I've Heard, I've Seen, I Will Heal Thee!

By Pastor Ken Foreman

Text: II Kings 20:5 - "...Thus saith the LORD, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears, behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the LORD."

1.) God hears... "I love the LORD, because He hath heard my voice and my supplications, because He hath inclined His ear unto me, therefore will I call upon Him as long as I live." (Psalm 116:1-2)

• a shout on the rooftop
• a whisper in the closet
• a moan in the midnight hour
• a secret thought
• a cry of distress
• prayer

When He hears - He listens and responds. "...the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:16b)

2.) God sees... Nothing is hidden from Him with whom we have to do.

• when tears fall like rain
• when your heart is overwhelmed
• when the load is more than you can bear

When He sees - it moves Him. He feels. He remembers our frailty.

"...Come boldly before the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy..." (Hebrews 4:15-16)

3.) God says... "I will heal thee!" (See II Chronicles 7:14.)

• I heard
• I saw
• I understand (know) your need
• I will heal and deliver

Fall in line with God - and - regardless of my circumstances... When He and me agree (are on the same side,) - the result is - A Miracle!

The old song says, "I Got a Feeling - Everything's Gonna Be Alright!"

The woman with the issue of blood had a need that overcame her timidity, her illness, and her weakness. She pressed her way to her healing!

God spoke to Moses - "I AM that I AM." I am all that you need.

This is your (rhema) Word from the Lord...

• You've been bound long enough
• You've cried long enough
• You've felt alone long enough

He's heard... He's seen... He will heal!

God never loses His power. He sits high and looks low. You may be wondering why there are so many healings in third world countries? The difference is - they hear the Word and believe it - whether they understand it or not.

God says, "It's time for deliverance!"

• His plan is at work
• He's a God of plenty
• His storehouse is full - there's more for you
• It's time to be set free!

LET GOD BE GOD!

It's Time!

All Over the World!

By Bishop Charles R. Grisham

What's all this talk about the Holy Ghost?

"Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?" This question was asked by the Apostle Paul in Acts 19:2, and it is the question we wish to ask you today... It could be the most important question of your life!

Joel, the Old Testament prophet foretold, "And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions; and also upon the servants and the handmaids in those days will I pour out of My Spirit." (Joel 2:28)

In the New Testament, John the baptist, speaking of Jesus, said, "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance; ...but He who cometh after me shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire." (Matthew 3:11)

Further, we see that Jesus commanded His disciples, "...not to depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith He, Ye have heard of Me. For John truly baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence." (Acts 1:4-5)

This faithful band of believers obeyed the command of Jesus and they received the promise. Thus the church was born. We can read the powerful story... "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:1-4)

Jesus had told them it would happen. Prophecy had been fulfilled. Jesus had sent back His own Spirit to fill the hearts and lives of true believers!

This immediately caused a stir among many devout men who were dwelling at Jerusalem. They were amazed and inquired, "What meaneth this?"

Peter replied, "This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel."

As Peter preached, "they were pricked in their hearts and said, Men and brethren, what shall we do?"

Peter's answer contains the plain, simple, positive plan of salvation for our dispensation...

"Repent and be baptized, every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." (Acts 2:38-39)

In Romans, Paul declares, "But if the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you." (Romans 8:11)

The Holy Ghost is actually "Christ in you, the hope of glory." (Colossians 1:27). Jesus said, "Except a man be born again of water and of the Spirit, he cannot see the Kingdom of God." (John 3:3). The Holy Ghost is that spiritual birth.

Jesus could come today! We need to examine our experience to make sure we are ready. We must have the Holy Ghost if we are to be caught up to meet Him in the air.

Repent... Be baptized in Jesus' Name... and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost!

Tribute to Bishop Kenneth D. Beckwith

Bishop Kenneth D. Beckwith

Bishop Kenneth D. Beckwith

July 21, 1931 ~ February 18, 2014

Ozark, Alabama

Loving Pastor, Husband, Father, and Friend

Giving honor to Bishop Beckwith, Pastor and Mentor of our beloved Pastor Ken Foreman. He often speaks of the impact this precious man of God made on his life and ministry from the very outset of his walk with God. When a life makes such a great impression on the life of another - it reaches past the here and now and extends on into eternity. Like ripples on a pond, spread, reaching from impact point to the farthest shores.

We here at New Life Apostolic, never had the privilege of meeting Bishop Beckwith in this life. Yet we have seen and experienced his influence in the care and diligence displayed by our Pastor day by day, week by week, month by month, and year by year. Thus, we look forward with joy to the day when we will meet him and get to thank him for giving of himself so freely and blessing us so richly.

"For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love,

which ye have shewed toward His Name,

in that ye have ministered unto the saints, and do minister.

And we do desire that every one of you

do shew the same diligence to the full assurance

of hope unto the end: that ye be not slothful,

but followers of them who through faith and patience

inherit the promises."

(Hebrews 6:10-12)

A Roomful of Thoughts

By Charlotte M. Wholters

I read something interesting about Martha Stewart. The person who wrote the piece basically said that using her ideas was a way to show off to your friends. I was stunned when I read that because it sounded very like the truth to me! I had never thought of Martha Stewart in that way before. In fact, I've admired her work. Bur what is really more fun; spending three hours making color-coordinated coasters or showing them to your friends? It struck me that Martha Stewart is very appropriately named - Martha.

"It came to pass, as they went, that He entered into a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha received Him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard His Word. But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to Him, and said, Lord, doest Thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? Bid her that she help me. And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: but one thing is needful; and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her." (Luke 10:38-42)

Then I read a quote by Benjamin Franklin that said if all the world was blind but him, he wouldn't care to have a fancy home or furniture. Wow! It makes me wonder how much of what we do is motivated by what others think? I want to spend some time mulling that over and I want to dissect my decisions with that scalpel. This could take a while. It's painful to think this way. Sometimes I think the Lord leads us in a particular direction for a reason.

I think there's a reason why I stumbled across both that point made about both Martha Stewart and Benjamin Franklin's quote recently. It's certainly normal for a married lady and mother of three to worry and grieve about not managing to be like Martha Stewart. But I think the Lord has something better for me! I'm going after that good part; the one thing that's needful: sitting at the feet of Jesus and hearing His Word.
_____________________

Editor's Note: Charlotte, her husband James,and their three children; Camilla, Joshua, and Grace, live in Sterling, Virginia. They attend The Original Pentecostals (Pastor Raymond E. Windsor,) in Leesburg, VA. 

I Like Fruit!

By Rufus M Parker

Text: Genesis 1:11 - "And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so."

I like fruit. No matter what kind of fruit, I seem to like all of them. When God created the world; on the third day,when He made the fruit trees, He said, "Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself." Notice the fruit trees were to produce after his kind because the seed was in itself.

We will produce after our kind. If we are complainers, we will reproduce complainers. If we are gossipers, we will reproduce gossipers. If we are liars, we will reproduce liars. Because the seed is in the fruit and we will produce after our kind.

If we are Christians and are born again of the water and the Spirit, then we should be producing the fruit of the Spirit; love, joy, peace, etc., because the seed is in the fruit - and the fruit is in the seed.

_____________________

Editor's Note: Bro. Parker, former missionary to Okinawa and Mongolia, is now pastor of Calvary Apostolic Church (UPC) in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He has written a number of books, and publishes a daily blog called "Morning Manna." Here is a link...  http://morningmanna-parker.blogspot.com 

Who Will Take His Place?

A Tribute to James L Kilgore...
By Rachel Coltharp

There was a man who took notice of sparrows; those that fell to the ground with broken wings. He noticed them, gathered them, bound their wings, and protected them from predators that would have likely made quick work of these wounded creatures. With gentle hands, he wiped the bloodied birds, wrapped the broken bones, and fed them until they mended. Then he gave them the confidence to fly again... and fly we did. Fly we do.

Who will take his place? 
There are two answers...
  

#1 Somebody else.

#2 Me.

It is not arrogance that replies with the second answer. It is what we are called to do; to notice the pain of others, to give sacrificially, to live for something BIGGER than ourselves. To cast every crown, every praise, every accolade at the feet of Jesus. To be Jesus in skin.

Who will take his place?

We will.

Long live the memory of the man who noticed, who was never too busy to shelter, to mend, and to teach us to fly.

_____________________

Editor's Note: Bro. James L. Kilgore pastored in Houston, Texas for many years. Close friend of our Bishop, Charles R. Grisham, Bro. Kilgore was a man of vision and passion, with the heart of a servant. This tribute was written by Rachel Coltharp.

Knives and Axes

By Rachel Coltharp

My child is frustrated. He wants soooooooo desperately to read, but is chafing over the fact that he is being forced to first learn letters. He does NOT want to learn letters, they are such small things, his heart yearns for BIG things - like sentences, chapters, volumes. 

He is itching to dive into the adventures encased within the tomes his older siblings are consuming. He is hungry for WORDS - and I am wasting his time on letters. His vision is BIG - and he thinks mine is too small.

Have you ever been there? Ever felt frustrated because you wanted, needed, were called to something, but instead of being launched out into your dream, you find yourself doing something that feels lesser.

Take heart my friend. You are not alone. You are instead in the throes of the painful place of training. Yes, I know you FEEL ready. But when the door has not opened, it is because God is preparing you for what you NEED. 

Feeling ready rarely has anything to do with BEING ready.  

So take a lesson from the pocket knife and the ax. Both are blades, wielded by a hand. Both will cut wood. 

God may call you to cut timber while you still have only a pocket knife.

You FEEL the call and answer it with a resounding "Yes." But hacking away at an oak with a pocket knife is wearing out your arms, exhausting your strength, may not be God's plan... 

  

Many times we are sent first to spend time splitting firewood. Our heart is in the forest, but it is in the smaller task of splitting logs that we build our strength and get the feel of the blade.

We are sent to practice on logs, in preparation for the forest.  

It can keep us from burning out our physical strength, hurting ourselves and others with wild swinging, or giving up in frustration, because our tools were inadequate.  

It is okay to feel frustrated splitting logs. Split them anyway.

It is okay to yearn for the forest. Yearn, but split with diligence.

David spent time protecting/feeding sheep and leading/rescuing rag-tag outlaws

before he became king.

Joseph spent time learning to run a household for Potiphar and work with fellow prisoners before he ran Egypt as Prime Minister.

So before you charge off into the forest with the pocket knife skills you were born with, remember this, time spent sharpening your skills with an ax is not time wasted.

"Do not despise these small beginnings,

for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin..."

(Zechariah 4:10)

_____________________

Editor's Note: Rachel is the wife of Brent Coltharp, Co-pastor of First Apostolic Church of Aurora, Illinois, and District Superintendent  for the state of Illinois. They are the parents of four children, three sons and one daughter who are home-schooled by Sis. Rachel.

Whole Armor/Good Fight

Editorial 
By Marjorie Kinnee
(Dedicated to Matthew)

Text: Ephesians 6:10-17
Key Verse: Ephesians 6:11 - "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye might b e able to stand against the wiles of the devil."

Over the course of the past several days, this subject has been captivating. The more I dug into it, the more layers of support I found for the absolute need. Every one who names the Name of Jesus Christ is defenseless if he tries to fight in his own strength. In fact, it appears that one cannot win the age-old battle against the world, the flesh, and the devil unless he takes on this "whole armour of God." You may think that's a given, but as these verses opened up, it became apparent that the tendency to "do it myself" is one that entraps us all more often than not.

To begin with, Romans 13:12-13 says to "cast off the works of darkness," and to "put on the armour of light." The description in our text speaks of a complete suit of armour -- which provides for both offense and defense. II Corinthians 10:4 says, "the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty, through God to the pulling down of strong holds." Verse 5 goes on to describe how we are to do this.

• "Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and,
• Bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." 

Piece by piece, (verse by verse,) important facets of this "whole armour" become clear...

• Verse 14 - "loins girt about with truth" (see Ephesians 1:13, 4:21; II Timothy 4:2.) Note that the truth strengthens your back and gives you support that helps you remain upright. It also calls for the "breastplate of righteousness." [Isaiah 11:5 - "righteousness/loins; faithfulness/reins," and Isaiah 54:17 - "righteousness/breastplate; helmet/salvation; garments of vengeance/zeal as a cloke."] A breastplate covers vital organs (heart and lungs especially,) and serves to protect and support their vital functions.Note that we are to be clothed in His righteousness, not our own.
• Verse 15 - when we have our "feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace," our feet are "beautiful" because they "bring good tidings" and "publish peace" (Isaiah 52:7). We're to be instant in season, out of season and able to give an answer for the hope that is in us. (See II Timothy 4:2; I Peter 3:15.)
• Verse 16 - "the shield of faith"  is one of two moveable pieces of armour. It can be lifted and/or lowered to cover the face and body as needed. This verse says faith has the power to quench fiery darts; the fierce, painful, sudden/surprise/unexpected, vicious attacks by the enemy of our souls.
• Verse 17 - "the helmet of Salvation" protects our head. Because the head houses our brain which is the seat of our ability to know, the knowledge of our Salvation is a critical support factor. Our Salvation comes to us with abundant confirmation. Repentance is a manifest thing; you and everyone else can see a repentant heart and attitude. Baptism in Jesus Name is a public statement as well as evidence of a willing and obedient heart. The infilling of the Holy Ghost, with the evidence of speaking in other tongues is incontrovertible proof that His Spirit has come to indwell our heart, mind, and life. Jesus said His Spirit is a Comforter, a Teacher, and a Guide to lead us and reveal Himself to us. He said, "My sheep know My voice."  This verse closes with the other moveable piece - "the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God." It is quick, (alive,) and powerful, and sharp. It pierces and divides soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart (and mind). (See Hebrews 4:12; Psalm 147:15; Jeremiah 23:29; Revelation 1:16.)

Other study points revealed in our text include...

1. "evil day" - See Ephesians 5:6, 16; Ecclesiastes 12:1; Amos 6:3; Luke 8:13; Revelation 3:10.
2. "done all" - the word, "done" is in the sense of completed; overcome.
3. "to stand" - A.) I Malachi 3:2; Revelation 6:17 - "Who shall be able to stand?" B.) Luke 21:36 - "...before the Son of man?" C.) II Corinthians 2:4-5 - "in the power of God;" D.) Colossians 4:12 - "...perfect and complete in the will of God."
4. Paul's Instructions to Timothy Re: fighting, soldiering, and warfare in general... A.) I Timothy 1:18-19 - "This charge I commit unto thee... war a good warfare." B.) I Timothy 6:12 - "Fight the good fight of faith..." C.) II Timothy 2:3-5 - "...endure hardness as a good soldier," don't get entangled "with the affairs of this life, ...please Him who hath chosen" you, and, "strive for masteries... lawfully."

We are called to be soldiers in the battle of the ages. We've been chosen by God Himself. Our Commander has provided for our every need. The whole armour of God is a must if we're to fight the good fight of faith - and win! We need to keep track of every piece we've been given. Put them to good use and trust in His provision - not in the arm of the flesh, it cannot save us. Only Jesus can - He is faithful!

May we prove faithful to the end so that with Paul we can say, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only,but unto all them also that love His appearing." (II Timothy 4:7-8)