Fall 2024 Herald

FALL 2024

our herald e

create in m

SPREADING THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

MINISTERING TO THE HEART

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 and eat with us- 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- Ashley Perry 180 Honeysuckle Road, Franklin, KY 42134 270.776-2219- ashperry08@yahoo.com 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 calvin.bledsoe@outlook.com Kentucky- Stephen Perry 180 Honeysuckle Road, Franklin, KY 42134 270.293.1131 sgperry1981@yahoo.com Missouri- Travis Hollingsworth 3235 W. Madison St, Springfield, MO 65802 417.818.3109 moprecher@yahoo.com Mississippi- Antoine Stokes 1609 Robertson Rd, Louisville, MS 39339 662.803.3878 stokesantoine@yahoo.com

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 jtdenton21@gmail.com

FROM THE EDITOR This issue is dedicated to the heart. Proverbs 4:23 instructs us, “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Jesus was in the business of ministering to hearts- He was interested in making people whole.

NEW SUBMISSIONS Please send all new submission to: ashley.ourherald@gmail.com Winter 2024/2025 Submission Deadline: November 12, 2024

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

He healed bodies, but He comforted hearts. In fact, the woman with the issue of blood knew if she just reached out one more time to touch the Master’s garment she would be made whole. Twelve years of hardship healed in an instant.

The man who laid by the pool at Bethesda spent thirtyeight years hoping for a miracle. When it came, He was made whole. Bartimaeus caused a scene yelling by the roadside to get Jesus’ attention. When the Healer spoke, this outspoken man’s faith facilitated his healing so that he was made whole.

There was a lawyer who asked Jesus, “Master, which is the great commandment in the law?”

Jesus directed the man towards wholeness saying, “...Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

Ministering is for this side of heaven, the place where the hardships live. Ministers deal with the heart- out of it are the issues of life.

Ashley Ennis

CHAIRMAN'S CORNER

LEADERSHIP LEGACY PART 1: COURAGEOUS LEADERSHIP

PASTOR DEE JAY SHOULDERS

It is an honor to be able to share some nuggets on Leadership in a series for the next four editions of the Herald. In Part 1 I feel led to share somethings on what I call Courageous Leadership. In the end times the Church must be led through some dangerous places and for sure that will take some courageous leadership to see this come to pass.

God spoke to Joshua in Chapter 1 vs 9 and said: “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

Courageous simply describes a person possessing courage. Courage in the Bible is a quality that is the opposite of fear and is considered an essential characteristic for believers. It is defined as a Godgiven strength of soul that allows people to do what is right and necessary, even in the face of danger or difficulty.

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Courage is also a willingness to act in obedience to God's calling and purposes, relying on His guidance and strength. Martin Luther King Jr. said: "We must build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear."

...last days leader will be required to possess some courageous faith...

Nelson Mandela said: “I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

Since the Word is true we know that certain things will transpire in the last days. One of them Jesus told is would be that men’s hearts would fail them for fear. With that being said the last days leader will be required to possess some courageous faith in order to not only make it themselves but also to be able to lead those who will need guidance as we navigate the choppy waters of the last days.

The Apostle Paul had a discerning heart. In writing to the early Christians at Ephesus, he knew he had to prepare them for unprecedented hardship. But first he longed to encourage and comfort them, so he reminded them of the Lord’s strength. He said it this was in Ephesians 6:10: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” It is as if he were thinking, some of my dear friends must be quaking in their boots to see their enemies so strong and themselves so weak, so numerous while they are so few, so well equipped and expert at arms while they are just raw recruits.

He must have known a fear -wracked should is too preoccupied with its present distress to listen to advice from anyone, even a wellmeaning friend. Fear immobilizes its victimlike the distraught solider who runs trembling to his foxhole at first rumor of an attack and refuses to come out until all threat of danger is past. So Paul searches for an antidote to their fear and soon finds one. It is a timeless answer to the disabling condition suffered by every Christian since Adam. He tells us, “Don’t let you fears overwhelm you. march on with undaunted courage and be strong in the Lord.’

And here is the great consolation, ‘the outcome of the battle rests on God’s performance, not on your skill or strength.’

Surely every trembling soul will breathe a sigh of relief to hear this comforting news.

Now the believer can concentrate on the task at hand, which is to ‘be strong’. Isaiah 35:4 says, “Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.”

In other words, march at the powers of your soul and muster up your whole force, for you will need all you can get. I say to us all….carry on solider. Be strong and courageous. God is with you.

“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1:9 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”

Ephesians 6:10 “Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.” Isaiah 35:4

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Hebrews 12:14-15 says, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.”

AS WE THINK

BRO. RICK HUMPHREYS Ambassador-At-Large

Let me ask you a question right now, what are you thinking? What do you dwell on the most when you are thinking? Do you dwell on some things for a long time? Do thoughts stick in your mind? Do you realize that action is the result of thought? Prov 23:7a says, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he’. As a man thinks in the inner being, so is he. What are you thinking right now? No one knows but you and God. He knows our thoughts afar off.

Have you ever thought yourself into a frenzy, into a fit of rage, or sad sorrow? Thoughts are powerful. Lots of actions are the results of thoughts. Have you ever gotten mad at someone and thought on it long enough to turn it into bitterness? When we do that, we destroy ourselves and all our other relationships.

Bitterness defiles us.

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Bitterness has roots that have to be plucked up. To get rid of it you have to get rid of the cause. That takes forgiveness of the one that caused you to get that way. Jesus put it this way Matt 5:43-45, “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”

If you want to be right with God, you must be right with your fellow man. Yeah, I know it’s hard to do, but it works, because you do what He said do. It may not change their attitude but it will yours! And yours is the one that needs to be changed!

Heb 12:14 says, “Follow peace with all men---, not a suggestion but a command! You have the ability to overcome all things by the Spirit that dwells in you.

The eye sees and desires, the mind dwells on what the eye transmits to it and then puts to action the thought. The ear hears, it transmits to the brain what it receives and the body then acts accordingly, right or wrong. The eye and the ear cause almost all thinking. John said in 1 John 2:16, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever”.

The only way to overcome the eye and ear thoughts is by the everlasting Word. Paul tells us what to do with the enticing thoughts that want to cause sin. 2 Cor 10:4-6 “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled”.

Align the thoughts with the Word of God. Cast down any thought that is not in agreement with the Word of God. Do not allow the sinful thoughts to become sinful actions. Do not allow anger, hate or malice to become bitterness and defile you, causing loss of eternal life. Cast down these thoughts and replace them with what the Apostle Paul said for us to think on. Phil 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things”.

There is a reason to think on these things; Phil 4:6-7 says, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”.

“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.” Hebrews 12: 14-15 “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.” 2 Corinthians 10:4-6 If you will pray, (it changes us) the peace of God that is unexplainable and undeniable as well as unsurpassed will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (the Word). When you think on the Word of God, righteousness, peace and joy will rise up and keep you from committing unrighteous actions. “AS A MAN THINKS”.

Think on the right things, commit the right actions, commit your ways unto the Lord and let Him direct your path!

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ARE YOU A MINISTER? What does the word ‘minister’ mean to you?

Some may think of it only as someone standing behind a pulpit or holding a microphone. Not so! We can sit back and wait on others to do the work and hope some come to know the truth but all of us that proclaim to be a Christian should live our lives in constant ministry.

You don’t have to look far to find people who need ministering to. There are people around us every day that are going through hard things or those who just need Jesus. It's not hard to find those who are broken, hurt or suffering. Be a hand extended that brings peace to somebody who needs it. Look for opportunities to be hospitable and encouraging. People are looking for hope that the world can’t offer. We know a God who can bring hope and peace and so much more.

Don’t be afraid to walk in the ministry He has for you! He will lead and guide you every step and will bless you in the end.

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SISTER KARLA SHOULDERS

“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” Hebrews 6:10

We’ve all been there. Maybe you’re there now. You know it’s the right thing to do, but you just can’t do it. You want to pour into someone else’s life, but your cup is empty.

One of Jesus’s greatest miracles was actually a lesson to his disciples on this very subject.

There were people everywhere.

Word spread of blind eyes seeing again, deaf ears hearing for the first time. Demons were leaving and sick people were getting up from their sick beds.

Wasn’t Jesus paying attention? Maybe he was too caught up in healing the people. The disciples pulled him aside and said, “Jesus, it’s late and we’re in the middle of nowhere. You need to send these people to that village we passed earlier today so they can buy food for themselves.

FROM AN EMPTY CUP

“Jesus, we only have five loaves of bread and two fish.”

Jesus was teaching with authority in ways no one had ever heard before.

Each day the crowds grew. The disciples weren’t sure where they were heading, but they were aware of two things. First, they had walked until they were in the middle of nowhere. Second, it was getting late and everyone was getting hungry. No one wanted to leave because no one wanted to miss whatever would happen next, but eventually they had to eat.

BRO. AARON WOJCIK PROMOTIONAL ARM DIRECTOR

Jesus looked at each of them and smiled. He smiled because he saw their compassion for the multitude.

He smiled because he knew the thoughts running through their heads. He smiled because he knew what he was about to do.

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Then in a casual tone, he said, “No, that’s not necessary. You feed them.”

There was a brief pause while Jesus’s words settled on the disciples' ears.

Several thoughts ran through Peter’s mind. Jesus had been ministering to the people for days. He was tired. He had to be. Peter was completely exhausted and he was just standing next to Jesus.

Maybe he was so focused on the people that he wasn’t able to think rationally. ”But that’s why he called me,” Peter thought. “Jesus, we only have five loaves of bread and two fish.”

Peter thought that this statement would be enough to snap Jesus back to the present, but Jesus again just smiled and looked at his followers. ”Bring me whatever you have.”

I can only imagine what was going through their minds as they passed five loaves of bread and two fish to Jesus, but to their credit they didn’t ask any more questions. Several dizzying hours later, they sat in a circle around twelve baskets of leftover food. Not only had they fed the people as Jesus had suggested, but they each had more than they started with.

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It’s sometimes overlooked, but Jesus performed an almost identical miracle just a few chapters later in Matthew’s gospel. I don’t know how much time passed between these two miraculous events, but it seems that the disciples needed to see it twice. Both times they couldn’t see past their own inability to meet the needs of the people around them and both times, Jesus showed them that they would indeed meet the need, but He would be the source.

I have lots of cups in my house. It seems like they multiply like the fish and loaves. But out of every princess or puppy cup I have, none of them can fill themselves. We are God’s vessels, but he doesn’t expect you to fIll your own cup.

No amount of righteous living or spiritual discipline can accomplish what only He can.

On the days that you feel empty, just remember He isn’t concerned with what you don’t have - only what you do have. And he wants it. Give yourself to Him. Trust that if you step out to meet a need, he will supply what you need to minister to that person. Trust that in the end, your cup will be full. Maybe our cup is meant to run over only after we are willing to pour out what’s in there. Be encouraged! You aren’t enough, but with Him you will always be enough, because He is always enough!

And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals. But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. He said, Bring them hither to me. And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude. And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.”

Matthew 14:13-21

SIS. KAREN SANDERS

JUST AS WE ARE I love reading the gospels. I can camp out studying Matthew’s gospel for hours. I am amazed every time I read the daily accounts of Jesus’ life. His personality, convictions, example, and personness (If that is a word), minister to my heart.

Throughout my life, people have told me, in one context or another, “You need to be like Jesus.” Although that presents as an unattainable goal, I have found that I can do my best to follow His example. And so, pick up my bible, and read it all again…

In preparation for a Labor Day sermon, I camped on Matthew 3-5. In chapter three, we see Jesus baptized. In chapter four, we see Him tempted “just as we are” (Hebrews 4:15). Then in chapter five, Jesus saw crowds, went on a hill, and sat down. I think of the opportunities for ministry that I have had in and out of the country, sometimes with people whose cultures or traditions I did not understand. But they sought a comforter. At times, confronted by crowds in those countries, I would just “sit down.”

On this day, the scripture tells us that Jesus sat down and began to share with the disciples, eight ways in which they were blessed. This passage we now identify as “the Beatitudes.” (I used to call them the Blessed Are’s). Reading this passage of scripture again brought to my mind a sermon I heard Pastor Jonathan Denton preach a few weeks ago.

Our team was in Goodlettsville, Tennessee at THE WAY as a part of a celebration of homeschool families in which we were privileged to serve. That weekend, we provided homeschool curriculum, textbooks, and materials to 243 families who had 575 children. Meeting this need, we help families to educate generations. Two weeks later, our Celebrating Teachers Team partnered with THE WELL Church family in Lonoke, Arkansas to provide curriculum for sixty-eight families and over eighty children.

The need of our children in this nation must not be overlooked or taken lightly. This extends into the classrooms of our nation’s schools and the homes of our families who are doing their best to provide a quality education for their children.

Many of the parents who came through these church outreach events left telling us, “Thank you for blessing us.”

The working definition of Living Blessed is to be “Filled with inner joy.” When I consider that scripture tells me “The joy of the Lord is my strength,” I conclude that when we introduce local outreach programs in our churches and groups blessing people in need, we are introducing those people to the joy of the Lord. According to scripture, “The joy of the Lord is our strength,” and “in His presence is fulness of Joy.” 8

In missions outreach as in so many areas of life, we see people carrying labels. As Pastor Jonathan shared so beautifully, in these situations we see people carrying labels that mark them. We may all carry labels that Jesus never intended for us to carry. First, we carry the label that we carry inside, labels used to identify ourselves. These labels may place us in a positive mindset or may tear down our selfperception causing us to feel alone or unworthy of God’s love.

The second label is one that describes the lady at the outreach. We carry labels others put on us, labels that may be negative and detrimental to our self-worth. With harsh words, judgment or offense, people place labels on others that can ruin lives. These labels can have a devastating effect on a person’s life.

But there is a third label. This is the label that God has for HIS children. Jesus called them by name. Jesus calls us BLESSED. When we choose to carry the label Jesus has given us, we are choosing to live “With inner joy that comes from a relationship with God, despite external circumstances.” NO MATTER WHAT…CHOOSE INNER JOY… In Matthew 5 Jesus explained to the disciples how that they should consider themselves blessed. He said “Blessed are you when…” They had an opportunity to choose the same label we can choose today. For example, If they chose to be a peacemaker, they were blessed.

The Sermon on the Mount continues as Jesus encourages the crowd to make a choice. He told the disciples and the people “You have heard that it was said…but I say to you…” Jesus clearly gave us a choice. We choose the label we will wear. We choose to tell the world, despite our circumstances, despite what others say, we have inner Joy and this inner joy comes as we choose a relationship with God, despite external circumstances.

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Through local and international missions we choose to share the same label from the heart of Jesus with our troubled world. We can choose to share inner joy, regardless of circumstances, and we can choose BLESSED. In August, I was able to speak in the opening orientation to the high school faculty of Maplewood High School in Nashville, Tennessee.

Executive Principal Dr. Sonya Brooks and her amazing faculty are entering their second year partnering with Celebrating Teachers and First Apostolic Church.

Pastor Karla Shoulders ministers to the hearts of the students of Maplewood weekly distributing ice pops in the parking lot after school and visiting with the students. In addition, to FAC teams working with their Fellowship of Christian Athletes, we provide monthly gifts and regular luncheons or snack trays for teachers as their schedule permits. Dr. Brooks shared with me how that the very “attitude and atmosphere” of the school property has changed since Pastor Karla has been ministering to hearts there.

The team at THE WAY in Goodlettsville is in their second year of ministry to the Goodlettsville Elementary staff, and in addition to special events and support services at the campus, they will be providing coats and supplies to the school families in an outreach event on their campus October 12.

In Hot Springs, Arkansas, Grace Apostolic Church opened the school year with a school community event in August, with plans for additional outreaches in which we will bless the local school and community families.

Continued on Page 14

BRO. RON DENTON

THE FIFTH CHAMBER In the field of anatomy, the heart is the main organ of our cardiovascular system. It’s located in the center of our bodies. When the heart stops the body instantly dies.

Thank God there are medical specialist who have saved million upon millions of lives because of their undying devotion to the saving of these lives through their knowledge, expertise, skills enabling them to medically treat these failing heart conditions. Yet, there is a disease that the best trained heart doctors are unable to treat and keep alive. It’s a deep internal issue that lies in the very center of human life. It is called the “Fifth Chamber” of man’s heart.

The heart has four chambers, two upper atria, the receiving chambers, and two lower ventricles, the discharging chambers. The medical specialists, are well trained to treat these four chambers of the heart. However, there is a “fifth chamber” that the bestskilled specialist cannot see nor be able to treat. This fourth chamber is called the “Hidden Chamber” of the heart. This “fifth chamber” is the spiritual chamber of man’s heart. It is this fifth chamber that keeps man’s spiritual life alive or causes spiritual death.

The word “heart” is found over seven hundred times in the Bible. Scripture tells us that the heart is either pure or corrupt, so is the whole course of man's life. All the actions of a man's life issue proceed from this chamber of the heart. As the human heart is the fountain of natural life, so the “fifth chamber” is the fountain of man’s spiritual life.

Proverbs 4:23 “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”

(See Mark 7:21).

This “fifth chamber of our heart” houses our passions our emotions and our inner thoughts and secrets. This chamber of our heart becomes our “hiding place”.

The Hidden Chambers In 1 Chronicles 28:10-13; 1 Kings 6:1-10 God gives David the blueprint for what would become known as Solomon’s Temple.

I Chronicles 28:11-12 “Then David gave to Solomon his son the pattern of the porch, and of the houses thereof, and of the treasuries thereof, and of the upper chambers thereof, and of the inner parlours thereof, and of the place of the mercy seat. And the pattern of all that he had by the spirit, of the courts of the house of the LORD, and of all the chambers round about, of the treasuries of the house of God, and of the treasuries of the dedicated things:” and I Kings 6:5:6 “And against the wall of the house he built chambers round about, against the walls of the house round about, both of the temple and of the oracle: and he made chambers round about:The nethermost chamber was five cubits broad, and the middle was six cubits broad, and the third was seven cubits broad: for without in the wall of the house he made narrowed rests round about, that the beams should not be fastened in the walls of the house”.

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These hidden chambers were built outside of the Temple on either side of the temple yet attached to the Temple. These chambers belonged to the original floor plan of the Temple that God gave to David. These chambers had three levels of three tiered chambers having 31 hidden cubicles on each side, ( Think of these as likened to our current day storage buildings).

In Scripture, these Temple hidden chambers are called in the Hebrew cheder. Cheder means inner most part, the secret place or the inner most part.

These chambers were supposed to be for storing the priest’s worship items used in the Holy Place of the Temple, also for storing Israel’s records of victories, deliverances and miracles to remind them of all God had done for them.

The priest however would use these chambers to house and conceal their hidden idols that they used also for worship to the pagan gods as well.

Our Secret Place Symbolically, these secret, hidden, storage chambers of Solomon’s Temple correspond to our own innermost part, our own secret place, the place in our soul where we store, hide and bury things that we hope no one will see such as, deep wounds, hurts, past traumas, physical and sexual abuse, guilt, painful memories, hidden addictions, unnatural thoughts, unforgiveness, jealousies, to name a few. They are pushed back behind closed doors in this fifth and hidden chamber of their hearts.

Solomon speaks of these chambers: Proverbs 24:4 And by knowledge shall the chambers (our hearts) be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

Proverbs 20:27 The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts (our heart) of the belly.

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The anatomy of man is likened to the physical construction of Solomon’s temple this is why the Apostle Paul told the Corinthian believers in 1Corinthians 3:16. ”Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you”?

This hidden chamber in our temple is the inner most part of our soul where we hide and bury our secret thoughts, motives, desires, emotional hurts, pass abuse, hidden addictions, moral sins, fleshly sins, things that have taken the place of the things of God and have broken the vessels of worship to God. The love for the blessings and things that God has done in our lives have been covered over by the tarps of things we can’t let go of so we sit in church thinking that no one will see or know. If not cleansed they will drive us away from God, fellowship and worship and these buried things can eventually become the motivation of our lives, rather than God’s life in us.

This topic is certainly one that requires much more insight than this limited article can address but allow me to be brief with a few points that will be an introduction and starting point in ministering to those hearts who so desperately crying for help. At least to maybe get an opened door.

”Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?”

1 Cor. 3:16

Introduce the Healer: The Bible says that God is near to those who have a broken Read -1 Corinthians 13:4,8,13; Galatians 5:14, 22; heart. He binds our wounds and reveals the love of Jesus by the unction of the 1 John 3:1.

Holy Spirit. God is the only Physician who People just need to know that they are loved. can fully heal a broken heart, and he has never failed in his ability to heal.

Remember John 3:16.

Start with loving people:

Building relationships: Relationship will deepen trust. Standing by someone means more than standing next to them physically.

Standing by someone with support, encouragement and love when they are dealing with these hidden issues in their life.

Psalms 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Luke 4:18 "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To When we become very close to someone, we proclaim liberty to the captives And often will open our hearts to them revealing recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; our true feelings and inner hidden hurts.

Christ does not only want to restore our Listening: James 1:19 tells us to be quick to worship, but He wants to create a new listen and slow to speak. Listening builds trust heart, a clean one and one that knows and rapport. It makes a person feel heard and Him in the power of healing. Psalms 34:18; Ezekiel 36:26. valued. It shows interest and that you care.

Caring: Caring shows compassion and concern. Caring is showing empathy.

Empathy is “the action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another.” Putting ourselves in the heart and mind of another means choosing to feel with them what they’re experiencing.

Empathy: Empathy moves the focus off ourselves and onto another person. When we can understand how a friend thinks or feels, then we can take step and care the next step in leading them back to healing and restoration through Jesus Christ.

These are simple initial steps that serve as our starting gate in ministering to the hearts of hurting people. These steps may open the door to hidden chambers in one’s life allowing the Word of God and His Spirit to clean and heal the heart and restore the vessels of worship once again.

Continued on page 22

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heart

of the matter When I think about a heart, I am reminded that it is many things. I know we have a physical heart in our body, but the spiritual heart of a person is emotional. Someone can be described as having a brave heart, a strong heart, a loving heart, broken hearted, and even as having a mean heart. We hold a lot of things in our heart. Some even say, ‘follow your heart’ to encourage someone to pursue a dream or be brave. But the heart can be deceiving.

In Genesis 6:5 God saw the imagination of the thoughts of the heart of men were only evil. This led to the flood and all but Noah and his family being destroyed. God looks at the heart of man. (1 Samuel 16:7) God knows the thoughts and intents of the heart.

God understands our heart better than we do. He wants his people to be able to minister to someone effectively. That means we need to be able to recognize the real need of a heart.

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We may not always understand what is in a person’s heart because we are not God, but he can reveal it to you or give a verse or word to speak that will cut straight to the real matter. We can speak words that bring life or death to a situation or a heart that needs to hear from God. Some may hide those emotions and feelings that need attention from God. He already knows what they need. We may not see any symptoms because they are hiding those feelings. But as we minister to those around us, we may see outward signs of the heart’s contents. Does that heart reveal hurt, sorrow, joy, fear?

Actions and words often reveal what someone is feeling even when they try to hide it. Jesus said that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Our words reveal what our hearts hold. We must be aware that words are powerful. We need to be ready to discern the heart of someone to effectively minister to that heart. God can give us the wisdom to speak to a broken heart, a proud heart, and a fearful heart. He already knows what that heart needs.

SISTER LORI STEVENS SECRETARY OF ABOFC NATIONAL WOMEN’S MINISTRY

There are many times when I know I need to speak with someone that I will begin with prayer before I get there asking for God to show me what to say, give me wisdom and help me hear the heart of the matter. He will give me the verses that are needed, the words to encourage and on occasion, the words of correction. We must be prayerful and careful about what words to deliver and the spirit in which we deliver them. One thing I have learned is that a word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. (Proverbs 25:11). They will be effective and perfect for that person going directly to the heart to work the spiritual work God intends. But if a person is not ready to hear, those words will fall on a hard heart and not take root.

We should always trust God to do the work. His Word is powerful. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. God’s word when spoken to a heart in need will accomplish the will of God. Our world is full of people who need God to work on the heart. We all need God to work on our hearts, removing the evil, pain, fear, anxiety, anger, depression, everything that hinders God; and instead, he will fill them with his word, wisdom, peace, joy, love and grace. Seek God and pray for the right words and the right spirit to come from you to minister to the hearts around you. We must not be afraid to speak the word of God to a heart in need, even if we think it may not matter to that person or they resist you.

A word fitly spoken will get to the heart of the matter.

Continued from page 9

Jesus Name Church in Plainview has worked with Celebrating Teachers providing food and connecting with Two Rivers Schools to provide textbooks and curriculum for homeschool outreach programs. The support and shared vision of churches in the Associated Brotherhood of Christians as we network to impact their communities and the nations is helping us to spread the Kingdom message.

This fall, Celebrating Teachers will be extending the network of schools and churches further as we partner with churches through Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, Arkansas, Indiana, and other states. In addition to outreach to schools in those states, monthly we will be providing gifts of celebration and supplies to teachers and needy families from five public and Christian schools in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Through Local and International missions’ projects we work to impact nations, one child at a time.

Celebrating Teachers is a 501©3 non-profit organization. We are totally donation based and dedicated to transforming the lives of teachers, students, and their community families by developing outreach programs in local churches.

We need your help to reach these teachers and families. We encourage churches, businesses, and individuals to join our team. You can help us as we are linking people with resources to people with need.

For more information, to join the Celebrating Teachers team, or to make a one-time or recurring donation to help us meet the need in our schools and communities, contact: Karen Sanders Celebrating Teachers, Inc. P.O. Box 1943 Owasso, Oklahoma, 74055 Phone or Text: 918-902-2740 Email: Karensanders1@yahoo.com

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PASTOR PHILIP TOLMAN

LIVE TO BE

a blessing PART 2

Everyone desires to live a blessed life. Who wouldn’t want days full of peace, joy and goodwill, plus having everything that is needed without worry of coming up short?

Many people seek these things by working hard and investing in financial opportunities in hopes of a good return and a life of ease.

Others may take a slothful approach and continually rely upon welfare programs or charities for a less rewarding, but steady existence. The Bible however teaches a different kind of prosperous life that is abundant in blessing yet tempered with occasional difficulties to keep one reliant upon God, from whom all blessings flow...

Before God judged the city of Sodom, He sought out His covenant friend Abraham, confident that he would be faithful to continually instruct his descendants to keep the way of the Lord. (Gen. 18:17-19). Upon hearing the plan, Abraham feared for Lot and his family and began to plead with God to save the righteous souls living in that sinful city. He was obviously aware that Lot’s family often stumbled in keeping godly precepts and instructions. When God agreed that He would not destroy the city for ten righteous people, Abraham was consoled that surely Lot’s family would be spared.

In his second New Testament letter, the Apostle Peter wrote that God “delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:” (2 Peter 2:7-9).

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Even though Lot made plenty of mistakes, it was his belief in God that clothed his soul with righteousness. Every day the sins of Sodom disgusted Lot, but he could do nothing to change the depraved lifestyle of the citizens, even though he “sat in the gate” as a town leader. (Gen. 19:1). Lot’s toleration of Sodom’s iniquities even affected the lives of his wife, daughters and sons-in-law so that they were indifferent to the despicable lifestyle of their neighbors.

Lot could be thankful for the godly example of his blessed Uncle Abraham in teaching him to live a life pleasing to God. Sadly however, his failure to influence his family and community with godliness resulted in the sparing of only three, rather than thousands, from God’s fiery judgement.

Further, Lot’s drunken affair with his two surviving incestuous daughters produced the Ammonite and Moabite clans, which along with other Canaanite nations, were a continual vexation and enemy to Israel. So we see the curse following Lot’s line, but the blessing remained upon Abraham’s Jewish generations.

Now let us ask the question: How does this blessing and curse principle affect us under the New Testament?

Because God does not change, His moral principles still prevail today just as under the old covenant. Yet, a key word for the new covenant which covers our relationship with Him is “better.” (Heb. 8:6). Because we are not under Mosaic Law, the harsh penalties for disobedience are tempered with grace. “For the law was given

by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17). By living as a man, Jesus experienced the same temptations as us, without once committing sin. Now, as our faithful High Priest, he reconciles us to God with first-hand knowledge of our weaknesses, having redeemed us from the curse of the law with His own blood.

(Heb. 2:17; Gal. 3:13).

This is not to say that we have a license to sin. If we continue on as we did before without repentance from “the sin that so easily besets us,” we deceive ourselves into thinking that God doesn’t care and are tempted to drift away from our allegiance to Him. “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip” (Heb. 2:1).

Our ideal is to be a blessing to God and others, just as Abraham, our “father of the faith” was to the people of his generation. Jesus commands us in His Sermon on the Mount that blessing, rather than cursing others is the nature of a child of God. “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matt. 5:44-45).

As we become people that bless others, we have to change our way of speech.

Perhaps you are like the many whose fathers cursed them with many degrading words such as, “You are so worthless” or “you’ll never amount to anything.” Such harmful speech shows that they were still living under a curse and that is why these types of curses came out of their mouths.

James 3:6-11 says, “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”

Now as children of the promise and children of blessing, we are to bless ALL men. Even if they are not yet saved by the grace of God, we must speak encouraging words of kindness to everyone so that the Spirit of God may draw them to Jesus and annul any generational curse that is over their lives.

”...Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.”

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In Exodus 34:6-7, God passed before Moses and proclaimed, “The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.”

God stores up mercy for everyone who will freely come to Him for salvation but will not release the guilt of sin on those who will not repent. Words of blessing draw the penitent to Him, as a glass of water does to those who are thirsty.

These uplifting blessings are not genetic; they must be pronounced from generation to generation to be effective. It is our duty to speak them and perform acts of kindness as an example so that they can extend beyond our lifetime by those who remain.

Here is the blessing dictated by God which Aaron, the High Priest of the Exodus, placed upon the children of Israel during their wilderness journey. Even today, faithful rabbis speak these verses over those seeking the affection of God:

Here are the necessary steps to invoke this process: Have the God-given authority to be able to bless. All who are born-again children of God have this Divine authorization.

Have a change of name. We take the name of Jesus upon us through baptism. As His name is declared over us, we become inheritors of the blessing. The name is what has to bring the change.

Declare the blessing and pray for that person to remain in God’s good graces. If they struggle in the faith, your prayer will work in their behalf.

It is a time to bless and not to curse. The future of our children and their generations depend upon it.

“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:8-9).

“The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” (Num. 6:24-26).

God said if the priests placed His name on the children of Israel, He would bless them. (Num. 6:27) If we place the name of Jesus upon others through pronounced blessings, the love and kindness of the Lord will be extended to them, perhaps even to their ultimate salvation.

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GOD SPEAKS TO THE HEART OF MEN God’s speaking to men is a deeply spiritual concept that resonates throughout Christian theology.

1 Kings 19:11 … And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: 12 … And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. 13 …

And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah People can hear from God in many different ways; but God often speaks directly to our hearts in ways that are quiet, personal, and deeply transformative.

To Elijah, God spoke in a “Still Small Voice.”

Elijah looked to hear God in the wind, earthquake, and fire, but ultimately heard Him in a "still small voice.” Sometimes, we expect God to speak in a grand and dramatic ways, when He often communicates with us through quiet moments, touching our hearts directly.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

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The Heart is the Transformation.

Center

of

our

Ezekiel 36:26, "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh." God speaks to our hearts because it is the place where true change occurs. Our thoughts, actions, and lives are transformed from the inside out. We need to open your heart to the gentle, transformative whispers of God, allowing Him to mold your heart.

Jeremiah 29:11-13 … "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

God’s communication with us is always personal and specific. He knows our individual needs, struggles, and hopes.

God desires that we seek him with our whole heart, listening for His guidance and assurance in our daily life. Our Heart as the Seat of our Relationship with God.

PASTOR NATHAN LOWE

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Matthew 22:37 … Jesus said, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."

Jonah 3:4-10 … Jonah preached to Nineveh, and the people repented. God showed mercy and compassion, sparing the city.

Our relationship with God is not just intellectual or ritualistic; it is deeply rooted in the heart. As believers, we are encouraged to cultivate a heartfelt relationship with God, not just a surfacelevel observance of faith.

God’s voice is often heard most clearly in the quiet, intimate spaces of our hearts.

May we spend moments in silent prayer, asking God to speak to our hearts in personal ways … asking Him to help us to be attuned to His voice and to have our hearts open and receptive to His guidance.

God’s call to Jonah was not just about Jonah’s obedience; it was about His compassion for an entire city. God had spoken to Jonah, but then Jonah became the voice of God to Nineveh. Isn’t that amazing, we can become the Voice of God to save others.

God’s love extends to all people, even those we might think are beyond redemption.

Take a moment, consider who God might be calling you to reach out to, even if it seems difficult or uncomfortable.

God is Persistent to Call each of us. God’s call is unwavering. It reflects His deep love and desire for all people to come to Him. Remember God’s Call to Jonah. Jonah 1:1-3 "The word of the Lord came to Jonah... But Jonah ran away from the Lord." Jonah’s initial response to God’s call was to run away. He tried to escape, thinking he could avoid God’s mission.

We must Respond to God’s Call Today.

Isaiah 6:8 … "Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am I. Send me!'" God continues to call each of us today, just as He called Jonah. The question is whether we will respond, like Jonah, or turn a deaf ear. Listen for God’s call in your life and to respond with willingness and faithfulness.

Like Jonah, many of us might resist or avoid God’s call in our lives. We may feel unworthy, afraid, or simply unwilling to obey. But "Then the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time..."

God’s call is persistent because His love is persistent. He does not give up on us, no matter how far we try to run. May God once again reveal His call in your life, and to give you the courage to respond.

Despite Jonah’s disobedience, God pursued him. God’s call did not waver, showing us His relentless love and purpose. Every honest believer can reflect on times when they have felt God’s persistent call, even when they were resistant. God does not give up on us. We have all, repeatedly, received guidance or direction until we responded.

Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still, and know that I am God." This verse is an invitation to stop, to be still, and to listen. In our busy lives, we must intentionally create moments of silence where we can hear God’s voice.

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Jesus said in John 10:27, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me."

God speaks to each of us in different ways, but His desire is always the same—for us to know Him and to follow His guidance.

THE PERPETUAL PASSOVER PART 1

REV. BILL BALDRIDGE Please note this is a series and must be read as such.

Perpetual-continual of enduring forever, continuing without intermission or interruption.

The Associated Brotherhood of Christians (A.B.ofC.) has always been an Apostolic Pentecostal “faithbased religion”. The A.B.ofC. believes in the main Apostolic Doctrines, i.e. One God (not Trinitarian), Baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues, and water baptism in Jesus' Name.

The one major difference of belief that the A.B.ofC. adheres to is “The Bread of Life” message, or as some call it, “Spiritual Communion”. Whichever label is used to define this doctrine, it is never meant to divide the body of Christ, but rather to unify.

“Renewing the faith that was once delivered to the saints.”

All throughout scripture it has always been a command of God that we rehearse the words, stories, and laws of God. When we as leaders, parents, and grandparents fail to renew, rehearse, and repeat God’s commands to the church and our children, it will always result in a loss of all fundamental beliefs upon which our faith is built. Can we risk that?

We need, no we must, renew our excitement over this great truth. The entire message Jesus left with His disciples has its roots in the book of Genesis. Once you connect your beginning to this message you will come to see the importance of what Christ was doing by becoming the perpetual Passover. You may never get as excited about this truth as I do, but I do believe a new excitement about the Christian life can and will be revealed to you.

I will be including as many writings to the A.B.ofC. publication, Our Herald, as may be permitted.

My hope is: 1. That a renewed interest will be sparked in those who have knowledge and belief of this truth.

2. That other Christians will be exposed to the truth that is accurate, concise, and no longer hidden in tradition.

3. That after a final assessment of this message and its accuracy, you may find a fuller relationship between you and your God.

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My only message is the “Perpetual Passover”; however, it will be difficult not to touch upon some sacred doctrines.

My goal is to identify and explain the following truth: 1. The perpetual Passover: from Genesis to Revelation and into eternity 2. Bread: leavened bread, unleavened bread, and “The Bread of Life” 3. Spiritual communion versus literal communion 4. Redemption 5. Relationship (Do not miss this) The Perpetual Passover Let me begin with the book of Exodus and later I will connect this event with the book of Genesis. I want to take you to the first Passover recorded in the Old Testament. I hope you will make yourself acquainted with this scripture. Please read the following chapters and verses very slowly and carefully. It is here we find the building blocks for all of eternity.

The First Passover Passover instituted by God: Exodus 12:1-3 Passover as a Memorial: Exodus 12:14-20 Passover Blood: Exodus 12:21-28 Passover Death: Exodus 12:29-30 Passover Rules: Exodus 12:43-51 Passover Remembrance: Exodus 13:1-10 The Passover is the first of the three great annual feasts of the Israelites celebrated around March-April each year. It is always celebrated on the 14th day of the Jewish calendar in the month of Nisan. This feast would never change its date and time as instituted by God. Therefore, this date became sacred to all Jewish peoples.

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God instituted this feast to commemorate the deliverance, or redemption, of the Israelites from Egyptian bondage and the sparing of their children when the destroying angel smote the firstborn of the Egyptians. The deliverance from Egypt was regarded as the starting point of the Hebrew nation. The Exodus was looked upon as the birth of the country. Passover was its annual birthday feast.

Passover was the first of the three great annual feasts of the Israelites. However, strictly speaking, the Passover applied to the Paschal supper. Paschal is from the Greek word Pascha, which is from the Hebrew word pesah (or pesach), which simply means “Passover.”

The feast of unleavened bread followed the Passover. We will study more on the bread later. The first Passover celebration followed this pattern: The head of each family selected from the flock a male lamb or a kid of the first year without blemish. If his family was too small to consume the sacrifice, he was to invite his neighbor to join the celebration on the 14th day of the month of Nisan. He was to kill the lamb “while the sun was setting”. So, the number of the party was to be calculated as nearly as possible so all the flesh of the lamb would be eaten. If any was left it was to be burned in the morning. He then took the blood in a basin, with a sprig of hyssop to sprinkle it on the two side posts and lintel of the door to his house. The lamb was to be thoroughly roasted whole. It was expressly forbidden for it to be boiled or a bone broken (symbolism). Unleavened bread and bitter herbs were to be eaten with the flesh (symbolism- repentance and confession). No male uncircumcised was to join the feast (symbolism – no malice or wickedness). Each one was to have his loins girt, staff in hand, and shoes on their feet. He was to eat in haste.

In the following notes, you must understand that almost everything in the Old Testament is couched, hidden in types and shadows. These types and shadows can be seen as road signs that point us to a culmination of the greatly revealed truth of the final step in the Perpetual Passover. (see Revelation 19:7-9) To be continued…

Continued from page 12

Educator and author Howard Hendricks wrote: “You can impress people at a distance.

But you can impact them only up close. And the closer you are to them, the greater and more permanent the impact. ”Howard Hendricks, Teaching to Change Lives: Seven Proven Ways to Make Your Teaching Come Alive (Colorado Springs: Multnomah, 2003), Our pews are filled with believers and the unsaved as well who are hiding things in this hidden chamber of their soul, things that they so desperately need to release and let go of. It’s the letting go that they are struggling with because fear or a self-control issue. We should move toward them when they may not naturally move toward us so we can move them to Christ who can deliver and set free.

“Give all you worries and cares to God for He cares for you”.

1Peter 5:7 NLT: “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

LET IT GO AND BE FREE! Ministering heart-to-heart is costly. It means intentionally giving up time, preferences, and energy to help another grow in Christ. IT’S WORTH IT! 2218

His mercies

As a man lay dying His life nearly gone His mind wandered back To a life spent alone He had never been faithful To family or friends And now there was no one To comfort in the end Death was approaching as Eternity drew near A familiar voice he could hear in his ear Old friend I'm here too Make one last request The mercies of God are still here If you want heaven's best Reach down in your soul And give Jesus a chance He offers forever in A Haven of rest Just ask his forgiveness And truly believe So heaven you'll see When Earth your soul leaves

praise God! That’s what I do all the time. That’s what I do when everything is fine and also when everything is not fine. What I do can and does make things fine when nothing else can. What I do takes my mind off the situations and or problems and replaces them with joy and peace from above and from within. What I do does not come from the personal me, but from the spiritual me. What I do comes from the Spirit of God that lives inside me all the time. What I do is Praise God all the time for everything I have, the good and the bad. What I do is Praise God when I feel like it and Praise Him when I don’t feel like it. What I do is Praise God on good days and Praise Him on days I think are bad. Praising God can make the rain stop and the sun to start shining anytime.

Praising God is a Spiritual thing but it has its way of changing natural things when they need changing. All of nature was created by God and when I’m praising Him He can change anything He wants to change anytime anywhere for anyone and

SISTER MARY LOU FORREST 23

any reason. Nothing is impossible for my

BROTHER DOUGLAS FARMER

God to do and I love praising Him all the time. Hallelujah! Hallelujah!

WEEPING & REJOICING SIS. CHRITINA LINK This General Conference marked a new beginning for the ladies auxiliary of our association. With a new name, EmpowHer, our president, Sis. Ashley Perry, has brought fresh vision for the women of the ABofC. She lives out this purpose of empowering women in her personal life, in her role as first lady at Crosspoint Tabernacle in Franklin, Ky, and is now spreading this vision to the grander Association. She is a woman who gives strength and encouragement and empowers other women to live their purpose and in their anointing for the Lord.

This is the tone she has set for the ladies ministry and is the tone that was so beautifully displayed in the service we had this year at the General Conference.

A time to weep, and a time to laugh. A time to mourn, and a time to dance. Sorrow and joy. More often than not, I have found those times don’t abruptly end and shift one to another. Those times come simultaneously, weeping and rejoicing together. We hold our sorrow in one hand and our joy in the other. We find comfort in knowing Jesus is the Lord of the weeping and He is the Lord the rejoicing and He is Lord of the blessed in between.

What a privilege it is to get to know Him. It is our prayer that the women of the ABofC are empowered to live in this grace, to experience his presence, and that they are empowered to live fully in their purpose for His glory. We are looking forward to many wonderful things ahead. May the Lord richly bless you.

Sis. Vanessa Marshall preached a timely message, and held a “funeral”, ministering to women who had experienced loss on their journey. She read from Ecclesiastes 3:4, stating, “A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance” (KJV). Many of us are grieving losses in this season of life. In the service, she ministered to us by holding space for us to give those losses and the grief to the Lord. The sweet presence of God filled the place and he moved on hearts, touching many.

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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.

Psalm 51:10-11