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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“Let go and let God” is a catchy phrase. I have used this phrase in sermons just to get a point across. I have never read this actual phrase in the Bible though.
As believers should we just confess “let go and let God”. Then do nothing, say nothing, feel nothing and allow circumstances to just take over however they may. Absolutely not!
As humans control is the hardest thing to give up because without it we feel helpless. Only when we choose to “let it go and let God” do we truly find freedom. Maybe it would be better to say, “Letting go and let God.” This is something we will be learning as long as we are alive on this earth. We want things in our time, our way.
The word tells us in Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all.
Pastor Jerry: Reconciled to God
“Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.” (Rom. 5:5,11)
About the year 1515 a young priest in Germany, Martin Luther, was having a Bible study in the book of Romans and saw the true meaning of the Romans message given by Paul. It was this message, “the just shall live by his faith.” This was a rebirth of the original teachings of Scripture. Believers were free from all the man-made doctrines that had taken hold of the church during 15 centuries of time.The revelation was, it is not what we do for God that saves us, but rather what God did for us by sending Jesus to die for our sins that we might be reconciled to God. It is what we commonly call being “saved by Grace”.
Grace is not just having our sins forgiven, but it gives us power over the power of sin in our lives. Grace makes us as though we never sinned. It wipes out all the charges against us and gives us a new heart in the image of God to reflect God in our lives. We will never perform in a perfect way while living on this earth but Jesus presents us to the Father faultless by His own blood which was shed for our sins. When Jesus said “it is finished” as He hung on the cross it wasn’t that His life was over but that everything needed for man’s salvation was complete. Paul summed it up to the Phillipian jailer by saying, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved”. My friend, that hasn’t changed.
For, behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing [of birds] has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth and ripens her green figs, and the vines are in blossom and give forth their fragrance. Arise, my love, my fair one, and come away.
Song of Solomon 2:11-13
You are coming into your springtime. The last couple of years have been challenging but now is the time to arise and come away. Come away from the fear that has held you captive. Come away from the time of distress. Your winter season has come and gone and new beginnings are happening for you. Past seed sown will come up in this season. Abundance springs forth for the seed has not been sowed in vain.
The Lord your God is in your midst—a warrior bringing victory. He will create calm with his love; he will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17
How blessed is God! And what a blessing he is! He’s the Father of our Master, Jesus Christ, and takes us to the high places of blessing in him. Long before he laid down earth’s foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son. Because of the sacrifice of the Messiah, his blood poured out on the altar of the Cross, we’re a free people—free of penalties and punishments chalked up by all our misdeeds. And not just barely free, either. Abundantly free! He thought of everything, provided for everything we could possibly need, letting us in on the plans he took such delight in making. He set it all out before us in Christ, a long-range plan in which everything would be brought together and summed up in him, everything in deepest heaven, everything on planet earth. It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. It’s in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This down payment from God is the first installment on what’s coming, a reminder that we’ll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life. Ephesians 1:1-14
I was raised in a typical southern Baptist church. We sang the hymns from hardback song books. I sang them not really knowing what truth they held. The more my relationship grows with Abba Father – as the Holy Spirit continues to teach me concerning the Scripture, those old songs become more and more precious to me. One of them is a song written in 1880 by Louisa M.R. Stead. Louisa lost her husband while he was trying to save a young boy who was drowning. From this personal tragedy she later wrote the song- “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus”
‘Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His word; Just to rest upon his promise, Just to know, “Thus saith the Lord.” Jesus, Jesus, how I trust him! How I’ve proved him o’er and o’er! Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus! O for grace to trust him more! O how sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to trust his cleansing blood; And in simple faith to plunge me Neath the healing, cleansing flood!
Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus, Just from sin and self to cease; Just from Jesus simply taking Life and rest, and joy and peace. I’m so glad I learned to trust thee Precious Jesus, Savior, friend; And I know that thou art with me, Wilt be with me to the end.
“ Behold, God, my salvation! I will trust and not be afraid, for the Lord God is my strength and song; yes, He has become my salvation”. Isaiah 12:2
The one who takes refuge in the shelter of the Most High will be safe in the shadow of the Almighty. This one will say to their God “My shelter, my mighty fortress, my God, I place all my trust in You.” Psalms 91:1-2
Sheltered In The Arms Of God Dottie Rambo
I feel the touch of hands so kind and tender
They’re leading me in paths that I must trod
I’ll have no fear ’cause Jesus walks beside me
For I’m sheltered in the arms of God
So let the storms cloud rage high
The dark clouds rise They won’t worry me
For I’m sheltered safe within the arms of God
He walks with me
And naught of earth shall harm me
For I’m sheltered in the arms of God
Soon I shall hear the call from Heaven’s portals
“Come home, My child, it’s the last mile you have trod.”
I’ll just fall asleep and wake up in God’s new heaven
Forever sheltered in the arms of God
So let the storms rage high
The dark clouds rise They won’t worry me
For I’m sheltered safe within the arms of God
He walks with me
And naught of earth shall harm me
For I’m sheltered in the arms of God
So let the cold winds blow It’s so good to know
That I’m sheltered in the arms of God
This is what the High Jehovah says to His church today:
You will move forward and overcome
Though at times it may seem as the enemy is winning know it is just a delusion
Count yourself in for I have already made you a winner
Stand up and go forward in the power of Holy Spirit For you have been doused with fire that will burn off discouragement
At times there may seem to be no growing forward But you have been watered by the Word and suddenly you will see the manifestation of your labor of prayers
Every utterance of “JESUS” has been a cry to me
I have seen yes I have known your heart
From the heart flows the issues of life and I am taking those issues and turning them into stepping stones to victory on your behalf
For it is in purity that you have desired to know me as I have known you
It is that relationship that promises are birthed
Holy Spirit moves quickly in the atmosphere of love
With the cords of my love I have sought you
Know with great assurance you have been found my me
You are in “My grip” and I will never let you go
“The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the HOPE of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.” Eph. 1:18
How well do you believe you understand what the word of God is telling us? God opens the eyes of our understanding that we may see what He is telling us in His word. In Mark 12:30 it gives the meaning of understanding as insight, meditation, reflection, and the faculty of thought. When this faculty is renewed by the Holy Spirit, the whole mind-set changes from the fearful negativism of the carnal mind to the vibrant, positive thinking of the quickened spiritual mind.
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened literally means that your heart may receive the brightness of HOPE resulting when the wealth of God’s investment in you is understood. The world does not have the hope talked about here. Worldly hope always reflects an uncertainty about the future as a hit or miss possibility but our HOPE is assured by the Word of God made alive by the Holy Spirit within us. In His Word, God swears on Himself that what He has given us is true and never will change. If He said it, we can trust it with a certain HOPE.
Hope is said to be the anchor of our soul, the solid rock, certain about the final outcome of our lives, and our eternal reward. If we can’t have the confidence to trust God with our daily life, how can we trust Him for eternal life to come. We say we believe God gives us eternal life but we don’t trust Him in the everyday events of our lives today and tomorrow.
Let us renew our understanding by believing all that God tells us in His Word through His Spirit that indwells within us if we let Him. My opinion or yours doesn’t amount to much unless it is inspired by the Spirit and not by a carnal mind. God can be trusted. Believe it. That is our only HOPE. NEVER LOSE IT!!!!
The greatest love story ever told was the love story between God and man. A love story that has no end. It is the love story that begins in Genesis chapter one. God said “Let there be” and this beautiful world in which we live is filled with the handiwork of our Creator. In verse 26 the wording of how God spoke changes from “Let there be” to “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. He created them; male and female.” God who is goodness, love, grace, mercy wanted to share all who he is with man. Even when the man he created broke the fellowship with him by partaking of that which he had asked them not to. God who is love did not want people to live in brokenness, darkness and separation. He sat about making it right so that people could be forgiven, healed, restored and made whole. He sent his Son who came into this world to become fully human. Because of the life he lived, his death, his resurrection people can live in restored relationship with God. John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
Love-Hebrew Hashaq – Tethered to or attached. God loves us with a love that means He binds, or tethers, Himself to us.
We can never cause God to love us more or less. He loves us unconditionally, whether sinner or saint.
“Keep company with God and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.” Eph. 5:2 (Mes)
Isaiah 43:18-19 Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
God did a new thing in Abraham’s life when He asked Abraham to leave his land, his family, and everything he has ever known to go to a new place. Abraham chose to trust God and leave his old life.
It was through his obedience, the nation of Israel came to be, and the lineage of Jesus.
To experience the new we must go to that place.
That place is where we will receive the blessings of God.
It is not in understanding everything but trust and obey.
God will never lead you to a new place he has not already prepared.
“For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 4(NKJV)
I heard about a famous rapper that for decades had sung and preached all over the world, impacting thousands of people. I didn’t know him but recently he renounced Christianity, said he didn’t believe in it any more, asked his home church to remove his name from membership, and denied the Lord Jesus saying he did not believe any more what he sang and preached nearly all his life.
It is a deadly thing to deny the Lord. God said in 2 Timothy 2:12 “If we endure we will reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.” The rapper and anyone else who declares he doesn’t believe any more and thus denies the Lord falls into the group mentioned in Jude.
In His preaching Jesus said, “He who endures to the end shall be saved.” Jesus wasn’t talking about trying to work hard to be good and keep the Law of Moses, He meant something else. Jesus meant that if we don’t keep the faith and keep on believing we will be guilty of denying Him. We are not saved by grace and then must keep the law and do everything right. That would mean we are saved by our works or performance. To believe that would be against Scripture which says, “not by works” Eph. 2.
Everything we needed was finished at the Cross. We must believe Jesus paid it all. His sacrifice wasn’t added to the Law, it replaced it. We must receive it and by God’s grace and love learn to live in it.
One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret, the people were crowding around him and listening to the word of God. He saw at the water’s edge two boats, left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets. He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.” Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.
Luke 5:1-6
Cast your hope one more time and never give up says the spirit of Grace When things seem out of place I am your covering in life’s race You will never be forgotten or forsaken by me Yes I am here to stay Always remember I am the only way Don’t get out of the boat when you seem not to catch a break Maybe today the shift happens that moves you to the place Cast one more time for the breakthrough is nearer than you think Now is the time to receive form the net of full of blessings Bring it forth church you have Good News to share Don’t be discouraged when you prayed and have not seen For it may not have been time for the suddenly Let hope rise again as you cast it forth Your praise is heard by me I am your God yes the of God more than enough.
All it takes is one click to hear the news on TV, one click to see social media posts. We can hear all the news or see all the news we desire. Most of which have a worldly agenda. This news gives no hope. No council of good.
Those that have been born again have the greatest news ever told. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 This is good news.
In Mark 16:15, we read “and he said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. We are commissioned, anointed and equipped to spread this Good News. Isaiah 61:1 states, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and to open the prison to those who are bound.”
The Word is seed and we are sowing seed in the hearts of those we share the Good News with. This Good News will do good and will bring hope.
My word will go out and not return to Me empty. But it will do what I wanted; it will accomplish what I determined. Isaiah 55:11
Let us be about the Fathers business.
I am inviting you to join 21 days of corporate prayer beginning January 6 – Thursday nights – 7:00-8:00.
Acts 1:14 states that after Jesus ascended to Heaven, the disciples “continued with one accord in prayer.” We all know there is power in prayer. How much more effective for believers to join together in prayer of unity. Unity means, “the state of those who are in full agreement- harmony.” There is something very powerful when the people of God come together and cry out to him in one voice.
We are all ministers of the gospel and we have been anointed to share this good news. Luke 4:18-19 “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
Let us go forward into this new year with great expectations of God suddenlies, not just for us but for others. The suddenlies of God shows his goodness (all of who he is). It is his goodness that leads people to change their actions and find salvation through Christ Jesus.
I am reminded of the song, “Get all excited Go tell everybody that Jesus Christ is King Well, you talk about people You talk about things that really aren’t important at all You talk about weather You talk about problems we have here at home and abroad But friend I’m excited about a solution for the world I’m gonna shout and sing, and it’s Jesus Christ still the King of kings.
Let’s get all excited about what God is doing in the now-let us pray, let us expect the suddenlies- let us share this good news-let us go forth in this new year with a yes and amen!
We are quickly winding down until the end of 2021. What a year it has been. I, like David, have also said “I had fainted, (given up, lost hope) unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. I believe that we are in the season of change. The “suddenlies of God” will usher in the changes that will take place.
Isaiah 48:3 “I foretold the former things long ago, my mouth announced them and I made them known; then suddenly I acted, and they came to pass’. When suddenlies are manifested in our lives they are new to us not to God. They have been in the making for a long time and suddenly when the time is right they manifest in our lives.
The last couple of years have found us walking in a place none of us have been before. We all have been touched somehow by the evil of Covid-19 that came upon our nation. Recompense is in the hands of the Lord God Almighty.
Now the suddenlies of God are upon us:suddenlies are coming to your house to breathe life-fresh wind is blowing in healing from trauma of the last months--the gifts you have carried are coming to life as you begin to do what you are anointed to do-laughter is begin restored to your home where there has been much sorrow-the wind of Holy Spirit is taking you from ordinary to the extraordinary as God’s supernatural power intervenes on your behalf.
Rise up with expectation in your heart for the suddenlies to take place in your life!
What a wonderful time of the year
Christmas is here
Celebrations galore as we remember the birth of our Savior
An angel burst forth in the night with good news
Tidings of great joy to people everywhere
A great army of Heaven’s angels appeared singing praises to God: Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom he is pleased
A promised Savior had been born-Christ the Lord
To the world the gift of love, hope and life
From the manger to a life lived without sin to fulfill the Fathers will – at the Cross he gave his life willing – to the grave He was buried – on the third day He came forth in resurrection power – appeared to the disciples often for forty days – He then miraculously ascended into the presence of God – now seated at the right hand of God the Father
We can rejoice for the gap of humanity to God has been bridged through this baby born
The last few weeks we have been heartbroken and grieved with the passing of Clifton Coulter, Jim Childs and Danny McClister. Then we received the news Friday of the passing of our dear Sister Sheryl Jackson. Some of you in our New Life family have experienced the loss of family members recently.
Friends are faithful to be there with words of encouragement and for that we are thankful. Families are drawn closer as they gather around to share memories of their loved one.
When people experience those times of losing loved ones there are so many things that we can turn to just to get through and understand the whys. When those things are temporal we find ourselves still asking the whys. The only true comfort is finding solace in the Word and allowing those truths to fill your heart.
In my walk with God I have found that when my mind cannot understand and I am tempted to ask the whys I always go to the Word. Nothing has brought comfort and peace to my heart and soul like God’s precious Word. Our Sovereign God sees the bigger picture and I have come to know that He is bringing about His story of redemption through circumstances and every situation in our lives.
God’s glory is all around me! His wraparound presence is all I need, for the Lord is my Savior, my hero, and my life- strength. Trust only in God every moment! Tell him all your troubles and pour out your heart-longings to him. Believe me when I tell you—he will help you!
Pause in his presence! Psalm 62:7-7 Passion Bible
I will remember your great deeds Lord; I will recall the wonders you did in the past. Psalms 77:11
Look back at what the Lord has done!
It is good to reflect back on the goodness of God. Remembering what He has done for us in the past helps us to trust that god will meet us in our present situation. It brings hope and encouragement in those times we are going through a difficult season.
I am remembering these lyrics, Look what the Lord has done He healed my body He touched my mind He saved me it was just in time I’m gonna praise His name Each day He’s just the same Come on and praise Him Look what the Lord has done.
–Today we remember Jim Childs–
Jim has heard the words “Well done my faithful servant”.
At home with the Lord for evermore.
A Prophet that heard from God and shared those words he heard.
Married to Connie who stole his heart-the girl who made him smile.
Jim loved his God, his family and his friends so very much
We are all grieving not for him but for us who loved him
We will continue on as pioneers of the faith for that is what Jim would want us to do
We do have that blessed hope we will see him again
Until then our brother rejoice with Jesus and all those gone before
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I remember a particular time Jim came to minister and I introduced him as, Brother Jim, Dr Childs, Pastor, son of God. When he came to the pulpit he said, “She finally got it right “son of God”. I am a son of God first and foremost.
Jim knew his identity as a son of God. He knew his Father and because of his relationship with Him he knew his voice and would speak on his behalf. The words he heard from the Father were accurate and of great encouragement to others.
You will be greatly missed Jim!
A tribute to a great man of God: Clifton Coulter
“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature and who-so-ever believes shall be saved.” “As you go preach, saying the Kingdom of God is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the leper, raise the dead, cast of devils, freely you have received, freely give.”
The above is the sum of Clifton’s life. He was a man after God’s own heart. He wanted to see every man and woman he talked with get saved and know God like he did.
He was one of my greatest friends for over thirty years and a man after my own heart. We went through some tough times together. Several were times of life and death. But, we prevailed because we had a strong conviction about “God’s Grace” and how it works.
Clifton was not only my friend but my partner in sharing the word of God that meets all our needs according to His riches in glory. He shared in the grace of God and wanted everyone else to join him in knowing the freedom grace gives. He trusted God with everything he had for he knew who was his provider.
When I heard of his home going I wept. My tears were not for Clifton, but for me. I and all who knew him are going to miss him. As David said about the death of his infant son, “he cannot return to me, but I can go to him.”
Clifton, I will see you again, but until then go rest high upon the mountain with Jesus. See you, Old friend.
Gerald Reliford, your forever friend
(We will travel to Indiana on Thursday for Clifton’s Going Home Celebration.)
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