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Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians during a long and unjust imprisonment. Even though Paul is in the midst of suffering, this short epistle is full of rejoicing. Paul never complains or casts blame for his situation, because he learned to live above his circumstances.

How do most people respond to difficulty? First, they try blaming others for the problem in order to make themselves feel better. But blaming only results in broken relationships. Second, they may complain, which brings pity from others but only enhances the problem in their own minds. Then, they search for a way out of the situation and, in the process, usually make things worse.

Paul knew that in order to live above his circumstances, rather than merely muddling through them, he needed to shift his focus. Instead of examining his problem and complaining, he looked to God. He praised God, proclaiming, "I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." (Philippians 3:8)

God wants to hear our honest concerns, anger, and confusion about our trials. But He also wants us to trust Him. Focusing on the Lord and praising Him doesn't mean that we insincerely pretend to enjoy tough times. Instead, we can honestly acknowledge that He is in control of the situation, and will guide our every step just as He promised. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Believers have a simple choice! We can wallow in self-pity. Or, we can look to Jesus Christ and learn to live above our circumstances.

Here is your copy of firstIMPRESSIONS, Volume 10.21. Live for God, on purpose, no matter what the circumstances may look like, knowing that He is in control.

Pentecost 2010 Revival

This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday – the anniversary of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the church. In Acts 1:8, Jesus said that "you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

In Acts 2, we read that on the day of Pentecost, the believers were all together in one place, and suddenly there was the sound of a mighty wind from heaven, filling the whole house. They saw what looked like flames coming to rest on each of them. And then "everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability."

Here at WFA we are celebrating Pentecost in an appropriate way – reaching out to see people come to Christ, and praying for people to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The WFA Pentecost 2010 Revival begins this Sunday morning at 10:30, and continues Sunday evening at 6pm, and Monday through Wednesday at 7pm.

We are thrilled to welcome back to WFA our friend, Evangelist Tiff Shuttlesworth. Tiff is a credentialed minister with the Assemblies of God and serves on the National Evangelists Committee. He has been involved in full time evangelism for nearly two decades. In 1994 he was added to Billy Graham's Notable Names in Evangelism. As President and Founder of "Lost Lamb Evangelistic Association" his focus has been directed at reaching the unsaved both in North America and around the world.

Tiff Shuttlesworth was the third of four sons born to Reverend and Mrs. A. E. Shuttlesworth on October 25, 1958. His parents have served the Lord in ministry for more than forty years. All three of his brothers are involved in full time ministry as well.

Tiff gave his heart to the Lord Jesus Christ and received the baptism of the Holy Spirit at the tender age of six. It was during his early youth that he began to feel the call of God upon his life, preaching his first sermon at the age of sixteen. After graduating from High School, he then attended Zion Bible Institute in Barrington, Rhode Island. He graduated in the spring of 1979 after completing his courses as a ministerial major. He now serves on the Executive Board of Directors of Zion Bible Institute.

You will not want to miss any of these dynamic meetings! Be sure to make your plans to be here for each service, and also don't forget to invite your friends and loved ones to come with you! Your life will be changed – for eternity!

Do Not Be Deceived

by David Jeremiah

You are familiar with this brain twister: "If a tree falls in the forest and there is no one there to hear it, does it make any noise?" Here's another challenging one: "Does a deceived man know he is deceived?" While the first question is mostly for fun, the second has serious spiritual implications.

The phrase "do not be deceived" occurs five times in the New Testament, and the same warning is reiterated in other words in additional verses. The fact that Christians are warned about the possibility of being deceived means it can happen. And the fact that the warning is repeated means we have to look carefully and continually at our lives to make sure we are "[walking] in the light as He is in the light" (1 John 1:7).

The best ways to avoid deception are to continually rehearse the Bible's teachings ("Is this what I believe?" Psalm 119:11), continually ask God to search our heart to see if there is any wicked way in it (Psalm 139:23-24), and be accountable to people who love us enough to correct us (Proverbs 27:6).

Are you practicing all three? Take steps today to establish your defenses against deception.

from Dr. David Jeremiah's "Today's Turning Point" daily devotional. www.TurningPointOnline.org

Don't Give the Devil a Place

When (the late) pastor Adrian Rogers wanted to attract birds to his garden, a neighbor told him, "If you create the right environment they'll come." So he bought the right kind of food, the right kind of birdhouse, mounted it on the right kind of pole, and enjoyed hosting a variety of birds.

Rogers pointed out that many of us unwittingly roll out the welcome mat for the devil by creating an environment where he feels right at home. Satan will take any ground you give him. He's looking for an environment where he can live comfortably.

If you've given the devil a place in your life today, you can reclaim that lost ground.

First, by faith: "...every child of God defeats this evil world... through our faith." (1 John 5:4 NLT) God empowers us for spiritual warfare, and that power is released through faith. Knowing who you are in Christ gives you confidence.

Second, by resisting: "...submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." (James 4:7 NKJV) Only as you submit to God, will you have the power to overcome the devil. You must come against him in the Name of Jesus and the authority of God's Word.

Third, by fighting: "Put on the full armor of God so that you can... stand against the devil's schemes." (Ephesians 6:11 NIV) Remember, "The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God... will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand..." (1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT)

You don't have to beg God to give you power to defeat the devil; it's already yours. "...I have given you authority... you can walk among snakes... Nothing will injure you." (Luke 10:19 NLT) Learn to walk in it!

Church Birds that Steal Blessings

There are religious birds in our churches that steal the blessings off the altar of God. We need to take the brush broom – the Bible – and drive them away.

1. The Parrot

This bird repeats what someone else says. "Have you heard what Mr. So and So said?" They are the ones in the church always crying, "They say, they."

2. The Fan-Tail Pigeon

This bird struts in the church. He belongs to the show-off crowd. Dress-parading is his main reason for attending church. The fan-tail pigeon must be the center of attention.

3. The Hawk

This is a sharp-eyed bird. He is always looking for something wrong with the preacher, choir, or some member. The hawk always preys on the helpless.

4. The Jay Bird

His main business is raising a fuss with one of the other birds. And there is always one of these fussing jays in every church. This bird is always a thorn in the flesh.

5. The Bat

He is the old hypocrite in the church. The bat looks like a bird from one view and from another he looks like an animal. He has wings, yet looks like a rat. The only difference is the way you look at him.

6. The Crow

He is the undercover man, always stealing the other man's corn. The crow is a spiritual thief, always trying to steal someone else's blessing. He makes a lot of noise when he is caught.

7. The Swan

This beautiful bird has no certain dwelling place, just floating from church to church. He is always looking for a better pond and is never satisfied. There is always something wrong with every church.

10 Reasons to Hope When You're Hurting

by Steve Arterburn and Mike Marino

At some point in our lives, we all feel hopelessness. We wonder, "Why is this happening?", "Is this ever going to end?", "Will this ever get better?", "Does anyone know or care about what I'm going through?" When you're hurting, hope is often the first thing to go, but it is the most precious gift. Hope is what you need most when you're hurting. So why hope? Here are ten reasons...tuck these promises in your heart.

1. God is truly in control.

If God is God, then nothing happens apart from His knowledge and permission. While it is difficult to imagine why God allows some painful things to happen, His character, revealed in the Bible and through the testing of generations, leads us to the conclusion that He is willing and able to sustain you during the worst of times. "We were crushed and completely overwhelmed, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we learned not to rely on ourselves, but on god who can raise the dead. – 2 Corinthians 1:8,9

2. There is an eternal life to come.

"Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the Glory He will give us later." – Romans 8:18

"He will keep you strong right up to the end, and He will keep you free from all blame on the great day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns." – 1 Corinthians 1:8

3. The story isn't finished yet.

Time after time, the Bible records hopeless situations that ultimately ended in victory. Think of Job's sickness, Joseph's betrayal by his brothers, David's adultery and the many who were healed in mind, body and spirit. "But Joseph told them, ‘Don't be afraid of me. Am I God, to judge and punish you? As far as I am concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil. He brought me to the high position I have today so I could save the lives of many people.'" – Genesis 50:19,20

4. God has not given up on you! Don't give up on him.

"For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." – Jeremiah 29:11

5. There is likely purpose in your pain.

Ask God to reveal His purpose in allowing this difficulty in your life. That's a legitimate question to ask. Often, the answer comes in the process of dealing with your circumstance. Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything. – James 1:2-4

6. You are loved!

Even the most unlovable person in the world is actually loved so much by God, that He let His Son die a terrible death to restore their relationship. God does love you! He sees your pain and weeps with you. "He has sent Me to comfort the brokenhearted and to announce that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent Me to tell those who mourn that the time of the Lords‘ favor has come, and with it, the day of God's anger against their enemies. To all who mourn in Israel, He will give beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair. For the Lord has planted them like strong and graceful oaks for His own glory." – Isaiah 61:1-3

7. Your prayers are heard.

You parents – if your children ask you for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! If you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him? – Matthew 7:9,10

8. You are not facing this alone.

For God has said, "I will never fail you. I will never forsake you." That is why we can say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper, so I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" – Hebrews 13:5,6

9. Others have made it through – you can too.

Try to connect with others who have gone through similar situations. You will find hope, strength and encouragement. A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. – Ecclesiastes 4:12

10. Reach out to someone else who's struggling.

Place your focus on someone else and invest your life in him or her. You may discover your peace of mind is found in being a source of hope for another. All praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the source of every mercy and the God who comforts us. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. – 2 Corinthians 1:3,4

Having the Right Perspective

by Alan Smith

I heard about a lady (I won't speculate as to what color her hair was) who went into an auto parts store. She asked for a seven-ten cap.

The employees all looked at each other and say, "What's a seven-ten cap?"

She says, "You know, it's right on the engine. Mine got lost somehow and I need a new one."

"What kind of a car is it on," they ask. Perhaps it was an old Datsun 710 but no, she says, "It's a Buick."

"OK, lady, how big is it?"

She makes a circle with her hands about 3 1/2 inches in diameter.

"What does it do?" they ask.

She says, "I don't know, but its always been there."

One of the employees gives her a note pad and asks her if she can draw a picture of it. So she makes a circle about 3 1/2 inches in diameter and in the center she writes 710.

The guys behind the counter are looking at it upside down as she writes it...and they just fall down behind the counter because they are laughing so hard.

One guy finally says, "I think you want an oil cap."

She says, "Seven-ten cap, oil cap, I don't care what you call it, I just need one, and I don't see what is so funny about it."

(by the way, in case you haven't figured it out by now, the word "OIL" upside down looks like "710")

Perspective makes all the difference. Things look differently when we look at them upside down. I'm reminded of the Christians in Thessalonica who were accused of turning the world upside down (Acts 17:6). The truth, though, they were turning the world right-side up. We live in a world that looks at things upside-down.

"Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20)

The world looks at material things and calls them "items of great value." It looks at sin and immorality and calls it "good and right." It looks at lies and calls them "truth." It can be very confusing unless we realize the need to turn things around and look at them from an eternal perspective.

If things in your life "don't look quite right," perhaps you've been looking at things upside-down and you need to allow God to help you to turn things around.

This article by Alan Smith, Senior Pastor of the Helen Street Church of Christ in Fayetteville, North Carolina. You can visit his site at http://www.TFTD-online.com

The Last Impression

Juan comes up to the Mexican border on his bicycle. He has two large bags over his shoulders. A guard stops him and says, "What's in the bags?"

"Sand," answered Juan.

The guard says, "We'll just see about that. Get off the bike."

The guard takes the bags and rips them apart; he empties them out and finds nothing in them but sand. He detains Juan overnight and has the sand analyzed, only to discover that there is nothing but pure sand in the bags. The guard releases Juan, puts the sand into new bags, lifts them onto the man's shoulders, and lets him cross the border.

A week later, the same thing happens. The guard asks, "What have you got?"

"Sand," says Juan.

The guard does his thorough examination and discovers that the bags contain nothing but sand. He gives the sand back to Juan, and Juan crosses the border on his bicycle.

This sequence of events repeats every day for three years. Then one day, Juan doesn't show up. The guard meets up with him in a cantina in Mexico.

"Hey, buddy," the guard says, "I know you're smuggling something. It's driving me crazy. It's all I think about. I can't sleep. Just between you and me, what are you smuggling?"

"Bicycles," Juan says.

Peter is the perfect example. He denied Christ. He failed to tell others about Jesus. He shirked his responsibility. He was actually ashamed of the Lord. And then, just days later, Peter is bold. He proclaims the truth about Christ. He stands up, and preaches to a huge crowd, and literally thousands come to a saving knowledge of Jesus.

Quite obviously, something happened that dramatically changed Peter. And, the same thing that happened to Peter can happen to anyone today.

Peter, who had already accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior, was present with the others on the day of Pentecost, where for the first time he was filled with the Holy Spirit. That is called being baptized in the Holy Spirit. The first time that ever happened was on the day of Pentecost, which is why we call ourselves "Pentecostals" – because we have experienced, and believe every believer can experience that exact same thing – the baptism in the Holy Spirit.

This is Pentecost Sunday – I personally invite you to WFA to experience your own personal Pentecost! Be filled with the Spirit of God!