THOROUGHLY EQUIPPED

On the day of His ascension to heaven, Jesus prepared His disciples for the task that was before them. He explained the Old Testament Scriptures to them (Luke 24:45), outlined their mission (Luke 24:47), and told them they would receive "power from on high" (Luke 24:49) from the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). Thus, He revealed the two dynamics that would equip all who would follow Him: Word and Spirit.

The equipping of believers by the Word of God and the Holy Spirit became the hallmarks of Christian discipleship. By the Spirit, we are given gifts, abilities, and traits to manifest the ministry of Christ in the world (Romans 12:1 Corinthians 12; Galatians 5). And by the Word of God we are taught, challenged, corrected, and trained so we "may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Do you want to be useful to God in serving Him? Yield to the Spirit of God and live in the Word of God, and you will be thoroughly equipped.

I Corinthians 12:11, 18
But one and the same Spirit works all these (spiritual gifts), distributing to each one individually as He wills ... But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Judy & Grayson Corder, Barbara Minger, Nancy Mosher, Priscilla Laughlin, Sharalyn Boynton, Gene Rice, and Donna Scott. Keep praying for Israel, our Pastor Tommy, our pastor's wife Teresa, and our West Oaks Academy.

DID YOU KNOW?

• **Grayson Corder had triple bypass heart surgery this past week and is doing well, thanks to the many prayers for his recovery.
• **Have you met Verona Braham yet? She is from Kingston, Jamaica originally, studied at Mico University College, and now teaches 2nd grade at the Tangelo Park Elementary School in Ocoee. Be sure and meet her: she & I sit together so I can introduce you to her.
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• **There are more Christians in China than the population of Britain. 2% of Israeli citizens are Christian, 47,000 Christians in the West Bank and 3,000 in Gaza Strip.
• **A top-rated Christian podcast on Spotify is The Narrow Path w/ Steve Gregg.
• **A top-rated book for 2024 includes Heavenward: How Eternity Can Change Your Life on Earth by Cameron Cole. Following the unexpected loss of his firstborn child, pastor Cameron Cole's daily focus shifted drastically heavenward. He discovered that an intentional eternal mindset can bring meaning and joy to every Christian's life. In this heartfelt, theologically rich book, Cole draws from his personal story of grief, the apostle Paul's letters, and the examples of believers throughout history to demonstrate how heavenly mindedness fosters contentment, hope in suffering, motivation for missions and evangelism, commitment to morality and ethics, and no fear in death."
• **The Nelon family, a Christian group that lost 3 of their 4 family members in a recent plane crash unveiled their last CD this week: Loving You.

Wit and Wisdom

• * If Jesus instructed us to . . ."Continue to love your enemies" (Matthew 5:44), why would you have ever hate your enemy? Do political leaders who advocate hatred and war against enemies REALLY follow the way of Jesus?"
• * Be as kind as you can today; because you may not be here tomorrow.
• * It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one.
• * He who angers you, controls you!
• * If God is your Co-pilot - swap seats!
• * Prayer: Don't give God instructions - just report for duty!
• * The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.
• * The Will of God will never take you to where the Grace of God will not protect you.