Young-heads and old-heads could learn a great deal of wisdom from Mrs. Triggs and her 32 yrs. of service.
     When folks gather at her birthday party, they sing praises about the way she's changed a whole community.
     A lot of folks serve the community, Mrs. Triggs is a "Master Collaborator" who unifies a community.
     Please check out their new website and see what you can do to serve with Mrs. Collaboration!
​https://nonelikeyou.wixsite.com/wecare

          Today’s message contains several themes that are still “bones” in my understanding waiting to be fleshed out with God’s wisdom. While reading through the Bible, I sometimes get to places where the reading is like a litany of numbers and I skim through it. Other times the reading doesn’t quite capture the attention of my wandering mind. Then, there are times when my spirit gets jolted by spiritual caffeine and my attention becomes riveted on one word or passage.
          Our main “Focus Scripture” for this morning is Ezekiel 14:14 and the phrase that stopped me stone-cold in my reading tracks was:
Ezekiel 14:14 NKJV “Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness,” says the Lord God.”
Ezekiel 14:14 The Message “even if Noah, Daniel, and Job—the Big Three—were alive at the time, it wouldn’t do the population any good. Their righteousness would only save their own lives.” Decree of God, the Master.”
 “these three men.”

•  Who were these three guys? 
•  Why were they special?
•  Do they have something that I don’t have?
•  What can I do to be more like them?

          Before we get into our study of “these three men,” there were several other “bones of thought” that God is still adding his wisdom to and they’re worth bearing witness to in their unfinished state. Earlier this week a word (but not really a word) came to my mind:
“Fathergiveness.” I couldn’t find that word anywhere but I was topped in m y tracks by the following verse and the footnotes below.
Luke 23:32-34 The Passion Translation  “Two criminals were led away with Jesus, and all three were to be execut-ed together. 33 When they came to the place that is known as The Skull, the guards crucified Jesus, nailing him on the center cross between the two criminals. 34 While they were nailing Jesus to the cross, he prayed over and over, “Father, for-give them,[a] for they don’t know what they’re doing.”
Footnotes: Luke 23:34 The Greek text implies a repetitive action. He did not pray, “forgive me,” but “forgive them.” As the centurion crushed him to the ground and tied his arms to the crossbeam, Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them.” When the spikes tore through each quivering palm, he prayed again, “Father, forgive them.” And when the soldiers parted his garments and gambled for the seamless robe, again Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them.” Only heaven knows how many times that prayer was spoken.
          It appears that Jesus “double-downed” in forgiveness in the midst of being “double-downed” in rejection, abandonment, torture and death. (The word “Fathergiveness” came to me last week. The word “double-down” came to me this morning. This is an ex-ample of bones of my understanding receiving the flesh of God’s wisdom.)     Double down – As I awoke this morning thinking about “these three men,” the word “double down” came to me as one of their powerful attributes. I later noticed that Jesus was a “double-downer” as well.
Definitions & Descriptions of Double Down
 “doubling the original bid in blackjack in exchange for only one more card”
 “becoming more tenacious, zealous, or resolute in a position or undertaking”
 “as a general expression, “doubling down” means to increase your emphasis on a particular course of action - especially if it may be seen as questionable by some.”
 “increase one's efforts or focus”
These Three Men - Part One
          As we begin our study, Ezekiel is in the middle of a prophesy of doom. Folks are doing bad things and God will let them reap the bad consequences of ignoring Him. I was at a meeting in a Buffalo Charter School when I heard a young man say: “This is going to be a bad summer because the shootings have already started!” There have already been a few instances of young people shooting and gangsterizing neighborhoods. He thought of himself as a prophet of doom and gladly shared his message of gloom. Bad things happen when people turn away from God – history does repeat itself. God is our ever-loving Father who repeatedly doubles-down His grace and forgiveness.
          While we examine “these three men,” it’s also important to take a look at the one man who thought it was so important to write about them – Ezekiel. Part One will cover Ezekiel, Noah and some of the attributes that all four of the men had as tendencies in their relationship with God and their character in relationship to man. Part Two at a later date will cover Daniel and Job in greater detail.
          Who was Ezekiel and “These Three Men”: Noah, Daniel and Job? Two of them were dead old-heads with a humble history of being rock solid role models of integrity for God. One of them was a “still-alive young-head” who gives us cause to double-down on our efforts of duplicating their heroic lifestyles in today’s world.
1. Ezekiel – A Prophet of Doom & Hope
Ezekiel was an “Exilic Prophet” meaning that he was among those who were exiled from Jerusalem to Babylon around 597 BC. He prophesied as an exile in Babylon telling the people that Jerusalem would fall. It eventually did fall around 586 BC. Ezekiel’s message was plain: Be obedient to God in exile. He also prophesied about the redemption of the people and return to Jerusalem as God’s glory returns to fill the Temple.
          Ezekiel did some odd things to symbolically prove the points that his prophesies were meant to portray. He has a vision of wheels in the first ever recorded “God-mobile.” He shaves with a sword, He lays on his left side for 390 days and then turns over to the right side for 40 days. He did ask God to be spare from cooking on human dung and used cow dung instead. His diet included eating scrolls of parchment. If you were the average exile in Babylon and you saw this crazy Prophet meandering down the street, you’d probably cross to the other side. He was dramatic, odd and obedient to God’s message. How would you react if you heard a voice that told you to lay on your side for 390 days and eat food cooked on dung? You might be tempted like me to tell satan to get out of your head!    
The KJV translates Strong's H3168 in the following manner: Ezekiel (2x), Jehezekel (1x).
Outline of Biblical Usage: Ezekiel or Jehezekel = "God strengthens"
A. son of Buzi and a priest and prophet; author of the book by his name; taken captive with Jehoiachin and exiled in Babylon where he prophesied for the next 22 years
B. a priest in charge of the 20th course in the time of David
Strong’s Definitions: יְחֶזְקֵאל Yᵉchezqêʼl, yekh-ez-kale'; from H2388 and H410; God will strengthen; Jechezkel, the name of two Israelites:—Ezekiel, Jehezekel.
H2388 - Chazaq  The KJV translates Strong's H2388 in the following manner: strong (48x), repair (47x), hold (37x), strengthened (28x), strengthen (14x), harden (13x), prevail (10x), encourage (9x), take (9x), courage (8x), caught (5x), stronger (5x), hold (5x),  (You could probably add “double-down” to this list!)
Outline of Biblical Usage
 to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute, be sore, to be strong, grow strong, to prevail, prevail upon
H410 - The KJV translates Strong's H410 in the following manner: God (213x), god (16x), power (4x), mighty (5x), goodly (1x), great (1x), idols (1x), Immanuel (with H6005) (2x), might (1x), strong (1x).
Outline of Biblical Usage:
 god, god-like one, mighty one, mighty men, men of rank, mighty heroes, angels, god, false god, (demons, imaginations), God, the one true God, Jehovah, mighty things in nature, strength, power
 Immanuel (with H6005) (2x) Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. H410 H6005  Isa 8:8 And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.
2. Noah – A Preacher of Righteousness
The KJV translates Strong's H5146 in the following manner: Noah (46x).
Noah = "rest" - son of Lamech, father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth; builder of the ark which saved his family from the destruction of the world which God sent on the world by the flood; became the new seminal head of mankind because his family were the only survivors of the flood
(Strong’s Definitions Legend) נֹחַ Nôach, no'-akh; the same as H5118; rest; Noach, the patriarch of the flood:—Noah.
2 Peter 2:5 Amplified Bible “and if He did not spare the ancient world, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, with seven others, when He brought [the judgment of] a flood upon the world of the ungodly;”
          Noah remained a righteous man for over 900 years; we only have to do it for less than 1/9 of that time! Noah faced ridicule, tests of obedience, catastrophe and then experienced a revival as the flood waters receded and a world was reseeded and repopulated through his righteousness. Hebrews 11:7 Amplified Bible “By faith [with confidence in God and His word] Noah, being warned by God about events not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his family. By this [act of obedience] he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness which comes by faith.”
          Noah did everything that God told him to do. Genesis 6:22 International Children’s Bible “Noah did everything that God commanded him.”
Noah was in the world, but he was also above the world. He was in the world, but not of the world.
1 John 2:15-17 (TPT) A Warning Not to Love the World
15 Don’t set the affections of your heart on this world[a] or in loving the things of the world. The love of the Father and the love of the world are incompatible.[b] 16 For all that the world can offer us—the gratification of our flesh, the allurement of the things of the world, and the obsession with status and importance[c]—none of these things come from the Father but from the world. 17 This world[d] and its desires are in the process of passing away, but those who love to[e] do the will of God live forever.[f]
Footnotes:
a. 1 John 2:15 Or “Stop loving the world system” (the ways of the world).
b. 1 John 2:15 Or “If anyone persists in loving the world, there is no love for the Father in him.”
c. 1 John 2:16 These are the three areas of temptation that the serpent used with Adam and Eve in the garden to pull them away from the Father and what the devil used to tempt Jesus in the wilderness. He is an expert at using these cravings to dilute our love for the Father and cause us to turn our affections to the things of this life. See Gen. 3:6; Matt. 4:1-11. But the values of the kingdom of God are setting our affections on things above, living in the fruit of the Spirit (self-control), and humility, which always waits for God’s timing for promotion.
d. 1 John 2:17 That is, the world system and the desire to be in a world system that leaves God out of the picture are disappearing. Planet earth is not fading away here, but the systems, structure, and world order are.
e. 1 John 2:17 Implied in the Greek present-tense verb, which means “to continually [habitually] do the will of God.”
f. 1 John 2:17 There is an interesting word play in the Aramaic in this verse. The Aramaic word for “world” is alma, and the word for “forever” is alam.
Romans 12:2 The Passion Translation 
“Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you,[a] but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.” Footnotes: Romans 12:2 Or “Don’t be squeezed into the mold of this present age.”
A word about “Systems” and “Whole System Planning” – A Dream.
          I had a dream last week that I believe was God’s way of showing me the current system and culture in many churches. Here is my dream:
I was in a very old house with someone giving me a tour, much like the way a real estate agent would. The house was old and partially gutted. Walls were open, I could see old wall paper, plaster and lathe and old wiring. As I walked through the second floor, I found myself standing in what appeared to be a closet. The funny thing about this closet is it had a chandelier partially hanging out of the ceiling. It was like someone had tried to make a dining room out of a closet. The small closet had a blanket or sheet covering one wall and seemed to suggest that it had also been used a s a bedroom.
In the opened wall was a piece of cardboard. In the olden days, newspaper and cardboard were used as an added insulation or a means to cut down on wind drafts in the walls. The cardboard was from a box that a mattress or box-spring came in. Written on the cardboard were these words: “1965 – You can lose 450 calories by sleeping on this mattress!” End of dream.
          Putting The Flesh of God's Wisdom On The Bones of My Dream
          I’ve prayed and will continue to pray that God would put the flesh of His wisdom on the bones of my dream. What is becoming apparent to me is the “old way of doing church is the accepted normal of doing church, but it’s not God’s way of doing church.” I use the term “doing church” as a meaning in several ways including Sunday services and the structure of church systems. God doesn’t want us to eat the Bread of Life in a closet turned into a dining room. He is a God of intricate detail and structured excellence. Some folks are sleepwalking through a dinner meeting with the King. Snake oil salesmen sell fraudulent claims to gullible folks. Emotionalism, false preachers, profit preachers and false prophets all claim to hear from God. The Word of Truth is the greatest sword of protection that will divide deceit from accuracy.
          All systems in a church are connected and affect each other. The outside of a building reflects the heart of the folks inside just like the actions of your mouth and hands reveal what’s in your heart. If God’s mercies are new each day, why do folks insist on maintaining and repeating yesterday? God is a God of order and unlimited opportunity to enlarge His kingdom. It’s time to double-down on repentance and intimacy with God. It’s the season to double-down on Love. It’s time to double-down on the efforts of whole-system planning for our churches. It’s time to double-down on Love and wash away the slovenliness and apathetic attitudes of a spiritually lukewarm “anything goes” generation.

          Young-heads (and old-heads) make mistakes that sometimes lead to jail.
          We don't give up on anybody in jail or out.
          Another inmate visitation will happen tomorrow 6-23-18 when we drive over three hours to a jail.
          Please pray for us that our inmate visitation is worthy of a Holy Spirit visitation in the jail and the inmates heart.
If you ever want to give an inmate a gift please let us know. Beef jerky, condensed coconut milk, animal magazines, books about Jesus, double wrapped bread, black solid color socks and a quite a few other things, but call us and we'll help you show an inmate you still believe in them. Give an inmate hope in Christ and good things will happen. 716-830-8240

     Young children will be out of school for the summer and it's time to keep them busy.
     What about you, are you busy? Do you have some time to help kids in a worthwhile family style activity?
     A lot of folks know about the history of The Bread of Life Center of Hope in serving the community.
     Please get involved in creating opportunities for kids to stay busy and avoid at risk temptations.
HEAR YE! HEAR YE! Friends, Buffalonians and Young People from YWAP, we need your help as mentors for the next generation. None of us likes to see a good kid end up in bad trouble. You can do something to help young people stay alive, in school and out of jail.
You can donate bikes, clothing, household goods, food or your time.
WILL YOU PLEASE GET INVOLVED AT LEAST FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS?
Text or call: 716-830-8240
WHEN: Saturday June 30, 2018, 10 AM - 1 PM
WHERE: Bread of Life Center of Hope 1638 South Park Ave, Buffalo, NY
WHY: To help young people and their families become Christ-centered role models who mentor the next generation.

     Young Hee always generously opens her heart and her home every year for the First Saturday Worship Picnic.
     While the sun reigned down from a blue sky, beautiful voices lifted songs of praises into the atmosphere.. 
     A lot of folks brought food to share as we reacquainted old friendships and made new ones.
     Please mark your calendars for the First Saturday of every month starting in September. We're also planning an outdoor concert at the Bread of Life in July with the date to be announced.
​

          YWAP Directors Bob & Linda Kuebler are helping to launch a new Youth Program at The Bread Of Life Center Of Hope on Sunday June 3, 2018.
          When young people start following the way, the Truth and the Life of Jesus Christ, their lives begin to change in a positively dramatic way.
          An Apostolic Move of God can begin with a youth movement. We believe that will happen at The Bread Of Life Center Of Hope.
          Powerful moves of God are marked by structure. Our Sunday Message will examine the foundational principles and organizational structure of what a Move of God looks like. We'll also give overviews on YWAP history, The Bread Youth Program Launch, and back it all up with leadership lessons from the Book of Ruth. 
          This document contains the study notes for Sunday's message. We're asking folks to sign up for City Youth Ministry and Community Volunteer Opportunities. It's time for us to allow God to move, are you ready?
​

Moving Beyond The Bread &  Entering The Beyond Of God
The Bread Of Life Center Of Hope
Sunday Service June 3, 2018, 10 AM
Pastor Bob & Linda Kuebler
Directors Youth With A Purpose
Slide 1
Today’s message is about launching a new youth program that we believe can be the catalyst for an Apostolic Move of God. will cover six foundational building points to help us go beyond where we are in our relationship with God and enter the immenseness of God’s immeasurable movement.
Let’s begin by setting the tone of what we believe by reading
Slide 2 2 Corinthians 10:5 International Children’s Bible
“And we destroy every proud thing that raises itself against the knowledge of God.
We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ.”
Slide 3 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 The Passion Translation
“For although we live in the natural realm,
we don’t wage a military campaign employing human weapons,
using manipulation to achieve our aims. 
Instead, our spiritual weapons are energized with divine power
to effectively dismantle the defenses behind which people hide.”
Slide 4 2 Corinthians 10:5 The Passion Translation “We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One.”Slide 5  Moving Beyond The Bread To Enter The Beyond Of God
1.    Part I - Defining An Apostolic Move of God
2.    Part II - History Of God Moving at YWAP
3.    Part III - Launching A Bread Of Life Center Of Hope Youth Movement
4.    Part IV - Moving Mindsets
5.    Part V - Leadership That Moves In Ruth
6.    Part VI – Where To Begin
The entire set of notes for today’s teaching can be found on our website at; www.youthwithapurpose.org
We’re going to move fairly quickly through the process of setting a foundation for a youth ministry that we believe will be the catalyst for an Apostolic Move of God here at The Bread Of Life Center Of Hope. Let me give you a definition followed by a personal Declaration that I’ve made and I invite you to consider owning it for yourself.
 
Part I - Defining An Apostolic Move of God
1.    Definition
An Apostolic Move of God is characterized by:
A.   A Move of God is driven by folks who are on fire with the passion of Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit to share the Father’s Love.
It is built to have: Structure, Application, Multiplication and Training.
B.   Belief in Biblical Inerrancy
C.   Focuses on the Presence of God as He moves today.
D.   Holy Spirit Schooling in the streets.
E.   Unity in repentance.
F.   Collectively moving into the neighborhoods.
G.  Differs from revivals in that it has a lasting structure that will carry on. A move of God does not burn out.
2.    slide 6 Declaration
This is my personal declaration that I believe has been planted in my heart by the Holy Spirit for such a time as this. I pray that you will join me in this Declaration.
“An Apostolic Move of God will be seeded, nurtured, harvested and shed abroad from this field through
The Bread Of Life Center Of Hope.”
3.    The Structure of Unity & Timeliness
Slide 7 Corinthians 8:1-3 TPT “How easily we get puffed up over our opinions! But love builds up the structure of our new life. If anyone thinks of himself as a know-it-all, he still has a lot to learn. But if a person passionately loves God, he will possess the knowledge of God.”  
Building a Move of God is not about man’s opinion regarding religion. A Move of God is orchestrated by the Holy Spirit through yielded and surrendered people.
Slide 8 2 Chronicles 7:14 “If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
God alone kindles and fans the flames as believers seek Him in unity. The Move is extinguished when man quenches the Spirit.
slide 9 ABC’s of Structure
a.    Pray - Seek God’s wisdom in building the structure.
b.    Plan – Write the vision so that it’s easy to understand and follow. Know the structure as intimately as knowing God Himself.
c.    People – Faith-filled, trustworthy and vision-believing people who mentor and disciple future generations are needed to sustain a Move of God.
4.    Repentance – (metanoia in Greek) Is not just about being sad and remorseful over our guilt in turning away from God, it also means turning back toward Him by changing our ways. A Move of God will not happen without the repentance which only He can grant. There is no revival without reviving the revelation of the Son in our hearts as evidenced by our repentance and we are transformed the renewal of our minds in Christ.
Slide 10 Romans 12:2 Amplified Bible “And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].”
5.    The Strategy of “Take No Offence”
Distractions are the devil’s tools that cause us to take our eyes off Christ and his resurrection power. Being offended by what people do to us is a distraction. There is a time for accountability, but most often we stew over things we have no control over nor do they have much effect upon our lives.
Slide 11 2 Timothy 2:4 The Passion Translation “For every soldier called to active duty must divorce himself from the distractions of this world so that he may fully satisfy the one who chose him.”
6.    Steps of Preparedness Isaiah 40:29-31 Living Bible “He gives power to the tired and worn out, and strength to the weak. Even the youths shall be exhausted, and the young men will all give up. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
1.    Dusting Off Holy Ground – Repentance
2.    Doers of The Word Establish The Work of Their hands.
Matthew 6:33 (HCSB) “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.”
3.     Facts of Life – The people who hurt you were doing the best that they knew how. God allowed it to happen to teach you greater compassion. He dipped your life in pain so you could paint your life on a canvass of compassion. Don’t wait for an admission of guilt and accountability.
4.    Write Steps of healing.
                                                   i.     Ask God for someone you can trust even if it needs to be a paid counselor. You don’t want a waggle tongue and you don’t want a bobble-head who agrees with everything you say. Avoid poison coaches. The person in whom you confide should have a lifestyle that reflects integrity and trustworthiness based on a loving relationship with God.
                                                  ii.     Write out your weights that you carry in your heart.
What Does A Move of God Look Like in The Bible
Slide 12 Romans 8:14-17 TPT
“The mature children of God are those who are moved by the impulses of the Holy Spirit. And you did not receive the “spirit of religious duty,” leading you back into the fear of never being good enough. But you have received the “Spirit of full acceptance,” enfolding you into the family of God. And you will never feel orphaned, for as he rises up within us, our spirits join him in saying the words of tender affection, “Beloved Father!” For the Holy Spirit makes God’s fatherhood real to us as he whispers into our innermost being, “You are God’s beloved child!” And since we are his true children, we qualify to share all his treasures, for indeed, we are heirs of God himself. And since we are joined to Christ, we also inherit all that he is and all that he has. We will experience being co-glorified with him provided that we accept his sufferings as our own.”
 
Part II
History Of God Moving at YWAP
Slide 13 What Is YWAP?
     My wife and I are the Directors of Youth With A Purpose. We are only Directors – God is the Founder, Sustainer and Provider. He’s Elohim, our El-Shaddai, and our Jehovah-Jireh. For the past 17 years, God has brought Youth With A Purpose through His Holy Spirit School in the streets of Buffalo. We’ve taken many tests, passed a few and yet, we’ve failed many more. What we do know is that the failures of yesterday when given to God can become the successes of tomorrow.
Slide 14 Isaiah 28:29 Living Bible
“The Lord Almighty is a wonderful teacher and gives the farmer wisdom.”
 
     My friends, we are all farmers for God. A better way to say that might be “We’re all Heart-Farmers for God.” As a heart-farmer, the words you sow will speak from the ground of the hearts in which you have sown your doer-seeds. Some of our words are like dust or chaff and blown away by the wind. We may not know where the wind blows, but we know where the dust goes. Sometimes the dust covers our Bibles because we haven’t opened up the Truth of His Word in a long time.
     The dust of complacency covers our prayer life until a contrary wind blows trouble into our lives and we cry out to God. Dust covers our eyes like spiritual cataracts that restrict our ability to see the signs of the seasons of God. We’ve been breathing the dust of inadequacy for so long we’ve forgotten what it feels like to inhale the breath of God.
     When the dust settles and life is easy, we resume our complacency and normalized acceptance of our inadequacies. Did we shake the dust off our feet as an act of self-righteousness and let it settle on what was once Holy Ground? Can we cry out to God and plead for the wind of His Spirit to blow the dust away, even as the weight of our guilt compresses the dust into thickness?  
     Perhaps we are here to fan into flame the contagious sparks of the Holy Spirit. We believe God has brought us here for a season. This is God’s appointed time and He will set the time. It won’t be found on a calendar or a watch, but God’s time will be indelible etched upon the present time of our hearts as we have faith in Him. We are not here to be on the staff as Pastors of this church. We will attend staff meetings as invited and submit to the authority of the leadership of this church and God.
2 Corinthians 8:7 TPT “You do well and excel in every respect—in unstoppable faith, in powerful preaching, in revelation knowledge, in your passionate devotion, and in sharing the love we have shown to you. So make sure that you also excel in grace-filled generosity.”
 
Isaiah 30:7 GOD’S WORD Translation
“Egypt’s help is completely useless. That is why I call it, ‘Rahab who sits still.’”
Isaiah 30:8 International Children’s Bible “ Now write this on a sign for the people. Write this on a scroll. Write these things for the days to come. Write them so they will last forever.”
Slide 15 Mr rogers
     Back in the day, many years ago, a dude was on TV with a show called “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood.” He would sing songs like “It’s Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood!” What you may not know is that Mr. Rogers believed that the area between him and the TV audience was “Holy Ground.” He believed that it was his job to scoop up some dirt from that Holy Ground and sprinkle it on his audience. Right here, right now in The Bread of Life – we are standing on Holy Ground. The distance between us and the neighborhood just outside these doors is Holy Ground. Between us is the Holy Ground of what we say and what we do (or don’t do). To put that into Mr. Rogers words: "The space between our mouth and the people's ears or eyes who receive what we make is "Holy Ground."
·       There may be some of you who are ready to leave because you think your standing on barren ground. Your desire to leave may be the devil planting weeds in the holy ground under your feet.
·       Every neighborhood is unique, but to impact a neighborhood, there must be Love. The people must be empowered by the Holy Spirit and be led by the Word. Each person is uniquely gifted, all people have potential, as a body of believers we uniquely potentiated to give God’s grace to each other and the neighborhood.
·       Ideal situations and perfect timing don’t exist in the neighborhood of dry bones, but they do when God moves into the neighborhood!
Slide 16 John 1:14 The Message
 The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes, the one-of-a-kind glory,
like Father, like Son, Generous inside and out, true from start to finish.
Part III  Launching A Bread Of Life Center Of Hope Youth Movement
The Bread League of Leaders - Building A Life-Bridge In The Community
Slide 17 “And how will they preach unless they are commissioned and sent [for that purpose]?
Just as it is written and forever remains written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!”  Romans 10:15 (AMP)
The YWAP Mission ~ “We help young people affected by violence, drugs and poverty become Christ-centered mentors for children.”
“He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you Except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion), And to walk humbly with your God
[setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness]?” Micah 6:8 Amplified Bible
The Plan
"Be very careful to make everything by the plan I showed you on the mountain." Hebrews 8:5 IBC

• Who:      12-18 yr. old young people from the neighborhood[1].
• What:     A relationship building program through recreation, literacy and Truth.
• Where:   Bread of Life 1632 South Park Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14220
• When:    One week-night, 6-8:30 pm, divided into 13 week seasons.[2]
• Why:      To help young people understand and apply the Truth of God’s Love in     

                          a culturally relevant way without diluting the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  
 
“Humility is a practicable character trait that can be taught.”
“The gifts of God are time-sensitive and measured by obedience to the Holy Spirit and humility as a bond-servant of Christ.” (YWAP Proverbs)
 
Slide 18 A Move of God is driven by folks who are on fire with the passion of Christ, guided by the Holy Spirit to share the Father’s Love.
·       Structure
·       Application
·       Multiplication
·       Training
 
The Neighborhood Culture
·       Identify families already in the church
·       Possible Collaborative Partners
 
Identify Greatest Needs in Your Particular Neighborhood
·       Education/Career
·       Gang Activity
·       Drugs/Alcohol
·       Abuse
 
Program Features
·       Exercise & Fitness
·       Literacy Education
·       Character & Social/Emotional Learning
·       Biblical Leadership
 
Expenses & Funding
Developed by team Leaders
 
Team Meetings
1.    Purpose; To Review Program Reports and Seek Ways to Improve Program
·       YWAP Staff - Weekly
·       YWAP Directors with Church Staff - Weekly
 
Community Resource Guidelines for Churches

•  Connect with community leaders and influential neighbors to learn more about the community and about the church’s reputation in the community.
• It’s always good to have outside eyes help you see things at your church more clearly.
• Church members often don’t realize needs for improvement in the church. They are comfortable.
• The first step toward an outward focus has to be taken by the pastor if revitalization is to happen.

Six Keys
1.    Find one or two key people in the community who are unchurched
2.    Connect with them and use them as guides
3.    Ask them to secret-shop your church
4.    Find out the community’s greatest needs
5.    Mobilize your people to meet the needs
 
 
The Bread League of Leaders Overview and Positional Structure

YWAP - Youth With A Purpose
            The long-term goal of the YWAP program is to teach young people how to be Christ-centered role models who mentor the next generation. By helping teenagers to build solutions to poverty and violence, they will help future generations avoid destructive life cycles that have plagued America's inner-cities. 
(Note: A Screening Process with Background Checks may be needed.)
YWAP Senior Game Plan
            Each week teens (12-18 yrs.) will play volleyball from 7-8:15 pm. At approximately 8:15 pm, we call half-time and the students (they are here to learn) move into another room to listen to a Life Direction Speaker. Each week a guest speaker will give a 9-minute talk on one or more of components of the YWAP Building Character program. The speech will only last 9 minutes and is called a 9MD - 9 Minute Direction. Possible speakers include: Business owners, Law Enforcement, Pastors, Teachers, College and Military Recruiters, Professional Athletes and young people who have been a part of the BWAP Character Program.
The presentation is 9 minutes, but the young people are given the opportunity to enter into more personal discussions after the initial program. When the speaker is done, we pray and food is served as a family meal. Any remaining time is then used during a return to more volleyball. Approximate duration of the program is 2.5 hrs.
Before the teens leave for the evening they are given a Bible Study Guide with a Quiz Sheet to be retuned the following week. All youth will be given the opportunity to become certified Mentors through the Mentor Force Program called A Game Plan for Greatness.       
           
YWAP Positional Structure
Senior Director

• Responsible for over-all activities at each YWAP Center.
• Spiritual Director and Prayer Leader.
• Builds relationships with teens.

Assistant BWAP Director

• Responsible to Director
• Responsible for being aware of overall spiritual atmosphere of building and the people attending the event.
• Builds relationships with teens.

Security Director
·       Responsible for the safety of all participants.
·       Responsible for security inside and outside the building before, during and after the event.
·       Builds relationships with teens.
Director of Greeting

• Responsible for greeting visitors with a smile and making them feel special.
• Responsible for sign-in sheet - all visitors must sign in.
• Responsible for collection of $1 from each visitor.
• Builds relationships with teens.

Kitchen Director

• Responsible for dinner preparations and kitchen cleanup.
• Responsible for coordinating meals with Score-Mentor.
• Builds relationships with teens.

Asst. Kitchen Director

• Responsible for cleanup in kitchen and dining room.
• Builds relationships with teens.

Dinner Sponsor Coordinator

• Responsible for scheduling churches and community groups to sponsor YWAP dinners.
• Responsible for letting sponsors know that their primary role is to build relationships with teens.

Gym Director

• Responsible for overall atmosphere and physical upkeep of gym.
• Builds relationships with teens.

Score-Mentor

• Responsible for operation of scoreboard.
• Builds relationships with teens.

Referee Mentor

• Responsible for presiding over games.
• Builds relationships with teens.

Media Director

• Responsible for picture taking.
• Responsible for social media networking.
• Builds relationships with teens.

9MD Speaker Recruiter

• Responsible for scheduling 9MD Speakers.
• Responsible to BWAP Director for reporting on who the Speaker will be each week.
• Builds relationships with teens.

Study Guide Director
·       Responsible for ordering inventory, distribution and collection of Bible Study Guides and Quizzes.
 
Bread of Life Mission Statement
We are called to reach out and touch hurting people.
We are called to bring others into a relationship with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit through every member evangelism.
We are called to assist believers in becoming rooted, grounded and established in the Word of God by teaching them to give God's Word first place in their lives. (Colossians 1:23, Psalm 112)
We are called to prayer which is the foundation for accomplishing the above goals. (1 Timothy 2:1-2, James 5:16)
  
Part IV
`Moving Mindsets
I admit to struggling with a weakness I’ll call “Judgementalism.” I sometimes judge people based upon past experiences in my life or my personal knowledge of past experiences and behaviors in other folk’s lives. That’s a mindset for which I have to continually repent and asked God to cover me with the grace and forgiveness found in the Blood of Christ.
Our thought lives can be manipulated by the lies of the devil. What we think about will influence our actions, decisions and the way we treat others. Mindsets that fall short of the glory of God and do not have their minds set on Christ, will develop into strongholds of sin.
Slide 19 Romans 8:5-8 The Passion Translation
“Those who are motivated by the flesh
only pursue what benefits themselves.
But those who live by the impulses of the Holy Spirit
are motivated to pursue spiritual realities.
For the mind-set of the flesh is death,
but the mind-set controlled by the Spirit finds life and peace.
In fact, the mind-set focused on the flesh fights God’s plan and
refuses to submit to his direction, because it cannot!
For no matter how hard they try,
God finds no pleasure with those who
are controlled by the flesh.”
           Whether it’s mindsets or strongholds or any other sinfulness that separates us from God, the only thing that can bring restoration is repentance. My wifey4lifey Linda is going to share about repentance.
 
 Part V - The Leadership Movement of Ruth
Slide 20
·       Follow Through On “Belief-Bombs” Dropped In Your Conscience
I’m following my heart as its led through the Bread by the Holy Spirit. Ruthy must have had that gut feeling that she was supposed to follow Naomi. The easy thing to do would be to go home to her family and perhaps find a new husband among her own people. But Ruthie follows an old widowed, poor, and childless woman into an unknown future. I imagine the Holy Spirit dropped a “belief-bomb” into the resilience of Ruthy’s heart.
·       Follow Your Heart as its lead by God – Especially In Hard Times!
Daily reading of the Word will reveal the Truth about the purpose of your Life. Resilience in your heart makes up part of the fertile ground of faith in your heart. Sacrifice is an act that will help you find hope in devastation, depression and death. Ruthy lost her husband, father-in-law and brother-in-law to death. Her sister-in-law left and then Ruthy sacrificed the rest of what was left of her life. She left the only life she had ever known.
·       Build A Habit of Keeping Your Word
Ruthy said: “Do not persuade me to leave you or go back and not follow you. For wherever you go, I will go, and wherever you live, I will live; your people will be my people, and your God will be my God. Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried. May •Yahweh punish me, and do so severely, if anything but death separates you and me.” Ruth 1:16-17 HCSB If you speak your word, do your word. Move your words into the work of your hands and the steps of your feet.
·       Faith in the Field
Ruth wants to go to work and expects to find favor. “And Ruth the Moabite said to Naomi, ‘Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.’” Ruth 2:2 (NIV) Ruth had endurance, perseverance, resilience, optimism and tenacity. Ruthy endured poverty by establishing the work of her hands and God showed her favor. Ruthy was faithful to God and gave her life to everyone around her through her movements.
·       Full & Empty Both Have A Season
Ruth 1:20-21 (HSBC) “Don’tcallmeNaomi. CallmeMara,”  she answered, “forthe Almightyhas made meverybitter. Iwent awayfull, butthe LORDhas brought mebackempty.”
Ruth 4:14-17 (HCSB) “Then the women said to Naomi, “Praise the Lord, who has not left you without a family redeemer today. May his name become well known in Israel. He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age. Indeed, your daughter-in-law, who loves you and is better to you than seven sons, has given birth to him.” Naomi took the child, placed him on her lap, and took care of him. The neighbor women said, “A son has been born to Naomi,” and they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.”
You are not Un-Noticed!
Ruth 3:11 (NIV) “Boaz replied, ‘I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before.’”
Ruth 2:11 (NIV) “And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character.”
God sees what you do. Other folks see what you do. Your faithfulness will gain favor as you labor in the field. It will take time. You may leave a famine for greener pastures and then face a greater famine. Stay faithful. Enter the field and find favor. God will never leave or forsake you. It’s time to move.
 
Part VI – Where To Begin
1.    The Power of Resurrection Life
2.    Know That You’ve Been Sent By God
3.    Awareness That God Is Moving & Go Investigate! Exodus 3:3 Amplified Bible “So Moses said, “I must turn away [from the flock] and see this great sight—why the bush is not burned up.”
4.    Complete Dependence On God
5.    Become A Beyonder – Look Beyond Limitations & See new Adventures!
6.    Just Believe In Potential At Your Feet
7.    Depend On The Energy Of The Gospel
8.    Do Everything For His Glory
9.    Live In Your Own Anointing – Be Who God Called You To Be – Your Self!
God is brooding over the waters of the Bread of Life. He’s enlarging His waters with a ripple of love through all of us into the neighborhood.
Are You Comfortable?
·       What if Moses decided to remain comfortable around a campfire with a burning bush? He could have cooked some smores and hotdogs on a stick, but he chose to investigate something miraculous.
·       What if King David decided to remain comfortable as a shepherd boy instead of stepping up to fight a giant?
·       What if Daniel’s three buddies remained comfortable in their government jobs instead of walking through a blazing furnace?
·       What if Daniel remained comfortable in a lie instead of praying in a lion’s den?
·       What if Ruth had remained comfortable in her home of Moab with her own people and customs instead of following a poor bitter woman named Naomi and gleaned in the fields as poor people do?
Slide 21                                                       I Exalt Thee
 
For Thou, O Lord, art high above all the earth
Thou art exalted far above all gods
For Thou, O Lord, art high above all the earth
Thou art exalted far above all gods

I exalt Thee, I exalt Thee
I exalt Thee, O Lord
I exalt Thee, I exalt Thee
I exalt Thee, O Lord

We exalt Thee, We exalt Thee
We exalt Thee, O Lord
We exalt Thee, We exalt Thee
We exalt Thee, O Lord

[1] It is our intention to impact the neighborhood surrounding the Bread of Life, but we will never turn away any young person who’s hungry to know a Father’s Love.

[2] The Move of God is not limited to one night, one building or one structure.