From the desk of Melissa Reinert… 

“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, Who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:3-7

No one, throughout all time, throughout the universe, has ever made the difference that Jesus has made. Let that sink in.

We are called to be like Jesus. God wants us to make a difference too. The only way we can make an impact is to live like the One Who went before us on the cross.

So, what was Jesus like?

Paul offers the big reveal in his letter to the Philippians. Jesus is God, but the Christ had a unique perspective on this fact. He did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage. Instead, Jesus became a humble servant.

Again, we are called to be like Jesus.

So, what does it mean to be a servant?

Paul tells the Philippians, as well as us, how to be a servant. We are to be like Jesus and empty ourselves of ourselves. We are not to act out of selfish ambition or conceit. Remember, we are mere sinful human beings who have been saved by God’s grace through Jesus. Jesus is the King of Kings. He could have made the Earth His footstool, but instead emptied Himself, taking on the form of a servant in order that we may be saved. Therefore, we are to look out for the interest of others, just as Jesus did.

The book of Proverbs is a great source of instruction on servanthood. In 29:7 the Scripture says: “The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.” Chapter 31, verses 8 and 9: “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Even to our enemies we are to show mercy: “If your enemy is hungry, then give him food to eat, if he is thirsty, then give him water to drink.” Proverbs 25:21

Do these things and you will be like Jesus; you will make a difference.

 Pictured above is Claire with the young woman she held on the bus; from an earlier visit.

From Melissa Reinert… 

It was a hot May morning. The humidity was already up a bit, and we were at least 30 days out before the official start of summer.

On the Street Outreach Ministry (STORM) bus it was cool with the air conditioner blowing. We had seen a few women, just gentle meet and greets, and then we met her.

She staggered toward the bus and pulled herself up high steps and through the double doors. My heart broke immediately. Her eyes were dizzy, her hair a mess, her face worn with the burdens of addiction and life on the streets. She was tired. Her breathing labored. She sat next to Claire, a faithful STORM volunteer.

“Asthma?” Claire, a retired nurse asked.

The young woman nodded, trying to catch her breath. It was scary.

“Lean back and relax,” Claire whispered as she gently brushed her frayed hair from her wide eyes.

I sat there quietly, praying: “Lord, breathe life into this woman. Help her.”

“I’m so tired,” she gasped. “I’m so tired.”

“It’s OK, you’re OK now,” Claire replied calmly. “You can rest here,” Claire stretched her arms around the young woman’s frail upper body. Claire gently pressed her head upon the young woman’s shoulder. I don’t quite recall everything Claire was saying, but it was in such a calm and steady voice. It was like a lighthouse shining through the dark raging seas. The young woman fixated on Claire’s voice and rested in her arms.

It was beautiful to witness. I liken it to a classic artist’s rendering of a mother cradling her precious child. This was love. Pure unconditional love. This was Jesus.

We were able to get the young lady to Resources to Establish Stabilization and Treatment (R.E.S.T.) where she could do just that, rest, get treatment for her asthma and learn about treatment options.

The last we heard; the young woman was back on the streets. That’s a punch in the gut. She is so sick. Her asthma is very bad; her health worse. If she doesn’t make the decision for treatment soon, she probably doesn’t have much time. Can you imagine being so wrapped up… so controlled by something that you can’t break away from even to save your own life. That’s addiction.

I pray the Lord breaks these strongholds and this young woman can step away free. So many are in such similar states. You may think it’s hard to relate. I find it easy. Sin can also have a similar kind of control in our lives. We can struggle with so many types of sin, but it’s all the same and it all leads to ultimate death – separation from God. But, there’s Jesus.

Jesus loves us even while we’re sinners. He died for us. He raised from the dead so that we can be saved; our lives transformed. He gives us freedom, eternal life, and Jesus gives it to us free without judgement.

I realized this even more that day on the bus. God loves us so much. This is why I go on the bus. God loves me so much. He loves the women, like this young woman, trapped in addiction and life on the streets, so much.

We are fearfully and wonderfully made… 

God formed our inmost being. He knit us in our mother’s womb.

This took time and effort. The Creator and Master of the universe took the time to make you. He put forth the effort to carefully put you together. The term “knit” is used in Scripture; Psalm 139:13.

Knitting is a detailed method for the production of textile fabrics by interlacing yarn loops with loops of the same or other yarns. It’s time consuming. It’s creating something from scratch. Knitting can be done by hand or by machine. We are all unique; so you can bet ya, God created you with His own hands. Wow!

Because He thought of you; because He took the time and effort to make you; you are invaluable to Him. You are precious, loved and so beautiful. You are His masterpiece.

This is the message that was imparted to the women at the Covington Lord’s Gym last Saturday. The gym hosted it’s second annual “A Day of Beauty with Jesus.”

A devotion was delivered, food and cake served, as the gym itself transformed into a spa. Participating women visited several stations for pampering including nails, make up and hair. They were given the opportunity to pick out a free outfit, purse, shoes and jewelry. Volunteers also mingled and prayed with and for each woman willing to have prayer.

The focus was treating our female friends how Jesus would treat them, said Women’s Chaplain Emily.

“I want all the women who came, know that they are not alone,” Emily said. “I want to remind them that they are important; special. This day gives them a chance to step out of their reality, which can be very harsh, and experience something different – a world that so often others don’t show them.”

According to Emily, this “new world” is one where they are fully seen and cherished. More importantly, they are shown the deep unconditional love that Jesus has for them.

“It feels so good to have this day,” said Erica as she was getting her hair done for the first time in many years. “I can’t remember the last time I’ve had my hair done. It’s such a great thing here at Lord’s Gym. It really means a lot to me, it really does.”

Just a few stations over Vallerie sat comfortably as her nails were painted.

“This is nice,” she said. “This is a good thing (the event), a needed thing. I’m feeling so good now.”

A total of 42 ladies gathered at the gym on Saturday: 21 volunteers and 21 participants.

Chaplain Emily said that lives were truly changed.

“Every volunteer, every donation, and Lord’s Gym is very important for moments like these. We truly couldn’t do this without being the body of Christ,” she said.

Emily said that the Lord’ worked through this event to reconcile three sisters and a niece; they all went to church together afterwards. Many of the ladies attended church after the event too.

“We celebrated Angel for her birthday too, she’s been coming to the gym for a while now,” Emily said. “We now have a new lady named Valerie. She had never been to church or the gym until we went out to her and pulled her in from off the street. She now has a new church home and a new gym. To be able to make all the ladies feel loved with no expectations is life changing. This is what God wanted and everyone executed it beautifully. We glorified Jesus.”

Psalm 139:14: “I praise you, because I am wonderfully made; wonderful are your works!”

From the Desk of Melissa Reinert… 

“’Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?’ And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: you shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:36-40

God calls us, according to Jesus, to LOVE. We are to love Him and to love our neighbors as ourselves. This is the way to please God, as we are living in His will if we do these things.

Let’s be honest for a moment. In this world, this is a challenge! It’s often difficult to put God first, to love Him fully with all our heart, soul, and mind when there are so many distractions. It can be even more difficult to love our neighbors with all the division and hatred that surrounds us. But, again, this is what God calls us to do: To love Him, first and foremost, and to love our neighbors.

One way to see if we are loving our Lord and all the “neighbors” He has intentionally placed in our lives, is if we respect God and others.

Respect is defined in two ways:

1. A feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements.
2. Due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others.

We all know why we should love and respect our Lord. He created us. He rescues us. He provides our needs. He first loved us, even while we were still sinners. The list can go on and on.

We should love and respect our neighbors, even the one who thinks differently from us; even the one who is hateful to us.

Genesis 1:27, tells us that we are all created in God’s image. 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 and 18 reminds us that God created us all uniquely and works through us. We should also love and respect others because God loves us all so much. So much, that He sent His one and only Son (John 3:16) to die in our stead in order that we may have eternal life with Him.

From Chaplain Lynn… 

You might remember Jewel McCoy from our Community Awareness Breakfast last year. He has been coming to the FAC periodically to encourage and pray for people. On this specific day I let him lead the Bible study and afterwards I saw that there was such a spirit of love and community that a few of our friends held hands to pray. Praying God will continue to pour out his spirit on all flesh and use those who are willing!

If you’d like to volunteer with Lord’s Gym Ministries, please click on “Get Involved” on the menu above. We’d love to have you serve alongside us. God bless!

From the desk of Melissa Reinert… 

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 28:19

A few weeks ago, in following with our culture-themed devotionals, we discussed getting our minds right. Today we’re going to talk about stepping up, the next response we have the opportunity to make when faced with a situation.

This response, to step up, is pivotal to our Discipline over Default thinking. It calls us to action. Stepping up means to make reality of what we’re thinking; to practice what we’re preaching. In order to be disciplined and live above the line, or above default, we must step up.

As children of the one true King, stepping up, is the living out of our faith. I think of Proverbs 13:12: “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.”

We must exercise our faith and do the work.

Stepping up isn’t always easy. It, in fact, always takes courage. To gain and cultivate the courage to step up, we must enrich our lives with God’s word and be in constant prayer. This ensures our moral compass – we’re walking closely with the Lord, Who is making our paths straight.

Stepping up means doing the right thing. It also means answering God’s call. Both are intertwined and both take courage.  Let’s look at Jesus’ charge to His disciples, all of us believers, in Matthew 28. He tells us to “go” and “make Disciples.”

It interesting, to me, that the Lord uses the word “GO.” It implies movement. It requires action. Jesus does not say, wait here for people to come to you. He does not say, as people pass by you tell them. NO! Jesus says to GO! Go where the people are. Go where the need thrives. Don’t sit, get up, step up!

If we are to accomplish any task we must step up and do it. Step up. Take charge. GO!   

A Message From Melissa Reinert… 

“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.” Colossians 1:9

Recently I had the honor of meeting with our friends to pray for our donors and to write a little note of thanks. It was such a blessing to my heart.

One gentleman who has been coming to the Covington gym for quite some time, had some trouble writing, so I offered to help. He told me what he wanted to say and I wrote it for him. He signed each of the cards himself. His message of thanks was a beautiful representation of what Lord’s Gym Ministries is all about. He spoke of how the gym is a place for him to come to get his mind and heart right with the Lord.

He offered genuine appreciation to those who support the gym through generous giving. He deeply understands, as many of our friends do, that it is because of others’ generosity we are able to operate. God does all the work, let me assure you, and He is the No. 1 reason this ministry has existed for 30 years. However, the Lord has pressed upon so many hearts and so many have listened to His call to give and serve through the gym. It’s so appreciated. It brings tears to my eyes when I think of this process and how God uses normal every day human beings to accomplish such great works as saving and transforming lives for His glory. All glory be to God!

Another gentleman, who volunteers at the Covington gym wrote a note of thanks. His perspective is quite interesting. “I came here to be a blessing,” he said. “Instead, I have been blessed.” What another beautiful insight into God’s wonderous and mysterious ways. 

I hope that as our supporters begin to receive these little notes o thanks, they are reminded that they are an important part of this ministry. It’s not just about the giving of their treasure. It’s about the giving of their hearts to the Lord. It’s about their willingness to obey when He calls. It’s about serving Him. I hope they too are reminded that they are prayed for on a regular basis, not only by our staff, but also by our friends who they are serving. I hope these realizations leave them blessed.

From the desk of Melissa Reinert… 

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2  

God’s Word tells us in Romans chapter 12, to not be conformed to this world. Conformed means to comply with rules or standards. Simply put, we need to be different. We are to be transformed. We experience this transformation with the renewal of our minds. In other words, we are to be refreshed, rejuvenated, renovated, and restored. 

We do this by reading God’s Word. We should also be seeking the Lord in prayer, communicating with Him on a regular basis (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). In addition, as we come into difficult circumstances and decisions, we must have the courage to ask ourselves: What is the responsible response? We do not ask: What do I feel like doing or do I like it? Then, we do it. We do the work. There it is again discipline over default. 

Think of Jonah. God called him to go to Nineveh to preach a message of repentance. He didn’t ask what the responsible thing was to do. He didn’t feel like doing it. He didn’t like the idea. So, he didn’t. 

In refusing God’s call, He attempted to run from the Lord. Ah, but: “Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.” Psalm 139:7-10.  

Jonah learned the hard way. He went through a horrific storm and was thrown overboard to drown. The Lord had other plans. Great plans.  

A great fish, prepared by the Lord, swallowed Jonah up and three days later spit him out safely on shore. Jonah had plenty of time to get his mind right while in the belly of the fish. After being spat out, his attitude was renewed. His relationship with the Lord was restored. Refreshed, He gladly answered the Lord’s call, and the fruits of his labor were multiplied with many saved souls. 

Take heed of 1 Peter 1:13-15: “Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at His coming. As obedient children do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He Who called you is holy so be holy in all you do.” 

Do the right thing. Answer God’s call. Be renewed in His Spirit. Live set apart. Live like Jesus. Live for Jesus.

From Melissa Reinert… 

This Saturday we hosted our first Volunteer Essentials, a 90-minute volunteer training session to better equip our volunteers with the tools and resources needed to maximize their impact. If you could not attend the Saturday session, please register for Thursday’s session: https://bit.ly/VolSessionThurs

The training was a true blessing to all those involved. You’ll learn more about the ministry, as well as hear a testimony about the impact the ministry is having on those volunteering.