you suffered, bled, and died,
To pay my sins penalty.
The wrath of God was satisfied,
And my soul could be set free.

Oh, Jesus, thank You for the cross,
The picture of Love so true.
For through Your perfect sacrifice,
I can know and walk with You.

~ A. Vest 4/9/09

April Ministry Update #1 - MACHE Conference

This past weekend, Loving the Lord Ministries hosted a booth at the MACHE Conference in St. Paul, Minnesota. The Lord met with us in special ways over the weekend.



Amy Vest gave a workshop on "The Power and Potential of Your Youth for God," encouraging young people to live their youth to the fullest with, and for, the Lord. Many parents also attended with the desire to encourage their children towards this goal.



We offered our spiritual growth materials and were blessed as people brought it home with a desire to seek the Lord.

We had the joy of meeting wonderful new friends...

...enjoying great conversations, sharing information, praying with people about specific situations...

...and getting to be with many of you!

"For he established a testimony... That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments." ~ Psalms 78:5-7

Psalm 63:1&3

"O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee... Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee."
~ Psalm 63:1&3