L'importance de la communauté

L'importance de la communauté

L'importance de la communauté

par Toni Weisz/Disciplines spirituelles

Scriptures: Éphésiens 4:4-6, 11-13 et 15-16, Romains 12:15, Éphésiens 4:14, et Éphésiens 3:17,19.

Éphésiens 4:4-6 (ESV)
Il y a un seul corps et un seul Esprit, tout comme vous avez été appelé dans un espoir de votre appel; un seul Seigneur, une foi, un baptême; un seul Dieu et Père de tous, qui est avant tout, et à travers tout, et en vous tous.

Éphésiens 4:11-13, et 15-16 (NKJV)
Et Lui-même en donna quelques-uns pour être apôtres, quelques prophètes, quelques évangélistes, et quelques pasteurs et enseignants, pour l'équipement des saints pour l'œuvre du ministère, pour l'édification du corps du Christ, jusqu'à ce que nous parvenions tous à l'unité de la foi et de la connaissance du Fils de Dieu, à un homme parfait, à la mesure de la stature de la plénitude de Christ; but speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—from whom the whole body, unis et tricotés ensemble par ce que chaque joint fournit, selon le travail effectif par lequel chaque partie fait sa part, provoque la croissance du corps pour l'édification de lui-même dans l'amour.

I have noticed over the years that the women who stay connected and accountable in a safe community continue to grow spiritually, and they feel safe, deeply connected and loved. Ces femmes ont d'énormes victoires dans leur vie parce qu'elles se consacrent à suivre le Seigneur et à vivre en communauté. Chacun de nous a reçu un rôle dans le corps de Christ par Dieu. We see in the Scriptures above that Christ is the Head, and each one of us is a part of the body. We are called to do a specific job in the body to keep the body functioning properly.

Pourquoi la communauté est-elle si importante? Vous avez tous entendu le dicton, “There is safety in numbers.” That is true for your spiritual life also, pas seulement votre sécurité physique. Quand nous restons connectés en communauté, nous sommes protégés des flèches enflammées de l'ennemi. Son objectif principal est d'isoler les femmes chrétiennes afin qu'il puisse nous mentir et nous tourmenter. Combien d'entre vous savent de quoi je parle? Nous avons tous connu la solitude et le désespoir qui nous envahissent lorsque nous sommes isolés, especially women with abortions and abuse in their past; nous sommes une cible facile pour l'ennemi. Mais après avoir rejoint un groupe sûr et rester responsable, nous sommes maintenant protégés.

It’s not just being a part of a group that protects you. It’s being an active member of the group, servir et participer constamment, pas seulement être un observateur. Nous devons investir dans le groupe en partageant nos cœurs, our tears, our triumphs, and our prayer requests. By sharing with the group, you don’t know how your share may help encourage another woman.

“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” (Romains 12:15)

C'est ainsi que l'église est censée fonctionner. We should be more like a hospital than a social gathering.

My hope and prayer for each of us is that:

  • Our faith will grow stronger.
  • Our relationships with one another will grow deeper.
  • We will be mature, strong, confident believers in Jesus.
  • We will not be tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine.
  • We will have a strong Biblical worldview.
  • Christ dwells in our hearts through faith.
  • We will be rooted and grounded in love.
  • We will know the love of Christ which passes knowledge.
  • We will be filled with all the fullness of God.
  • Everything that we do is pleasing to God.
  • Our words will always speak life and encouragement to others.


    (Ref. Éphésiens 4:14; 3:17,19)

Dieu a tellement plus à accomplir pour nous dans l'année à venir, mais nous, en tant que groupe, devons être prêts et équipés pour cette saison dans le ministère. I see God doing a new thing. On April 20, 2024, several of us from the ministry went to an event. Afterwards, we had lunch together, and out of the seven of us who attended, five came from Spanish-speaking backgrounds. I believe this is the next area of growth for us. God is raising up strong, guéri, equipped women to minister to Spanish-speaking women. Soon my gospel tract will be on our website in Spanish with these precious women in mind. We want them to hear the gospel and be saved.

Look at these joyful faces. Would you believe that five out of the seven have been abused and all have had at least one abortion?

Toni Weisz and friends lunch at Nauti Dawg April 20, 2024 Lighthouse Point, FL

Toni Weisz and friends lunch at Nauti Dawg April 20, 2024 Lighthouse Point, FL

 

Je prie pour que vous soyez encouragé à intensifier votre jeu et à faire de Jésus et de partager son amour votre priorité dans tout ce que vous faites. I pray if you have not been regularly connecting in a deep and meaningful way that God will give you the courage to be open and vulnerable to share. God has so much for you as an individual and for us as a group to accomplish. Will you pray and ask God what your role in the kingdom of God is and in this ministry?

Je suis honoré de servir avec vous dans ce ministère. C'est vraiment une belle chose de voir Dieu travailler en nous et à travers nous.

Questions to take to heart:

  1. Quels sont les domaines de votre vie sur lesquels vous travaillez?
  2. What is God leading (calling) you to do?
  3. Comment pouvons-nous prier pour vous?

Please reach out if you need prayer or encouragement. Just email me at: toni@myashestobeauty.com.

Tu es aimé,

Toni

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You Are the Light of the World

You Are the Light of the World

You Are the Light of the World

By Toni Weisz/Spiritual Disciplines

Scriptures: Matthieu 5:3-16

Matthieu 5:3-16
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you, when they revile you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for My sake.
Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets which were before you. You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Aujourd'hui, we are going to take a break from our usual format because so many of us have been suffering from some very hard trials, and I want to use this time to repent of any sin in our lives and to pray for guidance and wisdom in our personal lives and this ministry. Seigneur, so many in our midst have been suffering for a long time with no relief. We ask, Seigneur, for You to move mightily on our behalf. We are seeking You with our whole hearts. Please attend to the voice of our prayers. Your word says that You collect our tears in a bottle. So precious in Your sight are Your saints.

We pray for our leaders in our government. Lord God, we pray your Holy Spirit will break those whose ways and policies oppose You. We pray that You will bend the arrows they are firing at Your children so their own hearts will be pierced instead. Seigneur, confound those who are swift to shed innocent blood, who cause division, who lie, cheat, steal, and run to mischief. We pray that You will convict them of their sins so they can confess and turn from them. Seigneur, we are praying for their salvation, in Jesus’ Name.

We pray for our leaders in the church and in ministry. Seigneur, we bind any spirit of pride in the Name of Jesus. Help us to be humble and teachable. Help us to be quick to hear and slow to speak. I pray our words will not be harsh but will be life–affirming and encouraging. Help us to continually extend grace to others. Help us to be patient, kind, and compassionate. Let the glorious light of the gospel shine through our actions and words. We pray others will be drawn to You through our testimonies.

We pray for those who have heard the gospel and have rejected it. It’s the goodness of God that leads to repentance. Father, help us to reflect Your beauty in this world. Help us to love others the way you do, without partiality. For they are Your image–bearers and Your most magnificent creation. Seigneur, we are praying You will have mercy upon them. Open their spiritual eyes to see who You are. Open their hearts et make them soft and pliable like clay in the Master’s hand. Seigneur, we are praying for a mighty harvest of souls saved.

Father, we are praying for a mighty revival in our land; let it start with me, Seigneur.

Many times, we feel alone. I want to encourage you with this song from Hillsong United, “Another in the Fire":
https://youtu.be/WUSsEo52-a0. Let’s listen together.

Now let’s go to the Lord and share our hearts and our burdens. Let us confess sin and receive the forgiveness and healing we all need. Let’s join our hearts in one accord to worship and thank God for His goodness and faithfulness.

Please reach out if you need to talk or need prayer. You can email me at: toni@myashestobeauty.com.

You are dearly loved,
Toni

 

Read more of Toni’s blogs HERE.

Un beau témoignage

Un beau témoignage

Un beau témoignage

By Toni Weisz/Spiritual Disciplines

Scriptures: Ruth 1:15-18 and James 4:6-8a,10

And she said, “See, your sister-in-law has gone back to her people and to her gods; return after your sister-in-law.” But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die, I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.” And when Naomi saw that she was determined to go with her, she said no more (Ruth 1:15-18).

Even in Naomi’s suffering, she was a powerful testimony to her two daughters-in-law who were living with her. So much so that Ruth left her family and all she knew and followed Naomi and embraced her God. To suffer well is not an easy thing to do, especially when we are plagued with prolonged suffering, hardship, and pain. We cry out to God and ask, “Lord, why is this trial lasting so long? What am I supposed to be learning from this? Please help me to endure.”

I know several of you are in a season of prolonged hardship, grief, difficult family situations, douleur, physical challenges, et dépression. It makes my heart sad to see you suffer so. But I know that our God never wastes our pain. He uses it for a specific purpose, which could be for salvation, or to make us aware of a blind spot, or to expose an unconfessed sin, or spiritual warfare, and/or a combination of several things, or the fact that we live in a fallen world and these human bodies are slowly breaking down.

I know in prolonged seasons of suffering; I have learned some very valuable truths about God that I would not have if I were healthy and strong and able to do my daily routine.

In your season of prolonged trials, what is God showing you?

Others are watching how you handle adversity.

For one of our dear sisters, her prolonged trials are leading her husband to seek the Lord. Praise Jesus for that.

While in this season, how has God used you to share the gospel with others or to pray for others or to receive help from others (which is sometimes hard to do)?

A humble and teachable spirit is of great value in the sight of God.

God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up (James 4: 6-8a and 10).

When we keep our eyes focused on God, I believe suffering can conform us to the image of Jesus. We can reflect His beauty, love, forgiveness and compassion to the world around us. When we have a humble, teachable spirit and we are seeking God with our whole heart, God can do amazing things in and through us. I believe this is what Naomi did, and as a result of her suffering well and seeking God with her whole heart, God turned her ashes of grief, sorrow, and despair and turned them into great joy. Ruth married Boaz and conceived a child who would be the grandfather to King David. Naomi’s life had been redeemed by God. She felt so blessed and cared for by God, and I pray that you too will experience that joy again.

Questions to take to heart:

  1. What is God showing you during this time of prolonged suffering?
  2. How can we come alongside you to help you endure this very difficult season?
  3. How has God used your trials to minister to another person?
  4. Comment pouvons-nous prier pour vous?

I pray this topic has been helpful for you. If you need to talk just text or email me at: toni@myashestobeauty.com.

Tu es aimé,
Toni

Read more of Toni’s blogs HERE.

Dissimuler mes péchés

Dissimuler mes péchés

Dissimuler mes péchés

par Toni Weisz/Disciplines spirituelles

Scriptures: Genèse 3:6-9 et 21, Numbers 32:23, 1 John 2:2, 2 Corinthiens 5:10, and Revelation 20:15

 

Genèse 3:6-9
Alors, when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew they were naked; and they sewed fig lives together and made themselves coverings. And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of God among the trees of the garden. Then the Lord God called Adam and said to him, “Where are you?"

Genèse 3:21
Unto Adam also and to his wife the Lord God make coats of skins and clothed them.

Numbers 32:23
But if ye will not do so, voir, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out.

1 John 2:2
And He is the propitiation for our sins: and not ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

My marriage did not start out on a solid foundation. I married my husband, first, because I felt a bond with him because we aborted our first child, Joseph, 43 years ago, and second, because we were living in sin and I was about to graduate from college and that meant my parents would be visiting me in Ohio for the first time on my graduation. I was frantically trying to figure out, “How am I going to hide this from them?"

Seven weeks before my sister was to be married, she broke off her engagement. It turns out her fiancé was a heavy drinker and had physically assaulted her. I had no idea that was going on, but I didn’t even console my sister, when I think back at that. I was very self-absorbed. I was living in sin and doing the devil’s bidding, and that made me a very selfish individual. I was obsessed with keeping that perfect mask on and making sure my sin would not be found out.

Alors, I devised a plan, “What if I took her place? That might work. The wedding is in August, and I graduate in December, so the timing will be perfect.”

I saw red flags. He was too controlling and manipulative, but he took care of my physical needs, so I decided to go forward with my plan.

A few days before the wedding, I was at my parent’s house, and I was vacuuming my brother’s room. The only window in his room was a small hexagonal window on top of the west wall. I was thinking to myself and saying a prayer of sorts; I didn’t know the Lord then, so I only cried out to Him in times of desperation. “Am I doing the right thing marrying John?” All of a sudden, the sun shone in through that little window on me, and I could feel the sun’s rays on my face. And I felt a calming in my spirit, and I said to myself, “OK, I guess that means yes.” So, I went through with it.

I was like Adam and Eve in the garden. I too was hiding from God, and I tried to cover up my numerous sins by rushing in and getting married and then thinking to myself, “That takes care of that; I am all good.”

Non. it doesn’t work like that. I was covering up my sin with more sin. Just like when Adam and Eve sewed fig leaves together to cover their nakedness (their sins), it didn’t work either. Only God through the blood of Jesus can cover our sins. Anything else is a counterfeit.

Are there sins in your life that you are trying to cover up too with more sin? Or are you medicating to numb yourself so you don’t feel anything? Or are you pretending your sins do not exist?

One day, your sins will find you out. They will all be exposed. Just when we think we can get away with something, God shines His light into our darkened souls, and he exposes our faulty misguided ways to deal with our sin.

The only way our sins can truly be covered is by trusting in Jesus and receiving the gift of salvation that God freely offers all of us. God killed animals to cover Adam and Eve’s sin. When we put our faith and trust in Jesus, His blood covers our sins.

If you have never asked Jesus to forgive your sins and be your Lord and Savior, then there is still time. Please, if God is convicting you right now, don’t delay. Please reach out to me, toni@myashestobeauty.com.

Tu es aimé,

Toni

P.S. For those of you who know Jesus, what are you doing to share the gospel in your part of the world with your sphere of influence? Time is short. Please reach out if you need help with that.

La femme guérie par Jésus

La femme guérie par Jésus

The Women Jesus Healed

par Toni Weisz/Disciplines spirituelles

Scripture References: Matthieu 27:55-56, Matthieu 28:1-7, John 19:25, Luc 8:2, Luc 8:44-50, and John 20:14-16

When I think back at how revolutionary Jesus was towards women in that day, I find it so amazing how they were permitted to travel and minister to Him and the disciples. Women during that time were treated like a piece of property with no rights, but Jesus changed that. They all felt valued and respected and were vital to the work He was doing.

In Luke Chapter 8, Mary Magdalene is described as a woman who was healed of evil spirits and infirmities, out of whom went 7 devils. Can you imagine for a moment the torment of a life she had? I wonder how many pregnancies she terminated? And how badly she was used and abused?

Mary was present for the most pivotal parts of Jesus’ life; she was at his crucifixion and burial. She was also at the tomb and saw the angels, and they spoke to her. She also met the Lord Jesus when He was resurrected and thought He was the gardener.

I love her conversation with Him. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?"

She said, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you laid Him, and I will take Him away.”

Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned and recognized Him.

How sweet that Jesus appeared to her of all people, the woman with the horrible, troubled, and tormented past. What an incredible honor. When Jesus completely heals our lives and gives us a new purpose and values and loves us, then our natural response would be similar to hers. We belong for the first time in our lives.

Jesus speaks these words about a woman in the city who was a sinner, who washes His feet with her tears and wipes them with her hair and puts expensive ointment on his feet and kisses them. All those who observed this shameful display were horrified because she was a woman, probably a prostitute.

Luc 8:44-50
Then He turned to the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has washed My feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave Me no kiss, but this woman has not ceased to kiss My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but this woman has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.”

Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?"

Then He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Vas en paix."

 

We love Jesus so much because of the many sins He has forgiven us of. We want to share that same love with other women who are still being tormented by the evil one.

Questions to take to heart:

  1. How has your life been impacted by Jesus?
  2. How do you serve Him because of what He has done for you?
  3. How are you sharing your testimony so others can hear the “Good News”?
  4. How can we encourage you today?

If you too want to be healed by Jesus, the first step is receiving Him as your Lord and Savior. Please listen to the audio story below where I share Bible verses that will help you understand God’s Salvation plan for you. God loves you more than you can imagine. Will you give Him a chance? He is patiently waiting for you to cry out to Him.

If you want to know more about what it means to be Born-Again, then please reach out. We are here for you. Feel free to email me at: toni@myashestobeauty.com

Tu es aimé,

Toni

A Sinner Saved by Grace by Toni Weisz audio gospel tract cover 600x600

A SINNER SAVED BY GRACE

par Toni Weisz | My Audio Gospel Tract (Click Here to Listen)

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Arrêtez de vous efforcer

Arrêtez de vous efforcer

Arrêtez de vous efforcer

January 2024
By Toni Weisz/Spiritual Disciplines

Scripture Verses:
Psaume 27:14, Isaïe 40:31a and Psalm 103:13-14

Psaume 27:14
Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.

Isaïe 40:31a
But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength;

Psaume 103:13-14
As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers we are dust.

In my journaling this week, I was struggling with feelings of rejection, which caused me to be emotionally drained and physically weak. After a few days, I finally sat down with the Lord and poured out my heart to Him. I have a big family reunion coming up, and that always, for some reason, still causes me to become anxious. Those old wounds can be easily reopened, and those old tapes start playing over and over again in my mind.

I have witnessed to all of them over the years, even my nieces and nephews. Not a one has responded to the gospel. I know that is not my responsibility; it’s Gods. I know the enemy is trying to gain entrance into my thought life because he wants me to be anxious and ineffective for God. Non, that’s not happening. I am aware of his plot, and I am equipping myself with the armor of God and His word to protect my mind and my heart from his lies.

Also, I am saddened by my son’s illness and the fact that he and his wife will be missing from our family reunion. Sometimes I need to take time to feel what I am feeling instead of just brushing it off or stuffing it. It’s OK to be sad, frustrated and disappointed. Alors, I allowed myself to go there too, and afterwards, I felt refreshed.

The enemy is trying to get me to strive for approval in the area of my tennis. Instead of enjoying the gift of being able to play, I am trying too hard to win matches and the approval of others. I am striving too much, and I am physically tired. Instead, I need to rest in the Lord. He is the one who will renew my strength (Isaïe 40:31a). He is the one that will give me favor with others. He is the one who opens hearts to hear the word of God and receive it. I am just a vessel that He uses for His purposes. I need to go back to the basics, enjoy the gift of tennis, and stop trying so hard to be perfect.

I also have four events this month where I will be sharing my testimony and our ministry information, and the enemy is not happy about that. Each week, we get one or two new women who come to our ministry. I need to stay close to the Lord and keep my eyes on Him. He is the one that has opened these doors, and I need to trust Him. He is the one who will give me favor and the words to say. I trust Him completely.

God wants us to pour out our hearts to Him. He sees all of us, and He knows our struggles, our heartbreaks, and our frailty. He remembers that we are dust. He is the one who created us in the first place. In Psalm 103:13-14, nous lisons, “As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers we are dust.”

I realized that I need to surrender my will and my heart to God and trust Him with all the outcomes. I cannot control those things, but I can control how I respond to things. I can have victory in all these areas if I let God use me the way He wants to and stop trying so hard.

Questions to take to heart:

  1. What area are you still striving in?
  2. Why are you trying so hard?
  3. Have you been able to surrender all to God? Sinon, why?
  4. Comment pouvons-nous prier pour vous?

I pray this topic has been helpful for you. If you need to talk you can email me at: toni@myashestobeauty.com.

Tu es aimé,
Toni

 

 

 

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