The following verses taken from Ephesians 1:17-23 is the burden of my heart
for Living Word.
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him,My goal for us at Living Word is that we might have the spirit of wisdom (understanding) and that the spirit of revelation (unveiling and revealing) might rest upon us so the we might fully know the will of God and his purpose for us as the next verse brings out so clearly.
18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,I desire above all, that the light of God might guide our hearts in the knowledge of him and show us from his spiritual perspective, his calling on our lives. From that position and spiritual walk, we would then reach out into the community through church sponsored events and our own personal witness.
The calling of God is great, the work awesome. With God we cannot fail, without his guidance we cannot succeed. I want a word from God concerning folks that will go deep and minister to their hearts. Anything less than this, and we are missing the greater blessing and work that we have been called to. It is my desire to do more that apply bandages. We are on the staff of the greatest physician in the world. He doesn't use bandages in his work, hallelujah!
His Vision for Living Word Church
These thoughts came to me one evening as I sat contemplating what the true church of Jesus Christ would look like and what she would do with those that entered her sanctuary.
1. It came to me that it would be a place where there is neither Jew nor Gentile, in other words, our
interest is not into what denomination you were raised. Our religious heritage and upbringing are aids to help us not the standard by which we measure or judge others.2. A place where we stop measuring each other by where we are in Christ.
We are first and foremost concerned that you have been born of the Spirit of GodSecondly, that you walk in faithfulness to that which you already understand concerning the word ofGod.3.We take seriously the injunctions as found in Romans 14:
We take seriously the injunctions as found in Romans 14:Receive those weak in the faith (1)Do not judge another man’s servant. He is not your servant but the Lord’s. (4)Do not judge thy brother (10, 13)Kingdom life is not found in earthly functions but in the spiritual (17)Practice your faith to God. (22)Practice what you do in faith. To do otherwise is sin (23)4.A place the immature in the faith can grow into the image of Christ through the faithful example and
A place the immature in the faith can grow into the image of Christ through the faithful example and encouragement of those more mature.Jesus with the Samaritan woman in John 4Do not offend one of the little ones in the faith- Mark 9:33-425.A place where we “bear the burdens” instead of putting more upon an already burden heart
A place where we “bear the burdens” instead of putting more upon an already burden heart"Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2) Bear- Literally in the original Greek- to bear up, removal, carry6.A place where the Epistles of the new Testament are tempered, balanced and referenced with the
A place where the Epistles of the new Testament are tempered, balanced and referenced with the Gospels and example of Christ.Matthew 9:9:13- where Jesus told critical Pharisees who had a problem with him sitting with publicans and sinners, that he came to have mercy and not to received sacrifice from those whowere hurting and in need of his father love and forgiveness.All Doctrine taught and carried out must bow to the Spirit of Christ and the New TestamentExample after example Jesus made room for the immature, weak and young in the faithconcerning doctrines that he himself had given.Sabbath day observance and plucking of the grain Ex. 16:25-30Woman taken in adultery was an offence punishable by death and he let her go. Account inJohn 8, Lev. 20:10Even the Apostle Paul no longer went along with the rulings made at JerusalemCompare Acts 15 (AD 49) with 1 Cor 8 (AD 55)He challenges them to carefulness, not to abstinence7.A place where the table of the Lord is just that, the table of the Lord.
A place where the table of the Lord is just that, the table of the Lord.All are welcome who testify that Jesus is Lord and walk in obedience to that which they knowand understand concerning the teachings of the Word.Jesus, at the communion table, again tried to persuade Judas to consider the deed he wasabout to commit and his direction of travel.The word is clear, Jesus served Judas communion Matt. 26:17-30- compare verse 25 to verse 26Luke 22:14-23- this passage is the clearest concerning thisJohn 13:1-30- This passage very excellent in bringing this outJesus knew all disciples would flee and desert him but yet he chose to commune with themJesus, knowing all men’s hearts, could have stopped each disciple from communing. He knewthat all, in one way or another, would fail him later that evening, yet he chose to make the tablea table of unity. In 1 Cor. 11:28, the injunction is to “let a man examine “himself” and so let “him” eat.”8.A place where we discern the spirit and heart of a man as opposed to what he says and does.
A place where we discern the spirit and heart of a man as opposed to what he says and does.Gal. 5:19-25, will be the standard that we use to discern.9.A place where “sins of the spirit” will be judged just as we would the sins of the flesh
A place where “sins of the spirit” will be judged just as we would the sins of the fleshEnvy, backbiting and disunity will be judged as adultery would considering the passage in Gal.5:19-21 says both will be fall under the judgment of God. Externally focused on rules, has a tendency to draw away from the true matters of the heart andspirit.Jesus challenged those who judged according to what they could see with their eyes in John7:24, and told them, “judge not according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.”It is matters of the heart and spirit that need to be the focus."For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, falsewitness, blasphemies:" (Matthew 15:19, KJV) Notice, an inward condition first precedes the outward act"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.For with the heart manbelieveth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."(Romans 10:9-10, KJV) "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishnessunto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."(1 Corinthians 2:14, KJV) 10.A Place where, “we have never done that before”, is replaced with the attitude of “what is the Lord
A Place where, “we have never done that before”, is replaced with the attitude of “what is the Lord calling us to do” at this time and in this situation?The word never changes, but times and culture do change and the word must be brought to bearin this day and age.We do not inhabit the same world that our forefathers did 100 yrs.ago. The word is spirit andcan minister in this day.11.A Place where clothing is used to cloth and cover the body and will not be used to make a
A Place where clothing is used to cloth and cover the body and will not be used to make a religious statementOur primary focus in the way we dress is separation unto God. In being separated to him, we,as a natural result, will draw away from the immoral and loose dress of this age.We seek to make application to dress in the culture in which we live.12.A place where the spirit and principles of the word takes place over application.
A place where the spirit and principles of the word takes place over application.We hold fast to the principles found in scriptures, but in application we are open and flexible.13.A place where the Spirit of God and the Word, will guide our conduct and practice.
A place where the Spirit of God and the Word, will guide our conduct and practice.A list of manmade rules and regulations is not the will of the God and has proved to be aninstrument of division.The prophet told of a day coming when laws engraved in stone would now be written on thetablets of the heart. See Jeremiah 31:31-34"But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any manteach you: but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, andeven as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him." (1 John 2:27, KJV) 14.A place where Matthew 18- (dealing with brotherhood grievance) must be followed before an
A place where Matthew 18- (dealing with brotherhood grievance) must be followed before an accusation can be heard.15.A place where the spirit of division will be seen for what it is, devilish, sinful and worthy of eternal
A place where the spirit of division will be seen for what it is, devilish, sinful and worthy of eternal damnation.
James 3:13-17- "This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish."James says in James 3:15.16.A place where water baptism is not just symbolism, but is the last step taken to seal and
A place where water baptism is not just symbolism, but is the last step taken to seal and complete our conversion experience.We also believe that pouring and immersion are both acceptable forms of baptism.This is what I jotted down one day as I meditated and prayed before the Lord. This is not meant to be an exhaustive study, just the musings of a pastor’s heart.
The musings of a pastor's heart
His testimony
If you were to meet Pastor Rich, you would never have been able to tell that
he was a former rock drummer, who loved drinking, smoking and was into
recreational drug use. You would also not have been able to tell he had met
his sweet and lovable wife Allie as he was jamming with his rock group.
Now still together years later, He and Allie are serving the Lord. They
celebrated twenty seven years of marriage this past March 5, 2010.
The interesting thing about this was when they married, most thought the
marriage would not survive five years! They forgot to take into account what happens when God enters the picture. With Him, all things are possible!
Rich and Allie are living proof of what God can do when he steps into the lives of those that need him. He is not ashamed to share what God has done for him and his family. His wife was on the verge of leaving him and taking their daughter when he had an holy encounter with a God he found to be very real. God stepped into his life that day and he has never looked back. Allie also came to the Lord Jesus one year later and God restored their marriage.
Rich and Allie have seven children, ranging in age from thirteen to twenty-six years. They all serve the Lord.
Thier eldest daughter Natasha, is married to Dwight Bontrager. They are the proud parents of a precious daughter named Madalyn Joy.
Pastor Rich is excited about what God is doing for Living Word Church and
his family! His passion for God is contagious! If you are in need of
encouragement and a spiritual lift, visit today and see for yourself what God
can do for those who trust him.
Pastor Rich was born on September 2, 1961 to Reva and Richard LaRaviere. His parents did not attend church. His dad was suffering from an alcoholic lifestyle. When Pastor Rich was seven years old, his dad bumped into some weird looking people who dressed funny. It was his dad's first exposure to Mennonites. His dad gave his heart to the Lord later that evening along with his wife, Reva.
Before young Rich went to bed the evening his dad was saved, he knelt down beside his bed as his mother Reva watched on and asked God again as he had for several weeks now, that his dad would take him to church. Little did the young boy know that at that moment when he was praying God was directing an encounter between his dad and Mennonites who would lead him to the Lord. The Mennonites were a group of young people holding meetings on a street corner where they preached and sang in Wilmington, Delaware.
Later that night Rich's mother woke him and said, "Your daddy is home and he wants to see you!" As young Rich entered the room, his dad was sitting on the side of the bed with outstretched arms. Young Rich ran to his father and hugged him as his father lifted his face to his and said, "son, we are going to church tomorrow!" It was Saturday evening.
Young Rich learned at a young age, the tremendous power of prayer. As a minister of the gospel, he teaches the power of prayer with passion, having experienced it many times himself. He further teaches it is the right and privilege of every child of God to hear God speak to them when they pray and to answer there prayers.
Even though that young boy grew up and later rebelled at the religious teaching he received, he never forgot the night when he prayed that his dad would take him to church and he did. That memory was used of God later to call that boy back from a life of sin.
Click on picture to see larger image
The power of prayer
Living Word Church A Community of Hope
