A Carrot, an Egg, and a Cup of Coffee

You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up, She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water and placed each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil.. In the first she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs, and in the last she placed ground coffee beans... She let them sit and boil; without saying a word.
In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl. Turning to her daughter, she asked, ' Tell me what you see'

'Carrots, eggs, and coffee,' she replied...
Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft.. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard boiled egg.

Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, 'What does it mean, mother?'

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard, and unrelenting.. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sitting through the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, how ever. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.

'Which are you?' she asked her daughter. 'When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?

Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a breakup, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?

Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate yourself to another level? How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?


If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 AM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or via internet video on Jubilee T.V.

Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124


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by Tony V. Hammack

Letting Go of Anger

by Butch Kelley

These notes are best when used in conjunction with the video of this message.  Please Click Here to watch the video on Letting Go of Anger.


Part 1: Are You Angry?

Ephesians 4:26-32
I. Anger can devastate marriages, separate children and parents, and poison other relationships. That’s why the apostle Paul encouraged believers to deal with anger quickly—before it could take a toll on their lives (Eph. 4:26-27). Let’s explore what the Bible says about this powerful emotion.

II. Anger Defined
   A. Anger is a strong feeling of intense displeasure, hostility, or indignation that results from a real or imagined threat, insult, frustration, or injustice toward yourself or others important to you.    B. There are three categories of anger.
      1.) Rage: an explosive, uncontrolled expression of anger.
      2.) Resentment: unexpressed anger. When people try to deny their hurts and frustrations, resentment is the result. This type of anger will destroy them from the inside out.
      3.) Indignation: righteous anger about injustice, oppression, or an unholy situation. God’s anger falls into this category.

III. Anger in Scripture
   A. The Old Testament books of wisdom provide some of the best verses on this subject.
Proverbs 16:32 says, “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.”
Those who are slow to become angry may still feel upset, but they control their emotions rather than letting anger turn to rage. The Word of God also cautions us against associating with those whose lives are characterized by anger.
(Proverbs 22:24-25) says, “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.”
   B. Anger plays an important role in many well-known Bible stories. The first person to become angry was likely Adam, who blamed Eve for their sin (Gen. 3:12). Cain, Moses, Saul, Jonah, and Peter are just a few others who were motivated by anger.

IV. Causes of Anger
• Not getting our way: Some people grow angry when they lose control of a situation.
• Feeling rejected: Being excluded, overlooked, or mistreated can stir up hostility.
• Loss: Losing what we cherish, or simply fearing that loss, can make us angry.
• Disappointment: Unmet expectations can lead to anger.
• Injustice: When we see people mistreated, we can become indignant on their behalf.
• Feeling inadequate: Comparing our life to the lives of others may upset us.

V. Good vs. Bad Anger
   A. The Bible reveals God expressing holy anger.
      1.) The Lord became angry with the Israelites for marrying foreign women. He knew that their wives would introduce the worship of pagan gods.
      2.) Jesus angrily rebuked the Pharisees for their hypocrisy and unmerciful interpretations of God’s laws (Matt. 23:13-33; Mark 3:2-5). His indignation at their misuse of the temple led Him to turn over their tables and chase them from His Father’s house (Matt. 21:13-14).
   B. You and I can have righteous anger when we become upset over the mistreatment of others or when we feel compelled to rectify an unholy situation. But most of our anger is wrongly motivated by self-interest. Unrighteous anger generally takes one of two forms.
• “Powder keg anger” is explosive. Anyone in its path, such as a spouse, is usually taken by surprise.
• “Crock pot anger” simmers and boils for a long time. Some people may be in complete denial about their stewing emotion or may take pride in possessing the ability to control their behavior. But denied anger is like a poison—spiritually, emotionally, and physically.

VI. A Five-fold Test for Anger:
Ask yourself these questions to see if you are harboring unrighteous anger:

• Is my anger directed toward another person? Try to identify the individual.
• Is it without a justifiable cause? If your anger is selfish, you need to repent, forgive that person, and move on.
• Am I seeking vengeance? If you have a desire to “get even,” or harm the other person in some way for a misdeed, you are not operating according to Scripture.
• Am I cherishing anger? You might resist surrendering your frustration to the Lord. Maybe on some level, you want to be upset. Unless you release it to God, however, you will be unable to experience the freedom He longs to give you.
• Do I have an unforgiving spirit? Perhaps you feel that you simply can’t lay down your anger. But with the Lord’s help, I’m confident you can.

Part 2: Consequences of Anger

Scripture: Ephesians 4:26-27

I. A Threefold Warning in Ephesians 4:26-27
   A. First, we are to “be angry, and sin not.” In other words, don’t give in to rage and resentment towards another person.
   B. Second, “Do not let the sun go down on your anger.” God does not want us to go to sleep at night without dealing with the hostility we felt that day.
   C. Third, “Do not give the devil an opportunity.” Tragically, you and I sometimes become upset unnecessarily because we misunderstood another person’s comment.

II. The Consequences of Anger
   A. To ourselves:
      1. Anger breaks our fellowship with God. We can’t be at peace with the Lord while we are angry with another individual (Matt. 5:23-24).
      2. Your relationships with other people will suffer. For example, a marriage will not thrive if one or both spouses become angry and refuse to address the problem.
      3. You will develop a critical spirit. Bitter people often become judgmental in an effort to justify their negative feelings.
      4. You will lack peace. Hostility makes you restless and robs you of joy.
      5. Anger leads to emotional isolation. When people are wounded, they often try to protect themselves from further hurt by pushing others away.
      6. Anger results in frustration and anxiety. You may expect betrayal or constantly question the motives of those who are kind to you.
      7. It leaves you feeling empty. When we cut ourselves off from friendships in order to prevent further hurt, God allows us to feel lonely.
      8. It can also cause you to become narrow in mind and heart. You begin to criticize and belittle others—perhaps through joking––but the barbs are real.
      9. Anger sometimes manifests itself through chronic tardiness. By being late, people seek to demonstrate that no one can tell them what to do.
      10. Hostility can make you disagreeable. If you have unresolved anger, it can make you argumentative with everyone, not just the person who offended you.
      11. Anger can make you sloppy on the job. You may begin to justify failing to look your best, do your best, and be your best at work.
      12. Anger can cause you to lose your enthusiasm. You may withdraw from social activities or lose your excitement for hobbies and passions.
      13. Hostility, if left unchecked, results in procrastination. It diminishes your ability to concentrate, so you are less likely to complete tasks.
      14. Anger can contribute to obesity, because people try to comfort themselves through food.
      15. It also prevents genuine sexual intimacy in marriage.
   B. To our health:
      1. Unresolved, unrighteous anger increases your adrenalin level, heart rate, and blood pressure. Your mouth becomes dry and your hands get moist. Your stomach tenses and interrupts digestion, and blood rushes to supply your muscles with extra energy.
      2. Chronic rage or resentment, over the long term, contributes to ulcers, hypertension, heart disease, heart attacks, and stroke. It results in crippling arthritis and severe depression. In short, every system of your body is affected. Initially, you may not feel these devastating effects of anger, but over time, they can ruin your health.
   C. To other people:
      1. Anger hurts those around us. Resentment separates close friendships and other relationships. It’s often a factor in divorce.
      2. Rage can cause damage to the belongings of others. Sometimes it even results in physical harm or loss of innocent life.
   D. To God:
      1. Anger grieves the Lord. Hostility does not fit who we are as children of God.
      2. It hinders His work. Those who harbor resentment are often not willing to obey His voice.
      3. The Father will not pour out His full blessing on an angry person.

Part 3: How to Handle Anger

Scripture: Ephesians 4:29-32

I. How do people handle anger?
   A. Repression: We deny that it exists.
   B. Suppression: You and I recognize that anger is there, but we refuse to deal with it.
   C. Harsh outbursts: Some individuals may make excuses for themselves, saying, “This is how God made me” or “I just have a short fuse.”
   D. Self-control: The right response to anger is to exercise restraint through the power of the Holy Spirit.

II. How should we deal with anger?
   A. Confess it. Denying your feelings will only cause you to stay angry longer. Whether or not you acknowledge the emotion, its poison will continue to affect you. By harboring anger, you will never know the fullness of peace and joy that a relationship with Jesus Christ can bring.
   B. Identify the nature and source. If you don’t identify the root of the problem, you could lash out at someone who did nothing wrong. For instance, people who were abused by one of their parents sometimes resent all authority figures, including pastors.
   C. Purpose to deal with it quickly. Satan wants you to dwell on your negative feelings so they will grow. But Scripture says to deal with your anger (Eph. 4:26-27). In some instances of extreme pain and suffering, you won’t be able to get rid of hostility before the sun sets. But you should acknowledge your feelings and decide to deal with them. You shouldn’t just accept rage as a natural response and allow it to become part of your life.
   D. Do not sin. It is possible to get angry without sinning (Eph. 4:26). In fact, anger can motivate us to take necessary action or right a wrong. Consider the example Christ set for us (Matt. 21:13-14; Matt. 23:13-33; Mark 3:2-5).
   E. Take a time out. Make a purposeful decision not to react quickly, because your first impulse will likely be an unwise one. Give the other person time to talk. Then you will be able to respond in a godly manner. You and I should strive to be “quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger”
(James 1:19; see also Ps. 103:8).
   F. Clarify and analyze the situation. Has somebody hurt those who are mad at you? Are they frustrated, insecure, jealous, or fatigued? You can use similar questions to analyze your own feelings as well. Getting to the root of the conflict will help you know how to address it.
   G. Deal with the problem. When anger is unchecked, it will turn into bitterness (Proverbs 30:33). So if you can’t get rid of this emotion immediately, make a commitment to seek healing.
   H. Ventilate. Secular psychologists often recommend freely expressing negative feelings. But as believers, we must carefully consider how our words affect others. So I recommend venting to the Lord. Get on your knees in a private place and tell God exactly how you feel. He will begin to work in your heart and draw you toward forgiveness.
   I. Put it away. Ephesians 4:31 says, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” We should “put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Col. 3:12). Both of these actions are possible only through the power of the Holy Spirit.
   J. Replace it. Harness the energy that anger gives you. Use it to wax your car, hit golf balls at the driving range, or clean out a closet.
   K. Determine the benefits. The positive side of anger is that it can motivate us to take constructive action, such as fixing problems. (See “D” above.)
   L. Prevent a wrong response from recurring. We can’t always avoid antagonistic feelings, but we can control how we react to them. Decide ahead of time how you will act in challenging situations. Determine to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become upset. (See “E” above.)
   M. Stay away from hostile people. Proverbs 22:24-25 says, “Do not associate with a man given to anger; or go with a hot-tempered man, or you will learn his ways and find a snare for yourself.” Refrain from starting relationships with those who are constantly irritated.


Part 4: Anger and Forgiveness

Scripture: Ephesians 4:30-32

I. Introduction:
There is awesome power in forgiveness. It is God’s solution for bitterness, resentment, and hostility. You and I need the freedom found only through sincerely and completely forgiving others.

II. A Few Definitions
   A. Anger is a strong feeling of intense displeasure, hostility, or indignation as a result of a real or imagined threat, insult, frustration, or injustice toward yourself or others important to you.
   B. Forgiveness is giving up resentment (anger) against someone else, along with your right to get even, no matter what has been done to you.
   C. Unforgiveness is the deliberate, willful refusal to give up one’s resentment and right to get even, based on the attitude that someone must pay for the wrong done.

III. Obstacles to Forgiveness:
   A. Lack of desire: You don’t want to forgive.
   B. Rehearsing what happened: Some people continue to dwell on the hurtful experience.
   C. Pride: We may believe the other person should initiate reconciliation.
   D. Fear: Some resist forgiving to avoid looking weak, being misunderstood, or feeling rejected.
   E. Negative advice: Well-meaning friends don’t always offer godly counsel.
   F. Partial forgiveness: People try to pick and choose which offenses can be pardoned.
   G. Relying on emotions: Don’t make the mistake of waiting until you feel like forgiving.
   H. Expecting quick results: Forgiveness can take time.
   I. Justifying the other person’s actions: Some people will rationalize what happened so that they don’t have to forgive.

IV. Scriptural Teaching
   A. Our fellowship with God suffers when we refuse to excuse others for their sins against us
(Matt. 6:14-15).
   B. We should forgive over and over. In Matthew 18:22, Jesus tells Peter that he must forgive his brother “seventy times seven” times.
   C. You and I must be willing to extend mercy towards those who sin against us, because God has forgiven each of us of so much (Matt. 18:23-35).
   D. We must deliberately turn away from anger and malice (Eph. 4:31-32).

V. Important Reminders
      1. As a believer, you have the responsibility to take the initiative in dealing with unforgiveness.
      2. Forgiveness will not always be easy or quick. But you can’t allow it to take root in your life and turn into bitterness.
      3. Forgiving is difficult because it is unselfish. It involves laying down strong feelings and rights while releasing the other person from his or her obligation to repay you.
      4. You may never forgive if you wait until you “feel like it.”
      5. Remember, forgiveness doesn’t always have to include going to the other person and confessing your resentment. Approach that individual only if the Lord directs you to do so.

VI. Steps to Dealing with Anger:
   1. Acknowledge that you have been totally forgiven. God saved you by grace––not because you deserved it. He has freely offered His forgiveness your entire life.
   2. Confess your anger to the Lord. Recognize that your attitude has not been right. Be specific in describing your hostility and resentment.
   3. Recognize that unforgiveness is sin. Honestly admit that it is a violation of biblical principles.
   4. Ask God to forgive you. You may also need to admit to the other person that your attitude towards him or her was wrong.
   5. Lay down the anger. Through the power of the Holy Spirit and by an act of your will, choose to let it go.

VII. Helpful Guidance
   A. God will reveal whether or not you need to confess your unforgiveness to the one who offended you. When that is the case, make sure you simply request forgiveness for your attitude without going into why he or she angered you.
   B. If meeting in person is not possible, set two chairs facing each other. Sit in one and imagine the other individual sitting across from you. Then, confess your resentment. You can also use this technique to practice confessing a wrong attitude before attempting it in person.

VIII. How to Know You Have Forgiven:
   A. The harsh emotions you’ve had towards others will be replaced by compassion.
   B. You’ll be able to accept others without feeling bitter, even if they never change. You will try to understand why they acted the way they did.
   C. You will feel thankful that God allowed the difficult experience to teach you more about the riches of His grace.

IX. Conclusion:
You and I don’t have to hold onto unforgiveness, bitterness, and resentment.
We can escape the chains of self-destruction that entangle those who refuse to show mercy. When the Holy Spirit reminds you of the people you need to forgive, I hope you won’t ignore His voice. It is my prayer that you bravely and wisely choose to deal with those feelings. My friend, allow God to set you free¬¬––you will never regret it. While suffering a horrible death on the cross, Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34). Let’s follow His example and graciously forgive anyone who offends us. That way, you and I will be free to enjoy the abundant life God has planned for us.

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 AM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or via internet video on Jubilee T.V.

Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124


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Love One Another

 By Tony V. Hammack

These notes are best utilized with the audio or video.  Please click here to watch the video or click here to listen to the audio.

1. John 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
They way we’re supposed to love one another is illustrated in the way Jesus Christ loves us.
No greater love has anyone than this, than a man lay down his life for his friends.
God demonstrated his love for us in this, while we were still sinners Christ died for us. The kind of Love God has for us includes painful sacrifice.

What is Love?
When people say “I Love You”, they can mean a lot of different things. Let’s take a look at the type of love Jesus wants us to have for one another.

The Type of Love we’re to have for one another is agape love
   (a) Agape is the Greek word used to describe the attitude of God toward His Son, the attitude of God toward the human race, and to such as believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, particularly.
   (b) Agape is used to convey God's will to His children concerning their attitude one toward another, and toward all men,
   (c) Agape is also used to express the essential nature of God.

Love is a Choice
Love can be known only from the actions it prompts. God's love is seen in the gift of His Son, it was not drawn out by any excellence in its objects. It was an exercise of the Divine will in deliberate choice, made without assignable cause save that which lies in the nature of God Himself.
Love had its perfect expression among men in the Lord Jesus.

Love-the greatest joy and pain
Love creates the greatest Joy when it’s reciprocated.
It creates incredible pain when it’s scoffed at or ignored.

2. John 13:35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."

True disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ love one another with God’s type of love.
This type of love will communicate to all men.

What you are doing speaks so loudly I can hardly hear what you are saying.
Actions speak louder than words.

3. Romans 13:8-10 8Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. 9The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." 10Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

When we love one another we show that God’s saving grace is in us and we are considered righteous by faith which expresses itself through our love for one another.

4. 1 Peter 1:22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart.

It takes a pure heart through obedience to have true love for the brothers.

There are different types of “love”. Some love is rooted in selfish desires or a desire to receive love.
We’re to love one another deeply from the heart. This means we’re not just supposed to tolerate one another but we’re supposed to love one another. This is a challenge for everyone.

5. 1 John 3:11 This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.

This message goes back to Cain and Abel. Don’t be surprised if the world hates you. Anyone who does not love illustrates that they are still in the way of death.

6. 1 John 3:23 And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us.
If we obey God’s commands (see above) we have confidence that God hears our prayers and we will receive what we ask for.

7. 1 John 4:7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
Agape love is a divine expression from one person to another. Without receiving agape love from the Father Christian people will struggle in the way they express this love to one another.

8. 1 John 4:11 Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
When the Love of God touches our hearts we must express love for one another. It’s a divine nature that God deposits into the lives of his children. Those who have been touched by the love of God will touch others with the love of God.

9. 1 John 4:12 No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
By loving one another it causes God’s love to mature in us.

Before you go before the Lord in prayer please take a look at God's love for you by watching this video.






 Lets pray and ask God to show us by revelation the great love he has for us. He’s demonstrated it in the cross. Help us to have eyes to see the great love you’ve given us. Give us the grace to express the same love you’ve given us to others.

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 AM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or via internet video on Jubilee T.V.

Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124


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by Tony V. Hammack

How to Build the Church

By Tony V. Hammack

These notes are best utilized in conjunction with the video or audio of this message.  To watch the video please click here.  To listen to the audio please click here.


Matthew 16:13-18
13When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"  14They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 15"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" 16Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 17Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. 18And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

People have a tendency to compare you to someone they are already familiar with.
The general consensus about the identity of Jesus is varied but centers on the idea that he is a man of God.

Jesus asks the disciples, “who do men say that I am” because he wants to see if any of his disciples have been listening to the heavenly frequency from the Father and he wants one of them to make a declaration about his identity.

Peter has been listening to the Heavenly Father and knows by this voice the identity of Jesus.

Instead of rebuking Peter for his brashness (as Jesus always did when confronted by error), Jesus blesses him for his confession of faith. Throughout His ministry Jesus accepted prayers and worship as rightfully belonging to Himself.

Jesus on Trial Before the Sanhedrin

Matthew 26
The high priest said to him, "I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God." 64"Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied. "But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." 65Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, "He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. 66What do you think?" "He is worthy of death," they answered.

For Peter to say, “You are the Christ the Son of the Living God he is also risking blasphemy.” His deep rooted understanding of the identity of Jesus is deeper in him than his fear of death. Peter, as a good monotheistic Jew understands what he is saying, in the same way the Sanhedrin understood what Jesus said.

Jesus says, You are Petros (littler Rock) and upon this Petra (Big Rock), I will build my church. When we hear from God and say what he tells us to and do what he says we become littler rocks upon the Big Rock (God’s revealed voice)

This is the way the church is built.

Jesus is the Chief Cornerstone
Ephesians 2:19-22
19Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, 20built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

The cornerstone is the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.

When we hear God and come in line with his word we become part of the church and serve to further the work of the church. This is the best reason to be a part of a church ministry, because He has spoken to you to be a part.

A paradigm shift from John Kennedy. He said, ask not what your country can do for you but what can you do for your country. I believe it’s appropriate among the spiritually mature to ask the same question accept substitute the word Church for country. Ask not what your church can do for you, but what can you do for your church.

If everyone has a servant’s attitude we can’t help but grow. However when we take on an, “I need to be served” “I need to be fed” attitude we will be limited in our ability to measure up to people’s expectations. If we can meet a person’s expectations and perceived needs they will stay, if we can’t they will leave.
We need servant minded people serving the Lord to push us over the hump.

Our church isn’t perfect but we’re doing pretty well for where we are. I’m very optimistic about our future and know it will take sacrifice from everyone if we’re going to continue moving forward.

One thing that gives people fuel to critique any ministry is if they themselves are out of the will of God. Often being out of God’s will, walking in dis-obedience, creates feelings of guilt that can be temporarily eased by critiquing someone else.
It’s much easier to critique it than get involved and start bringing about positive change. Joe Schmo off the street has an opinion but this will not advance the kingdom of God.

Spiritual Ambition
Mark 9:35
35Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all."

Luke 13
30Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.

One of the biggest indicators of spiritual maturity is service for God and others. People who need to be served haven’t reached a basic level of spiritual maturity.

John 13:13-17
13"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. 15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. 17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Philippians 2:4-11
4Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.  5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:  6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!  9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,  10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

It’s my desire that we will have a church body where we’ll have a lot more to offer baby Christians. However in the meantime we must all serve faithfully in our own areas to move the church forward. Servant hood is the key.

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 AM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or via internet video on Jubilee T.V.

Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124


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The Old Phone on the Wall

When I was a young boy, my father had one of the first telephones in our neighborhood. I remember the polished, old case fastened to the wall. The shiny
receiver hung on the side of the box. I was too little to reach the telephone, but used to listen with fascination when my mother talked to it.  Then I discovered that somewhere inside the wonderful device lived an amazing person. Her name was
"Information Please" and there was nothing she did not know. Information Please could supply anyone's
number and the correct time.

My personal experience with the genie-in-a-bottle came one day while my mother was visiting a neighbor. Amusing myself at the tool bench in the basement, I whacked my finger with a hammer, the pain was
terrible, but there seemed no point in crying because there was no one home to give sympathy.

I walked around the house sucking my throbbing finger, finally arriving at the stairway. The telephone! Quickly, I ran for the footstool in the parlor and dragged it to the landing. Climbing up, I unhooked the receiver in the parlor and held it to my ear. "Information, please" I said into the mouthpiece just above my head.

A click or two and a small clear voice spoke into my ear. "Information."

"I hurt my finger..." I wailed into the phone, the tears came readily enough now that I had an audience.

"Isn't your mother home?" came the question.

"Nobody's home but me," I blubbered.

"Are you bleeding?" the voice asked.

"No," I replied. "I hit my finger with the hammer and it hurts."

"Can you open the icebox?" she asked. I said I could.

"Then chip off a little bit of ice and hold it to your finger," said the voice.

After that, I called "Information Please" for everything. I asked her for help with my geography, and she told me where Philadelphia was. She helped me with my math.  She told me my pet chipmunk that I had caught in the park just the day before, would eat fruit and nuts.

Then, there was the time Petey, our pet canary, died.  I called, "Information Please," and told her the sad
story. She listened, and then said things grown-ups say to soothe a child. But I was not consoled. I asked her, "Why is it that birds should sing so beautifully and bring joy to all families, only to
end up as a heap of feathers on the bottom of a cage?"

She must have sensed my deep concern, for she said quietly, " Wayne , always remember that there are other worlds to sing in."

Somehow I felt better.

Another day I was on the telephone, "Information Please."

"Information," said in the now familiar voice.

"How do I spell fix?", I asked.

All this took place in a small town in the Pacific Northwest . When I was nine years old, we moved across the country to Boston. I missed my friend very much. "Information Please" belonged in that old wooden box back home and I somehow never thought of trying the shiny new phone that sat on the table in the hall. As I grew into my teens, the memories of those childhood conversations never really left me.

Often, in moments of doubt and perplexity I would recall the serene sense of security I had then. I appreciated now how patient, understanding, and kind she was to have spent her time on a little boy.

A few years later, on my way west to college, my plane put down in Seattle . I had about a half-hour or so between planes. I spent 15 minutes or so on the phone with my sister, who lived there now. Then without thinking what I was doing, I dialed my hometown operator and said, "Information Please."

Miraculously, I heard the small, clear voice I knew so well.

"Information."

I hadn't planned this, but I heard myself saying,

"Could you please tell me how to spell fix?"

There was a long pause. Then came the soft spoken answer, "I guess your finger must have healed by now."

I laughed, "So it's really you," I said. "I wonder if you have any idea how much you meant to me during that time?"

I wonder," she said, "if you know how much your calls meant to me.

I never had any children and I used to look forward to your calls."

I told her how often I had thought of her over the years and I asked if I could call her again when I came back to visit my sister.

"Please do", she said. "Just ask for Sally."

Three months later I was back in Seattle .. A different voice answered,

"Information." I asked for Sally.

"Are you a friend?" she said.

"Yes, a very old friend," I answered.

"I'm sorry to have to tell you this,"She said. "Sally had been working part time the last few years because she was sick. She died five weeks ago."

Before I could hang up, she said, "Wait a minute, did you say your name was Wayne ?"  "Yes." I answered.
"Well, Sally left a message for you.  She wrote it down in case you called.  Let me read it to you."

The note said, "Tell him there are other worlds to
sing in.  He'll know what I mean."

I thanked her and hung up. I knew what Sally meant.

Never underestimate the impression you may make on
others..

Whose life have you touched today?

If you'd like to learn more about becoming a Christian please click here.

Visit with us at Jubilee Family Church this Sunday at 10:00 AM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM Central Standard Time U.S.A. or via internet video on Jubilee T.V.

Jubilee Family Church
45 Thunderbird Dr.
Batesville, AR 72501
(870) 793-9124


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by Tony V. Hammack