Tag Archives: God

Gutters For Jesus Pt. 3

Posted on by under Pastor Wrinkles

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Lisa Johnson is not only a very talented artist she is the third member of our Gutters for Jesus team helping to raise funds for Special Touch REACH New England. This vital ministry to the disabled meets monthly to encourage community and to proclaim the gospel to one of the most underserved groups in the world.

One of our goals is to help churches become more aware of how they can serve the disabled in their own community. Recently two of our core group met with a local children’s ministry to do a training on how to work with children on the autism spectrum.

Folks at Special Touch Camp
The happy angel
Setting up registration

To help us in reaching our fundraising goals at Special Touch REACH New England go HERE.

 

 

You’re Part Of the Conspiracy Pt. 5

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Photo by Deb. Maciorowski

This week I have been posting the transcript of last Sunday’s sermon at Cornerstone piece by piece here at Lillie-Put. If you have missed any of this series you can catch up HERE.

Here is today’s portion:

Part five of this series is about moving in power. Once you have been cleansed from your sinful behavior God calls you to undo the works of the devil not just in your own life but in the world. You see, Christianity isn’t just about fixing your personal life. It is not a self help program. It is a world help program. Allowing your own life to be healed and made holy is only step two after being born again. Step  three is about getting into the world and focusing the power of God on others.

Listen young men and young women, God has a ministry for you in the church and a mission for you in the world and it is time for you to start doing it!

You say, ” I am too busy to be in a church ministry.”

You say,  “I have my own family to take care of I can’t help anyone else.”

Then you are saying “no” to being part of the conspiracy.

You say, ” But that is not fair! I barely have the strength to take care of myself. How can I help someone else?”

Now you know why Jesus said to His disciples, “ ‘Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. 5John baptized withb water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’

6So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, ‘Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?’

7 He replied, ‘The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. 8But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth’.” Acts 1: 4-8

The reason you feel you don’t have the strength to obey God’s commands is because you have not been filled with the Holy Spirit or because you are not walking in the power of the Holy Spirit.

It is true, by ourselves we can do nothing (see John 15).  It is only when we are abiding in Christ, walking in the fullness of the baptism of the Holy Spirit that we can accomplish the things of God.What I am sharing with you is not just the teaching of the Assemblies of God; That is the teaching of Scripture and the command of Jesus. We may disagree on how the baptism functions but we cannot deny that Jesus said we needed it; Nor can we deny that there is no direct command anywhere in the writings of the New Testament writers where that order of Jesus was rescinded.

If you have not received the baptism of the Holy Spirit let me encourage you to go to God in prayer to ask for it. Wait for it, that is to keep praying for it ever time you pray until you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you have been clothed with that “Power from on high”.

I look forward to your comments and questions. See you tomorrow!

C.cada Devotional From February’s Meeting

Posted on by under C.cada: Arts and Stuff

Betty Knowlton brought the devotional to open our February meeting and I have asked permission to share it here on Lillie-Put.

I know it is March and almost time for our next monthly meeting but these thoughts on joy stand to be repeated.

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Betty says,

I am doing a study on the Fruits of the Spirit—and an evaluation of where I am on the ‘fruit’ scale ‘continuum’.  I started with ‘Joy’ because a former co-worker of mine passed away recently—and while thinking back on our lives together, I recalled that she often commented on how I was always singing when I passed by her desk.  I was always singing—but somewhere along the way, I realized that I had stopped singing throughout my day. Hmmm… When, How, Why did this change?  It was, it is, pretty clear that I had lost something…Maybe my joy?

The last 10-15 years have been a bit tough for our family.  In the 2001-2006 years, Ken had a couple of heart attacks and a number of stents and I had retina detachments and eye surgeries with resultant double vision.  In 2008, Ken’s dad passed away from lung cancer while two of my brothers were diagnosed with cancer.  In 2009, Ken’s mom died.  Also in 2009, my oldest brother died from esophageal cancer.  In 2010-11, two more brothers were diagnosed with cancer and we also had 3 other family struggles that we were dealing with.  In 2012, a nephew was murdered in Mexico and my oldest sister was diagnosed with cancer.  In 2013, one brother died from cancer of the larynx and in 2014 my sister died from uterine cancer.  Yes, somewhere in all this, I think I did lose some of my joy

I love Downton Abbey and I find myself watching various PBS programs on England and, in one, they featured Windsor Castle with its 38’ x 19’ Royal Standard Flag.  But the flag is only flown when the Queen is in residence—at all other times, the Union Flag is flown.  It is a specific guard’s duty to lower the Union flag and raise the Royal Standard flag as the Queen’s entourage approaches the castle.  The guard has a ‘responsibility’ to raise the flag.

When Ken and I were youth leaders, we often performed choral pieces and musicals.  One medley of songs included this song:  (sing)

Joy is the flag flown high from the castle of my heart, from the castle of my heart, from the castle of my heart, from the castle of my heart. Joy is the flag flown high from the castle of my heart, when the King is in residence there.

Like the guard at Windsor Castle, we have both a choice and a responsibility to raise our flag of joy when the King is in residence here (point to heart).  So what is joy?  It’s NOT happiness.  Happiness is based on tangible things or events or people.  We can be happy one moment and anything but the next.  I love this illustration or metaphor that I found in Kay Warren’s book, ‘Choose Joy Because Happiness is not Enough’.

We tend to look at life as a series of hills and valleys (and I’ve spent a lot of time questioning why our family has had so many valleys).  But Kay talks about the everyday, wonderful good things that happen every day and that bring us pleasure, contentment, happiness and beauty.  And at the same time, painful things happen to us and to those we love that disappoint, hurt and fill us with sorrow.  These two tracks, envision train tracks with me—joy and sorrow—run parallel every moment of every day of our lives.  And just like train tracks that appear to merge together in the far distance, all of this—the joy and the sorrow—will all make sense when our tracks come together in Heaven!

There are a whole lot of things that can get in the way and rob us of our joy, But we still have both a choice and a God-given responsibility to possess and demonstrate joy.  Joy is part of our birthright from our heavenly Father.  The Bible teaches that a life of internal rest and outward victory is our Christian birthright.

Sometimes this choice is like being a trapeze artist; ya gotta let go of one bar to grab onto the other.  And if you hold onto both, you go nowhere and the muscles in your arms can be torn apart.  But if you choose to let go, you fly and you find freedom and joy.

What I’m learning is something I’ve read by Billy Graham:  Resentment or resignation is not the answer to the problem of suffering.  And there is a step beyond mere acceptance.  It is accepting with joy!  James writes: ‘Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  And perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything at all. (James 1:2-4)

Let me close with a few quotes—a few more nuggets of truth to chew on.

  • Christianity was never meant to make us miserable.
  • What a witness to the world Christians would be, if only we were evidently very happy people.
  • Our sense of joy, satisfaction and fulfillment in life increases, no matter what the circumstances, if we are in the center of God’s will.
  • Joy is NOT the absence of trouble, but the presence of God.

And this last one has a bit of humor to it:

  • If we can’t be a good example of God’s love and joy, then we’ll just have to serve as a horrible warning to others!

You’re Part Of the Conspiracy Pt. 4

Posted on by under Pastor Wrinkles

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This series is a transcript of the most recent sermon I shared at Cornerstone Church. Yesterday we concluded with Scriptures that asserted the need for every person to put their faith in Christ to forgive their sins and cause them to be born again. If you read that and have been thinking that you need to be born again, let’s stop before we go one word further and pray for that.

Pray with me: Dear Lord Jesus. Thank you for dying on the cross for my sins. Thank you for rising from the dead to break the power death has over me. Lord I know I need to be born again and in order for that to happen I need to believe in you and make you the God of my life. Lord Jesus I do believe in you and ask you to forgive my sins and I give you my life. You are my only God. I will follow you from now on. Thank you for forgiving me and causing me to be born again so that I might live for eternity with You.  Amen!

Now if you just prayed that prayer and meant it you are born again. Please message me in the comments section below so that we can begin a conversation about next steps.

If you have missed any of our previous conversations in this series they can be found HERE.

 

As we stated yesterday, being Born Again is the first step. It is saying yes to being part of the conspiracy. But remember I said there were four parts to being part of the conspiracy. Part two is about living Holy.

Little children you must be clean that my fire does not burn you up. (reference Pt. 2 for whole prophecy)

We must choose, once we are born again, to leave our sin behind. We are praying for a move of God. In Scripture the move is sometimes referred to as fire of God . That fire will burn up everything that is not holy when it comes even if that something is us. Revival is nothing to be trifled with. It is the move of God, and for the church’s part it requires right living.

For instance, in Scripture we read:

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

7The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen…. 17For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God I Peter 4:1-11,17

In another place Paul, the apostle wrote, “Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved usa and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. 3Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.6Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7Don’t participate in the things these people do. 8For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.” Ephesians 5:2-9

Listen to me, this is not a word of condemnation. It is a word of encouragement. God isn’t saying “Because some of these things are in your life you are not good enough for My plan.”

He is saying, “I have already determined that you are good enough for my plan. I want you to be a part of my plan but in order for you to be a part you must get rid of these things and I will help you. If anything on this list pertains to you God is crying out to you. Let’s fix it together so that you are ready when I move in power.”

Come back tomorrow for part 5.

Thankful Thursdays 3-3-16

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Thankful Thursdays is the weekly moment at Lillie-Put where we put aside all our worries in order to thank God for some great things He has done or is doing in our lives. It is an opportunity to refocus on the positive that God is doing so that the negative falls into the back ground. Come on join us in thanking God for something in your life. Link to my comments section below!

I am so thankful that God saw fit to bring four people to our altars to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior on Sunday morning. Bless God!

Find Jeremy Camp’s concert schedule and store HERE

The Love Of God Campaign Pt. 4

Posted on by under Pastor Wrinkles
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Brenda in St. Bavo’s

Many of you know my sister is a missionary to the Netherlands. In our fellowship missionaries are required to return to their country of origin every fourth year to itinerate and raise support for their mission and to raise awareness of the mission among the churches of their homeland.

Brenda has been home now for 16 months and is almost finished her itinerant fund raising. On February 1 she began the love of God campaign to finish raising the last $1400.00-ish of monthly supporters on February 12th she posted.

THE LOVE OF GOD Campaign day 11!!!
3 more days left…
The Need: $1000/month-WOW!!! GOD IS SO GOOD!
Join my sending Team today at:
http://www.tinyurl.com/brendalillie
Did you know: The Dutch love their coffee!
After Scandinavians, the Dutch are the world’s biggest coffee drinkers. They drink no less than 140 liters of coffee a year on average. That’s 3.2 cups a day!

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Today I bring you this update from Brenda’s Facebook page.

UPDATE Final day of February Funding UPDATE
It’s time to SEND ME BACK!
1. If all promised monthly commitments come in (PLEASE AND THANKS)
2. The need: $635/monthly
3. That’s: 13 more people at $50/month! LET’S DO THIS! WOOHOOO!!!
4. To join the sending team: http://www.tinyurl.com/brendalillie

Would you consider becoming one of the last 13?

You’re Part Of the Conspiracy Pt. 3

Posted on by under Pastor Wrinkles

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We continue this morning with our transcript from Sunday morning’s sermon entitled, “You’re Part Of the Conspiracy” If you have missed either of our previous portions they can be found HERE.

Here is part three of our sermon discussion:

If we determine to be the church that will fulfill God’s plans in these last days we must individually respond in at least one of four ways depending on our position in the church ( Little child, young man or elder SEE PART TWO FOR A REFRESHER)

Today I want to start speaking to the little children.

“Little Children”, in order to answer the call we must come to know God’s Son, Jesus Christ. God wants to involve us all in His plan but before we can even be a part of the plan we must be a part of the church. I am not talking about joining church membership  through some class taught by the church. Being a part of the church involves a step before that. The church is not those who have gone through church membership class. The church in Scripture is defined as those who have been born again and who have been given eternal life.

In John Chapter 3, Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth truth, unless you are born again,a you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”4“What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?”5Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.b 6Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.c 7So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘Youd must be born again.’

You see, when humans are born we are born as living beings. Our flesh, heart, lungs and stomachs are alive and our souls, our mind, will and emotions are alive; But humans are triune beings. We are body, soul and spirit. Jesus and Paul explained this in their teachings that when children are born their bodies and souls are alive but because of sin, which is now part of the DNA makeup their spirits, the part  that connects to God and Heaven is dead.

Without living spirits we cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven or be part of the plan of God. So being born again or having a second birth a spiritual birth is necessary. That is done by putting our faith in Jesus’ death on the cross and in His resurrection from the dead and by making Him the only God of our lives. When we do that Jesus forgives our sins and resurrects our spirits to life.

Here are some Scriptural proofs for these assertions:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned,but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. John 3:16-18

23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God Rom. 3:23

 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in[a]Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom. 6:23

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Rom. 10:9

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Eph. 2:8-10

 

Worship Wednesdays 3-2-16

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HERE:Here we are worshipping our way day by day through 2016. We are at the height of lent and looking forward to this year’s celebration of the resurrection. Will you choose to bless the Lord with me today and write a worship post of your own linking back here with you worship? Let’s create a culture of worship!

 

For more on Big Daddy Weave concert dates, bookings and recordings look HERE:

You’re Part Of the Conspiracy Pt. 2

Posted on by under Pastor Wrinkles

We are continuing today with the transcript from Sunday’s sermon YOU’RE PART OF THE CONSPIRACY. If you missed part 1 you have only to click on the underlined link and you can catch up there.

Here is Pt. 2

Last week God gave me a prophetic word during second service concerning our involvement in this plan. The word went something like this:

The Lord says I am raising up a generation in these last days and I speak to it. It is not a generation of age or years but a generation of dedication. I speak to it in total not in part, to every age, not a portion or age group.

I speak to you little children for you have just come to know My Son and there is a great journey ahead of you, but I have given you strength for it.

I speak to you young men for you have overcome the evil one but there is much more for you to do. There is much more for you to overcome and you are just coming into your strength.

I speak to you elders and fathers for I am not finished with you yet.

I am about to fall in fire again. Little children you must be clean that my fire does not burn you up. Young men you must prepare that you may harness my fire and use it to light the darkness. Elders you are called to mentor a generation in a Pentecost they have never seen, known or experienced. I summon you to bear witness of the times you recall that a new generation may know the way.

This fire will inconvenience you. It will be uncomfortable. It will be as it was in the past when it cost your forefathers everything to bear the light, but they paid the price so that my Son’s name would be known.

You must not say I am too young or too busy or too old. For I am calling those who are too young and too busy and too old to put aside their youth and their schedules and their age that one last time my Son’s name will be made great in the Earth before the judgment.

Will this be the church? Will this be the generation who answers my call?

Well if we will there are four ways we must answer the call…More tomorrow!