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July/August 2014 Plan of Salvation:
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever shall believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
A Message From Good News Press
Serving God & Country By Connie Woods Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord...
About Connie Woods Connie Woods is a wife of 21 years and proud mother of four. She is passionate about God and her family. She is Publisher of Good News Press, a Christian newspaper, and Associate The founders who came to this land Publisher of the Antioch Herald. She holds a Who wouldn’t want to serve a country MS degree in Counseling/Marriage Family (America), were God-fearing, men and Therapy and has been a CA board registraint women, desiring a country that they could founded on Jesus Christ. As a veteran who honorably served for eight years, in since 2001 and works with marriages, families freely serve and worship God. They esthe 90s, I believe serving God and country children. Her non profit established in 2000 tablished our founding documents, the provides Christian counselis the highest honor, even unto death. I Declaration of Independence and the ing and benefit foster youth served as a Chaplain Assistant, part of a Constitution, based on Christian beliefs and families. She holds and principles. They placed “In God We ministry team to soldiers, and also had memberships in CA AssociTrust” all over our money. They held fast the duty of protecting the Chaplain, who ation of Marriage & Family does not bear arms. to God’s word, and the Great CommisTherapists, Nat’l Assoc of The seven core army values are Loyalty, Christian Counselors, sion, and sent missionaries all over the Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Christian Media Assoc., and world. They shaped this country and National Assoc of Christian government, with a God first attitude, and Integrity, and Personal Courage. The same kind of commitment that God reMinisters. In the past she as they put God first, God put the USA served in the Army Reserve quires of us. first. He abundantly blessed this country, as a Chaplain Assistant, was President of Main beyond, measures that other nations Street Chamber-East Bay, and had a tax busiWhat were preconditions for blessing in could only dream of. the past is still essential today to continue ness She writes on numerous Christian subjects and marriage and family. Her books, this Some of our founding principles were “all in that blessing. The command of Mark summer, can be purchased in August, on Ama12:30, sums it all up. zon.com Living in the End Times: Matthew 24 , men are created equal….”(The Declara(And thou shalt love the Lord thy God about Godly living in the last days, and what tion of Independence) and freedom of Jesus said would happen before his return. religion and speech. Other founding prin- with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, Other books are: 2014 Practical Guide for Chrisciples were freedom of the press, free- and with all thy mind, and with all thy tian Therapists; and Biblical vs. Secular Counselstrength: this is the first commandment.) dom to peaceably assemble, a militia necing: The Issues of State Licensing.
essary for freedom of state, freedom to
keep and bear arms, freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures, and freedom of a speedy trial, all found in the Bill of Rights, of the US Constitution.
The Christian message is often referred to as the "Gospel," which means "good news." Specifically, it is the good news about Jesus—who He is, what He has done, and what He offers. Essentially, the message is that Jesus was God in the flesh, that He came into the world to reconcile humanity to Himself, and that his salvation is freely offered to each person who will respond in faith. The Gospel message explains that salvation is only possible through the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus. Through his sacrifice, Jesus paid the price for our sinfulness (rebellion against God), thus offering us forgiveness. Then through his Resurrection He conquered death, removing it as the penalty for our sin and replacing it with the offer of eternal life that is only available from Him to all those that place their faith in Him.
Good News Press - 2 About Good News Press Sharing the good news of God’s Love through his Son to our local community and world!
Good News Press believes that this commission begins in our Good News Press is a leading Christian own backoutreach publication in the San Francisco yards. There are more Bay Area and distributed in other markets. This new and growing, popular high- than 7 Million quality, newspaper, informs and inspires people in the believers, as well as plant seeds into the Bay Area and a great numhearts of men and women that do not ber need to be reached. We want to know Jesus Christ. reach these men and women, share the Good News Press covers world, nation- good news, and bring to them the love of al, and local religious news and events, Jesus Christ. We do that by bringing glory and features inspiring Christian articles to God in this newspaper. and insights. It is available, both digitally • Urgency… We believe that these are online and in full-color printed format. the last days and that Jesus Christ is soon Christian newspapers reach a targeted to return. audience-specifically a family oriented, • Distribution Good News Press is distribaudience, with strong loyalties and conuted FREE all over the Bay Area. You can victions. find it in area grocery stores and busiWhy Support Good News Press nesses. • Fulfill the Great Commission! Help us Good News Press is produced by tell our neighbors about the Good News Baron & Connie Woods and Family. To of Jesus Christ and reap eternal rewards. contact us: info@goodnewspress.us.
Providing Local and National Exposure: Partner With Us in Sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ to our Community!
Romans Road To Salvation Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
Every person who has ever lived on Earth has sinned and fell short of God’s expectations, except for the Lord Jesus Christ.
while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Man was not deserving of God, we were not righteous but we all were sinners. But God loved us so much that while we were yet doing our things, going our own ways, deep in sin, Christ died for us. He bore the penalty for all of our sins.
Romans 10:9,10 "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine Romans 6:23a "For the wages of sin heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. is death..." We were all on our way to Hell because For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the there is a price to be paid for sin. It is a mouth confession is made unto salphysical and spiritual death and eternal separation from God. This eternal sepa- vation."
ration also includes sinners being eternal- Confess the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised him from the ly lost and cast into the Lake of fire. dead, so that God can save you. Romans 6:23b "...but the gift of God He doesn’t care about what sins you have done in the past. He loves you and is eternal life through Jesus Christ wants to save you. Jesus Christ paid the our Lord." The good news is we can be saved from complete price, taking all of mankind’s sins unto himself on the cross. We have this death and separation from God. to no longer be slaves to sin and death. Eternal life is a gift from God but only available through the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 10:13 "For whosoever shall He is the only way.
call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
Romans 5:8, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, Call on the Lord and ask him to save you. God wants to. He loves you!
Local Ministries Making An Impact: In Loving Memory of Pastor Arvander Lee Oakland, CA - Pastor Arvander Lee, who leaves a legacy of Holiness, faithfulness, love and generosity, was called home to be with the Lord at the age of 94, on June 26th, 2014 after 41 years of faithful service as Founder and Pastor of Bethesda Church of God In Christ in Oakland, CA. His “Celebration of Life” was held on July 7th, 2014 at 11am. He was preceded in death by his wife, First Lady Sis Esther Lee, after more than 50 years of marriage. Pastor Lee touched his community greatly and will always be remembered because of his stance for God and the size of his heart. He was a gifted preacher and teacher of the word of God and he loved people so much and showed it. He was a funny man and had a unique sense of humor. His family and friends recounted story after story, of all the humorous and funny things Pastor Lee would say and do, and all the fun that they had with him, and how much he enjoyed life. He was a man that was fun to be around, loved God, and would jokingly yell “you have to live Holy”, but was serious. He had a way of making everyone feel special. Bethesda’s slogan, “The church with a heart, where everybody is somebody”, reached out to its surrounding community, Under Pastor Lee’s leadership, and was generous to families, men and women, and also other ministries.
Pastor Arvander Lee, Founder & Pastor of Bethesda Church of God In Christ, Oakland, CA
1968-1971, he shared in ministry with Late Superintendent Davis in Berkeley, CA. In 1972 the Lord blessed Pastor Lee, and Elder John Malone, the Asst. Pastor to purchase their own building, which is still Bethesda’s church home today. Bethesda Church of God In Christ is located at 2845 38th Avenue, Oakland, CA, and is now Pastored by Richard Millentree & First Lady Millentree, for the past 3 years, after Pastor’s Lee health begin to decline.
Pastor Lee’s education includes: • Charles H. Mason Bible College, Bachelor of Theology, May 1988 • Charles H. Mason Bible College, Church of God In Christ., Diploma, Pastoral Theology 1977 Arvander was born in Troup, Texas on Sept. 20, 1920 and accepted the Lord Jesus • Numerous Certificates from the Church of God In Christ as Chairman of the OrdinaChrist at the age of 11, and received the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. His first con- tion Board under the Late Bishop B.R. verts were his own mother and father. At Stewart, Late Bishop L.B. Johnson, and 16, he left and went to California, but Bishop J. C. Jenkins strayed from his faith. He was always con- • Bay Cities Bible Institute, Graduate science of his commitment to the Lord, (while serving under Bishop Cage’s minisand sensed a calling from God on his life. try) At the age of 27, the Lord got his attention when he was diagnosed with TuberPastor Lee was an effective Pastor, who culosis. This was a wakeup call to Pastor rightly divided the word of God, reached Lee, who asked the Lord to forgive and save him. One day he went to a holiness out to his community, and led many to church in Hayward CA and recommitted Christ. He was a dedicated servant of God his life back to the Lord, and while on the who always interceded for his community altar he heard an audible voice say “Aren’t and people that he knew in prayer. you glad you’re healed”. God miraculously Pastor Lee and his late wife of 52 years, healed him. Ever since Pastor Lee has been Ester R. Lee, leave behind three children on a mission for God. (Mark, Arvanderlyn, Gwendolyn), 5 grandPastor Lee married in 1949 to Esther R. children( Mia, Tavis, Tory, Caleb, Naima), Shannon and they had three children. Pas- 13 great- grandchildren, and a host of tor Lee served faithfully under Bishop A. cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces, W. Cage’s ministry for 17 years before he great-nephews, extended family and accepted the call to Pastor in 1968. From friends.
Good News Press - 3 Local Ministries Making an Impact: USA Christian Ministries July 4th God and Country Nationwide Celebration SAN JOSE, Calif., -- For July 4th Christians and churches nationwide are celebrating God and Country. Three of the USA's leading pastors want to encourage Americans to remember God is the source of freedom. These patriotic messages of hope will be given by Pastor Steven Andrew, Gordon James Klingenschmitt and Wiley Drake.
er of Pray In Jesus' Name Min- The Star Spangled Banner istries and TV show, and is also Oh, say can you see by the "It's important to thank God a veteran. dawn's early light on Independence Day because the USA's liberty is from God," What so proudly we hailed at the said Pastor Steven Andrew. twilight's last gleaming? The pastor is founder of RevivWhose broad stripes and bright al Force, president of USA stars thru the perilous fight, Christian Ministries and author of "God's Plan for the USA." O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? He explained how John Adams said Independence Day, "ought And the rocket's red glare, the to be commemorated as the Rev. Steven Andrew explained bombs bursting in air, day of deliverance by solemn that when Samuel Adams said, Gave proof through the night that acts of devotion to God Al"We have this day restored mighty." The reason is God our flag was still there. delivered the USA from tyran- the Sovereign to whom all men Oh, say does that star-spangled ought to be obedient," that it is ny. our duty to obey God. Other banner yet wave There is an attractive July 4th brochure quotes show how O'er the land of the free and the God and Country brochure our rights come from God. home of the brave? with quotes and a prayer for One goal is for Americans to ————————————those who want to participate online. The free brochure can read the Declaration of IndePastor Steven Andrew helps be used as a church bulletin pendence on July 4th. people know God and God’s insert in local God and Counplans. He teaches the Gospel try church services. There are of Jesus Christ from the Holy other free resources, including "Let's honor God by singing Bible. As President of USA a patriotic Fourth of July song 'God Bless America,' 'America Christian Ministries, Chairman sheet and Bible verses. On July the Beautiful' and the verse of the National Day of Prayer 4th, messages from the three with, 'In God is our Trust' Revival Force and an author of pastors will be available online. from our National Anthem," Christian living books, he The God and Country rePastor Steven Andrew said. shares God’s hope and love. sources are available now at "Putting Jesus first in the USA To bring Christian liberty, www.revivalforce.com. guarantees our Christian liber- abundance, security, peace and ty." strong families, he is uniting Pastor Wiley Drake shared the USA in Christ God Bless America how the Pilgrims got on their God bless America, knees and said they came for The mission of USA Christian the glory of God. Drake asks Ministries consists of three Land that I love, Americans to turn to God for outreaches: Independence Day. He is forStand beside her and guide her mer 2nd Vice President of the 1. Unite the USA in Christ Southern Baptist Convention, Thru the night with a light from Bring God’s Blessings (Psalm above; hosts the Wiley Drake Show 33:12, Mark 12:30, John 13:34) and is a veteran. From the mountains, to the prai2. Lead the Nation To Reries, pentance Heal the USA (2 To the oceans white with foam, Chronicles 7:13-14, Deuteronomy Chaplain Gordon James 28) Elect God-fearing GovKlingenschmitt recently won God bless America, ernments the Colorado primary for State More at: Representative (District 15). My home, sweet home. http://www.usachristianministri Klingenschmitt encourages Americans to include God on God bless America, es.com July 4th. The chaplain is found- My home, sweet home.
The Calling of God By Mark & Tinsley Baker Olive Branch Ministries www.olivebranchministries. us The Calling of God Romans 11:29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Before the world was created God knew each one of us, and had preordained us to good works. Good works of course are the things He wants us to accomplish while we are here on the Earth. He has called us and equipped each of us to fulfill the things He has predestined for us. Whether we use our giftings for His glory, and to fulfill His will is our choice and our choice alone. We will never be forced or pushed, yet He will never take these gifts from us. We are all born into this world unique, no two of us are exactly the same. Although we may share certain quali-
ties and features with others, we still have a unique set of talents and abilities. With this set of talents and abilities and by the leading of the Holy Spirit, we can fulfill our destiny. If we don’t, we really have no one to blame but ourselves. Many get sidetracked or discouraged and fall from their true purpose. There are so many reasons for this, everything from bad life choices to out and out disobedience. We can’t undo the past but we can start right now to walk in the gifts and calling of God. I know what it’s like to get side tracked and become discouraged, and loose my way on life’s journey. However, I have found that when I truly turned back to Him, and gave myself over to Him, that all was not lost as the devil had made me believe. I had lost my purpose for a time, yet God restored my dream and
gave me a vision. His Word says… Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. One translation says; Where there is no revelation. This is a way of saying you have to have clear insight of what God has for your life. You have to have a clear vision of your purpose if you are ever going to fulfill your calling, and become what God has called you to be. If you don’t have a clear vision, you won’t know where you are to go. There are many within the body of Christ like this, they just exist. They are just there. They have no clear vision of what they are to accomplish. They may have individual goals but this does not mean that they know God’s
Continued on Page 6
Good News Press - 4 Local Ministries Making an Impact for Jesus Christ Acts Full Gospel COGIC: 30 Years in Ministry Acts Full Gospel Church of God In Christ Celebrates 30 Years In Ministry
of mega churches that exists today.
plans, and started Acts Full Gospel Church.
Acts has over 30 active church ministries and outreach proOver the years, Acts grams, including 6 full time Pashas received numertors, 200 staff members, about ous award recognitions and proclamaOakland, CA: 2014 marks the a 1000 volunteers, and lots of tions from city and 30th year that Acts Full Gospel community members employed state officials as well Church of God In Christ (Acts) in its restaurant, community thrift store and women‘s as Congresswoman has made an impact in the City Lee, the Governor, of Oakland under the leadership home. It also has television, radio, and internet media minisand even President Bishop Bob Jackson and Lady Barbara Jackson of its Founder and Senior PasObama has personally tor, Bishop Robert “Bob” Jack- tries. Other entities Bishop Jackson asked Bishop Jackson to pray son. Acts Offers Its Community: successfully founded: Oakland for him. African-American Chamber of Over the past 30 years, Bishop • A food program Jackson has kept to his original • Housing & Training in a trade Commerce, Pastors Association To be able to run a great ministry, there are a lot of people for ex- felons/young men (Men of Oakland, Acts Anointed vision, that God gave him, to Acres, that assist Bishop Jackson in the of Valor) “Take the city of Oakland for ministry, including Bishop’s the Lord Jesus Christ - one life • Outreach to inmates in AlaHow Acts Got its Start beautiful wife, “Lady Barbara”, at a time”, which has resulted meda County Jails (Chaplaincy In May of 1984 Acts Full Gospel who serve as an example to in explosive growth in his minis- Program) women of godliness, that serves try and thousands being saved. • Housing for women/ job read- Church was established, after Pastor Bob‘s encounter with a Bishop and the church. His forThis vision and mission has ac- iness skills (House of Ruth) suspected angel, and his call to mer wife, the late Evangelist tively been carried out in per• Affordable clothing Sis. Charlene Jackson, passed sonal and congregational evan- (Charlene’s Closet Community start a church. At the time, Pastor Bob was involved in a away in 2011 after over 28 gelism called Soul Winning Thrift Store) radio program in which new years of marriage and service. Across Town (SWAT), teaching • Christian school for grades converts were coming to the th Others who serve in the ministhe pre-K thru 8 grade (Acts Lord, through the radio protry is Asst. Pastor Kevin Hope, Christian Academy) gram. Bishop had not estabSr. Associate Pastors Dr. Doris • Soul food restaurant (Soul’s lished a church yet, was renting Limbrick & Wendell McCoy, Restaurant) out a hall for bible study, and Associate Pastors Mark • Toy giveaway for Christmas strongly contemplating on mov- Claybrooks, Andre Benson, and • Back to school clothing/ ing back to Georgia. One even- Kerwin Davis, ministers, their backpacks ing as he went to the teller, an wives, and numerous staff and word of God to its members, • Training for tweens and teens older gentleman requested to volunteers. and providing a spiritual home (Debutante Program) have a word with him, asking to worship. • Mentoring Programs for Afri- him two questions, but also Acts Ministry reaches as far as proceeding to tell him the anBishop Jackson has been a pio- can American male youth and Liberia, Africa where an Acts more. swers to his own questions. He Full Gospel COGIC of Liberia neer in church evangelism, so asked Bishop Jackson how was was established with now over much so he was appointed Dithe fig tree different from all rector of Soul Winning for the Acts Members Enjoy: 400 members. other fruit bearing trees, and Church of God In Christ Inter- Acts church offers a full chilnational. He taught his congre- dren’s and teen church and pro- proceeded to tell him that it Bishop is going stronger than bears fruit before it flowers. gation and trains other church- gram, including choirs, bible ever, but there have been diffiHe then asked him why does es how to reach out to the cult times in Bishop’s life, like study, Sunday school, church, only one bird lead the flock, and the passing of Evangelist Sis. community by knocking on indi- tutoring, karate, girl and boy vidual doors and winning them scouts, summer camp at its own again didn’t wait for a response Charlene Jackson, in 2011, after but told him, that the leader to the Lord Jesus Christ in 7 a battle with breast cancer and ranch, and more. The church makes sure that all are lead in steps. He has done this for over offers several services, bible his own personal diagnosis of the right direction. The gentle30 years. prostate cancer, which he sucstudies, holy ghost services, man then said good day. After cessfully overcame and the Lord prayer meetings, women’s, Church Growth men’s, and senior meetings and leaving the teller, Bishop looked healed him. He advocates for Since its humble beginnings, fellowships, as well as marriage for the man, but he couldn’t be men to be regularly screened found and he knew he had en- and offers educational seminars Acts has grown from a bible ministry classes, bereavement, countered an angel. He was class and 13 membered church, addictions classes, new memand screening for men over 35. renting a dance hall, to a 7500 bership, Sunday school, and hus- very old and walked slowly with a cane. Bishop Jackson, led by membered, fully staffed, debtBishop Jackson, is quite a humband and wife schools. the Holy Spirit, changed his free church ministry, in a class ble man, despite all of his suc-
cesses. He was raised in the very tough part of Oakland, was a biker, and very worldly before he came to the Lord. After he came to the Lord, he worked on getting all his family members saved and even today many of them are saved, and his sister and brother serve in the ministry today, as well as his sons. Bishop earned a bachelors degree and had a great career when the Lord told Bishop to quit his job and go into full time ministry.
What Gives them Joy
In a recent interview with Bishop, he stated, one of his greatest joys was “seeing souls being won to the Lord Jesus Christ and walking in the newness of life.” He added, that he is joyed when he sees members winning souls, “That’s the heart of God, seeing souls saved and filled with the Holy Ghost”. Lady Barbara shared that she is “elated to serve as a wife, mother, Nana and a soul winner for the Lord Jesus Christ!” She said, she feels “honored” and highly favored to serve alongside her husband in ministry and feels it is a “blessing to serve” as First Lady. Lady Barbara humbly serves and assists Bishop with his schedule and whatever is needed of her in the church. She is a consultant/liason overseeing the Usher Board Department, and occasionally is a speaker in the marriage ministry conference. She is an accomplished licensed real estate appraiser and broker, and worked in Housing & Development for the State of CA. Acts celebrated its 30th Anniversary on May 6-9th, 2014. Guests included Bishop Macklin, 2nd Assistant Presiding Bishop of the Church of God In Christ, gospel singers Pastor Shirley Ceasar, Pastor Marvin Sapp, Bishop Rance Allen, Beverly Crawford, and Tasha Cobbs. For additional information on Acts Full Gospel COGIC: www. Actsfullgospel.org
Good News Press - 5
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Good News Press - 6 The Calling of God Continued from Page 3 God’s goals for their life. If you don’t know your destiny, how will you ever fulfil it? You may say, what are you talking about. I’m saying that if you are wanting to get to point B from point A and you don’t know where point B is then you will never arrive. You have to have clear direction and know where the Lord is taking you if you are ever to arrive. This does not mean you will know every detail of the journey. We walk by faith and not by sight. We walk one day at a time. When God want us to do something different or go on from where we are currently, He will tell us. When He tells you to do something keep doing it until He gives you other instructions. You can go by what He doesn’t say many times by as much as what He does say. We all have choices to make in life, school, career, marriage, where we live, and so on. Many times people let their emotions lead them, and allow their feelings to dictate what they are to do. We have all seen it. This is not the leading of the Holy Spirit. This is usually a fleshly reaction to circumstances that leads to walking by sight and not by faith. This is often a result of we ourselves seeking to fulfill our own goals and ambitions. I’m certainly not saying it is wrong to have goals or be ambitious, I am saying we should have our goals in line with God’s will. God will give His children clear direction. The Word tells us, For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the sons of God. (Rom:8:14)
take before we step out and go. You have to know where you are going. After we have direction, we have to have prepare ourselves. There is a time of preparation and study. I’ve heard it said that God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called. God will not tell us to go if we have not been equipped to go. In other words, He will equip you before He sends you. He doesn’t send babies out to do battle, He sends mature men and women of God. There will always be a time of learning and development. Take advantage of your time and learn from your Pastor and elders, those who have care over your soul. Listen to them! He will teach you and instruct you, and as you grow in grace and understanding, He will give you more revelation. We all have to start at the beginning; there are no short cuts in the kingdom of God. Revelation builds upon itself. God can not reveal the deep truths if you can not grasp the basics can He. It’s not that He doesn’t want us to understand, it is that we can not receive more until we have received little, and been obedient with what we already have. He just doesn’t work that way. I believe that He keeps things from us knowing full well that we just couldn’t handle more in our present babyhood state. We get in a hurry sometimes and just want it all thinking we could handle it when we really could not. The end would be disastrous for us. Our Father loves us too much for that. It is no different with earthly parents raising children. A loving parent would not make a child responsible for something that requires a much greater level of experiHe will lead us by His Spirit. ence and understanding. You would not tell a 6-year-old He could not hold us acto get in the car, drive to the countable for our actions if grocery store, and buy the He gave us no clear direction could He? Yet we have groceries for the week would you? I realize this may a part to play in this, we sound funny, yet many have to avail ourselves of Him. We have to spend time Christians do the same types in prayer and spend time in of things. They get full of zeal His presence, if we are ever and feel that they can just go out and fulfill their calling going to hear Him. This is without putting in the time the first step we all must to learn, and gain the neces-
sary experience that it takes to be successful. God doesn’t call babies into battle any more than we would tell a toddler to go out and cut the grass. When my son was about 4 years old, he used to follow me around the yard with a toy lawnmower and pretend he was cutting the grass. The reality was that he wasn’t accomplishing as much as he really thought he was. Although I look back on those times with fondness, as a loving father I would have never given him the real responsibility of cutting the grass. It would have been an extremely unsafe situation for him, not to mention he just could not have handled it. It was quite a few years before he really was able to cut the grass on his own. By that time, I don’t think he thought it was as much fun as it used to be. Our Heavenly Father knows what we can accomplish and what we cannot. Sometimes we just need to be realistic about where we are in our faith walk before we can go on to the next level. He gives us what we can handle and are willing to walk in. It’s our part to be willing and receptive when that happens. We often think we are waiting on God when the truth is, He is waiting on us. It takes a certain level of faith to even receive our calling, and begin to walk in it. If you were to receive your calling as a young immature Christian, you would most likely to be overwhelmed and get discouraged. Growth and development is a natural process, and it is no different in the spiritual realm. We have to grow before we can go. It was no different with our Lord. The Word says … And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. (Luke 2:52) In order to fulfill the plan of God Jesus had to increase in wisdom and stature. In other words, He had to grow up in the things of God as well as the things of the world. The Apostle Paul says this…
that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness by which they lie in wait to deceive, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head Christ. (Ephesians 4:14) There is a purpose for our growth. God wants us to succeed, and we have to be mature and fully equipped in order to accomplish His perfect will. Some people think of this as drudgery, yet it is an honor to fulfill the calling of God. There is no more miserable Christian than one who has walked away from his or her God given purpose. Regardless of what your calling is, you will never be truly happy until you realize it, and begin to walk in it. Regardless of whether or not you feel like you are important or not, there are no unimportant parts within the body of Christ!
Each part of the body must do their part or the whole body suffers collectively.
If the body is healthy we 1 John 3:11 For this is the all benefit collectively. message that you heard from The part that you might the beginning, that we think is unimportant might should love one another, be the part that supplies the very thing that you need to Do you know Jesus as your function at your best. Lord and Savior? Do you It takes the whole body want to be a joint heir with functioning in harmony to be Christ? healthy. If so, I urge you to earnestly I would like to leave with three Scriptures written by pray the following prayer. three Apostles as an admon- Dear Heavenly Father, I ishment. come to you in the name of Jesus. Your word says, "… 1 Peter 1:17 And if you call on the Father, who without and the one who comes to partiality judges according to Me I will by no means cast each one's work, conduct out." (Jn.6:37), yourselves throughout the So I know You won’t cast time of your sojourning here me out, but You take me in, in fear; And I thank you for it. You Take advantage of your time, said in your Word, "whoever calls upon the you only have it once. name of the Lord shall be Ephesians 2:10 For we are saved.'' (Ro. 10:13). His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, I am calling on Your name, which God prepared before- So I know You have saved hand that we should walk in me now, You also said, "… that if you confess with your them.
mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation." (Ro.10:9,10). I believe in my heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. I believe He was raised from the dead for my justification. And I confess Him now as my Lord, Because Your Word says, "… with the heart one believes to righteousness…" and I do believe with my heart, I have now become the righteousness of God in Christ. (2 Cor. 5:21), And I am saved! Thank You, Lord! I can now truthfully say, I see myself as a born again child of God! Glory to God!!!! Amen.
Good News Press - 7
Pro-Life Youth at Hobby Lobby Celebrate Religious Freedom as Supreme Court Announces Decision This is the most important religious freedom and First Amendment case to be decided by the Supreme Court in decades. ANAHEIM HILLS, Calif.,
Scores of pro-life youth gather at Hobby Lobby to celebrate religious freedom as the Supreme Court announces historic HHS Mandate decision.
interference or harassment," says Kristina Garza from Survivors. Rev. Patrick Mahoney, a National Advisor for Survivors and Director of the Christian De- Photo: Pro-life group "Survivors" praying the fense CoaliLord's Prayer outside of a Hobby Lobby in tion based in Anaheim Hills, California. Washington, D.C., says, "We applaud Hobby Lobby in ment and religious freedom their courageous stand with this historic decision against this unjust HHS man- and reminded the Obama date and the Obama Admin- administration Americans istration's complete disregard cannot be forced to violate for the First Amendment and their conscience or strongly religious freedom. held religious values."
The group will be welcoming Hobby Lobby employees as they arrive to work and celebrating the victory. "As we gather at Hobby Lobby today, we celebrate religious freedom, the First Amendment, and the rights of Americans to do business Today the Supreme Court according to their conscienc- embraced the First Amendes, free from government
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