Editor Sis Sherry

From Elder Lisa’s heart...

We are happy to announce the relaunch of Ephesians 3:20 Ministries’ newsletter, now renamed The Good News Bulletin. Every month, look for The Bulletin to review important points from previous sermons, provide inspiration and encouragement, and scriptural nourishment for your soul. 

Blessings upon you this Lenten Season!  Lent began on Ash Wednesday, March 5, and ends on Saturday, April 19.  During this season, Christians set aside time for fasting and solemn contemplation, as they prepare to celebrate Easter and the RESURRECTION of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

As we entered the Lenten Season last month, the Lord blessed us with a word based on Joshua 1:9 titled, “Courage to Meet the Standard,” and told us to stay courageous, be strong--unafraid, nor dismayed--because the Lord is always with us.  This was not a suggestion. It is a commandment! God has not dropped His standards and His standard is holiness. God left His word with us to help us stay strong and have the courage to meet His standards. No matter what  it looks like, be strong and know that God is working things out for you. When Jesus walked this earth, He faced the same challenges we face but remained courageous and never backed down from His assignment.  He was faithful to the Cross and because of his faithfulness, we are never alone. 

In another message titled, “The Stone of Obedience,”  based on I Samuel 15:1-9, 16-19, we were reminded not to do as Saul and his army did when they disobeyed God’s explicit instructions to destroy King Agag and all of the Amalekites and their cattle. Rather than following God’s instruction (stand on the stone), Saul listened to others around him as they decided to spare the king and keep the best of the sheep and cattle to “make sacrifices to the Lord,” contrary to God’s instructions. Saul did not obey God and attempted to justify his disobedience which cost him God’s favor and, over time, the throne. Instead of listening to Samuel who heard from God, Saul listened to the wrong people and got tripped up on the “rock of disobedience.” Remember, we have everything we need to walk in the favor of obedience. Obeying God is a sacrifice, but obey Him anyway, or face the consequences (hit with the stone). And ask yourself, “Are there stones in my life blocking my obedience to God?” 

And finally on “Grateful for Grace” Sunday, there was a word from the Lord based on Psalms 40:1-8, titled “Beware of the Kidnapper of the Soul.” In this context, the Satin is the kidnapper and he wants to hold you captive in mind, will, emotions by  telling us lies about  being unloved and forgotten. But always remember that Jesus has already paid the ransom for your soul with his blood and his death on the Cross you are free from bondage! Jesus has paid it all. The devil has failed! Never forget how good God has been to you!
 

As Christians our ultimate example is Jesus and as Jesus inspired the disciples of His time, His legacy continues to inspire us through scripture, songs of praise, worship, and poetry. Our 2021 Poetry Night included thought provoking awareness of self and community (enjoy the replay on YouTube on the Ephesians 3:20 Ministries Elder Lisa King page). God has blessed many of us with unique gifts and we are grateful to our special guest Joshua Lester and Victoria Turner who poured out from their gifted hearts for God’s glory.
 
As we observed the Resurrection of Jesus, following the suffering of the crucifixion we were enlisted to grab hold of “The Resurrection Joy That Never Ends”. A bold statement in times like these, however the discernment of the hindrances to our spiritual progress were exposed and we embraced our pioneer and perfecter of our faith Jesus the Christ, the anointed one, no longer hindered by our unbelief. Embrace the joy Jesus anticipated would come after He endured the cross. Permit the perfecter of your faith to mature and correct you. Fight and hold on. As we may endure challenges or struggles know (meditate on at least one scripture day and night) the joy of the RESURRECTION.
 
Speaking of the RESURRECTION can you recall sharing an incident that happened and the person you were telling the accounts either said something or looked a certain way at you indicating they did not believe the accounts as you stated. That is what Jesus experienced when the eleven disciples while having a meal held disbelief when Jesus appeared in the room where they were hiding behind locked doors.  As often as we proclaim we are waiting on Jesus, consider Jesus saying, “I’ve Been Waiting for This”. Be mindful of the unpopular example of Thomas called Didymus who said to the disciples “unless I touch the nail prints in his hands” he would not believe Jesus had risen from the dead.
 
Then and now Jesus is looking for BELIEVERS! When Jesus appears in your situation will He find you believing only because you see or believing in faith even when you cannot see? Just as we are waiting on Jesus to show up Jesus is waiting to bless those who believe in His love, authority, and power. If Thomas had remained in the fellowship with the believers, he may not have experienced the discouragement and distrust. Avoid the unnecessary attacks and be encouraged to remain close to the promise of the blessings for those who believe without seeing.
 
#2021LivingForTheNew!
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