Use It Or Lose It

Countless numbers of people are serving as the hands and feet of Jesus through the many vital ministries at Tomoka Christian. Below are a few that you may not have known about that I encourage you to explore if they are a good match for your God-given talents and gifts.

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Ephesians 2:10

Hospital Ministry
This ministry exists to show God’s love and compassion through visitation and prayer to those in nursing homes, hospitals, secured living, or homebound. Contact for men: Ray Lewis at (386) 671-1466. Contact for women: Annette Vincelli (386) 586-2260.

E-mail Prayer Team
Each member prays independently for urgent requests that are received via email. Contact Linda Marshall at (386) 677-5455 or Pam Gilmer at (386) 212-0963.

Tomoka Loves Children
This ministry provides lunch money for grade school children whose parents cannot afford lunches. Also helps with school trips, supplies and sweaters during cold weather. Contact Ron Tenney at (386) 671-1457.

God’s Counsel
This ministry provides free, confidential Christian legal assistance. It handles legal matters excluding divorce and bankruptcy. Led by Judy Davidson and Scott DuPont. Contact the church office at (386) 677-6455.

Drama
This ministry is for those 16 and older. Learn to act, write, produce, and direct Christian drama. Contact Rob Rodriguez at (386) 676-2328.

Chariots of Praise
Volunteers greet and direct Tomoka Christian’s guests as they enter and navigate the campus before and after services. Contact Larry Valenta at (407) 221-6228.

Griefshare
This bereavement group is for men and women who are grieving a loved one who has died. Contact Cindy Pinion at (704) 402-0370.

Hispanic Service
This service in Spanish takes place at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday afternoons in the Worship Center. An interpreter is provided for those who do not speak the language. Contact Yolanda Cintron at (386) 441-8720.

Good News Clubs
Good News Clubs for elementary students meet at Pine Trail Elementary School and the Ormond Beach YMCA. Meeting time at the school is from 2-3:30 p.m. on Tuesdays, while the YMCA group meets from 3:30-4:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Those with a heart for children are welcome to assist with Bible stories, songs, active games, scripture memorization and snacks. Training provided. Contact Marc Wooten at (386) 615-8627.

Test Me

Below is a story from Lauren, a member of the Tomoka Christian family. She began tithing recently, and right away experienced first-hand how God makes good on his promises of provision to those who take Him at His Word.

This past week, I tithed a little more than 10 percent. This week I had so many blessings from God! I went to look for an apartment on Monday and they just had a one-bedroom open up on the first floor. The rent would be $620. Then when I went back with my application, the lady saw my financial record asked me if $320 a month would be OK for me! It could only be God. Then I went today to the Love Center that Calvary has and I got dishes, etc. When I was there Sandy called and told me A Second Blessing had a table and two chairs for me! I went over there and asked if everything was half price — and the volunteer said I didn't have to worry, that everything I wanted was at no cost. The blessings just keep happening and I believe it is due to being obedient to God.

" 'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,' says the Lord Almighty, 'and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.' " Malachi 3:10

Power of Love update

Jennifer Colella leads TCC's ministry to strip clubs, Power of Love. Below is an update from the most recent visit she and her team made to the downtown Daytona area.

Praise God for another safe and successful outreach! We headed to Daytona Friday night bearing gifts of homemade cupcakes and Valentine's gift bags filled with goodies for the ladies. We went to club #1 and were given favor once again. The ladies were happy to receive the bags and cupcakes. One young lady asked why we were giving her gifts. When told it was because she is worthy and loved, her eyes welled up with tears. She said no one had ever told her she was worthy before. On the way out, after giving out the last bag, we realized a young lady was following us. We turned around and with a shy hello we realized she wanted a bag! We asked her to hold on as we went out to the van and got a bag just for her. In return we got a big hug, a smile and a thank you.

We headed to club #2. The owner wasn't around, but we were still welcomed in. Once in, we were shocked to find out that by 8 p.m. they had 70 women! We knew we didn't have enough bags, so we decided to hand out what we had in our hands and come back after we went to the other clubs if we had extra bags. We went to the dressing room to drop off the cupcakes and passed out bags to all the ladies there and made our way back out to the van. We were heartbroken to leave without giving everyone a bag, but we felt sure we would have extra bags after we finished the last two clubs.

We went on to club #3. There were a lot of ladies there, but mostly new faces. We didn't see any of the regulars. Club #4 was like a ghost town. We did get to talk with the manager, but there were only two dancers and a bartender working. Like all the other times, the atmosphere was so heavy and depressing.

We were excited to have extra bags so we could go back to club #2. This time as we made our way around the floor, we saw the owner. The last time we saw him on our Christmas outreach he was very anxious because his girlfriend, who was struggling with drugs, had been missing and no one knew where she was. This time however, he was very excited to see us and even told us his prayers had been answered. He explained that his girlfriend has been clean and sober for three months now and was very happy that their relationship was doing well. He then pointed to the stage and said: "There she is." If you remember, months ago he had told us that she wanted him to quit the business and that it was the club environment that caused her drug problem. We were excited to hear she's sober, but knowing that she's back in the club raises concern. The really awesome thing about this whole situation is that we know her heart is to see them both out of this business. She has asked him to quit many times. She's sober right now and we were able to meet her and give her a bag. The seed has been planted, and God is working.

Before leaving we apologized to the owner of club #2 for not having enough bags for all the ladies. He said most of these girls weren't regulars anyway and it doesn't matter because we come all year long and any of the regulars we missed will catch us another time. That was so encouraging to hear him express his approval and even expectancy to see us again. I told him we'd be back in April so that any of the ladies who have missed us in the past will be able to count on a date that they could see us and receive a bag. I also asked him if the girls liked what they were receiving in the bags. He said, "Absolutely, these women are like little girls on the inside and need to be treated special, but these guys don't get that. They don't understand. The girls love it when you come in here and give 'em gifts." God has so blessed us with this club! Already, the team can't wait to go back! What a wonderful ending to the outreach! This was the fastest outreach we've ever had, and although it would of been nice to have more bags, the night went extremely well with God reminding the team just how important this ministry is and confirming that we need to keep going with an expectant heart because we are expected!

We had an added surprise blessing after the outreach. One of the ladies we met on an outreach contacted us and wanted to go to church with us! A team member picked her up Sunday morning and we got to worship with her and she even went up front after service with a team member to pray. After church we were able to take her to lunch and had a really wonderful morning. God is so faithful and good!

Thank you so much for all your prayers and hard work with the bags, baked goods, and donating time, money and supplies. This Kingdom work couldn't be done without all of you. You are special, you are appreciated and loved very much!

Note: If you want to help ensure that this ministry can expand the number of filled bags to distribute, you are invited to donate 3 to 4 ounce bottles of new, quality scented body wash, lotion & sprays; fashionable jewelry (bracelets, earrings and necklaces); and new make-up of all sizes and brands (samples OK). Donations may be deposited in the Power of Love basket on the Mission Wall in the Cafe. Jennifer may be e-mailed here.

Give Me Strength

Here are a few more scriptures that can help you during the rough times of life.

• Psalms 103:1-5 NKJ – Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, who satisfies your mouth with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
  
  
• Psalms 103:20-22 NKJ – Bless the LORD, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, Heeding the voice of His word. Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, You ministers of His, who do His pleasure. Bless the LORD , all His works, In all places of His dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul! All that is within me I praise your Holy Name!
  
  
• Psalms 91:1-2 NKJ – He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God in Him I will trust.” Praise you LORD, You are an awesome and righteous God.

Excerpted from Crowned with Lovingkindness.

Making the Most of Adversity

I received an interesting e-mail note from my friend, Gene, that I thought I’d share.

“Someone broke into my car when it was parked at work this past weekend. I had probably one to two hundred dollars of music CDs in two storage cases and a few sitting loose in the car. But all that they took was my Bible and a flashlight!

While it hurt me deeply that they didn't like my taste in music, I hope and pray that with the flashlight and the Bible that whoever did this will come to the Light and find the Way in Life!

This happened on Saturday. We worshipped at TCC on Saturday evening and on Sunday morning (at my workplace), I parked my car in the same place. My new Bible, which is in plain sight in my car, has a blue polka dot cover. Inside is a sticker that says, ‘If you steal my Bible ... please call me and I will talk to you about my JESUS!’ “

Healing

Here are a few more scriptures that can help you during the tough times of life.

• Mal 4:2 NKJ – But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings. LORD, you are Jehovah Rapha – The LORD who heals me.
  
  
• Luke 10:19 NKJ – Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
  
  
• 2 Cor 12:9 MSG – God said: “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness…I just let Christ take over!”
  
  
• Eph 1:13,14 NKJ – In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. LORD thank you for the free gift of Your Holy Spirit.
  

Excerpted from Crowned with Lovingkindness.

Warning!

When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there. Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord, and because of these detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you. You must be blameless before the Lord your God. The nations you will dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery or divination. But as for you, the Lord your God has not permitted you to do so. Deuteronomy 18:9-14

God warns that His people are not to get involved with the occult world. The spirit world is real and dangerous. In Exodus 5, the Egyptian astrologers/magicians were able to copy God’s miracles. God revealed to Moses what we call the 10 Commandments. The first four listed in Exodus 20 remind us of our relationship with our deliverer, God. We are to have NO other gods.

The occult world has appeal, as it sounds spiritual. But in reality, it is witchcraft. As you read Ephesians 6:10-18 and 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, the spiritual battle is obvious. This battle is to be taken seriously, beginning with deciding which side you will be on.

What do these passages forbid?
1. Child sacrifice, prostitution, abortion
2. Witchcraft, sorcery, spells, voodoo
3. Fortune-telling
4. Omens
5. Spiritualists
6. Seances, Ouija boards
7. Tarot cards
8. Drug use
9. Astrology/zodiac

We know the living God. If you want to know the future, read Luke 21 and the book of Revelation! Many Christians have missed this vital warning, engaging in these activities while thinking they are being spiritual or simply having fun. They are playing with fire.

Please consider passing this information on to those you know, and purchasing a vital resource, “Out From Darkness: A Spiritualist Medium Escapes Satan's Clutches.” This book is written by Ben Alexander, who spent many years involved in the occult before coming to know Christ.

Deliverance

As challenges come your way, remember to cling to prayer and to God’s promises in Scripture. Here are a few passages to help you feel His peace.

Psalms 91:10-12 NKJ – No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. I trust you to keep me safe from harm, in Jesus name.

Psalms 91:14-16 NKJ – Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation. Praise you LORD for healing me from all my iniquities and sin.

Prov 4:20-23 NKJ – My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh. Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it springs the issues of life. Thank you God for your divine wisdom, may I cherish your life giving Word all the days of my life. In Jesus name I pray.

Excerpted from Crowned with Lovingkindness.