a publication of The Assiniboia Apostolic Church...

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The Prairie Fire - June 2012/Vol.5 The Prairie Fire - June 2012/Vol. 5

June2012IssueVolume 5

In this issue

a publication of The Assiniboia Apostolic ChurchA Place of Hope, Healing and Restoration

Website: fireataac.org

Photo: Kristy Pomrenke

Patience

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From The Pastor: Patience and More Patience Testimony: Overcome with Joy! ‘Jesus touched the disappointments that were hidden in my heart and He brought me so much joy’. Bible Study: God is Patient Pictorial Highlights Editorial: Patience with a Purpose

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From the

Pastor’sDesk

Patience and More Patience Terry Severson

H ave you ever prayed for patience? Have you ever gotten impatient waiting for patience? Praying for patience can be a very scary thing to do. I have prayed for patience and all of the sudden out of nowhere, the most

irritating person in the whole world shows up! And most of the time it is somebody that you don’t even know. Being a father of five children my patience has been tested to the max, and I have failed many times. I thank the Lord for his grace and mercy.

When you have five children under the age of 10, if you are in a city, you can pretty well guarantee that you’re going to have to eat at a restaurant that most adults would not go to if given a choice. Yes, that’s right..... you guessed it: McDonald’s. One time at a McDonald’s restaurant in Winnipeg, Shelley and I walked in with our five children, so that makes seven people standing together in a group. So I started to order and I am ordering for the whole family. I said,” I will have a Big Mac.” And this tall irritating person says,” Will that be all Sir?”. At this moment I am thinking, are you blind, there are seven people standing in front of you. You would have to have great faith to feed seven people with one Big Mac. I said,” No, “I will have an order of fries...” Will that be all Sir?” he said in the most irritating tone. “No!”, I barked back at him, “I will have a fillet of fish”. And again, “Will that be all Sir?!!” By this time I want to hurt this young man. Then I shouted at him, “I will tell you when I’m done!” To make matters worse he gives me this snotty smug look - like what’s wrong with you? We did get our order and thank God I got out of that place without having to do any jail time! I was so angry. Why? Why couldn’t I just have told him in a nice way? I left that place feeling defeated. I was thinking am I ever going to be like Jesus? Am I ever going to change?

The Bible says in Ephesians 4:1-3:

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep in the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace”.

According to that portion of Scripture, you can be completely humble, gentle and patient. I have learned something along the way. Instead of just asking for patience, I started to ask the Lord,” Give me more of you and less of me”. Patience is just part of what we need. The thing we need more than anything is love. God is love, and patience is only one part of the many components of love. (See 1 Corinthians 13). I have learned to pray in a different way: I now pray more of you Jesus and less of me. I need the total package of Love.

Terry SeversonLead Pastor, Assiniboia Apostolic Church

“Patience serves as a protection against wrongs as clothes do against cold. For if you put on more clothes as the cold increases, it will have no power to hurt you. So in like manner you must grow in patience when you meet with great wrongs, and they will then be powerless to vex your mind.” Leonardo da Vinci

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Overcome by Joy!

“Speaking From the Heart”.“Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul”.

testimonyPsalm 66:16 ESV

The last nine years of full time ministry has brought ups and downs in our lives (Terry, me and our family). We have had many blessings through these

years but also many disappointments and even death. What I didn’t know was that each time I experienced disappointment, my heart would absorb a little of it from every situation I have been through and the feeling gradually built but over time. Nevertheless, as the blessings and trials came I took them in stride, living every moment through Jesus and walking alongside Him. Some trials were so hard to go through that they robbed me of my joy. But Jesus was always there to comfort and bring peace. I have suffered from migraine headaches. Anyone who suffers from migraine headaches will tell you how awful this can be as it come with many symptoms such as throbbing headaches, nausea and vision disturbance. Just a few weeks ago I was given so much joy! A pastor’s wife from Warman , SK, gave some insights into partnering with disappointments in my life. Memories of past disappointments flooded through my mind, heart and soul. Memories like praying for healing and it doesn’t happen, praying for your children and they leave their faith, praying for revival and not many want it, praying for restoration

and transformation in people’s lives and having them leave. Anyways, Jesus touched the disappointments that were hidden in my heart and He brought me so much joy. I laughed and laughed and laughed some more. The joy was contagious and people all around received healing in their hearts. I also was healed from my headaches. I was then able to link these headaches back to the disappointments that I had harboured in my heart. Later, a young pastor shared a message about Joseph’s life. He pointed out that Joseph was given a dream and through the course of fulfilling this dream there were many blessings and disappointments. The pastor drew this picture

Joseph’s life showed the ups and downs, but he still held on to his dream and God gave him a crown. God was in it all!! An older pastor got up and shared his insights into the message. He said, “If we focus only on the blessings, we become prideful and if we focus on the disappointments, we have a tight band around our heads.” The revelation that came to me when he said that was overwhelming. God released the band that day in Warman but now gave me confirmation of His love for me. I was overcome with joy! Consider it sheer gift friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure your faithfulness is forced out into the open and shows its

true colors . So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let God do His work so that you can become mature and well developed, not deficient in any way. James 1, 2-4 says:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

By Shelley Severson

“Our patience will achieve more than our force.” Edmund Burke

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highlighighlights

Front from left - Kourtney McIntyre, Rachael LeducMiddle from left- Linda Potratz, Karissa Potratz, Jamie Hunt,

Chelsea McCann, Natasha Pomrenke, Audrey ParkerBack from left - Trevor McIntyre, Cody Piche, Greg Hope, Jason Pickens ,

Josh Hanson, Charlie Severson, Richard Delorme, Susan Leduc

Kelly Pickens (lft) assisting Pastor Terry (rt) with baptism

Testimonies at Baptism


Testimonies at Baptism

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highlights“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

Romans 5:1-5

Water Baptism at AAC!

“Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections but instantly set about remedying them - every day begin the task anew.” Saint Francis de Sales


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highlights

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Funnies Funnies

ʳ Johnny was asked by his mother what he had learned in Sunday School. “ Well, mum, our teacher told us how God sent Moses behind enemy lines on a rescue mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. “When he got to the Red Sea he had his engineers build a pontoon bridge and all the people walked across safely. Then he used his walkie-talkie to radio headquarters for reinforcements. They sent bombers to blow up the bridge and saved the Israelites.” “Now, Johnny, is that really what your teacher taught you?” his mother asked. “Well, no, mom, but if I told it the way the teacher did, you’d never believe it.”

ʳ A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to “honour thy father and thy mother,” she asked “Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?” Without missing a beat one little boy answered, “Thou shall not kill.”

ʳ Mr. Goldblatt,” announced little Joey, “there’s somethin’ I can’t figger out.” “ What’s that Joey?” asked Goldblatt.”Well accordin’ to the Bible, the Children of Israel crossed the Red Sea, right?””Right.” “An’ the Children of Israel beat up the Phillistines, right?” “Er--right.” “An’ the Children of Israel built the Temple, right?” “Again you’re right.” “An’ the Children of Israel fought the ‘gyptians, an’ the Children of Israel fought the Romans, an’ the Children of Israel wuz always doin’ somethin’ important, right?” “All that is right, too,” agreed Goldblatt. “So what’s your question?” “What I wanna know is this,” demanded Joey. “What wuz all the grown-ups doin?”

G Good Morning Holy Spirit by Benny Hinn : The story of Benny Hinn’s personal encounter with the Holy Spirit and how that experience dramatically changed his life is a story God has used hundreds of thousands of times around the world to touch the lives of others.

G Living a Life of Fire: An Autobiography by Reinhard Bonnke. This book has 644 pages telling the amazing life of Reinhard Bonnke, one of the most fascinating Christian leaders of our times. Full color, fold-out, photos spanning the life and ministry of Reinhard Bonnke. A captivating read filled with powerfully moving stories about men and woman saved, delivered, and literally rescued from certain death. Documented are the astounding numbers of salvations, over 52 million in the last decade alone, through the ministry of Reinhard Bonnke. An intriguing examination on the doctrine of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and Bonnke s practical application - his life of fire. Evangelist Dr. Reinhard Bonnke is known for his Great Gospel Crusades throughout the continent of Africa. The son of a pastor, Reinhard gave his life to the Lord at age nine, and heard the call to the African mission field before he was even a teenager. After attending Bible College in Wales, he became a pastor in Germany for seven years and then went on to start mission work in Africa.

G The Christian Family by Larry Christenson and David Wilkerson. This book gives a comprehensive guide to living the Christian life as a family. It provides god-given insights on marriage, prayer and raising children.

Go

od

Rea

ds!

Kids

Tales

!!

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God is Patient “Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner.”.

the word1 Peter 4:12, 13 (MSG)

Robert and Shirley Scott

Associate Pastor, AAC

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” - 2 Peter 3:9

We are an impatient bunch. I mean humankind; all of us. When I was

growing up, a lot of the ‘instant’ things we have today took a while to get started. Radios had to warm up before you could hunt for a station. TV took longer, if you owned one, and it was black and white. Pen and paper were the original ‘notebook’ and you computed in your head. I was excited when I learned how to use a slide rule.

Apparently folks were impatient back in Peter’s day, too. It looks, though, as if they had more important stuff on their minds, like the Saviour’s return.

I vote with Peter when he advises considering why the promise to return has not been fulfilled. God’s patience with us is what will assure the largest population of heaven. If He is that patient with us, shouldn’t we be just as patient with others as they come to the point of accepting the faith? Be thankful for the patience of God. Trust Him. He knows exactly what He is doing.Read 2 Peter 3

Upcoming Events• June17,SundaySchoolPicnicandFather’sDayBBQ• June23-24,JohnMitchelandHarveyKatzfromChristforAllNations• [email protected],One-on-OneworkshoponEvangelism.($35.00forregistration)• [email protected],SaturdayNightRevivalServicewithJohnMitchelandHarveyKatz• [email protected],JohnMitchelandHarveyKatz

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Fathers are Special!

n “Agoodfatherisoneofthemost unsung,unpraised,unnoticed,and yetoneofthemostvaluableassets inoursociety.” --Billy Graham, Christian Evangelist

n “Blessedindeedisthemanwho hearsmanygentlevoicescallhimfather!” -- Lydia M. Child

n “Wearegivenchildrentotestusand makeusmorespiritual.” -- George Will, U.S. Journalist

n “Myson,donotdespisetheLORD’s disciplineanddonotresenthisrebuke, becausetheLORDdisciplinesthosehe loves,asafatherthesonhedelightsin.” -- Proverbs 3:11

Graduatesn Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)n “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” Henry David Thoreaun For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11)n “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” - Eleanor Rooseveltn “The secret of success is to do the common things uncommonly well.” - John D. Rockefeller

Happy Father’s Day

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I never considered myself a patient person. As a matter of fact I would be the first to tell you that I am an impatient person! I don’t like being asked the same questions twice

or have to explain something twice and tend to get impatient with someone who takes too long to get something done. But I have learned, particularly because of being a teacher that we all don’t learn, think and work at the same pace. Our abilities differ simply because of how God created us. I realized that by being impatient with people because of how they are was in fact finding faults with how God created these persons. The body of Christ is diverse..........and that is the beauty of creation. We are all different but made in His likeness! How fantastic is that?Paul tells us in Ephesians 4 (1-6)

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called ; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Patience is therefore necessary to be tolerant of one another, which is necessary to maintain unity. Although we do not tolerate sin, we must be tolerant of one another to cooperate as brethren/ brothers and sisters/husband and wife. I have also learnt that Patience is an act of will, a decision we choose to make. It should be a deliberate and wilful attitude resulting in godly behaviour. We are told:

“So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Col. 3:12).

In the same way we choose to be loving, compassionate, humble and gentle, we also must choose to be patient. Patience is just one part of the “heart” we put on as Christians. But the point I want to make is that we must put it on. Here we are told how:

“. . . we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously” (Col. 1:9-11).

In a nutshell, we go to God’s word, understand it, and apply it to our lives with all spiritual wisdom. As a result, God’s word performs its work in us, and we’re empowered to be patient in whatever circumstances we live (1 Th. 2:13).

Wewelcomeyourfeedback.Sendcommentstoassiniboiaapostolic@hotmail.com

Editorial

T he Assiniboia Apostolic Church (AAC) Meeting Times: Monday: 7.30 pm Women’s’ Bible Study Tuesday: 7.30 pm Worship Practice Wednesday: 7.00 pm Corporate Prayer Thursday: 7.30 pm Revival Service Friday: 7.30 pm Youth Activities Saturday: 7.00 pm Prayer for Our Church Leaders Sunday: 10.00 am Sunday School for all ages 11.00 am - Worship and Word Email Prayer Chain Contact: Ross and Patti 306- 642-3274 or [email protected] Phone Prayer Chain: Verne and Sharon Ermel 306- 642-4022 An invitation is extended to come and worship with us. 200 4th Ave East, Assiniboia SK, SOH OBO, Canada.

Patience with a Purpose

“You must first have a lot of patience to learn to have patience.” Stanislaw J. Lec

Julie Newton

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