Magazine - Spring 2008

Faith journey of

SPRING

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™

A Publication of Word of Faith Christian Center

by Leslie D. Wright

by Kevin E. Wright

by Elain Yellock

by Kevin E. Wright

KEVIN E. WRIGHT Soon to be released NEW BOOK!

GOD’S VOICE IN THE EARTH

The Power of the Spoken Word

In Wright’s new book, he discusses how God wants to use our voice to change and shape our world and the world around us!

He talks about how: • God created the world • God hastens to perform His Word • Angels hearken to the voice of the Word of God • You are the prophet of your future …and so much more to help you become GOD’S VOICE IN THE EARTH.

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Make plans to get a copy.

C O N T E N T S

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Photo Featured on Page 6: Biloxi Lighthouse, Highway 90

Courtesy of the Mississippi Department Authority/Division of Tourism.

7 Kevin E. Wright

Elain Yellock

Our Christian duty is the one another principle. This principle is the example that Jesus commanded every believer to practice as a Christian. He wants us to be our brother’s keeper and to take the responsibility for helping people.

articles

One Another Principle

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Word of Faith Christian Center, Jackson recently held its 2008 Leaders and Volunteers Conference. Read highlights from guest speakers Tony Cooke and Buddy Bell of Oklahoma!

Do Good Anointing Kevin E. Wright

God anointed and consecrated Jesus, giving Him strength, ability and power to go about doing good. We have the anointing to do good just like Jesus. We are anointed to follow His example.

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God’s Power Revealed Through a Collision Philis E. Fowler

Clyde Robinson finished a day on the job. His plans were to stop by the store, pick up a pizza for his family, and head home. However, his plans were changed in an instant.

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Do We Really Love Jesus?

Orlando R. Burt

This article will be a litmus test to decide whether you really love Jesus, based on what the Bible says.

It’s All About People

features

Leslie D. Wright

Do you want to have the heart of God? Do you want to be an imitator of Christ? If you want to imitate Christ, you have to love people. It’s all about people; walking in the love of God, reaching out and touching the lives of others.

Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

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WOFCC-Hattiesburg

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Kid’s G6:20 Fun Page

Hattiesburg, Mississippi, known as "Hub City," is the fourth largest city in the state and home to one of our satellite churches. Read about our church in Hattiesburg.

Kids get ready for loads of fun with this page just for you. Enjoy great puzzles, games and jokes.

JOURNEY OF FAITH • VOLUME 3 • ISSUE 2 Journey of Faith magazine is published quarterly by Word of Faith Christian Center, a non-profit organization. Editorial Offices: 4890 Clinton Blvd, Jackson, MS 39209. Phone (601) 922-9323. Web address: www.wofcc-ms.com. Copyright 2008 by Word of Faith Christian Center. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited. Journey of Faith and logo are trademarks of Word of Faith Christian Center. Journey of Faith has no subscription or newsstand price and is supported through contributions from its readers. All gifts to this ministry are tax deductible. EDIT.OR/PUBLISHER Kevin E. Wright ASSISTANT EDITOR Leslie D. Wright MANAGING EDITOR/WRITER Philis E. Fowler GRAPHIC DESIGNER Vicki A. Bolden PROOFREADERS Ronnie Agnew, Maggie Wade Dixon, Dadra L. Driscoll, Carla Kirkland, Queen McGee, Arian Thompson and Elain Yellock

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1 PRINCIPLE

by Kevin E. Wright

ONE ANOTHER PRINCIPLE

Growing up in Christ through helping people

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.” 1 John 4:7 The Bible teaches us to be imitators or followers of Christ. Our Christian duty is the one another principle. This principle is the example that Jesus commanded every believer to practice as a Christian. He wants us to be our brother’s keeper and to take the responsibility of helping people.

In Acts 2:44-47, the early church took care of one another. They had all things common.

Nobody went without. Right now, there are people around you who are hurting, grieving and sick. 2 Corinthians 5:18 says, “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.”

God reconciled us, the born-again believer, to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. Reconcile, according to the Webster’s Dictionary, means to restore, repair, mend and heal. The day we became born again, not only did God come to help, mend, and restore us, but He turned around and gave us a ministry to restore, repair, and help mend others. We’re in the people business. The Lord gave us the ministry of reconciliation; the one another principle.

It is difficult for a pastor, his wife and his four or five ministers on staff to restore everyone. Ephesians 4:11 lists the five-fold ministry gifts: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. God gave the Body of Christ these ministry gifts for perfecting (to develop, grow and mature) the saints to do the work of the ministry. Therefore you become God’s arms, legs, and mouth; touching and caring for people. We need to realize our number one calling is the ministry of reconciliation, to help people. God loves people and we should too! God wants us to grow up so we can give out to others.

In St. Matthew 22, Jesus summarized The Ten Commandments with two; love the Lord and love your neighbor. In St. John 13:34, Jesus makes it even more clear when He explains that your love for one another and loving Him is a sign for all to know you are His true disciples.

Galatians 5:13-16 teaches us to walk in the Spirit. Walking in the Spirit doesn’t mean having your head in the clouds, carrying a big family sized Bible, and speaking in tongues. Walking in the Spirit is walking in love. When you care for others you will: • Esteem others better than yourself • Be kind • Edify one another • Forgive • Intercede – stand in the gap • Pray for one another Every Christian should be looking for a need to fill. God wants us to become channels for Him to bless people. Jesus walked among the hurting, the unwanted, even the rejects.

The Bible says we are to be the salt of the earth and a light shining in a dark world. God will come and meet our needs when we have given our all to meet the needs of others; the one another principle.

salvation Prayer If you do not know Jesus as your Lord and Savior…

If you have never been born again, you need Jesus. If you are born again but you’ve been away from the Lord, come back to Him now. Decide to make Jesus Christ the Lord of your life.

Simply pray this prayer:

“Heavenly

Father, I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe Jesus died for me on Calvary’s tree. I believe He bore all of my sins because He loves me (Romans

5:12 & St. John 3:16). I believe He rose from the dead with all power and is alive today seated at Your right hand”

(St. John 1:12).

“Dear Lord Jesus, come into my life and into my heart. I believe in my heart and I confess with my mouth, You are my personal Lord and Savior and I am right now born again. I am a citizen with You and heaven is my home (Romans

10:8-10). Amen.”

If you prayed this prayer you are now born again. It’s time to move forward with God; time to give your life completely to Him. Begin to read your Bible and pray. Spend time with godly, on-fire Christians who are serving God in a strong church that is teaching the Word of God. Your life will never be the same.

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Makes the Dream Work

by Elain Yellock

W

ord of Faith Christian Center, Jackson, Miss., recently held its 2008 Leaders and Volunteers Conference at the church. Leaders and workers from Jackson, Meridian, Hattiesburg, Yazoo City, Starkville, Vicksburg, and as far away as Michigan, attended the conference.

Guest speakers were Tony Cooke of Broken Arrow, Okla., and Buddy Bell of Tulsa, Okla. Both speakers ministered on the conference theme, “Teamwork Makes the Dream Work.”

Cooke, a teacher extraordinaire, has served in various capacities in the ministry since 1980. His ministry focus is to strengthen churches and leaders across the country and around the world. In 1981 Cooke graduated from RHEMA Bible Training Institute. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Church Ministries from North Central University, Minneapolis, Minn., in 1997. Cooke was also employed in various positions with RHEMA from 1983 to 2002.

Bell has served pastors and families in the local church since 1977. He founded Ministry of Helps International in 1986.

Bell has traveled for 28 years all over the world to over 3,000 churches, teaching and training church staffs and congregations on the ministry of helps. Bell joined us for our conference after returning to the United States from an annual conference in Lima, Peru.

Building God’s Dream Team

Cooke kicked off the conference with his theme, “Building God’s Dream Team.” Taking his lead from the Apostle Paul, Cooke used a sports illustration (Paul referred to running a race in the Olympics in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27). He compared the 1992 NBA Olympic Dream Team that included Michael Jordan, Larry Byrd and Magic Johnson to God’s Dream Team that included Peter, James and John. “One trait of the ‘92 Dream Team is they were all superstars. One of the most noticeable characteristics of the Dream Team Jesus assembled is they were all completely ordinary,” he said.

Cooke noted two truths that we must embrace. One, the goal is more important than the role. Second, “We” is more important than “Me.” God, in building His Dream Team, requires only that we as ordinary people do not seek our own, but be willing to develop as CHAMPIONS. That is, we are to keep our COMPOSURE under pressure. HUSTLE – know when to kick it into gear to make a strenuous effort, giving 110 percent. Be ADAPTABLE – work well in whatever position is required of us. Be MANAGEABLE – willing to learn, to take advice. Be PASSIONATE – possess the internal fire of enthusiasm for our work. Show INITIATIVE – be self-starters, self-motivated, take interest and have a sense of what needs to be done. Be willing to work in OBSCURITY – having the right motive, not needing SPRING 2008

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We do not need to be superstars, just ordinary people who will allow God to mold us into the CHAMPIONS He created TONY COOKE

to be seen. Be NOBLE - have outstanding qualities. Cooke then quoted Ty Cobb saying, “Do a thing as well as it can be done,” and be SELFLESS. He pointed out that Johnny Majors said, “The first thing any coaching staff must do is weed out selfishness. No program can be successful with players who put themselves ahead of the team.” Cooke pointed out that as members of God’s Dream Team we do not need to be superstars, just ordinary people who will allow God to mold us into the CHAMPIONS He created us to be.

Oh …The Infinite Value!

Buddy Bell headlined the Saturday session of the conference.

He began the morning by asking the leaders and helps ministry workers to greet the person next to them with a big hug while saying, “Oh!” Bell bellowed, “O - h!” in the demonstratively comic style for which he is famous. We were to find out later just what that “Oh!” meant. Bell noted that in 1 Corinthians 12:28 we find the “helps” ministry identified, and learn that God set this ministry into place. This scripture reads, “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments …” Bell then read 1 Corinthians 12:27, “Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular,” or special members. He pointed out, that “Ye” are members of the body of Christ. “We need all the special members of the body working to meet our potential.”

Bell shared his story of growing up on a farm. He would get excited during certain seasons because he was allowed to drive the truck. He was around 14 years old at the time and driving the 8 S P R I N G

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God is in the business of building up an army, not an audience.

Buddy Bell

truck was a big deal. Bell said he was so excited at school one particular day, the first day of the season, that he was not able to concentrate on his schoolwork. He was waiting for school to end so he could go drive the truck. When he finally made it to his grandfather’s home he saw the barn door open and the truck parked with the hood up. His grandfather told him the truck was not working and continued to work on the truck, painstakingly cleaning the carburetor. He took his time, cleaning every single part; the big parts and the little parts. Finally, Buddy said to his grandfather, “Can’t you just clean the big parts and leave the little parts?” His grandfather put the carburetor together leaving out the small parts and asked Buddy to crank the truck. Every time Buddy would crank up the truck it would flood out. He did this about three times. Then his grandfather told him that he had left out the small parts to prove a point. For the truck to have full power it needed the small parts just as much as it needed the big parts. Equally, the church also needs all parts working to get full power. The helps ministry is just as valid and just as anointed as the apostle or prophet, Bell advised.

The next time you, a member of the body of Christ, think you are not needed in the helps ministry think of this story from Buddy Bell. Or the next time you, a helps ministry worker, feel your work has no value, think of this definition for the helps ministry coined by Rev. Godbey and shared with thousands by Dr. Bell. “Oh! The infinite value of the humble gospel helpers.

Thousands of people who have no gifts as leaders are numberone helpers. How grand revival work moves along when redhot platoons of fire-baptized helpers crowd around God’s heroic leaders of the embattled hosts!”

Join us for these events…

WOMEN OF VIRTUE

MEN OF VALOR

Annual Mother and Daughter Fellowship

Annual Father and Son Fellowship

Joseph Jennings

Sarah Hickey Bowling

Second Chances Outreach, Inc.

Marilyn Hickey Ministries

Saturday, May 3 11a.m.

W O R D O F F A I T H C H R I S T I A N C E N T E R • 4 8 9 0 C linton B lvd • J ackson , M ississippi

Saturday, June 7 8 a.m.

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Do Good

Anointing

BY Kevin E. Wright

DO GOOD ANOINTING

Following -

Christ’s Example “

ow God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.” Acts 10:38

God anointed and consecrated Jesus, giving Him power, might and ability to go about doing good. Jesus came to earth to destroy the works of the evil one.

He fed and clothed people, preached deliverance to the captives and recovered the sight of the blind. That was the purpose of the anointing on Him. We have the anointing to do good just like Jesus. We are anointed to follow His example. The Bible says the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in us and He will quicken our mortal bodies. You have the same anointing to do the works of Jesus, and even greater works. Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father,” St. John 14:12. 1 Timothy 6:18 in the Amplified Bible says, “[Charge them] to do good, to be rich in good works, to be liberal and generous of heart, ready to share [with others].” The purpose of the anointing is to empower you, to equip you, to enable you to do good works; not to give you goose bumps, make you feel good, and jerk and shout.

rayed

ep Pray as H

Love as He loved

If you read about the life of Jesus, He didn’t do great and mighty things until after the Holy Spirit came upon Him. Remember when John baptized Jesus in St. Matthew 3? Immediately after Jesus was baptized, miracles began to happen.

Heaven opened and the Spirit of God like a dove came down and settled on Him. The “anointing upon” comes for service, so we can get up and do something.

God chose you. Jesus said, “Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit,” St. John 15:16. The Lord filled you with the Holy Spirit so you would “go and bring forth fruit,” be productive.

Be Faithful

Most churches are 80/20. Twenty percent do all the work and all the giving.

The other 80 percent sit down and do nothing. They are born again, spirit-filled, but they are doing nothing. They are not producing in the Kingdom of God. They are full of power, full of the Word, but unfruitful. One day every one of us will give an account to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We all want to hear “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” However, being faithful doesn’t mean just going to church. That’s a small part of it. Being faithful means you have the anointing and the empowerment to be a blessing to someone else.

Jesus said in St. Mark 16:15, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel.”

He goes on to say in verses 17 and 18, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 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.” Jesus said these signs should follow believers: casting out devils, laying hands on the sick, and

Teach as He

taught

Heal as He healed S P R I N G 2 0 0 8 11

WOFCC Online

so forth. Is that not a good work? You should be productive. God wants us to be good stewards of what He has invested in us. You are the temple of the Holy Ghost. God filled us with His Spirit so we can go and do good. Go and lay hands on the sick, cast out devils, feed somebody, help somebody, and set someone free.

Jesus had the anointing to do good and so do we. We can break the power of the enemy over those who are being harassed and oppressed by the devil.

You are anointed with power, might, and ability to go do something good!

Did you miss Sunday’s Anointed Announcements? Would you like more information or to sign up for an event? Want to give to the ministry, but you can’t attend service? Then you need to try WOFCC Online. It’s a great way to keep up with the growing list of events we have, plus now there is secure on-line giving!

Visit our website at www.wofcc-ms.com for: • Anointed Announcements • Church Calendar • Event Registration • On-line Giving • Plus so much more …

Joining our online community allows you to view and update your member profile, as well as view and print your contributions from the comfort of your home.

Be sure to click on member login for personalized information. If you do not have a user name and password, just answer a few questions and you will receive an e-mail with your login information.

www.wofcc-ms.com Keeping you up-to-date!

How do you do that? Well, it is not by might, nor by power, but it is by His Spirit. You have the Holy Spirit to help you do all things, to be a blessing to someone, to do uncommon, marvelous things. Some Christians don’t know they have the anointing to do that. They push it off on the five-fold ministry gifts saying, “That’s the pastor’s job. That’s the evangelist’s job, or that’s the prophet’s job.” No, it’s your job. You have the ministry of reconciliation. Jesus can reach the world through us. His eyes run to and fro throughout the earth trying to find someone He can use to show Himself strong. That scripture tells us of His dependence on man. He wants us to answer that call.

In Acts 1, there were 120 waiting in the upper room for the Holy Spirit to come. Jesus told them to wait in Jerusalem for the “Promise” from the Father. He said they would receive power or ability after the Holy Ghost had come on them to be His witnesses. The anointing would enable them to be witnesses.

jesus impacted the world

Jesus changed the world by what He taught and by how He lived. Jesus is the Good Shepherd and He gave His life for the sheep. He went about doing good.

What impact do you want to have on the world?

Paul tells us in Ephesians 5 to be followers or imitators of Christ and walk in love as He did. Act like Jesus in precept and example. Walk as He walked (1 John 2:6).

Follow the footsteps of Jesus. Pray as He prayed. Love as He loved. Teach as He taught. Heal as He healed.

He wants us to do the same work and even greater works. You have an anointing to do good. Get going and do something good, and good will be multiplied back to you.

Faith Group FELLOWSHIPS WHEN & WHERE

Network 1 South Jackson, Clinton, Byram, or Terry residents 3RD SUNDAY EACH MONTH, 5 P.M. AT WOFCC

Network 2 Madison, Ridgeland, Gluckstadt or Canton residents

3RD SUNDAY EACH MONTH, 5 P.M. AT MBA

Network 3 West Jackson, Pearl, Richland, Florence, Raymond, Bolton or Edwards residents

4TH SUNDAY EACH MONTH, 5 P.M. AT WOFCC

Growing In Christ Through Godly Relationships!

www.wofcc-ms.com

Network 4 North or Central Jackson, Brandon or Flowood residents

4TH SUNDAY EACH MONTH, 5 P.M. AT MBA

Join the more than 700 people participating in Faith Groups. Stop by the Faith Group room after service to sign up or register online.

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W ord of F aith C hristian C enter p r e s e n t s . . .

A Life-Changing Marriage Seminar

Saturday, May 17, 2008 8:30 am - 4:30 PM $99.00 PER COUPLE • SPACE IS LIMITED

visit www.wofcc-ms.com for details or call for more information (601) 922.9323

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Compassion

for people will drive you. It will propel you to go the

extra mile.

It’s All About

by Leslie D. Wright

or God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” St. John 3:16 is a basic scripture that many of us memorized in Sunday school.

But I want us to take a closer look at what this scripture is saying because sometimes you can memorize scripture, yet still not have a revelation of that scripture.

and said, “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He will send forth labourers into His harvest.” There are many people out there with unmet needs. They are hurting and need to know Jesus loves them. When you look at the lost and dying world what do you see?

To begin with, “God so loved.” This tells us something about God …He loves us. It doesn’t say God had pity, or He just wanted to do something for people. Because He loves, the scripture says, “that He gave.” Love is always looking to be a blessing to others. We should love not just in word, but in word and deed. People know you love them by the way you treat them, and by what you do for them. God gave His only begotten Son. He gave His best. Love gives its best!

Do you want to have the heart of God? Do you want to be an imitator of Christ? Let’s look at the story of the Good Samaritan in St. Luke 10. Some robbers beat a man and left him on the road to die. As he lies there dying, a rabbi, priest, or holy man comes along. He sees the wounded man and passes by on the other side. Next a Levite approaches. He is a religious person, someone who faithfully serves in church. You would think surely he would have compassion and stop. But he too crosses to the other side of the road and keeps going.

St. Matthew 9:35-38 tells how Jesus went about the cities and towns teaching and preaching about the Kingdom of God. Many people came to hear the Word and to be healed of various sicknesses and diseases. When Jesus looked at the multitude that came to Him, He was moved with compassion, not judgmental.

He didn’t blame them for being in the shape they were in.

Neither did He look down on them because they were dirty and in need. No, when He saw them, He fell more in love with them

Then a Samaritan came and had compassion for him. He didn’t ask, “Hey, what happened to you? You should have never come this way. See that’s what you get.” All of us are in a war.

Some of us, if not all, will be injured at some point. When you see your sister or your brother wounded, don’t go to them and say, “Well, you shouldn’t have done this or that. You brought this on yourself.” The Good Samaritan didn’t persecute him or ask any questions. He just helped the man. He poured in the oil

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and the wine, a type of the Holy Ghost. He took the man to an innkeeper and said, “If this person owes you anything, charge it to my account.” Isn’t that what Jesus did for us? We were broken, but Jesus came and poured in the oil and the wine, a type of the Holy Ghost. He fixed us up and said, “I’m about to leave, but anything you need will be charged to my account.”

How can you say the love of God lives in you when you have what your brother needs, yet you shut up your bowels of compassion or love (1 John 3:14 and 16)? We can talk a big game, but when it comes down to it, you have to match your words with some action. How can you say you love God and you have never seen Him, but you see your brother and sister everyday and could not care less about them (1 John 4:20-21)?

Jesus tells us to love one another as He loved us (St. John 13:34-35). The world will know we are followers of Christ by our love for others. You cannot live a victoriously fulfilling Christian life if you are not walking in love. If you want to imitate Christ, you have to walk in love. If you want to know Him, you get to know Him by walking in love (1 John 4:7-8).

“Beloved let us love one another for love is of God and everyone that loveth is born of God and knoweth God…” Just because you are born again doesn’t mean that you know Him. Love is how you come to know God.

society a leper might be an AIDS patient, homosexual, or a homeless child. They are people we choose to ignore or don’t want to be bothered with. I’m sure with this man being a leper; no one touched him for years. When Jesus touched him, he did more than just heal him outwardly, Jesus healed him inwardly. Jesus gave him self-worth. We should be close enough to touch people instead of just throwing blessings at them and keeping them away from us. The church is a big hospital for a sick world. Where else are they supposed to go?

As Christians, we should be the most touchable people on earth; willing to help, hold and touch people. When we became born again, we were given the ministry of reconciliation and placed in the people business. In St. Mark 6:30-44, we see Jesus and the disciples working in the ministry, helping people. They were tired and hungry, so Jesus suggested they go to a quiet private place to get some rest.

They did, but the multitude found out where they were and followed them. When Jesus saw them He was moved with compassion and began to teach them. Compassion for people will drive you. It will propel you to go the extra mile.

Some of us have been working without the engine. Love is the engine that propels us and causes us to come in with force.

We can talk a big game, but when it comes down to it, you have to match your words with some action.

The Heartbeat of Jesus I heard a story once. There was a newspaper article with a picture of a woman bending over a man lying in a hospital bed.

She had her head placed to his chest. The caption explained she held her head to his chest because her son’s heart had just been transplanted into this man and she wanted to hear her son’s heart beat once more. What does the heavenly Father hear when He puts His head to our chest? Does He hear His Son’s heart?

Let’s look at some examples of how Jesus showed His love.

In St. Matthew 20:30-34, there were two blind men near Jericho who wanted to receive their sight. They began calling out to Jesus as they heard Him coming near. To those around them they were unpopular because they didn’t act the way you are supposed to act in public. The crowd told them to be quiet, but they refused to be quiet. These two blind men cried out, asking Jesus to have mercy on them. Jesus, sensing their earnest hearts, stood still and asked what He could do for them. They asked to be able to see. Jesus had compassion, touched their eyes, and immediately they could see. A miracle happened because of the love of God towards them, the unpopular.

In St. Mark 1:39-42, a leper went to Jesus to be healed. Jesus again was moved with compassion, reached out and touched the man. Jesus healed the leper, but not just that, He touched the leper. This man was contagious. No one wanted to touch a leper. But Jesus touched the untouchable. Nowadays in our

As it grew late, the disciples reminded Jesus that they were tired, and asked Him to send the people away to get something to eat. But Jesus asked the disciples what food they had. When you tell the Lord about a need someone has, He may ask what you have to meet their need! Jesus told them to share their food.

They had five loaves and two pieces of fish. Jesus told them to bring to Him what they had. When you give Jesus what you have to help others, He blesses it, and unusual things will start to happen. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for the supernatural. When Jesus blessed and broke the food, He gave it to the disciples to serve, and supernatural increase happened!

They all did eat! The Bible says 5,000 men ate and were full. In addition, 12 baskets of food were left over. Isn’t that the way God does things? Giving what you have to the Lord to bless people will propel you into the supernatural.

We are to allow God to use us as willing vessels, submitting whatever we have to Him, and the Lord will bless it. The blessings are not for you to hoard up for yourself, but so you can show forth Jesus and change the lives of people. Yes, sometimes we get tired, but when we see the faces of people, the love of God compels us to go the extra mile. The love of God inside us causes us to kick into the supernatural, to do supernatural things, touch people’s lives in a supernatural way and walk in God’s supernatural love.

It’s all about people …walking in the love of God; falling more in love with Him so you can have His heartbeat, to reach out and touch the lives of others. “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.” ~ 1 John 4:17 S P R I N G 2 0 0 8 17

Psalm 91

TESTIMONY

God’s Power Revealed Through a Collision

by Philis E. Fowler

n the evening of December 26, 2007, Word of Faith member Clyde Robinson finished a day on the job and left work to make a quick stop at a store owned by the company. His plans were to stop by the store, then pick up a pizza for his family and head home. Normally his boys would be with him, but it was the day after Christmas and they were home enjoying their new games.

Driving along Highway 80, Clyde noticed an 18-wheeler making a wide left turn ahead of him, but it was too late to avoid a collision. “I just hit my brakes and the van started sliding.

Once I saw I was about to crash I laid down across the seat,” he said. The top half of his Toyota Previa ripped off as the van rammed into the side of the truck, and the bottom half of the van was wedged underneath the truck’s trailer. Trapped inside, Clyde was unconscious.

A witness rushed to the scene of the accident and began calling out, but couldn’t hear any sounds coming from the inside. “We were yelling for him, but he wouldn’t say anything. Then he started to respond,” the witness said. Mike Crawford, a nearby business owner and Christian, was also at the scene praying for Clyde. Emergency personnel, including the Pearl police and fire departments worked carefully to free Clyde from the wreckage.

They then rushed him to a local hospital.

Reflecting on the incident Clyde recalls the danger he faced.

“I shouldn’t be here, or at the very least paralyzed,” he begin.

The scripture that comes to my mind is, God will never leave you, nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:8). God was with me. He had His hands over me to protect me. He gave me the mind not to panic and to lie down. If I hadn’t, my torso would have been severed.” Clyde continued, “Through it all I never felt any pain.

I had no idea my arm and finger was broken, and I had gashes on my face. Even the next day in the hospital I had no pain.” When thinking of his sons Clyde expressed, “Thank God my sons were not with me because they would not have survived the crash.”

At the writing of this article, Clyde has started physical therapy, and is recovering from surgery in which plates were placed in his arm and finger to aid his healing. “Life is pretty much back to normal. I’m raking leaves, and driving again.

There is still no pain, except when they pull and tug on my arm in physical therapy,” he said laughing.

Clyde makes it clear that it is God’s power and the life of Jesus that empowers and comforts him, and not his own strength.

God’s power is made known through His presence with you through danger and distress. It is in our weakness that the life of Jesus is revealed. God will never leave you nor give up on you.

There may be fears within, as well as physical struggles; yet we are not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

GOD WAS WITH ME. HE HAD HIS HANDS OVER ME TO PROTECT ME. 18 S P R I N G

2008

WORD OF FAITH ACADEMY

Register now

2008/2009 School Year

Elementary K5 - 6th Grade • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Advanced Mathematics Advanced Reading and Language Arts Advanced Science Advanced Social Studies Ballet Basketball Biblical Studies Cheerleading Computer Enrichment Creative Movement (2yrs & up) Creative Writing Duke University TIP Program Golf Money Management Music and Fine Arts Parent Empowerment Program Peer Connectors Physical Education Piano Public Speaking Show Choir Sign Language

• • • • • •

Spanish Swimming Tennis Test Prep Tumble Cheer Tutorial Program

Competitions (Local, District & State) • Art Competition • Bible Bowl • Quiz Bowl • Science Fair Competition • Spelling Bee Competition 2008-2009 (Additions) Advanced A Beka Curriculum Galactic Gifted Program National Jr. Beta Club National Jr. Honor Society Odyssey of the Minds Other Clubs and Organizations Spring Excursion

MPSA ACCREDITATION Call for more information 601.922.7217

Satellite Church Highlight WORD OF FAITH CHRISTIAN CENTER Hattiesburg, Mississippi

“HUB CITY”

H

attiesburg, Miss., known as “Hub City,” is the fourth largest city in the state. It is centrally located less than 100 miles from the state capital, Jackson, as well as the Gulf Coast, New Orleans and Mobile. The city has garnered a multitude of national awards and distinctions in recent years as a “Great place to live.”

Dr. Orlando Burt and wife, Min. Toni, were members of Word of Faith International Christian Center in Detroit, Mich., under the leadership of Bishop Keith A. Butler. In August 1993, the Burts and their then 10-month old daughter, Erin, moved to Hattiesburg to begin a medical practice, so they thought. Little did they know, God had other plans for them.

Southeast Mississippi and Northwest and Southwest Alabama.

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Two thriving college campus ministries: Mississippi State and the University of Southern Mississippi

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Actively supports the Kindness Foundation, an international mission that provides a Bible based curriculum in the public schools of the former Soviet Union and Ukraine.

Pastor Burt and his family commuted to WOFCC-Jackson for two years, submitting to the leadership of Bishop Kevin E. Wright and his wife Pastor Leslie Wright. Then Bishop Wright founded the Hattiesburg church and asked Dr. Burt to be the pastor.

WOFCC-Hattiesburg was an official Red Cross distribution center in 2005 following Hurricane Katrina. They provided food, clothing, blankets, toiletries, and more to residents on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Partnering with Gulfport Public Schools and a ministry in Indiana they conducted a bike drive, giving out 280 bikes to area children. Also, through a federal grant, they have partnered with the Hip-Hop (HIV Prevention) program, providing counseling and rapid testing for at-risk populations.

Their Nursing Home Visitation Ministry reaches residents in four facilities.

On January 12, 1997 Word of Faith-Hattiesburg had its first service at the Ramada Limited motel with 67 people present.

The church has now grown to 750 members, and has two satellite churches: Word of Faith-Gulf Coast and Word of FaithStarkville. Other outreaches include:

Word of Faith-Hattiesburg has a thriving nursery, children, and youth ministry. In addition, their Men of Valor, Women of Virtue, Couples-in-Covenant, Complete-in-Christ Singles, and Seasoned Saints ministries offer gender and group specific programs to enhance the lives of God’s people.

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Word of Faith Christian Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization under which Word of Faith Christian Academy was founded to educate children from 2½ years old through 2nd Grade.

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The Revelation Knowledge Television Broadcast airs on three television stations, covering Northeast and

20 S P R I N G

2008

In February 2008, WOFCC-Hattiesburg added Sunday School for all ages. Their Layperson’s Bible School, New Members, Helps, and Believers classes provide a well-rounded Christian development curriculum for spiritual growth.

Do We Really Love

Jesus?

Loving Jesus is of paramount importance when it comes to walking in the “Fullness of the Blessing.”

BY Orlando R. Burt

“

e that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him.” St. John 14:21

Do we really love Jesus? Well, this article will be a litmus test to decide whether that is true, based on what the Bible says. The church has sung this song for years, “Oh how I love Jesus…”

But do we really know what that means? I am convinced many Christians have no idea what it means to really love Jesus.

As a pastor, one of my responsibilities, according to God’s Word, is to pass on wisdom, knowledge, and understanding so people can walk in the “Fullness of the Blessing.” Loving Jesus is of paramount importance when it comes to doing that. So let’s look at the distinguishing characteristics of a person who really loves Jesus.

1. He or she will keep God’s Word or commandments

Unfortunately we make loving Jesus more difficult than it truly is. The Bible says in 1 John 5:3, “His commandments are not grievous.” In St. Matthew 11:30 Jesus tells us “My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” The only requirement to really love Jesus is simply to do what He says. I have found that living for Jesus gets easier and easier the more I do it. Repetition is the mother of learning, and the more you do anything, the better you become at it.

2. He or she will lay down their lives for Him

Jesus says in St. John 15:13-14 “Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if you do whatsoever I command you.” Jesus gives a

clear line of separation of those who love Him and those who don’t. Ask yourself these questions: Do I do what Jesus tells me to? Am I in obedience to His Word in my marriage, with my children, with my money, how I handle my body, and in my church? If you are honest with yourself, you will be able to answer these questions with crystal clarity.

3. He or she will not love the world

1 John 2:15 says “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” Therefore, it is quite clear; those who love the world do not love Jesus.

When we really love Jesus, we can expect certain results to take place in our lives. First, Jesus and the Father will live in us and manifest themselves to us (St. John 14:21, 23). In other words, God the Father and Jesus will take up residence in our lives, and Jesus will reveal Himself to us in every area and situation we face. Second, there will be progressive intimacy with Him. In St. John 15:15 Jesus said, “Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I call you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you.” If we love Jesus, we move from being a servant to a friend, and later Jesus even calls us brother. This is progressive intimacy. Finally, when we really love Jesus we receive more help through the Holy Spirit; wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and guidance. (St. John 14:15-17, 26) In conclusion, I ask the same question: Do we really love Jesus? If you have identified that you don’t, I want to encourage you to start loving Him. Once you do, you give Him an avenue by which to reveal Himself in your life. Then you will walk in the “Fullness of the Blessing” this year.

S P R I N G 2 0 0 8 21

YouthQuake ’08 word of faith christian center presents...

It’s time to saddle up and hit the trail for Club VBS: Cactus Canyon.

CAMP/CONFERENCE

FULLYLOADED July 22 – 25 On the campus of Mississippi State University Starkville, Miss.

Life Changing Messages Powerful Music Dynamic Speakers

Learn all about the Good News found in St. John 3:16 and ways you can tell everyone you know about Jesus. As always Vacation Bible School is FREE and FUN for kids ages 4 to 11.

• • • • •

Howdy Pardners!

BIBLE STUDY CRAFTS GAMES MUSIC SNACKS

S ON RE ORY ONE S O G J L O I E N NM NW TO L GR SE A JUA CAN JO E

AND MUCH MORE! SHAKING THE FOUNDATION / CHANGING THE WORLD

Word of Faith Christian Center Jackson, Mississippi

FOLLOW THE LEADER

DO YOU LOVE JESUS?

Who guides you in the way of truth, but waits to be received?

Fit these words in the squares. Write the letters from the numbered boxes on the lines. You will find St. John 14:15.

DO JOY ASK YOU TRUTH NAME

LOVE HELP READ SPEAK KNOW LEARN LISTEN FATHER HEAR RECEIVE WORK BELIEVE

Who lives with child, adult or youth, because they have believed?

WHO IS IT? Add letters to find the answer. For example F + 3 = I (Start at the letter F and count three letters to “ 7 22 1 26 2 13 26 12 23 9 15, 1 8 2 25 7 17 17 27 15 15 21

THE FUNNIES

9 28 3 11 9 9 16 4 5 9 15 4 18 24”

Q: What has a head and four legs but can’t walk?

Q: What do you call a dog that’s caught on fire?

Use the alphabets below to help.

ABCDEFGHIJKLMN OPQRSTUVWXYZ get the answer I.)

A: A bed!

F + 2 L+3 K+1 Q+2 M+3 F+3 L+6 H+1 R+2

V+3

A: A hotdog!

Q: What goes through towns, up and over hills, but doesn’t move?

THE

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______ SPRING 2008

23

A: The road!

ENLARGING OUR TERRITORY...

Mississippi Basketball & Athletics (MBA) 2240 Westbrook Road • Jackson, Mississippi

SERVICE TIMES

Sunday - 9 a.m.

Wednesday - 6:30 p.m.

Come worship with us this Sunday!

WORD OF FAITH CHRISTIAN CENTER CHURCHES JACKSON - HEADQUARTERS Bishop Kevin E. Wright, Pastor Bishop Keith A. Butler, Founder 4890 Clinton Blvd.

Jackson, MS 39209

GULFPORT Dr. Orlando Burt, Pastor and Founder Gulfport Central Middle School 1310 42nd Avenue Gulfport, MS 39505 (601) 544-7007

North Jackson 2240 Westbrook Rd. Jackson, MS 39211 (601) 922-9323 www.wofcc-ms.com

HATTIESBURG Dr. Orlando Burt, Pastor Bishop Kevin E. Wright, Founder 2111 Country Club Rd. Hattiesburg, MS 39401 (601) 544-7007 www.wordoffaith-hburg.com

MERIDIAN Rev. Clinton Hall, Pastor Bishop Kevin E. Wright, Founder 3718 8th St. Meridian, MS 39307 (601) 485-5373

STARKVILLE Rev. Timothy Bourne, Pastor Dr. Orlando Burt, Founder Armstrong Middle School 303 McKee St. Starkville, MS 39759 (662) 769-9673

Changing Lives Through Faith

VICKSBURG Rev. Reginald Walker, Pastor Bishop Kevin E. Wright, Founder 1201 Grove St. Vicksburg, MS 39183 (601) 638-2500 www.wofcc-vicksburg.com YAZOO CITY Rev. Edward Taylor, Pastor Bishop Kevin E. Wright, Founder 407 Jackson Ave. Yazoo City, MS 39194 (662) 716-9567 www.4wofyazoo.net