Editor: Pastor Faith Ritchie
January 2012
Newsletter
House Of The Forgiven Pastors Rick & Sherry Ritchie are licensed and ordained ministers with Apostolic Society International. Pastor Sherry is also on the Board & is Secretary General of ASI. Together they have started their dream of pastoring a church of their own. God opened the door of opportunity for them to do so in late 2011. This past week they were voted in as the new Pastor’s for the Woodsfield Church also. They will be preaching, On Sunday mornings right here at Marietta Mills and on Thursday and Sunday evening’s at Woodsfield. Pastor’s Rick and Sherry
Please keep them lifted in prayer for guidance and safe traveling each week. Our blessing's are with them as they continue to walk this journey through the doors that God is has opened for them.
From The Desk Of Pastor Rick and Pastor Sherry Ritchie Our heart's desire is that we can reach out to our city and the surrounding communities to love and minister God's Word. Our burden is to teach others how to rightly divide the Word of God. We want you to know that Jesus loves you and there is hope in whatever situation you may be. There is nothing impossible for God. His mercies are new every morning!! We have this hope and we must share it with whosoever will hear ...In Jesus Name.
" I can do all things through Christ who Strengthens me" Philippians 4:13 We invite you to join us in our services at House of the Forgiven. (see service times on back page)
Walking In Love Ephesians 5:1-2 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; and walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour. Paul teaches us to “Walk like our Father” we are His child…so walk like Him! Imitate Jesus Christ …by walking in love in the same way that Jesus loved us. We are to walk, talk, think, and behave like Jesus. The scriptures say to walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us! Our challenge is not to love in our own strength, but to love as Christ loves. What does that mean? In our own strength…you may find that it is hard for you to love someone else…we need to allow Gods love to flow through us so that we can truly love that person or persons. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God Our trials are not to punish us but through our trials we are molded and shaped and God will bring someone our way that we will be able to minister to their needs because we understand what they are walking through. We will be able to comfort and strengthen them with His Word. Mercy and kindness God has given to us….we are to give unto others I John 3:11 11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous. 13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. 16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 17 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? 18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. Every act of God is a motivation of love….all that He had created and prepared for us…has been from His great love for you and I. SACRIFICE OF SELF Jesus paid the ultimate price and sacrificed Himself for you and I so that we might be saved…that was an act of great love. The world teaches that it is all about “ME” and what I want. To take and control our own situations. To do whatever you have to get what you want. Paul teaches that to love it is a choice…it isn’t always easy to love…it is a sacrifice. A choice to go against our fleshly nature and willfully, and consistently, choose to reach out and love and help another. We sometimes think that some people are just normally more loving than others and it is natural for them to do what they are doing…but in fact the bible says love is always a choice and that it will cost us something….our pride, our worldly reputation, giving of our self…letting go of self.
"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." Isaiah 26:3
To love others….you can’t be standing in the mirror and looking at your self We cannot give to others when we are clutching our money in our wallets We cannot genuinely love if we cannot put ourselves aside… Giving of our self goes against human nature…many desires to be number one……but in sacrificing to love…we are preferring another before ourselves Matthew 22:37-40 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. **Example of asking God to enlarge my heart to love more ..Not an easy task at times…wanting to love the unlovable LOVE IN ACTION Ephesians 5:3-4 3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks When we come to God we change from the old creature into a new creature in Christ, but our actions are still subject to our will…and our choices. WE choose whether or not we will walk with Christ and do what we know to do is right. We all must pray for guidance in our daily walk in everything that we think, say and do. At the same time we must seek to have our minds renewed by the Word of God. If we do not, it is possible for someone to give their heart to Jesus and continue to drink, smoke, curse, chew, and party. And run around with those who do…and not even see any line of distinction between what is right and wrong in these areas. Paul condemns foolishness and jesting…does that mean he is against laughter? No..jesting and foolishness is the opposite of being sober minded…which is holding those things that are important to God as deaer and precious. Foolishness and jesting are making light of the things that are important to God, teasing about things eternal, and joking about God and the work of God in people’s lives. Without enlightenment and discipline that comes from Gods Word no believer can be trained in godly behaviors of which love is the highest. We must have a desire to be like Jesus..to walk in His ways. Ephesians 5:5 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. A Thankful Heart Giving thanks is the opposite of fornication, uncleanness, covetousness, filthiness, and foolishness and jesting….because it is the beginning of our praise and worship…the beginning of morality and forgiveness. If you are truly thankful and worshipping the Lord …you will not be falling into these things in your life. Light and darkness cannot mix…. You would not want to engage in these behaviors or activities. I John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us. Love In The Church We are called by God to love all kinds of people from all walks of life and at all levels of maturity. We aren’t given the privilege of only walking with people like us…Tower of babel..they wanted to stay together an build the tower…but God has told them to multiply…he confounded their languages so they would spread out. We can never reach the world if we just stay and hide out where were are comfortable….God will place us out of our comfort zone. There are people that need to grow and learn and to be taught…and we need to continue to grow…we must be willing to love. Jn 13:34-35 34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. 35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another The world will know the church by the love we have for one another, and that supernatural love, heavenly love that comes straight for the heart of God!! If the church get ahold of this Word and understand what the love of God truly was about then you would see churches transformed and as strong as the early church..the world could be turned upside down!
"He promises to strengthen us in all our difficulties." Isaiah 41:10
God Can Move Your Mountain
When things seem so impossible And life’s so hard to bear, God can move your mountain Before you reach despair .He’ll never leave you or forsake youTrust in Him always. Be anxious then, for nothing And never cease to pray. So keep on climbing higher, Be patient while you wait. For God is never early And also never late. ~Author Unknown
We Know Not What Tomorrow Brings
"The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear, the lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid." Psalm 27:1 "Trust in the Lord and do good" Psalm 37:4
Although we plan ahead For only God alone can know The pathway we must tread We cannot know the future Not one minute nor one hour Each circumstance that we must face Lay only in His power It’s vital that we live by faith From minute unto minute And trusting that each step we take He’s walking with us in it We cannot see the future Nor the trials we must face But in all things, God promised us Sufficiency of grace This alone should give us hope Whatever be our plans In knowing that our future lies In His sweet, loving hands ~Author Unknown
Original Recipe Yield 5 servings
Biscuit-Topped Chicken Pot Pie Ingredients 2 (10.75 ounce) cans Campbell's速 Condensed Cream of Potato Soup 1 cup milk 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves, crushed 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 4 cups cooked cut-up vegetables* 2 cups cubed cooked chicken 1 (10 ounce) can refrigerated biscuits Directions
Prep Time : 15 Min Cook Time : 30 min
In 3-quart shallow baking dish mix soup, milk, thyme, pepper, vegetables and chicken. Bake at 400 degrees F for 15 minutes or until hot. Stir. Arrange biscuits over chicken mixture. Bake 15 minutes more or until biscuits are golden. Footnotes * Use a combination of broccoli flowerets, sliced carrots and peas or broccoli flowerets, cauliflower flowerets and sliced carrots or broccoli flowerets and sliced carrots.
Grandma's Secret Pie Crust Original Recipe Yield 2 crusts Ingredients 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon salt 1 1/4 cups shortening 1 egg, beaten 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar 4 tablespoons water Directions In large bowl mix flour and salt. Cut in shortening with two butter knifes. In separate bowl, mix together egg, vinegar, and water. Drizzle wet mixture into dry mixture, cutting it in. Roll out dough, and fit into two 9 inch pie pans. Bake at 425 degrees F (220 degrees C) for 12 minutes.
"The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs. " Isaiah 58:11
Prayer Request’s
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" God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Psalm 46:1
Billboard Wishing all those whose Birthday’s are in January a very “HAPPY BIRTHDAY”
" And we know that all things work together for good, for them that love God and are called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
How Will Your Life Impact The Lives of Others? We all have so many questions about why things happen in our lives or why we are called by God to do things. There are many questions that we may never know the answers too. But God does. But we know without a shadow of a doubt that we belong to God. Our lives are not our own. He created each one of us. He has plans for each one of us. He will use us and our life experiences in whatever way He needs to for His glory. Everything we say, do and think in life could have an impact on another person. Have you ever wondered about the things you do and how they may have an impact on others? For example, if you stopped to help an older person cross the street? Or said hello to a stranger or shared just even a smile? Or handed money too or helped to prepare and hand out meals to homeless people? Or shared God’s word with a non-believer? Perhaps that older person you helped suddenly realized that there are kind people in this world after all and that it is not such an uncaring world as she had come to believe all those years. Maybe you brightened up someone’s day by sharing a smile. Perhaps the meal you helped prepare and hand out to a homeless person may have been the only meal they have had that week or the money you gave to them may have bought them some clothes to keep them warm. Maybe the love of God’s word that you shared and the fact that God is always with us encouraged someone to pick up a Bible and begin reading for the very first time. It is the good that we do that can have a powerful and positive impact on another persons life. There are things that we may say; think or do may have negative impact too. Even as Christian’s we have all managed to do something somewhere that can, has or may have a negative impact on another. It may not be intentional but since none of us are perfect it can happen. It may be with something we say, like if we use a cold tone of voice or raise our voice in temper because we are having a frustrating day. It may be something we do, like not being patient in a long line at the checkout or in a traffic jam. There are many things that can have a negative impact that could have non-Christians think twice about becoming a Christian. That is why we need to make sure everything we say and do will encourage and build another up and draw them near to God. Ephesians 4:29-30 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Philippians 2:1-5 “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus” Philippians 2:14-15 ”Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky." John 13:34 “Love one another as I have loved you” How will our life impact the lives of others? How can we “Give forth” the love that God has shown each of us? How can people know that God loves them unless we love them? It all starts with us. Until we are standing before the Lord, we will never know how we may have impacted or touched the lives of another in this world. Colossians 3:23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters”
"The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear, the lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid." Psalm 27:1
Services
Tuesday Evening’s
Thursday & Sunday Evening’s @ 7pm Woodsfield Church Marietta St, Woodsfield.
@ 2:30pm 1st,3rd &4th Monday Afternoon Of each month Heartland Nursing Home
Contact Email: pastorsherryritchie@gmail.com
@ 7:30pm 4th Floor Marietta Mills 736 Green St, Marietta
Ph: 740 629 7735
Sunday Morning’s @ 11am 4th Floor Marietta Mills 736 Green St, Marietta.
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