We don’t know much about Tabitha except in a few verses in Acts 9:36-43. But as we read her story we learn something. The work of our hands for the Lord always brings glory to God and blessings to us.

If you ask anyone who’s ever been on a mission trip, all of them will agree one one thing: mission team members all testify that they feel more blessed than those they may have blessed on their trip.

Serving on a mission team, whether it’s across the street or across the globe, is hard work. So is any work that glorifies God. We know that Tabitha was a hard worker, “This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds.”

Her friends were eager to show Peter all the tunics and garments Tabitha made. She crafted clothes with her hands that met the needs of many others. She was proactive, always looking for an opportunity to meet a need.

She was completely devoted to meeting the needs of someone else God put in her way.

It took discipline and devotion to accomplish her good works. If you’ve ever made a quilt or watched a talented seamstress sew garments, you know it takes incredible concentration, discipline and devotion to the task. Tabitha exhibited all those because she lived for a purpose beyond herself.

And because she did she drew others to her. We know from the text that widows were eager to show Peter all the works of Tabitha’s hands. They certainly must have admired Tabitha’s dedication and devotion which blessed those around her and brought glory to the Lord.

When you read about Tabitha’s work with her hands you realize something. She probably didn’t consider her devotion and dedication to her work as work at all. Her heart was no doubt filled with love and anticipation of the joy her work would soon bring to someone else.

Wouldn’t the body of Christ be a wonderful testimony to the glory of God if we all worked with our gifts and talents with the same dedication and devotion of Tabitha?

PRAYER: Father, we are so grateful for wonderfully devoted servants like Tabitha who brought so much comfort and joy to others with the work of her hands. May we learn from her the joy and blessings we will receive when we do the work You have given us with the same measure of dedication and devotion. Regardless of how big or how small the assignment You give us. In Jesus name. Amen.

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“Whoever is wise, let him understand these things;

Whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways

of the Lord are right, and the righteous will walk in them, but

the transgressors will stumble in them.” Hosea 14:9

We all need wisdom and discernment to know the way we must walk each day. We know His ways are right and we know the way we must walk. In light of the days in which we live these promises seem so fitting.

Yesterday we looked at Acts 9 where God shows us that a marvelous lady can serve God with her heart and her hands. May we see her example and use it to motivate us to do the same.

I can’t wait to see you Sunday and it’s only Monday! I do encourage you not to miss mid week with Pastor Ron…He does an amazing job teaching His word!

God bless and this week…make a wise and discerning choice…to simply trust Him! He does all things well.

Pastor Gearl

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In spite of torrential rain all weekend we had amazing services. God is so at work in our church! This Sunday will be amazing as we celebrate Mother’s Day and honor all of our ladies. We will also dedicate some precious little ones to Jesus!

NOW, I need you help! We have rented a bus to take folks from our church to Big Oak ranch this Saturday, May 11. As you know, this is a local mission point we are honored to partner with each year. We currently have seats for several more to spend the day with their pastor at Big Oak! Will you join me? Please email Pastor Eddie at eddie@oneheartchurch or call the church at 678-533-1900 and let us know you can come? We leave from OHC at 8 am and it will be a blast. I look forward to seeing many of you!

THEN, we come together on Sunday to also celebrate graduation. We have high school and college graduates we will recognize.

A great weekend awaits us!

Brother Gearl

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Have you ever been convinced you were on the right road, doing the right thing, then suddenly realized you were lost? Probably the most dramatic and spectacular illustration of this occurred when Saul was traveling to Damascus to persecute the Jewish people there. Saul was a high ranking religious leader. He came from a good family and had regal qualifications. The Romans chose Saul to get rid of those pesky followers of Jesus they were calling “The Way.” His high-ranking buddies were on board as well.

Saul, soon to become Paul on the road to Damascus, felt justified to persecute these upstart enemies of Rome. He was breathing threats and murder against these religious rebels.

When you read about Saul’s journey you realize something. Saul was living without the presence of the living God. He was bound up in his religion. He thought he was doing the right thing. He was behaving like any good obedient Jew would. But the Lord was not with him.

But when he encountered the still, small unmistakable voice of Jesus, his life was completely transformed.

Have you ever done something you knew was wrong but you kept doing it anyway? When we’re blatantly and knowingly disobedient, our rebellion will bind us up. That burden of our actions weighs us down and keeps us from experiencing God’s best for our lives.

Jesus spoke transforming words to Paul and told him exactly what to do. “Get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.” Acts 9:6b.

We sometimes make wrong choices and head down paths that will lead us into peril or destruction. Where we THINK we want to go. Where we THINK is right. We might continue down those destructive paths for weeks or months or even years sometimes. But no matter how far down them we travel, no matter how lost we get, we are never beyond the reach of our loving Father who will always give us the right direction. When we stop and listen. We’ll encounter that still, small unmistakable voice, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’ ” (Isaiah 30:21)

PRAYER: Father, sometimes we know we make wrong choices in life. Sometimes we go down paths that will eventually harm us, interrupt our sweet fellowship with you, or worse, destroy us and our testimony. We ask You today, Heavenly Father, to continually remind us of Your presence. Remind us that You have the right direction for our lives. And no matter how far down those paths we go, remind us that You are always with us and that we are never beyond Your reach. Amen.

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“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’ ” Isaiah 30:21

Sometimes God takes us somewhere we don’t want to go so He can accomplish what He wants to do with us. Sometimes He has a divine appointment waiting for us that we are unaware of. But the place He sends us, to our divine appointment, can make a difference in the life of someone else.

But when God sends us there, He always leads us to that familiar fork in the road, when we can decide whether we’re going to follow His direction or not. A strategic moment when we decide whether we’re going to be obedient to His direction, or follow our own path.

In Acts 8, Philip found himself at that familiar fork. God sent him on a defined path. “Now the angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, ‘Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ This is desert.” It was also unsafe. Philip did not want to go there. He had a choice. Follow God’s direction and go South. Or turn and go his own way. What was waiting for him along the defined path God chose was a supernatural opportunity.

Philip chose obedience. He chose to listen to God. He chose to listen to God’s still, small voice in his ear saying to him, “This is the way. Walk in it.”

And what was the outcome? A divine appointment with an Ethiopian eunuch. At the eunuch’s request Philip preached Jesus to him and baptized him into the family of God.

Is there a fork in the road in your sight? Is God leading you to a place where He can use you or show you what He wants to do with you? Someone you work with has asked you to lunch, but you really don’t want to go? Your neighbors are un-churched, but you just don’t seem to have time to visit? Your teenage daughter told you she wants to talk with you, but you have to work late and tomorrow you’re going on a business trip? Your ailing mother-in-law asks you if you could pick up some milk and bread for her from the store, but you’ll be late for your workout at the gym? God urges you to meet Him in His word, and you promise to meet Him there . . .right after you get home from shopping . . .Saturday.

When is your next appointment? Do you think it might be a divine one? Do you think God might lead you to a supernatural opportunity to show you God’s glory? When you can make a difference for the Kingdom of God? You’ll know when you get to that fork in the road and decide which road to take.

PRAYER: Father, I know how full my schedule is this week. I’m interacting with friends and family and folks at work all week. Sweet Jesus, when I get to those forks in the road, guide me into your truth and your purpose for sending me on that road. Make me attentive to Your still small voice whispering in my ear which road to take. Then, Father, give me the courage and conviction to listen and take the road You have chosen for me. I don’t want to miss one single divine appointment, one single opportunity to look for your glory in my encounters with others. May I find your glory in each one. Amen.

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It’s going to be a great day! God is moving in amazing ways and I thank God for each of you.

Pastor Gearl

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In Acts chapter 7 Stephen confronts the religious, establishment zealots with God’s truth. God’s story was his story. And the self-righteous religious leaders didn’t like it. They were so angry in fact that they gnashed their teeth. Have you ever been so angry at someone that you gnashed your teeth? It makes a grinding sound and can cause damage to your teeth. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, we’re told, in hell.

It is safe to say they were furious at Stephen when he confronted them with God’s truth. Furious enough to stone Stephen to death for telling his story and challenging theirs.

Is your story His story? Are you living for His glory? When grace meets God’s truth the result is a transformation that causes our story to become His story.

The problem with the Jewish establishment, and with many of us, is that our story is our story. Many people spend their lives trying to arrive at this place on their own terms, out of their own resources rather than God’s. The result is legalism. Religion. A religion not based on God’s truth.

God’s truth penetrates. Truth cuts right to the heart. Truth speaks to where we are. For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

God’s truth also separates. Some folks try to analyze where they are in life, what they need to do, how they need to live. But God’s truth separates opinions and analysis from the word of God. Your analysis will never measure up to what God’s word says.

And God’s truth obligates. When we hear God’s truth, when we earnestly seek His glory we become convicted to live out His truth in our lives.

Prayer: Gracious Heavenly Father, thank You for Your truth. Thank You that Your truth leads us to seek Your glory and not the glory of man. Thank You that because we seek Your truth we have a story that is Your story. Draw us into Your presence each day so we will seek Your glory above everything else. In Jesus precious name we pray. Amen.

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often presents to us moments of change! In those moments we see things

from a different perspective and see life through a new lens. One Heart is

a place for a new perspective and a fresh look at your spiritual life.

Our ministry is ready and waiting for you! Come join us!

Gearl Spicer
Senior Pastor

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One of the things we believe in at OHC is the Ministry of Presence. That is, the importance of being in a local church, plugging in, serving, being present each and every Sunday. It is vital to your grwoth and to the growth of your family. Why not come and check us out. We have services and Bible study for all ages each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. or 10:50 a.m. Hope to see you there!

Gearl Spicer
Senior Pastor, One Heart Church

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Do not forget that you can sign up to work in our children’s ministry this Sunday. Children’s Minister, Cortney Whiting has many opportunities for you to serve in this vital ministry. Speaking of children, did you notice that our OHC kids will be performing the musical STAR FACTOR on Sunday afternoon, April 28 at 5:00 p.m.! You will not want to miss this!

Love Your Pastor and Friend,
Gearl Spicer

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