Volume 5 Issue 21 5 May 2008
The E-pistle Of the Increase of His Government There Shall Be No End By Pastor Randy Morgan
God has a plan. That plan includes you. His plan is the expansion of His Will, His Plans, His Purposes, and His Ultimate Kingdom Rule and Reign in the earth – not for 1,000 years, not after a rapture, not some day, but today and for ALL-TIME! Don’t worry, you don’t have to wait for something to happen in the middle east, for some guy to show up who’s trying to stamp everyone with a “666,” or for four horses to fly through the air… You can have God’s Kingdom active and at work in your home, office, family, AND CHURCH today, right now. God has good plans for you. God has awesome plans, and He wants to use you to “get those plans into the earth.” HOW??? First, No King can get his will done if people aren’t submitted. The first step in establishing God’s Plans and purposes in the earth is through simple obedience on our part. When God speaks to you, obey Him. When He says, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” He’s not waiting for us to take a vote on how to do that; there is simply an expectation for us to obey and simply “DO” what He’s told us to do. Second, understand that Jesus has “Sent Us” under His own authority into the world to establish the Kingdom of God. John 20:21, So Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you." Mark 16:15-18, And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." John 14:13-14, Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. We have been given authority by Jesus to declare to the spiritual and natural realms that God’s Will MUST be done in the earth. When we make those declarations over situations, God’s Will becomes established. This is why Jesus taught us to pray, “Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done on earth as it is in heaven.” Jesus understood that our prayers and declarations bring God’s plans and purposes to pass. Mark 11:22-24, And Jesus answered saying to them, “Have faith in God. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you." Today, let’s declare that God’s Will is being accomplished, regardless of what we may see, hear, or feel. We’re moving forward with this ever increasing Kingdom, establishing God’s Will in the earth.

Steadfast in the Storm by Pastor Paul Walker

We all know the overwhelming devastation to New Orleans caused by Hurricane Katrina, so it was with great interest that I read a story in the AJC about the magnificient old oak trees that line St. Charles Avenue. St. Charles is one of the main thoroughfares into the City and is lined with stately old mansions as well as huge and stately old oak trees. Many who left the City expected that the beautiful old trees (more than 700 of them), would be destroyed or seriously damaged. But to everyones surprise and joy only a few of these landmark trees were destroyed...and, the remaining ones had very little damage!! How did these apparently fragile trees survive a Level 5 hurricane when all around was utter devastation? After serious study, the City arborists came to the following conculustions: 1) The trees "learned" to withstand the 100 mph winds because of many lesser storms they had weathered before. 2) The wise old oaks had developed a root system that spread deeper and much broader than the "drip line" of the branches above. (In a normal tree, if the branches grow out 15 feet from the trunk, the roots also grow about 15 feet as well.) 3) The "learned" trees also developed shorter, thicker main trunks that supported many strong, broad branches, but did not soar too high as many other trees did. 4) The experienced trees routinely broke off or dropped unhelathy, weak branches over the years so that only the sturdy, healthy branches remained. The other welcomed surprise that the residents of St. Charles Street received was that not only did their beloved oaks survive the storm, but the trees working in unison (unity), helped protect the nearby homes from the awful storm as well. Could the parallels to our spritual lives be more clear? The smaller and medium-size storms of life that we endure only serve to make us stronger for the big ones. When the Holy Spirit reminds you to be faithful to read the Word, worship and pray, He is urging you to spread your spiritual "roots" deep and broad. As the beautiful old oaks did not exalt themselves or soar too high in the air, so we need to constantly crucify our pride. As the gracious trees were content to grow outward, shade us and "cover" our families and friends with love and prayer. And, if God wisely breaks off useless branches from our lives, it is not to cause us pain--but to make us stronger! As these trees worked in unison to cover and protect the surrounding homes, let us cheerfully stand in unity to protect and cover the place where God has planted us. I can't help but wonder what the trees were thinking during the hurricane...Maybe, "Wow, this is the worst storm yet!" or "I wish it would stop soon." I believe they were thinking, "I've been through these storms before and God has kept me. I will be steadfast and faithful and I will stand strong until the storm passes by." Let us follow the example of the wise, gracious oak trees and stand steadfast and faithful in unity before God and bring goodness and salvation to those on every side.

			I Learned God Truly Loves Me Just As I Am! (My Testimony) by Lisa Daniels
Hi, I'm Lisa born in Tampa, Florida and raised in a small town south of Atlanta. A premature child that almost was too small to succeed and make it in the world. But, as you can see my will out weighed those chances. Just over 2lbs at birth but a will to fight for life. My birth mother gave me up when I was an infant and I was adopted at very young age. But, God placed me in a family that loved me as their own and did the best they could with what they had. I can also say that about my biological family as well. I was given the things that children needed to survive, food, clothing, shelter. Mom was the disciplinarian and homemaker and dad was the bread-winner. My dad was a carpenter and I am always proud to say that I am a carpenter's daughter. I can't say this without being honest; life at home was not always easy. You see, my parents where heavy drinkers. They drank all the time until I was about 16 years of age. Weekend binges were a usual and it was not just casual drinking. It meant arguments, fights and very scary moments that I dare not mention at this point. It is only by the grace of God and His hand that got me through that difficult time. That being said, that's how I learned to drink (I think the tendency was already there, my biological mother was an alcoholic as well) at a very young age, hung out with my friends that were doing the same things. What I found out along the way was that alcohol was my drug of choice. But, what I found our later that it was a family disease. I struggled at age 18 and came to the realization that I was a lesbian. I was attending church were I was saved and baptized at 15. The church pastor found out about a young lady that I was seeing as well as my parents. The church had a policy about gay people. In other words not acceptable. She was kicked out of church, my life and a court order to keep us separated forever. My first love was now gone forever. As time went by I went back into the closet as we say. I remained home with the parents until 23 trying to live up to their expectations as well as societies. I married a man in 1983. Needless to say the marriage ended not only because I struggling as a lesbian but it was also physically abusive. I finally realized in 1986 that I could no longer be "straight" and be in a heterosexual relationships. So I came back "out" as a lesbian again. I dropped out of church for a while because of the struggle of being gay and saved, along with the struggle of alcohol again. Finally with the help and support I picked up a white chip and surrendered to my higher power. I can't say that all my relationships were the best with family, friends and partners. The drinking stopped but some of the behavior did not. I was not totally surrendered at this point. I thought that if I could hang in there just a little longer my life would be okay and I could settle down and truly be the women of God that I was intended to be. I've held different capacities in churches along the way (gay affirming churches) such as, Sunday school teacher, choir member, usher, deacon and even elder. During that journey I lost many important people in my life to include pastors and Christian leaders that I looked up to. This made my struggle difficult spiritually. I never understood why this was happening. For multiple reasons I suppose. But, it hurt my heart tremendously. I was dying spiritually and I could not see it at the time. I took a four-year sabbatical from ALL church activity because I was upset and angry that God would keep taking people away that I shared my life with and loved so very much, to include personal relationships. I failed to remember that I prayed for change and wanted things different. But, I didn't expect my whole world to be turned upside down and feel that I was scraping the bottom of the barrel physically, emotionally and spiritually. I felt I had nothing else to offer. What I have learned over the last year is that God truly does meet me right where I am, no matter who I am or where I come from along the way. Even though I took the sabbatical and did not attend church, God never had forsaken me or left me alone. Those were my choices to stay away. God NEVER took a sabbatical where I was concerned. I just thought He did. In the last several months since attending New Covenant of Atlanta. I have a new perspective, a new awareness, new Christian friends and I am on fire for Jesus Christ. Yes, as a recovering alcoholic, abused and an abandoned child. I know that God has a divine purpose in my life. I truly believe that God had his hand on me and guided me to NCCA. But, I had to have the willingness to surrender myself totally and humbly ask and fall at the feet of Jesus to get there. I know where I've been and I know where I am going. You see it's really not about where I've been but where I'm headed. My challenges are few compared to some, but those challenges has built a strong character in my Christian walk. Without Jesus Christ in my life to lead, guide and protect me I would be absolutely and empty vessel drowning in the depths of a vast ocean with no port in site. I may have felt beaten, battered and bruised but it absolutely nothing compared to the sacrifice that Jesus made for me. Philippians 3:12-14 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been and perfect, but I press on to take hold on that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers/Sisters, I do not consider yourself yet to have taken hold of it. But, one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize which God has called ME heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Pastors’ Corner & More
From Pastors Joan & Angela, and Deacon Tonna
	Confession of Faith By Pastor Joan Castle
I delight myself in the Lord and He gives me the desires of my heart. I have given and it is given unto me good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, men give unto my bosom. With what measure I mete, it is measured unto me. I sow bountifully, therefore I reap bountifully. I give cheerfully, and My God has made all grace abound toward me and I having all sufficiency of all things—do abound to all good works. There is no lack for my God supplies all of my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. The Lord is my shepherd and I DO NOT WANT because Jesus was made poor, that I through His poverty might have abundance. For He came that I might have life and have it more abundantly. And I having received the gift of righteousness do reign as a king in life by Jesus Christ.
They Don’t Know By Pastor Angela Brown
Looking back over our lives, we will all see that God has done mighty works in our lives. He might off pulled us out of the miry clay, snatched us out of a deadly situation, restored our hearts to Him, etc. We all have testimonies of what God has done. But what do we do with our testimonies? Do we share them with each other, no. We are called to be fishers and doing so means that we share our testimonies with the lost, so that they too may be saved. Sometimes this task may be difficult, but remember where you were when He touched you. Be blessed and be a blessing! Psalm 40:1-3 I waited patiently for the LORD; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.
	Lighthouse Ministries By Pastor Brian Grizzle
Last Sunday night's service was wonderful, people's lives were changed and relationships strengthened. Keep praying for us!
Announcements Be sure to check out the 5-15 minute daily broadcast Growing in Revelation Knowledge from New Covenant Church of Atlanta Marietta Home Group Moved Effective June 3rd, the Marietta home group meets at Pastor Joan and Rose's home, 1575 Longwood Drive, Marietta, GA 30008 Pride 2008 - If you are interested in volunteering to work in planning and/or at the event this year, please contact Apostle Pastor Angela at angelabb70@comcast.net (we can no longer use her other e-mail address) or call the New Covenant office at (404) 929-1400. The Youth will be doing a float this year!!!!! Reunited June 10th we will have a REUNITED at the church. Marietta, InTown and Southside: Meats & Vegetables Gwinnett, Tucker and Decatur: Salads, Breads and Desserts Clayton and Youth: Drinks and Chips Athens Corporate Worship - June 29th 6 pm. A caravan of people from NCCA will be traveling to Athens to hold a corporate worship service with the Athens group. Mark your calendar and watch here for more details! Holy Spirit Hour: Beginning Sunday, June 1, 2008 at 6 PM (until 7 PM), we will begin “Holy Spirit Hour.” This is subject to change throughout the summer based upon the “birthing of other ministries that are on the docket.” In this time, we are going to begin “activating by faith” the miraculous power of God. We will have a time of worship, the Prophetic, “dream and vision interpretation” (more on that below), dance, laying on of hands, anointing the sick, agreement prayers for miracles that are needed, etc. We will begin “cataloguing” requests and miraculous answers to prayers. Though we have seen many prayers answered, we are under one of the most OPEN heavens we’ve ever been under before, and now it is time to make our requests known, and testify to the results we see. We believe that God has been speaking to many of us about releasing the “Season of the Miraculous,” and especially the releasing of the sound of His Voice. Over the past several weeks, God has been speaking in His awesome “dream voice” to many in our congregation. At first, many were thinking, “I had too much pizza for supper and it affected my dreams.” Now, we’re beginning to see that God is “breaking through” to us in night visions and speaking to us in our sleep, showing us plans and strategies and clarifying steps for us to take. It’s time to begin “Dreaming with God.” I encourage you, start a dream journal, keep it beside your bed, and ask God to begin to speak to you, and bring those journals to church on Sunday nights beginning June 1st, and we will as a congregation begin sharing and journaling what God is showing us in dreams and open visions. If you need a miracle, these services will be geared toward faith being applied for your situations. Women's Basketball -- Don't forget this Friday is Basketball night-- see the events page for more details. Ministry of Helps We need your help on a one-time or regular basis in the area of cleaning the church. Let us know if you are willing to participate at least once see Deacon Chuck Markins or Sara & Shelley. The Don't-Have-a-Yard-Sale Sale New Covenant Church of Atlanta now has an open account with Treasure Mart, 3641 Pierce Drive (off Peachtree Industrial near Chamblee-Tucker), Atlanta, GA 30341 (770) 458-1200. Their hours for accepting consignments are Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. All you have to do is call and make an appointment to drop off your items for the church. They will price them and sell them for you (and they do get much more than you could get in a yard sale for the items). Be sure and tell them it's for New Covenant Church of Atlanta. It's a HUGE warehouse and you might get caught up for hours shopping there and finding the bargains. The items are priced, then if unsold, the price reduces 10% per month until sold. Items valued at $5.00 or less will only be held for 30 days and then reduced 50% (space is limited). Each month they will cut a check for the church and mail it. It's as simple as that, get rid of your junk, free up your time and enrich the Kingdom of God at the same time. If you can't get it there yourself, bring it to church with you on Sunday and Deacon Tonna will take care of it for you if it's not heavy furniture. Here's what they don't take: clothing, exercise equipment, electronics, rugs, mattresses/box springs, drapes, bedding, records, sofas, light fixtures. It's easy if you think decorative! Make sure your items are clean and in good condition.
Upcoming Events June 6- Women's Basketball Game @ Phillips Arena For more information contact Pastor Angela June 14 - Youth Gathering - Pool Party Contact Jacob for more details - FREE FOOD - Be modest please - Starts at 5PM July - Pride Festival is July 4th-6th on the Atlanta Civic Center Property. July- New Covenant Cinema Night August - Pool Party September - Putt-Putt at Malibu Grand Prix in Gwinnett September - Gentlemen's Brunch Fellowship With a Key Note Speaker and Praise and Worship. -If you identify as male you will not want to miss this special event. October - Halloween Party on Nov. 1st. October - New Covenant Cinema Night November - Thanksgiving Potluck - Dinner and a Movie December - New Years Eve. Party - Back by Request TBA: Family Reunion (Picnic in the park) - All Day Event
FIRE INSTITUTE WEEKLY READING June 1-7 Read Psalm 46-Ecclesiastes 2 June 8-14 Catch up on your reading of 90-Day Bible and Chapters 1-4 of The Eternal Church by Bishop Bill Hammond Come ready to discuss these.