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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2 Corinthians 2:14-15 “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.”
When we keep standing and believing, we always have the victory in Christ. It is only when we quit that we fail to receive the promises of God. It is through God’s faithfulness to us that the knowledge of Him spreads to others. People are watching our lives. They see when things are difficult, and we take a stand and trust God. When they see what God has done for us, the fragrance of Him spreads to them. To those who want to be saved and have the same blessing, it is the fragrance of life. Am I spreading the fragrance of LIfe (Christ) or the fragrance of death?
FULLY PERSUADED
As Christians, we are to walk in the same kind of faith as Abraham and to follow those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Hebrew 6:12-15
One of the things I have seen about Abraham’s faith is that he was “fully persuaded” that what God had promised He would do. Romans 4:21
To walk in effective faith and see God’s word fulfilled in our lives, we must also be fully persuaded that God never promises more in His Word than He can perform. As we began to believe those promises there is usually a passage of time to the manifestation of that promise. It is during this time that we, like Abraham, must be fully persuaded that what God has promised He is able also to perform.
Romans 4:20-21 “Yet he did not waiver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.”
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!” Deut 6:4
Who’s who and what’s what? We live in a time of uncertainties, and it is important that we know and understand what we believe and why. It seems to be getting to be more and more politically incorrect to believe and preach that Jesus is the only way to Heaven. Religious tolerance is being touted by the media and political leaders with an “accept all beliefs” attitude.
In the Bible there is a story about a King named Sennacherib. He had the vision of world conquest, including Judah. His plan was progressing fine until Hezekiah refused to surrender and sent word that Judah was trusting God to save them. Sennacherib reminded Hezekiah that no other God had saved his people from conquest so far. Hezekiah’s God would not deliver him. Was he right or wrong? Hezekiah’s God DID deliver him.
The God of Hezekiah was able to perform what He had promised. A real God can do real things. It isn’t just all talk and ideas. Theology is just a bunch of ideas and words unless it has a God that is alive and powerful. How many gods are there? Which ones are most powerful? Remember Paul said all idols (other gods) are demons. Politically incorrect? Of course it is. Proclaiming Jesus as the only way always will be.
Psalm 27:13-14 (Amp) “(What, what would have become of me)had I not believed that I would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living! Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.”
We get so busy with all the things we have to do and get so intent on getting all of our “big” miracles from God that we think God is too busy to take care of some of the small trials in our lives. We have the attitude, “God, You take care of the big things, and I can handle these small things.” Yet the Lord says in I Peter 5:7, “Casting all your cares upon Him for He cares for you.” God wants us to cast everything over on to Him.
We prayed and asked God to bring us a car about 5 years ago and He did. So everytime something tries to go bad in the car, it is never as bad as it sounds; and God always provides a way of getting it fixed. We are constantly declaring, “God gave us this car, and it will continue to run until He is ready to give us another one.”
About six months ago the automatic window on the driver’s side decided not to work any more. It had happened once before and the cost for fixing it was around $200. So for six months we have had the “joy” of opening the door everytime we went to a drive through restaurant or to the bank or even to get our mail from the mail box. This was very unhandy and messy especially on a rainy day. One day this week as I was driving, the window (on its own) starting going up and down. I felt the goose bumps and wondered how that happened. Then I tried it and it was working great. I call this a miracle from God. It may be a small thing, but He is the worker of small miracles, too. This week, wait for, hope for, and expect God to do even the small miracles you need.
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Word shall never pass away.”
I read an interesting news article the other day about the American Physical Society. It seems that scientific studies indicate that religion may be headed toward extinction. According to their mathematical formula there are nine countries where religion is on the endangered species list. Three of the countries are Ireland, Switzerland, and Canada. These are “educated, cultural” places. Developed nations educate their population and cause them to embrace the “real truth.”
The way things are going, I fear the USA could be making the list in the future. I know this may sound like I am baised, but extinction of religion sounds like a good idea to me. That would eliminate the “false” ideas that hinder the lives of those who follow them.
In place of religion let us embrace God the creator and love and worship Him. Of course that means the God of the Holy Bible. Jesus said, “I am the way…” Every one believes “their way” is the way. Everyone makes a choice, even the atheist. “When the Son of Man comes will He find faith on the earth?” Jesus asked that question of His disciples. We need to quit being so religious and start being more Christlike. He told the world He was the only way. We need to be that precise in our Gospel message.
Romans 14:12 “So then, each of us will give an account of himself to God.”
I really like what the Message Bible says about this verse. “So tend to your knitting. You’ve got your hands full just taking care of your own life before God.”
Years ago I learned to knit. We were living in Bloomington, Illinois and both Jerry and I were working for State Farm. I was lonely and missed all of my Kentucky family so I decided to learn to do “something.” That something was knitting. It was not an easy thing to learn. So I only knitted one thing in my life. It was a baby blanket for my niece. It was so hard to learn to keep my eyes on each stitch–“Knit, pearl, Knit, pearl.” I couldn’t look at anything else or I would drop a stitch.
It is true with our Christian lives. It is hard to keep our eyes on our own lives and not be so concerned about everyone else. Paul says we will give account for our lives, not our neighbors or another church member. If each church member will be content to “tend to your own knitting,” our own personal Christian growth will be much greater and our church will be stronger. I must decide what is right for my own life and let others also decide for themselves. We pray for others, but we only give an account for our own lives.
“So there was division among the people because of Him.” John 7:43
Division refers to a setting apart or a difference of opinion. According to this Scripture, division is not a modern problem. It has always existed even when Jesus was on earth. Even though everyone saw the same things they had different opinions about the meaning of the events. The people were divided because of Him.
It is obvious that 2000 years later people are still divided because of Him. We can be rather sure that Jesus isn’t the one with the identity problem. He is not divided because He said, “a house divided against itself cannot stand.” Yet, we have dozens of different beliefs about the message and excercise of the Gospel. The source of division is in the opinion of the believer. The “Spirit of Truth” does not reveal to one person that God heals today and to another that healing has passed away.
Division is always the result of incomplete understanding of the information available. It can result from a preconceived opinion based on experience or from false teaching. The people saw everything Jesus did but had different opinions about who He was and what He meant by it.
No one can claim a complete understanding of the Word of God. There will always be division, and we must accept the responsibility the we are the cause. Truth never contradicts itself. We can all have different beliefs about the same thing at the same time but, we can’t all be right. For instance, speaking in tongues causes division in the Church. Everyone believes his opinion is right regardless. But, why do I believe what I believe?
I am not one to be moved by circumstances but this week has been very interesting. When we consider what is happening now,think about what I said last week concerning quick major changes on earth.
Friday’s earthquake was devastating to the Pacific arena, and we still do not know the full extent of its affects. One thing we know is that earthquakes are caused by unrest. The earth groans for relief and “shivers” under the pressure. I know there are natural causes with fault lines and tectonic plates shifting, but I believe there is a spiritual force at work here. To be true to Biblical truth I must accept the idea that there is a divine plan being played out through natural elements.
The same unrest exhibited in the recent earthquakes is being reveled in the social and political situations in the Middle East, other places, and even our own country(Wisconsin). The rebellions and demonstrations are all signs of human unrest. Why is everything seemingly in a state of unrest and turmoil? Because, real peace is only found in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.
It is time we all become more concerned with the future than we are now. The future is not tomorrow, it is forever. It is not a matter of how I will deal with tomorrow, but how am I prepared for eternity? Don’t be caught unprepared. Watch the signs of the times. We have God’s promise concerning the Holy Spirit that “He will guide you into all truth, and show you things to come.”
Jer. 17:7-8 “Blessed are those who trust in the Lord…They are like trees planted along a riverbank with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they go right on producing delicious fruit.”
This is such a positive message to us at New Life. As we continue to trust in the Lord and continue in His Word, our roots will be planted deeper into the soil. We will be like trees planted along a riverbank. Our roots will be so deep that even in the midst of drought and heat, our roots will soak up enough moisture to keep our leaves green.
Regardless of the circumstances around us–sickness, financial needs, rebellious children, or season of loneliness–our leaves will stay green and keep producng fruit in every season. If you are beginning to feel the effects of the “heat of the trial,” push your roots further down into God’s Word and into His Presence.
...”My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would fight,…but now My kingdom is not from here.” John 18:36
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I am becoming more and more convinced that we are on the verge of a dramatic change in the way life will be for us. We have gotten into a pattern of thinking that can distract us from our focus on the Kingdom. The Kingdom of God is not an earthly kingdom, nor is it associated with an earthly kingdom. We must remember that in reference to our future.
I am concerned about the future of our country. It is slipping away from its ties to the Kingdom of God. As this continues we will see a deteriation of our national fiber. This cannot be seen as a threat to the Christian kingdom. Christianity existed and flourished centuries before the USA was even thought of. It will be around when the USA is gone.
Christianity outlived Israel. It outlived Roman. It reformed Europe then lost favor with the masses. It helped found this country and is now losing its influence here. I believe this to be true;”the United States was made for Christians, not Christians for the United States”. Apart from being a safe haven for His people this country has no special place in God’s favor. God created a people not a nation.
CHRISTIANS SHOULD BE DISTINCTIVE
As parents and leaders of New Life we need to teach the children and youth that Christians are to be distinctive. I Pet. 2:9 “But you are chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, God’s own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. ” When they leave home, we want our children to be ready to stand for the values of our Father. Being a Christian means being distinctive in certain areas:
1. Moral Values–Biblical standards do not change. Eph. 5:3 “But immorality (sexual vice) and all impurity (of lustful,rich, wasteful living) or greediness must not even be named among you, as is fitting and proper among saints (God’s consecrated people).” We expect too little of our children. They are not animals. If we can ecnourage kids to say “no” to drugs, we can encourage them to resist pre-marital sex, alcohol, lying, and cheating.
2. Dress– I Tim. 2:9 “And I desire that women should adorn themselves modestly and appropriately and sensibly in seemly apparel…” Many parents lack the courage to draw the line when it comes to their children’s apparel. Children do not have to dress like oddballs, but there are lines of decency that wise parents must enforce.
3. Speech–Col. 4:6 “Let your speech at all times be graceious (pleasant and winsome, seasoned as it were with salt, (so that you may never be at a lose to know how you ought to answer (who puts a question to you). Obscene gestures and speech from young people are more and more common. We must not only teach them right from wrong but also be positive examples in our speech.
4. Attitude–Col. 3:17 “And whatsoever you do (no matter what it is) in word and deed do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus and in (dependence upon ) His Person, giving praise to God the Father through him.” It is popular to have a lousy attitude and whine and complain about everything. Christians should be leaders in positive attitudes.
5. Self-esteem– I Cor. 6:19,20–“Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives wthin you, Whom you have received (as a Gift) from God? You are not your own. You were bought with a price (purchased with a preciousness and paid for -made His own). So then, honor God and bring glory to Him in your body.” To resist the crowd young people must overcome their insecurities and have a valid self-esteem. The only thing that gives you worth and value in this life is your relationship with God. We have worth because of who we belong to and not because of who we are. from FIND US FAITHFUL by Bob Russell
Proverbs 3:3-4 “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee; bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart; So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.” The word, man, includes favor with your boss, family members, teachers, pastors, spouse, and others.
Eph. 6:12 ” We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” In any relationship the person stirring up trouble is not the source; the devil is behind it.
As a Christian, you can pray and take authority over any hindrances that would attempt to block your favor, and you can send love towards that person. Pray for them and trust God. He works on your behalf. God can make a way when there seems to be no way. Isaish 42:16 “And I will bring the blind by a way that they know not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known. I will make darkness into light before them and make uneven places into a plain. These things I have determined to do (for them); and I will not leave them forsaken. Speak favor in every relationship: your marriage and family (Eph. 5:2, Rom. 12:10), your finances (3 John 2, 2 Pet. 1:2), your job (Ps. 34:19).
“Then likewise he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry. And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.” Heb. 9:21,22
There is a wide scope of ideas about holiness and purity and what brings them about. Why am I pure? Why am I not pure? Am I holy because of what I do? Am I unholy because of what I do? This question has loomed as a problem for generations. On the surface it seems simple. If I live right I am holy, but if I live wrong I am not.
Question? What purified the tabernacle, its contents, and the people? Was it by keeping the law or was it the sprinkling of the blood? What covered the sins of the people? Was it keeping of the law or the sprinkling of the blood? Scripture is plain that it was the blood that cleansed and sanctified. It was the blood that purified what the law could not. Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin. The shedding of blood was repeated over and over under the Old Covenant every year.
Under the New Covenant it was shed only once, forever and it was not the blood of animals. Sin was put away “forever” by the sacrifice of Jesus at the cross. Therefore, we are not holy and pure because we live right. It is because of the blood by which we have been sprinkled.
Stop trying to be holy and start living like you are already holy. Remember, it is all in the blood. What else can you do?
As we look at Valentines Day this year, we need to remember the greatest love story that ever existed. John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”
As Christians let us show this love this week to our family and friends. The love that God has for us is unconditional. He loves me even when I am not “lovable.” I Corinthians 13 gives us the characteristics of true love that we need to exhibit in our lives.
Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.
It is not conceited (arrogant, inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way; for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; IT TAKES NO ACCOUNT OF THE EVIL DONE TO IT. (It pays no attention to a suffered wrong.)
It does not rejoice a injustice and unrighteousness; but rejoices when right and truth prevail.
Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything (without weakening.)
Love never fails (never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end). (Amplified Version)
You can be very talented and gifted or make a lot of money for your family, but the greatest thing you can give them is love–God’s love.
WHO IS JESUS?
There are four options open to a person dealing with Jesus. You may consider Him: a legend, a liar, a lunatic, or Lord and God. If He existed, then He’s not a legend. If He’s a liar, that goes against everything else we know about His character. If He’s a lunatic, how to explain the consistency in His message, the constancy of His love? If those options are removed, where does that leave you?
C.S. Lewis, one-time atheist and author of The Chronicles of Narnia, put the dilemma this way:
A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said [about Himself] would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God; or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon, or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come away with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to. (Mere Christianity)
Everything the scriptures say about Jesus is all truth or all lie. There is no mix and match theology. Jesus Christ is God or He is nothing. Either accept Him or reject Him, but it must be a complete choice.
Galations 3: 13-14 “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written, ‘cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’ He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.”
In the year 1975 we were pastoring a church in Smith Mills, Ky., when we were invited to a “barn” called the Sheep Shed. They were having special Friday night services with Tom Hamilton. We were so spiritually hungry knowing there was more in the Christian walk than we were experiencing.
That night Bro. Tom taught on the scripture Gal. 3:13-14 and shared with us that Deuteronomy 28 tells the blessings that will come to Israel when they obey and the curses will come on them when they disobey. Our hearts were so hungry as we listened to him share that Jesus took the curse of the law for us. By faith and believing in what Jesus did for us, we have the right to expect to receive the blessings of Deuteronomy 28 and not the curses. It changed our lives to realize that the Bible was meant to be studied and believed and God had so much for us in His Word.
God’s Word promises no more curse. Anytime the devil comes against you, you speak forth the Word of God, and you declare daily, “There shall be no more curse in my life.” Faith is the source of the blessing of God that initiates the flow of favor. The Bible says, “The just shall live by his faith.”(Rom.1:17) We are redeemed from the curse of the law, which shall be no more, must be received by faith.
We belong to Jesus; therefore, everything that God promised Abraham, He’s promised to us. God’s favor is there for you. We’ve beened redeemed from the curse of poverty, confusion, sicknesses, madness, nervous breakdowns, adultry, rebellious children, debt, fear, and anxiety. We have been blessed in the city, in the country, our children, the offspring of our animals, in our food, our finances, traveling (coming in and going out), blessed in the work of our hands, blessed as the head (top dog) and not the tail (under dog).
The last thing any of us want is to wander aimlessly into the future not knowing what we are looking for or how to find it. Walking in darkness is not an easy road to travel. That is why the Scriptures encourage us to walk in the light. It is easier to walk when you can see where you are walking. “Your word is a lamp into my feet and a light unto my path.” Which way does the path lead?
In Matthew 7 Jesus said, “straight is the gate and narrow is the way that leads to life and few there are who find it.” We must realize Jesus did not mean it was a hard way and many would not be able to live up to the task. It means the way is narrow because there are no alternative routes.
Jesus said, “I am the Way…” Early Christians were called “people of the Way”. The gate is straight because Jesus is the gate. The way is narrow because He is the way. Any effort to construct our own road through our works and morality get us off the “straight and narrow”. This misdirects our path and ultimately cause us to “hit the wall” and miss the only door into the fold.
In Webster’s dictionary, the definition of favor includes… friendly or kind regard; good will; approval; liking; to be partial to; assist. To be favored means “regarded or treated with favor; provided with advantages, specially privileged…
The Bible tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:21 that because of Jesus’ sacrifice we have been “made the righteousness of God in Him.” If you are a born-again child of God through the blood of Jesus, you are made right with God–righteous. Psalm 5:12 says, “For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favor wilt thou compass him as with a shield.”
You must trust God to begin to see His favor come to pass in your life. God wants to give you special privileges and advantages. Begin to confess that God’s favor is in your life everyday. The favor of God will cause people to go out of their way to bless you whether they like you or not. It will surround you as a shield to protect you.
Daniel 1:9, “Now God brought Daniel into favor and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.” Daniel had favor even while in Babylonian captivity. God shut the mouth of the lions because His favor was upon Daniel.
Call yourself a success. Expect promotion to come your way. See only good things happening each day for you and your family. Begin to even speak favor over your children, your church, your friends, and your boss.
“THIS IS THE YEAR OF THE FAVOR OF THE LORD”
“Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart; So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3,4
What would you be doing if you weren’t doing what you are doing now? Does this sound like a silly question? It depends on what you think I mean by the question. If you can’t answer the question, there is a good possibility that you do not believe you are in control of your life. I am not talking about whether you or Jesus is the one in charge, but are you doing what you believe you should be doing?
Would I be doing something else if I could? Why am I not doing it now? Am I acting on what is or daydreaming about what I wish was? Notice, I did not ask what you would like to be doing but what would you do.
If I were not pastoring New Life, what would I do? Would my life change radically or would the basics remain the same? I like to think I would continue doing what I am doing now even though it might be somewhere else.
There are things about my situation in life that I would change if I could but not the course I am set on. I know what I want and I am happy with what I believe. I just want to get better doing what I am choosing to do, not do something else.
Do you enjoy your life? If you answer yes, keep on keeping on and improve what you are doing. If you answer no, get on the right path and find peace. Find Jesus, find peace, after all He did say “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
Like everyone else at the beginning of the new year, I try to decided areas in my life that I really need to work on. Some of the areas are physical and others are spiritual, and then some have to do with relationships.
In every Christian’s life there are two areas that can be more difficult to commit. The first is our tongue. James says no man can tame the tongue. Only the Holy Spirit can assist us in controling what comes out of our mouths. Do we speak doubt, gloom, and unbelief? Is our conversation “grace seasoned with salt” or is it rude and filled with gossip? Ephesians 4:29 (amp) says, “Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the blessing and give grace (God’s favor)to those who hear it.”
The second area of commitment is our money. In the economic conditions of today it is easy to look at the circumstances and say, “I can’t afford to give.” The Word says the opposite. If you want to prosper and succeed in overcoming your financial situation, the Word says in Malachi 3:10-11, “Bring all the tithes (the whole tenth of your income) into the storehouse (church), that there may be food in My houe, and prove Me now by it, says the Lord of hosts, If I wll not open the windows of heaven for you and pour you out a blessing that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer (insects and plagues) for your sakes and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground, neither shall your vine drop its fruit before the time in the field, says the Lord of hosts.” WHY NOT MAKE YOUR NEW COMMITMENT NOW?
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