Reading the Scroll

Bro. Smith preached a wonderful sermon on Luke 4:18 &19. You could just read those verses and not notice in the verses just above that Jesus had a Divine Appointment where He went into the synagogue to start reading the Scroll where it had been opened to a certain place in Isaiah (Is. 61:1, 2). In verse 21, Jesus said to them "This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears".

We need to realize that the "gospel" means good news-it liberates us. God's way is to love our enemies, take what He has given so freely and give it to others. Learn the economics of God-tithe, believe in what the Word says, read the Bible, and obey the Lord when He speaks to us. Many people who have been forced to withstand severe, fiery trials will tell you, it is ONLY prayer and the close communion with a loving Father that can comfort the heart. Jesus said He is annointed to heal the broken-hearted. When you are down and out, deep in depression, facing oppression, what gets you through that? If you are a child of the Lord, His annointing will lift you up.

We need to praise Him in every situation in life. It's not easy. It is NOT easy. But the Bible tells us Jesus wants to dwell in the praises of His people. Praising the Lord is key. In life we get hurt by people and even in the church. We get our feelings hurt by something or someone and go back out to the world. Satan brings hurting church people into captivity, but Jesus can heal up our hurts-He wants to fix what is broken. We may mask the pain and build walls for
protection, but the One who searches the heart knows and sees it all. We will never hide anything from the Lord. Once you can lay all the shattered dreams and broken lives at the foot of the Cross, Jesus is ready to come in and heal the hurting soul.

We have Talent!!!

Yes, we indeed have been blessed with the arrival of Janice McDaniel to our church. Last Sunday night, she treated us to that beautiful song, "To God be the Glory". Her voice reminds me of Sandi Patty who is world-famous and sings often with The Gaither's Homecoming Series. Janice is a precious, dear and loving person, and I just want to welcome her to WCFC.

We are looking forward to hearing more singing from Janice-soon! Also, the new bulletin board is one she did just this week. Make a point to see it for yourself. Great talent!

We have also have some other visitors who, hopefully, will be a permanent part of the church. Linda Franks and her daughter have been coming, as well as several people who live at Crestwood and ride the church van.

Divine Appointments

Isn't it awesome how our Father 'sets us up' sometimes? He may put you in a certain situation with a particular person at His designated time and place for the purpose of glorifying Jesus. Just today I saw Dr. Kandie Sherer and she asked if our church would please put her 84-year-old dad on our prayer list. Of course, I said I would do it that night, being a Wednesday night.



She said he has always been a very active and healthy man, a good, good man. He knew he had cancer but now, they are going to find out how much worse the cancer is than they had believed in the beginning. They will be seeing the doctor in the morning. It seems more involved than they thought before, and will need more treatment. She told me something he said the other day and I wanted to just share it with you. They have a family burial plot where his dad and mom are, and then when he and his wife (of 64 years!!!) pass, they will be buried there also. He wants to be placed where he would be as close as possible to the two women he loves so much, and that way, he would be able to 'protect' them. When he told this, his wife came over to him and gave him a big hug and a kiss and a huge I LOVE YOU. Isn't that a wonderful story? A caring husband, dedicated father and someone who so loves the Lord Jesus Christ, that is a powerful testimony. I don't personally know Kandie's dad, but Neal and Sondra Sandlin are close friends of the family. His name is Harold Sherer and I know you will remember this family in your prayers. Dr. Kandie always brags on Neal and Sondra and her whole family loves them.



Isn't it wonderful that we are able to lift each other up in prayer as a church? That's what it means to be part of the Family of God. What a blessing.



Oh,I have a praise report!

As you may know, I do alot of sewing and quilting and have for 30 years. Much of my things are for sale, some are for family and I try to do a little volunteer sewing. Two weeks ago, I had to return some beautiful pieced "Lonestar" blocks to the Quilting Guild I belong to in Tuscaloosa. Can't say it wasn't tempting to just somehow keep all that pretty stitching someone else had done and donated to the group, but it really did NOT belong to me, so I knew I had to give it all back. That was hard to do. That was on a Saturday morning. The very NEXT day, Sunday morning, Jerrie Scott brought me a huge box of quilt scraps. Yummy!! What I couldn't get over, in the bottom of the box were many gorgeous quilt blocks--done in vintage fabric in the exact same "Lonestar" pattern of the ones I had returned the day before!!!! Less than 24 hours later. Is that GOD or WHAT????? I mean, the exact pattern!! Wow, how's that for the hand of God? Thank you, Jerrie, for your kindness and thoughtfulness.

We have such a great congregation, don't we? Each person fits into the Body to do what He has called us to do. God help us do more for You.

Someone once said "Lord, help me do today what I will wish I had done when I stand in Your Presence".

Amen

Learning to Lean

How precious it is to lean on the strong arm of our Lord. How many sleepless nights and tears of frustration we shed when we should bring ALL our burdens to Jesus. How hard we make the way when we try to do it alone and fight the battles without Him Who died to make us victorious.

We are defenseless without the aid of our Heavenly Father.

Enjoy this short message; it has ministered to me for several years and I hope you get a blessing from it's reading.

"Release Thy Grief"

My child, lean thy head upon My bosom. Well I know thy weariness, and every burden I would lift. Never bury thy griefs, but offer them up to Me. Thou wilt relieve thy soul of much strain if ye can lay every care in My hand. Never cling to any trouble, hoping to resolve it thyself, but turn it over to Me; and in so doing, ye shall free Me to work it out.

Cast aside thy questionings. Fling aside thy fears. For surely Mine arms are already outstretched to recieve thee~Only Believe!!! For in that moment that thou relinquish ALL~in that same moment shall thou know release. Mine arms shall gather thee, and I shall never let thee go!

Praise the Lord! We serve a God Who will not let us get away from Him. We are safe forevermore within the arms of our Saviour the minute we become a child of the King! He WILL honor His Word!

Quilts, Quilts, Quilts!!!!!!

If there is anyone out there who loves and remembers the comfort of a handmade quilt, you may get a blessing from this short story I got from a quilter's blog last week. For me, I have been quilting for the last 30 years and can tell you, I stitch my joys and my sorrows into my creations. It is great therapy, joy for my hands as well as my heart. The Lord has allowed me to bless others with my sewing, and He has given me many dear friends through this wonderful artform.

Philippians 4:13 tells us we can do all things through Christ which strenghtens us.


As I faced my Maker at the last judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with all the other souls. Before each of us laid our lives like squares of a quilt in many piles, an angel sat before each of us sewing our quilt squares into a tapestry that is our life.

But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult, the challenges and temptations I was faced with in everyday life. I saw hardships I had endured which were the largest of all.

I glanced around. Nobody else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there, the others tapestries were filled with rich colors and bright hues of wordly fortune. I gazed on my own life and was disheartened. My angel was sewing ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty, like binding air.

Finally, the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light, the scrutiny of truth. The others rose; each in turn, holding up their own tapestry. So filled had been their lives. My angel looked at me and nodded for me to rise.

My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn't had all the earthly forture. I had had love in my life, and laughter. But there had been trials of illness and trials of wealth, and false accusations that took from me my world as I knew it. I had to start over many times, often struggling with temptation to just quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I spent many nights on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully, each time offering it up to my Father, hoping that I would not melt within my skin beneath the judgmental gaze of those who unfairly judged me.

And now, I had to face the truth: my life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it was. I rose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light.

An awe-inspired gasp filled the very air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with wide eyes.

Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image, the face of Christ. Then our Lord stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, "Everytime you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardship, My struggle. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through until there was more of Me than of you."

May all your quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Jesus Christ to shine through!!!

A New Revelation

Bro. Smith began a new study series this past Wednesday night, and it is going to be an awesome adventure!! You'll want to come out and join us as we explore this deep, DEEP book of the Word of God. There is so much to learn and even if you have read and studied Revelation before, you will find there is always much more gold to mine out of these precious Scriptures. Thankfully, Bro. Dewayne has devoted countless hours and YEARS of study in order to help us begin to get a picture of what the Lord has in store for those who love and desire to learn of Him.

The Book of Revelation is NOT a sealed book~it is a book that God wants us to study and understand. Much of it covers the period of Daniel's seventieth week. While it is a difficult book, the Lord promises a blessing to all who read and keep these sayings. There are many things that set this book apart from all the rest of the Bible.

1~It is the only prophetic book in the New Testament.

2~The study of any Scripture is profitable (11 Tim. 3:16)

3~This prophecy concerns us, since we will be glorified with Christ.

The Apostle John wrote this Book at age 90+. John saw Jesus as He really is, just as one day we will see Him. What an amazing thought!

Verse 19 gives the outline of the entire Book:
1~The things which thou hast seen
2~The things which are~The Church Age
3~The things which shall be hereafter~after the Church Age.

How wonderful it is to know Jesus Christ loves us, He washed us, and He lives for us! The events spoken of will come to pass and soon~are you ready?

The Fig Tree

Maybe you have read the story in Mark 11 about how Jesus cursed the fig tree. I have. Many, many times. However, I have to admit I never understood that story at all. Not even close. It was a mystery. Fortunately, we at WCFC, have an extremely educated and knowledgeable pastor who explained this scripture Sunday night.

In Mark 11:12-14, Jesus came to the fig tree and looked for figs to eat. There were none as it was not the time of year for figs. That's about as far as I ever got on this passage. Verse 14 says that Jesus "answered" the tree. That means He TOLD the fig tree to produce figs-NOW. It did not do so and was cursed so that it was "dried up from the roots", Mark 11:20. When the disciples questioned the Lord about this, Jesus told him to "Have faith in God". Then He went on to talk about how they could move mountains, when Peter had been thinking about that fig tree.

When you begin to think about how God works, you realize that Jesus comes to us and tells us to produce fruit. We can obey or refuse. We have to listen to Him and give that good work for the Lord. How? How do we obey God? Have faith in God, have God's kind of faith, v. 22. It is a process--it takes time. Look at the disciples. They walked and talked with Jesus on a daily basis, yet when the end came, they even denied Christ. Jesus had told them if they would believe and not doubt, they could have what they said. How loving and forgiving Jesus has always been to His children.

In the same way, we must SPEAK to the mountain in our lives-not doubting, having faith. Say it out loud-say it so the demons hear. They are ever-listening to what we speak with the mouth. Proverbs 6:2 says you are snared by the words of your mouth. So, speak out goodness, positive, Godly things into the atmosphere. Speak to your problems and trials. Don't give in to fear. The Lord will take care of you if you obey Him!! If you have a fault against anyone, forgive them, as your Father forgives you. He will help you do this. It may be difficult, but there is nothing too hard when you have the Lord on your side to help you.

Too many times, we are blinded to the evil that Satan does, and blame God for the hurts and trials in our lives. Remember, the Devil comes but to kill, steal and destroy, but God has a perfect plan for us. We are to remain obedient to Him and stay on guard for the wiles of the enemy. You can say it out loud: devil, get out of my way, get your hands off my children, you can't have them, and plead the Blood of Jesus over them. Satan is really so very small up against God Almighty.

Lord, give us Your kind of faith.

We need the Lord......and each other!

We read in the Gospels that Jesus Himself attended many social events when He walked the earth. He knew we all need the comfort and support of each other. We need to be mindful of the needs of our sisters and brothers in the Lord. The Bible teaches us that often the reason we are called upon to endure suffering is so that we will then be able to help and offer reassurance to someone else facing trouble. Just as we read about the woman at the well in John 4, who had a divine appointment with the King of Kings, we can be used of God to minister to another person. Christ used a "word of knowledge" to touch her heart, and then we read that she went to her city to tell everyone that she had met a man who told her everything she ever did. In the same way, every soul won to the Savior is key to hundreds more. That means you and I are important to the Lord!! Think of it....we are important to the God of all the Ages. That's why Satan works so hard to tear us down. How inspiring that is, and how like Jesus to let us know He loves and works through us. Read John 6:39. Many of the Samaritans believed on Jesus for the word of that woman. In verse 41, many more believed because of His own word.

Your harvest is your eternal reward. One sows, one waters, and another will reap the harvest. It is God who gives the increase. God is very serious about the harvest, and what a priviledge to be a part of His great Plan. Let's not miss out on any part of our destiny. What really matters really? Is it a better job or getting a bigger house? Not when you consider eternity-it's all about pouring our love and energy into doing His will. We are not promised tomorrow. Love somebody and tell them about the Love of Jesus today!!!

Sunday October 11, 2009

We had a great day Sunday! We thank God for all His blessings. Above is a few pictures from the children performing a little song "He's got the whole world in His hands " from a few Sundays ago.
We also gave away a print picture to the largest donation to the general expense fund this Sunday. May God bless Sister Debra Banta.

Homecoming Report

Winfield City Family Church celebrated our Homecoming Sunday Oct 4 marking our two year anniversary! Praise God for His blessings! We had a singing with Tucson Stovall /Pure Heart Ministries and lunch together downstairs, with 57 in attendance.
We also had a special surprise from the Beasley family who visited with us for lunch and singing. (The Beasley family have graciously allowed us to use the disbanded Concord Primitive Baptist Church building).
God is amazing. He is healing and breaking down barriers between Christian churches.

God has also blessed us with a church van to pick up several people from the Crestwood apartment outreach who do not have the transportation.

Thank you to Brother Ronnie Cockrell and Brother Neal Sandlin for volunteering to drive!

God is Good all the time! All the time God is Good!

Mule Day Thank you!

Thanks to everyone who pulled together to help with Mule Day outreach. It rained washed the crowds down, but it gave us a small taste of what outreach is all about. It takes a lot of work and prayer, as well as people to witness.

God bless everyone who helped!