Greater Refuge Church Ministries of Richmond, VA

"That they all may be one; as thou Father art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." John 17:21

There was a story told about a great entertainer who was invited to be a part of the WWII show. He accepted the invitation but could only afford them a few minutes of his time before going to meet another appointment. The day came and he performed as usual but he didn't stay for just a few minutes. He gave them more time than was allotted him. Finally when he took his bow and exited backstage someone stopped him and said, "I thought you had to go after a few minutes. What happened?"

The entertainer answered, "I did have to go, but I can show you the reason I stayed." He pointed out two men seated on the front row, each of whom had lost an arm in the war. One had lost a right arm and the other had lost his left. Together they were able to clap and that's exactly what the two men were doing, loudly and cheerfully.

The point I'm making here is they showed teamwork in action and in spirit. We are in the process of becoming "whole" but we cannot exist without each other. That we must live life with and toward others unselfishly cannot be stressed enough. We really do need each other, and we need to work with one another.

We are called the "body" of Christ. In 1 Corinthian 12:27 it reads, "Now ye are the body of Christ and members in particular." In the natural body every cell is designed for every other cell. The whole purpose of each cell is to enable other cells to perform. The only cell that exists for itself is a cancer cell.

So you see, we are members one for the other and God has set the members in the body, as it has pleased Him. We need each other and when we work together, great things happen!

Christ has prayed for us that we may be one. Let us dwell together in that unity. Recall to mind the accomplishments of the ant, Nehemiah and the building of the tower of Babel. It is no secret what God will do for us and through us as long as we are of the same mind.

We are together to be one! Let it be so in Jesus' name!

Bishop Peters

Children, the time is now to put all our trust in Jesus! Even though your parents trust the Lord, you still have to let Him know that you are trusting Him too.

I want to share a story with you about Sam and his father. Sam and his father were out walking in the woods. They came to a little river that had no bridge. Someone had put a long log across the water. It could be used to get across the water.
Sam was afraid to walk on the log because he thought he would fall into the water. When his father said, "I'll carry you across.", Sam wasn't afraid anymore. He trusted his father.

Just like Sam trusted his father, we can trust Jesus. He is the Son of God and can do anything. He is the Ruler of the world anc can help us in any trouble.

When Sam's father carried him across the river, Sam hung on for dear life. He was both glad and scared. He was glad to have his father's strong and loving arms around him. But he held on tightly and was a little worried.

Like Sam, we need to hold on to Jesus so that we will not slip away from Him. The Bible verse says, "Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him." This means we will be happy and safe in His loving arms if we let Him carry us across dangers all the way to heaven.

We delight to do thy will, O our God; thy law is within our hearts. Psalm 40:8

We understand that the will of God is the power by which the universe exists from moment to moment. We know it is God's unceasing, active exercise of His will that makes the sun shine and clothes every lily in beauty. There is no goodness, strength or beauty except as He wills it. The glory and blessedness of heaven are the working of His glorious will. We can say that the hosts of heaven live with their wills turned and opened to Him. They find their happiness in allowing His will to do its perfect work in them.

The fact that we have a selfhood, our own will, a power of self-determination by which we decide what we should be, is the glory of His creation. Having our own desires, thoughts and will is not sin; without them we could not be free beings. We have will so that we may decide whether we should act according to the will of God or not. Sin will enter in only when we adhere to our own will rather than the will of God.

Our delight should be in doing His will; it is the place we choose to dwell. As the physical body require a sufficient amount of food, to give us strength and vigor for our work, doing the will of God is a sure way to become spiritually strong. We do not find strength in prayer, faith, God's promises or in fellowship. God gives us strength every time we exercise our will to do His will. It is our goal to stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

As God wills Lady and I to minister to His church, we pray you will learn all that you can from this ministry. Lady and I appreciate you for appreciating us for 30 years of willing service for the Lord Jesus Christ. The blessings of the Lord be upon each of you!

We love you with the love of God!

Bishop and Lady Peters

We often times get stuck in our life's circumstances and situations because we have made bad choices in the heat of emotions which brings on our carnal nature. We get all worked up in the flesh which brings enmity against God. 'Therefore we don't think like God, we can not emulate God, nor walk in His ways which causes us to suffer and live defeated lives." Romans 8:7. This is not the will of God.

We are also stuck because we blame others for our bad choices and decisions. There is an old saying, " When you make your bed hard, you got to lay in it." It's a harsh saying, but through living we have come to understand that it's true. It brings us to the realization that I- and I alone am responsible for my actions. Blaming others only causes one to continue in torment and delay the deliverance process.

Most importantly, we are still in park because we refuse to face reality. Reality, admitting that I have come short, my lifestyle does not glorify God. In this area of my life, I am outside of His will. Reality checks call for self-evaluation and examination (I Corinthians 11:28 and II Corinthians 13:5). Self-examination proves where one stands and is not disapproved by God, but real in the sight of God. To bring about life changes we need to do the following things:

Self-Examination- Study your situation now. Paul instructs us to study the word that we may prove what is acceptable to God ( II Timothy 2:15). Applying this principle will help you see clearly. Examination brings about truth and truth brings freedom (John 8:32). God will then speak His word into your life.
Renewing of the Mind- We will discover that we have moved into our own way of thinking. Our perception is off and the way we think causes us to act a certain way (Proverbs 23:7). It is necessary to allow God to renew our mind on a continual basis, no matter how long one has been saved (Romans 12:2 and Ephesians 4:23-24). Continue to allow God to fill our minds with His word so we may have the mind of Christ and not of the world.
Accept Responsibility for Actions- Sometimes in our walk with God, the pressures of our struggles are so strong we become tarnished by them and they hinder our spiritual walk and maturity. When we accept our responsibility we can begin to move forward and no longer be hindered in our walk with God.
Make Life-changing Choices- In our struggles, the right choices are always those that glorify God and holiness. Choices that bring deliverance and resolution in our lives. Jesus came that we might have life; abundant life is His desire for us. We cannot have the world's lifestyle and walk in our flesh, for it will bring us death (Romans 8:6).

Let's start moving, hit the accelerator , full speed ahead!! Use these principles along with prayer and fasting and ask God to renew your mind and spirit. Watch Him work for you. Let God make you spiritually fit so you can tear down the walls in your life.

I love you with the love of God,

Mother Peters

There are many who remain in churches that are lost and in need of restoration. The saddest part is that no one has discerned this. It is our responsibility to find them and restore them to God. "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted." Galatians 6:1. God wants to use us to bring about restoration in the lives of these people. There are multitudes of people who are lost in God's house. We need to find them so they can be restored to their rightful places.

The worth of many people goes unrecognized in the house of God. They never receive restoration because people consider them more trouble than they are worth. They are never asked to do anything in the church because many do not see them as God does. Jesus always approached people that others would have nothing to do with because He knew their hearts. For instance, the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4) was discriminated against by the Jews because of her race and because she was also a woman of poor reputation. Why did Jesus pay her any mind? We know that He loved her, because God is love, but He also saw something in her no one else did.

After He shared the gospel with her and prophesied about her life, she evangelized her entire community. She became a source of life to those who would not associate with her. Just imagine if we could see as God sees and take on his character. We would sow a great harvest! Ask yourself whether or not you will receive the kinds of people that God wants to send. Will you be open to accept their gifts?

Ephesians 4:8 explains that when Jesus ascended, He gave gifts to men. These gifts are distributed as He wills, by the Holy Spirit. Everything the Church needs for edifying itself is within the many-membered Body of Christ. Since we are responsible for the lost, we must be like the woman who carefully tends to the needs of others through the gift of the Holy Spirit. We must recognize as well that our needs may be met by the gift of someone we least expect. When the Church assumes responsibility for those who are lost, it will begin to find and restore them. Only then can the Body be healthy and whole.

"We then that are strong ought to bear infirmities of the weak and not to please ourselves." Romans 15:1. We need one another.

Lord, don't let us fail you.

I love you with the love of God,

Bishop Peters

Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun. Ecclesiastes 9:9

May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love. Why be captivated, my son by an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another man's wife? Proverbs 5:18-20

The husband should fulfill his marital duty to his wife, and likewise the wife to her husband. 1 Corinthians 7:3

"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." Ephesians 5:31