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Oh, Be Careful Little Tongue....

Oh, Be Careful Little Tongue…
 
Oh, be careful little tongue what you say
Oh be careful little tongue what you say
For the father up above
Is looking down with love
So be careful little tongue what you say.
My mother always took my siblings & I to Sunday School, so I literally grew up in church. In Sunday school I learned about Jesus, and I learned songs such as the one mentioned above. I learned these songs because that is what I was taught to do, but if the truth be told I never thought about the lyrics nor their meaning to me. Today those words are words of wisdom.
As I write this article, I want to be transparent and hopefully it will help someone else in their walk with God.
I had to repent to God for my failure to keep a vow. This article was scheduled to come out in March, and here we are in the beginning of May, and I am finally doing what I promised. That is my message today……. be careful what you say…….
We are not required to make vows or promises to God, that is not something he requires. But, if we do choose to make vows or promises, we are required to keep them….be careful little tongue what you say. According to Ecclesiastes chapter 5, verses 4 and 5 it is better not to make a vow, than to make a vow and not keep it.
Our vows are sacred and bind us to God. We may forget the vow, but He does not. Philippians, chapter 2, verse 13 tells us that God wills and works in us to do his good pleasure, so it’s not our idea, but his and because we belong to him, we want to do what pleases him. When the idea came to me to start writing articles for our website, it was the Holy Ghost leading me and I agreed. Life began to happen; I got caught up with the cares of this life and kept pushing it back. I was getting nudges from the Holy Ghost, but I hid behind the fact that I didn’t know what to write about. I prayed, “Lord, what do I write about?”  But the volume of the world was turned up so high I couldn’t hear him if he did speak.
So, what am I saying? Be careful what you tell God you are going to do. Someone may say, “Well, I didn’t tell God, I told Sister or Brother So-n-So, if what you said was intended to be a part of the work of the Lord, it is the same as if you told God! If you procrastinate or don’t do it at all, it then becomes a sin to you and sin separates you from God!!! I thank God for grace and mercy….
God’s grace and mercy reached out to me all the way from Seattle, Washington. A Pastor friend reached out to me and told me that God is requiring of me what I promised to do and have not done. Instantly, I knew it was this article that I had promised to write two months ago. God is so good; he came when I needed him most…. During this time, my life was in an upheaval, and I didn’t know how burdened I was until the Word came. I was under attack by the enemy and didn’t know I was trying to fight the battle myself and that’s why I couldn’t do what I knew I should be doing. I had no peace, so I had no power…. I thank God for restoration!
Sometimes, we do not understand that we are taking on more than we can bear, because we fail to acknowledge God in these areas of our lives.…. be careful little tongue what you say. Sometimes we are too hasty, and we utter vows that we will regret later. Ask Jephthah in the book of Judges, the 11th chapter, verses 30 through 35. He had made a vow hastily that later brought him much pain. He understood that unfulfilled vows will cut off the flow of God’s blessings in your life….be careful little tongue what you say….
Has the storm ceased in my life? No. But I have peace and I am standing on his word because the safest place in the whole wide world is in the will of God! I am committed to keeping my vow.
I just want to encourage anyone who has made a vow, a pledge, or a promise to God and you have not kept your word, now is the time to repent and ask God to help you keep your word. He will give you a plan, you must listen to it. Some of you have a plan, you just need to initiate it. God’s grace is there for you. Believe it. Receive it. Do it. Go in peace.
Blessings & Peace,
Sister Lucretia
 

Grafted Into The Promise

Hello Everybody,
 
Well, if you thought the highlight of this service was when Brother Norman Crowder walked in, Praise God! This was truly special. But wait! Did you hear his testimony at the end of the service? Praise God in heaven! Did you hear the Spirit of the Lord in His voice? This man of God is a preacher, no if, ands, or buts about it! He is chosen by God and nothing will stop God's plan for his life. He cried out, "Lord, I thank you! Lord, I thank you! Lord, I thank you!...The devil tried to take me out not just once but twice, but God said No! Lord, I thank you for my life..." He shouted it out in a voice that only the Spirit of God could have given him. There was greatness in His cry and God is to be praised for this. He preached to all of us! Praise God now everybody. This was enough to bring the "dead to life" in the church. This was true praise and thanksgiving coming from his whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. I'm sure you all could hear the Spirit of the Lord in his voice. We praise God for Brother Norman and how God is doing the miraculous in his life. 
 

Another one that God is using so mightily is little Logan. She praises the Lord with her whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. Her praise is by the Spirit of the Lord, it is not taught to her by humans, although it is "steered" (like a ship's rudder) by Elder Lane and Co Pastor Lane. If you are stuck in tradition, just watch this little one praise the Lord. Everything she does is given by the Lord and unique to her. I praise God for how He uses His little child. As she was praising her big heart out for a long time, she then turned to Elder Lane with her arms held high. He picked her up and held her in his right arm, she was still praising God tucked safely in Elder Lane's right arm, with her hands held high. I immediately saw in the Spirit how this is an example of our Father's love for us. She just wanted to be held for a moment, in the Father's arms. She was under the protection of His right arm and God was blessing her. Elder Lane then put her down and she continued to praise God with all of her might. What a blessing she is to all of us. May God continue to bless her mother and father and draw them close to Him. Pray for all of our children (and their parents), that God would use them mightily throughout their whole lives. When they reach the age of accountability, we want to see them continue in His goodness: saved, sanctified, and doing His work.  
 
Now to the Sunday School lesson! We began with prayer and then a powerful praise as Elder Sorrell prophesied, "Jesus said it..., it is by what God says and not by what we see. See through the eyes of God." Speaking more of Jesus, he then took us to Hebrews 1:4-6, "Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. 5 For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? 6 And again, when he bringeth in the first begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him." Go ahead and praise Him!
 
We then went into Romans 11:11-24. Here it is below, please read it again and let God minister to you personally, in the way that only He can do:
 
Romans 11:11-24 "I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy. 12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? 13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: 14 If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. 15 For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? 16 For if the first fruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. 17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; 18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?" Wow, praise God everybody and thank Him for His goodness.
 
Minister Cynthia fervently brought the teaching to us. She started by singing and declaring these words, "Jesus, You never fail. Declare it and say it, you must believe it. We will make it because Jesus never fails. We have been grafted into His promise." She pointed out that the majority of Israelites rejected Jesus and said, "Crucify Him." Because of their fall, this opened the way for the believing Gentiles to come in. All of this shows the goodness and severity of God. But God is able to graft them in again. She pointed out the difference between stumbling and falling. "In stumbling you miss your step, but you are still standing! When you fall, you are on the ground and it will take you longer to get up. So hear the voice of God and have a personal relationship with Him, only He can save you. Pray, 'Lord stretch out in Me,' and let Him destroy every yolk."
 
Minister Cynthia continued, "God wanted to use His people but they rejected Him, so God allowed another people to come in, a people not looking like them, and God began to use these believing Gentiles to provoke the Israelites to jealousy." She had some pictures of olive trees to explain the cutting off of the branches of unbelieving Israelites and the grafting in of the wild branches of the believing Gentiles. Grafting takes a shoot from one tree and puts it on another tree. We were branches on a wild olive tree, but now God has grafted us into His olive tree and we have open access to Him. We now have the same benefits that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had. She began to sing, "Heaven and earth will pass away, but Jesus never fails." She reminded us to sing psalms, hymns, and Spiritual songs to God in our hearts. "And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" Ephesians 5:18-20.
 
She expressed, "The Israelites started off in holiness with God by following the law, but they did not believe that Jesus was the Messiah. They had to fall so that we could come in." Definition of promise: a declaration that one will do or refrain from doing something specified; a legally binding declaration that gives the person to whom it is made a right to expect or to claim the performance or forbearance of a specified act; an undertaking or assurance given by one person to another agreeing or guaranteeing to do or give something, or not to do or give something, in the future. She ended by saying that we must believe. It is by grace through faith that we are saved.
 
May I say that Jesus is the Promise and we now have the Promise living in us (Christ in us) when we are filled with the Holy Ghost. Wow, bow before Him and thank Him. Then get up and jump for joy and continue in His goodness. Read and meditate on the blessing and the warning once again, "For if the first fruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. 17 And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; 18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?"
 
Many testified of God's Promise in their lives and how they were grafted in through others prayers, dreams, spoken instructions to them, etc. Some were strengthened and renewed by their own dreams and by their child's dream, confirming the Word of God spoken over each of their lives. This all works together, but as Elder Lane pointed out, "God is the one that grafts us in. Don't run from God. Where is your faith? Whom do you believe? Yourself? Believe in the Creator of everything, He is in you and you in Him." He pointed out that when grafting peaches and plums, the graft has to be sealed and then it will produce fruit on the tree.
 
Deaconess Kathy said that she is aware of being grafted in and looking like the tree, Jesus! May I say that this statement reminds all of us to be fed by Jesus and to look like Him. We will not look like an imitation of someone else (for instance our leader), but we will be unique and look like Jesus. Also we will not look like those in the world as Deacon George pointed out. 
 
Elder Sorrell stressed that one cannot just do what they want and when they want to do it. He said that the Israelites were rejected because of unbelief. They were blinded. We too have to believe and continue in the goodness of the Lord. Sometimes we are blinded to the Scriptures and to what Apostle Crowder is saying to us.
 
Co Pastor McCarty talked about the grafting of pecan trees and brought out the stark reality that we don't like to be cut, but we have to be cut to fit. "Jesus stood alone and grafted an unrighteous people into Him. They slit Him in His side on the cross. We have been grafted in."
 
Minister Lucretia spoke of being grafted in with hope. We have hope and are free of condemnation. "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death" Romans 8:1-2.
 
Minister Cynthia had a one page list of some wonderful promises from Scripture. May I boldly say once again that Jesus is our Promise. He is the fulfillment of the law of the Old Covenant and He is the mediator of the New Covenant. Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. He is the Word. So every Word of the Bible speaks of both the goodness and the severity of God, and also the belief and unbelief of mankind, meaning God will either do or give something, or not do or give something based on His plan for our lives and His righteousness, grace, and mercy; and our faith, belief, trust, and obedience in Jesus plays a huge role. God is Sovereign over all. "Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be grafted in: for God is able to graft them in again" Romans 11:22-23. 
 

So don't be highminded because you have been grafted in, but fear God! We must obey God and follow His leading. He is both the tree and the grafter; and we are the branches! He is able to graft us in or cut us off. Are you filled with the Holy Ghost? There is no other way. We must seek Him like never before. We must lay prostrate before Him and learn of Him. We must obey Him and continue in His goodness to the end. "But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved" Matthew 24:13.
 
I will leave you with this truth, "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" Philippians 1:6. We cannot make it to heaven on our own, nor can we produce fruit on our own. This is why we have to be grafted in (born again/filled with the Holy Ghost) and continue in His goodness. Read John 15:1-27 and be blessed. Believe in Jesus, trust and obey God by faith, and let Him perform His work in and through you by the Holy Ghost. Amen.
 
Love,
 
Sis. Jane

God's Sovereignty

Hello Everybody,
 
Praise God everybody. I'm overjoyed with God's love at this moment and just wanted to remind everyone to forget not all of His benefits. He forgives all of our iniquities, He heals all of our diseases, He redeems our lives from destruction, He satisfies our mouths with good things so that our youth is renewed like the eagle's and much more. Please meditate on Psalm 103 and bless the Lord now with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Praise Him with all of your being. He is Sovereign and there is none beside Him. Amen!
 
Today, at GWOD, we began with prayer and then a Psalm of praise, Psalm 150, as led by Sis. Dorothy McCarty. Go ahead and praise Him again and continue praising Him, He is worthy. "Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. 2 Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. 3 Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. 4 Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. 5 Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. 6 Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD" Psalm 150:1-6.
 
We studied Romans 9:6-18. Please read and meditate on this passage of God's Word and be blessed as He speaks to you personally. May I say that it is important to read and meditate on Romans chapters 9-11 in succession for a full understanding of this passage. Paul addresses Israel's unbelief/blindness in part and God's sovereignty and election. The new covenant is salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, for both the believing Jew and Gentile, as many as are called. God is sovereign over all. The promise is by grace through faith in Jesus (belief) and not by keeping the law (by self righteousness and unbelief). Jesus is the fulfillment of the law of the old covenant. 
 
Romans 9:6-18 "Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: 7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. 8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. 9 For this is the word of promise, At this time will I come, and Sarah shall have a son. 10 And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac: 11 (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) 12 It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. 13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. 14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 16 So then it is not of him the willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. 17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. 18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth."
 
Eldress Ollie began teaching, saying that we need to be showing signs that we are saved. Ask yourselves, "Where am I with God?" Do a self assessment. "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?" 2 Corinthians 13:5. "And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover" Mark 16:17-18.
 
She emphasized that our relationship with God is not by feelings, but by the Word of God. Believe Him. You must confront your anger, unhealthy emotions and feelings, fears, control, etc., in order to get rid of them. You have to believe the Word. Salvation is a matter of faith. It takes faith to get into the mindset of God. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" Romans 10:17. We are dependent upon God's mercy, we cannot work for it. The lesson today is about Israel's unbelief. Israel failed to believe God, but God always has a plan!
 
Eldress Ollie pointed out that we have to stay before God and in the Word to get to the root of the matter. We cannot change what we don't confront. Truth leads us and goodness and mercy follow us. It takes labor in prayer to get rid of unbelief. In prayer God will reveal His truth. Many of us try to reason and believe with the natural carnal mind and we want to see a sign! No, this is unbelief. It must be spiritually discerned. "Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed" John 20:29.
 
She continued, "Journal what is going on in your life. Search the Word for a Scripture for your sin and faults. Speak God's Word over these sins and repent. Don't control or try to usurp authority. The spirit of control is unbelief that God is in control. God is in control not you. Handle what is your responsibility as God leads and leave the rest to Him and to those whom He has appointed. God comes in and takes control and we are appreciative of His grace and mercy. Faith moves God. Stay in the Word, because time in the Word prepares you for all things. Warning: whatever you give time to above God, this is your god." 
 
Elder Sorrell took us to the profound truth in Isaiah 55:8-9, which really sums up everything discussed today, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts." He emphasized that God has plans for us that we don't even know about yet. We don't even realize that we are rejecting what God is doing. God does not change just because we get upset! Ask God to show you what you need to know. We have no idea what He has planned for us. "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him" 1 Corinthians 2:9. 
 
Sister Helena stated that God said He will have mercy on whom He will have mercy and compassion on whom He will have compassion, "For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion" Romans 9:15. She expressed that we cannot deal with people in the flesh. We have to humble to God and minister to those people that are difficult, those that we do not want to deal with. We cannot just write people off to soon. God has a plan and purpose for their lives just like He does for our lives. 
 
Eldress Ollie pointed out that the underlying problem with difficult people is sin. We have all filled the "void" in our lives with the sin of our choice, rather than with God. This "void" must be filled with God. None of us have not attained yet! "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing." Philippians 3:12-16.
 
Co Pastor Lane expounded on God's way and His sovereignty saying that God does have mercy and we must have mercy too. "Definition of mercy: compassion or kindly forbearance shown toward an offender, an enemy, or other person in one's power. When God has mercy on you, it is because you have offended Him or you have been the enemy! When you are not in a good position with God and He is calling your name out, this is His mercy and His love and He is still reaching out to you. Sinners (difficult people) are offensive to us because we have an attitude of 'I'm better than you.' Sometimes we are acting offensive in here, but God is asking us to be merciful and to forgive them. Somebody offends us, but we cannot act in an offensive way in return!"
 
Co Pastor Lane then went to Hebrews 11:1, "Now faith is the substance of things hope for, the evidence of things not seen." She said, "Substance is the main material part. Faith is the substance or the main material part. Faith is the substance of what I need to happen, faith makes it happen. God hardened Pharaoh's heart because he was evil anyway. Some alcoholics need to bottom out, but for you to just close the door and not speak to them, this is crazy and this is not God. This is pride and your 'right standing' with God has now become an offense to that person. You have to change this attitude and love that person."
 
"Something that you have internalized, this is what you live. For example, if you have pork chops every Thursday evening, then when Thursday arrives, you come home for dinner and your expectation is that you will be eating pork chops. It does not matter how they are prepared, you will still be expecting pork chops. So, internalize the Word, this is how you overcome. Internalize the thing that you desire such as, 'I believe I'm going to get the Holy Ghost, ... healing, ... joy, ...finances, etc. It is in the Word and I will keep speaking it.' You are speaking what God says and what you read in the Word, and it becomes a part of you. Search the Word for Scriptures on every outpouring of the Holy Ghost, or every healing, or every deliverance, etc., for each thing you are desiring."
 
She continued, "If you are going to be delivered, you have to confess that you have an offense and that you want to be delivered. When God sends a Word to uncover us, it brings us to faith. There are many brethren coming into perfection. God's correction comes because we have offended Him, and He is merciful to us. Now faith is the substance (the material) of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. If you don't see it yet, just believe it. Say, 'I'm delivered from lying, offense, pride, sickness, etc.' Evidence is when you are faced with a situation and you do the right thing no matter what, even when nobody is looking."  
 
Prophecy came forth for a visiting Pastor from Power House of Deliverance Church, as God was speaking through Eldress Ollie. Praise God. This Pastor reiterated that we are to show mercy to those that are difficult (sinners), and not look down upon them. He also encouraged us to let God fight our battles.
 
Co Pastor McCarty closed out the service saying that the answers to some of the prayers have been delayed, but not denied. How long does it take to be delivered? As soon as you open your mind and hear God! An opportunity will always come to test you to see if you are truly delivered.
 
Be blessed and continue in His Word.
 
Love,
 
Sis. Jane

Safe in God's Love

Hello Everybody,
 
God is so good. Today we were reminded that we are always safe in His love. He has predestined us from before the foundation of the world. "According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:" Ephesians 1:4. Jesus said, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you" John 15:16. Nothing will change what He has predestined us to be and do. Even with this we still have to make choices every day; so ask, seek, knock, and obey God, following the leading of the Holy Ghost (God in us/Christ in us/Spirit of truth/Comforter/Counselor) in everything. There are consequences to each choice. Amen.
 
We began with Psalm 29:1-2 as led by Deaconess Priscilla, "Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength. 2 Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his  name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness." Praise Him again everybody!
 
We studied Romans 8:28-39. Please read it below and be blessed by the Word of God. Let Him minister to you personally through His Word:
 
Romans 8:28-39 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
 
Deaconess Crumbley began by saying that we are safe in God's love. Safe means: free from harm or risk; secure from threat of danger, harm, or loss; protected from or not exposed to danger or risk. God is working through us to glorify Himself. She said, "I normally teach on loving one another, but today it is about God's love for us and being in His love. God is working in your life in all things, for a purpose. There is a purpose for everything in each of our lives. We say, 'I want to be like Jesus!' Really? He came here to die and take away the sin of the world. We are talking about God's love for us. Do you want to be like Him? This is for those who love Him and are the called. He calls us to be formed into the image and likeness of God. You can try to make it happen on your own, but when you find out that God did it, it is a whole different thing. He is intricately in every part of our lives, in us and through us."
 
She testified of how God moved her through all of her trials, circumstances, different jobs, etc., to get her to where she is now, being much more confident. "God gives you the confidence you need. God will use you in whatever you have gone through to minister to others. We are back to the 'I want to be just like Jesus!' Do you still want to be like Jesus? We are counted as sheep for the slaughter?" "Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter" Psalm 44:22. "As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us" Romans 8:36-37. Answer: Yes! "Everything you go through, God works it out for your good. Yes, God has great things for us."
 
Elder Sorrell brought forth this truth: "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began," 2 Timothy 1:9. He said that we are afraid of what God wants. We fear the very thing we need! All things work for good even when it looks bad!
 
Eldress Jefferson pointed out that we need to be an asset to any "company" that we are working at and we need to be an asset to this "company" here at GWOD.
 
Apostle Crowder explained the profound truths in verses 29-30, "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified" Romans 8:29-30. She trumpeted that God has predestined us and nothing will change what He has planned for us. He has predestined our calling and nothing will change it! He perfects us, we do not have to perfect ourselves, we cannot perfect ourselves! We were sent to GWOD to be perfected. We cannot look to going somewhere else until He perfects us here. Apostle Crowder explained that Sis. Kathy was moved from confidence to confidence through one job after another, but we are here at GWOD to be proven. He moves us out of our comfort zones to establish us, but He won't move us out of GWOD before we have been proven. 
 
She reproved us by saying that we have been appointed to our calling whether it be prophet, evangelist, teacher, etc., but we don't want to be appointed. We draw back. Drawing back and a lack of confidence hinders God's call on our lives. Some of us have to be pulled like a horse! He has to put bits and bridles on us to take us into the wilderness! We went to Isaiah 63:13, please read it again:
 
Isaiah 63:13 "That led them through the deep, as an horse in the wilderness, that they should not stumble?" The wilderness place takes us to higher heights and deeper depths. You will know that the Lord is speaking.
 
Psalm 107:23-24 "They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; 24 These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep." You aren't going to see the depths until you get out of your comfort zone. He has to speak to you. You must get out of your comfort zone in order to get into the deep. Don't be afraid. Whether you draw back or not, you will still have to do it, you are predestined! God already called us before we came out of our mother's womb! "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations" Jeremiah 1:5. Well, bless the Lord, everybody! When you say, "Yes!" then fear leaves.
 
Psalm 42:1 "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God." It is work to be "grown up." We (like children) say, "I don't want to be grown up!" But we are predestined, so get up and do it! Go out and do a work for God. We must grow up.
 
Co Pastor Lane expounded more on Romans 8:29 and Romans 8:35-39. Here is a summary of what she said:
 
Romans 8:29 "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." He foreknew us and He predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son. Predestined means something that cannot be changed. God sets us up for specific things in specific ways. We have been saved and filled with the Holy Ghost. We are a people in relationship with Him. It is predestined that we will be conformed, we will be saved, we will be delivered. It is set in stone! If God knows us, then our end is eternal life with Him. The objective is for Him to know us. We must understand and believe, "I will be saved, I will be anointed, I will be victorious."
 
Romans 8:35-39 "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? "Who" is a person, but tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, and sword are things. Only a "who" can separate you and you are this "who." Things cannot separate you form the love of God.
 
Co Pastor Lane continued by saying that God tells us how to love Him. If God knows us there is no fear because, perfect love casts out fear. We will know if He knows us. We must be Spiritually and emotionally involved and attached to God. We are made right by Him. He makes us right. He fixes it and makes us right! If we could do it we would, but we cannot. God's time table is different than ours. It is set in stone and we are predestined to be delivered. He will do it perfectly. Just do whatever He is telling you to do. Our focus should be on working with the brethren, there are many brethren (some that need to come in). He walks with us everyday, just believe Him. You must believe that you are really saved. He sees us through the blood of Jesus.
 
Romans 8:29 is a guarantee that we are saved, delivered, etc. and that victory is assured. "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren."  So we say, "Yes Lord, pour in me, stretch out in me, I trust You Lord." Stand up and fear will go. Perfect love casts out fear. Not only is He for us, He is in us. "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing" John 15:5. Also, "To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" Colossians 1:27. He is our hope of glory. Hope is, "I know it is going to happen!"
 
Co Pastor Lane explained that the "lack of confidence" is a thought. It is not real, it is only in your imagination. You sit with your imagination and imagine the worst. Then you act on that thought. Change your way of thinking. Replace the thought with, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" Philippians  4:13. If He called you to it, He has equipped you already, so put on the whole armor of God and stand (see Ephesians 6:10-20). It is our thoughts, not things that hinder us. You are rescued from the bad thinking. Listen to God. He tells you, "Now, I want you to say this..., now go here and do this..., etc." You don't need to be jumping or running first in order to pray for someone or to speak a Word, just know that God is in you and leading you.
 
Romans 8:31 "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" Don't let the devil tell you that you cannot get anything right. We can all get it right through the Holy Ghost. It is God that makes it right. So change the way you think, and get up and move. Move that stronghold. The enemy says, "You are not," when you are so close to being "in His image" through the Holy Ghost. Don't let the enemy stop you. May I add, greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world! "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" 1 John 4:4. Amen!
 
Co Pastor McCarty began to preach and took us to Matthew 13:28 to dismiss some bad thinking! Here it is below:
 
Matthew 13:28a "He said unto them, An enemy hath done this." An enemy has done this, not the Lord! Because of not following instructions, the enemy can sneak in and do this...! God says He will work it out for our good. When it happens, we pray more. Trouble will come, but God will work it out for our good. Satan may attack you, but it doesn't mean that God is not working it out. All you have to know is, "Rest in God, He is working it out." Joseph was sold by his brothers because of their jealousy, but God meant it for good. "But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." Genesis 50:20.
 
Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." There are two important things to understand about knowing that all things work together for good:
 
1. To them that love God,
2. To them who are the called according to His purpose.
 
We must hear the call and respond. We must be committed to come to church and to praise God. We have to come boldly to the throne of grace. Predestine means to determine ahead of time. You have been predestined a certain amount of trials. Because you are the called, be determine to walk through the fire. It is no more, "I can't" or "I don't know if I can," God has called you. When He calls us He invites us. It is an open invitation. Do we trust Him enough to accept the invitation. He justifies us and washes us by His Word.
 
Romans 8:33-34 "Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." Who has the nerve to speak out against God's elect. No! Get rid of it.
 
Romans 8: 35-39 "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Who shall separate us from the love of God? You can walk through the trouble that hurt you. Get in a place with God and you will trust Him as you go through, even to the point of not feeling the hurt. Nakedness means destitute, but God has covered you. We are more than conquerers. Get in a place where you are harvesting and reaping at the same time. Nothing can separate you from the love of Christ. You are safe in God's love and free from danger and hurt. Freedom is not always free. When you find out that you are free, you are free indeed. 
 
Apostle Crowder closed out the service by saying that we must have ears to hear God and not only through the Scriptures. Believe God as to who we are and stay prayerful. While driving listen to God, for He will spare you and take you the safe way. Don't speed. Be careful how you move your physical body, because old injuries can once again get you down if you are not listening to God.
 
Well, there you have it once again. Be blessed and continue to pray one for another. Always love God and love one another. Until next time, be safe in God's love. I will leave you with this truth, "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." James 1:12. 
 
Love,
 
Sis. Jane

Obey God, Get Rid of Selfishness

Hello Everybody!
 
Are we walking in selfishness? Are we selfish? If you were at GWOD today you will quickly be changing your ways if you detected any selfish ways in yourself. Selfishness cannot be a part of the Body of Christ. Read Amos 6:1-14 and let's give ourselves a selfishness checkup. If you see any of these sins in you, let's repent quickly. "Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came! 2 Pass ye unto Calneh, and see; and from thence go ye to Hamath the great: then go down to Gath of the Philistines: be they better than these kingdoms? or their border greater than your border? 3 Ye that put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near; 4 That lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall; 5 That chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of musick, like David; 6 That drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph. 7 Therefore now shall they go captive with the first that go captive, and the banquet of them that stretched themselves shall be removed. 8 The LORD God hath sworn by himself, saith the LORD the God of hosts, I abhor the excellency of Jacob, and hate his palaces: therefore will I deliver up the city with all that is therein. 9 And it shall come to pass, if there remain ten men in one house, that they shall die. 10 And a man's uncle shall take him up, and he that burneth him, to bring out the bones out of the house, and shall say unto him that is by the sides of the house, Is there yet any with thee? and he shall say, No. Then shall he say, Hold thy tongue: for we may not make mention of the name of the LORD. 11 For, behold, the LORD commandeth, and he will smite the great house with breaches, and the little house with clefts. 12 Shall horses run upon the rock? will one plow there with oxen? for ye have turned judgment into gall, and the fruit of righteousness into hemlock: 13 Ye which rejoice in a thing of nought, which say, Have we not taken to us horns by our own strength? 14 But, behold, I will raise up against you a nation, O house of Israel, saith the LORD the God of hosts; and they shall afflict you from the entering in of Hemath unto the river of the wilderness."
 
This speaks of God's impending judgement on Israel and Judah. Their sins of selfishness and pleasure were as great as the sins of the surrounding heathen cities which caused destruction to come to these cities. Israel and Judah, God's chosen people, were caring only for themselves and rejecting God's commands. In despair and fear, they were afraid to speak God's name, for fear of what more might happen to them. How sad! Are we guilty of these same sins of rejecting God, selfishness and indifference? Are we addicted to pleasure and comfort? God will punish us just as He punished Israel and Judah if we do not turn from our wicked ways. God sent prophets to warn them, but they would not listen. Does this sound familiar GWOD? Instead of relying on God and obeying Him, they abused their power by oppressing many and carried out everything in their own strength, all according to their own desires and pleasures. In other words, they did it their own way and for their own "well-being." Lord have mercy on us that we can learn from this example and not be found in this depraved state of mind.
 
Co Pastor Lane began teaching the lesson with the definition of selfishness. Selfishness: the quality or condition of being selfish. Selfish: devoted to or caring only for oneself; concerned primarily with one's own interest, benefits, welfare, etc., regardless of others; concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself; seeking or concentrating on one's own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for others. She went on to say that the church (just like Israel and Judah) is full of three D's: deceitfulness, disobedience and lack of dedication and this is all due to selfishness. It is all about "Me, Myself, and I." We must humble ourselves and return to God. When God speaks to you do not harden you hearts, instead say, "Lord, I surrender." Israel and Judah sinfully indulged in God's provisions to gratify their own flesh, taking even the first of the flock for their own stomachs. In searching our hearts we too will find that we are using His provisions (gifts of the Spirit, homes, jobs, cars, finances, our bodies, etc.) for our own lusts rather than for helping others. God forgive us.
 
Co Pastor Lane gave us many examples on how to mortify the flesh. Control your tongue by praying. Sometimes silence is best when you are about to say something you should not say. "And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; 12 That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing" 1 Thess 4:11-12. Notice here, that we are to walk honestly toward them that are without. Use the dominion and power you have in the Holy Ghost to stop the selfishness and excesses of the flesh. She asked an important question, "Why is the flesh alive anyway?" It means that we are not filled with the Spirit and we must pray to be filled and delivered of any fleshly areas that rise up. Tarry on the altar. Get rid of the same sin that you repeat over and over. Yield to the will of God. The "spirit of religion" will make you always have to be right. The "spirit of religion" will also make you quiet and bring forth a "spirit of assent" whereby you agree with the Word saying, "Amen," but you have NO intention of following through. God allowed Israel and Judah a space of repentance but they did not turn from their ways. This is a Word of warning to us and to anybody reading this. Be careful, God is not mocked, He will do what He says He will do. He has not changed, He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting" Gal 6:7-8.
 
In a trial we go to prayer because we want to get out of pain. This is a form of selfishness too! God is trying to deliver us from "Me, Me Me" "Myself, Myself, Myself" and "I, I, I" and bring us into the mindset of "We, We, We." We are the body of Christ and Jesus Christ is the head. "And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled. 22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: 23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;" Col 1:18-23. By faith, we follow and obey Jesus, walking in the Spirit daily. "This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh" Gal 5:16. He is our Saviour and our keeper. He (Christ in us) is our strength, hope and joy. Praise Him now. 
 
We must listen and know when God is speaking to us. Know the Word by the Spirit and test the spirit by the Spirit. "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. 4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5 They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. 6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error" 1 John 4:1-6. Keep your connection with God and others in the body of Christ. Get ready to be used of God by saying, "Lord, here I am send me." Praise God.
 
If we are easily offended something is wrong. This means that some things from the past need to be forgiven. Forgiveness is powerful. Find out where your faulty thinking came from and when it started. Someone at church may look or act like someone from your past who hurt you. Forgive that person from the past and don't transfer your past feelings onto this innocent messenger of God causing you to reject the message being preached through this person! Be open and surrender to what God wants to do in you. Ask Him to take away "your way of thinking." This innocent messenger of God may be the one who brings a message of deliverance for you.
 
Co Pastor Lane mentioned that having "designated" (someone programmed for each Wed, Fri, and Sunday service) prayer leaders, Scripture leaders, teachers, etc., may be hindering the move of God because it leaves many out and some of the "designated" people may not be the right one for the move of God that day. The same few are always programmed and then we wonder why the others are not growing! We must be open to what God wants. He wants all of us active. She mentioned how back in the days, Pastor Crowder would have the microphone pass from one person to another at the altar and in this way all would be active in leading the prayer. Also, if there were no "designated" teachers, Scripture leaders, prayer leaders etc., everybody would have to be ready and we wouldn't just sit due to the fact that it is the "designated" leader's job that day, when God is moving on another person to pray or teach the Word other than the "designated" person. This is good! We can all be free and ready to move ahead as the Spirit leads! This will give the Holy Ghost free reign and God will have His way. With God having His way, everything will be done decently and in order. Amen.
 
Pastor Crowder then stood up to exhort and instruct us concerning ridding ourselves of selfishness and moving in the Holy Ghost. "That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. 25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another" Eph 4:22-25. If you are selfish you are thinking only about yourself and not the needs of others. We must "feel" one another through the Holy Ghost here in the church building and also on the street, at work, in our neighborhoods and in our homes; even in all places across the globe. Israel and Judah had disrespected God totally. They did what they wanted to do. You need to give the "first of the sacrifice" to the Lord. This means the "first" of everything you do. You cannot serve God and mammon (yourself)! "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon" Matt 6:24. God will not hear our prayers in this selfish condition.
 
Overseer Crowder continued with the following Scriptures and their meaning:
 
Proverbs 15:8-9 "The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight. 9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness." When we are in a place of prayer with God and not selfish it is a delight for the Lord. All it takes is a righteous mind (the mind of Christ) and obedience. You don't need long prayers. The anointing is Jesus Christ Himself.
 
Proverbs 15:29-30 "The LORD is far from the wicked: but he heareth the prayer of the righteous. 30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: and a good report maketh the bones fat." The lesson that we had today came to us to purify us from something that is in the way: selfishness (which includes dishonesty, disobedience, and lack of dedication). He has heard our prayers. Praise God everybody.
 
Proverbs 21:27-29 "The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind? 28 A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly. 29 A wicked man hardeneth his face: but as for the upright, he directeth his way." It is a terrible thing not to be honest with God. Some of us are doing things only because it is our duty and/or so Pastor and the leaders will get off of our backs. We are not doing it out of our love for God. This is a spirit of lying. How many of us are going to let God direct our ways?  (I'm reminded of Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.")
 
Proverbs 28:9-10 "He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination. 10 Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession." When we say, "Amen," it needs to be said from our hearts meaning, "I love you Lord," but instead we say it out of habit or custom. You must say "Amen" with your heart meaning, "The Word is right, be it so." Then act in obedience to what you have said "Amen" to. Let's rejoice and say "Amen" from our hearts to the Word spoken to us today and obey what was spoken to us. The Word is just good isn't it! God is so Good. Do what God is telling you to do here at GWOD. Say, "Yes Lord" from your belly and obey Him. Don't be the cause of people going astray.
 
Pastor Crowder conclude with Proverbs 1:24-33 which Eldress Pam preached on a couple of weeks ago (Proverbs 1:20-33). Out of the mouth of two or three witnesses (Pastor Crowder and Eldress Pam in this case) is God's Word confirmed unto us. "This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established" 2 Cor 13:1. Listen up saints and obey. This same passage of Scripture has come to us twice in just two weeks. God is talking to us. Are we going to refuse His Word and turn our backs on God? No, we must hear His Word and obey so that we can dwell safely and be quieted from the fear of evil just as He promises.
 
Proverbs 1:24-33 "Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; 25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: 26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; 27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. 28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: 29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: 30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. 31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. 32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. 33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil." God has stretched out His hand to us. Come "alive" so that we can give strength and life to someone else that is struggling. Don't just say, "I'm going to be all right." Israel and Judah were not all right even though they believed they were, after all they were living the "good life!" They ignored God's word and they were not all right. Pastor stated that the leaders were taken into captivity first. We must stay anointed because of what is coming upon the United States (destruction). Live for God everybody. Scripture says that they called but He did not answer. He is saying they will not find Him. They abhorred a true Prophet and they refused to accept God. Don't despise instruction and don't lie. Do what you say you are going to do, be accountable. God allowed them to eat of their own fruit and destruction came to Israel and Judah. Get it right church. 
 
Well, what must we all do now? First of all pray and be filled with the Holy Ghost each and every day. We must hear and obey God daily and turn from any wicked ways. We must all study the Word to show ourselves approved unto God. We must welcome His counsel and bring back the fear of the Lord into our lives. Pastor explained that what we do outside of the will of God causes a curse to come upon our children and grandchildren. Cut off the curse from the family line. Get the sin out of you so that your light will shine and bring your children in. Be like yourself and Jesus, don't try to be like someone else. We live under the "Eyes of God" and we are blessed because of this. Our eyes and ears need to be open always and we must see and feel. Don't rely on Pastor Crowder to do this for you. If you don't see and feel (in the Holy Ghost) then you are in danger. Trust in God by faith and rely on Him. Be encouraged and obey God and don't forget to thank Him and Praise Him. He will lift you up.
 
Love,
 
Sis. Jane

Founder's Day Celebration

 
Hello Everybody!
 
Today was the culmination of our Founder's Day celebration in honor of Overseer/Apostle/Pastor/Prophet Betty Joyce Crowder, the founder and Sr. Pastor of GWOD. She has been in the ministry for 51 years now and was once again in top form under the anointing, being empowered by the Holy Ghost and used by God in speaking a Word to bring deliverance to many during this service. We love you Pastor Crowder and may God give you many, many, many more years of active service in the building of God's Kingdom and the tearing down of the work of the devil. Pastor James Davis of Free Pentecostal House of Prayer Church in Madisonville, Texas was the speaker for Friday night's celebration and Apostle J. R. Bowens of New Life Apostolic Family Worship Center in Austin, Texas was today's speaker. 
 
I missed Friday night's celebration service due to illness, so I can only write about today's service which was filled with songs of praise, instrumentals, words of appreciation, giving, powerful preaching and deliverance. The service started with prayer, Scripture and worship to our God. The praise team sang a wonderful song of deliverance concerning putting on your "war clothes" and taking back everything that God gave to you (which the devil had stolen); all by the blood of Jesus! Praise God, the words to that song were wonderful and many were filled with the Spirit as they praised God, empowering them for the whole service, but many were not touched and were motionless. More songs of praise went forth and then Pastor Crowder stood up to say that God has given us a "second" time of praise because He wanted to break some yokes. She encouraged us to praise Him some more to receive a blessing. "Let everything that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD" Psalm 150:6.
 
Overseer Crowder explained that Holiness is free and open. If you are "faking" Holiness, then you won't move or praise God. If you are "real" you will have a clap, walk across the floor, run, shout and/or give the Lord a praise. Rebellion takes place when you don't like what God is saying, so you sit and don't move. You will have to have "real" salvation to endure what is coming upon this earth. Give God all of the praise that you can give Him! This will cause the fallow ground of your heart to be broken up and bring deliverance. On the day of Pentecost, they were all with one accord in one place (they were all involved, no spectators) and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Then a multitude of devout men (spectators) arrived and were confounded, but Peter preached the Word to them and those that gladly received his Word were baptized, about three thousand souls (read Acts 2). That is exactly what Pastor Crowder did today, she explained to the spectators what it is they must do to be filled with the Holy Ghost. Remember that saints are not supposed to be the spectators! Don't be a goat that is butting with its head, instead be a sheep that follows Jesus. Pastor Crowder declared that if you were not moved by the praise that went forth, then hopefully the preached Word would make you free. "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; 32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" John 8:31-32. "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" John 8:36.
 
This set the atmosphere for Apostle J. R. Bowens to preach the Word. He continued in the same Spirit saying, "A shut up mouth is a shut up soul and you are blocked by your own opinion." He preached a powerful message on deliverance and encouraged all who know the Apostolic way to pray for an Apostolic covering so as not to become numbered among the worldly Pentecostal "pimps." He stated that "flesh" is King right now and we have to tear this kingdom down. Sexual sins have to be exposed. If you have sinned in this area you must tell somebody because you are not strong enough to handle it yourself. God wants to deliver the church from these and other sins but you have to repent. Never get so bold so as to stare down your leader (rebellion) when they are telling you what you must do. Apostle Bowens admonished the modern day church saying that the world is more "successful" than the church because the world has more saints looking like them than does the church have saints looking like Jesus. He encouraged us to come out from among them. "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness: and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the LORD, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty" 2 Cor 6:14-18.
 
He reproofed us by saying that two hours of preaching does not reach some of us but yet the devil can speak for just a few seconds and we grab unto it immediately. For example the devil whispers in your ear, "They (leaders) don't like me" and you believe this. No, we (leaders) love you and labor in prayer for you. The devil is not as he appears to be. He will answer your prayers with what you want, all to keep you down. When he is finished with you he will take back everything he gave you and leave you stranded on the street; he is a scoundrel and a dog. God's blessings and miracles will lead you to repentance and this is how you know they are from God. When you get "cleaned" you then need to be filled. God is tired of "fake" deliverances. The devil tries to make you think you are well, when you are really sick in sin. He comes in with what you want and manipulates you by your wants. Only the Holy Ghost can give you power to resist the enemy. Just stay (tarry) at the altar.
 
Deliverance broke forth and God "made free" many today who heard and received the preached Word of Truth. We must continue in the Word to stay free. This is exactly what GWOD and our sister churches are all about! We are the Body of Christ being trained up in God's Word of Truth with no compromising. Thank you Overseer/Pastor Crowder for being our leader who follows the leading of the Holy Ghost. We all must be filled with the Holy Ghost and let God have His way. We must preserve ourselves as preachers of Holiness. This is done by prayer and fasting (breaking the will of the flesh), studying the Word, following Jesus, being obedient to God and to our leaders, worshiping and praising our God. He does the rest. Praise Him! 
 
Love,
 
Sis. Jane

Humble Yourselves

Hello Everybody!
 
The message from last week continued into today as God spoke to us once again warning us to amend our ways. "Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Judah, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they have despised the law of the LORD, and have not kept his commandments, and their lies caused them to err, after the which their fathers have walked: 5 But I will send a fire upon Judah, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem. 6 Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Israel, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes; 7 That pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and turn aside the way of the meek: and a man and his father will go in unto the same maid, to profane my holy name: 8 And they lay themselves down upon clothes laid to pledge by every altar, and they drink the wine of the condemned in the house of their god" Amos 2:4-8. This is a message to each of us and I believe it is also a message to our nation, because we no longer live in a God fearing nation. At best what we can all do is humble ourselves, pray, seek His face and turn from our wickedness. "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land" 2 Chron 7:14.
 
Minister Cynthia encouraged us to pray and not to faint. "And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;" Luke 18:1. The iniquity of Judah and Israel had reached its completion and God could no longer ignore it, so He spoke judgement to them and to the pagan nations around them (read all of Amos 1, 2). The lesson stated that God's patience had come to an end and He was going to act because Israel and Judah had ignored Him and violated His Word. If we also are not doing what God says, we are just as guilty as Judah and Israel and God will act. This is a warning and we know that God acted on what He had said He was going to do. So we must be obedient to His Word. We must stand for righteousness and "sound the alarm for those in danger." God is saying, "Stop, look, and listen." We must get rid of our "own ways." We were asked the question, "Can we cross the line with God?" The answer is yes we can and He will judge. However, if we repent and turn back to Him, He responds with such mercy. 
 
God continued speaking this urgent warning to us through Eldress Pam. "We take God for granted and have lost the fear of God. Judgement can fall on you and it can fall on all of us even if just one is disobedient. It is time to seek the heart of God. Are we doing all that we know to do? Or are we asleep and think that we are OK and all is well?" "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away" 2 Tim 3:1-5.   
 
Sis. Pam continued with Proverbs 1:20-31. Read it carefully, listen to God and change your ways. "Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: 21 She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, 22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? 23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. 24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; 25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: 26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; 27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. 28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me: 29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD: 30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof. 31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. 32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them. 33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil." I would like to add here that if we hear God and amend our ways by staying humble, praying, seeking His face, and turning from our wicked ways each and every day; He will keep us safe and give us peace and we will not fall into the calamity and desolation spoken of in Proverbs 1. How awful will it be for those that call upon Him and He will not answer back and they will not be able to find Him (read Rom 1). We must hold the truth in righteousness.
 
Minister Pam explained that God is crying out to us and some have not paid attention. We have therefore rejected the truth and our own circumstances (due to impotence) are "laughing" at you and "mocking" you. Sin separates us from God. Trouble will happen because of disobedience. Our sins bring retribution upon us. Many people don't want to stay in the presence of God anymore because they don't have the "fear" of God. We must take heed to God's warning today. There should be a "seeking after God." When you pray God will come to your rescue. We all need one another and must be connected as though we are an unbroken chain. Cry on the altar and say, "It is me Lord, I need you, I need a clean heart, I'm determined to change, etc." Don't give up! Wisdom is crying out on the streets, do you have ears to hear God? Stay teachable with a tender heart. Pride needs to come down. Take down your own way and do it God's way. 
 
Co Pastor McCarty closed out the service by telling us not to take God's judgement lightly. We are to hear, repent, and turn from our ways. He pointed out that we can "get with" the teaching on judgement, and we can "get with" the repentance but that we have trouble "getting with" the praise. Understand that praise opens the doors for your deliverance. Through praise you and your circumstances will be changed, it will turn both you and your situation around. It can change God's judgement on us.
 
Well, I'm praising God right now just for who He is. Praise Him with me! Tell Him how Wonderful He is and thank Him for being your Counsellor, your Mighty God, and your Everlasting Father. Thank Him for speaking to you personally. Acknowledge Him in all of your ways and tell of His mighty acts. Trust that He is your Prince of Peace and that He is in control. "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this" Isaiah 9:6-7. 
 
I'm headed into prayer right now while at the same time making sure that I have on the whole armour of God (all of it) and I hope that you are doing the same. "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; 19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak" Eph 6:10-20. Now after humbling ourselves, praying, seeking His face, turning from any wicked ways, praising and worshipping our God it is time to go and speak the Word boldly as we ought to speak, always in truth and in love, to bring others out of darkness and into His marvelous light, this do every day. Be Blessed and stay strong in the Lord. I love you.
 
Love,
 
Sis. Jane

Praise God Everybody

Hello Everybody,
 
Wow, did God speak to us today! If you were praising Him when you left today and are still praising Him even while you are reading this, then His Word fell on hearing ears! He spoke a very loud and clear Word to us today concerning whatever you are going through, whether good or bad, just Praise Him because He is in control. Keep your eyes on God. He showed us many facets of His love throughout the whole service. I will try to sum up what happened today, but if you want the full Word it would be best to ask for a CD of this powerful Word.
 
We studied 1 Cor 13:1-13 on love. I like to write out the Scriptures here because every time we read it God shows us some more about Himself. Don't just skim over it, really read it and meditate on it, this is God speaking to you. "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity" 1 Cor 13.
 
We learned that the greatest thing a church will have is love: God's love, loving God, loving others, saying a kind word, correction, repentance and much more. "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love" 1 John 4:8. Eldress Mary said that love will cause you to admit your wrongs. Love will have you repenting to God and going back to the person to amend saying, "Please forgive me." "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" James 5:16. At this point in the service, God moved strongly on our hearts and many openly confessed their faults and spoke of areas where growth is needed. Our Pastor and Co Pastors encouraged and corrected the thinking of many so that none would be burdened by the weight of sin, condemnation or false thinking (their own interpretation of how things are). Thank God for the Body of Christ. Praise Him now everybody!
 
Co Pastor McCarty explained that after praying we are to set our faces like a flint and obey God and do it in love. For instance if God tells us to speak a Word to someone, we must ask God for the timing of when to say it and also how to say it. When we do this our attitudes will be in check and we will not be speaking out of any fleshly attitude or emotion! Co Pastor Lane added that love helps you to understand the other person and come to a point where you can both talk it out and come to an agreement. "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" Amos 3:3. Come in love and sit down with the other person. Take time and listen to God for all of the pieces of the puzzle; be humble and don't fear. If we come in too strong due to how we were brought up, the other may look at you and say, "Why are you fussing?" just because they weren't raised that way. Listen to God and in this way the love of God will be there for you to minister to that person correctly.
 
It was brought up that if we shut up our bowels of compassion, how can God's love be in us. It is our obedience to God that shows our love. God loves us no matter if we are right or wrong, but He wants us to change. "But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?" 1 John 3:17. God's love in us will compel us to give this love out to others. It was God's love that brought us to the point of confessing our faults today. For each that confessed their faults, God brought cleansing to them and this helped and encouraged others to do the same. God is so good. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." 1 John 1:9-10. 
 
Just when you think God is finished speaking, watch out! You'd better keep looking and listening because He may have more to say! This is just what happened today as Co Pastor Lane broke out in a Praise to our God and said "We can do all things through Christ, it is the anointing that carries us through everything that we are facing. All it takes is a Praise, Hallelujah!" We all broke out into a praise to our God, the only true God, there is none like Him. Pastor Crowder sang the song, "Take the Lord along with you, you're going to need Him everywhere you go." Then God moved on her to give us a powerful word. 
 
Here are the Scriptures and the Word of prophecy that God gave Pastor Crowder for the Body of Christ:
 
"You're going to have to keep your joy no matter what is going on in the world. Keep yourselves up in the Spirit in order for God to talk to us. We must have ears and sight."
 
Psalm 27:13-14 "I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." Some of us have "died out" because of what you are going through, but you have more than you think, God is supplying your need. Some people died in the flood waters and didn't have a chance to make it back home, but you made it home. Wait on God and He will strengthen you. Waiting means doing something for the Lord, it does not mean sitting still. God is taking some people home with Him because He knows they cannot go through what is coming here on this earth.
 
Psalm 91:1-2 "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust." God is saying that He is going to protect you and take care of you. It is good to expose the devil, while at the same time keeping your eyes on God and trusting God: "I've had my down day, but God is everything I need right now and I will trust my God." He will give you what you need. God's purpose is to prevail. He controls everything. It may be that you need patience. Be patient, He is working something out of you!
 
Proverbs 19:20-21 "Hear council, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in the latter end. 21 There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand." Man plans in his heart, but God is saying, "If I say it won't work then don't try to make it work out, it is too much for you to handle." Pray instead, "Lord what is your plan so I can live in peace? What do You want me to do in this situation?" Listen to Him and receive His instructions. He will direct your paths.
 
Proverbs 20:24 "Man's goings are of the LORD; how can a man then understand his own way?"  You don't understand your own way! Ask God to teach you how to hear Him and to understand His way.
 
Psalm 121:1-8 "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. 2 My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth. 3 He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. 4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The LORD is thy keeper: the LORD is thy shade upon thy right hand. 6 The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. 8 The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore." Since it is God's business let Him work it out. Get your eyes off of the problem and unto Him. You're looking down too much, look up! He won't let you fail. Trust God, He is so good to us. Don't care about how heavy the trial is, glorify the Lord. You're going to need Him, bless Him now. If you want Him to come into your presence, magnify the Lord. Magnify Him now, go ahead and give Him some praise. Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah! Praise Him now so that when the trial comes you can give Him even more Hallelujah's. He will keep you from backsliding. Praise Him everybody. Give Him the best praise you have right now! 
 
Pastor prophesied that times are getting bad and what is happening in the atmosphere is bad. We need the Blood of Jesus covering us, so pray and praise God while you can. Your praise will spare the person next to you. He will preserve us in our going out and our coming in. He will shield us. He hears your praises coming from you in your house, in your car, on the street, in church, and from every place that you are praising Him. Be patient and ask Him to help you wait out any trial. Don't let your services go down. If you are too quiet you are not prayed up. Our church is a city of refuge, we don't know what might happen next. Be faithful in your services. The false church will be packed out and sinning like a dog. There will be the faithful few at God's true church, so don't be moved and don't change the truth. Don't get weary in well doing. "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not" Gal 6:9. When you get weary, you slack. God moved on Pastor Crowder to prophesy to us, "This is your time, you are all 'Joshuites.' This is your time 'Joshuites,' it is your working time."
 
Pastor spoke of her vision from God when she had been praying for provision after her husband had died. She had a dream that she and her house were taken up into a cloud and there were three angels there saying "We are at liberty to give you what you need." The Lord will visit you when you need him. Recently she had an open vision where a man (angel) stood at her feet, the lower part of his legs and feet were visible to her (from the calf down); again an angel at liberty to bless her. Praise God. Nothing is impossible with God. Jesus Christ lifts off all of the heavy weights. 
 
What a wonderful move of God all morning, but God still had more for us. Elder Lane started travailing and spoke in tongues. Eldress Pam interpreted the tongues saying that God desires our praise, not just lip service but a spontaneous praise. We were exhorted to give Him praise. This was a confirmation to what had already transpired through the service. Sis. Pam then went into Jer 7:1-7 "The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, 2 Stand in the gate of the LORD'S house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the LORD. 3 Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. 4 Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these. 5 For if ye throughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye throughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbor; 6 If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt: 7 Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever."  Sis. Pam said that we grieve God by acting like everybody else (common) and that we must pray to stay connected to God. The definition of common is: occurring, found, or done often; prevalent; ordinary; of ordinary qualities; without special rank or position; of a sort or level to be generally expected; showing lack of taste and refinement; vulgar. Eldress Pam said that prayerlessness + common = religion. We were exhorted once again to amend and change it by asking God to tear it out and renew a right spirit in us. We are to be lively stones.
 
Wow, there you have it, one powerful Word today showing several dimensions of God's love to us here at GWOD. His Word can be so sweet, sharp, cutting, and precious all at once! He is God and He loves us so much that He desires us to grow more like Him every day. Don't you all feel His love right now? Let's respond to this Word with a big Amen and pray, praise, and obey the Lord! Let's amend our ways with His help. We are not common or religious in any way (read all of Acts 10) if so be that we fear God and have the gift of the Holy Ghost in us directing us (walking by faith in the Spirit), we are instead overcomers. I will close with this: "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death" Rev 12:11. "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world" 1 John 4:4. "Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?" I John 5:5. "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us" Rom 8:37. Be Blessed and stay connected to God by being filled with His Spirit. Walk in the Spirit, pray, praise our God, listen to His voice, trust Him, love Him, obey Him, be thankful and give out His love to others. I love all of you very much. 
 
Love,
 
Sis. Jane
 

And They Were All Filled With The Holy Ghost, And Began To Speak With Other Tongues

Hello All at GWOD,
 
Wow, what a powerful move of God today! We will continue to clean out the clutter and be free. God is Good and only He is Good"And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments" Matt 19:16-17. Jesus is God and He was not denying that He was God, but rather teaching the rich young ruler a lesson about the desperate condition of his sinful self-righteous heart. Jesus pointed out how that he must obey all of God's laws perfectly (which no person can do) to enter eternal life (obeying the letter of the law). He was showing him how sinful he really was and that obeying the law perfectly was impossible and only through Jesus could this young man enter eternal life. This rich young ruler thought he was good enough and could enter eternal life by doing more good things (read Matt 19:16-26). Only through Jesus can we approach God. No one without the Holy Ghost is good enough no matter what! We must all be filled with the Holy Ghost because only then are we acceptable in God's eyes. Our own righteousness (goodness) is filthy to God, "But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away" Isaiah 64:6. We are saved only by grace through faith, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast" Eph 2:8-9. "Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life" Titus 3:5-7. So let people know that they are saved only by grace through faith in Jesus and not of their own works of self-righteousness. "Jesus saith unto him I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" John 14:6.
 
The lesson today at GWOD was from Acts 2:1-7, Acts 2:12, and 1 Cor 14:13-19.
 
Acts 2:1-7 "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. 6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. 7 And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?"
 
Acts 2:12 "And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?"
 
1 Cor 14:13-19 "Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he may interpret. 14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful. 15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also. 16 Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest? 17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified. 18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue."
 
Eldress Mary began teaching the lesson by saying that in Acts 2:4, they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and that we must all be filled with the Holy Ghost, it is necessary. Immediately God had His way in the service and the gifts of the Holy Ghost were evident. Co Pastor Lane exhorted that those without the Holy Ghost are still dead in trespasses and sin. There are NO good people in the world and there isn't anything good until the Holy Ghost comes in. When people think of themselves as good, they are still dead in sin in their body, soul, and spirit because of Adam's sin and they are in need of a Saviour. So without the Holy Ghost we are not out of our sins and if we die without the Holy Ghost we will go to Hell. Unless you have the Holy Ghost you will not make it, there will be nothing to raise you up in the last days.
 
God brought the rest of the message through Pastor Crowder. She went to Rom 6:1-2, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid, How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" With the Holy Ghost you will not continue in sin. You can read Scripture but if you don't have the Holy Ghost you are lost. The Holy Ghost with speaking in tongues is for everybody who calls upon the Name of Jesus. He sent the Comforter and that is the Holy Ghost (Christ in us). Jesus said, "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you" John 14:26.
 
Pastor Crowder continued in Rom 8:2-11 for the rest of the service and God moved mightily showing Himself strong in deliverance. Read it once again, "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you" Rom 8:2-11.
 
Pastor Crowder explained that in Rom 8:2-11, Spirit is capitalized (meaning He, a person): Spirit of lifeSpiritSpirit of GodSpirit of Christ. He (Christ in you) is the only One that can free you. The Holy Ghost will not dwell in an unclean temple, you must lay down all of yourself. "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are" 1 Cor 3:16-17. It is the Holy Ghost that condemns the sin in your flesh. Just being in church is not enough, you need some power. The Holy Ghost will show Himself strong, He is a witness and there will be evidence! Keep yourselves alive in the Lord by the Holy Ghost and through Him you will be able to do what the Word says. He is our keeping power. 
 
Those that are after the flesh (calling themselves good) will "slip off" and sip a little wine, "slip off" and wear pants, "slip off" and lie, "slip off" and flirt with your husband, "slip off" and do anything their flesh desires, etc. You're either on the Lord's side or on the devil's side. Sin is sin and always has a "because" attached to it. The devil whispers into your ear and you listen to him and disobey God. However, if you are filled with the Holy Ghost, you don't mind hearing the truth and you will not be offended when correction comes. You will be spiritually minded and have life and peace. The more you speak in tongues the more help and power you get. It is a language and the gift of interpretation determines what was said. Don't let anyone tell you that tongues are not important or not necessary and only for some. I would like to point out that the gift of divers kinds of tongues is for some as God chooses (1 Cor 12:10 and 1 Cor 14:27-28), but when we are filled with the Holy Ghost, we will all have the evidence of tongues in adoration and praise to God, "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" Acts 2:4. Read also Rom 8:26, Eph 6:18, Jude 20, and all of 1 Cor 14 for further clarification of the difference between praying in tongues and the gift of divers tongues.
 
The carnal mind is enmity to God and not subject to God. Those with a carnal mind will lie, fight, steal, etc. They say, "I want it my way." Weak leaders will say, "Well, leave them alone." No, work on them and clean them up! If you don't have the Spirit, you are none of His. The body is dead because of sin. Get filled and be refilled if you have slipped. Do you have joy? Do you have life? Where is your Holy Ghost? Pray for more! Let the Lord give you more, we don't have enough. Work out your own salvation, no one else can do that for you. "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" Phil 2:12-13. The Holy Ghost will quicken your body, it shakes you and takes you to a heavenly place. The worldly church is losing this, you need the Holy Ghost. If you're dead it means that you don't have the Holy Ghost!
 
Pastor prophesied that we are at the brink of Hell opening up and we had better be on fire with the Holy Ghost. We have to lean on Jesus because our Nation is corrupt, police are corrupt, doctors are corrupt, men are kissing men, etc. The worldly church calls us the "gated church" meaning that we won't let all people in. Yes, we will let them in and we want them saved. We will work with them, but they will have to have a change. So we must have the Holy Ghost, He is what will make the change in you. The Holy Ghost will make you a strong soldier. Keep on speaking in tongues, speaking in tongues keeps you strong in the Lord and spares you.
 
So you can see how important it is to have the Holy Ghost and to be filled to overflowing every day, not only for yourselves but also to help others come to Jesus. It is a matter of life or death; eternity with God or eternity separated from God. We choose life and eternity with God. God is so Good. Be Blessed everybody! We know what to do and we are accountable for the Word of Truth that we have received. I will close with this,"And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness" Acts 4:31. This was a refilling when they were being persecuted for preaching about Jesus (read Acts 4). Better yet read Acts 1-4 and ask God for an understanding and to fill you with the Holy Ghost and for those that have the Holy Ghost pray for another filling. His supply is bountiful and we are greatly in need of Him in this hour. Praise and worship Him and be thankful, He is Wonderful.
 
Love, 
 
Sis. Jane
 

Your Value is in Christ

Hello All at GWOD,
 
Were you on the freeway when the deluge of rain poured out as we were all going home from church? I could not see a thing in front of me, so I turned on my lights and prayed hard. Then I saw some flashing tail lights which I followed. I quickly turned on my flashing lights because I observed that the flashing lights were the only thing visible during this deluge, tail lights were not enough. Another car with no lights at all dangerously pushed his way right between us. Now that car was able to follow the flashing lights but had no lights of its own to help it from being hit from behind and that driver was of no help to anybody else either! I could not follow this car and again I could not see a thing. I prayed that they would turn on their lights. Then they moved into another lane and I was again following the flashing tail lights. I thanked God for the driver of this truck that had put on his flashers. Then all of a sudden all 3 lanes were filled with vehicles with their flashing lights on. We all followed each others flashing lights and made it safely to our destinations. 
 
My car is white and when it rains, it is a great detector for how dirty the roads are! We had such a deluge of rain that the roads were washed clean of the grime and dirt so that my car shows no signs of black dirt because the major dirt on the road was washed clean by the rain and therefore it did not stain my car like it does after a light shower. Do you all hear what I'm saying? Have your lights burning (fullness of the Holy Ghost/Christ in us) and to overflowing (tail lights were not enough, flashing lights were needed). Follow the light only, Jesus Christ (truck with flashing lights). Following anything else is too dangerous (car with no lights on) and will lead you into danger. When you are in a tough situation, pray. When you see another person headed into trouble (no lights on) pray for them, but continue to follow the light. As the church body (all vehicles in three lanes with flashers on), let each of your lights surround the one in danger (car with no lights) so they can steer clear of danger and learn the way of Jesus (filled with the Holy Ghost/flashing lights on). Stay clean by the washing of the water of the Word, let the Holy Ghost (white car as a detector) convict you of sin (black grime from road) and be washed by the water of the Word (deluge of rain). This way we will all make it safely to our destination, heaven (home).
 
Now onto the message that was given to us today at GWOD! I feel washed by the water of the Word, don't you? Let's stay clean and follow the instructions to clean out the clutter in our homes too. I can't wait to start throwing away some things (papers, books, old things not used); anything that clutters, but sparing antiques or things of value. Thank you Pastor Crowder. The garbage dump will be full of our unneeded clutter. Leave it there and don't go digging through other peoples clutter either, leave it all at the garbage dump. Many of us have a hard time throwing things out because they have spirits connected to them that keep us attached to them. Get rid of the clutter and the spirits that are attached to the clutter. Hoarding is a demonic spirit. Get those spirits out of your home and away from you.
 
We continued our study on Spiritual gifts, "For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19 And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now are they many members, yet one body. 21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked. 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way" 1 Cor 12:12-31.
 
Minister Lucretia pointed out that it takes the faithfulness of each member to keep the Body alive. She encouraged us to ask ourselves "What is my part in the Body of Christ?" She explained that some feel unworthy and are judging others' gifts and hindering their own gifts based on this presumption of unworthiness. Then Co Pastor Lane asked the question, "How do we evaluate or determine our value?" Many answered that question by stating that our value is in being a child of God and by what we do. This was quickly corrected by Co Pastor Lane as she emphasized that being a child of God all by itself is what gives us our value! Our value is not in what we do, what we have done, who we know, or what kind of education we have had, it is in being a child of God only. God determines our value and the gifts are added because of the Holy Ghost. Co Pastor Lane gave us the following Scriptures and explanations:
 
 "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. 28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. 29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. 30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so. 31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day" Genesis 1:26-31. Adam's sin had separated us from God but now, because we have the Holy Ghost, we have it all back. We are not striving for "value" because we already have it in the Holy Ghost! Praise God everybody. Thank you Jesus! That is why it is so important to be born again (see John 3:1-21). Your value was worth the "life of God." This is your value. May I add that without Jesus (Christ in us) we are still separated from God and our value will come from every fleshly thing imaginable.
 
We are the children of God, "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure" 1 John 3:1-3. Co Pastor Lane went on to explain that if we are shy or bold it is due to the way our parents dealt with us growing up, but God deals with us in love. Jesus taught and motivated Peter like this: "So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep" John 21:15-17. May I add that when we love God, we will love and serve others out of our love for Him.
 
Co Pastor Lane exhorted that when we are not motivated, we have lost our "first love" and lost our love for others. "Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent" Rev 2:4-5. When we love God we will be about His work. We cannot "work" to be like God, we instead have to just "be" and we learn and understand how to "be" from the Word. "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" John 14:6. Our value is in Him, we just have to "be" the way for somebody, to "be" the truth for somebody, to "be" the life for somebody. You just love and forgive to "be" like God. It is not a "work" it is a "be." Covet earnestly the gifts and seek God, all in love. He will respond. "But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way" 1 Cor 12:31. Please study again the next chapter, 1 Cor 13 on love, the more excellent way. Move toward Glory, your value is in God. This is how you evaluate your worth. It will stir up the gifts in you. It is God's presence (the anointing that is in you) that blesses somebody else. Let the Spirit of God break through to your soul (mind, will, and emotions). God loves us and intends for us to "be" like Him. He is creative, loving, giving, mighty in strength, protection (pillar of cloud by day), fire (pillar of fire by night), water when you are thirsty and much more. "Be" like your God.
 
Pastor Crowder said that we are valued from birth. Gold tarnishes and we have to polish it. Many of us have two or three minds and we cannot connect to God. "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" Phil 2:5. We must have one mind only, the mind of Christ. If you know you are valuable in Christ you will draw people in. He increases you, "That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge; 6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: 7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ" 1 Cor 1:5-7. We will either be full of "religion" (yourself/flesh) or full of Salvation (Christ in you). A church dies when you do not use your gifts or when you are absent. It is similar to a plank falling off of the building or taking a light out of the building. Pastor Crowder said that she has always believed that she has something to offer. "Put on the mind of Christ. Your 'value' (Christ in you) will deliver. Do not walk away from what God says and do not go off into seclusion, we need to be end time warriors."
 
Definition of valuable: having considerable monetary worth; costing or bringing a high price; having qualities worthy of respect, admiration, or esteem; of considerable use, service, or importance. Pastor Crowder stated that when we don't believe we have "value" we are walking as a "coward." You are important and God will use you according to His will. Your friend is Jesus and you cannot make flesh your friend. Walk with Jesus. Do not compromise but instead get in a place where you don't care what others are doing because many are backsliding and you cannot walk with hypocrites. Ask God to purify your heart, it is an individual salvation. Pastor mentioned that the people of Judah and Jerusalem had been warned over and over by the prophets but they did not listen. They were rebuked for not obeying the calls to repentance. Their captivity for seventy years had been prophesied and God's wrath and judgment was declared upon them (read Jeremiah 25). This is apostasy and it is the same today. Don't do half of your work. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" 2 Tim 2:15. She continued by saying that we are slothful and can backslide overnight. Without the anointing of Christ you have nothing to keep you from cursing, whoremongering, lying, etc. We have been instructed to pray for the afflictions but we are slacking. Get up from where you are and ask God to forgive you. Follow God's instructions and it will spare other people's souls as well as your own. Don't run away from your work for God but instead get dedicated to your work for God. 
 
This was a strong Word and we must obey. As you are cleaning out your physical house this week and in the weeks to come, clean out your Spiritual house too. We must get rid of the clutter, spirits, etc., and stay pure and clean, washed by the water of the Word and filled with the Holy Ghost. I'm excited to see the clutter go along with the fear and any other spirits that are lingering. Be Blessed and worship God as you are obeying. Keep each other in prayer as we are cleaning out our homes, our bodies, our souls (mind, will, and emotions), and our spirits. Fill yourselves with the Word and walk by faith in the Spirit; in truth and in love, all by the power of the Holy Ghost. You are valuable and necessary in the Body of Christ. I love you. 
 
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: 46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it" Matt 13:45-46. 
 
Love,
 
Sis. Jane
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