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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“Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died. His eyes were not dim nor his natural vigor diminished.” Deut. 34:7
Many people associate age with sickness, weakness, and mental deterioration. It was not so with Moses. He was 120 years old and his vision was still good and his body and mind strong. I celebrated birthday number 62 last week and entered into what we call the “social security generation.” I had mixed feelings. I know what the Word said about Moses, and I know what the world says.
All the promises in the Bible are mine. Moses was under the old covenant and had wonderful health and vigor. He just went to be with the Lord. I choose to claim that promise and not what the world offers–sickness, weakness, mental deterioration. I received a beautiful card from Jerry and Denise Adamson that read, “And, in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years!” Lord, let Your life shine through me.
IMPORTANCE OF HONOR IN MARRIAGE
Honor has power. It is to value another person highly, to see them extremely important. You value everything they do. Honor is not earned. It is a gift that is not contingent upon your emotions.
You give honor because you choose to give it and not because it is earned. It is a decision you make. “I choose today to honor my husband/wife because God wants me to honor them.” In honoring them I let them know how valuable they are to me. Honor is giving preference to others by attaching a high value to them–a cherished treasure. The word honor carries with it the meaning of the way you treat royalty. This is necessary to do regardless if they are hard to live with.
How do you honor someone who has not earned your honor? Picture that person as being personally autographed by God. Psalms 139:14 “You are fearfully and wonderfully made.” You look for the good because God instilled His glory into each of us.
It is easy to only see irritating habits, failures, and broken promises. When we see people at their worst, we still show respect and honor.
You decide if someone is valuable. Your feelings will follow. Our feelings follow our beliefs and thoughts. Your beliefs generate thoughts. Thoughts create emotions, and emotions motivate behavior. When you show poeple honor, they will begin to live up to it.
CHURCH LADIES WITH TYPEWRITERS
Since I type the bulletins and from time to time I know you catch my “bloopers”, I decided to let you read some “Bulletin Bloopers” that I did not make. Pastor LaVerne
*The fasting and prayer conference includes meals.
*The sermon this morning: ‘Jesus Walks on the Water.’ The sermon tonight: ‘Searching for Jesus.’
*Ladies, don’t forget the rummage sale. It’s a chance to get rid of those things not worth keeping around the house. Bring your husbands.
*Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our community. Smile at someone who is hard to love. Say ‘Hell’ to someone who doesn’t care much about you.
*Don’t let worry kill you off–let the Church help.
*Miss Charlene Mason sang ‘I will not pass this way again,’ giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.
*For those of you who have children and don’t know it, we have a nursery downstairs.
*Next Thursday there will be tryouts for the choir. They need all the help they can get.
*Irving Benson and Jessie Carter were married on October 24 in the church. So ends a friendship that began in their school days.
*A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.
*At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be ‘What is Hell?’ Come early and listen to our choir practice.
*Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.
*Please place your donation in the envelope along with the deceased person you want remembered.
*The ladies of the Church have cast off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement on Friday afternoon.
And when they had laid many stripes on them, they threw them into prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them into the inner prison and fastened their feet in stocks. But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” Acts 16:23-25 (NKJV)
“I can sing in the troubled times, sing when I win. I can sing when I lose my step and fall down again. I can sing cause you pick me up, sing cause your there. I can sing cause you hear me Lord, when I call to you in prayer. I can sing with my last breath, sing cause I know that I’ll sing with the angels and the saints around the throne.” Midnight singing-singing at the worse possible time. It is singing in our darkest hour. It is singing when we must force the song to rise above the circumstances. It is singing from a source unrelated to our present condition. It is not an act, but rather a connection with a source of victory so powerful it cannot be ignored or dismissed as trivial. When we can sing in that kind of atmosphere, those around us can hear. When we “sing.” there is a strain of hope that flows out that will cause “prisoners” to stop and listen. At your midnight hour keep on singing; there is somebody that is listening. You never know what they might hear. You do not have to “sing” in order to “sing”. When you declare the power and Glory of God, you are “singing His praises”.
THE TWILIGHT YEARS
If you are age 65 and over, don’t miss the meeting Tuesday, Feb. 14, of the Twilight Years. The meeting begins at 6:00 at the church. For more information, call Martha Blankenship at 270 585-3825.
The Complete Trustworthiness of the Bible*
*Taken from KINGDOM DYNAMICS from New King James Version.
Psalm 19:7-8 “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The Word of God is perfect–absolute, complete and entirely trustworthy are the Holy Scpritures. The Word of God is perfect in its accuracy and sure in its dependability.
It is inerrant. From the origianl manuscripts there was never any mistakes and it was protected by the Holy Spirit over the centuries. The Bible is the most completely reliable of any book from antiquity. It remains unchanged and accurate.
It is infallible. The Bible is absolutely a trustworthy guide for our faith and practice. God is true (John 3:33). The Word reveals truth (John 17:17). God cannot lie (Numbers 23:10, Titus 1:2, Heb. 6:18).
As a believer, I choose to trust the Word of God over the words of man and over the emotions about issues. I am not saved because I feel like it. I am saved because of Rom. 10:9. “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” I am not healed because I feel like it. I am healed because of I Pet. 2:24. “who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness–by whose stripes you were healed.” I make right decisions not based on my “feelings” but because of James 1:5. “If any man lacks wisdom let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
I have found over the years that the more I turn to God and His Word for decisions in my life, the more I am aware of His contant presence. Doing what is right, because it is right according to the Word of God, will bring me more peace and victory in my life.
Ps 119:89 “Forever, O Lord, Your word is settled in heaven. Your faithfulness endures to all generations.”
Ps. 119:165 “Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.”
Small groups are coming. I told you last year we would be launching small group meetings. We are testing the waters with special times of fellowship, food, and fun along with spiritual growth. Even if you have seen the movie “Courageous,” it will bless you again to see it with church family and friends. I encourage you to get involved now and establish a pattern. Involvement fosters a sense of belonging. Be a part of what’s happening at New LIfe.
JOIN A GROUP FOR THE SHOWING OF THE MOVIE “COURAGEOUS”.
Three nights at three different locations. The meeting schedule is as follows:***
6:00 CST each night.
FEBRUARY 19 Jimmy and Gayle Dowell
FEBRUARY 26 Bob and Rita Reynolds
MARCH 4 Tim and Jodie Cooper (pending)
The size of each group is limited to approximately 12. Sign up early. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to fellowship and be blessed. ****Sign up sheets are on the table in back of the church.
***We will schedule another movie night on March 11 if needed.
DON’T LIMIT GOD
It is so easy to get in a routine and “comfort” zone in our spiritual walk. God wants us to “step out on the water” as Peter did and go beyond our human limitations. If you want to see miracles, signs and wonders, begin to reach for them with your faith.
The following poem was sent to me and encouraged me. Let this poem encourage you in your walk today.
BEYOND OUR LIMITATIONS
Lord we need to move beyond
This place that we are in
To touch your very heart, O God
To have your love within
We need to move beyond the limits
We’ve placed upon our lives
To move into more of you
Revealed through Jesus Christ
Help us to keep pressing on
As, by faith, we take more steps
To really conquer our inner selves
To know you with more depth
To be focused more on you
No matter how hard it gets for us
We need to press on through
Though Satan rises with hell’s fury
With vengeance to devour
We pray, O God, you’ll arise in us
And fight with holy power
For greater are you within us
Than the enemy of our souls
For you have power and might, O God
And your Spirit is in control!
We know the victory shall be ours
Though for now the heat is on
Help us Lord to not give up
For by this you make us strong
You will sustain us in your love
Through what we’re going through
And deliver us the other side
Victorious in you! By M.S. Lowndes
“But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Jude 20-21(NKJV)
One of the major areas of study is that of faith. There is a wide spectrum of belief and opinion about the proper balance of faith with other “Biblical doctrines”, some of which may be erroneous in themselves.
I am attempting to shine the light of truth on a subject the scripture says you must have in order to please God. The trick is to have faith without it being a substitute for God.
In the verse above, the word “looking” is of extreme importance. When it comes to life, what are you looking at? If we are not watchful, we can spend more time looking at circrmstances and problems than we spend looking at Jesus. I am not calling into question the things we have learned about faith and confession. Rather, I am reminding each of us that it is Jesus who is the author and finisher of our faith. Make Him the focus of your attention even when dealing with your problems.
WHY WE GIVE TO THE CHURCH
James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. (NIV)
Everything we own, everything we have comes from God. So when we give, we simply offer him a very small portion of all the abundance he has already given to us. Giving is an expression of our thankfulness and praise to God! It comes from a heart of worship. For everything we give already belongs to him! God instructed Old Testament believers to give a tithe, or a tenth, because this 10% represented the first, or most important portion of all that they had.
Believers should give according to their income.
1 Corinthians 16:2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with his income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. (NIV)
We are blessed when we give.
Acts 20:35… remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ (NIV)
God wants us to give because he knows how blessed we will be as we give generously to him and to others. Giving is a kingdom principle—it brings more blessing to the giver than to the recipient. When we give freely to God, we receive freely from God.
Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. (NIV)
Proverbs 11:24 One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. (NIV)
The value of our offering is not determined by how much we give, but how we give.
—Mark 12:41-44 Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny.
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything she had to live on.” (NIV) from notes by Mary Fairchild
“The mercy seat was a slab of pure gold as wide and as long as the ark, and was laid on top of the ark, fitting down inside the crown as a sort of lid. On the ends of it, and of one piece of gold with it, were fashioned two angelic winged figures, called cherubim. These faced each other, looking down upon the mercy seat and stretching their wings out above and before them until the tips of the wings of the one touched the other’s, making a sort of covering or canopy over this symbolic throne of the invisible God. “There,” above the mercy seat, overshadowed by the wings of the cherubim, said the Lord, “I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the ark of the testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.” (Exod. 25:22). There shone the Shekinah, the glory of the Lord, according to Jewish tradition. There is some ground for this tradition in the pillar of fire that led Israel through the wilderness journey and in the glory of the Lord that at different times filled or was seen on the tabernacle. There on the mercy seat, on the great day of atonement, the atoning blood was sprinkled in the very presence of God. For only there in the presence of this blood could the holy God consistently commune with sinful men. “Russell Byrum,1922
It is doubtless here we get the beautiful expression, “throne of grace.” (Heb. 4:16). It was a place of mercy. Located beneath the mercy seat was the Ark of the Covenant itself. This special container held reminders of God’s relationship with His people. Because of man’s inconsistancies and lack of diligence the contents of the ark were lost. Jesus came to restore and complete all that God had promised in His first covenant. Under Jesus the New Covenant is established on better grounds with better promises.
A DIFFERENT SHORT CHRISTMAS STORY
Ian came home from work late in the week before Christmas, tired and irritated, to find his 5-year old son waiting for him at the front door. ” Daddy, may I ask you a question?” said Jack. (Continued)
“Yep, sure, what is it?” replied Ian rather brusquely.
“Daddy, how much to you earn in an hour?”
“That’s none of your business! Why do you ask such a thing?” Ian replied angrily.
“I just need to know. Please tell me. How much do you make an hour?” Jack pleaded.
“If you must know, Jack,I make $12:50 an hour,” answered his dad.
“Daddy, may I please borrow $10:00?”
Ian became furious. “If the only reason you asked is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy for Christmas or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think abut why your are being so selfish. I don’t work hard every day for such childish frivalities.” Jack quietly went to his room and shut the door.
Ian sat down and started thinking about Jack’s questions. After about an hour or so, Ian had calmed down and started to think. Maybe Jack really needed that $10.00. He really didn’t ask for money very often. The man went to the door of his son’s room and asked, “Are you asleep, son? I’ve been thinking maybe I was too hard on you earlier. Here’s the $10 you asked for.”
Jack sat up. “Oh, thank you, Daddy,” he cried. Then reaching under his pillow he pulled out some more money. The father started to get angry when he saw his son already had money. The little boy slowly counted out his money, and then looked up at his father with tears in his eyes.
“Why did you want more money?” his daddy asked.
“Because I didn’t have enough, but now I do. Daddy, I have $12:50 now. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early on Christmas Eve so I can have dinner with you.” Ian was crushed. He put his arms around his little son, and begged his forgiveness.
In the year 2012 are you going to adjust your priorities? My priorities will be: God, family, work. My personal relationship with God is first. I plan to pursue God with everything I have. Time with my family will be second. Time will slip by and I will not miss what is going on with my children and grandchildren. Then I will dedicate myself to do my work as unto the Lord with the best of my abilities.
Don’t let 2012 slip by. “Redeem the time for the days are evil.” Eph. 5:16
“Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new….” Rev. 21:5 There is much said in the Bible about “new”. We are a new creation. There will be new heavens and a new earth. His mercies are new every morning. What does new really mean? When we speak of a new car, do we think of it as a remade product? It is not just a “restored” product; it is brand new. We must understand ourselves as being totally different, even though we do not see ourselves that way. We have been given a gift that has transformed us into remarkable beings. We are capable of anything. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” We must learn to live in the light of our “new creation”. In our search for a 2012 slogan I have realized that there are not many words that rhyme with twelve. One of those words is “delve”. Delve means “to carry out a thorough and exhaustive search for information and truth.” Its basic meaning was “to dig with a spade.” A sample is, “Into God we will delve in 2012.” The only way to “delve” into God is to delve into His Word and immerse ourselves into His Spirit. Can we commit ourselves to this type endeavour and continue with diligence until the end? Let us try.
IMMANUEL–“GOD WITH US”
Matthew 1:23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel.” which is translated, “God with us.”
I grew up in a church which preached a great message of salvation and right living. At the age of 12 I accepted Jesus Christ as my Savior. I knew that if something happened and I died, I would go to heaven and be with God.
It wasn’t until years later that I came to understand what being “saved” really meant. “Going to heaven” was only one aspect of this great salvation. I began to learn that being a Christian placed me in a special relationship with God. Salvation was not just to “keep me from going to hell.” God really wanted to fellowship with me everyday and be a part of every area of my life. I learned to be conscious of His presence in my life all day and to talk to Him. How comforting it is to know that because of Christmas we have Immanuel–God with us in Christ Jesus.
CHRISTMAS PROGRAM
PRAISE AND WORSHIP
SPECIAL BY JERRY ADAMSON
PRESCHOOL–ASHLEY ADAMSON
PRIMARY–DENISE ADAMSON
SPECIAL BY RICARDO HUGHES
CHILDRENS’CHURCH-BOBBY & VIVIAN
SPECIAL BY SHERI STUMP
“OUR GOD REIGNS HERE”–Special Interpretive Dance directed and produced by MaKenzie Hughes. Performed by Mercedes and Matthew Hughes, Sarah and C.J. Lawson, Lane and Sky Dowell, Holli Mitchum.
Isaiah 44:3-4 “I will pour out my Spirit and my blessings on your children. They shall thrive like watered grass, like willows on a river bank.”
Over and over in the Bible God promised to bless families who followed His directions and obeyed His Word. It is a wonderful promise to see it being fulfilled in your children and grandchildren.
It seems like it was just yesterday that Jerry and I adopted Scott and then Miriam. Raising children is not easy, and we were not the perfect parents. One thing we did right; they always knew we loved God and loved each other.
The greatest joy a parent can have is to see your children and grandchildren following God and receiving HIs blessings on their lives. The hard times we have faced in our family was faced with trust in God to work everything out, and He did.
We were so blessed this Thanksgiving as all of our chidren and grandchildren were with us as we ate the wonderful food, laughed, and shared the family times of the past. The hard times were worth the fruit that came out of them–Children who love the LOrd and are now raising their children to follow after God.
” In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I Thes. 5:18
Since this is Thanksgiving season, let us consider a Scripture about thanksgiving that many people misinterpret; thus completely changing the meaning of the verse. The above verse tells us that in everything we should give thanks. This means that no set of circumstances should stop us from being thankful for what God is doing for us. We must never feel that God is not our friend or has forsaken us. God will never leave us nor forsake us. He promised.
We are not suppose to be thankful “for” everything but “in” everything. I am not obligated to be thankful for bad circumstances. But, I should never allow a situation to alter my thanks for God’s blessings.
The real issue is in understanding the rest of the verse. In regard to this verse, what is the will of God? Incorrectly, many think it means that what happened was God’s will for you. The truth is that it is God’s will for you to always be thankful no matter what. To cease to be thankful results in complaining and doubt invading your mind. This will lead to your defeat. Therefore, always be thankful, for God has promised you will be victorious.
Psalm 100
“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.”
1. The noise I make is unto Him–not man.
2. I serve Him with gladness–not man.
3. I sing in honor of His presence–not man
4. The Lord is God–I am not.
5. God made me like I am–accept it.
6. He is my Shepherd–I will follow Him.
7. I will praise and be thankful for His provision, protection, and health.
8. He is good and has only good for me.
9.His mercy is forever and new every day.
10.His Truth is for me and all of mine.
“ So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field when they were scattered. My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and on every high hill; yes, My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and no one was seeking or searching for them.” Ezekiel 34:5-6 “For thus says the Lord God: ‘Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day. Ezekiel 34:11-12
Jesus is portrayed as Savior, Redeemer, Healer, Provider, and other awesome names. One of the things He is called is Shepherd. As a matter of fact He called Himself “the good shepherd.” Our understanding of the role of a shepherd could determine our understanding of what it is for Jesus to be our shepherd. A shepherd is one who takes care of the sheep, provides their needs, and leads the sheep into green pastures. He meets all their needs but He leads the sheep, He doesn’t drive them. A shepherd that is “good” commands respect and his sheep love him because they know he loves them. “The Good Shepherd” never makes a mistake nor injures His sheep. I am glad “the Lord is my Shepherd,” aren’t you?
Proverbs 4:23 “Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.”
There is one thing you need to guard your heart against and that is allowing a spirit of offense to come into your life. It will poison your life and your attitude. Satan uses offense to lure people
into full-blown cases of bitterness, resentment, and unforgiveness. It will cause you to stumble and prevent you from moving forward in your walk with God.
We let people’s words stop the flow of God in our lives. Christians say things without thinking or else they refuse to give someone praise when they need it. We get offended when someone doesn’t speak to
us or when the pastor preaches and steps on our toes. Maybe the music is too loud for us, and they refuse to change it.
If I want rivers of life to flow out of my life, I must get rid of the offenses against others and against God. Resentment, bitterness, and unforgiveness will keep your life muddy. Repentance and the blood of Jesus will clean up the flow coming out of your heart. Don’t let your guard down and take on offense. Refuse to accept it
no matter from whom it may come and trust God.
We are in the process of promoting the ministry
of the church here at New Life for the Nations ending with our Ministry Fair on
Sunday morning, October 30. We will be showing you all the potential to be part
of the ministry here at New Life. To understand ministry you must first
understand the nature and purpose of the church and our part in
it.
My first question is, “What is the work of
ministry?” (Eph 4:12) The five fold ministry of apostles, prophets,
evangelists, pastors, and teachers is to equip the saints for ministry.(Eph
4:11) Ministry is not what a select group of people do full time for the
church, it is what the members of the church do for each other and the
world.
Ministry is the daily endeavor by the “Body
of Christ” to represent Jesus Christ as His body. Every Believer is part of the
body and has a “work” to fulfil. We are all called to contribute our time and
talents to the ministry of reconciliation started by Jesus and carried on by His
Body, the Church.
There may be many activities which can be
carried on by local churches with the necessary resources available that are
good, but may not be part of the purpose of the church. The central purpose of
the church is to prepare people to love God, serve Him, and overcome the world.
“…to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might
be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly
places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus
our Lord.” Eph.3:10-11
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