Take advantage of the scriptural references we have selected to help you get started in your own personal study of this topic, and the many resource aids listed which reference more Bible verses that were not written down here, all of which can assist you on this wonderful subject. Search the Scriptures and be firmly persuaded in your mind and heart of the reason you believe what you believe.

The Apostle Paul's charge to Timothy, which pertains to the rest of the church, tells us that we should be prepared to: "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry... henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."
II Timothy 4:2-5, 8

1. "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words."
   Thessalonians 4:16-18

   Take Hope at the sound of the trumpet
   The Lord will descend
   The dead will rise
   We, which are alive
   Will be caught up with the dead in Christ in the clouds
   TO MEET THE LORD IN THE AIR
   Tell others and be comforted at this news

2. "After this I looked, and behold, a door was opened in heaven and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew the things which must be hereafter."
   Revelation 4:1

   A trumpet sounds,
   A door is open in heaven,
   A Voice says "Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter"
   (The voice is talking about AFTER the things just spoken of...in chapter 2 and 3 of Revelation which spoke to the church age.
   Chapter 4:1 deals with AFTER the things of the church.
   We hear no more of the church until Revelation 19

3. "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men. Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world: Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ"
   Titus 2:11-13

   Deny ungodliness and worldly lusts,
   Look for the promise
   That blessed hope (the rapture)...
   When he comes to redeem us from the earth

4. "Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, lGive us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut….Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh."
   Matthew 25:1-10, 13 (Mark 13:32)

   The parable of the bridegroom who is coming for his virgins.
   Five were prepared
   (They kept their lives focused on their bridegroom
   by being ready for him at all times).
   Five were not prepared; they started slipping in their walk.
   When the bridegroom came the ones who were ready went in with him
   and the door was shut.
   We do not know the day or the hour he will come
   [JUST BE READY]

5. "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."
   John 14:2-3

   Do not be worried as a believer
   God has many mansions (dwelling places)
   Jesus is preparing one specifically for you and for me
   He will come to RECEIVE US UNTO HIMSELF
   THAT WHERE HE IS THERE WE WILL BE ALSO

6. "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, and as quickly as we twinkle an eye, at the last trump, for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."
   I Corinthians 15:51, 52

   A Mystery.
   We will be changed.
   In a moment, in the twinkling of an at the last trumpet sound
   The dead shall be raised, and we shall be changed instantly

A Great Night for the Ladies!

If you have a small to medium-sized congregation, a good way for your women to get together for great fellowship is to begin an Inspirational Birthday Club. The following paragraphs should provide you with some ideas on how to get one started, but your best bet is to put your own creative foot forward and figure out what works best for your group.

The key to a successful inspirational birthday club is that its focus remains on God and not just on everyone's tummies. As the women in the group testify of the Lord and give Him the honor for the evening (of afternoon), he receives the glory, and everyone receives a blessing and is edified.

Birthday Club can be open to any age.

• Daughters hear the testimonies of the women.
• When daughters are there, the women keep their focus on God and His love, and not on possible negative things that might be going on at home.
• Daughters learn the joy of sharing freely a love for Jesus Christ.

Birthday Club can come together in a restaurant.

• To set examples of a joyful, but orderly group in the public realm.
• If the group chooses to utilize a restaurant, the women should pool together funds to provide payment for dinner for the "birthday girl."

Birthday Club can also meet at various homes for those who prefer potluck style gatherings.

• In homes, you can have themes, i.e., Hispanic, French, Italian, Russian, Asian Cuisine, etc.
• If someone cannot afford to bring a dish, there is always plenty to go around.

Birthday Club should be open to anyone outside the church family who wishes to take part.

• This provides a great opportunity to witness to friends.
• If you invite a guest, they should not be required to bring food the first time.
• Fellowshipping together becomes a great witnessing tool for the unsaved.

Activities
Once everyone arrives, gather around and ask someone to open the evening up in prayer and ask God's blessing on the meal. Take time to fellowship, making certain everyone is included in the conversation. When the meal is completed, take time for the activities.

1. The facilitator gathers everyone together once again.

2. The facilitator provides a theme scripture or inspirational poem to share with birthday people.

3. The facilitator gives each birthday person an opportunity to share something about her life. In order to make it easier (for some who might be shy), ask a couple of questions which can be prepared ahead of time, such as:
   • Tell about one great experience that happen to you in the last year.
   • What is your favorite Bible Verse and why?
   • When was the first time you ever heard about the Lord Jesus Christ?
   • What would you like to accomplish in the next year?
   • Name two people outside of your family who were a great influence on your life and why.
   • Where do you like to go to get alone with God and why?
   • What is one of your greatest worries, and what Scripture comes to your mind? (If they do not have a scripture to reference, share with them Philippians 4:6, 7)
   • Tell the group about your favorite room in your house and why.
   • Tell about God and his love and why it is important to you.
   • Etc. (You can think of many questions or activities of your own to add to this selection.)

4. After the sharing time, serve dessert (if one is being provided), and pass out the cards and/or gifts. (Cards and gifts should not be required, but if people choose to do so, there should be a monetary limit on spending.)

5. To end the evening, ask various people in the group (who do not mind praying aloud) to lift up the different birthday people. (If possible, prepare those ahead of time who will be praying for various people, and try to give as many as possible the opportunities to share in this joyful prayer ministry.)

Birthday Club can come together once a month, every six weeks, or quarterly, whichever fits your church's schedule

However, you decide to do it, it is well worth the time, and the joy of hosting one in your home brings the host an extra blessing. It costs little if done in the home, and need not cost a lot at a restaurant if the women have advanced notice and ample time to save their nickels and dimes for the celebration. The women of your church are blessed as they experience the love of their sisters in Christ and unity in the Spirit, the friends who come are blessed as they witness unity in the body, and many come to the Lord from the experience.

Take advantage of this joyous occasion. Try it out, if you haven't already started, and don't forget your camera!

See you there!

Recipe Ideas from our Readers
The following is a recipe sent in by Nancy L. Wearne that can be used for a church potluck or Prayer Group Brunch, or for a meal at a Ladies Retreat. Check it out.

Hearts for Christ Ministries thanks Nancy for this delightful recipe and looks forward to trying it!

Do you have a RECIPE that you would Enjoy Sharing? Send it to us here (in the Hearts for Christ - Comments Section). We will be glad to pass it along to our readers.

Alternatively, email direct: info@heartsforchrist.org.

The Virtuous Woman and Her Children
A Mother's Reflection

"Her children arise up, and call her blessed..."
Proverbs 31:28a

As I, once again, take a few moments to bear in mind God's words concerning the Proverbs 31 - Virtuous Woman -- this time comparing myself to that honorable mother God knows I am capable of being (with His strength); there are a few things that come to my mind immediately.

• Will my children place me in a position of respect, love, and blessing?
• Will my children admire me for my inner beauty, not for my external appearance?
• Will my children place a high value on me as their Christian mother?

This is the focus of my prayer.

"The righteous man (woman) leads a blameless life; blessed are his (her) children after him (her)"
Proverbs 20:7

O Lord, My God, help me to stay clean before You, so that my children shall always see the love of Jesus Christ through the witness of my life.

"All your children will be taught by the Lord and great will be your children's' peace."
Isaiah 54:13

O Lord, My God, help me to nurture my children in You...teaching them to look to You for strength and courage, and for the building of their faith.

"And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou riseth up."
Deuteronomy 6:7

O Lord, My God, teach me your Word, that I might instruct my precious ones well. Give me the wisdom to speak your Words carefully and constructively. Help me to daily lift up your name above all names.

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."
Proverbs 22:6

O Lord, My God, the outcome of many You have placed in my charge has not gone unnoticed. I know they have strayed at times in their walks, but I have never doubted that they still love You. That is what matters most.

"He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children..."
Psalm 113:9a

O Lord, My God, Your never-ending joy and source of inspiration is my daily strength.

"For the promise is unto you, and to your children..."
Acts 2:39a

O Lord, My God, I will always be grateful to you for all that you have for me and for my children.

What would You like to share with us? What is the Lord doing in your life today? Do you have an experience or victory in trial you would enjoy sharing in a future newsletter? Send your comments to info@heartsforchrist.org. No names will be included without permission, and editor reserves the right to edit submissions as necessary.