The E-pistle
From Pastor Randy Morgan
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The E-Pistle The Weekly E-Newsletter of |
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By: Prophetic
Deacon Ron Floda I heard a voice calling across a large body of water, and it said that it’s time to cross over to the other side, to the land of promise. And although the land flows with the provisions of God, there will also be new obstacles to face and overcome, and possessing it won’t be automatic and that we couldn’t just let our guard down and think that the would be no more battles to fight.
But there seemed to be a hesitation by some to not cross over. Although the wilderness had been difficult, some had gotten used to it and were content in the familiarity of it. Not that they were comfortable in it, but that at least they knew what to expect and how to deal with it. And there were still the old stories of the Giants in the new land. They wondered if we were yet ready to take on those battles and possess the land.
But God said that we are well able – with His help – to conquer the giants and subdue/work/rule the new territory. The only hindrance would be self-imposed limitations in the attitude of our minds.
The Lord says “Now is the time to cross over, to leave the fears and the doubts behind. Now is the time of fresh outlook and of a letting go of the things of the past. The old strategies will be challenged, and new revelations will need to be incorporated into the plan. The terrain will be different and we will need to be flexible, teachable and ready to implement the new strategies without grumbling, complaining or looking to the old way of doing things.”
Engage your faith and be proactive – ready to take these new mountains that the Lord has given. Let your zeal be evident, and look eagerly for the new release of wisdom from the Spirit, and God will let you run and not be weary, and able to overcome and conquer in this new land. |
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Years ago in the church I attended, people seemed to be so focused on what others were doing and wearing that is all people would talk about. They were so focused on the small, insignificant details of outward appearance that they forgot about the real message of Christ. They started judging others by what they were doing and wearing and stopped focusing on Jesus, the Person. Who cares if one wears makeup and pants while another wore no makeup and a dress? Who cares if one has on a T shirt and shorts while another has on a 3 piece suit? Human nature wants to judge. 1 Sam 16:7 says "...for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart" It is natural to see people through the natural, but it's a better life if you see them through God's eyes. We want to judge people by their appearance. We seem to enjoy dismissing one another by their looks, but it's dangerous to think you can know someone by their looks. It's also dangerous to let yourself get so familiar with someone's personality that you stop seeing them as important.
Familiarity at Home Who treats you worse than anyone else? Often for many of us, it can be our families! Why? Familiarity. They think they know us. They think that because they've been looking at us and talking to us for so long that we’re not that important. A visitor would come to the house and get the royal treatment, but what about us? We often get kicked to the curb! Why? Familiarity!
Jesus had the same problem. The Bible says that it was the Sabbath and Jesus was scheduled to be in His hometown synagogue. I'm sure he was excited to be home and tell everyone of how well he had done. After all, these were people He knew personally. So he preached and when he was done, they didn't say "good job", "well done Jesus", no standing ovation or pat on the back. Instead, they were angry and resented him and had no problem telling him so. Mark 6:2 "...and many hearing Him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto Him, that even such mighty works are wrought by His hands?" Why were people so upset? Familiarity! They didn't have any respect for Jesus. They knew Him too well and questioned His worth as a man of God saying, "Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not His sisters here with us? And they were offended at Him" (Mark 6:3) I'm sure this attitude bothered Jesus. He wanted to tell them the truth and set them free as he had done in other regions. I'm sure He wanted to share His wisdom and do great miracles. Instead, he said "...A prophet is not without honor, but in His own country, and among His own kin, and in His own house and He could there do no mighty work, save that He laid His hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief. And He went round about the villages, teaching" (Mark 6:4-6)
It says Jesus couldn't do any mighty works. Why? Familiarity. The people couldn't receive the Man God had sent, so they couldn't receive from God. They had become so familiar with Jesus that they didn't believe in His power.
Don't Get Hung Up! I attend church, not because I feel guilty if I don't, but because I want to hear what God is saying through others. I believe that if you can't receive the Person God sent, then you're not going to receive much from God. God has ordained people to help you mature and grow in the ways of God. Ephesians 4:11-13 "And He gave some apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 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." The people at church every Sunday are not a perfect people. The music won't be perfect. The chairs won't be perfect. Someone may not say hi to you and the coffee may taste bad. What makes you think the preacher has to be perfect? Unless Jesus descends from Heaven and decides to grace the pulpit this Sunday, guess what? You're going to be listening to an imperfect person preaching a perfect Gospel. You may not like their personality, or the way they dress! So what! People are people, and preachers are human beings, just like you and me. The only difference is that God has called them to deliver His Word to you. When you listen to them preach, you are submitting to the authority of their spiritual office. I believe that God wants you to receive from all the offices in His executive branch - the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. Some preachers you may like and others you may not, but when you don't listen to any of the people God sends your way, you may very well miss out on the wisdom you need to be more successful in this life. You need other people's perspective! If you didn't, God wouldn't have called people into the ministry to preach to you! We can learn from each other and grow stronger by receiving each other's gifts. Don't get hung up on doctrine. You don't even have to believe exactly the same way as the person speaking in order to learn something good from them. Just accept what's good and spit out what's bad. God will lead and direct you. Jesus was a strong man of God. He calmed the seas, took authority over devils, and spoke with unparalleled wisdom and power. He was anointed by God and He loved people enough to help them out of the ditches of life.
Start Fresh Today! It just takes a decision to change your attitude, to let God soften your heart again, to be honest, and repent. When you know Jesus, the Person, there is no going thirsty. He has given us living water that never runs dry. In John 4:10 Jesus told the woman at the well, "...If thou knewest the gift of God, and Who it is that saith to thee, Give Me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water." That's the point - if thou knewest! The more you get to know Jesus, and not religion, the more you are able to stop saying, "Well, I'll give this faith thing my best shot." Instead, you'll start quoting 2 Timothy 1:12 and declare, "...I know Whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day." He will be faithful to you. God desires to fill your heart with refreshing, living water that will transform your life forever.
Pastor Joan Castle |
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On-line updates of messages from
Anniversary Celebration And the
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Messages from:
http://www.newcovenantatlanta.com/94-church/media.htm
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Home Groups Home
Groups are an opportunity for you to become connected, discover God’s
callings and giftings on your life, make friends, be mentored by some of
the greatest servants of God in the whole-wide world, solidify your
relationship with God, etc. You are encouraged to take part each week
in this awesome, awesome ministry that God is using profoundly at
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CD
Ministry |
If you would like a copy of any services, please let Pastor Randy and/or Deacon Chuck know. Remember, we strive to keep the blessing of “Free CD’s” to everyone. However, if you would like to contribute toward this awesome ministry, then please feel free to. |
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For
Such a Time As This
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Tehrumah
Fund - The building fund
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Sunday, Remember, if you live outside the city, you can send your contributions to: The Terumah fund is the name of our building fund – named from the Hebrew word for offerings that were made to build the tabernacle (Exodus 25:2 – pronounced Tay-room-ah). |
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2007 Growing For Sowing Exceed to Seed
If God is giving you
dreams and visions for something to accomplish here at New Covenant, then
please, by all means share it with Pastor Randy. Write it down and
e-mail it: Habakkuk 2:2 says, “And the LORD answered me, and said,
Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that reads
it.” Write down what God is showing
you and share it. |
2007 is a year of “Growing for Sowing.” A time for us to continue to grow. As we are set to enter into the hundreds here at this local church, let’s keep in mind that God has also called us to other cities, other nations, etc. God is setting in motion events that will send various leaders here at New Covenant to the north, south, east, and west. We’re not just going to call them in, we will go out. So, 2007 will be the year that we grow in order to sow. That we exceed where we are in order to seed in other places. Keeping in mind that God has called this church, |
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For God's
Glory,
Pastors Randy
and Johnny
404.881.6336