In this issue:

Righteousness Exhalts A Nation ...

2

Recession Proof Your Faith Pt2 3

Pitched In and Out the Atoning... 5

Jesus, Lover of My Soul 8

Welcome to the second edition of New Dawn! We encourage you as your reading this magazine, this very sentence even, to take a moment and think about yourself. Think about your life. Did you have a long day ? Or is it just beginning? Maybe you went to work, looked after your children, spent time with your partner or spouse. Now think outside of the busyness of the day, just focus on how you are feeling in this moment. At the end of the day when you reflect on your life as it stands in the grand scheme, do you feel satisfied with your current situation?

For many of us, there may just be something missing. We may eat until we’re full but get hungry again too soon. We may sleep a full night’s rest and wake up more tired then when we laid down. We may feel though we give our time and care to those around us- we never feel it being reciprocated or fully appreciated.

Yes there is something definitely missing! Why is it there? Why is there always this subtle presence and secret inkling that we are not actually happy? When we zoom in and think about this feeling, it might grow to an overwhelming lack of a sense of purpose. Questions of “why am I here and what am I doing with my life?”, is too daunting of a thought for some, so we keep busy… we fill our life up with stuff, people and self-fulfilling goals. Deep down though, no matter how often we may try to avoid it, we know we continue to feel this great resounding void.

Blaise Pascal a brilliant French mathematician, physicist, inventor and philosopher who’s life work has contributed widely to the scientific world, blessed the world with an eloquent answer to this missing piece that we all struggle with, through a single quote from his book Pensees: “There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus”.

The void you feel can only be filled by God. Please note carefully we did not say church, religion, or ideologies...but simply “God”. If you are feeling this void, and you’ve tried many things except Him, we encourage you to try God this time. And if you have tried God before, it might be time for a fill up! Stay prayerful, stay rooted and cling to God and his unchanging Word and He will renew your strength. We believe every person was carefully crafted by God and every person has a purpose. He is not mad at you, He has not forgotten you and no matter what you’ve been through or how you currently feel, He cares about you. Come back to your first love– He is waiting to reveal to you his purpose for your life and he wants to replace your weariness with his Joy! “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

W e l c o m e

Ne

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New

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S e p t e m b e r 2 9 , 2 0 1 3 V o l u m e 1 , I s s u e 2

The greatest mistake you could ever make, is convincing yourself that nothing’s missing.

Why Go to Church? 9

7 Reasons Why... 10

Children's Page... 11

Ever wondered why a lot of people with great ideas and talent start a race but only few make it to the finish line?

It is often said that the journey of a million miles begins with a sing step. Whilst the beginning paves the way, the content of a man’s heart sets the tone and pace of the journey.

The vision of the mind is greater than the vision of the eyes. The mental picture of your goal makes it more tangible and achievable. A blank mind lacks aspiration and expects nothing; it can therefore not be disappointed.

The great mind on the other hand is so called because it pushes boundaries by dreaming beyond the realms of possibilities. One thing holds true for all of man’s great inventions; they all started with a dream. The idea was formed in the heart; developed by the imagination, the fact that there was nothing in existence that it could be compared to did not hinder the mind. It was the first of its kind, yet it was still possible for the mind to conceive it.

The mind of a man is a hidden storehouse of vast treasures. The potential of which if tapped, births greatness and if not, remains ‘as is’- just a potential.

I t A l l s t a r t s w i t h a D r e a m M a r y - A n n O n i y i m b a

The Great Britain has a history of

success which were hung on the

knowledge and acknowledgement of

God. The victories in the “battle field”,

the “establishment of the throne”,

leading the world on the demographic

philosophy and the successes of it all

were as a result of a place given to God

and his church.

The monarch was part of the church

and the Bishop of Canterbury was part

of the House of Lords. “Prayer to God

is nationalised” (God Save the

Queen). Some parts of the resources

were dedicated to the service of God

and humanity. Great men and women

of God were praying and spreading the

gospel to the whole world.

However the importance of the Great

Britain is declining, their influence in

the world terrain is going downwards

because the place given to God and the

fear of God is been undermined. “A

nation that rules the waves” is now

referred as a small “Island”. There is a

revolt at the neighbour of our overseas

territory (Gibraltar and France Land).

The Economy is almost in shamble and

our social and cultural values are fading

out. Rebellion against God, parents

and the government are increasing in

an alarming rate. Violence is increasing

in our streets. “GREAT BRITAIN IT IS

TIME TO RETURN BACK TO GOD

SO THAT OUR INFLUENCE AND

RELEVANCE TO THE ECONOMIC,

SOCIAL-GEO POLITICAL TERRAIN

CAN BE RESTORED. (2nd

Chronicles: 14)

“Let the voice of prayer arise again

on our land, spear your people oh

God! And restore our Land”.

Pastor Godwin Bartholomew

Faith Alive Ministries

R i g h t e o u s n e s s E x a l t s A N a t i o n b u t s i n i s a r e p r o a c h

t o a n y P e o p l e P r o v e r b s 1 3 : 3 4

It’s time to recession proof our faith! That means that our walk with God is independent of our current circumstances. Our personal, the Country nor the Worlds economic recession has no barring on our consistent belief that Jesus is Lord and there is a God.

Continued from “Recession Proof Your Faith” from New Dawn Volume 1 Edition 1…

I wish now to address the plan Apostle Paul laid out for us when trouble arises:

First, when trouble strikes, we must draw near to our heavenly Father to receive the promised comfort.

John 14:2-10

18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. 20 At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 22J udas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.

Second, ask other believers to pray for you. Paul told the Corinthian believers, “…you help us by your prayers…”( 2 Corin. 1:11).

This emphasizes the need to become a part of a good local fellowship, (church family) with close friends who are there to pray for you in times of trouble. God uses trials and troubles to humble us and bind us together with fellow Disciples. We’re commanded to bear one another’s burdens, and if they’re to bear our burdens, we need to “bare” that burden, i.e., we need to let some fellow believers know about our struggle and tell them we need their help and prayers. Don’t be too proud to do that. Each of us have fallen short to God’s

expectations and yet he has forgiven and loved each one of us, no matter how at fault, who accept Him. So let’s remember as we pray for one another to do so in love.

PRAYER- is the single most essential thing missing from church, our lives, and our spiritual growth. Not just prayer…but CORRECT prayer, because as Disciples, old and new we still have a hard time learning the correct way to pray. Fortunately God gives us specific instructions to pray.

Philippians 4:6-7

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The main benefit for belonging to a body of Christ– is the support system you get from a PRAYING church family. A body of Christ may contain people of different perspectives/opinions is united through the Holy Spirit who flows through all of us. Not through our logical minds, but by our SPIRITUAL mind can we be connected. When someone enters our church the love they feel should be transcended from artificial phony how you doings, to shining with the love of Christ who is inside all of us. Therefore as church members we should strive for all that we say, and do in our daily interactions comes not as a natural reaction, but an inner response from our now transformed hearts. If you are avoiding going to church because you are upset with people who attend– then you are most likely confusing the purpose of church. It is not to find perfect people -it is to find God. God uses people to help you grow and it is important that you don’t confuse the faults of men for a fault of God. Each of us come short of His glory but each of us are forgiven.

Third, realize that pain can help prepare you to minister to others. “God comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” There is no better comforter than someone who’s been through

deep trials and suffering. What do you say to a believer who is experiencing overwhelming troubles? How do you respond to him or her? Hopefully not like Job’s comforters! They kept saying, “Job, you must have committed some terrible sin. God wouldn’t let you suffer so much if you were faithful to him.” But they were wrong. At the end of the book, the LORD rebuked them for their foolish theories (Job 42:7-9).

Why do we constantly look for the counsel of evil to guide us? Dwell not in the counsel of evil for the only advice they could give you is of sin and iniquity (including the counsel we give to ourselves out of our Flesh). Why do we as Disciples, give advice to our friends/family before first seeking the counsel of the Holy Spirit? When we hear a situation, when we listen to a sad story, when we go through something, anything… our first reaction is to think, when according to the word our first RESPONSE should be re-trained to PRAY! Apostle Paul said in MY/YOUR Flesh dwells NO good thing. So why do we constantly…time after time…THINK first pray later?? Our thoughts are NOT his Thoughts our WAYS are not HIS ways…every seemingly good idea doesn’t mean its God’s plan or purpose—in fact Proverbs 14:12 says, “there is a way that seems right to man, but it ends in death” …praying and fasting and looking for the Holy Spirit and in his WORD is the only way we hear from God. Just because you have experience in the situation doesn’t mean that you are trained in the knowledge necessary to tell someone else what to do. There are tons of books on parenting, people keep writing them, reading them, trying them, and finding that their situation is one where it doesn’t work. Because God doesn’t fit in the box we put Him in, His plan for our lives, our children lives, our friends lives, is NOT always our plan for our lives. Recession proof your Faith by correcting your behavior to the recession. DO NOT REACT-(showing the feelings or thoughts it arouses, taking immediate reaction), RESPOND-(have a positive, well thought out reaction), to situations; this means for a Disciple, praying and sometimes Fasting till we hear from God.

R e c e s s i o n P r o o f Y o u r F a i t h - P a r t 2 F a i t h L B r o w n

The Elect Lady is a chosen Lady that gives life to her family, the church and impacts her generation positively.

Chosen because she is relevant, able to make a difference and equipped for good works.

Her hair is her glory, with her eyes she sees a piece of land and buys it from the profit of her

merchandise, her mind conceives ideas and visions to God’s glory. She is wise and certainly does not eat the bread of idleness.

Her womb brings forth nations; her breast

gives pleasure to her husband and feeds her offspring as her hands rock the cradle that rules

the world. Energetic and efficient because she clothes herself with strength and honour only speaks in wisdom and acts in integrity Proverbs 31 25:26.

A joyful wife that builds her home; she is vigilant and proactive. Her husbands safely trust her and she secures the future of her home. In benevolence she reaches out to the poor and needy.

The Elect Lady mirrors Deborah in the book of

Judges who through multitasking was able to successfully act as a mother in Israel, a prophetess, a judge, a business woman, an intercessor and the Lord used her to bring deliverance to the Israelite

The secret is in her virtue is that fears of the Lord, for the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. (psalm 111:10 NIV).

T h e E l e c t L a d y : j o h n 2 L a d y E s t h e r B a r t h o l o m e w

( F a i t h A l i v e M i n i s t r i e s )

From The Women of Noble character: Luke 10:42 says only one thing is needful and Mary has chosen that good part which should not be taken from her.

WONC host a non-denominational Prayer Palace on the last Friday of every month, from 10pm to 1am

where we seat and learn at the master’s feet – Praise and worship, prayer and intercession, hard talk about real life issues, it is truly an empowering time in his presence. For more information email

WONCB@hotmail.co.uk. Tel 07735496571.

Whether your skin is problem free and you just want a daily routine to improve skin plus coverage from weather. To keep looking young and having that hydrated healthy skin or you have got a problem skin of any level and you want to transform it to a smooth and flawless skin.

Contact Consultant:

Mrs. Diana Adebiyi

Tel: 07776233924

Email:

dianaadebiyi@hotmail.co.uk

By Evangelist Ezekiel Anyanwu

(President and Founder):

Grace Revolution Evangelistic Association (www.gracerevangass.com)

When God was going to destroy the world by water in Genesis Chapter 6, He told Noah who found grace in His eyes to build an Ark to the saving of His household. He told him to “pitch it within and without with pitch”. Let’s follow the account in Genesis 6:13-14 KJV: 13 And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth.14 Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch.

There are two Arks in the Old Testament: Big Ark and a small Ark. The small Ark is the one Moses was asked to build to specification (Exodus 25: 10-22) and the big Ark is Noah’s Ark. The big Ark represents us in Christ and the small Ark represents Christ in us.

The Ark of Noah is a picture of Jesus who is our Ark. Just as God preserved Noah and his household from destruction, when we come to Jesus by faith, we come into an Ark by which God saves us from His wrath and judgment both in this age and in the age to come. The word salvation in the original Greek is “soteria”, translated health, wholeness, preservation, safety and deliverance. Salvation is more than just being saved from sin. It is God's inclusive word for all that was obtained for us through the dead of Jesus on the cross.

Let’s go back to the text in Genesis 6: 13-14. The word “pitch” in verse 14, is the Hebrew word “kaphar” that is translated

atonement. The atoning Blood of Jesus is what pitch us in and pitch out the world. In order words, it is what seals us in and seal out the world. Just as God’s judgment on sin fell on Noah’s Ark, we were in the Ark called Christ when God’s judgment fell on Sin (noun). The scripture says “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness”. Romans 1:18 NKJV.

The atoning blood of Jesus Christ was what sealed us in from escaping the Ark so that all our sins were sufficiently punished/judged on Jesus 2000 years ago. As an analogy of what the atoning Blood of Jesus does as a powerful Sealant, I remember working with gaskets and seals in the inspection and maintenance of Cylinder Heads and other mechanical components of a gas Engines while employed as a Mechanical Maintenance Engineer in PHC, Nigeria. The purpose of the seal with the right torque applied was to seal in gas and other working fluids in the engine cylinder to prevent leakage and to seal out materials external to the cylinder head from getting in. Not only did the atoning Blood of Jesus seal us from within, it sealed us from without such that God’s judgment on Sin, did not fall on us but on the Ark Jesus. Hallelujah!!! “For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again”. II Corinthians: 14-15 NKJV.

Thus, all of our sins was in the future when Jesus on our behalf took all of God’s judgment on Sin. We appropriate what Jesus did on the cross by faith when we

come into the Ark of the new covenant. “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”. Romans 5:1 ESV. Our judgment is not in the future, our judgment is in the past once we have been redeemed by the Blood of Jesus. His judgment was our judgment; His dead was our dead“… Christ died once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him”. Hebrews 8:28 NLT. By law of Double Jeopardy, no one stand trial second time for offense they've already been exonerated from.

Finally, it is not an accident that Noah’s Ark lands on top of a mountain called Ararat. Genesis 8:4. It will blow your mind to know that Ararat in the Original Hebrew means “the curse reversed”. Wow!!! With us pitched within and pitched without in the Ark called Christ, Jesus, bore all our sins in His death at the cross and travelled through the stormy waters of God’s judgment all alone, landing us safely on a different mountain called Zion where all of God’s curse and judgment on Sin was reversed. “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”— 14 so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles…”Galatians 3:13-14 ESV. Beloved! Your Salvation is a complete package! It is health, wholeness, preservation, safety and deliverance. Not only is He the One Who saved us from Sin, He is the One Who is saving us from the problems and troubles of life and yes, He is the One Who is going to save us. Let’s give Him praise!

P I T C H E D I N A N D O U T – T H E W O R K I N G S O F T H E A T O N I N G

B L O O D O F J E S U S

Text : Matt. 28: 18-20 “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you:and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”

We thank God for His infinite mercy and His good work of reconciliation to man. We are saved by grace, and the same grace He is giving us on daily basis to bring the unbelievers to the cross. He wants to safe many others through us. Brethren, how well are you with this responsibility? Perhaps, you are innocently ignorant of the task. But Hear the Bible in Luke 12:48: But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. Beloved, Ignorance is not an excuse! For all of us as co- workers, this deliberate act of unfaithfulness will not be taken lightly

considering what Jesus says in Lk 12:47. How would it sound if Jesus calls a fellow a foolish son when we are gathered before him for reward? In order to be a wise son, we need to gather in summer according to Proverbs 10:5 “He that gathereth in summer is a wise son:but he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame.” We shall not cause shame in the name of Jesus! I pray that God the H.S will use the revelation in this message to unleash your potentials & make you fruitful in the name of Jesus! What is EVANGELISM? This is the sharing of Jesus Christ in the power of the HOLY SPIRIT and living the results up to God. That is go out, tell the good news about Jesus Christ with the backing of the Father in the third person of trinity ( H.S). Brethren, God’s formula for evangelism is found in Psalm 126:5-6, “They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forthand weepeth bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” A. Action: “Goeth forth.” God is depending on us. B. Attitude: “And weepeth” God wants us to have an unselfish concern for the lost souls. C. Conditions: “Bearing precious seed.”

D. Results: “Shall doubtless come again, with rejoicing, bringing...” · Go forth in His name. · Weep for the lost. Bear precious seed & ensure they abide. · Reap a harvest. H. S will unlock the creativity you require to be fruitful in the great commission today in Jesus name! Why do we have to win souls? (i.e. Reasons) 1). It is a command. Mt. 28: 19-20 2). There is need for labourer. Luke 10:2 3). Because the kingdom of God is nigh at hand. Luke 21:29-31 4). To depopulate the kingdom of darkness. 2 Pet. 1:3-4, Eph. 2:11-13 5). To teach & warn the unbelievers of the imminent damnation awaiting them. Mt 16:16 Who can win soul? 1). Anyone who has received Jesus Christ as his Lord & Saviour! 2). Anyone who has a connection with divinity & heaven. 3). Anyone who hopes to receive a mansion in heaven. 4). Anyone who hopes for rewards both here & in heaven.

T h e G r e a t C o m m i s s i o n E v a n g e l i s t E z e k i e l A n y a n w u

Overcrowded Church Service

The two thousand member church was filled to overflowing capacity again one Sunday morning. The pastor was ready to start the sermon when two men dressed in long black coats and hats entered through the rear of the church. One of the two men walked to the middle of the church while the other one stayed at the back of the church. They both reached under their coats and withdrew automatic weapons. The one in the middle announced, “Everyone willing to take a bullet for Jesus stay in your seats!” Naturally, the pews emptied, followed by the choirs, the deacons, the choir director and assistant pastor ran out of the door. After a few moments, there were only about twenty people left sitting in the church. The pastor was holding steady in the pulpit. The men put away their weapons and said gently to the pastor, “All right, pastor, the hypocrites are gone now. You may begin the service”!!!!!!.

(BRO SEYI ADEBIYI)

S E N S E O F H U M O U R C o r n e r

( L A U G H O U T L A U G H H H H )

THE WEDDING VOW

During a wedding rehearsal, the groom approached the pastor with an unusual offer. He said “look I’ll give you £10,000 if you’ll change the wedding vows”. When you get to the part where I’m supposed to promise to ‘love, honour and obey’ and be faithful to her forever, I’d appreciate it if you’d just leave that out. He passed the pastor £10,000 and walked away feeling satisfied. On the day of the wedding, when it was time for the groom’s vows exchange, the pastor looked the young man in the eyes and said “will you promise to prostrate yourself before her, obey her every command and wish, serve her breakfast in bed every morning of your life and swear eternally before God and your lovely wife that you will not look at another woman, as long as you both shall live?”. The groom gulped and looked around and said in a tiny voice “yes”, then leaned forward towards the pastor, hissed and said “I thought we had a deal”?, the pastor put the money into the grooms hand and whispered “she made me a better offer”.

(BRO SEYI ADEBIYI)

“While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head.” Mark 14:3 I’m not gonna lie to you. There are things that I just don’t like about the way in which the Lord works with us. In time, I do see the wisdom and the genius in it, but I have yet to grow accustom to the periods in life where the Lord is breaking you like the woman’s alabaster jar. It does help to remember the breaking is for Jesus. Maybe you’re like me. I keep thinking about what’s in the jar… and the aroma that will fill the room. I like those moments. I often find myself trying to skip to the “good stuff”… wanting to leave the jar the way it is. But the Lord is concerned with the process of breaking vessels. If you’re looking for a big theological word… it’s called “sanctification.” It’s being continually fashioned into His holy image. For He knows the aroma is the reward of a willing piece of clay. He is that aroma. And His fragrance comes only through a crushing blow to our souls. I have been giving this a great deal of thought. I think the nature of this process is interwoven into the very fabric of the Triune God. I don’t know what all that means yet. Nevertheless, I do believe that it is somehow rooted in the community shared by the Trinity. The Lord of heaven knows about self-denial. Yes, the Lord must grow us up into His image through self-sacrifice. It is what exists between the Father, Son, and Spirit. Without a continual denying of self, the believer will not be fashioned into His image, nor can he be built together with other living stones. The sweetness of the sacrifice will never come unless there is a willing disciple who is broken and spilled out. The Potter makes us and therefore has the right to break us. And that breaking can only bring forth a glorious display of His beauty IF we will surrender our constant obsession with self and learn the altruistic faith that unlocks the depths and riches of Christ. I’ m learning that I can give up my desire for control and hand

the reins of my life to Christ. He has relieved me from my post of being the watchman of my own soul. You know what I’m talking about? You know… that feeling when fear and uncertainty set in. It causes us to scramble. It says, “I’ve got to do something!” “For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against my enemies.” Psalm 61:3

If I can only remember the Lord is not only the watchman of my soul… He is the watchtower. I climb the stairs of this tower… I see the Lord there… and he reminds me that He has indeed relieved me of my burden. I’m not the captain of my soul. I’m not the “master of my fate.” Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “The command of Jesus is hard, unutterably hard, for those who try to resist it. But for those who willingly submit, the yoke is easy and the burden is light.” (The Cost of Discipleship, p. 37.) I guess it’s just really difficult to grasp. Lord, did you really mean your “yoke is easy” and your “burden is light”? Have you really taken care of all my needs in one sweeping victory? Will you cloth me like the flowers of the field? Is your well really that deep? Living water? Lord! Help me to receive it! Jesus said, “Everything is possible for him who believes.” And I cry out, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:23-24) So… I start my descent back down the tower… taking what the Lord has shown me. He knows I’ll be back soon. And He never grows tired of my coming. He never grows weary of reminding me how much He loves me. It reminds me of the movie 50 First Dates (2004). Lucy (Drew Barrymore) was involved in an accident that caused her to forget everything about her life. She could be reminded of who she was, but after she slept during the night, she forgot it all and was back to square one. (The movie is worth watching… check it out.) Henry (Adam Sandler) loved her so deeply. He decided that he would make a video for Lucy to wake up to every single day. The video would remind her of who she was, where she was, who loved her, and whom it was that she loved. Henry was

committed to having his bride fall in love with him all over again… each and every day. Henry reminds me of the Lord. This truly is the greatest mystery to me: the Lord’s ability to bring life out of death; an empty tomb after a bloody cross; a new man from the mud and mire of a self-centered existence. And He does it over and over again… new creation breaking through the old. There is not a word in my vocabulary to describe the creative power and magnificence of my Jesus. And no matter how often we forget it… the Lord is patient and his mercies are new every morning. He is glad to begin again with us. Things move much slower in the Lord’s economy. Not only is the Lord slow, as we consider slowness, but His way seems foolish. He moves when we sit. When we are weak, He is strong. When we fall, He rises up. When we stop, he starts. When we die, He lives. Are you getting the picture yet? (Corinthians 1:25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength). “Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.” Psalm 127:1 So… relax. Stop trying to make something happen in your life and in the church. Let go! Enjoy the Lord where you are… in the season He has you. He loves you. Trust that He will work it out. Believe He will bring it to pass. Turn from your own thinking. See the Lord there in the tower of your soul. He’s watching. He’s got you covered. Every morning He’s there… telling you who you are in Him and that He loves you all over again. Brothers and sisters, receive it. “Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.” Lamentations 3:22-26

J e s u s , L o v e r o f M y S o u l D a v i d F l o w e r s

The objective in going to church is to seek

and build our relationship with God and

others. The place of worship is all about

an encounter with God and others that

changes who we are with time. Ponder

this! You do not control your life; you

cannot guarantee you existence the next

week, day or hour. Human life is a gift

from God and he controls the measure of

it all (Psalms 139:16). Although it is not

the action of going to church, rather the

encounter/experience through

fellowshipping that changes our lives for

the better, however going to church will

enable us seek to have a life changing

experience through worship, prayers and

other activities. The bible says we should

not keep apart from each other as

believers (Hebrews 10:24-25). So you

should go to church because that is where

you can hear a vivid explanation of the

word of God and how it can be applied in

your life and also see how God works in

other people’s lives, while also

experiencing the friendship of other

believers. As a Christian, you are a

member of Gods assembly, the church is

now your family, and they are God’s gift

to us in living Christian lives (Roman 8:28

-30). The essence of the church is for

believers to come together to fellowship

with one another through studying and

praying together.

1John 1:3 makes it clear that we enter a

fellowship that goes two ways with God

and other Christians. It is illogical to say

that you are merely part of the

worldwide, universal church yet refuse to

gather with the segment of that universal

church that exists in your geographical

area. We meet with other Christians so

they can use their various gifts to

strengthen us. God intends each of us to

meet the needs of others, using our

strengths to help in their areas of

weaknesses. We are to gather with other

Christians because we are commanded to

comfort one another (1thessalonianians

4:18), build up one another (1

Thessalonians 5:11), confess our sins to

one another and praying for one another

(James 5:16). Hearing the word of God

preached, in preached, in person, face to

face is effective and powerful in helping

our sanctification and having an impact in

our lives. God’s command will resonate

more deeply in your soul as you hear it

coming from the preacher standing in

front of you. Nothing can replace the

experience of hearing the word of God in

person every Sunday.

W H Y G O T O C H U R C H :

C A N Y O U B E A C H R I S T I A N A N D N O T G O T O C H U R C H ? S E Y I A D E B I Y I

“JUST”

1. The Church is a place of Prayer,

therefore when we go to church; we must

go in an attitude of “PRAYER”. We must

take all our burdens to the Lord in prayer

and present our petitions to him. This is

because there is a great power in the

united prayers of the church as a body of

Christ. (Isaiah 56:7).

2. The church is a place of PRAISE. We

ought to go with an attitude of praise and

worship, with a heart of thanksgiving and

gratitude to God for all the many blessings

he has bestowed upon us. (Psalms 100:4).

3. The church is a place of proclamation of

God’s word and God’s truth. We should

go with a receptive, hungry heart and a

burning desire to hear the voice of God

and also to learn his ways. (Psalms 40:9).

4. The church is a place of the power of

God; therefore we must go to church with

an expectation and a strong faith to see the

power of God in action. To bring

deliverance to God’s people from all

bondage of satan. (James 5: 14-16).

5. We must go to church with an attitude

of “unity and partnership”, to work in

harmony with others and be united with

God’s people to fulfil the task of the

church. (1Cornithians 3:9).

6. The church is a place of preparation to

of the “bridegroom”, so we should come

to church with the humility and realisation

that we are preparing to meet with Christ

as the Groom. Therefore we should

realize our need for correction and the

willingness to receive instructions.

(Ephesians 5:26-27).

7. The church is a place of the presence of

God, and so we should go to church with

a longing to enjoy and experience the

fullness of the presence of God that

creates a deep satisfaction in our hearts

and soul. (Matthew 18:20).

7 R E A S O N S W H Y W E S H O U L D G O T O C H U R C H S E Y I A D E B I Y I

C h i l d r e n ’ s P a g e

At Faith Alive Ministries children are celebrated, educated, encouraged and treated with respect. The children in our care are taught the act of Christianity using Biblical examples.

There are many types and range of indoor and outdoor teaching and learning activities to help the children reach their full potentials. Some of the teaching and learning activities include:

•thoughtfully planned activities which takes into account the individual abilities of children.

•Problem solving, reasoning and numeracy is taught through engaging the children in activities such as matching and counting.

•Co-operative and collaborative teaching activities such as using demonstration, explanation and questioning to promote good learning and to engage children, ensuring enough challenge to develop children’s collaborative skills especially mental calculations.

•Outdoor activities are carried out each year to encourage children to learn and care for their environment.

A rigorous, detailed, planning and assessment system which provide stimulating rich and varied experience in all areas and fully acknowledges children’s interest and individual learning needs is used extremely effectively to guide planning.

C h i l d r e n ' s D a y C e l e b r a t i o n

B i r t h d a y C e l e b r a t i o n s

S u n d a y S c h o o l L e s s o n s