Winter 2025

WINTER 2025

our herald SPREADING THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

A CAPTIVE AUDIENCE INSIDE: BUILDING A BRIDGE BETWEEN HOPE AND DISPAIR WITH PROJECT COMFORT

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 Throughout the Gospels, Jesus didn’t mind slowing down to make sure His hearer understood the message of what He was saying. When Jesus was in the room He had a captive audience. Every Word and movement was noted.

Being the ultimate teacher, He understood how He taught was as important as what He said. The parables He used pointed the way to a deeper understanding of Kingdom principles by pointing out the world around us. They were an invitation to slow down and pay attention to how God works.

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

SUBSCRIPTIONS Please mail $20 check or money order to: Ashley Ennis 1620 S Hopewell Loop Atkins, AR 72823 Make check payable to: The ABofC

In Matthew 6:26, Jesus says, “Behold the fowls of the air...”

That word behold means to look at with the mind and to consider. Jesus was essentially saying, “Stop for a moment and thoughtfully consider the relationship between a bird and its Creator. Now use this information to understand your value in the eyes of God.” In Luke 12:27, we hear Him saying, “Consider the lilies how they grow...” Although the word consider is different in the Greek, it has the same general meaning- to gaze upon and consider.

He taught us about trust and provision by asking us to slow down and think. Perhaps God is saying to you today, “Behold and Consider.” Let the Lord hold you captive through His unending mercy and gentle spirit. There isn’t anyone better to spend time with than the God who is strong enough to win the battle for you and meek enough to enjoy the walk with you.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1).

Ashley Ennis

CHAIRMAN'S CORNER

LEADERSHIP LEGACY PART 2: EMPATHETIC LEADERSHIP

PASTOR DEE JAY SHOULDERS

Empathy means the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. It is a sensitivity and a sensibility towards things. This style of leadership will be highly needed in the current hour in which we live as we are seeing so many people battle with so many different complex issues. I remember even in my days of early ministry the things I would preach about and deal with then have totally been amped up in this day and hour. It feels as if things in many different ways have hit people from all directions.

When this happens they will need people who can lead with empathy and not with pre-packaged words. They will need someone who can sense their dired need, come along beside them, assist them, and show tremendous compassion towards what they are going through at the time.

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Several times in Scripture we see Jesus healing people and doing amazing things in their lives to set them free. But if you will look at some of the verses before you will find stuff such as this in Mark 1: 40-43: “And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean.

And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed.”

Notice he was moved with compassion before He healed the man. Another passaged says, “Jesus was moved with compassion for the crowds because they were tired and scattered, like sheep with no shepherd.” Then another said this, “And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.”

If our Lord and Savior showed this type of leadership then we must show it as well. The old saying rings true, “people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

People have an easier time serving a leader who is wholeheartedly serving them.

When Simon Peter was about to face a time of great trial and testing Jesus told him, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”

Little did Simon Peter know that it literally meant, “Satan hath demanded to have you’’..to sift you as wheat. He was about to walk a tough road and Jesus’ prayer was that his faith would not fail. Jesus also made it clear that when this is over, you need to strengthen other people.

It is one thing to be a ‘leader’ but when you are a leader who has been through the fire it takes things to a different level as you now have empathy that you probably did not have before. Such is the case today. Be a leader that can help others with the same grace that God helped you with. Show empathy.

Embrace a sensitivity to other people’s needs without easily brushing them off. Lean in like never before and listen because they need the same God who helped you to help them.

People have an easier time serving a leader who is wholeheartedly serving them.

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

EPHESIANS 4:32

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

JOHN 15:12

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; COLOSSIANS 3:12

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BRO. RICK HUMPHREYS Ambassador-At-Large

RULES ARE NOT TO BE IGNORED How many of us like rules? Not many, right?

Why? We perceive our freedom is being imposed upon. Our boundaries are being suppressed. Our range is being confined, and we feel that we are being limited. Consider this, rules are more beneficial than detrimental. Rules identify right from wrong, true from false, honesty from dishonesty, and improper from proper. The law of God is, not was, a very definite set of rules meant to make a man aware of sin against God, what to do about it, and how to do it right. The Word of God has promises interlaced with the rules; therefore, keep the rules and receive the promises! When we have rules, we have something to go by. We have direction, we have purpose, and we are motivated (or should be).

Without any rules, a man has nothing to hold on to. Without something to hold on to, it is easy for a man to get lost, shipwrecked, confused, distorted, and wind up in such despair thaT he destroys himself.

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Everybody needs an anchor for their soul. Heb 6:17-20 says “Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil”. We have the promises of God, and we know God cannot and will not lie! His promises are ‘yea and amen in Christ Jesus’. Without adhering to the rules of God, bad things can and will happen.

In the book of 2 Chron 15:3-7 the Bible tells us, “Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law. But when they in their trouble did turn unto the Lord God of Israel, and sought him, he was found of them. And in those times there was no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations were upon all the inhabitants of the countries. And nation was destroyed of nation, and city of city: for God did vex them with all adversity.

Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded.”

Everybody needs an anchor for their soul.

Men had been without rules for a long time.

And in those days without rules there was no peace. NO God, no peace. Know God, know peace. People were in distress, they knew not what to expect next. Unrest, strife, turmoil, wickedness, iniquity abounded everywhere. War was all around them, nation destroyed nation. Cities warred with one another, and states were in constant conflict with one another.

Adversity was in every direction -you could not escape it. Men had nothing they could hold on to for hope. Prov 18:3 says “When the wicked cometh, then cometh also contempt, and with ignominy reproach.”

When men without rules come, there is no regard for law, there are shameful things done and considered as being alright 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”.

Prov 29:16 tells us “When the wicked are multiplied, transgression increaseth: but the righteous shall see their fall”. Those without rules multiply and so does the amount of sin and iniquity. Written in Prov 29:18 we find “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”

Where there are no rules, the people perish, they are destroyed because there is lack of knowledge. Knowledge comes from righteous rules. The rules of the sovereign God. The rules that are the anchor to a man’s eternal soul. The rules a man can hold onto in times of adversity and when times are good. The rules that are above reproach. The rules a man can hide in his heart and not sin against God (Ps. 119:11).

Rules that are forever settled in heaven.

Rules that will never pass away. Rules that will judge all men in the end of time. Rules you can abide in today and forever. Rules that will allow you to escape the wrath that will come upon this world in the end of time!

Knowledge comes from righteous rules. The rules of the sovereign God. The rules that are the anchor to a man’s eternal soul. The rules a man can hold onto in times of adversity and when times are good.

“For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.” Hebrews 6:13-20

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ARE YOU A MINISTER? Wait! Seriously, has another year gone by already?? Didn’t we just celebrate Easter, and Mother’s and Father’s Day? Didn’t we just enjoy camps and conferences during the summer?

Let’s face it, life gets super busy sometimes.

We’re going here, going there, working to make a living and taking care of our families.

Before we know it, the day is over, another week has passed and on and on.

What has our attention? Is it our daily routine and the cares of life? Is it being consumed with a mission to please or impress everybody around us? The busyness of life can sure distract us from what’s important and our priorities can quickly get out of order.

God desires us to focus on Him. If we look, we can see His handiwork all around us and God can speak to us through nature, through other people and through His word, but we have to allow Him to have our attention.

Hebrews 12:2, says, ”Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith”.

This scripture means to fix our attention on Jesus as the source and completion of our faith. Jesus is the beginning and end of our Christian walk.

A dying daily to self is key to allowing Him to keep our attention. When we focus on ourselves, we tend to want to please the flesh. God wants us to walk every day with our minds on Him and what He wants to do in us and through us.

Does He have your attention?

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SISTER KARLA SHOULDERS

Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.

Proverbs 16:3

BRO. AARON WOJCIK

CUTTING TIES As I sit and write this article, the clock ticks on two hundred and thirty six days since my daughter Stella talked me into getting a dog–make that two dogs (she’s very persuasive). Two-hundred and thirty six days of realizing that raising these two dogs is way more difficult than my three children. There’s been so much to learn. For example, did you know that dogs can’t eat chocolate or onions? The internet is full of information and like a good dog parent, we have binged on it.

To be honest with you, I really do love these dogs–now. But I still find myself wishing I could just drive a stake into the back yard, tie them up and walk away.

Maybe you think this is a fine solution, but the internet would be quick to tell you that you would be wrong.

Being tethered to a sin will cause injury to your relationship with God. Sin separates you from God. Not God’s love, but from fellowship with Him.

PROMOTIONAL ARM DIRECTOR

It can lead to significant stress, anxiety, and even aggression in your dog due to the constant confinement and lack of freedom, potentially causing physical harm from entanglement or injury, and can deprive them of necessary exercise and social interaction; essentially, it's considered inhumane to keep a dog tethered for extended periods. (That’s right, the internet did use the word inhumane when talking about our dogs, but just go with it).

Dogs are social creatures so leaving them tied up can cause them to become anxious, bored, or frustrated which then leads to destructive or aggressive behavior. A leash can accidentally get tangled around a dog's neck causing injury. A staked dog may not have easy access to food, water, shelter, or a comfortable resting area, especially in extreme weather conditions. Being constantly tied up prevents a dog from interacting with other dogs and people, hindering their social development. Studies show that dogs kept on chains for extended periods are more likely to become aggressive towards strangers due to the constant feeling of being trapped and unable to escape perceived threats.

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Instead, you should make sure your dog gets regular exercise and playtime. Teach your dog basic obedience commands to manage their behavior in different situations.

Instead of a stake, consider a fence that will allow your dog to roam freely within its boundaries during supervised playtime.

Being tied to sin will affect the way you interact with others. We are called to love others. It is not our place to judge others either, but when sin is holding us hostage, we often try to compensate for our own feelings of failure by focusing on the failures of others. Maybe you aren’t judgemental. Maybe you’re just indifferent. You’re too focused on trying to manage your own issues and lack the mental or spiritual capacity to love your neighbor.

Ok, now here’s the part where I spin this into a spiritual point to help us.

Too many Christians, especially Christian leaders and teachers are tethered to a sin that they can’t seem to get free of. We usually try to keep it hidden, because we don’t want it to damage our reputation or influence, but it’s there. Maybe you’ve tried to justify it or minimize it, but read Jesus’ words in Matthew 5. He sets a high standard. Choosing to allow even anger or lustful thoughts to have a place in our hearts or minds is like murdering or committing adultery in God’s eyes.

I know that some of you reading this are going through it right now in your own life. You might’ve convinced yourself that you’re dealing with your little sin problem privately, but the truth is you’re living as a captive and even though you make some great efforts at freeing yourself, you’re really just getting yanked back as soon as you get to the end of the rope. This is not God’s will for your life.

Being tethered to a sin will cause injury to your relationship with God. Sin separates you from God. Not God’s love, but from fellowship with Him. We separate because we feel shame, which drives us to try and ‘fix it’. We become too busy trying to overcome our sin with our religious acts to have a real relationship with Jesus. No one has long term success overcoming sin on their own. But we sure try, don’t we! The more we try and fail, the more frustrated and anxious we get. Seeds of doubt begin to sprout. We know what to tell others, but our advice seems to fall short in our own lives.

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The answer is simple, but not always easy. Jesus came to free us from all sin. Even those pesky little secret ones. First, you need to be honest enough to admit that it’s a problem. You need to repent. Turn away from giving in to what brings your flesh temporary comfort and turn to God to fulfill you. He will, but don’t just believe in the idea. Put your faith in action. Have faith in God’s Word when he says that he will renew your mind by changing the way you think (Romans 12:2). He will change your desires so that you don’t just have to rely on your resistance.

But that doesn’t always happen instantly, which is why we need to make sure we have a good fence in our life. Honest boundaries in your life will keep you when your faith fails. God’s grace is there for you when you fall. Pick yourself back up and keep walking. Having a guard rail in place will keep you from a fall that will cause real damage.

Learning about raising dogs is a process. So is learning to live in freedom. Freedom is not perfection. The bible lets us know that none are perfect except Jesus. You will stumble from time to time, but you don’t have to become tethered to sin.

Jesus loves you. He wants to be the one to change you. So let him!

What is a Partaker?

BRO. RON DENTON

The word partaker is the Greek word metochos which means “to be a participant of something , a sharer in something, or a carrier of something.”

BECOMING PARTAKERS OF CHRIST

“As His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature,” (2 Peter 1:3-4 NKJV)

“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:2-4

To be a partaker of the divine nature means that the characteristics of God’s nature become our own through His operating Spirit in us.

What good is learning new biblical revelation if it doesn’t somehow make us more like Jesus?

The question we must ask ourselves is this: “Are we Christian by name only or by our lifestyle?”

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

2 Corinthians 3:18

Being a partaker of Christ is not the same thing as being a in Christ.

I. What does it mean to be “in Christ?”

To be “in Christ”, means that we have a saving relationship with Christ and are brought into union and fellowship with Christ through the new birth when we repent of our sins, put our faith totally in Christ and are baptized into Christ in baptism and filled with His Spirit. We are then “in Christ” and Christ “in” us the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). We experience a spiritual union with Christ in His life, death, burial, and resurrection. The book of Ephesians references the believer as being “In Christ” twenty-seven times.

II. What does it mean to be “partakers of There must be a continual increase of the Christ?” moral purity and holiness of God in our lives being lived out through us by His Spirit so that There is a big difference in being a partaker in His glory may be revealed to the world around Christ and being a partaker of Christ. The us. How is this to be achieved? The answer is phrase “be of” means to belong to something this: “We must be a partaker OF His Divine or identify with something. It can also mean to nature.” be a product of something.

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We are partakers of Christ when His life begins to come forth through us. It is when we are saying “not my will but Thine” and therefore His Life is able to come forth.

Partaking of Christ life means not only receiving His life in our hearts when we are born again, but also living that life out in our souls. It means that the life of Christ is being lived out through us. His life has filled us, and His Spirit is now empowering us.

God’s plan is not to repair us but to absolutely re-create us. He wants to replace our old nature by releasing His new nature in us.

Partaking of Christ’s Life means that our selflife (our own natural self-centered thoughts and emotions) has been set aside and God’s life is freed to come forth.

When our self-life is replaced with Christ Life it is called “the exchanged life,” “ the shared life”, or the “imparted life.” We must exchange our love for His Love, our wisdom for His Wisdom, our way for His Way, our strength for His, our faith for His, our joy for His. When we become partakers of Christ we then can live it and share it.

Many believe that Christ is the LifeGiver, but they forget that He must be their “life”. Scripture tells us that if we live by the Spirit we must also walk in by the Spirit.

Our lives need to be a genuine living examples of Christ’s character and His Love.

Our words alone are not enough to communicate the Gospel.

Our actions must go alongside.

III. Do others see “Christ’s Life” in you?

Without even saying a word do others know we are born-again believers? I used the word “believers” in place of the word “Christian” since “Christian” is such a loose term today. Many choose to call themselves “Christian” but their lifestyle is anything but “Christ-like”.

It was said that Gandhi once said: “I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians.

Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”

This is true “oneness” when our spirit comes in union with His Spirit. When we think like Him, act like Him, live like Him, love like Him.

The real evidence should be known through our actions, our behaviors, and (agape) love for others.

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

When we have been hurt, betrayed, falsely accused, mistreated, do we show Love, compassion, forgiveness, gentleness, kindness or do we show anger, impatience, and condemn them? Do we take time to reach out to those in difficult times with love, comfort, encouragement? Or are we too busy, unconcerned or preoccupied?

We must exchange our love for His Love, our wisdom for His Wisdom, our way for His Way, our strength for His, our faith for His, our joy for His. 9

When Christ Jesus walked this earth, He was a living illustration of the invisible God. He gave mankind a reason to believe in His reality. We are to do the same.

In the new birth we are placed in Christ and become “partakers in Christ. But have we become “partakers OF Christ” by the sanctifying power of His Spirit operating in and through our lives? We are to partake of Christ Life so that others may see and know what He is like and hopefully they will want what we have. Our lives should be genuine living examples of Christ’s character and His love.

Our words alone are not enough to communicate the Gospel. Our actions must go alongside. Nonbelievers have seen enough religion, rules, regulations, law, phoniness, and hypocrisy to turn them off. They are looking for the real thing. The question we should be asking is not “am I a Christian?” but rather, “am I Christ-like?”

Do my words sound like words Jesus might say?

Do my actions look like things Jesus might do?

Do I love unconditionally, forgive freely, serve sacrificially?

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”

Gal. 2:20

How should this change the way you lived, the way you interact with others, or the way that you relate to the Lord?

Are you a “Partaker of Christ”?

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project comfort B R O .

D E N N I S

B L E D S O E

“I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you...But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 14:18,26 As I sit here this afternoon writing this article I am waiting on a phone call, a phone call to give comfort during the tragic loss of life. This is Project Comfort.

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Project Comfort Ministry started several months ago as I was asked to preach at a young lady’s funeral. Her name was Sarah, and she was only 14 years old. She was a popular young lady who played travel softball, was a star volleyball player and was well-liked, yet because of bullying this 14-year-old girl could not deal with her emotions. Her family had no church affiliation, so as I am the pastoral care for the funeral home they called me.

After meeting with the family and sitting with them while they sat with Sarah, my heart was broken not just as a grandfather, or a dad, but as a Pastor.

After they left, I sat with Sarah for about an hour or so. While sitting there the Lord brought my then 15 year old granddaughter to my mind and the things that she goes through at school like the bullying and taunting because of her faith and the things she does not do as others.

As the visitation began, we had young people in the chapel and parking lot sobbing in despair I was out in the parking lot and throughout the chapel praying with her friends, teammates and relatives.

As the service began, we had 275 people and the only pastor in the house was the one they asked to preach it.

The national average for teen suicide is 14% and the Arkansas average is 18%. The state we work in is far above the national average.

As I was preaching, songs would begin to play. I went out into the crowd and prayed with these young people, then I would go back to the podium and continue, stopping periodically to go back out into the crowd to pray more.

This program is not about who’s church is involved, which doctrine should be preached, or what church they go to, this program is to take Comfort to the hurting through prayer and by being present. We have said that sometimes the silent ministry of presence is the greatest ministry there is.

After the service, the Lord moved on me to put together a team who would be able to bring comfort into situations like this.

We have partnered with the Saline County Coroner’s Office, as well as, the Saline County Chaplin Office to help in times of crisis. We have five churches from the county who are a part of Project Comfort and we are partnering with the local Fellowship of Christian Athletes which allows us to become the bridge between the schools and the Sheriff’s office.

While this ministry is in our infancy, Project Comfort has already responded to one failed suicide and has been heavily involved with that case.

While at Fields of Faith for FCA, I was at Bauxite High School praying for kids when I had two young men step up and ask me if I was the one who preached Sarah’s funeral. I told that I was and they both asked me to pray with them saying they were still struggling. We prayed right there on the football field and the Lord confirmed Project Comfort to me right there.

“Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” John 17:17 We have this beautiful truth of the Holy Ghost and we need to show the comfort of the Holy Ghost to a lost and hurting world.

project comfort Our purpose is to bridge the gap between hope and dispair.

To learn more contact Bro. Dennis Bledsoe at 501.326.5411

Our mission is to provide comfort and hope to families affected by tragic loss in and around Saline County.

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“Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to

LEADERSHIP On Sunday, October 13th 2024, Grace Apostolic Church, on behalf of the Associated Brotherhood of Christians, honored the Rev. Richard Humphreys for his years of service to the Kingdom of God. During that service, Bro. Humphreys was anointed as a Bishop, an honorary office reflecting his years of service and sacrifice to the so many in the Pentecostal/Apostolic movement.

The Greek word for ‘bishop’ is ‘episkopos’ which means ‘overseer’. It is the word that was used for governmental officials and is synonymous with the word ‘priest’. Over the years, Bro. Humphreys has been an overseer of many things. He has served in leadership positions in the timber industry, creating a profit for his company and creating a leadership team on many levels. As a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ, Bro. Humphreys (known as Bro. Rick) has served as Pastor over three churches; including a home missions work. He has served in the Associated Brotherhood of Christians as presbyter, Vice-Chairman and Chairman. He currently serves as ‘Ambassador at Large’. He has been on several missions’ trips, building houses, churches, and helping ministries all over the world. Bro. Rick is a friend and hero to so many.

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whom honor.”

Romans 13: 7 The saying holds true that behind every good man is a great woman.

Sister Patt Humphreys is an amazing mentor and friend to so many of us.

We now affectionately call her ‘Mama Patt’ as she is like a mom to so many of us. Her grace and integrity are a simple reminder of the ‘Proverbs 31’ woman we admire so much!

To Bishop Richard and ‘Mama’ Patt Humphreys, thank you for your love and service to your Heavenly Father. Blessings to you and your entire family that attended this special event.

Pastor Harold Mauldin Grace Apostolic Church

CAPTIVATE ME SISTER LORI STEVENS SECRETARY OF ABOFC NATIONAL WOMEN’S MINISTRY

Captivate means to attract and to hold the interest and attention of. Whatever captivates us, controls us, and becomes our focus. It is what we seek after and what we desire. It becomes what we think about and want. We give our attention to the thing that captivates our minds. It can be God himself, or something that this world offers. It can even be ourselves. I want to be of a singlemind and not be distracted by the things that this world holds. I want to be completely captivated by Jesus, that nothing else can gain my attention.

There are so many things this world has to offer that look good and feel good. These are things that become distractions. Some things may not even be a ‘bad’ thing, but if it takes away from your commitment to serve the Lord, and becomes more important than hearing his voice, following after him, or even spending time with him, it becomes an idol or a distraction. James 1:8 tells us that A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

Double minded means we are driven and tossed by any wind that comes along. Our emotions drift and rule, our interests change and twist. We are running here and there. Our minds are not stable and this affects all areas of our life. We become unfocused and unable to hold one thing as important.

The apostle Paul said he kept the faith and finished the race. He maintained a focus on the end goal. He maintained this focus in spite of opposition, persecution, and prison. He could have easily turned his focus on the struggle and the trials, but kept his eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of his faith.We are to serve the Lord alone and keep our attention on him. We can even become focused on our service rather than the One we serve.

Keep focus on the relationship you have with Jesus. Make that the priority. He will lead you in service, but the first service is to tend that relationship with him.

We can become so focused on our inner thoughts we lose sight of who Jesus is.

We focus on the sorrow, the pain, the depression, the voice in our head that says ‘we aren’t good enough’, or ‘we can’t do it’, that we lose sight of the truth. Jesus is our savior and he purchased us. He loves us and we are his.

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One other thing that produces a double minded person is the imaginations and thoughts that enter our minds. We can become so focused on our inner thoughts we lose sight of who Jesus is.

We focus on the sorrow, the pain, the depression, the voice in our head that says ‘we aren’t good enough’, or ‘we can’t do it’, that we lose sight of the truth.

Jesus is our savior and he purchased us.

He loves us and we are his. We are no longer our own. We distract ourselves from focusing on the truth of God. We can become so self focused that pride and self become our downfall. 2 Corinthians 10:5 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; We need to take control of our thought life, place it in subjection, and refocus on the only thing that matters. Jesus.

The scriptures says there is nothing that can separate us from the love of God. But we can do that ourselves by allowing outside influences to distract us or allowing our thoughts to lure us into patterns of thinking that go against the word of God. This is why Paul wrote to pray without ceasing, and to be thankful always. This keeps our focus on the only source of life. It keeps our mind single in focus and purpose. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Be captivated by his love, his beauty, his purpose. He is the only thing we truly need to be victorious in this life and the next. I pray my life and mind are captivated by God alone.

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Make sure you know that for a believer pruning is not a punishment, but a reward for those who abide in Christ.

Pruning often happens during our trials because suffering is a prime time for the revelation of the idols in our hearts.

We can’t really grow spiritually and turn away from our idolatry if we can’t identify our own idols. Your circumstances don’t create what’s in your heart; your situation is simply the stage on which the heart’s condition is revealed.

Our biggest problem isn’t outside of us, but inside our own hearts. James said it best when he wrote: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2–4).

So be encouraged today that sometimes even in the taking away He is setting the stage to give you something even greater.

Chairman Dee Jay Shoulders

PASTOR PHILIP TOLMAN

HASHEM If we are only receivers and do not bless, we will always be the lesser. It´s not about how much money you have nor your social position, it has to do with your way of thinking and acting.

Joseph decided that he was going to be greater and not lesser independent of his circumstances. He blessed in his father´s house as he was an obedient son. He blessed his lord in Egypt being the best slave that he had. He blessed the jailer while he was a prisoner and then he blessed all the country of Egypt.

I want to bring four phrases to your attention from this passage:

5 steps to becoming a man (woman) that God make prosper:

1) Hashem (God) was with Yosef… Is God with you?

2) He was an ish matzliach. God was the one that made him prosper.

3) Adonav (his lord) saw that Hashem was with him. His lord saw that God made him prosper.

4) All that was in his hand prospered.

This is what Hebrew calls “ish matzliach”, a man God makes prosper.

1) Learn to distinguish between the good and the bad. Have your priorities well marked in your life.

This is more important than all the ministries that you could have. We see this in Joseph´s life in Genesis 37:2 This is the history of the family of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was shepherding the flock with his brothers; he was a lad with the sons of Bilhah and Zilpah, his father’s wives; and Joseph brought an ill report of them to their father. Evil and sin will always be struggling to take control of your life. They want to steal your blessing. Vices want to control you and destroy you. Many of your so-called friends want to see down as low and down out as they are. Society will always present evil as attractive and pleasant, as something you would probably enjoy. Your own desires will try to trick you and pull you down.

Joseph had many an opportunity and excuses to sin, but he never fell.

A biblical principle that we find for social class structure in the Bible is the principal of blessing or being blessed. Heb 7:7 says: It is beyond dispute that the inferior is blessed by the superior. (RSV) We decide if we are greater or lesser by our created ability of being a person that blesses (I call them a blesser) and not only a receiver. Melchizedek the king of Salem blessed Abram and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. We all like to receive and that is fine, but we can´t live with a receiving attitude.

If we are only receivers and do not bless, we will always be the lesser. It´s not about how much money you have nor your social position, it has to do with your way of thinking and acting.

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2) Have a vision and believe on it. The vision that God gives you could be for years to come or even for future generations, such as was the case with Abraham. Joseph had a vision.

He didn't understand it, but he knew it was from God. It seems that Joseph's brothers understood his visions better than he did.

Gn 37: 5-6: And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it to his brethren; and they hated him yet the more. And he said unto them, “Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed:” 3) Accept where God has placed you. Your circumstances might not be the best. Your own brothers might rise up against you, but you have to accept that you are where God has placed you. God has a plan for your life, and he is forming you to fulfill His purpose.

Let's take this one step further. Rejoice in whatever circumstance that you are in. You shouldn´t only accept your circumstances but you need to rejoice in them. I need to rejoice all the time if I am going to triumph.

Philippians 3:1 & 4:4 say: Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you indeed is not grievous to me, but it is a safeguard for you…. Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, “Rejoice!”

Habakkuk 3:17 talks about almost everything that could go wrong in life, but I want to bring your attention to verse 18: yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.

The word used for rejoice here is also translated TRIUMPH. Rejoicing in the Lord in whatever circumstances you find yourself will always make you triumph.

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4) Run from temptation. We can see this clearly in the life of Joseph in Genesis 39:714: And after a time, his master’s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph, and said, “Lie with me.” But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Lo, having me my master has no concern about anything in the house, and he has put everything that he has in my hand; he is not greater in this house than I am; nor has he kept back anything from me except yourself, because you are his wife; how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” And although she spoke to Joseph day after day, he would not listen to her, to lie with her or to be with her. BUT ONE DAY, when he went into the house to do his work and none of the men of the house was there in the house, she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand and fled and got out of the house. And when she saw that he had left his garment in her hand, and had fled out of the house, she called to the men of her household and said to them, “See, he has brought among us a Hebrew to insult us; he came in to me to lie with me, and I cried out with a loud voice, God always makes an escape even if it is being put into jail. 1 Cor 10:13 says: No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man.

God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your strength, but with the temptation will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

5) Be faithful in all you do. Do not let your circumstances rob your fidelity.

Gen 39:20-23 And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. The keeper of the prison committed into Joseph’s care all the prisoners who were in the prison; and whatever was done there. The keeper of the prison paid no heed to anything that was in Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with Joseph and whatever he did, the LORD made it prosper. If you are faithful in all you do, God will also make you prosper.

You only need to follow these 5 steps: 1) Learn to distinguish between the good and the bad.

2) Have a vision and believe in it.

3) Accept where God has placed you.

4) Run from temptation.

5) Be faithful in all you do.

And above all… make sure that God goes with you every place that you go.

Don´t forget to rejoice ALWAYS.

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CAN I GET YOUR ATTENTION? “Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evildoer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.” 2 Timothy 2:9 God can use any situation, or circumstance, for His purpose. No matter where we find ourselves … whether free or in chains … lifted up or brought low, God places us in circumstances with purpose. And sometimes, when we feel the most restricted or bound, we find we have the greatest opportunity to reach others. We have a captive audience.

In 2 Timothy 2:9, the Apostle Paul speaks of being bound in chains, yet he boldly declares, “the word of God is not bound.” We might be limited by situations, but God’s truth is never limited.

Let’s explore how God uses these moments to reach the hearts and minds of those around us.

God’s Word Moves Beyond Our Chains. Paul writes from a prison cell, yet his message reaches across the ages. It’s ironic, isn’t it? He may be locked up, yet his words break through walls and travel through time, continuing to inspire and convict believers to this day.

The world may try to silence us, but God’s Word cannot be contained. Like Paul, we may encounter limitations or setbacks … sickness, loss, difficult relationships … but if we remain faithful to God’s calling, His message can reach far beyond the walls of our circumstances.

When we feel bound, let’s remember that God’s Word is not bound. Even when we feel like we are at the end of our strength, God’s power is just beginning. His Word can use our weaknesses, our limitations, and our chains to do something incredible in the lives of others.

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A Witness in Every Situation. We see throughout Scripture that God often places His people in difficult situations to reach those who might otherwise never hear His message. “Joseph was in Egypt, Daniel was in Babylon, and Esther was in Persia.” They all found themselves in foreign lands, captive to the powers of their time, yet each of them became a witness of God’s goodness and faithfulness.

For Paul, his imprisonment became a platform to reach the guards, the prison officials, and countless believers through his letters. Every chain he bore became a testimony of Christ’s power and presence in his life. But, by his faithfulness in suffering, he turned a place of despair into a place of hope and transformation.

You may be currently going through something difficult, and you may wonder why God has allowed it. But know this: your faithfulness can become a powerful witness to those around you. In the darkest hours, your faith, joy, and hope may be exactly what someone needs to see to believe.

PASTOR NATHAN LOWE

Faith That Captures the Hearts of Others.

Sometimes, the people God wants us to reach are right around us—watching us, seeing how we respond to our trials. They may be “captive” to our testimony, even if they are not interested in the gospel at first. They are watching our reactions, our peace, our hope.

Consider again the story of Paul and Silas in prison from Acts 16. They were beaten, bound, and cast into the deepest part of the prison. Instead of giving up to despair, they prayed and sang praises to God. And Scripture tells us, “the prisoners heard them.” In that moment, every prisoner became part of a captive audience to the power of God working in Paul and Silas.

They listened, and they saw a hope that could withstand even the darkest of circumstances.

Then, when an earthquake shook the prison, breaking open the doors, the jailor fell down trembling before Paul and Silas, asking, “What must I do to be saved?”

Because they remained faithful, they brought freedom to the captives, and salvation to the jailor and his household.

Our lives can be like this as well. As we live out our faith, we never know who is watching, who is listening, or who may be impacted. We may feel we are going through trials alone, but often others are witnessing our journey, our perseverance, and our hope.

God places us in circumstances with purpose.

And sometimes, when we feel the most restricted or bound, we find we have the greatest opportunity to reach others. We have a captive audience.

God’s Purpose for Every Place. Paul reminds us that God has a purpose for us wherever He places us. Sometimes, we feel “stuck” in situations … thinking, “How can anything good come from this?” But God has a reason.

Paul, speaking to the Philippians, speaks of his chains in Rome, saying, “But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel” (Philippians 1:12).

You may feel bound by your circumstances, but you have a choice: you can give in to despair, or you can be used by God right where we are. Like Paul, you can see that even in confinement, God’s work can advance. Even in your darkest times, you can be a light to others.

God has placed you where you are for a reason. Your life, even during hardships, can be a message to those around you. Your words, your faith, and your worship can be a powerful testimony to others, showing them the love and strength of Jesus Christ.

As we reflect on these stories of Paul and others, who were placed in difficult circumstances, we see a pattern … God uses those who are faithful in every situation to reach others. We are called to be witnesses, even in our struggles. The next time you feel struggles, just remember, God has given you a purpose in that place. You may have a captive audience that you don’t even realize.

So, let us commit ourselves to serve God faithfully, no matter where we are. Let us remember that the Word of God is not bound. Let us share our faith so that others may come to know the One who breaks every chain.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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THE PERPETUAL PASSOVER REV. BILL BALDRIDGE

PART 2 - NOTES FROM MY STUDIES Please note this is a series and must be read as such.

In the Ancient Biblical text of Genesis, all believers are familiar with the “Fall of Man.” Genesis 3:8 states, “They heard the voice of God,” meaning they were familiar with it.

God regularly appeared in the garden for fellowship, or communion, with His people.

The voice was once a welcomed sound, it is now a dreaded sound, because of their sin. It wasn’t the voice they had heard since their creation. He hadn’t changed, they had.

Adam and Eve sewed fig leaves together, making themselves aprons, in an attempt to hide their nakedness. This was man’s attempt to hide his sin. It wasn’t good or complete enough to meet God’s standard. God killed an animal, made coats of skins, and clothed them. It isn’t explicitly stated in scripture, however, I believe (my personal belief) that God used the first of His type here, meaning a lamb was offered to cover man’s first sin. No other animal is used in scripture that points in any greater way than the Lamb which was offered for redemption and salvation.

Here to fore, an animal has never been killed.

All of man’s sustenance was in the garden, provided by God. Nothing needed to be killed in the man’s perfect environment.

Man’s sin could only be covered by blood sacrifice. Here in the Book of the Beginnings (Genesis), we come to understand that only a blood sacrifice could cover man’s sin.

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In the history of civilization, sin has perpetuated itself. Man is still attempting to cover his sin by making a covering of natural objects and mental reasoning.

Nothing will bring redemption and salvation but the blood. We need and must have a perpetual Passover to accomplish this. Adam’s sin plunged the human race into a life of sin. This alienated us from God. Only the blood of a lamb sacrificed for us will accomplish this. The perpetual Passover begins right here early in man’s existence.

Let me jump ahead for one moment, I will return to this subject in greater detail in a later writing, but for now, I want you to notice something of great interest to me.

Why did God create man? Many reasons have been elaborated upon, but I will tell you that scripture bears out what I’m about to say. One reason can be given biblically throughout scripture—Communion. More on this later…Now, back to the “Perpetual Passover”.

Perpetual Passover— Perpetual means continuing on, enduring forever, continuous, unending, uninterrupted.

You remember the scripture that by the sin of one man’s death entered the human race (Romans 5:12; 5:17). So also: For by one man’s offense death reigned by one: much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.

Communion with God was lost in Adam’s fall. Communion is restored by all who accept Christ. However, there could never be communion with God until first an acceptable sacrifice was offered for man’s sin.

It is here that the sin-nature was born into every living human (except Christ; Christ never had a sin-nature.) In the book of Genesis, we see the beginning of the prefigurement of one sacrifice that would accomplish our eternal redemption. The shadowy figure begins to emerge. Every human was born by a woman except one.

Eve was born of Adam, not of a woman. In Genesis 3:15, God told Satan He would put enmity between Satan and the woman, and between his seed and her seed. It shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Biologically a woman produces no seed. Biblically, every reference of the seed is only of the seed of men except in this case alone. Therefore, the “Seed of the Woman” can only be an illusion of a future descendant of Eve who would have no human Father. The promised seed, therefore, must be miraculously implanted in the womb. Unlike all of humanity, He would not inherit a sin-nature.

This prophecy of Genesis 3:15 clearly points to the future virgin birth of Christ. Unlike all of humanity, He wasn’t born of lust, but of the Holy Ghost. In the shadowy types of man’s beginning emerges the first picture of redemption and salvation. The Seed of the Father would come to a young woman named Mary. She would conceive and bring alive the fulfillment of all prefigurement prophecy thus pointing to, not a substitute, not a lamb, but The Lamb (Rev. 13:8). The Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. Yes, in God’s pre-creation plan emerges the plan from Genesis for a perfect sin offering that would restore order and righteousness. This Offering would be the only One able to bring redemption and salvation to a lost humanity. No substitute can be added, no literal means can suffice.

Now, we begin to see a picture of what was to come. From the beginning and forever, there is a Perpetual Passover. There will be a 22

name given to the One who is continuing or enduring forever—continuous— unending—uninterrupted.

My goal is to identify the Perpetual Passover before moving to point two (Bread: Leavened and Unleavened, and the Bread of Life). Let me, briefly as possible, give you an overview of Bible History. This will help you by giving you a timeline for the development of what was to come from Genesis to Jesus Christ.

The thirty-nine books of the Old Testament begin with Genesis and end with Malachi in 397 B.C. It embraces the lives of many throughout and ends with the death of Joseph in Egypt, 1635 B.C., this long period is 2,370 years. The other thirtyeight books of the Old Testament, beginning with Exodus and ending with Malachi, only last 1,238 years of History.

Years of History: Without listing all the descendants of Adam suffice it to say history has it recorded. So, I will offer the following: Adam lived 130 years when Seth was born (Gen. 3) Seth lived 105 years when Enos was born (Gen. 6) Enos was 90 when Gainan was born, and so on down, we see the line of one family through sixty generations from Adam to Jesus Christ.

Please don’t feel this is too exhaustive, it is relevant to a perpetual Passover into the Book of Revelations and beyond. The great message of true communion will be revealed. The Jewish people served in captivity under many foreign nations, but let’s focus on one as it relates to the message of a perpetual Passover.

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In 1571 B.C., Moses, the future deliverer of the Israelites, is born. At the age of 40, he slew an Egyptian and fled to Midian. He lived in Midian for 40 years. He received a Divine Commission at the burning bush.

He returned to Egypt and led his people from bondage as God directed. It was during the Great Exodus of Israel from Egypt that a command was given. In 1491 B.C., the Israelites left Egypt (Ex. 12:29).

Just before their leaving, God gave a great command in an ordinance to all of Israel to protect them from a great plague of death upon the land of Egypt. They were to prepare a lamb sacrifice. God commanded that the “Lord’s Passover” (Ex. 12: 11) would be kept as a feast forever. In Exodus 12:14, we will begin with this Passover and connect the Old Testament to the New Testament.

To be continued…

The Place Within Praise Him All the Time!

There is a feeling in the air, I can feel it deep in my soul A place I've seen as secret Where no one else goes

I love to Praise my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ all the time. There is never a bad time to Praise Jesus for all he has done all he does and just for who he is, Hallelujah

The place that's been so private Only meant for me to go

Hallelujah he is awesome all the time.I love Praising Jesus when everything is great and

At times you'll find me going there While doing daily chores Or sitting on my peaceful porch Enjoying the Great outdoors That time I spend behind the wheel Driving here and there

also I love Praising Jesus when everything

“Bless those,” I've whispered to King Jesus, “Whose past in life I share.

Teach kindness to the heartless And health to those in need.

Help me to find a breakthrough And fruit from planted seed.”

times. God is good all the time so we

seems to be broken. Praising Jesus during all the good times makes it become habitual and easier to do in the bad times and also makes less and less of the bad

should praise Him all the time.

Doctor Jesus- He Heals!

There are many doctors in this world.

There are many doctors that have studied special kinds of medicine and have graduated as specialists. All these doctors have done a lot to improve our lifestyle and they do help us recover from ailments that were fatal a few years ago, but there is one doctor I know that can heal and cure any ailment. He can do anything because

SISTER MARY LOU FORREST

He is the creator of everything. I am taking

BROTHER DOUGLAS FARMER

about Dr. Jesus- He heals!

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But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

Ephesians 4:7-8