John 15:13

I have been thinking about this verse in this picture a lot lately.  John 15:15 says, "I don't call you servants anymore, because a servant doesn't know what his master is doing. But I've called you friends because I've made known to you everything that I've heard from my Father."  Wow, what a powerful statement for Jesus to make to his disciples!  I wonder what the disciples thought when He spoke this to them?  They had walked with Jesus for some time and it isn't any wonder that at some point something shifted in their relationship with Him, they loved Him.  They had initially followed him out of wonder, understandably.  Eventually, when Jesus asked them who they thought He was, Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."  Jesus said Peter was blessed because God had revealed this to him!  (Matthew 16:16-17)  The Bible says that because God loved the world He sent Jesus to save whoever believed in Him.  To love Jesus, we have to love God, and in order to love God, we have to receive the love of God into our hearts.  We can't love God without God.  John 15:9 says, "As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love."  Jesus loved us because God loved us!  This is the greatest triangle of love that has ever existed!

Look at what Jesus said...."no greater love has anyone than this, than to lay one's life down for his friends"!  That kind of love only exists through God.  That's why in order to have the kind of love needed to reach a lost and dying world, we have to abide in Christ.

Have you ever heard of those amazing stories about people being able to lift a car off another person?  Or how someone jumped in front of a speeding bullet for someone else?  Some of these seem like things we would only see in the movies, but actually they do happen in real life.  It's interesting how if you were to test a person's strength, normally, lifting a car isn't one of them.  Dodging bullets would make more sense than jumping in front of one...  Something happens when the lives of those we love are put into jeopardy.  We don't turn into Superman, but there is something even greater than comes alive within us.  It's love.  "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."  Jesus did this for us.  The night Jesus was praying in the garden, he was sweating blood and asked that if it was God's will, that He take this cup from Him.  In other words, if there was any other way to save His friends....make it known.  But, there wasn't.  So, on the day Jesus was betrayed, he began a brutal journey towards saving the lost....His friends.  The same friends who kept falling asleep when He needed them to pray, the same friend who would deny he knew Him 3 times...

This same kind of love, Jesus said we should have for one another.  Is there a situation today that you know someone who needs to feel loved?  Sometimes, it's just as easy as a phone call.  But, who knows where the love of God will lead us in the days to come.         

Habits of Your Heart

"A habit is defined as a behavior pattern acquired by frequent repetition that is refelected in regular or increased performance.  The word "habit" comes from a root meaning "clothing that is usually worn" - such as a nun's habit.  Habits may express themselves in simple outward traits, or in complex emotional responses and habitual attitudes toward life - in habits of the heart." 

- Elmer L. Towns from Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough -

"Accept instruction from his mouth and lay up his words in your heart."

Job 22:22

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."

Psalm 19:14

"My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer."

Psalm 45:1

"How can a young man keep his way pure?  By living according to your word.  I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands.  I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.  Praise be to you, O Lord; teach me your decrees.  With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth.  I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.  I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.  I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word."

Psalm 119:9-16

Motivation

     Much of our life is an expression of the motivations of our hearts.  Everything from what we do daily, to how we interact with those around us, and where we hang out in our spare time are all reflections of our inner-makeup.  You won't typically see someone suffering from sociophobia (the fear of people or social situations) having a good time at a concert.  Or the person with zoophobia (the fear of animals) chilling out at the local zoo.  These are two examples of irrational fears that have more than likely been developed because of a traumatic event in a person's life.  The point is, whatever is going on behind this outer shell we call the human body, can affect the course of a person's life, intentionally or non-intentionally.

     Hence why it is extremely important to cultivate, challenge, renew, restore, develop, and nurture your soul - your mind, will, and emotions.  Let's put it into perspective.  You. . .  You are a spirit.  You have a soul.  You live in a body.  As Christians, we should have this concept down, but reality is that it can be a struggle to view ourselves in this way.  When we wake up in the morning and look in the bathroom mirror, we sure don't see a glowing being of light filling the reflection.  We see that face again, you know, the one with the messy bed-hair, lines, and blemishes.  We might even cringe a little and refuse to look again until we've had a cup of coffee and a hot shower.

     It's easy for us to walk in this body, we've had to do it since we could remember.  But, when someone starts talking about our "souls", we start to get shifty, looking everywhere else but in the person's eye calling us out: "Tell me how you really feel."  It's like when you walk into your home church, shake someone's hand, and they ask "How are you doing?"  You slam the door in your mind that wants to pour out everything that's happening in your life, you smile as wide as possible, and say "Great!  I'm doing really great.  You?"  We are masters at deflecting.

      So, the part of us that makes us less than robot, is the hardest part to expose.  We walk in the fear of what others will think of us.  We're so caught up in trying to be good Christians that we forget Jesus said he didn't do anything unless he saw the Father do it (John 5:19).  Following Christ is RELATIONAL, hence you cannot ignore your heart.  So, ultimately, when Jesus hung on the cross, with arms wide open and heart exposed, it was the Father doing so as well.  This symbol of Jesus hanging on the cross is seen by millions of people in their churches, hanging on the wall, or on a chain around their necks.  Unless you have never heard the gospel, this image is unmistakable, the crucifix.  It's a symbol, now, that mostly the Catholic church embraces.  The rest of us have taken Jesus from the cross to show that "he is not still there".  That's a valid point, but think of it this way . . .  If you were sharing the gospel with someone for the first time and you showed them an empty cross and a crucifix, what do you think their reaction would be?

     If we cannot expose our hearts to the world, we will never impact it for Christ.  We will be like the symbol of a wooden cross to those who are lost, interesting, but not leaving an impression.  Or, like Jesus, we can lay down our lives, expose our hearts, and radically shake the world.  Jesus' exposer rent the very veil that separated man from God.  What could Jesus do through his entire Church if they would live with hearts wide open?  What if it became a habit to follow this verse:

 ^"Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me."

Luke 9:23

Developing Faith In The Father's Love

WE ARE TO BE ROOTED AND GROUNDED IN THE LOVE OF GOD

 

I receive the Believer's Voice of Victory magazine from the Kenneth Copeland Ministries.  There was an article in the June 2013 issue that I would like to highlight for you.  It was originally published in June of 1980, so thirty three years later, it just goes to show that this is a message that will remain timeless and essential to the Christian life!

"In this day and hour, we as God's people are taking our rightful position...dedicating ourselves to God, renewing our minds with The WORD, setting ourselves apart from the carnal ways of the world and committing ourselves to walk in the love of God.  God has promised us the knowledge of His love.  First John 4:16 says, "We have known and believed the love that God hath to us...."  Believing that love is acting on it, putting it into operation.  When we do, we reach out into the areas that pass human knowledge.  Again, Ephesians 3:17 says, "That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love." - Kenneth Copeland

DEVELOPING FAITH IN GOD'S LOVE

 

"You might ask, "How do you know when your faith is developed in a certain area?"  The same rules apply to the development of faith in every area of life.  Fiath is faith in any Bible subject - whether it is the new birth, the infilling of the Holy Ghost, right-standing with God, divine health, divine prosperity or some other area.  It is the same spiritual substance.  It works the same in eveey situation." - Kenneth Copeland

 

4 Things to Do:

1)  Put the WORD first place.

2)  Meditate on the scirptures concening God's love.

3)  Act on The WORD concerning the love of God.

4)  Decide to live the love life.

 

 

 

THE POWER OF GOD'S LOVE

 

"By walking in God's love, you release a force to work in your behalf - a force that has all the appearance of weakness but is stronger than any force in existence.  One of the most outstanding examples of the power of God's love was manifested during Jesus' ministry.  Whatever Jesus heard the Father say, that's what He said.  Not one more word, and not one less word.  To walk in love is to walk in the very highest spiritual realm there is.  Jesus walked in that realm.  We have seen it operate in His earthly ministry."  - Kenneth Copeland

 

 

First John 5:1 - "Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.  For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.  Who is he that overcometh the world, buy he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?"

 

 



 

ROOTED AND GROUNDED IN LOVE

 

"There are two ways to perfect the love of God in your life: 1)  by keeping The WORD of God, and 2) by practicing love on others.  Love takes practice, and we can practice on each other.  You won't operate perfectly in love at the very beginning; but as you keep at it, you will get better and better.  Keep loving.  Keep overlooking the shortcomings of other people.  Look for Jesus in them!" - Kenneth Copeland

 

 





Smith Wigglesworth: Faith and A Love Relationship With God

Smith Wigglesworth, born in 1859, was known as "the Apostle of Faith" who had a "deep intimacy with his Heavenly Father".  It was not unusual for signs and wonders to follow his ministry.  But, instead of making claims to his faith when people were supernaturally healed, Smith said,  "I am sure it was not my faith, but it was God in His compassion coming to help me in that hour of need."  How many ministers do we hear making a statement like this?  So many times we hear "if you just had faith enough" then what you are asking for in prayer would be given to you.  It's understandable how people might have this philosophy, because of infamous verses about "moving mountains with faith the size of a mustard seed".  But, faith doesn't just pop up one day out of the blue because you've conjured it!  Keep reading to understand why.

There are several statements worth pointing out that Smith made and have been recorded in one such book Ever Increasing Faith:

- "Desire toward God, and you will have desires from God; and He will meet you on the line of those desires when you reach out in simple faith."

- "There comes, as we go on with God, a wonderful association, an impartation of His very life and nature within."

- "As we read His Word and believe the promises that He has so graciously given to us, we are made partakers of His very essence and life."

- "His words to us are spirit and life, transforming us and changing us, expelling that which is natural and bringing in that which is divine."

- "A man who is born of God is brought into an inward affection, a loyalty to the Lord Jesus that shrinks from anything impure."

A man of faith made these statements!  Nowadays it seems if you are known as a "person of faith" that you are of an "older generation" that hasn't quite tapped into the "new generation" of thinking.  Who came up with that thinking???  Smith's faith stemmed out of his intimate relationship with God.  Faith is fundamental to the Christian walk!  But, again, where does that faith come from?  Check out these verses below:



Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

1 Peter 1:7 - These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

1 Corinthians 2:5 - ...so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power.

Ephesians 2:8 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.

Hebrews 10:22 - Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.

John 14:12 - I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

Literally, our salvation begins through faith!  Our salvation isn't dependent upon anything we can do, it's a gift from God.  1 Corinthians says that faith isn't found in "men's wisdom, but in God's power."  Faith comes from God and we must develop that intimate relationship with Him so that faith can grow in us.  We've been told through the Word that we've all been given a measure of faith.  So, what does that mean?

God is invisible to the human eye most of the time as we live on this planet.  It's something, we Christians, have come to understand.  But, how many times do we hear others ask "If God really existed, why can't we see him?"  Now, just in that statement alone, can you hear any faith?  Knowing faith's very definition in the Word is about believing what you cannot see, then the answer to that question would be "no".  So, how is it that we can go from not having faith to suddenly having faith??

We cannot have faith without God.  Anyone can pretend to have faith, but when the stuff hits the fan, your faith will be tested.  If you don't have an intimate relationship with God, you will fall.  That's the bottom line.  Try something right now.  The verses we just went over, everywhere you see the word "faith" insert instead "a relationship with God".

What did you notice?  Suddenly that mysterious word "faith" starts to make more sense.  Simply because we were created to have an intimate relationship with God.  Without that relationship, people will wander through life unfulfilled and struggling.  There is more beauty in a relationship with God than gold or anything else of value.  It actually takes God to love God.  Did you know that?  Before you became a Christian, can you honestly say you loved God?  You can't.  It's not until you experience the love of God that you can love Him in return.

"Faith, hope, and love...but the greatest of these is love!"  What an awesome verse!  If you have a love relationship with your Heavenly Father, then it's only natural for faith to come forth.  The question for you today is, are you struggling with having faith?  Then, pray about what you just read and seek out a deeper relationship with God.  You cannot have any more faith unless you have more of God in your life.   

    

New Facility!!!

Things have been changing at RIG!  We have moved into a new and larger facility.  It took some work to renovate the new place, but we finished it and have been meeting there for over a month now!  God is so faithful and we are so thankful for His provision.  After all of your prayers, we know God gave us a clear answer, and this is where we are now meeting:

"I Will Sustain You"

Dear Reader,

This is the first post in the new year of 2013.  I would like to share with you a vision I had for this year.  I received it during a meeting where nearly a dozen pastors and leaders from other churches in the region were in attendance.  I shared it with them and now feel led to share it with you.  I believe this is a word for the Church and I hope that you will be encouraged today when you read it.

Sincerely,
Nickie Farley



The group of pastors and leaders were asked to pray over the nations and this is the vision I was given during that time:

At first, I thought I was seeing a monster.  There were all of these arms reaching out in different directions from a very large object standing before me.  I looked down and could see we were standing above the earth.  I looked up and realized the thing before me was a massive tree!  The strong arms were the branches of this tree.

Looking past the tree I saw an angel of the Lord watching the scene before me as if managing what was about to take place.  I noticed a rather large wheel encircling the tree.  Upon the wheel at intervals were handles.  Each arm reached out to grasp one of the handles and began to turn the wheel counterclockwise.

As the wheel turned, a ramp appeared, extending down to the Earth.  I watched as a stream of what appeared to be gold dust began to pour down the ramp from some invisible place in the heavenlies.  Reaching the bottom of the ramp, the dust rained down upon the Earth.  It appeared that it was only moving to certain places.  

I watched as this gold dust began to form in huge pyramid like formations in strategic places upon the Earth.  Then, came people carrying baskets, bags, jars, etc.  They filled these objects with the gold and carried them to other places...

The first place was what appeared to be a house.  The person knocked on the door and handed someone else a jar of the dust.  That person then ground the dust and made loaves of bread.  I watched as the loaves continued to increase.

The second place was a field.  Someone carried a basket and scooped out the gold with their hands and spread it throughout the field.  Suddenly, the rich, freshly tilled soil sprouted life as shoots of green grew quickly from the ground!

The third place was open water.  I watched as someone took a cup and poured out it's contents into the water.  Gold dust spread across the water and a bright light shone from it.

Finally, I saw someone drink the dust from heaven from a cup!

I asked the Lord, "What does this all mean?"

He said to me, "I will sustain you."

Then, I saw a dark army come to the places where the supply of gold was lain out.  They searched, but could not see the gold!  Suddenly, I saw a bright light from Heaven shine down and blind the eyes of the army from seeing the people gathering the gold.

Again, I heard the Lord say, "I will sustain you."


I believe this vision's purpose is to let the Church know that God will sustain us.  If you read the Word, you will find verses like Psalm 1:3 and Jeremiah 17:8 that talks about trees bearing fruit in due season and doesn't fear drought.  I believe God is sending down His glory over the Earth.  He is sending provision for the Church in this hour.  The bread is for all those who are going to come hungry!  There is going to be a great harvest!  The lost are going to be drawn to the living waters!  All those who drink of it will be filled!  

God is blinding the eyes of the Enemy from seeing the supply or the ones who are distributing it.  This is more than a fleeting need for sustenance, this is an eternal act of sustaining!  God will sustain His people this hour!  His glory will be distributed throughout the Earth and there will be a great harvest of souls for His kingdom!  Get ready for the wave of His glory to cover the Earth!  He is drawing men and women to Himself!  There have been great revivals in the past, but something much larger is coming to strategic places across the Earth and the Enemy will not be able to stop it!   


         

Love Mercy

 

^{Micah 6:8}

⁸ He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.

    And what does the Lord require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy

    and to walk humbly with your God.

 

^{Exodus 34:6-7a} 

⁶ And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, ⁷ maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin.

  Matthew 5:7

⁷ Blessed are the mercy for they will be shown mercy. 

 Numbers 14:17-18a

¹⁷ “Now may the Lord’s strength be displayed, just as you have declared: ¹⁸ ‘The Lord is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion"

 Hosea 6:6

⁶ For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.

 

Romans 9:15-18

¹⁵ For he says to Moses,“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” ¹⁶ It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. ¹⁷ For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” ¹⁸ Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. 

 

2 Corinthians 4:1

4 Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart.

Psalm 36:5-6

⁵ Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens your faithfulness to the skies. ⁶ Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals. 

Psalm 51:17

¹⁷ My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.

 

Matthew 9:12-13

¹² On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.¹³ But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

 

 Luke 18:13-14

¹³ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’¹⁴ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

ONCOURSE Article - Spring 2012 - Embracing God's Presence

Kari Jobe - "Embracing God's Presence"

By Christa A. Banister

Whether she's leading congregations in her home church in Southlake, Texas, sharing her songs with the global Church or simply enjoying the beauty of God's presence during her personal quiet time, Kari Jobe wants to leave behind a legacy where worship is front and center.

If there's anything the continued popularity of reality TV has taught us, it's that people from all walks of life - aspiring singers, teen moms, tattoo artists, housewives (desperate or otherwise) - are looking for their proverbial 15 minutes of fame, and they'll go to great lengths to get it, even if other people's feelings are compromised in the process.

For worship leader Kari Jobe, best known for popular tracks "I'm Singing," "Healer," "You Are For Me" and her recent number 1 single "We Are" from her new album Where I Find You, she's far more interested in leaving behind a legacy that's lasting (a.k.a not of the here-today-gone-tomorrow variety).  While being in the spotlight is a regular part of her life as a worship leader and recording artist, it's pointing people toward Christ and being a positive example to the young women who look up to her that's of primary importance.

"I have a lot of young girls who look up to me as an example.  It is a major goal of mine to live my life in a way that shows them what a godly woman looks like by my lifestyle and how I dress and to help them realize that we are daughters of the King," Kari shares.  "I ultimately want everyone to know and see that bringing honor and glory to the Father is the highest calling, whether I'm leading worship on stage or hanging out with friends.  That is a legacy I want to leave for those who come behind me."

Something that Kari is particularly passionate about is encourage - and empowering - our generation to worship, pursue holiness and live a life that's truly set apart.  While it's often tempting to simply blend in with the crowd and be a Christian when it's convenient, Kari believes that Christ-centered mindset begins with continually cultivating spiritual habits.

"It has to start in our personal life.  It is imperative that we spend time with the Father, in His Word, consistently," Kari says.  "It is in those times that authentic worship happens, a desire to pursue holiness, and when He is our focus, the world's distractions slowly fade away."

As someone who leads worship in her home church, not to mention in congregations around the world, Kari has to make her own quiet time with God a priority.  That way, when she's leading worship, she's not low on spiritual resources herself.

"How I seek God's face is always different, but I listen to worship music and worship the Lord by myself," Kari shares.  "I am always asking God what His agenda and heart is for that specific night by asking for direction from Him.  He knows what the people at that specific event are going through and what answers they're needing.  I love sharing Scripture and giving a little encouraging word at the events I lead worship at, so I have to hear before I lead."

For anyone who is still learning what it means to truly worship God in spirit and truth (and really, isn't that all of us?), Karie believes that when we have a love for the presence of God, it shows in our life and in our worship.

"Whether we are in private worship or leading a service,  if we worship out loud and declare the goodness of God, He comes and changes the atmosphere of a room," Kari says.  "People can experience this and hopefully develop a hunger to seek God in their own lives."

Once anyone starts experiencing God's presence on a regular basis, something Kari explores in depth on Where I Find You, that relationship becomes the ultimate game-changer on what imprinting his or her life.

"There were many instances when we had to stop whatever we were working on because I needed to go outside, take a walk and have my own time with God for a few minutes," Kari remembers.  "Again and again, I was so overtaken by how present He was while we were recording, and it's my hope and desire that people really feel the strength and intercession that was taking place while I worked on the album."

Another decidedly counter-cultural idea that resonates in Kari's new songs is how God never lets believers, including worship leaders, get to comfortable in their faith or permanently reside on the proverbial spiritual mountaintop.

"This past year has been the season of being completely uncomfortable and going through things I didn't understand that were really hard," Kari shares.  "I was literally having to hold on in my heart and trust He had everything in control.  You can even hear that a little in my vocals, especially on songs like 'Love Came Down,' 'Run To You' and 'What Loves Is This.'  It was a season that stretched me."  Even through all the growing pains, however, Kari says she was continually reminded of God's faithfulness.

"I think there are times as believers when we feel entitled and that life shouldn't be hard.  We live in this culture of convenience and find all the answers on Google," Kari says.  "But if we can trust Him in the middle of every storm, we build our endurance to keep running the race."

For more information on Kari Jobe and her ministry, please visit karijobe.com

Christina Bannister is a Dallas-based OC contributor and grad of North Central University.

Read the Oncourse Magazine online at http://oncourse.ag.org/

Summer Rain Conference: Special Speaker Greg Gill

 

 

 

June 20 - Young Adults Service @ 7pm

June 21-23 - Summer Rain Conference @ 7pm

June 24 - River Service @ 7pm

 

 

 

Greg Gill is the President of Ever Increasing Ministries located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Greg has a unique anointing to make you feel uncomfortable. He has an amazing ability to pull giftings out of others lives and release them into their destiny. His uncontrolled desire to see Calgary and the rest of the world reject the "Middle Ground" is sure to challenge you, and set you on fire in your ministry calling. Greg is also the Founder of "IGNITE" conferences which are being held all across Canada and the United States to bring pastors, leaders and ministries together with the focus of uniting the body of Christ. Through effective equipping, people will be ingnited to carry out the great comission and reach a lost and dying world through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Blood of Jesus

"Until we understand the price He paid in blood and the power of that blood to break the back of sin and cleanse us from it, we will never really love Jesus, much less come to know and follow after Him in a wonderfully sacrificial life like His.  We can neither love nor know Him without understanding what He suffered, for whom He did it and why." 

R. Loren Sandford

The very definition of suffering is to experience something unpleasant.  Jesus being scourged, beaten, and nailed to a cross was an unpleasant experience.  The Western culture has turned to preaching self-fulfillment, healing, wealth & prosperity, and power instead of the blood of Jesus.  The payment Jesus made for mankind is the foundation of the Christian faith.  I am all for the 5-fold ministry, the Father's Love teachings, and spontaneous worship services.  But, those things cannot save a life, only the blood of Jesus can.

Just look at countries where Bibles are not allowed past the border, churches have to meet in secret, and pastors are confined in prison cells.  Does it sound like they have the latest worship cd's, hottest Christian books, and the Christian movies being released into theaters?  Some of these Christians will never have access to their own Bible, hear Misty Edwards sing, sit in a teaching session will Bill Johnson, or watch the Christian movie, Courageous.

Here's the kicker!  The reality is that people are being sent into America as a mission field.  Did you know that?  It's true.  You would think since we have access to the "latest and greatest" materials and sources that we are safe in the Western world.  But, only 18.7 percent of Americans attend church regularly right now and only 2 percent of the Rhode Island population claim to be Christians.  New England is now known as the least religious section of the country and Rhode Island has been nick-named "Rude Island".

What has happened to our country?  How could a place founded upon Biblical principles become so corrupt?  We have ceased telling people about the blood of Jesus, that's why.  We have allowed ourselves to be brainwashed to think that the sacrifice Jesus made for the world is too offensive to share in a conversation with people.  

"He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.'"

Mark 16:15

There is a generation rising up that is not ashamed of the gospel of Christ.  The cross is offensive to those who won't believe.  But, we do not live to please man, but to please God.  

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

Matthew 5:11-12

We had our monthly Awaken service with the young adults last night.  We studied the blood of Jesus then went into a time of raw worship.  We each took communion individually as we felt led.  The point of the service was to think upon what Jesus did for us on the cross.  During worship the Lord gave me a new song.  The song was about how in birth there is pain, but once you hold your child in your arms you feel so much joy.  The Lord spoke to me that his price on the cross was like birthing life into the world.  It was full of pain.  But, his love for us allowed him to "Finish" it.  When we come to accept and understand the price he paid for us, he is filled with so much joy the day we are born again and he gets to wrap us in his arms.  So, even in the blood he shed, there is a love song he sang over us like a precious lullaby to us.  What greater love is this?  He loves you so much.

The New Year 2012

"Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Philippians 3:13-14

It has been a year since my family packed up our stuff, left our jobs, and said goodbye to the lives we led before moving to New England.  This year was full of new experiences.  We planted a church for the first time, renovated a building to meet in, passed out Bibles door-to-door, etc.  What an amazing time to be alive!

We are grateful for every person and ministry who has chosen to pour into our lives.  We know we are not alone here in a land where only 32% of people attend church. (www.gallup.com)  We love the family God has created in our 1year church plant.  They are people of substance and a real love for God.

We are truly excited about the new year, 2012!  We believe the growth we have already seen will take off to new heights.  We love worshiping God together, building relationship together, and serving Christ by His love in our communities.  Encouraging one another in their personal lives and even other ministries is a priority.  Above all, we want God's Kingdom to come and His Will to be done in New England.

"Your Kingdom come, Your Will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

Matthew 6:10

Share The Good News of Christmas

We are excited to have the opportunity to "Share The Good News of Christmas" with our neighbors!  Join us Saturday, December 17th @ 10am as we meet together and go door-to-door through Coventry, RI to invite people to our Christmas Eve Candlelight & Communion Service and Christmas Morning Service.

If you are interested in seeing what we will be passing out door-to-door, check out the following link:

Share The Good News of Christmas (Video) 

New Building

We want to thank all of the hands that helped renovate the new building on Sandy Bottom in Coventry!  We love and appreciate every one of you!

 John, Pastor Dotty & George, Pastor Nickie & Josh

 The crew!

Come visit us in our new location on Sandy Bottom in Coventry!

New Location

We are pleased to announce our new location!  We are now on Sandy Bottom Rd. in Coventry, RI.  Please, come and join us as we pursue a deeper relationship with God.  We look forward to meeting you!

Meeting Times:

Sunday

Sunday School     9-9:45am

Worship Service  10am-12pm

Tuesday

Breakout Kids Church     7-8:30pm

Adult Teaching & Prayer  7-8:30pm

Wednesday

Awaken: Youth & Young Adults Ministry     7-9pm 

"No matter what age you are, there is a place for you!  So, come and discover what God has in store for you at Genesis Church!"   - Pastor Nickie Farley

Rhode Island's History

How is it that we have not been taught our own church history in America?  Out of curiosity I found some books in the American History section at the Warwick, RI public library.  One of the books called Roger Williams and the Massachusetts Magistrates contains letters written by Roger Williams (a minister in early New England) and those who knew him.  Roger Williams said he "simply felt that 'forced worship stinks in God's nostrils' and he did not wish to separate the peace and purity of the state.  He insisted on the separation to maintain the purity and integrity of the church."  Roger Williams believed that "every one should have the liberty to worship God according to his own conscience."  He didn't think it Biblical to force someone to attend church or pray when they weren't even a true believer.  He believed in a personal relationship with God.  Yet, people have now taken statements like the one Roger Williams made and are trying to take God out of our country.  They obviously don't know this country's history.

Roger Williams left Massachusetts and founded Rhode Island as a place of religious freedom, not freedom from religion.  He had spoken out against the churches of New England because they were still connected to the corrupt church of England at the time and he believed that the New England churches needed to separate from England and cease being simply "religious" and become covenant relational with God.  "During his years of exile in the wilderness of Rhode Island Roger Williams had come to see the importance of religious liberty in ways which he had only dimly sensed while a young minister at Salem."  Roger Williams said to the Magistrates "(through the Lord's assistance) he shall be ready to not only to be bound, and banished, but to die also in New England, as for most holy truths of God in Christ Jesus."  Roger Williams was known as a prophetic minister and teacher of the gospel.  He desired that people would not "do" church, but would "be" the Church. 

Roger Williams is one of many who believed this way.  There were others who followed him to Rhode Island.  The outcasts within the refugee settlements at Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island lived under a tradition of freedom that was established by Roger Williams.  Samuel Gorton's plantation, Warwick, Rhode Island, was a haven for "personal encounter and direct communion with God by searching out God's purposes in Scripture and walking in the spirit with the infilling of Holy Spirit."  They believed in prophecy and William Coddington said, "stinting or limiting the Spirit of Prophecy in any place in New England, thou lookedst at it as one of the horridest acts as was ever done in New England, and would be as great a Token of God's forsaking New England as any."  New England was thought of as "a city on a hill" and Rhode Island "exhibited itself as a culture of Holy Spirit."  "By 1658 Newport, Rhode Island could be referred to as one of the 'strongest places in this land,' and Rhode Island was affectionately set down in Quaker writings as 'that Island, where we ever found a place to rest our heads when weary we have been.'"

That was just a brief overview of what was the beginning of the church in New England, especially Rhode Island.  Amazingly, Warwick, Rhode Island, the area of which we are planting Genesis Church, was meant to be a place for growing a deeper relationship with God and experiencing the supernatural.  Rhode Island wasn't perfect, but the people's hearts were in the right place, Jesus Christ.  I believe that God desires to Awaken that again just as He breathed on the valley of bones and they came to life.  I have heard so many times that New England is "dead and dry" but I believe with many others that another great Awakening is coming to New England that will sweep across this nation.  I believe that this time we must keep it living so that future generations will be sons and not orphans.  It's time that people know their history and run the race that was begun so long ago.  These "radical" people believed that we are to get back to the basics and be the Church Jesus intended.  That is the only way this nation can be saved is through Christ.  We must not make the same mistake New England once made: they were not unified!  The spirit of disunity is what has kept the church in America from being as strong as it could be.  It's time for unity in the Body of Christ and an Awakening in this hour!


Written by
Nickie Farley

First Service

RHODE ISLAND GENESIS CHURCH

A Place of New Beginnings

Date: Sunday, January 23

Time: 10am

Place: Fairfield Marriott Inn & Suites

4 Universal Blvd.

Coventry, RI

(Between BJ's & Home Depot)

All Are Welcome

Free Tea & Coffee

rigchurch.com

Our Meeting Place (click for link)

We have great news!  We have our first meeting place for RIG's Sunday services!  After checking out the area and looking into different places, God has opened a door in Coventry, RI: 

Meeting Room

Children's Room

Revelation 3:8

“I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name."

We are so grateful for everyone's prayers, and as you can see God is giving His answer!  The following was said by someone in Rhode Island involved in helping us get this place:

"I just took the time to look at your website and it is phenomenal!  I love it and I even played the song over and over that is in your media section.  Also, I watched the video about love and the rain outside my window started to drum harder and harder, there was even thunder!  What you are doing is very moving and compelling!!!"  -Anonymous-

Called to Love (click link)

HATE.  "Hate" is a strong word.  The definition for hate is: an intense hostility usually derived from fear, anger, or the sense of injury.

In a class I am taking, I heard some pretty strong words today.  They made me cringe, because I could hear the hate in the person's voice that said them.  A couple students were talking about holidays and the professor mentioned that Good Friday is now only considered a religious holiday and not a federal one.  Good Friday is the day Christians remember Jesus being crucified at Calvary.  Someone else chimed up and said "but, Black Friday is a nationally recognized holiday!"  Black Friday, by the way, is NOT a federal holiday.  It simply is the day after Thanksgiving in which retailers make enough sales to put them "into the black ink".  The student sitting in front of me turned around and I heard him say "all Christians should go back to Hell!"  The statement made me cringe.  I watched as he repeated what he said to someone in front of him and looked around with a smile on his face as though he were seeing who had heard him.  Yet, despite his words, I felt compassion for him.  I don't know why he said what he did or what compelled him to say these words, but I did know he did not understand the meaning of what he was saying and it was coming from something in his heart.

Who can avoid hearing the hatred so many people are voicing?  We hear it on the news, we see it on signs, etc.  Jesus told us to "love those who persecute you".  What good will it serve to fight hate with hate?  The definition for "hate" above says it is derived from fear, anger, or a sense of injury.  You don't just hate for no reason.  By loving others, you aren't operating out of fear, anger, or a sense of injury.  In fact, by choosing to love, you are overcoming these things.  So, the next time you feel the urge to say "I hate...", stop and think where that is coming from.  I can guarantee it is coming out of one of three things: fear, anger, or a sense of injury.  Don't allow hatred to spill from your lips.  Remember that out of the abundance of your heart your mouth will speak.  If there is evil in your heart, then evil will spill from your lips.  Stop: Hatred!

Written by

Nickie Farley 

Call To Prayer

"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.  But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.  He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.  Whatever he does prospers.  For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous."

Psalm 1:1-3, 6a

As someone who has grown up in church, I have heard this passage of Scripture many times.  Each time I hear these words I get a picture in my mind of this huge tree.  If you know anything about trees you will know that large trees have a pretty large root system under them.  When I think about the roots of this particular tree, I imagine that the roots are like wisdom and the more that I spend time reading and studying the Bible, and praying/listening to God, the deeper these roots grow.

When I read a Psalm, I try to also read a passage in Proverbs.  So, lets jump over to that book.  Read Proverbs chapters two and three.  The theme of these two chapters is on wisdom.

"For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.  He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of this faithful ones."

Proverbs 2:6-8

If you look at what is being said in Proverbs chapter 2, you will see that there is a correlation between wisdom and walking the path of a Christian.  But, notice that verse six says, "the Lord gives wisdom."  So, it isn't our own wisdom that helps us walk this path.  We can only receive the Lord's wisdom when we seek him.  This is the most important reason why the Rhode Island Genesis team has been meeting together weekly to pray and seek God's will for RIG.

"For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.  Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you."

Proverbs 1:10-11

For anyone to think they can reach a territory without first seeking God and asking for his wisdom is foolish.  "Do not be wise in your own eyes."  (Proverbs 3:7a)  The Bible clearly states that we must trust in the Lord with all of our hearts and lean not on our own understanding, that we are to acknowledge him and he will direct our paths (Proverbs 3:5-6).

***This is a call to prayer.  RIG is currently meeting and will be meeting for the next several months at 10am downstairs at Genesis Church, Bloomington IN before the 10:30am worship service.  If you feel led, please, join us as we seek for God's wisdom in this church plant.

Written by Nickie Farley