Summer 2023

EDITOR

Ashley Ennis 1620 S. Hopewell Loop, Atkins, AR 72823 501.269.1144- ashley.ourherald@gmail.com

OFFICIAL BOARD

Chairman- Dee Jay Shoulders 707 Ronnie Rd., Madison, TN 37115 615.423.0040- djpreachit@bellsouth.net Vice-Chairman- Richard B. Burks 11900 Road 171, Philadelphia, MS 39350 601.656.7210- rbb4543@yahoo.com Secretary-Stacy Lisenbey PO Box 513, Plainview, AR 72857 479.393.8858- slisenbey@gmail.com

OFFICERS

WELCOME

Welcome to your Herald. A place to proclaim what the Lord is doing in His church and in His body of believers. This is the voice of our association, a chance to tell what we have seen and know to be true. We hope you feel at home here. Sit at the table with us and eat- there is something for everyone.

Our mission is to connect the body of Christ through fellowship, accountability, and shared resources to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world around us.

Ambassador at Large- Richard Humphreys 179 Millbrook St, Percy, AR 71964 870.310.1677- rickhumphreys2@yahoo.com Youth Director-Dee Stone PO Box 57, Plainview, AR 72857 479.272.4755- wiredwithjesus@gmail.com Missionary Secretary- Clifton Beecher 1887 Hack Brown Rd, Franklin, KY 42134 270.776.0902- clif.beecher@gmail.com Ladies Auxiliary President- Karla Shoulders 707 Ronnie Rd., Madison, TN 37115 615.830.2697- theboyzmom1@bellsouth.net Promotional Arm Director-Aaron Wojcik 132 Grindstone Dr, Gallatin, TN 37066 931.252.4212- aaronwojcik3@gmail.com

PRESBYTERS

Arkansas- Dennis Bledsoe 22660 130 Lot #28, Bryant, AR 72022 501.326.5411 California- Frank Ellis 10583 Oleander Ave, Fontana, CA 92337 909.382.1029 Missouri- Travis Hollingsworth 3235 W. Madison St, Springfield, MO 65802 615.830.2697 Mississippi- Antoine Stokes 1609 Robertson Rd, Louisville, MS 39339 662.803.3878

EDITOR'S NOTE The editor reserves the right to shorten, refuse and or hold any article, or part thereof that is deemed contrary to the spirit of the association.

The Editor and the A.B. of C. receive all articles in good faith, all authors are responsible for the authenticity and veracity of material they submit for publication in Our Herald. This magazine is published quarterly, the subscription price is $15.00 per year. Please contact the editor for any further information you may require.

Tennessee- Jonathan Denton 202 Lake Terrace Dr, Hendersonville, TN 37075 615.293.5530

A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR Welcome to the Summer issue. This issue is dedicated to kingdom workers. Those who help answer the prayer of "Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10).

Our lives can be wrapped around anything, in fact, they will be wrapped around something, and you have chosen to wrap yours around Jesus, the One who gave His life for you. It seems the simplest decision of all, and yet so many choose another way.

They choose homes, bank accounts, careers, sports, success, or causes- people are very busy finding something to be absorbed with, and yet Jesus tells us we must lose our life to find it. What does that look like for someone who has followed Jesus for as long as you have? You have dedicated yourself over and over to His Word and His will, and yet there is more to lose.

As kingdom workers, we make the invisible visible through words and actions, praying that the work the Lord does through us gives others eyes to see and makes their path easier to walk.

Noah was a kingdom worker. The Lord said, "Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation" (Genesis 7:1). God didn't compare him to the last generation or the one that was to come, but He called him righteous in his generation. There is work for those of us that are in our generation. God knows the obstacles that our generation comes against and He knows what it takes to be righteous.

whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."

Matthew 16:25 When a patient goes to the doctor, no matter how much it is needed, there is usually a dread at the procedure.

Going to the doctor can be undignified. I will spare you the details, but I'm sure you have been there. Tests, procedures, exams, the whole thing is a humbling experience.

Sometimes "losing our life" seems to look like this. Struggling with pride? The medicine looks like humiliation. Is depression wearing you down? How about another dose of defeat to overcome? This seems backward, and yet, we signed up to work in a backward, upside-down, kingdom. Noah was the most righteous in all the earth and God called him to face ridicule and to build something nobody else believed in. If you feel like you're swimming upstream, then you might be at the doctor's office. Just wait, though, the Great Physician has something special for you and it's just ahead, Noah. That rain cloud is on the horizon and you will be glad you built the boat. Keep going. The only way out is through.

In everything, always, more Jesus, God trusted Noah to build the boat that would save humanity. There are people who are depending on the choices you are making right now. Will you build an ark of faithfulness? Will you build an ark of good works? Out of all the people on the face of the earth, God has chosen you to do what He has called you to do.

If you are wondering what this looks like, my suggestion is to look at what you have to lose. "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and I am available to minister and may be reached at 501.269.1144.

Ashley Ennis NEW SUBMISSIONS

Please send all new submission to: ashley.ourherald@gmail.com Fall 2023 Submission Deadline: August 12, 2023

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Please mail $15 check or money order to: Ashley Ennis 1620 S Hopewell Loop Atkins, AR 72823 Make Check payable to: ABofC

CHAIRMAN'S CORNER PASTOR DEE JAY SHOULDERS "THY KINGDOME COME" Our Lord’s Sermon on the Mount is not a “three points and a poem” sermon. In fact, in the course of this single sermon, Jesus touches on more than twenty topics. All of these topics are worthy of our attention, but here my concern is with only one of these topics, namely the Lord’s instructions regarding prayer.

To be more precise, my concern here is with one petition found within the Lord’s Prayer. When our Lord taught us the way in which we should address our heavenly Father, he taught us to pray: “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”. Many of us have prayed these words for years, but how many of us know what Jesus meant by these words? Jesus’ message from the very beginning was that of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14–15). Luke tells us of an occasion when, after preaching and healing on the Sabbath day and healing many more that evening, He rose the next day to depart to a quieter place and then to move on. However, the crowds found Him and begged Him to stay. “But He said to them, ‘I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also because for this purpose I have been sent.'"

The Kingdom of God—sometimes called the “Kingdom of Heaven”—was the primary message Jesus proclaimed throughout His earthly ministry, and a careful reading of the four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) demonstrates this.

God’s rule on earth is what every true believer ought to strive for, as Jesus instructed: “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

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And everyone who puts that goal first in his mind and heart will pray every day—in whatever words he is moved to use—for the very same thing Jesus said we should pray for: “Thy kingdom come’’. We must also understand, however, that when we pray for God’s kingdom to come and for his will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, this begins with each one of us. We must ask ourselves if we are hallowing God’s name. We must ask ourselves if we are doing God’s will. As Christians, we are those who claim to have already submitted to the Lordship of Christ. We are already citizens of His kingdom, and He is already our King. But are we faithful subjects?

Or are we rebellious? If we are to pray in the way our Lord instructed, we must be those who live in the way our Lord instructed. Also when we say thy will be done it should mean…..Let our intelligence, then, be moved to seek God, let our desire be roused in longing for Him, and let our intensive power struggle to keep guard over our devotion to Him." Let our body which was taken from the earth likewise serve the Creator and not war against the spirit. I have said before, that it’s hard to pray ’Thy kingdom come’ until our little kingdom goes. In praying “your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven,” we ask God to save us from any unwillingness to learn God's will and embrace God's kingdom; to save us from choosing our own plans and desires; and to save us from trying to limit the scope of God's purposes. My prayer is that we all pray this prayer and to seek first the Kingdom of God.

"...it's hard to pray 'Thy kingdom come' until our little kingdom goes."

Ambassador-At-Large

BRO. RICK HUMPHREYS "CREATE IN ME A CLEAN HEART"

"Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:7-10

To create is make something new, something that did not exist but has now has been brought to the forefront. This statement is from a man that has sinned and has been confronted about his actions. In verse 7 he says “purge me with hyssop”. The word purge is the Hebrew Khaw-taw which means to miss, hence sin. He says “I missed the mark, I missed the way, I missed the word, the truth, I missed, I messed up. Clean up my mess with hyssop”. Hyssop. A species of marjoram and a member of the mint family. Hyssop was an aromatic shrub under one meter (three feet) tall with clusters of yellow flowers. It grew in rocky crevices and was cultivated on terraced walls (1 Kings 4:33). Bunches of hyssop were used to sprinkle blood on the doorposts in Egypt (Ex 12:22), and in purification ceremonies (Lev 14:4,6,51-52). David mentioned it as an instrument of inner cleansing (Ps 51:7). It was used at the crucifixion to relieve Jesus' thirst (John 19:29).

Blood and holy cleansing water were sprinkled on objects and people to purify them, sanctify them for use in the kingdom. Cleanse a man that he might dwell in the camp of Israel again.

“This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing: He shall be brought unto the priest: And the priest shall go forth out of the camp; and the priest shall look, and, behold, if the plague of leprosy be healed in the leper; Then shall the priest command to take for him that is to be cleansed two birds alive and clean, and cedar wood, and scarlet, and hyssop: And the priest shall command that one of the birds be killed in an earthen vessel over running water: As for the living bird, he shall take it, and the cedar wood, and the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water: And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into the open field." Leviticus 14:2-7

David asked to be cleansed. We must have the desire to be cleansed and ask for it, ask and you will receive. He says if I will do this with hyssop I will be white like snow. God said in Isa 1:18, “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool”. Repent, realign with the word, you will be cleansed. Paul said in Eph 5:26-27, “That he might sanctify and cleanse it (that is the church) with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish”. The writer of Hebrews said in Heb 9:14, “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God”? Here we see the washing of the word and the blood of Christ (one and the same) cleanse us of our sin. John said in 1 John 1:7, “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin”.

Jesus said in John 15:3, “Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you."

Zech 3:1-4, “And he shewed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him.

And the Lord said unto Satan, The Lord rebuke thee, O Satan; even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment”. 1 Cor 6:9-11, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, Continued on Page 20 2

WOMEN+ MINISTRY KARLA SHOULDERS LADIES AUXILIARY PRESIDENT

I ran across this prophetic article many years ago. It holds such truth and reality that so many are dealing with physically due to the emotional strain of fear. Open your heart and spirit to receive it and allow God to work.

FEAR AND TRAUMA ARE YOURS NO MORE! Fear and traumas of the past at different levels are having varying affects on the people of God. On their bodies, on their relationships, on their intimacy with Him, on their ability to advance with confidence into pursuing their dreams and destiny.

As the people of God laid before the Lord in surrender of soul and the Lord was working deeply in their hearts, a sudden shift took place. In a moment there was a breaking. I then heard the Lord say: "Fear and trauma are yours no more!!! Fear and trauma are now being LIFTED and you are being SHIFTED. It is time to ADVANCE." There is tremendous breakthrough in the atmosphere especially in the areas of fear (fear on many levels, fear of the future, fear of rejection, fear of abandonment, fear of failure, fear of success, fear of sickness, fear of death) and 3

traumas of the past that have held the people of God back.

Stay in the place of surrender of soul, for fear and trauma are being LIFTED and you are being SHIFTED into a place of greater confidence in who you are in Him, and stability of standing on His promises. You will run because you know who you belong to.

The fear and trauma has brought about stress and toll on bodies and many have been suffering with digestive issues, chronic bone and joint pain, immune system issues and many other things, and I saw many of these conditions SUDDENLY leaving and bodies SUDDENLY turning around in strength and healing. Bodies moving into complete alignment with heaven. For many right now God is working from the INSIDE, OUT as He gives you greater INSIGHT of what is going on in your heart and emotions and bringing healing.

Perfect love casts out all fear (1 John 4:18) Fear and trauma are yours no more. The years of stress, fear, and trauma are being restored to you in glorious abundance.

Better days are ahead. The best is yet to come!

I saw many of these conditions SUDDENLY leaving and bodies SUDDENLY turning around in strength and healing.

Bodies moving into complete alignment with heaven. For many right now God is working from the INSIDE, OUT as He gives you greater INSIGHT of what is going on in your heart and emotions and bringing healing.

Here’s where we usually stop reading and shake our heads and think about how crazy the Israelites were to want what other people had instead of trusting what God had for them. Because we NEVER do that….

KING OF THE

KINGDOM AARON WOJCIK PROMOTIONAL ARM DIRECTOR

Samuel, the prophet, is an old man. He’s tired. He’s been representing God to the people for a long time, and to be honest, he’s sick of these people. Even his own sons,

the

judges

of

Israel,

are

a

disappointment. Everyone knows that a well placed bribe can get you any outcome you want with them. Now he’s hearing rumblings from the people about a king. But Israel has no king. They’ve never needed one. God told them in the beginning that they would be His people and He would be their God. But now they want a king.

Samuel took the people’s request to God and I can imagine that he was pretty bent out of shape about the whole thing. But God said that it wasn’t Samuel or his greedy

sons

that

the

people

were

rejecting. It was Him. I wonder if Samuel was surprised when God said to give them what they wanted. God then gave Samuel a warning to pass on to the people. He would give them a king – and everything that went with it. A king will rule over them and take them into battle like they wanted, but he would also take things from them. Their sons and daughters.

Their money. And he wouldn’t just take because it was what was best for everyone.

He would take because he could. That’s what earthly kings do. Even with God’s warning, the people wanted their king (or more accurately a king defined by the world).

But a kingdom must have a king. The Israelites had a king, but they didn’t acknowledge him as king because of what it looked like (or didn’t look like).

When Jesus explained the Kingdom of God, he painted the picture of a kingdom that was the opposite of an earthly kingdom in almost every way.

The Israelites wanted someone to lead them into battle. Someone who looked “kingly”. They wanted a big flashy warrior type…someone like Saul. And that’s what they got.

The truth is that God gave us a choice of which king we serve, just like he allowed the Israelites to have the king that they desired. Their idea of what a king should be was defined by the neighboring nations.

What king are you looking for? Who defines what your king and kingdom look like?

It’s difficult to be confident that you are in the will of God if you’re constantly looking to others to show you what that looks like.

It’s an age old issue that we are pulled between the cares of this world and the eternal purpose of the Kingdom of God. Jesus had many who said they wanted to follow him, but were unable to walk away from wealth or family or positions. We still struggle with those same obstacles today. Many of us would like to have priorities centered around eternal Kingdom agendas, but we find that we are more likely to devote our time to earthly pursuits.

We say we follow Christ as our king, but we are confused when what he provides doesn’t look like what our neighbor has. We want to trust in God as a provider, but most of our worries consist of how we can make enough money. It’s difficult to be confident that you are in the will of God if you’re constantly looking to others to show you what that looks like.

God was always present with the Israelites, however, they didn’t see him because they were looking to have kings that others around them had.

Continued on Page 20 4

BELIEVE DISOBEY LOSE PHILIP TOLEMAN The road that almost no one wants to be on, but many end up taking.

In John 3:36 of the NKJ Bible says: He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”

The ASV Bible says: He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.

In the NKJ where it says he who does not believe it is really talking about someone that doesn’t obey the Son. This disobedience can be caused by many factors. One can be social pressure, family customs, unbelief in the Word of God, or simply for not understanding what is required.

A couple of days ago I was reading the news about a young lady that was killed in a car accident and her parents were looking for the driver of the stolen vehicle. They told the reporters that their daughter was a good girl, but she had made a bad decision to go out with the wrong people. How many times in our lifetime we have made bad decisions, and even though they haven’t cost us our life, they have caused us harm?

Let’s see why many people that believe in Jesus will not be saved. We might just say that they went out with the wrong people.

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The Bible talks a lot about believing. We understand that our walk with God must start with believing. We read in Heb. 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him. Just to get close to God we must believe that He exists and that He rewards the people that seek after Him. Once we believe we go to Rom 10:8-10 that says: But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach: because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved: for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

The words “thou shalt be saved” get my attention because who does not want to be saved? The problem is that many people teach that the moment that you confess the Lord Jesus Christ you ARE saved. This verse does not say that. It is talking about two different events, one which is to believe and confess and when we live this belief until the day we die we obtain the second promise, salvation. This verse is talking about a salvation that will come (future) and not something that happens the instant you confess. In Mark 13:13 confirms that our salvation is a future event: And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.

As long as we are alive, nobody is saved, and nobody is lost. No one that is alive is with Christ nor are they in hell. The Bible talks about two doors that lead to two different pathways or roads. Luke 13:23,24: And one said unto him, Lord, are they few that are saved?

And he said unto them, Strive to enter in by the narrow door: for many, I say unto you, shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able. Once again the question is about a future event and not something of the present; Lord, are they few that are saved? We know that the two doors open onto two different paths, one that is wide and one that is narrow. Each path leads to a different destiny.

This is our destiny when we reach the end of our life here on earth. I can walk in the path of Salvation and not be salved at the end. Luke 13:25-28 says: When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, open to us; and he shall answer and say to you, I know you not whence ye are; then shall ye begin to say, We did eat and drink in thy presence, and thou didst teach in our streets; and he shall say, I tell you, I know not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and yourselves cast forth without.

The book of Ezequiel 18 explains more about the concept of being saved. If with my confession I am saved, then I could never lose my salvation. The truth is that

done he shall live. Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked? saith the Lord Jehovah; and not rather that he should return from his way, and live? As long as we are alive, we can change paths. Most of us did it when we accepted the Lord Jesus Christ into our lives. Others have left the straight and narrow way and let’s see what happened to them.

But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? None of his righteous deeds that he hath done shall be remembered: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. The key phrase here is “: in his trespass that he hath trespassed”. A trespass is disobedience. The path of Life is a path of obedience, of order and of self-discipline. You cannot live in adultery or fornication and still be on the path of Life. You cannot go from one church to another and continue on the path of life. You cannot lie and seal and maintain yourself before a holy God. The blessings of God come in response to our obedience.

You can believe and not be obedient, many people live that way.

my belief and my confession only put me on the path that leads to salvation. I must continue walking on this path until the end of my life and then I will be saved. Ez 18:20-24 The soul that sinneth, it shall die: the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. Here we see that salvation is personal. Each one of us has to choose his own path to reach his goal. The prize is for the person that arrives at the goal.

But if the wicked turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.

None of his transgressions that he hath committed shall be remembered against him: in his righteousness that he hath

Due. 28:1,2 says: And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of Jehovah thy God, to observe to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that Jehovah thy God will set thee on high above all the nations of the earth: and all these blessings shall come upon thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of Jehovah thy God. The works of the flesh and the path of salvation don’t go together. As we read in the Bible the works of the flesh (Gal 5:19-21), we read the first part and we feel good because they are not part of our life. fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, sorcery, drunkenness, revellings. What happens is we ignore the second part which are: enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties, envyings, which is just as important not to do if we want to be saved. The Word is very clear: that they who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. They shall not be saved.

Continued on Page 10 6

REPRESENT THE KINGDOM Lori Stevens

We are to relate to the body, care for the body, be a part of the body. We are to have reproduction.

We produce the fruit of the spirit as He works in us and through us. We are to share the gospel and bring others into the Kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 15:50

Kingdom is defined as the spiritual reign or authority of God. God has all authority to give orders, make decisions, and exercise his power.

In the study of biology, there are rules that govern classification. These rules are used to determine what kingdom plants and animals are a part of. There have been several theories and ideas in biology that now have five kingdoms of classification. This classification was based upon certain characteristics like mode of nutrition, cell structure, relationships and reproduction.

These rules are the determining factor.

What does this have to do with the Kingdom of God? We are supposed to be a part of the Kingdom of God when we take on His name. We are to fit within the rules that govern the Kingdom of God. We are given the characteristics of His Kingdom. We are to have a mode of nutrition. We are to take in His Word, His spirit, prayer life. We are to have a cell structure or make up that reflects God. We are to be filled with His Spirit. We are made new creatures.

We become spiritual beings reflective of God's authority over us. We are to have relationships that reflect God. We become part of his family. part of the body of Christ.

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Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

Do I carry the characteristics of the Kingdom of God? Does God rule and reign over me and my life? Would I be classified as a member of His Kingdom? Am I a representative of His Kingdom?

Do others recognize my citizenship of the Kingdom? My life should reflect the characteristics of the Kingdom of God. I am no longer of this world, I am now a representative of the Kingdom of God. A representative is defined as typical of a class, group, or body of opinion; an example of a class or group; a person chosen or appointed to act or speak for another or others. I have been bought by the blood of Jesus.

I have been made a new creature in Christ. I am no longer my own. I am His. 1 Thessalonians 2:10-12 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: As ye know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father doth his children, That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

I find my nutrition in His Word. I feast on His Word and am fed by the Word. I have a prayer life that is effective and fervent. I reflect Jesus Christ in how I live, act, respond, and treat others. My relationships are fruitful. The Spirit should produce life around me. My life should be fruitful and produce the fruit of the spirit so that others can taste and see that God is good. New creatures are produced because God works through me to reach others.

Matthew 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

We are to walk worthy of the Kingdom of God, seeking God first and pursuing the righteousness of God. When we focus on living in the Kingdom of God, rather than the nature of this world, Our characteristics will reflect Jesus to those around us. We will walk and talk like him. We will act like him. Those around us will feel His presence, see him actively working through us, and will want to be like Him as well.

Represent the Kingdom of God. That is who you are supposed to be and who you are called to be. He has chosen us. We are a chosen people, a royal priesthood.

THE KINGDOM PREPARED Mary Lou Forrest The Kingdom has been preparing for Jesus's return for His own to carry the faithful to live in a place called our "Forever Home" The angels sing

1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

Holy

Know who you are. Know the Kingdom to which you belong. Live as a citizen of this Kingdom representing the King of Kings. He is Lord of all. He is in complete authority and we have access to the King.

Lift high the banner of Heaven

From "That Incredible Christian," by A.W. Tozer

True spirituality manifests itself in certain dominant desires.

1. First is the desire to be holy rather than happy.

2. A man may be considered spiritual when he wants to see the honor of God advanced through his life even if it means that he himself must suffer temporary dishonor or loss.

3. The spiritual man wants to carry his cross.

4. Again, a Christian is spiritual when he sees everything from God’s viewpoint.

5. Another desire of the spiritual man is to die right rather than to live wrong.

6. The desire to see others advance at his expense.

7. The spiritual man habitually makes eternity-judgments instead of time-judgments.

Holy Holy is the King of Glory Divine

His promise that Heaven is mine The banquet table is ready prepared for the groom and bride all of the saints who've gone on before now sit at Jesus's side Hold tight to the promises given and His return to take us there as Christians we are preparing for this Kingdom that is ours to share

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NOT ANOTHER ORDINARY DAY PASTOR FRANK ELLIS eIt is often we get up and expect to have another ordinary day. Life seems to have trained us to cope with what we know. I was inspired to look at Acts chapter 3 with a new perspective.

Ac 3:2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; Ac 3:3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. Ac 3:4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. Ac 3:5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

Now suppose the next verse went like this. Peter and John pulled a few drachmas out of their pocket and gave to the lame man. The lame man would have thanked them and went home happy that he had received some money. Peter and John would have felt good about giving to the poor. For the lame man it would have been another ordinary day. It is what was expected.

Moving to Mark chapter 10 starting at verse 46 we read of a blind man name Bartimaeus sitting beside the road begging. For him it was another ordinary day. He heard Jesus was passing by and began to cry Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. Now let’s pretend that Jesus looked to Judas their treasurer and said “Judas go give the beggar some of our silver.” That would have shown some mercy and Bartimaeus would have lived as always, another ordinary day.

We know that these two incidences ended differently. The lame man of Act 3 was healed at the name of Jesus Christ. Strength went to his bones and he had an extra-ordinary time of running, leaping and praising God. Bartimaeus in Mark 10 instead of money received his eyesight and marking this an miraculous day.

We all seem to have days that become extraordinary.

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Each year we try to make our birthday special.

I remember my wedding day of July 8, 1972.

That was one very special day. Then I remember losing my wife in the head-on collision July 14, 2008. What was supposed to be another ordinary day turned into an extraordinary day. Though tragic, I still found rejoicing in God that day.

A group of young people went to a camp meeting in August of 1971. We were all going for the fellowship and expected to have a great time as the services had great singing, worship, and ministers of the morning service and night service being preached by Bro Paul Winters. This was a Monday night to Friday night camp meeting. Wednesday night was to be another ordinary service. But, God had different plans. The service started out ordinary enough with a few songs, a testimony, and a choir got up to sing. However, one young man began to worship God, and behold God filled him with the Holy Ghost as the choir was singing. He was dancing, speaking in tongues.

The choir sang about two more songs while this was going on. The choir sat down and this young man kept dancing, shouting, and speaking in tongues. After a few minutes, the beloved Paul Winters spoke his shortest sermon ever. “ If you want what he has, come and get it.” It was the catalyst for a great time

by God’s people at that camp that night. At midnight Those who were still under God’s spell were being carried to cars or dorms as the service was dismissed. It was no longer an ordinary camp meeting.

It became extraordinary.

It was an ordinary day tending the flocks of Moses until he saw a fire not consuming a bush. Imagine hearing a voice saying take your shoes off you are on holy ground. Another ordinary day for Gideon trying to hide while threshing wheat when an angel shows up calling him a mighty man of valor. Then being told that he who was the least of his family and his family the least of Israel would be the leader to bring victory over their enemy.

Another ordinary day for Daniel until he was to be cast into a den of lions. Yet God gave him

victory in extraordinary circumstance. It was another ordinary day for Saul of Tarsus to persecute those in this way they called heresy when a great light shone upon him and cast him to the ground being blinded. An extra-ordinary day for Ananias to go pray for this Saul the persecutor. Let God shake up your ordinary with His divine love. Your day may become extraordinary for the Kingdom.

What are the results of God making your day extra special? For Moses, it became leading God’s people out of slavery going through the Red sea on dry ground. For Gideon it was breaking oppression and winning a victory with only 300 followers. For Daniel is was being lifted out a den of lions the next morning. For the beggars it was receiving a healing. For Saul of Tarsus it was a life changing soul saving event. He now had a new zeal for serving God in the correct way. For me, it was learning God is in control of my life and bringing me through tests and trials with calm assurance God is doing His best for me. What is your results of having an etra-ordinary day?

I start my day now with “Lord, how can I make today better than yesterday?” I now pray that our church services become extra-ordinary. It is no longer life as usual. What about you? Are you really satisfied with life as usual? Isn’t time to allow and let God make each day extra-ordinary?

Are you ready for the extra-ordinary that God has to offer? I may not see all that God is doing. But I know that prayers are still being answered. Our prayers are powerful. I know that souls are being saved as Acts 2: 47 states that God added to the church daily such as should be saved. Help me Lord to be a small part of these miracles by my prayer life and witnessing.

Let God shake up your ordinary with His divine love. Your day may become extra-ordinary for the Kingdom.

Continued from page 6 We read the words of the rich young ruler in Matthew 19 where he was prod to have lived according to the law, but being saved is more than the law. Our obedience to fulfill our calling takes us to Jesus. Jesus asked the young rule to sell everything he had and give it to the poor. The young man didn’t obey. Something so simple can make us lose the path of life.

What happens when someone leaves the path of life? What we read in Jn 3:36 is that: the wrath of God abideth on him. They that leave the path leave their relationship with Jesus and they lose the prize which is eternal life. That is not the worst part of it.

The worst part of it is that they continue to believe that they are save and that they are going to Heaven. They left the path of life in their disobedience, and they didn’t even realize what had happened. They will say in that Day: We did eat and drink in thy presence, and thou didst teach in our streets; and the Lord will reply I tell you, I know not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. There shall be the weeping and the gnashing of teeth.

No one wants to lose but we don’t only lose at the end. The loser is the person that thought that believing and confessing was enough. God wants all to be saved and that is why he sent his Son to die for our sins.

Salvation starts with believing and to believe we must have faith. Believing in itself is not enough. We must live in obedience to the direction of Jesus Christ in our lives and continue firmly planted in the Faith until the end. Everyone that is not on the path of life at the end LOST. In what path are you walking? Many of those that believed are going to be lost because without obedience their belief is in vain.

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50 YEARS IN BANGLADESH KAREN LANNING

This year we are celebrating 50 years in Bangladesh. Bro. and Sis. Lanning labored for a little over 24 years and we have been overseeing the work for 26 years. This would not have been possible had

because there would be a light on his head. A short time later a young man named John Hira came knocking at their door. When Sis. Jacqueline answered the door, she saw a young man with a light over his head. This was only the beginning of what God had in store for Sis. Jacqueline and Bro. John Hira. Today, Pastor John Hira is known as their son in the Gospel and is the Bangladeshi Director of this work of God.

it not been for you, our supporters. Your financial and prayerful support has been invaluable. On behalf of our Bengali brothers and sisters as well as our family, we want to say thank you so much.

In 1973, while lying in the hospital with only one kidney functioning, the Lord spoke to Sis. Jacqueline to go to Bangladesh. She had no money and didn’t know how to go about getting into the country. She said, “Lord, you open the door and I will walk through it.” Within three weeks time, the Lord opened the door and supplied the needs. God had told her that she would go under her earlier training as a lab and x-ray technician.

Many of you have heard this story before but I would like to tell you how I got involved with this work. I was raised in a denominal church and started attending an Apostolic church while I was in high school because my friend’s dad was the pastor. My first initial impression when I went to that church … these people are crazy! But there was something they had that I wanted and something that kept drawing me back.

In November 1979, I went out into Clarks Lake after they broke the ice; I was baptized in the wonderful name of Jesus and filled with the Holy Ghost.

Later that same year, Sis. Jacqueline along with her teenage son, my husband - Bro. Jeff went to Bangladesh to “spy out the land”. She worked for Dr. Ronald Garst, who was an American Orthopedic Surgeon, in the Shari Bangla Hospital. She set up the X-ray department and taught the Bengalis how to use it.

In 1975, Sis. Jacqueline returned to Bangladesh and continued to work in the hospital.

Accompanying her on this trip was Bro. Herman and their son, Bro. Jeff. Bro. Herman put his skills to work in helping build the new orthopedic hospital. Bro. Jeff helped make artificial limbs for the freedom fighters and whatever else needed to be done. Bro. Jeff returned home later that year and Bro. Herman and Sis. Jacqueline Lanning stayed, continuing to work.

In the very beginning, the first work that the Lannings had begun was in Mirpur. This church started in their home from a prayer meeting.

The Lord had shown Sis. Jacqueline in a vision that He would send a young man to work with her. She would be able to recognize him

My heart has always been tender for missions. In 1983, I had a vision and in that vision, I was in a small little worn-down sailboat in the middle of an ocean. The Lord said “Go” and I asked how and where… all the questions that you would ask.

The Lord again a little louder this time said, “I said Go” as He pointed his finger.

I was praying for a husband who loved God, was a minister, was involved in missions, and would be a good husband and father. The Lord let me know my future husband would not be coming to me but I would go to meet him; He told my husband to stop looking because she was coming to him.

In 1984, I was visiting a church that was in a revival with Bro. Carl Angle ("It's the truth anyhow!"). It was at that time my spirit was drawn to Bro. Jeff Lanning was like a magnet and I knew he was the one. We went out on our 1st date for his birthday in May and we got married two months later because we both knew. Let me back up for just a moment in saying that before Sis. Lanning left for Bangladesh, she told Jeff that he would 12

meet a dark-haired girl (he was dating blonds) and for him not to wait on Mom and Dad, go ahead and marry her. It was several years later before I found out that the Holy Ghost also drew Bro. Jeff to me like a magnet.

I finally met my in-laws for the first time in 1987, with baby Josiah in tow. She immediately made me one of her secretaries, overseeing the children’s program. I have always stayed behind to “hold the fort.” But each year as I made all the necessary flight and hotel arrangements for everyone, it got harder and harder to be left behind. My heart ached and longed to be in Bangladesh. The Lord heard the cries of my hearts and answered my prayer. In 2003, the Lord made a way for me to go with my husband to Bangladesh and someone to take care of our boys.

During this time, we raised our boys, Josiah who was born with cerebral palsy, and Micah who had a stroke in the womb. I homeschooled them both and helped Josiah work his way through college. Josiah and his service dog were the 1st dynamic duo to receive a Master's degree at The Ohio State University. His degree is in public policy and he is working on becoming a representative in the Ohio Statehouse. Micah, my baby who turned 34 on March 14th, has been involved in Special Olympics and is an ambassador for our local chapter. He continues to play the piano and is working part-time. Both require special attention.

I have said all that so that I could lay the groundwork.

In 1997, Bro. and Sis. Lanning turned the work over to us.

However, in the early 1990s, Bro. James Corbin came visiting and then (I believe) the following year returned with his wife. They worked with us for a while and then Sis. Lanning gave them the church in Dhaka so they could work in that area.

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During COVID: Mission’s giving went down and very little to none have come back as churches who supported us have closed permanently or individuals could no longer support for one reason or another.

We closed our schools and orphanage, sending the kids back to their families.

No longer working as an governmental organization).

NGO

(Non-

BANKING PROBLEMS: We have been dealing with banking issues for several years now as the government wanted to tell Bro. John when he could receive money from the states; that is why he got the missions out of the NGO. Bro. John opened a new bank account earlier this year and we sent the necessary paperwork on this side.

We sent our 1st bank wire to the new account and it was received. However, the bank will not release the money to Bro, John.

At the end of February, we found from our new Bangladesh bank they needed more. We have sent our U.S. citizenship verification, our photo, and everything else they have asked.

Two weeks ago, we found out that we need to reside in the country to be able to access the bank account. Bro. John and his son are trying to resolve the problem but there is nothing else that we can do. Given our circumstances, there is absolutely no way possible we can live in Bangladesh.

We have talked with Bro. James Corbin and he is going to help us get money to Bro. John Hira for the work as they reside in the country. We have also talked to Bro. Corbin to see if they are interested in taking over the work that they used to be part of in the early 1990s. He will be getting back with us once the organization gets back to him.

This is where we are at now and it hurts. I know we don’t live forever and we were just caretakers of this work. But it’s like you never dream that you would go out because the government wants you to live there.

The Lord allowed me to see a meme last week and it reads, “IT HURTS TO LET GO, but sometimes it hurts more to hold on.” We would rather see this work continue and carry on the legacy that Mom and Dad Lanning had than to let it die.

1 - Please keep us in your prayers for the Lord to give us wisdom as we move forward and lead us to people who can help us navigate through it all.

2 - Please keep our Bengali brothers and sisters in your thoughts and prayers as they continue to need our prayers and financial support.

But this chapter is winding down and the torch is about to be passed, stay tuned. This is His work. It’s not the Lanning’s work; it never was … we were just caretakers. It is a Kingdom thing.

Again, thank you for all your love and support for the work and for our family down through the years.

Tithe the Tithe Join ABofC churches around the country who are dedicating 10% of their tithes to missions.

Bless missionaries all over the world!

Set a good example for your congregation.

Give God an opportunity to bless you in a new way.

Go big or go home!

Contact Bro. Clifton Beecher clif.beecher@gmail.com 14

TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP

What does leadership look like in the Kingdom of God? It moves followers from "go and do" to "learn, become, and inspire," by challenging followers to set aside their own comfort for a shared vision.

Ashley Ennis As Jesus went about teaching and healing, Matthew 9:36 tells us He had compassion on the multitudes because they were as sheep without a shepherd. The scripture tells us they fainted and were scattered, in other words, they did not have what they needed to move forward. There was a lack of resources, motivation, and vision. Jesus saw the problem and pointed out their need for a leader, someone who would help them find purpose and a desire to move into a greater calling. After Jesus noticed the condition of the people, He turned to the disciples and said, "...The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest" (Matthew 9:37-38).

JESUS THE ENCOURAGER Jesus is a leader who encourages His followers. When He spoke to the disciples about what they would do after He left, He told them they would do even greater things because of their Helper, the Holy Ghost (John 14:12). Part of our job as leaders is to acknowledge that what we sow into others will guide them into greater works than what we ourselves have accomplished.

This is the call of a leader. To not simply focus on the job at hand, but to love those who would help in the work.

Jesus teaches us through His kingdom that it isn't just about what we accomplish, but it is also the community that is built in the process.

Since community is built one individual at a time, the idea of transformational leadership is one that could change the culture and future of an organization (i.e. churches, associations, businesses, classrooms, etc.). Leaders tend to be goal-oriented and focused on outcomes, but Jesus is challenging us to define success in a new way. Will we be able to gather sheep, keep them engaged, help them develop and grow, while building foundations for future generations to to build on?

In his article, "Effective Leadership in a Changing World," Glenn Boseman discusses the differences between transactional leadership and transformational leadership, noting the limiting nature of seeing others as transactions and the endless potential of guiding people into transformation.

Jesus uses a different example in 2 Cor. 12:14 when he discusses it is parents who lay up for their children and not vice versa. A danger in ministry is thinking what we do should always be greater than those we teach, but Jesus shows us that the cry of His heart is always for the next generation to succeed even more than the one before. Competition is death, but encouragement is life.

Transformation, of course, is nothing new. 2 Cor. 3:18, tells us, "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." The leadership of the Holy Ghost guides us and encourages us into transformation. The fruit of our obedience to God's will is the renewal of our minds. We no longer do what we want, but instead we do what Jesus wants. We submit to His leadership and in the process we are changed and become more like Him. Our desires change and we learn for ourselves that the bigger kingdom picture is what matters most. This is our example, and it works.

Transactional leadership rewards a job well done and starts over with a new transaction (This is the need, will you successfully fulfill this need? If so, you have value.), but transformational leadership engages the whole person and considers their needs as a catalyst for exponential growth. Transactional leadership will only accomplish what the leader has in mind, transformational will leave the door open for whatever is possible. Boseman states it this way, "The transactional leader behaviors build a solid foundation for trust between the leader and follower. But the follower will deliver only performance that is expected and rewarded by the leader and no more."

To-do list leadership limits growth potential of the individual and stifles vision sharing.

A transformational leader is one who: Creates and articulates a vision- identifies new opportunities for the group and talks positively about what it means to all concerned.

Provides a role model- sets an example for followers to imitate that is consistent with the values that the leader espouses.

Provides individualized support- demonstrates that the leader is concerned about the personal needs and feelings of the individual.

Communicates high-performance expectations- shows that the leader expects high performance, quality, and excellence.

Encourages the acceptance of group goals- promotes cooperation among followers so that they work together to accomplish stated goals. provides intellectual stimulation- challenges followers to examine their assumptions about their decision-making and work and asks them to rethink alternative decision solutions and how work can be achieved at a higher level.

This type of leadership produces followers who are: More satisfied More optimistic Less likely to quit More likely to trust their leader More likely to produce at a high level If we use these elements and use them as lens to view scripture, we can glean a better understanding of how the Spirit of the Lord transforms His people.

For example, when the prophet Ezekiel is taken to stand before dry bones and prophesy, the Lord specifically describes His plan to bring back His people into fellowship and transform them into a people who demonstrate God's heart.

Transformational leaders change the individual to reach limitless outcomes for the whole:

1. Creates and articulates a vision- identifies new opportunities for the group and talks positively about what it means to all concerned.

"Thus saith the Lord GOD unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the LORD." Ezekiel 37:5-6 2. Provides a role model- sets an example for followers to imitate that is consistent with the values that the leader espouses.

"And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.

And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever." Ezekiel 37: 24-25

3. Provides individualized support- demonstrates that the leader is concerned about the personal needs and feelings of the individual.

"Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel. And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves, And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD." Ezekiel 37:12-14 4. Communicates high-performance expectationsshows that the leader expects high performance, quality, and excellence.

"Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwellingplaces, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be my people, and I will be their God." Ezekiel 37:23

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5. Encourages the acceptance of group goals- promotes cooperation among followers so that they work together to accomplish stated goals.

2. Provides a role model- set an example for followers to imitate that is consistent with the values that the leader espouses.

"And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all:" Ezekiel 37:22 6. Provides intellectual stimulation- challenges followers to examine their assumptions about their decision-making and work and asks them to rethink alternative decision solutions and how work can be achieved at a higher level.

"Moreover, thou son of man, take thee one stick, and write upon it, For Judah, and for the children of Israel his companions: then take another stick, and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and for all the house of Israel his companions: And join them one to another into one stick; and they shall become one in thine hand. And when the children of thy people shall speak unto thee, saying, Wilt thou not shew us what thou meanest by these? Say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph, which is in the hand of Ephraim, and the tribes of Israel his fellows, and will put them with him, even with the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, and they shall be one in mine hand. And the sticks whereon thou writest shall be in thine hand before their eyes. And say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the heathen, whither they be gone, and will gather them on every side, and bring them into their own land:" Ezekiel 37:16-21

How would you describe your leadership style? More than likely it is a combination of transactional and transformational. When the Lord spoke to Ezekiel, He was transactional, he was told to prophesy and he spoke what he was told to say. The message of the prophecy, however, was transformational, taking what was there and making it better through vision and ability.

Now it's your turn. Use the following steps to outline a change you would like to see in your sphere of influence.

How will you encourage your followers to maximize potential?

1. Create and articulates a vision- identify new opportunities for the group and talk positively about what it means to all concerned.

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3. Provides individualized support- demonstrate that you are concerned about their personal needs and feelings of the individual.

4. Communicate high-performance expectations- show you expect high performance, quality, and excellence.

5. Encourage the acceptance of group goals- promotes cooperation among followers so that they work together to accomplish stated goals.

6. Provide intellectual stimulation- challenge followers to examine their assumptions about their decisionmaking and work and ask them to rethink alternative decision solutions and how work can be achieved at a higher level.

THE KINGDOM OF GOD KAREN SANDERS

When believers hear the words “Thy Kingdom Come,” many immediately think of the 23rd Psalm, the model Jesus gave as he taught the disciples how to pray. The kingdom message is one of truth, promise and hope. Old Testament scholar Graeme Goldsworthy summarized the Kingdom of God in even fewer words as: "God's people in God's place under God's rule.”

The Kingdom of God is a message that presents, at the same time, a heritage, a lifestyle, and a promise. The very words, “Thy Kingdom Come,” present a challenge of faith for every person.

Forsaking all and trusting in God involves a sacrifice of self, in which an individual works to follow the teaching of Christ over their personal desires.

The heritage of the Kingdom message is found in the actions of patriarchs: the faith of Noah as he obeyed God building the ark of safety from the flood, when there had been no rain; the faith of Moses as he raised the staff to part the Red Sea and provide a way of escape for His people; the faith of Abraham as he lifted the knife to sacrifice Isaac; and the faith of Isaac as he blessed his sons. All men of great faith, living lives exemplary of following God, even before the birth of Christ, His death and ascension and the manifestation of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. These men left for us a heritage of living the kingdom message while preparing for a future kingdom in which God would reign. In Joel 2:28 we see Joel’s prophecy as it foreshadows Acts 2:4, and the birth of the Christian Church. Joel shares a vision in which people of all ages play a role in preparing for the

coming kingdom, “…I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. And also on My menservants and on my maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.”

In Acts 2 with the birth of the church and the manifestation spiritual gifts as evidenced with the gift of tongues, we saw people walking in faith, who at Jesus’ direction had been waiting on the promised Holy Spirit that would equip them to have a personal relationship with Jesus and to live lives reflecting the gifts of God in the earth. In each area, the primary requirement was a life of faith. “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2:4 The early church waited, they were filled with His spirit, and the church grew from that very day. What, then, is God-inspired faith? I saw an acronym recently that touched by heart: Forsaking All I Trust Him The challenge to trust God, no matter the circumstance, was exemplified in the patriarchs, who obeyed in faith (“…the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” Hebrews 11:1) years before the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. They obeyed at the command of God. Theirs was a walk of faith, described in Hebrews 11:2 as the faith “by which the elders obtained a good testimony.”

The lifestyle demanded by the Kingdom message is one of love, commitment, and faith. Love of our neighbor as Christ loves His church is a daily command. Forgiveness, sacrifice of self, and putting the needs of others over our own requires us, as believers to actively show the fruit of the spirit. Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, faith, meekness, temperance are attributes of Christ that we must emulate as we live in His kingdom now, anticipating the kingdom that is promised in God’s word.

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The promise in “Thy Kingdom Come” is a promise that we will, someday, live in a realm where God will reign supreme, with Jesus as King. God’s people have the daily assurance of the promised heavenly kingdom in an earth created by a loving God who cares about His people. Jesus directed us to pray for the manifestation of that place where God’s Will is done, the daily needs of believers are met, forgiveness is given, temptation is resisted, and followers of Christ are delivered from evil. The coming kingdom, manifested in earth according to the example of heaven.

It is our directive to spread this kingdom message throughout the earth. Celebrating Teachers teams are working to impact families with the kingdom message of the gospel working through local schools to help change nations by teaching a generation about the love of Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Through local and international schools, we are able to reach thousands of children and their families. Hearts are being touched, and lives are being changed as we work with churches and organizations developing outreach programs. We are accepting the challenge to do what we can do to give the world an understanding of their biblical heritage, the promise of the kingdom message now, and a hope for the blessings of God as they pray “Thy Kingdom Come.”

The challenge to the believer is simple.

Develop a vision of “God’s people, in God’s place, under God’s rule.” We must recognize our heritage as a child of God. It is the challenge for every believer, as “God’s Person,” to commit themselves and their surroundings as “God’s Place,” with the ultimate challenge of living a life that is an example to the world of “God’s Rule.” Thy Kingdom Come is a prayer of heritage, commitment, and faith, challenging each of us, every day, to conduct ourselves in a way that tells the world “Forsaking All, I Trust Him.”

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Celebrating Teachers Inc. is a non-profit missions organization working with local churches and schools as well as international ministries and organizations to equip teachers, students, families and communities with the message of the gospel. We are providing curriculum, supplies, equipment, food and material necessities to underprivileged families in our nation and other nations. We invite you to join our team and ask for your continued prayer and monthly support as we work to ship the materials to their remote locations.

The QR code below will allow you to make a one time or monthly recurring taxdeductible donation. Linking People With Resources to People With Need, we are transforming generations for Christ. We appreciate your prayers and need your help in any amount. Checks or money orders may also be made out to Celebrating Teachers, Inc. P.O. Box 1943 Owasso, Oklahoma, 74055

Continued from Page 2 nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: BUT!!! ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God”. Rev 7:13-15, “And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them”. Purged, cleansed, purified, washed in the blood and word of the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world. Effort is made, desire is expressed, forgiveness is granted, and white robes are distributed and put on. Entry is made by the bride of Christ into the marriage supper of the Lamb. She has a clean heart because she desired to be pleasing unto Him. “Create in me a clean heart, and renew in me a right spirit”. A clean heart must have a right spirit or it is of no avail.

More scripture to study: 2 Cor 3:17 Zech 4:6 Rom 8:14-16 Ps 32:1-2 John 13:8-11 Continued from Page 4 Are we missing God’s presence in our life because we are consumed by what’s going on around us or by what others are doing?

Do we lead our families as God leads us? Or do we lead them to be what we think everyone else is trying to be (even if it looks good on social media)? Do we lead our churches based on God’s direction for OUR

church or do we trust our networks of other church leaders to tell us where to go (or not to go) next? It may seem easier to go with the majority, but it creates a lot of pressure to keep up. God has a better way!

One way to know if you’re following the right king is to look around you? God warned the people that earthly kings would be selfish and thrive on power. Are you serving people or things that leave you empty? The apostles served in the upside down Kingdom of God. They worked hard, were hungry, imprisoned, and killed, yet they spoke of joy, peace, and rest. It comes down to trust. Sometimes it’s hard to see God in our lives, especially if you want to see him the same way you see other things of this world. Trusting in God requires that you give up all control of the outcome and just focus on obedience, even when that obedience doesn’t make any sense.

Jesus has a kingdom and He has a place for you in it, but you won’t find it by trying to figure it out or by comparing your place to someone else’s. The Israelites had plenty of kings, but they only had one King. That king was born into poverty. He never led anyone into battle. He never even required anything of his followers, but he asked for a lot. Those who willingly gave it became part of a kingdom without end. Focusing on the wrong king or the wrong kingdom will lead you to inadequacy, unfulfillment, and empty ambition. Choosing Christ and His Kingdom may seem like a lonely choice, but it will be the choice that leads you to true freedom allowing you not only to live well on earth, but also to do the work of your Father which will have blessings both on this earth and for an eternity spent with Jesus!

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PRAYING THROUGH Hallelujah! Hallelujah! I just got the title to this thought by looking at a cloudy sky. I’m not going to let a cloudy or rainy sky stop my prayers, I’m praying through, Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Many times different things in our life are like those clouds and try to interfere or stop our prayers.

I’ve learned that the more we pray the easier it is to pray. So the more we pray during good times the easier it is to pray when they may not be so good. Praying needs to become a habit of ours that we love and enjoy doing all the time. We find ways to continue our habits and that’s why they’re so hard to break when they are bad. But if we ever get into the habit of praying to Jesus, it will be the best thing we’ve ever done. The habit of praying on the good days as well as the bad days will make the bad ones get less and less because we won’t allow anything to stop our good habit from happening. When we’re praying to Jesus we know nothing is impossible for Him to do. There is no bad time to pray and there’s no such thing as too much prayer. Start and watch your prayers break through all obstacles and hindrances of this world.

GOD IS GOOD DOUGLAS FARMER

ENJOYING ALL THE FRUITALL THE TIME! Can you imagine living in a place that has all the fruit trees available growing right there and producing all kinds of good fruit? All the good fruit all the time, no matter about anything else. There are properties that have what I’m describing in the natural. All it takes is the right climate and someone to plant and take care of all the trees. We probably don’t have the ability to live where we can have and enjoy all these fruit trees in our yard, but we all have the ability to live in a spiritual place like I just described.

Jesus came to this earth and lived and died and came back alive for us. Jesus provides a way for us to die to this world and get Born Again. When we get Born Again we will have God’s Spirit living inside us. Galatians 5:22 tells us what the fruit of God’s Spirit is, and if His Spirit lives in us we will be producing all His fruit. The fruit of the Spirit of God is Love, Joy, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-control. This is the fruit of the Spirit of God. This fruit is better than all the natural fruit of this world. If we are not producing all the fruit of God, we need to make sure we have obeyed all He wants from us. When we repent for our sins and get baptized In Jesus Name, He promised us the Holy Ghost, and then we are Born Again. If we are Born Again and Holy Ghost-filled we will be producing His fruit all the time.

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EXTRAVAGANT EXPECTATIONS

OH! I CAN FEEL IT! Oh, I can feel the wind but I can’t see it. I can hear the wind but, I still can’t see it, but I know it’s real. Yes, I know it’s real because I see its effect all around me.

Yes, I see its effect all around me.

Oh, I can feel the wind but I can’t see it. I can hear the wind, but I still can’t see it, but I know it’s real. Yes, I know it’s real because I see its effect all around me.

Yes, I see its effect all around me.

Oh, I can feel God’s Spirit down inside of me. I can feel God’s Presence all over me. I can feel God’s Spirit down inside of me and I know it’s real. Yes, I know it’s real because I see the effect He’s made in me.

Yes, I see the effect He’s made in me.

Oh, I can feel God’s Spirit down inside of me. I can feel God’s Presence all over me. I can feel God’s Spirit down inside of me and I know it’s real. Yes, I know it’s real because I see the effect He’s made in me.

Every time I pray In Jesus' Name for someone or something, I have extravagant expectations for the miraculous taking place. It doesn’t matter what the problem is or what the situation is, I do not pray without expecting what I ask for to happen. I always know The God I’m praying to created everything in this world including this world, and He can do anything anytime for anybody. If we have been born again and have God’s Spirit living inside us we should not fear anything of this world, but only God. When we’re praying with Extravagant Expectations we should always remember that nothing is too big or too little for God to do. I repeat that nothing is too big for God to do and nothing is too little for God to do. By saying "praying with extravagant expectations" I mean praying and totally and completely expecting the miracle to happen and not being surprised when it does, but being surprised if it doesn’t.

Yes, I see the effect He’s made in me!

WHEN JESUS IS #1 I’m so glad to say and know when Jesus is number one in our life everything else works the way it should. When Jesus is number one, two, three, four, and five don’t matter nearly as much. When Jesus is number one, numbers two, three, four, and five can be in any order, and it doesn’t really matter.

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, You are my Lord and Savior. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, You are everything to me. Jesus all my life came from You and comes from You. Jesus, You are the creator of all that exists. Jesus, You started all time we now live in and You will end it when You are ready. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, You made a way for me to die to this world and to get Born Again. Jesus, I’m so glad Your spirit lives inside me and You will take me through natural death and I will arise like You did with a glorified body just like you have. Hallelujah, Hallelujah, what an awesome thought. That’s why everything about You is number one in my life.

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Why didn’t Noah ever go fishing?

Because he only had two worms.

A stranger approached the pastor after service and said, “I’d like you to pray for my hearing.”

The pastor placed his hands on the man’s ears and said a passionate, earnest prayer.

“How’s your hearing now?” the pastor asked.

Looking surprised, the man said, “Well, it’s not until tomorrow.”

What’s the problem with forbidden fruits?

They create many jams.

E: ADLIN E D T NEX 023 ST 12, 2 U G U A

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