Are you living in the spirit realm or the natural realm?
Spirit Realm:
In the HolyGhost. Totally opposite of reality. Unrealistic.Things that are expected. Things that are hoped for.How God sees our circumstance.
Sense Realm:
What it looks like. The present, reality. How man sees our circumstance.
Pastor Coward taught on what we see and what we don't see. Are you living in the sense realm or the spirit realm? If you are living in the sense realm you will always be controlled by your present situation. ( things out of your control)
"Did you know",explains Pastor Coward," the world you can't see is more powerful that what you can see?"
That's the spirit realm, the faith realm he is talking about. That place where you see yourself as God sees you. Not as what people see you.
The teaching struck a cord with us as that was very tough for us to grasp at one point in our lives. We are learning to seek after that spirit realm. Not looking at what it may actually look like in our eyes. But that it is already done in the spirit. We are just waiting for the manifestaion in the natural.The spirit is way ahead of this slow world. Technology may have got us up to speed is some ways but we will never be able no catch up to Gods way. He is bigger than technology.
Take Away Nugget
If you only believe what you see you will always miss it
Take Away Scriptures
Colossians 1:16
2 Corinthians 4:18
Jerry & Nicole Cleveland
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Sunday, November 18, 2007
November 18, 2007
Where is your focus?
Isiah 55:8
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,neither
are your ways my ways,saith the Lord"
The Levites ushered the prescence of the Lord into Agape. Members and
visitors both were praising in the third heaven.
"J" is for Jesus
"O" is for Over
"Y' is for You
"Jesus over you"
"Jesus over you"
Agape = Freedom
Free to jump, free to yell, free to run.......free to be you
Pastor Coward proclaims, "If you allow your circumstances to dictate your praise.You won't never have no praise.
"Amen, Pastor, I know that's right". One member said rather bodly from the back of the church.
Think about it. If you are are sitting in the church thinking about your bills, your spouse or those bad kids you can't praise God.
Pastor teaches us that whatever you focus on is where your mind will be. I don't know about you but bills,kids and other negative elements don't make me happy. They block my praise--my focus.
"You see" says Pastor Coward "the enemy decieves you with the distractions of this world."
That is so true. The cares of this life will weigh you down. But once you get to the house of the Lord all that "extra" stff should fall off.
Your Praise & Worship has got to be your survival.Pastor tells us that we've got to get to a place where we don't care what's going on around us. There's got to be a praise in us. We've got to find it, even if we don't feel like it.
One major point that stuck with me is this;
"I may not preach like others but I can love like Jesus -- Unconditionally
And you don't even have to love me back. Now that's a powerful statement.
To LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY and not want it returned.
It's human nature to love and want to be loved back. But to love & be okay with love not being returned is that AGAPE love.
We must strive daily for this type of love. We must not only change the way we think but change the way we love.
Jeremiah & Nicole Cleveland
Isiah 55:8
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,neither
are your ways my ways,saith the Lord"
The Levites ushered the prescence of the Lord into Agape. Members and
visitors both were praising in the third heaven.
"J" is for Jesus
"O" is for Over
"Y' is for You
"Jesus over you"
"Jesus over you"
Agape = Freedom
Free to jump, free to yell, free to run.......free to be you
Pastor Coward proclaims, "If you allow your circumstances to dictate your praise.You won't never have no praise.
"Amen, Pastor, I know that's right". One member said rather bodly from the back of the church.
Think about it. If you are are sitting in the church thinking about your bills, your spouse or those bad kids you can't praise God.
Pastor teaches us that whatever you focus on is where your mind will be. I don't know about you but bills,kids and other negative elements don't make me happy. They block my praise--my focus.
"You see" says Pastor Coward "the enemy decieves you with the distractions of this world."
That is so true. The cares of this life will weigh you down. But once you get to the house of the Lord all that "extra" stff should fall off.
Your Praise & Worship has got to be your survival.Pastor tells us that we've got to get to a place where we don't care what's going on around us. There's got to be a praise in us. We've got to find it, even if we don't feel like it.
One major point that stuck with me is this;
"I may not preach like others but I can love like Jesus -- Unconditionally
And you don't even have to love me back. Now that's a powerful statement.
To LOVE UNCONDITIONALLY and not want it returned.
It's human nature to love and want to be loved back. But to love & be okay with love not being returned is that AGAPE love.
We must strive daily for this type of love. We must not only change the way we think but change the way we love.
Jeremiah & Nicole Cleveland
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Hey Agape! and Welcome World!
I just wanted to share some of my notes from Bible study last night. Pastor has been in a powerful vein lately that is much-needed, teaching on Witnessing and Soul Winning. The Bible tells us the he that winneth souls is wise (Proverbs 11:30), but we must remember that just getting someone to visit your church, or join your church is not winning their soul. The soul is won when that person begins to make the decisions needed to change their lives and live for God. When the mind, will, and intentions of that person are changed so that there is a desire to mirror the Word of God, then the soul is won!
The night began a little differently, with a few praise and worship songs by our awesome tenor songstress Minister Cynthia Simms. She helped to usher the people into the presence of God that dwells at Agape. Pastor Coward then began to do a little review and share more of his "wisdom nuggets", (out of Matthew 5:16) pertaining to soul winning. Afterwards he released a guest (Mike, sorry I didn't catch the last name, but he's a frequent visitor) to share with us on his experience with evangelizing.What he shared was very insightful, and well received by those who were there. He shared that we must first Be Honest with those we are witnessing to. Then we must have an open mind. Not to the extent that we doubt our own God, but to be flexible enough to receive the person we are talking to so that we can understand where they are. We must also make sure that we have a willing heart. Your motive for sharing and witnessing is vital. We must develop a sincere interest in what the person is sharing, engage them with questions, and listen carefully to what is being said. I am learning for myself through my relationship with my wife, that here is a difference in carefully listening to someone, and waiting to talk! Another good point that was shared is that we must lead people to Christ, not try to BE their Christ! They should see an example of Christ through our lives, but it should not be that we should get His glory, but divert the praise to Him.
Be humble enough to share your faults so that they can see how God can forgive and restore.Don't get backed into a corner! Lean to do what Jesus did. When he was asked a question, he first discerned the motive of the heart, and then he either gave the correct answer, or he answered the question with a question- to force the person to analyze their own thinking, and allow you more leverage to avoid an argument.Learn to recognize a "fool"! Don't allow them to distract you from the point of JESUS, when you are engaged in conversation. Arouse their interest and curiosity for what you have found in Christ personally. Don't criticize, condemn, or complain. Encourage the person to talk more about themselves, and show a genuine interest in them. Know the Word well enough to be able to apply the Word to their situation or question with wisdom, instead of toting and throwing the Bible in their faces.And last, but surely not least. Remember their NAMES! This should have gone first, but I wanted to make sure you remembered this point. I pray that this helps those of you who were not there, and even strengthens those of you who were there. Be blessed of the Lord, and tell someone about the Jesus we found at Agape!
Elder Donelson
I just wanted to share some of my notes from Bible study last night. Pastor has been in a powerful vein lately that is much-needed, teaching on Witnessing and Soul Winning. The Bible tells us the he that winneth souls is wise (Proverbs 11:30), but we must remember that just getting someone to visit your church, or join your church is not winning their soul. The soul is won when that person begins to make the decisions needed to change their lives and live for God. When the mind, will, and intentions of that person are changed so that there is a desire to mirror the Word of God, then the soul is won!
The night began a little differently, with a few praise and worship songs by our awesome tenor songstress Minister Cynthia Simms. She helped to usher the people into the presence of God that dwells at Agape. Pastor Coward then began to do a little review and share more of his "wisdom nuggets", (out of Matthew 5:16) pertaining to soul winning. Afterwards he released a guest (Mike, sorry I didn't catch the last name, but he's a frequent visitor) to share with us on his experience with evangelizing.What he shared was very insightful, and well received by those who were there. He shared that we must first Be Honest with those we are witnessing to. Then we must have an open mind. Not to the extent that we doubt our own God, but to be flexible enough to receive the person we are talking to so that we can understand where they are. We must also make sure that we have a willing heart. Your motive for sharing and witnessing is vital. We must develop a sincere interest in what the person is sharing, engage them with questions, and listen carefully to what is being said. I am learning for myself through my relationship with my wife, that here is a difference in carefully listening to someone, and waiting to talk! Another good point that was shared is that we must lead people to Christ, not try to BE their Christ! They should see an example of Christ through our lives, but it should not be that we should get His glory, but divert the praise to Him.
Be humble enough to share your faults so that they can see how God can forgive and restore.Don't get backed into a corner! Lean to do what Jesus did. When he was asked a question, he first discerned the motive of the heart, and then he either gave the correct answer, or he answered the question with a question- to force the person to analyze their own thinking, and allow you more leverage to avoid an argument.Learn to recognize a "fool"! Don't allow them to distract you from the point of JESUS, when you are engaged in conversation. Arouse their interest and curiosity for what you have found in Christ personally. Don't criticize, condemn, or complain. Encourage the person to talk more about themselves, and show a genuine interest in them. Know the Word well enough to be able to apply the Word to their situation or question with wisdom, instead of toting and throwing the Bible in their faces.And last, but surely not least. Remember their NAMES! This should have gone first, but I wanted to make sure you remembered this point. I pray that this helps those of you who were not there, and even strengthens those of you who were there. Be blessed of the Lord, and tell someone about the Jesus we found at Agape!
Elder Donelson
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Sunday's Word (9/17/07)
Pastor Coward gave us a word on Sunday, huh?
I don't know about you but my toes was hurting. He was all in my space.......
One point he made that truly hit home was when he spoke about "Being alone is a setup from the enemy". That is so true. For me when I go through I cut myself off from everybody. Don't want to be around anyone. Don't want to talk to anyone. But that's not the word. Like Pastor said, "It's in those alone times that the enemy will speak to us and attack our mind."
Thoughts will come like, "They don't want to hear about your problems, they have problems of their own" ....or "don't bother them, they are too busy"
You will start questioning God.
On Sunday I was so heavy. But when I got in worship and allowed the corporate worship and praise to engulf me I was safe. I was free. It's in those times that I say "if I can just stay in this setting I will be alright, I'm at peace, I'm out of the storm, out of harms way" Do I have to go back? Can everyday be Sunday, at this exact moment in worship? Will I open my eyes and have to face it again on Monday, better yet Sunday night? I have never experienced this type of worship before...... Only at Agape
But Monday morning (or Sunday Night) will come and I will have to deal with that obstacle.
This week the Lord spoke through our leader. Everything he said (in love ) was confirmation.
I thank God for the truth. But I heard our leader on many occasions say, "It's not the truth you know, it's the truth you apply."
What will you do with the truth? What will I do with the truth?
What did you get out of the word?
Sis. Nicole Cleveland
I don't know about you but my toes was hurting. He was all in my space.......
One point he made that truly hit home was when he spoke about "Being alone is a setup from the enemy". That is so true. For me when I go through I cut myself off from everybody. Don't want to be around anyone. Don't want to talk to anyone. But that's not the word. Like Pastor said, "It's in those alone times that the enemy will speak to us and attack our mind."
Thoughts will come like, "They don't want to hear about your problems, they have problems of their own" ....or "don't bother them, they are too busy"
You will start questioning God.
On Sunday I was so heavy. But when I got in worship and allowed the corporate worship and praise to engulf me I was safe. I was free. It's in those times that I say "if I can just stay in this setting I will be alright, I'm at peace, I'm out of the storm, out of harms way" Do I have to go back? Can everyday be Sunday, at this exact moment in worship? Will I open my eyes and have to face it again on Monday, better yet Sunday night? I have never experienced this type of worship before...... Only at Agape
But Monday morning (or Sunday Night) will come and I will have to deal with that obstacle.
This week the Lord spoke through our leader. Everything he said (in love ) was confirmation.
I thank God for the truth. But I heard our leader on many occasions say, "It's not the truth you know, it's the truth you apply."
What will you do with the truth? What will I do with the truth?
What did you get out of the word?
Sis. Nicole Cleveland
Welcome Agape Family
| Welcome to the AIM Weekly Word Discussion. Each week our leaders, Cliff & Vicki Coward pour out their heart and God's love towards us. They give us Godly principles to live by. This blog is is designed to discuss what the word means to us. How are we applying it to our day to day activities? What are you getting out of the messages? Weekly Bible Study Some members are not able to attend Wednesday night Bible study. They want to be there but circumstances will not allow them to for one reason or another. This blog will also give updates on weekly Bible study topics. Those not in attendance can follow via this blog at their own lesiure. Let's share what we learn with each other. |
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