Ministry Leaders Mitch & Lena Minney
Welcome! It is the month of July already and we are moving fast into the summer months. We have had our first Worship with the Arts outreach at our city park in an effort to take the body of Christ outside the four walls. We are gearing up for our second outreach next month. We also have in operation Bread of Life Food Pantry which is directed by Ministry Leader Jackie Schofield. Food is distributed on the third Saturday of the month. We have had opportunity to minister with food and prayer while visiting with neighbors who have come to the pantry. We work with Valley House of Prayer, a 24 hour night and day prayer and worship center and healing rooms.
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We would like to encourage everyone to send in articles and pictures to be put in the newsletter. We are quite interested in your ministries , your ministry outreaches, your prophetic words and encouragements. Mail any articles to Winds of Change Ministries, 343 Mill Run Road, Parkersburg, WV 26104. Email us at: office@windsofchangeintl.com or call at 304-428-0823.
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I would like to thank Rev. Margaret Dewitt from Hughson, Ca. for her lovely note. It really made my day knowing someone is reading The Voice. It really gave me a boost to keep on typing.
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We have also been hearing from Rev. Marissa Ill from Westport, CT. Marissa is sharing an article this month which is timely for this season.
Rev. Marissa Ill
My Tent is My Business
www.warriorpoetes.com, www.marykay.com/marissa
The Time is Now. Now is the Time. Yes, I meant to say that twice. Now is the Time for you to start your business, make that change, step out of your comfort zone (whatever that is) and GROW. A friend of mine recently pointed out the difference between the Israelites "Wilderness" relationship with Jehovah God, and their "Promised Land" relationship with Him. In the Wilderness He supplied their every need, daily, by providing manna, and when they complained, quail. This was to teach them not only dependence on Him, but the consistent going out to receive the meeting of their needs. He is the Source of Supply. When they were afraid and stored up food for the next day it spoiled and He was displeased with their doubt. But in the Promised Land, he expected them to mature, the Wilderness lessons having been learned and learned well. In the Promised Land, His plan was for them to remember the "dailiness", and add to it cultivation. The definition of cultivate in Webster’s Dictionary is "to prepare or prepare and use for the raising of crops; to loosen or break up the soil about (growing plants); to foster the growth of; improve; refine; further, encourage". The Israelites had to work in order to be refined. Selah. They were free – so they worked their own land – no longer slaves to Egypt and toiling each day to build someone else’s "castle in the air"…or pyramid, as it were. Through their daily cultivation of their own ground, they were refined. They were business-owners, family business-owners, a community of free people under Jehovah. My personal concern is this: that we have been lazy so long in the Church and expecting God to "save" us – financially, emotionally, relationally – when the Truth is, He already has. He has provided everything WE NEED to WORK OUT OUR SALVATION. Jesus Christ showed us how to live – according to heaven’s rules – here on earth. He died to set the path for our spiritual salvation, and all we need to do is believe on Him to be saved spiritually. However, our finances, our relationships, our emotions are part of the soul and flesh realm and they need daily work. God probably will not drop an envelope with a million dollars on your pillow…believe me, I was waiting myself. And when it didn’t come, I questioned Him on it. I had served Him, set my life on a path according to His calling – and still, no envelope. In fact, the envelope that did come was a bill taking away everything down to my last one cent. Literally. And as I held that bill in the air for Him to explain (true story), He told me he had given me a business plan 9 years ago and I was to take it out and use it. You see, I was in the Promised Land the whole time acting like I was in the Wilderness. He’s no longer going to give me manna and treat me like a baby. I am an adult. He has given me the tools to cultivate this earth and cause it to submit to Him, as I have. Paul, the Apostle, had a tent-making business. It was His covering. It was the reason He was free to go about the Lord’s work when He was called – because some of the perks of owning your own business I have come to learn are being your own boss, setting your schedule according to your priorities, growing as fast & consistently as you decide and work towards. It is SO WORTH IT. You are going to work in this life. Why aren’t you working for yourself, your family, your community, and the globe to build the dreams God has given you? If it’s laziness or fear, repent and be forgiven. Get wisdom. Get counsel in the area God has given you to grow. And then go out EVERY DAY and GROW it. Cultivate your dreams. You are worth it. You deserve it and God has called you to it.
Lena Minney
A Giving Heart Mark 12:41-44 (The Message
)41-44 Sitting across from the offering box, he was observing how the crowd tossed money in for the collection. Many of the rich were making large contributions. One poor widow came up and put in two small coins—a measly two cents. Jesus called his disciples over and said, "The truth is that this poor widow gave more to the collection than all the others put together. All the others gave what they'll never miss; she gave extravagantly what she couldn't afford—she gave her all.
Christ’s praise of the poor widow that cast two mites into the treasury, which Jesus, had been busy preaching found spare time to take notice and observe. He paid attention to the amount and the heart.
How awesome to hear that God has noticed our giving and that he takes note of our generosity and our compassion.
Jesus Christ had an understanding by the giving at the temple; He sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the container for alms.
Jesus takes notice of what we contribute. Whether we give liberally or sparingly; whether cheerfully or with reluctance, He looks at the heart; he observes what principles we act on, and what our views are in our giving, whether we do it as unto the Lord, or only to be seen of men.
Have you ever given in an offering because of what others might think of you if you didn’t? Have you ever felt a tug on your heart like here is an opportunity I have to give? Have you ever felt compelled to give from deep inside? When the revelation of relationship with our Heavenly Father becomes a reality to us, there will be such freedom and desire to give. It will have to do with relationship not with money but it will affect our giving. Our destiny is to walk in the fullness of God and that was made possible through Jesus Christ. It is not an issue of faith. It is already ours. It is an issue of knowing positively that Our Heavenly Father loves us completely, totally, abundantly, and overwhelmingly. We have total assurance of his acceptance. I can boldly go into the throne room into his presence.
Jesus saw many that were rich cast in much: and it was a good sight to see. It is good to see rich people charitable, to see many rich people give, and to see them give a lot.
But here was a poor widow that gave two mites, which make a farthing or a very small amount. Probably by most people considered worthless unless you have nothing. And yet Jesus highly commended her; he called his disciples to him, and said look at her, this is important. He told them that she could not easily spare that which she gave, she had scarcely enough for herself, it was all her living, all she had to live on for that day, and perhaps a great part of what she had earned by her labor the day before. To him it was more than all that put together, which the rich people put in; for they did give of their abundance, but she out of her need.
What was the reason for her bringing it to the treasury? To be disposed of by the chief priest, who we have reason to believe were partial and played favorites. Not anyone would blame her for not giving out of her lack. what good does it do? But not many will do as she did. Jesus blesses her by recognizing her. What she was doing was not only right but it was wise.
If Jesus says,"Well done", no matter who says other wise; we must take heart and learn from this.
1. Giving is an excellent and good thing, and highly pleasing to the Lord Jesus; and if we be humble and sincere in it, he will graciously accept it as a sweet smelling fragrance.
2. Those that have but a little, ought to give out of their little.
3. It is very good for us to deny ourselves, that we may be able to give more to the poor to deny ourselves not only excesses but also even our own personal comforts for the sake of love. We should in many cases be joyous, that we may supply the necessities of others. This is loving our neighbors as ourselves.
4. If we can give but a little in Charity, yet if it be according to our ability, and be given with an upright heart, it will be accepted of Christ, who requires according to what a man has, and not according to what he doesn’t have. Two mites shall be put upon the score, and brought to account, if given in the right manner, as if they had been $2000.00.
5. It is much to the praise of Love, when we give not only in our ability, but beyond our ability, as the Macedonian churches, whose deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality as in 2 Cor. 8:2-3.
Verse 2 For in the midst of an ordeal of severe tribulation, their abundance of joy and their depth of poverty (together) have overflowed in wealth of lavish generosity on their part.
Verse 3 For, as I can bear witness, (they gave) according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability; and (they did it) voluntarily.
When we can cheerfully provide for others, out of our own necessary provision, as the widow that gave the last of the oil and flour for Elijah in 1Kings 12-14, and trust God to provide for us some other way, this is approved, acceptable and wins Gods favor.
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Frankies Corner
The first album by White Cross was self titled White Cross. "Who Will You Follow", is a powerful song asking a powerful question.
The lyrics go: Who will you follow? Satan or the Author of Life! The Author of Life is Jesus Christ. If we will follow Christ and put our trust in him and not live for this world, or Satan, Our Author will give us Eternal Life.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that who so ever would believe in him would not perish but have Eternal Life.
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