THE STUDY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT…

is an exciting one.  Once we can get an understanding on who the Holy Spirit is what His role is in our lives we discover a whole new existence as a believer!   The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of the Father in heaven.  He sends the Holy Spirit to live inside us thus putting His Spirit in us.  He says that when His Spirit is in us He is able to change our hearts of stone and make them hearts of flesh.  His Spirit empowers us to follow God’s will and ways for our lives.  Jesus was lead by the Spirit when He was on this earth. It was the Spirit directing His life and His ministry. It was the Spirit who empowered Him to do the mighty miracles for the glory of the Father.  When Jesus went back to the Father He told His followers that He was sending the Holy Spirit to teach them all that He had taught and to be their counselor. It is the Holy Spirit who is with us 24/7, lives inside us, teaches us truth, convicts us, changes us, compels us and connects us to the Father. It is the Holy Spirit who leads us to say “Abba Father” to the Father in Heaven.  Today we will talk a bit about the life worth living with the Holy Spirit.

NO SECRETS OF THE VINE CLASS THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT…

we finished the series.  I really enjoyed it.  It reminded me of very important truths for believers.  I’m praying about what God wants for us next.  Debi’s group will continue this week.

SOZO SESSIONS…

we have started back up with sessions on Friday nights by appointment.  We had two last night.  We have a very committed team who are willing to share their time with those seeking breakthroughs in their relationship with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.  Wounds are healed and hope restored.  If you are interested in one of these sessions talk with Toti Enders 944-0651 or make a reservation for a session through our office.

WOW!  GOD IS MOVING ON TUESDAY AND THURSDAY NIGHTS…

here at the ministry center.  Our Celebration Recovery team is leading men’s and women’s 12-Step study groups on Tuesday nights from 6:30-8:00 pm.  We had over 20 women this past Tuesday and a good group of men.  There is still room for anyone who is wanting to make a positive change in his/her life and needs the support of others who are also making changes.  Over the years I’ve watched amazing things happening in the lives of those who commit to these groups and follow through.  Our Thursday night CR is growing too.  We had 50 people here Thursday.  Great spirit.  People excited about making new choices and changes.  Always room for more.  We need some people to come to just be support.  Can you do that?

CARING OPPORTUNITIES…

God wants to use all of us to touch the lives of others.  Like Jesus we connect to the Father and do His work.  Who can you write an encouragement card to today?  Who can you give a pop open card to?  Who to call?  Bless?

THE CHRISTIAN JOURNAL…

came off the press on Monday.  Less than 1,000 papers left of the 17,000 printed. Our distributors did their job.  People are reading them.  We are already getting great comments back on this issue.  The issues we send to prisoners went out.  What an honor to do this ministry.  Now working on February’s issue.  Can you help us by sponsoring a subscription to someone out of state?  Perhaps sponsor an inmate sub.  Can’t tell you how much $20 helps!

GOD’S FOOD PANTRY (2)…

I worked with Tina to write a grant last week for the food pantry.  The grant was for the Walker Fund from Oregon Community Foundation.  We asked for enough to help us cover the cost of food and some rent for a larger location.  Our ultimate goal is to have space to have a Shabby Chic store with donations from the community to create income for the pantry.  Please be in prayer with us for God to do amazing things this year.  Our pantry is growing so much.  We expect to serve about 2,500 people this year!

ROGUE RETREAT…

got word that the Carpenter Foundation decided to help with our capital payoff campaign.  They are giving us $5,000 to help pay off our Grape Street facility.  I’m working on a grant to turn in Monday to the City of Medford.  We are asking them to give us the funds to purchase and raze the white house next to our Riverside facility for future expansion.  We are seeing some great changes in some of our folk.  They are moving forward.  Others are struggling, but our committed staff pray for them all the time.  We are constantly seeking God’s wisdom on how to support and encourage our participants.

BOOK STORE….

we just got in some LARGE print Bibles!  They are only $12.  We also have six more of the books on the Holy Spirit that I’m using for my sermon series.  Only $10.

POP OPEN CARDS (3)…

“Do you like sharing the Word of God with others? Sometimes we just don’t know the right words to say. It seems like EVERY time I give a card it hold just the right message to the recipient that he or she needed at that precise moment. God has a way of guiding the right card into the right hand at the right time. Buy some today and see for yourself. Make 2012 a year of encouragement with Pop Open Cards!”  Heather Hoyle-Aney

I ASKED THE DEACONS TO PRAY WITH ME (3)…

for a bigger place to worship and do ministry out of.  I’ve asked the Lord for years about this and so far He has provided what we are in.    I see the limitations we have with this place and I long for more room for worship, for an adequate children’s program, for a larger food pantry work and for our ever growing Rogue Retreat ministry.  Even our pop open cards seems to be growing and will take more room.  The Word tells us to ASK and it will be given. It is far better to ASK than to try to make it happen by our own efforts, but we must ASK and keep ASKING according to the teachings of Jesus on prayer.  Will you ASK with me?  Will you believe with me?

DO YOU HEAR GOD SPEAKING TO YOU? (2)…

I was talking with Debi recently about how the Holy Spirit does speak to us.  She was commenting how the more she listens and follows His leading the more He talks to her.  I agree.  We can shut down the Holy Spirit by refusing to follow His lead.  He then steps back and lets us run our own program until we get tired and come back.  He then reminds us of what He said earlier and waits for us to do what He has asked us to do.  When we do, new doors are opened up and we are able to move ahead with the abundant life.  If we are stuck, it may be due to our own failure to follow Him.  God does speak to us.  We just have to be willing to listen.

LET ME SUGGEST AN AWESOME BOOK ON PRAYER…

by Andrew Murray.  Randy had suggested it to me a while back. I’ve been reading in it and am going through it again.  Very powerful.  “With Christ in the School of Prayer” is the name of the book.  I can get one for you through Amazon for around $6.  I guarantee it will strengthen your prayer life and your understanding about prayer. It is blessing me!