Respond to God's Spirit

I’ve been very encouraged while studying the life of Paul with the other guys here at the Fellowship. Reading about the incredible ways the Lord used this servant of His has been fascinating. Paul’s walk with the Spirit of Christ almost looks to me as if he was so close to the Savior that he could do no wrong. And although we know that his walk in the Spirit wasn’t faultless, we’ve seen over and over again in our study that Paul’s response to the Holy Spirit was usually one of fruitful obedience. Paul's submission to the Lord eventually led him to Ephesus where he was used of the Lord mightily to bring about great change in that city. At first glance, the greatest change that came to this city didn't include the very practical “hands-on” ministry of Paul. However, we know that this can't be true. The influence of the Spirit through Paul had incredible effect. In Acts chapter 19 there’s a story about seven Jewish exorcists attempting to use the name of Jesus in order to free an individual from demonic possession. They’d seen or heard Paul using this ‘formula’ but were surprised to find that for them this method didn’t have any effect. Well, the effect they were looking for any way. However, the Lord had a very special plan for their unfortunate experience. The story tells us that many in Ephesus began to hold the name of Jesus in high honor in response to what they’d heard about these seven Jews. On top of that, the believers came and openly confessed their evil deeds and then ridded themselves of all their occult paraphernalia. The Spirit’s ministry always points us to Christ thus His name was held in high honor and the folks there began honoring Christ by their actions. The believers in Ephesus responded to the Spirit’s conviction and leading. The result for them was freedom from the sin that was holding them captive and an abundant amount of fruit produced in the church there in Ephesus. As those who are walking with the Lord, we too have this incredible opportunity to be freed from whatever is holding us back. The Spirit desperately wants to help us set aside sin and walk closer with Jesus. The great thing about all this is He also is willing to guide us and speak to us about those things that hold us back. Our only responsibility is to respond to Him in obedience when He speaks to us and He’ll do the rest! If you look at Acts 19 you’ll notice that Paul isn’t recorded as someone who had to coerce the people to respond to the Lord in any way. Paul simply taught them the Word, responded to the Holy Spirit himself, and then allowed the Spirit to do His work in the people. As believers in Christ, we are all free from the penalty of sin, but we each have an opportunity and responsibility to respond to the Holy Spirit’s leading in our lives too. What a gift the Lord has given us! His promised indwelling presence guides and teaches us everything we need in order to live Christ honoring lives. Respond to the Spirit in obedience and be blessed by the fruit of what that submission will bring to you and all those around you. God Bless You! Pastor Graham

And the Two Shall Become One Flesh...

May the Lord express His grace to you on this special day! How blessed we are to be in fellowship with the faithful. Ken and Debbie Parent Celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary, at Countryside, with a renewal of their vows. May 22, 2005 ...if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. — 1 John 4:12

Remember the days? Want a taste of summer?

Why wait for all of the fun and good food of the Garden Sacrifices and Burnt Offerings Summer BBQ? Good point! It's all happening this Sunday in The Garden. Well, okay, not in The Garden. It's a little cold (although, it's warming up and soon we will be outside.) But, it is happening in Encouraging Words at Countryside following the 10:00 service this Sunday. The weatherman says the sun will be warm. We say the deck will be open and the BBQs will be afire. Great friends. Great tastes. Same great price.

The great big spiritual space between Easter and Pentecost

While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?” “John’s baptism,” they replied. Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. There were about twelve men in all. (Acts 19:1-7) Something was not quite right, and Paul noticed it. Were they missing a spark in their eyes? Was there a frown on their faces? Were there words without works? Was something just a bit dull? I don’t know the exact answer, but it seems quite clear that Paul noted something was missing. The obvious observation led to the more obvious question: “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” The trouble with so many of us is that we are on the right side of Easter, but the wrong side of Pentecost. So many of us are on the right side of pardon, but the wrong side of power. If there was ever a time to be certain we’re on the right side of power it’s during Pentecost. How about us? Everything Ho-hum? Glass just a bit too half-empty? Living a non-victorious life in Christ? Maybe we’re doing fine with our pardon, but need (or perhaps, need again) the power that only comes from the Holy Spirit. Brothers and sisters, this is the week! There's a lot of spiritual space for the believer between Easter and Pentecost... it’s time to stop living between them, and move mightily into the power of God's Holy Spirit. God's People + Pentecost = POWER — Pastor Terry

Join us to prepare The Garden for Summer services.

We are only five weeks away from our Garden services. Things are looking great and we are blessed with the able-hands the Lord has blessed this Body with. On Saturday, May 21st we will be sprucing up the grounds in preparation for our June 19th outdoor service. We will be laying bark, pulling weeds, painting and much more. See Mike Masonic if you are interested in more information. God Bless and we'll see you there.

Spring is here and it's time to plant!

The weather is warming up and it is time to get flowers planted around the church grounds. If you like to get your hands in the dirt and enjoy seeing the fruit of your labor, then join us this Saturday morning at 10:30. We look forward to seeing you there!

Have We Seen God?

I just love it in Judges 13:22 when Manoah says “We have seen God!” He got it! He had seen God! We can see God too — when we worship. Worship simply means to “bow in reverence,” turning to God in awe, praising Him and expressing joy as we realize how wonderful He is. Real worship, Spirit and truth worship has God as the object. When we bow down, He is lifted up. Worship is lifting up the Lord, focusing our attention on who He is and what He has done, and voicing praise. Worship is giving Him glory, honor and praise. Worship is all about Him, and not about me. We can see God when we worship — not Folgers Coffee worship or Foamy Latte worship, (if you missed last Sunday’s study, you might need to listen in to catch all of that!) but we see God when we worship in Spirit and truth. In order to see the Lord, to be aware of His presence, we need to make the most of our time (Ephesians 5:15-16 Be very careful how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity.) We make the most of our time by worshipping (Ephesians 5:18-20 Be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.) And, once we get it (like Manoah) we’ll be doing it for all eternity (Jude 25 (To Him, to Jesus,) to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.) Let's see God! Amen!

— Pastor Terry

Women's Spring Tea

One of the events that the Countryside ladies look forward to each year, is the Spring Tea. This year, our annual tea will be held, Saturday, May 7, at 11:00 a.m. in Encouraging Words Coffeehouse and Bookstore. Our theme will be: Heart of Obedience. We encourage all ladies, young and older, to come and enjoy our time of fellowhsip. We will be having brunch and a time of worship. A few of our ladies will be sharing how God has helped them have a heart of obedience. We extend an invitation to all ladies and suggest that you sign up in Encouraging Words Bookstore, if you plan to attend. For more information regarding events and Bible studies for the sisters at Countryside, check out our website at www.countrysidefellowship.com and go to the ministries tab.

Countrysidians... we're not your usual people. Jesus has set us apart!

Well, all of the coughing wasn’t fun (isn’t the cold and flu season a delight?), but I hope you didn’t miss the main thrust of what the Lord was trying to say to us all on Sunday: JESUS HAS SET US APART! And Jesus has set us apart for Himself, not all of the devious and deceitful masks and fancies of the enemy! I recently heard of this headline and news story about a student in England: "British Teen Puts “First Time” Up For Auction on eBay" "So, how much is that virgin worth on the Internet? These days you can put almost anything up for sale on the Web. But a 19-year old British student has pushed the boundaries one step further. David Vardy, a student at Bournemouth University in England has put his virginity up for sale on eBay. “By the age of 19, most people have been under enough pressure to have lost their virginity,” Vardy told ABC News’ Good Morning America . “I haven’t lost mine yet. I have to lose my virginity, so being a creative person, what is the most crazy way? I’ll stick it out on the Internet and see what interest I get. “I’m not selling myself for sex repeatedly like a prostitute,” says Vardy, “and the money issue is simply there to put back the losers and make sure only serious bidders are interested in this. I want to protect my own safety and I want to be honest.” I have set myself apart! I am an honest man about losing my virginity. I have integrity about anonymous fornication. I have my morals, and my personal safety to consider, which is why I am only going to sell myself to an honest bidder. Oh Lord, please, come quickly! Gang, what Jesus has set us apart for hardly belongs in the same Blog as that. He has set us apart that He might be our JOY. “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” (John 15:11) He has set us apart that He might LIVE through us. “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” (John 11:25-26 ) He has set us apart because we’re God’s possession, YOU’RE COVERED! “The head of every man is Christ…” (1 Corinthians 11:3) So, brothers and sisters of Countryside, glory in the simple truth that you have been set apart by a loving, and faithful and powerful God. May He bless you this week in great and even unexpected ways as you “clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” (Romans 13:14 ) — Pastor Terry