Bi-Monthly Newsletter

Transcription

1 Bi-Monthly Newsletter 8 th Year Issue No Fletcher Ave., Ft. Worth, TX March & April 2012 PURPOSE BREEDS PROSPERITY Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 As Christians, our purpose in the Kingdom come not from being wise, but through the foolish things of this world. However, the demonstration of our purpose are wisdom in this world is of Spirit and Power If we are going to confound this world with the gospel it will have to be done through the Spirit and Power of God; not of our own wisdom; 1 Corinthians 2:4 For only through the spirit can we understand the things God has prepared for us who love him. Because the spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 2 Corinthians 12:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Our purpose and prosperity comes from God... 3 John 2 says I wish above all things that you prosper and be in health even as your soul prosper. Deuteronomy 8:18 says For it is God that give you the power to get wealth. There were a lot of things going on in the Corinthian church but Paul saw the division as a major problem. As a matter of fact because of this division other things began to occur. How many of you know that division will nullify purpose and thus hinder prosperity. Division does not necessarily mean that we are sinning but that we are not on one accord and this hinders prosperity in the Lord. When we look at chapter 3:4-8 we see where one says I am of Paul ; another, I am of Apollos they might have known who they were but they did not know their purpose. I (Randie Boyd) know that I am the son of Henry and Eliza Boyd and that s good, but do I know my purpose? In the church we have a lot of people who know who they are but don t know their purpose and that s where the division come in. In this passage of scriptures their purpose was, one to plant, another to water and their working together God would give the increase. (Continue on page 2)

2 Page 2, March & April 2012 Purpose Breeds Prosperity Continuation from page 1 We are sometimes like Israel their problem wasn t how to deal with poverty: Because they once said, why didn t he leave us in Egypt we were doing good there and now he brought us out here in this desert to perish. You see their prosperity was being released from bondage and they didn t know how to handle prosperity! It is not poverty but prosperity that is dividing us today Mainly because we do not understand our purpose. I know we are going through problems and circumstances and their seems like there is never enough of what we may need to make ends meet. But, even in the books of Genesis, Deuteronomy and Matthew God called us blessed. God purpose for creating us was not so we could achieve but so that we would receive and give! No matter what it is; if we stop struggling trying to achieve it and just receive it and then turn around and give it, because God has already provided it for us, EVERYTHING AND ANYTHING WE NEED. God has given us principles that are a way out of division and a way to enter into prosperity. 1. He said to be in one place on one accord. 2. He said where two are three gather in my name, I would be in the mist. 3. If two would touch and agree on anything they could have it. 4. He said when you pray say Father give us this day our daily bread. (needs) When whatever we do for God is done with a purpose it will bring prosperity. Easter Love By Joanna Fuchs On Easter we celebrate love, love coming down from heaven, love blanketing the earth in a transforming embrace; unique and infinite love, giving more than we can imagine for us, to cleanse our sin, a perfect sacrifice, Lamb of God, the walking, talking Word. He is teacher, role model, friend, this God in human form, dying, then rising from the dead, proving all who believe will also rise to have eternal life, with Him, Lord of all. Oh, Happy, Happy Easter!

3 March & April 2012, Page 3 NURSERY THROUGH ADULT CLASS Wisdom s Part In Creation Bible Basis: Lesson Scripture: Proverbs 8: The Word Because Flesh Bible Basis: Lesson Scripture: John 1: The Weeding At Cana Bible Basis: Lesson Scripture: John 2: God s Word Saves Bible Basis: Lesson Scripture: John 3: Jesus Testifies To The Truth Bible Basis: Lesson Scripture: John 18: The Living Word Bible Basis: Lesson Scripture: John 20:1-10, Cleansing The Temple Bible Basis: Lesson Scripture: John 2: Woman Of Samaria Bible Basis: Lesson Scripture: John 4:7-15, 23-26, Healing The Blind Man Bible Basis: Lesson Scripture: John 9:1-17 Memory Verse Taken from the COGIC Annual Commentary March 4 th Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not (Proverbs 8:33) March 11 th And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth (John 1:14). March 18 th The beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him (John 2:11). March 25 th For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever, believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). April 1 st Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice (John 18:37). April 8 th And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord (John 20:20). April 15 th And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; Make not my Father s house an house of merchandise (John 2:16). April 22 nd But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life (John 4:14). April 29 th Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because he keepeth not the Sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them (John 9:16).

4 Page 4, March & April 2012 PROVERBS 13: A wise son heareth his father s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke. 2. A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth: but the soul of the transgressors shall eat violence. 3. He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. 4. The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. 5. A righteous man hateth lying: but a wicked man is loathsome, and cometh to shame. 6. Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner. 7. There is that maketh himself rich, yet hath nothing; there is that maketh himself poor, yet hath great riches. 8. The ransom of a man s life are his riches: but the poor heareth not rebuke. 9. The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out. 10. Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. 11. Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labor shall increase. 12. Hope deferred maketh the hearth sick: but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life. Meaning Fruit of his mouth (15:2) the fruit of their words Keepeth his mouth (13:3) guards his words Read and React: - Verse 1: The purpose of these scriptures is to urge the readers to pay attention to it s contents to attend to wisdom. The rest of the passage doesn t retain the father-son allusion as the writer has done in previous passage. As we progress into this chapter and beyond, you will discover that discussions of righteousness and wickedness decrease, and God s involvement disappears, though in following chapters it comes back into prominence. - Verse 4-12: There is another proverb, one that Solomon never heard: Them that has gets! A bit cynical, perhaps, but often true. Imagine the lazybone of a sluggard you meet in verse 4. He sits up from his chaise lounge long enough to see his diligent neighbor pruning and feeding his rose garden. Man, says the sluggard. I wish I could grow roses like that. Then he flops back down on his lounge chair and continues his snooze. A desire for roses is one thing, but obtaining them is something else. - Verse 12: Hope deferred is a heartbreaking phrase that describes too many of the world s people. Solomon is letting us know that hoping for a hotel stay is one thing, but the hope of abundant life is something else. From his perspective here in chapter 13, wealth is secondary to life, and life is dependent upon wisdom. Note: What are your hopes? List them from most anticipated to least. Now ask yourself how the Father relates to them. What are according to His will and for which do you keep your fingers crossed? Instant gratification seems to have become our greatest desire. What s yours?

5 March & April 2012, Page 5 INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES LIVING It is difficult to live in the present, ridiculous to live in the future, and impossible to live in the past. Nothing is as far away as one minute ago. Jim Bishop The scholar has learned how to think; the wise man has learned how to live. The first step in learning to live is submitting to the will of God. I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good thing, therefore, I can do, or any kindness I can show to any fellow human being, let me do now. Let me not defer nor neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again. Stephen Grellet Few men ever outlive their desire to be better than they are. Pay no attention to ill-natured remarks about you. Live so that nobody will believe them. It is more to one s credit to go straight than to move in the best circles. Live to make life less difficult for others. It matters not how long we live, but how. Right living is a whole lot better than high living and a lot cheaper. Are you conducting your life on the cafeteria plan self-service only? You can make the world better by making yourself better. Do your best today and then do better tomorrow. The common verities of daily life include joy and sorrow. Love, kindness, forgiveness may be reflected in our everyday living. The supreme are of life is that of living together justly, happily, charitably, and nobly. The few days that God gives us are too precious to be trifled with. Live a life; do not only get a living. Some people know all about how to make a living, but very little about how to live.

6 Page 6, March & April 2012 OUR CHILDREN S REPORT The Lord s Prayer THIS IS IN TWO PARTS, THE PRAYER (IN BLUE TYPE) AND GOD (IN RED TYPE) IN RESPONSE. Our Father Who Art In Heaven. Yes? Don't interrupt me. I'm praying. But -- you called - ME! Called you? No, I didn't call you. I'm praying. Our Father who art in Heaven. There -- you did it again! Did what? Called ME. You said, "Our Father who art in Heaven" Well, here I am... What's on your mind? But I didn't mean anything by it. I was, you know, just saying my prayers for the day. I always say the Lord's Prayer. It makes me feel good, kind of like fulfilling a duty. Well, all right. Go on. Okay, Hallowed be thy name. Hold it right there. What do you mean by that? By what? By "Hallowed be thy name"? It means, it means.. good grief, I don't know what it means. How in the world should I know? It's just a part of the prayer. By the way, what does it mean? It means honored, holy, wonderful. Hey, that makes sense. I never thought about what 'hallowed' meant before. Thanks. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Do you really mean that? Sure, why not? What are you doing about it? Doing? Why, nothing, I guess. I just think it would be kind of neat if you got control, of everything down here like you have up there. We're kinda in a mess down here you know. Yes, I know; but, have I got control of you? Well, I go to church. That isn't what I asked you. What about your bad temper? You've really got a problem there, you know. And then there's the way you spend your money -- all on yourself. And what about the kind of books you read? Now hold on just a minute! Stop picking on me! I'm just as good as some of the rest of those People at church! Excuse ME, I thought you were praying for my will to be done. If that is to happen, it will have to start with the ones who are praying for it. Like you -- for example. Oh, all right. I guess I do have some hang-ups. Now that you mention it, I could probably name some others. So could I. I haven't thought about it very much until now, but I really would like to cut out some of those things. I would like to, you know, be really free. Good. Now we're getting somewhere. We'll work together -- You and ME. I'm proud of you. Look, Lord, if you don't mind, I need to finish up here. This is taking a lot longer than it usually does. (Continue on page 7)

7 The Lord s Prayer Continuation from page 6 March & April 2012, Page 7 Give us this day, our daily bread. You need to cut out the bread.. You're overweight as it is. Hey, wait a minute! What is this? Here I was doing my religious duty, and all of a sudden you break in and remind me of all my hang-ups. Praying is a dangerous thing. You just might get what you ask for. Remember, you called ME -- and here I am. It's too late to stop now. Keep praying. ( pause... ) Well, go on. I'm scared to. Scared? Of what? I know what you'll say. Try ME. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. What about Ann? See? I knew it! I knew you would bring her up! Why, Lord, she's told lies about me, spread stories. She never paid back the money she owes me. I've sworn to get even with her! But -- your prayer -- What about your prayer? I didn't -- mean it.. Well, at least you're honest. But, it's quite a load carrying around all that bitterness and resentment isn't it? Yes, but I'll feel better as soon as I get even with her. Boy, have I got some plans for her. She'll wish she had never been born. No, you won't feel any better. You'll feel worse. Revenge isn't sweet. You know how unhappy you are -- Well, I can change that. You can? How? Forgive Ann. Then, I'l l forgive you; And the hate and the sin, will be Ann's problem -- not yours. You will have settled the problem as far as you are concerned. Oh, you know, you're right. You always are.. And more than I want revenge, I want to be right with You.. (sigh). All right, all right, I forgive her. There now! Wonderful! How do you feel? Hmmmm. Well, not bad. Not bad at all! In fact, I feel pretty great! You know, I don't think I'll go to bed uptight tonight. I haven't been getting much rest, you know. Yeah, I know. But, you're not through with your prayer, are you? Go on... Oh, all right. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Good! Good! I'll do that. Just don't put yourself in a place where you can be tempted. What do you mean by that? You know what I mean. Yeah. I know. Okay. Go ahead... Finish your prayer. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen. Do you know what would bring me glory -- What would really make me happy? No, but I'd like to know. I want to please you now. I've really made a mess of things. I want to truly follow you. I can see now how great that would be. So, tell me, How do I make you happy? YOU just did.

8 Page 8, March & April 2012 PROSPER Psalm 13 How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? How long wilt thou hide thy face for me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me? Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; and those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved. But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the LORD because he hath dealt bountifully with me. Proverbs 28:13 He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and fosaketh them shall have mercy. Isaiah 54:17 No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. 1 Corinthians 16:2 Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. 3 John 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. PURPOSE Proverbs 20:18 Every purpose is established by counsel: and with good advice make war. Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Ephesians 3:10-12 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. May the Lord add a blessing to the readers, hearers and doers of His Word.

9 March & April 2012, Page 9 DESPERATE PRAYING This is a rerun it was used in the April 2006 issue I thought it was worth repeating. Worshipers at All Saints Church were invited to a special Lenten study on prayer. At the close of the course Pastor Nixon invited the participants to write sentence prayers. Here are some of those prayers: Lord, help me to relax about insignificant details beginning at 7:41 am, EST. God, help me to consider people s feelings, even if most of them are hypersensitive. Father, help me take responsibility for my own actions, even though they re usually not my fault. Dear God, help me not try to run everything. But if you need some help, feel free to ask me. Lord, help me to be more laid back, and help me do it exactly right. Heavenly Father, please help me take things more seriously, especially having a good time. God, give me patience, and I mean right now! Lord, help me not to be a perfectionist. (Did I spell that correctly?) Lord, keep me to be open to other people s ideas, wrong though they may be. Dear God, help me to slowdownandnotrushthroughwhatido. Amen THE EASTER DRESS The poor country parson was livid when he confronted his wife with the receipt for a $250 dress she had brought. How could you do this! he exclaimed. I don t know, she wailed, I was standing in the store looking at the dress. Then I found myself trying it on. It was like the devil was whispering to me, Wow, you look great in that dress. You should buy it. Well, the husband persisted, you know how to deal with the tempter. Just tell him, Get behind me, Satan! I did, replied his wife, but then he said, It looks great from back there, too! LAP TOP Mrs. Reverend George Martin wanted to surprise her husband with a computer for his birthday. When the salesman suggested a laptop, Mrs. Martin burst into laughter. What s so funny about that? the salesman asked. Sir, my husband hasn t had a lap for twenty years.

10 Page 10, March & April 2012 MORE WHO SAID THAT? 1. Lord lay not this sin to their charge. Acts 7:60 2. See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? Acts 8:36 3. I die, and God will surely visit you, and bring you out of this land unto the land which he sware to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. Genesis 50:24 4. Thou are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church. Matthew 16:18 5. Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel. Luke 2:34 6. And put my cup, the silver cup, in the sack s mouth of the youngest, and his corn money. Genesis 44:2 7. Now shall I be more blameless than the Philistines, though I do them a displeasure. Judges 15:3 8. I am a Hebrew, and I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, which hath made the sea and the dry land? 9. There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. Mark 1:7 10. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Acts 5: As the Lord liveth, the man that hath done this thing shall surely die. 2 Samuel 12:5 12. Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith, lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. 1 Samuel 31:4 13. Lie with me. Genesis 39:7 14. I have sinned this time; the Lord is righteous, and I and my people are wicked. Exodus 9: Give me thy vineyard, that I may have it for a garden of herbs, because it is near my house; and I will give thee for it a better vineyard.1 Kings 21:2 16. Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews. Ester 8:7

11 March & April 2012, Page 11 HANDBOOK 2012 Health: 1. Drink plenty of water. 2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar. 3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants. 4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy 5. Make time to pray. 6. Play more games. 7. Read more books than you did in Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. 9. Sleep for 7 hours. 10. Take a minute walk daily. And while you walk, smile. Personality: 11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. 12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment. 13. Don't overdo. Keep your limits. 14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does. 15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip. 16. Dream more while you are awake. 17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. 18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with His/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness. 19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others. 20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present. 21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you. 22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime. 23. Smile and laugh more. 24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree... Society: 25. Call your family often. 26. Each day give something good to others. 27. Forgive everyone for everything. 28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 & under the age of Try to make at least three people smile each day. 30. What other people think of you is none of your business. 31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch. Life: 32. Do the right thing! 33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful. 34. GOD heals everything. 35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change. 36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up. 37. The best is yet to come. 38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it. 39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy. Last but not the least: 40. Please forward this to everyone you care about, I just did.

12 Page 12, March & April 2012 Johns Hopkins Update This is an extremely good article. Everyone should read it. Information provided by Missionary Ruby Loving AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY ('TRY', BEING THE KEY WORD) TO ELIMINATE CANCER, JOHNS HOPKINS IS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY. Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins: 1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size. 2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime. 3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumors. 4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, but also to environmental, food and lifestyle factors. 5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet to eat more adequately and healthy, 4-5 times/day and by including supplements will strengthen the immune system. 6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastrointestinal tract etc. and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc. 7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs. 8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction. 9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications. 10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites. 11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply. *CANCER CELLS FEED ON: a. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses, but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in color Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt. b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk cancer cells are being starved. (Continue on page 13)

13 March & April 2012, Page 13 Johns Hopkins Update Continuation from page 12 c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little other meat, like chicken. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer. d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including be an sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C). e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer fighting properties. Water-best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it. 12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines becomes putrefied and leads to more toxic buildup. 13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells. 14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the body s own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells. 15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, un-forgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life. 16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells. 1. No plastic containers in micro. 2. No water bottles in freezer. 3. No plastic wrap in microwave. Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in its newsletters. This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center as well. Dioxin chemicals cause cancer, especially breast cancer. Dioxins are highly poisonous to the cells of our bodies. Don't freeze your plastic bottles with water in them as this releases dioxins from the plastic. Recently, Dr Edward Fujimoto, Wellness Program Manager at Castle Hospital, was on a TV program to explain this health hazard. He talked about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers. This especially applies to foods that contain fat He said that the combination of fat, high heat, and plastics releases dioxin into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body. Instead, he recommends using glass, such as Corning Ware, Pyrex or ceramic containers for heating food You get the same results, only without the dioxin. So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something else. Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He reminded us that a while ago some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper the dioxin problem is one of the reasons. This is an article that should be sent to anyone important in your life.

14 Page 14, March & April 2012 DIFFERENT VALLEYS, DIFFERENT GIANTS From The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life by Charles Stanley When you are under pressure, are you a reactor or a responder? When you are face-toface with the giant of lust or jealousy when your emotions are redlined do you find yourself thinking, Oh God, I know what I should do. I know what I ought to do. I know I should just walk away. But I don t know if I can do it? If pressure or temptation automatically pushes you into the reaction mode, you are destined for failure most of the time. Why? It s a sure sign that you are trying to produce righteousness on your own. A responder activates his faith before he activates his will. He believes before he behaves. Granted, David had the luxury of several hours to prepare mentally and spiritually for his battle. Often we have milliseconds! You may be tempted to argue that there is no time to exercise faith before exercising will. Not in the real world anyway. Things happen too fast. We are usually taken off guard. There is no way to get a jump on temptation and rejection and jealousy. More times than not, we are taken by surprise. But I beg to differ. We can get a jump on it; we can make the first move. Let me ask you a question. How many days a week, on the average, are you tempted? How many days a week are you forced to deal with some inordinate emotion that has the potential of doing serious damage to your reputation and relationships if expressed? For me, it averages out to seven days a week. And I imagine the same is true for you. We know its coming. Therefore, the wisest thing to do is to begin every day by exercising our faith against the anticipated onslaughts. We don t need to wait until we are in the thick of the battle to claim the promises of God. By that time it s too late. Certainly, there is time to express faith in the Holy Spirit when you see things building. But even better, go ahead and exercise your faith before the struggle begins, and when it does, you will think, I ve already dealt with this. Remember, David claimed victory long before the battle began, and we have the opportunity to do the same. Isn t it true that we fight the same giants every day? We just can t time our battles the way David did. But God knows. They never catch Him off guard. The Holy Spirit dwells in you and is ready to go to work producing the character of Christ through you. All He needs is your faith. His green light is your willingness to say, Holy Spirit, I cannot handle this. I m not even going to try. Respond through me. Give me Your perspective on all of this. I trust You. At that point you do what you know to do and trust Him to fill in the gaps. That is the essence of the wonderful Spirit-filled life. It is a life of taking God at His word and acting on it. Why not begin right now? Think for a moment. What giants are you more than likely going to face in the next few hours? What emotions will you battle? If today is like most days, what temptations will you face? Begin claiming victory right now. Activate you faith. Pray, Lord, I claim victory right now over the giant of. I recognize that this giant is coming against the Christ in me. Just as You defeated this giant when You walked on this earth, You can defeat it through me now, for You are my life. I trust You to produce peace and selfcontrol through me. I cannot handle what is to come. But You can. Respond through me. When the pressure comes, remind me that the battle is Yours. Amen. If you will begin every day with a declaration of victory over the specific giants in your life, you will experience victory. Begin tomorrow morning on your knees. Think through the temptations you will face, the pressure you will feel, and the rejection you are likely to encounter; Item by item, thank God for the victory. Remember that at the cross Christ paid the price not only for your sin but also your victory.

15 March & April 2012, Page 15 THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TRIALS AND TEMPTATIONS Excerpted from Pure Joy (Charisma House, 2006) Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself does not tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. James 1:13-14, NAS There is a difference between a trial and a temptation however, they are often used interchangeably, though. After all, temptation is a trial (of faith), and every trial is a temptation (to grumble). When the word appears in the New Testament the context helps us to see which interpretation is meant. There are therefore differences and similarities between trials and temptations. Although we must not push the distinctions too far, here are examples of the differences: 1. In their ultimate origin. Temptations come from the flesh; trials are sent from God. He allowed Satan to test Job (Job 1:6-12). Therefore when we speak of "trial" we see God's fingerprints; when we see temptation, we see our own or the devil's. 2. In their immediate origin. Temptation comes from within; trials usually come from outside us. Job suffered physically, but inwardly at least at first there was no apparent struggle. 3. In their moral relevance. Temptation, when it is sexual in nature, has considerable moral relevance, but a trial may be what I would want to call morally neutral, such as illness or losing one's keys. 4. With reference to what is tested. Temptation will usually attack a weak spot; trials test our strength as well as exposing a weakness we may have been unaware of as with Job, who turned out to be so self-righteous. Any trial that God sends death of a loved one or friend, financial reverse, loss, illness, misunderstanding, losing your keys, failure, disappointment, betrayal, abuse, unemployment, depression, accident, loneliness, missing a train or plane, rejection, not getting that important invitation, or any physical pain should be seen as having our Lord's handprints all over them. The Joy of Loving Jesus By Sister Harriet Simpson The joy of loving Jesus is really hard to explain, Especially to someone who s not use to calling on His name. For to know Him is to love Him, it s as simple as can be, He died upon the cross to save a poor sinner like you and me. The joy of loving Jesus is not hard to understand, He walked the earth in human form so that we could understand; That He knew the things we battled and faced most every day, So He died upon the cross to take our sins away. The joy of loving Jesus is such a pleasure I hold dear, And I m willing to tell anyone about Him if they will just lend an ear. He died upon the cross but death could not hold him down, Three days later in the tomb His body could not be found.

16 March April 11 th Junior Usher 3:30 pm 1 st Pastor & Wife 3:30 25 th Pastor & Wife Pre-Appreciation 29 th Women s Day March April 3 rd Quadtaye Boyd s Birthday 2 nd Randie Boyd s Birthday 4 th Kyle Simpson s Birthday 2 nd Joshalyn Nichols s Birthday 5 th Justy ce Nichols s Birthday 2 nd Althea Watson s Birthday 12 th Kahylin Nesbitt s Birthday 5 th Regina Traylor s Birthday 12 th Ora Ward s Birthday 14 th Elliott Lawson s Birthday 17 th Earlene McClure s Birthday 14 th David & Victoria Hicks s Anniversary 20 th John & Harriet Simpson s 30 th Anniversary Come and join us for Sunday school at 9:30 am and plan to worship with us during our Sunday service at 10:45 am. Join us on Wednesdays for Prayer at 6:30 pm and Bible Study at 7:00 pm. Choir rehearsal is held every Thursday at 7:00 pm except for the 1 st Thursday of the month when we have Intercessory Prayer at 7:00 pm. The 4 th Sunday of each month evening service is Pastoral Teaching starting at 6:00 pm. Come let us hear together what God has to say. If you are in need of transportation to church please contact Brother Eugene Nichols at or Brother Quadtaye Boyd at