15 MARCH 2019 BODY OF CHRIST NEWS Is This Promise Really for Me? We are living in a “right now world” we want what we want right now. As we grow and walk with our heavenly Father everyday, yes we too oftentimes find ourselves wondering if something has happen, did God turn HIS back on our prayer request and or promise? Will the promise I know God has for me going to happen this year and so on. Most people wonder if biblical assurance applies to their specific situation. As your waiting on God, you need a firm and steadfast anchor you can hold on to as the days, weeks, and months go by so you will not grow discouraged. We want to hold on keeping in mind that there will be delays to our victoriously promise. In order for us to “hold on” we must actively claim His word and continue obeying Him step-by-step In Psalm 119:50 says, “Your promise revives me; it comforts me in all my troubles.” But in order for you to feel assurance successfully, you must be certain that the Father meant it for you and the particular longing you are wrestling with. So how can we know for sure? How do we take hold of a promise from God and be confident that it is really for you. Throughout the years, this is the criteria I have used to answer these very question. First, Does this promise meet a particular need or desire the Lord want to fulfill? All of us require direc- tion when it comes to our decisions and as we have seen repeatedly God is pleased to lead us. In Psalm 32:8 He promises, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.” Our heavenly Father spe- cifically commits to meeting this need. He will guide you. If we “hunger and thirst for righteousness,” we will be filled (Matt 5:6) If we desire to be “conformed to the image of His Son,” the Father will empower us in that pursuit (Rom 8:29) Second, does the context of the Scripture allow it? We can't merely choose a promise from the Bible without regard to its background and intent. Whenever you find a passage that is exceptionally meaning- ful to you, consider to whom it was originally directed, whether or not a wider application of it is appropriate, and if there are requirements that must accom- pany ifs fulfillment. Third, does the fulfillment of this promise glorify Him? Of course, the Lord makes these commitments to us because He loves us uncondi- tionally and wants to give us guidance, provision, and protection. But he also does so to reveal His awesome wisdom, power, and for us to become part of our living testimony. He makes Himself known to those around us. Therefore, if a request would ultimately harm you or be hurtful to another person, or does not honor Him or fit His character, or could stop someone else from seeking Him, it is most likely not in His plan for you. Fourth, Is this promise consistent with His will for your life? It's so important that we walk in the center of God's path for us, knowing Him better, and becoming all He created you to be. The assurances He give you, therefore, will generally support what He is calling you to accomplish. For example, if the Father is calling you into full-time ministry, you can count on Him to enable you to serve Him (1 Pet. 4:11) God assumes full responsibility for your needs when you obey Him. Fifth, Are you walking in obedience to Him? Have we fully submitted to God and carrying out what He wants you to do as best you know how? If we are this gives you the right and privilege to claim His promises. Warning…. Keep in mind if you are rebellious and living according to your own desires, you will forfeit your ability to take hold of His won- derful assurances. (Isaiah 59:1-2) explains, The Lord's hand is not so short that it can't save; nor is His ear so dull that it can't hear. But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.” When you sin, you willfully choose to go outside His will and meet your needs on your own. You intentionally deny His power and wisdom to help you. You are saying with your actions that you don't trust him. My broth- ers and sisters He will not bless that, and He will not contribute to your disobedience. Therefore, if He has identified some sin in your life, you must turn away from it. For example; if you know God's word asks you to tithe a 10th of your earnings and you choose not to… or you believe your promise will be a husband and your with someone else's husband now…. Will God honor that request No. in fact, the Lord would do that man a terrible disservice if He did. God's prom- ises are meant to bolster our trust in Him. Not undermine it. He will not sanction disobedience. As best as you know how, live in obedience to Him. Sixth, last but not least. Is the fulfillment of this promise in your life going to bring encouragement to others? Our promise delivered by God should be our testimony. Become a living example of His good- ness and grace to those around us. They certainly were for the biblical saints Romans 15:4 tells us, “Whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instructions, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” In other words, we are able to persevere because we see how God worked through their lives. Keep your eyes fixed on God, there is none like Him. We have our instructions to get us through our journey in this life. So I say to you If you are walking in obedience and you have exam yourself wait, wait upon the Lord He will renew your strength. And your promise is on the way. Rev. Dr. PM Wynn Grove and her husband Pastor Lee Grove are Associate Pastors at the Potters House of Denver. They are the Founders of Heavenly Sent Ministries. Dr. Grove can be reached at pmwynn9@msn.com By Rev. Dr. PM Wynn Grove SERMON When you sin, you willfully choose to go outside His will and meet your needs on your own. You intentionally deny His power and wisdom to help you. PM Wynn Grove Forest Street Partners With Caregivers At Forest Street we make it a priority to partner with Caregivers, it can be very stressful placing a loved one in a nursing home. Families many times feel guilt over placing their relatives and anger at the circumstances that made it necessary. Caregivers often have negative stereotypes about nurs- ing homes and fears about the quality of care their loved one will receive. To help overcome these stereotypes and fears we encourage families to meet with our staff and visit our facili- ty prior to placing their family member. We encourage visitation outside of nor- mal business hours to give caregivers an opportunity to meet staff on differ- ent shifts and to see how our nursing operates outside of business hours. By working with families we feel we can communicate more effectively with one another, to help avoid problems and to solve them in a timelier manner when they do arise, and make families feel more empowered. To encourage this we offer the following: ■ ■ Regular meeting with family mem- bers ■ ■ Provide families with resident information handbooks at the time of admission ■ ■ Offer quarterly family council meetings ■ ■ Recognize and appreciate cultural and ethnic differences ■ ■ Strive to provide quality care It is our goal in partnering with Caregivers at Forest Street Compassionate Care Center: ■ ■ To make families feel they are important partners in their loved ones care ■ ■ To help families feel more comfort- able with initiating communication with staff ■ ■ To help families feel less isolated and powerless ■ ■ To encourage policies that encour- age a wider range of family involve- ment We work hard to meet these goals, which is substantiated by Forest Street Compassionate Care Center being rated as a Five Star Quality Rated Nursing Home by Medicare. As Nursing homes are rated overall, on health inspections, nursing home staffing and quality measures. More stars are better. Fore more information on Forest Street Compassionate Care Center please visit http://www.forestst.org or call (303) 393.7600. For more information on the Medicare nursing home compare process visit www.medicare.gov/compare Maya Wheeler By Maya Wheeler ADVERTISEMENT