United Prayer for Decatur - June & July 2023

WITH GRATITUDE:

COVER DESIGN BY JAMES NESBIT

CONTENT

EPHESIANS 2:21-22 KJV

IN WHOM ALL THE BUILDING FITLY FRAMED TOGETHER GROWETH UNTO AN HOLY TEMPLE IN THE LORD: IN WHOM YE ALSO ARE BUILDED TOGETHER FOR AN HABITATION OF GOD THROUGH THE SPIRIT

THE UNITED PRAYER FOR DECATUR IS A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT OF DECATUR PASTORS IN PRAYER

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Are we truly the Sons and Daughters of God?

The love we have one for another is the evidence that we ARE the Sons and Daughters of God whom we claim to be!

The Disciples of Jesus asked Him, "Teach us to pray." He responded by instructing His disciples to begin by beseeching our Heavenly Father in thankfulness for who HE is. "Holy is Your name."

This essay will focus on another attribute of who our God is, and how the love of God applies to "Let Your Kingdom come, let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven "

Through the years, I have read many commentaries concerning what defines "Let Your Kingdom come " This essay will focus on the attribute most common, but least emphasized, that was an essential part of the life of the New Testament Church It is that our God is love

As pastors gather to seek the will of the Father for the way to best demonstrate the love of God within their community love will always be a focus of concern Pastors may choose to compose a mission or a vision statement, or a priority list as together they seek the Father for the Holy Spirit's guidance Some may move to reeducate and equip believers concerning practical steps that best serve the goal how to reach a specific area of their city with the Gospel

The point of concern may be the homeless, the poor, youth, widows, shut ins, student ministry, or campus bible clubs to name a few Or the vision may

focus on strengthening the local church: marriages, the family unit, Christian education, or other areas that build and strengthen the body of Christ

This article is a portrait of the one basic elements often ignored at the heart of any city-wide vision: simply showing the love of Christ and how to love the city and the diversity of people that call that area their home.

WHAT LOVE IS, AND WHAT IT IS NOT

As Sons and Daughters of God, Love is the evidence of who we are.

Love is like faith. 2 Corinthians 5:7 says, "For we walk by faith, and not by sight."

THIS IS YOUR INVITATION TO RECEIVE GOD'S WONDERFUL GIFT HE FREELY EXTENDS TO EACH OF US HIS GIFT OF JESUS CHRIST HIS SON, OUR LORD AND SAVIOR

The Lord appeared to the prophet Jeremiahandinstructedhimtospeakto IsraelconcerningHisgreatloveHehad forthem,evenaftertheyhadturnedtheir faceagainstHim -Jeremiah31:3

TheLordfromlongagoappeareduntome withthesewords,Yes,Ihavelovedyouwith aneverlastinglove:thereforewithloving kindnessdoIdrawclosetoyou,evennow.

Please continue reading on page 03

INVITATIONS BY DR DAVID & KATHY ANDRADE BIBLE CLIPART BY PHILLIP MARTIN

FEELINGS ARE NOT FAITH.

Faith has nothing to do with the way we feel. And so it is with the love of God. Love is the condition of our heart toward God and how we treat others. It is a willful choice to love when our feelings say otherwise. Feelings pertain to what we see, what we touch, and how one feels from one moment to the next To feel love is great, but feelings are not always present, nor do they always line up with the Word of God or how our feelings may change when our love toward others is challenged. Since we are the Sons and Daughters of God, feelings should never diminish who we are or how we treat one another in the face of difficult circumstances that may come to oppose our witness of the love of God

CONVERTED TO SONSHIP

It is apparent that as believers, there is a need for each of us to be converted to Sonship Each of us must determine who we are and to whom we belong

As God's Sons and Daughters, we model our Heavenly Father just as Jesus modeled our Heavenly Father revealing His love to us by His words, and demonstrating His love and compassion to all while present with His disciples on earth So, we are to be wise builders of the Kingdom of God and not those who shock others by our ungodly actions and foul words! That tear down the very Kingdom that we seek to build and represent. Love is both the God choice and our Kingdom choice

John 13:34-35 reads: "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Therefore, the evidence that we truly are born of God (born again of His Spirit) is how we chose to respond, live, and judge between what is of God and what is not Even when our feelings say the contrary, we are to respond as He would respond, as His children born out of His love by His Spirit that He has given to us that guides us on a single path. He is Spirit, so we are to respond by His Spirit He is love and so we are to respond as a reflection of His love He is Holy so we are to walk holy in this world.

1 Peter 3:8-10 (paraphrased): "F of one mind, having compassion another Love as brothers and humble, be courteous: Not retur the face of evil, or obscen confronted by what is obs contrariwise "

Contrariwise - Come rather in spirit, the Spirit of God

Verse 9 continued: " returning their words with blessing; knowing that this is the purpose of your calling, that as you bless, you will be blessed, inheriting what belongs to you. (10) For he that will love this life, and be fruitful, must restrain his tongue from speaking what is evil, and not allow his lips to speak what is not of God "

So as Sons and Daughters of God, even as we resemble the likeness of our natural parents, we are to be the reflection our heavenly Father, demonstrated by the words we speak and by the way we live out our lives that is the true evidence that we truly are His Sons and Daughters

Colossians 4:5-6 calls us to "Walk in wisdom toward them that are among you, redeeming the time Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man "

NOTE: Two areas that we will draw attention in the pursuit of being transformed by the love of God will be given special attention later in this UPFD issue Some areas we will attempt to cover: Dealing with betrayal, broken trust, a broken heart, and grieving over the loss of loved ones

The Apostle John made this declaration about Jesus, God the Father's only begotten son:

John 1:12-13

But to as many as receive Him, to them He gives power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: Which are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but born of God

God breathed into man a part of Himself, His Spirit so that man became a living soul The word breathed in the text, is the Hebrew word Rûaħ or ruach: that is translated spirit or breath The Ruah was the one part of man that was not created in the sense we view one to be created, but God breathed

Ecclesiastes 12:7 then shall the dust return to the earth as it was, and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it

THE EVIDENCE OF ONE BORN OF GOD

1 John 4:7-8

Beloved, let us exercise the God kind of love toward one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves (IS BORN OF GOD) and knows God (8) Anyone who does not demonstrate the God kind of love does not know God, because GOD IS "LOVE "

TO LOVE IS A CHOICE

The God kind of love cannot be turned on or off at a flick of a switch Otherwise, we all have great need of concern pertaining to what would become of us should at any time our God grow wear to set His love up case with the Go neither should it Sons and Daughter

So then, we must God who is love is at every mistake stray off our cours to remain patient into maturity and through our failur way to the finish.

‘1 John 4:17

Because so as H world....

So, I say to you, Sons and Daughters of God, If things aren't working for us, maybe we need to go about how we do things another way choosing to stay on the path that leads to the love of God

We may be receiving a return on the same we dish out? Maybe the mess-up is how we respond to those we so easily take offense? Maybe it is in the way we present ourselves and the resistance that stems from the shock of the way we treat people or perhaps how we go about it is not of God at all?

If that is the case Let us determine to do things differently and work at removing the obstacles we place in the way of those we offend or are so easily offended

Because love is of God and promises to conquer all and never fail

whosoever loves is born of God

So the question remains do our actions genuinely reflect who our God is in t world or is it a reflection of the other guy

us met with Nicodemus a great

ed, Verily, verily, I say unto man be born of water and e cannot enter into God's ed the world, that He gave otten Son, that whoever m shall not perish, but have

GOD'SPURPOSE GOD'SPURPOSE FORTRIALS FORTRIALS

This is what is written, "Let this Mind be in you that is also in Christ " As the Image of Christ is being formed in us, it is also being formed in the life of brothers and sisters we may hold issue with It may be difficult to visualize the deposit of God within another when we carry negative opinions, or they are not mature or we are offended concerning their hurtful words and attitudes, but this is one of the Hallmarks of learning to be a mature son or daughter of God, and walking well with the Holy Spirit in love, despite what obstacles stand in our way, always endeavoring to Love as Christ Loves, even when the cost comes high.

1 Cor. 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

The Holy Spirit employs trials to reveal areas in our life that need attention. These areas are open doors to the enemy that need closure, buttons the enemy uses to control and manipulate us, wounds, that resist the Love of Christ, areas of hidden sin, errors in the way we process that repeatedly take us on life circles remaking the same mistakes over and over, generational iniquity passed through our family line that will only come to freedom through the love of God and deliverance from all demoniac and deceptive influences that oppose the image of Christ being formed in us

John 15:1-2 I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. (2) Every branch

in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away [purges]; and every branch that bears fruit He ]prunes], that it may bear more fruit

Trials are the Holy Spirits spotlight focused on areas soon to be purged and pruned. Oh yes, this will be painful, yet one will never come to maturity until the Holy Spirit has worked His work in us

Abiding is the engrafted life of the branch into the vine to receive the nourishment absorbed from the root. Each part of the vine performs a task; the root takes in nourishment, the vine supports the many branches with its life and each branch in turn produces fruit.

If the branch cannot produce fruit, it is dead Its ability to transform life nourishment to the fruit is terminated and so it is PURGED away as unwanted dead weight that robs away needed nourishment to the vine.

PRUNING, on the other hand, is the removal of weighty shoots that absorb the nourishment of the vine and though they flaunt a lot of pretty leaves will never produce fruit. The eye of the skilled vinedresser knows the difference, so He takes those big shears and cuts away This is painful to the branch that shows a slow recovery at the beginning, then all at once springs forth into a stronger branch able to support larger and more plentiful fruit

So the branch must go through everything the vine goes through. So if you are a part of the vine, hold on through the storm, winds, hail, heat and cold, and of course the purging and the pruning.

THE PURGING PROCESS

The Spirit of God quickens one to give up that which is contrary to Him, to all that disallows His presence We may think we are free because we exercise the liberty to not yield and say no. Yet freedom will not come until after His purging and His pruning. The vinedresser purges all the dead weight from the vine that is deceased or saps needed nourishment and strength from the branches. Nothing must obstruct the development of new fruit-bearing branches. Yes, what is snipped away may have been a vital, life-giving, fruitful branch in its heyday. We all like to tell our stories and pat ourselves on the back and hang our trophies on the wall for all to see. But the vinedresser is not finished with us yet! No, He is only taking a few minutes to sharpen His tool As we talk our talk, we may be uncovering the Holy Spirit's next surgical removal So don’t be surprised what is about to go-Ouch!

The Apostle Peter also made this declaration to the priests and rulers after the healing of the impotent man who was healed in Jesus' name:

- Acts 4:12

And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved

We are never to diminish who we are in Christ. Neither are we to diminish who others are in Christ.

SO TAKE HEART AND PRAISE HIM.

The vinedresser is skillfully shaping and fashioning each one of us by the guidance of the Holy Spirit into sons and daughters conformed into His image and likeness. What is it that so easily besets you? What obstructs your ability to be conformed into the fullness of Christ? What do you hold on to, that says "No" to the fashioning of the Spirit of God? The Holy Spirit may allow one to be purged until one cries 'have Mercy';-until Jesus is ready to perform His creative wonder in us The fiery trial that besets us may be His surgical instrument. You see, Holy Spirit administered trial is the Father imprint that HE is at work within us

The Holy Spirit purges one to bear the fruit of righteousness. Mal. 3:3, 2 Tim. 2:19-21

The Holy Spirit is purging our hearts from all that obstructs His ability to work His life giving transformation into our soul

The Holy Spirit's fruit has a godly appearance, It looks, smells and tastes like Jesus. From the first look, its fruit is unmistakable Its savor beckons one to take a taste The fruit the vine bears is the signature of the vinedresser.

One need not guess which fruit one has set their eyes upon; it bears no appearance of death So one who is fashioned by the master must submit to the hand of the Holy Spirit who purges one's life from fruitlessness to vibrant abundant life Those willing to surrender their old life, He infuses His new life into them. One cannot live in that atmosphere very long and not be changed by it!

2 Pet. 1:4-10

The Holy Spirit and Trial / Everything you didn't want to know about the Pruning Process.

My Allegory, Just Suppose?

Did you ever have a dream from your youth? One day you leave home to pursue your life labor So with youthful vitality you diligently prepare your course of life. Four years in Bible College and beyond and now you're ready, 'Send me Lord, I'm your man. You plunge your life into the work. You have finally found your joy, and the certainty of great benefit to the Kingdom of God. Then in a moment, 'poof' it is torn from your grasp by some unforeseen event.

Your inward searching reveals that all your motives were admirable You placed your best on the altar of God and for what? A spiritual death has come. Any thought to travel that road again finds no place in mind, as your tattered soul says, "I will never do that again" You have just met the precious trial of your faith. The vinedresser has just pruned you back all the way to the bear vine. All the leaf and incoming fruit lies on the ground to die. One peers upon it, lost, as the remains are carried away to be burned. What remains is the sense of abandonment and feelings that you ha been ripped off. It is hard to believe t the Master vinedresser would allow this happen to one of His faithful servants

Peter 1:7

SO TAKE HEART AND PRAISE HIM.

The vinedresser is at work sowing in you His divine purpose, further equipp g you for the labor ahead, calculating His design and fashioning for many future harvests for generations to come.

Feel honored because He has chosen you 'worthy ' You have been planted into His special field, enlisted as it were into His boot camp And what more, His fashioning may take a while. No, you have not done anything wrong In fact this trial has come because of what is about to be deposited in you.

One is often drafted without warning. No, you are not out of the will of God In fact you are dead center. It is best to say, 'Here I am, Lord, purge away' and then praise Him in and through it. This season will not last forever but what can be expected is that maturity will bring His greater sensitivity to His voice, anointing, authority and fruitfulness in your calling or ministry

Alleluia.... The master knows that the fruit He desires of you is much greater than what you have ever anticipated.

The master dresses each vine with His own personal creative touch, engrafting into the vine an intentional personality, henceforth taking on an instinct conformed character Year after year, the vine branches spring forth in a disciplined manner, so as to form the desired rough, grow more-stout and yield branches of greater volume mass to support the fruit bearing

Jesus shared this message with His disciples the night before He would be arrested and suffer for our sins:

- John 14:6

I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but by me

GOD'SPURPOSE GOD'SPURPOSE FORTRIALS FORTRIALS

As the years pass, the growth is easier to manage Branches that once bore tremendous fruit at the vines early planting are not spared. Nothing is left but a few choice sturdy branches on the vine

The branches that remain take on the appearance that they have been visited by the butcher But the visible appearance does not reveal the internal metamorphosis. Nourishment must flow to the chosen branches on the vine The vine once glossy with leaf, fruit hanging in abundance, may look tattered as the remaining branches

are tied to a stake Consider if you will Jesus. Heb. 5:7-9 Who in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save Him from death, was heard in that He feared (8) Though He was a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered: (9) And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him;

SO TAKE HEART AND PRAISE HIM.

The vine will soon take on a resurrection; The vine once tattered is now able to bear a

larger and more bountiful fruit at each harvest generation.

At a seasonal moment, the vine will enlarge twice its mass in size, then repeat itself over again and again. The vinedresser is not only projecting for the seasonal fruit production, but is at work calculating the steady fruition for many generations to come.

The healthy growth of each vine is journalized year by year, so as to plan the production of a greater fruit harvest each year thereafter. The maturity of the entire vine must take place, so that one day this vine will provide planting that will fill the entire countryside with vine in its image and likeness. A sturdy vine must be fertilized, the hard soil softened and a hollow created at each season of preparation for irrigation to catch the much-needed rain.

- 1 Timothy 2:5-6

For there is one God, and one Mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all

The Apostle Paul writes to his son in the faith:

TheWorkoftheHolySpirit.

Thevinesrootsmustabsorbbothwaterand sunlighttoexpanditsrootsbase Thinvines that have not increased in productivity are pulled out by the roots, replaced with plantings from the most productive vines, whichwillyieldapurelargesucculentgrape Thefruitofeachvinewillbetastedtomake sure that the constancy is compatible for theproductionofthebestwine Theinternal resurrection is profound as well, because the vine takes on a new nature. Instead of the disorderly growth of its virgin days, it bears the instinct fashion, born by its vinedresser (Heb.6:7)

BearingfruitcomesbyabidinginChrist.

(John 15:4-9) Branches that have been properlydressedwillsupport200timetheir weight by volume in fruit That is quite an abundance.Unlikeabranchattachedtothe vine, a believer may walk away from the work of God should they chose We may disallowtheSpiritofGodtoworkHisworkin us That is why many believers will never growbeyondinfancy.Yes,theHolySpiritwill continue to change one's diapers, bottle feed and give some attention when one whines, but one will never see a day of the blessing that only comes from maturity Heb.5:13-14

Other Scripture references concerning abiding

He who believes [piesto] trust in, rely upon, graspsunto,adheresto,haveconfidencein me,--inChristisabiding.

One in whom the Spirit of God lives is abiding.- John 14:16 And I will pray the Father and He will send you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever.

OnewhowalksthewalkisAbiding-

1 John 2:6 He that says [he abides] in Him oughthimselftowalk,evenasHewalked

One who loves, unconditionally is abiding 1 John 2:10 He that loves his brother [abides in the light], and there is no occasion of stumbling in Him

One in whom the word of God lives is abiding - 1 John 2:14 I have written unto you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one OnewhodoesthewillofGodisabiding-

1 John 2:17 And the world passes away, and the lust thereof; but he that does the will of God [abides for ever ]

One who is unwavering in their confidence inGodisabiding-

1 John 2:24 Let that therefore abide in you, which you have heard from the beginning. If that which you have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, you also shall continue in the Son and in the Father.

One who gives ear to the leading of the Holy Spirit’sisabiding-1John2:27

But the anointing which you have received of Him abides in you, and you need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teaches you of all things,

One willing to submit to the mentoring of the HolySpiritisAbiding-1John2:27

But the anointing which you have received of Him abides in you, and you need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it has taught [you, shall abide in Him ]

Abiding builds our confidence in God - 1 John 2:28 And now little children [abide in Him;] that when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His coming

Onethatpursuesalifeofholinessisabiding - 1 John 3:6 Whosoever [abides in Him] does not sin; whosoever sins has not seen Him, nor known Him.

Onewholoveshisbrotherisabiding1John3:14Weknowthatwehavepassed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loves not his brother continuesto[abidesindeath.]

One who lives a life of forgiveness is abiding-1John3:15Whosoeverhateshis brotherisamurderer;andyouknowthatno murdererhaseternallifeabidinginhim

One who keeps the Commandments of Jesusisabiding-1John3:24Andhethat keepsHiscommandmentsdwellsinHim,and Heinhim,and[herebyweknowthatHeabides withus,]bythespiritwhichHehasgivenus.

OnewhocontendsforthedoctrineofChrist isabiding-2John9Whosoevertransgresses abidesnotinthedoctrineofChrist,andhas not God He that abides in the doctrine of Christ,hehasboththeFatherandtheSon

One who remains faithful to their call is abiding-1Corinthians7:24Leteveryman, whereinheiscalled,thereinabidewithGod DavidandKathyAndrade

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Jesus instilled hope into Martha after the death of her beloved brother, Lazarus:

I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?”

- John 11:25-26

YOUR PERSONAL INVITATION

The Apostle John said this about Jesus, God's only begotten son.

- John 1:12-13

But to as many as receive Him, to them He gives power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name: Which are born, not of blood, nor of the will of flesh, nor of the will of man, but born of God.

Jesus said to Nicodemus:

- John 3:3

Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into God's kingdom

- John 3:16

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life

The Apostle Peter also made this declaration to the priests and rulers at the healing of the impotent man who was healed in name of Jesus

- Acts 4:12

And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved

Jesus shared with His disciples the night before He suffered

- John 14:6

I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but by me

The Apostle Paul writes to Timothy:

- 1 Timothy 2:5-6

For there is one God, and one Mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Christians inRomans 10:9-10

If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

Jesus told Martha at the death of her brother Lazarus, - John 11:25-26

I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. DO YOU BELIEVE THIS?”

Jesus declared this to His Disciples after feeding the multitude

- John 6:35 & 37

I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst All that the Father gives me will come to me, and everyone that comes to me I will not cast away ”

Jesus prayed this to His Father while with His disciples at the Passover

- John 17:3

This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent ”

Now Jesus extends His invitation to you:

- Matthew 11:28-29:

Come to me, all who are weary and heavyladen, and I will give you rest Take My yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls ”

TheApostlePaulwrites -Ephesians2:8-9

For by grace are ye saved through faith (placingyourfulltrustinJesus);andthatnot ofyourselves:itisthegiftofGod:Notbyyour ownworks,lestanymanshouldboast.

SoPleasedon'twait.Takethisopportunityto praywithus,rightnow:

“Heavenly Father, I thank you for sending your only begotten Son, Jesus to die for me.IthankyouthatHesufferedformeby His death on a cross. I confess, I am a sinner and ask you to forgive me, now by thepreciousbloodofyourownson.Wash mysinawayasyoupromisedtodo.Make me a new creation through Christ. I place mytrustinyouandinwhatyourSon,Jesus didformeatCalvary.Writemynametoday intoyourbookoflifeandgivemethegiftof yourHolySpirit.

InJesusnameAmen

Now that you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and savior, your sins have been forgiven!!

2Corinthians5:17

ThereforeifanymanbeinChrist,heisanew creature:oldthingsarepassedaway;behold, allthingsarebecomenew

GrowinyourrelationshipwithJesusby:

-AttendaBible&HolySpiritbelievingchurch

-Gettingbaptizedinwater

-StudytheBibledaily

-TalktotheLordeveryday

-TellothersaboutJesus

Jesus declared this to His Disciples after feeding the multitudes with bread & fishes:

- John 6:35 & 37

I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst. All that the Father gives me will come to me, and everyone that comes to me I will not cast away.

Colossians. 3:14

And above all these put on *love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony

What many fail to perceive is that the Greek word "agape" translated benevolent love or the God kind of unconditional love was uncommon in early Greek and Roman literature prior to the Passover meal that Jesus shared with His disciples

(My own thoughts)

The word "agape" may have been adopted to identify the early disciples of Jesus before the name, People of the Way or Christian came into popular use

Other words for love were common in early Greek and Roman literature.

- phileo: - brotherly love.

- opheilion gunaiki: ὀφειλομένην εὔνοιανὀφειλὴν (opheilēn pay the debt owed to a wife or husband, (gunaiki)

- congical a due benevolence - the duty of affection marital obligation.

- érōs: sexual love

- storge: (/ˈstoːrɡi/ STOR-ghay; from Ancient Greek στοργή (storgē) meaning affection, or love shared between family members.

- Theophilus: a lover of God

- But the word, agapē (ἀγάπη) was not readily found in non Christian biblical texts.

The first popular literature to focus on the word ἀγάπη (agapē) was found in the four Gospels and Epistles written by and to the early church particularly emphasized in the 1st Epistle of John that may have been the first written Christian Creed of Faith addressed to Gentile believers who had no prior concepts of the Hebrew scriptures or the love of God revealed through Christ as

one of the fundamental doctrines taught by the Apostles to the early Church

The last three chapters of 1st John are dedicated to define what the love of God represents.

Later through the centuries other universal Christian creeds of faith would be adopted as the elders of the church at large gathered in counsels to discuss factions of beliefs that differed off from the foundational teachings of Jesus and His work, but the one doctrine that never came into dispute was the love of God that was to be practiced by all believers revealed through Jesus Christ to the world by the church Note: The word translated love from the Greek word, ἀγάπη (agapē) in this essay will be identified with the use of an astrix * when translated into English, "the God kind of love"....

THE GOD KIND OF *LOVE WAS A KEY DOCTRINE PRACTICED IN THE EARLY CHURCH

The early identity of the Roman Empire was assimilated by the religious practices of the peoples they conquered that closely identified with their culture by the pagan gods and the types of sacrifices they offered in worship oblations.

Yet, the identity marker of the early church was in the benevolent unconditional love that believers practiced one toward another that made it a peculiar teaching differentiating from the many idol cults in the Roman world that promoted self-love, self indulgence, sexual gratification, and promiscuity outside of marriage as also part of their pagan practice.

IDOL PRACTICES AT THE CHURCH OF COLOSSUS

To the Church of the Colossians, Paul wrote these words in the wake of the pagan practice of idolatry that infiltrated into the teachings of the Church.

While sharing the Passover meal with His disciples, Jesus prayed to His Father and their behalf

- John 17:3

And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.

Colossians 3:5-10

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, inordinate passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry (pagan worship). On account of these, the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, as you practiced them But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk out of your mouth Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have turned away from your previous life with their practices

What the Apostle Paul is addressing here is that at one time the Colossian believers practiced idol worship prior to their conversion to Christ. Anger, wrath and malice were the practices of zeus, artimeas, hercules and other pagan gods that many of the Colossians had served.

THE PRACTICE OF IDOLATRY IN THE CHURCH

Jezebel, Prophetess of Deception

JEZEBEL

- Revelation 3:20

Notwithstanding I have a few things against you, because you tolerate, that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, teaching and seducing my servants to commit fornication, and to eat meat sacrificed unto idols.

THE TEACHINGS OF THE NICOLAITANES

- Revelations 2:14-15

But I have a few things against you, because you have among you those that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.(15 ) So have you also these that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.

THE AGNOSTICS

- 2 Corinthians 11:4

For if someone comes to you and preaches another Jesus than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit than the Spirit you received, or a different gospel from the one you received, you receive them easily enough

CHRISTIANITY

their own, revealed through the God who didn't even spare His own Son but delivered Him up for us all

By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down also our lives for the brethren.

So my question remains, is how we act restraining those that are genuinely searching for what is real in this world from receiving our message that God so loved the world.

But whoso has this world's good, and sees his brother have need, and shuts up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwells the *love of God in him?

Though Jesus revealed much to His disciples concerning the love of God, the heart of the mystery would not be fully revealed until the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus as He previewed to His disciples concerning what the true meaning of love is the night before He suffered

This God kind of unconditional love would frame the identity of the new testament church differentiating it from all other pagan worship, doctrine and daily observance

The message of the Gospel, the Pow the Holy Spirit and the benevolent love the followers of Jesus practiced toward one another is what empow their hallmark message as they profe that God so loved the world that He gav only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life

This message set the identity of believers a part from all others as believers sought to meet the welfare of those in need above

Beloved, let us exercise the *God kind of love one toward another, for *love is from God, and whoever *loves [is born of God] and knows God. Anyone who does not demonstrate the *God kind of love does not know God, because God is *Love

For the *love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and He died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him who for their sake died and was raised

Now Jesus extends the Father's invitation to you:

- Matthew 11:28-29

"Come to me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest Take My yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls ”

- A DOCTRINE OF COMPASSION AND BENEVOLENCE.

- 1 John 3:17

- 1 John 3:16

- 1 John 4:7-8

- 2 Corinthians 5:14-15

The greatest move of the the Spirit of God the earth has ever seen is upon us!

Welcome Holy Spirit!

Jesus said, “ and on this Rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it ” Matthew 16:18

And The third person of the Trinity the Holy Spirit is filling HIS church with HIS living breath afresh and anew right now!

Holy Spirit is the Perfect Expression of both the Life of the Father and the Son!

He is also the Perfect Expression of the Love-filled Humility of the Son

Who is the Perfect Expression of the Lovefilled Humility of the Father, we can now experience the endless love of God cascading into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who lives in us!

Jesus said in Acts 1:8 “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth!"

In our nation the person and power of the Holy Spirit has been rejected in HIS own church for the most part, which is why our nation is in the condition that it is in!

Paul told of these days in 2 Timothy 3:2, 5

“People will be self-centered lovers of themselves and obsessed with money They will boast of great things as they strut around in their arrogant pride and mock all that is right They will ignore their own families. They will be ungrateful and ungodly….They may pretend to have a respect for God, but in reality they want nothing to do with God’s power. Stay away from people like these!”

Now is the time for the church HIS CHURCH to repent for grieving Holy Spirit, rejecting Holy Spirit or relegating to manifest only in the back room!

Illinois Worshippers Arise

This is a call for every worshipper Father has positioned in Illinois to arise as “ONE MAN WITH ONE VOICE” and go to the County Seat, the Seat of Government in your county on September 11 at Noon and simply give thanks (thanksgiving is a powerful force) Thanking Father for HIS KINGDOM coming in fullness in Illinois!

From that position of heart, representing an entire state, let us repent and ask Father to forgive us and our state for “HOLY SPIRIT” Being grieved, dishonored, or rejected in any way!

Let’s then welcome HIM fresh and anew, with one heart and one voice To fully have HIS WAY in our hearts and in the hearts of every congregation, denomination, bloodline, and family tree in Illinois!

A declare through this realignment that there shall be no end to the increase of His government and of peace, and welcome Holy Spirit to rule and establish and uphold it justice and righteousness through His power from this time forward and forevermore. And welcome the Spirit of the Lord of hosts to fully accomplish this!

We are asking everyone to call Joyce at 618.660.4978 and register your county so we have a contact person in each county, also so we can have a zoom call and pray together and share what Father is revealing to us before September 11th and answer questions that people may have.

By JAMES NESBIT

The Apostle Paul writes concerning the wonderful gift the Father gives to us freely by the offering of His Son, Jesus who died for us

- Ephesians 2:8-9

For by grace you are saved through faith (placing your full trust in Jesus); and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not by your own works, lest any man should boast

By Dr. Anita Mason Joshua Company Ministries

THE LORDS PRAYER (DECLARATION) FOR THE STATE OF ILLINOIS

“Father in heaven. We, your children, in the state of Illinois declare that we are children of the light. We know that you have called us out of darkness to walk in the light of Your son and that He cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Hallow Your name in us and in this state and make us holy We declare that we are the righteousness of God in Christ and that Your light will shine forth in the lives of Your people in Illinois. We declare that your kingdom will reign and that Your will be done in Illinois. We invite You to establish Your kingdom rule in this state. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our debts and teach us how to forgive others. Release to the body of Christ all that is needed to empower and sustain the work of Christ in and through Illinois to the nations. We declare that there will be healing between the races and that walls of division and separation between the peoples of this state will come down through the blood of Christ. We pray for a restoration of our inheritance for all the Christian groups in Illinois including the host people. We do ask that You will deliver us from the evil one and we declare that we are overcomers by the blood of the Lamb and the word of Your testimony. You are releasing in Your people Your kingdom and His government will reign in Illinois We invite Jesus Christ, the Creator and Lord of all, to reign in glory over our state of Illinois and to release His grace upon us. Amen”

Father God, pull back our reigns, reveal to us Christ’s power, hope, and love to pull us all back into spiritual reality to never be deceived or bullied into a state where we just go with the flow and lose ourselves to the world.

No more bondage to the world's system. No more spiritual slumber in my soul. My covenant relationship is solely with Christ and not with the world

My spiritual eyes are open to discern any seduction or deception that has been devised against me.

I and all my family are covered by Jesus the blood of

I will not fear man nor satan himself but will stand still the Lamb of God. to see the salvation of God.

I DECLARE I DECLARE LETMY PEOPLEGO!

The Apostle Paul tells us all:

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

- Romans 3:23

DELIVERED OUT OF THE KINGDOM OF DARKNESS AND TRANSLATED INTO THE KINGDOM OF LIGHT

We are no longer citizens of the kingdom of darkness but have become citizens of the kingdom of light. As citizens of light, we live under a very different system concerning what is right and what is not What was deemed permissable under the former will no longer serve the new

- Colossians 1:13

Who has delivered us from the "power" (authority of the kingdom) of darkness and has translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son.

The Apostle Paul put it this way, Roman 1:1-2 (my paraphrase)

- We are they which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the "flesh," (what empowered the prior kingdom) but after the Spirit. (2) For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has freed us from (the kingdom) of sin and death

The Apostle Paul concludes that any association with the old will restrain the new life of the believer, permitting unnecessary access to the old.

When the law of the other kingdom raises a claim to pull us back, we are to close the door, stand firm, and contend against that kingdom by the Blood of Jesus demonstrating the new by sending it fleeing to where it came from.

Jude v3

Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints

- Luke 10:19

Behold, I give unto you (ruling authority

-exousian) to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the enemy's power and nothing from that kingdom has power to hurt you (My paraphrase)

- 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as those of this world (4) For the weapons of our warfare are not flesh but are supernatural in strength with power to destroy our enemy's strongholds (5) to dismantle his arguments and every lofty opinion against the knowledge of God, taking every opposing thought captive in obedience to Christ

We are to conform our thoughts, mind, what we say, our walk, opinion and how we live in line with the thoughts of Jesus, lining up our walk and talk according to the commands of Christ, which He has purposed by His own will Let this mind be in you, that was also in Christ We are made in the the image and likeness of this new person in Christ

AS CITIZENS OF THE NEW KINGDOM WE MUST LIVE AS CHRIST SHOWED US WE ARE TO LIVE:

We are to be those that solely place our faith in the grace of Jesus who revealed to us the Father

So we are to put on the mind of Christ and determine in all things we may be wrong but He is always right So as we grow step by step in maturity

Ephesians 4:13ff

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: (14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: (16) From whom the whole body fitly joined together and

By Dr. DAVID ANDRADE

compacted by that which every joint supplies, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

1. IN OUR BEHAVIOR

- 1 Peter 4:8 - Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins

2. IN OUR SPEECH

- Colossians 4:6

Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man

3. IN THE WAY WE THINK

- Philippians 2:5

Let this mind be in you that was also in Christ,

Now Our God is extending His Gift of salvation and eternal life to you right now

- Romans 10:9-10

If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

By JAY PETERS

Man!! I can't describe in words how amazing last weekend was. I got baptized for the 1st time which was amazing and lifechanging for me, thanks to Jay and Marlon for making it happen and thank you guys for being a big part of my new journey. One of the biggest highlights of my weekend at the conference was when Joshua Mills gave me a prophetic word. When he told me that I was going to be given amazing gifts. He also told me I was going to put Jesus in people's hearts. And lead them to the Lord. What was amazing is he was telling me I was going to be a leader for my generation which is awesome and I can't wait for what God has in store for me. I also want to thank everyone else that prayed over me and that was there on my journey. You guys were a huge impact on my new beginnings with the Lord. Love you guys...

Revival on the Streets

ContinuedfromPage14:

4.HOWWEDISCERNBETWEENGOODAND EVIL

-Hebrews5:14

But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to discernbetweengoodfromevil

5.HOWWEARETOACTTOWARDGOD.

-1John1:9

Ifweconfessoursins,Heisfaithfulandjust toforgiveusoursinsandtocleanseusfrom allunrighteousness

6. HOW WE ARE TO ACT TOWARD THE HOLYSPIRIT

-James3:13

Who is wise and understanding among you? (Letthemshowitbytheirgoodlife,bydeeds doneinthehumilitythatcomesfromwisdom

7.HOWWEARETOJUDGEWISELY

-Proverbs19:8

Theonewhogetswisdomloveslife;theone who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.

The invitation is ongoing and permanent Will we call upon the name of the Lord?

- Romans 10:13

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

“I do not do this lightly or often I believe the next three or more months are going to be a critical time of prayer for the Fifth Circuit of Appeals, United States Supreme Court and America. The Supreme Court has preliminarily considered a case which could ultimately allow the complete banning of the chemical abortion pill, as determined should be done according to the law by a District Court from Texas The Supreme Court temporarilystoppedthisDistrictCourtruling from going into effect. The case was sent backtotheFifthCircuitforOralArgument

On May 17, 2023, at 1pm, a Fifth Circuit panel of three judges will consider an emergency stay from Danco Laboratories - the Cayman Islands based company that produces only one product - the chemical abortion pill, which is killing hundreds of thousands of Americanchildreneveryyear.Thiscompany, and the FDA under the Biden administration, want to continue to make it extremely easy to use abortion pills, even without a doctor visit, and for them to be distributed by mail andcommoncarrier(FedEx,UPS,etc.)which is against a federal statute, (the Comstock Act), which explicitly prohibits such distribution.

This is the most important abortion case sincetheDobbsdecision The District Court and the Fifth Circuit have written excellent opinions revealing the failure to follow the law by FDA and the grave danger to women

Click the link >>> https://cutt.ly/fwquanrB

<<< to read the Fifth Circuit Opinion. Click the link >>> https://cutt.ly/Lwqua8U1 <<< to read the District Court Opinion. On an emergency request by the pill maker and FDA, Justice Alito issued a stay of the decisions below; first until Wednesday, April 18,thenanotherthreedaysuntilFriday,April

21, at midnight Then the full Court allowed the pills to be distributed while the case is on appeal. Justices Thomas and Alito dissented. Here is Justice Alito's Opinion.

>>> https://cutt.ly/YwqupISo <<<

Pray as the Holy Spirit leads, but here are some suggestions.

1 Pray that the Fifth Circuit, and ultimately the Supreme Court, and America will choose Life over Death. Here is the website

>>> https://cutt.ly/PwquoP8s <<< of the Fifth Circuit Court with biographies of the judges so you can pray by name.

2. Pray that all the lies of the enemy, the Accuser of the Brethen, will be bound, exposed and refuted in the courts and in the media That truth will prevail That the availability of Safe Haven laws in all 50 states will be more widely known. These Safe Haven laws allow all “burden” of parenting to be removed by relinquishing the child at a designated safe place, wi hi set period of time, usually 3, 30, 60 days after birth

www nationalsafehavenalliance org M of families are waiting to adopt these ones.

3 Pray that all of these little ones w brought to life in Jesus' Name. "Wh receives one child like this in My receives Me; and whoever receives Me not receive Me, but Him who sent Me 9:37 (NASB).

4 Pray for protection for the lives members of the Courts who rule justly and righteously, and to bind the rage of the enemy against them and for protection, direction and provision for all the attorneys,

By ALLAN PARKER

like Alliance Defending Freedom, The Justice Foundation, and all other organizations fighting to protect women and children in this case

This is how much our God loves and cares for you:

- Romans 8:32

He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

5 For salvation, the for those individu Christ, in the Gover Branch, FDA, DOJ, Branch-federal and abortion movement flesh and blood, struggle is not agai against the rulers against the world f against the spiritua the heavenly places

But do pray that the abortion will come to an end, and national repentance and revival

Click here >>> https://cutt.ly/6wquiGdp

<<< to read everything you need to know about the case in layman’s terms

Banning abortion pills could be the second great cut against the deadly tree of abortion, leading to the third great cut which is to make abortion illegal in all 50 states (except to save the life of the mother). The first great cut was Dobbs, which eliminated the supposed constitutional protection for abortion by reversing Roe v. Wade. Praise God. How will you celebrate that anniversary on June 24, 2023?

Feel free to share this prayer alert with mature intercessors or prepare your own.

Advancing Life, Liberty and Justice in Him, Allan

E. Parker President

The Justice Foundation

P S Click here to read the Brief of Amici Women Injured By Abortion to learn more about how these pills injure women

>>> https://cutt.ly/iwquu5f4 <<<

Justice Foundation, that fight for the sanctity of human life in the political and legal arena as they pray, litigate, educate, and advocate for life, liberty and justice The Justice Foundation’s work on banning the abortion pill is important and lifesaving.

Abortion advocates routinely refuse to acknowledge that countless women are hurt by, and may experience regret after, having an abortion The most common abortion performed today is now medication abortions - the abortion pill For women who take the first pill in a medication abortion, there is hope for reversing the deadly impact of the pill. According to Heartbeat International and the Abortion Pill Rescue Network, over 4000 babies are alive today after their mother received the Abortion Pill Reversal protocol. PRAISE THE LORD!

Women having second thoughts after taking the first pill in a medication abortion can find help at Abortion Pill Reversal and by calling 1-877-558-0333. For women experiencing an unplanned pregnancy, New Life Pregnancy Center, and pregnancy resource centers (PRCs) through our state and nation, stand ready and equipped to come alongside women with love, compassion, tangible support, and Truth PRCs provide a safe space for women to make a truly informed decision

Life Pregnancy Center, located in ur, Illinois exists to help women ve tangible help and assists them in g the courage and means to choose

We are a Christ-centered ministry mitted to upholding the sanctity of n life by proclaiming the Gospel and nstrating the love of Christ to those g unexpected pregnancies To learn about the ministry of New Life ancyCenter,call217-872-5555.Please us in praying life, and abundant life through Jesus, over women contemplating abortion and their unborn children

Blessings, PennyWeaver

ExecutiveDirector

NewLifePregnancyCenter

1698EPershingRoad

Decatur,IL62526

217-872-5556

Fax:217-872-5557

So, please don't wait. It is your turn to receive His wonderful gift of everlasting life. Take this opportunity to pray from your heart with us, right now:

“Heavenly Father, I thank you for sending your only begotten Son, Jesus to die for me. I thank you that He suffered for me by His death on a cross. I confess, I am a sinner and ask you to forgive me, now by the precious blood of your own son. Wash my sin away as you promised to do. Make me a new creation through Christ. I place my trust in you and in what your Son, Jesus did for me at Calvary. Write my name today into your book of life and give me the gift of your Holy Spirit."

In Jesus name Amen

EVENT CALENDAR & MINISTRY IN FOCUS

DACMA June 8th at 11:30am

@ Salem Baptist Church

Gathering of Intercessors

June 10th from 10:00am -1:00pm

@ Guiding Light Healing Rooms

July 8th. 10:00am -1:00pm Guiding Light

Second Saturday of every month

ICCI- June 13th at Rez Life Church

1085 W McKinley, Decatur, Illinois

Dinner at 6 for $6. Meeting begins at 6:30pm

DECATUR PASTORS

June 15th 11:30am

July 27th 11:30am

@ The Grand Palace

3253 N Brush College Rd Decatur, IL 62521

Avenue Trio

June 16th

@ Macon County Fair

3700 N. Westlawn Ave

Decatur, Illinois 62526

Round Table Discussion

June 22nd from 1:00pm -3:00pm

@ Guiding Light Healing Rooms

Anita Mason teaching on Trauma.

4th Thursday of each month

No Round Table Discussion in July due to the conference schedule

July 25th 10:00am - 3:30pm

Kinisi 424 Flag Workshop

@ Guiding Light Healing Rooms

Church on Fire Conference

July 27th 1:00 pm - 9:00 pm

July 28th 10:00 am - 9:00 pm

July 29th 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

@ The Grand Palace

3253 N Brush College Rd. Decatur, IL 62521

August 26th

Christian Music Fest

Macon County Fair

3700 N Westlawn Ave

Decatur, Illinois 62526

Sept 16th

Legacy Five

@ Salem Baptist Church

Church on Fire Conference II

October 19th 1:00 pm - 9:00 pm

October 20th 10:00 am - 9:00 pm

October 21st 10:00 am - 7:00 pm

@ The Grand Palace

3253 N Brush College Rd. Decatur, IL 62521

Ministry in Focus

Decatur International House of Prayer

God called a group of people to the International House of Prayer in 2005

We fell in love with the Harp and Bowl model of worship and prayer During the next five years we gathered together with children and adults at Lampstand Presbyterian Church, in Decatur, IL , on Wednesday nights During those nights, many children and adults had powerful encounters with God We sang and played instruments, we prayed for healing and miracles to abound during a one-hour prayer and worship set

In January 2010, God called us to begin gathering other times during the week, calling adults to night and day prayer in Decatur, IL In addition to the Wednesday’s night prayer meetings with the children, we had prayer meetings, Tuesday evenings and Fridays’ at noon

In May of 2012, we became a 501 (c) 3 registered not-for-profit organization We then moved to the Guiding Light Healing Rooms on North 51 In July 2017 we relocated to our “present” house at 1920 N Oakland Ave , Decatur, IL

In January 2020, we started our tenth year at Decatur House of Prayer

For over ten years, we have been contending for night and day prayer in the city and region

We are blessed to have had many, many people engaged in night and day prayer throughout our years. Some for a season, many for the long haul!

We are encouraging anyone with a love of Jesus and a heart for this city and region to consider joining us We know God has called us to minister to Him and cry out to Him to release His power and anointing for night and day prayer.

We will not stop because He is WORTHY, and His grace is sufficient for us Please COME and join the story. Find YOUR place!

Decatur House of Prayer

1920 N Oakland Ave

Decatur, IL 62526

217-330-8123

decaturhop@gmail.com

Now that you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and savior, your sins have been forgiven and heaven is your home!!

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Below are tips to help you grow in your relationship with Jesus:

- Get baptized in water

- Attend church regularly

- Study the Bible daily

- Be obedient to the Word of God

- Share your faith with others

- 2 Corinthians 5:17

By Beth Romack

DACMA. DHOP. Decatur Youth Pastors. Ambassadors for Christ Great Banquet Ignite 217 Guiding Light Healing Room March For Jesus. Avodah. What are all thesenames?

They are some of the laborers in the harvest fields in and around Decatur, IL. Many have worked for decades, plowing up the hard ground and sowing seeds of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As the citywide Body of Christ, we need to know who they are and what they do so we can pray, join in, and support the good work going on all around us. For many years, people have called for the Body of Christ in Decatur to come together in unity for the sake of the Kingdom. Well then, what is United Prayer forDecatur?Whoiscallingpeopletogether andwhynow?

You may have heard the names David and KathyAndrade

United Prayer: The Vision

Kathy! He came here to marry her 4 years ago and they are now working together to share the vision God gave them for Decatur. Kathy is a long-time resident of Decatur and has been involved with evangelizing, teaching, and discipling for many years.

She joins David in his vision to draw pastors and intercessors into unity so we can bring in the HARVEST! The Andrades are meeting with pastors and going to city wide ministry events to speak with people about unity and the upcoming Church on Fire conferences in July and October. Pastors meet monthly to plan these conferences, which will be open to the public.

This magazine, United Prayer for Decatur, (www.unitedprayerfordecatur.com) will be the voice of the growing unity movement, as various pastors and leaders write articles about what the Lord is showing them We will highlight the great work going on through local ministries, as the Lord builds us together into His beautiful dwelling place (Ephesians 2:21,22) We rise in Jesus!

CHURCH ON FIRE Conference CHURCH ON FIRE Conference

David comes to us from California and has been involved with many ministries in the last 4+ decades He’s been a pastor and counselor, a teacher and a discipler, a missionaryandachurchplanter He’sbeen a radio host, a TV host, a writer, and an administrator helping non-profit organizations Currently, he is on the board of PrayCaliforniaandisExecutiveDirectorof RTV (Restoring the Valley) International Ministries and Global Net TV (globalnettv.org). So, what’s a California ministerdoinginCentralIllinois?Well