North Wake Ladies Retreat 2010

Every year the ladies of North Wake Church go to Blowing Rock, NC for a weekend retreat. It is such a refreshing time to spend together as we encourage one another with scripture. This year, our focus was on sex and relationships. We were encouraged by passages from 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24 - "May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it." Our sanctification is really about our heart and our attitude and Christ is calling us to surrender it all and conform to His ways. He can and will sanctify us fully, through the good and bad!
We also focused on Colossians 3 and how it affects our relationships. We are to die to self and serve others daily. We are to re-orient ourselves with Christ, set our hearts on Him, and clear our minds of the advise of this world. There are things we should avoid: immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, greed, idolatry, and lies. We should put aside anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech. Instead, we are to replace these ways and thoughts with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and forgiveness. These should be our focus and our hearts should be thankful to God. As we become more like our Father, He should come first in our lives because He is active and present and designed our circumstances to draw us closer to Him. May we allow Him to dwell in our hearts and minds!