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opening Spiritual growth is a lot like physical growth! To stay healthy and grow physically, we must eat the right foods, exercise, and enjoy plenty of rest. According to the Bible, growing spiritually involves the same formula.

First, we must eat the right “spiritual food” – God's Word. Yet, many Christians try to survive on spiritual “fast food.” What is that fast food? A pastor’s, preacher’s or a teacher’s message, rather than the Bible! Some watch Christian shows on TV, read Christian magazines, and listen to Christian music, or even read things like firstIMPRESSIONS on the internet, while cutting the Bible out of their diet.

Some believers do not read the Bible at all. They are afraid of Biblical principles that should govern their lives. They are simply looking for sooth sayings from the pulpit. But nothing builds the body – the Body of Christ – like the Bible! Everything else is supplementary, or even contradictory to the Word of God.

Second, we must exercise. Christians exercise through resisting temptation, enduring trials, serving others, and telling others about their faith. Temptation and problems test our character. Serving others stretches our faith. Telling people about Christ strengthens our love for Him.

Finally, Christians enjoy rest through worship. Our world has a tendency to pull us in different directions, like a rubber band stretched to the limit. We need sleep, rest, and times of vacation to get our physical batteries recharged. In the same way, we need proper time of prayer and worship to keep us spiritually renewed.

This kind of spiritual growth isn’t instantaneous. It takes time – a lifetime. This means growing in a glowing relationship with God. Growing a strong Christian life means learning how to love Jesus more each day, staying close to Him, and getting to know Him better.

Here is your copy of firstIMPRESSIONS, Volume 10.09. Live for God, on purpose, in such a way that you are continually growing in your walk in Him.

every Every Way – At Home

The WFA 2010 World Missions Convention continues this weekend, as we affirm one of the key points of our vision – to expand the kingdom of God through... empowered evangelism. Too often, however, when we talk about “missions,” our thoughts go to foreign nations, on far-off continents, meeting strange people with customs completely different than ours. But, the reality is missions has nothing to do with distance. Missions is all about reaching souls for Christ. As someone has so aptly stated, “Missions isn’t just crossing the seas, it’s seeing the Cross.”

Historically in the Assemblies of God, we have held our “foreign missionaries” in the highest esteem. And, truthfully, these men and women who have left the comfort of their homeland to follow the call of God, taking His message to distant lands, are really who I consider modern-day apostles.

Without de-valuing these wonderful servants of God, the time has come to recognize that perhaps the greatest and most needy mission field in the world is... right here in America. That is the reason why, here at WFA, we not only support world missions, but we are also committed to planting new churches here in America. Specifically, our vision is to plant ten new churches in Delaware.

zollie This weekend, to anchor our World Missions Convention, we are privileged to have as our special guest, Rev. Zollie Smith, executive director of Assemblies of God U.S. Missions. As AGUSM executive director, Smith coordinates the ministries of seven departments: Chaplaincy Ministries; Chi Alpha Campus Ministries; Intercultural Ministries; Missionary Church Planters and Developers, Teen Challenge USA, U.S. Mission America Placement Service (MAPS), and Youth Alive. Currently, there are more than 1,000 missionaries, spouses and candidates, and more than 500 endorsed chaplains under AGUSM, with 5,000 other related field personnel.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear first-hand from one of God’s choice servants for the day in which we live! Invite your friends to join you in worship this Sunday at WFA!

sure How to Know 100% for Sure You are Going to Heaven

In one minute, in the privacy of your home, it can be explained how you can know for sure that you will receive the gift of Heaven. 1 John 5:13 says, "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that you may know that ye have eternal life"

All you have to know are four things:

1. God says, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23)

2. God says, "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned." (Romans 5:12)

This is the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. The price for sin is death.

3. God says, "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)

God loves you very much. He doesn't want you to go to Hell. In fact, He loves you so much tat He sent His Son Jesus to this earth. This is why Christmas is celebrated. Jesus actually lifted the sins from you and placed them upon Himself. When Jesus was on the cross His blood cleansed your win. He paid the price for your sin, which is death. They buried Jesus and He arose from the dead. He conquered death and He conquered sin. This is why Easter is celebrated.

He offers you life. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

Eternal life is a present. You can't get baptized into Heaven; be good to get into Heaven, pay money to get into Heaven; in fact, you can't do anything to get into Heaven, except to accept God's gift and trust Jesus as your only way into Heaven.

4. God says, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that who so ever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God..." (John 1:12)

"... but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

Here is how you call upon the Lord:

Dear Jesus, please forgive me of my sins and come into my heart. I trust you today, Jesus, to lead me through my life. I trust you today, Jesus, to take me to Heaven. Thank you for your sacrifice for me. Amen

Just as you were physically born to your parents, you are spiritually born into the Kingdom of God when you call on Jesus.

If you have prayed this prayer for the first time, tell a friend. Tell the person who sent you this message or write us at TSatryan@wfa.org. Then find a church and tell the pastor you are a new Christian. Read your bible and pray daily for the Lord is now your light, your guide and your Savior. Thanks be to God!

top ten Top Ten Reasons to Believe in the Christian Faith

1. The Credibility of Its Founder: Peter spoke for Jesus‘ closest followers when he said, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that You are the Holy One of God." (John 6:68-69)

2. Reliability of Its Book: The integrity of this historical and geographical record is supported by archeology. The Bible continues to speak not only with spiritual power but with convincing prophetic accuracy.

3. Explanations for Life: It is the Christian faith that reflects a caring attention to detail so evident in the species and ecosystems of the natural world. It is Christ who clothed himself in our humanity to feel what we feel and then to suffer and die in our place.

4. Its Continuity with the Past: The Christian faith offers continuity with our deepest ancestral roots. Those who trust Christ are accepting the same Creator and Lord worshiped by Adam, Abraham, and Solomon.

5. Its Foundational Claim: The first Christians were witnesses. They risked their lives to tell the World that with their own eyes they had seen an innocent man die and then miraculously walk among them 3 days later.

6. Its Power to Change Lives: Not only were the first disciples dramatically changed but so were their worst enemies. Paul was transformed from a killer of Christians into one of their chief advocates (Galatians 1:11-24)

7. Its Analysis of Human Nature: The Bible says that society's real problems are problems of the heart. In an age of information and technology, failures of character have scandalized institutions of the family, religion, and the arts.

8. Its View of Human Achievement: Generation after generation has hoped for the best. We have conceived technologies that will deliver us from the oppressive slavery of work. Yet we are as close as ever to what the New Testament describes as the end times. (Matthew 24:5-31)

9. Its Impact on Society: From rooftops to necklaces to earrings, we see the sign of the cross, bearing visible witness to Christ's death. Social relief agencies have been fueled by the direct or residual values of The Bible.

10. Its Offer of Salvation: No other faith offers everlasting life as a gift to those who trust the One who has overcome death for them. No other system offers assurance of forgiveness and adoption into the family of God.

8 ball The Magic 8-Ball

When I was a young boy, I remember a special toy I used to have – the “Magic 8-Ball.” In case you aren’t familiar with this iconic toy, allow me to refresh your memory. The ball itself looks like a large black 8-ball used in the game of billiards, except that this ball is larger and is filled with a dark liquid that gives cover to its contents: A small three-dimensional triangle that has phrases on each face such as “Signs Point to Yes,” “Don’t Count on It,” “You May Rely on It”, “Yes,” or “Definitely.” The person holding the 8-ball gets to ask a question, shake the ball and then wait breathlessly for the answer to appear. Of course, if you were like me and the answer wasn’t one you liked, you would shake the ball again until a better answer appeared.

Some people mistakenly approach the Bible this way. They have a question, open the Bible, point their finger on a verse and claim that as an answer from God, that is, as long if they like the answer. The problem is, the Bible isn’t a Magic 8-Ball nor is God a “Genie in a Bottle” that seeks to serve us and grant our wishes.

The Bible is an amazing collection of God-inspired letters, writings, poems, songs, history, prophecy, judgment and more. It was written over hundreds of years by over forty different authors ranging in profession from king to shepherd, fisherman and recovering Pharisee. It is God’s love letter to the world. The Apostle Paul wrote of the comprehensive nature of the sacred Scriptures stating, “All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man or woman of God may be competent, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16). The early Christians in Berea were on the right track. They revered the Scriptures and were commended because they studied them daily.

May Christians who come after us be able to look at our lives and similarly commend us for our commitment to God’s Word. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

u needed Where "U" are Needed...

"U" are needed in Bible ST_DY, but not in IGNORANCE.
"U" are needed in S_PPORT, but not in NEGLECT.
"U" are needed in _NITY, but not in DIVISION.
"U" are needed in D_TY, but not in IRRESPONSIBILITY.
"U" are needed in B_ILDING, but not in TEARING DOWN.
"U" are needed in CH__RCH!!

WFA net WFA on the Net

The internet allows for an increasingly abundant means for people to connect with each other. Here at Wilmington First Assembly of God, we want to avail ourselves of every means we can to reach out and communicate our message.

Our web site is our primary means of sharing WFA with everyone around the world. Time and time again, when our guests are asked how they found WFA, they quickly tell us that it was through our web page. There have been scores of people who, when planning to move to Delaware, find our web site, and make contact with us. By the time they arrive in Wilmington, we are already prepared to minister to them at their immediate point of need. We have had families move to Delaware and had people standing by ready to assist them move into their home, meals ready to feed them during their first days here, and their children already pre-registered to attend summer camp with other children in our church. News of upcoming ministries and events are found, as well as contact information and directions to our campus. Visit our website here – www.wfa.org

One of the fastest growing areas on the net is Facebook. It seems that nearly everyone, young and old, has a personal page there! Well, you can now find WFA on Facebook! Just go to www.facebook.com/wfa.org and you can become a “fan” of WFA! On our Facebook page, members can communicate with each other, discuss happenings at WFA, and even post their own pictures and video clips of WFA people and events.

Perhaps the biggest trend today is a messaging service called “Twitter.” Often misunderstood or made fun of because of its unique name and characteristics, Twitter is actually a tremendous tool to share quick messages with a huge number of readers. People using Twitter send short messages – they are limited to only 140 characters – about anything they want. While some Twitter messages – called “tweets” – seem pretty silly or simple, it would be a mistake to think that Twitter is all about simple things. WFA now is on Twitter, and you can “follow” our “tweets!” Just go to our Twitter page – www.twitter.com/WFAtoday – and click on the big green “Join Today” button in the upper right corner. You can “twitter” from your computer or your cell phone. We use our “twitter” account to make announcements about all upcoming activities, events and ministries at WFA. If there are any changes in our services due to bad weather, we will use Twitter to get the word out. One of the greatest things about Twitter is that people who do not even “follow” you will often find you as the read certain topics and subjects. For example, a search for anything about Delaware will always produce our twitter messages.

Of course, you are now reading one of our internet tools – firstIMPRESSIONS! For ten years now, we have sent out these weekly devotional email messages. Beginning simply as a means to communicate about the upcoming Sunday ministry at WFA to our members, firstIMPRESSIONS has now grown well beyond members of WFA, as there are now many thousands of people around the world who receive each week’s issue. In ten years, we have never once missed sending that week’s Friday issue. If you received this issue from a friend forwarding it to you, you can receive your own copy each week for free just by requesting it here – http://www.wfa.org/resources/

last The Last Impression

"Where is my Sunday paper?" the irate customer calling the newspaper office loudly demanded, wanting to know where her Sunday edition was.

"Ma'am," said the newspaper employee, "today is Saturday. The Sunday paper is not delivered until tomorrow, on Sunday."

There was quite a long pause on the other end of the phone, followed by a ray of recognition, as she was heard to mutter, "Well, that's why no one was at church today!"

There are going to be folks at WFA on both Saturday and Sunday this weekend, as we have our famous “World Missions Banquet” on Saturday evening, as well as the concluding service of our 2010 World Missions Convention on Sunday morning. If you are in the North Delaware area, you have our personal invitation to join us for this dynamic weekend of ministry!