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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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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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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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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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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