Reflections from A Year of Proper Planting

John Clark gave the importance of taking notes and later reviewing them because we value other people who may be at risk if we are complacent. He shared personal testimony of the fruit of self-denial (Mt 10:38-39). And he exhorted us that in this year of proper planting if things actually seem to have died which we expected to live, then God can open a door to do more than we could have thought or made happen. So we as a congregation need some old ways to be burned off to be purified and new can grow (like becoming more incarnational and missional instead of inward focused and believing that people should be attracted.

Richard shared personally and from 2 Corinthians 9:9—we are God’s fellow workers, his field and his building (factory) so by his grace in us we produce fruit and precious things that will stand the fire. In verses 7-10 we read that one sows, another reaps but God gives the increase and loves the cheerful giver. Of what am I glad for having sown and/or perhaps reaped?

• Richard Lineberry To sow in areas of prayer, giving and serving.

• John Clark Port I have changed this year as a result of God’s blessing and grace helping me choose to be a son in the house

• Susan Mitchell My view of evangelism changed as we prayed and obeyed to bring light in the darkness leaving results to Him.

• Mary Port I have found more freedom as I have put away reactive judgements toward others.

• Dennis Frost Gave thanks for spiritual authority in his life by the elders and that his family is getting in God’s order as he takes responsibility to sow good seed instead of bad. God has blessed his family with more peace as they stepped out to be foster parents and MC hosts.

• Jeffrey Port During the summer MC service projects as outreach into the neighborhood I realized mission and evangelism is not just about trying to get more people into our church.

• Joyce Hanson Gave thanks for the congregation’s love and ministry to her son and that he is a changed man.

• Kendra Cunkle gave thanks that as she has sowed into being the worship leader and secretary and other ways of serving she believes God has confirmed that she is in her proper place.

Fill in your own testimony______________

Merry Happy,
PD

2010 in Review
By Richard Lineberry

As we draw to the end of a year that the Lord has designated as a “Year of Proper Planting,” it might be good to see what changes He has brought in us.
When Ronald Reagan was campaigning against Jimmy Carter, he asked people, “How is your life better than it was four years ago?” Obviously, he was wanting to draw attention to him having a better plan if he was elected.
So, my question is, “Is your spiritual life any better than it was at the end of 2009?” Have you learned anything about planting seeds? Have you seen any results? What adjustments did the Holy Spirit make in your life?”
I think, in review, “proper planting” refers to a variety of things. I made a special attempt to adjust my own prayer life. It’s easy for prayer to become a routine rather than a high point of life. I realized again that prayer must accompany FAITH that you really believe God is going to act in the things you are talking to Him about.
Proper time adjustment for us is always good to consider. What am I doing that is most profitable for His kingdom and where am I wasting time? Am I spending time with God as well as investing time in those that I can help? If not, I probably am spending too much idle time somewhere else.
Finances, of course, is that subject we don’t like to mention too much, but it certainly fits all of the sowing/reaping rules. How are we doing? God wants to increase us in every facet of life but we must sow regularly for Him to have something to work with. To neglect this area of following Christ would be like a farmer wondering why he didn’t have a harvest when he hadn’t planted any seed.
My prayer for us is that God will continue to guide us in proper planting of everything He has blessed us with: Our time, gifts, finances and ability to serve His people. May the Lord give us wisdom and increase our resources in 2011 to do the work of the ministry.

BREAD CASTING
By Richard Lineberry

Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again.
Eccl. 11:1

When my youngest son was about ten, he brought home a leftover helium filled balloon from a birthday party. Being an adventurous kid, he decided he’d tie a note with his name, phone number and address on it and let it go to the mercy of the wind from our back yard. Hopefully, he thought, someone will find it far away and call me.
“Fat chance,” I thought, but encouraged him along anyway. Sure enough, about two weeks later he got a call from another boy from someplace in rural Arkansas that had found his balloon in the woods while he and his father were hunting. Wow!
I didn’t think of it at the time, but my son was sowing with anticipation that a reaping (response) would return due to his faith in the process. God’s giving and receiving works like that. If we are in need of receiving, a sure way to receive is to be a giver. “Casting the bread,” of course, refers to anything we might do for or give to others for their benefit. The problem most of us have with this verse is the “after many days you will find it again” part. Returns on investments may not always come as quickly as we’d like. God (or nature itself) is not on our time schedule. Even the best seed may take years to take root, grow up and bless us back. But our impatience should not be a deterrent. Verse 6 of the same chapter tells us, “Sow your seed in the morning and at evening, let not your hands be idle, for you do not know which will succeed whether this or that, or whether both will do equally well.” Here’s the answer on what we should sow and where? Answer: All kinds of seeds in as many places as we can find. When you sow, quit worrying. Some may produce, some may fall on dry ground. But the surprise is that when God returns the produce you don’t always know where it came from.
I’ve experienced it many times. God has given me needed provision from places I least expected it. People have called me with encouragement at times when I hardly expected they had even been praying for me. I have seen my prayers for people that I prayed for many years ago and forgotten about fulfilled when we crossed paths at a later time. Seed sowing works. The key is to sow continually so we’ve given God a lot to work with. Seeds, of course, are not just money (although that’s a good thing to plant in His Kingdom) but also prayers for others, acts of kindness, cheerful words, anonymous service and anything else you can think up that sounds like something God might like to see done.
The soil of the kingdom of God is fertile ground. Where you see God active, that’s a good place to get involved. Sow to it. Pray for it. If you see God at work in certain people, bless them however you can. Look for people who are already serving God and try to help them out. Some of them may think they don't need any help but actually they do, so sow some help their way. Sow when times seem good as well as when it isn’t convenient. The winds of opposition may be strong, but our faith in God’s working is stronger.

Covenant Life exists to restore individuals, nations
and generations
and the earth itself to the image and love of God.

The image of God: his love, faith, hope, joy, etc... When we practice daily prayer and Scripture reading we train with and put to use mighty spiritual weapons for Christ to save that which is lost. The armor of God is his thoughts in our mind, his healing in our hearts, his truth in our secret parts, his faith, and his joy in bringing others his good news. Paul said stand against the powers of darkness using the sword of the spirit and praying in the spirit.

Moved to pray FOR others: Richard Lineberry shared with me this week that after he received the baptism in Holy Spirit he would take his High School yearbook and pray by name for classmates. After that he met many who would share with him that they got saved and some were involved in ministry. Sometimes today when at a mall or crowded place he is moved to pray “blanket prayers” over the mass of people. This week as I was meditating on hell, my own sin and God’s mercy and unconditional love for me I felt such a love of God I had to turn to my prayer list of people who are unchurched, lost or in great need.

Blessed to pray WITH others: Thursday nights Richard and I meet with men for prayer and conversation about life and Jesus. This week when Richard prayed for one man he felt heat in his shoulder and received healing and began to quietly speak in tongues.

Need to pray ALONE: This time of Advent preparation is well spent not just going through prayer requests but also by reading Scripture and just thinking and feeling. For example consider the group of angels who in one decision of serving “self” became God-haters and were cast forever from God’s presence. Consider Adam and Eve who in one choice of self over God became “shamers” and “blamers” and brought curses on mankind and on all the earth itself. Then consider how many times we have chosen self and rejected God’s love yet God not only rescued us but has come to live in us and has filled us and opened his kingdom to us. He who is forgiven much loves much. How can we not give thanks and witness for Him!

Happy Advent!

Advent Heroes fighting for faith, hope, love and Joy:
God’s own coming and His armor.

Isaiah 9:1-3 there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress… 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light… they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice…

Barbara realized that many small agreements with darkness can be made during the day by confessing things like: “I’m frustrated because I can’t get done what I want to do.” She said, as I was agreeing with frustration I would naturally feel more of it. How many little things are we speaking agreement with as we complain or think with familiarity and negativity? Being aware (discerning the spirits) and saying aloud, “I break that agreement with frustration,” doesn’t change circumstances but does detach me from being controlled by the feelings. I can choose to disagree and fight doubt and negativity and replace them with God’s words, thoughts, feelings and ways of hope, faith, love, joy and peace in Christ (the armor of God).
Ez 13:3-5 "woe to those following their own spirit [carnal and unsubmitted) and have seen nothing [not discerning bad spirits and agreements]. You have not gone up into the breaches (gaps) nor built the wall around the house... To stand in the day of battle." In other words they are just reacting and agreeing with strongholds of familiarity and negativity and leaving their houses (families, church) unprotected.
Ez 22:30 “I looked for someone among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found no one.
Joseph and Mary are not even mentioned, nor any New Testament persons, in the faith heroes’ chapter Hebrews 11. The names from New Testament times written in the history of the new covenant are to include yours and mine... Will we continue the fight of faith? We live under the encouraging eye of witnesses of the ages as well as Zechariah’s and Elizabeth’s hope, Joseph’s and Mary’s faith, John’s fire of the Spirit, Anna, Simeon and the New testament saints and Christian martyrs and saints through the ages.
We are the teenagers and dads and moms and workmen. We are Christ’s witnesses and missionaries. We stand in the gap and repair the breach by God’s own hope and faith in us.
Joseph and Mary had to fight against enemies within and without. They needed faith and hope. They received angels and dreams and messages from God and believed the Scriptures. They opened their spiritual eyes to see “out of the box” and see and hear what God was telling them to do.
We need faith and hope to combat familiarity and negativity. They needed courage and love to stand against the accuser and to stand in the gap so God could use them to bring salvation to all for all history. The world and people around us need us to stand in the gap and repair breaches, and to fight for their salvation and for the kingdom.
How does God want to use you? What do you see? Hear? Where are you engaged in the battle? For whom are you praying by name? For whom are you standing in the gap?
Give thanks. Worship and spend time in God's presence so you can stand and fight from God’s own presence and armor Sow and plant in the Spirit and reap restoration of individuals, nations, generations and the earth itself to the love and image of God-Faith, hope, love, joy and peace reflect the image of God.
You and I are God’s treasure in earthen vessels of weakness so we can show the glory of his grace. His presence and armor equips us to our calling to be Hebrews 11 Heroes of Faith. Agree with God. Disagree with demons.
I hope you find it helpful to read and use the Advent meditations, prayers and Scriptures at home.
First Candle: prepare in hope and lean hope against God to fight familiarity. Second Candle: Faith from prophecy fulfilled. Fight negativity with God’s Word (sword of the Spirit). Third Candle: Love and repentance in response to God’s mercy on us sinners. Fourth Candle: Choose and practice Joy while you look for Christ’s “comings” to each day.

Welcome Happy Advent (Four Weeks of Preparing)

Welcome Happy Advent (Four Weeks of Preparing)
Thanksgiving Casts Out the Stronghold of Familiarity

Today begins the four weeks of Advent, which means "to Come." Thanksgiving not only looks back on our history but helps prepare for God's presence to be manifested (incarnated) both among us and through us in the world. The Kingdom of heaven is begun - heaven is where God fully manifests his presence to bless. Joy to the world.... He comes to make his blessings known. His presence brings blessing which gives purpose and momentum in life. His purpose sharpens our spiritual focus the sharpened spiritual focus leads to accomplishment and that accomplishment leads to contentment and contentment must be expressed with Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is not only response but also a great weapon. As we give thanks for God’s grace in our nation and our personal history, we become even more thankful for looking ahead for God’s coming in new ways to us. God came again and again in American history bringing revival and awakening, and we need Him again-not to take us away but to restore. One of the ways we get ready for his coming is to use thanksgiving as a weapon against an enemy called Familiarity. Familiarity breeds contempt because we take one another and God for granted. It is a stronghold for demonic lies, division, sin and pain.

A stronghold is a thought that has a strong hold on your life. Thoughts are like seeds. If received and nurtured they produce fruit in our life after their own kind. Fear, self-pity, envy, resentment, etc… cannot produce love, joy, peace or righteousness. In this Year of Proper Planting we must block negative and familiar seeds that rob us of a full life in God’s presence.

Use the weapons of Thanksgiving to break down the strongholds of familiarity being thankful for God's history in saving us and our nation and looking ahead to God coming to us and giving us purpose and sharpened spiritual focus that will lead to new accomplishment vision and faith and hope for the coming year.

Although we live with mixture and imperfection of God incarnate in our weak, human condition, remember that “we have this treasure in jars of clay,” 2 Cor 4:7. In Matt 13:53-58 people devalued Jesus’ ministry because of familiarity, but when we honor God and one another we receive and give blessings. God have mercy on us and help us to be thankful and fruitful.

Wilma’s Story

Break Wrong Agreements & Be Delivered
Wilma’s story

During the teaching about demons and agreements, my mind went back to when my husband Don was sick (nearly 8 1/2 years ago!) and how people prayed for him and he died anyway. My statement then was that my faith "was shaken." I still had some faith, but not like it was before. Little did I realize that the demons found a way to get "in" and have been working on my faith level ever since! I told someone once that I didn't have much faith and then went on to explain that there was no doubt God COULD do anything, I just wasn't sure if He WOULD. I really identified with the guy in the Bible who said, "I believe. Help my unbelief." This was brought out to me more when at Young At Heart group they asked for people with "faith for healing" to pray for someone. Well, my immediate thought was "I don't have any faith" so I didn't pray.

The other little agreement I unconsciously made with the devil was this: when Don died, Mother said one of the hardest things for her when my Daddy died was that she wasn't #1 in anyone's life anymore. So, I'm not #1 in anyone's life anymore - and haven't been for 8 1/2 years. You sort of take that for granted until it's not there anymore. You get used to someone "having your back" - no matter what. Now I feel vulnerable.

I also give thanks for the prayer last night for Gloria, Frances and me - that God is our Father and our Husband. He is all we need. I am #1 in His life! "My picture is on His refrigerator!" Isn't it incredible to think that each one of us is #1 in His life and that doesn't diminish our unique status one little bit!? Only God could do that. Hallelujah!

Today when I was praying at home, I felt the spirit of "faithlessness" leave - three big sighs - and then later the spirit of "loneliness" left - with some coughing. Then I asked the Holy Spirit to come in and fill all the empty places and spaces and I felt God told me the Holy Spirit was "moving in, sweeping out and taking over"! What a day this has been and what a difference I think it will make in my life!

Thank you for making me think, and thank you, Father, Son & Holy Spirit for bringing these things to my mind! Amen. The Creator of time and space, the Creator of the Universe knows me by name and loves me! And, in reverence and awe and thanksgiving, I bow before Him.

-Wilma

“How to sow and reap with demons”

What if the devil offered a seminar on incarnating evil:
sinister like “How to sow and reap with demons?”
With all the pop interest in vampire stories and the occult, it almost sounds like it could be the title of a TV “reality” show.

Would Satan advertise like this? Learn how to build strongholds around pain and hurt. How to agree with harmful ideas and feelings. How to use blame as a defense. How to judge the motives of others’ hearts and think the worst about them. How to be controlled by present emotional hurts and past lie-based pain. How to avoid bringing these things into the light and from healing. How to hide the truth from yourself, others and even from Jesus.

On the other hand, we offer healing prayer encounters. On Saturday, Nov 19, we will be here at 9AM to do an hour teaching then pray one on one or a few people together to receive healing from present and old pain, lies and demons.

Present pain acts like a window through which we can become aware that some old experiences, hurts or memories need the healing presence of Jesus. As a good mechanic listens to the engine and looks under the hood, so we listen to our hearts and for what Jesus brings in exchange for the old lies of the accuser.

Here’s a fictional example: perhaps today I reacted with hurt and anger again because I feel no one values the work I do. As I pray, I realize I accepted this as a lie from the devil-that I am worthless. I recall that when I was growing up my father did not notice me or praise the work I did, but instead gave his approval to my older sibling. When I offered my hurt to Jesus, He spoke into my heart that He looks at me each day and enjoys the things I do and He loves me whether I do things as well as others or not. I felt his peace both now and in those memories.

But there is more. I am able to forgive my father. And as I ask God’s forgiveness for my anger I realize that besides the healing I also can now be delivered from the angry and jealous spirit which has oppressed me and so quickly would react.

Since I know what was the source of the anger, and I have been healed of the hurt, I remove the grounds for demons of anger and jealousy to torment me. And since the lie that I am worthless has been exchanged with Jesus’ own words of love and his pleasure in me I can command the spirit of anger and jealousy to leave and I can be more filled with the Holy Spirit.

Practice values that Build Community and Transform Neighborhoods

Practice values that Build Community and
Transform Neighborhoods

Awakening in our day; Reformation in our lifetime
Enter into Christ’s suffering in the world to redeem the world. Don’t protest and criticize as an outsider. Be leaven; serve in love, bring change from inside out.
Is it going to rain?

If so we need to build ‘Arks’ in our neighborhoods .

1. Make friends in neighborhood (Lk 16)
2. Deepening love –keep the unity in the Spirit (Eph 4).
3. Personal House in order and good stewards together (remove debt, learn how to barter, have emergency savings and food stocks, be proactive in discipleship and committed relationships not just friendships).
4. Humbly repent and ask God’s grace and miraculous power be demonstrated over evil all around and in us.
5. Encounter God’s love and receive healing prayers.
6. Paradigm Shifts: Move from “my church” to the church. From going to be in church to being on mission wherever we go. From koinonia (fellowship among us) to ekklesia (called to represent God and His kingdom in earth). From fear and apathy to bringing hope. Christ is victoriously resurrected. We work for a good future. This pivotal moment in history is our opportunity.
7. “Big Mo” - build positive momentum: disagree with negativity and familiarity. Replace them by looking for the good and praising it. Bring change from inside out. Show honor to what/who is honorable rather than just criticizing what/who is imperfect. Be a peacemaker and problem solver—salt and light in the world.
8. Persevere in prayer and service: It takes 5x as much energy to make steam as to get to the boiling point so don’t quit.
9. Become a worshiper-sing and speak God’s Word: Psalm 2:7 I will declare the decree of the Lord. Jesus said to pray like this: “Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as in heaven.”

The Humble See the Humble: Take it to the Streets

The Humble See the Humble: Take it to the Streets

In Luke 14, Jesus went to a Pharisees’ home to eat. After observing them he told three dinner stories which surely gave them indigestion. “Don’t take best seats for yourself. Don’t invite people for what they will return to you. Don’t invite the proud and full who will make excuses for why they don’t respond. But go to people in need, humble and hungry."

If our group, our heart, our garden seems closed, Jesus gave us the antidotes: humble ourselves until we see and connect with the humble and needy. Go give to new people without thought of what they will give you back. Best way to work up an appetite is to do some hard work. Exchange mercy and love for judgment and negativity.

Jesus was a street preacher. Most of what we celebrate in church didn’t happen in church. He was interacting with people where the conditions of need and hunger were present. He even called his disciples from where they were working not attending.

To reach new people we have to meet new people. Otherwise we start noticing negative things about the same people around us (familiarity breeds contempt) instead of getting with people who don’t have what we all have. Then they are interesting to us and we are of interest to them. HUNGER

To refresh appreciation for what you have, go share with someone who doesn’t have it instead of comparing your knowledge with people who all seem to have the same thing.

Luke 14:21-23 Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, 'Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.' 22And the servant said, 'Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.' 23And the master said to the servant, 'Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.

All Saints Day: remember Christian martyrs. Pray for the persecuted church. Remember those in prison as if it was you. Pray for those on mission. Be on mission by living the Incarnation of Jesus Christ among those who need to see the Word made flesh.

Jesus: Prince of Peace By Richard Lineberry

Jesus: Prince of Peace
By Richard Lineberry

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.
Jesus, John 14:27

Peace might mean different things to different people: a sleeping infant, absence of war, etc. To the original hearers, it meant shalom, i.e., peace, salvation and well being. Peace from God doesn’t just concern the outside world, but has everything to do with the heart.

Jesus, the Prince of Peace, wasn’t over reactive to outer circumstances. He wasn’t anxious at the sight of 50,000 hungry people before Him. He slept though a storm. His trials didn’t intimidate Him for the secret of His peace was His relationship with the heavenly Father.

There are two kinds of peace. There is “peace with God” which comes when one receives the new spiritual rebirth. When our sins are forgiven, the hostility between us and God vanishes. Then we know Him as our loving, caring Father who wants the best for us.

Then there is the “peace of God.” This is the result of spiritual growth and embracing of Christ’s rule over our minds. Finding rest for our souls is the result of “taking His yoke upon us” (Matt. 11:28-29). Prov. 16:7 tells us that “when a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies be at peace with him.” God drives back the powers of unrest and disturbance when our minds are stayed upon Him.

Peace of heart and mind are byproducts of learning obedience to God and His Word. Anxieties and fears as well as many illnesses are the result of undisciplined lives that dwell only on the fears this world continually set before us.

My prayer for you today is that God will give you peace in everything that you are carrying. As we worship and experience His Spirit, simply let Him be the object of your affection. Cast your cares upon Him for He cares for you. Let His peace rule your heart.

Testimonies and Exhortations

Testimonies and Exhortations

Gloria Bohn received an “all clear” from the Dr on her heart one year after her heart surgery.
Glen and Dorla’s granddaughter is cancer free.
Dick and Karen are doing well following their surgery.

Wilma has this testimony of God bringing healing deliverance: As I was praying about various things, and feeling SO TIRED of making all the decisions(!!!) (widows know what I mean!), I started coughing - and then felt relieved. The Lord told me the spirits (see, no capital "s"!) of dread, indecision and loneliness had been kicked out! PTL! My prayer was then, "Thank you, Lord and come in Holy Spirit, fill me with Your love and everything I need! Isn't that wonderful that God can deal with us one-on-one! This has happened before and probably will again one day. - Wilma Cabaniss


From Attractional to Incarnational
Glen Beaty took Gary Cake’s story and exhortation and did it: he joined a group of remote controlled car racers and is potentially building relationships for the kingdom.

Below are a few of the various words and prayers last Sunday confirming that we are on track with God as we pray for our neighbors and seek to build relational bridges into the kingdom as we love and serve them.

Ryan received this word last Sunday about us bringing life:
If we are the Body of Christ and in this neighborhood we are the heart, then what are the people and places surrounding this place? They are the other body parts. And the job of the heart is to give life to the other body parts. And that is our job as the heart, to bring life to the people around us, and it is also our job from Jesus Christ.
- Ryan Ellis

Tim Cunkle had a word that the front door was not for the kingdom to come in to us, but us to go out to bring the kingdom.


What are you hearing and how are you praying?

A Prayer of Incarnation Attraction: Jesus’ Thoughts In Us

Though fully God, Jesus Messiah, You also became fully human (John 1:14; Col 2:9).

Tempted in every way like us, You sympathize with us, yet without sin You help and deliver us (Heb 4:15). Jesus, You came to reveal the Father and what it means to be gloriously human. You showed us the image of God for which we were created. O’ lovely and victorious Son of Man who became the suffering servant (Is 53 and Phil 3) taking up your cross, laying down your life, rising from the dead, ascending to the Father and returning King and Lord. Incarnate in us. You’ve begun Re-Genesis, New Order, and Re-creation. One day heaven and earth will become one, nations healed, every tear wiped away, death and sickness and sin removed. O’ think in us beginning restoration even in our human weakness, so that we might bring hope in this dark world. O’ glorious grace incarnated in this human race.

But we are neither fully God nor gloriously human. The flesh is weak though the Spirit in us is willing. But what if?

What if the Spirit revealed in us what Jesus is thinking (remember He is fully divine and fully man)? He knows our weak frame and that from dust we were made. He already revealed to us the perfect image of Father to which we will be restored in our resurrected bodies. But we need a word now, a revelation releasing Life in us-come and think in our minds.

Living Word of God be incarnate in us.
Loving God incarnate us Your body into our community.

The leper thought Mother Teresa was Jesus, but she saw Jesus in him. Jesus open our hearts and eyes to see you in our neighbor so they may see You in us. Incarnation live and think in us. Help us think and live not only in You but involved with them.

Forgive our leaders and nation our sins. Expose and remove in government and culture and church what hinders heaven from coming on earth. Make us more fully divine and gloriously human. Heal our land, especially our neighborhood, block by block, from innocent blood, occult, broken covenants and immorality, and despair, fear and hate.

Strengthen our hands to serve at home and church and Kaiser School. Increase food for the needy through sharing. Enlarge our hearts through prayer. Grow us up through love at work. And put your lovely and holy thoughts in us. PD

Are we Incarnational or Attractional or BOTH

Are we Incarnational or Attractional or BOTH?

Sunday messages can be viewed online here Message from Gary Cake

Or request a CD from Rick O’Hara or Ryan Ellis

How do we feel and how do we respond to Gary's message on us being “incarnational instead of attractional?” He said our programs and plans are neither the problem nor the answer but our mindsets are. Are we intentional about being “with” people—being “present” to them during the week? We are hospitable people when they visit us but are we relational and "missional" in our mindset to go be with and be where Christ’s presence is needed by others? Richard said this, “The "meat is in the street." Jesus “encountered” the Samaritan woman at the well by speaking honestly yet with love.

So what is our heart and mindset in doing Whiz Kids, "adopt a block" prayers, Oct 9 Kaiser School work day, Trunk or Treat, Food Drive and Neighborhood Sunday, challenging men together inviting them to Ziklag and emotionally connecting with women by inviting them to Women Walking With God group?

Is our heart and mind to win the lost and make disciples...

How do we feel about this? What do we feel?

I think we do feel life growing (the body grows as every member participates in relationship and love-as growing in body ministry and prayer Sun AM and small groups).

The fruit of this increased sense of ownership and growing participation does help us feel the power and faith of the Lord for incarnational ministry does it not?

How do you feel about this? Do we feel growing love and faith in Christ?

On a personal note, I look forward daily to the question, "What are You thinking of me now Lord? What are You thinking of us? What are you thinking of those around me and what does this make me feel? What do I want to do as a result? I want to follow You, Lord, and be both attractional and incarnational.”

What Evangelism Do We Really Believe In? by Pastor Dwight

Decades ago we trained people to ask questions like, "If you died tonight why would Jesus let you into heaven," or, "Right now do you know for certain you'd go to heaven." Over the years we realized people weren't even thinking about heaven let alone dying. Life was about friends, school, jobs and the pursuit of happiness, with the occasional concern for things that were wrong like Apartheid or greedy, selfish materialism.

We also realized we had problems trying to "scare the hell out of people" by warning them to come to the altar quickly so they wouldn't be "left behind" if the "rapture" happened tonight. That picture of God wasn't any more appealing than God meeting them at death's gate to tell them either, "You won the whole enchilada-enter heaven," or, "Too bad but you go to hell." On the other hand telling them to come and die on the cross didn't get people excited. Evangelism is hard!

For a while we wanted to preach prosperity but didn't have enough faith. We preached "the kingdom of God comes dominion of God over the whole earth, and you can be part of His victory," but we struggled with things like continued suffering and injustice and the continued failures of church leaders.

Many people are negative about even the big "E" word let alone knocking on doors or passing out tracts. And although we like people coming to us on Sunday, we let them find their own way Sunday afternoon through Saturday. We basically stink at discipleship and friendship outside of our "meeting."

How about evangelizing men with a challenge to manliness, courage and sacrifice for the greatest good? Invite them to Ziklag beginning Thurs eve Oct 14; or to share life with women on Friday nights, or to bake bread or make quilts?

What do see people hungry for and needing?

How about Evangelism into hope, joy, love and justice for the oppressed-"good news" which we proclaim from heaven's kingdom as already begun? Or invite neighbors to love through a food drive. Bring love through service or hospitality. Bring peace through our prayers for them. Bring hope because of Jesus' resurrection from the dead and ascension and tell them justice will come for the poor and oppressed because He returns as Judge to set things right.

What evangelism do we really believe in?
PD

Response to sermons on Heaven by John Clark Port

Listening to Pastor Dwight’s several sermons on heaven the past few weeks has given me some thoughts. As I listen, I find myself feeling convicted at the lack of “heaven” (or at least the heavenly kingdom) in my own life. Let me explain. Many times we look at heaven in this far off sense. The way I'm talking about is very close and practical.

I've noticed complacency in my life. A laziness and satisfaction with the way things are that is really quite sickening. I've had to step back and ask myself, "where is my relationship with the Lord and how am I serving Him." The answers I've found are, "not as close to Him as I would like, and I’m not serving Him a lot."

There is a fear/conviction in me about hell too. I think about the parable of the talents and what kind of steward I'm being with what I've been given. How am I reaching those who don't know Him and what kind of fruit is there to show for it? The answer is, I haven't even been trying to reach out to those who don't know Him and there is no fruit. That would label me as an unprofitable servant (Mt 25). Would that qualify me for the lake of fire? A scary realization but important nonetheless.

So what do I do with that. I believe God is using Pastor Dwight and his sermons on heaven to WAKE US UP! We must see our laziness and complacency and repent from it and change. We must let the word of God transform our minds so we care more about Him and His work for us to do than we care about ourselves. The church has been about us. We must repent and do what God created us to do. Love Him and call others to His love - taking dominion of this earth and bringing his blessing. Amen - John Clark Port

Added by Pastor Dwight: Thanks John Clark, you said it best. I think heaven to us is still too much of a time and place mindset just like "going to church." “Heaven is the place where God's presence to bless is fully manifested.” So we need to think- do we want his fully manifested presence or do we really just want blessed? Where he comes fully his presence will deal mercifully with whatever hinders his blessing. And if we want his full presence we must be intentional about blessing others full not just filling ourselves. We bless God and others by loving him and them. That means spreading heaven's kingdom and bringing others into our lives and his heaven. Go be heaven’s “blessors” and “laid down lovers” for others.

How To Make A Good Decision by Pastor Dwight

Have I made some bad decisions - lots of them. If you aren't afraid to decide you will make mistakes. But our goal is to walk more in the Spirit of Christ and make better decisions that please Him and bring Him glory.

Also, try not to waste time worrying or trying to figure what what coulda, woulda, shoulda been if I only hada...

"Decision making is the hardest work we do" so don't be lazy. Here are some things that may help you.

First, consider Nine Buoys based on Gary Cake's book, Understanding Your Personal Prophecy: How to evaluate, judge, interpret and apply personal prophecy

1. That your decision does not violate God's written Word (Ps 119:105) especially when revelation comes to you as a specific application (Greek word rhema in Mt 4:4; Eph 6:17).

2. That your choice does not violate what you hear and obey God's voice (Jn 10:2, 16; Rom 8:14).

3.You have the most discipline and desire when what you do matches your God-given motivation: heart's passion, vision or mission (although we can't always get to do what we want so this is only one buoy in the decision making process).

4. You have the most grace when you use your best giftings, training and life experiences (including what you received from your parents and what works in your family).

5. Apply prophetic words you have received from others (see Gary Cake's book on how to evaluate and apply them).

6. Counsel with and authorities in your life (parents, pastor and others in authority).

7. Maintain peace and the fruit of the Spirit even if the decision is difficult.

8. Ask for and look for confirmation in circumstances.

9. Maintain unity with others involved and integrity with other prior commitments you have made (like toward your employer or team members).

10. Look for the "No wake" principle (the absence of chaos and confusion around you).

Second consider making good decisions based on principles of St Ignatius.

A. Learn to discern the spirits by practicing the daily examine of your thoughts, feelings and conscience.Am I matching up with the following:

1. Seeking to know, love and bring glory to Christ as the end?

2. Ordering decisions in a way that separates the means (money, marriage, job, college etc from that primary end of knowing, loving and pleasing God?

3. Becoming free from negative influences that may come from the world, our culture, wrong religious beliefs, or even familiarity of family and friends who knowingly or unknowingly may try to manipulate or control

B. Be aware of these three states of mind and emotion

1. Do I have a clear and persistent direction from God (Paul's Damascus Road experience)

2. If I do not have consistent emotion and sense of direction about which decision to make I continue to ask God to let me feel as He does about each decision.

3. In the absence of clear direction or sense of what pleases God I list the benefits and problems of each choice to help me weigh the outcomes.

C. Three future settings to also consider:

1. What advice would I give someone who came to for counsel with this decision?

2. How do I imagine I will feel about this decision at the end of my life

3. How do I imagine I will feel about this decision when standing before Christ?



I hope this helps.

Love you all, PD

Whose Words are in Our Mouth? By James Hamann

The Lord has been impressing on me a question ...“Whose words are in our mouth?” As we look at our current financial situation, what are we confessing?

Much of our confession recently has been of financial problems, lack of funds to meet our needs, lack of funds to complete . . . The words in our mouth are words of lack, leanness, debt and fear.

These are not God’s words. Their source comes from our enemy, Satan. How can we know this? We know this because they are directly opposed to God’s word. Hear what God says:

And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

And God is able to make all grace (every favor and earthly blessing) come to you in abundance, so that you may always and under all circumstances and whatever the need, be self-sufficient—possessing enough to require no aid or support and furnished in abundance for every good work and charitable devotion. II Corinthians 9:8

Read and meditate on these words for they are truly God’s words and promise to us. Faith will arise as we do. Romans 10:17 tells us faith comes by hearing the word of God.

We must begin to put God’s words in our mouths (Romans 8:10). In faith, let’s begin to confess and say what God says and free him to begin to manifest the reality of His promise in our present experience. In Jeremiah God himself has said:

. . . For I am alert and active, watching over my word to perform it. Jeremiah 1:12

In Romans 4 Paul says that Abraham did not weaken in faith when he considered his present situation, but,

No unbelief or distrust made him waver or doubtingly question concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong and was empowered by faith as he gave praise and glory to God, fully satisfied and assured that God was able and mighty to keep His word and do what He had promised.
Romans 4:20-21

Let us not look at our present situation financially and weaken in faith. Our situation/ circumstances is not the final truth. God’s word is the final truth ...put God’s word in our mouths ... give Him praise and glory that He is mighty and able to keep His word and do what He has promised.

Our God will liberally supply our every need! Let us hold fast to this confession.

- James Hamann

The Auctioneer

by Pastor Kerry Freeman

A dirty, disheveled boy of about ten wearing tattered clothing was shoved forward onto the wooden dock. He was next. His hands were tied and a thick rope hung around his neck to prevent escape. A crowd gathered. The burly auctioneer opened the bidding. Who wants this slave boy? He’s young. ‘Oughta get a lot of good years out of’em. How much will you give?

Bidders examined the boy. Is he strong? Can he be trained to recruit others? Is he a rebel? He would make a good whipping boy. Will he try to escape? Can his spirit be broken where he no longer dreams of being somethin’ special? Can he be used to break the spirit of the rest? Can I master him?

Standing at a distance, a reserved man opened the bidding.
“I’ll give one bit!” His name was Abandonment. He knew if he could get him now he would have him for a lifetime.
Rejection raised the bid, “Two bits!”
Anger said, “No! I want him!”
Self-pity threw her hat in. Soon the air filled with clamor arguing over who would enslave the lad.
Selfishness added his two cents.
Bitterness made her bid.
Lust looked longingly at the boy.

Then there was one booming, baritone voice that shook the soil and the souls of the mob. “I want him! No price too high! I will give my life for his liberty and love.”

The Auctioneer cried out, “The price IS your life! Your blood!

“Done!” replied the Redeemer

“Done!” replied the Auctioneer

The Auctioneer trusted no one, not even the Man who won the bid. He demanded immediate payment and ordered his minions to seize the would-be Rescuer. In the sight of all, the boy’s Emancipator was strapped to a tree. He eagerly embraced the price for the treasure-a boy who would repay His love for a lifetime. The Man died that day.

The Auctioneer was forced to release the lad. He turned to the boy with disdain and grudgingly uttered these words: “The bidding was fierce. You have been bought with a high price-That Man’s blood. You are not your own. Abandonment cannot have you. Rejection has no say. Anger has no hold. Bitterness lost the bid. Lust left dejected. Selfishness surrendered her rights. “Under the terms of the sale you are to glorify your new Owner, your Redeemer, in body and soul; whole-hearted devotion to the One who paid your ransom.”

With that the Auctioneer removed the noose from the boy’s neck and untied his hands so the boy could love and serve freely. That boy is you and me.

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever! Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He has redeemed from the foe.” Psalms 107: 1-2

Kerry Freeman 7.3.10

Trading my Kingdom for His!

By Richard Lineberry

“For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves." Colossians 1:13

The call to be a disciple of Christ involves a trade-in. My stuff for His. A kingdom has “ways.” It has a culture, policies and rules that reflect the will of its king. As a subject of King Jesus, we learn to see life as He sees it and live it as He did.

The kingdom of darkness, from which we all defected as Christians, ignores the King. It is preoccupied with things of this world and promotes selfishness. It is full of shakings that are the consequences of rebellion against the true king and His effort to get our attention. When we are born again, we are then introduced to the clash of the two kingdoms.

Under the government of King Jesus, He gradually moves towards the throne of our hearts. Getting saved is the getting started part, but the experiencing of it in all facets of our lives is a lifetime operation. God trades us our old views about God for the right views. Our hearts begin to go after His desires for us rather than our own (His are better, by the way). During these changes, we often ask, “Why things can’t stay the way they were?” The answer, of course, is that we are now under new management. The only thing here to stay is CHANGE.

An old story tells of two preachers visiting about the fall of man. One asked, “When man fell into sin in the garden, just how far did they really fall from God?” His friend responded, “Well, just ask God to make you the way He intended you to be and you’ll find out.”

True repentance brings about a revolution starting deep within with our decision to follow Jesus and travels to our outside world that will change everything about us. If we let His Kingdom grow, it will affect everything we touch. That’s how God sets things in divine order. Painful for us along the way, but that’s how the Prince of Peace brings peace. If something new is going to happen, something old has to go. But when it does, we discover we’ve traded in our rags for His riches.

My prayer for us today is that we keep our eyes on the throne. Jesus is making a better future for us because the future is His. Look to Him who makes all good things possible. He heals what no one else can, breaks down the evil powers of this world and will not stop until He, alone, is pleased. That’s the Good News!

Can We Live From the Unseen Into Seen?

Seeing and Living From Kingdom of Heaven in the Here and Now
Preview of the next series of messages beginning July 25 and continuing August 8

How do we walk in not only miraculous life but practical application of God’s love and grace in daily life?

It’s far easier to believe you can speak to a mountain to move out of the way (as Jesus said to disciples) when you are 30,000 feet up seated in an airplane than when underneath it and overwhelmed by it. Do we see reality by looking at the outward first or by seeing from within the kingdom? (From a resurrection and ascension seat with Christ - Eph 1:18-2:6 6 God raised us up with Christ. He has seated us with him in his heavenly kingdom because we belong to Christ Jesus.)

Can we live from the unseen into seen?

We're present in this world but the source of our life is by His presence, His purpose, His power, and the principles of His eternal Kingdom revealed both in His Word and in the natural laws at work all around us. We have jobs, responsibilities and roles here and now, but our life and destiny come from the there and then of Christ’s spiritual kingdom. Both natural and spiritual wisdom helped our founders establish a government with checks and balances. So we need balance and wisdom today, especially to discern and resist the evil of this present world and enemy.

What are we do? Rise above by practicing the celebration that is already going on in heaven. Practice praise and loving service. Hear and sing heaven’s music in your hearts now. See and hear the spirit-love-language of heaven’s covenant now. Then you can speak as if practicing how to think & live there.

If you don't plan on going to hell don't practice what comes from there: fear, worry, unforgiveness, unbelief, negativity, living under our circumstances...

Instead bring heaven here by beginning the day and conversations and work and relationships from the Kingdom within instead of reacting to things and people from without.

Matt 22:33 Lord, that our eyes may be opened.

Eph 1:18 By having the eyes of your heart flooded with light, so that you can know and understand the hope to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the saints (His set-apart ones),

Acts 26:17 "'I'm sending you off to open the eyes of the outsiders so they can see the difference between dark and light, and choose light, see the difference between Satan and God, and choose God.

Ps 36 You're a fountain of cascading light, and you open our eyes to light.

Ps 119:17 Open my eyes so I can see what you show me of your miracle-wonders. I'm a stranger in these parts; give me clear directions. My soul is starved and hungry, ravenous!— insatiable for your nourishing commands.

~Pastor Dwight