Bulletin – October 7, 2012
My Life Preserver
In the state of California, where I live, there is a town by the name of San Juan Capistrano. There is something very amazing that takes place at the very same time every year here.
On March 19, not a day earlier or a day later, the swallows (little, tiny birds) arrive here flying 6,000 miles from across the ocean from Argentina. Then, every October they make the return trip. For years bird watchers have wondered how these tiny, little birds, that cannot swim, can fly such a long distance non-stop over the ocean. That is, until they discovered their secret. They noticed that every time the swallows begin their long flight, each one picks up a tiny twig that they carry with them over their ocean voyage.
A tiny twig is a very heavy burden for such a small bird! But they do not see it as a burden. The twig is their most necessary item, for it becomes their life preserver.
When they become weary and can go no farther, they place their twig on the surface of the water in the vast sea. As it floats, they rest upon it, as it becomes a life-saving device. When they have regained their strength to continue their journey, each swallow picks up its twig and continues its flight until it reaches its destination safely.
What a resting place we, as children of God, have in Jesus Christ. This is a place in Him where He BECOMES your life – not just a part of it. There is a secret place in Him that will keep you afloat when the sea of life get too vast, too big, or too overwhelming for you to handle alone. HE is a secret place, a hiding place, and a resting place.
David was no stranger to this secret when he penned, “when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the ROCK that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me” (Psalm. 61:2, 3 King James version of the Holy Bible).
The more you take time to be alone with God, the more you will learn to lean upon Him. Learn to be still. Then, you will find your refuge in the midst of the never-ending sea because in a quiet, still place He will strengthen you, change you, and give you a new heart that beats closer to His. Then you will have the strength to continue on.
By Kim Haney from More to Life Today Studies
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Bulletin – September 30, 2012
Legacy of Worship
One of the first places we see the word Worship is in Genesis 22:5 “And Abraham said to his servants, Settle down and stay here with the donkey, and I and the young man will go yonder and worship and (a)come again to you.” (AMP)
Abraham, the “Friend of God”, is being called to approach worship in a place of supreme sacrifice. Responding with reverent obedience, he turned toward the high place of devotion. After telling the servants to stay behind, he and Isaac went up to worship.
Abraham left the security of fellowship and beast, which may have made the climb easier. Why? It was a voyage of God’s divine choosing; how could the servants possibly understand what he was about to do? The donkey may have slowed his pace or perhaps he just needed to feel the weight of the burden himself. Comforts forgotten, he completed the journey and the covenant promise met the covenant maker.
Can we grasp the importance of Abraham including Isaac in the difficult task? By placing the wood upon Isaac’s shoulders, he taught the covenant promise to bear the burden of worship. Lifting the fire pot and knife, father and son made the climb together.
The word worship evokes memories of great church. While prayer sets the atmosphere, the praise team leads us in a concert of praise making it is easy to respond in a form of worship. However; we shouldn’t forget, the summons to true worship is frequently met with a demand to ascend alone.
I continually witnessed my parents answering the summons to their place of worship. The climbs were difficult, often met with loss; yet, with divine purpose. Each time, I discovered great faith infused with heartfelt worship in the face of suffering. They simply released the covenant promise into the presence of the covenant keeper. What a powerful Legacy of Worship!
By Donna Ten Eyck, (Mississippi’s Daughters of Zion Director and Promotions Director for the District Ladies Ministries Committe)
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Bulletin – September 23, 2012
I Cannot Pray – Author Unknown
I cannot say “OUR” if my religion has no room for others and their needs.
I cannot say “FATHER” if I do not demonstrate this relationship in my daily life.
I cannot say “WHO ART IN HEAVEN” if all my interests and pursuits are in earthly things.
I cannot say “HALLOWED BE THY NAME” if I, who am called by his name, am not holy.
I cannot say “THY KINGDOM COME” if I am unwilling to give up my own sovereignty and accept the righteous reign of God.
I cannot say “THY WILL BE DONE” if I am unwilling or resentful of having it in my life.
I cannot say “ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN” unless I am truly ready to give myself to his service here and now.
I cannot say “GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD” without expending honest effort for it or by ignoring the genuine needs of my fellow men.
I cannot say “FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US” if I continue to harbor a grudge or unforgiveness against anyone.
I cannot say “LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION” if I deliberately choose to remain in a situation where I am likely to be tempted.
I cannot say “DELIVER US FROM EVIL” if I am not prepared to fight in the spiritual realm with the weapon of prayer.
I cannot say “THINE IS THE KINGDOM” if I do not give the King the disciplined obedience of a loyal subject.
I cannot say “THINE IS THE POWER” if I fear what my neighbors and friends may say or do.
I cannot say “THINE IS THE GLORY” if I am seeking my own glory first.
I cannot say “FOREVER” if I am too anxious about each day’s affairs.
I cannot say “AMEN” unless I honestly say, “Cost what it may, this is my prayer.”
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Rev. L.M. Jeane, Rev. Custer & Rev. Lavelle Jeane
Bulletin – September 16, 2012
Anointed To Pray
| Although we may follow a specific prayer schedule each day, there are times when we feel an anointing – a drawing – a quickening in our spirit. We recognize His tug on our hearts. His soft, gentle voice calls us nearer. At that moment, we are faced with a decision. We can abandon our schedule and submit our will to His, or we can give God a “rain check” and hope that He will be content to wait until it is convenient for us.
The Bible speaks of the “fullness of time,” or a season – a moment, when everything is conducive for the miraculous (Galatians 4:4; Ephesians 1:10). We can miss Him. It is not that we cannot talk to the Lord at any time, but the “anointing” to pray may have passed. What would have been powerful and timely becomes difficult and duty. If only we would always be quick to respond! “When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek” (Psalm 27:8). The Psalmist must have faced this same struggle. But he made a commitment to pray when he felt prompted by God. Our lack of response does not thwart the plan of God. But perhaps another person may reap the harvest that God intended to place in our hands. Time and again, we stand on the recipice of the supernatural. We are on the brink of a powerful encounter with God Almighty, yet we are prone to place Him on the “back burner.” A mumbled, “I love You. Gotta run! Catch you later!” replaces a passionate, red hot interaction in the Spirit. God longs to involve us in all that He is doing. We are invited to go beyond dangling our toes in the streams of His Spirit. He is calling us to plunge wholeheartedly into a river where there are “waters to swim in!” (Ezekiel 47:5) “Deep calleth unto deep” (Psalm 42:7). The choice is ours today. We determine the level of power and anointing that operates in our ministries and the depth of our walk with the Lord. Paul exhorted Timothy to “stir up the gift of God” (2 Timothy 1:6), and “neglect not the gift that is in thee” (1 Timothy 4:14). We can fan the flames of the fire resident within us. “I give myself unto prayer,” David said (Psalm 109:4). Daily the choice is ours. God’s plan and purpose will always be accomplished. The question is whether we will be a participant. Making ourselves available to God – to be quick to respond, kindles the anointing – the anointing to pray! Written by Bonnie Peacock, Guest writer for World Network of Prayer DOWNLOAD THE LATEST
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Bulletin – September 9, 2012
Worthy Of Praise
by Sis. Amy Hannah
One of the hardest things I’ve ever had to learn is to NOT measure myself against others, or to measure God’s love for me by what I have or do not have. Even when I am sick-God is STILL a healer, Even when I lack things-He is STILL a provider, Even when I am discouraged-He is STILL a God of hope and peace. Even when I see others being blessed with the very things I have prayed for, but I still do not have-
YET will I praise Him! God is not great because of what he does for ME-He is great because He is God. I need His help, I desire His blessings-I want His healing touch, but no matter how long I may go without all of my prayers being answered-I will STILL praise Him. Even when It seems there is nothing to bless His name for-I will bless His name. NO matter how my heart aches-I will praise Him. In spite of what He has allowed to happen in my life-that cuts to the very core of my being-no matter what I don’t understand-
I will still trust Him. When I pray for sunshine, and He sends rain-I will praise Him. When I ask for healing-yet, I remain in pain-I will trust Him.
He is STILL God, and He is GREATLY to be praised. I will bless the Lord at ALL times-His praises shall continually be in my mouth-
I will not allow my personal circumstances to dictate my Praise.
As long as I have breath-I WILL praise YOU Lord! As long as I can sing-I WILL sing your praises. Wherever you lead me-I will follow you. As long as I have breath-
Sunday School Seminar – September 21 & 22
POSF Hosting District Sunday School Conference
The South Texas District Sunday School Conference will be hosted by POSF here on September 21& 22 (Friday & Saturday.) Open to all teachers, youth leaders, pastors or anyone that would like to IGNITE their ministry for souls. Preregistration is $15 thru Sept. 19th. See Bro. Custer for more details. The event is swiftly approaching so make your plans now to attend – you will be blessed!
Bulletin – September 2, 2012
Growth Persuasion
My uncle who lived in Florida was discouraged by the lack of fruit on his grapefruit tree. Someone told him he needed to whack the trunk of the tree a few times with a board.
Apparently, there is some truth to this unusual method of encouraging growth. One gardening expert says: “At times, the flowering hormone in the tree seems to get stuck and no flowers appear. Carefully persuade the tree to flower by shocking it. Hit the trunk . . . several times, [which will cause] small bruises in the bark.” This advice may stimulate growth.
When trouble comes into our lives, we sometimes feel as if we’ve been hit broadside. We feel desperation and then we wonder, Why is this happening to me?
One possibility is that God is using a painful experience to get our attention. In Psalm 119:71, David wrote, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.” And Hebrews 12:11 says that chastening “yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness.”
Is God using pain in your life to lovingly persuade you to change? The season of trouble may not be easy, but if we let ourselves be trained by it, new growth will result as we become more like Him (Phil. 3:10).
We shrink from the purging and pruning,
Forgetting the Gardener knows
The deeper the cutting and paring
The richer the cluster that grows. —Anon.
Affliction for God’s people can be the pruning knife to prepare us for greater fruitfulness.
Article by Cindy Hess Kasper, Our Daily Bread, Copyright 2012 by RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Further distribution is prohibited without written permission from RBC Ministries.
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Bulletin – August 26, 2012
RECALL NOTICE
In 2010, auto manufacturers recalled a staggering 20 million cars in the US for various defects. The thought of such a large number of defective cars on the road is startling enough. But what is more disturbing is the apathy of some owners. In one instance, the executive director of the Center for Auto Safety warned owners, “It’s a free repair. Get it done. It may save your life.” Yet, despite the risk to their own lives, 30 percent never responded.
Likewise, many ignore God’s “recall notice” to the entire human race. Unlike a defect found in automobiles, the moral defect of the human race is not the Maker’s fault. He made everything “very good” (Gen. 1:31), but people’s sin ruined it. God’s offer to us is “repent . . . that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19).
God offers not just a free repair of the human heart but a replacement of it (Ezek. 36:26; 2 Cor. 5:17). Though the offer costs us nothing (Eph. 2:8-9), it cost God His life. He bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed” (1 Peter 2:24).
Don’t ignore the Lord’s call. The free and permanent remedy offered by God for your spiritual defect will save your life!
The heart of man is stained by sin,
From Adam’s fall this has been true;
Yet God in Christ can make a change—
Through faith in Him we are made new. —Fitzhugh
For a new start, ask God for a new heart.
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