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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Praise God for this weekend Campmeeting. It has been a refreshing season and we believe it is bringing a fresh wind of the Holy Spirit. The men and women that are ministering in this meeting have moved under the anointing of the Holy Spirit and have heard from heaven with the Word and prophesy.
There will be testimonies as to what happened during these services that will change peoples’ lives. Never under estimate the importance of being where the Spirit is moving. It is possible to be right next to a miracle and miss what God wants to do for you.
How much of God do we want? Are we willing to pay the price to be where the “Glory” is being poured out? Elisha refused to leave Elijah when he realized it was time for God’s visitation. He would not stop pursuing the prophet even though Elijah would say, “stay here while I go to…”
If you are going to walk in the fulness of God’s blessings you might have to make a commitment that will cost you some time and effort. For those who have been here for the whole weekend; was it worth it?
Sometimes we all just have to share things from our heart. This isn’t a Bible lesson per say, but it is a subject of importance to us all.
Next weekend we will have an opportunity we haven’t had around New Life for nearly ten years. We are having Campmeeting 2011. This is a chance to spend five anointed services with anointed men and women of God. We have teachers, prophets, evangelists, apostles, and pastors. All are coming with a word for this body and you.
Question, will you be here to receive it? These kinds of meetings are meant to give you a special opportunity to enjoy the presence of Father God. Are you too busy to be here or just not interested enough to make sure you get here? Have you got other plans even though you knew this weekend was coming?
Some will be here only Sunday morning because they don’t think it is necessary to come any other time. It looks me that if one is really interested in God he would want to take advantage of what God might say or do for him by attending as many services as possible.
As Pastors, we wanted to set a spiritual banquet of the Word and Holy Spirit for your blessing and growth. We can’t require your attendance but you are encouraged to be a part of this blessed weekend. Do you really believe that you need to be here? I do.
This is Memorial Day weekend. It is a time to honor those that have died for the country and recognize all of the departed relatives and friends. We buy flowers and other items to show that we love and remember our family members that are gone. The Bible speaks of memorials but they are not just to remember people who have died.
In Exodus 3:15 God said, …This is My name forever, and this is My memorial to all generations.” God had just said that His name was “I am that I am.” Whatever is needed, that is what He would be. His people were called to remember His love for them.
Exodus 12:14 “So this day shall be to you a memorial; and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord.” This is in reference to the “Passover”. It was not just a religious service but was meant to remind the Children of Israel that God had delivered them from Egypt. They were to never forget what He had done.
Joshua 4:6 “….What do these stones mean to you?” When the Israelites were allowed to cross the Jordan River it parted before them just like the Red Sea. Twelve stones were laid as a “memorial” to be used to teach their children what God had done by bringing them into the Land of Promise. There were other memorial reminders that God instituted. We will look at one more.
I Corinthians 11:25 says “…This cup is the new covenant in my blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” The Lord’s Supper is a memorial of an event, Jesus’ death and resurrection. It is not to be simply a ritual remembrance, but an active confession, by which you actively will to call to memory and appropriate NOW all that Jesus has provided and promised through His cross.
If you are reading this article you have either missed the rapture or yesterday’s prediction of the end of time did not prove to be correct.
Since Jesus said that no one knows the day or the hour, why did Rev. Camping believe he knew? Jesus did not know the date himself.
We should expect Jesus’ return without doubt, but we are reminded that no one knows when. We are not to be taken unaware nor be fooled by man’s predictions.
“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming–in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning–lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: WATCH!” Mark 13:32-37
Genesis 22:14 “Abraham called the name of that place “The Lord will Provide.”
Where do you run when your faith is tested to the brink of failure, to the point of doubting what God has promised? You must run to Yahweh Jireh and discover what He has said, He will do–the Lord will provide.
The name is a combination to two attributes of God: the Lord will see and the Lord will provide. Because God is all-knowing, He is able to provide for, or supply, the need whatever it may be or simply “The Lord will see to it.” In Genesis 22 God tested Abraham with what seemed impossible. He was to take his special son, Isaac, and sacrifice him as a burnt offering to God. Because Abraham believed in the promises of God, he knew God would raise Isaac from the dead because he was the promised son from God to Abraham.
This was a test of obedience for Abraham. God stopped Abraham and provided a ram for the burnt offering. He called the place Yahweh Jireh because God provided the sacrifice for him. When God asks the impossible of you, it becomes possible when you know and trust in Yahweh Jireh. Philippians 4:19 says, “God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” You can know that in your trial, the great test of your faith, Yahweh Jireh will see your deepest need and provide for you through Jesus Christ.
Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not
hear the law?” Gal. 4:21
There is a real issue in Christianity about our relationship with the law. The idea of works or faith must be correctly related or our concept of receiving from God can be incorrect. Do I receive the promises of God because I believe or because I perform correctly? If I receive from God because of my performance am I not earning my blessings?
“For by grace are you saved through faith, not of works…” Eph 2:8,9 Be aware that the word “saved” is an all inclusive word. It is used in Scripture to mean born again, healed, delivered, made whole, prosper. It encompasses all of the promises and blessings God has bestowed upon those who believe (not those who earn it by their works).
It is important that we live according to the Scripture because it affects our quality of life. Instead of seeing something as “sin” we should be concerned about how it will influence our lives. It is not enough to say, for instance, that getting drunk is a sin. The real question is how will it affect my life? There is NO positive result from getting drunk. It is not a matter of whether something is a sin or not but how it is affecting your life. Apart from the law there is no sin but there are things that affect our lives in a negative way. God dealt with sin through Jesus Christ but we must deal with the “issues of life.”
1. LISTEN–A great mother knows when to talk, and better yet, when to listen. Listening to your child is not the time to multitask. It’s time to show your child how much he/she means to you and give them all of your attention.
2. BE CONSISTENT–Consistent routines, consistent disciplines, consistent punctuality all offer a form of security that develops trust between you and your children. A child will be less prone to disobey if the consequences are always enforced.
3. LAUGH–A great mother knows how to find sunshine in the storm. Learn to laugh during spills, accidents, and messes. Laughing during times of despair helps to lessen stress.
4. EXPRESS LOVE FREQUENTLY–Telling your children “I love you” at least once a day not matter how old they are will strengthen your relatiohship and help your children remember that you accept them for who they are.
5. BE FLEXIBLE–Great mothers exhibit patience. Despite meticulous planning things can crop up at the last minute–sickness, flat tire, etc. Using patience helps to suppress anger and keep children calm.
6. PROVIDE UNCONDITIONAL LOVE–Your children need to know you love them no matter what their life circumstances may be.
7. BE THEIR TEACHER–A great mother takes her knowledge and shares it with her childlren–knowledge about life skills, finances, current events, and home and cooking skills to prepare them for when they leave home.
8. PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH–Don’t be a hypocritical dictator. If you establish rules, make sure you follow them, too. Otherwise, you will break their trust for you or never develop it.
9. SPEND QUALITY TIME–Don’t let work and electronics take over your life and leave no time with the children. Arrange time to spend one-on-one time with each child. Play games with them and talk to them.
10. APOLOGIZE WHEN NECESSARY–Parents are not perfect. Apologize for the mistakes and acknowledge you’ll do your best to not repeat it.
By Amy Mutchler, for Revive Your LIfe
“I thank God…..when I call in remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.” II Tim. 1:3-5
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There is no other Biblical comment that more graphically points out the importance of Godly influence passed on to the next generation. When Paul speaks about qualities of faith, he sees in Timothy a reflection of teaching handed down by his mother and grandmother. Noticably missing is the lack of reference to father and grandfather.
We can only assume that Timothy’s father was not necessarily a great spiritual influence in his life nor was his grandfather. Although Timothy was greatly influenced by the female members of his family, he was not a “mama’s boy”. Paul’s confidence in him suggests that Paul knew he would be a strong leader in the church. In a male oriented society, Paul would have looked for a strong leader.
Mothers, never under-estimate your ability to set the course of your child’s life. God honors His word when it is exhaulted. Train up a child, and God promises positive results.
‘One will rise to the level of his expectancy or rest at the level of his examples.” It is great when both are present in an individual.
(Note: In a society of single moms raising their children, we need more men like Paul to mentor our young boys to encourage them to be all God has called them to be. Pastor LaVerne)
A Church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday, “I’ve gone for 30 years now, he wrote, “and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. But for the life of me, I can’t remember a single one of them. So, I think I’m wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all.”
This started a real controversy in the “Letters to the Editor” column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher:
“I’ve been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But, for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this..They all nourished me and gave me the strength I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!”
When you are down to nothing…God is up to something! Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible! Thank God for our physical and our spiritual nourishment!
(author unknown)
“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree:” Matt. 24:32 Jesus’ disciples asked Him what the signs of the times would be. One of the things Jesus told them was about the budding of the fig tree. When the fig tree puts forth leaves, summer is near. Let’s explore what Jesus was saying to them.
Jesus told the disciples that one the signs of His return would be like the budding of the fig tree. The nation of Israel was refered to as a fig tree on many occasions in the parables of Jesus. After Jesus’ ascension, Jerusalem was destroyed and the Jews were scattered throughout the “nations”. They were homeless for almost 2000 years. They were persecuted and killed by the millions. They were hated by nation after nation. They were (and still are) blamed for the death of Jesus. Many believe and teach that God has deserted them because they rejected Jesus. It is taught that the Church has replaced Israel as God’s people, but is that true?
Throughout church history scholars have believed there was only a “Spiritual Israel”, the Church. Many of the prophecies concerning Israel must mean the Church since Israel no longer existed as a nation. That idea changed in 1948 when the United Nations reestablished Israel as a sovereign nation. Many Bible scholars saw this event as the “budding of the fig tree” and the generation that would see the fulfillment of the end-times.
I was born in 1947. I am part of the “this generation”. So are you. I believe one of the greatest proofs of the truth of Scripture is found in the history of the Jewish people and the Abrahamic covenant. God has not forsaken Abraham’s offspring. There are still exciting events coming for the Children of Israel.
“When God made his promise to Abraham, he backed it to the hilt, putting his
own reputation on the line. He said, ‘I promise that I’ll bless you
with everything I have–bless and bless and bless!’ Abraham stuck it
out. When people make promises, they guarantee them by appeal to some
authority above them so that if there is any questions that they’ll make
good on the promise, the authority will back them up. When God wanted
to guarantee his promises, he gave his word, a rock-solid guarantee–God can’t break his word. And because his word cannot change, the promise is likewise unchangeable.”
HE IS NOT HERE FOR HE HAS RISEN!
This was a glorious report and a puzzling statement all at the same
time. How do you handle a situation that is reported as one thing but
seems that it would be impossible to happen?
This is where your faith takes over. How many times does something
happen and it leaves you wondering what just happened? Did He rise or
was His body stolen? Did He get up and leave or was He taken away by
someone else?
Mary Magdalene was told by the angel that He was risen. Yet, she sat
and wept until Jesus approached and ask her what was wrong. She
replied, “they have taken my Master. Can you tell me where?” That
doesn’t sound like she believed the angel.
Mary’s lack of faith did not change the truth. Jesus was indeed risen
as the angel said. When she came face to face with Jesus she understood
that the angel was right.
Coming face to face with Jesus reassures as of the truth of God’s
word. The Bible never truly has the life changing effect until we have
an encounter with Jesus.
The Lord’s Supper is a memorial forever of what He did for us. Reading
about communion in the Bible acquaints us with it but partaking in it
reinforces the truth because through it we are encountering the power
and presense of our living Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. It keeps us
from forgetting what He did at Calvary. May you experience the blessing
of Easter all year long.
Heb. 12:1-2 “…let us run with patient endurance and steady active persistence the appointed course of the race that is set before us.
Looking away (from all that will distract) to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith (giving the first incentive for our belief) and is also its Finisher (bringing it to maturity and perfection), He, for the joy (of obtaining the prize) that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
There are so many things trying to distract us today. There are so many time robbers. The Bible tells us to “redeem the time.” Everything is pulling on us and demanding our attention. I begin the week thinking, “I don’t have much to do this week.” By Saturday I have been busy day and night. The important thing is how much of my time do I give to spending with God. He is the the one I need to keep focused on and not all the other “things.” By keeping my eyes on Jesus I will not let the circumstances of life get me down and defeat me. I won’t begin to sink as Peter did when he walked on the water to Jesus. When he took his eyes off of Jesus and looked at the wind and water, he began to sink. What are your distractions? What keeps you so busy you can’t fellowship with God? What keeps you so busy that everything is more important than attending church where we worship and hear the Word taught?
“Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with you all.” 2 Thes. 3:16
Is it really possible to have peace no matter what? Some people believe it isn’t possible to face the situations of life and keep peace in one’s heart. If we truly believe the Word of God we must conclude it is possible or God is a liar.
When is always? Best I can determine, it means all the time. What good does it do to provide peace if nothing unpeaceful is happening? It is in those troubling times we have a real need for a sense of peace. One of the best examples of “peace always” is the story of Peter waiting for his execution.
The night before he was to be killed he was sleeping. Evidently he wasn’t worried or fearful. I wonder if I could have been that peaceful. What about you? That was a “way” that did not lend itself to peace.
Every time we experience unfavorable circumstances we get the chance to prove the faithfulness of God. We must trust Him enough to let Him give us peace. It is good to have peace instead of a storm. But, it is better to have peace in the midst of a storm.
Storms can come and they can go. But, we are promised that peace will always be with us. In these troubled times it is good to know that through faith in God we can remain at peace always. As you look at all that is happening in the world today remember that in it all God has promised you peace. He will keep us in perfect peace if we keep our mind and eyes on Jesus.
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.
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