PRAISE

“Let the redeemed of the Lord say so …” (Psalms 107:2)

Power, Redemption, Affirmation, Inspiration, Sanctification, Exaltation

  Volume 8 Issue 3                                                                                                        December 2007

Hands Up Ministry

PHILIP MORRIS USA INC.

THE ORGANIZATION STRUCTURE

The Servant Team – Leaders:

Ruth Johnson, Ivan Pope, Delois Maddox, Karen Page,  Sandy Witherspoon, Paul Thompson, and Jackie Hager

Emeritus Leaders

Tom Meadows, Roy Campbell, Ralph Brown and Richard Hatcher

The Twelve Disciples – Prayer Team

George Foreman, Ivan Pope, Janet Taylor, Juanita Langley, Margie Jasper, Denise Warren, Karen Page, Tom Meadows, Pam Barden,  Deedre Dickerson and Tee Williams

Love Fund Coordinator:

Mary Tinnell

Newsletter Staff:

Tom Meadows

If you would like a copy of this newsletter, contact Tom Meadows and give him your home and/or e-mail address.

PRAISE JESUS

The Newsletter staff is always looking for roving reporters, writers and publishers.  Anyone interested in serving God through this publication, please contact a member of the Servant Team.

FROM THE SERVANT TEAM:

PRAISE the Lord!!

Pastor Jeremiah

“Suffering in 2008 – God Has A Purpose”

“Purpose”

(the reason for which something exists or is done)

“Pain without purpose is just pain.  Pain with a purpose has a promise.”

This is a revelation quote given to me by the Lord to help me and others understand and live with pain whether physical or spiritual. To understand and live we as humans in the flesh always want an explanation (like what’s the purpose?).  What God gives us through these seasons of pain and purpose is a witness to our spirits that He controls our purpose and He alone gives us the promise.  God said in His WORD:

Ecclesiastes 3:1 - To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.

Are you in a season that looks to you like it has no purpose?  God’s instruction to you is don’t waste valuable energy seeking the purpose but rest in knowing that God has a promise for your season.  You know your season now could be one of blessing and you ask the same question (like what’s the purpose?)

God tells us in His WORD:

Romans 8:28 - And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

2 Timothy 1:9 - Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace.

Remember the purpose for all things is God’s but the promise of all things is unto us who believe.

All things.  Do you love HIM?  All things.  Are you saved?  All things.  Are you called? 

Mark 9:23 - Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

As Christians most if not all are going through something but the good news is we are going and not staying.

Jesus Christ’s birth, life, suffering, death and resurrection is the purpose of our salvation.

Walk ye in His Glory

HATYILYTILYAJLY

Has anyone told you

I love you

Today?

I love you

And

Jesus loves you!

If you need prayer contact Karen Page or Margie Jasper or any member of the Twelve Disciples or the Servant Team

Prayer Ministry

The one thing that holds this ministry and our work together is our prayer ministry headed up by Karen Page and Margie Jasper.   Did you know that we hold a noon prayer meeting every Wednesday at the location of the weekly Thursday meeting.  Did you know that our prayer register has about 300 requests to date?  Each of the names is called out to the Lord everyday not just on Wednesday.  It is a humbling thing to call out 300 names to the Lord knowing that you need as much prayer as any of these names.  Many people will be touched by the Lord through Hands Up Ministry who otherwise might never attend church.

Hands Up Meetings

Tuesdays: United Christians of Alleghany Warehouse Company:  12:20 PM – 12:50 PM   

Wednesdays: “The Light” at Park 500:  12 PM – 1 PM

West Mart One  12 PM-1 PM

M/C “C” Shift:  2 AM – 3 AM

M/C “B” Shift:  7 PM – 8 PM

Thursdays (Noon – 1:00 PM): Alternates

 between Operations Center, Finance Center and Manufacturing Center

 Manufacturing Center – January 10, January 24, January 31  February 14, February 28, March 13, March 27.

Finance Center – January 3,  February 7, March 6

Operations Center – January 17, February 21, March 20

.

Headquarters HUM

Cabarrus HUM)

BL Plant HUM

We are still praying for these sites to get started but we realize until someone hears God’s call, it will not happen.

     MISSIONS AT WORK

INVESTMENT FOR AN ETERNITY

By

Tom Meadows

There has been a change on the timing of this trip.  Due to lack of financial response the trip has been cancelled until Spring of 2009

Once again we as a Christian ministry had the opportunity to go into other parts of the world and make a difference in the lives of others.  Hands Up Ministry in partnership with Chester Outreach Church of the Nazarene will work toward the goal of raising $15000 and sending 20 people to the mission field in the Dominican Republic to build a church in 2009.  You can check out the details on our web site at www.hands-up-ministry.org and click on Missions.  What can you do as Christian and a member of Hands Up?  Glad you asked.  You can go as a team member and it will change your Christian life.  You can give financially toward the goal or support someone who wants to go but cannot afford the expense.  You can by all means pray for the success of this Investment for an Eternity.

This will be our third church that we have been blessed to build on the mission field.  Is God great?   How great is your God.  Pray for our churches there:

Villa Progresso Church

El Curro Church

Be missions minded not absent minded.

There are ten people who God has blessed and spoken to about donating $500 to this mission project.  Please listen and obey.  Obedience is better that the sacrifice.

West Mark One

Season’s Greetings from the

West Mark Members of Hands Up Ministry

What a blessed year it has been!  Since our first meeting on September 6, 2007, the West Mark contingent of God’s army has grown to six active duty soldiers who meet faithfully each Wednesday at Noon to testify to God’s greatness and lift His people in prayer.  One of the most powerful acts we as Christians can do for one another is pray.  At West Mark, we are praying for a great revival within Hands Up … one that will overflow each facility and overwhelm each member. 

Philip Morris USA will face many new challenges in 2008 as our company works diligently to redefine itself in a changing world.  As the leaders of our company reexamine the mission, vision and strategies of PM USA, we encourage each of you to reexamine your own personal mission, vision and strategies.  Are you making progress in your spiritual growth?  Are your personal missions, visions and strategies still relevant or do they need updating?  As PM USA prepares for the New Year, we pray you will take the opportunity to spiritually prepare as well.  Where are you going in 2008?  How will you get there?  Who will you take along? 

God Bless each one of you and may your families experience a deeper revelation of the true reason for the season . . . Jesus!

.

You are cordially invited to

A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!!!

Guest of Honor: Jesus Christ

Date: Every day. Traditionally, December 25
but He's always around, so the date is flexible...

Time: Whenever you're ready.
(Please don't be late, though, or you'll miss out on all the fun!)

Place: In your heart.... He'll meet you there.
(You'll hear Him knock.) 

Attire: Come as you are... grubbies are okay.
He'll be washing our clothes anyway. He said something about
new white robes and crowns for everyone who stays till the last.

Tickets: Admission is free. He's
already paid for everyone...
(He says you wouldn't have been
able to afford it anyway...
it cost Him everything He had. But
you do need to accept the ticket!!

Refreshments: New wine, bread, and a
far-out drink He calls "Living Water,"
followed by a supper that promises to be out of this world!

Gift Suggestions: Your life. He's one of those people who already has everything else.
(He's very generous in return though.
Just wait until you see what He has for you!)

Entertainment: Joy, Peace, Truth,
Light, Life, Love, Real Happiness,
Communion with God, Forgiveness, Miracles, Healing, Power,
Eternity in Paradise, Contentment, and much more!
(All "G" rated, so bring your family and friends.)

R.S.V.P. Very Important!
He must know ahead so He can
reserve a spot for you at the table.
Also, He's keeping a list of His friends for future
reference. He calls it the "Lamb's Book of Life."

Party being given by His Kids (that's us!!)!
Hope to see you there! For those of you whom I will
see at the party, share this with someone today!

Hands Up Ministry

Christmas at Gilpin Court

By

Pastor Jeremiah

On December 20, 2007, HUM went to Gilpin Court to share Christmas with eleven families.  Hands Up was represented by Christmas Mother Sandy Witherspoon and four elves (Karen Page, Connie Smith, Deidre Schilling and Tom Meadows).  It was truly a blessing that God allowed us as a ministry to meet some needs for a few families without all the fanfare of the public sector.  This year as in the past, Hands Up went representing the love of Jesus Christ.  The TV cameras were missing, the City Police was missing, the National Guard was missing, the City leaders were missing and an official representative of Philip Morris was not there.  The thing that was not missing was God’s Glory.  This year the audience experienced the presence of the Lord and all the Glory was His.  The other thing that was not missing (and something we at HUM should keep in mind till next Christmas) was the need of these people and many more that we can help. 

God Bless you and thank you to all who contributed to the success of this mission.

I hope to have some pictures by the first of the year on the main webpage.

What did you give Jesus for His birthday in

 2007?

Power In The Blood

One night in a church service a young woman felt the tug of God at her heart. She responded to God's call and accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. The young woman had a very rough past, involving alcohol, drugs and prostitution. But, the change in her was evident.  As time went on she became a faithful member of the church. She eventually became involved in the ministry, teaching young children.

It was not very long until this faithful young woman had caught the eye and heart of the pastor's son. The relationship grew and they began to make wedding plans.

This is when the problems began. You see, about one half of the church did not think that a woman with a past such as hers was suitable for a pastor's son. The church began to argue and fight about the matter. So they decided to have a meeting.  As the people made their arguments and tensions increased, the meeting was getting completely out of hand. The young woman became very upset about all the things being brought up about her past.

As she began to cry the pastor's son stood to speak. He could not bear the pain it was causing his wife to be. He began to speak and his statement was this:

"My fiancée’s past is not what is on trial here. What you are questioning is the ability of the blood of Jesus to wash away sin.

Today you have put the blood of Jesus on trial. So, does it wash away sin or not?" The whole church began to weep as they realized that they had been slandering the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Too often, even as Christians, we bring up the past and use it as a weapon against our brothers and sisters. Forgiveness is a very foundational part of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. If the blood of Jesus does not cleanse the other person completely, then it cannot cleanse us completely. If that is the case, then we are all in a lot of trouble. What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus! End of case!!!  "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved." Psalm 55:22

Eternal Resources

The Bank Account

Imagine there is a bank that credits your account each morning with $86,400.  It carries over no balance from day to day.  Every evening it deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to use during the day.  What would you do? Draw out every cent, of course!!!!

Each of us has such a bank. Its name is TIME. Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it writes off, as lost, whatever of this you have failed to invest to good purpose. It carries over no balance.  It allows no overdraft. Each day it opens a new account for you. Each night it burns the remains of the day.  If you fail to use the day's deposits, the loss is yours.  There is no going back. There is no drawing against the tomorrow." You must live in the present on today's deposits. Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness, and success!  The clock is running. Make the most of today.

To realize the value of ONE YEAR, ask a student who failed a grade. To realize the value of ONE MONTH, ask a mother who gave birth to a premature baby.  To realize the value of ONE WEEK, ask the editor of a weekly newspaper. To realize the value of ONE HOUR, ask the lovers who are waiting to meet. To realize the value of ONE MINUTE, ask a person who missed the train. To realize the value of ONE SECOND, ask a person who just avoided an accident. To realize the value of ONE MILLISECOND, ask the person who won a silver medal in the Olympics.

Treasure every moment that you have! And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time. And remember that time waits for no one. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it's called the present!!.  Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear.  They share a word of praise, and they always want to open their heart to us. Show your friends how much you care.....