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Volume 5 Issue 14 10 April 2008 |
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The E-pistle
By Pastor Randy Morgan |
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1 Samuel 30:6 – David was greatly distressed,
for the men spoke of stoning him because the souls of them all were bitterly
grieved, each man for his sons and daughters. But David encouraged and
strengthened himself in the Lord his God. Discouraged, disheartened, downcast,
depressed, or dejected, no matter how you say it, the feeling’s the same –
awful; and the results are the same – spiritual apathy and soul-inability.
God doesn’t want us discouraged because when we become discouraged, our lives
suffer for it and the Kingdom suffers for it. So, how do we get out of
discouragement? When it seems God isn’t moving quickly enough, when
social-politics are breaking our hearts, when church-politics are breaking
our hearts, when bill collectors want their money yesterday, and when jobs
and bosses are causing us pain, how can we get out of being discouraged? The Word of God tells us that when
David was having a tough time, he “encouraged” himself; let’s look at this
passage and then discuss strategies for encouraging ourselves in the Lord our
God. First, we see that David was distressed David and his people had been overtaken
in a trial and because of it David was distressed. His relationships and
material possessions were affected by this trial. He had valid reasons for
being distressed. You may have valid reasons to be distressed, but as David
discovered, he didn’t have a valid reason for STAYING distressed. The people around him were in a very, very bad
mood People around you can sometimes
discourage you. Maybe they’re in a foul mood, maybe they’re not acting
loving, maybe they’re being too harsh, maybe they’re gossiping about you, who
knows; but David knew that he could not let the people around him, even
though they wanted to kill him, keep him down or determine his encouragement
level. We finally see that David chose to encourage and
strengthen himself in the Lord His God. So, encouraging ourselves in the Lord is a choice on our part. We have to choose to do it. How? |
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The E-Pistle- Page 2 |
10 April 2008 |
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Encourage
Yourself in the Lord (continued) |
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Worship You cannot worship God in Spirit and
Truth and stay discouraged. Break out some CD’s and worship. Sing some of the
songs we sing around the church and worship. Dance before God. When you
worship, you will discover that you’ll begin to be encouraged. Fellowship Call some sisters and brothers and get
together for some food and fun. Determine to laugh among yourselves, have
fun, go bowling, cut the pastor’s grass together (ok, that’s not a good group
activity, but it sounds like fun doesn’t it???), go out to eat, rent a movie
with some believers. You’ll find that as you fellowship, you’ll be encouraged
in the Lord. The Word The Word of God has many, many promises
for believers. No matter how rough things are in your life, the Word of God
has promises that will overwrite those situations. So use the Word of God,
find promises, and speak them outloud. You’ll find that as you practice these
3 activities you’ll be encouraged in the Lord, no matter what you’re going
through.
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The E-Pistle- Page 3 |
10 April 2008 |
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These days the one of the
most-used items in the home or office is the computer. Here's another way we
can use our computers to help us remember to pray for ourselves (or others)
for a victorious life: As we look at the buttons, we can let them remind us
of God's work in our lives and pray and make declarations. Joshua 24:15b "...as
for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." II Corinthians 5:9
"Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or
absent, to be pleasing to Him." Matthew 21:13a "And
He said to them, "It is written, 'My house shall be called a
house of prayer' ." Psalm 68:6a "God
makes a home for the lonely...." Acts 5:423 "Every
day, in the temple and at home, they never stopped teaching and
preaching Jesus, the Christ." Proverbs 21:20 "There
is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a
foolish man spends it up." Exodus 20:17
"Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house...." <grin> Acts 16:31 "They
said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household."
Mark 5:19b "...Go
home to your family, and tell them how much the Lord has done for you
and how merciful He has been to you." Deuteronomy 28:4 "Blessed
shall be the offspring of your body and the produce of your ground and the
offspring of your beasts, the increase of your herd and the young of your
flock. We can print these verses
(from various translations) and place one or more of them near our keyboard
until we've learned them. Jacob Burgess helped me with this, perhaps you have
a suggestion for a verse to go with keys on your keyboard for upcoming
features. E-mail them to me at newcovenantgirl@aol.com. |
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The E-Pistle- Page 4 |
10 April 2008 |
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Pastors’ Corner & More |
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From Pastors
Joan & Angela, and Deacon Tonna |
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Confession of Faith By Pastor Joan Castle |
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Today is the day I walk in victory. I speak life-giving words today. What I say comes to pass. Put a watch, O Lord, over my mouth that I may speak only words of encouragement and life to others today. Fill me with life-giving words. Let my thoughts and attitudes be obedient to the Holy Spirit and line up with the Word of God. I will be quick to obey and look for a divine appointment -- that someone else needs my help or kind words today. Forgive me Lord for my selfishness and help me to walk in love toward those who are "not so lovable". Let my actions speak louder than words today. Let my actions be those that would be pleasing to you. I love you Lord and I thank You for all Your many blessings. Thank you for coming and saving me from death and the grave. I long to live a victorious life here on earth until I meet You in heaven one day! |
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Check Your Pulse By Pastor Angela Brown |
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Jesus Christ has risen!
After rising from the tomb on Easter morning, Jesus spent time with his
disciples and told them that Scripture was fulfilled and he was sending the
Holy Spirit to dwell among them (Luke 24:45-50). When Jesus died for you and
me, we were set free. The Holy Spirit was sent to dwell among us, not just
2000 years ago but us today. We live in victory, not defeat. The enemy that
slithers around us is here to thwart what God has for us. Check your pulse.
We are living testimonies of what living for God and damning the enemy can
do? Jer. 17:7-8 7 "But
blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. 8 He
will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the
stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has
no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." |
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The E-Pistle- Page 5 |
10 April 2008 |
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Bible at the Bar By Deacon Tonna Eidson |
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Last Sunday night was an exciting time in Clayton as we ministered to the Lord in worship and song. We opened the street-side door to the building so that all those visiting the convenience store next door could hear the worship going forth. It was awesome! God's presence filled the bar as the Word of the Lord was presented by Apostle Randy concerning order in the body of Christ. Many people came forward for prayer and rows of chairs had to be moved as people were being slain in the Spirit all over the area in front of the platform. People from the community had brought in their sick and crippled friends and these were ministered healing. There were approximately 50 people present including enough children for Robby to hold an outdoor "children's church" service on the lawn. Because of the Clayton location, being right at the corner of several states, we had folks from NC, SC, TN and GA. Please continue to keep these people in your prayers as we move forward with a mid-week Bible study soon. |
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Ministry in By Deacon Tonna Eidson |
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A new work has
begun in |
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Events |
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April 26
– Bowling
at Midtown Bowl Begins at 5:30.
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