WOW!

 

Arthur Jackson- "WOW was the response of our team members who toured a retreat center — purchased at great cost by a person with a vision for the refreshment and encouragement of people serving in ministry.

   We were amazed by double-decker, queen-sized bunks and bedroom suites with king-sized beds. The exquisitely equipped kitchen and dining area also generated wide-eyed delight.

 

   And, just when you thought that you'd seen it all, there were more surprises — including a full-sized, indoor basketball court. Every "wow" was warranted.

   The Queen of Sheba  had a similar "wow" response when she visited King Solomon in ancient Jerusalem. When she "saw all the wisdom of Solomon and the palace he had built . . . she was overwhelmed" (1 Kings 10:4-5).

   Centuries later, another royal son of David — Jesus appeared, and He amazed people in other ways. Everywhere He went, people recognized the wonder of His wisdom and works (Luke 4:36), and He urged them to see that "someone greater than Solomon" had stepped onto the scene (11:31 NLT).

   The stunning ministry of Jesus grants forgiveness of sins — purchased at great cost, His death. He welcomes anyone who will, to come to Him. And those who do will experience His beauty and grace and will sing His praises now and throughout eternity. Wow!

Let's pray-  

   "Oh, God, awaken and stur us all to hunger for the blessed life You have for those who pant after you and press on after You! Help us discard that which comes between our soul and Your presence, Your nearness, Your fullness." (Lois J. Stucky)

My weekly advice from the book, "We All Married IDIOTS, by Elaine W. Miller:

(p. 54) "Even the best marriage partner flubs up. Everyone makes mistakes. The Bible says so. It is written in James 3:2 (NLT) 'All of us make a lot of mistakes. . .' Who makes mistakes? We all do, How many mistakes do we make? A lot! Does that include you? Absolutely. And me too!"

#114 Quote from- E. Stanley Jones

   "Among the many ways in which God will guide you will be good and helpful impressions that He brings to you. He wants to use impressions and other gentle forms of guidance to lead you joyfully and in perfect rest of heart as you realize more and more the wonder of His intimate personal love for you."

1617-1621 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted- 
 

1617- Ps. 75:1b "Thy name is near thy wondrous works declare."

1618- Pro. 28:18a "Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved."

1619  Ecc. 9:11b- "The race is not to the swift."

1620- Is. 46:11b "I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed

          [planned] it. I will also do it."

1621- Luke 17:1a "It is impossible but that offenses will come."

 #114 Hymn-  Jesus, The Very Thought of Thee

 

"When Bernard (c. 1090-1153) , a sickly youth in Dijon, France, was unable to fulfill military service, he became a monk. So successful was he that he eventually founded the famous monastery in nearby Clairvaux. In time almost 170 other monasteries sprang from Bernard's leadership. 

   Several well-known hymns are attributed to St. Bernard: "Jesus, the Very Thought of Thee, " O Sacred Head Now Wounded," and a lesser-known hymn entitled "Open Wide are Thine Hands."

 Some encouraging words-

   "What is needed in a technological age is contagion of the fire of the Holy Spirit that will make the church again a Pentecostal fellowship; and this kind of church can turn the world upside down." (p. 250 of The Struggle of Prayer by Donald G. Bloesch) 

Church Notes: 

                 David and Bethsheba        

There's a fight of right and wrong in all of us.

Sin takes the joy out of our relationship with God.

Our sin is against God and effects others.

1) Sin takes our eyes off our calling, and we stop doing what God's directed. 

    We drift from our mission if we don't do what He directs.

2) Sin takes what's not ours 

    Sin is never satisfied; it becomes our drive for things we don't have.

    It controls our minds.

3) Sin  makes someone pay the price of our decisions.

    The cost may be respect, friendship and courage.

    Children are affected by what we do; there may be a generational

    curse placed on the bloodline.

   Christ is well able to stop the curse and to heal! As sin takes

our peace, Jesus is willing to restore our peace when we lay down our 

lives to Him, and begin honoring Him. 

Jesus gave His all for us, He wants us to give our all to Him!

Upcoming posts:

12/6-  A NEW HEART IN CHRIST- Amy Soucher Pye

13th- THE GOSPEL ALPHABET- Ruth Graham

20th- GOD REALLY LOVES YOU- Kelly Balarie

Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts)

Pages  

Prayer for salvation

For God Seekers- Healing Thoughts and Prayers 

Samples of Jean's crafts

 

The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,

located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,

broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15

You can view past services too.

Sermon listing:https://www.cfconline.org/sermon-library 

WHAT YOUR FATHER WANTS

 

   Mike Wittmer- "Steve grabbed his chainsaw and headed out to the woods. That's when he heard five-year-old August. 'Wait for me, Dad! I want to come!'

   Grabbing his toy chainsaw, work gloves, and earmuffs, August followed Steve out the door. Steve set out a couple of logs for him a safe distance away. After ten minutes, August was worn out. Cutting logs with a fake chainsaw is hard work! But he was happy to 'help' his dad, and his dad was delighted to spend time with his son.  Father and son with chainsaw

   Isn't this how it is with our heavenly Father? We suppose we're helping. 'Wait for me, Dad! I need to get my chainsaw!' But our chainsaw is the least important thing about us. We're not helping as much as we think. God cares far more about the first part, 'Wait for me, Dad!' He doesn't need our output.

   If you love his Son, Jesus, God has adopted you into His family and given you His Spirit. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. (Romans 8:15).

   You're not a servant who earns his place by hard work. You're a child who's loved by your Father, no matter what. 'See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!' (1 John 3:1)

   Our heavenly Father is delighted when we serve Him. But He doesn't need us. He simply wants us."

Let's pray-

   Father, we try to help You with our problems, but the truth is, we're not accomplishing much. Our letting You organize and control everything is what makes things work together for our good and Your glory! As You have lavished on us the adoption of sonship, may we remember that Your desire is that we trust You to guide everything.

We pray in the name of Jesus for Your will to be done! Amen.

My weekly advice from the book, "We All Married IDIOTS, by Elaine W. Miller:

"We think we want more and think we deserve it. Don't believe it. The people we idolize are idiotic sinners too. Their grass turns brown in the winter just like ours." (Check out Colossians 3:8-9 ) (pg. 45)


#113 Quote- Life Action

    "You don’t have to keep carrying hurts. God in Christ already did. The prison door is open. You don’t have to stay inside. Repentance isn’t God rubbing your nose in your failure. It’s God inviting you to walk in freedom. He convicts us because He loves us. He corrects us because He knows what we were made for. And He forgives us so that we can become more than we ever imagined."

1601-1606 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted- 
 

1601- Ecc. 3:21a "Who knoweth the spirit of man?"

1602- Ps. 88:9b "I have called daily upon thee, I have stretched out my hands 

          unto thee."

1603- Pro. 28:14a "Happy is the man that feareth (the LORD) always."

1604- Is. 28:21a "For the LORD shall rise up."

1605- Jer. 24:6a "I will set mine eyes upon them for good."

1606- Ps. 118:7a "The LORD taketh my part with them that help me."

 #113 Hymn- I Would Be True 

Howard Arnold Walter was born on 19 August 1883 in New Britain, Connecticut, United States of America. At 23 years of age, he spent a year in Japan, teaching English at Waseda University, and while there, he wrote the first three stanzas of the hymn, “I Would Be True.” He sent it to his mother in the United States of America, and she forwarded it to “Harper’s Magazine,” which published it. 

 Encouraging words-

 

"Work isn't necessarily prayer, but prayer is always work. Indeed, it is the greatest work, the highest work possible for a Christian. Yet it can have power and bring only through the intervention of the Holy Spirit into the life of the Christian." (Taken from The Struggle of Prayer, by Donald G. Bloesch.)

Church Notes: 

   Life-Changing Alteration

   Our mission for our church is to reach folks by our witness through our life together.

We're to stir ourselves up and maintain a depth of faith in God who provides!

When we murmur or complain, even against others, God hears and takes it personally.

People complained against Moses, God said it was against Him!

God supplies answers for problems, when asked. 

We're to look to the Cross of Calvary!

Upcoming posts:

11/29th-  WOW!- Arthur Jackson

12/6th-   A TOWER GARDEN- Mary Southerland

13th-      THE GOSPEL ALPHABET- Ruth Graham

Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts)

Pages  

Prayer for salvation

For God Seekers- Healing Thoughts and Prayers 

Samples of Jean's crafts

 

The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,

located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,

broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15

You can view past services too.

Sermon listing:https://www.cfconline.org/sermon-library 

BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING

 

   Nancy Gavilanes- "During my years as a journalist, I enjoyed telling other people's stories, but I was trained to not share my own opinions. So years after I had felt God call me out of my journalism career, when I increasingly felt God directing me to write a blog and speak about Him, I was a little nervous about sharing my thoughts, especially about my faith. Journalist

   As I started blogging, I was afraid I'd run out of things to say. But week after week, I found encouraging words and insights to share. The more I wrote, the more ideas flowed. The same is still true now.

   I have witnessed in my own life how God has filled me with more joy and inspiration when I've poured out my gifts and talents to serve others.

   In 2 Kings, we read about a poor widow who went to the prophet Elisha for help. Her late husband's creditor wanted to seize her two sons. All she had at home was a small jar of olive oil. The prophet instructed her to collect empty jars from her neighbors and to keep pouring oil into the containers. 

   'They brought the jars to her and she kept pouring' (4:5). She kept pouring until all the jars were miraculously filled. She could pay her family's debts with the extra oil.

   God is faithful and always provides. He's blessed us with gifts and talents and resources to be a blessing to others. Let's not hide or dismiss our gifts but use them for His glory."

Let's pray-  "Father, thank You for blessing us and making us a blessing! Amen!"

My weekly advice from the book, "We All Married IDIOTS, by Elaine W. Miller:
 

"If your spouse wants to do something one way and you want to do it another, the winner is the one who concedes and lets their beloved have their way." (p. 34,35)

Prov. 17:22 "A joyful heart is good medicine, but depression drains one's strength."

#105 Testimony- Lawrence OJI [called 'Solution']

   "One of my friends, Sunny, who knew me as a junkie noticed that he had seen me for two weeks without a cigarette or the usual company of drug addicts I was used to keeping before my encounter with Jesus, he invited me to lunch in his house. Prior to this time, the likes of Sunny wouldn't want to associate with me for fear of getting into trouble with the police.

   Seeing the transformation in my life, he felt safe to extend an invitation. So we agreed to a date and time for my visit. On the appointed day, I arrived at his house, knocked on the door and he opened to let me in.

   We were chatting while he prepared the food. I seized the opportunity to share my testimony. I told him how a guy I met in prison, Michael, prayed with me for less than twenty seconds in the name of Jesus and the urge to smoke left me.

   When food was served, I noticed that he brought out a syringe with some medication to administer an injection to himself. Out of curiosity, I asked him why the self-injection? He said, 'I am suffering from diabetes. I am on a daily prescription of insulin.'

   When I asked him for how long he was going to be using the insulin for, he said to me that there was no cure for diabetes and that he was going to be using the insulin for the rest of his life.   

   At that moment, I had a strong urge to tell him about Jesus and His healing power. It was as if the Holy Spirit said to me, 'You have been telling him what I did for you, now, I want you to tell him about me, and what I can equally do for him.'

   The moment I heard this, I stopped eating the food and asked my friend if that was what the Word of God said concerning diabetes and sicknesses. I told Him it wasn't the will of God for us to be slaves to medication as Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law as written in the book of Galatians 3:13.

   I began to minister to him with Scriptures on healing. As I kept speaking to him, he got up from his chair, went into his room, brought out all the syringes and insulin he had in the house and threw them in the trash bin.

   Then he said to me 'Solution, do you know I have never heard it like this before? I believe that I have received my healing today and I will never need to use insulin for the rest of my life', he added. I prayed with him and led him to Christ there and then in his kitchen, lunch was forgotten.

   As I write this book in 2016, my friend Sunny, who was told by the doctors that his days were numbered, is happily married with children, totally and completely free from diabetes. This is the same man that was told that he would not have children. Now to the glory of God, wherever I have gone to minister in Italy, he would bring his family to sit under my ministry. Such is the awesome power of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Lord is faithful. Indeed Jesus is still in the business of healing people."

 

1596-1600 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted- 
 

1596- Ezra. 4:22a "Take heed now that ye fail not."

1597- Is. 19:12b "Let them tell thee now, and let them know that the LORD of 

          hosts hath purposed."

1598- Lam. 1:16a "For these things I weep."

1599- Ezekiel 12:25a  'For I am the LORD, I speak and the words that I shall speak

          shall come to pass."

1600- Is. 37:30a "And this shall be a sign unto thee."

 #112 Hymn-  Safe in the Arms of Jesus

 

The information about this song is taken from the book by Robert J. Morgan, THEN SINGS MY SOUL   (pg. 165)

       Fanny Crosby, the blind hymnist and America's "Queen of Gospel Songs," quietly married Alexander Van Alsteine. A year late, the couple suffered a tragedy that shook the deepest regions of Fanny's heart. She gave birth to a child, but no one knows if it was a boy or girl. She never spoke about it except to say in her oral biography, "God gave us a tender babe, and soon the angels came down and took our infant up to God and His throne."

   Years later, on April 30, 1868, musician Howard Doanne knocked on the door of Fanny's apartment in Manhattan. He had a tune and wondered if Fanny could compose a poem to match it. He hummed the tune, and Fanny clapped her hands and exclaimed, "Why that says, 'Safe in the arms of Jesus!' She composed the poem in her mind and dictated it to Doane.

   During her lifetime, "Safe in the Arms of Jesus" was among the most widely sung of Fanny's hymns, claiming it was written for the bereaved, especially for mothers who had lost children.

   Rev. John Hall of New York's Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church told Fanny that her hymn had given more peace and satisfaction to mothers who have lost their children than any other hymn. It isn't hard to understand why.

 Some encouraging words-

How to listen better:

• Become genuinely interested in other people.
• Smile.
• Remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language.
• Be a good listener. Encourage others to talk about themselves.
• Talk in terms of the other person’s interests.
• Make the other person feel important—and do it sincerely.

Church Notes: 

    The Best Is Yet To Come!

Our perspective makes a big difference.

How we deal with circumstances and react to people sets the course of our life.

Looking at surroundings, we can become fearful, but to see God's perspective, can give us the opportunity to do what He wants us to.

   1) Survival mindset is how to get out of trials and troubles when they are overwhelming. God gives opportunities to trust Him to get through our troubles, not out of them. His perspective is to not be afraid. He'll give mountain-top experiences as we accomplish His perspectives. We're not to shrink back, but to use these opportunities to connect afresh with Jesus!

   2) We're conquers when we see and submit to God's perspectives.

   3) When we have heaven's perspective, we'll see how He sees things and then prosper in His way!

Upcoming posts:

11/22-  WHAT YOUR FATHER WANTS- Mike Whittmer

29th-    WOW!- Arthur Jackson

12/6th- AMAZING GRACE- Mary southerland

Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts)

Pages  

Prayer for salvation

For God Seekers- Healing Thoughts and Prayers 

Samples of Jean's crafts

 

The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,

located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,

broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15

You can view past services too.

Sermon listing:https://www.cfconline.org/sermon-library 

•  

ROYAL RETURN

 

   Sheridan Voysey- With a worldwide audience estimated in the billions, the funeral of Queen Elizabeth ll was possibly the most watched broadcast in history. One million people lined London's streets on that day, and 250,000 queued for hours that week to see the other heads of state come to pay tribute to a woman known for her strength and character.

   As the world turned its gaze to Great Britain and its departing queen, my thoughts turned to another event — a royal return. A day is coming, we're told, when the nations will gather to recognize a far greater Monarch (Isaiah 45:20-22). 

   A leader of strength and character (v. 24), before Him "every knee will bow" and by Him "every tongue will swear" (v. 23), including the world's leaders, who'll pay Him tribute and lead their nations to walk in His light (Revelation 21:24, 26).

   Not all will welcome this Monarch's arrival, but those who do will enjoy His reign forever (Isaiah 45:24-25).

   Just as the world gathered to watch a queen leave, one day it will see its ultimate King return. What a day that will be — when one and all, in heaven and on earth, bow to Jesus Christ and recognize Him as Lord (Philiippians 2:10-11).

Let's pray-

     Father, with worldwide watching, the funeral of Queen Elizabeth ll was possibly the most watched broadcast in history. As the world turned its thoughts on the woman monarch, we need to also turn our hearts and thoughts on the Greatest Monarch, Jesus, as He'll be returning sometime soon!

   The Great Britain's monarch was one of strength and character, for sure, but the One we expect from heaven is one every knee will bow and pay homage to some day. Not all will enjoy His reign, as they'll receive punishment for their evil lives.

   Lord God, help us get the Word out so more people will ready themselves with acknowledging Christ as their Lord and Savior, so they'll be ready to see Him coming in the clouds one day! In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

  

My weekly advice from the book, "We All Married IDIOTS, by Elaine W. Miller:

   "Wives don't want their husbands to act like women, nor do husbands desire their wives to act like men. God created us to fill each other's gaps. We aren't going to change our gender differences, and we wouldn't want to." (p. 25)

Gal. 1:27 "So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."

#111- Testimony-  Mrs. Commissioner Norman Marshel- taken fromv Wesley L. Duewel's book, Let God Guide You Daily

   "Mrs. Commissioner Norman Marshel of the Salvation Army was suddenly strongly impressed to phone her widowed mother, who lived across the country in Los Angeles.     As she spoke to her mother, she said, without realizing she was being guided, 'Mother, would you like me to fly out west? We'll have a good visit together.' Her mother wanted this very much.

   Not realizing why, Mrs. Marchel felt impressed to leave immediately, which she did. On arriving, she found her mother in bed and very tired, with no appetite. She arranged a doctor's appointment for the next morning. and he in turn arranged for blood tests.

   Three hours after the tests he called to say that Mrs. Marshall's mother had leukemia and would pass away at any moment!

   Amid the state of shock, the two women had loving conversation togehter, and four and a half hours later the mother slipped into heaven. 

   How important that we know how to recognize the inner voice!"

1591-1595 One-line Scriptures for those of you who want to learn some more verses this week- or to review them from when they were first posted- 
 

1591- Is. 37:17a "Incline thine ear, O LORD, and hear; open thine eyes, O LORD, 

          and see."

1592- Ez. 23:36b  "Wilt thou judge?"

1593- Jer. 46:27a "Fear not thou, O my servant." 

1594- Ps. 73:21a "Thus my heart was grieved."

1595- Is. 22:17b " Behold, the LORD will carry thee."

 #105 Hymn- It Is Well with My Soul

 

  The information about this song,  is taken from the book by Robert J. Morgan, THEN SINGS MY SOUL  (p. 185)

   Horatio G. Spafford, an attorney, lost his only son to scarlet fever. He decided to take his wife and daughters to Europe. Horatio was close to D. L. Moody and Irs Sankey, and he wanted to visit their evangelistic meetings in England, then enjoy a vacation. 

   When an urgent matter detained Horatio in New York, he decided to send his wife and daughters on ahead. He settled them into a cabin aboard the luxurious French liner The Ville du Havre. Then said good-bye, promising to join them soon.

   During the small hours of November 22, 1873, when the Ville du Havre glided over smooth seas, the passengers were jolted from their bunks. The ship had collided with an iron sailing vessel, and water poured in like Niagra. The Ville du Havre tilted dangerously. Passengers clung to posts, tumbled through darkness and were swept away by powerful currents of icy ocean. 

   Within two hours, the mighty ship vanished beneath the waters. The 226 fatilities included Horatio's daughters Maggie,Tanetta, Annie , and Bessie. Mrs. Spafford was found nearly unconscious, clinging to a piece of the wreckage. When the 47 survivors landed in Cardiff, Wales, she cabled her husband: "Saved Alone."

   Horatio immediately booked passage to join his wife. Enroute, on a cold December night, the captain called him aside and said, "I believe we are now passing over the place where the Ville du Havre went down." Spafford went to his cabin but found it hard to sleep. He said to himslf, "It is well; the will of God be done." He later wrote the famous hymn based on those words, "It Is Well With My Soul."

 Some encouraging words-

   "Our trips back to God, who forgives and forgets, are the lifeline of our fellowship with Him. Each time we honestly admit our wrong and surrender it to Him, Christ is given more control over the area of our lives. The change taking place in us may be gradual or instant, but we can be sure it is happening." (Merlin Carothers)

Church Notes: 

   What is Your Goliath?

  Satan's plan is to stop our authority in Jesus, like he did Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. He disrupts our security in Christ whenever possible and tempts us to be afraid to obey Christ's commands. 

   Christ was another David raised up for our benefit:

   1. He was anointed and sent by the Father

   2. He humbled Himself and became a servant

   3. He trusted in God the Father's authority and the faith given Him

   4. He had victory over sin & death  

   5. We can face our problems (Goliaths) because Christ was triumphant over hell.

Christ took the head of Satan in triumph, as David did the giant's head in victory. Christ was crucified on Calvary, thus giving His Own head for us!

Upcoming posts:

11/15-   BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING- Nancy Gavilanes

22 nd-   WHAT YOUR FATHER WANTS- Mike Whittmer

29 th-    WOW!- Arthur Jackson

Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts)

Pages  

Prayer for salvation

For God Seekers- Healing Thoughts and Prayers 

Samples of Jean's crafts

 

The North Country Christian Fellowship Center Churches,

located in the St. Lawrence county of NY,

broadcast their Sunday services at 10 or 10:15

You can view past services too.

Sermon listing:https://www.cfconline.org/sermon-library