A word from the President’s desk:
Stir It Up
Kenneth E Harbaum
Each year, many make new commitments to achieve great things in the Kingdom of God and find they have fallen short by the end of the year. Maybe you are one that started out this year with great hopes and expectations, looking to fulfill God’s designed plan for your life.
Now, it’s November and it seems as if nothing is going right and you are not seeing any part of your vision coming to past.
During this time of pressure is when the enemy comes and tries to takes advantage of God’s people, making them feel that they haven’t accomplished anything and are wasting the year away. We can’t afford to allow this to happen to us. We have got to take time to stir up the gift of God that is within us and keep the excitement of God’s plan in our spirits.
Let’s take a look at 2 Timothy 1:5-7. The Word tells us, “When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. 6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. 7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
The Apostle Paul is taking this opportunity to remind Timothy about the sincere faith that dwells within him. Maybe like you and me, Timothy was facing some pressures from the outside that seemed to be overwhelming. Whatever the case, Timothy needed to be reminded that the Greater One lived on the inside of him. Paul wanted Timothy to reach down on the inside and stir up that faith, or gift, that was within. Paul encouraged Timothy by telling him that the same kind of genuine faith that was in his grandmother and mother was also in him.
Since this faith and gift of God dwells within us, we must not allow anything to suppress it, but keep it activated and in working order. Without realizing, we can get so busy that we forget what is really on the inside of us. We fail to see the gift of God. If you have allowed this to happen, stop and shake yourself and begin worshipping the Lord and speak to that gift of God that is inside and command it to be STIRRED UP.
The Word says in Jude 20-21, “But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”
To build up also means to edify, to charge, as one would a battery.
When we find ourselves getting weak in any area, we must pull ourselves aside and take some time to build ourselves up. We must get recharged, and we do this by spending time in the Word and by praying in the spirit. This will build confidence and boldness in the things of God.
Spending time with God through the Word and prayer are the primary ways to build us up, but spending time with others in the Body of Christ will also help add strength to our lives spiritually.
In Proverbs 27:17 the Word says, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”
I like to say it this way, “As iron sharpeneth iron, so does one brother/sister sharpens each other.”
We need to live a life so committed to God so that we have the ability to help sharpen the countenance of other’s in Christ. We should have a desire for the Spirit of God to be in us to the point that anyone around us discouraged or down hearted they will be stirred up in their spirit before they leave our midst. Not because we are some great thing, but because of the Holy One who resides within.
Paul went on to tell Timothy in verse 7, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
Thank God, we don’t have to live in any form of fear but can operate in power and boldness. We can keep ourselves stirred up by continually reminding ourselves that God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and of love and a sound mind.
The more that believers get a revelation concerning the love of the Father, they will stand against and resist every form of fear from the enemy.
As I have said many times before, “Fear will stop the flow of faith in your life.”
So, when you recognize that you are running low and the enemy is trying to steal your joy, don’t go around talking about how bad it is, instead, start telling people how Good God is. Get others stirred up on their faith as well! In return, you will find yourself stirred up on your faith.
Be encouraged, the goals and the dreams that you have will manifest if you keep the faith and don’t get discouraged. I believe that by the end this year, you will be shouting with victory. Remember, the key to the victory is, Staying Stirred Up!
– Rev. Kenneth E. Harbaum, President
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2019 FCFI Membership Renewals
2019 Renewals have been mailed. Please return yours ASAP.
The Leadership Team wishes to express a special thanks to all those whom have chosen to be a part of FCFI. We love you and appreciate you and your ministry.
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2019 FCFI Comprehensive Renewals
A special notice to all Comprehensive Ministries (those that receive their 501(c)(3) coving for your ministry):
The final ‘cut-off’ date for renewal will be May 1, 2019, at which time your 501(c)(3) status for your ministry will be terminated. Sooooo, please submit your renewal on time. Thank you.
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2019 FCFI Credential Renewals
ATTENTION FCFI CREDENTIAL MINISTERS
Take notice of the annual fee of $35.00 for FCFI Credential Renewals and for all new credential applicants in 2019. Fee will be due at time of renewal.
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Upcoming Events
Florida Conference: January 30 – 31 – February 1, 2019
Location: Foundation Church
Pastor Tom Laipply
3385 South McCall Road (off of S. Access Rd),
Englewood, Fl 34224
941.473.8030
Michigan Conference: April 3 – 4 – 5, 2019
Location: City In A Hill ~ Zeeland, Michigan
Annual Conference: August 14 -15 – 16, 2019
Location: Heartland Ministries ~ Sharpsville, IN
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NOTICE
Our new FCFI Office phone number: (937) 456-2177
Office hours: 900 am to 4:00 pm Monday – Friday
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FCFI World Missions Department
Thanksgiving Greetings from the Missions Department
Paul Whitley
Regardless of which church or organization I am visiting, I always come away excited about the thrill of missions. I get to meet missionaries from around the world and hear their stories of miracles and how God has provided for them. However, they always seem to have more needs than is possible to meet-BUT God!
Refreshingly, there always seem to be new missionaries still wet behind the ears but with zeal and enthusiasm. Nothing is too big for them and nowhere too far. I remember those years fondly and hope I never grow too hardened to be willing to do anything or go anywhere for my Lord.
I was just at the Covenant of Peace Mission Conference and was blown away with the legitimate needs represented by the missionaries in attendance. However, I was more blown away by the $60,000 that church raised in just one day for those needs. God is an awesome God and the people He used to raise those funds were awesome as well.
I want to encourage all of you who pastor one of our FCFI churches to seriously consider hosting a mission event in 2019. It may be a mission conference; a mission emphasis Sunday; or some kind of mission dinner to raise awareness and funds for your missionaries. If you need assistance in doing this, feel free to contact me at 678-371-1452 or itd7773@aol.com.
– Paul Whitley, FCFI world Missions Director
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Remember the words of Jesus ~ Matthew 28: 18 – 20
V-18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
V-19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
V-20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
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