Why Celebrate?

At Christmastime, we celebrate Jesus’ birth, which represents God’s goodness.

For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall NOT perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NIV

When we receive the Son of God as our Lord and Saviour, our sins are forgiven, we are saved from Hell, and we have a promise of a home in Heaven. But eternal life means more than all this; it means you become a "partaker of the divine nature" (II Peter 1:4), you become a child of God. Eternal life is the "new life" that God gives to all who are willing to receive His Son. It is the life of God imparted to man.

Jesus came so that we may have life and have it ABUNDANTLY! (John 10:10)

Are you living life in abundance; is your life full & overflowing with the goodness of God? If not, WHY not?

The first part of John 10:10 says that The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy.

Recognize that it is the enemy who wants to prevent you from living the abundant life that Jesus came to give YOU. Do NOT allow the enemy to have victory in any area of your life. Take authority over the enemy in Jesus’ name. (Luke 10:19)

We are born into an earthly life that contains sin and its deadly effects - pain, suffering, despair, illness, but take heart because Jesus has overcome the world! (John 16:33) The life that Jesus made possible by His saving work, of which His birth is just a part of, has much different attributes:

Hope - an eternity spent together with God is assured! (Titus 3:7)
Joy - an everlasting happiness that can penetrate even the toughest of times. (Isaiah 61:7)
Peace - hearts free from anxiety and filled with gratitude. (Phillipians 4:7)
Love - the eternal, unconditional love of God that will never change. (Psalm 136:2)

We can exchange the ‘un-abundant’, cheap imitation of life that exists in this world for an abundant life filled with Hope, Joy, Peace, and Love. That’s WHY He came.

Jesus came that you may have a life filled with hope; that you may have a life filled with joy; that you may have a life filled with peace; that you may have a life filled with love; Jesus came that you may have a truly abundant life!

Stand upon God’s Word, celebrate God’s goodness & embrace the life that Christ came to give YOU!

And the WINNER is....

WIN 2 NIGHTS STAY at the BEACH! ONLY 2 DAYS LEFT!

  Strive for Greatness "Women of Purpose" Conference

REGISTER EARLY 

for a chance to

WIN 2 NIGHTS STAY  

at the

Beautiful TradeWinds Sandpiper Beach Resort!

Early registrations must be received

by Thursday, December 15th, 2012

Drawing will be held & WINNER announced

Friday, December 16th! 

http://www.striveforgreatness.com

Call 727-289-6648 or toll free 800-587-7402

YOU ARE INVITED!

Women, Pastors &/or Ministry Leaders, this INVITATION is for YOU and the WOMEN you know! Please JOIN US if you can! And remember that God is a WAY MAKER! Love & Blessings, Karen

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/INVITATION-to-the-STRIVE-for-GREATNESS-WOMEN-of-PURPOSE-EVENT.html?soid=1108302653947&aid=lnwB850M66k

Christmas-The most WONDERFUL TIME of the Year!

Christmas- the most WONDERFUL TIME of the Year!  We've all heard that before, right?  

Well, let me tell you, Satan, doesn’t want it to be the most WONDERFUL TIME of the Year!  He’s NOT happy that Christians are celebrating the birth of Christ, so he will do WHATEVER he can to steel our JOY!  Satan is a thief!  

Satan comes only to steal and kill and destroy and Jesus has come that we may have life, and have it to the full.  John 10:10 (NIV)

Do NOT allow Satan to have victory over you in ANY area of your life, especially at Christmastime!  Stand upon God’s word when you come under attack KNOWING that you have AUTHORITY over the enemy in Jesus’ name.  (Mark 16:17)

Recognize that it’s Satan who is your enemy, NOT society, retail stores, marketers, broken Christmas decorations, a pre-lit tree that won’t light, nor difficult family members OR unruly children!  It’s Satan! He will use WHATEVER and WHOMEVER he can to steel your JOY!  

REFUSE to ALLOW Satan to have victory in your life!  With resolve take authority over him in the name of JESUS and choose to walk in PEACE with JOY and live the VICTORIOUS and ABUNDANT life that Jesus came to give YOU!

God’s word says that we are MORE than CONQUERORS through Christ JESUS!  We are the HEAD and not the tail!  We are BLESSED coming AND going!  (Romans 8:37, Deuteronomy 28:13, Deuteronomy 28:6)

You may be thinking, “Karen, this is easier said than done, you have no idea what has come against me the past few weeks or what I’m facing right now!”  You’re right, I don’t know, but what I do know is that it’s a SPIRITUAL battle that you’re fighting and YOU can WIN the battle because YOU are a Child of the Most High God!  (Psalm 82:6)

God’s word, His promises are what enables you to WIN the BATTLE!  Stand upon His word!  YOU CAN do ALL things through Christ who strengthens YOU.  (Philippians 4:13)

PURPOSE the next several weeks to be the most WONDERFUL TIME of the Year by choosing to focus on Christ.  Walk in VICTORY over Satan!

When you look at the evergreen in your home, may it remind you of the everlasting life that you have through Christ (John 3:16), may Christmas lights, remind you that Jesus is "the light of the world" (John 8:12) and when you give gifts in honor of Christ's birth, may it remind you of the Most Precious Gift of All, IMMANUEL (Isaiah 9, Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23)!  

At Christmas time we celebrate more than just the birth of a child!  WE CELEBRATE THE BIRTH OF A SAVIOR & THE MANIFEST PRESENCE OF GOD TO MANKIND! (HEBREWS 4:16)

CELEBRATE your SAVIOR!!  He LOVES you!  He is your SALVATION!  He makes life worth LIVING!  He gives you STRENGTH when you are weak.  He makes a WAY when there seems to be no way!  He is a FRIEND that sticks closer than a brother! He is your HOPE!  He gives you JOY unspeakable JOY!  

It's a GLORIOUS TIME!  Walk in PEACE as you celebrate His Birthday! 

Photos of Sarah Rachel Hill

CLICK the link to see Photos of Sarah Rachel Hill 2012 Strive for Greatness Women of Purpose Event Speaker!

Sarah is beautiful inside AND out!  We're BLESSED to have Sarah as part of our team!

 

Sarah was instrumental in helping professional surfer Bethany Hamilton through a tragic shark attack that left her with one arm. Sarah's own past, which includes suffering a broken neck and back in a surfing accident, helped prepare her and equip her in ministry. Sarah serves as a missionary on the Island of Kauai where she leads one of the largest student ministries on the Island. Grounded in her devotion and love for Christ, her training allows her to recognize those in need and gives her the ability to reach out to them. After growing up in a tough and abusive home, through God's grace, she continues impacting lives for God's kingdom as she travels sharing her story on Kauai...and beyond.   

Strive for Greatness Women of Purpose conferences are a great way to share your faith! 

Round up a carload of friends (10 or more) OR bring a bus full of women & the 11th registration is FREE!

Groups are GUARANTEED seats TOGETHER!  You'll experience the kind of bonding that occurs when women laugh, cry, and spend time together learning about God and each other.

For more information please visit www.striveforgreatness.com

and make sure to visit our Spread the Word page!

We look forward to seeing you & your girlfriends at the beach in February!     

  

EXPECT GREATNESS!!!   

Because your Father is great, greatness resides in you.  Therefore, expect greatness everyday!

The Bible declares in Psalms 95:3 - For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

Amen & Amen!  

Soul Surfer - Interview and Testimony - Sarah Hill

We are thrilled to announce that Sarah Rachel Hill, portrayed by Carrie Underwood in the recently released movie "Soul Surfer," has joined the Strive for Greatness Women of Purpose 2012 line-up!

Sarah was instrumental in helping professional surfer Bethany Hamilton through a tragic shark attack that left her with one arm.

You are invited to join us February 3rd & 4th, 2012 at the beautiful TradeWinds Sandpiper Beach Resort, St. Pete. Beach, FL for the Strive for Greatness Women of Purpose conference.

For more information, please visit http://www.striveforgreatness.com

You & your girlfriends do not want to miss this LIFE-CHANGING EVENT!

Register EARLY! WIN 2 NIGHTS STAY at the Beautiful TradeWinds Sandpiper Beach Resort! Early registrations must be received by Thursday, December 15th, 2011 Drawing will be held & WINNER announced on Friday, December 16th, 2011!

Healer - Bethel

May the Lord BLESS your heart through this song, as He did mine! He is MORE than ENOUGH!

Choose Life!

God has a plan for your life.  

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

SALVATION is part of God's plan; God wants us to be SAVED from sin and its effects.  In order to be SAVED, we must repent of our sins (turn from our sinful ways) and receive (accept) Jesus Christ as the Lord of our lives.  (Romans 10:9-10)  This is where TRUE LIVING begins!

We are given the power of CHOICE!  "Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!  Deuteronomy 30:19 (NLV)

In His love, He wants each of us to CHOOSE LIFE, that we may live in eternity with Him. This is His desire, but again, it is our choice!  (2 Peter 3:9)  It is up to us to accept Him as Lord and Savior of our lives.

If you are going from day to day just existing . . . living in the mundane . . . not enjoying a full relationship with Jesus Christ, let me tell you, you don’t have to live that way. The Bible says in John 10:10 that “the thief comes only to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. But Jesus comes to give you life, and life more abundant.”

God has a GREAT PLAN for your life!  CHOOSE to BELIEVE in HIM, ACCEPT Him as your personal SAVIOR, turn from your sinful ways and “walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”  Colossians 1:10

Don't mess YOUR LIFE up by NOT choosing Him!  "CHOOSE LIFE" each and every day, His life!  Real life doesn’t exist outside of Christ.

Life in Christ is a life of ABUNDANCE, a life of FREEDOM, a life of TRUE LIVING!  “For he who finds Me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord. But he who sins against me injures himself; all those who hate Me love death.”  Proverbs 8:35-36

Satan’s job is to make you miserable. He wants to steal your happiness and peace, kill your joy and you, and destroy your life.  We have been given authority over Satan in the name of Jesus! (Luke 10:19)

CHOOSE LIFE!  It is there for the taking, receive it.  Choose life and then LIVE IT!

CHOOSE LIFE - ABUNDANT LIFE - a life filled with PEACE, JOY & HOPE....with Jesus!

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade -- kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power.  1 Peter 1:3-5

Karen Rae Hickam, Melanoma Cancer SURVIVOR