“Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:16-18
Jesus heard what Peter was saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” From that statement Jesus made a declaration. “I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”. True to his word Jesus has been building his church and continues to do so to this very day.
Continues meaning- to last or make something last beyond the present or throughout a period of time. The church continues to be built as the gospel is been preached and souls are added to the Kingdom of God. We are the Church Jesus is building as the Holy Spirit is moving among us today!
“RIDE OR WALK”
Acts 2:1 “And when the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.”
There has been the joke going around for several years that ask the question, “Where is a car listed in the Bible?” Most people can’t get it and so you respond with “An Accord” from the verse Acts 2:1. “They were all with (in) one accord.”
“With one accord” means being unanimous, having mutual consent, and being in agreement, having group unity, having one mind and purpose. The disciples had intellectual unanimity, an emotional rapport, and volitional agreement in the newly founded church. In each of its occurrences it shows a harmony leading to action.
In order for our church to go anywhere, we need to be in the same car and going in the same direction. Our purpose and vision must be the same to move on as pioneers and not “settle” down in one place.
Notice this verse also says with one accord “in one place.” Coming together for the services in so important to make sure we are still going in the same direction. Support the two services Sunday morning and Wednesday night. Sunday mornings includes corporate praise and worship and anointed teaching and preaching of the Word. Don’t leave out Wednesday nights. Bible Study and prayer from 6:30 to 7:30 are not very long to stay connected with the body. This is a service that most people neglect. “Well, pastor, you don’t know how hard I work and it is really difficult to get there.” I know some people have to work on Wednesdays and don’t have time to get there. To get the whole picture and direction of the church, try to come together in prayer on Wednesday nights.
Flying If God is your Copilot – you’re in the wrong seat!
Unconditional Love Yes, God loves us all, but He favors “fruits of the spirit” over “religious nuts!”
The Message Our job isn’t to change the message. Our job is to let the message change us.
Romans 15:13 Now by the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that you may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Hope mean’s “to desire something with confident expectation of its fulfillment.
It seems as if some people are optimistic by nature. Whereas some may see a glass half full and the other one sees a glass half empty. One person sees the dark side of every cloud while the other looks for the silver lining.
The hope I am talking about is not based on our individual temperament. If it was it would be an empty, blind hope.
When we are standing in faith and seems as if our faith is quit working it hasn’t, we have just begin to lose hope. When things we are believing for take s long time in coming we must keep hope alive for that is what keep us knowing God is faithful to His promises. Hope is not based on wishful or desperation but on our covenant with God. (Eph. 2:12) Your faith is intact, it is in you because the word is in you.
Church let hope come alive and began to see yourself with what God has promised you more than you can see yourself with without.
Sister Shirley
REASON FOR THE POWER
Acts 1:8 “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and in Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Many Christians experience the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and begin to live like this power was just for them to be used for themselves. That is not the reason God wants us full with His Spirit. ** Jesus had just said, “It is not yours to know the future (1:7), but it is yours to receive the Spirit’s power.” With these words He makes three points:
1. The Holy Spirit is the Person and the Power by which assistance and ability are given for serving, for sharing the life and power of God’s kingdom with others. It has been given to “witness” to others. That power is not to edify myself. Praying in tongues will “build you up” (Jude 20) you but the power “gifts” are for the body.
2. The Holy Spirit’s power must be “received.” It is not an automatic experience. As surely as the Holy Spirit indwells each believer (Rom. 8:9) so surely will He fill and overflow (John 7:37-39) each who receive the Holy Spirit in childlike faith. Ask for it.
3. When the Holy Spirit fills you, you will know it. Jesus said it and the disciples found it true. (Acts 1:5, 2:1-4)
Have you received the Holy Spirit? (Acts 19:1-6) You may, for the promise is as fully yours today as at any time in the past (Acts 2:38-39).
How much will New Life grow if we utilize this Power of the Holy Spirit to witness to the world around us?
**from NKJV KINGDOM DYNAMICS
“Because you got a double dose of trouble and more than your share of contempt, your inheritance in the land will be doubled and your joy will go on forever.” (Isaiah 61:7, The Message Bible)
None of us will get thru life without experiencing some kind of trouble. David in the Bible once confessed, “My soul is full of trouble.” Paul even cried out that Christians are often troubled on every side.
Sickness comes, promises are broken, divorce happens, employment lost, friends forsake us-trouble. But if we stay in faith God promises us, double for our trouble. It is during troubled times that we must hold onto the Word of God which promises us that whatever we lost–whatever the devil may have stole from us–as we remain faithful it shall be restored.
The Biblical definition of restoration: increase, multiplied or improved so that its latter state is significantly better than its original state.
GET READY-GET READY –GET READY FOR YOUR DOUBLE!!!
Numbers 21:16-17 “From there they went to Beer which is the well where the Lord said to Moses, ‘Gather the people together, and I will give them water.’ Then Israel sang this song,’ Spring up, O well! All of you sing it.”
Now is the time more than ever for all of New Life to continue to gather together to praise the Lord and hear His Word. Take note of this important text from New King James Spirit-filled Bible.
PRAISE CURES “DRY TIMES”
Praise is the cure for the “dry times” that come to every believer, for here the praise of God caused water to flow from a well. Note four truths:
1. God’s instruction–“Gather the people together.” There is unity and power in corporate gathering.
2. God’s promise–“I will give them water (life).”
3. The people’s responsibility–They sang “Spring up, O Well, All of you sing it.”
4. Our lesson–In times of pressure, anxiety, or depression, do not stay alone. Gather with God’s people, especially a praising people. Regardless of your personal feelings, join in audible praise, and sing to your well–the living God. Let your song be one of thanksgiving for past blessings and a song of faith in God’s promises for the present and the future!
We are listening to the services and “joining in” with all of you
To all my faithful friends and family and New Life for the Nations:
I have just finished the most trying month of my entire life. I am not going to “faith it”; I am simply going to be honest before God, His Word, and before you.
Every fiber of my being–Spirit, Soul, and Body–has been tested. The awesome thing is that “God is still able!” There have been times when I have felt my will power begin to slip, but through it all, I have never questioned God and His ultimate and decisive purpose in my life.
This has not been a battle about principles but rather a life and death struggle between a shepherd and a thief sent to kill, steal, and destroy. I appreciate the prayers, intercession, and daily battles that you have waged for me. There were those times as the writer said, “that I would have lost hope had it not been for the anchor that I would see the salvation of the Lord in the land of the living.”
These past weeks have not been an inconvenience or a roadside test of what I really believe. These circumstances and situations have literally attempted to strip my life of a sustaining hope. I give credit to everyone of you who have lain yourself on the line to stand in the gap for me. I want you to know “The anchor holds though the ship’s been battered.” I can finally say, “It is well,” and the storm is conquered.
There were times even though I believe the circumstances were defeated that I would not be able to survive the recovery. Saying, “Enough is enough!”seemed easier than declaring and possessing victory.
Regardless of how you feel about me or my ability to stand, please, keep on keeping on, standing and supporting the principles, faith, and people associated with New Life for the Nations. I am planning nothing less than full recovery. I ask you to accept nothing less and remain a support for everything that New Life has and does stand for.
Stand with me and watch a testimony that will blow the enemy’s vessels literally from the waters. Remember, when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will raise up a standard against him.
My God is neither too small nor His arm too short to bring the enemy down with glowing testimonies. I urge you to not falter now but to keep on keeping on and do not let the enemy discourage you through anything you see in me and and my circumstances.
I have a contract covenant with the Lord God Almighty, and He has promised that we will win. Continue to stand with me until the enemy is completely under our feet. I need you now more than ever.
Pastor Jerry
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