apostolic accent nov 2013

Beware of Being Unthankful | If You’ve Forgot About the Blood | I Have a Schedule to Keep | NAM Giving

The O�cial Magazine of the Oregon District UPCI November 2013

accent

Editors NoteIt’s that time of the year again…my favorite time! With Fall here

and the leaves changing, it’s always a great start to the next couple wonderful months where people are reflecting on what they are thankful for and then we lead into December where most people are full of joy and families are together to celebrate Christmas!!! It can’t any better than that! (Although some would disagree…lol.)

It’s not just this time of the year however that we should be thankful but we should always be thankful in all things. Sometimes it can be very hard to be thankful especially when your world may be in an uproar or nothing seems to be going right but it is possible to be thankful through those times.

I often find myself thanking God for things around my home…I do this because I know He takes care of my every need however, he takes care of my many wants as well. And many of the things around my home are not needs. I really don’t need wall hangings, rugs, furniture, measuring cups, mixing bowls, a nice soft comfy bed, a dresser, etc. The list goes on and on but I am thankful for each of these things around my home. I try to teach our oldest son the difference between needing and wanting…when we are at the store and he says he “needs” something I point out that he does not need it but he wants it.

Our needs are very basic- food, water, shelter and clothing. That’s it! We are a blessed people and sometimes we lack in thankfulness. Sometimes I lack in thankfulness! But today, I want to thank God for His provisions and for meeting my every need and many of my wants! I am truly blessed and I know you are too. Take some time today to reflect and thank Him for the blessings in your life!

Psalm 95:2“Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a

joyful noise unto him with psalms.”Psalm 100:4“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with

praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”Phillippians 4:6“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and

supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.”

Kassie Meyer

Oregon District Apostolic AccentVolume 49, Number 11

www.ORUPC.com

Editor……………………..........…………….Kassie [email protected]

(503) 689-3589

District OfficialsSuperintendent……………......……………Ted GravesSecretary/Treasurer……..........……..Dan Sargeant

PresbytersSection 1…………………......…..…………Gary GleasonSection 2……………………........…M. Dennis JohnsonSection 3………………………......……..Kevin GoodwinSection 4…………………………......Steven L. Johnson

Honorary Board MemberM. David Johnson

North American MissionsDirector…………………………….......…..Steve HansonSecretary…………………….……….....…Virgil Alldritt

Global MissionsDirector…………………………….......David Reynolds

Apostolic ManDirector……………………………..……......Mark Edday

Ladies MinistriesDirector…………………………......….Geanice LangleySecretary…………………...…….....…….Rachel Sparks

Sunday School Director………………………….…......…Darrell SparksSecretary…………....………………….....…..Joe Higgins

Oregon YouthPresident………………………….......…Shane Graves

Secretary………………………………......……Kevin NeuSpanish Ministries

Director……………………………………......Fito Avenia

Life in Focus Coordinator…...........Bill TittsworthPrison Ministry Coordinator….....….Doug LethinMedia Missions Director……......David P. JohnsonA.C.T.S. President………...….......M. Dennis JohnsonSenior Quiz Coordinator.…......…..Brian HuffmanJunior Quiz Coordinator.…......…Jonathan Toews

2 APOSTOLIC ACCENT November 2013

Inside this IssueArticles/Columns2 Editors Note KASSIE MEYER

4 Beware of Being Unthankful GARY GLEASON

6 If You’ve Forgot About the Blood DAN SARGEANT

8 A Bridge GEORGIA GRAVES

10 But...I Have a Schedule to Keep DAVID REYNOLDS

Promotions 7 Compassion Services GLOBAL MISSIONS

9 Section One CFC Banquet Photos NORTH AMERICAN MISSIONS

12 Oregon NAM Giving NORTH AMERICAN MISSIONS

November 2013 APOSTOLIC ACCENT 3


By Gary Gleason

“And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.

And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:

And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?

There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.”

Luke 17:11-19

Beware of Being Unthankful


It is a dangerous thing to loose our heart of thankfulness. The book of Romans illustrates this in chapter one. Verse 21 says, “Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”

Being unthankful may seem like a small thing indeed, but in reality, thankfulness is one of the most important attitudes we can have in our lives. Reading the remainder of Romans chapter one reveals the end results of being unthankful --- destruction!

The evil lifestyles portrayed in chapter one of Romans are seen in our society today. This nation is blessed, but so many refuse to recognize the source of their blessings. God is so gracious to provide all we have and need. As His children, we should manifest the spirit of thankfulness daily.

Paul asked a very thought provoking question in 1 Corinthians 4:7, “and what hast thou that thou didst not receive?” None of us is self-sufficient. God is the source of everything that comes our way. How wise an individual is to recognize the blessing of God constantly in our lives and give Him thanks!

The story of the ten

lepers in Luke 17 illustrates the importance of being thankful. It took a measure of faith for them to launch out on the long journey to the priest, and if not really cleansed, receive a cursed sentence from him. They were all obedient to the word of the Lord. They were all cleansed. Like Naaman the Syrian, one of them thought some recognition was due to the benefactor. He returned and thanked God with a loud voice. He was not only cleansed, but he was made whole!

Could it be that Jesus longed for the expressionp of gratitude? God certainly doesn’t need anything from us! He is Lord of all! “If I were hungry, I would not tell thee: for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof. Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:” (Psalm 50:12-14).

Is it possible that the account from Luke suggests that 90% of those who receive God’s benefits lack gratitude? Someone once said, “ My wealth consists not in the abundance of my means, but in the fewness of my wants.” Not all who believe are ready to be thankful. All ten believed yet only one thanked

God. Not all who obey are thankful. All ten obeyed, but only one returned to give thanks.

Some causes of ingratitude include:

1. Thoughtlessness – 90% of the lepers healed that day never gave Jesus another thought. Perhaps they were too excited about their healing.

2. Pride – The Jew of that day was apt to take anything that came to him as a matter of right, and then wonder that he didn’t get more. (Don’t let pride swell up too much. You may have to swallow it someday!)

3. Out of sight, out of mind – Men are often thankless when they cannot see their benefactor.

May the Lord deliver us all from the Ingratitude Attitude!◊____________________________

Gary Gleason is the pastor of Oregon City United Pentecostal Church in Oregon City, Oregon. He also serves as the Section One Presbyter for the Oregon District.


If your life seems hopeless; you’re drowning in despairIf you think that you are worthless; and no one even cares

You’ve forgot about the blood!

If you think you have it all togetherIf you think you’re better than your neighbor


If your body is broken and you think you have no prayerIf your bound by sin and sickness; addiction, pain and terror


If you’re wounded in your spirit; forgiveness you cannot findIf resentment, bitterness, anger, rage and vengeance fills your mind


If you fail to love your brother and forget the one-anothersIf you think you have no sin and need forgiveness from none other


If your heart is void of loveOh, the categories and classes of people you’re above


If the devil’s robbed your joyIf only sorrow you employ


If peace cannot be foundGuilt, fear, and depression trails and torments you like a hound


If you have no patience for those who do you wrongYou feel you don’t deserve to suffer long


If you think it’s weak to be kind and gentleRather than tender-hearted, it’s your strength to be judgmental

Well, you’ve forgot about the blood!

If you think the Gospel seems outdatedThe Power of God unto salvation is overrated

Those screaming preachers, the Acts 2:38 message have certainly exaggeratedYou’ve forgot about the blood!

If you think sowing in tears reaps no joyAll prayer and supplication in the Spirit is a fruitless effort to employ

If you think that today, intercessory prayer is a dudYes, you’ve forgot about the blood!

If You’ve Forgot About the Blood

By Dan Sargeant

C H R I S T I A N L A D I E S R E F L E C T I N G C H R I S T ’ S G L O R Y

Do you need encouragement? Or maybe some reading material for the ladies around you or yourself? Reflections, the magazine is sized to easily fit into your purse or tote bag and will be a delight to all those who read it!.

They make for a great Christmas gift idea!

Visit www.ladiesministries.org or call 314.837.7304 ext. 412 to subscribe.

1 Year (6 issues) $14 US/$16 CAN

2 Years (12 issues) $24 US/$27 CAN

Bundle pricing also available.


A BridgeAt the end of a long busy day, mamma would pray

angels around us and tuck us in to bed, find her way to the old upright piano and begin to sing. Many of those songs still linger in my spirit because her rela-tionship with her God was so genuine. She would, as it were, bring me into the throne room and His presence would fill my heart. Psalms 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, oh Lord”, has continued to ring in my ears and has seemingly gotten louder and louder.

For 57 years I have watched the power of the spo-ken word....words that destroy and words that build up. This observance has made me acutely aware of my responsibility to build a bridge with my words, and to guard against destructive words.

I’ve wept as I witnessed words of compassion and forgiveness that brought healing & restoration to a marriage that was on the rocks.

My heart ached as an adult described the rejec-tion she suffered because of the abusive words of her father, sending her down a destructive path that took years to recover.

I’ve seen siblings make fun and ridicule each oth-er, not realizing, their words would leave deep scars that would never fade.

The power of each word was reinforced while lis-tening to the story of a single mother who walked away from God for 30 years before finding her way back home, due to the harsh, angry words of a spiri-tual leader.

I have been the recipient of many words of hope

and faith that brought me through some very tough times.

Following the words of Jesus, is an amazing sce-nario of a gentle, compassionate, savior reaching out with life changing words...giving hope to the hope-less, forgiveness to the sinner, healing and restora-tion to the wounded. Oh, that our words would be the tool to bring light and hope in every situation.

Proverbs 18:21 describes the power of the tongue...”death and life are in the power of the tongue”. WAIT, I don’t want to be responsible for such a tool! Guess it is time to weigh my words, be-fore they leave the gate.

“Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips”, was David’s cry in Psalms 141:3. A watchman must protect what comes in, and protect what goes out.. . . I have purposed to ask myself, “is this going to be a bridge”? Momma’s song contin-ues to remind me, “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, oh Lord”..........◊___________________________________________

Georgia Graves is a Pastor’s wife in Gresham, Oregon.

She works along side her husband who serves as the

General Superintendant for the Oregon District.

By Georgia Graves

Section One Christmas

for Christ

Banquet


Section One Christmas

for Christ

Banquet


By David Reynolds


But...I Have a Schedule to Keep


And as the king passed by … he said, Thy servant went out into the midst of the battle; and, behold, a man turned aside, and brought a man unto me, and said, Keep this man: if by any means he be missing, then shall thy life be for his life, or else thou shalt pay a talent of silver. And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone.

I Kings 20:39,40The following is a true story

and happened in a small city in England –just a few years ago. A number of people wrote to the local newspaper complaining about the bus service they where experiencing.

They complained that many times they would go to their bus stop early in the morning to catch the bus to go to work. The scheduled bus would approach their stop and go right by them without stopping. To make it worse—there seemed to be very few people on the bus. The passengers had to wait for the next bus which caused them to be late to work.

The bus company read these complaints and started an investigation. They traced down the time and the bus driver who consistently drove that bus at that time each morning. She was called in and asked about these incidents. She readily confessed that it did happen quite often but was offended at even being asked to explain. She said, “But you just don’t understand, I have a tight schedule to meet. If I stop for every rider –it will make me late. How could I possibly meet my schedule?”

She had lost the very reason for the bus in the first place.

When most men are asked. “What is the most valuable thing in your life? Most will say, “My family!” –Then why are so many our families being destroyed?

Do we have a schedule to meet? What are our priorities in life –are we ignoring the very things that gives our life meaning?

‘If you gain the whole world and lose your soul’ —or lose your family --you have lost it all.

In our scripture setting, Benhadad, King of Syria, came against King Ahab and threatened to take all of the wives and children in the city, in exchange for peace. King Ahab decided the cost was far too high. The men of the city decided to fight for their wives and their children.

God used just a few men to defeat the host of the Syrians. God gave Ahab a great victory and placed King Benhadad into his hands—but Ahab let this arch enemy go— only to let him fight again. If we do not destroy the forces that would destroy our homes --they will return to destroy both us and our families.

The honor of the victory overshadowed the reason for the battle. The men of Israel are to be commended that they were willing to fight for their families; but winning a battle is not the same as winning the war. To win the war we must kill the King.

Later, Elisha wept, for God showed him the evil that the king of Syria would do to Israel -- “their strong holds wilt thou set on fire, and their young men wilt thou slay with the sword, and wilt dash

their children, and rip up their women with child”.

“No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.” Mark 3:27

We have a spiritual enemy that would destroy our marriages and our families. ‘Strong man’, you are the main target—if Satan can bind you he has your family.

I can always tell what a man holds valuable by where he spends his time, his energy and his money. Are you so busy making a living that you are losing the very reason for life? Are you so busy going here and there—doing this and that, and not noticing that you are losing the most valuable time with your wife and children –time that you can never recover. Are you leaving them at the bus stop?

While you are ‘busy going here and there’—your children will soon be gone. Men, “Make the main thing—the main thing!◊____________________________

David Reynolds has been the Minister of Discipleship at Portland Pentecostals since 2007. He is a graduate of Conquerors Bible College, Cascade College, Portland State University and post graduate work

at the University of Oregon. He served as a teacher, assistant Principle & Principle. Since retiring from public education he has traveled extensively to over 37 countries preaching & teaching in Bible Schools and has written several books on Education, The Family & Parenting.


North American Missions Giving September 2013

Apostolics of Portland - Alldritt $50.00Bend, True Gospel U.P.C. $90.00Corvallis, United Pentecostal Church $25.00Cottage Grove, Hope Fellowship UPC $25.00Grace Point Ministries $25.00Hillsboro, Bethel U.P.C. $50.00Klamath Falls, United Pentecostal Church $50.00Monroe New Hope Life Center $25.00Newport, Lighthouse U.P.C. $20.00Oregon City, United Pentecostal Church $300.00Redmond, Heights Pentecostals $50.00Roseburg, Christian Life Center U.P.C. $20.00Springfield, United Pentecostal Church $20.00 Total $750.00

apostolic accent nov 2013

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