HOLY SPIRIT COME!!!!

Last night at the second service of the year, Bob talked about the Holy Spirit and how dependent we are for EVERYTHING. Jesus says apart from Him we can do NOTHING. If you wanna get specific, we actually rely on His grace for EVERY breath, EVERY move, EVERY use of our gifts, etc. but I think what God is really trying to say is that we cannot live the abundant life that He has called us to without the Spirit being active in our lives. As Christians His spirit lives within us. I like thinking about things in pictures so when I think about the Holy Spirit living in me I picture my body. Everything that you see when you look at me is FLESH as well as the blood that runs through my veins and the nerves that move my arms. BUT at the very core of me... in the deepest place is where MY spirit is. THAT is who I am. But connecting to that spirit is difficult as we live in the world. When Christ lives in us THAT is where He dwells, in our deepest spirit part. Because we are human and fleshly it is difficult to connect with that part of who we are but when we can throw off the things that hinder us and focus on Christ, we can LIVE IN THE SPIRIT. It's a totally different realm. Another world. When we are living in the Spirit we are seeing the world through Christ's eyes and thinking through Christ's mind. That is what He desires for us EVERY DAY, EVERY MOMENT. THAT is the ABUNDANT life!!!! Romans 8:3-11 says

"³For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. ⁵For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. ⁶For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. ⁷For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. ⁸Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. ⁹You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. ¹⁰But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. ¹¹If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you."

I know it's hard. This world brings so many distractions. But that is what He calls us too because He knows that is where we find joy! This week I have been experiencing living in the spirit more than ever! I'm seeing life in a completely new way and it is amazing. I am praying that God does this work in all of you. That you can live in the Spirit daily and experience His abundant life! Have a blessed weekend!

The Beginning!

I can't believe two weeks of training is over and we are already a week into school. I'm already three weeks behind on keeping you guys updated. I have SO MUCH to tell you about. Training started August 2nd and it was truly an amazing and much needed time. We spent time learning about the vision for The Wesley Foundation this year and our roles in that. We are really focussing on how to live an ABUNDANT life this year. Many Christians settle for a normal life when God calls us to an abundant life in Christ. Here at Wesley we are striving to understand exactly what that means and to constantly live in the spirit so as to experience abundance. I can honestly say that I am experiencing abundance more today than I was yesterday... and the same is true every day. I'm overflowing with a love and a joy and an understanding that I've been missing out on for so long. Although this community may be somewhat of an unrealistic bubble, I believe God is being very intentional by having me here. The Spirit is HERE and is MOVING!!!! PRAISE GOD! This ministry would be absolutely pointless and unfruitful without the Spirit.

Students started back this past week and last Wednesday we had our first service. It was phenomenal. 1,200 students! Now, I'm not one to boast in numbers or to even like numbers. In fact, largeness of ministries sometimes upsets me and I tend to be very skeptical of them. BUT I am 100% convinced that the ONLY reason Wesley has grown so large is because God is HERE and people see it and people sense it and people want to be a part of it. If you ever came to visit a service here you would be convinced of the same thing. You can see it in the students as they worship and socialize and listen and pray. They are HUNGRY and they are seeking and they are passionate! It is so encouraging. In fact, you are ALL invited to visit ANYTIME. come meet some interns. meet Bob our director. meet some students. experience some awesome worship. and hear some TRUTH. Wednesdays are awesome but it would be pointless if we werent getting the students plugged into our community which is why this week is so exciting! Small groups and discipleships are starting TODAY. In fact my first disciple is coming in an hour from now. I cannot wait to start meeting with girls one-on-one and really pouring into them.

I've started sending you all letters and so you all know that I am praying for you. Please feel free to email me with any specific prayer requests at abbyd10@bellsouth.net and if you would like to support me in prayer I would like you to be specifically praying that:

~ I would be sensitive to the Lord's voice

~ that burn out would not be an option

~ that the Lord would continually bless me with understanding and a grace for others

~ pray for the women's ministry and that we would be well organized and prepared so that we can best serve our students

~ Pray that I would be BOLD and CONFIDENT in the Lord and that He would do some continual healing in me

Thank you all for your support and encouragement. It means more to me than you'll ever know.

Abby D