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We are considering the subject of the Great Commission and how we are to fulfill it in the world. We must truly understand what is involved in communicating the Gospel to the world. In order to “Go” successful we must understand why we were invited to “Come.” Were we invited because we possessed some great ability or quality? What did God see when He looked at us? Was it love at first sight or love in spite? In spite of what He saw He loved us. Why? Because He chose to. He made no qualifications when He said “Come.” Whosoever will, let him come. “ He who comes to Me, I will in no wise cast out.”
It is not our job to change the world, it is our job to offer people a way to change their lives. The world system will never change until Jesus comes again. We need to expend our efforts changing the hearts of people and not trying to control their behavior. God in Jesus was reconciling the world(people) unto Himself. It was unconditional and universal. No one was left out. It is not to tell people how “bad” they are but that “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. ” The Great Commission is that Jesus payed the price for their redemption. When we realize the meaning of “come”, we understand the importance of “go”.
Psalm 100:1-2 (Message Bible)
“ On your feet now–applaud God! Bring a gift of laughter, sing yourselves into his presence.”
When was the last time you laughed in church? Wait-when was the last time you even laughed or had fun? Being a Christian does not suddenly make you somber, sad, gloomy, and no fun to be around. There is a time to be serious, to worship, to praise. There is also a time to laugh, have fun, and enjoy being with other Christians or your family.
Pastor Jerry is one person who enjoys having fun, sharing jokes, or just playing and laughing. One time we were on our way to minister in Lexington with Bill Smith and another couple. In the car we joked, teased, told stories, and had fun. When we got to the meeting, Jerry got up to minister. He was very serious and intent in his teaching. This couple could not believe how he could go from laughing to the next minute teaching the Word. Jerry told them, “I’m serious all the time. When I am having fun, I am serious about having fun.”
I know that I need to laugh more. The Word says, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.” Maybe there would be less sickness among Christians if they would get serious about having some fun and laughter in their lives.
And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” Rev. 22:17
We are familiar with “The Great Commission” but do not think much about “The Great Invitation.” The main word in the Great Invitation is “Come.” When we receive an inviation, it means that an offer has been made and we must decide how we will respond to the offer. Invitations usually have certain conditions attached. There can be a cost, time restriction, expiration date, or other conditions required to qualify you for the offer. With the Great Invitation there is no condition other than come. It is a standing invitation. Whenever we decide to take the offer, we are immediately welcomed.
There is nothing to be done on our part but respond to the invitation given. There is no self preparation necessary. We do not need to change a thing. The words of the most notable invitational hymn tell the story. “Just as I am without one plea, but that Thy blood was shed for me, and that thou bidest me come to thee, oh, Lamb of God I come. I come.”
It was the coldest winter ever. Many animals died because of the cold. The porcupines, realizing the situation, decided to group together to keep warm. This way they covered and protected themselves; but the quills of each one wounded their closest companions.
After awhile, they decided to distance themselves one from the other and they began to die, alone and frozen. So they had to make a choice: either accept the quills of their companions or disappear from the Earth.
Wisely, they decided to go back to being together. They learned to live with the little wounds caused by the close relationship with their companions in order to receive the heart that came from the others. This way they were able to survive.
The best relationship is not the one that brings together perfect people, but when each individual learns to live with the imperfections of others and can admire the other person’s good qualities.
The moral of the story is: Just learn to live with the Pricks in your life!!
I Cor. 12:24-27 (Mess.) “The way God designed our bodies is a model for understanding our lives together as a church: every part dependent on every other part, the parts we mention and the parts we don’t, the parts we see and the parts we don’t. If one part hurts, every other part is involved in the hurt, and in the healing. If one part flourishes, every other part enters into the exuberance. You are Christ’s body–that’s who you are!! You must never forget this.”
“Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon those who heard these things.” Acts 5:5
We have here one of the most intriguing stories in the New Testament. This is a story of the death of a believer for lying to the Holy Spirit. It appeared that he had lied to Peter, but Peter said it was God to whom he had lied. As a result of this lie Ananias fell down dead. My question is this. Who killed Ananias and later his wife, Sapphira? The issue in this story is not about the amount of money involved or even giving it to God. It is about presenting something to God and telling Him this is all I have when I know there is more I am not giving. There is much grace in God’s compassion or there would be many more deaths in the church for lying to God. “I don’t have time.” “That’s all I can do.” “I can’t do all things through Christ Jesus.” “I can’t afford to give more.” If I know that I am not giving my all, but tell God I am doing the best I can is that not lying to the Holy Spirit. Don’t promise God something and then not do it. Be careful about making vows and not keeping them. Are we immune to what happened to Ananias and Sapphira? Again I ask the question, who killed Ananias? Did God kill him? Was it the devil? Or, did he commit suicide?
Today’s sermon, “Who killed Ananias?”
GOD,
I AM
NOT
HAPPY!
(Details in today’s sermon)
Here I sit in Taylor County Hospital in my 5th day of residence. Things are progressing but slowly, it seems to me. I am writing about this from a “reality” point of view. The subject is faith vs. experience and how to relate the two.
Let me be perfectly clear, the truth of God’s Word does not change, regardless of my circumstances. God is not responsible for me being in this situation. He is not testing or “tempting” me. Yes, I am being tested and there is no doubt about that. If it isn’t God, then what is testing me?
There are two possible sources of the tests. Of course, one source is Satan and the demonic. By this I mean the Job type situation. This is a calculated attack on a particular individual for a specific purpose. Mostly it is to interrupt a move of God. I feel that there have been numerous of these assaults on me over the years. I have survived by the grace of God. Sometimes it has been because of my cooperation and sometimes in spite of my lack of the same.
The other source of tests is life itself. In this world you will have tribulation. Because we are a part of life on this planet we experience “life’s setbacks”. We have been redeemed from this and are moving toward a total victory. My personal choices will determine my performance in the “life race.”
I will not quit, I will not compromise the Word, and I will not blame God for my plight. Any failure is always my fault and all success and victory is Christ’s. I will overcome , I will win, and I will receive the Crown of Life. Here I sit in Taylor County Hospital in my 5th day of residence. Things are progressing but slowly, it seems to me. I am writing about this from a “reality” point of view. The subject is faith vs. experience and how to relate the two.
Let me be perfectly clear, the truth of God’s Word does not change, regardless of my circumstances. God is not responsible for me being in this situation. He is not testing or “tempting” me. Yes, I am being tested and there is no doubt about that. If it isn’t God, then what is testing me?
There are two possible sources of the tests. Of course, one source is Satan and the demonic. By this I mean the Job type situation. This is a calculated attack on a particular individual for a specific purpose. Mostly it is to interrupt a move of God. I feel that there have been numerous of these assaults on me over the years. I have survived by the grace of God. Sometimes it has been because of my cooperation and sometimes in spite of my lack of the same.
The other source of tests is life itself. In this world you will have tribulation. Because we are a part of life on this planet we experience “life’s setbacks”. We have been redeemed from this and are moving toward a total victory. My personal choices will determine my performance in the “life race.”
I will not quit, I will not compromise the Word, and I will not blame God for my plight. Any failure is always my fault and all success and victory is Christ’s. I will overcome , I will win, and I will receive the Crown of Life.
I Corinthians 13:4-8, 14:1(Amplified)
Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.
It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not display itself haughtily. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking: it takes no account of the evil done to it (it pays no attention to a suffered wrong).
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). As for prophecy (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away (it will lose its value and be superceded by truth).
I Corinthians 14:1 says to eagerly pursue and seek to acquire (this) love (make it your aim, your great quest…It is not easy to “pay no attention to a suffered wrong.” The wrong may be real, but the love we need to have overlooks and forgives any offense. Then we must “believe the best of every person.” Even the one who just “wronged” us.
On a scale of 1-10 how did you do today?
As I was sitting there in your church thinking about “40 years” of ministry , the Lord kept saying. “That is a generation.” Then I heard Him say to you…
“Because you have stood faithful for 40 years , there is great reward laid up for you, not only in Heaven , but here and now. This is a great and fruitful hour in which you live. Many generations will benefit from your faithfulness, and even now many generations have received life changing benefits because of your labor in the word and your labor of love.
You do not know the great joy and the abundant life you have made possible for SO MANY PEOPLE and the generations after them because you stood form on your faith when everything around you said “Quit”.
Gerald, your faithfulness as a son, father, husband and friend is a rare jewel in the earth today. And LaVerne, the same, you are a “Mother of Israel” , and a mother to New Life for the Nations. You are a Virtuous Woman who stands out among women. You are highly favored.
“This Day” marks a fresh, new anointing, and a new “wave” of My Spirit”, says the Lord.
Given to me June 11, 2011
“For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.” Rom. 10:2
Paul was speaking about the Jewish religious leaders of his day. Paul tells us about his own beliefs when he says, “I was a pharisee of pharisees, concerning the law blameless.” He was not pretending something he did not believe. He believed he was right before God. While he was killing Christians, he believed he was doing the will of God. It took a divine revelation to bring him to the truth. Paul was not a deliberate hypocrite. He was not pretending to be something he was not. He was simply believing the wrong things. When he got the truth from God, he changed.
There are many Christians today that have a zeal for God, but they are wrong in their beliefs. Therefore, they are off course in their “race.” They can be either too legalistic or too libertarian. Either one of these positions leaves us in a ditch on one side or other of the “straight and narrow” road. On one side practically everything is sin. On the other side practically nothing is. If we are going to be zealous for what we believe, we need to have the proper knowledge. Are you “free”? After all, the Bible says the truth will make you “free.” At New Life we have commited ourselves to “come to a knowledge of the truth.” We pray that is your goal as well.
Hebrews 12:2 “Looking away (from all that will distract) to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith…”amp
WHAT IS DISTRACTING YOU?
There is so much going on in our lives-our jobs, our family, our church. Any of these can distract us from having fellowship with the “Word” and instead fellowship with our problems. We can get so concerned about our finances that we forget that “My God shall supply our your needs…” We look at all the problems facing our children and family and forget what the Word promises about them.
We must “look away” from all that would distract us and focus on the Word of God and our fellowship with Jesus.
The more attention we give the “problem” the more power it has over us. I can’t change them anyway. But God has the power to change people and circumstances. Quit speaking your problems and speak the Word.
“For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.” Rom. 10:2
Paul was speaking about the Jewish religious leaders of his day. Paul tells us about his own beliefs when he says, “I was a pharisee of pharisees, concerning the law blameless.” He was not pretending something he did not believe. He believed he was right before God. While he was killing Christians, he believed he was doing the will of God. It took a divine revelation to bring him to the truth. Paul was not a deliberate hypocrite. He was not pretending to be something he was not. He was simply believing the wrong things. When he got the truth from God, he changed.
There are many Christians today that have a zeal for God, but they are wrong in their beliefs. Therefore, they are off course in their “race.” They can be either too legalistic or too libertarian. Either one of these positions leaves us in a ditch on one side or other of the “straight and narrow” road. On one side practically everything is sin. On the other side practically nothing is. If we are going to be zealous for what we believe, we need to have the proper knowledge. Are you “free”? After all, the Bible says the truth will make you “free.” At New Life we have commited ourselves to “come to a knowledge of the truth.” We pray that is your goal as well.
.”…the Word of God that works for those who believe.” I Thes. 2:13
The truth of God’s Word is unquestionable and one must embrace it by faith. God will do everything He says for those who believe. Believing requires confidence in the knowledge and information we have. Believing is having faith to act on the information we possess.
One of the cardinal Biblical truths that we believe and teach at New Life is confidence in the Word of God. We believe that all things are possible to him who believes. There is no problem that has no answer nor any condition that cannot be changed.
Doubters and unbelievers can see nothing when it comes to miracles. A miracle could happen right under their noses and they wouldn’t see it. It is our goal to teach you that God’s word works, His promises are true and for you, and He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
We urge you to lay aside unbelief, negative confessions, and defeatist attitudes. Accept God’s Word as truth and allow it to empower your life. The real hope for successful living is activating the Word in you by choosing to believe. The key to our success is God’s grace. We believe unto righteousness not work for it.
**My fingers may be small…but I can still wrap my Dad around them.
**Dad–a son’s first hero, a daughter’s first love.
**By the time a man realizes that maybe his father was right, he usually has a son who thinks he is wrong.
**A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty.
**My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me. –Jim Valvano
**His heritage to his children wasn’t words or possessions, but an unspoken treasure, the treasure of his example as a man and a father. –Will Rogers, Jr.
**When a daughter first meets her father, she makes room in her heart for the first significant man in her life, she becomes Daddy’s little girl.–From the book “Daddies & Daughters by Carmen Renee Berry
“ I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the LORD ALMIGHTY.” I Cor. 6:18
Today is Father’s Day and we are to honor our fathers and show them respect and love. It is easy for some to do this because they have good, caring fathers. For others who do not have a good father example, it might not be so easy to honor them.
The Bible says that God is our father. As such, He will never fail to show us all the proper virtues a father should possess. God should not be thought of as a reflection of man. Rather, man should be a reflection of God. Even if I have a “bad” picture of what an earthly father is like, I should remember that God is “good all the time.”
PRAISE GOD!
We had an awesome campmeeting. There have been several testimonies of blessings received by those present. I want to thank all those who helped make this past weekend such a blessing to all who were a part of it. The guest speakers were blessed and uplifted by each other’s ministry and your kindness as a congregation.
LaVerne and I want to thank all of those who give in the love offering. It was truly “above what we could ask or think.” Thank you to those who served the ministers each night after the services.
Seed was sowed that will produce a harvest. You will be blessed. Remember, “he who sows sparingly shall reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully shall reap bountifully.”
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.
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