3 KEYS TO EVANGELISM

In Acts 11:20, 21, Jesus was preached, and God’s hand–representing His Presense and Power–was on them. As a result, many people believed, turned (repented) and were saved. Three things are obvious to me. 1) Jesus was preached. Too many sermons say too little about Jesus. Yet He is the central theme of both the Old and New Testaments. 2) God’s Presence was known. It is the Holy Spirit’s presence that brings the true light of the message to the hearts of people. 3) His Power was manifested. We read throughout the four gospels and the book of Acts how signs and wonders took place, resulting in salvation. Though not specifically stated in Acts 11:21, I believe that when His word is preached and His presence is with us, His power will be manifested.

We need more Jesus preaching, more of His presence, and more of His power in our services. As a result, people will believe, turn (repent) and be saved. Amen!

BUT PETER…BUT ON HIS OWN.

All the disciples fled.   Jesus told His disciples they would all forsake Him that night.  Sure enough, when Judas betrayed Jesus, they all scattered just as prophesy had said.  BUT PETER followed from a distance and sat down with the officers to see the outcome (Matt 26:58).  Peter is the one disciple who, after they all scattered, returned to follow.  However, when it came down to it, he denied Jesus three times, just as Jesus said he would. 

Peter tried but failed because he had no sustaining power.  He was trying on his own strength.  But this same man, after Christ’s resurrection, stood in the streets of Jerusalem and boldly preached to the same people that crucified Jesus.  What changed?  It was the empowerment he received just a short time before in the Upper Room, when they were all filled with the Holy Spirit.

We often try to follow Him under our own power.  But without His Spirit empowering us we are doomed to fail.  You cannot succeed in your mission without the power of the Holy Spirit.  Being filled with the Spirit is not a one-time event, but an ongoing process.  We are to continually “be being filled.” 

Are you trying to defeat a life-controlling behavior?  Are you continually suffering defeat instead of enjoying victory?  Maybe you’re trying to succeed under your own power.  You’ll not succeed until you allow Him to fill you with His Spirit and continually draw on the power, being continually filled.

Go, today, in His power, filled with His Spirit, and walk in victory!  God bless.

‎10 Reasons NOT to Read Your Bible This Year

This comes from my former pastor and close friend Phil Stern.

1. It might change your character. You may be inspired to treat people differently, to act on the behalf of those who are mistreated, downtrodden, or hated. You may act differently not because you are trying to be a better person, but because you encounter a God that loves you just the way you are.

2. It may change your actions. You may begin to think differently, and, therefore, act differently. People around you may see a difference in you as you begin to act in ways that are contrary to what the world holds as important.

3. You might think different about God. Currently, you may assume God is angry and disappointed in you, perhaps like someone in your own life. If you engage with the Scriptures, you may notice that this isn’t true about Him at all.

4. Might discover that you’ve mistaken religion with relationship. You may realize the bad religion that you’ve experienced in the past is in fact very different from the Jesus in the Scriptures. You may actually encounter the Jesus in the Scriptures.

5. You may give up trying to be perfect in life. As you see the redemption in store in the Bible for countless misfits and heathens, idol worshippers and killers, you may learn of the restoration in store for your life too. You may be surprised of all the jacked up people in the Bible that were used by God.

6. It may affect your relationships. You may begin to see people not for how they can benefit you, but instead how you can impact them. As you begin to apply what you learn in the Scriptures, you may see your relationships with others go to a whole new level of influence.

7. You may become unsettled. As you read stories of boldness and sacrifice through the lives of imperfect people, you may lose yourself in the stories. You may find yourself in the middle of a conversation from long ago. You may become unsettled with the life you currently live.

8. You may realize that people are still the same. Even though the world today is very different than in biblical times, you may find that people are very much the same as they’ve always been. You encounter people who are selfish, broken, and confused, but end up being selfless, healed, and filled with purpose in life.

9. You may want to involve others. The Bible was written over thousands of years by dozens of different authors, all I believe inspired by God. Its unique formation can make it pretty intimidating to understand at times. As you engage with the Scriptures, you may be compelled to bring in friends, family, or others to join you in your new quest.

10. It may challenge you to leave behind a legacy with your short time on Earth. You may be compelled to give your life to a greater cause, one that extends far beyond your pleasures or comforts. When you read the bible, it’s all about a life that has purpose and meaning and therefore promotes legacy for your generation and the ones to follow in your footsteps.

Have an awesome year of change should you choose to read your bible!

Word of Life Daniel Fast 2012

Pastor Bill has asked the church to participate with the leadership team in a Daniel Fast.  Last year was the first year for such a church-wide fast, and though a number of resources were provided it was difficult to wade through all of them.

After considerable searching, I found that Elevation Church had a very good downloadable file.  Part of the information from their website is in the brochure we are distributing throughout Word of Life.  Rather than copy and paste their file, here’s the link to it: http://danielfast.elevationchurch.org/.

There is a wealth of additional information available on the web, but this is the best one of what I looked at.  If you want something that will not only help you in this twenty-one day church fast but also in the long-term, look at http://danielplan.com/.  You can Google daniel fast and come up with some other sites as well.

Remember, if there is not a spiritual component to your fast, you’re not really fasting…you’re just changing your diet.  Isaiah 56 has a lot to say about fasting–it’s a good place to start reading before you begin your fast. 

So, get your flesh under control and let your spirit take charge of you life as we embark on this journey together.  God bless, and happy fasting!

 

Christmas Newsletter

Merry Christmas from the Dixons!

It’s been quite a year for us.  The first six months were smooth sailing.  Marsha continued to find favor with her employer, a local nursing home, and Jim was finding success at the local ADT dealer.

Then, Marsha lost her job in July following a management change at the nursing home and is still unemployed.  Jim quit his job in late October over decisions the owner of the company was making that Jim could not, in clear conscience, go along with.  He began a new business venture as a broker for an equipment lease financing company in Florida.  But, as with any startup businesses, there’s no immediate income, so he is looking for a job that will meet our financial needs and provide some stability.  Once established, the equipment lease financing will require a minimal time investment and should provide good long-term income.

Jim made two trips to Peru, in February, and June, to speak at pastors and leaders conferences and ministry workshops, and in local churches.

In October we both traveled to Peru.  It was an exciting trip as one of our adopted “kids”, Maria Momojara married Paul Diamond.   Jim helped perform the ceremony.   We also did an evangelism workshop for our “kids”, Jose and Marlene Navarro, and Marsha spoke at a women’s meeting in their church.  And we helped celebrate a church anniversary for our first “kids”, Jose and Raquel Vicente.

Mike has returned to his old job as Deputy Director of the Benton County Emergency Management Agency following a two year absence.  During those two years he worked full time in his audio/video company, DB Productions.  Rhonda is teaching again this year at Ambassadors for Christ Academy—this year in pre-K and after-school care.   Rhonda’s teaching at ACA means free tuition for Emily and Megan, now 11and 9, and that’s a significant benefit for their family.

Emily is playing club volleyball in Fayetteville, and she loves it.  The first several weeks are preparation for the winter season, which begins in January.  Watch for reports on her team’s success on FaceBook.  Megan opted for piano lessons, and will begin those in January. 

Jeff continues to work as a title agent for a local company that has expanded into the Fayetteville area, and he is running that office.   Vanessa is still a stay-at-home mom (Yea!).  Jeff and Vanessa are working with the youth ministry at the church, and Jeff is playing drums in the Sunday morning service.  Abbigail is in 3-year old preschool.  She looks so much like her mama and acts just like her daddy.

What’s in store for 2012?  Hopefully, jobs for both Jim and Marsha.  Time and finances permitting, we plan two trips to Peru.  And we are back to work on our book, God’s Blueprint for Marriage, based on the principles we learned during the restoration of our own marriage, and hope to finish it very soon.

Our faith in Jesus Christ sustains us, and we pray the Lord will sustain you throughout the coming year as all.  God bless!

In His Love,

Second October Update from Lima–Marketplace Evanglism Report

Greetings from Lima!

I waited until completion of the Marketplace Evangelism Workshop before sending a new update, because I’ve learned that what happens on a session-by-session basis doesn’t really give a picture of the total success of the seminar.  Tuesday evening we had 42 registrants, and by the last session that number had increased to over 60.  The first session was good; the class was attentive and receptive to the Word of God.  The second session, however, was a different matter.  But, PRAISE GOD, the final session was a mighty demonstration of His power at work in the lives of believers.

In the first session we teach about the importance of having a deep personal relationship with the Lord, the importance of knowing and meditating on His Word, and the need to be filled with the Spirit in order to release His power in ministry.  Before the class one of the students, a 19-year old girl, told me she wanted to be filled with the Spirit, and my taxi driver, who was also a student, had asked the same thing.  At the end of the first session we extended that invitation, and several came forward with those two, plus many more who desired a fresh infilling.   The first in that category was the pastor of the host church.

About midway through the seminar we teach the importance of hearing from the Holy Spirit before ministering, because sometimes the reason a person asks for prayer is not the real need.  As a demonstration of that importance, we invite those who are sick to come forward, then pair them up with students who have been at the first two sessions.  We ask the students to pray and ask God to reveal to them by the Holy Spirit what the real need is.  For example, a person might be asking for a prayer for healing, when the real need is to establish a relationship with the Healer.  In every previous workshop the response to this instruction was wonderful.      A few did say God revealed the real need, then I would coach them on how to minister to that need.   However, most of the students would tell me they weren’t hearing anything.   I told them not to worry about it, and not to condemn themselves over it; the final session would bring it all together for them.

In the final sessions we teach how to release the anointing, and the different methods of healing that are demonstrated in the Bible.  Last night as I explained each of the methods I called out a specific health issue, then paired up the person who responded with one of the students.  I coached each one as he or she ministered to each person.  In every case there was an immediate release, and symptoms disappeared.

At first, it was difficult getting the students to volunteer for ministry.  Many of them were afraid they would “miss it”.  But gradually their faith levels and their confidence increased as they saw God use the others who were willing to take a step of faith, and most of them had an opportunity to pray for someone.  Five of them got to lead somebody to Jesus!  Halleluiah!

At the conclusion of the workshop we presented certificates of completion of the course.  For many of the graduates, it was the first time they had ever been acknowledged for any kind of success, and it was a great time of celebration as, one by one, we called up each graduate and presented him or her with the certificate.

Today at noon we will meet with our good friend, Bernabe Ardiles, to pray with him over his wife, Susana, who has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.  We will pray that the facts line up with the truth of God, and that she will be healed.  Then, this afternoon Marsha will speak at a women’s meeting at La Roca (The Rock), where our spiritual son and daughter, Jose and Marlene Navarro, are pastors.   Saturday we will spend time with other spiritual kids, Antonio and Debora Meca and their children.  Sunday I will preach in La Roca in the morning, then we will be off to Emanuel Bible Church, where our first Peru kids, Jose and Raquel Vicente, will be celebrating the church’s 13^th anniversary.  Marsha will speak to the women; I will speak to the men; then I’ll preach an evangelistic message in the evening celebration.  We are looking forward to a great time with them.

Monday we will have lunch with Pastors Arturo and Soledad Ramos, pastors of Catedral de Fe (Cathedral of Faith), then spend the evening with the Vicente family before heading for the airport and back home.

We are always grateful for your prayers and support.  Thank you for being a part of this ministry.  God bless.

FIRST REPORT FROM PERU Oct 18

Greetings from Lima!

We arrived Wednesday evening following an uneventful trip.  However, upon arriving I discovered I had left my laptop power supply in Arkansas.  Our spiritual kids, Jose and Raquel Vicente, managed to find one for me and I’m back in business.

Thursday we took a bus tour of Lima with Paul Diamond’s family and friends who were here for the wedding, getting to know them.  Friday was the rehearsal, followed by the wedding on Saturday.  I will not take time here to tell the whole wedding story.  But it was a beautiful wedding, albeit chilly (it was outdoors, temps in the low 60’s and high humidity.) I co-officiated the service with Paul’s friend and pastor, Steve Pond.The reception that followed was a several-hour sit-down dinner and dance.  It was a great time. 

Sunday I preached first in the Evangelical Church of Christ in San Martin, where our friend Juan de Dios Huaman is pastor.  My message was taken from  Jude 3, “Fight for What You Believe”.    We fight that fight by: 1) Building up your faith; 2) Praying in the Spirit; and 3) Wrapping yourself in God’s Love.  At the altar call two people came forward to receive Christ.   Praise God!

The second service Sunday was at the Comunidad de Fe (Community of Faith), home church of Pastor Julio and Soledad Romero, two of our closest friends.  There I preached from 2 Corinthians 10:3-6, that our spiritual battles often manifest in the flesh, and how to fight them.  Four people received Christ in that service.  Following the altar call Soledad asked me to pray for the church leaders.  As I prayed the Lord gave me insight to some of their battles and I was able to minister hope and healing to them.

The third service was at one of the Evangelical Church of Christ churches in San Juan de Lurigancho, where Eli Chavez is pastor.   Pastor Eli is also the current president of the denomination.  It was a very special service celebrating Pentecost, and I ministered to a packed house.  Throughout the evening several groups ministered in song and/or dance, and the air of celebration was evident.  During the worship time I sensed the message I had prepared was not appropriate for the evening.  So I sought the Lord for the right words for the people.  God, who is always faithful, took me to Jonathan and David’s covenant relationship and how it extended to Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s grandson.  Moving forward to Christ’s covenant relationship with his disciples, I explained how that covenant is extended to us, with all the rights and privileges contained therein.  When I finished the message I invited those who had not entered into that covenant relationship with Christ to do so, and about twenty men and women came forward for salvation.  Praise the Lord!!!

Marsha missed the second and third services because she was not feeling well.  She was better yesterday, however.  I was dealing with a sinus infection when we arrived, but I am better now, also.  I share that because, first of all, thank you for your prayers during our trip.  I am sure they have had a hand in our recovery.  But the other reason I share is because during my devotional time yesterday, I realized that our illnesses are not a coincidence, because this evening I begin the Signs and Wonders in the Marketplace Evangelism Seminar, which focuses on God’s healing power.  The devil will do whatever he can to impact our ministry, and what better way to try than attack our credibility by making us sick when I’ll be teaching on healing.  However, when I came to that realization, I said out loud, “I have no credibility anyway; it’s not about me.  And Lord, Your credibility is never in question!”  Almost immediately both Marsha and I began to feel better.

Yesterday we spent the day with Jose and Raquel and their children, Jose Andres and Maria Angelica, just hanging out with them and having a great time.  Today Marsha and I will work on our book, “God’s Blueprint for Marriage”, and I’ll prepare for the first Marketplace Evangelism Seminar session tonight.

As always, we are grateful for your prayers and support.  We could not do this without you.  Thank you and God bless.

In His Love,

Jim and Marsha

October Peru Plans

September 15, 2011

Greetings in the Wonderful Name of Jesus!

My last two trips to Peru were without Marsha, and it seemed so strange not having her along.  I’m happy to report that we are planning to go to Peru together in October, and three major events are planned.

The first major event is the marriage of our Peruvian daughter, Maria Momojara, to Paul Diamond of Maryland.  Their wedding is October 15, and I will co-officiate the ceremony.  Marsha will be “Mom”, sitting next to Maria’s birth mom and both will be crying alligator tears, I’m sure!

The second event is the anniversary celebration of Emanuel Church-Zarate.  Our first Peruvian spiritual son and daughter have been pastors of the church since its birth, and they have wanted us to celebrate their church’s anniversary for several years.  However, our schedule just never seemed to work out.

The third major event is the Marketplace Evangelism Workshop I have presented several times in Lima.  As pastors called to “equip the saints for the work of service” according to Ephesians 4:11-12, we see these workshops as an essential part of our ministry in Peru. 

Our plans are to leave on or around October 12, participate in the wedding on the 15^th, then preach in churches on the 16^th beginning with another spiritual son Jose Navarro’s La Roca (The Rock) Church and then on to other churches with which we have relationships.

We’ll do the Marketplace Evangelism Workshop during the week, and then finish the trip with the Emanuel Church anniversary celebration before returning home.  The celebration includes men’s and women’s conferences, a youth conference, a special service, and lots of praise and worship.  Our long-time mission partner, Sandy Fowler, is planning to be with us on the trip and will minister alongside Marsha in the women’s conference and other events. 

In order to make this trip we need to raise about $3500 dollars and do so fairly quickly.  So many of you have partnered with us before with your prayers and financial support, and we deeply appreciate it.  We’re hoping you’ll partner with us on this trip as well.

Because God has blessed my work, our trip won’t impact our personal finances.   But we still need help getting there (and back, of course!)

Please pray for us.  And if God puts in on your heart to help us financially, please send your gifts of support to Word of Life Fellowship and memo “Dixons Peru”.  You’ll receive a receipt for IRS purposes at the end of the year.

Thank you so much for being a partner with us.  God bless.

                                                                In His Love,

Jim and Marsha Dixon

IT’S MY OWN FAULT–BUT…

It struck me as I read Numbers 3–God instructed the children of Israel to drive out all (emphasis mine) the inhabitants of the land that Israel would not be facing the problems she is today.  Instead, she chose to make covenants or alliances with some of the inhabitants.  God said that those alliances would be  “as pricks in your eyes and as thorns in your sides, and they shall trouble you in the land in which you live (vs 55).”  Their disobedience created problems that span the centuries even to today.

If we had been obedient in our own past we would not be facing the problems we do today.  But God’s promise is to deliver us from our sins of the past through the blood of Jesus Christ.  We get a fresh start!

So quit wallowing in the sins and failures of your past.  Spell those things O-V-E-R.
Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Phil 3:13b, 14)

When we first came to Arkansas, we found the people in the church to which we’d been called were struggling with their past failures, and I preached the same basic message from Philippians 3:13, 14 for over a year.  Even to this day it seems to be my life message both here and in Peru.  I believe I’ll be preaching–and living–these verses for the rest of my life.

Thank you, Jesus, for taking my sins to the cross, and delivering me from my past.  In you my past is redeemed, my present makes sense and my future is secure.  In you I’m a part of the fellowship of the redeemed!

Stress? It Can Be Temporary!

Many years ago (Am I supposed to start “Long ago and far away”? Marsha and I were going through a particularly difficult time, when she asked me (rather loudly, I might add), “What are we going to do about it?”.  I replied (equally as loud), “I don’t know what we’re going to do about it.  Immediately I looked at the end table beside me, where an NEB translation was open to Romans 8.  Above verse 18 the heading read, “Present Distress is Temporary and Negligible”.  Below were these words, “In my opinion, whatever we have to go through is next to nothing compared to the magnificent future God has in store for us.”  That was a breakthrough moment for us.

Some 30 years later, as we go through yet another struggle, we don’t have to ask each other “What are we going to do about it?”   This time around we already know the answer–that our present distress is temporary and negligible.  And whatever we have to go through is next to nothing…

Are you struggling?  God has a magnificent future in store for you, too.  Since there is nothing you can do about it anyway, why try?  Give the problem to Jesus.  He has the answer.  And you, too, can find that your temporary distress can be temporary and negligible.

I’ll close with this from Rick Warren: You don’t realize that Jesus is all you need until Jesus is all you have.  God bless.