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. 



                

Join Us on Pentecost Sunday

Pentecost Sunday is the seventh Sunday after Easter that acknowledges and celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples.  Jesus promised that when he decended into heaven that he would send us a comforter, a helper, the Spirity of truth, the Holy Spirit, to lead, guide and keep us connected to our Heavenly Father (John 14:15-17).   His promise was fulfilled in Acts 2:1-4,"When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.  And suddenly there came from heavven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.  And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.  And  they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance."

On Sunday, June 8th, we will be celebrating Pentecost with guest speaker Apostle Gregory Kelley, Pastor of Restoration of Life through Jesus Christ Ministries, Inc.  We invite you to come learn more about Pentecost Sunday and celebrate Jesus Christ with us.

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

7 Characteristics of a Good Solider

 The 7 Characteristics of a Good Soldier

1. Intergrity- The ability to remain faithful and ethical to complete the mission.
2. Dicipline-  The ability to stay focused and remain consistent despite your emotions.
3. Endurance- Relentless determination to finish the mission.
4. Intelligence- The ability to acquire and apply knowledge and skills appropriately to any situation.
5. Good Judgement-  The ability to be ethical and fair when deciding on a course of action.
6. Courage- The ability to move forward in difficult situations.
7. Tact - The ability to deal appropriately with others in challenging situations.

Today we acknowledge and celebrate the integrity, dicipline, endurance, intelligence, good judgement, courage and tact of all of our men and women in the military, both past and present.  We're truly thankful to God for blessing them with these characteristics to protect us and they are always in our prayers. Have a safe and blessed Memorial Day.

Please visit us online at www.churchofatlantalighthouse.org.