Are you joyful? Are you living in fullness of joy? Perhaps you’d answer something like “I’m a pretty happy person, but fullness of joy, well that seems kind of extreme.” What is interesting is that God commands His children to “rejoice in the Lord always” (Phil. 4:4). And He says in 1 Peter 1:8, “Whom having not seen, you love. Though, having seen him not, you believe and rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory."

What this means is: Because God takes joy seriously, we need to take joy seriously too. In this honest and compelling message on Joy, Katie Hoffman reveals exactly what the Bible says about how to be filled with lasting joy. This popular message leaves women with a clear vision about what robs them of joy and what keeps us rejoicing in the Lord always. 

When a Woman Follows Christ

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul the apostle told us to follow him even as he followed Christ. (1 Cor. 11:1)  And Paul certainly did follow Christ!  He was beaten with rods, stoned, starved, and he spent a night and day in the ocean; all for the sake of the gospel. You may think, “I could never live like the bold and seemingly fearless Paul the apostle.”  But I find a certain biblical fact very encouraging.  Just like Paul, we have been blessed “with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” (Eph.1:3).  We’re coming from the same place of depravity as Paul and we’ve been given the same Holy Spirit.  If anything, it’s not that we can’t follow Christ and Paul, it’s that we’re unaware we can!

Our starting line is the same as Paul’s.  We all start the race at the same point, but only some run the race to win!  And this is why we must run to win—because the prize is Following Christ! 

If we truly want to win, then we must be unstoppably compelled with desire to really know God, and lay aside every hindrance, considering it as garbage, in that pursuit.  I want to equip you with what you’ll need to win and encourage you to let go of those things which will keep you tied up at the starting line. I want to direct your gaze toward goal that really matters, and away from the trivial tokens that distract from the real prize.

This race is more than life, and the prize is greater than any gold medal.  As we run this race together I pray I can spur you on to run with more dedication and greater endurance than you ever have before

•       avoid  frustration and anger with their children

•       keep their priorities in order

•       be actively training their children to be sources of delight to themselves and others

•      be an example for their children to follow

and much more!!

Thankfulness

(This topic is great for Christmas and Thanksgiving events, but can also be used year round.)

It's so easy for us to stop looking at all God has done for us and instead grow discontent and weary. Their is strength, joy, and extreme blessing in giving thanks always. God has ordained thankfulness, not only so we can acknowledge Him, but also for our own well being. We need to be thankful! I've also seen that God has rewarded the most thankful women I know with blessings that the unthankful woman never seems to get. The Bible says we need to give thanks always and in everything. Learn how we can make thankfulness a habit and see what blessings result!    

The Power of Prayer

Christ has given us huge promises about prayer: If we ask anything in His name it will be given us. What does this mean? How do we believe that God will answer? What about when what we are praying is not God's will? This topic also looks at some of the great saints in history and how God worked miracles and revivals through their prayers. A great topic to encourage the women to pray!

Psalms 1-15

This 3-4 part message series is great for conferences and women's retreats. Together with Katie, your women will explore the riches of truth, wisdom, and comfort found in Psalms 1-15. The Psalms are filled with the cries of the saints as they pour out their hearts to God. Grow deeper in your knowledge of God's character and His Word in these encouraging messages.