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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| continued from last week…
There are different types of prayer with rules that govern each. For example there is the prayer of faith, which is the prayer to change things. It is always based on God’s Word and never contains the word “if”. a few examples of this can be found in Matthew 21:21-22 and Mark 11:22-24.
This is very different from the prayer of consecration, which is the type of prayer that Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. “Saying, Father if thou be willing, remove this cup from Me: nevertheless not My will but Thine, be done.” Luke 22:42. People mistakenly think that every type of prayer should begin or end with asking God’s will be done. When Jesus prayed for the sick He didn’t end with “if it be thy will” as so many do today. Often He said “Your faith has made you whole.” We know from God’s Word that it is always His will to heal the sick, save the lost, and deliver the oppressed.
Other types of prayer are the prayer of commitment (1 Peter 5:7), the prayer of worship (Acts 13:1-4); Luke 24:52-53), the prayer of agreement (Matthew 18: 18-20), united prayer (Acts 4: 23–31), and intercessory prayer (Romans 8:26-27, Ephesians 6:18). Although there are many types of prayers, it is vital to always pray in faith and expect results every time.
I heard a story once about a congregation that me in a field to pray for rain, to relieve a long dry spell in their area. The preacher looked severely at his flock and said, “Brothers and Sisters, y’all know why we are here. Now, what I want to know is where your umbrellas are?”
That congregation must have forgotten the word of Jesus, “Therefore I say unto you, what things so ever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them” (Mark 11:24). |
Over the next few week I would like to talk about prayer. Every activity in life has basic rules that must be followed to be successful. For example, if you want to play baseball, you would not use the rules for basketball. You can’t get to first base, let alone a home run without a bat.
They same principle is true when it comes to prayer. There are basic rules that must be followed in order to have a winning prayer life.
Prayer has been defined as “communication with God.” Jesus was in constant communication with God, His Father. Hebrew 5:7 Amplified. “In the days of His flesh (Jesus) offered up definite, special petitions (for tat which He not only wanted but needed) and supplications with strong crying and tears to Him. Who was (always) able to save Him (out) from death, and He was heard because of His reference toward God (His godly fear, His piety, in that He shrank from the horrors of separation from the bright presence of the Father).”
Now, if Jesus, the Son of God offered up “definite, special petition” for what He “not only wanted but needed,” shouldn’t we follow His example? The Word doesn’t say that Jesus’ prayer was heard because He was the Son of God. It says that His prayer was heard because of His reverence toward God!
The devil convinces us that God won’t answer our prayers, so we don’t even bother to pray. How many victories were never won because we failed to go to God in our time of need? Realize today that it is not that God won’t, but rather that we don’t.
“I am the Lord, I do not change…” Malachi 3:8. If this is a true statement, it is imperative that we know correctly the character of God. It is hard for some people to look at the “God of the Old Testament” and “God in the New Testament” and reconcile Their behavior because They look so different in behavior. How can the Old Testament God that appears so angry and hostile that He “kills” and “destroys” sinners be the same God of “grace” and “love” seen in the New Testament?
If the ideas of some “scholars” are true (these are not isolated incidents but mainstream scholars), it means we either have two Gods or a God that changed or one who is a liar. What do we accept? Do we rationalize or do we seek to reconcile the truth? God has never changed. The problem has always been on man’s side. We are not at liberty to violate the Word of God by interpreting things by what we see or how we feel. Everything we accept as Christian truth must be in harmony with the entire volume of Scripture. Nothing of God contradicts itself in Scripture, therefore, it is our responsibilty to find the truth of the Word. We are not students of the Word by looking for Scripture passages that support our opinions. Rather, we must submit our opinions to be supported by Scripture.
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgression from us.” What an encouraging and positive statement. Ever notice who said it and when it was said? It is a Psalm of David written five hundred years B.C. It is Psalm 103:12.
Let us consider some things about the statement. First, the statement is in the past tense. This means something has already taken place. It does not say that in about 500 years our sins will be removed from us. David saw it as already done. This supports the Biblical edict about the “Lamb, slain from the foundation of the world.”
Secondly, it is clear that David understood that the blood of goats and bulls could never remove sin, yet, it was already removed. Faith in God’s word is the key to salvation. Believing what God says leads to a peace about the condition of our soul before Him. To much attention to “law” causes us to wonder (or doubt) our standing relationship with God. We did not remove our transgressions from us, He did. Praise God!
(Continued from last week.)
There are over 200 recognized addictions. All addictions can generate an altered state of consciousness by keeping us from facing ourselves. We must learn to discern what is within us that are not of God. Spirits of darkness will always manifest by thoughts, feelings, emotions, or direction. They work through our thinking, speaking, and acting, but they do not represent God’s freedom for our lives.
If we become one with something as if it were us, then God cannot heal us. Therefore, we need to recognize what is working within us. We need to recognize what we have allowed to become part of who we are. We need to repent to God for serving sin. ROMANS 6:16 “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or obedience unto righteousness”. We have become servants of addiction principalities rather than servants of righteousness. However, our battle is not against ourselves, and we cannot whip ourselves into shape. The world has their 12 step programs to help you manage your addictions, not get rid of them. This is not freedom. God wants us free of all addictions.
We must first recognize the enemy. We need to confess our sins to God. We need to love God, love others, and love ourselves. We need to read the Word to cleanse our minds by the washing of the water of the Word. We need to learn to take every thought captive. Then discern, is this thought of God or coming from somewhere else. Make a choice as to what you will dwell on. Then take your peace.
We need to know the Word and then risk all by doing the Word. Faith says even if I perish trusting you, I will still trust you.
It takes 28 days and a change of heart to overcome addictions. It’s about who we are in our place of security. I’m not saying it will not be a battle. But your life is worth fighting for. Let today be the first day of the rest of your life, addiction free.
All the direct advertising on tv has desensitized us to the seriousness of the abuse. The favorite choice of pain killers in the teen and elderly is Oxycontin or Vicodin, which are highly addictive as well as deadly when mixed with alcohol. In the elderly alcohol remains the most commonly abused substance.
What is the root behind all addictions generational and personally? It is the need to be loved. There is an unloving spirit that will not let the person give or receive love without fear. Spirits of addiction increase their lack of self-esteem, insecurity, fear, anxiety, and stress. This is a battle for the person’s state of being. State of being and state of belonging are two battlegrounds that the enemy uses in our family trees. When people do not like themselves and struggle with their identity, driveness occurs. This allows an altered state of consciousness to mask the pain.
Anything that creates a dopamine rush can become our addiction. When we do not feel good about ourselves, we search for and become addicted to something that gives us a momentary “feel good” sensation. The love of that drug of choice whether it is sugar, heroin, alcohol, medications, or exercise becomes stronger than the love for Father God. There are no “good” addictions or “little” addictions, they all destroy relationships.
| History of Mother’s Day
Anna Jarvis is recognized as the Founder of Mothers Day in US. Though Anna Jarvis never married and never had kids, she is also known as the Mother of Mothers Day, An apt title for the lady who worked hard to bestow honor on all mothers.
Anna Jarvis got the inspiration of celebrating Mothers Day from her own mother Mrs. Anna Marie Reeves Jarvis in her childhood. An activist and social worker, Mrs. Jarvis used to express her desire that someday someone must honor all mothers, living and dead, and pay tribute to the contributions made by them.
A loving daughter, Anna never forgot her mother’s word and when her mother died in 1905, she resolved to fulfill her mother’s desire of having a mother’s day. Growing negligent attitude of adult Americans towards their mothers and a desire to honor her mother soared her ambitions.
To begin with Anna, send Carnations in the church service in Grafton, West Virginia to honor her mother. Carnations were her mother’s favorite flower and Anna felt that they symbolized a mother’s pure love. Later Anna along with her supporters wrote letters to people in positions of power lobbying for the official declaration of Mothers Day holiday. The hard work paid off. By 1911, Mother’s Day was celebrated in almost every state in the Union and on May 8, 1914 President Woodrow Wilson signed a Joint Resolution designating the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. |
While government agencies and researchers claim to be attacking the problem of addiction, more people are impacted than ever before. Never have we seen more children on prescription drugs than we do today. How are we teaching them to handle life? Take a pill? Have a drink? What are they emulating?
Addiction to prescription pain killers is increasing in both teens and the elderly. A government survey estimates that the number of adults age 50 and older with substance abuse problems will double to 5 million in 2010 (from 2.5 million in 1999) in part due to society’s growing acceptance of prescription drugs.
Teens find false comfort believing that prescription pain killers are safer than illegal drugs. A recent study done by Partnership for a Drug Free America found that 29% of teens believe prescription pain relievers to be non-addictive. An alarming number of today’s teenagers are more likely to abuse prescription and OTC’s (over the counter) medications than to abuse illegal drugs like meth, cocaine, Ecstasy etc. Nearly 1 in 5 teens (19% or 4.5 million) reported abusing prescription medications to get high, and 1 in 10 reported using cough medicine to get high. Teens say there is easy access to these drugs through the home medicine cabinet or at a friend’s house. This trend, called “pharming” (for pharmaceuticals), has resulted in illness, overdoses, and death.
| “Marvel not that I say unto you, ye must be born again.” In John 3 Jesus told this to Nicodemus. How are we born again? The Bible is very specific about the way in which this happens. I Peter 1:23 says we are born again by the Word of God.
It was the word of God that created all things. God said it and it happened. John says the word was made flesh and lived among us. Everything we have and everything we are is because of the Word of God. The reason we can have eternal life is based on the Word. “Heaven and earth will pass away but My Word will never pass away.” As part of the Word we have life everlasting.
The most important thing you can ever come into contact with is the Word of God. The thing that will affect your life the most is the Word of God. It is central to all hopes of salvation.
Sharing the Word of God with others is the most important mission we have in life. Keep that in mind. Men like the Gideon’s are dedicated to putting the Word of God into the hands and hearts of the world. |
| Honor where honor is due! We are blessed to have one of the best musicians in Kentucky as part of our music team. Dr Bob Reynolds is recognized widely for his concert piano skills. He will be in concert tonight at Columbia Christian Church. There is a complete article on the bulletin board and on Columbiamagazine.com. Bob is an elder at New Life and has been with us for 28 years. Congratulations, Bro. Bob. |
One of the sins that Christians fall into most easily is gossip. In some Christian congregations, if gossip were excluded, scarcely any kind of conversation would be left!
The dictionary offers the two following definitions of gossip: 1. Casual and idle chat. 2. Conversations involving malicious chatter or rumors about other people.
Two of the adjectives here applied to gossip are idle and malicious. It is not enough for Christians to avoid malice in their talk. In Matt. 12:36 Jesus warns against idle speech. “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment”.
Although the New Testament explicitly forbids gossip many Christians regard it as a relatively “harmless” sin. Most definitely this is not how God views it. In Romans 1:29-30, Paul lists some of the consequences of man’s turning away from God. Here is part of his list: They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanders, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful”. The position of gossips in this list is significant. Some of the heart attitudes directly associated with gossip are strife, deceit and malice. Gossips are classified with people who are slanderers and God-haters. Christians who indulge in gossip may think of themselves as “exceptions”, but that is not how God sees them.
The words these people speak about others would not normally be described as “curses”, but their effect is the same! They are in fact channels through which demonic forces are directed against other members of the Body of Christ. Also, it is not only the person spoken about who are affected. In James 3:6 the apostle says, “The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body.” The believer who is guilty of gossip actually defiles both himself and that part of the body of Christ to which he is related.
In Matt. 7:1-2 Jesus says, “judge not, that you may not be judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.” From the verb translated “to judge” that the English word, criticize is derived. If we find ourselves in disagreement with the conduct of a fellow believer. It is permitted and sometimes necessary to meet with them face to face as in Gal 2:11. Prov. 27:5 says “better is open rebuke than secret love.”
If we recognize that we have been guilty of gossip or wounding others with our tongues, we need to repent and to seek God’s forgiveness. We may also need to ask forgiveness from those we have offended. |
| “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.” 2 Cor. 13:5
What do we make of this verse? How do we examine ourselves? Do we just think about how we are and make a subjected opinion, or do we really test ourselves by objective means?
Examine means to seriously consider the objective evidence and come to a conclusion. For years I have had to physically examine myself with regard to flare ups of congestive heart failure. I knew the symptoms and could tell when fluid was building up in my lungs. Because of close observation I knew when I needed medical treatment. I did not wait until I could not function and had no choice about going to the hospital. I took care of the situation before it got critical. The reason I recovered quickly was because I did not ignore the “symptoms” but recognized them and dealt with them. If we will learn to test ourselves, we can come out ahead in the school of life. Rest assured we will be tested. The real key is who is doing the testing and why. In the physical realm we test for symptoms. In the Spiritual world we call it “conviction”. |
| Post 9/11, we as a nation have a greater sense of the need to be on the alert. Home alarms, car alarms, business alarms and other such security devices are a part of the world in which we live in. With all the talk about national security it seems that life all round us is filled with reasons to be on our guard and to protect ourselves.
But what about spiritual matters? The things that concern our inner man are far more important than any material goods we might be able to protect.
Proverbs 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. King Solomon, considered the wisest man to ever live, was the writer of these words. He encourages us to guard our heart above everything else.
The Hebrew word for heart can have symbolic meaning of such things as; the spiritual aspect of man, the mind, the will, the conscience, the moral character of a person, the seat of his desires and passions even the whole man himself.
Our heart is the focal point of life. We can be effective in protecting our homes, business, property and even our borders from terrorist attacks but if we fail to protect this one thing “our heart” it will effect all areas of our lives.
Just as when our natural heart gets out of rhythm if not corrected in time it will soon take its toll and eventually effect the rest of the body. So will our spiritual heart when is not guarded and protected, it will began to beat out of rhythm and will begin to take its toll in our lives.
Proverbs 4:23 New Living Translation “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” |
If one wants to please God he must have faith. “But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Heb 11:6) None of us would be pleased if our friends constantly made us a liar every time we opened our mouths. Not one of us would feel like ever doing anything for those who did this. The same is true with God. He is a person and we should learn to treat Him as a person and not insult Him by questioning and doubting every promise that He makes. God is under no obligation to answer our prayers if we do not have implicit faith in Him for what we ask.
Faith is simple. It is believing God without wavering, doubting, or questioning what He says. It is taking God at His Word and believing what He has promised He is able to perform. It is believing not only that He is able, but that He will do it. It is the quality of counting those things that “be not as though they were.” (Romans 4:17) It is “the substance of things hoped for” and the first payment on things that we desire from God (Heb. 11: 1-3)
The way to get faith is by hearing the Word of God. (Romans 10:17) The way to use faith is to take God at His Word and judge Him faithful in granting what is asked in the name of Jesus. Ask and then believe that it is done. Thank God for it as if it was already done. Expect the complete answer whether you see it at once or not. Forget symptoms, feelings, impossibilities, or anything to the contrary of God’s Word and it shall be done regardless of how impossible it may appear outwardly. Faith laughs at impossibilities and cries, “it is done!” It leaves all results and all answers with God as being God’s part. He doesn’t need any help from us! Our part then is to cooperate with faith and not hinder its working by doubting and unbelief and questioning the “how” and the “when” of the answer.
If a Christian will truly exercise faith, there will be no question as to the answer!
So just have FAITH IN GOD!!!
Continued from last week article:
In order for our bodies to maintain all of its systems, the hypothalamus gland in the brain works to regulate factors so that we remain at a stat of homeostasis. Normal blood pressure is 120/80 and our body temperature is 98.6. The hypothalamus is constantly receiving inputs about the status of our body and makes changes if anything goes haywire. The autonomic nervous system controls all those things that happen without you thinking about it. Your heart beating, breathing, sweating, blood pressure, etc. A fearful thought triggers the hypothalamus, it signals the autonomic nervous system which in turn affects your heart rate, breathing, B/P, sweating, etc. The body is ready for fight or flight. There is a time for rest and a time for action. Fight or flight is usually a short time period. But if the stressor is not removed than the fight or flight response is extended beyond normal time and will cause the body to start breaking down. When the body is in a continuous state of fear, stress or anxiety, it leaves no time for rest, recovery, and body repair. Sickness than is the results. Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he.
Yes, doctors will tell you that stress kills, but what do they offer? Prozac or another anti anxiety drug. Jeremiah 6:14 They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; but there is no peace.
Jesus, not Prozac, is the prince of peace. John 14:27 Peace I leave with you my peace I give unto you. Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid.
Just as fear can put in into fight or flight mode. God’s provisions can bring you into peace. His gift of perfect peace belongs to those whose minds are fixed on Him. Staying your mind on Him and not on fear and failures and insecurities will bring your body back into homeostasis.
Acts 1:3 “..to whom He also presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.”
After Jesus’ resurrection the angel announced that he was risen from the dead. He appeared to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus only talking with them, and their hearts burned within them. He appeared to the eleven and Thomas and rebuked them for unbelief. But, He appeared to “them” with MANY INFALLIBLE PROOFS.
If we experience the power of His resurrection we can speak “heart-warming” encouragement to those around us. We can also rebuke the doubters for their unbelief. These are the easy parts of our post spiritual resurrection. To be a true disciple of Jesus let us live in such a way that we show “many infallible proofs” that we have truly taken part in His resurrection. The true mark of a risen disciple is demonstration of a changed life. We will live differently than before
Thank you to Makenzie Hughes and Michiah Baxter for helping with the children during the Saturday morning AEGA meeting.
Thank you to Anita Webster who is in charge of the Wednesday and Sunday night Children’s Church.
Anyone who would like to help see Pastor LaVerne.
Beginning Wednesday night, April 7, Pastor LaVerne will be teaching a six weeks study called, “Secrets of Success, Wealth, and Happiness” from the book of Proverbs.
Adults and youth are welcome to be a part of this.
On Wednesdays at Rumors Hair Salon in Columbia, Pastor LaVerne is doing a Bible Study, “Victory over Darkness”,
Everyone welcome for this 45 minute study.
The future of the Church is not determined by its members. The end of the Church is in God’s hands. The Church of God will prevail over all in the end. Jesus did all that was necessary to make sure of that. His death and resurrection is the Church’s victory. Of His Kingdom there is no end. That is the word of God. The Church Universal is in good hands. When things are left in God’s hands, they always end up good.
However, the local church bodies are a product of the effort of the members operating with God’s help. Each of us should ask ourselves a question. “What would the church be like if all the members were like me?” What if everyone attended were like me? What if everyone gave like me? What if everyone talked (confession) like me? What if everyone volunteered like me? What if everyone gave the time I do? If everyone in the church acted like me, what kind of church would our church be?
When I gave my testimony last Saturday at the AEGA conference I ran out of time before I got to share about how fear affects the body.
“Even relatively short periods of stress may cause changes that leave brain cells hypertensive for weeks, reports Israeli scientist trying to uncover the molecular root of post-traumatic stress disorder.” Washington Associated Press.
“Pregnant women who often stressed out could be programming their fetuses nervous systems for heightened actions to stress and a greater lifetime risk of heart attacks, scientists reported over the weekend”. USA Today.
We all know by now the negative effects of fear stress and anxiety to our bodies. Angina, arrhythmias, asthma, allergies, high blood pressure, IBS, tension, headaches, stroke, insomnia, diabetes, prostatitis, malabsorption and eczema to just name a few of many diseases to be stress related. Doctors are only now starting to study this mind/body connection. This new field of study is called Psychoneuro-immunology!
But God has told us about the connection in His Word. 1 Thes. 5:23 and the very God of peach sanctify you wholly, and I pray God your whole sprit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Our enemy, however, understand our bodies quite well. He knows about our mind/body/soul connection. He knows that we are only sustained in health and sanity to the degree that we match up to the nature of the living God. He knows that by controlling our thoughts, he can control our biology. He uses stress, fear and anxiety to break down our bodies.
To be continued…..
“Go into all the world and preach the Gospel…” Jesus left this command with His disciples in Matthew 28. They began to carry it out after the day of Pentecost when they were filled with the Holy Spirit. For 2000 years that assignment has not changed. The cast is different but the purpose is still the same-bring the world to Jesus.
New Life for the Nations is part of that cast. We have a responsibility to be faithful. AEGA is also part of that mission. Through our association with them we are reaching into 65 countries. Millions of people have contact with AEGA members all over the world.
Our involvement and financial support for AEGA means we have a hand in ministry to the masses of the world. We joined the organization to give us an opportunity to reach the nations in a way we could not do as one local body. This weekend is a chance for us to fellowship and edify one another.
There are not multiple bodies of Christ. There is one body with many parts. There is one message of the Gospel. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Many of the “beliefs” we have that divide the body are not part of the Gospel of salvation; they are courses of action that affect our everyday lives. We need to know the difference between “doctrine” and “opinion”.
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