The Way Ministry

We prepare for transformation

2011-01-11T06:29:00.000-08:00

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Romans 12:2

It’s not enough not to conform. As you are you’re still not what God wants you to be. You need another step. You need to be transformed. Psalm 119:9 – “How can those who are young keep their way pure? By living according to your word.”; “Keep their way pure” – a continuous action. Today and everyday live according to God’s word.

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22

Depend on God -“For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9

Accept Yourself as God's Chosen Vessel -“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-18

Allow God to Cleanse You - “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

Be Filled with the Living Water -“Be filled with the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:18-20

Pray - I cling to the cross, confess my sins, and yet again ask for forgiveness and the strength to continue to walk in a manner worthy of my calling. I will choose to follow you Jesus, regardless of the difficulties, the humiliation, and the suffering. Help me LORD Jesus! Amen.

God at His Best

2011-01-05T06:53:00.000-08:00

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

To see God’s greatness is to take a look at Him when He looked at man. God looked at the condition of man and concluded that there is no one who is righteous; they should all perish and deserve it. And this great God, who is completely just, showed another aspect of His character called love. God looked at us through eyes of love and mercy, in spite of his justice, and worked out a judicial agreement with His Son. And Jesus accepted the responsibility to come down and die a substitutionary, death for us.

God, who has a love I cannot comprehend, who has a mercy and grace I cannot touch –loved me so much that He gave His only begotten Son, who knew no sin, so that we might become children of God. We’ve buried great teachers from other religions. They’re still dead. Buddha is still dead. Mohammed is still dead. Confucius is still dead. But early Sunday morning we have something strange on our hands. Jesus arose and declared, “Divine power is in my hands. And I’m alive forevermore.” Jesus died for our sins, rose for our justification.

God is at His best when he saves lost souls.

He wasn’t His best when he created the heavens and the earth;
He wasn’t His best when he made man;
He wasn’t His best when he called the Red Sea to separate;
He wasn’t His best when he sent manna from on high;
He wasn’t His best with the virgin birth;
He wasn’t His best with the miracles of the resurrection of the dead.

But God is at His best when he saved me. "He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” Titus 3:5, Every time He saves a lost soul, that’s God at His best. Not the moon and stars. Not the hills and mountains. Not the trees and valleys. Not the rivers and lakes and oceans. But God picking up a sinner and making him a preacher,
Picking up a prostitute and making her a singer,
Picking up people down and out and putting them on their feet,
Causing us to stand and say, “Glory, He saved me. I’m saved.” That’s God, at His best.
It took a miracle to put that sun in place.
It took a miracle to put the moon in space.
But when God saved my soul, cleansed and made me whole, that was God at His best.

Selah

A New Year with a New Beginning

2011-01-03T06:16:00.000-08:00

Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “come, see a man who told me everything I ever did.”(Jn 4:28-29 NIV)

After too many disappointments we often give up, we lose hope. A person can only start over so many times before you begin to wonder, “What’s the point? The Bible tells a story of a lady who had reached this point, who had lost all hope: John 4:9-10, "Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her, 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."; If you could just grasp the fact that Jesus came down from Heaven, walked the dusty roads of this world, died on a cross, rose from the dead, and how now, comes to sit right in front of you; I believe that you would fall at his feet. But like the woman at the well, you don’t see Jesus for who he is yet. You can only know him as he reveals himself to you. That’s what must happen before a soul can be saved. You can’t just decide to be saved. You can only come to Jesus as the Holy Spirit reveals him to you and calls you to come to him.
2 Corinthians 6:2, "…I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured [helped]thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation)"

And then Jesus offers her living water—the living water which quenches a person’s thirst and gives eternal life. Jesus is actually telling her, I’m the Messiah! I’m what you’ve been longing for! I’m what you need in your life!” She begins to realize what He’s offering her—a brand new beginning.

In order to achieve and obtain the impossible the spirit of God and the spirit of man must meet! When God’s spirit connects with a man’s spirit we can begin to understand the things that are freely given to him of God. We can see the impossible. We can see what eyes, hath not seen. We can hear what ears have not heard. We can perceive things that have not entered into the heart of man. We can experience the things God has prepared for us. We can begin to understand the deep things of God!

When we make that decision to give ourselves to Christ, and He begins that work of recreation in us, we become His ambassadors! Eventually the woman at the well realizes that she has met the Messiah and that He has begun to recreate her. Outwardly she looks just the same, but inside—inside she is a new creation! She no longer sees herself as a hopeless outcast. Instead, she realizes that she has been entrusted with a message, good news: The Messiah is here! God has reconciled us to Himself!
And this woman who walked to the well—walked to the well without a friend, without hope, without a future—this same woman runs back to town. She has met the Messiah. She has become Jesus’ ambassador. 39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, ‘‘He told me everything I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41 And because of his words many more became believers. 42 They said to the woman, ‘‘We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.” (Jn 4:39-42; NIV)

It doesn’t really matter where you are today, because today is a new day. Paul writes further: “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” (2 Cor 6:1, 2; NIV)

There is a shelter in the time of a storm. There is a bridge over troubled water. If you surrender God will save! If you call God will answer! If you repent God will forgive! If you trust and obey God will bless!

My brothers and sisters its time we dwell abundantly to Bring in the New Year with jubilation, praise, praying, shouting, and thanking God. Our future holds the hope for something better.

You ought say Amen

2010-12-24T06:41:00.000-08:00

Jesus says, "...Lo, I’m with you always, even unto the end of the world."Matthew 28:20
"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." John 14:18

If you know the Lord is with you, you ought say Amen.

If you know he won’t leave you alone you ought to say Amen.

If you know he’s already made a way for you, you ought to say Amen.

Amen means, He has got you covered.

Don’t fret about your heartaches.
Don’t become discombobulated over your dilemma.
Don’t toss and turn over your trials.
You don’t have to mourn in your mess.

The good news of the Gospel is: Be not dismayed whatever betides you, God will take care of you.Won’t he do it?

Ephesians 3:20-21 "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end." Amen.

The Gift of Peace

2010-12-21T18:35:00.000-08:00

Christmas can be one of the most joyous and exciting seasons of the year for us. However, it can also be hectic and crazy—so much so that we lose our sense of security and peace, which is the very thing Jesus came to bring us.

There is a special word found throughout the Christmas story that should be very important and meaningful to you and I as we consider the birth of the Christ child. Used more than 400 times in Scripture, it is a term found interwoven in the prophecies of Jesus’ coming as a special gift to us from God. That wonderful word is peace.

The prophet Isaiah preached, “A child will be born to us, a son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be . . . Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6). Also, recall what the angels said the night Jesus was born: “There appeared . . . a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among men with whom He is pleased’” (Luke 2:13–14).

Many people believe the pathway of peace is through possessions—especially during the Christmas season. They believe that if they could just have the latest gadget, they would be happy. If they could only buy their loved ones the special objects they desire, then they could maintain harmony in their households. Sadly, this does not work. Worldly goods can never fill emptiness, give worth, or restore broken relationships.

Peace, joy, and fulfillment come through Christ, not through possessions or anything else this world can offer. Jesus said,

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” (John 14:27)

So this Christmas, how can you maintain peace in the midst of all the activities and pressures of the season?

First, realize that the peace of God starts with Him. When you trust the Lord Jesus as your Savior, He brings you together with Himself for all eternity. You never need to worry about your salvation because He makes you right with the Father through His death on the cross—and no one can ever take that away from you. It is His gift to you.

Second, understand that the God’s peace is the result of your personal relationship with Jesus. Do you rush about, trying to find solutions to your anxieties? Do you try silencing your problems by shopping, eating, working, or engaging in some destructive habit? The Lord’s presence has the power to calm your worries and drive out your fears (1 John 4:18). When you spend time with the Lord, you realize He’s got everything under control. And when you walk in the center of His will and learn to see your circumstances from God’s perspective, He will work everything out for your good. Not only will you experience peace with the Father, but you’ll also be a blessing to those around you. You’ll be able to handle the conflicts that arise with grace, wisdom, and confidence.

This Christmas, think of the gift of His peace. Think of His goodness. Surrender your life to the Prince of Peace—and enjoy the rest and hope He has given.

Merry Christmas

Pastor Fred Jenkins

Your Eyes Are On Canaan, But Your Mind Is In Egypt

2009-06-22T06:28:00.000-07:00

11And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 12I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God. 13And it came to pass, that at even the quails came up, and covered the camp: and in the morning the dew lay round about the host. 14And when the dew that lay was gone up, behold, upon the face of the wilderness there lay a small round thing, as small as the hoar frost on the ground. 15And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, It is manna: for they wist not what it was. And Moses said unto them, This is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat. Exodus 16:1-15(KJV)

Today’s story follows of Moses leaving Egypt, as we follow children of God trudging towards the Promised Land, but looking back over their shoulders to the abundant food they left in Egypt. The talk on the trail may have been of freedom, but in their minds Israel’s children were still slaves. They looked one way and thought another.... They talked freedom, but thought slavery.... They started out watching God as He beckoned them through the clouds by day and the fire by night.... But at the same time they held on to Pharaoh’s hand…! Canaan and Egypt were in the same valley but in extreme opposite directions. To reach one, you had to turn your back on the other... Your Eyes Are On Canaan, But Your Mind Is In Egypt!

Choices There were really only two choices (besides laying right down there in the dust and dying). Choice number one was to return to Egypt. Not a good choice; Pharaoh would have killed half of them and made the other half do twice the work. The other choice was to pay the price for freedom. The Israelites understood hardship, pain and death; after 430 years as a nation of slaves to the Egyptian dynasty, they knew suffering. Now, released by the order of Pharaoh, driven in one night from their homes towards a never-seen land supposedly "flowing with milk and honey", and led by a prophet carrying only a stick and the promises of some God with no name, that they couldn’t see - these slaves were nervous about the future.

Fear Turns to Grumbling
Their fear turned to grumbling - complaining, if you will. This is a good place to begin for anyone in a Christian church fellowship. Like Barney Fife, we ought to nip complaining in the bud!
According to the text (v.4) the Lord sent the manna as a test to see if, when the complainers got what they were asking for, that they would then begin to follow Him. They didn’t! As soon as they got the bread, they complained. That’s not too different from church congregations; many of them today are not growing, fading away to nothing. They call a pastor to lead them, and then complain about everything he does that’s different than what they were doing before he got there. Then, if the church doesn’t grow in spite of their complaining they blame the new pastor for not having vision.

The people of Israel blamed Moses for bringing them out of Egypt to "die in the wilderness". That wasn’t a fact - they survived. But they were afraid, and complaining comes from fear and lack of faith in the leadership God has placed in your midst. Moses equated complaining about God’s chosen leader with complaining against the Lord Himself. (16:7).

Complaining is a sure sign of amnesia, when people have forgotten how God has provided for them. And it is a sign of lack of faith. For the children of Israel freedom was losing its shine when the cost of that freedom - learning to trust and follow God rather than their familiar slavery patterns back in Egypt - became their reality. It is much easier to accept a little certain misery rather than an unknown freedom.

When God Has Set You Free You Should Act Like It! So many Christians pray to be released from habits, only to long for the very thing from which God sets them free. Israel’s people prayed for four centuries to be released from their bondage. When it finally came all they could do was look back towards Egypt.

As we began looking at this passage we talked about profitable lessons. This passage carries the help we need to begin cooperating with God’s declaration of our freedom from such things. There are five points to see:

Decide to Trust God
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths”. Proverbs 3:6 (KJV) When the children of Israel finally agreed to trust God, It took them forty years of wandering in the desert, but it did happen, and they stopped complaining against their leadership, and began to move together as a family. I know our nation would be a lot better off if there were less complaining and more decision to trust God.

Plan Ahead to Worship
The manna was to be gathered for 6 days a week. And on that 6th day they gathered two day’s worth. God made a plan for man’s life that includes work, rest and worship.

Gather Every Day - Early!
Having the promise of God is not supposed to take away your responsibilities. In fact, it awakens the true believer as to how he should go about handling his real responsibilities. The children of Israel had a legitimate need - food. They could have spoken to their leaders without grumbling and murmuring. The Bible tells us:
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Philippians 4:6

“And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” John 6:35

Make certain you have your daily manna-time with Jesus.
Don’t Hoard Your Manna. Our needs spiritually are about the same. Many folks, are attempting to live on yesterday’s manna. Friends, living on yesterday’s spiritual experiences as if they are today’s adventure with Christ will starve your spirit. It will turn your service for Christ into a wormy leftover. The reason God gave the children manna fresh every day was so they would learn to depend on Him daily and not wander. It is the same with you. Your daily dependence on Him spiritually is vital to your vitality as a servant of Christ.

Don’t Grumble - Eat Your Manna.
Enough has been laid before you about grumbling. God’s people failed the test time and again because they refused to trust God and cooperate with Him. In spite of it all God provided for their needs. God’s provision for YOU in life can be either a powerful affirmation of your faith as you trust Him without grumbling or it can be a constant reminder of your fear and faithlessness. The choice is up to you. Your Eyes Are On Canaan, But Your Mind Is In Egypt.

Enjoy A Winning Attitude

2009-05-12T13:58:00.000-07:00

This week you can enjoy a winning attitude.

1. But seek ye first the kingdom of God
2. Focus on the future
3. Live with a servant’s heart
4. Practice the Praise Principle
5. Reach for God’s Hope

1. "But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." —Matthew 6:33

Jesus is offering us the supreme blessing of God's presence right now, right here, whatever we're going through, whatever problems or pains are afflicting us, whatever failures or frustrations we're up against so let's look up to heaven and open up our hearts to God. God alone fills the deep hunger of our souls.

How do you connect with God and take His goodness in? There are so many ways.
• Pray
• Read the Bible as God's words to you today
• Confess your sins and thank God for his forgiveness
• Praise and worship God for his goodness
• Thank God for the ways He's blessed you
• Invite God into whatever you're doing right now
• Care for others in Jesus' name

Continually feeding on God in these ways - is how we satisfy the longing of our souls.
"O God, you are my God. my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Because your love is better than life. I will praise you as long as I live. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods." (Psalm 63:1-5)
Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

II. Focus on the Future. (Philippians 3:12-14)

“Not that I have already obtained all this or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself 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 for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

It is only by the grace and mercy of God that you can forget the past. You may have had experiences in the past that caused you deep hurts. You may have been abused, experienced injustices, bitterness, hatred, and rejection by those you loved. Forgetting – healing of memories – only comes from the grace and love of God. To dwell on the past or focus on the future is up to you. It is a choice you make. You can wallow in the past or chose to focus on the future. Paul testified in 2 Corinthians 5:17: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, and the new has come.”

III. Live with A Servant’s Heart. Phil. 2:1-13

A person with a winning attitude is one that has a servant’s heart.

Jesus said: “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 14:11)

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)

“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” John 13:15

IV. Practice the Praise Principle. Phil. 4:4-9

Paul throughout his life accentuated the positive. He practiced the praise principle. Phil. 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

(1) Practice giving thanks in every circumstance for this is Gods will for you in Christ Jesus. I Thess. 5:18

(2). Surround yourself with positive people. The Apostle Paul continually recruited prayer partners. His prayer partners build him up in prayer and with encouraging words. Negative people do not pray for you and tend to pull you down.

Phil. 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”

In your family and marriage what do you look for? Do you look for faults, what is wrong, or do you look for ways to bring the best out of your mate and children? How do you break a negative, nit-picking, fault-finding, destructive cycle in a marriage? Stop centering on what’s wrong. Start looking for what is right and good and focus on those things. The fact is there is good and bad in everyone. The difference is what you focus on.

V. Reach for God’s Hope

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you,” 1 Peter 1:3-4; Three facts about hope:

Our hope comes from an eternal person;God has given us a living hope through Christ, a hope that will never perish, spoil or fade.

Our hope comes from an eternal promise
“In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going." John 14:2-3

Our hope comes from an eternal plan
“But God demonstrates His love for us in this; while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” Romans 5:8

Hope is a gift from God
Hope is given to all by faith
Hope changes our lives and transforms how we think and how we act

This week you can enjoy a winning attitude.

1. But seek ye first the kingdom of God
2. Focus on the future
3. Live with a servant’s heart
4. Practice the Praise Principle
5. Reach for God’s Hope

"Before You Pray"

2009-04-27T21:42:00.000-07:00

“And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 6But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. 7And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words.
16“Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. Matthew 6: 5-7, 16-18

Most of us would profess fairly easily that we believe prayer is important. Most of us would have to confess, perhaps not so easily, that we do not pray as we should. Part of the problem, I suspect, about our failure to pray more frequently is our feeling uncomfortable in prayer. We don't seem to know "how to" pray.
And because we get all hung up in the "how to" part, feeling inadequate for the task, embarrassed by the act, unable to address God as we feel we should, many of us simply don't. We don't pray.

Prayer represents the most clearly defined means through which the people of God have access to the mind and power of God.
In prayer we stretch out our arms to God, We communicate with God as we allow God to communicate with us, and we find comfort in the fact that God's arms are outstretched to us.
Prayer time is our time to confide in God, as we allow God to influence our attitude, our choices, our behavior, and our deepest longings. In other words, it is through prayer that God will touch us and God will heal us and God will influence us.
Prayer is the time that we gain the strength to become better and to become stronger.
Prayer is the means through which we gain strength to live according to the will of God.
No prayer, no growth. No growth, no prayer.

I have concluded, as I look at this text, that effective prayer has everything to do with attitude. Arrogance, doubt, pride, anger-all of these things will hinder prayer. Selfishness, jealousy, rebellious thoughts-intending to do things that are not pleasing to God even when you pray-all of these things will hinder our connecting to God in prayer.

The words may be right; the position may be right, but if the attitude is not right, if there is too much baggage, if there is too much stuff, too much mess in your spirit, you may miss God. If you are walking around carrying grudges, I want you to know that you may very well have too much stuff going on, on the inside to pray.
It’s one's attitude about sin that makes the difference. Mistakes and moral slip-ups do not impede the possibility of entering into the presence of God. That which hinders our entering into the presence of God is how we view the sin that we commit. If you are comfortable with your sin, if you are making excuses for the wrong that you do, I submit to you that that type of attitude will keep you from praying effectively.

First John l: 8 says, "If we claim to be with¬out sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us."

If you can rid yourself of five key areas when you fall down on your knees or stand in the presence of God, the power of God will fall down on your life, and God will hear your prayers, and God will move in your situation in real power.
These are:
1. Lack of concern. By nature, you and I tend to be lazy and lethargic when it comes to prayer. The flesh does not want to pray, but the Spirit does. So in our moment of weakness He comes along beside us and helps us want to pray.

2. Lack of communion. Many people don't pray because they feel like there is a distance between them and God. But Galatians 4:6 says, "...God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, Abba, Father." The Holy Spirit helps us sense God's presence-the closeness of our communion with Him-when we pray.

3. Lack of content. As humans, not only do we not naturally know what to pray for, we don't even know how to pray! So what does the Holy Spirit do? He teaches us what to say. How does the Holy Spirit do this? By teaching us to listen. When we listen to God in prayer...when we stay long enough at the place in prayer...God is able to clarify His will and teach us what to say when we pray.

4. Lack of capability. We lack the strength, we lack the energy, and we lack the steadfastness to pray. But the Spirit of God comes along and energizes our prayer lives. When we worship God in the Spirit, we are invigorated!

5. Lack of concentration. Is it strange to you how anything and everything will distract you when you finally try to pray? I'm convinced the devil will do anything he can to keep us from talking to God. So the Spirit of God does warfare against the enemy to help us concentrate when we pray.

As you learn to pray with the power of the Holy Spirit, I want you to remember God is at His strongest when we are at our weakest. Consider what the apostle Paul says in 2 Corinthians 12:8-10:

And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Effective prayer happens when:

One’s spirit is purged of selfish desire and fleshly atti¬tude.
Faith replaces doubt and submission replaces rebellion.
When there is a spirit of cooperation present in the life of the one who prays.
A spirit of cooperation is one that says, “Lord God, just as I am without one plea; I come into your presence. I submit to your lordship. I am determined to get all of the clutter out of my life because I want nothing more than to cooperate with you as you purpose to make my life better.” The best attitude for prayer is the attitude that is humble, receptive, and teachable; this opens up all of the possibilities of God.

When we pray, we do not just pour out our heart to God, but rather we seek God with all of our heart, our soul, our mind, and our strength as we seek to communicate with God with the right attitude.
We are justified today if we cry out, "Lord, create in me a clean heart and renew a right spirit within me."

Lift up your hands without fear and doubting and stand in the presence of the Lord knowing that whatsoever ye ask in his name, he shall do it, according to his plan.
Guard your heart and guard your mind against the stuff that might hinder your prayer, and when you pray, stand before God and declare, "Lord, all that I am and all that I ever hope to be, I owe it all to thee. God, you've been good to me.”

A Sermon For Mama

2009-01-27T14:14:00.000-08:00

How To Hang In There!

“For which cause we faint not;” 2 Cor. 4:16a; 2 Corinthians 4:1-18

Keeping on doing what God has called you to. I don't suppose there is anyone more qualified to teach us how to "hang in there" for the Lord than Apostle Paul. Here is a man who endured some of the greatest hardships possible for Christ. He was hated by both Jews and Gentiles. He was misunderstood and attacked even by other Christians. He was eventually executed for nothing more than preaching Jesus Christ. And yet, at the eve of his life, he was able to record, “I have fought a good fight I have finished the course, I have kept the faith.”

And I believe 2 Corinthians 4 tells us how he did it.
I. PAUL ACCEPTED THE MINISTRY GOD GAVE HIM. 2 Cor 4:1
Paul's was not an easy ministry. He was not accepted by the other Apostles for several years. He was constantly challenged and questioned even by the other Apostles throughout his ministry. He suffered shipwrecks and beatings and stonings and jailings, on a regular basis. But he accepted the ministry God gave him. The context of this verse is in view of the trials he faced because of his ministry. And yet, despite all that, he simply writes, seeing we have this ministry... we faint not. We would do well to learn from this to accept whatever situations we have!
Sometimes all of us get to looking around and wishing we had it like someone else has it! If we want to continue for the Lord, the first step has to be, to accept the position that God gives us in the work of the Lord! We need to come to the place where we accept whatever ministry God chooses to give or not to give us personally. The truth of it is whatever position we have in the plan of God for the church and for His ministry, IS A MERCIFUL POSITION!

II. PAUL HAD A PROPER PERSPECTIVE OF HIS PROBLEMS verses 8-9
Paul makes four contrasts here;
A. Troubled - not distressed; The word troubled means to be crowded, pressured. The word distressed means to be in calamity. If I can, He is saying that he is squeezed, but not squished!
B. Perplexed - not in Despair; The word perplexed means "at a loss" The word despair means "completely lost"
C. Persecuted - not forsaken; The word persecuted means "hunted" The word forsaken means "deserted."
D. Cast down - not destroyed
What Paul is saying is, "Sure, I got problems, but I am not defeated!"
"I have fallen a few times, but I have always been able to get back up!"
"I have had some times when I wasn't sure which way to turn for a while, but I have never been so lost that I couldn't eventually get out of it!"
I was thinking Troubled, but not distressed. That looks to me to be the in the soul. Perplexed, but not in despair appears to me to be in the mind. Persecuted, but not forsaken is in the body. Cast down, but not destroyed is in your very life. In every aspect, of humanity, while there were trials, Paul recognized that the trials had not completely overwhelmed him.

If we are going to hang in there. We too, must come to the place where we recognize that the trials we face are not totally devastating!
They may hurt. We may not enjoy them; We might have wished we hadn't had to go through them. But there isn't a one of them that has to destroy us! In fact, for the Christian, even the ultimate trial, that of losing our life isn't really a defeat, but a victory!

The third thing I saw in 2 Corinthians was
III. PAUL HAD HIS EYES FIXED ON THE RIGHT THINGS.
Verses 10-18 There are three things I want to point out to you in these verses, in reverse order from how they are listed in the chapter:
We need to
A. Look at the Eternal, not the Temporal.
Verse 18 So many of our troubles could be resolved if we had our eyes on heaven, not earth.
I understand how difficult that is. I struggle with it every single moment of my life.
Paul said in Romans "For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory that shall be revealed in us."
And all he was saying was that we ought to look for the heavenly/eternal things, not the earthly/temporal things!

Jesus said, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal.”

What he was saying was that we ought to look for the heavenly/eternal things, not the earthly/temporal things. Much of the reason we struggle with the Christian life, and one of the reasons some give up on their course, is that they get their eyes fixed on how things are today, Right now.
If that is how Paul looked at things,
***He wouldn't have been willing to give up his career in the Pharisee's religion for Christ.
***And he wouldn't have been willing to give up his Pastor associate pastor's position in Antioch to be a missionary church planter.
***And he wouldn't have been willing to give up his freedom to be a blessing to the poor saints in Jerusalem
***And he wouldn't have been willing to give up his life, to keep his testimony for Jesus Christ!
Paul could hang in there because his eyes were fixed on heavenly/eternal things, not earthly/temporal things! He was content to suffer some losses here in order to have more rewards waiting in heaven!
We need to

B. Look at others, not self
Verse 12 Paul was willing to go through the trials that he did, and hang in there for the Lord, because he was concerned more for others than he was for himself. Paul was the one who went so far as to say that he could wish himself accursed from Christ that his kinsmen, the Jews would be saved. Paul said he became all things to all men that he might by all means save some. Paul's concern in life was not for himself and how he faired physically, but for others and how they faired spiritually! He was willing to suffer any trial, any hardship, any difficulty so long as he was still seeing souls being saved and given eternal; life in Jesus Christ!
I understand that is the opposite of what every thing in this world tells you. But joy comes from putting Jesus first, other next, and ourselves last! That helps us keep our problems in perspective too, when we see how others are doing! THERE IS ALWAYS SOMEONE WHO HAS IT TOUGHER THAN YOU DO! Find them, and help them, AND YOU WILL FIND NOT ONLY JOY, but the strength to hang in there and finish the course God gave you.
And finally, we need to

C. Look at Christ's Living, not dying.
Vs 11 One of the differences you'll find between us and the Catholics is that they use a cross with Christ still hanging there. We use a cross with Christ come off it. While we do not want to minimize what Christ did when He died on the Cross we also don't want to get stuck there. Christ not only died and was buried... HE ROSE AGAIN HE ROSE TRIUMPHANT, HE ROSE VICTORIOUS, and HE ROSE GLORIFIED and His triumph translates to our triumph today, His victory translates to our victory today, And his glory works for our glory too!
"Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there he any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8.

If all we picture, when we picture Christ, is Him hanging on the cross... We will have a dead and defeated religion. But if, whenever we see Christ, IN HEAVEN AND STANDING AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD! Now, we have a faith that is alive powerful, and filled with promise and hope!
Thinking on these things helps you to see God, and seeing Him, makes us aware of His Spirit all around and through us. Conclusively those who think on these things are blessed with God's presence bringing; assurance, certainty, and a profound confidence.

Thinking on these things helps you to see God, who, in patient hours of quiet thoughts and prayer, come to understand the words "Be still and know that I am God."

Thinking on these things helps you to see God and say, "I know that my Redeemer liveth."

Think about the omnipotence of the God who rules the entire universe. And be thankful that He can right all the wrongs of men.
For In the twinkling of an eye, God can transform mortal man into an infinite, immortal being.

In a fleeting moment, God can provide water in dry places, and food in a barren land,

In an instant, God can turn hopeless defeat into glorious victory.

In the space of a heartbeat, God can make an insurmountable mountain into a level pathway.

In the swiftness of a passing thought, God can remove seemingly invincible barriers and obstacles, and prepare the way for believers.

In the speaking of a word, God can close the curtain of' time, and open the unending day of limitless infinity.

In the exhaling of a divine breath, God can blow away the dark clouds of opposition and the dust of oppression.

In the rapidness of a lightning flash, God can heal a broken heart and restore a wounded soul.

And that, my beloved, is the number one tool to keep you, Hanging in there!

Thank you, Mama for helping me to "Hang In There"

Prayer This Day

2009-01-20T22:09:00.000-08:00

Heavenly Father, today I praise your Holy name, for you have brought forth wonders, majesty, and grace. I pray, God, you allow our hearts and minds to be calmed and ready us for the days to come. Help us, Lord, to honor you in all we do. We seek your protection and guidance over our new leader, his family, his staff, and this nation. Give us victory over our obstacles. We also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

Born of God; Simple as A, B, C, D

2009-01-13T13:57:00.000-08:00

Jesus said, "I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3 NET).

The Bible teaches us that we become a child of God only through the new birth.
Those who believe on Jesus Christ become God’s children. “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe on His name, who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:12-13).
It is not a physical birth, but a spiritual birth, and it is something that is received by the person who believes in Him (1 Pet. 1:23). The start of the new birth is with God.
It is the teaching throughout the New Testament (Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 10:9-10).
Without Christ we are spiritually dead in trespasses and sin (Eph. 2:1-3).
We need divine life, and that is what God provides through the new birth.
“He who believes in the Son has eternal life” (John 3:36, 16; 1 John 5:13).

How do we not become a child of God?

There is absolutely nothing that man can do to add to his spiritual birth. This is made very clear in John 1:13, “who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
No amount of human,religious activity, or moral teaching can change the essential nature of man.
Therefore, it is imperative that man’s deepest need is to be born again.
You do not become a child of God by anything you say or do.
You do not become a child of God by being a member of a church.
You do not become a child of God by being sincere.

The Bible teaches we are saved by grace through faith in Christ and not of works.
It is the free gift of God. “What must I do to be saved?”
The Bible says “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved” (Acts 16:31).
You must believe in Jesus alone;
You must trust Him alone;
You must accept Jesus' sacrifice for your sins alone and nothing that you do in any way.

We become a child of God when God gives us His life.

By whose authority do we become the children of God? Jesus. “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right . . .” It is the authority of Jesus Christ. Those who believe on Him have the right to become the children of God.

It is an act of God. We receive that life the moment we believe on Christ.
It comes from God and is received only on the basis of God’s grace.
Those who believe become God’s children.
Only by receiving Christ do we gain the right to become a child of God.
There is nothing in our human nature or character that can bring about a spiritual birth. All human effort is ruled out and incomplete.

We are “born of God.” There is no other way to become a child of God. It is life in Christ and is divine in origin. The whole emphasis in this verse and in John chapter three is the activity of the Spirit of God, "not human effort, works or merits.” The Holy Spirit gives us a new spiritual nature.
When He gives us this new nature we are "born again" (2 Pet. 1:4).

Here are four steps as simple as A, B, C, D

Admit
The first step is to admit that we have ignored God and therefore need a Saviour. As the Bible puts it, we are all sinners. We have broken God's laws, and not even lived up to our own ideals. Part of the seriousness of sin is that it separates us from God. God is all-holy and absolutely pure. He hates sin. He cannot dwell with it. He cannot even look at it. We are cut off. : "But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear" (Isaiah 59:2). So we need a Saviour. We cannot save ourselves. We must humbly and honestly admit this. Jesus said .."he had come to call not the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

Believe
We must believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died on the cross and rose again on the third day to be the saviour of the world. John 1:12 says, "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (NIV).
What we have to believe is:
• Believes that there is a loving, personal all powerful God who has created the universe, loves and cares for humanity.
• Recognizes that they have ignored God, either intentionally or unintentionally, and so has turned away from him. They are a rebel.
• That Jesus of Nazareth is the Son of God, uniquely divine, who came down from heaven and became man.
• That he deliberately went to the cross to die for the sins of the world.
He bore them in his own body. He "was made sin for us".
In his immense love for us he took upon himself the penalty that our sins deserved. That as the perfect man, death could not contain him. On the third day he rose to life. Because he lives, we may live also.
Jesus is the Son of God, who died and rose for us.
• Believes that Jesus, God's Son, by his death on the cross, has bridged the separation between God and man. He has taken the punishment our rebellion deserves. Also, Jesus, by his resurrection, has guaranteed our new life now and in the age to come.
• Believes God's call to repent and has turned from rebelling and submitted to his Son.
• Has put their complete trust in Jesus for forgiveness, direction in life and fulfillment of all God promises. It starts and stops with Jesus.

Consider the Cost
We must consider this fact. If we commit our life to Jesus Christ, he will be our Lord as well as our Saviour. He offers us salvation, but he demands our thoughtful and total commitment. Receiving Christ will mean a willingness to turn from everything we know to be wrong. He will become master of:
Our ambitions and our career;
Master of our time, money and talents;
Master of every area of our life.
This is what he asked of his disciples. This is what he asks of us. He told them, as he tells us, to count the cost of following him.

Do
What is there to do? The first steps have been in the mind, not the will. It is not enough to intellectually believe that he died to be the Saviour of the world and rose to be the Lord of the Universe, we must ask him to be our Saviour and our Lord. "Produce fruit in keeping with repentance" (Matt. 3:8, NIV) It is this act of personal commitment which so many people miss. As Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it", Mk.10:15.

“ Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it” (Matthew 16:23-24)
"I am the way, the truth, and the Life, and no one comes to the Father but by Me" (John 14:6).
"Therefore if any man is Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new thing have come" (2 Cor. 5:17).

Steps to Spiritual Maturity

2008-12-27T07:17:00.000-08:00

What does it take to grow up and become spiritually mature? Why do some Christians not grow as they should? God's word presents steps we can take toward growth and spiritual maturity by Bible study, patience, and diligent practice of good works.
People understand the concept of growth in the physical development of humans, and we know why it is important. Babies are immature physically and mentally, but we expect them to develop. If they don't, there is a problem. Spiritual growth is a similar concept but is far more important.

Growth is development or improvement toward a goal called "maturity" (or, in the Bible, "perfection"). When one is "born again" as a child of God, he is spiritually immature. As time passes, he should develop the qualities or abilities which the Bible says characterize the mature. A congregation matures as individual members mature.

Many Scriptures describe the need to grow and mature spiritually:

Ephesians 4:14,15 - Be no longer children, but grow up in Christ.
2 Peter 3:18 - but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
2 Thessalonians 1:3 - The Thessalonians grew exceedingly in faith.
Philippians 1:9 - Paul prayed for their love to abound more and more.

Many problems result when members fail to grow: some go back to the world, others cause strife because of ignorance or become stumbling blocks because of irregular attendance, worldliness, or indifference. The purpose of this lesson is to study the steps each Christian should take to grow spiritually.

Just as a baby needs to do certain things to grow physically, so Christians need certain kinds of activities to grow spiritually. When members don't grow, it is because they lack one or more of these:

I. A DESIRE TO GROW

A. We Will Never Grow Unless We Want to Grow
In spiritual matters, Christians must WANT to grow.
1 Peter 2:2 - Desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.
Some seem to like being spiritual babies. They don't want to grow. It's easy to be a baby - no responsibility. Others feed you, clothe you, change your diaper. In the church, you don't have to teach, rebuke sin, or do work. It's a free ride! But being a baby is not the goal of life. We are born babies so we can grow up and be productive and useful. Likewise, we are born again, so we can become mature Christians, actively serving the Lord.
One of the conditions for becoming a child of God is REPENTANCE. One must determine to turn from sin and GO TO WORK in God's vineyard. Then one must bring forth the FRUITS of repentance. This will lead us to grow and improve in God's work. Otherwise, we have not accomplished our purpose for becoming children of God.
1 Peter 2:21 - Jesus set an example for us, and we should follow in His steps. We should ask ourselves, "Don't I want to grow up to be spiritually strong like Jesus?"

B. We Must Maintain This Desire to Grow.

Some members who once wanted to grow, may lose that desire. They may start off on fire for the Lord, but lose their zeal. They develop a spirit of indifference or negligence. Others develop a level of maturity and stagnate. They are satisfied, thinking no more growth is needed.

The Scriptures teach that growth is always needed:

Philippians 3:12-14 - Even Paul, as mature as he was, did not consider himself to have achieved perfection (maturity) such that he could cease striving to improve. He forgot past achievements (and failures) and pressed on to greater accomplishments.

Matthew 26:31-35 - Peter thought he had reached a level where he would never deny Jesus. But that very night he denied Him three times.

1 Corinthians 10:12 - Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. Christians never reach the point we are so mature that we cannot fall.

One of the main reasons Christians do not grow is that they do not see the NEED for growing. They have no desire to work and serve to the full extent of their ability. When people develop a burning hunger and thirst to work for the Lord, then they will develop the other steps they need to grow.

Do you have that burning desire to accomplish more for the Lord? Have you set specific goals of work you want to accomplish for God, improvements to make, new levels to reach?

II. We Need Spiritual Food from God's Word.

Even adults know we need food, and don't like to go long without it. We want it every day, regularly, several times a day. spiritually we cannot grow without feeding on God's Word.

1 Peter 2:2 - As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.
2 Peter 3:18 - Grow in the grace and KNOWLEDGE of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Matthew 4:4 - Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.
[Eph. 4:15; Matt. 5:6]

Scriptures show the need for regular nourishment. To Get This Nourishment, We Must Study the Bible and Attend Church.

Hebrews 5:11-14 - Christians were rebuked for not growing as they should have, because they had not studied. Time and again members fall away or are spiritual midgets because they do not eat properly.

Acts 17:11 - Bereans were able to determine whether truth was taught because they searched the Scriptures DAILY. We need REGULAR nourishment.

Psalm 1:1,2 - Meditate on God's word day and night.

Children and adults need physical food regularly, and get very upset without it. But are we content to go for days at a time without feeding on God's word? [119:47,48,95-99; Josh 1:8]

Christians need regular nourishment from God's word to grow.

III. EXERCISE AND PRACTICE

A. Exercise and Practice Are Essential to Physical Development.
Athletes & musicians know they must exercise and practice to improve. Developing skills requires continual repetition: playing a song, throwing pitches, shooting baskets.
Athletes run, lift weights, and practice hour after hour in order to grow strong and develop endurance.
"Practice makes perfect" - or at least it promotes improvement.

B. Exercise and Practice Are Essential to Spiritual Growth.
Scriptures:
Hebrews 5:14 - Those who are of full age, by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Growth requires exercise as well as nourishment.
1 Timothy 4:7 - Exercise yourself toward godliness.
Like children, athletes, and musicians, we must work again and again at applying Bible principles to become effective in the Lord's work.

IV. TIME AND PATIENCE

By definition, growth requires TIME. It is progress and development as time passes. Several important lessons follow:
A. Don't Expect to Reach Your Goal Overnight.
Children do not become full-grown instantaneously.
At birth they are so small you can hold them in a little basket. Soon they are outgrowing new clothes every month. Eventually they can wear their parents' clothes or even larger. But it takes time.
Sometimes children become impatient. "I can't wait till I'm 18 (or 21)." We say, "Take your time. It will come soon enough." Time passes and, sure enough, what they were waiting for has come and gone, and they're looking back wondering how the time passed so fast!
Likewise spiritually, do not expect maturity overnight.
James 1:4 - To become perfect and mature (entire), lacking nothing, we must have patience.
Some new-born Christians want to know everything and do everything right away. They may not be willing to take the TIME to STUDY and DEVELOP ability. Yet they want to be just like the mature members - and want other members to treat them with the same respect that they do mature members - before they have taken time to grow.
Sometimes older members are impatient with new members. We don't understand why new converts have trouble with some basic concepts. Then sometimes these new members explain, "I never was really taught what the BIBLE said before." They have no background in the Scriptures, and it takes TIME to grow.
Remember that people who may be mature today did not get that way overnight. It took years of study and practice. And new converts will not become mature overnight. It will take time.
New members should not get discouraged and give up. Older members should not be impatient or overly demanding. Remember how our children took time to grow, and how we had to show patience with their immature ways as they grew. But growth will come as long as people are trying and we give them time.

B. Don't Become Discouraged by Mistakes and Rebukes.

Children make many mistakes and must often be told they are wrong.
How often does a child fall while learning to walk? They fall again and again, gathering bumps and bruises. They spill their milk, don't hold their spoon properly, fall off their bikes, and come to bat in the bottom of the ninth with the winning run in scoring position and strike out.
Parents are continually correcting, instructing, and punishing, till we almost feel sorry for the kids. Growing up is tough!
If kids are going to become mature, they have to keep going in spite of mistakes and rebukes. And someday they will look back on their own childish mistakes and just smile.
Likewise, new converts will make many mistakes and must often be told they are wrong.
Some of the greatest Bible characters committed terrible errors and had to be rebuked.
* Moses made excuses when God called him to lead Israel out of bondage.
* David committed adultery with Bathsheeba and was rebuked by Nathan.
* Peter denied Jesus three times.
* Paul persecuted Christians before his conversion.
* Thomas doubted Jesus' resurrection.
* All the apostles forsook Jesus when He was arrested and crucified.
Matthew 16:21-23 - Shortly after he had confessed Jesus and been highly praised (v15-18), Peter contradicted Jesus and was severely rebuked.
Yet all of these are remembered as some of God's greatest servants.

Great servants are not people who live without ever sinning, but people who learn from their mistakes and go on to serve God faithfully.
Judas betrayed Jesus and is remembered as a traitor. Peter denied Jesus three times and is remembered as a great apostle. What is the difference? Judas, after betraying Jesus, hung himself. Peter, after denying Jesus, repented and went to work preaching the gospel.
Proverbs 29:1 - A person is destroyed, not simply because he errs, but because he becomes stubborn when he is rebuked and will not repent. What is needed is repentance and patience to learn to do right.
Everyone needs to grow as a Christian, and everyone can grow, if he/she simply applies the Bible principles of growth.

Happy Sunday!

Pastor’s Bible Study & Teaching Moments Ministry

2008-11-07T18:38:00.000-08:00

The mission of Way Ministry's site is to transform lives through the Love of God, proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and Power of the Holy Spirit by worshiping, serving and teaching. Accordingly, this ministry trains individuals in the knowledge of the Bible and gives biblical and theological responses to help people deal with daily stresses and issues of today's society.

Spiritual Mission Directives

To become knowledgeable of the Word of God and engage in regular devoted time to bible study, prayer and meditation; and to equip and strengthen families to meet daily challenges in this environment

Why Desire the Word

i] It is living, Act.7:38, 1Pet.1:23. It is a personified word from God.

ii] It is active, Isa.55:11. It is a communication which fulfills the purpose for which it is uttered.

iii] It is penetrating. The Word of God can probe the innermost motives of the real self and bring them out into the open, and then, with the self exposed to the light, prompt repentance and forgiveness.
Encourage member to tithe: time, talent and resources.

"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby" (1 Peter 2:2).

Evangelism, The Way of Contact

To witness of the redeeming love of God, urging others to repent and to be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ; by creating a climate for evangelism through small group studies that, enlist, train, and support members in evangelism.

Way Ministry understands that to know the Word of God is one of the most important components of every believer’s life. For it is in the study of God’s Word that one first learns to follow Christ and become His disciple, and secondly, learns how to apply the Word of God to their everyday life. It is God’s desire that every believer study His Word, grow spiritually and “make disciples." A disciple of Christ is a “learner." To follow Christ, one must know and understand the principles by which one must live for the:

Development of faith, belief, self, relationships through the Word of God.

Communication ministry – E-mail bible study, Prayer-mail, DVD, CD, text-blast and booklets.

Kingdom newsletter to keep our family and friends informed where we converse with questions and answers, not just lectures. We look at lesson on living covering all aspects of our life here on earth from: salvation, marriage, family, parenting, relationships, careers, sex, and, money,... you name it.

Thoughts on Christian living detailed with scriptural reference; study materials all to promote positive Christian growth in the word.

Welcome

2008-11-07T18:06:00.000-08:00

In the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I welcome you. We are grateful for the way God has opened up the windows of heaven and poured into our life overflowing abundance and evidences of faithfulness that have surpassed what God has done in our lives in times past.

We hope that you are blessed, and are excited to partner in worship. Under the direction of the Holy Ghost, we represent believers who are studying, learning, growing, serving, and further developing ourselves into effective Christian servants.

We are grateful for what God has already done and we are excited that God by the power at work within us is about to "accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever, Amen." If you are looking for a church home we extend ours to you, at Scotts Chapel AME, 511 Tulip Grove Rd., Hermitage TN, or here. We hope that you will take the time to join us as we fellowship and Praise God!