Connection Central

Hello WAIO Team,

We are now baptizing once a month and the next one is scheduled for next Sunday (October 11th) right after the third service. I really enjoyed the new format. I gave us a chance to host family and friends in an atmosphere of intimacy and fellowship. We have it in TAMA Hall and it really makes for a great experience.

I have a chance to preach/teach about water baptism before the actual baptism and I thought I would share with you something new. I know know there is very little new, but I have discovered that NEW is what water baptism is all about.

NEW Name! Our baptism in water is the celebration of identification with Jesus Christ. We know that we are coming into a new family - being born anew and adopted as well. We are even being betrothed to Christ. Every one of these events are accentuated with a name change in the natural. Water baptism is the natural act that activates a spiritual reality. A new name is given to us. We are now "called by His name." Our old identity is buried with the Lord and our new name identifies us as His "beloved son, in whom He is well pleased."

NEW Heart! Water Baptism puts us under the surgical knife of the Holy Spirit. While we are "under", the Scripture declares that the old, hard heart is removed and a new heart is given. We exchange our "deceitful and wicked" heart for the heart of God that is infused with the love of God by the Holy Spirit. Our heart is "circumcised" and we are now opened to receive the word (law) of God to be written on our hearts. We do not receive the old laws of God etched in stone that record the do's and don'ts of righteousness. We receive the revelation and knowledge of the law of life in Christ. It's the law of love for God and love for others. This new heart beats with one directive - a love life. What we could not do before in the flesh, we are now able to do in the Spirit. For we have received from the Holy Spirit a new heart!

NEW Life! I suppose the greatest symbolism accomplished in water baptism is the "burial" under the water and the "resurrection" that follows. The scriptures are clear in relating water baptism to the deathe of the old and the birth of the new. We are baptised into the figurative Red Sea as Israel was in the flight from Egypt. This "crossing over" typified the passing away of an old life of bondage to sin and oppressive works and a resurrection to a land of promise , freedom, and abundance. By simple obedience, we enter into the promises of God to live free and possess a land of rich inheritance. We leave these waters with a fire of His presence by night and the cloud of His presence by day. We are resurrected to a new life. Jesus came to give life - and that LIFE is to be abundant.

If you have those in your family or in your LIFE Group that have not been water baptized, please encourage them to join us October 13th and enter into the NEW thing that God is doing. Just contact Santiago@wordalive.org to register.

New Name! New Heart! New Life! Coming soon to a baptismal near you!

Here's a nice format for prayer ministry I picked up in a recent conference. This format is especially applicable to those who are seeking freedom for bondage and inner healing.

1) Interview to obtain a starting point. Rather than trying to guess or discern the prayer need, why not ask? Matthew 7:7 says, "Ask and you shall receive." It is effective and efficient when the person himself states the area of need for prayer. This opens the door for ministry by engaging the will and confession.

2) Forgive. To forgive is to loose, release, dismiss, and completely cancel the debt. It means we cease to blame and feel resentment. A candidate for God's intervention can position himself to receive by identifying and removing any barriers to receptivity. Matthew 6:14 says, "For if you forgive (loose, release, dismiss, and completely cancel the debt) men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive (loose, release, dismiss, and completely cancel the debt) you." You can lead in the steps to forgive by helping to indentify those to forgive, vocalizing forgiveness for that offending party, and then leading in vocalizing a blessing and release to that offending person.

3) Repent to God. To repent is to change one's mind and purpose away from sin and toward God. True repentance involves both a confession of sin and a willing turning away from that sin and an embrace of the righteous and godly actions that are opposite that sin. I think it is not only important to turn away but to help identify what positive and righteous acts and attitudes will serve to help overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).

4) Renounce the Enemy. To renounce is to disown and forbid the approach of that which is disowned. Sin gives access to the work of the Evil one and renders one a servant to the enemy in that area of sin. Having forgiven and repented, we are now in a position to evict the trespassing presence of the enemy in complete confidence. We have yielded to righteousness and are no longer subject to the influence of the enemy of our souls. You can now lead the person in vocalizing an eviction and dismissal of evil entities and their influences. James 4:7,8 says,"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the Devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you..."

5) Anoint to break the yoke of bondage. James 5:13-16 describes a powerful progression toward victory. The afflicted one solicits prayer, confessing his faults, is forgiven and raised up through the prayer of faith and the anointing of God. Anointing with oil can serve as a tangible touch point that signifies a sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. In receiving this anointing, a person identifies with God, disassociates with sin and the enemy, and positions himself for all the benefits of the effective prayer of faith. Isaiah 10:27 tells us that the yoke is destroyed through the anointing.

Just for Fun...

Hey guys,

I read this story the other day and thought it was kind of funny. Enjoy.

Church feuds are not uncommon, especially among cliques in the congregation. But when the pastor and choir director get into it, stand aside.

One week our preacher preached on commitment, and how we should dedicate ourselves to service. The director then led the choir in singing, 'I Shall Not Be Moved.'

The next Sunday, the preacher preached on giving and how we should gladly give to the work of the Lord. The choir director then led the song, 'Jesus Paid It All.'

The next Sunday, the preacher preached on gossiping and how we should watch our tongues. The hymn was 'I Love To Tell The Story.'

The preacher became disgusted over the situation, and the next Sunday he told the congregation he was considering resigning. The choir then sang 'Oh, Why Not Tonight.'

When the preacher resigned the next week, he told the church that Jesus had led him there and Jesus was taking him away. The choir then sang, 'What A Friend We Have in Jesus.'

Beginning October 4 @ 10AM connecting with God, People and Purpose will have a new face on Sunday mornings! Join us for our new Equipping Classes in our Connection for a powerful Word Alive twist on traditional Sunday school!

There will be four different classes to choose from, each one designed to challenge and empower you while digging a little deeper into God's Word. Since they're held during our middle service, you can enjoy a class without having to miss our main worship service - you can catch it before or after (and still have plenty of time to grab a cup of coffee!)

Kidz Alive will of course be available, with a new format perfectly designed to accommodate children who are staying for more than one service time. The WAY also has a 10:00 AM study group in T.A.M.A. Hall for middle and high school students.

So what classes are available? Glad you asked!

1. STEPS TO SPIRITUAL GROWTH
We'll explore the different steps that draw us into deeper levels of spiritual maturity. Through topics like prayer, faith, walking in freedom, and reading the Word we'll look at ways to help us grow spiritually.

2. OUR COVENANT
Salvation is just the start. In Jesus, all the benefits of the Kingdom have been made available to us. Through a closer look at the book of Hebrews we will discover the extravagant benefits of the Kingdom and God's covenant with us.
Taught by Jeff Fink.

3. SCHOOL OF WORSHIP
Break out of your box with new ideas about worship! Actually, they aren't all that new, but we'll get to that. The Lord wants to show His glory in an increasing measure in our lives. We'll explore strategies for our passion to worship Him.
Taught by Bill Byrd

4. QUARTER-LIFE
Are you a recent high school grad, a college student, or a twenty-something looking for purpose and direction? Got dreams and visions but not sure which direction to head? There was a guy in the Bible called Joseph, and he was a lot like you! God had a great plan for his life that took him through trials and into triumph. We'll receive inspiration and encouragement from a closer look at his life.
Taught by Nanette Mudiam

This series of classes will run until December 20. No registration is required; if you'd like more information, you can contact Nanette Mudiam at nmudiam@wordalive.org

If you are new to Word Alive or you've been coming for a while and you've wondered, "How do I get connected, how can I get involved, how can I get to know more people...?" Well, we have the answer to your questions."Connect Four" is the meeting that will help you get the answers you need to connect here at Word Alive.

Sunday, October 4th immediately after the 3rd service Pastors Kent and Bev will share over a delicious meal how Word Alive got started, where we see the Lord is taking us, and the "four" ways that we can connect with what the Lord is doing here.If you would like to attend this meeting please reserve your seat with Nancy Mitchell at Nmitchell@wordalive.org

We look forward to connecting with you!

Here's a little guideline for your prayer times in a small group environment.

1. Put the person for which you are praying at ease. A warm and sincere greeting will go a long way in accomplishing this. Whether a man or a woman, taking another’s hands in yours is a good way to put that person at ease and encourages him to come into agreement as you pray. We should avoid touching the bare arm or shoulder of another as it may cause one to feel a bit uncomfortable. Be sure to respect a person’s personal space by not crowding too close when you begin to pray, especially with those of the opposite sex. Once the person is at ease and ready for prayer…

2. Ask the area of need for which pray can be made. Give a person time to share what concerns and needs they have for prayer. However, try not to let the problems grow bigger with more talk about them. There are time restraints in a small group and others for which to pray. Once you have the gist of the needs…

3. Move to prayer as soon as it is reasonably appropriate. As you pray, remember that you are not the solution. It is alright to say, “I don’t have the answer, but God does.” There is no need to counsel at this point. Point the person to God and as you pray, use the Scriptures. Integrating the scriptures into your prayers builds faith for all the parties. Trust the Holy Spirit to bring applicable scriptures to your mind that will bring hope and faith as you pray them. After you have prayed…

4. Conclude by giving a Scripture verse to embrace. There will likely be a Scripture verse that the Spirit will affirm to you as especially relevant and alive for this person. Be sure share this “word” with him and encourage him to speak the promise of God to the circumstances over which you have prayed. At the conclusion of your time of personal prayer ministry, a simple hug and confident smile will be a comforting and affirming gesture.

Using nametags in your small group is a good idea. You could wind up like this guy without them...