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THE WAY MINISTRIES
and
BLACK-TOP GOSPEL MUSIC MINISTRY
Vol. 1 Issue # 9
2001 issue
JANUARY
2002 Issue
THE WAY MINISTRIES
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This on-line e-maga-zine is published and edited by:
The Way Ministries
http://communities.msn.ca/NewTestamentChurchRevivalTheWay/homepage
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This e-maga-zine will contain the following
sections.
Main article
Inspirational Story.
Womens Section.
News Story.
Featured Web Sites in
this Issue.
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GREAT SITE FOR WOMEN
http://communities.msn.ca/Proverbs31WOMEN
GREAT SITE FOR ALL
http://archangel.jumpwave.com
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Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your
ears will hear a voice behind you saying, "THIS IS THE WAY; WALK IN IT. Isa. 30 v 21
We have in the past ran a series
articles on persecution in the early church. We thought it would be appropriate to run this article on modern persecution.
We hope that you enjoy this new series.
However as the Way Ministries stands for the Re-establishment of the New Testament
Church, it is appropriate for us to run this article at this time. We as Christians must be prepared to take our stand for
the truth. We would also be interested in any news items that you may have to place on our on line E-Maga-zine
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Blessed are the persecuted
Modern tales of courage
There is very little or no stigma attached to celebrating Christmas in Ethiopia in the midst of
various traditions. In fact, in fact as I sit here writing, Im wondering if the U.S.A. and Canada arent leaning towards greater
bias against Christian Christmas when one reads about instances of forbidding mention of Jesus or singing of Christian carols
in public places or reading of Scripture. In Ethiopia religion is loud and public. The Moslem calls to prayer from the minarets,
the reading of Scripture and sermons from the Orthodox Church all this happens over loudspeakers that fill the city with religious
noises and content.
Now during the Marxist revolution in Ethiopa (1974-1991), it was a different story; they could
not flaunt their Christian celebrations. During those years, the Orthodox Church maintained their basic rituals, but most
most evangelical churches were closed . Then you had house groups meeting underground, and in many places, this had to be
very secretive, and if you sang at all, you sang in a whisper. It has been said that during those years, believers did celebrate
in their quiet way with more fervency of spirit just because it was against the Marxist philosophy to believe in and worship
God at all.
Lila Balisky said I remember meeting with a small house group at night up in the high mountains of southwest
Ethiopia. Local Ethiopian believers tricked into the dark house through various entrances after dark-and not all at once lest
it be noticed that a group was gathering. They knew how to stagger their arrivals. Then about 20 of us all squeezed, standing,
into a small room with no windows. The only light was a small oil lamp hanging on the wall. We sang in a whisper, heard the
reading of the word, prayed in low tones. Those times were very precious to all of us, and our sense of Gods presence with
us, the wonder of worshipping Him together, were all very sacred and wonderful because we didnt know how long even this freedom
would last. Persecution does wonderful things for the people of God!
It unified all Christians into a wonderful body;
we love each other so dearly and cared for each other. The peripherals were unimportant. People were willing to sacrifice
and bear troubles of all sorts for the sake of Christ. In persecution, there are no liberal Christians; if you may suffer,
you have to believe in what youre suffering for-no vague, gray area in the middle. Any pride of place for clergy was basically
eliminated because leaders often suffered most. The laity had to take the lead in house groups. We had to live in constant
trust and ask God to deliver us from fear of what might happen to or tomorrow. Nothing was certain. Many were beaten, imprisoned,
tortured for their faith. We ourselves were evicted from our home and place of ministry, but in persecution, we begin to
learn what the verse means about Christ who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame.
Freedom of the last 10 years here in Ethiopia has brought splintering of churches, vying for leadership, grumbling-all the
vices! Yes, we grow very lackadaisical when life is easy and fat: Persecution pulls us back to basics.
LILA BALISKY, ETHIOPIA
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SHORT STORY
God's
Mate Selection
Author Unknown
Everyone longs to give himself or herself completely to someone, to have a deep
and committed soul relationship with another, to be loved thoroughly and unconditionally.
But God says: No, not until
you are satisfied, fulfilled and content with being loved by Me alone, with giving yourself totally, unreservedly to Me alone.
I love you, My child, and until you discover that only in Me is your satisfaction to be found, you will not be capable
of the perfect human relationship that I have planned for you. You will never be united with another until you are united
with Me; exclusively of anyone or anything else; exclusively of any other desires and belongings.
I want you to stop
planning, stop wishing and allow Me to give you the most thrilling plan existing -- one that you can't imagine. I want you
to have the very best. Please allow Me to bring it to you.
Just keep your eyes on Me, expecting the greatest things.
Keep experiencing that satisfaction knowing that I AM.
Keep learning and listening to the things I tell you.
You
must be patient.
Don't be anxious.
Don't worry.
Don't look around at the things others have.
Don't look
at the things you think you want.
Just keep looking up to Me, or you will miss what I want to give you.
And then,
when you are ready, I will surprise you with a love far more wonderful than you could ever dream. You see, until you are ready,
and until the one I have for you is ready (I am working even this minute to have both of you ready at the same time), until
you are both satisfied exclusively with Me and the life I have prepared for you, you won't be able to experience the love
that exemplifies your relationship with Me .. and this is perfect love.
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Womans Section
We thought the following article would be of major interest to our readers, as it seems that the symbolism
and Biblical teaching regarding marriage seems to be lacking in our churches. We feel that marriage is of major importance
and it is essential that every child of God have a clear view of Gods plan and purpose in His design for this God designed
and ordained relationship between Husband and wife. This is part five in a series on Marriage in Christ. This is the finale
article in this series.
Marriage In Christ part 5
A Husbands Love
"Husband's, love your wives, as Christ
loved the church and gave Himself up for her." Ephesians 5:25 Amplified Bible
This Scripture places the husband's
role of leadership in perspective. To love with the love of Christ. Jesus said, "Greater love hath no man than this;
that a man lay down His life for His friends". We are given illustrations of the greatest love through the Scriptures
that portray the earth walk of Christ. But it was upon His sacrifice for the church, who would be joined to Him as His bride,
that we see the depths of His love.
There are three ways a husband is told to love his wife. The first is sacrificially.
The second is found in Ephesians 5:28-29. "Even so husbands should love their wives as [being in a sense] their own bodies,
He who loves his own wife loves himself. For no man ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and carefully protects and cherishes
it, as Christ does the church."
The Word of God tells husbands their wives are to be considered as their own flesh.
God created a husband and wife as no longer two, but one. A husband is told to cherish and carefully protect his wife in these
Scriptures. This type of love is a tender love. A compassionate love. A gentle love.
The other way a husband is told
to love his wife is found in Ephesians 5:33a. "However, let each man of you [without exception] love his wife as [being
in a sense] his very own self."
When a husband truly considers his wife as being a part of him in Christ, he will
cherish her. A husband who loves his wife as Christ loves the church, will have a very happy wife. A wife who is loved with
this Christ love will be the wife the husband needs her to be. It happens because there is a flow of love coming from the
throne of God that produces godly offspring.
Godly offspring has two meanings. One is the children that God blesses the
marriage union with. He intends for that holy union to bring forth children who will love and honor Him as Abba, Father. But
it also means a spiritual offspring. A union in Christed will bear spiritual fruit that goes out into the world. We call this
ministry. Our obedience to God and His flow from the throne extends outward from within our union. Think about it in picture
form. The flow from the throne downward is vertical. The extension from us can be pictured by spreading you arms outward,
this is horizontal. You now can see a spiritual picture of the cross. The provision of Christ crucified flows from the throne
of grace into the marriage union and extends outward into the world.
As a child, I watched how my father loved my mother
and that established my idea of what kind of husband I wanted when the day came I entered into marriage. I remember how my
father honored her, and showed her respect so that others knew she was his wife. In our marriage in Christ, think about how
He honors us. Have you ever had a moment when you felt unworthy of His adoration of you yet He showered you with His love
anyway? In the worst of times, He is there loving us, protecting us, guiding us. That is how a husband is to love his wife.
When a wife is given this sacrificial, tender, all encompassing love, how would you expect her to react? She melts of
course. A woman needs love as much as a man needs respect. It is the love that closes the breach. It was in love that Christ
removed the breach between man and God.
Many times in marriage events occur which can cause a hardness of heart. This
must be turned over to the Father and forgiveness must be given. In our own ability we are often not strong enough to give
forgiveness, and open our hearts to the one who hurt us. But Christ in us has the strength we need at all times. Allow Him
to love the breach away in your marriage.
If you have years of build up that need removing, ask God to change your heart
and show you how to begin again. Ask Him to renew the love He placed within you for your spouse. Turn to each other in love
and forgiveness, remembering deeds of unrighteousness no more, and together seek the Father for His perfect union to flow
within your marriage.
If you would like to study deeper into God's design for marriage, we recommend A Biblical
Portrait of Marriage by Dr. Bruce Wilkerson of Walk Through the Bible Ministries. I encourage you to not only purchase the
videos, but also to get the workbook. As you go through each lesson, you and your spouse will share important intimate moments
and discover each other's personal needs for a fulfilling marriage, and you will understand how you can incorporate the Word
of God into your union.
If you would like to share thoughts about marriage or ask a question, please e-mail us at Lamb4ourHouse@Yahoo.com.
God bless your marriage and we pray your union produces a continual flow of love and unity in Christ.
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RECIPE
Speedy Tex-Mex Skillet Dinner
1 pound lean ground beef
3/4 cup chopped onion
3 tablespoons Fajita
Seasoning
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Salt
1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
1 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 cups thinly sliced
zucchini
1 cup frozen whole kernel corn
14 1/2 ounces stewed tomatoes
1 1/2 cups uncooked quick-cooking rice
4 ounces shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese
2 small tomatoes chopped
1 tablespoon Inferno Hot Pepper Sauce
to taste (1 to 2)
In large skillet, brown ground beef and onion; drain excess grease. Stir in Mexican Blend Seasoning
and next six ingredients; bring to a boil. Stir in the rice; reduce heat to low. Cover, and simmer 8 to 10 minutes or until
liquid is absorbed; stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Fluff with a fork; sprinkle with cheese. Cover; let stand 3 minutes
or until cheese is melted. Serve with a mixture of the tomato and Inferno Sauce. ENJOY!
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NEWS STORY
(USA)--Meanwhile, Islam is getting a foothold in the public schools in the United States. According to
Assist News public schools in California require students to attend an intensive three-week course. They're mandated to learn
the tenets and important figures of Islam, wear a robe, adopt a Muslim name and stage a Jihad. The Social Studies textbook
presents Islam in a positive way, while Christianity is restricted to events like the Reformation, the Inquisition and the
Salem witch-hunts.
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