Our Mission

To love all people at all times and lead them into a new life in Christ.

Our Vision

To be a church that will be multicultural and generational, having a lasting impact on the people to whom we minister.

To see the gospel extend beyond the walls of our church through various outreaches.

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Message for January 6, 2013 from Pastor Jerry

“For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world, and this is the victory that has overcome the world–our faith.”   I John 5:4 (English Standard Version)
We are beginning a new year today.  Fifty-two weeks to experience the blessing and hope we have received from God.  I, personally, am expecting a much better year than I had in 2012.  I must admit that I had several life changing events.  I probably will not be sharing a lot about what happened except as sermon Illustrations or points to ponder.
I am grateful for your prayers and faith to believe with me and maintained an active part in the ministry and day to day business affairs.   I may have been out of sight, but I have not been out of touch.  It has blessed me hearing what all of you have done to help the church.
As 2013 begins, I have a question for you.  How is your faith?  Has it been tested?  Has it been used?  Is it ready for this year?  As we ponder this, I will use my personal experience as an example.  With all that I experienced in 2012 some might say, “Where was his faith?” or “His faith failed.”  On the other side I believe that without my faith and yours I probably would not have lived through the year.  Why?  I have answers to many of the why’s and will someday have answers to all of them.  Now I thank God for His Word in me.  My faith was challenged but God’s Word rose to the occasion within me.  I am rediscovering the power of faith.  I encourage you to do the same in this coming year. It could be a wonderful experience.

THEME FOR NEW LIFE IN 2013 “Rediscovering the power of Faith.”
Seeing the unseen in 2013”  I Corinthians 4:17-18
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING AT?”  

Message for December 30, 2012 from Pastor Tim

HAPPY NEW YEAR

We hear this phrase time and again right before the change from one year to the next, and for the most part we do indeed want a better year for others, but what about the church, do we want a “Happy New Year” for the Church?  At What Cost?  When we reflect on  2012, we can look at all the hardships and difficulties our church family has faced, from health issues not only with our Pastors, but many of the church family and their immediate families as well.  We have put up with financial hardships for the church itself, while many are out of work, or unable to work.  We can look at the fact that the Church building is in need of repairs, or be thankful it’s not worse.

We can look at all the negatives and difficulties with total disdain and wonder why God allowed it, or we can look at the things which really matter– “The Church” which has grown during the past 12 months.  Look at how many have come to the Lord just within the last 3 or 4 months- PRAISE BE TO GOD!  We are The Church, and while we look back on the things which happened in 2012, let us remember to “Keep the Main Thing, the Main Thing”….That of course is lost souls coming to Christ.  

With every trial we have faced in 2012, there was a reason for it.  Perhaps for some the shortage of money was a lesson to be better stewards of the money you are given- or a test in faith while teaching you that when you are faithful in the tithes and offerings, God will be faithful as it says in Malachi 3:6-11.  For some, suffering through the endless bouts of sickness and infirmity, it may be that your time in the valley is being used as an encouragement to someone else about to enter the valley- How?  By your faithful confidence in Christ’s promises to heal and deliver.

Whatever you have endured in 2012, get prepared because 2013 will be even worse! Not encouraged?  You should be- for each new level there will be new devils to be defeated.   If you are reading this- you have come through it, so onto the next level.  Are you prepared for the battle to come?  Arm yourself Warriors of Christ for 2013 and you will gain even greater victories for Christ.  Please read Philippians 4:4-9.

May the Peace and Power of Christ be upon you as we start 2013.

Pastor Tim.

Message for December 23, 2012 from Pastors Gerald & LaVerne

From Pastor Gerald and LaVerne:

   Merry CHRISTmas!

 Greetings in the name of The Lord Jesus Christ! LaVerne and I miss you but that is going to change. In 2012 we spent at least 70 days in the hospital and 20 days in rehab since May 11.   We made it through this year with help from you and our faith in the promises from God. Against the odds we have made it through one of the toughest battles we have ever faced.  As we sing “Joy to the World” this Christmas, it has been through the joy that Jesus gave us that we can boldly declare He has done a miraculous work in us.  We will be ready for any challenge we might face in 2013.  Our church is strong in its faith in God’s Word and our love for each other. We do pray you have a wonderful, joyful time with your families this Christmas.  God is not finished with me or with this great church. Get ready for a great adventure with God. “Since The Lord is for us then who can be against us!”

Message for December 16, 2012 from Pastor Tim

This Wicked World

Jeremiah 17:9-10 reads “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked;  
Who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.”

    One can only attempt to figure what possesses a man that he would murder his mother, then go into a room full of innocent children and methodically take their lives.  In doing so he robs the innocence of every child left behind.  I do believe it is obvious that our nation is going to Hell in a hand basket, but just as in Matthew  24:12-13, “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.  But he who endures to the end shall be saved.”  We too must endure to the end- the very end.  Though many will turn away from a walk with God, we cannot- we must not.  Endure the hardships with the promise of knowing our reward awaits us, and though discouragement will come, it is through Christ that we are revived. Seek His face while He may be found.  

AT CHRISTMAS by Edgar Albert Guest

AT CHRISTMAS

A man is at his finest towards the finish of the year;

He is almost what he should be when the Christmas season is here;

Then he’s thinking more of others than he’s thought the months before;

And the laughter of his children is a joy worth toiling for.

He is less a selfish creature than at any other time;

When the Christmas spirit rules him he comes close to the sublime.


When it’s Christmas man is bigger and is better at his part;

He is keener for the service that is prompted by the heart.

All the petty thoughts and narrow seem to vanish for awhile

And the true reward he’s seeking is the glory of a smile.

Then for others he is toiling and somehow it seems to me

That at Christmas he is almost what God wanted him to be.


If I had to paint a picture of a man I think I’d wait

Till he’s fought his selfish battles and had put aside his hate.

I’d not catch him at his labors when his thoughts are all of pelf;

On the long days and the dreary when he[‘s striving for himself.

I’d not take him when he’s sneering, when he’s scornful or depressed;

But I’d look for him at Christmas when he’s striving at his best.


Man is ever in a struggle and he’s oft misunderstood;

There are days the worst that’s in him is the master of the good.

But at Christmas kindness rules him and he puts himself aside

And his petty hates are vanquished and his heart is opened wide.

Oh, I don’t know how to say it, but somehow it seems to me

That a Christmas man is almost what God sent him here to be.

              by Edgar Albert Guest

Message for December 9, 2012 from Pastor Shirley

Hebrews 11:1  Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].
    We are taught a lot about faith, but what about that little word, “hope”.  Most people understand hope as wishful thinking, as in maybe it will happen. Hope is founded on the promises of God given to us in the Bible.  The Biblical definition of hope is a confident expectation.
    Sometimes in the middle of waiting for the promise of God to manifest we may grow weary and think our faith has somehow failed us. But it is not that we have lost faith; we have lost hope. We have stopped expecting God to really give to us what he has promised in His Word. When we began to lose hope, that is when faith (the faith that God has already given us) loses its mission.
   Hope comes alive in us when we began to see ourselves with the promises of God more than we can see ourselves without them. Grab hold of the Word (our covenant); begin to speak-call those things that are not as though they were.  We confess not out of desperation that maybe God will, but because we know He has, and we are just waiting for it to come into full manifestation.  

Messager for December 2, 2012 from Pastor Jerry

“Catch me the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes.”  Song of Solomon 2:13

    Hello!!  It’s been a few weeks since I have been able to write for the bulletin.  I have spent that time dealing with a bunch of little foxes.  The major surgery on October 19 did great and hasn’t caused any set backs at all.  It has been the little foxes that have caused the trouble.

    I have learned first hand that little foxes (side issues) can tempt you to become discouraged and give up hope.  The key is not to give in to the temptation.  It doesn’t matter what area you are dealing with;  it is all the same.  The devil wants you to give up and quit.  That is what we must not do.  

    Stand on the Word and expect God to make a difference.  Don’t get angry with God–just keep resisting the devil.  No matter what the circumstances or time frame, God is always on your side.  He wants you to win.

    “But you don’t know what I am going through,” you might say.  I ask, do you know what I am going through?  Everything I believe in has been tested this year.  I plan to pass the test no matter what!!!  I am not about to quit.

    “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil for thou art with me;  thy rod and staff, they comfort me.”   Psalm. 23:4

    Nobody likes the idea of being in the valley of the shadow of death.  However, I would rather be in the valley with God than be anywhere else without Him.  To know that God is with you is all that is really necessary.  Just remember, He promised never to leave you.   Yes, it has been difficult, but my God is forever faithful.  So is yours if  He is Jesus.

Message for November 25, 2012 Veteran’s Day Prayer

Dear Lord,

Today we honor our veterans, worthy men and women who gave their best

when they were called upon to serve and protect their country.

We pray that you will bless them, Lord, for their unselfish service

in the continual struggle to preserve our freedoms, our safety,

and our country’s heritage, for all of us.

Bless them abundantly for the hardships they faced,

for the sacrifices they made for their many different contributions

to America’s victories over tyranny and oppression.

We respect them, we thank them, we honor them, we are proud of them,

and we pray that you will watch over these special people

and bless them with peace and happiness.

In Jesus’ name we pray; Amen.

By Joanna Fuchs

Message from Pastor Tim

ACCOUNTABILITY

“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”  John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton, first Baron Acton (1834–1902). The historian and moralist, who was otherwise known simply as Lord Acton, expressed this opinion in a letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton in 1887.  
    It is my belief that men do not set out to become corrupt, but time and again, we see all across the world, leaders who fall from their positions due to a lack of accountability. CIA Director Petraeus is the most recent victim, but there are many.  If we all will be held accountable for the words we speak (Matthew 12:36) then why would we think we would not be held accountable for all our actions? 1 Peter 4:5 tells us we all will be held accountable, but especially those who do evil.
    How does it happen, good people becoming corrupt? It happens one step at a time.  We all must have someone who holds us accountable for our actions, and especially our Christian Walk. One who will call us down on those “minor” offenses which no one really cares about, or those little things that no one knows about.  We have all sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God, but it all begins with accountability- How about you?  Who is your accountability partner? Don’t have one?  Get one- Your life depends on it.

Message for November 11, 2012 from Pastor Tim

Returning to the old Ways

This Weekend was a time of enjoyment for those who attended the Fall Festival; yet many did not attend. We understand that this life is full of things which occupy our time, things which don’t require a commitment from us, things which may not be church related- after all we go to church on Sunday…. How much should one person have to go to church????

If we want the things of the past, such as seeing the powerful move of God, then we often must do the things of the past which brought those things to pass, like fasting and praying. In like fashion, we often say people are just too busy today- never taking time to fellowship. Then, when the opportunity arises, we must participate.

In order to move forward, we must do as Phillipians 3:13 says,”…but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.” I have heard so many people speak of the Glory Days of this church- when the youth group was huge and the Services spectacular, and special events were always packed out….Yada, Yada, Yada… But what have you done for HIM lately?

Forget what used to be, and focus on what God wants for us now; however, reflect back on what got the church to where it was then- and see if it is present in the your life today. If not, then renew your commitment to attaining the “Prize.” Just Food for Thought-

Message for November 4, 2012 from Pastor Tim

IT’S YOUR CHOICE   

    Isn’t it amazing that our politicians have gotten to the point where they believe us to be so stupid, that we can’t see the truth….believing instead that if they repeat a lie long enough we will eventually believe it?  What is worse, many do….So too is the efforts of the devil…We just completed an amazing healing event, where many were touched, and if you listen to the liar, he will tell you that you aren’t healed, despite the pain being removed, backs no longer being locked and immobile, but the question is- who are you going to believe God or satan?

    In like fashion, when God promises you something, and you are walking in His light, following His ways, but your body appears to be falling apart- it gets more difficult, but who are you going to believe? We know satan is the father of lies, and we also know God cannot lie, so who are you going to believe? Just as Joshua had the children of Israel renew their commitment to God at Shechem (Joshua 24), He reminded them of the things God had already done, then in Vs 15 he stated, ”But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose this day whom you will serve……But as for me and my Household, We will serve the Lord.”     Healing begins with faith in whom you serve- CHOOSE WISELY- life or death, healing or infirmity, joy or misery…..food for thought. Pastor Tim.

From DARE TO BELIEVE by Becky Dvorak

HOW TO RECEIVE HEALING (Necessary changes of the heart)  p. 109-111

     Many people are not correctly positioned in their hearts to receive healing.  The Lord gave me the following list in a dream of the attitudes of that heart that we need to cultivate. I believe it will help and bless you.

     1.  We need to be humble.  Luke 8:41

     2.  We need to seek.  Luke 5:12-13

     3.  W need to press Into His Presence.  Luke 8:43-48

     4.  We need to be fully persuaded.  Romans 4:13-22

     5.  We need to judge God faithful.  Heb. 11:11

     6.  We need to be obedient.  2 Kings 5:1-14

     7  We need to put our faith into action.  Luke 6:6-10

     8.  We may need to find support.  Luke 5:17-26

*”The Word of God must be a mainstay to those seeking divine healing.  In it we find God’s truth about His will and purpose and about the situations in our lives.  Only in His Word do we find an accurate lens through which to see life.” Becky D.

Message for October 21, 2012 from Pastor Tim

Just today I read a daily devotion called “The Hardest Part of Faith,” written by the late David Wilkerson. In it he spoke of a lesson he learned from his Father very early on, when his father told him, “Son, the hardest part of faith is always the last half hour. When you feel like giving up; when you feel that your life is off track; when you don’t hear from God anymore, just hold on- because the last half hour is the hardest part of Faith.”

     I truly believe this church is in the “Last Half Hour,” and if we will not only just “Hang On,” but push forward, then the breakthrough will come, God’s Power will fill the church again, and lives will be changed. We must pray like never before, seek God’s guidance in all that we do, and push through, NO- Pray through like they used to in the Good ole’ days.

     Are You up to it? Will you humble yourself for the good of your Church, your family, and yourself? We will be conducting a 12 Hour Prayer vigil next Friday, from 7AM-7PM, here at the church. We are calling on you to commit to one hour, here at the church. Praying for our Pastor, our Church, and for God to pour His spirit out on this Healing Conference, that lives will be changed, people healed and souls set free through the Holy Spirit of God.

There will be a sign up sheet in the Foyer- PLEASE don’t just Blow this off- We need you to participate- One Hour……Remember what Jesus said to his disciples when he Prayed in the Garden…..”COULD YOU NOT TARRY ONE HOUR”? Please Honor your Pastors and Sign Up.  

Message for October 14, 2012 from Pastor Jerry

 Acts 19:11-12  “God did powerful things through Paul, things quite out of the ordinary.  The word got around and people started taking pieces of clothing–handkerchiefs and scarves and the like–that had touched Paul’s skin and then touching the sick with them.  The touch did it–they were healed and whole.”  (Message Bible)

    A church doesn’t have a wonderful, anointed meeting with the gifts of the Spirit flowing and miracles and healings taking place just because they schedule it.     Usually an anointed speaker can bring the Word of God to a meeting and it will minister and a return on that Word preached comes forth when the people have paid a price to prepare themselves spiritually for the services.

    Several Sundays ago we ask New Life Church to “fast” something and spend that time praying for the Virtuous Woman’s meetings and the healing service on that Sunday.  This is between you and God what you fast.    

    Another thing we have asked you to do is invite someone to come.   Invite people to the Saturday and Sunday meetings.

    As a way of concentrating on specific things we want God to do for New Life on that weekend we are asking that you do something else this morning.   During the service you will be given what we call a “prayer cloth” and a pen.   On this prayer cloth we want you to be very specific about what you want God to do by the end of October for you.   It could be a miracle of healing for yourself or someone else.   It could be a miracle of provision–finances or a job.   It might even be a miracle of salvation for someone.   Please write your specific need on this cloth.  Don’t try to write five or ten.   Get specific.  “What do I need right now?”

    Finally, we ask that you really believe and anticipate a great move of God is this place every day and especially on the weekend of October 27-28.  Pray for Becky Dvorak–her health, her traveling–and that God gives her a word just for us at New Life for the Nations.

 

Acts 19:11-12  “God did powerful things through Paul, things quite out of the ordinary.  The word got around and people started taking pieces of clothing–handkerchiefs and scarves and the like–that had touched Paul’s skin and then touching the sick with them.  The touch did it–they were healed and whole.”  (Message Bible)

    A church doesn’t have a wonderful, anointed meeting with the gifts of the Spirit flowing and miracles and healings taking place just because they schedule it.     Usually an anointed speaker can bring the Word of God to a meeting and it will minister and a return on that Word preached comes forth when the people have paid a price to prepare themselves spiritually for the services.

    Several Sundays ago we ask New Life Church to “fast” something and spend that time praying for the Virtuous Woman’s meetings and the healing service on that Sunday.  This is between you and God what you fast.    

    Another thing we have asked you to do is invite someone to come.   Invite people to the Saturday and Sunday meetings.

    As a way of concentrating on specific things we want God to do for New Life on that weekend we are asking that you do something else this morning.   During the service you will be given what we call a “prayer cloth” and a pen.   On this prayer cloth we want you to be very specific about what you want God to do by the end of October for you.   It could be a miracle of healing for yourself or someone else.   It could be a miracle of provision–finances or a job.   It might even be a miracle of salvation for someone.   Please write your specific need on this cloth.  Don’t try to write five or ten.   Get specific.  “What do I need right now?”

    Finally, we ask that you really believe and anticipate a great move of God is this place every day and especially on the weekend of October 27-28.  Pray for Becky Dvorak–her health, her traveling–and that God gives her a word just for us at New Life for the Nations.

The atmosphere of expectancy is the breeding ground for miracles.

“The atmosphere of expectancy is the breeding ground for miracles.”   (Pastor Rod Parsley)   

 Several months ago I wrote on the following scripture from  Galatians 6:9 “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”
This scripture follows the passage where Paul talks about sowing seeds.  We all sow seeds whether seeds that will reap a good harvest of good choices or seeds that will reap a harvest of poor choices where we do whatever the flesh wants to do.       
The NKJV says the key is waiting for the good harvest to come from the good seed we have sown.   The words, in due season, could mean a quick return or a return that might not take place for years.  Yet we can count on three things.
1.  God will cause a harvest to come from our seeds.
2.  God is never early or late–He is always right on time with our best interests at heart.
3.  Our harvest will have the same nature as our seeds sown:  good seeds brings good harvests. bad seeds bring bad harvests.
A year ago in the month of October we asked you to sow seeds of time, money, prayer, and faith in New Life for the Nations.   We asked you to give 1 % or one hour a week to work in the ministry of New Life.  Some of you dedicated yourself to doing this, and we are seeing the wonderful harvest of better attendance to services, finances increasing for the church, and people growing spiritually because of the seeds of love and the Word being sown in their lives.
What are you willing to do this year?   There are needs to be filled at church that you can do.
1.  Singers/Musicians needed for the Praise Team.
2.   Substitute teachers needed for the different classes so each teacher will have one Sunday a month to sit in the regular services.
3.   Weekly housekeeping chores to be done.
4.   Prayer warriors for Prayer Force.
5.   Faithfulness in giving your tithes and offerings.
Don’t get “tired” and quit because you are not seeing all the fruit you want to see from your seed.
It will come!!!! Don’t Quit!!!
************         Pastor LaVerne
************

Message for October 7, 2012 from Pastor Jerry

“The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him and delivers them.”  Psalm 34:7 NKJV

    Ever think much about angels?   I mean other than they might exist and sing songs in heaven?   I don’t exactly know why I felt impressed to talk about angels, but I believe I an supposed to.

    According to the above verse, angels are meant to watch after us and take care of us.  Angels are important to us in our life on earth, and we should take their existence and purpose serious as we read God’s word.  Angels are more than “heavenly gatekeepers” guarding heavenly territory.  They have been assigned to minister to God’s people.

    The writer of Hebrews says of angels in Hebrews 1:14, “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation.”   Angels are unseen agents (most of the time) that work on our behalf in situations and circumstances that affect us every day.  You never know what they may be doing.  Don’t sell them short.

    Several years ago when our son Scott’s house was struck by lightning and caught fire, a man in a service truck came and shut off his gas meter.  The fire chief said that act saved the house.   However, no one knows to this day who did it or where he came from.  No one from the utilities company ever took credit.  Who was the mysterious service man? Could he have been an angel on assignment?

   “For He shall give His angels charge over you to keep you in all your ways.”  Psalm 91:11  Bible scholars, including Dr. Billy Graham, believe we each have guardian angels assigned to protect us.  We are said to be “under His wings.”  Could this be speaking of  our guardian angels’ wings which protectively cover us to keep us from falling, getting lost, or stumbling into unknown dangers in the unseen realm of the spirit?

    Take the ministry of angels seriously.  After all, the scripture does say we may  encounter them.  “Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. “  Hebrews 13:2 (NKJV)  What could angels do for you?   You never know!!!

Message for September 30, 2012 from Pastor Tim

Where Are You God ?

As I sit here writing this article, my entire household is suffering from the Kentucky Crud- you know, that run of flu like symptoms, sinus infection, respiratory difficulties and just all around feeling “Yucky.” I could quickly decide that God has turned his back on Me and my family, and He is angry with me in some way….many do just that, yet it would be wrong.

I often think of the trials that The Apostle Paul went through, beatings, shipwrecks, being robbed, hungry and he may have wondered “Where are you GOD?”, yet he never accused God of being anything other than a “Just” God. We need to remember when we go through the hardships of life that we aren’t the first nor the last to suffer, study Matthew 5:45 “…..; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

Part of being “Just” is to allow the hardships of life to mold and shape even those whom He loves, just as he did with us prior to our conversions. We aren’t finished yet, we are works in progress, and just like a hike of a thousand miles begins with one step, so too does our path to righteousness begin with one trial. Don’t focus on the trial or hardship- focus on the lesson to be learned and you will come out the other side a better person for it…..

Be Blessed — Pastor Tim

Message for September 30, 2012 from Pastor Jerry

“Be sober, be vigilant’  because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”  I Peter 5:8

    Are you really aware of the fact that satan is seeking a way to take advantage of you and hurt you?  He tries to entice us to give him an opportunity to negotiate a deal with us.  He tells us what great things we can have and all it costs us is just one sin.  In exchange for our gift of cooperation he offers us a “dream come true.”  “Neither give place to the devil.”  Eph. 4:27  This verse of scripture is also translated, “Nor give the devil an opportunity.”

    Think of this line.  “Boy, do I have an opportunity for you!”  Cooperate and you will score big.   My phone rang Saturday morning and when I answered a voice informed me that I had won $1.5 million and a new white Mercedes Benz car.  He was so excited to inform me of my good fortune and asked how I felt to win that much money.  This is where dreams or common sense vies for the will.  It sounded so real and exciting on one hand and like a scam on the other.  In real give aways there is no cost to the winner.  This prize must be retained by “joining” their group for $1500.  When I said no, the caller hung up on me.  Did I lose $1.5 million or did I save $1500?  I gained nothing but I lost nothing.  Had I paid $1500, I would have lost it.   Dealing with the devil is the same way.  No matter what he promises in return for your investment, you will get nothing back and will lose what you have invested.

    Your good name, money, reputation, and peace are some of the things the devil will steal from you if you let him.  Remember, like the caller on my phone, the devil is like a lion and never tells the truth.  If you cut a deal with him, you will have to give up something valuable and will get nothing in return.  

    You can’t deal with the devil so don’t give him an opportunity to begin with.

 

Message for September 23, 2012 from Pastor Jerry

“…I humbled myself with fasting; and my prayer would return to my own heart.” Psalm 35:13 (NKJV)

    Fasting is an established act of humility.  In Scriptures it reflects focus on a particular event or situation.  Jesus once told a man that the demon possessing his son comes out only by “prayer and fasting.”

    There is no substitute for sincerity of heart.  Fasting is not meant to impress God but rather to show us our own sincerity about the issue at hand.  “What am I willing to give up in order to focus my energy and fervor?”

    Fasting in the Bible is exclusively in reference to denying oneself food.  It was eating something forbidden that caused man’s fall into sin.  Fasting is the opposite in that it is refusing to eat something that is allowed.  The issue is discipline.  Am I strong enough to control my appetite and sacrifice what I otherwise would enjoy?

    Today fasting can be with food or by giving up something else of pleasure to show we are serious about our actions.  Can you fast by choice with a goal in mind?

    The month of October is being declared “fast” month at New Life for the Nations because of the upcoming Virtuous Woman’s Conference on October 27.  We are asking you to fast something based on your faith and ability.  What you choose to “fast” is up to you.  How much is up to you.  You could fast one meal a week or give up something else, like television or cokes or certain kinds of food.  What you give up is your decision.  It is important that you replace what you give up with prayer and purpose–focusing on your desired outcome, a move of God’s Spirit in you and around you.  

    You are in control of your life.  Use that control to establish an atmosphere of faith.  Who knows what could happen with “prayer and fasting!”  Let’s find out together.

DARE TO BELIEVE

DARE TO BELIEVE

     Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]— Ephesians 3:20 (AMP)

     Superabundantly is an amazing word to ponder upon. And even more so, when we understand that this is how God wills to fulfill our every need and desire. It is time to take the limits off of Him, and DARE to Believe in the true power of the Holy Spirit to do superabundantly above what we can ask or think.

Becky Dvorak

Past Pastor Messages and Nuggets for Life