Our Pastor

A word ministered at Now Faith Fellowship, in Plant City; on Sunday, 16 October, 2011

     

All “sheep” need a “good Shepherd.”

[Jn 10:11]

In times past,  Abba promised to give us “pastors;” (aka shepherds) according to His heart, “which shall feed us with knowledge and understanding;” and travail with us, enduring birth pains, until Christ is completely formed in us. “Thus saith the Lord ...I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor ...be lacking.”                                              [Jer 3:15; Gal 4:19, AMP; Jer 23:4]

During this season of GTFI's Celebration, of the faithful inauguration, commission, and provision of our Lord Jesus Christ, we give pause; to reflect on  the Lord's “gift” to us. “And He gave some ...pastors ...for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”

[Eph 4:8, 11-12]

Our Pastor, Ernest R. Howell, at GTFI, is a conscientious, “sent,” overseer of the flock; who watches for our souls, and, whose hope and crown of rejoicing is that we be found in the presence of the Lord, at His coming ...and he shepherd's us toward that end.

[1 Thess 2:19-20]

The Apostle Paul, a church builder, and a mentor of pastors, admonished: “We beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you ...to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake.”

[1 Thess 5:12-13]

ThenSingsMySoul:

  SAVIOR, LIKE A SHEPHERD LEAD US,

 MUCH WE NEED THY TENDER CARE.

IN THY PLEASANT PASTURES FEED US,

FOR OUR USE THY FOLDS PREPARE:

BLESSED JESUS, BLESSED JESUS!

THOU HAST BOUGHT US, THINE WE ARE.

Jenelsie's Corner (#242)

My dear family,

Our 2011 celebration was a marvelous time of fellowship with HIM and with each other.  HIS WORD delivered to us throughout the year has been quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword.  HIS WORD to us has pierced even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit and of the joints and marrow, discerning the very thoughts and intents of our hearts.  Yet HIS WORD is our life!

I’m expecting a manifestation of HIS GREATNESS in and through us again as HE WALKS Grace and Truth Fellowship International into 2012.

Hallelujah!

Love in Christ Jesus,

Sister Jenelsie

Come To Jesus

The call, of God, has gone forth: “Come unto Me, all ye that labour (work) and are heavy laden (burdened with a load of care), and I will give you Rest.”

[Matt 11:28]

 “Although the children of Israel had been delivered out of a place, unbelief hindered them from entering into another place (His Rest), to be changed.”

[Sermon notes]

We were told that “Rest” remains a dynamic of living, that eminates from being “joined” (as a branch) to the Vine; a matter of the heart; “as the banch cannot bear fruit of itself."

[Pastor; cf. Jn 15:4]

“For he that is entered into His Rest, he also hath ceased from his own works.”

[Heb 4:10]

So, during your time of communion and worship, ASK THE SAVIOUR TO HELP YOU, (by His Spirit), to “cast ALL your care upon Him;” that you might “be anxious for nothing.”

[1 Pet 5:7; Phil 4:6]  

Jesus said: “Search the scriptures; for ...they ...testify of Me. And ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life.” As we have already aforesaid: “Works Equals Death, while Rest Equals Life.”  Come To Jesus.

[Jn 5:39-40]

    

ThenSingsMySoul;

LORD, I GIVE YOU MY HEART,

I GIVE YOU MY SOUL;

I LIVE FOR YOU ALONE.

EVERY BREATH THAT I TAKE,

EVERY MOMENT I'M AWAKE,

LORD, HAVE YOUR WAY IN ME.

Salvation, An Event Or A Journey

Jesus in the mornin,' Jesus in the noon day, Jesus at supper time.

We were reminded that God's purpose in bringing the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage (aka darkness/“sin”) was to deliver them into a place/land(of “Light”/Rest) promised; where He could manifest/demonstrate His faithfulness, and favour in-unto-and through them, that He saves; in the midst of the other nations.  [Pastor]

We underscore “out of” and “into,” to emphasize the “process” of salvation; being a deliverance “out of” darkness, and a translation “into” the kingdom of (God's) dear Son; as a precursor to Abba's admonition to us to: “Walk in the Light, (as children of the Light), as He is ...the Light.”

[Col 1:13; Eph 5:8; 1 Jn 1:7]

 In like manner, our salvation is more than an “event” (a milestone in our life and times), but the first step in a “journey” in the earth; with Jesus, as “the author, and the finisher, of our faith.” After all, God is not a man, that He should lie; neither ...repent: Has He not spoken? And shall He not do as He has spoken?

[Heb 12:2; Num 23:19]

 ThenSingsMySoul:

 JUST A CLOSER WALK WITH THEE.

GRANT IT, JESUS, IS OUR PLEA.

DAILY WALKING CLOSE TO THEE.

LET IT BE, DEAR LORD, LET IT BE.

Jenelsie's Corner (#241)

My sisters and brothers at Grace and Truth,

Oh, enough has not been spoken of how our Father and Lord Jesus have satisfied us with “manna” and “living water.”  HE has weaned us from the “breasts”, now preparing meals so scrumptious that we have to eat them slowly to savor every bite.  HE knows what is good for us too, feeding us seasoned dishes over and over to provide the nutrients HE knows we need.  It is wonderful how our Lord has even taught us how to eat meat—in small portions, chewing it well to allow the flavor to delight us.  Yes, the food is absolutely delicious, and the water HE serves quenches our thirst.

“Oh, taste and see that our LORD is good.”

Hallelujah!

Love in Christ Jesus,

Sister Jenelsie

"Work" Equals "Death," "Rest" Equals "Life"

It is written: “For he that is entered into His rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from His.” [Heb 4:10]

You may never fully know what a relief it is to come to realize “Jesus Paid It All;” and that “grace” is God's “gift” for “works.” [Eph 2:8]

Knowing “the end from the beginning,” Abba foreshadowed the destiny of every believer; when He “rested from all His work,” on the 7^th day of creation.                                      [Isa 46:9(b)-10(a); Gen 2:2]

And, after the foundation for our salvation was laid (which is Jesus Christ), then the invitation is extended: “Come unto Me, all ye that labour (work), and are heavy laden (burdened with a load of care), and I will give you Rest.”

[1 Cor 3:11; Matt 11:28]

“When we are delivered into His Rest, we are joined to His works(life), that are (is) already finished; from the foundation of the world.” [Pastor]

ThenSingsMySoul:

REST IN ME,

I AM THE LOVER OF YOUR SOUL.

REST IN ME,

I'VE GOT EVERYTHING UNDER CONTROL.

I AM ALFA, AND OMEGA; 

THE BEGINNING AND THE END.

I AM YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER,

ON WHOM YOU CAN DEPEND.

Jenelsie's Corner (#202)

Dear Grace and Truth Family,

Blessings to each of you!  What wonderful “grace for grace” we have from our Father through Lord Jesus, as pertaining to the Holy Ghost.  Let the testimonies come forth about the walk HE has given us in this new understanding of the working of HIS SPIRIT in us.  Surely HE has manifested the “fullness” of HIS SPIRIT in us during this past week, or HE is causing a hunger like never before for the “filling” of HIS SPIRIT.  So in worshipping HIM, we can just rejoice in the TRUTH for all HE has done in the fulfilling of HIS PROMISE, to baptize us in the HOLY GHOST.

Hallelujah!

Your sister,

Jenelsie

Pastor’s wife