By Colleen Flanagan
We had our Unity Conference, and it did just that - it brought our little"family of God" together in unity! It was such a joy watching them come together all week long, practicing songs, working on the church, connecting the sound system, putting up signs, shopping, cooking - pulling together! They truly worked in "one mind and one accord!"
We did a PowerPoint to "God of this City." We tried to get a projector, but brought in a big screen monitor instead.
The little children called to me as we walked through the neighborhood; many came in and joined us. Four little girls learned "Jesus Loves Me" and we included that in the program. This has inspired so many, and now, next week, we are starting a Sunday School Program for them. We are so-oo excited!
To top things off, the "icing on the cake," the main Sunday School teacher here got the Holy Ghost on Sunday! That makes 25 since I've been here! God is so good! The ears are "tingling" here at what is happening in this little body of believers. Please keep me in your prayers. After all the fasting, praying, practicing, preaching, teaching - my body is weak. (I'm to speak at a non-Apostolic church this Sunday evening.) As I told God's people hereon Saturday, I can see the nail-scarred hands applauding, and hear Him saying, "Well done!"
Editor's Note: Sis. Colleen is amember of the Apostolic Church in Auburn Hills, Michigan (Pastor Steve Warman). She serves in short-term, A.I.M.-type ministries around the world and is currently serving in India. Sis Colleen also led our own Sis. Keila Fischer to the Lord through outreach to rehab housefor ladies back in 1998.
Showing posts with label Unity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Unity. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Shut Up and March!
By Mary Elizabeth Wholters
The Children of Israel were tired. They had walked and marched in the sun for six dusty days around a city that was evil and wicked. The people in the city were mocking them, throwing garbage on their heads, shouting curses for the last four days.
The first few days, the people of Jericho had looked over the walls in fear as they watched the Israelites march. They had heard of the God of the Israelites. They knew what God had done to their neighbors. But after so many dizzying days of watching them march around and around their city, they had begun to think nothing was going to happen. It was boring to them – and – to the children of God.
I can see the massive column of people plodding along, hearing the taunts of the enemy from the walls far above them. The kids were cranky. The expectant mothers and the elderly were sore and tired. They tried to ignore the taunts, but their attitudes showed the strain. They began to do only what they were told to do and no more. The dust was choking everything. The trumpets, once gleaming in the bright sun, were now dull and caked with dust. Oh, there were a few who were behind Joshua 100%. But most couldn't see the forest for the trees. You see, they didn't have the vision. They were not in direct contact with the one true God. Why were they marching? Because God said so? Because Joshua said so? Because everyone else was? I am sure that some were marching for one or more of these reasons, but most were doing it because somewhere down the line, someone began to push...
There were gripes and complaints about why Joshua was chosen to be their leader when “they” could have done a much better job. Why was he so special? He hadn't done anything great. All he had done wast to say they could have taken a land with giants in it. GIANTS mind you! How were they supposed to fight giants? We sure would have looked silly taking on those giants. We would have lost miserably.
The God who had taken them safely out of Egypt was the same God who would deliver the giants into their hands. So, why, forty years later, was this attitude still prevalent? Maybe it's because none of the parents in that generation had dragged their kids before the elders of the camp, and said, “Tell them you are sorry” and. “We will have no more of that around here!” Instead, the parents went home, and said, “Yes, baby, you were right in saying what you did. That Moses shouldn't have gotten so angry with my little boy/girl.” (Pat, pat, pat on the head.) Their attitude should have been, “Now look,I will not tolerate any back-talking to or about Moses. He is our leader. Right or wrong, God put Him there for a purpose. We will serve the Lord, and in so doing, we will also be a servant to Moses.” And when the time came for Joshua to lead, children who had grown up with this kind of teaching would, in turn, tell their children the same thing. (See Deuteronomy 5:29.)
Do you not know that God could have blasted every enemy out of the land before they even stepped foot over the border? But time and again He tested them to see what they would do, and, sadly, they never quite seemed to get it.
This time, they had been told to march once around the city walls each day for six days; silently, saying nothing. On the seventh day, they were to march seven times around the walls, still silently, and then, when the priests blew the trumpets, they were to shout and make as much noise as they could – and watch what would happen. God delivered the land into their hands before they even got there, but He required of them an act of obedience to get the result.
Do we think we will get off any different? We are charged by God to obey, yet we seem to be willing to apply the rule to someone else and not ourselves. Verse after verse in the Bible takes on this matter of obedience; it's the “Obey them that have the rule over you” issue. It has a promise attached. Still, we continue to pawn it off on our kids and others, as if it's their job, not ours. The Word of God commands our children to obey – yes. But we, their parents, are supposed to demonstrate a life of willing, cheerful obedience. That, coupled with vocal support of our leadership, is a very important lesson.
Two of the reasons for showing unwavering support for our leaders are, 1.) so our kids will know what is right, and, 2.) so they will see the value of obedience. This is no time to be griping and complaining – in word, in thought, or in body language. We need to keep our attitude in line. The time has come. The time is now. It's time to... Shut up and march!
The Children of Israel were tired. They had walked and marched in the sun for six dusty days around a city that was evil and wicked. The people in the city were mocking them, throwing garbage on their heads, shouting curses for the last four days.
The first few days, the people of Jericho had looked over the walls in fear as they watched the Israelites march. They had heard of the God of the Israelites. They knew what God had done to their neighbors. But after so many dizzying days of watching them march around and around their city, they had begun to think nothing was going to happen. It was boring to them – and – to the children of God.
I can see the massive column of people plodding along, hearing the taunts of the enemy from the walls far above them. The kids were cranky. The expectant mothers and the elderly were sore and tired. They tried to ignore the taunts, but their attitudes showed the strain. They began to do only what they were told to do and no more. The dust was choking everything. The trumpets, once gleaming in the bright sun, were now dull and caked with dust. Oh, there were a few who were behind Joshua 100%. But most couldn't see the forest for the trees. You see, they didn't have the vision. They were not in direct contact with the one true God. Why were they marching? Because God said so? Because Joshua said so? Because everyone else was? I am sure that some were marching for one or more of these reasons, but most were doing it because somewhere down the line, someone began to push...
- “Move it will ya? Move it or I'll mow you down.”
- “I know you're tired, sweetie, but just a few more times and God is going to do something wonderful!”
- “Babe, could you rub my back for a minute? I'll keep walking, but my back is killing me!”
- “Sure, hon, I can do that. Are you and the babe all right?”
- “Yes, yes, we'll be fine.”
- “I wonder how God is going to do this. This seems really crazy – I hope it works!”
- “Did you see that guy on the wall? He was leering at me, Walk faster, I don't want him to see me again.”
- “How many times was that?”
- “Shhhhh! Will you just shut up and march?”
There were gripes and complaints about why Joshua was chosen to be their leader when “they” could have done a much better job. Why was he so special? He hadn't done anything great. All he had done wast to say they could have taken a land with giants in it. GIANTS mind you! How were they supposed to fight giants? We sure would have looked silly taking on those giants. We would have lost miserably.
The God who had taken them safely out of Egypt was the same God who would deliver the giants into their hands. So, why, forty years later, was this attitude still prevalent? Maybe it's because none of the parents in that generation had dragged their kids before the elders of the camp, and said, “Tell them you are sorry” and. “We will have no more of that around here!” Instead, the parents went home, and said, “Yes, baby, you were right in saying what you did. That Moses shouldn't have gotten so angry with my little boy/girl.” (Pat, pat, pat on the head.) Their attitude should have been, “Now look,I will not tolerate any back-talking to or about Moses. He is our leader. Right or wrong, God put Him there for a purpose. We will serve the Lord, and in so doing, we will also be a servant to Moses.” And when the time came for Joshua to lead, children who had grown up with this kind of teaching would, in turn, tell their children the same thing. (See Deuteronomy 5:29.)
Do you not know that God could have blasted every enemy out of the land before they even stepped foot over the border? But time and again He tested them to see what they would do, and, sadly, they never quite seemed to get it.
This time, they had been told to march once around the city walls each day for six days; silently, saying nothing. On the seventh day, they were to march seven times around the walls, still silently, and then, when the priests blew the trumpets, they were to shout and make as much noise as they could – and watch what would happen. God delivered the land into their hands before they even got there, but He required of them an act of obedience to get the result.
Do we think we will get off any different? We are charged by God to obey, yet we seem to be willing to apply the rule to someone else and not ourselves. Verse after verse in the Bible takes on this matter of obedience; it's the “Obey them that have the rule over you” issue. It has a promise attached. Still, we continue to pawn it off on our kids and others, as if it's their job, not ours. The Word of God commands our children to obey – yes. But we, their parents, are supposed to demonstrate a life of willing, cheerful obedience. That, coupled with vocal support of our leadership, is a very important lesson.
Two of the reasons for showing unwavering support for our leaders are, 1.) so our kids will know what is right, and, 2.) so they will see the value of obedience. This is no time to be griping and complaining – in word, in thought, or in body language. We need to keep our attitude in line. The time has come. The time is now. It's time to... Shut up and march!
Friday, May 31, 2013
The Rebellion of Ham
Pastor Ken Foreman
Text: Genesis 9:20-29
22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without.
God desires a Spirit of Unity among His people
Noah's big mistake/s:
Always treat others the way you want to be treated. Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it over their shoulders, and backed into the tent (room) to cover their father without looking at him.
Text: Genesis 9:20-29
22 And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brethren without.
God desires a Spirit of Unity among His people
- love, submission, one accord, one purpose, in honor preferring one another
- unity assists the goals of both good and evil
- good - unity on the Day of Pentecost
- evil - unity at the tower of Babel
- "rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft"
- it goes hand in hand with disobedience
Noah's big mistake/s:
- excess - he got drunk [beside himself] (See Ephesians 5:18; Proverbs 20:1.)
- exposed - he was naked [unclothed] (See Matthew 18:7 - woe to offenders.)
Always treat others the way you want to be treated. Shem and Japheth took a garment, laid it over their shoulders, and backed into the tent (room) to cover their father without looking at him.
- Led by the Spirit of God
- Sought to make a way for redemption
- Love covers a multitude of sins
- Showed love (respect, honor,) in action
- Grieved, they had compassion
- Demonstrated the Spirit of Restoration
- Able ministers of Reconciliation
- build up, not tear down
God's Priority - Your Needs
By Jonathan Jeffrey
Text: Matthew 6:33 - But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
The job of the church is not to impact the church, it's to impact the world!
In football, the huddle is not the object - it's what happens when the huddle breaks out that makes the difference!
Matthew 9:37-38 - reveals Jesus' priority and His only prayer request - souls!
I Timothy 2:1-4 - tells us to pray for the lost to be saved according to God's will.
John 13:35 - instructs us to pray for love among the brethren.
Jude 22 - says we should keep ourselves in the love of God.
Matthew 12:29 - shows the need for the binding of the enemy's spirit and influence.
God's priorities include...
Editor's Note: Jonathan Jeffrey has made himself a servant of the body of Christ here at New Life. Husband of Jamine, father of three vital and active young sons, Jonathan serves as our New Life church photographer and is a blessing to the music ministry, singing and making melody in his heart and life to the Lord!
Text: Matthew 6:33 - But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."
The job of the church is not to impact the church, it's to impact the world!
In football, the huddle is not the object - it's what happens when the huddle breaks out that makes the difference!
Matthew 9:37-38 - reveals Jesus' priority and His only prayer request - souls!
I Timothy 2:1-4 - tells us to pray for the lost to be saved according to God's will.
John 13:35 - instructs us to pray for love among the brethren.
Jude 22 - says we should keep ourselves in the love of God.
Matthew 12:29 - shows the need for the binding of the enemy's spirit and influence.
God's priorities include...
- a witness of righteousness
- a witness of miracles with signs following
- a witness of boldness in sharing the Gospel
- a witness of unity among the believers
- a witness of wisdom among the believers
- the awakening of souls
- the conviction of sin
- having the mind of Christ
- having a harvest-centered focus.
Editor's Note: Jonathan Jeffrey has made himself a servant of the body of Christ here at New Life. Husband of Jamine, father of three vital and active young sons, Jonathan serves as our New Life church photographer and is a blessing to the music ministry, singing and making melody in his heart and life to the Lord!
Monday, April 30, 2012
Where is Jesus?
By Laurel D. Williams
As children, my parents expected us to behave ourselves whenever they took us shopping. But, as children often do, we soon became bored with the process of shopping. The racks of clothes seemed to be the perfect spot to hide. What was the harm in hiding among the clothes and jumping out at your brothers? Despite repeated warnings, we continued in our games of hide and seek.
During one hiding phase, my parents became lost. When I discovered that my parents were not where they should be, I looked down the next aisle. Too short to look over anything, I continued to search as fear took hold. Finally, crying, I approached the saleslady. She announced for all the world at Montgomery Ward that "there was a little lost girl named Laurie and would her parents please come and get her."
My mother was not ecstatic to see me or overjoyed that her lost baby was found. Instead, she called me "Laurel Dawn." I was reminded of the importance of staying with her, listening to her, obeying her. She hoped I had "learned a lesson." I had.
Jesus and his parents went to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of Passover. They traveled with kinsfolk and acquaintances. They celebrated and worshipped at the temple. On the way home, after a day’s journey, Mary and Joseph discovered that their twelve year old son was missing. His parents returned to Jerusalem and searched for him for three days! How distraught, relieved, aggravated, and overjoyed they must have felt when they found him in the temple! His mother asked Him, "Son! Why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere." (Luke 2:48 NLT) But Jesus replied, "Why were you searching? You should have known that I must be about my Father’s business." (v.49)
His parents didn’t understand. Jesus returned to Nazareth and was obedient. But Jesus was plainly saying; Where else would I be? You know where I must be and what I must do.
So many people are searching for God. They thirst after Him, their souls hunger for Him. They look here, they look there. They try this, they try that. They philosophize and expound, "WHERE IS GOD?" They are frantic in their searching, spend years and lifetimes trying to find Jesus. It’s really quite SIMPLE. He is in His church! Why are you looking anywhere else ? He is in the temple!
Jesus is in the temple. Jesus is in the church! Surprise! Don’t you know He MUST be there? When we give ourselves to Christ and bury the old man, we become a new creature in Christ Jesus. That new creature is the temple of God! You are God’s temple! (I Corintthians 3:16-17) There He is, in me! No more frantic searching, He must be there doing the Father’s work in His temple! He must be there - making me like Him! Here He is; above all, through you all, and in us all! (Ephesians 4:6)
Rest in the knowledge, worship in the awesome revelation. He is right here every minute of every day of your life. He is right here in all His power, majesty, and glory. Emmanuel! God is in His temple: Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient!
Where is He? Here!
"O God, we meditate on Your unfailing love as we worship You in Your temple." (Psalm 48:9 NLT)
"...The Lord is in His holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before Him." (Habakkuk 2:20 NLT)
"For in Him we live, and move, and have our being;…" (Acts 17:28)
"…and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:20)
"And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God." (Revelation 21:3)
Editor's Note: Laurel Williams is married to Johnnie Williams. Their family lives in Orange, Texas and attends Eastgate United Pentecostal Church, (Pastor George R. Edwards,) in Vidor, where Laurie teaches Sunday School and is faithfully laboring in her Father's vineyard..
As children, my parents expected us to behave ourselves whenever they took us shopping. But, as children often do, we soon became bored with the process of shopping. The racks of clothes seemed to be the perfect spot to hide. What was the harm in hiding among the clothes and jumping out at your brothers? Despite repeated warnings, we continued in our games of hide and seek.
During one hiding phase, my parents became lost. When I discovered that my parents were not where they should be, I looked down the next aisle. Too short to look over anything, I continued to search as fear took hold. Finally, crying, I approached the saleslady. She announced for all the world at Montgomery Ward that "there was a little lost girl named Laurie and would her parents please come and get her."
My mother was not ecstatic to see me or overjoyed that her lost baby was found. Instead, she called me "Laurel Dawn." I was reminded of the importance of staying with her, listening to her, obeying her. She hoped I had "learned a lesson." I had.
Jesus and his parents went to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of Passover. They traveled with kinsfolk and acquaintances. They celebrated and worshipped at the temple. On the way home, after a day’s journey, Mary and Joseph discovered that their twelve year old son was missing. His parents returned to Jerusalem and searched for him for three days! How distraught, relieved, aggravated, and overjoyed they must have felt when they found him in the temple! His mother asked Him, "Son! Why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere." (Luke 2:48 NLT) But Jesus replied, "Why were you searching? You should have known that I must be about my Father’s business." (v.49)
His parents didn’t understand. Jesus returned to Nazareth and was obedient. But Jesus was plainly saying; Where else would I be? You know where I must be and what I must do.
So many people are searching for God. They thirst after Him, their souls hunger for Him. They look here, they look there. They try this, they try that. They philosophize and expound, "WHERE IS GOD?" They are frantic in their searching, spend years and lifetimes trying to find Jesus. It’s really quite SIMPLE. He is in His church! Why are you looking anywhere else ? He is in the temple!
Jesus is in the temple. Jesus is in the church! Surprise! Don’t you know He MUST be there? When we give ourselves to Christ and bury the old man, we become a new creature in Christ Jesus. That new creature is the temple of God! You are God’s temple! (I Corintthians 3:16-17) There He is, in me! No more frantic searching, He must be there doing the Father’s work in His temple! He must be there - making me like Him! Here He is; above all, through you all, and in us all! (Ephesians 4:6)
Rest in the knowledge, worship in the awesome revelation. He is right here every minute of every day of your life. He is right here in all His power, majesty, and glory. Emmanuel! God is in His temple: Omnipotent, Omnipresent, and Omniscient!
Where is He? Here!
"O God, we meditate on Your unfailing love as we worship You in Your temple." (Psalm 48:9 NLT)
"...The Lord is in His holy Temple. Let all the earth be silent before Him." (Habakkuk 2:20 NLT)
"For in Him we live, and move, and have our being;…" (Acts 17:28)
"…and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen." (Matthew 28:20)
"And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God." (Revelation 21:3)
Editor's Note: Laurel Williams is married to Johnnie Williams. Their family lives in Orange, Texas and attends Eastgate United Pentecostal Church, (Pastor George R. Edwards,) in Vidor, where Laurie teaches Sunday School and is faithfully laboring in her Father's vineyard..
Power... Fusion!
By Donna Franklin
God clearly told us in His Word that He is the Author of Fusion!
It began with Adam and Eve. One man and one woman were to become one as the Lord God joined them together. This is still God's plan! It is His will. Any of man's attempts to change this will result in confusion. And we know God is not the Author of that!
E Pluribus Unum – one of America's most important descriptions – that from the many, we are to become one… one nation consisting of every citizen, under God, with obedience to all just laws and a willingness to work together to bring liberty and justice to all.
President Ronald Reagan expressed the desire that we become that nation. He asked the rhetorical question: What could we accomplish if we didn't care who got the credit? In these days of politicians wanting to be treated as idols, we are a long way from finding out.
The Church began in one mind and one accord… the Body of Jesus Christ here on earth, designed to use His power and authority to carry out His will for all. "Till we all come in the unity of the faith...unto a perfect man… from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, making increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." (Ephesians 4:13-16)
"For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones." (Ephesians 5:30)
"…that they all may be one…in us…" (John 17:21)
It is so clearly the will of God that we be unified. If we are determined to love the Lord above all else in our lives and to love our neighbors as ourselves, we will join together as one and accomplish great things in His Name. There will be this power only as we have this holy fusion/unity. May God exceedingly bless every single one who does their best to make this happen!
Editor's Note: Donna Franklin ad her husband attend the United Pentecostal Church in Paoli, Oklahoma (Pastor Terry Erwin). She has long been a writer of articles and poems, and is a willing worker and a valuable asset to the Body of Christ through her home church.
God clearly told us in His Word that He is the Author of Fusion!
It began with Adam and Eve. One man and one woman were to become one as the Lord God joined them together. This is still God's plan! It is His will. Any of man's attempts to change this will result in confusion. And we know God is not the Author of that!
E Pluribus Unum – one of America's most important descriptions – that from the many, we are to become one… one nation consisting of every citizen, under God, with obedience to all just laws and a willingness to work together to bring liberty and justice to all.
President Ronald Reagan expressed the desire that we become that nation. He asked the rhetorical question: What could we accomplish if we didn't care who got the credit? In these days of politicians wanting to be treated as idols, we are a long way from finding out.
The Church began in one mind and one accord… the Body of Jesus Christ here on earth, designed to use His power and authority to carry out His will for all. "Till we all come in the unity of the faith...unto a perfect man… from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, making increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." (Ephesians 4:13-16)
"For we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones." (Ephesians 5:30)
"…that they all may be one…in us…" (John 17:21)
It is so clearly the will of God that we be unified. If we are determined to love the Lord above all else in our lives and to love our neighbors as ourselves, we will join together as one and accomplish great things in His Name. There will be this power only as we have this holy fusion/unity. May God exceedingly bless every single one who does their best to make this happen!
Editor's Note: Donna Franklin ad her husband attend the United Pentecostal Church in Paoli, Oklahoma (Pastor Terry Erwin). She has long been a writer of articles and poems, and is a willing worker and a valuable asset to the Body of Christ through her home church.
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