Author: Mary Custer

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Bulletin – August 19, 2012

Quiet Encouragers

One of the qualities I most admire in others is the gift of quiet, behind-the-scenes encouragement. I remember arriving home from a stay in the hospital and finding that my friend Jackie (who had surgery a few days earlier) sent me a book of God’s promises.  My Uncle Bob was so thankful for the people who cared for him at the cancer center that he sent hundreds of complimentary notes to their work supervisors.  My cousin Brenda experienced the agonizing loss of a child almost 20 years ago, and now her quiet deeds of compassion are treasured by many.  Often it is the very people who have experienced the most suffering—physical and emotional—who are the most abundant providers of encouragement to others.  In Acts, we read about Barnabas, who was known as the “Son of Encouragement” (4:36). He was “a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith” (11:24) and encouraged others so “that with purpose of heart they should continue with the Lord” (v.23). His acts of encouragement must have had a wide and strong sphere of influence.

Just as we have been blessed with encouragement, let’s be a modern-day Daughter or Son of Encouragement to others.

 Teach me to love—this is my plea;
May all the Spirit’s graces shine through me;
Tear from my heart all hate, foolish pride;
Help me to live like Christ the crucified. —Peterson

 The human spirit rings with hope at the sound of an encouraging word.

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2012Aug19

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Bulletin – August 12, 2012

Signs Still Follow True Believers  By Dr. Fred Childs

An alarming trend in the 21st Century church is the accepted absence of signs, wonders, miracles and healing. Many people believe in but simply have not seen the spiritual manifestations of God. The result is an uncertainty and a lack of confidence in the operation of spiritual gifts and faith. The absence of manifestation makes it difficult to have absolute trust in God’s present ability to do anything. Men and women are hesitant to step out and “take chances” on God because they have never seen or experienced God under such circumstances.

This weakens the effect of the Word because the one speaking does not have true faith in its ability. The same Jesus who did not many mighty works in His home country due to their unbelief (Matthew 13:58) will not do many works in your life and church for the same reason.

The more unfamiliar we become with spiritual and miraculous manifestations of God the more humanistic we become in our understanding of Him. It is time for this to change! The weakening of God’s Word cannot be acceptable under any circumstances. He is a miraculous and unlimited God right now!

Jesus said in Mark 16:17 that, “these signs shall follow them that believe”. This has never changed. The signs still follow. If the signs are not following you need to examine your walk with God. Signs do still follow believers.

Mark 16:20 tells us, 20 And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

I want to accentuate the “amen” by declaring that these things still occur in abundance. They still follow true believers. A true believer is not merely someone who believes true doctrine, but one who practices true Christian behavior and faith. Faith without works is dead according to James 2:20, 26.

Many Christians limit their relationship to God to their time at church. However, in Mark 16:15 Jesus tells us to go throughout the world preaching the gospel to everyone everywhere. Those who do that will see things happen. They will have testimonies. Signs follow our actions of faith. They do not lead the way, but they follow after us.

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2012Aug12

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Bulletin – August 5, 2012

How About Your Faith?

In spite of anything God has ever done do you still find it difficult to trust Him?  If Elijah had not been convinced of rain he would never have sent his servant to look for an approaching cloud. God still needs someone to be an Elijah. Could the next one be you?

 It is easier to simply say- things like that happen than it is to be the one God uses to work through.   Many people limit their faith in God  because they are thinking of themselves. They are concerned about what others might think of them if things don’t happen like they said. They are afraid they will step out on a limb and nothing will happen. An essential element in being used of God is to quit thinking and simply respond by faith. When you pause to think you override faith.  This is not about you. This is about God. Signs follow our actions of faith. They do not lead the way, but they follow after us. God searches for people who will trust Him enough to obey and leave the results to God.

 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever. He is still the Savior, healer, and deliverer.  The people that know Him shall be strong and do exploits (Daniel 11:28).  Few things will renew your faith and excitement like a fresh testimony of personal faith. There is everything to gain and nothing to lose. God wants to do great things through your faith as well.  I encourage you to earnestly contend for the faith that was once delivered unto the saints (Jude3). Signs still do follow true believers.

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2012Aug5

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Bulletin – July 30, 2012

Be Thankful
By Author Unknown

Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire. If you did, what would there be to look forward to? Be thankful when you don’t know something, for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times. During those times you grow. Be thankful for your limitations, because they give you opportunities  for improvement.  Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will build your strength and character. Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you valuable lessons. Be thankful when you’re tired and weary, because it means you’ve made a difference. It’s easy to be thankful for the good things. A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive. Find a way to be thankful for your troubles, and they can become your blessings.

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2012Jul29

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Bulletin – July 22, 2012

Forgiven

We are sinful and God is holy. Sin can no more exist in the presence of God than darkness can exist in the presence of light. To stand before Him in self-righteousness would be to invite our destruction. The psalmist wrote, “If You, Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand?” (Psalm 130:3).

In a cemetery not far from New York City is a headstone engraved with a single word: Forgiven. The message is simple and unembellished. There is no date of birth, no date of death, no epitaph. There is only a name and the solitary word forgiven. But that is the greatest word that could ever be applied to any man or woman, or that could be written on any gravestone.

The songwriter said, “There is forgiveness with You, that You may be feared” (v.4). That refrain echoes in both the Old and New Testaments. God is honored and worshiped because He alone can clear our record.

If God could not forgive us, we could only flee from Him in terror. Yet the God whose holiness threatens us is the God who through Christ redeems us.  God offers forgiveness for all our sins. We only need to ask Him.  Are you forgiven?

How blest is he whose trespass
Has freely been forgiven,
Whose sin is wholly covered
Before the sight of heaven. —Psalter

Sin invites judgment; confession ensures forgiveness

Article by Haddon W. Robinson,  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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2012Jul22

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Bulletin – July 15, 2012

The Heart Of The Church

 What makes a church successful? A big turnout on Sunday morning? A multimillion-dollar budget? A state-of-the-art building?  We all know those things aren’t the criteria that define a successful church. Whether your church has stadium-size crowds or just a few in attendance, numbers are not the measure God uses for success. He looks at the heart of the church.

 The apostle Paul planted an important church in Thessalonica, the capital city of Macedonia. He showed his desire for the church members there when he wrote: “May the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all . . . , so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness” (1 Thess. 3:12-13). With these words, Paul showed us two characteristics that are vital for a successful body of believers—love for one another and holiness.

 Congregations, church buildings, and budgets come in different sizes. The true measure of success is demonstrated by followers of Christ who love God and each other, and are committed to living holy lives. Our challenge can be found in the words of the prophet Micah: “What does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (6:8).

 If you believe on Jesus’ name,
Then of His church you are a part;
By loving others you proclaim:
“We are the church—we are the ‘heart.’” —Hess

 A small church with a big vision has greater impact

 than a big church with a small vision.

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2012Jul15

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Bulletin – July 8, 2012

We are bought with a price as we glorify God in our bodies and our spirits, which are His (I Corinthians 6:20). Although we are free moral agents of free choice, God desires that we choose and use our time wisely as we serve Him as the Body of Christ. We are His Hands, His Feet…His Body. Realistically, we take the time out or “free up the time” to do whatever we really have a strong desire to get done. In choosing, it sometimes becomes a matter of preference, passion, and priority. Have you or someone you know ever been in an emergency or a life or death situation, and you felt that God rescued “just in the nick of time?” We often say, “He’s never too early, never too late, but always right on time!” Well, what quality “time” do we really give God in our communication and relationship with Him? He shows up on time for us, but do we show up on time for Him? Put time on your hands! I’m not talking about the watch on your wrist, secured slightly above your hand, which we often watch closely, because we are so conscious of time, in order to fulfill other temporal and less valuables duties on our schedules. Take off the watch; clasp your hands in prayer…there is “free time on your hands.” It’s a mindset…you are free to pray…you are free in Christ…you do have free time to pray!

When you look at your hands, imagine using them to turn over an hour glass filled with the “sands of time” and allowing it to be a simple reminder of how time flies, and let it give you the incentive to take a timeout to use your time wisely to pray. Ecclesiastes 9:10 states “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.” In light of eternity, we really have “all the time in the world” allocated to seek the face of God and things pertaining to His kingdom! We often get caught up with the hustle and bustle of life and the demands of a fast-paced society. But, don’t be so busy “making an earthly living,” that you forget about “making an eternal life.” Value the time you have before you…Yesterday is the past (gone), tomorrow is the future (unpromised), but today is the present (tangible). There is no time like the present! Psalm 69:13 declares “But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time:” Prayer is our lifeline to God, especially in this troubled world and these last days we live in.

Value every moment of time, and realize we are not in a “crunch time” for prayer. We can use time wisely, and pray! We sing the song “I Am Free,” know this too, “Through you (Jesus) my heart screams, I am free; I am free to run; I am free to dance; I am free to live for you; I am free; I am free;” but…you are also FREE TO PRAY! So, let me ask that question again. Regarding prayer, do you have “free time on your hands?” I believe the answer for all of us is “Yes!”

By Flo Shaw -International Coordinator – World Network of Prayer

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2012Jul8

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Bulletin – July 1, 2012

Are you Healthy?

 Some people avoid going to the doctor because they don’t want to find out that anything is wrong with them. Some people avoid going to church for the same reason. But ignorance of our sickness doesn’t make us healthy, and ignorance of our sin doesn’t make us innocent.  Roman law is considered to be the source of the idea that ignorance of the law excuses no one. But the concept originated much earlier. When God gave the law to Israel, He established that even unintentional sin required a sacrifice for forgiveness (Lev. 4; Ezek. 45:18-20).  In his letter to Christians living in Rome, the apostle Paul addressed the issue of ignorance or lack of understanding. When people were ignorant of God’s righteousness, they made up their own (Rom. 10:3). When we live according to our own standards of right and wrong, we might feel good about ourselves, but that doesn’t make us spiritually healthy. Only when we are measured by God’s standard of righteousness do we know the condition of our spiritual health.

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2012Jul1

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Bulletin – June 24, 2012

Why Does God Use Flawed People?

I always wondered why God would use people to represent Him. I wondered why He would use us for the work He wants to do in the world. Why would He assign us to be His mouthpiece, hands and feet? I mean, people have a consistent, faithful track record of unfaithfulness. We are notorious for deception, for making things all about us. Why in the world would God use us to get His work done when we are more than likely to delay all the good He wants accomplished?  I find the human life to be so inconsistent –So why use people? Why use broken cisterns? Why the continual battle with us and with ourselves to be emptied of selfishness, pride, insecurity, and wickedness in order for the work to be done?

Why not use the angels to do the work? After all, there were angels that visited the shepherds on the night Jesus was born. It was an angel that visited Daniel and Isaiah. There was an angel each that visit Elizabeth and Mary. Angels came to get Lot from Sodom and Gomorrah. And there was an angel that came to get Paul from prison. So why use people to declare the truth of The Word? Why use people at all?

I have a few ideas as to why. First off, God uses people to show those He uses of how much they need Him to get things done. Secondly, God uses people to show other people that our imperfections illuminate God’s perfection. Thirdly, God uses people to show others that, despite all the leaks in their personality and character, He still has the power and capacity to lead them into good works and to transform their lives.

His plans are so great that not even our imperfections can hinder the ultimate work He is doing in the world. Maybe God uses us to draw us closer to Him. When we see how amazing He is, we honor and revere Him more. And when we understand our place, we are filled with thanksgiving to be chosen as a tool for the work He is doing. By using people, there is never a question of whether His lessons are something we can relate to.  So I guess the real reason God uses people to minister and do the works He wants done in the world is because He’s not insecure. People always feel they need to prove something.  But God knows that if a person is really seeking Him, they will find Him. He’s not hiding, He’s made Himself plain all around us and, to top it off, He made this promise:  “For I know the plans that I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. ‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.”  Jeremiah 29:11-13.  So despite how badly we fail to reflect the holiness of God, He knows that it is the humble heart that will be willing to see. How does it feel to know that, even though we are flawed, God still wants to use us? Have you experienced a time when God used your imperfections to glorify Himself?

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2012Jun24

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Bulletin – June 17, 2012

A Ministry Just For You

The Ministries of POSF are increasing as we are being blessed through prayer, dedication and burdens! We have a place reserved just for you!  Doors are opening and we must be willing to step up and be involved!  It will make a difference in your walk with God and in someone else’s life!  Availability in areas of Prison Ministry, Hospital Ministry, Bible Studies, Nursing Home Ministry and more!  See Bro. Custer if you want to be a part of POSF Action Team!

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2012Jun17

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