SAFE Ministries Blog

Today I had decided to take it easy and go to an auction ,something I like doing, and is a line of work for me . My problem was that the auction started at 6:30 pm and at 7:00 pm Church starts , so I would have to miss Church to go to the auction . I went to the auction early to get a look at what was going to be selling .They really had  some  nice things , beautiful furniture and some pretty col stuff that I could probably pick up a little cheaper and make a little cash for them come covered bridge time but all this time ringing in the back of my mind was  a scripture (John 21:15)" Lovest though me more than these"?  I knew it was Church night and I knew to pick up these deals I would have to miss it ! Besides I could go Sunday couldn't I ? But I really couldn't get all the things I wanted to on a bike I road to the auction so I went on back home for a bit  trying to make the decision on wether to miss and make some money or go and hear the word . It was a true struggle because I knew I would lose if I went to church and missed teh auction . I called my daughter and asked if she would  like to go to the auction with me about 6:15 still struggeling with the decision she answered me and said No Dad I have to pick up Josh from work I'm sorry I can't . A little upset I looked up at the sky as the sun was shining down on my face I realized something ... The auction was no gaurantee to profit,  but God has brought me through many things and  to leave him who brought me through troubled times for an auction wouldn't be connsidered very strong faith In God now would it ? There would be more auctions anyway and the Word of God is more important . So I decided instead that Church would be the place I would go and when I got there hearing the message was a great help and inspiration to my soul .I felt wonderful after words and would be on my way home . Traveling  home I went by a dingy old looking house but as I looked beside that old porch on the house I saw a huge cast iron  cauldoren (kettle ) just exactly what I always look for but haven't seen in a long time .My thought at first was to get up the courage to stop and ask whom ever lived there if they might happen to want to sell it, but I then decide to go on ..Thinking in my mind they would probably want a 100 or 200  for it even if they did and the other thing was  ... Mabye I would get shot  for even knocking on the door . So I just scooted on down the road but all the time couldn't get it out of my mind .. so halfway home I decided WELL... I'm gonna turn it around and give this a shot besides all they can say is no they don't want to sell it and if they shoot me Hey I am a Christian and I have accepted Christ in my heart ? Ill go to heaven if they do that right ? So I went back and knocked on the old door and herd this voice saying come on in !! I didn't say a word and I wasn't about to step in a house that the door was closed on  especially not being able to see the face of the person on the other side right? But then a little old lady answered the door with a  bowl of popcorn in her hand . I said Maam I'm sorry to bother you this late but ,I was driving by and just wondered if you would possibly want to sell that old iron pot ? She replied I don't know come on in a second and I will ask my husband . He wa sitting in the lazboy watching a movie with a big bowl of popcorn himself . She asked him and his reply to me as he looked up at me was .I tell you what son if  you take it all I will sell it to you for 15 dollars !! I didn't know what he meant take it all but I knew the pot it self was worth much much more  so I couldn't get my billfold out fast enough ...I gave him three  5's and he got up walking out to the garage and said I will be right back ! I am thinking at this point  oh um gulp here comes the gun I BET !but when he came back there was no gun there was a golden eagle that sits on top of the round iron kettle hangers that were sitting in the yard the cast iron kettle hangs on .He said now you take it all and we are  square . I couldn't get all this stuff in the car hardly but finally I did but really didn't know what I had until I got it home. A 2FT WIDE 17 INCH DEEP CAULDOREN THAT HANGS FROM TWO CAST IRON CIRCLES a huge peice. I looked it up on the internet and it sells for almost 700 dollars with out the hangers .I was amazed but then thought back of the decision to follow Christ and Go to church instead of the auction and knew this was the Lords doing as it said in Psalms 118:23  and it's marvelous in our eyes .Wow what a day!!!!  The struggle to do right and the reward for  leaving the struggle and trusting God !! I wasn't expecting it? I was happy just to hear the message and knowing I did the right thing even though I may suffer a little  but that wasn't at all how it turned out . wich brings me to the conclusion and a couple of bible verses I live my life by and would love to leave you with !  (Matthew 6: 33) " But  Seek ye first the kingom of God; and his righteousness and all these  things shall be added unto you ".  and IF THAT WASN'T ENOUGH (Proverbs 3:5)" Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding".  God bless you today and keep on walking in obedience .~~Joe Lewis~~

The Lord has truly blessed Scott and I with the SAFE ministry. Not only have we met people we already love through the program, but going through the program as leaders as been such a blessing.

 This weekend we had a very confrontational issue with some folks (nothing to do with group) where I was under attack and accused of saying things I did not say. It was a very hurtful situation.  The Lord used this to teach me that I needed to pray more on issues of anger and bitterness. Scott, as usual, was calm and handled the confrontation with grace and wisdom.  I am so thankful I have the opportunity to watch my husband grow as He envelopes himself in the Word.

This week was Lesson 12 on dealing with bitterness and being more forgiving. I told the group this was one week I probably needed just as much, if not more, than they did!

How glad that He is in control and not me. . . I would only mess it up!

Thank you Lord for teaching me lessons through this program. Thank you for allowing me to be part of the SAFE ministry. I pray I might be a vessel for your glory alone and not mine. Please keep our members safe and help them to be strong in a world where temptation and evil runs rampant. Help us all to be great, not good, witnesses for your namesake. Amen.

God is so good. We pray for one thing and He blesses us abundatly.

 Scott and I prayed for $100 to help us provide supplies and books to those who cannot afford it. The concert raised $235! But, more importantly, it has brought us more prospects and another group member. That was also a prayer - that there be someone in the audience who needed the program and who would have the courage to come.

As usual, God does things so much better than we can ever imagine!

We have added an evening group to accommodate working people in the area.

We are praying for, and ask that you pray for, a building in either St. Helen or Roscommon as we have had phone calls from folks in those areas who desire to get into a Christ-centered program in that area.

God bless!

Marti

Pastor Fred Seidler, a great folk singer and guitarist, will be giving a benefit concert at 6 p.m. Sunday, July 25, at Lake St. Helen Baptist Church.  There will be a potluck at 4:30 p.m.

 A love offering will be taken which will go to the S.A.F.E. Ministries.

 Please pray for a great turnout and that God will bring people there who may benefit from the program.

 Blessings to all of you!

Marti

 

What a wonderful few weeks we have had in group! As members grow closer and open up more, we see the need for more ministries up here in Northern Michigan.

 This Sunday, we are having a benefit concert at a church in St. Helen. A love offering will be taken and all benefits will go to our SAFE Minsitry. Praise God for opening doors!

We have been approached by a few people to start a group in St. Helen, Michigan. Although it is about 25 miles from our home, we feel God's conviction to start a ministry there. Please pray we can find a building to house a group.

We are also beginning a new group in Grayling . . . one that will  take place in the evening. Please pray God will send those folks to us who need it.

 Blessings to all who read this . . .

Marti

Thankfully, the Houghton Lake Resorter put in a small story about our new SAFE program. www.houghtonlakeresorter.net is the Web site. We are also listed in its Community Calendar which is in print.

We have had one phone call so far regarding the story. Word of mouth seems to be the way to go with the program, but a story in the media also helps it along.

Hoping the Crawford County Avalanche will also put in a small story. I will write it up and get it sent out.

Had a great group last week. Talking about decision-making skills and how we should not ever make important decisions while on an emotional high or low. Rather, it's best to be on that even path of stability.

 Not sure why but someone keeps removing our posters we have set up at various locations.  Scott and I will continue to replace them.

It's a beautifully sunny day in Crawford County, Michigan!

Blessings to you all!

Marti

Praise God, we have four members in our new group!

Up here in Northern Michigan, there are a lot of very tiny towns and villages, and we want to make sure we can help reach them in Roscommon and Crawford counties.

Crawford County has the second highest unemployment rate in Michigan, so you can imagine the poverty.  Folks without the Lord feel hopeless and helpless.

We are praying about beginning a second group around the Roscommon/St. Helen area but will need a place to hold our meetings. Please pray for us to find a building!

We already love all the members of our group and pray for them every day. We pray they will rely on Jesus to help them stay stay strong.

Any tips on how to find a building is welcome!

Marti

With the help and guidance of Pastor Fred, my husband, Scott, and I have just started a new SAFE group in Grayling, Michigan. The need for the Lord is huge up here in Northern Michigan, and we humbly ask for prayer and to be in His will as we begin this journey.

Our group meets at 11 a.m. each Monday at Grayling Baptist Church, 705 Madsen.

God bless all of you, and I will keep this blog updated.

Marti

Felon is a terrible word in our world  today .According to society it is
someone who has committed (or been legally convicted of) a crime .  Felon can carry stiff hard penalties in a persons life ,Some of those penalties include  being ousted from society ,imprisoned for years, not being given a chance for any job ,license revoked ,looked down on by society,  A person with no future and no hope .  Having heads turned away from you as you don't even exist to some . No matter the crime if felon shows up on your record or if you are labeled a felon some  people will  look at you as a different person . A lower class or a person to stay away from .

The good news is you can be a felon and God loves you  as much as he did before you were labeled a felon  by society . He gave his only begotten son as a sacrifice to cover all your sin . What is sin ? (1 John 3:4) Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.

 More good news :God has given His commandments and laws to man to govern the way man lives. These laws are for the good of all and are meant to preserve the gift of life which God has given. When man obeys God's law there is liberty and freedom to enjoy the gift of life with others without fear of future problems.

Does this mean you won't ever have trouble ? The answer is no . "We all have trouble in this life on earth"  but God can see you through as you learn to look to him for everything .

 Yes you can be restored  and be a felon ! (Psalms 19:7) The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul.

Yes you can be set free ! John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
John 8:36  also tells us :If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.  Free from addictions ,free from lawlesness(sin) free from the prison bars that have been set around your very soul by  wrong  choices made  in life. By now you may be asking a few questions .

How can I get this freedom ? How much does it cost ?What do I need to do  for this freedom ?  If you want this freedom it cost absolutey nothing !  That's right!...  not even a penny! it cost nothing ! and all you have to do is accept the freedom . Nothing is required to be done and nothing can be done in works for this freedom .

Let me explain : John 3:16 says "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life". key word "whosoever " meaning anyone that will believe  in him will have everlasting life in heaven .

Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin (lawlesness) is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord".Note: Gift  the  meaning of (gift)?  according to websters dictionary is : "Something voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation"  meaning God gave his only son  Jesus  (John 3:16) as a  gift of sacrifice  for our sins  that whosoever   (anyone) that believes  on him will have everlasting life just for accepting the gift  Jesus  his only begotten son  that he has given to cover our sins or lawlesness   and we don't have to pay anything for this gift .
 
How can you get this freedom ? By simply accepting God's gift and it's free! cost nothing! You can't work for it  you can't pay for it  all you have to do is be willing to accept God's gift it's really that simple .  Your gift has already been paid for By God and is waiting for you to accept . The Gift of Salvation

How can I accept God's gift ? Romans 10:13  for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. It doesn't say might be saved it says will be saved .


Your freedom is waiting ! Your Joy  and happiness in life is yours right now just by accepting .
Romans 10:9'10
"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. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" .


How do I call on the name of the Lord and how soon will I recieve my freedom ?You can do it right now and recieve it right now .

Bow your head  and close your eyes right now and say these words with me If you want to accept Christ as Savior and turn from your sins, you can ask Him to be your Savior and Lord by praying a prayer like this:
 
"Lord Jesus, I believe you are the Son of God. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins.  Please forgive my sins and give me the gift of eternal life.  I ask you in to my life and heart to be my Lord and Savior. I want to serve you always."  In Jesus name Amen .

I hope you prayed this prayer with me and have accepted Christ into your heart and  received his forgiveness and been given the gift  of eternal life . If you have Congratulations for receiving this gift your freedom is here .

God bless you always and guide you from now on each and every day study his marvelous word in the bible and you will grow spiritually and this Truth has set you free Amen.

Yes I am a Felon!I chose Free
                                                    Eternal
                                                    Life
                                                   Over
                                                   Night.   My Hope and future is in the Lord !

God has really been speaking to me alot these past couple of weeks... I have been reading my Bible every day for about 2 weeks now and I have been getting alot out of it. I have been going to church all my life but i never really gave God my all... I just now recently have been participating in youth group and Bible study and i have been learning alot! Another thing is when I am doing my SAFE work, that week's lesson, I always have a difficulty or obstacle in my life that requires me to use the SAFE material that i am learning about for that week... I guess if i just keep my focus on God and trust him and follow him... he WILL make my path straight. Well just keep me in your prayers.. thanks