How Do You Deal With Your Issues?

Issues.  We all have them.  Sometimes we can deal with them quickly and sometimes they can be overwhelming.  Sometimes we just have this one issue that we really struggle with or one issue that always seems to linger and taunt us.  So how do we deal with that?  How do we get rid of our issues and move forward?  Let's go to the word of God and take a look at how one woman dealt with her issues.   

One of the more popular accounts in the Bible about a person with issues is the woman with the issue of blood.  In Matthew 9:18-26, Jesus is on his way to save a girl who had recently died.  As always, there was a crowd around Jesus and the woman who was suffering with an issue of blood said to herself, "If I can just touch the hem of his garment, I will be made whole."  So she touched the hem of his garment and when she did, Jesus stopped and said to her, "Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole."  From that moment, she was free from her issue of blood. 

In those times, according to Jewish law, when a woman was on her menstrual cycle, she was considered to be unclean (Leviticus 15:25-27).  She was not allowed to enter the temple to worship and anyone that she touched became unclean as well.  This woman was an outcast for 12 years.  She was not able to fellowship with friends and family or attend worship services for 12 years and for 12 years, she spent the majority of her money on trying to get well, but nothing worked for her.  Even though she was considered an outcast in the community, she had heard of Jesus and his healing power.  She pressed her way through the crowd and made her way to Jesus.  The scripture states that she touched the hem of his garment, not his arm, not his shoulder, but the hem.  The hem of his garment was near the ground.  I can imagine that the combination of the crowd and her painful issue of blood forced her low to the ground, so the only thing that she was able to get close to was the hem of Jesus' garment.  Also, she didn't grab his garment, she was just able to stretch her hand enough to touch it probably for a second, but even in that second, she was completely healed.

We can learn so much from this woman on how to deal with our own issues.  No matter how long or no matter what kind of issue you might be struggling with, healing and deliverance is readily available for you through the power of Jesus Christ, if you want it.  This woman was determined to be healed.  She had her mind made up that she was going to get to Jesus no matter what people said or did to her.  Even though she was considered unclean outcast and she was not supposed to be out in public, she went to Jesus.  Even though she probably got stepped on a few times, she pressed her way to Jesus.  She sought him out and got healed.  We have to do the same thing with our issues.  We have to press our way past our pain, past the distractions of life, and reach out to Jesus with everything that we have in us.

Hebrews 4:15-16 states, "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touch with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.  Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in the time of need.." 

Philippians 4:13 states, "I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me."

We all struggle with something, but we have the awesome opportunity to bring all of our issues to an understanding, merciful God who is faithful and full of grace. Amen.

 This week's scripture: II Corinthians 5:17 " Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things have passed away; behold all things have become new."

Join Us For Our Youth Explosion This Sunday!!

Have you ever praised God until you passed out?  Well, Uncle Reece has, mainly because he just can't help himself when it comes to giving honor and glory to God.  That's the reason why he's going to be bringing the word of God at this year's Youth Explosion.  We feel so blessed to have Uncle Reece coming to the Church of Atlanta Lighthouse to share his testimony and speak life into the lives of our youth. 

At the Church of Atlanta Lighthouse, we believe in teaching our youth how to worship God in an authentic and unashamed way.  If you have a young person in your life, bring him or her this Sunday, May 3rd at 11am to learn more about God, Worship, and Purpose.  Plus, since this Sunday is all about our youth giving glory to God, causal attire is welcomed.  We look forward to praising God with you!

For more information, please visit our website at www.churchofatlantalighthouse.org.

12 Things to Consider in the New Year

It's the end of 2014 and the beginning of 2015.  This is the perfect time to slow down, reflect, and plan your year.  Just before the start of the New Year, Pastor Tim gave us 12 things to consider when moving forward into 2015.  Most of these points are referenced from the book of Nehemiah.

1. Anything is possible when you believe in God's power. Nehemiah 1:11

2. Your circle of friends is paramount to your success.  Nehemiah 2:17-18

3. The impossible becomes possible when you start believing. Nehemiah 4:4-6

4. God has plans for your life that you haven't tapped into. Nehemiah 1:1-5

5. A bad decision doesn't have to become a bad habit. 

6. When you focus on your goal, you can't be stopped.  Find your focus in God. Nehemiah 6:3-4

7. You can make some things matter more than they really do. 

8. When you create momentum with quality work, the wind of God brings traffic to you. Nehemiah 2                                                                                                                                               

                                                

9. Fear isn't always apparent, sometimes it's subtle. Nehemiah 6:1-2

10. God gives you the plan, but you determine whether or not it is executed. Nehemiah 2: 12-16

11. You won't make it to your goal, if you don't hold your course. Nehemiah 2:19-20

12. You must fight to stay positive in the face of negativity. Nehemiah 6:8-9

Read the book of Nehemiah and use these points to start 2015 in the right direction.  May God continue to bless and keep you in this New Year and in the years to come!

Worship with us on Sunday at our 8:30am or 11:00am services.  For more information about Church of Atlanta Lighthouse, visit us online at www.churchofatlantalighthouse.org, on Facebook and Twitter and Instagram @ATLLight.

Christmas Celebration!

"For unto us, a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."- Isaiah 9:6

Today we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Because of God's love for us, he sent his only son to Earth to show us how to live holy and to die for our sins so that we can have the opportunity to live forever in the presence of God.

We pray that you and your family are enjoying this celebration of Christ. May God continue to bless you and shower his favor upon you and your family.  

Continue the celebration of  Christ with us this Sunday and every Sunday at our 8:30am or 11:00am services. For more information about our church click here: www.churchofatlantalighthouse.org.

Even When I lose, I Win

Romans 8:28-29 states, " And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.  For who he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethern."

That scripture is everything!  Verse 28  means that God has purposefully and thoughtfully predestined his children to win.  It doesn't matter what obstacle we face, we were born to win.  Verse 29 reassures us that everything that we go through, is designed to conform us to the image of Jesus Christ.  So, even when we lose or it seems like we're losing, there's a lesson to be learned.  When we embrace the lesson, our hearts become more tender towards God and we mature in Christ.  Let's look at an Old Testament example of God's people winning even though they lost.

In 1 Samuel 4, the people of Israel become engaged in war with the Philistines.  During the first battle of this war, the Philistines killed 4,000 men.  What?!  God's people were destroyed by their enemies?  Yes, that happened.  The people of Israel were angry, discouraged, and because of the loss, they got desperate.  Instead of asking God for guidance, they prematurely sent for the ark of the covenant, which was a symbol of God's Divine Presence, and engaged in another battle with the Philistines (1 Samuel 4:3-9).  This time, Israel lost 30,000 men in battle and the ark of the covenant was taken by the Philistines.

In all of their losing, they were still winning.  The losses on the battle field were necessary in order to fulfill a prophecy (1 Samuel 2:34) and even though the ark of the covenant was taken, it was ushered into the enemy's camp where it destroyed the Philistines (1 Samuel 5:1-6).  The ark of the covenant was transferred from camp to camp for seven months destroying and plaguing the enemies of Israel (1 Samuel 5: 10-12).  Finally, the Philistines gave the ark of covenant back to Israel with offerings of gold and animals among other things (I Samuel 6: 1-12).

God does the same thing for us everyday.  Sometimes we make bad decisions, sometimes the enemy is trying to distract us and sometimes life happens, but in every thing, God is always working to ensure that we mature in Him and live the life that he intended for us to live.  Jeremiah 29:11 says, "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."


Memory Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus said, "You are the light of the world.  A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

www.churchofatlantalighthouse.org

Join us for an All White Casual Attire Praise Party with Casey J!

Atlanta's own Casey J is coming to the Church of Atlanta Lighthouse to lift up Jesus in our all white causal attire praise party on July 20th at both our 8:30am and 11:00am services.  Casey J is the worship pastor at Fresh Start Church in Duluth, GA.  She's graced the stage with gospel heavyweights such as James Fortune, Yolanda Adams, Tasha Cobbs and William Murphy.   Her anointed voice sets the atmosphere for worship and ushers in the Holy Spirit for a powerful move of God.  For more information about Casey J,  visit her website at www.caseyjmusic.com.

We look forward to worshiping with you on July 20th.  We will be wearing aFor more information about our events at the Church of Atlanta Lighthouse, please visit www.churchofatlantalighthouse.org.

Listen to Casey J with her anointed new single, "Fill Me Up.":  http://youtu.be/gh_eXL4s8Kg.

It's Our Home Coming!

Join us and bring a friend, Sunday, August 3, 2014 for a dynamic time in the Lord as we celebrate 41 years of serving God and bringing the lost to Christ.  Evangelist Sandra Riley will be our guest minister.  Evangelist Riley is an ordained minister and an anointed ambassador for the Kingdom of God.  She spreads the gospel both nationally and internationally through her organization, Just for U Ministries.  For more information about Evangelist Riley, visit her website at www.sandrariley.com.

This is just a sample of what you'll receive when you hear her live at Church of Atlanta Lighthouse on August 3rd.  Listen and be encouraged: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikAsWVl9c-M   

We, at the Church of Atlanta Lighthouse feel blessed to have her participate in our Home Coming services and we would love to see you, your friends, and family.  For more information about our Home Coming services, please visit our website at www.churchofatlantalighthouse.org.