Church guide

Why Baptism Matthew 3:1-15 But Jesus said, “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires. John the Baptizer called the Jews to repent of their sins and to turn to God Matthew 3:2. He preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven Luke 3:3. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River Matthew 3:6. According to John, baptism is an outward symbol of inward repentance and reveals a commitment to live a holy life. Jesus was sinless 1 John 3:5, so John refused to baptize Him because he felt unqualified Matthew 3:11-14. But Jesus insisted. Why was Jesus baptized when He didn’t need to be? Did it signify Jesus’ acceptance of the suffering that He would endure as Savior, foreshadowing His death and resurrection? Mark 10:38; Luke 12:50. Did it allow Him to identify with the sinful people He came to save? Jesus Himself tells us why He did it: “It should be done, for we must carry out all that God requires” Matthew 3:15. Water baptism does not save us Ephesians 2:8-9, but that doesn’t mean that it’s unimportant or unnecessary. Once saved, you need to testify outwardly of your inward repentance and affirm your commitment to live a holy life Romans 6:3-6. Baptism allows you to testify publicly that you’re a believer in Jesus Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12. It boils down to simple obedience. If Jesus obeyed the Father’s command, why wouldn’t you?

Jesus gave His life for you. Don’t use His sacrifice to promote yourself. I was wallowing in my self-righteous indignation when I realized that my motives aren’t entirely pure either. I enjoy helping others grow closer to God, but I’m often driven, at least in part, by what I get out of the transaction. I like being liked, and so I like it when others say they like what I’ve shared. If I’m not careful, I can use the gospel as a thinly veiled vehicle to stroke my own ego. If I were more popular, would I be tempted to offer T-shirts with my catch phrase? Can’t Be Bought. In 2 Kings 5, Gehazi saw Naaman’s healing as a chance to cash in. “My master should not have let this Aramean get away without accepting any of his gifts,” he said. “I will chase after him and get something from him. Elisha told Gehazi that because he had used his ministry for selfish gain, Naaman’s leprosy would be transferred to him. We should take this insightful story to heart. I shook my head at the cynicism behind such a ploy. How could they attempt to profit from the very marketing gimmicks the book warned us against? Was there no shame? Jesus gave His life for us. Don’t use His sacrifice to promote yourself.

Your Prayer for the Month: Father you are king of glory. You are creator of the Universe. Your word is settled in Heaven. As you spoke the world into existence before its foundation you knew our names. You called us with a high calling. You spoke our name Lord, into our very existence. So be glorified in us, you are our creator, Lord and King. Let our minds receive your revelation. Let us be transformed unrecognizable. Let our mind be exchanged for the mind of Christ. Let every mantle of darkness be consumed by your holy fire in Jesus name. Let our ears open to receive and hear in the Spirit in Jesus Name. Give us translations of your heavenly words spoken in the Spirit. Father give our eyes the power and anointing to see beyond the natural, straight into the Spirit that we may not be deceived by the enemy In Jesus Name. Be the vision that we see and live by. Father give us a new sense of hearing. Open our spiritual ear that we may hear your instructions, your warnings, your songs. Let our Lips translate exactly and accurately what your words mean. Take over the functions of our mouth that we may be an effective mouth piece for you. As we speak your words let us speak as your oracle. Father in the name of Jesus let our hands receive your touch of fire as you ignite the gift of laying on of hands by your Holy Ghost fire in Jesus name. Whatever righteous thing we put our hands on let it bring you glory Lord. Let the vision in us be established and receive nourishment from your throne King of Glory. Let our vision receive the fire of passion in Jesus name. Stir up within us the Spiritual authority that we walk as, live as, speak as kings and priests like you created us to be in the name of Jesus. Let our words be filled with your Holy Fire. Give us a new yes in our spirit. Send a fresh wind. Refresh us. Send the rain of your Spirit. Saturate us with the living water of your presence. Let the power of your love rest within, upon and around us. Lord let your love take rest so gently in our heart In Jesus name. Father be our shield be our strength, be our protection, be our healing be our provider. Lord we trust being under your wings. Let not the enemy triumph over us. Strengthen us Lord of hosts that we may beat the enemy small as the dust. Cause your strength to rise in us. Release your power in us that we may run and not get weary. Father we trust you to be God Our God, You are the only God. We love you and give you thanks in Jesus name Amen.

What We Focus On: Like the moon, we too are lifeless and lost in darkness without the brilliance of our Creator God within us. Jesus reminds us that what we focus on will either make us shine brightly or leave us dull and dark. When we seek to follow Jesus, we live as light:You are the light of the world like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. When we see how lost and dark the world is, we should be inspired to let the light shine within us so that those who are lost in darkness can find their way to Jesus a way revealed by the reflection of His glory in us: A lamp is placed on a stand, where its light can be seen by all who enter the house. We can be easily distracted these days, and it takes determined and intentional courage to steer ourselves away from the things of this world and to move toward the wisdom of God’s Word and His will. When we keep our eyes on Jesus, we become radiant, as though a floodlight were filling us with light. We see the moon because it reflects the sun. In the same way, we’re recognized as followers of Jesus when we focus on Him and let our lives naturally reflect Him. Let’s reflect His glorious light today! Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant. Where and what is the focus of your life? How can you live out the light of Jesus today? Luke 11:33-36, Matthew 5:14, Hebrews 12:2,

It takes audacious faith to believe Jesus could take five paltry loaves and two measly fish and feed five thousand men, plus women and children. What seemed like a cruel joke (one loaf per thousand men), became a lesson in the Lord’s resourcefulness. He sometimes tests our hearts to see if we will obey and wait on His provision. We are quick to obsess over our limitations, while God has already applied His limitless assets. Audacious faith acts like God has already provided. We are wise to confess the crumbs of our creativity, but in the hands of Jesus our meager ideas can birth radical ingenuity. What do you have that the Lord can multiply a thousand times over? Influence; give it over to God to educate people of the need for foster care and orphan adoption. Money; invest in indigenous leaders who are effective in planting churches and who serve human suffering. Audacious faith believes Christ’s best; it even waits on those with imperfect obedienceBut if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them 1 John 2:5, Jesus said, Have the people sit down. There was plenty of grass in that place, and they sat down (about five thousand men were there). Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish. John 6:10-11.

Audacious faith is not afraid to engage the ugliness of hunger and poverty. Is the Lord calling you to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty? It's messy to mingle with the disadvantaged and the disabled, but they starve for the love of Christ. You are the hands and feet of Jesus to those shunned by the world--left to beg, borrow and plea for help. Some elderly lie in loneliness for someone to read them the Bible or to sing about God’s love. Yes, your small efforts are enlarged by the Spirit’s influence. Your audacious faith is a catalyst to draw others to serve. Above all, feed on the Lord--the Bread of Life, and give His bread to other hungry souls. Audacious faith is fueled by belief in Christ’s spiritual food. Just as the human body gains energy with proper nutrition, so the saved soul gains strength by spiritual sustenance from its Savior Jesus. Faith comes alive and grows exponentially when energized by the Holy Spirit. Thus, we take our small or large trust and entrust it to the Lord. Our heavenly Father takes what we have, and grows it into what we need. Audacious faith flows from a humble and obedient heart. If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you Matthew 17:20, Heavenly Father, take my inadequate resources and make them more than sufficient by the power of Your Spirit. Our heavenly Father takes what we have and grows it into what we need.

Psalms 24:3-4 Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully.

The best of them is like a briar, The most upright like a thorn hedge. The day when you post your watchmen, Your punishment will come. Then their confusion will occur. Do not trust in a neighbor; Do not have confidence in a friend. From her who lies in your bosom Guard your lips. For son treats father contemptuously, Daughter rises up against her mother, Daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; A man's enemies are the men of his own household.

New International Version It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in humans

it is better to trust in the Word of the Lord;'' than to put confidence in man; it is not good to put confidence in man at all; it is trusting to a broken staff, to a mere shadow, which can yield no support or relief: it is best to trust in the Lord; he is able to help, as well as willing; he is faithful to his word, and unchangeable in his promises; whereas man, though he may have a will to help, oftentimes has it not in his power; and when it is in his power, and has promised it, he disappoints, being changeable or unfaithful. Wherefore trust not in man, but in the Lord; yea, cursed is the man that trusts in man; see Jeremiah 17:5.

Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.

Sunday January 20th

Lamar Cambell From Mt Carmel

We Don't Own The Rights To This Song, If The Devil Is Trying You, Put On Your Dancing Shoes and Let him KNOW This Means War!!!!!!!!!!!

Monique Harris