2018 Theme: Living What You Confess

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1 NEWSLETTER ZECHARIAH 3:4 July 2018 So the Angel of the LORD said to those standing before Him, "Take off his filthy clothes!" Then He said to Joshua, "See, I have removed your iniquity, and I will clothe you with splendid robes." 2018 Theme: Living What You Confess Upcoming Events: June 2018 Eastern Theological Seminary Dr. Russell Groves, Pastor Canaan Baptist Church, Baltimore, Maryland Hillsdale Baptist Church, Tampa, Florida Pastor Travis Smith Citylife Church, Tampa, Florida Pastors Tony and Kaci Stewart Happy Birthday! Sterling Chew Melvin Harley Timothy and Tyler Chew John Chew lll Living a Fulfilled Life on Purpose Isaiah 38:17 Surely, for my welfare I had such great anguish; but Your love has delivered me from the pit of oblivion, for You have cast all my sins behind Your back. Jeremiah 31:34 No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD,' for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD. For I will forgive their iniquity and remember their sins no more." Prayer Requests: Families homeless in Riverview, FL Patricia s husband, cancer Melvin Harley, housing Joann Memphy, loss of spouse Pastor Gail Howell, Camp Meeting Service Pastor Favorite- healing and health Women and Men who are incarcerated People who are shacking

2 Micah 7:19 He will again show us compassion; he will subdue our iniquities. You will hurl all their sins into the deepest sea. 7:14-20 When God is about to deliver his people, he stirs up their friends to pray for them. Apply spiritually the prophet's prayer to Christ, to take care of his church, as the great Shepherd of the sheep, and to go before them, while they are here in this world as in a wood, in this world but not of it. God promises in answer to this prayer, he will do that for them which shall be repeating the miracles of former ages. As their sin brought them into bondage, so God's pardoning their sin brought them out. All who find pardoning mercy, cannot but wonder at that mercy; we have reason to stand amazed, if we know what it is. When the Lord takes away the guilt of sin, that it may not condemn us, he will break the power of sin, that it may not have dominion over us. If left to ourselves, our sins will be too hard for us; but God's grace shall be sufficient to subdue them, so that they shall not rule us, and then they shall not ruin us. When God forgives sin, he takes care that it never shall be remembered any more against the sinner. He casts their sins into the sea; not near the shore-side, where they may appear again, but into the depth of the sea, never to rise again. All their sins shall be cast there, for when God forgives sin, he forgives all. He will perfect that which concerns us, and with this good work will do all for us which our case requires, and which he has promised. These engagements relate to Christ, and the success of the gospel to the end of time, the future restoration of Israel, and the final prevailing of true religion in all lands. The Lord will perform his truth and mercy, not one drop of it shall fall to the ground: faithful is He that has promised, who also will do it. Let us remember that the Lord has given the security of his covenant, for strong consolation to all who flee for refuge to lay hold on the hope set before them in Christ Jesus.

3 Declaration of Independence: Freedom in Christ So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32 Like millions of Americans this week, my mind is on the Fourth of July holiday and what it represents: our freedom as a nation. This freedom is a precious thing, bought with the sweat, toil and blood of countless Americans who initially fought to obtain it (Revolutionary War), as well as those who have fought to secure it in the centuries since that fateful day in Gratitude without measure wells up in my heart when I consider the brave men and women of the American military who stand to combat the tyranny of terrorism. These soldiers stand in the train of valiant warriors who fought in the Revolutionary War, Civil War, two World Wars, Korea, Vietnam and the Gulf War. Each of these conflicts while unique in themselves shared the common goal of protecting American freedom. Today's battles are no different. But even as I appreciate my freedom as an American, I am moved to consider a greater freedom my freedom in Christ. It is the freedom that comes with being a disciple of Jesus Christ. "If you abide in my word," our Lord declares, "you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:31-32). This statement was shocking to Jesus' audience. These proud men thought they already had all the freedom they needed by virtue of being "offspring of Abraham" (8:33). Jesus proceeds to point them beyond any national, social or religious freedom they might enjoy to the freedom that comes through His person and work: "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (8:34,36). Contrary to what Jesus' listeners thought, they were in bondage to sin and subject to the tyranny of it. People do not always, or even usually, realize that they are in bondage. They tend to rest in some fancied position of privilege, national, social or religious. So these Jews, proud of their religion, did not even know their need to be free. Even as Christians we can fall prey to the temptation to trust in other things for our freedom from the tyranny of sin: status, money, good works, associations, etc. But the true disciple finds freedom in Christ and Christ alone.

4 What am I trusting in today? The Fourth of July is a wonderful time to consider our freedom as Americans and as Christians. Our national freedom is precious, but our freedom in Christ is of infinite worth. Prayer of Thanksgiving for Freedom in Christ In the process of gaining our rightful place, we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. Martin Luther King, Jr. For to be free is not merely to cast off one s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others. Nelson Mandela Almighty God in the matchless name of Yeshua, We thank you for the freedom you have given to us, and for the price that was paid so that we could live free. We remember today. The cost of it all. We will choose to walk in the ways that you lead, we desire to follow your voice, to press in close and hear your heart for our nation. Father, forgive us where we have gone our own way, show us the path to a closer walk with you, help us to live every day that you give, with purpose and passion, never forgetting the sacrifice of your Son, on our behalf. Help us to live our lives in a way that brings full honor and glory to you. You are loving, you are forgiving, you are redeeming, and you are Lord. We give you praise. Lord, bless those who have given, and continue to give, so sacrificially of their own lives, so that we can continue to enjoy the freedoms in our nation today. Bless their families, protect them and their loved ones, provide for their needs, and fill them with your strength and grace. Help us not to take our freedom for granted. May we always remember that our freedom cost others their very lives. Today, we are free to worship you. We are free to pray. We are free to read your Word. We are free to speak. We are free to share. And for this, we are incredibly grateful. In His powerful name, in His amazing grace, Amen. True Worship Prophetic Ministry, Pastor Mavis E Morisseau/Rev. Stephanie Harley

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