What a joy it is to learn from others, from reading books, and most of all reading the Bible, God's Holy Word that has been preserved for centuries.
At our church, Christian Life Worship Center, formerly called Tarkenton Memorial Church, and prior to that the First Pentecostal Holiness Church in Athens, GA, we are seeing a dramatic change for the better, and we praise God for what He is doing in our hearts and lives.
There is a new spirit in our church. I have always felt loved by the people of our congregation, but since our Pastor Brad Cooper led us in a 21-day fast along with prayer something supernatural is happening. The people are the same, but there seems to be a new look, a glow, a distinctive characteristic that portends a new day and a new beginning for our church.
Every Sunday we are experiencing new people coming to our church. The good thing is that they are coming back. The music seems to flow and is lively and worshipful. I like what I see and what I am experiencing as I join with fellow members in worship.
Melvine and I are members of the Celebration Sunday school class led by Lavon and Arlette Revells. The Celebration Class is a cross generational gathering of various ages of adults that meets on Sunday mornings to celebrate Jesus and study God's Holy Word, the Bible. There is never a dull moment and they know how to get class members involved in the discussion of the subject material.
We take time to hear praise reports, prayer requests and answers to prayer, and we pray for one another. People are being healed in the class as we pray.
We have now begun a new study with David Jeremiah in Agents of Babylon--a study of the Book of Daniel. The video series along with the study guide that Arlette and Lavon gave as a gift to each class member or one to each couple is one of the most exciting studies I have experienced.
In the Agents of Babylon Dr. David Jeremiah introduces us to the agents and their roles they played in the most exciting prophetic book in the Old Testament--the Book of Daniel. Prophecy after prophecy is fulfilled during Daniel's lifetime of 90 years, and shortly after his death. Our confidence grows because the remaining prophecies are now being fulfilled and there are more to come in the future.
Daniel was a teenager when he was taken into captivity along with his three Hebrew companions: Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. We know them better by Mishael, Meshach and Abed-Nego--new names given to them by the chief of the eunuchs.
The king wanted to change these young men so that they would forget their religious heritage. They were required to eat the king's meat, delicacies, and wine. They had to make a moral and a spiritual choice not to defiled themselves with the king's prescribed diet in their three year training program. They offered an alternative diet for a ten-day period. Their plan was accepted by their supervisor and "after ten days, their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king's delicacies. Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams" (Daniel 1:11-17, NKJV).
Dr. David Jeremiah says "that Daniel never returned to Judah. He lived to be 90 and lived the marjority of his life in a foreign land. His life is a testimony to an enduring principle of walking with God. Success in life doesn't depend on circumstances. Rather, it depends on faithfulness to God. Daniel was a faithful Jew living in a pagan land; there is not a negative word said about Daniel in the entire Bible. His prayer life was the only fault his jealous peers in Babylon could find in him" (Daniel 6:4-5).
What is the decision you will have to make in 2016? Someone reading this article may not be a Christian. Now is the time for you to make that cross over by going by the way of the Cross. Jesus can and will save you. He suffered and died in your place to pay the penalty for your sins, as well as mine. The Bible says that whoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13). The beloved Apostle John wrote: "If we confess our sins, He [Jesus] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9. NIV).
Others need moral courage to take a stand for truth and what is right. You are being put to the test. What will you do? I can assure you God will help you to make the right decision, and He will instruct you exactly how to do it.
My prayer is that God will grant you wisdom, strength, moral courage and favor.
At our church, Christian Life Worship Center, formerly called Tarkenton Memorial Church, and prior to that the First Pentecostal Holiness Church in Athens, GA, we are seeing a dramatic change for the better, and we praise God for what He is doing in our hearts and lives.
There is a new spirit in our church. I have always felt loved by the people of our congregation, but since our Pastor Brad Cooper led us in a 21-day fast along with prayer something supernatural is happening. The people are the same, but there seems to be a new look, a glow, a distinctive characteristic that portends a new day and a new beginning for our church.
Every Sunday we are experiencing new people coming to our church. The good thing is that they are coming back. The music seems to flow and is lively and worshipful. I like what I see and what I am experiencing as I join with fellow members in worship.
Melvine and I are members of the Celebration Sunday school class led by Lavon and Arlette Revells. The Celebration Class is a cross generational gathering of various ages of adults that meets on Sunday mornings to celebrate Jesus and study God's Holy Word, the Bible. There is never a dull moment and they know how to get class members involved in the discussion of the subject material.
We take time to hear praise reports, prayer requests and answers to prayer, and we pray for one another. People are being healed in the class as we pray.
We have now begun a new study with David Jeremiah in Agents of Babylon--a study of the Book of Daniel. The video series along with the study guide that Arlette and Lavon gave as a gift to each class member or one to each couple is one of the most exciting studies I have experienced.
In the Agents of Babylon Dr. David Jeremiah introduces us to the agents and their roles they played in the most exciting prophetic book in the Old Testament--the Book of Daniel. Prophecy after prophecy is fulfilled during Daniel's lifetime of 90 years, and shortly after his death. Our confidence grows because the remaining prophecies are now being fulfilled and there are more to come in the future.
Daniel was a teenager when he was taken into captivity along with his three Hebrew companions: Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. We know them better by Mishael, Meshach and Abed-Nego--new names given to them by the chief of the eunuchs.
The king wanted to change these young men so that they would forget their religious heritage. They were required to eat the king's meat, delicacies, and wine. They had to make a moral and a spiritual choice not to defiled themselves with the king's prescribed diet in their three year training program. They offered an alternative diet for a ten-day period. Their plan was accepted by their supervisor and "after ten days, their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king's delicacies. Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables. As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams" (Daniel 1:11-17, NKJV).
Dr. David Jeremiah says "that Daniel never returned to Judah. He lived to be 90 and lived the marjority of his life in a foreign land. His life is a testimony to an enduring principle of walking with God. Success in life doesn't depend on circumstances. Rather, it depends on faithfulness to God. Daniel was a faithful Jew living in a pagan land; there is not a negative word said about Daniel in the entire Bible. His prayer life was the only fault his jealous peers in Babylon could find in him" (Daniel 6:4-5).
What is the decision you will have to make in 2016? Someone reading this article may not be a Christian. Now is the time for you to make that cross over by going by the way of the Cross. Jesus can and will save you. He suffered and died in your place to pay the penalty for your sins, as well as mine. The Bible says that whoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13). The beloved Apostle John wrote: "If we confess our sins, He [Jesus] is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9. NIV).
Others need moral courage to take a stand for truth and what is right. You are being put to the test. What will you do? I can assure you God will help you to make the right decision, and He will instruct you exactly how to do it.
My prayer is that God will grant you wisdom, strength, moral courage and favor.