News article from ABM Ministries

Merit in “Merit Reports” by Beth Goodman

One of the classroom incentives to encourage excitement about school is the merit program. Students can earn merits by: scoring a 90% or higher on PACE tests, memorizing and reciting scripture verses, and writing reports. Every other Friday the students can cash in their merits for candy or snacks at the Merit Store. I haven’t had many students turn in reports for merits, so this week I decided to have each student write a report so they could see how easy it is to earn these merits. There are three areas a student can choose from for their report topic: 1) what they are learning about in one of their PACE subjects -core school subject 2) what they are learning about in Self-Confrontation or 3) what they have learned from Mr. Larry’s Sunday message or Wednesday Bible study.

I especially enjoy reading the reports because I get a better idea of the student’s interests. Some reports are entertaining and others remind me of the reason I do what I do at the ministry. I would like to share a report I received this week from a student who is obviously getting something out of our new Bible study.

“Through these past few weeks, we’ve been learning about the ability of being fearless through God. Without even realizing it I discovered that I was being held imprisoned by fear. I found that not only was I afraid of what others think more than what God does, but that I had other fears as well. Examples of these would be fear of failure, and fear of what’s going to happen next. Various verses in the Bible explain that God is with us and we need not fear evil. I often can’t grasp what seems to be so simple- God can take away all of the bad, if you just believe. It’s this very concept that draws a bridge between my Father and me. But, if I don’t want to be afraid, and I don’t want to worry, why don’t I just let the Almighty take care of that? During last night’s Bible study I was captivated by the truth of what we learned. Man, being controlled by flesh, tries to entice you-the world- to believe in the opposite of what really matters. With that, I thought back to all of the plans I had for myself- to be rich with money and without problems. I felt the Spirit telling me to just let go. I NEED to let go of my plans, no matter how amazing they sound to my ears, and let the righteous life God has for me prevail. Today I am going to give God my fears, my worries, and my life. I believe ABM is where I need to be right now to rid me of vanity and all of my preconceived plans for my life. Happiness isn’t going to show up when I leave ABM or when I visit my family. Happiness IS here or anywhere by the blood of Jesus. ‘You can’t threaten me with heaven’ will now be a standing point for my life. The only way to be positive of the best life you can live is to acknowledge God in all things. With this, my only fear can be of God, and not of any situation, problem, or evil I face in the world. Finally, my eyes are opened!”