"BEATITUDES OF TITHING"

1.       Blessed are the tithers, for they are obeying one of God’s Fundamental Laws.

2.       Blessed are the tithers, for they are Partners with God.

3.       Blessed are the tithers, for they are helping to extend the Kingdom of God and Establish his Covenant on the Earth.

4.       Blessed are the tithers, for they aren’t Guilty of Robbing God.

5.       Blessed are the tithers, for the Windows of Heaven will open to pour out upon them Financial and Material blessings.

6.       Blessed are the tithers, for they are the ones who become Cheerful Givers, beloved of God.

7.       Blessed are the tithers, for they have Divine Protection from Satan and the Devourer cannot touch their Finances.

8. Blessed are the tithers, for they shall prosper and find favor with God.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF BIBLE STUDY

PRAY BEFORE STUDYING. ASK THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR GUIDANCE.

1. KNOW HOW TO ASK QUESTIONS. The goal is APPLICATION, not just INTERPRETATION (The bible was given not to INCREASE OUR KNOWLEDGE, but to CHANGE OUR LIVES- D.L. Moody)  ASK:

   1. What attitude do I need to change?

   2. What sin do I need to Confess?

   3. What relationships do I need to work on?

   4. What ministry should I be doing?

   5. How do I relate the meaning at the time of the writing to my life today?

2. WRITE WHAT YOU HAVE OBSERVED AND DISCOVERED. Make a spiritual notebook. Putting your observation on paper helps you really think about them.

3. MAKE A SYSTEMATIC STUDY OF THE WORD.  You do this by going through a book, doing a word study, analyze a biblical character or study a chapter. 

   1. Remeber "All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God (2 TImothy 3:16)

4. STUDYING THE BIBLE IS LIKE BEING A GOOD DETECTIVE. 

   1. Look for clues, Details.

   2. Ask Questions on the basis of what you observe. 

   3. Put the Evidence together.

   4. Compare how Facts relate

   5. Draw a Conclusion on what you believe actually occurred and Draw a Conclusion (Application)

5. GET THE RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME, RIGHT TOOLS

KEYS TO UNDERSTANDING THE BIBLE

GOD'S GUIDEBOOK FOR LIVING - 2 TIMOTHY 3:14-17

TWO REASONS WE SHOULD KNOW THE SCRIPTURES:

1. COME TO KNOW CHRIST AND RECEIVE SALVATION- In VS 15, we learn about him and the provisions of redemption through the word.

2. TO HELP US GROW SPIRITUALLY TO BE EQUIPPED TO DO WHAT GOD WANTS US TO DO- VS 17

THE MEANS TO OUR GROWTH:

1. TEACHING-shows us the path on which we are to walk

2. REBUKING-shows us where we got off the path

3. CORRECTING-tells us how to get back on the path

4. TRAINING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS- teaches how to stay on that path

HOW PEOPLE GET INTO ERROR- MATT 22:29

1. THEY DON'T KNOW THE WORD

2. THEY DON'T KNOW THE POWER OF GOD

REASONS PEOPLE DON'T STUDY THE BIBLE:

1. DON'T KNOW HOW

2. ARE NOT MOTIVATED

3. ARE LAZY- BIBLE STUDY IS HARD WORK

What is a Christian's real vocation?

In I Corinthians 6:19-20 Paul wrote,

" Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God and you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price, therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."

When we received Christ as Lord and Savior of our life, we exchanged the Temporal for the Eternal, Death for Life, Darkness for Light, Fear for Love, Doubt for Faith, Physical for Spiritual, Despair for Joy, Confusion for Purpose, and Self for God! 

Before Christ, we thought we were owners of our resources and the authorities of our lives. We now see neither is true. We are stewards, not owners, and ambassadors, not authorities. The Bible teaches that a steward is one who manages the properties of another, an ambassador is one who manages the affairs of another. In both cases they never act independently, but always in the best interest of their master who in our case is Christ. Therefore as stewards we have no possessions.

All that we have belongs to God.

As ambassadors, we have no personal agenda in life. We are here to do His will.

As Mother Theresa once said,

" our vocation is not to work for a cause, no matter how good, but belong to Jesus." Our joy, our meaning in life, comes not by pursuing happiness, but by pursuing God, who then gives us joy and meaning as a consequence."

Blessings

Dr. Don James

Belief

Many years ago, Time magazine published the results of a survey that asked over a thousand adults about their beliefs regarding prayer and illness. The survey found that 82% of participants believe in the healing power of personal prayer, and 73% believe praying for someone else can help cure that person's illness.

When asked about God's role in healing, 77% said they believe God sometimes intervened to cure people who have serious illness. in Matthew 17:1, Mark 9:14, and Luke 9:38, we read the account of a man bringing his demonized son to the disciples to be healed. They couldn't cast it out, so the man brought him to Jesus and asked Him if He could do anything, to have compassion and help him and Jesus replied, "IF you can BELIEVE, all things are possible to him who believes."

This story line reveals that it wasn't a lack of compassion or whether or not Jesus could do anything --- but,... CAN YOU BELIEVE --- all things are possible to him who believes. Mark 9:22-23. What we believe about Jesus and His ability to work in our lives is critical!... "

But without FAITH it is impossible to please HIM, for he who comes to God, MUST BELIEVE that He is-- and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6

This gospel account teaches that an atmosphere of prayer, and some fasting, and praise, provide an atmosphere of faith in God-- that brings deliverance.

-Dr. Don James

The Power of Love in the Prescence of Fear

It is without question, that we live in a world filled with ever-increasing fearful situations and conditions.  News Channels are filled with reports of war, strife, and unstable chaos, that may result in perilous times.  Catastrophes  and epidemics abound. 

As we face these realities, we as believers would do well to remember the words of Jesus in Luke 2:9, 29..."Do not be terrified, for these things must come to pass first..." To this Jesus adds, "Look UP and LIFT up your heads, because your redemption draws near." 

God wants our hearts to be at peace and to be at rest.  He tells us in Proverbs 14:30 NLT, "PEACE comes when our hearts are anchored in HIS LOVE and not fear.

When "life" tries to steal your peace--I recommend meditating on one of my favorite Bible verses. I John 4:18-19  "There is NO FEAR in LOVE; but perfect LOVE casts out FEAR, because fear involves torment.  But he who fears has not been made perfect in LOVE--We love Him because He first loved us." It will be a source of great spiritual, physical, and mental comfort to you the rest of your life.

-Dr. Don James

THANK YOU CLC!

Our Easter iREACH Outreach was a success!

Thank you to everyone who donated the daily good items to our effort!

Pastor Don and Becky delivered boxes and bags full of items toValley Rescue Mission. A representative of Valley Rescue said these types of items are always needed and appreciated at Valley Rescue to care for the people in the ministry and to help the valley area homeless. We took (4)40 count cases of bottled water and that met an immediate need as they were running low. We will continue this effort multiple times a year and grow the amounts wach time!

Our next goal is to fill an entire truck with items, then a UHAUL and so on..!

We are an Outreach Church and we are blessed to be a blessing!!!

Being Missions Minded.

After the Resurrection of Jesus, He met with his followers and commanded them to make disciples of all nations. They were instructed to start where they lived, in Jerusalem.

This teaches us that being missions minded starts at home..

How can you encourage someone to come to Christ and grow your local church?

Realize that anything God gives you the authority to do, He will give you the ability to do. He goes before you, behind you, and beside you. So what are you waiting for?

Jesus is Alive. The Bible is True. Heaven and Hell are Real. People need what you can give.......

So Give it!

-Dr. Don James

Did someone say OUTREACH?

Yes, we did!

Our Easter Outreach this year will be to bring and deliver daily goods and items to a local mission house. We need you all to start bringing in some of the items below this week for the Easter Outreach Baskets. We will deliver the full baskets/boxes to a local shelter after Easter service.

Items Needed:

Paper Towels

Canned Goods

 Clorox/Lysol wipes

Toilet Paper

Toothpaste

Tooth Brushes

Ziploc Bags

Bottled Water

(Any other non-perishable daily use items you can think of)

This is apart of our iREACH outreach program at Christian Life Church! Any items you can bring will be appreciated. This is one of many ways we CONNECT and SUPPORT our COMMUNITY. We are an Outreach Church! We are the Hands and Feet of Jesus!

Blessings!

CLC Newsletter

Spotlight Local Outreach

Mt. Olive Primary School

Last year we began a connection with Mt. Olive Primary School as a local outreach effort for our church.

We have built a great relationship with Principal Larry Saulsberry. We are currently providing snacks and beverages for their parent teacher meetings. We have sponsored snacks for a few other special events at the school as well. We look forward to more outreach opportunities in the future with Mt. Olive!

We want to continue this outreach and hopefully see it grow into a stronger community connection with the families of the school and our church.

We are called to be the hands and feet of Christ. We look forward to more outreach opportunities in the future with Mt. Olive School!