CCC E-Newsletter

Knowing the Faithfulness of God
By Apostle Frederick K.C. Price

Knowing God’s faithfulness, His promises and the reliability of those promises ultimately gives us the ability to move in faith.  You receive strength to begin a faith adventure by judging God to be faithful.  However, it is one thing to begin a faith project, and it is something else again to bring it to its conclusion.  “Oh, glory to God, I believe I receive!”  Six months later, you are walking around stepping on your ears because your head is so far down to the ground.

Many have judged God faithful – faithful enough to begin a faith adventure.  They stepped out in faith, believing and confessing God’s Word.  They crossed over the threshold.  They got past the threshold and started their faith walk.  But somewhere along the line, they did not have enough strength to complete what they started.

I have watched Christians in days gone by who made all the right confessions; they did this, that and the other thing.  But because they did not see an answer in 15 minutes, they lost their strength and began to waver.

Sarah judged God faithful to get started, and she continued judging Him faithful to see her project reach its completion.

Hebrews 10:23: Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

To “hold fast” means to get a grip on something and don’t let it go, no matter what happens.  When you start out on a faith project, do not give up until the project is completely manifested!  The reason why some Christians have never reached the apex of that which their hearts desire is because they are not willing to hold on without wavering.  It costs something to hold on and be consistent.

However, when you think about the faithfulness of God, His promises, how many times He has never failed you, you should have the attitude, “I am going to stand on this promise if it takes 10,000 years!  Ten thousand years and one day later, I’ll be standing on the promise of God.  I will not waver; I don’t care what happens, I am going to hold on without wavering!”

I made up my mind when I found out how to walk by faith that I was going to take God at His Word no matter what happens.  I had the kind of attitude that affirms, “This is coming to pass or I am going to die – one of the two!”

This is the kind of attitude you have to have.  A dogged determination that says, “I am not going to be defeated!  I will not give up!”  Sometimes in the natural you want to give up, but that is when you have to know what God has promised in His Word.

Now, once you make this stand you will be challenged.  The devil will tempt you to question whether God will do what He said He will do.  Satan will argue with you day and night to try to talk you out of the fact that you believe God is faithful.  Sometimes the circumstances will be so orchestrated against you that you will think, “I wonder if God will.”  But you have to be bold as a lion.

In Matthew 11:12, Jesus said, "… the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.”  What did He mean?  You do not have to try to take anything from God because God is not withholding anything from you.  It is the devil who is standing in the middle of the road, trying to block you and keep you from getting across to the kingdom – the promises of God.

Satan will try to stop you in every way he can.  You cannot walk up and say, “Mr. Devil, would you please allow me to pass across?”  No, you have to be violent about it because violence is all he understands.  You have to be bold in your faith walk. 

Every time the enemy comes against you, sit down and start considering the faithfulness of God.  Go over your life to see what God did to bring you victory in whatever the situation may have been.  You may remember some things you forgot about – some things that at the time seemed insignificant.  But when you put it all together and begin to make a cumulative list of what God has done on your behalf, it will make you as bold as a lion.

Always remember that God is faithful.  Trust Him. Count on Him.  He is reliable.  He will not fail you – He is on your side!

 How to Rebuild Your Teens Interest in Church
by Pastor Jon and Minister Debra Carr

We often hear stories from parents who are at a loss because their teenage child, who once loved church, has lost interest in attending service.  Exhausted from the Sunday morning battle on the need to attend church, many parents decide to throw in the towel and let their son or daughter stay home.  After all, they conclude that if they would rather stay home than go to go church, it may not benefit them anyway.

Leading researchers point out that "just because a person identifies what it is they do not necessarily want, doesn’t mean they know what they need.”  Rebuilding interest in church for a teen may seem difficult and maybe even feel impossible—however, it’s not!  By leading your teen on the right path and taking the right steps, your son or daughter can live a fulfilled life in Christ.  You have already taken the first step by seeking Godly counsel.

Proverbs 22:6 says “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (NKJV)  Here’s how the New Living Bible states it, “Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.”  The way he should go—or the path he should take (in this scripture) refers to the tenor of his way (i.e. his gifting, his talent, his bent, the path especially belonging to, the path especially fitted for the individual's character, etc.).  The proverb enjoins the closest possible study of each child's temperament and the adaptation of "his way of life" to that. Train means to - initiate, and so educate.

As a parent, you have been given the ability to identify your child’s gifts and abilities.  Once those gifts and abilities have been discovered, you are to then provide direction, education, and training to assist him/her in finding their way.  This applies to church as well as other areas of life.  You can help your teen find their place within your local church and within the church “globally” by getting them “plugged-in” through serving in the ministry.  By doing this you will provide them with the “want to” for going to church regularly.

Here are six things you can do to help your teen:

Identify your son or daughter’s interest.  Is it music, sports, technology, reading?
Find opportunities within the church where he/she may use their talents.  For example, if your teen is into music, contact your music minister and seek ways that they may assist in the Music Department.  If they like computers or media, perhaps they can work with the Media Department.  If your teen enjoyed his/her time in Children’s Ministry, perhaps you can encourage them to volunteer in the Children’s Ministry.  Challenge them to come up with ideas to make Children’s Church more exciting than when they attended.

Lay the ground work.  Prior to your teen meeting with any of these departments, you should meet with them first.  Explain to the individual that oversees that department that your teen is very gifted in or interested in that area and you believe if given the chance, your teen could provide service that would enhance that department.

Become your son or daughter’s biggest cheerleader!  Talk to them about things they may be interested in and how it relates to the church.  Let them tell you what they would do if they ran the church or the department they’re interested in.  Then let them know that perhaps God has given them such great ideas because that’s what they are called to do.  Let them know what a blessing they would be to your church if they got involved!

Listen to your teen!  Take them to lunch after service.  Ask them to tell you three things they got from the message.  Ask them to share how they will apply at least one thing from message this week.  Share what you got out of the message and how you will apply it as well.

Speak the Word over his/her life and see them through the eyes of faith.   See them serving God all the days of their life and loving every minute of it!

Meditate on scripture: Proverbs 22:6 which reads “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” (NKJV)