THE LAST WEEK OF SEPARATING?!?!?! 04/17/2020
Yes, I believe this will be our last week of splitting into two house churches. Remember, we will be diving into the Sermon on the Mount -- the teachings of Jesus! Also, remember that we are splitting according to the lists below. Again...I pray this will be the last week we have to do this. Blessings to you all!
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BURNETT HOUSE
Ose Thomas Lydia Krystal CJ Nikayla Caden Inelda Aujinee |
SOAP HOUSE
Teki Joan Niral Desiree Aaron Harper Isaac Lynnen Joshua Kristi |
Moving Forward...
Dear FL Family: We are gathering in the same way we did on 03/27/2020! We had a meeting last week to determine how we should go forward from here, and everyone unanimously said that we should all meet in the way we have been meeting. So, we will be "splitting together" tomorrow so that we can hold to the mandate of ten or less people. There is a the possibility that a guest family may be coming to the Soap house tomorrow.
Splitting together On 03/27/2020
Dear FL Family: Seeing that there are measures in place to prevent the spread of there virus, we are going to split this week. One group will be in the Soap house, and the other in the Burnett house. I love how we were originally meant to do exactly this! So, here are the people who can attend each house (ten people or less, each):
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SOAP HOUSE
Teki Joan Niral Desiree Aaron Harper Isaac Aurora Aria Lynnen |
BURNETT HOUSE
Ose Thomas Lydia Krystal CJ Nikayla Caden Inelda Aujinee |
If I forgot (or misspelled) your name, please forgive me. Also, I re-emphasize my sentiments last week. I offer ZERO pressure for anyone to gather on Friday. But, our doors are open. I cannot in good conscience close our doors to those who wish to seek God during a time like this. To add balance though: If you are experiencing any symptoms or believe that you may have been exposed, please stay home out of consideration of others who gather. If you are sick, I will visit you personally to pray for you and address any other needs you may have. Again, if you feel the need to stay home, please do. No problem at all.
Finally, I worked with a ministry this week to deliver thousands of dollars in groceries and supplies for those in need this week, but we need to be able to give more. If you would like to support us, you can do so at the following link: https://firstlove.givingfuel.com/first-love-international-ministries. Your support will help us to offer help to others, plant more churches, and continue the mission of Christ in many, MANY other places.
Blessings to you all! If you need to text me, my number is 918.523.4623.
Finally, I worked with a ministry this week to deliver thousands of dollars in groceries and supplies for those in need this week, but we need to be able to give more. If you would like to support us, you can do so at the following link: https://firstlove.givingfuel.com/first-love-international-ministries. Your support will help us to offer help to others, plant more churches, and continue the mission of Christ in many, MANY other places.
Blessings to you all! If you need to text me, my number is 918.523.4623.
CORONA VIRUS and Family Group 03/20/2020
Dear Family Group: Right now, the world is in full pandemic mode. So much is being said that I wonder if our entire world has forgotten about God – even church people. I am starting to sober up on this issue. See, right now, we ought to consider the strength of our faith. Are we running towards self-preservation as the world does, or are we seeking ways to be lights that shine in this dark, terrified world? I pray that you understand that the logic of self-preservation during a time like this is the same logic that will cause us to shrink back if we should ever have to admit to our association with Jesus Christ under the threat of imprisonment. This is a test drive for such days, in my opinion.
Still, I offer ZERO pressure for anyone to gather on Friday. But, our doors are open. I cannot in good conscience close our doors to those who wish to seek God during a time like this. To add balance though: If you are experiencing any symptoms or believe that you may have been exposed, please stay home out of consideration of others who gather. If you are sick, I will visit you personally to pray for you and address any other needs you may have. Again, if you feel the need to stay home, please do. No problem at all.
Finally, let’s stay encouraged in Christ. God is bigger than COVID19. Soon, we will look back on this crisis and consider what we did during these times. Did we hunker down with a thousand rolls of toilet tissue and even more cases of Ramen noodles while watching CNN, or did we pray? Even if you stay home, please pray during the time you would have been at Family Group. Stand in FAITH. Again, stay home if you must. No judgement. It’s totally ok. I understand. However, our doors are open. Also, we will not be having food prepared this Friday. It will be a time of fellowship, worship and brief sharing. Let’s continue to be sober-minded. If I don’t see you this Friday, I pray blessing and favor for you and your family.
Finally, several of you have asked about giving. If you would like to support the ministry, you can do so at the following link: https://firstlove.givingfuel.com/first-love-international-ministries. Your support will help us to offer help to others, plant more churches, and continue the mission of Christ in many, MANY other places.
Blessings to you all! If you need to text me, my number is 918.523.4623.
P.S. I am looking into a tech solution to broadcast messages/bible studies to make available to those who cannot come, but that will not be ready until next week. If you want a head start though, please sign up to our (non-Facebook) social network, 1Body at https://onebody.mn.co/.
Still, I offer ZERO pressure for anyone to gather on Friday. But, our doors are open. I cannot in good conscience close our doors to those who wish to seek God during a time like this. To add balance though: If you are experiencing any symptoms or believe that you may have been exposed, please stay home out of consideration of others who gather. If you are sick, I will visit you personally to pray for you and address any other needs you may have. Again, if you feel the need to stay home, please do. No problem at all.
Finally, let’s stay encouraged in Christ. God is bigger than COVID19. Soon, we will look back on this crisis and consider what we did during these times. Did we hunker down with a thousand rolls of toilet tissue and even more cases of Ramen noodles while watching CNN, or did we pray? Even if you stay home, please pray during the time you would have been at Family Group. Stand in FAITH. Again, stay home if you must. No judgement. It’s totally ok. I understand. However, our doors are open. Also, we will not be having food prepared this Friday. It will be a time of fellowship, worship and brief sharing. Let’s continue to be sober-minded. If I don’t see you this Friday, I pray blessing and favor for you and your family.
Finally, several of you have asked about giving. If you would like to support the ministry, you can do so at the following link: https://firstlove.givingfuel.com/first-love-international-ministries. Your support will help us to offer help to others, plant more churches, and continue the mission of Christ in many, MANY other places.
Blessings to you all! If you need to text me, my number is 918.523.4623.
P.S. I am looking into a tech solution to broadcast messages/bible studies to make available to those who cannot come, but that will not be ready until next week. If you want a head start though, please sign up to our (non-Facebook) social network, 1Body at https://onebody.mn.co/.
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Gathering TONIGHT!
Dear Family Group: First of all, I would like to thank AARON SOAP for the FANTASTIC teaching on Luke 12 last week. It was good to recieve the word from such a God-loving man. Also, we met at First United Methodist Church last week, and it was fantastic. Metropolitan Baptist Church, Tulsa House of Prayer, and First Love all joined together as ONE CHURCH. Ose, having just come out of the flu (not Corona virus) led the congregation into the presence of God. Thomas backed things up on the piano, and I preached. It was a special night as First Love Ministries joined the body of Christ for a night of worship.
Tonight, we will gather again (at our home this time) around Christ and share communion, the scriptures, fellowship, and pray. Dinner will be ready. We will have some special announcements from the Soaps about volunteer opportunities at MEND Crisis Pregnancy Center, Night Light Tulsa (homeless ministry), BFC (outreach to Memorial High School), and also upcoming prayer gatherings. I encourage you to become accustomed to reaching others with the love of Christ, whether they come to our gatherings, or not. It's all about spreading the gospel of the Kingdom. We can't just increase in knowledge without charity and compassion. Remember: We don't work so that God can love us. We serve in order to DEMONSTRATE our love toward Him.
I'll see you tonight at 7:00. Blessings to you all! If you need to text me, my number is 918.523.4623.
Tonight, we will gather again (at our home this time) around Christ and share communion, the scriptures, fellowship, and pray. Dinner will be ready. We will have some special announcements from the Soaps about volunteer opportunities at MEND Crisis Pregnancy Center, Night Light Tulsa (homeless ministry), BFC (outreach to Memorial High School), and also upcoming prayer gatherings. I encourage you to become accustomed to reaching others with the love of Christ, whether they come to our gatherings, or not. It's all about spreading the gospel of the Kingdom. We can't just increase in knowledge without charity and compassion. Remember: We don't work so that God can love us. We serve in order to DEMONSTRATE our love toward Him.
I'll see you tonight at 7:00. Blessings to you all! If you need to text me, my number is 918.523.4623.
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The Coming Holiday Season (The REal One)
My goodness! It feels like it's been a long time since we have gathered!!! I am so glad we are on the other side of the flu in our household. Ose was in bedrest for over a week! The Soaps and some others were also hurting for a while. Thank God for full recovery for everyone.
Today is Ash Wednesday. If you spent any part of your life in Catholic tradition, you'd know that today marks the start of the season of Lent. While we at First Love are not Catholic, I do believe that this is a good times to begin to reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. My employer at Oklahoma Wesleyan University, President Dr. James Dunn reminded us all that when we look at biblical and historical the events of this season, not to rush past the cross and straight to the resurrection. We need to pause at the suffering of Jesus and remember what our great salvation cost. Thankfully, it is not we who had to work to assure our salvation. It was Him, alone. There's nothing to add to it. There is no performance that can enhance this reality. We cannot by our works, put God in debt to us. His work was complete and final, with nothing more to add to it, except our multitude of sins, which we freely lay at the foot of the cross. Now, we no longer have to live according to our destructive unbelief, but rather, in glorious liberty. Because of Him, we have the priviledge of living as free men and women -- all because of His suffering.
In rememberance of Him, perhaps during this season, we should turn off social media for a while. Maybe some of us need to fast and spend more time in prayer. Others of us should begin to reach out to "the least of these" in a more profound way. As the Holy Spirit leads, allow yourself to be restored to the joy of salvation in Christ. Demonstrate your loyalty to the God who wants nothing more than YOU. Still, a wise man wrote, "The goal of our lives should be to show our loyalty and gratitude to the One who saved us." Consider this prayerfully, and let's go, Godward.
I'd like for you to meditate on these words and be prepared to share when we come together on Friday at 7.
Also, I would like to invite you all to a very special evening. First Love Ministries is partnering with First United Methodist Church, as well as Tulsa House of Prayer and Metropolitan Baptist Church for a gathering of Friends in Worship (The flyer is below). It would be an honor if you could all come to this amazing event as an expression of unity in the faith, and further engagement in the Body of Christ.
Today is Ash Wednesday. If you spent any part of your life in Catholic tradition, you'd know that today marks the start of the season of Lent. While we at First Love are not Catholic, I do believe that this is a good times to begin to reflect on the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. My employer at Oklahoma Wesleyan University, President Dr. James Dunn reminded us all that when we look at biblical and historical the events of this season, not to rush past the cross and straight to the resurrection. We need to pause at the suffering of Jesus and remember what our great salvation cost. Thankfully, it is not we who had to work to assure our salvation. It was Him, alone. There's nothing to add to it. There is no performance that can enhance this reality. We cannot by our works, put God in debt to us. His work was complete and final, with nothing more to add to it, except our multitude of sins, which we freely lay at the foot of the cross. Now, we no longer have to live according to our destructive unbelief, but rather, in glorious liberty. Because of Him, we have the priviledge of living as free men and women -- all because of His suffering.
In rememberance of Him, perhaps during this season, we should turn off social media for a while. Maybe some of us need to fast and spend more time in prayer. Others of us should begin to reach out to "the least of these" in a more profound way. As the Holy Spirit leads, allow yourself to be restored to the joy of salvation in Christ. Demonstrate your loyalty to the God who wants nothing more than YOU. Still, a wise man wrote, "The goal of our lives should be to show our loyalty and gratitude to the One who saved us." Consider this prayerfully, and let's go, Godward.
I'd like for you to meditate on these words and be prepared to share when we come together on Friday at 7.
Also, I would like to invite you all to a very special evening. First Love Ministries is partnering with First United Methodist Church, as well as Tulsa House of Prayer and Metropolitan Baptist Church for a gathering of Friends in Worship (The flyer is below). It would be an honor if you could all come to this amazing event as an expression of unity in the faith, and further engagement in the Body of Christ.
GATHERING 02/07/2020
Scripture: Titus 2:11-14
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
Scripture: James 2:14-24
What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
Here's what we'll be talking about tonight:
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
Scripture: James 2:14-24
What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
Here's what we'll be talking about tonight:
- What is Jesus’ priority (with scripture references)? Don’t answer “love God, love people”. That’s a given. Be more specific.
- Why SHOULD the world join us in Christ? Are we just a social club of rules nd regulations? Or, is there more to this Christianity? What do you think?
- What action can we take to demonstrate our declared belief that there is more?
Gathering 01/09/2020
I was in prayer this past week, thinking about our Friday gathering and feeling the frustration of just having a Bible study. I’m not sure if you are feeling what I am feeling, but it seems that there is a lot going on, not just in our personal lives, but also in the world. We need more, and honestly First Love is more than that. This coming year, I feel strongly led to focus on prayer and intercession. Of course, we will study the Word and grow as disciples of Christ. However, we must seek the Lord in a deeper way. The answer to most of our personal issues are found in a close relationship with YHWH through Jesus Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Still, we need the grace to go beyond managing personal issues, and spiritually ENGAGE. Let’s get on mission, and let’s start with prayer.
This Friday when we gather, I would like to use our time to pray for specific things:
Remember, the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Come ready to seek the Lord. I look forward to seeing you all. Blessings to you!
To be clear, please come ready to spend time praying this Friday. Let's engage in prayer as one body.
This Friday when we gather, I would like to use our time to pray for specific things:
- For each other as the Holy Spirit leads (Ephesians 6:18, James 5:16)
- Pray for our nation and our President (1 Timothy 2:2)
- Pray for the persecuted (Colossians 4:18)
- Pray for our children (Psalm 127:3, 1 John 5:21)
Remember, the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Come ready to seek the Lord. I look forward to seeing you all. Blessings to you!
To be clear, please come ready to spend time praying this Friday. Let's engage in prayer as one body.
Happy New Year!!! 01/03/2020
I want to take this time to wish all of you the blessings of the Lord for this coming year. I have no prediction of how this year will go for you personally, but I can remind you of God’s faithfulness and love for you, no matter what season of life you are in. He is always near to those who follow Him. So this year, let’s draw near to Him like we never have before.
I believe this coming year will find us emphasizing prayer and intercession, quite a bit. We are trusting that the vision God have YOU will be realized as we seek His face together. As for the church, we want to gather the lost and broken-hearted in this city and usher them to freedom that can only be found in Christ. That’s been my prayer, “Father, send me the broken hearted.” He seems to take pleasure in answering that prayer.
We will resume gathering as a church family again on Friday, January 3rd at 7:00 (yes, a little earlier). I look forward to diving into the Word of God again together, and enjoying the presence of Christ as we worship. In the coming weeks, we will also be sharing about the actual vision and purpose of First Love. I really feel the need to share, biblically, regarding exactly who we are as a church, and where we are going.
Let’s enter the coming year with a renewed hunger for God’s agenda and find true joy in following him. Let’s let this be the year of the disciple and commit ourselves to REAL, genuine spiritual growth.
Love, always.
Niral and Ose