Church Info
New Life in Christ Fellowship Church, 6888 Goodman Rd. Suite 120, Olive Branch, MS 38654, Phone: (662) 890-8970
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Preparation for Powerful Preaching
Are you guilty of studying…
1) to prepare for what’s next (your next assignment)?
2) in case you get called on in a Bible Study class?
3) to meet the requirements of a class/group (Seminary, Master’s Life, Ministry School)?
In a class a teacher said, "The first casualty in a busy preacher’s life is his devotional time."
A look at the preacher:For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments. —Ezra 7:10
Ezra…1) Studied the Word so he could……2) Live the Word which qualified him to….3) Teach the Word.
As preachers we must pray to God and study God's Word so that we can live according to His Word. We can't stand before the people to effectively proclaim his Word if we don't spend regular consistent time with God.
Look at Matthew 17:14-21 (also see Mark 9:14-29). Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Why could not we cast him out?” In this passage the disciples failed. They could not cast out a spirit which Jesus gave them authority over. In Luke 9 Jesus gives the disciples authority and power to heal diseases and cast out demons. Yet, in the passage, the disciples were powerless.You can have authority but no power
Develop a time of personal devotion:
1) Set a time - and be consistent. Clear your calendar & turn off the cell phone.
2) Decide on a place - atmosphere is important. Don't set yourself up in a dark, depressing setting.
3) Have a plan - decide what you will read.
Pray to God so that He will hear you. Read His Word so that you will hear from him.
Are you guilty of studying…
1) to prepare for what’s next (your next assignment)?
2) in case you get called on in a Bible Study class?
3) to meet the requirements of a class/group (Seminary, Master’s Life, Ministry School)?
In a class a teacher said, "The first casualty in a busy preacher’s life is his devotional time."
A look at the preacher:For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments. —Ezra 7:10
Ezra…1) Studied the Word so he could……2) Live the Word which qualified him to….3) Teach the Word.
As preachers we must pray to God and study God's Word so that we can live according to His Word. We can't stand before the people to effectively proclaim his Word if we don't spend regular consistent time with God.
Look at Matthew 17:14-21 (also see Mark 9:14-29). Jesus’ disciples asked him, “Why could not we cast him out?” In this passage the disciples failed. They could not cast out a spirit which Jesus gave them authority over. In Luke 9 Jesus gives the disciples authority and power to heal diseases and cast out demons. Yet, in the passage, the disciples were powerless.You can have authority but no power
- Power is not self-manufactured but divinely imparted through the Word of God.
- The Holy Spirit is with you imparting power into you. This comes from studying the Word of God.
- So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. —Romans 10:17
Develop a time of personal devotion:
1) Set a time - and be consistent. Clear your calendar & turn off the cell phone.
2) Decide on a place - atmosphere is important. Don't set yourself up in a dark, depressing setting.
3) Have a plan - decide what you will read.
Pray to God so that He will hear you. Read His Word so that you will hear from him.
Preaching Tips - July 2010
A dear friend asked me offer constructive criticism of her preaching. I got the idea of sharing preaching tips I have learned from those I have witnessed. I am not a "great preacher" but I do learn from others. Here are the tips I shared with my friend:
1. If you are a person who moves a lot when speaking, make sure you grab hold of the mic when first standing to preach. The congregation cannot hear you if you step away from the mic. Don’t ever assume that you speak loud enough for everyone in the room to hear. Most of the time, people in the rear can’t hear.
2. When preaching, only ask rhetorical questions. When teaching, you can solicit answers to questions, but not when preaching.
3. Be careful of giving too much information and very little revelation. Your audience needs to hear application.
4. Be specific when using application. People can relate better when you are specific. For example:
1. If you are a person who moves a lot when speaking, make sure you grab hold of the mic when first standing to preach. The congregation cannot hear you if you step away from the mic. Don’t ever assume that you speak loud enough for everyone in the room to hear. Most of the time, people in the rear can’t hear.
2. When preaching, only ask rhetorical questions. When teaching, you can solicit answers to questions, but not when preaching.
3. Be careful of giving too much information and very little revelation. Your audience needs to hear application.
4. Be specific when using application. People can relate better when you are specific. For example:
- Good: There was a time when I did not depend on God. I tried to do things on my own without Him.
- More Impactful: There was a time that I depended on the money I made instead of God. I had a good job making great pay and thought I was secure because I had extra money in the bank.
5. Preach for results, not reaction. Don’t be discourage because people aren’t shouting and/or “talking back” (encouraging) you. The results of the Word proclaimed manifests in transforms lives. Anyone can produce a reaction (shouts, “amens”, etc.).
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Women Empowering Women for the Next Generation Ministries
PAJAMA PRAISE 2010August 6-7, 201
Dallas, TX
You don't want to miss Pajama Praise 2010! What is it all about...? Fun, Fellowship,Pampering, Praise & Worsip,The Word, and... Oh' well you just have to be there, I just can't explain it!
Keynote Speaker - Minister Roline Thomas
Take a look at some of these topics...Real Talk:
Right Now, I'm into me. - The Dangers of being a lukewarm Christian.
· This is my Church home so why do I feel homeless?
· Wilderness Mentality
· Why Am I Here? Complacency
· Don't Take It Personal - Keeping Your Emotions in Check while serving God
· Are We in Church? Or is this a Fortune 500 Corporation?
· Finances - Chasing that Paper! Be Careful Not to Sell Your Soul!
Can't You See I'm Hurting!!!!! - Help me, I can't hold on much longer!
· The Mask - Different Styles and Sizes (Hiding Behind the Pain)
· How could God allow this to happen to me.
· Don't Pray for Me, I need an answer NOW!!!!
Strongholds, Giants Do Die. - Satan's Fortress (Barriers) Can Be Torn Down
· Letting Go of the Past - Guilt/Burdens/Wrong Choices-Decisions/Carrying Baggage(and you're not even traveling, but you are tripping, going nowhere) FAST!
For more info email WEW, Inc.
pajamapraise@wewinc.org
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Don’t Hate the Haters
“Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to them that hate you, pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you.-Matthew 5:44
In John 8:1-11, we find the story of the woman caught in adultery. She was used as a pawn in the religious leaders, who hated Jesus, attempt to discredit Jesus’ ministry.
The nameless woman was caught in the very act of adultery. While Jesus was teaching to a large crowd in the temple, a group of men, scribes and Pharisees, pushed their way through the crowd and sat the woman in the midst of the people. The men did not desire to bring justice upon this woman, but to accuse Jesus. Their plan failed, and Jesus extended grace and mercy to the woman.
Here’s the irony; the enemies of Jesus were the ones who brought the woman to where she needed to be. This woman needed to be in the presence of the One who could deliver her. She needed to be in the presence of the One who could heal her. She needed to be in the presence of the One who could save her. It was the haters who carried the woman to where she needed to be!
Jesus said, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to them that hate you, pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you”. If it wasn’t for your enemies, maybe you would not have turned to God. If it wasn’t for opposition, maybe you wouldn’t pray to God. Your enemies have a way of running you to God. Enemies have a way of pushing you towards God.
God makes our enemies our footstool (Psalm 110:1). Footstools helps us to reach high places. Footstools helps us to obtain things that were out of our reach. Footstools takes us up. Footstools are under our feet! Footstools are useful. Enemies are useful!
It was the enemies that got the woman off her back and placed her on her feet. It was the enemies who pushed the woman through the crowd to the Blessor. The enemies were up to no good by pretending to do good, but ended up doing a good deed for this woman. The woman who felt worthless discovered her worth. The woman who felt guilty is now counted as not guilty.
Don’t hate your haters. They are working for your good. Instead of hating them, send them a thank you card appreciating their effortless work of getting you closer to God.
In John 8:1-11, we find the story of the woman caught in adultery. She was used as a pawn in the religious leaders, who hated Jesus, attempt to discredit Jesus’ ministry.
The nameless woman was caught in the very act of adultery. While Jesus was teaching to a large crowd in the temple, a group of men, scribes and Pharisees, pushed their way through the crowd and sat the woman in the midst of the people. The men did not desire to bring justice upon this woman, but to accuse Jesus. Their plan failed, and Jesus extended grace and mercy to the woman.
Here’s the irony; the enemies of Jesus were the ones who brought the woman to where she needed to be. This woman needed to be in the presence of the One who could deliver her. She needed to be in the presence of the One who could heal her. She needed to be in the presence of the One who could save her. It was the haters who carried the woman to where she needed to be!
Jesus said, “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to them that hate you, pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you”. If it wasn’t for your enemies, maybe you would not have turned to God. If it wasn’t for opposition, maybe you wouldn’t pray to God. Your enemies have a way of running you to God. Enemies have a way of pushing you towards God.
God makes our enemies our footstool (Psalm 110:1). Footstools helps us to reach high places. Footstools helps us to obtain things that were out of our reach. Footstools takes us up. Footstools are under our feet! Footstools are useful. Enemies are useful!
It was the enemies that got the woman off her back and placed her on her feet. It was the enemies who pushed the woman through the crowd to the Blessor. The enemies were up to no good by pretending to do good, but ended up doing a good deed for this woman. The woman who felt worthless discovered her worth. The woman who felt guilty is now counted as not guilty.
Don’t hate your haters. They are working for your good. Instead of hating them, send them a thank you card appreciating their effortless work of getting you closer to God.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
It’s in the Presentation
By Roline Thomas
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.—Romans 12:1
I enjoyed watching the 80”s sitcom, “The Cosby Show.” My all time favorite episode is “With This Ring.” In this episode, the patriarch of the family, Dr. Cliff Huxtable, was just told by his daughter that the boyfriend she just brought home was really her fiancé. He was disappointed in the way the news was broken. Dr. Huxtable goes to great lengths to describe a mouth-watering steak dinner with the trimmings. He raises the thought, “and I give it to you on a garbage can lid……not to appetizing is it?” This analogy brings home the reason why the fiancé is not readily liked by the family. Dr. Huxtable concludes, “It’s in the presentation, that’s the way she brought you here, on a garbage can lid.”
Presenting your bodies a living sacrifice is placing our own selves on the altar. God desires that we give ourselves completely to Him so that we can be used by Him. Worship is about our lifestyle. The way we live each day is our presentation to God. The way we speak to others, the way we help or don’t help others, the way we give is all a presentation to God. Everything we do must be done for the glory of God.
God is not impressed with fancy prayers, acrobatic singing, or eloquent speaking. He’s not moved by your shouting, tongue speaking, or your saying “glory to God” within each statement you make. God wants you totally. He wants you mind, body and soul. God said, “Be holy for I am holy.” Our lifestyle and inward man must measure up to our outward expressions of worship. To give God anything less than the best is to give God a presentation that is unattractive and disgusting. Remember, it’s all in the presentation. Are you bringing yourself to God on a garbage can lid?
Be blessed,
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.—Romans 12:1
I enjoyed watching the 80”s sitcom, “The Cosby Show.” My all time favorite episode is “With This Ring.” In this episode, the patriarch of the family, Dr. Cliff Huxtable, was just told by his daughter that the boyfriend she just brought home was really her fiancé. He was disappointed in the way the news was broken. Dr. Huxtable goes to great lengths to describe a mouth-watering steak dinner with the trimmings. He raises the thought, “and I give it to you on a garbage can lid……not to appetizing is it?” This analogy brings home the reason why the fiancé is not readily liked by the family. Dr. Huxtable concludes, “It’s in the presentation, that’s the way she brought you here, on a garbage can lid.”
Presenting your bodies a living sacrifice is placing our own selves on the altar. God desires that we give ourselves completely to Him so that we can be used by Him. Worship is about our lifestyle. The way we live each day is our presentation to God. The way we speak to others, the way we help or don’t help others, the way we give is all a presentation to God. Everything we do must be done for the glory of God.
God is not impressed with fancy prayers, acrobatic singing, or eloquent speaking. He’s not moved by your shouting, tongue speaking, or your saying “glory to God” within each statement you make. God wants you totally. He wants you mind, body and soul. God said, “Be holy for I am holy.” Our lifestyle and inward man must measure up to our outward expressions of worship. To give God anything less than the best is to give God a presentation that is unattractive and disgusting. Remember, it’s all in the presentation. Are you bringing yourself to God on a garbage can lid?
Be blessed,
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