October 20, 2015 -- Issue #34

In today's newsletter:

1) Do You Know #6?

2) S.H.I.N.E. for Jesus

3) The Fall of Life--A Faithful Race

4) Harvest Party Ideas

1) Do You Know #6?

I was asked to share the ministry of The Lord’s Locker with a Baptist church in a town about 12 miles away in their evening service. Long funny story, cut to short, the pastor gave me the whole speaking service after he failed to know the 6th Commandment when I asked him. I shared that I could teach him and his congregation not only the 10 Commandments but also 10 things they can KNOW about Heaven, in 15 minutes. He must have been bothered that he failed the #6 Commandment test – so he invited me to go right ahead. I did just that – and threw in the full salvation message I use to go along with it, just in case someone wasn’t saved!

This is so easy for me, because I share them at least one or more times a week at the Lord’s Locker. I use them when I do the intake to show them their need of a Savior. Over 20 people in the last year have shared that they are now saved after hearing this presentation. WooHOO JESUS! 

When I got home, my sister, Carol, had emailed me to pray for her, as she had been asked to teach the 10 Commandments to a devotion group in her condo complex. She moved there less than a year ago and soon found several Christian ladies and some other lonely ladies. It wasn’t long until the devotion group came to be. Now she has them talking about going to other condos to introduce themselves – and JESUS!

I thought it was just precious that GOD had my sweet sis and me doing the same thing, in two different places within 24 hours, with this brilliant method! 

THANKS SO MUCH!!! God’s Word will not return void.
Emmalea Butler

--from SSTN: WOOHOO indeed!

2) S.H.I.N.E. for Jesus

Christians are like Jack O' Lanterns. God picks you from the pumpkin patch and brings you into his home. He washes off all the dirt on the outside, that you got from being around all the other pumpkins. He cuts off the top and takes out all the yucky stuff on the inside. He removes the seeds of sinfulness and carves you a new smiling face. He then puts his light inside of you to shine for all to see. You can either stay outside and rot on the vine, or have Jesus come inside and become something new and bright! 

God loves you so much! He sent Jesus, his only son, to earth to take the punishment for the wrong things you do. If you believe in Jesus and follow him, you will never die, but have everlasting life.

Share His Incredible News Everywhere! 

Get the Pumpkin Spinner toy for the children in your ministry. Teach them to SHINE for Jesus!

3) The Fall of Life--A Faithful Race 

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" 2 Timothy 4:7 (ESV).

Fall is a season of wonderful cinnamon and spice smells, dark, rich colors, pumpkin carving, cooler weather, and crackling fires. It is also the time of year when leaves fall off trees, and things begin to die. And as the cold winter months descend, the days grow shorter, and as winter wears on we grow weary of the cold. Even so, in these dark days, we can look forward to the hope of new birth come Springtime. 

When the Apostle Paul wrote, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith," he knew he was nearing the end---the "Fall" of his life. But he didn't face it with fear. Despite how difficult life had become, because of his faith in Jesus, he was satisfied that God had sustained him, God had "run" alongside him. Paul was able to face death, because of the hope of resurrection---the hope of new birth. Because he trusted Jesus, he knew his future was secure---when he died, he would live in Heaven with God for eternity!

All of us will face the "Fall" season of life. Some will face it when they're young, and others when they're old. But will you be able to say, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith"? The race begins when you ask Jesus to be your Savior and Forever Friend. God's Holy Spirit will begin changing you, through the reading of his Word, by talking to him in prayer, and obeying him. God will work in your life, so that you too will be able to finish the race, and at the end of your life, be it when you're young or old, you will be able to say, "I have kept the faith!" 

Today's game will help us remember to run our life-race well! Get the Fall of Life Bible Game.

Get more Fall Bible Games.

4) Harvest Party Idea

PRAISE TIME: Have a fast moving action song session. Why not have a basket of real apples, each with a number on it? The numbers should correspond to a song or a chorus. Choose a child have him/her close his/her eyes and pick an apple. Everyone then sings the song for that number.

CHOOSE A CHAIR: Each group lines up in single file, opposite a row of chairs. On the seat of each chair is a slip of paper detailing a task to be attempted, see below, and the equipment to complete it. Number children and number each chair. The game begins when a leader shouts out a child’s number and a chair number. ie. “4 to 3.” On reaching the numbered chair, the children who are numbered 4 attempt the task. After 30 seconds they return to their group and the next numbers are called. Give 2 points for a good performance, 1 point for a good try. Make sure everyone has at least one turn.

Tasks: 3 apples to juggle; a ball to be bounced on the head as many times as possible; one apple to be balanced on your head for 15 seconds; a slice of apple to be eaten without licking your lips. The winning group is the one with the most points.

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