Nursing Home Residents Receive The God Kind of Love

By: Min. Angela Lee Price

Jesus Saves Ministries went to Christian Healthcare Center West (formerly James Taylor Nursing Home)in Louisville, on Sunday, August 28th to worship with the residents at their weekly afternoon worship service. We brought along special guest psalmist, national recording artist Cynthia Williams (in green far left) as we lifted up and encouraged the residents of the nursing home with prayer, praise, and the preached word. 

Our theme was 'Love One Another". Accompanied by clinician, Ms. Winburn, Cynthia Williams ushered everyone into the presence of God with songs, "Yes, Jesus Loves," "Oh, How I Love Jesus," and "Love Lifted Me."  There was such sweet spirit in the center as the residence sung along! Yvette Bentley welcomed everyone and prayed the invocation.   Brenda Willis James read Scripture, Mark 16:1-8 and Romans 13:8-9.  Min. Marian Anderson introduced the speaker.  I preached from the subject, "The God Kind of Love." My brother Rev. Michael Lee, the chaplain, gave communion to the residents.   In celebration of our 11th anniversary, we gave away 11 pairs of house shoes to residents.

There are four kinds of love expressed in the Bible.  Agape love, the highest form of love embraces a universal, unconditional love that serves regardless of circumstance.  Agape love is not a feeling; it’s a motivation to action.  Agape love voluntarily suffers inconvenience, discomfort for the benefit of another without expecting anything in return.  Believers are called to agape love,  Ephesians 5:1-2 states,  “Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children.  And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

In our communities, we see a lack of care and concern for one another.  Murder and violence is on the increase,  and our youth, increasingly, or both victims and perpetrators.  As elders, we have to speak truth in love, letting young folk know we care about them.  God give us wisdom because every situation is not for us.  Be if we are courageous in the one or two situations where we can effect change, we should do so.  Elders have to stop cowering in the dark in cars and in homes, and start loving one child at a time with the God kind of love.  Residents can spend more time with other residents, pray with them, and show more concern.

The God kind of love (1) leads one to action (1 John 3:16-18), (2) seeks Jesus early (Prov. 22:6, Ps. 5:3, Matt. 6:33); (3) often faces obstacles (Mk. 16:3); (4) presses on (Job 13:15; Phil 4:13); and (5) finds its reward (Mk. 16:6, Jeremiah 29:13)

How to Hit A Home Run With God Ticket Give-Away

Oftentimes, we strike out at the game of life simply because we don't know God.  If you were at a baseball game and happen to strike up a conversation with a non-believer or someone who has been out of church for a while, using baseball analogies, how would you share your faith with them?  How would a non-believer make it to "first base," "second base," "hit a home run," or "strike out" with God?   What legendary baseball players would you mention?  Would you share your testimony or maybe a scripture?  How would you begin to introduce or re-introduce a baseball fan to God?

Comment on this post, and your name will be placed in the Jesus Saves Ministries "Home Run With God" ticket drawing good for four reserve seats to an upcoming Louisville Bats Baseball home games at Slugger Field in Louisville.  There are just five home games left, the Bats vs. Charlotte, August 29th, 30th, & 31st; and the Bats vs. Indianapolis, September 4th and 5th.  Attend one of the remaining home games of your choice by Labor Day, Monday, September 5th.  Two winners will be posted Friday, August 26th at 5:00 PM.

Here's a funny Bible "play-by-play" Rev. Samuel Bland posted one other time we gave away Louisville Bats tickets:

If I had to communicate Jesus and the Bible to a Non- believing baseball player or fan I would tell them to read this funny but very inspiring and interesting play-by-play. I hope you enjoy it as much as I. Humor breaks the ice for Evangelism.

And Abner said to Joab, “Let the young men…arise and play before us” -- Samuel II 2:14
…and all the people rose up… -- Exodus 33:8
And Juhoshaphat the son of Ahilud was the recorder; and Sheva was the scribe…” -- Samuel II 20:24
And they said unto Jephtha, “Come and be our Captain” -- Judges 11:6
...and he measured two lines… -- Samuel II 8:2
...and he set the bases… -- Kings I 7:39
And they stood every man in his place round about the camp -- Judges 7:21
Behold, Rebecca came forth with her pitcher… -- Genesis 24:45
Ehud, the Benjamite, a man left-handed… -- Judges 3:15
The children of Israel asked,…”Who shall go up for us first against the Canaanites? -- Judges 3:15
...Seek out a man who is a skillful player… -- Samuel I 16:16
...Judah shall go up first… -- Judges 20:18
And Judah took… -- Judges 1:18
Three times… -- Exodus 23:14
...and it was good… -- Genesis 1:4
And Abram went down… -- Genesis 12:10
...out at the base… -- Leviticus 4:18
And Moses …smote… -- Exodus 7:20
...and (it)…was foul… -- Exodus 7:21
And Moses went out… -- Numbers 11:24
...and none came in… -- Joshua 6:1
...and there was not a man left… -- Joshua 8:17
And Miriam was shut out… -- Numbers 12:15
And the children of Benjamin went out… -- Judges 20:31
...and went into the field… -- Numbers 22:23
...and Aaron waved… -- Leviticus 9:21
And he looked this way and that way… -- Exodus 2:12
...and he delivered up… -- Numbers 21:3
...and they ran as soon as he had stretched his hand…And they fell on their faces to the ground… -- Judges 13:20
Get thee up; wherefore liest thou upon thy face? -- Judges 7:10
...for it was an error… -- Numbers 15:25
...second and third… -- Genesis 6:16
And Joseph spoke… -- Genesis 45:3
...concerning the error which he had committed… -- Leviticus 5:18
...make an atonement for thyself… -- Leviticus 9:17
Thou shalt fan them… -- Isaiah 41:16
Then Joseph commanded to fill…the…sacks… -- Genesis 42:25
...and all the people saw this and they shouted… -- Leviticus 9:24
Who can stand before the Giants? -- Deuteronomy 9:2
...and Aaron waved… -- Leviticus 9:21
...and pitched on the other side… -- Numbers 21:13
And suffered not a man to pass… -- Judges 3:28
...but…the seventh… -- Exodus 31:15
Gideon… smote… -- Judges 8:21
...Israel…at first… -- Joshua 8:33 And Noah went in… -- Genesis 7:7
And the young man ran… -- Numbers 11:27
...he turned and went back… -- Judges 18:26
...unto the base… -- Numbers 8:4
Noah walked… -- Genesis 6:9
Let us go and sacrifice… -- Exodus 5:8
And Moses lifted up his hand and with his rod he smote… --Numbers 20:11
...the hide… -- Leviticus 9:11
...a long blast… -- Joshua 6:5
...outside the camp… -- Judges 7:17
for an ‘omer… -- Exodus 16:36
And the men of Israel and of Judah arose, and shouted… -- Samuel I 17:52

God's Got You!

God's Got You!
Romans 8:31-35

The Bible Study lesson in Romans is so good this week!  Reading Chapter 8 made me holla!  God does all things well!  He's got me! Those He foreknew He predestined. Those he predestined He called.  Those He called, He justified and glorified.

Jesus said in Matt. 20:16, that many are called, but few are chosen.  He was talking about the general call for all to believe. Paul here in Romans 8:31-ff is speaking about the specific "call" of God by which God brings believers to salvation. For the believer, God's got you!  Come what may, He's got you!  God's got your beginning, your middle and your end! 

What can we say about these things?  If God be for us, who can be against us?  He gave his own Son so that you might be reconciled to Him.  Shall He not freely, along with him, give us all things?  Who can condemn those chosen of God?  No one. If God be for us, who can be against us? Not only who, but what can be against us....shall tribulation,  distress, persecution, famine, nakedness,  peril, or sword? No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

If you don't know Jesus as Lord and Savior, accept Him today. In him you are not only secure...but come what may.. you are more than a conqueror!  God's got you! Jesus saves!

Prayer for Successful School Year

We're praying for our kids as they begin a new school year. 

Dear Lord,

Children are our greatest treasure.  We thank you for the awesome responsibility to rear, train up, and educate our children. We thank you for the privilege to carry eveything to you in prayer, particularly the welfare of the next generation. 

Father, bless and protect our children this school year, we pray.  Keep them from all hurt, harm, and danger. As they travel to and from school, anoint the school bus drivers to transport their precious cargo safety.  In the classroom,  provide them with all that they will need to complete their assignments.  Give them the best teachers, educators, and administrators possible, people who will go the extra mile to ensure a quality education for our kids.  Put parents, teachers, and mentors on one accord to achieve successful outcome for our kids. 

Father God, Please close reading gaps, and math gaps, the economic gap and any other gaps that have our kids lagging behind.  Work in the lives of parents, and single parents so that they are able to spend quality time, and quantity time with their kids reviewing and helping with homework. 

We pray also for the spiritual welfare of our kids.  Please save many in this new school year, allowing them to walk with You, oh Lord, at early ages.  And may they grow to give you the praise, honor and glory for every good and perfect gift, including the gift of a quality education, college education, and post secondary education.  By your Holy Spirit who is our comforter, teacher, and guide, and in the name of your precious Son Jesus we pray, Amen!!!