May the year ahead be one of serious study of Gods Word and joyful obedience to Gods Word, that we might be trans-formed more and more into the image of Jesus Christ and

bear fruit of righteousness for the glory of God!

Gods Calling...Our WalkingHow Doctrine and Life Go Together

September 21, 2012

James 1:22-27 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving

yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law

of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. If anyone thinks he is re-ligious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this persons religion is worthless. Religion that is pure and undefiled

before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

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Table of Contents

Order of the Evening........................................................pg. 4

Worship...........................................................................pg. 5

Teaching and Testimony: Karin Loritts..............................pg. 13

Notes...............................................................................pg. 14

Solitary Reflection............................................................pg. 17

Together in Prayer: Small Groups.....................................pg. 19

Moving Forward: Devotional Thoughts for the Year ahead...........................pg. 20

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Deal bountifully with your servant,that I may live and keep your word.Open my eyes, that I may beholdwondrous things out of your law.

Psalm 119:17-18

Order of the EveningWelcome

Worship

Teaching & TestimonyKarin Loritts

Solitary Reflection

Together in Prayer: Small Groups

Closing

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Jesus Calls UsJesus calls us oer the tumult Of our lifes wild, restless sea;

Day by day His sweet voice soundeth, Saying Christian, follow me.

As of old the apostles heard itBy the Galilean lake,

Turned from home and toil and kindred, Leaving all for Jesus sake.

In our joys and in our sorrows,Days of toil and hours of ease,

Still He calls, in cares and pleasures,Christian, love me more than these!

Jesus calls us from the worship Of the vain worlds golden store,

From each idol that would keep us,Saying Christian, love me more!

Jesus calls us! By Thy mercies, Savior may we hear Thy call,

Give our hearts to Thine obedience,Serve and love Thee best of all.

Words by Cecil F. Alexander/Music by William H Jude Public Domain CCLI# 130553

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6Hear the Call of the KingdomHear the call of the Kingdom, lift your eyes to the King.

Let His song rise within you as a fragrant offeringOf how God rich in mercy came in Christ to redeem

All who trust in His unfailing grace.

Hear the call of the Kingdom to be children of lightWith the mercy of heaven, the humility of Christ,Walking justly before Him loving all that is right;

That the life of Christ may shine through us. King of Heaven...

King of Heaven, we will answer the call,We will follow, bringing hope to the world

Filled with passion, filled with power to proclaimSalvation in Jesus name.

Hear the call of the Kingdom to reach out to the lostWith the Fathers compassion in the wonder of the cross.Bringing peace and forgiveness and a hope yet to come

Let the nations put their trust in Him.

King of Heaven, we will answer the call,We will follow, bringing hope to the world

Filled with passion, filled with power to proclaimSalvation in Jesus name.

Keith &Kristyn Getty/Townend 2006 ThankYou Music CCLI# 130553

7None But JesusHear the call of the Kingdom, lift your eyes to the King.In the quiet, in the stillness, I know that You are God.

In the secret of Your presence, I know there I am restored.When You call, I wont refuse.

Each new day, again Ill choose.

There is no one else for me.None but Jesus.

Crucified to set me free,Now I live to bring Him praise.

In the chaos, in confusion, I know Youre sovereign still.In the moment of my weakness,

You give me grace to do Your will.When You call, I wont delay.

This, my song, through all my days.

There is no one else for me.None but Jesus.

Crucified to set me free,Now I live to bring Him praise.

All my delight is in You, Lord.All of my hope, all of my strength.

All my delight is in You, Lord, Forevermore.

There is no one else for me.None but Jesus.

Crucified to set me free,Now I live to bring Him praise.

Brooke Fraser 2005 Hillsong Publishing CCLI# 130553

8Spiritual Growth

O Thou Most High, In the way of thy appointment I am waiting for thee, My desire is to thy name, My mind is to remembrance of thee.I am a sinner, but not insensible of thee. My iniquities are great and numberless, but thou art adequate to my relief, for thou art rich in mercy; the blood of thy Son can cleanse from all sin; the agency of thy Spirit can subdue my most powerful lusts.Give me a tender, wakeful conscience that can smite and torment me when I sin.

May I be consistent in conversation and conduct the same alone as in company, in prosperity and adversity, accepting all thy commandments as right, and hating every false way.May I never be satisfied with my present spiritual progress, but to faith add virtue, knowledge, temperance, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity. May I never neglect what is necessary to constitute Christian character, and needful to complete it.May I cultivate the expedient, develop the lovely, adorn the gospel, recommend the religion of Jesus, accommodate myself to thy providence.

Keep me from sinking or sinning in the evil day;Help me to carry into ordinary life portions of divine truth and use them on suitable occasions, so that its doctrines may inform, its warnings caution, its rules guide, its promises comfort me.

Valley of Vision, pg. 200

9Trust And ObeyWhen we walk with the Lord, in the light of His word,

What a glory He sheds on our way!While we do His good will, He abides with us still

And with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey, For theres no other wayTo be happy in Jesus,But to trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,But our toil He doth richly repay;

Not a grief nor a loss, not a frown nor a cross,But is blest if we trust and obey. Trust and obey . . .

But we never can prove the delights of His loveUntil all on the altar we lay;

For the favor He shows and the joy He bestowsAre for them who will trust and obey. Trust and obey . . .

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,Or well walk by His side in the way;

What He says we will do, where He sends we will go,Never fear, only trust and obey. Trust and obey . . .

Text by John H. Sammis. Words by Daniel Towne Public Domain CCLI# 130553

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More Love, More PowerMore love, more power,More of You in my life.

More love, more power,More of You in my life.

And I will worship You with all of my heart,And I will worship You with all of my mind,

And I will worship You with all of my strengthFor You are my Lord. You are my Lord.

More love, more power,More of You in my life.

And I will seek Your face with all of my heart,And I will seek Your face with all of my mind,

And I will seek Your face with all of my strengthFor You are my Lord. You are my Lord.

Jude Del Hierro 1987 Mercy Publishing CCLI# 130553

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Jesus, Draw Me CloseJesus, draw me close,Closer, Lord, to You.

Let the world around me fade away.Jesus, draw me close,Closer, Lord, to You.

For I desire to worship and obey.

Rick Founds 1990 Maranatha Praise, Inc.CCLI# 130553

Praise the Lord!Blessed is the man who fears the Lord,

who greatly delights in his commandments!

Psalm 112:1

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Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace you have been saved athrough faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of

works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Speaker: Karen LorittsHow do doctrine and life go together? We will explore the way Ephesians links doctrinal truth to practical living out of that truth. How does this beautiful epistle speak into the body of Christ today, as we aim to walk in a manner worthy of Gods calling? As Karen connects the living Word to her own life, and ours, she will point us to a deeper connection between the call of God and the daily, real-life walk of faith.

Karen Loritts has served alongside her pastor husband, Crawford, in ministry for over three decades as a teacher, mentor and international speaker. She served as the keynote speaker for the True Woman conferences held by Revive Our Hearts. Karen is a mom to four and a grandmother of 8 who continues to host Grandparent Camp each summer in her home.

She is a Founding member of a community outreach program that gives away thousands of dollars each year to those in need who are working towards a better future. Karen has been a mom for 39 years and she and Crawford have been married for 41 years.

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Gods Calling...Our WalkingIurge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to

which you have been called. Ephesians 4:1-3

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Notes

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Notes

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Notes

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Solitary ReflectionFor we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,

which Godly prepared beforehand, that we should walk in Him.Ephesians 2:10

1. We are created for good works. Describe your walk in Him.

2. Are you and Fan or a Follower?

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3. What are you doing NOW about Your Dash?

4. Write a letter to the LORD about any principles from Ephesians that you desire to apply. How? When? Plan to share this letter with a trusted, maturing follower of Christ

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Together in Prayer

Pray for yourself as well as the women of Bethlehem:

That you would be persuaded by the truth of the Word

That you would be attracted by its beauty

That you would rest in the grace and power of the Word

That you would eat and drink of the Word as the bread of heaven and the fountain of living water

That you would walk in the light of the Word

That you would abide in the Word as a true disciple of Jesus

Pray for Womens Bible studies and other ministries of the Word at Bethlehem:

That classes would be filled to overflowing with women hungry to know God and His Word more deeply

That those teaching the Word would study to show them-selves approved unto God, handling accurately the Word of truth

That women would grow in love for the Lord and for each other as they apply the Word of God to their lives week by week

That older women would mentor younger women as they live out the Word of God together

That godly, nurturing, caring (iron-sharpens-iron) relationships would result from serious study of the Word together

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Moving Forward...Devotional Thoughts for the Year Ahead

Train yourself for godliness.1 Timothy 4:7

Discipline is a metaphor from the wrestlers contending for a prize. It is a resolution to put forth full strength and power. Paul challenged Timothy to godliness at all cost. We must follow our heavenly Cap-tain with the greatest industry, and be labourers not loiterers. Lay aside any hindrance, for godliness is not to be a side-business, but a main-business. God is our chief good and portion. Godliness is worshipping in the heart and life according to his revealed will. We must give him our love, highest joy, deepest sorrow, strongest faith, and greatest fear. The fear of God should stand at the door of our heart to examine all that goes in, lest the traitor, sin, should steal in. Godliness is the worshipping of God in the inner workings of the heart and the outward actions of the life. Heart-godliness pleases God best, and life-godliness honours him most. In a godly mans heart, though some sin is left, no sin is liked; in his life, though sin remains, yet no sin reigns. His heart is suitable to Gods nature and his life answerable to Gods law. The life of godliness lies mostly in his heart. Discipline gives godliness precedence in all his actions. Whatever is left undone, this business is sure to be done. He allots time every day for his spiritual duties with the utmost power. Who-ever is displeased, or whatever is neglected, he will take care that God is worshipped. Godliness is the errand for which man is sent into the world, to serve his Master before himself. Godliness takes precedence the first of the day. As soon as he is awake he is with God. Like the lark, he is up early, singing sweetly to the praise of his Maker; and often, with the nightingale, up late, singing the same pleasant tune. Earthly callings must give way to heavenly. He gives God the cream of all his affections. He loves God without measure.

George Swinnock, Voices of the Past, October 29

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For the grace of God ihas appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly

passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus

Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own

possession who are zealous for good works.

Titus 2:11-14

One word stands out from all others as the key to knowing God, to having his peace and assurance in

your heart; it is obedience.

Eric Liddell, 1924 Olympic Gold Medalist

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It is time for us Christians to face up to our responsibility for ho-liness. Too often we say we are defeated by this or that sin. No, we are not defeated; we are simply disobedient! It might be well if we stopped using the terms victory and defeat to describe our progress in holiness. Rather we should use the terms obedience and disobedience. When I say I am defeated by some sin, I am unconsciously slipping out from

under my responsibility. I am saying something outside of me has defeated me. But when I say I am disobedient, that places the responsibility for my sin squarely on me. We may, in fact, be defeated, but the reason we are defeated is because we have chosen to disobey. We have chosen to entertain lustful

thoughts, or to harbor resentment, or to shade the truth a little.

We need to brace ourselves up, and to realize that we are responsible for our thoughts, attitudes, and actions. We

need to reckon on the fact that we died to sins reign, and that it no longer has any dominion over us, that God has united us with the risen Christ in all His power, and has given us the Holy

Spirit to work in us. Only as we accept our responsibility and appropriate Gods provisions will we make any progress in

our pursuit of holiness.

Jerry Bridges, Pursuit of Holiness, pg 80-81

As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy,

you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy.

1 Peter 1:14-16

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The holy life is always a life of faith, (1) believing not just in our justification but (2) believing with all our hearts all that God has promised to us now and in the future, and then (3) acting as

if it were really true.

Kevin DeYoung, from Together for the Gospel Conference Spirit-Powered, Gospel-Driven, Faith-Fueled Effort

And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says I know him but does not

keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides

in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

1 John 2:3-6

I delight to do your will, O LORD. Your law is not irksome to me. The law of the LORD is perfect converting the soul. The testimony of the LORD is sure making wise the simple. And thats one of the ways that we know ourselves to be truly redeemed. There is no conflict between the believers heart and the requirement of holy

living. And progress in Christian living is progress in a life of obe-dience to Gods law. Now this is not moralism. Moralism simply

says try, try . . . and be what you are not Christian ethics say come and be what you are. Moralism is like the car without the engine all the levers, bells and buttons, but no source of elec-

trics to make anything go up or down. Moralism says, go and be what you are not. Christianity says, come on, be what you are.

Alistair Begg, from Providence sermon

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We hear a great deal about peoples intentions, and hopes, and wishes, and feelings, and professions. It would be well if we could hear more about peoples practice. It is not the servant who is found wishing and professing, but the servant who is found

doing whom Jesus calls blessed.

The lesson is one which many, unhappily, shrink from giving, and many more shrink from receiving. We are gravely told that to talk of working, and doing, is legalistic, and brings Chris-tians into bondage! Remarks of this kind should never move us. They savor of ignorance or perverseness. The lesson before us is not about justification, but about sanctificationnot about faith, but about holiness. The point is not what a man should do to be savedbut what ought a saved man to do! The teach-ing of Scripture is clear and express upon this subject, A saved man ought to be careful to maintain good works. (Tit. 3:8.)

The desire of a true Christian ought to be, to be found doing.

If we love life, let us resolve by Gods help, to be doing Christians. This is to be like Christ. He went about doing good. (Acts 10:38.) This is to be like the apostles, they were men of deeds even more than of words. This is to glorify GodHerein is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit. (John 15:8.) This is to be useful to the worldLet your light so shine before men, that they may see your

good works, and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matt. 5:16.)

J. C. Ryle comments on Luke 12:41-48 at GraceGems.com

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Your words were found and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy

and the delight of my heart.Jeremiah 15:16

We obey Gods will, as the angels in heaven, when we do it will-ingly and without complaint. The angels love to be employed in Gods service. It is their heaven to serve God. Heaven is such a happy place that angels would not leave it for a minute even to bring messages from God, were it not that they take such infinite delight in doing Gods will. A hypocrite is able to do good, but he has no delight in duty. He does Gods will against his own. Cain brought his sacrifice, but grudgingly. His worship was a task more than an offering. We must be carried upon the wings of delight in every duty. The regenerate may not always have the same cheer-ful temper of obedience, but this weariness is his burden. He is weary of his weariness, and he prays, weeps, and uses all means to regain his cheerfulness and freedom in Gods service. Delight in duty is better than duty itself. We also obey Gods will like the angels when we do it fervently. Angels burn in love and zeal in obedience. They give him their best, and do it readily and swiftly. They do not dispute the case, but as soon as they have their charge, they immediately obey. We should also be ambitious to obey. Alas! How long it is sometimes before we can get leave of our hearts to obey! Christ went more readily to the cross than we do to the throne of grace. How many excuses we have! O let us shake off this backwardness to duty as Paul shook off the viper! The grace of the Holy Spirit knows nothing of sluggish efforts (Psalm18:44). The angels also obey God constantly. Consistency crowns obedience. Our obedience must be like the fire of the alter which was continually kept burning. Hypocrites soon give over doing Gods will. Therefore, let us do Gods will continually.

Thomas Watson, Voices of the Past, December 10

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He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully Psalm 24:4

Outward practical holiness is a very precious mark of grace. It is to be feared that many professors have perverted the doc-trine of justification by faith in such a way as to treat good works with contempt; if so, they will receive everlasting contempt at the

last great day. If our hands are not clean, let us wash them in Jesus precious blood, and so let us lift up pure hands unto God. But clean hands will not suffice, unless they are connected with a pure heart. True religion is heartwork. WE may wash the out-

side of the cup and the platter as long as we please, but if the inward parts be filthy, we are filthy altogether in the sight

of God, for our hearts are more truly ourselves than our hands are; the very life of our being lies in the inner nature, and hence the imperative need of purity within. The pure in heart shall see

God, all others are but blind bats.

Spurgeon, Morning and Evening, July 4

The Word of God warns us against being lazy in our faith and drifting away from Jesus Christ our only hope. And the Word

encourages us to fight the good fight of faith and take hold on eternal life (1 Timothy 6:12, 19); to lay aside every weight and sin which clings so closely and run with perseverance the race before us (Hebrews 12:1); to press on toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14); to advance

and grow and go forward in virtue and knowledge and self-control and patience and godliness and brotherly affection and love

(2 Peter 1:57); and in this way to reassure our hearts and make our confidence firm that we are indeed called to share in Gods

glory and excellence (2 Peter 1:10, 3).

John Piper, from May 2, 1982 sermon

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Matthew 7:24-27

Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had

been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish

man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that

house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.