the edifier issue 3.sept - dec issue
Post on 14-Apr-2018
244 Views
Preview:
TRANSCRIPT
-
7/29/2019 The Edifier Issue 3.Sept - Dec Issue
1/8
A most familiar verse of scripture, John 3:16, states, "For God so loved theworld that He gave His only begotten (one of a kind, unique) Son that who-
ever is believing in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.''
The word love is not an emotional feeling but a choice, an act of the will. It declares that God has
chosen and committed Himself to do that which is absolutely and eternally best for the world.
Experiencing God's love is conditional upon believing meaning trusting. Whoever is presently trust-
ing in the Person and work of Jesus Christ has everlasting life. This is truly amazing when we con-
sider the matter. That little two letter word, so, implies that God's love is infinite or without limit.
There is no boundary or horizon to God's great love. We never come to the end or finish line of this
amazing choice.
Note the impact of God's love in 1 John 3:1-3.
1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children
of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
2 Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we
know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
We the believers in Christ not only possess everlasting life but we are called the children of God.
This means that we are God's offspring and possess His nature. Ultimately we shall be glorified
together with Christ and shall be like Him.
Think about His love, think about His goodness, think about His grace that's brought us through.
As high as the heavens above, so great is the measure of our Father's love, great is the measure
of our Father's love.
Think about it and be amazed to the maximum.
Pastor Julius T. Davis, Jr.
Volume 1, Issue 3
The AwesomeLove of God
3rd Quarter 2013 S A L V A T I O N N O T S U P E R S T I T I O N Acts 17:22-23
The Edifier
Julius T. Davis, Jr., Pastor
-
7/29/2019 The Edifier Issue 3.Sept - Dec Issue
2/8
There are times when I don't write anything for weeks and people ask
me why. Well, I've given this question much thought and came up with a very profound
answer...I have nothing to say. Yep, that's the answer...I have nothing to say. Now, in
the past, I would talk just to "hear my own voice", according to my
mother. I have even had people ask if I ever "shut up". I would get offended at these
statements until I finally reflected upon why I felt the need to talk so much. I was un-
comfortable with silence...quiet times unnerved me badly. So, I would talk...about any
and everything. I would talk about my business and business that wasn't mine. I would
talk and it didn't matter if people actually listened. I just didn't want to be in the "quiet
I needed noise, something to distract me from the deafening silence.
It was during these times of silence that God tried to speak to me and it was during
those same times that I wasn't trying to listen to what He had to say. He was showing
me who I was and what I was becoming--- and it was not a pretty picture. He was showing me my disobedient and
rebellious heart. He was exposing my sinful nature and how I was becoming comfortable in it. So to silence Him, I
talked over His voice. And, I kept talking. The more I talked, the less I heard.
So, what exactly is the problem with talking just for the sake of talking? According to Matthew 12:36-37 But I say
unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by
thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. "
Do you find yourself just talking for no good reason? Are you gossiping and being a busybody? Many people think
that gossip is speaking of things that are not true. Gossip is merely speaking of things that are not your business-
merely for the sake of speaking (whether true or false). If you feel a need to always tell things that are none of you
business, you are speaking idle words and will have to give an account for them. Beware of people who always
begin sentences with "did you hear?" or "let me tell you what so and so did". Be very careful of those who say "don
tell anyone I told you this..." These are all precursors to gossip and rumors...idle talk.
Whenever you find yourself beginning sentences this way...stop and ask yourself why you have the need to do so.
Do you seek acceptance from people by being the person who is constantly "in the know"? Are you uncomfortablewith the quiet times because God is trying to speak to you? Have you become uneasy because your thoughts are
consistently about your own past sins and failures?
If so, it is time to ask God to reveal the true you to yourself and then ask Him to help you change. Listen when He
speaks. "Let the wise hear and increase in learning..." Proverbs 1:5 (ESV). My son, if you receive my words and
treasure up my commandments with you, making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to under-
standing; yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search
for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the
Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the up-
right; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice and watching over the way of his
saints. Then you will understand righteousness and justice and equity, every good path; for wisdom will come into
your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul ..." Proverbs 2:1-10 (ESV).
Learn to treasure the quiet times. Allow God to speak to you and impart to you that which He desires and then
obey Him. No more idle talk or idle time. Let every word you speak have value to those who are listening. Keepyour heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. Put away from you crooked speech and put devious
talk far from you." Proverbs 4:23-24 (ESV). "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is
good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." Ephesians 4:29 (ESV).
It has been a rewarding experience for me to learn to listen, to realize that I don't always have to be the one to do
all the talking.
It has been said that we were given two ears and one mouth for a reason: do twice as much listening as we do
talking.
PAGE 2
What Do Yu Hve To Sy?TH E ED I FI ER
Live Out Loud for Christ by Beverly Thompson
-
7/29/2019 The Edifier Issue 3.Sept - Dec Issue
3/8
VO LUM E 1, IS SU E 3
If someone asked me who I admire
most, my answer would be BethBaleke. When I think of Beth, a smile
comes on my face. I admire her hum-
ble committed work of serving God
through Scripture Union of Uganda.
Beth is a strong dedicated woman of
faith and courage. Currently her mis-
sionary journeys take her into
The Republic of South Sudan and
Ethiopia, where she trains staff,volunteers and others so that they
may, make Gods Good News
known to children, young people
and families. Please keep Beth in
your prayers as she travels to dan-
gerous areas to reach others for
Christ.
PAGE 3
A Remarkable Woman of God by Joyce Davidson
There was a time or two when you have heard the pastor ask me about the experi-
ence of my salvation. For that reason I would like to go into further detail concerning
this matter. I was born in a Christian home. Both my parents were Christians from the
time I knew them until they went home to be with the Lord. I always knew there was a
God, but I didnt have a personal relationship with Him, nor did I know how to receive
Jesus as my Savior. All I heard when my parents took me to church was good preach-
ing, good singing, good devotions and good feelings. I knew someday that I would join
the church, because that was what I was told I was supposed to do so I wouldn't go tohell. At age 37, I decided to join the church, but first I wanted to get more familiar
with the bible, so I bought one. Someone told me the first thing to read was the book of John, so I did. While I
was reading the book of John and knowing a little about salvation, I told Jesus I believed that He was the Son
of God and wanted to accept Him as my Savior because I wanted to go to heaven when I died. Immediately, I
felt that God had answered my prayer. The next Sunday I went to church and joined the church. I felt differ-
ent than I ever had felt before in my life. One Sunday in church during devotional, the deacons were very
emotional and vocal about how they felt, and that if everyone didnt feel as they did, that they were not saved.
I didnt feel the way they did, and was very sad and confused. So I thought I lost my salvation that day in
church. That night I cried and prayed to God because I was not saved and did not know how to be. That same
night, God woke me about 3:00 AM and all he said to me was I love you. What joy came unto me! The devil
was not pleased about that so he went to work on me. One day I was reading John 3:16; the devil said, Sure
God loves you, He loves the whole world. Does that mean the whole world is saved? Lost again I struggled
with that for sometime. Plus, going to church and not feeling like jumping over benches, and hearing remarks
like if you dont feel like us, you better go and try to get saved again, confused me even more. One day I was
reading the bible and the words in red actually left the page and came to my sight. It read, I died for you. Oh
what joy! Later, the devil said, big deal. Didnt He die for the whole world. Is the whole world saved? Lost
again. Sometime later, as I was studying the bible, the Holy Spirit revealed to me that He wrote my name in
the Lambs Book of Life. I had mixed emotions. I was kind of happy, but confused because I didnt know ex-
actly what that meant. At that time, I was going to Central Bible College, where Dr. Maddock was teaching
from the book of Revelation.
Continued on page 8
Gods Infinite Wisdom by Ann Clark
Joyce Davidson and Beth Baleke
-
7/29/2019 The Edifier Issue 3.Sept - Dec Issue
4/8
VO LUM E 1, IS SU E 3 PAGE 4
Fact One - The oldest person i n the Bible was Methuselah. He died when he was 969 years old.
Fact Two - The wisest man in the Bible is Solomon
Fact Three - The strongest man in the Bible is Samson
Fact Four - The tallest villain in the Bible is Goliath at over 9 feet tall
Fact Five - King Solomon had 700 wives
Fact Six - The greatest warrior in the Bible is Gideon. With 300 men, 300 trumpets,
and with God, He defeated 135,000 Midianites
Fact Seven - A raven was the first animal out of the ark
Fact Eight - The Star of Bethlehem was repo rted by Matthew, but at the same time
Chinese astronomers recorded it, too.
Fact Nine - The Bible was written over a 1500 year span (from 1400 B.C to A.D. 100)
over 40 generations
Fact Ten - The Bible was written by over 40 authors
Fact Eleven - The Bible was written in three languages - Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek
Fact Twelve - The Bible was written on three continents - Asia, Africa, and Europe
Fact Thirteen - There are 3,566 ,480 letters in the Bible
Fact Fourteen - The Bible was the first book t o be printed, in 1454
Fact Fifteen - The Bible has been translated into 1200 languages
Fact Sixteen - Noah was 600 years old when he built the ark, and 950 years old when h e died.
Genesis 7:6 and Genesis 9:29
Fact Seventeen - Adam was 930 when he died. Genesis 5:5
Fact Eighteen - After Moses was give n the Ten Commandments, he wore a veil over his face
because he glowed. Exodus 34:33-35
Fact Nineteen- Joseph was 17 when his brothers s old him to the Ishmaelite's. Genesis 37:2
Fact Twenty The word Christ means, the Anointed One, the King.
The untimely death of Trayvon Martin
and trial for the shooter is bringing out
opposing opinions of Christians about
the verdict. The shooter said, It was
Gods will. That statement stayed in my
mind. What is Gods will I asked myself?Jesus speaks to us in the Lords Pray-
er. Matthew 6:13, lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil. I
thought about the times when I did not
listen when the Holy Spirit was directing
my path. I had to do it my way. When the
result was not good, I said to myself, I
should have listened and obeyed the
Holy Spirit. Other times when I did obey,
I said, Thank you Lord, I did it your way.
At other times when I was obedient, I
didnt know what trial or situation was
avoided, but I had peace because I did itGods way.
Was it Gods will for a young man to die
and the shooter go free? Christians are
divided on this issue, but life goes on.
Because of this incident many Christians
will seek Gods will as to what they should
do to bring healing to our communities
As part of the body of Christ, no matter
what your color, everyone will have differ-
ent assignments to bring about change
but remember we possess this precious
treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in
[frail, human] vessels of earth, that the
grandeur and exceeding greatness of the
power may be shown to be from God and
not from ourselves. 2 Corinthians 4:7
Amplified Bible. Allow the divine Light of
the Gospel to make clear what you should
do concerning this and any of lifes other
issues.
What is Gods Will? By Joyce Davidson
The shooter said,It was
Gods will.
Was it Gods will
for a young man
to die and the
shooter go free?
-
7/29/2019 The Edifier Issue 3.Sept - Dec Issue
5/8
After their basement flooded and mold was found in
the house they had rented for 4 years, Maurice and
MyKesha Lytle were given an unexpected 30 day no-
tice to move. As they prayed and put their trust in
God, He opened necessary doors for them to become
homeowners.
After getting the 30 day notice they learned of a first-
time homeowners program which would help with the
much needed down payment. The problem was to
find a house, make an offer, and complete the loan process in 18
days. With the deadline for the program fast approaching, they put
a deposit on a house in Austintown. Both were troubled in their
spirit about that house. They followed up on Arnold and Thais Davidsons suggestion to check houses in
McDonald. When they walked in the property in McDonald, it felt like home. MyKesha said, This is our
house.
As their moving day arrived, the U-Haul was packed and ready to go. Not knowing where they would stay
for the two days before closing, they still put all of their trust in the Lord, who always provides. Once they
arrived at the new house, knowing they could leave their belongings there, the realtor surprised them
with the house keys. He had received permission from the owners to allow them to move in before the
closing.
MyKesha, If our focus wasnt on God, we wouldnt have considered applying for a mortgage. God moved
and allowed us to be approved for what by the worlds standards we should not have qualified for.
Thankfully we live by Gods standards and not the worlds.
Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
PAGE 5 THE EDIFIER
Thankfully
we live by
Gods
standards
and
not the
worlds.The Lytles
God Providesod Providesod ProvidesSubmitted by Joyce Davidson
Psalm 121I lift up my eyes to the hills.From where does my help come?My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.Eunice Richardson is originally from Clayton Alabama and likes to
read scriptures. Her favorite one is Genesis 1:1. In the beginning
God created heaven, and earth. For a time she did not attend church.
Her mother and Jessie Belle Cross, who are both deceased, told her
she needed to get back into church.
Eunice Richardson celebrated her 90th birthday
Eunices testimony: Fellowship with the Lord and reading scriptures has been a wonderful experience. At
first I would sit and cry after my husband died. But I realized I would not get stronger that way. I began to
look to God for strength. One day I realized I didnt cry as much anymore. I thank God that one day I will
meet my husband again in heaven, Eunice will also see her mother and Jessie Belle Cross who encouraged
her to get back in church.
Eunice Richardson
-
7/29/2019 The Edifier Issue 3.Sept - Dec Issue
6/8
PAGE 6 THE ED IF IE
Garrett & Garen Benson aretwo very smart brothers.
Certainly Stars on the Horizon!
Parents, its that time already! Its time for your children to head back to the various classrooms. Its time for many
to go pick up schedules, school clothes, and class list to see who their teachers will be. BUT STOP! Parents you are
their teachers. You should be home schooling your children.
Proverbs 22:6 7 says Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it
Gods word lets us know that as a parent you are your childs first and most influential teacher. Its not from pre
school to graduation but continuous. God is holding you as the parent responsible for the training and rearing o
the children He has entrusted to you.
There are three aspects of training or schooling; dedication, instruction, and
motivation. The first is dedication. Dedication must begin with the child be
ing dedicated to God; the parent must realize that child belongs to God exclu
sively and is given to the parent as stewardship. The second aspect o
schooling is instruction. Parents are to instruct or cause their children to
learn everything essential in pleasing God. The third aspect of schooling is
motivation. Parents are to create a taste or desire within the child so tha
he/she is internally motivated to do what God wants him/her to do. The
thought, then, is that at each stage of development the parents or guardians
are to dedicate, instruct, and motivate the child to do what God has equipped
the child to do.
So as parents or guardians over the next few weeks whatever school setting
your child moves into, remember you should always be home schooling
them. We should not expect the other systems of education to do what God
is holding us accountable to do. We want our children to have the ability to be
successful, but even more importantly, to be Children of God. So, our hope
should be that when our children are independent adults, they will say what
Joshua saidAs for me and my house we will serve the LordSubmitted by Betty Washington
Congrats to Geordyn Conne formaking the Jones Dance Academ
2013/ 2014Performance Company
Good Luck this season!!!!
Brandon Beck achievedNational Honor Society status!
Congratulations Brandon!Keep up the good work!
-
7/29/2019 The Edifier Issue 3.Sept - Dec Issue
7/8
PAGE 7VO LU ME 1, IS SU E 3
The Young Ladies Ministry sponsored a two day SPA
Retreat on August 9-10, 2013. The SPA days focused
on sanctification, purification, and authentication. The
main goal was to encourage the young ladies to eitherbegin a relationship with Christ or to grow deeper in
their relationship with Him.
A second part of their SPA day was learning etiquette,
which was taught by Sis. Loree Richardson. She taught
cell phone etiquette, classroom etiquette as well as
dining etiquette, which was followed by the young ladies
setting a proper table and being served dinner and
dessert.
Finally, the young ladies were able to relax as they
enjoyed a physical spa day by painting and decorating
each others nails. The Lord truly blessed this two-day
retreat and we look forward to having this become an
Friendship Baptist Church Praise & Worship Ministry
annual event. We would like to thank Sis. Joyce
Davidson for her tireless efforts in working with the
young ladies for so long; Sis. Kim Porch for working
so hard to make sure SPA Day was successful,although she could not attend; Sis. Mykesha Lytle
for having such a servants heart; Sis. Sylvia
Williams for her willingness to share her life with
the young ladies; Sis Loree Richardson for teaching
the etiquette class and Sis. Beverly Thompson for
presenting SPA Day to the ministry. We would
also like to thank Deacon Clyde Steverson, Brother
Tom Simmons and Pastor Julius Davis for taking
time from their schedules to drive the van so that
the young ladies had transportation both days.
We truly appreciate it.
Although we have corporate
(group) Praise and Worship
at Friendship Baptist Church
of Girard, our Praise and Wor-ship Ministry encourages
every believer to make it a
personal experience by not
focusing on anyone or any-
thing except God. According
to Ministry Leader Bro. Brian
Hughes, one scripture that
embodies what the Praise
and Worship Ministry is
about is Colossians 3:16,
Let the Word of Christ dwell
in you richly in all wisdom;
teaching and admonishingone another in psalms and
hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your
hearts to the Lord.
If the mission statement of
the Praise and Worship
Ministry seems familiar, it
is because it is the same asthe churchs own: Edifying
the Saved to Evangelize the
Lost. This is because
Praise and Worship pre-
pares the hearts for the
message which will come
forth.
Any member of FBC is wel-
come to become a part of
this Ministry. No musical
expertise is needed. How-
ever, regular attendance at
rehearsals is required and,as for all ministries at the
church, regular attendance
at Sunday service and also
either Sunday school
and/or Wednesday Bible
study is necessary.
The time of Praise andWorship is not a time of
entertainment. The
Praise and Worship Min-
istry presents God to the
congregation through
scripturally based songs
to help them have an
encounter with God in a
meaningful way.
I Worship You, Almighty
God, there is none like
You. I Worship You,O Prince of Peace, that is
what I long to do.
Young Ladies Ministrys 2-Day SPA Retreat
Brian HughesFBC Praise & Worship
Ministry Leader
-
7/29/2019 The Edifier Issue 3.Sept - Dec Issue
8/8
PAGE 8VO LU ME 1, IS SU E 2
The Edifier Newsletter Mission/PurposeOur mission is three-fold:
To share the gospel of our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ and to glorify God the Father.
To inform, edify, encourage, inspire, motivate and challenge believers in Christ at FBC to a
higher standard of Christian living in the world, through the distribution of printed Christ-
centered materials.
To unify and strengthen the relationships between the FBC ministries and members, as well
as with other churches in our communities by sharing information and news about our
church, ministries and Christian businesses.Faith Statement We believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that personal salvation and
the forgiveness of sin are only available through Him, by Grace.
We believe in God the Father, Jesus Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
We believe that the Holy Bible is Gods Word to His Church and that it is complete and
fully trustworthy.
(John 3:16, Romans 3:23, John 4:16, Eph. 2:8-9, Matt. 28:19, II Tim. 3:16)
111 Water Street
Girard, OH 44420
(330) 545-2821
fbcgirard.org
http://sermon.net/fbcgirard
thenewsletter.fbc@gmail.com
PASTOR
JULIUS T. DAVIS, JR.
EDITOR/PRODUCTION
CATHY D. STEVERSON
FEATURE WRITERS
ANN CLARK
JOYCE DAVIDSON
BEVERLY THOMPSON
CONTRIBUTORS
MAURICE LYTLE
MYKESHA LYTLE
EUNICE RICHARDSON
BETTY WASHINGTON
THE EDIFIER, FBCS
CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER
WILLRELYON YOUR INPUT, YOUR
TESTIMONIES, YOUR STORIES, YOUR
IDEAS, YOUR PARTICIPATION.. BE-
CAUSETHE EDIFIERISFOR YOU..
Live Out Loud For Christ
by Beverly Thompson
What do you have to say?
2
A remarkable woman of God
by Joyce Davidson
Gods Infinite Wisdom by Ann Clark
3
What is Gods will?
By Joyce Davidson
4
Praise Reports!
Maurice & MyKesha Lytle
Eunice Richardson
5
Parents, you should be home
schooling! By Betty Washington
Bible FactsDid you know?
6
FBC Ministries 7
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
Gods Infinite Wisdom by Ann Clark, Continued from page 3
On this particular day, he was teaching from Rev. 20:11-15 and Rev. 21:27,
explaining that there are at least two books described; the book of Life and the
Lambs book. He explained that everyones name is written in the book of Life and
that when unsaved people die, the Holy Spirit erases their names from the book of
Life. Alternately, when a person is saved, the Holy Spirit writes their name in the
Lambs book of Life, and their name will never be erased. The next Sunday, now
understanding the plan of salvation and knowing that God had answered my
prayer and that I had been saved from the moment I asked Him to be my Savior, Iwas now completely happy with my salvation. Dont let anyone elses feelings or
thoughts be your answer to the Word of God. I will always thank and praise God
for His infinite wisdom and for allowing me to go through that experience. I know
now that was the way He prepared me to be the person He called me to be.
My prayer is always, let me teach Your words and not my experiences, feelings or
thoughts. I hope no one will ever squash the salvation out of me again.
top related