Alive In The Word

WHERE ARE YOU?

2011-08-04T19:28:00.000-04:00

Genesis 3:7-13

(The Message)

7 Immediately the two of them did "see what's really going on"—saw themselves naked! They sewed fig leaves together as makeshift clothes for themselves. 8 When they heard the sound of God strolling in the garden in the evening breeze, the Man and his Wife hid in the trees of the garden, hid from God. 9 God called to the Man: "Where are you?" 10 He said, "I heard you in the garden and I was afraid because I was naked. And I hid." 11 God said, "Who told you you were naked? Did you eat from that tree I told you not to eat from?" 12 The Man said, "The Woman you gave me as a companion, she gave me fruit from the tree, and, yes, I ate it." God said to the Woman, "What is this that you've done?"

13 "The serpent seduced me," she said, "and I ate."

After not listening to God, Adam and Eve found themselves in a terrible predicament. Their first reaction was to cover up rather than "fess up." Fig leaves can never hide the root problem of sin, but even today, we still try this approach (v. 7). Instead of acknowledging and confessing sin, we often attempt a quick surface fix of the situation.

Adam and Eve's second response was to avoid God. They knew they were guilty of disobeying, but instead of coming to Him to reestablish their relationship, they hid from Him in fear (v. 8). We can do the same thing when sin breaks our fellowship with the Lord. Have you ever found yourself avoiding prayer and time in the Scriptures because you were struggling with sin and felt guilty?

A third reaction was to try and avoid personal responsibility by blaming others (vv. 12-13). Shifting guilt to another person can't remove it. We are each responsible before God for our actions, regardless of the circumstances or who else is involved.
Despite Adam and Eve's sin and their evasive ways of handling it, the Lord came to them (v. 9). Our sin is never large enough to keep Him away; our Father still calls to us and asks, "Where are you?" He knows what we have done and why, but He questions us so that we can come to realize our desperate state.

Never let guilt or shame keep you from God. He continually seeks those who have made a mess of their life and speaks to them through His Word, His Spirit, and His people. Forgiveness and a restored relationship await all who are willing to listen and respond with confession and repentance.
(EXCERPT BY CHARLES STANLEY)

COME OUT ON SATURDAY@5PM TO FIND OUT WHERE YOU ARE?

Christ First,
pw

How to Listen to God's Word by Charles Stanley

2011-04-27T19:55:00.000-04:00

Nehemiah 8 (The Message)

Ezra and The Revelation1 By the time the seventh month arrived, the People of Israel were settled in their towns. Then all the people gathered as one person in the town square in front of the Water Gate and asked the scholar Ezra to bring the Book of The Revelation of Moses that God had commanded for Israel.

2-3 So Ezra the priest brought The Revelation to the congregation, which was made up of both men and women—everyone capable of understanding. It was the first day of the seventh month. He read it facing the town square at the Water Gate from early dawn until noon in the hearing of the men and women, all who could understand it. And all the people listened—they were all ears—to the Book of The Revelation. 4 The scholar Ezra stood on a wooden platform constructed for the occasion. He was flanked on the right by Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, and on the left by Pedaiah, Mishael, Malkijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam. 5-6 Ezra opened the book. Every eye was on him (he was standing on the raised platform) and as he opened the book everyone stood. Then Ezra praised God, the great God, and all the people responded, "Oh Yes! Yes!" with hands raised high. And then they fell to their knees in worship of God, their faces to the ground. 7-8 Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, and Pelaiah, all Levites, explained The Revelation while people stood, listening respectfully. They translated the Book of The Revelation of God so the people could understand it and then explained the reading. 9 Nehemiah the governor, along with Ezra the priest and scholar and the Levites who were teaching the people, said to all the people, "This day is holy to God, your God. Don't weep and carry on." They said this because all the people were weeping as they heard the words of The Revelation. 10 He continued, "Go home and prepare a feast, holiday food and drink; and share it with those who don't have anything: This day is holy to God. Don't feel bad. The joy of God is your strength!" 11 The Levites calmed the people, "Quiet now. This is a holy day. Don't be upset." 12 So the people went off to feast, eating and drinking and including the poor in a great celebration. Now they got it; they understood the reading that had been given to them. 13-15 On the second day of the month the family heads of all the people, the priests, and the Levites gathered around Ezra the scholar to get a deeper understanding of the words of The Revelation. They found written in The Revelation that God commanded through Moses that the People of Israel are to live in booths during the festival of the seventh month. So they published this decree and had it posted in all their cities and in Jerusalem: "Go into the hills and collect olive branches, pine branches, myrtle branches, palm branches, and any other leafy branches to make booths, as it is written." 16-17 So the people went out, brought in branches, and made themselves booths on their roofs, courtyards, the courtyards of The Temple of God, the Water Gate plaza, and the Ephraim Gate plaza. The entire congregation that had come back from exile made booths and lived in them. The People of Israel hadn't done this from the time of Joshua son of Nun until that very day—a terrific day! Great joy! 18 Ezra read from the Book of The Revelation of God each day, from the first to the last day—they celebrated the feast for seven days. On the eighth day they held a solemn assembly in accordance with the decree.

How is it that two people can sit in the same pew, hear the same sermon about the same portion of Scripture, and walk away with two different reactions? One is joyful and the other unaffected. I think the reason is that some people do not know how to listen to the Word of God.

Nehemiah 8 is an amazing scene of God’s people coming together to hear His Word. Remember that they didn’t have individual copies of Scripture to read. For generations, the events of Genesis though Deuteronomy were passed down from parent to child. Moreover, the people had been in captivity for many years. This was the first time most of them heard the Word read. Imagine their excitement as they listened attentively for the Lord to speak to them.

The Israelites were hungry for God’s Word. Are you? Do you listen eagerly and with an expectant mind and heart? The length of a person’s attention span is directly related to the intensity of his hunger for something. If you crave to know more of God, then your mind is going to be fastened on what He’s saying through your pastor or your personal reading. And the reality is that nothing in the world mattersas much as what the Lord has to say.

So many things clamor for our focus but few truly deserve it. The Lord is worthy of nothing less than our undivided attention. He has something to say to every person. So whoever listens to God’s Word with an open heart and alert mind will receive from Him.

Come out on Saturday@5pm as we unfold/Listen to the mysteries(from the Bible)
and gain the "Recipes of Life"

Christ First,
pw

ALIVE IN THE WORD LENT DEVOTIONAL

2011-03-11T20:33:00.000-05:00

ALIVE IN THE WORD

LENT – 40 DAYS of “Making Everyday Count”

LIFE APPLICATION DEVOTIONAL(Compiled by Pastor Debra A. White)

Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, the season (40 days) of preparation as we remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter. Some persons decide to just concentrate on fasting from certain foods. ALIVE In The Word challenge, is not just to “Fast” but if you choose to fast also draw from the true meaning of Christ’s ministry, death, resurrection and what life lesson can I learn and apply in my everyday life. We pray that this Life Application Devotional will do just that,

to help you make every 40 days count in this Lent.

What will you be “Praying” about and what will you “Fast” from (Food red and fried/pork meats, fast foods, sweets, pops, TV/Facebook/Internet etc…) most important what is God asking you to give up.

And how will God use you to be a blessing…

For more information on LENT and FASTING go to http://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-Lent.html

Beginning of Lent Ash Wednesday, March 9- Saturday, March 12

Scripture Readings: Isaiah 58:1-12; Psalm 51:1-17; Matthew 6:1-16
Life Application: Start this week in repentance so that God can create in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit as we journey daily in this Lent.
Sentence Prayer: God teach me to number my days in lent, so that each day will count.

Week One: Sunday, March 13– Saturday, March 19
Scripture Readings: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7; Psalm 32 Matthew 4:1-11
Life Application: This week let go and forgive. Who is that person or something that you need to forgive and let go, take this week doing just that..(write a letter send a card, e-mail or go in person)
Sentence Prayer: God just as you have forgiven me, I to by faith will forgive others and let go…

Week Two: Sunday, March 20—Saturday, March 26
Scripture Readings: Genesis 12:1-4; Psalm 91; Matthew 17:1-9
Life Application: Spend this week, more time in prayer and devotion with God
as God transforms your life…
Sentence Prayer: That you God, for being my refuge, as I dwell in the secret place and trust you, God.

Week Three: Sunday, March 27—Saturday, April 2
Scripture Readings: Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 95; John 4:5-42
Life Application: Spend this week sending out (through e-mails, mail a card or make a phone call) words of encouragement
Sentence Prayer: God I choose to speak life and encouragement into the lives of others.

Week Four: Sunday, April 3—Saturday, April 9
Scripture Readings:1 Samuel 16:1-13; Psalm 23; John 9:1-41
Life Application: Spend this week helping someone in need… (a family/friend who is hurting during these economical times, homeless shelter, food pantry donations, giving to a charity or outreach, visiting someone in the hospital, cleaning someone homes, running errands, etc..)
Sentence Prayer: God, just as you took on role as a servant, I too will serve others.

Week Five: Sunday, April 10—Saturday, April 16
Scripture Readings: Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 130; John 11:1-45
Life Application: This week call someone and have prayer with them.
Sentence Prayer: God you challenge us to prayer for one for the fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much.

Holy Week: Palm Sunday, April 17-Saturday, April 23
Easter/Resurrection Sunday, April 24

Scripture Readings: Matthew 21: 1-11; John 13; Matthew 26; Matthew 27; Matthew 28
Life Application: Take this week to share about the Love and Grace of Christ and His salvation (For God so loved the World that He gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth on Him shall be save…) and invite someone(s) to the Resurrection Weekend Celebration…
Sentence Prayer: Thank you God for loving me so much and others by given your son to die on the cross for our sins…

RESURRECTION WEEKEND CELEBRATION

Attend one or all

(Please feel free to bring

Someone (s) with you)

GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 22@6:30PM

Be encouraged with

The 7 Last Words spoken on the cross

and how those 7 Words

are effective for us today and throughout eternity

(Prayer and Communion Served)

HOLY SATURDAY

EMPOWERING STUDY

APRIL 23@5PM

Find out what Christ was doing during the time period from the cross

and being in the tomb…

and what it means for us today

1 HOUR EASTER/RESURRECTION SERVICE

APRIL 24@10AM

Come see a Visual
Modern day Resurrection Story

(If weather permits we will have a Children’s Resurrection Hunting,

as they understand the true meaning of Easter…)

ALL SERVICES HELD AT

COMFORT SUITES

500 WEST NORTHFIELD DRIVE

BROWNSBURG, IN

Christ First,
pw

"The Impact..."

2011-02-03T21:19:00.001-05:00

17So Ananias left and went into the house. And he laid his hands on Saul and said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, Who appeared to you along the way by which you came here, has sent me that you may recover your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.18And instantly something like scales fell from [Saul's] eyes, and he recovered his sight. Then he arose and was baptized,19And after he took some food, he was strengthened. For several days [afterward] he remained with the disciples at Damascus.20And immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, saying, He is the Son of God!21And all who heard him were amazed and said, Is not this the very man who harassed and overthrew and destroyed in Jerusalem those who called upon this Name? And he has come here for the express purpose of arresting them and bringing them in chains before the chief priests.22But Saul increased all the more in strength, and continued to confound and put to confusion the Jews who lived in Damascus by comparing and examining evidence and proving that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah). (Acts 9:17-22; Amplifed Version)

Can you remember what has "Impacted" your life (a book, a person, or a circumstance etc...). Was this "Impact" for good or for worst. In the month of February ALIVE IN THE WORD Ministry is teaching a Series on "The Impact" as we continue to "Make Each Day Count" as God is teaching us to number our days. The Impact of Paul changed his life for good (read the text above out of Acts 9:17-22), out of "The Impact" his life was transformed and his everyday outcomes began to make a difference for the Kingdom. The "Impact" should be life changing, a transformation should take place(things I use to do I don't do no more...). The "Impact" should cause reflection upon one's life(when I look back over my life...). The "Impact" should cause one to change direction(no turning back..., I'm heading in a New Direction...). The "Impact" should be shared(It's like fire set up in my bones...). The "Impact" should be noticed with others(I am going to let my light shine...). The "Impact" should make a dent in each day(I give myself away...). The "Impact" should never be forgotten (Jesus, I never forget what you done for me...). Ultimately "The Impact" is a relationship to draw us closer to God(closer to thee...).

As we are in the month of February, we must never forget Black History making, those who made an "Impact" so that we can continue to make "Impact". Check out this website so that you may be informed on Black History Facts www.biography.com/blackhistory/history/366-facts-inventions.jsp

When each day is counted in 2011 what "Impact" will you make...

Christ First,
pw

If you can, come out on Saturdays@5pm, as we share "The Impacts" that are making a difference...If you have a story please feel free to come and share...but if you are needing a story come find out how you may already have one to share...

"MAKING EACH DAY COUNT"

2011-01-01T16:38:00.000-05:00

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Psalm 90:12

As we have entered in A New Year and A New Decade, ALIVE In The Word Ministry is asking God to teach us how to number our days, we want to walk through this year in the wisdom of God on how to make each day count. At the end of the day we want to be able to give an account of how we spent our days. Life is precious given to us by God and we have decided to Live and Leave a Legacy. Living a Life pleasing unto God and a Legacy left of how we were a Blessing to others.

For 365 days ALIVE In The Word Ministry is on a Journey in which we will be placing in our own personal "Making Everyday Day Count" Journals of How each Day has been accounted for. We invite you to be apart of this Journey if you are in the surrounding area of Brownsburg, Indiana we hold a informal and empowering Study on Saturdays@5pm at the Comfort Suites in Brownsburg, IN if you are unable to attend, but would like to still be apart of this journey please go to our facebook Alive in the Word Ministry and make a Journal Request or e-mail Pastor White at dwhite633@aol.com.

We are refusing to go through another year wondering what happen to the time ("where did the year go?") and what did we do or accomplish in the year...we are going to participate in what God has designed for our life to be and become. In order to understand the will of God there must be an understanding of who God is and His Word...I encourage you if you are not, please connect to a fellowship/church that Christ is the Center and the Word of God is the focus teaching of understanding, that is helping you to grow in your spiritual walk and you are becoming empowered to understand your faith and purpose/calling in life.

"MAKING EACH DAY COUNT..."

before you know it, you will be saying "where did the time go"...

Christ First,

pastor white

Please feel to contact me at dwhite633@aol.com if you are interesting in this Journey Journal and may need a better understanding... or if you are in search of a fellowship/church where you can grow spiritually to become empowered to better understand your faith and purpose/calling in life and need wise counsel and guidance. I am available to be that spiritual counsel/advisor or to help you find that fellowship/church.

"Keeping Christ in Christmas"

2010-12-03T11:43:00.000-05:00

The number one way to keep Jesus Christ in your Christmas celebrations is to have him present in your daily life. If you're not sure what it means to become a believer in Christ, check out this article on "How to Become a Christian." If you've already accepted Jesus as your Savior and made him the center of your life, keeping Christ in Christmas is more about the way you live your life than the things you say

such as "Merry Christmas" versus "Happy Holidays."

Keeping Christ in Christmas means daily revealing the character, love and spirit of Christ that dwells in you, by allowing these traits to shine through your actions.

Here are simple ways to keep Christ the central focus of your life this Christmas season.

1) Give God one very special gift just from you to him:

Let this gift be something personal that no one else needs to know about, and let it be a sacrifice. David said in 2 Samuel 24 that he would not offer a sacrifice to God that cost him nothing.

Maybe your gift to God will be to forgive someone you've needed to forgive for a long time. You may discover that you've given a gift back to yourself.

Perhaps your gift will be to commit to spending time with God daily (e-mail dwhite633@aol.com to began ALIVE IN THE WORD 2011 Daily Devotional walk with God). Or maybe there is something God has asked you to give up. Make this your most important gift of the season.

2) Set aside a special time to read the Christmas story in Luke 1:5-56 through 2:1-20

Consider reading this account with your family and discussing it together.
The Christmas Story
More Christmas Bible Verses

3) Set up a Nativity scene in your home:

If you don't have a Nativity, here are ideas to help you make your own Nativity scene:
Nativity Related Crafts

4) Plan a project of good will this Christmas:

A few years ago we "adopted" a single mom. My friend was barely making ends meet and didn't have money to buy gifts for her small child. Together with my husband's family we bought gifts for both of them and replaced her broken down washing machine the week of Christmas. Do you have an elderly neighbor in need of home repairs or yard work? Find someone with a genuine need, involve your whole family and see how happy you can make someone this Christmas.

Top Christmas Charity Projects
(your local church and community may have ministries and programs that you can give and serve in...)

5) Take a group Christmas caroling in a nursing home or a children's hospital:

One year the staff at the office where I worked decided to incorporate Christmas caroling at a nearby nursing home into our yearly staff Christmas party plans. We all met first at the nursing home and toured the facility while singing Christmas carols. Afterwards, we headed back to our party with our hearts full of tenderness. It was the best staff Christmas party we'd ever had.

6) Give a surprise gift of service to each member of your family:

Jesus taught us to serve by washing the disciples feet. He also taught us that it is "more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35 (NIV) The idea of giving an unexpected gift of service to members of your family is to demonstrate Christ-like love and service. You might consider giving a back rub to your spouse, running an errand for your brother, or cleaning out a closet for your mother. Make it personal and meaningful and watch the blessings multiply.

7) Set aside a time of family devotions on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning:

Before opening the gifts, take a few minutes to gather together as a family in prayer and devotions. Read a few Bible verses and discuss as a family the true meaning of Christmas.
Christmas Bible Verses
Christmas Prayers and Poems
The Christmas Story
Christmas Devotionals
8) Attend a Christmas church service together with your family:

If you are alone this Christmas or don't have family living near you, invite a friend or a neighbor to join you.

9) Send Christmas cards that convey a spiritual message:

This is an easy way to share your faith at Christmastime. If you've already bought the reindeer cards—no problem! Just write a Bible verse and include a personal message with each card.
Select Christmas Bible Verses

10) Write a Christmas letter to a missionary or a Soldier:

Many missionaries and Soldiers are unable to travel home for the holidays, so it can be a very lonely time for them. Write a special Christmas letter to a missionary or a Soldier of your choice, thanking them for giving their life in service to the Lord and our country. Trust me—it will mean more than you can imagine!
(By Mary Fairchild, About.com Guide and Pastor White)

Contact Pastor White if you have decided to become a believer in Christ and if you desire to Commit to spend more time with God and you want to join ALIVE IN THE WORD 2011 Daily Devotional please feel to e-mail at dwhite633@aol.com

Christ First,
pw

"The Power of Praying In Jesus Name"

2010-11-03T09:15:00.000-04:00

"Believe me: I am in my Father and my Father is in me. If you can't believe that, believe what you see—these works. The person who trusts me will not only do what I'm doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I've been doing. You can count on it. From now on, whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I'll do it. That's how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son. I mean it. Whatever you request in this way, I'll do.

(John 14:11-14, The Message)

Jesus Christ issued a bold statement when He said, "If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it" (John 14:14). Since it is against the nature of our Triune God to break a promise (Titus 1:2), we know that the Lord will fulfill that pledge.

So when we make a big request and nothing happens, the problem isn't with God. Believers are called to live a righteous life. The Lord won't overlook spiritual laziness to give us what we want. He has two requirements for answering petitions:

• Approach God in complete dependence on Christ's merits. The Savior's blood paid for our right to enter the Father's holy presence. His sacrifice at Calvary took away our sins and clothed us in righteousness, which allows us to stand unashamed before the throne. We don't earn favor through works or get prayers answered because we are super-spiritual. God responds because His Son sits at His right hand, interceding for us.

• Approach God in holiness—that is, separated from all known sin. God said that He would not hear those who "regard wickedness" in their hearts (Ps. 66:18). If He were to answer prayer when we are willfully living in sin, then He would be sanctioning our transgression. Therefore, believers must turn away from their wrongdoing before making big requests.

God is always faithful. He is willing to give you what you need and to bless you richly besides. But this is no something-for-nothing offer. The Lord demands righteous living from His followers. Those who live according to God's will can trust Him for anything they ask in His Son's name

"You didn't choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won't spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you.

(John 15: 16, The Message)

Too often people take the verse to imply, "If you ask anything, I will do it." They overlook the most essential phrase: "in My name."

Asking in Christ's name has two meanings. First, believers are welcome to make requests that align with God's purpose and plan. To do that, we need to ask Him if our prayers match His will. God has several ways of assuring followers that they are on the correct path. For instance, He may increase right desires or decrease wrong ones. Another possibility is that He will use His Word to redirect a Christian's steps or confirm that he is going the right way. God always makes His will plain to the man or woman who seeks to know it.

Second, invoking Christ's name means that we desire to glorify Him instead of ourselves. James gives this warning: "You ask and do not receive because you ask with wrong motives so that you may spend it on your pleasures" (James 4:3). To understand that, let's consider those who are trying to pray their way out of a financial hole. The question is, Does a person want to get out of debt so that he has more for himself or so that he can use the excess in God-honoring ways? Motives are apparent to God. He will not offer help until our heart is right.

In the name Jesus Christ, there is abundant power. However, calling upon Him in prayer is not a magic charm to get what we want. Rather, it is a signal that we are laying down our personal desires and our own way of getting things done. In so doing, we commit to follow God and bring honor to Him.

(Excerpts from Charles Stanley's Daily Devotions)

Come to ALIVE In The Word Study on Saturday@5pm in the months of November and December as we share in the teaching on the Power of Prayer and Praise.

Christ First,
pw

"The Right Touch"

2010-10-06T15:03:00.000-04:00

Matthew 4:23-25 (The Message)

23-25From there he went all over Galilee. He used synagogues for meeting places and taught people the truth of God. God's kingdom was his theme—that beginning right now they were under God's government, a good government! He also healed people of their diseases and of the bad effects of their bad lives. Word got around the entire Roman province of Syria. People brought anybody with an ailment, whether mental, emotional, or physical. Jesus healed(touched...) them, one and all. More and more people came, the momentum gathering. Besides those from Galilee, crowds came from the "Ten Towns" across the lake, others up from Jerusalem and Judea, still others from across the Jordan.

All I need is a touch from you

No one else can do the things you do

Take the wrong in my life and make it right

All I need is a touch from you

Lord I'm standing in the need of prayer

When I call

Lord I know your there

Reach your hand down from heaven

And pull me through

All I need is a single touch a touch from the Master

O God

All I ever need is a touch from you

If you touch me

I'll change my lose to win

If you touch me

I shall live again

Take the wrong and make it right

All I need is a touch from you

All I need is a touch

All I need is a touch from you

[by Brian Courtney Wilson]

Attend ALIVE IN THE WORD (Saturday@5pm) as we teach on the series "The Right Touch",
IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW HAS BEEN BATTLING WITH SICKNESS, STRESS, BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS/TRUST, AN ADDICTION, ABUSE, DEPRESSION, THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE...this is a series that you don't want to miss

We cannot ignore what people are challenged with
and how effective can we be if we do not deal with these real life issues...and to understand how Jesus went about showing care and compassion

COME BE TOUCHED AND SET FREE

"Work that...Don't Hold Back"

2010-09-08T14:17:00.000-04:00

Let Your Light Shine

"Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

(Matthew 5:14-16, The Message)

There comes a time when you must step out and it may mean standing alone.

You must have the confidence within yourself to follow the dreams and visions given to you by God.

You must be willing to make sacrifices, by changing and rearranging your priorities

so that your final goal can be achieved.

Sometimes, familiarity and comfort need to be challenged.

There are times when you must take a few extra chances and create your own realities.

Make your life better by breaking bad habits and cycles that keep you in bondage.

Don't settle for a compromise just to get by.

Love yourself by allowing yourself the opportunities to grow, develop,

and find your true sense of purpose in this life.

Don't stand in someone else's shadow when it's your sunlight that should lead the way.

(excerpt taken from Inspirational Positive Thoughts and paraphrased/reworded by pw)

Join ALIVE In The Word in the month of September as we remove all hinderances that keep holding you back...We will declare and walk in our Authority of being the head and not the tail above and not beneath born with creative power to create and not copy...We will see on Saturday at 5pm...

Christ First,
pw

"SEND THE WORD"

2010-08-06T13:05:00.000-04:00

"So shall my Word be that goeth forth out of my mouth:

it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish

that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."

(Isaiah 55:11)

We must KNOW what the Word of God says! We must BELIEVE the Word of God. Isaiah says that God's Word will not return void. As it goes out of his mouth it accomplishes what He intends and where He intends.
"Send the Word," For any situation, be it personal, or for someone else, send the Word. Stop trying to change things on your own...send the Word. Stop trying to fix, change or manipulate people and/or things...send the Word! Send the Word before it, to it, ahead of it, on it, in it, after it, upon it, against it, to cover it, to heal it, to restore it, to defeat it...whatever....SEND THE WORD!

I just needed to send the Word for myself -and God spoke and said someone else needs to send THIS WORD...so for me and for you, in Jesus Name, THE WORD IS BEING SENT!

You are my hiding place; You shall

preserve me from trouble; You shall

surround me with songs of deliverance.

(Psalms 32:7 *NKJV)

Though I walk in the midst of trouble,

You will revive me;

You will stretch out Your hand Against the

wrath of my enemies, And Your right hand

will save me. For in the time of trouble He

shall hide me in His pavilion; In the secret

place of His tabernacle He shall hide me; He

shall set me high upon a rock.

(Psalms 138:7) (Psalm 27:5)

For; The LORD will guide me continually,

And satisfy my soul in drought, And

strengthen my bones; I shall be like a

watered garden, And like a spring of water,

whose waters do not fail.

(Isaiah 58:11)

Thanks Ms. Beth for remembering and reminding us to SEND THE WORD...

CHRIST FIRST,
pw

COME TO ALIVE IN THE WORD ON SATURDAY'S AT 5PM

AS WE LEARN HOW TO SEND THE WORD...

LOCATION OF THE STUDY IS HELD AT COMFORT SUITES IN BROWNSBURG, IN

God Never Disappoints...

2010-07-15T13:02:00.000-04:00

Faithfulness through the Ages

Deuteronomy 7:8-10 (The Message)

7-10 God wasn't attracted to you and didn't choose you because you were big and important—the fact is, there was almost nothing to you. He did it out of sheer love, keeping the promise he made to your ancestors. God stepped in and mightily bought you back out of that world of slavery, freed you from the iron grip of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know this: God, your God, is God indeed, a God you can depend upon. He keeps his covenant of loyal love with those who love him and observe his commandments for a thousand generations. But he also pays back those who hate him, pays them the wages of death; he isn't slow to pay them off—those who hate him, he pays right on time.

God is the only One who never disappoints. From the beginning of time, His Word has remained true.
Every prophecy is a promise that has been or will be fulfilled.

Perhaps the greatest of these foretellings were the ones that spoke of Messiah, and throughout the ages, God's people longed for His coming. Many prophets spoke about the Anointed One (2 Sam. 7:12-16; Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Dan. 9:25 niv; Micah 5:2;). Although there was no further prophecy on the subject during the four centuries leading up Christ's birth, when the time was right, Jesus came to reconcile mankind to the Father.

Surely, people must have questioned whether the Savior would ever come. After all, 400 years is a long time to wait without any word. But, as history proves, God never falls short on His promises. He is trustworthy, even when His timetable differs from what we hoped.

Knowing this, we can read Scripture's assurances with expectation. For instance, if we believe in Jesus as our Lord and Savior and choose to follow Him, the Bible promises our salvation. We can rest assured that we are forgiven and redeemed. What's more, nothing can separate us from God's love (Rom. 8:38-39), and we can trust that He will provide everything we need to accomplish His purpose in our lives.

These are but three foundational promises; the Word contains many more. Consider God's faithfulness throughout Bible times and in your own life, and realize that He will be steadfast in the future as well. By living obediently, you can have full confidence that He will do all He has promised. (Excerpt from Charles Stanley)

Pray that you were blessed and encouraged by this word, please feel free to come to ALIVE IN THE WORD Informal Study were you are empowered through the WORD of God...

Christ First,
pw

Releasing "The Best In Me"

2010-06-02T11:50:00.000-04:00

1 John 4:4 (New Living Translation)
4 But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.

Below, the words from the song, "The Best in Me", by Marvin Sapp speaks encouragement and empowerment. Know that when God looks at us he only sees the best in us...

(Change mirrors and look through the eyes of God...

when you began to believe and see what God sees and believes

you began Releasing the Best, to operate as a "VICTOR" )

Lead: He saw the best in me,2x
when everyone else around,
could only see the worst in me.2x
can i tell yall one more time, one more time

Chorus: 2x
Lead: He’s mine and I’m his,
it doesn’t matter what I did.
for He only sees me for who I am.2x

Chorus 4x
He saw the best in me,
when everyone else around me
could only see the worst in me.

Vamp
He saw the best,what did he see
the best
the best
He saw the best
The best
The best
The best
The best
The best
The best

He saw the best in me
Lead 4x: He’s mine and I’m his,
it doesn’t matter what I did.
He only sees me for who I am.
Chorus 4x

HE SAW THE BEST

Join us on Saturdays for ALIVE@5pm as we discover How to Release the Best....

Christ First,
pw

"The Holy Spirit: Our Teacher"

2010-05-06T11:49:00.000-04:00

John 14:25-26 (New King James Version)
The Gift of His Peace 25 “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.

If you are going to take instruction from someone, you want to be certain that person is well qualified, right? It's interesting, then, that so many believers neglect the greatest Bible teacher available. We read religious books, consult friends, and tune into a favored preacher before we will get on our knees. While those sources can point us in the right direction, only the Holy Spirit illuminates God's Word to our hearts and minds.

Asking someone to explain God's Word seems easier than seeking to understand it through the Holy Spirit's power. But consider what a person misses by forsaking Him. Who better to instruct believers about the Scripture's depth and breadth than the One who wrote it (2 Peter 1:20-21)? The Spirit laid His message on the authors' hearts, and they dutifully recorded it, each in his own unique voice.

Furthermore, as a member of the holy Trinity, the Spirit knows the mind of God (1 Cor. 2:10). He is often called the Spirit of truth, because He understands everything. The Spirit recognizes our emotional and mental state and can identify exactly where we are in our Christian growth. Therefore, He can reveal to our minds passages that will encourage, challenge, or convict us as needed.

We have a teacher of divine quality. He will help us to learn and grow, guide us through difficult passages, and shed light on why the Lord allows certain challenges our life. When it comes to aiding God's people to know His Word, no one is more qualified than His Spirit.

(Devotional by Charles Stanley)

Join us at ALIVE IN THE WORD so that you may understand the purpose of the Holy Spirit...Your life will never be the same after these Empowering and Encouraging teachings during the month of May.

Christ First,

"Family Recipe"

2010-04-28T23:15:00.000-04:00

Galatians 5:22-26

(New King James Version)

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Galatians 5:22-26

(The Message)

22-23But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart,

and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people.

We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life,

able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.
23-24Legalism is helpless in bringing this about; it only gets in the way. Among those who belong to Christ, everything connected with getting our own way and mindlessly responding to what everyone else calls necessities is killed off for good—crucified.
25-26Since this is the kind of life we have chosen, the life of the Spirit, let us make sure that we do not just hold it as an idea in our heads or a sentiment in our hearts, but work out its implications in every detail of our lives. That means we will not compare ourselves with each other as if one of us were better and another worse.

We have far more interesting things to do with our lives. Each of us is an original.

When we mix the "FRUIT" together we are better able to please God, Serve with the right heart and to get along with each other.

Christ First,

Join ALIVE IN THE WORD in the month of May as we unfold study/understand

and apply the Power of the Holy Spirit...

"Who's Talking"

2010-04-22T11:47:00.000-04:00

"This is my son, whom I love. Listen to him!"

(Mark 9:7 NIV)

Friend To Friend Fourteen exhausted, sweaty teenage boys plopped down on the bottom step of the gymnasium bleachers - my son being one of them.

The assistant Junior Varsity basketball coach paced back and forth,

lecturing them on the error of their ways.

In the style of Sergeant Carter addressing Gomer Pyle, he yelled, "Who's talking?"
The boys, in practiced unison shouted back, "You are, sir!"
"OK then, listen up!" he barked.
For the next twenty minutes, they did just that.

Unfortunately for the merry band of athletes, school is not simply a place where sports are played, but also an institution for academic advancement.

The next day it was time to see just how much advancement had taken place in the first four months of school via the dreaded semester exams.
Six of the basketball players sat nervously with their peers on the edge of their seats.

Each grasped pencils in hand, ready to attack the twenty-page social studies test.

Apparently someone broke the total silence code with a whisper.

The six foot five, two hundred and fifty pound teacher jumped to attention and yelled,

"Who's talking?"
Automatically, without even thinking, Chris Crutchfield,

one of the basketball teammates,

shot back, "You are, sir!"
The high school freshman social studies class erupted with laughter.

Everyone was tickled, except the teacher and the terrified Chris.
"So, you want to be smart, do you?" Mr. Thompson asked.

"Who else in here wants to be smart?"
Over half of the class (mostly boys overcome with mischief, my son included) raised their hands. "I want to be smart," they answered back.
Things were not going well for Mr. Thompson, or for Chris Crutchfield.

After school detention was crowded that week.
It was an innocent mistake - an automatic response - a reflex reaction.

But it made Chris a hero for the day among his buddies.

And in a way, he was my hero as well.

When my Heavenly Teacher speaks to me, when He whispers in my ear, gives me direction, directs my path - when He tries to get my attention and says, "Who's talking?"

I pray my response will be just as automatic as Chris's. "You are, Sir!"

And when He says "Well listen up, then," that's exactly what I plan to do.
What about you? Are you listening to God today?

Do you know how to detect that still small voice?

Pay attention. He's longing to talk to you!

Let's Pray:
Dear Heavenly Father, speak to me today, for I am listening.
Help me to recognize Your gentle nudges and Your still small voice.
In Jesus' Name, Amen

Now It's Your Turn:
I hope today's devotion made you smile.
Now, let me ask a few questions.
When was the last time you sensed God speaking to you?
What was the outcome of that conversation?
(Devotional by Sharon Jaynes of Girlfriend's Ministries)

Let us not miss God speaking to us, but in order for this not to occur we must be intentional in given God quality time so that we may become familiar with His voice.

Christ First
pw

"A Life Fulfilled on the Platform

2010-04-15T13:30:00.000-04:00

From Glory to Humility

Philippians 2:1-11 (The Message)
1-4If you've gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care— then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don't push your way to the front; don't sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand.
5-8Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself. He had equal status with God but didn't think so much of himself that he had to cling to the advantages of that status no matter what. Not at all. When the time came, he set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave, became human! Having become human, he stayed human. It was an incredibly humbling process. He didn't claim special privileges. Instead, he lived a selfless, obedient life and then died a selfless, obedient death—and the worst kind of death at that—a crucifixion.
9-11Because of that obedience, God lifted him high and honored him far beyond anyone or anything, ever, so that all created beings in heaven and on earth—even those long ago dead and buried—will bow in worship before this Jesus Christ, and call out in praise that he is the Master of all, to the glorious honor of God the Father.

In order to save mankind and shower grace upon the undeserving, Christ had to make a voluntary choice to leave heaven and become a man. He took upon Himself the weakness of humanity while never losing His divinity. Though still fully divine, He did not cling to equality with God but limited the use of His supernatural powers and rights.
Having an incomplete understanding of all that Christ surrendered, we often lack an appreciation of the magnitude of His descent from the riches of glory to the poverty of humanity. He traded the praise and worship of the angelic host for the mockery and jeers of an angry mob. Laying aside His omnipotence, He experienced the weakness of fatigue and the need for sleep. Being immortal but wanting to pay our sin-debt, He had to take on human flesh in order to die for you and me.
The One who had authority over all creation (Col. 1:16-17) walked this earth in complete submission to the Father's will (John 5:19, 30), "becoming obedient to the point of death" (Phil. 2:8). Instead of relying on His own strength, He depended on the power of God (Acts 2:22). Jesus' manner of living not only accomplished our salvation but also gave us an example to follow.
Every believer has a choice to make: Will I live my way and demand my rights, or will I empty myself and submit to God? Only by humbling ourselves in submission and obedience to the Father will we experience the joy of the Lord and the glories of His eternal rewards in heaven. (excerpt by Charles Stanley)

Join us at ALIVE IN THE WORD at a 1 hour Informal Study on Saturday’s @5pm as we study and understand a life fulfilled on the “Platform”

Christ First,
pw

A Decision to Follow Jesus

2010-03-26T20:13:00.000-04:00

"27 After this he went out and saw a man named Levi at his work collecting taxes. Jesus said, "Come along with me." 28 And he did - walked away from everything and went with him."

LUKE 5:27-28

How, exactly, can we accept Jesus in our life? We must believe in Him. This means placing confidence in the person of Christ, knowing that His death on Calvary's cross paid for all our sin. This is not merely an intellectual understanding; rather, it is a total surrender to Jesus as the only One who can forgive our sins, thereby bridging the gap between us and the Father.

When we receive the Savior, we immediately become children of the King!
Believers must also follow Christ's ways. Allowing Jesus to live out His Lordship through our lives means yielding our will and desires to His. In addition, Christians are to worship Him. We ought to be so overwhelmed by His presence that our hearts and lips overflow with adoration.

One last thing, of course, is that we're to share the truth with others. Just before ascending into heaven, Jesus commanded His followers to spread the good news of salvation to the entire world.

Matthew 28:19-20 (New King James Version)
"19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Amen.

We are blessed to have God's Word readily available.

And this benefit leaves no excuse for ignorance regarding the person of Jesus Christ.

Once we know who He is, we must decide whether we will surrender our lives to Him.

He longs for an intimate, personal relationship with you.

Will you let Him?

(Excerpt taken from Charles Stanley Daily Devotional)

Today make your Decision to Follow Jesus by confession with your mouth

and believing in your heart that Christ died for your sins.

With your confession and belief you will be saved.

Romans 10:9-10 (New King James Version)
"9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

Christ First,

Please Join us on Easter Sunday, April 4(10am-11am)

for ALIVE IN THE WORD beginning of "What Happens when Families Worship Together"

(single, married, divorced, with or without children are all welcomed...)

"HE'S COMING AGAIN"

2009-12-31T14:48:00.000-05:00

"Blow a trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm on my holy mountain.

Let all the inhabitants of the earth tremble,

for the day of the Lord is coming, surely it is near"

(Joel 2:1 NIV)

In just a few days, you will most likely be taking down those Christmas decorations and packing them up until next year...when you will be pulling them out and decorating all over again! Yes, Christmas is coming again...unless Jesus comes back before then.

This year, as you pack away those tinseled treasures, I want you to think about this: The babe who was born in a manger, who lived a perfect sinless life, who died on the cross and rose again so that you and I can have eternal life...He's coming again! Only next time he will not come as a babe in a manger, but as a reigning King.

John saw Jesus as He will appear when he returns, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest. His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and his eyes were like blazing fire. His feet were like bronze glowing in a furnace and his voice was like the sound of rushing waters" Revelation 1:12-16.

And He has promised that He will come again to reign in Zion forever.

When that day occurs, we will have eternal "peace on earth."

Listen to what the prophet Isaiah wrote about those final days.
Now it will come about that in the last days, the mountain of the house of the Lord will be established as the chief of the mountains, and will be raised above the hills; and all the nations will stream to it. And many peoples will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob: that He may teach us concerning His ways. And that we may walk in His paths." For the law will go forth from Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And He will judge between the nations, and will render decisions for many peoples; and they will hammer their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, and never again will they learn war.

(Isaiah 2:2-4 NASB)

Here's how God revealed Jesus' second coming to John.
I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He shall dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be among them." And He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away. And he who sits on the throne said, "Behold I am making all things new."

And he said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true."

(Revelation 21:1-5 NIV)

I don't know about you, but I can hardly wait. The prophet Joel said that the day was drawing near. I don't know when Jesus will return, but I do know that it is sooner than it was yesterday. Until then, we'll continue to celebrate Christmas until He comes to take us home where we will have the most wonderful eternal Christmas celebration imaginable.

And the good news is...God has already decorated for the party.

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, Thank You for the promise of heaven. What a wonderful celebration it will be to see Jesus face-to-face. Until then, I'll celebrate Christmas in my heart everyday,

thanking You for the gift of Your Son.
In Jesus' Name,
Amen

Now It's Your Turn
What about heaven are you looking forward to the most?

Skim through the book of Revelation

and note John's description of what he saw in his vision of heaven.

Read Isaiah 6 and note what the angels were singing before the throne of God.

Can you imagine yourself joining the heavenly chorus?

Heaven will be so amazing! I can hardly wait.

However, for now, we are here on earth for a purpose and a plan.

As you go into the New Year,

seek God and Godly counsel to learn about the incredible plans that God has for your life...

Excerpt taking from Girlfriends
by Sharon Jaynes

Christ First,

"CHRIST'S- Mass" (The Celebration of Christ)

2009-12-03T16:32:00.000-05:00

Today's Truth John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son."

Something important is happening, a time of celebration. The literal meaning of "Christmas" is "Christ's Mass", the celebration of Christ. We all want a joy-filled Christmas that truly celebrates Christ. Yet, the holiday season often leaves us with very little joy and a feeling of emptiness.

What is the secret to a merry Christmas?
I believe that the secret to the celebration of Christmas is found in giving. Maybe we are giving the wrong gifts. Maybe we are giving gifts to the wrong people. Maybe we are not receiving the right gifts.

The first truth is that we must receive God's gift to us.
Luke 2:8-13 "There were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them; and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." God gave the greatest gift of all when He gave Jesus, a gift that only eternity can measure. Across the manger is a shadow of the cross and an empty tomb.

The very heart of Christmas can be found in a familiar verse, a verse we seldom associate with the Christmas season. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son." Christmas is not a date on the calendar but a way of life. Like the innkeeper who turned away Mary and Joseph, we are often guilty of posting a sign across the entrance of our heart and life that reads, "No room!" We can participate in every festivity of the Christmas season, but until we receive the gift of Jesus Christ, we will never truly experience Christmas.
To have a Christ-centered Christmas, we must not only recognize Him as the center of a season, but the center of our entire life as well - every part of it - every day of the year. By human standards, Jesus could and should have been born in a palace, a mansion fit for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. But He came to a manger, and His birth was announced by shepherds instead of Kings; the greatest of all miracles - in the midst of total simplicity. Even today, this extraordinary Jesus comes to us in the midst of our ordinary lives. He comes to be one of us.

It was Christmas Eve and the family was preparing to attend the church service. Everyone was going, everyone except Dad. He was an honest man, a good man, but he simply could neither understand nor accept the story of the baby in a manger. It was just too far-fetched for the human mind to conceive. How could God allow His Son to give up Heaven for Earth? Why would Jesus want to die for any man? The questions lingered and, not wanting to be a hypocrite, the man chose to stay home rather than sit in a pew with an unbelieving heart.
As his family went out into the cold wintry night, the man added a log to the fire and settled into his favorite chair to read the paper and wait for his family's return. A knock at the window pulled him away from his peaceful reverie and glancing outside, he was stunned to see that the knocking sound was actually a small bird desperately trying to reach the warmth of the fire.
The man thought for a moment, contemplating a solution to the bird's predicament. He opened the window but the bird wouldn't come in. He tried opening the front door, but the bird refused his offer. Finally, the man grabbed his coat and stepped into the Christmas night and God's plan. He trudged through the deepening snow, determined to save the tiny bird by opening the barn doors, convincing the little bird that the barn was safe and warm. Still, the bird refused his solution. Frustrated, the man thought, "If only I could be a bird, for just a moment, I could lead the bird to safety." Suddenly, the sound of church bells rang through the cold, dark night - and he knew. He finally understood the reason Jesus came - to be one of us - to lead us into the safety of His will. "And it was necessary for Jesus to be like us so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. For since he himself has now been through suffering and temptation, he knows what it is like when we suffer and are tempted, and he is wonderfully able to help us." Hebrews 2:17-18

Wherever you are today, Jesus has been there and He understands. God has tucked a longing into Christmas, a longing for home. That longing can never be satisfied outside of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ! That's why He came. The first truth of a Christ-centered Christmas is to receive God's gift - Jesus.

Let's Pray Jesus, I am so tired of shallow and meaningless Christmas celebrations. This year, I want to experience You and a Christmas filled with Your joy. Right now, I give myself to You and ask You to forgive my sin and take control of my life. I invite You to reign as Lord and Savior. Thank You, Father, for Your love and Your mercy. I am Yours.
In Jesus' name, Amen.

Now It's Your Turn If you prayed today's prayer, I encourage you to read the following verses of scripture and consider the truths listed beside each one.

Romans 3:23 We all have sinned.
Romans 6:23 The price of sin is death, but God paid that price.
Romans 5:8 Jesus died for our sin.
Romans 10:13 When we call on God, He hears and saves us.
Romans 8:38 Nothing and no one can separate us from God's love.

Share your decision with a friend.

Begin reading your Bible, starting with the Gospel of John.

Pray continually because if it is important to you, it is important to your God.

Regularly attend a church that teaches the Bible.

Seek out those who will encourage you in your faith walk.

Think back to past Christmas holidays. Was Jesus the center of the celebration?

If not, what was the focus of each holiday celebration?

Evaluate past Christmases in light of your new faith.

If you are a Christian, evaluate past Christmases in light of its true meaning. What changes will you make this year to have a joy-filled Christmas?

Right now, examine your heart and choose the setting of your holiday attitude.

Fix your heart and mind on joy and the celebration the birth of Jesus Christ.

Let everything else fall into place behind Him!

By Mary Southerland

Girlfriends in God

Christ First,

In Jesus' Name

2009-11-05T10:23:00.000-05:00

John 14:9-14

(The Message)

9-10"You've been with me all this time, Philip, and you still don't understand? To see me is to see the Father. So how can you ask, 'Where is the Father?' Don't you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you aren't mere words. I don't just make them up on my own. The Father who resides in me crafts each word into a divine act.

11-14"Believe me: I am in my Father and my Father is in me. If you can't believe that, believe what you see—these works. The person who trusts me will not only do what I'm doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I've been doing. You can count on it. From now on, whatever you request along the lines of who I am and what I am doing, I'll do it. That's how the Father will be seen for who he is in the Son. I mean it. Whatever you request in this way, I'll do.

Sometimes we may wish Jesus had said to His disciples, "Ask Me anything, and I will answer." But that instruction would not have adequately described how to connect to heaven's throne. Therefore, the Lord gave very specific instructions for petitioning Him: "Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do," (John 14:13, emphasis added).

The power of Jesus Christ's name throws open the doors to God's throne room. In fact, we are granted eternal access when we call upon Him for salvation. Formerly, the way was barred because holy God will not tolerate sin stains. But since believers have been made righteous, they can enter His presence with confidence (2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 4:16).

Furthermore, our association with Jesus gives us authority to petition the almighty Father and expect an answer (Matt. 7:7; 1 John 5:14).

Yet the phrase "in Jesus' name" isn't some magic incantation that automatically gets what a person desires. Rather, it is a way to ensure that hearts are right and requests are in line with God's will. When we ask in Jesus' name, we are telling Him we want an answer that is based upon His complete knowledge of our situation. Moreover, we are surrendering our desires to be denied, changed, or granted as He sees fit.

We must not treat our prayer privilege lightly. Asking for silly or selfish things in the Lord's name is useless. He isn't about the business of granting wishes. Instead, believers are invited to tap into Jesus' power for the purpose of seeing His will done and His gospel spread.

(Devotional reading by Charles Stanely)

Christ First,

"A Promise from the Pits

2009-10-08T09:59:00.000-04:00

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."

James 1:1-2(NIV)

Are you sitting at the bottom of a pit? Do you feel as if God has not only deserted you but "set you up" for a season of pain and failure? Is your heart filled with anger? Are you discouraged? Celebrate, my friend! God is fully aware of your circumstances and will use it all for your good and His glory!

Let's Pray:
Father, forgive me for my complaining and questioning spirit in this pit. Help me to see Your hand at work in every trial and celebrate all You are doing in my life through that difficult circumstance. I choose joy! I choose to believe You and trust You in the darkness as well as in the light. Thank You for the gift of testing and the reward of perseverance.
In Jesus' name, Amen.

Now It's Your Turn
Think back to a "pit" experience and remember your initial response. Evaluate that response in light of the truth that since trials develop perseverance, we can face each one with joy.
During that difficult time, did you question God? In what way(s)? Be specific.
Looking back, would you say that the trial strengthened your faith in God or lessened it? Explain your answer.
Pinpoint one truth gained from your "pit" experience.
Make a list of specific ways you can apply that truth to your daily walk.
In regard to this "pit" experience, answer the questions, "Why me? Why now? Why this?"

Read and memorize Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV) "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths."

More From The Girlfriends I hate pits! I know God uses them for my good and that the struggle through each one strengthens my faith. But that does not mean my feelings match my faith. In fact, feelings have nothing to do with faith but we often confuse the two. Faith is a deliberate choice, an agreement between you and God about His truth. Your feelings may or may not match that choice. It doesn't matter. God understands that our frail humanity includes fickle feelings that can rarely be trusted. Instead, trust God. Trust His Word!

Excerpt taking from Girlfriends by Mary Southerland

Christ First,
pw

"Victory Belongs to the Believer"

2009-09-03T17:01:00.000-04:00

1 John 5:3-5 (The Message)

1 John 5 1-3Every person who believes that Jesus is, in fact, the Messiah, is God-begotten. If we love the One who conceives the child, we'll surely love the child who was conceived. The reality test on whether or not we love God's children is this: Do we love God? Do we keep his commands? The proof that we love God comes when we keep his commandments and they are not at all troublesome.

4-5Every God-begotten person conquers the world's ways. The conquering power that brings the world to its knees is our faith. The person who wins out over the world's ways is simply the one who believes Jesus is the Son of God.

Christ First,
pw

WORD FOR THE MONTH

2009-08-05T08:24:00.000-04:00

"I am delivered from the power and authority of darkness. I cast down reasonings and imaginations that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God, and I bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of God's Word.

(2 Corinthians 10:3-5)

MORE THAN A CONQUEROR

2009-07-09T13:33:00.000-04:00

"But take heart! I have overcome the world"

(John 16:33 NIV).

Friend To Friend:
My brother was about four years old when he decided to grab a box of matches and a handful of sparklers to see how they worked. He had heard that sparklers worked best in the dark, so he went into the darkest place at Grandma's house he could find ... her wardrobe closet. Grandma didn't have any closets in her house, so she kept all of her hang up clothes in the large wooden stand alone closet. My brother snuck into the darkness, crouched amongst the dresses and coats, and lit the first match. The sparklers immediately began shooting fiery pops in all directions. Within moments, Stewart noticed more than just the sparklers were on fire. Grandma's clothes were up in flames. I'm happy to say that Stewart wasn't harmed, unless you count the spanking he got from Grandma on his behind.

Friends, we don't have to go into a closet to find the darkness. It is waiting for us the moment we step out the front door, turn on the television, or listen to the 6:00 o'clock news. The world is full of darkness at every turn.

What exactly is the world? In the Bible, there are several definitions. One definition refers to all the people on the earth: "For God so loved the world that he gave His one and only Son (John 3:16). In some instances, the word "world" refers to planet earth itself.
Other times "world" refers to the world systems, values, and morals. Paul refers to these world systems when he says, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world," (Romans 12:2). Jesus said that the "world" hated him and we shouldn't be surprised if it hates us as well (John 15:18, 19). Both refer to the world systems, values, or ways of thinking.

The Bible also tells us "that the whole world is under the control of the evil one" (1 John 5:19). It seems like we are "splitting hairs" here. But when we consider the power of the enemy and the pull of the world systems, they are almost one in the same. Right now, the world systems are being heavily influenced by the evil one.

But here's the hope! Jesus said, "But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). As long as we live in the world, we will feel its pull, but God assures us that we have what it takes to "overcome the world" (1 John 5:4, 5). We have the power of the Holy Spirit living in us and faith in the Victor who works through us.

Let's Pray:
Dear Heavenly Father, all around me I see the world trying to pull me away from You. Through movies, television shows, magazines and billboards, the world tries to pull me into a self-centered existence concerned with fulfilling my own selfish desires. But praise God! You have given me the power of the Holy Spirit to overcome the world! I don't have to be drawn in and seduced by the temporary trappings of this world. I am more than a conqueror through Christ Jesus and I can keep my mind focused on things of eternal worth! Thank You, Lord.
In Jesus' Name, Amen

Now It's Your Turn:
What are some ways "the world" tries to pull you away from God?
Are there any areas of your life that you need to change to keep that from happening?
Are there any movies or television programs that leave you feeling distant from God?
Books that you read that leave you feeling yucky inside?
Any activities or relationships that need to come to a halt?

You can do it! If God calls you to it, He will see you through it! But He does require participation on your part.

Excerpt taken from Sharon Jaynes/Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 725Matthews, NC 28106
info@girlfriendsingod.com
www.girlfriendsingod.com

Christ First,
pw

The Source of Our Strength

2009-06-18T09:19:00.000-04:00

"So he answered and said to me: “ This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel:

‘ Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the LORD of hosts."
Zechariah 4:6(New King James Version)

The world watches to see what sets Christianity apart as special. And the divine strength of Jesus Christ is best demonstrated at our point of weakness. As was true for the apostle Paul, God's might is available to us at all times--and it is the same awesome, supernatural power that raised Christ from the dead (Rom. 8:11; 2 Cor. 13:4). God will tailor His power to our need, but not when we rely on our own energy and skill to get the job done.
Unfortunately, our tendency is to try living in our personal strength and abilities until we come across an obstacle that is too large. At that point, we often want to tap into a reservoir of God's power--but just until the situation starts to improve. Once that happens, we frequently fall back on our self-reliant ways.

The Lord desires that we depend on Him fully at all times. He knows that any other approach will lead only to emptiness and failure. Our heavenly Father, in His infinite wisdom, allows problems and deficiencies in our lives so that we will have to lean on Him. Then He can gradually strip away our self-sufficiency and teach us humility. As our relationship with Him deepens in knowledge and intimacy, His divine strength will increasingly flow through us.

To access God's amazing power, we must first recognize our own frailty. Then, we should seek His revelation about areas of life that we are attempting to handle through human capability. Next, we're to ask for His guidance and empowerment. A final--and continuous--step is to pursue an ever-deepening relationship with Jesus.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.organdclick here to listen to Dr. Stanley at OnePlace.com.

FEATURED RESOURCE
The NASB Life Principles Bible
You can now read the Scriptures in Dr. Stanley's favorite teaching translation -- the New American Standard -- while learning the 30 Life Principles that have guided him for more than 50 years. The new NASB Life Principles Bible will enhance your personal study time through explanation of key passages, plus helpful resources like "Answers to Life's Questions," concordance, maps, and much more. Available in leather and hardcover.

Used with permission from In Touch Ministries, Inc. © 2009 All Rights Reserved.

Christ First,
pw

" A Mighty Warrior"

2009-05-07T11:50:00.000-04:00

by Sharon Jaynes

Today's Truth

"I have no greater joy than to know that my children are walking in the truth."

(3 John 1:4 NIV)

Friend To Friend

Proverbs 31 introduces us to the mother whose children rise up and call her blessed, as a "wife of noble character" (NIV), "an excellent wife" (NASB) and "a capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman." (Amplified) The actual Hebrew word for excellent or virtuous is chayil and is sometimes interpreted as "virtuous, boldly courageous, powerful, mighty warrior."

The mother whose children rise up and call her blessed is a warrior who battles in prayer for the hearts, minds, and souls of her children. She prays a hedge of protection around them and stands in the gap when they don't know how to pray for themselves. She meets the enemy head on, dressed in the armor of God with the sword of the spirit (the word of God) drawn and ready for action. We may never know the many times that the enemy's schemes against our children were thwarted by the power of our prayers.

As a mother, you may feel at times that your burden for you child seems more than you can bear. Peter tells us to "cast all our cares upon Him, because He cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). He cares for your children, too. No matter how much you love your children, God loves them more.
In my Bible, I keep a 4 x 6 laminated card with prayers for Stephen that are my defense against the enemy's attack.

You, too, can pray that your children will:

· Know Christ as Savior early in life. (Psalm 63:1, 2 Timothy 3:15)
· Have a hatred for sin. (Psalm 97:10)
· Be caught when guilty. (Psalm 119:71)
· Be protected from the evil one in each area of their lives: spiritual, emotional, and physical

(John 17:15)
· Have a responsible attitude in all their interpersonal relationships (Daniel 6:3)
· Respect those in authority over them. (Romans 13:1)
· Desire the right kind of friends and be protected from the wrong friends.

(Proverbs 1:10-11)
· Be kept from the wrong mate and saved for the right one. (2 Corinthians 6:14-17)
· Be kept pure until marriage (as well as the one they marry). (1 Corinthians 6:18-20)
· Learn to totally submit to God and actively resist Satan in all things. (James 4:7)
· Be single-hearted, willing to be sold out to Jesus Christ. (Romans 12:1-2)
· Be hedged in so they cannot find their way to wrong people or wrong places and that the

wrong people cannot find their way to them. (Hosea 2:6)

A mother wears many hats during the years of raising her children. And while we take off those hats one-by-one as they grow and mature, there is one that will always remain -- the hat of a mother who prays.

Let's Pray

Dear God, thank You for the privilege of being a mom. I agree with John who wrote,

"I have no greater joy than to know that my children are walking in the truth"

That is my prayer today...that my child will walk in Your truth.
In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Now It's Your Turn Perhaps you have certain concerns or desires for your child.

If so, find a good concordance and look up Scriptural promises to pray.
Consider joining with another mother and becoming prayer partners for your children.

You can use the list from this devotion as a springboard for praying Scripture over your children.
More From The Girlfriends If you would like to order the laminated card that Sharon mentioned in today's devotion just click on www.sharonjaynes.com and go to the bottom of the books page. You will find more great parenting ideas in Sharon's book,

Being a Great Mom-Raising Great Kids.
Girlfriends in GodP.O. Box 725Matthews, NC 28106

info@girlfriendsingod.com www.girlfriendsingod.com

Click here dwhite633@aol.com if your desiring to know more about Christ or to grow in your spiritual relationship with Christ.

Christ First,

Pastor White

"The Forgotten Costs of Discipleship"

2009-04-16T13:29:00.000-04:00

From Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s The Cost of Discipleship, the book’s greatness lies not only in the truths expressed, but also in the fact that the author lived those truths in his own life so powerfully. In 1939, just two years after Bonhoeffer wrote The Cost of Discipleship, American friends arranged his passage from Germany to the United States. While others busily planned a speaking tour for Bonhoeffer, he grew increasingly unsettled.
He wrote a letter to Reinhold Neibuhr who had sponsored his trip explaining that leaving Germany had been a mistake. He knew that Christians in Germany would have to choose between desiring their nation’s defeat to preserve Christian civilization or desiring their nation’s victory and thereby destroying their civilization. “I know which of these alternatives I must choose,” wrote Bonhoeffer, “but I cannot make that choice in security.”
Bonhoeffer then returned to Germany knowing that following Jesus would have a tremendous cost, but also knowing that whatever that cost was it was worth it to remain near to his Lord. Imprisoned for two years for his part in the German resistance movement, just three weeks before the liberation of Berlin, Bonhoeffer was executed. Bonhoeffer begins the work by showing exactly how much we’ve reduced Christian discipleship by contrasting the notions of cheap and costly grace. Cheap grace he wrote, “is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession. . . .” In short, no desire to change. In contrast, costly grace is a call to follow Jesus. “It is costly,” writes Bonhoeffer, “because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life.”
Bonhoeffer was concerned that with the Christianization of the Western world had come a cheapening of grace, denying the very essence of Christianity. To take the name “Christian” and yet cling to what he called “bourgeois secular existence” disturbed him. My concern today is that we learn this lesson and not become comfortable with cheap grace here in our own land.
We need to re-read this classic because somehow we’ve forgotten how radical it is to follow the call of Jesus. We’ve forgotten that the disciples left behind the security of their nets and boats, for the gracious uncertainty of a life of faith.
And we’ve forgotten that following Christ will lead us down a road likewise marked with suffering. As Bonhoeffer reminded us, “Jesus says that every Christian has his own cross waiting for him, a cross destined and appointed by God.” For us, it may not mean martyrdom as it did for Bonhoeffer, but it will mean abandoning the attachments of this world for fellowship with Christ. That’s an understanding of discipleship we desperately need today.

Excerpts taken from Chuck Colson’s daily BreakPoint commentary

"All About Lent"

2009-02-26T12:46:00.000-05:00

Lent is the period of fasting leading up to the feast of Easter, recalling Jesus' 40-day fast in the wilderness. Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Easter.

In 2009, Lent begins on February 25.

Basic Facts About Lent
Liturgical Color(s): Violet (Purple)
Duration: The traditional Lenten fast is observed for 40 days, starting on Ash Wednesday, going through Holy Week, excluding Sundays.
Celebrates/Symbolizes: Jesus' wilderness fast; Preparation for Easter
Scriptural References: Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13

The purpose of Lent is to be a season of fasting, self-denial, Christian growth, penitence, conversion, and simplicity. Lent, can be viewed as a spiritual spring cleaning: a time for taking spiritual inventory and then cleaning out those things which hinder our corporate and personal relationships with Jesus Christ and our service to him. Thus it is fitting that the season of Lent begin with a symbol of repentance: placing ashes mixed with oil on one's head or forehead.
There are a few basic tasks that traditionally have been associated with Lent. Many of these have a long history. These are fasting, almsgiving, and prayer.

Fasting: The Western Rite of the Catholic Church requires its members age 18 and 59 to fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, unless a physical condition prevents otherwise. This means only one full meal is permitted. However, when we "give something up" for Lent, we are embracing a form of fasting, an excellent spiritual discipline. Eastern Christians have a more rigorous fast, abstaining from meat, wine, oil, dairy products, and even fish. In this way, Lent represents a spiritual training time to overcome evil. Some give up things they have an inordinate desire for, e.g. sweets, caffeine, etc. By giving these up, the person fasting learns to control a particular part of his or her life, which leads to greater self-discipline even when Lent is over. As such in Lent we are able to learn, examine, and get under control our material excesses. Whatever you decide to fast from, remember, as Steven Clark likes to say: "Lent is more than a diet." Lent is about spiritual results, not material ones. So, while losing a few pounds may be a nice side benefit, all fasting should be done for God's glory and spiritual growth.

Prayer: Lent is a good time to develop or strengthen a discipline of daily prayer. A good goal for Lent would be, to have Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer everyday. If you already do that, perhaps you could add noon or night prayer . Contemplative prayer, based around the idea of silence or listening for God, is also well suited to Lent.

Almsgiving (Charity): While Lent is about giving something up (i.e. fasting), it is also about putting something positive in its place. The best way to remove vice is to cultivate virtue. Lent has been a traditional time of helping the poor and doing acts of charity and mercy. While as Christians this is a year round calling, Lent is a good time to examine ways to get involved and to make resolutions to actually do them. Giving alms can be done in more ways than just giving out money to people on the street. It can be done by helping your family, friends, and neighbors out of tight situations or being more generous to hired help. However, one of the best ways to give alms is to get out of your comfort zone a little bit, maybe by volunteering for a charity or a shelter.

Scripture Reading: When facing temptation in the desert, Jesus relied on Scripture to counter the wiles of the devil. It is a formidable weapon for us as well. Biblical illiteracy among Christians of all types is rampant and, quite honestly, shameful. Lent is an excellent time to remedy this problem.
(Information shared from ChurchYear.Net by Jonathan Bennett and David Bennett)

During this "Lent Season" we will continue to "Chase God"

and experience the fullness of His Glory!!

Christ First,
pastor white

"Liberated to Live and Love"

2009-02-12T15:18:00.000-05:00

"They cried to You, and were delivered; They trusted in You, and were not ashamed."
Psalm 22:5(NKJV)

"Beloved let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who Loves is born of God and Knows God. He who does not Love does not know God, for God is Love."

I John 4:7-8(NKJV)

History is replete with stories of slaveholders who dominated the helpless, and wicked rulers who tyrannized entire people groups. These are obvious cases of bondage. Less evident--but damaging nonetheless--are the widespread instances of enslavement to emotional wounds and sinful acts, habits, and attitudes. People oppressed in this way cannot break free.
Thankfully, Christ came to earth to release us from captivity to sin. He said of Himself:

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me . . . He has sent me to . . . to set free those who are oppressed" (Luke 4:18, 21).

How can you take advantage of this terrific offer of freedom?

The first step is to recognize that you are controlled by a spiritual problem known as sin.

Second, trace its roots, if possible--ask, Why do I indulge to the point that I am mastered by this temptation? Some possible answers are insecurity, fear of failure, pride, and past abuse.

Third, choose freedom. Trust the Lord to help, and believe that His Holy Spirit will enable you to do whatever is necessary.

God does not want His children enslaved; He wants them free to live (John 10:10).

Fourth, cry out to Him for help.

God will answer by acting in your best interest. Perhaps that means freeing you immediately. Or He may decide that the best process for you will take time, in which case a struggle might lie ahead. Either way, you can be certain that the Father knows what is optimal for each of His children. His chosen course of action will enable you to experience freedom and abundance through loving others.

To see more resources from In Touch Ministries, please visit us at http://www.crosswalkmail.com/gbhsssqjj_myfznmvlnfs.html or go directly to our bookstore at In Touch Ministries.
Used with permission from In Touch Ministries, Inc. © 2008 All Rights Reserved.

Christ First,

Pastor White(PW)

"Don't End this New Year in Regrets"

2009-01-08T16:05:00.001-05:00

As we have already begun this year, make sure that you accomplish all that God has for you to fulfill each day... so that you don't get to the end of the year(2009), with regrets. In order to make this happen you must be careful of how and when to hear from God. Allow God to help you remove whatever can be a hinderance or a blockage...

Please be encouraged and empowered from the reading below

by Dr. Charles Stanley.

Come to a H.A.L.T.

Psalm 51 (The Message)

Generous in love—God, give grace! Huge in mercy—wipe out my bad record. Scrub away my guilt, soak out my sins in your laundry. I know how bad I've been; my sins are staring me down. You're the One I've violated, and you've seen it all, seen the full extent of my evil. You have all the facts before you; whatever you decide about me is fair. I've been out of step with you for a long time, in the wrong since before I was born. What you're after is truth from the inside out. Enter me, then; conceive a new, true life. Soak me in your laundry and I'll come out clean, scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life. Tune me in to foot-tapping songs, set these once-broken bones to dancing. Don't look too close for blemishes, give me a clean bill of health. God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life. Don't throw me out with the trash, or fail to breathe holiness in me. Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails! Give me a job teaching rebels your ways so the lost can find their way home. Commute my death sentence, God, my salvation God, and I'll sing anthems to your life-giving ways. Unbutton my lips, dear God; I'll let loose with your praise. Going through the motions doesn't please you, a flawless performance is nothing to you. I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shattered lives ready for love don't for a moment escape God's notice. Make Zion the place you delight in, repair Jerusalem's broken-down walls. Then you'll get real worship from us, acts of worship small and large, Including all the bulls they can heave onto your altar!

"How many people have lamented, If I had it do over again, I'd do it differently? "It" refers to decisions, actions, and conversations we'd like to take back. As King David mourned the sinful choices that made him an adulterer and a murderer, he probably thought about the righteous alternatives. Like David, we tend to make wrong decisions when we are ruled by our appetites rather than godly discernment (2 Sam. 11:4).
Foolishness of some kind often results when people give in to stress placed on body and mind. These "earthly vessels" are more vulnerable than we think. That's why Christians shouldn't make snap judgments when feeling hungry, angry, lonely, or tired (H.A.L.T.). In those states, we are particularly at risk of making bad decisions with no lasting gain.
Craving immediate gratification makes for poor decision making. We need time to weigh a situation's merits and drawbacks. And we must consider potential long-term outcomes, particularly if there might be an eternal impact. Sometimes that process takes a few minutes, but in other cases, we might have to deliberate and seek God's guidance for weeks or months.
Satan is always on the lookout for a gap in the Christian soldier's spiritual armor, but physical, mental, and emotional vulnerabilities prove handy for his cause as well. Do not give the Evil One a toehold! Keep yourself fed, rational, in good company, and rested. Then you are prepared to make godly judgments on the spot rather than thinking of them in retrospect."

Christ First,

pastor debra white

Click on to this helpful tool that will help you through this year.

The Bible on One page

Are You Ready For "CHRIST"-mas?

2008-12-18T16:22:00.000-05:00

Ready for "CHRIST"-mas?

Today's Truth "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

(Matthew 3:2 NIV)

Friend to Friend It seems like everywhere you go during the month of December people ask the same question. At the grocery checkout counter - "Are you ready for Christmas?" At the bank drive through window - "Are you ready for Christmas?" At the doctor's office - "Are you ready for Christmas?"
I think the answer to that question depends on how you define "ready." Let me ask you this question: "Are you ready for Jesus?" Now that puts the idea of being ready in a whole different Christmas light, doesn't it? John the Baptist was sent by God to get the people ready to meet Jesus. Here's what Matthew had to say about him: In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: "A voice of one calling in the desert, Prepare the way for the Lord; make straight paths for him.'"... "People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River." Matthew 3:1-3, 5-6). We don't like the words "repent" or "repentance" very much. They mean "to make a radical change in one's life, to turn and go in the opposite direction from sin (another word we're not too fond of today) to God". Repentance involves an element of grief over the way we have lived apart from God and a decision to run toward the Father. That was God's idea of the way to prepare for Christ's arrival in the book of Matthew, and it is still God's idea of preparing to worship Him today.

Let's reflect for a moment on the words to this poem and then answer the question, "Are you ready for "CHRIST"-mas?"

"Ready for Christmas," she said with a sigh As she gave a last touch to the gifts piled high... Then wearily sat for a moment AND READ Til soon, very soon, she was nodding her head. Then quietly spoke a voice in her dream, "Ready for Christmas, what do you mean?" She woke with a start and a cry of despair. "There's so little time and I've still to prepare. Oh, Father! Forgive me, I see what You mean! Yes, more than the giving of gifts and a tree. It's the heart swept clean that He wanted to see, A heart that is free from bitterness and sin.

So be ready for "CHRIST"-mas - and ready for Him.

Let's Pray Dear Lord, I want to be ready for Jesus today and everyday. I come to You now in repentance for my sins: my sin of selfishness, stubbornness, and rebellion. I turn from my self-centeredness today and commit to keep my focus on You. God, I cannot do this on my own. I am not able. So I ask that you fill me with the power of Your Holy Spirit Who empowers me to obey. Thank You that You have given me every thing I need for a life of godliness and truth. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
In Jesus' Name, Amen

Now It's Your Turn What do you think it means to be "ready for "CHRIST"-mas?"
What do you think it means to be ready for Jesus?

Go back and read the parable of the ten virgins in Matthews 25:1-13. Notice the difference between the five who were ready and the five who were not.

Which group more resembles your readiness for Christ?

Excerpt taken from Girlfriends in God by Sharon Jaynes at www.girlfriendsingod.com

As we celebrate "CHRIST"-mas what a wonderful gift to give during this season(you do know that Jesus is the reason for the season?) a Gift that's gives eternal life-JESUS CHRIST(He came so that we may LIVE). Someone is in need of this gift don't be selfish and keep it under your tree all for yourself be sure that someone else LIVES.

For God so loved the world(me and you) that He gave His only begotten son(Jesus Christ).

That whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but shall have everlasting Life.

(John 3:16)

Accept this wonderful gift today by confessing and believing in Jesus Christ,

what a wonderful way to start LIVING...

Jesus Christ came so that you may have LIFE...and to have LIFE MORE ABUNDATELY...

Christ First,

Pastor White

dwhite633@aol.com

Who is Jesus

2008-12-04T13:15:00.000-05:00

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.” So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name JESUS.

Matthew 1:18-25(New King James Version)

Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures...

(1 Corinthians 15:1-4 New King James Version)

Most people are familiar with the name "Jesus," but relatively few truly know who He is. This is tragic because a right understanding of the Savior's identity and mission is directly related to every person's eternal destiny. How is it possible to know who Jesus Christ is and what He did? The Father has provided a completely trustworthy source: the Bible. The wise person will regularly spend time in the Word to gain knowledge of the Savior and develop a deep relationship with Him.

Scripture tells us that Jesus is God:

Christ existed before His own birth--in fact, even before time began. The prophet Micah spoke of His ancient origin (5:2), and Paul named Him as the Creator (Col. 1:5-6).
Jesus claimed equality with the invisible God and was the perfect reflection of Him (John 10:30; 14:9).
The Savior performed miracles--such as restoring the dead to life--that were possible only by supernatural power (John 11:43-44).
The Lord received worship and forgave sin, two acts that are acceptable only for Deity (Matt. 9:2-8; John 9:38).

Think about Jesus coming to earth as a baby. Imagine the power resting in that little manger--the omnipotent God was lying in a trough made from trees He had created, under stars He Himself had strewn across the sky! Scripture makes it clear that there is only one way to eternal life: by trusting in Jesus Christ as Savior (Acts 4:12). Weigh the evidence, and then make a wise decision to follow Him.
(Excerpt taking from Dr. Charles Stanley)

Christ First,
Pastor White

What Kind of Clay are You?

2008-11-13T12:36:00.000-05:00

"But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter;

And all we are the work of Your hand."

(Isaiah 64:8NKJV)

"Harden not your hearts, in the provocation,

in the day of temptation in the wildernes"

(Hebrews 3:8 KJV)

Work with moist clay and you can make almost anything: a mug, a vase, a bowl, even a great sculpture. However, when clay becomes dry it is difficult or almost impossible to be reshaped.

What kind of clay are you? Does the water of God's word penetrate and affect your life? Are you being shaped by God's hand, formed by his word? Or are you hardened against Him and indifferent from the word and from the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

If you are feeling a little "dried out", or unmoved by God, check your heart and the influences in your life. Encourage yourself with Hebrews 3, and put your hope in Christ.

Hebrews 3 (The Message)

1-6So, my dear Christian friends, companions in following this call to the heights, take a good hard look at Jesus. He's the centerpiece of everything we believe, faithful in everything God gave him to do. Moses was also faithful, but Jesus gets far more honor. A builder is more valuable than a building any day. Every house has a builder, but the Builder behind them all is God. Moses did a good job in God's house, but it was all servant work, getting things ready for what was to come. Christ as Son is in charge of the house.
6-11Now, if we can only keep a firm grip on this bold confidence, we're the house! That's why the Holy Spirit says, Today, please listen; don't turn a deaf ear as in "the bitter uprising," that time of wilderness testing! Even though they watched me at work for forty years, your ancestors refused to let me do it my way; over and over they tried my patience. And I was provoked, oh, so provoked! I said, "They'll never keep their minds on God; they refuse to walk down my road." Exasperated, I vowed, "They'll never get where they're going, never be able to sit down and rest."
12-14So watch your step, friends. Make sure there's no evil unbelief lying around that will trip you up and throw you off course, diverting you from the living God. For as long as it's still God's Today, keep each other on your toes so sin doesn't slow down your reflexes. If we can only keep our grip on the sure thing we started out with, we're in this with Christ for the long haul.
These words keep ringing in our ears: Today, please listen; don't turn a deaf ear as in the bitter uprising. 15-19For who were the people who turned a deaf ear? Weren't they the very ones Moses led out of Egypt? And who was God provoked with for forty years? Wasn't it those who turned a deaf ear and ended up corpses in the wilderness? And when he swore that they'd never get where they were going, wasn't he talking to the ones who turned a deaf ear? They never got there because they never listened, never believed.

Christ First,

pastor white

"Witnesses For Christ"

2008-10-02T14:16:00.000-04:00

Acts 1:4-8 (The Message)
Dear Theophilus, in the first volume of this book I wrote on everything that Jesus began to do and teach until the day he said good-bye to the apostles, the ones he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, and was taken up to heaven. After his death, he presented himself alive to them in many different settings over a period of forty days. In face-to-face meetings, he talked to them about things concerning the kingdom of God. As they met and ate meals together, he told them that they were on no account to leave Jerusalem but "must wait for what the Father promised: the promise you heard from me. John baptized in water; you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit. And soon."
6When they were together for the last time they asked, "Master, are you going to restore the kingdom to Israel now? Is this the time?"
7-8He told them, "You don't get to know the time. Timing is the Father's business. What you'll get is the Holy Spirit. And when the Holy Spirit comes on you, you will be able to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, even to the ends of the world."

Standing up and speaking out for Christ can be a scary thing for many believers. Even if we want to obey the Lord's call to "Go . . . and make disciples" (Matt. 28:19), we may wonder, What would I do? or What would I say? It can be a bit overwhelming and intimidating if we think we have to do it all on our own. Fortunately, we are not alone. Knowing He was issuing a potentially uncomfortable command, the Lord was intentional in the way He framed it. Notice that this passage has essentially three components:

1. Jesus has all authority in heaven and earth.
2. We are to go and make disciples.
3. Jesus will be with us every step of the way.

This wording, combined with the promise of the Holy Spirit in Acts 1:8, reveals that the responsibility of making disciples was never intended to be a solo act. Jesus is not only present with us, but He is pouring His power into us so that we may more effectively be His witnesses--His ambassadors--in the world. The work is His and the power is His; we're just the instruments He's chosen to use in carrying out His work. God wants to use us, but He hasn't left us to tackle the job on our own. The One who holds all the power and authority in the universe is with us step by step, and He has put that power within us through His Holy Spirit. Everything we need is at our fingertips. All that's left is for us to follow the command to "Go!" Where will that command lead you today?

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42 TIPS FOR A BETTER LIFE

2008-09-05T16:31:00.000-04:00

Romans 12:1-2(The Message)
"So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you."

1. When you wake up in the morning, always start your day with a prayer/vision.
2. And then, complete the following statement, My purpose is to tell someone about Jesus today.
3. Take a 10 to 30-minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
4. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.
5. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
6. Drink plenty of water and fresh juices. Eat blueberries, salad, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds, etc.
7. Make at least three people smile each day.
8. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present.
9. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
10. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone, so give the best of your kindness.
11. Take yourself seriously.
12. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
13. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
14. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about. Don't compare your partner with others either.
15. No one is in charge of your happiness except you. So, be happy.
16. Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
17. Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; Responsibility for all your actions.
18. When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
19. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: In five years, will it matter? Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and Fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
20. Forgive everyone for everything.
21. Read more books and watch less TV than you did last year.
22. What other people think of you is none of your business.
23. God has everything you'll every need in life so hook up with Him.
24. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
25. In disagreements with loved ones, deal with the current situation; don't bring up the past.
26. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
27. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your family and friends will. Stay in touch.
28. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
29. Keep believing that the best is yet to come.
30. Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.
31. Each day give something good to others.
32. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
33. Sleep for 7 hours every day or whatever your body needs.
34. Don't trust someone who doesn't close their eyes when you kiss them.
35. Remember that the best relationship is one where your love for each other is greater than your need for each other.
36. Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a stroke of luck.
37. Do the right thing!
38. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: I am thankful for__________ Today I accomplished_________
39. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
40. Trust in God, but lock your car.
41. Realize that as you get older, you are not approaching death, but heaven.
42. Know that GOD heals everything.

(There are those times that you receive e-mail messages that are worth sharing and posting, thanks Beth Shaw for sharing)

Christ First,

pastor white

"Family Reunion"

2008-07-31T14:33:00.000-04:00

Family reunions are a time to embrace and get to know your family better. It is a time for distant relatives to catch up and reminisce. A time to re-affirm ties within the family and reconnect to one’s family heritage. It is a way of sharing and preserving family history. Family reunions are a time to reflect on the year and build leadership skills. It is a time to fondly remember those who have passed away. It is a time of inclusion, growth and widening out Family reunions are a time to spend quality time with extended families.

"Family Time"

2008-07-01T12:03:00.000-04:00

by Rondi Hillstrom Davis Together: Creating Family Traditions Copyright Nine Twenty Press

When you pick up any magazine, it’s easy to find an abundance of articles to help you organize your life. Most offer tips for cleaning out the closets, shuffling the papers on the desk, finding ways to organize the kid’s toys. But, here’s a different twist. We’d like to help you organize your time to find some precious, extra moments to spend with your family. Many parents are frantic because there doesn’t seem to be enough hours in a day to manage their work, home life, and kid’s activities. They’re frustrated when they see others who seem to do it all. The number one question parents ask us is, “How can I find more quality time to spend with my kids?” Stay focused on what’s really important. Do you waste valuable time? Clear the clutter in your life. Do you buy lots of toys and gifts to compensate for your lack of family time? What your kids really want is you, not the latest, greatest toy. How much time is wasted cleaning up the clutter? If the junk has taken over, pitch it. How much time do you spend carpooling? Do you really need to sign your kids up for another after school dance lesson? Is your cell phone off? Or, are you wasting your time on endless phone conversations while running your kids from one activity to another? Do you eat dinner together as a family? Are phone calls and other interruptions allowed during dinner? Is the television off? Let everyone help. Do members of your family share in the household chores and responsibilities? Even the youngest children can help by making their beds, putting away toys, and setting the table. Insist that each task is done before moving on to another activity.

Set small goals and be specific. Resolutions are made with enthusiasm. But, very often they're forgotten in a month. Making a resolution for the entire year is difficult to keep. Saying that you want to spend more time with your family is too vague. But, promising to spend 1/2 hour each night reading aloud with your children is much more achievable. Start with small goals. They’re easier to accomplish. No one can give you more than 24 hours in a day. But, it’s your choice in how you choose to spend that time. Even an extra 10 minutes a day is a worthwhile goal. Once you see the benefits, you’ll be motivated to set additional goals.

Family Devotion Time by Pastor Debra A. White

"A Family that prays together stays together". What is the most valuable time than a family that spends time in prayer and the studying of God's Word. Set aside some daily time to pray together whether it is at the beginning of your day or the end of your day. Then set time for a family study, select studies that strengthen your family to grow and prosper in the will of God(Keep checking out the site as I will be giving recommendations on Family and home studies). With God as a priority watch how your time will be adjusted based on quality and it will reduce those activities that have taken up too much of your time.

"Happy Juneteenth Day"

2008-06-19T11:28:00.000-04:00

THE BLACK CHURCH and JUNETEENTH

Dr. Charles Taylor, Author

JUNETEENTH: A CELEBRATION OF FREEDOM

WHAT IS JUNETEENTH?
Juneteenth or June 19, 1865, is considered the date when the last slaves in America were freed. Although the rumors of freedom were widespread prior to this, actual emancipation did not come until General Gordon Granger rode into Galveston, Texas and issued General Order No. 3, on June 19, almost two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
BUT DIDN'T THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION FREE THE ENSLAVED?
President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on September 22, 1862, notifying the states in rebellion against the Union that if they did not cease their rebellion and return to the Union by January 1, 1863, he would declare their slaves forever free. Neeedless to say, the proclamation was ignored by those states that seceded from the Union. Futhermore, the proclamation did not apply to those slave-holding states that did not rebel against the Union. As a result about 8000,000 slaves were unaffected by the provisions of the proclamation. It would take a civil war to enforce the Emancipation Proclamation and the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution to formally outlaw slavery in the United States.

WHEN IS JUNETEENTH CELEBRATED?
Annually, on June 19, in more than 200 cities in the United States. Texas (and Oklahoma) is the only state that has made Juneteenth a legal holiday. Some cities sponsor week-long celebrations, culminating on June 19, while others hold shorter celebrations.

WHY IS JUNETEENTH CELEBRATED?
It symbolizes the end of slavery. Juneteenth has come to symbolize for many African-Americans what the fourth of July symbolizes for all Americans -- freedom. It serves as a historical milestone reminding Amricans of the triumph of the human spirit over the cruelty of slavery. It honors those African-Americans ancestors who survived the inhumane institution of bondage, as well as demonstrating pride in the marvelous legacy of resistance and perserverance they left us.

WHY NOT JUST CELEBRATE THE FOURTH OF JULY LIKE OTHER AMERICANS?
Blacks do celebrate the Fourth of July in honor of American Independence Day, but history reminds us that blacks were still enslaved when the United States obtained its independence.

WHY WERE SLAVES IN TEXAS THE LAST TO KNOW THAT THEY WERE FREE?
During the Civil War, Texas did not experience any significant invasion by Union forces. Although the Union army made several attempts to invade Texas, they were thwarted by Confererate troops. As a result, slavery in Texas continued to thrive. In fact, because slavery in Texas experienced such a minor interruption in its operation, many slave owners from other slave-holding states brought their slaves to Texas to wait out the war. News of the emancipation was suppressed due to the overwhelming influence of the slave owners.

The Meaning of Juneteenth -- Freedom
When blacks in Texas heard the news, they alternately sang, danced and prayed. There was much rejoicing and jubilation that their life long prayers had finally been answered. Many of the slaves left their masters immediately upon being freed, in search of family members, economic opportunities or simply because they could. They left with nothing but the clothes on their backs and hope in their hearts. Oh, freedom!
"When my oldest brother heard we were free, he gave a whoop, ran, and jumped a high fence, and told mammy good-bye. Then he grabbed me up and hugged and kissed me and said, "Brother is gone, don't expect you'll ever see me any more," I don't know where he went, but I never did see him again." -- Susan Ross
Freedom meant more than the right to travel freely. It meant the right to name one's self and many freedmen gave themselves new names. County courthouses were overcrowded as blacks applied for licenses to legalize their marriages. Emancipation allowed ex-slaves the right to assemble and openly worship as they saw fit. As a result, a number of social and community organizations were formed, many originating from the church. Freedom implied that for the first time, United States laws protected the rights of blacks. There was a run on educational primers as freed men and woman sought the education that had for so long been denied them. The Bureau of Refuges, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands, commonly known as the Freedmen's Bureau, was founded by Congress in March 1865 to provide relief services for former slaves. Schools were established and joined churches as centers of the newly-freed communities. The promise of emancipation gave freedmen optimism for the future; few realized slavery's bitter legacy was just beginning to unfold and that equality was to remain an elusive dream. Oh freedom!
At the beginning of Reconstruction, the period immediately following the end of the Civil War, rumors were rampant that every freedman would be given forty acres and a mule. Ex-slaves petitioned for land and, with federal troops stationed throughout the South to protect their rights, looked forward to participating in American society as free citizens. In some cases ex-slaves were successful in obtaining land. Land grants by Congress allowed several states to establish black colleges.
The optimism was short-lived, however, and soon replaced by a betrayal so soul shattering blacks questioned whether the United States was serious about granting them their freedom. Ex-slaves found for the most part, that despite th Freedman's Bureau, they were left to fend for themselves. The abject poverty and the racism that maintained it, prohibited any hope for assimilated into American society. In Texas, the editor of the Harrison Flag newspaper denounced as "treasonable" the sale of land to blacks. The Texas Homestead Act, passed during Reconstruction, granted up to 160 acres of free land to white persons only. The Texas legislature in 1866 passed a new set of black codes that attempted to reverse the limited gains blacks had been granted.
Ex-slaves entered freedom under the worst possible conditions. Most were turned loose penniless and homeless, with only the clothes on their back. Ex-slaves were, as Frederick Douglas said "free, without roofs to cover them, or bread to eat, or land to cultivate, and as a consequence died in such numbers as to awaken the hope of their enemies that they would soon disappear."
Many white Texans disdained black freedom and this utter contempt guaranteed the price of freedom for many would be unaffordable. The sharecropping system that emerged in Texas and all over the deep South kept many blacks from starving, but had little to distinguish it from the slave life blacks thought they had escaped. This was the other side of emancipation where high expectations gave way to heart-crushing disillusionment.
By 1877, the end of Reconstruction, the North had abandoned black Americans to the will of southern whites, who through violence, racial discrimination and Jim Crow laws succeeded in disenfranchising them, resulting in more than 100 years of oppression. It's not surprising that blacks turned to the only institution that gave them hope--the church.

CHURCH
From the establishment of the first black church in America, throughout slavery and beyond, the church has been the foundation of the black community. During the horrific days of slavery it provided relief and nourishment for the soul with its promise of a better life after death. The church gave the slave dignity and assured him he was equal in the eyes of God. Despite his earthly condition he was loved and valued as a child of God no matter how difficult his burden became or unbearable his suffering was, Jesus, who too suffered, prepared a place of rest for him when his time was up on earth. It was this religious faith that sustained the slave and enabled him to endure his bondage.
The slave owner was able to observe a glimpse of this faith as he heard the incredible music that seemed to come out of the slave's soul while toiling in the field. If the slave owner had ventured into a slave church, his strong defense of slavery would no doubt have been weakened. He would have seen the people he considered inferior and sub-human without the defensive masks they wore in the fields; in their churches, enslaved men and woman displayed a dignity and stateliness that survived the slave owner's dehuminizing oppression.
The church was more than a safe house. It served as a launching pad for black leadership and was involved early on in working for liberation. Many free blacks in northern churches participated in the Underground Railroad, raised money for freedmen after the Civil War, and helped keep the black community intact.
The importance of the black church can not be overstated. It was, and perhaps still is, the single most important institution in the black community. It permitted self-expression and supported creativity at a time when it could have meant death. An example is found in the spirituals, gospel and other forms of music that helped blacks explain and endure their sojourn in America. Blacks were able to use their churches to hone organization and leadership skills useful in the economic, social and political development of their community. It's no accident that Martin Luther King, Jr., Jesse Jackson and a host of other civil rights leaders got their start through the black church.
Therefore it is not surprising the black church has always played a pivitol role in keeping alive the meaning of Juneteenth. Religion has always been at the root of the observance of this holiday, which is ironic, considering it is a holiday born out of an institution so far removed from Christian ideals--slavery.
The Black Church provided a haven from the daily oppression slaves faced, but after freedom it was also the center of social activities including the sponsorship of the annual Juneteenth Celebration.

TRADITIONAL PRAYER
The deep spiritual faith of the enslaved is reflected in the traditional prayer below. Similiar prayers are often recited in Juneteenth celebrations.
Father, I stretch my hand to thee--for no other help I know. Oh my rose of Sharon, my shelter in the time of storm. My prince of peace, my hope in this harsh land. We bow before you this morning to thank you for watching over us and taking care of us. This morning you touched us and brought us out of the land of slumber, gave us another day--thank you Jesus. We realize that many that talked as we now talked, this morning when their names were called, they failed to answer. Their voices were hushed up in death. Their souls had taken a flight and gone back to the God that gave it, but not so with us. We are thankful the sheet we covered with, was not our winding sheet, and the bed we slept on was not our cooling board. You spared us and gave us one more chance to pray. And Father, before we go further, we want to pause and thank you for forgiving our sins. Forgive all our wrong doings. We don't deserve it, but you lengthened out the brickly threads of our lives and gave us another chance to pray, and Lord for this we thank you... Now Lord, when I've come to the end of my journey, when praying days are done and time for me shall be no more; when these knees have bowed for the last time, when I too, like all others must come in off the battlefield of life, when I'm through being 'buked and scorned, I pray for a home in glory.
When I come down to the river of Jordan, hold the river still and let your servant cross over during a calm down. Father, I'll be looking for that land where Job said the wicked would cease from troubling us and our weary souls would be at rest; over there where a thousand years is but a day in eternity, where I'll meet with loved ones and where I can sing praises to thee; and we can say with the saints of old, Free at Last, Free at Last, thank God almighty, I am free at last. Your servants prayer for Christ sake. Amen!
-- traditional with additions from Reverend Wallace Evans

LEGACY OF SLAVERY
The fact that it took a Civil War to forcibly put an end to slavery left a bitter legacy that continues to divide American society. Slavery so bankrupted slave owners' sense of right and wrong that they were willing to die to defend that lifestyle. A slave-holding minority morally corrupted a nation, and this legacy still haunts the country.
According to historian John Hope Franklin, "the Founding Fathers (by allowing slavery) set the stage for every succeeding generation of Americans to apologize, compromise and temporize on those principles of liberty that were supposed to be the very foundation of our system of government and way of life...that is why this nation tolerated and indeed, nurtured the cultivation of racism that has been as insidious as it has been pervasive."
Professor Franklin asks, "how could the colonists make (such) distinctions in their revolutionary philosophy? They either meant that all men were created equal or they did not mean it at all. They either meant that every man was entitled to life, liberty, and the purssuit of happiness, or they did not mean it at all...Patrick Henry, who had cried, 'Give me liberty or give me death', admitted that slavery was 'repugnant to humanity', but (obviously) not terribly repugnant, for he continued to hold blacks in bondage. So did George Washington and Thomas Jefferson..."
This blatant hypocrisy poisoned both religion and the law. Every institution at the slave-holder's disposal was used to justify slavery. Instead of the slave-owner being considered inhumane, the people he enslaved were. The legacy of racism has grown into perhaps the greatest internal threat that this country faces. John Hope Franklin aptly put it when he wrote that "slavery weakened America's moral authority."
It's amazing that despite living under the most inhumane conditions known to humankind, blacks contributed everything from agricultural inventions, to medical breakthroughs, to music. Enslaved artisans crafted incredible sculptures, designed beautiful buildings and helped build a nation. Blacks preserved a culture and succeeded in passing down a legacy of music, language, food, religion and a lesson in survival. We'll never know how many scientists, engineers, doctors and artists were lost on the trip over on the slave ships or after they arrived.
Slavery taught America another lesson, one that it too often ignores. Blacks and whites worked together to create an anti-slavery movement that ultimately succeeded. Later they fought and died together to force an end of slavery. Blacks and whites have worked throughout the nation's history for social justice. This lesson of cooperation must never be forgotten.
While the painful side of slavery makes it difficult for many blacks to celebrate Juneteenth, it is the positive legacy of perseverance and cooperation that makes it impossible for others to ignore.

WHY WE CELEBRATE

J -- Juneteenth represents the joy of freedom--the chance for a new beginning.
U -- Unless we expose the truth about the African-American slave experience, Americans won't be truly free.
N -- Never must we forget our ancestors' endurance of one of the worst slave experiences in human history.
E -- Every American has benefitted from the wealth blacks created through over 200 years of free labor and Juneteenth allows us to acknowledge that debt.
T -- To encourage every former slave-holding state to follow Texas' (and Oklahoma's) example and make Juneteenth a state holiday.
E -- Everyday in america, blacks are reminded of the legacy of slavery. Juneteenth counters that by reminding us of the promise of deliverance.
E -- Even on the journey to discover who we are, Juneteenth allows us to reflect on where we've been, where we're at and where we're going as a people.
N -- Never give up hope is the legacy our enslaved ancestors left. It was this legacy that produced black heroism in the Civil War and helped launch the modern civil rights era. It is this legacy we celebrate.
T -- To proclaim for all the world to hear, that human rights must never again become subservient to property rights.
H -- History books have only told a small part of the story; Juneteenth gives us a chance to set the record straight.

FREEDOM IS ALWAYS WORTH CELEBRATING!

taken from: http://www.njclc.com/njclchistory.html

Sending a Happy Birthday Blessing to my Sister(Delouris Goodson), Love you and what a great day to be born on.

Who the Son sets free is free indeed, Don't you(Delouris) know that you are free!

Claim and walk in all of the promises that have been given to you by God...

The Refiner and Purifier of Silver

2008-05-13T16:58:00.000-04:00

Every now and then you received those forwarded e-mail message that blesses you. This is one of those messages that I received and I felt the message would encourage and empower you.

Malachi 3:3 says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God. One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities. The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed. The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?" He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it."

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire , remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

Pass this message on right now. This very moment, someone needs to know that God is watching over them. And, whatever they're going through, they'll be a better person in the end.
(Author Unknown)

"21st Century Prophets..."

2008-04-23T10:20:00.000-04:00

"Holy, Holy, Holy! 1-8 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Master sitting on a throne—high, exalted!—and the train of his robes filled the Temple. Angel-seraphs hovered above him, each with six wings. With two wings they covered their faces, with two their feet, and with two they flew. And they called back and forth one to the other, Holy, Holy, Holy is God-of-the-Angel-Armies. His bright glory fills the whole earth.The foundations trembled at the sound of the angel voices, and then the whole house filled with smoke. I said, "Doom! It's Doomsday! I'm as good as dead!Every word I've ever spoken is tainted— blasphemous even!And the people I live with talk the same way, using words that corrupt and desecrate.And here I've looked God in the face! The King! God-of-the-Angel-Armies!"Then one of the angel-seraphs flew to me. He held a live coal that he had taken with tongs from the altar. He touched my mouth with the coal and said, "Look. This coal has touched your lips. Gone your guilt, your sins wiped out."And then I heard the voice of the Master: "Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?"I spoke up, "I'll go. Send me!" 9-10He said, "Go and tell this people: "'Listen hard, but you aren't going to get it; look hard, but you won't catch on.'Make these people blockheads, with fingers in their ears and blindfolds on their eyes,So they won't see a thing, won't hear a word,So they won't have a clue about what's going on and, yes, so they won't turn around and be made whole." 11-13Astonished, I said, "And Master, how long is this to go on?"He said, "Until the cities are emptied out, not a soul left in the cities—Houses empty of people, countryside empty of people.Until I, God, get rid of everyone, sending them off, the land totally empty.And even if some should survive, say a tenth, the devastation will start up again.The country will look like pine and oak forest with every tree cut down—Every tree a stump, a huge field of stumps. But there's a holy seed in those stumps." Isaiah 6:1-13(Message)

As we read the scriptures written in Isaiah, is there a fear of today's 21st Century Prophets that there has been no cleansing so therefore the words that are spoken today(21st century) does not come from God? Who has really sent them? Have they called themselves Prophets and sent themselves so as it is written in 2 Thessalonians 2:3-5 "Before that day comes, a couple of things have to happen. First, the Apostasy. Second, the debut of the Anarchist, a real dog of Satan. He'll defy and then take over every so-called god or altar. Having cleared away the opposition, he'll then set himself up in God's Temple as "God Almighty." Don't you remember me going over all this in detail when I was with you? Are your memories that short?"

Have persons set themselves up in God's Temple and are speaking "Thus said the Lord...", is it really "Thus said the Lord..." ? That is why you must know God and understand His Word.

I ask that you do not go beyond this point, Get to know Jesus Christ now.
E-mail me at dwhite633@aol.com so that you can have a personal relationship with Him and not be confused by man made doctrines and teachings.

At ALIVE@5 we will be studying what is a Prophet according to the word of God and can we identify a prophet in the 21st century(according to the word of God).

Christ First,

Pastor Debra A. White

"Praise through Prayer"

2008-04-07T15:18:00.000-04:00

"Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever." (Psalms 106:1; )

How do we come to God in prayer? Is it with complaints and a list of request?
Let's began to spend more time in praise than problems and watch God move through the praise.

If you are seeking to pro-act in praise as a part of your prayer and to be of good cheer through your trials and troubles join us at ALIVE@5 as we seek the wisdom of God through His Word. As result of this study you will find yourself releasing praises not as a "actor" but as a part of your "being".

For those who have never made a confession in Christ please feel free to e-mail me at dwhite633@aol.com and take a simply confession that will impact your life forever.

Christ First,

Pastor Debra White

"A Time Like This"

2008-03-25T14:22:00.000-04:00

"For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Esther 4:14 (NKJV)

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28 (NKJV)

The time has come for you to share "Christ" and not remain silent, if you are a believer, don't allow anyone you come in contact with, too perish. Know that in God that all things work for the good and as the "called" the good of that purpose is that God wants to use you to lead someone to Christ, so that those who have not gotten to know God, can experience and know about God's love through His Son Jesus Christ.

If you have not accepted Christ into your heart, today is your "Time" just say yes. You may contact me at dwhite633@aol.com to make that decision today, it is just that easy.

What do we do in a time like this?, join us, this coming Saturday, March 29 @5pm(side street deli, 21st&Illinois) as we study, unfold and apply(witnessing tools) in, "A Time Like This" out of the book of Esther. Ask yourself this question, "Are you ashame?" come find the right answer to this question, because you may not have been answering this question correctly.

Christ First,

Pastor Debra A. White

HOLY WEEK and RESURRECTION SUNDAY

2008-03-18T16:09:00.000-04:00

"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. John 3:16-17 (The Message)

Holy Week

(excerpts taken from http://www.crivoice.org/cylent.html)
Holy Week is the last week of Lent, the week immediately preceding Easter Sunday. It is observed in many Christian churches as a time to commemorate and enact the suffering (Passion) and death of Jesus through various observances and services of worship.
The entire week between Palm Sunday and Holy Saturday is included in Holy Week, and some church traditions have daily services during the week. However, usually only Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday are times of special observance in most churches.

Palm Sunday (or Passion Sunday)
This Sunday observes the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem that was marked by the crowds, who were in Jerusalem for Passover, waving palm branches and proclaiming him as the messianic king. The Gospels tell us that Jesus rode into the city on a donkey, enacting the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, and in so doing emphasized the humility that was to characterize the Kingdom he proclaimed.

Maundy Thursday, or Holy Thursday
Thursday of Holy Week is remembered as the time Jesus ate a final meal together with the Disciples who had followed him for so long. Traditionally in the Christian Church, this day is known as Maundy Thursday. The term Maundy comes from the Latin word mandatum (from which we get our English word mandate), from a verb that means "to give," "to entrust," or "to order." The term is usually translated "commandment," from John's account of this Thursday night. According to the Fourth Gospel, as Jesus and the Disciples were eating their final meal together before Jesus’ arrest, he washed the disciples' feet to illustrate humility and the spirit of servant-hood. After they had finished the meal, as they walked into the night toward Gethsemane, Jesus taught his disciples a "new" commandment that was not really new (John 13:34-35): "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, you also ought to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

Good Friday, or Holy Friday
Friday of Holy Week has been traditionally been called Good Friday or Holy Friday. On this day, the church commemorates Jesus’ arrest (since by Jewish customs of counting days from sundown to sundown it was already Friday), his trial, crucifixion and suffering, death, and burial.
There are a variety of services of worship for Good Friday, all aimed at allowing worshippers to experience some sense of the pain, humiliation, and ending in the journey to the cross. The traditional Catholic service for Good Friday was held in mid-afternoon to correspond to the final words of Jesus from the cross (around 3 PM, Matt 27:46-50). However, modern schedules have led many churches to move the service to the evening to allow more people to participate. Usually, a Good Friday service is a series of Scripture readings, a short homily, and a time of meditation and prayer. One traditional use of Scripture is to base the homily or devotional on the Seven Last Words of Jesus as recorded in the Gospel traditions:
Father, forgive them . . . (Luke 23:34)

This day you will be with me in paradise (Luke 23:43)
Woman, behold your son . . .(John 19:26-27)
My God, my God . . . (Matthew 27:46, Mark 15:34)
I thirst. (John 19:28)
It is finished! (John 19:30)
Father into your hands . . . (Luke 23:46)
Yet, although Friday is a solemn time, it is not without its own joy. For while it is important to place the Resurrection against the darkness of Good Friday, likewise the somberness of Good Friday should always be seen with the hope of Resurrection Sunday. As the well- known sermon title vividly illustrates: "It’s Friday. But Sunday’s a’comin’!"

If you have never attended a Maundy Service or a Good Friday Service please search your newspaper to find out where services are being held that best fit your schedule. There is a Maundy Service and Good Friday Service at Light of the World Christian Church go to the website to find out time and location at www.LightOfTheWorld.org

Holy Saturday
This is the seventh day of the week, the day Jesus rested in the tomb. In the first three Gospel accounts this was the Jewish Sabbath, which provided appropriate symbolism of the seventh day rest. However it is observed, Holy Saturday has traditionally been a time of reflection and waiting, the time of weeping that lasts for the night while awaiting the joy that comes in the morning (Psalms 30:5).

ALIVE@5 will be holding a Holy Saturday 5pm service

at Side Street Deli (21st and Illinois)
Come Join us in Praise and Word as we learn about the significance of

Holy Week and the Resurrection.

Resurrection Sunday
Easter or Resurrection Sunday is the day Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus the Christ from the dead. The early church saw his resurrection as the central witness to a new act of God in history and the victory of God in vindicating Jesus as the Messiah. This event marks the central faith confession of the early church and was the focal point for Christian worship, observed on the first day of each week since the first century (Acts 20:7; Sunday was officially proclaimed the day of Christian worship in AD 321). Easter or Resurrection Sunday has occupied a central place as the high point of Christian worship.

Christ the Lord has Risen today, because Christ arose we can live eternally, “Hallelujah”.

During this Holy Week, if you have not made the confession to believe and accept the death and resurrection of Christ in your heart, what a wonderful time and season to make that decision. He died so that you may live. Contact me at dwhite633@aol.com so that you may be introduced to Christ today!!! It is just that simple.

Christ First,

Pastor Debra White

"Equipped"

2008-03-12T19:14:00.000-04:00

"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
(John 16:33) (NKJV)

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."
(Ephesians 6:10-13) (NKJV)

Ask yourself these questions;

What happens when we equip ourselves for and against the tribulations of this world?
Why do we re-act instead of pro-act, when we deal with tribulations?

Join us at ALIVE@5 as we get into the "Armor" of equipping ourselves before the tribulations come(and how to deal with the tribulation that I am in right now). Know this, God has not created you to fail or to be destroyed by those tribulations. With that being true, are you familiar with the tools that God has provided for us, in order that we may be of good cheer, as we face tribulations in order to come out victorious?
For those who cannot join us in person at ALIVE@5 to discover those tools that God has provided, I invite you to contact me at dwhite633@aol.com so that I may share with you God's tools, to be equipped for the tribulations.

Hope to hear from you, don't live life unprotected and defeated, that's not the plan.

Christ First,

Pastor Debra White

"Living Temples"

2008-03-06T16:28:00.000-05:00

"What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
(I Corinthians 6:19) (KJV)

Of all the places in the world God could call "home," he chooses to live inside you. Today we are God's temple. He doesn't live in a building, as stated in I Corinthians 6:19, He lives in you. If you are a Christian, He lives inside those who faithfully follow Him.

So what's the condition of God's temple? Would people be encouraged to worship God because they saw the majesty of God in you?

Today God wants to make you a "Living Temple" contact me at dwhite633@aol.com to find out how you can become a "Living Temple" for God.

Christ First,

Pastor White

"Greater"

2008-02-27T21:40:00.000-05:00

"Little Children, you are of God and have defeated and overcome them, because He who lives in you is greater(mightier)than he who is in the world."
(1 John 4:4) (Amplified)

God is already great. But, the more we allow God to live in us and through us, the "Greater" God becomes. God becomes "Greater," in order for us as Children of God, to make a positive impact in this world. As a result of this positive impact and change in this world, God is glorified so that others who do not know Him, will get to know and experience the "Greater" God.

Have you allowed God to live in you and through you, today is the day for you to be introduced so that God can be "Greater" in you. Contact me at dwhite633@aol.com for this "Greater" introduction.

Christ First,

Pastor White

"Becoming God's Best"

2008-02-20T16:39:00.000-05:00

"Before you know it, the Spirit of God will come on you and you'll be prophesying right along with them. And you'll be transformed. You'll be a new person! When these confirming signs are accomplished, you'll know that you're ready: Whatever job you're given to do, do it. God is with you! (Samuel 10:6-7) (Message)

Never settle for less, Never compare yourself to others, Never allow people to box you in, Never speak defeat. Allow God to make you over, Allow God to Build you up, Allow God to give you confidence, Allow God to always be with you.

When we don't operate in the "Never" but operate in the "Allow" than we can become "God's Best"

Christ First,

Pastor White

Happy Valentine's Day

2008-02-14T14:04:00.000-05:00

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
(John 3:16)(KJV)

No one should look at this day for lovers or couples only. If valentine is to express love, the first person we should be reminded of is our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ, who showed us what true love is all about(He gave his life in order that we may live and love). And because he loved, we can love. Without knowing and accepting the true meaning of Love through God, our love will only be highlighted on this day(Valentine) and the very next day we turn it off. Or we can be dissappointed because someone did not express or show you any love on this Valentine's Day. This day is only to highlight what we are doing daily, and that is showing and sharing the love of Christ. From the readings of 1 Corinthians chapter 13 it shows us how Love is all that and more, for us to master in God's kind of loving towards one another. You don't have to wait to be loved(espcially on Valentine's Day) if you have accepted Christ you are already Loved and now it is your assignment to do some God kind of loving.

I would encourage you on this day and everyday to reach someone who needs to know about the Love of Christ.

Love someone back to everlasting life,

(If you are seeking love in all the wrong places and have not accepted Christ into your life and heart I asked that you e-mail me today, at dwhite633@aol.com, so that you can start experiencing and walking in God's love. It is very simply.)

Christ First,

Pastor White

Lent Season

2008-02-06T10:52:00.000-05:00

"Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.(Psalms 51:10-11) (KJV)

Wednesday, February 6, 2008 is ASH Wednesday, which starts Lent Season, we begin a period of sober reflection, self-examination, and spiritual redirection. On this day, ashes became a sign of remorse, repentance, and mourning. Today someone might wear a black armband to signify that they are in mourning; back then and still today, people put ashes on their foreheads. You can find biblical examples of this in 2 Samuel 13:19, Esther 4:1-3, Job 42:6, and Jeremiah 6:26. During Lent, ancient Christians mourned their sins and repented of them, so it was appropriate for them to show their sincerity by having ashes on their foreheads. Traditionally, the ashes for the Ash Wednesday service come from burning the palm fronds from the previous year’s Palm Sunday celebration.

This Lent Season also, marks the highest season for Believers in Christ. We reflect upon the significant meaning of Jesus Christ's Ministry, Trial, Crucifixion and Resurrection. This is a time that we take a self-examination, repent and make a spiritual redirection, because Christ's has made it possible for us to be more than conquerors in order to live a victorious life. Many persons take this time to fast or give up something. I want us not to reflect so much of what we are giving up, but much more reflection on what we are gaining during this Lent Season and that is a closer walk with Christ. So that when we come out of these 40 days whatever has had us bond, we can be set free because not only did we just give up something, we realize that Christ has set us free from some problems, people and pain, so that we don't have to return to after the Lent Season.

Take some time to check out this website so that you can review the meaning of Lent and read daily devotional during this season: http://www.crivoice.org/cylent.html

As we draw near to the Cross we draw closer to Christ.

Christ First,

Pastor White

God Brings Us Out, To Take Us In

2008-02-03T18:54:00.000-05:00

"And he brought us out from there, that He might bring us in to give us the land which He swore to give our fathers." (Deuteronomy 6:23) (Amplified Version)

Change is never easy. From the toddler who wants to hang on to their pull-ups and not become potty-trained to the teenager not ready to transition from high school to college all the way to the adult who has trepidation about changing careers. We are creatures of habit. We like to live in the comfort zone. Way back in the Old Testament days, the Israelites were not much different than us. They were anxious to be delivered from the bondage and slavery in Egypt, but once they came into the wilderness experience, they were complaining and murmuring. When we begin to study the word of God, we quickly find out that God is a God of order and timing. As life changes, we spend a lot of time asking why and trying to figure things out, instead of accepting what is and trusting that God's way is the best way. He brings us out, in order that he may bring us in. I believe that God sends us signs in preparation for the change. It has been said that God first sends a pebble, then a rock, then several rocks, then a boulder, then one day, a piano lands on our head and we wonder why. When our assignment is up, it's up, that's just the way it goes. The sooner we begin to flow in that reality, and not question it, the more free we will be. What we tend to focus on is a closed-hand way of thinking. Too often we get into a "lack" mindset. I pray for the day that we all learn to take heed of the first sign. To move when the pebble hits us instead of waiting until the piano comes. God has placed a calling on each of our lives. The reason that God brings us out of a particular situation at a particular time is because it is time for us to move forward in our journey. It's time to move into the next phase, yet we are comfortable and we protest. We beg God to keep us in a relationship that is robbing us of our joy, we beg God to keep us in a job that is robbing us of our purpose, we beg God to keep us in a situation that will keep us distracted from our true calling because we are "comfortable". Sometimes I wonder what God must think of us. We petition him for the least of things, when all he has for us and wants for us is the best of things. Haven't we circled this mountain long enough? Haven't we had this mentality of mediocrity long enough? Haven't we waited and hemmed and hawed long enough? Haven't we been scared long enough? Come on Peter, get out of the boat. Know that the safest place you can ever be is in the will of God. It won't be easy, it may not always feel good, it may not even sound logical but it is the most wonderful, blessed and beautiful place you could ever imagine. The will of God is a place of infinite possibility. Talk about getting inspired and excited about your life, this is the way to do it! What if we decided that when God brings us out, however that manifests itself, If we lose a job, the ending of a friendship, our house burns down, our marriage ends in divorce. Well, in order to go in, we have to come out. We have to come out of the comfort zone. We have to be willing to trust God enough to allow him to take the wheel. I mean, the reality is that He had the wheel all along. We think we have control. We have our calendars and our day planners and our palm pilots. Until one day something happens that we did not anticipate and all of that goes out the window. Then we begin to understand walking in the Spirit. We begin to understand that we walk by faith and not by sight. We begin to understand that in order for us to go in, we must come out. We must be willing to let go of some things. We must be willing to open our hands and release everything that is not in the will of God. We must also open our hands in order to receive all that God has for us. We can only hold so much, so we must be willing to release every distraction. We must cling to nothing that is not of God. If it means turning off the cable because we are watching too much television, release it because God is getting ready to bring you in. If it means selling your car because the payment is causing you to have to work overtime and miss out on family time, release it because God is getting ready to bring you in. If it means finding a new job, because your current one is keeping your from your purpose, release it because God is getting ready bring you in. Get excited when you are being delivered, for that is a sign that God has something greater. Stop fighting reality. Accept what is. Petition God for what He would have you to do and move forward immediately in your calling. Know that God is only bringing you out so that He may take you in to a greater blessing. Receive it in the name of Jesus.

Christ First,
Pastor White

2008: The Year of New Beginnings

2008-01-25T18:24:00.000-05:00

Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone, a new life burgeons! (2 Corinthians 5:17) (MSG)

A fresh start. Isn't that what we are all looking for? I remember when I was 8 years old, I told my mom that I wanted to start my life over again. She just looked at me with those knowing eyes and said, "already?" Now the wisdom of the years has shown me that many times over I have wanted to say, "time out" I want to start again. The joy of having just begun a new year is that we are presented with a time to reflect on last year and make improvements in 2008. It has been said that success is not about the destination, it's about the journey. Often times we get caught up in "arriving" or "making it". We become ensnared in the "As Soon As I" thought process. As soon as I lose 10 pounds then I'll be happy; As soon as the baby is out of diapers; then I'll be happy; As soon as I get a new job, then I'll be happy; As soon as I get a bigger house, then I'll be happy. The devil is a liar! I believe that the enemy wants us to focus on what we don't have so much that we miss the now. We can become so caught up in the hype and keeping up with the Joneses that we miss out on our lives. Aren't you tired of dressing up to impress your co-workers? Aren't you tired of driving the luxury car that you are two months behind on paying for? Aren't you tired of putting on your "Church Face?" Aren't you tired of of pretending? I propose that this year, the year 2008, be the year of new beginnings. That this year, we slow down. That as the Word of God says we look inside and realize that anyone united with Christ, gets a new start. Yes, that means you. This year in recognition of the new start, we will turn off our blackberry's on the weekend. We won't work 60-70 hour weeks. We shut off our work laptops and play with our children. We surprise our spouses with our undivided attention. We keep our kids out of school one day just to spend uninterrupted time with them. We visit our sick relatives. We don't make excuses, we just do it. We live by the unction of the Holy Spirit not the call of the almighty dollar. We become spontaneous and walk in the Spirit of God. This year instead of having road rage because we are rushing to church,(isn't that an oxymoron anyway?) we pray for the little old lady driving 10 miles an hour. This year instead of smoking to calm our nerves, we pull out Psalm 91. This year instead of eating to mask our pain, we call a friend or go for a walk, or see a counselor (it really is alright). This year instead of making excuses, we make amends. In 2007, I watched my friend, watch her mother deteriorate slowly in a long, hard fought battle with cancer. Fights are futile and don't matter in the final analysis. Not speaking to one another is unconscionable, because when they are gone, you only wish you could have one more conversation. This year, we show up like grown ups. Yes, we become new. This year we treat time as a treasure and not a thing we can put in a bottle and pull out at some unspecified later date. This year, we see no difference between God and Love and we know that the God that is in us requires that we love everyone. The old life is gone. 2007 is gone. Paul said it this way in Philippians 3:13-14 "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Let go of 2007. Let go of old habits; old ways of thinking; let go of selfishness and self-centeredness; Let go of the me, me, me mentality. Take a deep breath. Notice the suffering around you. Recognize the lack of Christ-Centered Leadership. See the place that God designed for you. Let nothing deter you from being in the center of the Will of God. Get out of the boat. Take a risk. Know that their is no failure in Christ. Embrace your purpose. Walk in your calling. You will never feel more fulfilled in your life, than when you stand flat-footed in the will of God.

Christ First,
Pastor White