June Newsletter

Newsletter June 2010
Note from Anita
“’If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.’” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.” John 7:37-39

If you are like me, most of you just skimmed over the above verse, not letting the content sink into your heart. I want to ask you to take a moment, close your eyes, and ask God’s precious Spirit to minister to your heart as you read the life-giving words of Jesus again.
A prerequisite to having the Spirit of God in our lives is a fundamental belief in Jesus. None of us can even say “Jesus is Lord” apart from God’s Spirit living within us. (I Corinthians 12:3) But having the Spirit of God within does not always mean that I am experiencing the fullness of His Spirit. So often I cry out to God, even beg, ‘Lord Jesus, fill me with Your Spirit,’ as if it is some supernatural phenomenon that is going to overtake me miraculously and I will now be a super duper Christian who always walks around pleasing God and never failing Him. Subconsciously I am looking for an “experience.” In other words, it’s all about me. But a few weeks ago, I was reading a sermon by A.W. Tozer, and this statement jumped off the page: “Many, many have failed to note Peter’s Pentecostal emphasis: The important thing in God’s plan was the fact that Jesus had been exulted in heaven, and that His glorification there had been the signal for the coming of the Holy Spirit . . . . the Spirit does not have to be begged – He comes when the Savior is honored and exalted!”
Being filled with God’s Spirit is not about me and what I may or may not experience. But more importantly, it is a heart whose greatest desire is to honor and exalt Jesus in all that one does and says. Together may our heart’s cry be, “Oh God, more than anything else, I desire for my life and my words to honor and exult Jesus. He is worthy of all glory! May each morning that I arise bring words of adoration and praise to my Savior.”

These past months, the Lord has allowed JoyShop Ministries the privilege of serving him in numerous settings. The JoyShop Team feels very blessed in that we are often able to see fruit from our ministry almost immediately.
Comments from recent retreats:
“I am leaving feeling re-energized and re-dedicated to my quiet time every day.”

”This has been most helpful for me to realize that I need to make God a priority.”

“I have not been consistent in seeking God first on a daily basis, but I am accepting the challenge of seeking Him first!”

“This was my first retreat! It was very inspiring and gave me a more clear direction as to how to read the Bible and get to know God. Thank you.”

“I have completed the 21-Day Challenge study this past year and continue to use those study principles in my reading. Thank you for these tools.”

“You have taught me a new way of looking at spending time with God on a daily basis. Thank you for coming into my life at this time.”

“I am anxious to put this info to use when doing my devotions.”

“I know the importance of a daily quiet time . . . in fact, I routinely teach it to other women. However, my own quiet times have fallen prey to my busy life. Thanks for the “kick in the pants” . . .

One pastor’s response to his congregation after the ministry’s challenge of seeking God first on a daily basis truly reflects my heart’s desire for everyone:
“I have had several good conversations about how great it was . . . to be challenged . . . to have a quiet time with God in the morning each day . . . this was a huge challenge and one that is not easily carried out without some accountability. I am writing to each of you to encourage you to not miss those meetings with the Lord each morning. For me the decision needs to be made before I go to bed so that my opportunity (alarm) clock wakes me up at the right time; otherwise, I would miss the meeting and need to get right to the agenda for the day . . . . let us encourage one another in this area that so easily gets attacked and crowded out by the agenda we have in our heads and calendars. If you are married, hold each other accountable by talking about your meeting with the Lord. If we all get serious about having a meeting with the Lord each day, we will see our marriages, families, neighbors, church and even this region transformed by the power of the living God.”
Amen and Amen!!!! Preach it, Brother Joe!

Prayer for the ministry:
Exciting days are ahead for the ministry and I praise the Lord for the many provisions and open doors he is giving us.
Please pray for:
--The working out of all the details in taping the JoyShop professionally in November including distribution of the DVD series.
--Kelle Ortiz, of Soteria Productions, who not only will be apart of the team who will be taping JoyShop in November but who has stepped out in faith and obedience to begin screenwriting for the film, “The File,” based on my book. She feels very passionate about the story and would like to help get it out to reach more people. We don’t know what God has planned or even if the screenplay will become a film but we are trusting that God’s will and purposes will be accomplished whatever the outcome. Particularly pray for her on Wednesdays. That’s the day she has set aside each week to work on this huge vision.
--Most importantly, please continue to pray that our hearts will remain hungry for a deeper intimacy with Jesus and that together we will continue to prioritize this most important relationship so that our lives will bring praise and honor to Jesus Christ.

PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR JULY 18. JOYSHOP MINISTRIES IS HOSTING AN ALL U CAN EAT ICE-CREAM SOCIAL AT MY HOME ON 2045 PROSPECT RD. WASHINGTON BORO, PA, AT 6:30. I WILL BE GIVING AN UPDATE ON THE MINISTRY AND SHANE AND KELLE ORTIZ, FROM ATLANTA, GA., WILL SHARE THEIR ROLE IN HELPING JOYSHOP MINISTRIES’ MESSAGE SPREAD THROUGH MEDIA. WE WILL SPEND SOME TIME IN PRAYER FOR THE FUTURE OF THE MINISTRY AND THEN HAVE SOME FOOD AND FELLOWSHIP!