Outside The Walls Ministries

OPENING SOON…Mark your Calendar

Just wanted yall to know we’re rounding the corner on the Chapel of the King (311 5th street in Benton).

We will have a open house Saturday June 20th from 5-7pm

The first service will be on Sunday June 28th 5-6pm.

I believe this ministry will change lives, so please be in prayer for God to move in the lives of all including the unchurched.

We still have some details to work out for those we serve who don’t drive, so pray for that as well.

Thank you!!!🙏

Weekly Devotion

Jesus calls His first Disciples in
Mark 1:16-20

16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen.17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”[a] 18 And immediately they left their nets and followed him. 19 And going on a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in their boat mending the nets. 20 And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.
—
While listening to one of our local dedicated preachers preach a funeral for a friend of mine this week, he brought up the significance of these verses. How when Jesus calls us we should immediately release anything holding us back from following Jesus.

Think about what these men gave up. Their livelihood, their family, the comfort of their homes, their friends, all of which took courage to follow a man they knew little about.
But what did they actually give up? Their needs were met, they never lacked for anything. I would argue they became followers at the same time they became part of the family of God.

Today its certainly possible that following Jesus may also cost us some of the same, but let it be clear that the cost is not one for which there is no dividend.
Our lives are investments when we turn them over to Jesus. We don’t sell ourselves to become slaves, but voluntarily give our lives as bond servants to the King.

When Jesus calls us to follow Him there are sins we must immediately let go of to be true followers of the Messiah. These sins once left behind don’t leave us feeling as though we lost something, but that we’ve been set free from what has truly bound us to a world full of heartache and sin.

Is there anything you’ve yet to let go of that can be keeping you from having total freedom in Christ?
If so say this prayer…….
Lord I know that I’ve committed to follow you, but I have held onto _________ and I know it has interfered with my ability to totally follow you as you have called me to do.
So today I release the sin of __________ and I am immediately letting it go to truly follow you.
In Jesus name. Amen.

Remember, total freedom is found in total submission.
Then and only then can we have the freeedom that only comes in Christ.

Weekly Devotion

Quoting from the Pilgrims Progress, written in 1678 by John Bunyan.....
"The bitter must come before the sweet, and that will also make the sweet the sweeter."

The phrase "that's a bitter pill to swallow" is also true, not only in the metaphorical, but also in the actual.
Have you ever had a headache or other pain that was debilitating?
You reach for a pill, take it, then look for water to wash it down, but for some reason it takes longer to get to the water than you expected.
The pill that you've taken to bring you comfort has now started to dissolve and a incredible bitterness suddenly engulfs your taste buds.
In the midst of the bitterness you franticly reach for water to wash this unexpected trial away.
Though it may take a while, the pill then starts working and soon after, relief comes, bringing a comfort that was more appreciated (sweeter) than before the bitterness arrived.

Our lives are ever changing. The good and the bad of life both come without warning.
The only guarantee is the love of God, of Christ, but we have to stay conscious of that truth, and live as if we’re wrapped in a blanket of comfort provided by the Holy Spirit.

It is likely our daily walk will have less of an affect on others when we're in a season of sweetness, but it can most certainly have the greatest affect on those who may or may not know Christ, as they watch us willingly and patiently go through seasons of great bitterness.

So where do we find the sweet in seasons of utter trials?

Jesus said in John 14:27....
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭27‬ ‭NIV‬‬

In John 14:16 Jesus had said He will ask the Father to send the Advocate, the Holy Spirit so we may find comfort in the Spirit of God.
A comfort that is always available if we would just rely on God, knowing that true comfort is found in Him and Him alone.

Have you ever watched the face of a child when they taste something bitter?
That snarling of the face is what some see in and on us when we don't rely on the Holy Spirit in seasons of trials.
As Christians, someone is always watching us to see how we will react when trials enter our life. If we act with comfort and peace, it may just open a door for another to ask “how are you handling this so well?”

Our goal is to lead others to Christ. So if we’re not setting a example to cause the world to want what we have, we’re not walking the talk.

There will be a day when our battle is over and we open our eyes in the presence of our Lord.
Then and only then will there be no more tears and no more sorrow.
God said in revelation 21:4
“‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.””
‭‭
Until then brothers and sisters, let’s live a life finding the sweetness of God amongst the bitterness this world has to offer.
We are being watched!!!

If you want to know more about how you can have the peace found in the acceptance of our Savior, reach out to us on Facebook Messenger at Outside The Walls Ministries, or by phone / text to 501-317-7978