Life is in the Blood

Sunday's Bible Study, From notes; I present a digested lesson by team teachers Linda and Donald

 

 

Leviticus 17:11 (KJV)  For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that makes an atonement for the soul.

We have redemption through Jesus who became our sacrifice and it is through the shedding of His blood we have Life In Him.

1     Ephesians 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Because God so loved the world and us specifically, He gave His only son (Jesus) to become the sacrifice for our sins (Yours and mine,) and to bring us into His life through the blood of Christ.

God Loved, and we are told to love:  Galatians 5::22-25 (KJV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

I Corinthians 16:14  Let all things be done with Love.

John chapter 7:  Jesus spoke to the crowd saying:  “John 7:28  I am not come of myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not.  But I know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.  Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him; But he passing through the midst of them went his way.

The Father God did many miracles through His Son Jesus, and many believed on Him for the miracles and works that he did.  This caused the Pharisees to be angry to murmur and find fault. 

Jesus said, “Where I go, you cannot come, I will go away, but I shall return.”  The religious leaders exclaimed, “Where will he go that we cannot find him?  We are of Abraham, and this man has a devil.”

Jesus replied:  You say you are Abraham’s children, but you seek to kill me, one who has only told you truth.  If God were your father you would love me, but your father is the devil and you do his works.  Because I speak truth and you don’t believe.  You don’t hear because you are not of God and my Word has no place in you.
 

For decades the Jews had been looking for and expecting the Messiah, but Jesus did not fit their preconceived opinion of who he was.

Jesus stated, As long as I am in this world, I am the Light of the World, When I leave, my followers will become this light to the world.

Genesis 12:1  God said to Abraham, “get out and go therefore where I will show you.  I will bless you and bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you.

Abraham worshipped and did as God told him to do.  God protected, cared for him and blessed him and made of him a great nation.

When the Children of Israel were set free from Egypt, God said,’ Behold the land is set before you, go in and possess it.

The people murmured and were afraid and they were judged for doubting, complaining and being fearful to obey the command of God.

Situations occur and we judge and get caught up instead of allowing God to be the judge.

God has given us wise men and women to assist us in directing and obtaining victory and success.

Psalms 13, David said:  I trust in God and he has not forgotten me.  How long will my enemy be exalted over me?  No I trust in your mercy and I will sing because God has dealt bountifully with me.   

Even though David had problems, he did not fail to trust in God and praise his name.

God gives us authority to bless.  The gospel came first to the Jews, but they failed to recognize Messiah and God sent Paul and others to the Gentiles; so that the blessings of Abraham should come on us as well.

Faith in Jesus brings us Spiritual Salvation, but extends to our health, body, mind, and our emotions.  Total salvation, body soul and spirit.

Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice.”  We as sheep can listen closely and hear the still small voice of our Good Shepherd, and we know His voice.

 

ACTIVATE THE GIFTS

From my notes, I present an edited Sermon at our church by Pastor Allan

 

God is our healer.  He restores, renews and removes those things that should not be there.  He reverses the curse and makes crooked places straight.

God desires that you remain healed.  Now obey what He tells you in order to keep your healing. 

We have a church here, but also church is where we are.  Walk with the power of God on you.  Be activated always.  Keep the Spirit turned on. 

Remember the Gifts of the Holy Spirit operate as our relationship with God is activated and we seek and desire Spiritual Gifts.

We receive by asking and then by obeying.  Prepare yourself with the truth of the Word.

God speaks to each of us differently.  Some see visions, hear voices, but usually it is through God’s Word and the Holy Spirit’s inner witness inside us.

God’s Word activated in us will revolutionize our city, our families and ourselves.  God desires to activate Spiritual gifts in us as we draw near.

I Corinthians 12:1-7  Paul reminds us not to be ignorant, but to earnestly desire Spiritual Gifts. 

 

8.  Realize there are differences of administration, operations and manifestations, as well as diversities and differences of the gifts.  The Gifts of the Holy Spirit are to profit you and others. 

 

To one is given by the Spirit the Word of Wisdom, the Word of Knowledge, Special Faith, Gifts of Healing, Working of Miracles, Prophesy, Discerning of spirits, Divers kinds of Tongues, and Interpretation of tongues.

All these gifts work by the Holy Spirit dividing to each person as He wills.  The gifts do not make us better than others, but are to equip and benefit for the profit of all.

All the Gifts are given by ONE the self same Spirit the same God.

I Corinthians  12: 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.    

Paul asks, Are all prophets, or are all teachers, or workers of miracles? Do all speak with tongues, do all interpret?   

The caution is that all the gifts operate by love.  Follow Love, but earnestly desire Spiritual Gifts, especially to prophesy.

Are you ready for this?  It may be too deep for some of you who are still rejoicing in Salvation, and are at the basic level. 

We need to consider that there is MORE and we are to seek and activate what is available.

Jesus encourages us to step up and step out to exercise what is in us.

The Holy Spirit in us holds all the Gifts,  We must activate what is needed at the time.

Be willing to move into God’s plan for you.  God works usually through individuals, so we must be willing to be used of God.  Call on Him to activate in you, His Gifts.  He will reveal to you, Step one, two and three.

Pastor called all those who desired prayer for healing to come forward and many came and were prayed for.

 

What is your Name ?

        Digested Bible Lesson given at the Praying Over our City Meeting by Hazel Moon

 

What Name do you Answer to ??

 

When a woman marries, she usually takes the name of her husband?  Her former name is now changed, and she writes her new name every time she signs a document.

When we accept Jesus Christ, we take his last name Christ and we are called “Christians.” 

 

Those who criticize enthusiastic believers for making “declarations,” anointing with oil and laying on of hands, often say flippant things such as “Those people think they are little Jesus’.  If they only knew that they speak truth.  We take Jesus Christ into our spirit and Jesus said, you shall do the works I do in the Father’s name.  

John chapter 14, Jesus said some amazing things about being one with the Father, and the Father in Him, and He and I in YOU.  For these words the people took up stones to kill Him, but they could not do so. 

God often changed the names of people in the Bible.  Abram became Abraham, Sari, became Sarah. 

Jacob the deceiver had a grueling and long experience wrestling with an angel and finally The angel changed Jacob’s name to Israel "A prince who has power with God"), and blessed him.  (One who prevails)  We need to be the one who will not let go. 

In Mark 3 Jesus calls twelve men to be His apostles. Among them are “James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder)”  (Perhaps after Pentecost they became loud, bold and bravely preached the Gospel.) 

Matt 16:18 Peter's original name was Simon bar Jonah; Jesus called Peter a Rock that cannot be moved.

Saul who persecuted and killed Christians, became a mighty believer and his name was changed to Paul. 

Revelation 2:17; 3:12  I will give him . . . a new name written on the stone which no one knows but he who receives it.

I Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 

Jesus came upon a demon possessed man and asked:  “What is Your NAME?”  The man had such a host of demons all he could say was ‘We are many.’

As we go to prayer over our city, understand that many of our citizens have strange names.   

We meet people and friends who have been called worthless, no good, vile, wretched, lustful, drunken, and other names foul and ugly.  They have believed the lie that they could never change, and that God could not love them. 

We are praying that they will come to the place where they can understand that Jesus loves them enough to die so that they can be saved from all their sins, diseases and iniquities.  When they receive Jesus into their life - -their name will no longer be “Lost” but their new name will be “Chosen, Favored and Special.” 

God is the God of change and exchange.  He takes that which was shameful, inferior, broken and makes all things new.  Those who willing come to Jesus, He will  remove the Name “Heaviness” and bring the oil of joy, peace and gladness. 

Isaiah 61:3 “To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.”

 

When God speaks to me, He calls me "Hazel,"  but he also has pet names for each of us; He calls us Righteous, Holy, Separated, Beloved, and Precious.    I am reminded that we are Called and Chosen to be - - - so may we answer to the name Jesus calls us. 

 

UNPOPULAR SUBJECTS

Our lesson given at our meeting to Pray over our City.

UNPOPULAR SPIRITUAL TOPICS   by Hazel Moon

 

So often it is easier to preach and teach about Love, our Relationships with God and others, and the Doing of Good Works.  Perhaps it would definitely be of great value to weave some of these more unpopular subjects into sermons and later enlarged upon them. 

The following topics are seldom heard from the pulpit except possibly at an in-depth Bible Study.    

1.     Fasting (while seeking God in Prayer; Doing with out food, but not without water)  Begin with one meal, then with a day and work up to a 3 day, then a week; fasting food but drinking at least 6 to 8 glasses of water throughout the day. (If you are diabetic, you can drink a small glass of fresh juice to replace your meals and snacks but also drink plenty of water.)

2.     Tithing at least 10% of ones income.  (Prove me says God, and I will open the windows of heaven to bless you.)  We must be blessed first before we can bless others.

3.     Holy Spirit and using the gift of Tongues (your prayer language)  (Using your gift of tongues: you are Praying the will of God)  Some who are baptized in the Holy Spirit do not speak in tongues initially. Actually they could if they would, but they are bound by pride and fear.  Later in private worship they learn to release their gift. 

4.     Healing (Mind, body and soul)  (Mental, physical and attitudes)

5.     The Blood of Jesus (power of the blood for salvation, deliverance and protection) The blood of Jesus was spilt to wash away our sins and to redeem us from destruction.  The blood continues to protect us when applied spiritually over us and our families.

6.     The Name of Jesus  People prefer to speak about “God” and hesitate to include the name Jesus in their conversation about God.  We need to hold the name of Jesus dear and remember there is power in His Name JESUS.

7.     Deliverance (Complete Liberation, Emancipation and Change once and for all) (Usually a declaration of denouncing for the born again believer who is struggling with their personal demons.)

 

All of the above must be placed into practice before we can see a revival in our city.  Once we practice these, it will enhance and empower our LOVE, our RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD AND OTHERS, and our GOOD WORKS. 

The thought of Fasting for most Christians is unpopular:  Jesus said in Mark 29:9 And He said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.  (The popular various Bible translations omit the words “And Fasting.” The scripture includes Fasting in Matthew 17:21 And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

 

HOLY SPIRIT: Many churches are happy to speak of the: Fruit” of the Holy Spirit, and may give mention to the gifts to the "church:" Apostles, prophets, evangelists; pastors and teachers; and skim over the spiritual gifts to the body in 1 Corinthians chapter 12.  The major gift they avoid and do not want to embrace is tongues and using tongues as a prayer language because this is offensive to some.

Healing:  In many churches Healing is mentioned in prayer requests, but most churches fail to anoint with oil, practice the laying on of hands, and believe that a miracle will occur.  

The name of Jesus and the Blood of Jesus should be used in our declarations to bind the powers of darkness. 

If we are seriously going to exercise deliverance over the works of the devil, we must return to the first unpopular subject which is fasting.   

God desires to bring to our city a Revolution of Revelation of the “Full Gospel.”   

Jesus died to save man kind when they come to Him in true repentance. 

 

As we pray over our city, let us renew our personal choices to invoke these weapons available to us so we can experience dynamic results in the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

The Works of Jesus

     Team teaching at Our Bible Study at Church by Donald and Linda, posted from my notes.

 

 

The Bible tells us that Jesus went about teaching, preaching and healing the sick.  He  did  many miracles that amazed those who were with him. Many believed on Jesus when they saw the many miracles he did John 2:23

John 3:2 A ruler of the Jews, Nicodemus came to Jesus, and remarked “No man can do these miracles that you do, except God be with him

John 7:31 And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man has done?

The religious leaders were jealous and angry because Jesus healed on the Sabbath day. They were quick to find fault and would not accept Him as the Messiah.

John 9:16  Some of the Pharisees said, This man is not of God, because he does not keep the Sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them.

John 10:25, The people demanded for Jesus to “Show us plainly if you are the Christ.”

Jesus replied, I have already told you and you have seen my works but you simply do not want to believe because you are not one of my sheep.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one.

Upon hearing this statement, they took up stones to stone Jesus, because he made himself equal with God.

As Jesus taught about the Kingdom, he also shared with his disciples that He was to die as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. He shared that in three days He would rise from the dead, and go to prepare a place for them.

The disciples did not understand at the time, but later on after the resurrection they remembered all Jesus had taught them.

Today, each one of us are on different levels of acceptance.  There is a learning process and degrees of knowing.  Here a little there a little.  At some point the light turns on and we acknowledge what is truth and what is error.  The Scriptures reinforce the message to accept Jesus as the Messiah.

People tend to put up filters and at times our hearts are hard as we hold on to previous opinions or teachings we have encountered.

As for the Religious leaders of the Jews, nothing could persuade them even when they saw with their own eyes.

John the Baptist did no miracles at all, but John spoke of this man Jesus and what John said was true.  Many believed on Jesus there.

 

Allow the Holy spirit to reveal to you that Jesus is all He said he was and is.

 

 

Growth in New Believers guest Justin King

I took notes and present a digested sermon by our guest speaker Justin King

 

Study God's Word as it will bring Understanding and Growth

 

 

As a new babe in Christ there are various patterns of growth.  Some are still fighting battles they are finding it difficult to win. 

 

Know that Salvation is often in steps.  I was saved when I came to Jesus, I am being saved as I follow Christ, and finally I will be saved when I meet him in heaven.

There are physiological wars in the minds of many Christians.  The reason many are not where they are supposed to be is unconfessed sin still hanging on and they are in denial.  1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If we admit that we have a need, confess and know if we ask; God does forgive and cleanse us.

Our flesh tries to be dominate, and Jesus should be first in our life as we are led by the Holy Spirit.

We wonder why “church” isn’t functioning as it should.  The reason is our walk must be examined and changes made.  What we say must reflect on how we live. 

If not we need to back up and renew our mind with God’s Word.  Study and learn what God expects of you.  Make a decision to walk with Jesus. 

The stress of life can hinder us when we fail to trust God and listen to the Holy Spirit as He speaks to us. 

I Thessalonians 5:5   You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.  ¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not despise prophecies. ²¹ Test all things; hold fast what is good. ²² Abstain from every form of evil.

How do you call yourself?  Be that person.  When we are proud and boastful, allow God to show us how to be humble.

We wonder why miracles aren’t happening.  We must draw closer to Jesus and walk holy before him.  When God does the work it will happen and remain.  When man uses psychology or the power of suggestion it will fail.

Our relationship with God will bring results.  Paul said, “Fast and pray” to get the flesh and the “old man” under.

Identify who Christ is IN you.  Your position with Christ is you are seated with Him in heavenly places.

We are not effective if the Holy Spirit is lacking in our lives.  Know who you are IN Christ.  Confess with your mouth, “I am worthy, I am holy, I am the righteousness of God in
Christ, I am full of Love, faith, peace and Joy.  Confess and possess.

Obedience to what we know and how we allow the Holy spirit to guide us is important.

God is rich in mercy and He loves us so much.  It is by His favor that we are saved as we trust in Christ to maintain our walk.

We can let shame and guilt block our walk with God.  Realize that the blood of Jesus covers and removes guilt and shame. 

God designed us to have fellowship with Him.  Allow God to reveal to you and make you aware of areas that need the Holy Spirit to touch and make you whole.

God is not finished with you yet, so let him continue to reveal Himself to you.

 

Easter Never Ends

 

 

 

Mark 4:37 And there arose a great storm
 and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
But Jesus spoke and said, Peace Be Still!  

Easter Never Ends

My praises swiftly rise to thee,

Like the sea billows rolled,

For Christ alone is worthy!

Let praises ring out as a bell is tolled.

He is worthy to be praised,

A Lamb sinless was slain,

In fear and wonder I am amazed,

He is not dead for he rose again.

Some find it difficult to believe,

How can one raise from the dead?

We question and wonder how?

The answers are not in our head!

It is with our hearts that we believe,

Our changed lives let it be known,

Truth must in the spirit be received,

A New life walks among us to be shown.

We see him - - He is everywhere,

Christ Jesus lives today,

Never to doubt or despair

He lives in me and guides along the way.

Hazel Moon 04/15/2012

Anoint My Head With Oil

From my notes I present an edited Bible Study from Sunday .  

 

 

 

Early in the Bible (Genesis 28:10-22)  we find the first mention of Anointing.   Jacob poured oil on the stone he had used as a pillow, and made a vow to give God a tenth of what ever he would be blessed with; if God would be with him and safely return him home again.

1.     Exodus 30:22-23 God gave Moses a recipe for the anointing oil:  Five spices in varied amounts added to a larger amount of olive oil.  This sacred oil was to be used in the anointing of items in the tent tabernacle.

2.     Leviticus 8:30  The oil mixed with blood from the altar was used to sanctify Aaron the priest and his sons, as it was sprinkled on them and their clothing.

3.     I Samuel 16:10-13  God commissioned the Prophet Samuel to visit Jesse and God would show him who was to become the next king.  Each of the sons were handsome and sturdy but they were not the chosen one.  Samuel said, is there another son?  Yes, but he is the youngest and is a “Shepherd,” and cares for the sheep.  God was looking on the heart and not the outward physical being, as David had a heart after God.  Samuel was pleased to anoint David to become the next king.

4.     Psalms 23:5 Oil is used for healing, as the shepherd anoints the head with oil to hurts from rubbing heads with other sheep.  The oil would also be applied to the nose to prevent the nose fly from laying eggs in the sheep’s moist nose.

5.     John 3:27-30  Who is the anointed one?  John declared it was not him, but Jesus.

Luke 4:18-20  Jesus was anointed by the Holy Spirit:  “The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.  And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.

6.     1 John 2:20-29   “But the anointing which ye have received of him abides in you.” You can hear from God for yourself, by listening to His still small voice in your heart.  You can know what God is doing and how He desires you to join with Him in Ministry.

When God corrects us, he then heals us with the oil of the Holy Spirit.  Pray for those who persecute you.  We don’t know the entire story of the situation they face.  Give them the benefit of the doubt and pass over judgment.

Proverbs 3:7-12 Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn your back on evil. ⁸Then you will gain renewed health and vitality. ⁹Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything your land produces. ¹⁰Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with the finest wine. ¹¹My child, don't ignore it when the LORD disciplines you, and don't be discouraged when he corrects you. ¹²For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.

7.     Jesus is the Good Shepherd and gives His life for His sheep. (You and me.) He anoints our head with the Oil of the Holy Spirit.

Our teacher passed from one to the other, a small jar with oil and we were to dip our finger in it and rub it into our hands.  Then we joined hands and a closing prayer was said.  The anointing was a communion and bonding as we joined hands.

                    

My cup runneth over

                      

Strength Come

There I was working on my lesson for Wednesday and my black ink ran dry.  I needed to print the hand outs for our prayer meeting the next day; and as I went to change the ink in my computer, all I had was colored ink and no black.  What to do?  So I loaded up my dogs and we drove to Wal-Mart as they now sell ink.

While shopping, I noticed a young Asian couple and the wife was carrying their baby. Suddenly she began to buckle up and fall, as the gentleman grabbed the baby. A woman near by, took the child from him so he could attend to his wife on the floor.

I stopped to watch and really didn't gather all my wits about me except - - - I slowly and quietly moved over to where she lay, and placed my hand on her bended knee, and spoke; "Strength Come." 

Soon she was able to sit but I told her husband not to get her up too quick because she needed some time to recover herself and rest a bit. 

Then I went on.  Now pay attention for this is a lesson for you on how our Enemy comes to bring condemnation telling you that you did not do enough, and you could have done more. - -

While I was driving home, Satan, planted thoughts in my mind: "She needed something to eat and you had soda crackers in your purse, saved from last time you had soup with Ruby.  You should have seen that she got a drink of water." 

That was true, I did have crackers in my purse, but at the time they were far from my mind, and I did not consider giving her water at the time.
Yes, all that was true, but even though the devil is a liar, he can use truth to beat you over the head. 

I did NOT need to repent, because I did what I was led to do at the time, and I believe I did the right thing. So I am at peace. However, I do trust she is doing okay now.

Using Simple Holy Spirit Gifts

Sunday Morning Sermon Digested from my notes

 

Pastor Allan was ministering as he reminded the congregation to let God be God.  Jesus Christ is real and He is here to change lives, to heal our pain and to bless.  He has a purpose and we yield to that.  God is a father to the orphans, and a husband to the widows.

We celebrated Resurrection Sunday and Jesus is alive.  There was a blood sacrifice at Calvary, but the third day Jesus arose from the dead; yet the disciples still did not believe.

Jesus revealed himself to them saying touch me and see the holes in my hands, feet and side.  He commissioned them to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit to endue them with Power from on High to be witnesses.

Here we encourage our people to allow the Holy Spirit freedom to be here.  Some may kneel at the altar or lay on the floor when the presence of the Holy Spirit is so strong.

If you are new here, you may wonder what is going on?  Sometimes we do not understand, but it is scriptural and God is not in a box, and He must be given freedom to move.

I would encourage you to seek Jesus the giver and be open to receive the Holy Spirit.  He will baptize you and fill you with joy.  The Holy Spirit has gifts for you.  We release the freedom of the Holy Spirit in our midst.

We are where God wants us.  Understand in Romans chapter 12 there were gifts given to the body of Christ.  I Corinthians 12 there are other gifts from the Holy Spirit.

Don’t get so caught up in the gifts that you ignore the giver. 

First: Our relationship with Jesus and our Father God, is most important.  Jesus operated in the Spirit and always did what pleased His Father God.

Second:  Let our words not be us, but what the Father is telling us to say.  The Holy Spirit will show you things by discernment.  In your spirit you will be given wisdom and understanding as you learn to listen to the still small voice inside you.

Romans 12 begins by urging us to present our bodies to God and not to be conformed to this world.  To keep humble before God, to be soberly minded and not puffed up.

There are different gifts according to grace.  Some are called for one type of ministry, but no one is left behind.  It is not about having a title, but all about serving God.  Wait on your ministry.  Some will preach, teach, prophesy, and exhort.  Exhortation is sharing God’s goodness with others. 

Some gifts are so simple we may not recognize them at first:  Show mercy with cheerfulness.  Love one another, be patient,  giving liberally to those in need.  Be diligent in business (not lazy), abhor evil and rejoice with those who are joyful, and weep with those who sorrow.  Bless those who persecute you, not wishing evil on them or trying to pay them back.  Live in peace with others; be honest in all your dealings, overcome evil with good.

All these are gifts to use as you are walking along side the Holy Spirit.   Operate in these gifts that are shed abroad.  Check your own spirit if you are judging someone else.

Know your attitude is important, so be kind and graceful as you minister according to your faith.

Be full of the Spirit even as you serve in various manners that seem simple; knowing that God’s view is different than ours.  God credits your gift as the same value as the Prophet, Evangelist or Preacher.

Our Bible teacher, Linda has amazing ways to illustrate God’s message to you.  Exhort as God’s heart is revealed to you, and be bold to make declarations of faith.

I would encourage you all to study God’s word, keeping in truth.  Also to attend meetings we make available to you.  Be diligent, study, and prepare yourselves as you serve God.  Be persistent in prayer.

Always remember it is Jesus who is the important one, (not you.)  There is no competition and we show honor to each other, not trying to out do one another.  Show affection to one another, love one another with out hypocrisy. 

Use your gifts to glorify Christ.  This is God’s design for the body to serve one another in perfect love.

Sometimes God gives you a word that needs to be held for awhile.  It may be Words of Knowledge or discernment, or words of wisdom.  There are times we need confirmation to use common sense along with Godly wisdom.

God desires us as a church to seek, receive and use Spiritual gifts.  He wants us to operate this way, according to our measure of faith.

Do not fear the Holy Spirit because he is our friend, our Helper, Our Comforter and our Guide.  He only gives good gifts to those who ask.

 

 

He is Risen as He Said

 

Our Easter service at church was saturated with the presence of the Lord, as we sang and worshipped God.  Various ones from the congregation came forward and knelt at the altar as others came along side to pray with them. 

Today we celebrate Resurrection Sunday.  History reveals that Jesus is alive.  John 11:25 Jesus was speaking to Martha when he said:  “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:”

Matthew 28:1-6 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.  There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.  The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid; for I know that you are looking for Jesus who has been crucified.  He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

The fact was Jesus had risen from the dead and left the tomb.  The angels merely rolled away the stone for the benefit of the women so they could look inside.  The angels instructed the women to “Go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead;”

Luke 24:11 But the disciples did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.

The disciples were hiding and in fear and did not believe the women.  They had forgotten that Jesus had been telling them that he would die and rise again, and that he must go away but he would return.  Their ears were dull and they did not understand his message to them.

Jesus met with them and explained many things about his sacrifice and showed proof that he was truly alive.

As we prepared to take communion, Pastor asked if anyone in the congregation needed healing to raise their hand.  Several hands were raised.  Pastor asked those near by to lay hands on them and pray for their healing.

One of our senior ladies gave her testimony of Gods healing power.  We then shared communion and were dismissed to enjoy a time of fellowship.