Chosen Generation Youth Group has returned from the Georgia Missions Trip! We are all tired, but very excited about the wonderful things the Lord did during the long awaited trip. We were blessed by the Southern Hospitality that everyone at Faith Worship Center in Lexington, GA showed us. The youth got to work as soon as we arrived. Some began to unload the trailer, while others sorted the donated clothes by age and gender group.

The men worked on the pavilion and the ladies brushed up on their painting inside the fellowship hall. Everyone worked as a team and the task was accomplished in record timing! We took part in a ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand opening of a Mexican restaurant owned by a brother in the church. We also participated in a community fair where the children of the church took part in.

Chosen Generation passed out flyers and witnessed to those at the fair. A Pastor from a nearby church was so impressed with the actions of our youth, that he invited them to return for a Back to School Explosion concert next year with Hook Square as their guest! We visited the Dairy Farm and were able to tour the grounds and speak to one of the families that work there. The entire process was explained as the youth listened intently and asked questions. This was certainly a memorable experience for them.

The Youth Concert!

Hook Square had its first concert in Georgia on Friday night! They rocked the house! Each person, regardless of age, enjoyed the music. The band members allowed the Spirit of the Lord to lead and in the middle of the concert, there was an altar call. Many came up and were ministered to. Ricky Jr. gave a powerful message afterwards, and again, the church body rushed to the altar for prayer. Truly, it was a site to see how our young adults were being used to minister.

The Services!

Wow! Our God is incredible! Words cannot describe the magnitude of the One we serve!! Each service was filled with the presence of the Almighty! Lives were touched and changed as people came up to the altar every night for prayer. Sunday night was especially powerful! The power of the Holy Spirit fell just like in Pentecost and our entire youth group was filled with the Spirit of God! It was a sight to see.

Revival broke out in a supernatural way as all of the voices in the sanctuary worshiped in one mind and in one accord! It was such a beautiful sound! Chosen Generation will never be the same!

Thank You!

We want to thank each and every one of you that supported this trip with your financial support, prayers, fasting and encouragement. The clothes, canned food, and gift cards were put to good use in the much needed areas of Lexington. The hand of God moved mightily! This could not have been done without you and we thank you from the bottom of our hearts!

Combined Service This Sunday

A reminder that this coming Sunday, August 2nd is our combined service at 11:00am. Our Youth Sunday School, Ignite, and adult Sunday School, is at 10:00am.

Filed under: Announcements, Commentary, Mission Trip '09 by Yvetter Gallinar
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Yesterday, we discussed how a word can construct or destroy. We also mentioned how the Word of the Lord is flawless (Read Part 1 of the article). Today we ask, is what are we saying aligned with God’s Word?

A HIGHER STANDARD

We know that as worldly men and women, our words are cheap and dispensable. But as Christians, our words carry authority and truth. We must align our thoughts, words and actions with God’s Word. Additionally, as Christians we are held to a higher standard. Regardless of what you think, you are being judged by a higher standard than non-believers. Are you holding your end of the standard?

How many times have you seen someone say one thing and do another? How that does makes you feel? We know our respect for that person changes when their words are not aligned with their actions. Likewise, when we say we believe in the True Lord and Savoir, but we act completely in disobedience with His commandments, are we becoming the person we tend to lose respect for?

THE PATH OF YOUR WORDS

Job 15: 5-6 says, “Your sin prompts your mouth; you adopt the tongue of the crafty. Your own mouth condemns you, not mine; your own lips testify against you.” God warns the wicked not to go on his wicked ways, and the righteous not to stray from its good ways. When we depart from our values and start devaluing our word, it leads us to a path of:

• Lying,
• deception,
• disappointment,
• justification,
• emptiness
• and Sin.

When we maintain God’s instructions, it leads us to a path of Strength, Blessings and helps us be a Role Model to others.

THE WORD OF A CHRISTIAN

As Christians, we must be full of the Lord’s teaching. Our words must be full of love and wisdom like His Words. God wants us to grow as His son, Jesus did. We must please the Lord with our words and actions. To develop that stature, our words must not be hollow. They must have:

• Faith – Our faith pleases God. When we speak, we must project the same faith that our Lord, a faithful God, provides to us. We must speak words of light and not of darkness. We must speak Words that spark the candle and do not blow out the flame.
• Wisdom – the man of God must increase his spiritual knowledge so he is equipped for every good work. (Luke 2:52)
• Favor - We must develop a vertical fellowship with the Lord and a horizontal relationships with others. We should seek opportunities to share our testimonies, about how we overcame obstacles and problems through the word of God, with those who are lost and all of our friends and family.
• Integrity – It’s the firm adherence to a code of moral value. It is an unimpaired condition. It is a synonym to Honesty. (Isaiah 55:11) The Word of the Lord has purpose and is not void.
• Accountable – We are obligated and bound by our words. We are responsible for what we say and we have to answer our Living God.

God instruct us to build up and not destroy. As Christians our word must build families, relationships, sons, daughters, brothers, sisters and communities. I want to close this article with the following prayer:

Lord, your Word is life and I take refuge in it;
And Your instructions are my guide and my light.
May my actions and words be pleasing to You;
Fill me with Your love and wisdom, and help me to be the person you called me to be.
Amen

Filed under: Commentary by Roberto Montanez
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Words are a vehicle for us to express our thoughts, feelings and beliefs. With words, people and nations have been built and crumbled. Words have the power of life and death (Proverbs 18:21). Our relationships are based on our words and the actions that follow them. Our words reflect character. It reflects who we are and what we are.

We all have been in relationships where words have helped us or hurt us. Just think back at those important people in your life; your father, mother, teacher or friend. Their words of encouragement have helped us become who we are today.

NOT ALL WORDS ARE EQUAL

As Christians we know that not all words are equal. The word of man is common, breakable, can be recanted, doubtful, at times hateful, and it is empty and inaccurate. (Psalm 5: 9). In contrast the Word of our Savior is strong, accurate, precise, correct, perfect and flawless. As Proverbs 30:5 says, “Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.“

In addition the Word of God is full of life (Matthew 4:4). The worldly words are destructive, while the Word of God is constructive and powerful.

THE WORD OF THE LORD

Many, including Christians, forget how powerful the Word of the Lord is. His Words are so strong it is understood in ALL languages and in ALL cultures. For those who are bilingual, you can understand how an expression in one language is not fully translatable into another. But with the Holy Word there is no such a thing as “Lost in Translation”.

The Bible tells us what God wants us to know, and it does so in the best way possible. It does not mince words. But we must understand that the best way possible is not man’s way but God’s way. (Isaiah 55:8). Additionally, there is absolutely no equivalent to the Word of the Lord. No other word can fill you like the Word of God. His Word bring comfort during times of tribulation.

The Word of the Lord revives our soul and makes simple people wise. His word is our daily bread. By learning more about the Word, we can obtain the truth and wisdom that no other book in the world can provide.

My question to you, is what you are saying aligned with God’s Word?

Tomorrow we will address that question. In the meantime, I would like to hear your comments.

Filed under: Commentary by Roberto Montanez
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