A TRULY  STARTLING  STATEMENT of Jesus is quoted in John 14:12: "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I go to the Father."

Many times we may have looked at this verse, marveled at it, but then dismissed it because it does not agree with our experience. When experience fails to agree with the Scripture, it is the experience that requires adjustment, not the Scripture.

Jesus emphasized this statement strongly. He began the statement with the words, "Truly, truly, I say to you," a preface He reserved for weighty pronouncements.

Jesus spoke these words to His disciples in the context of His final instruction to them at the end of the Last Supper. They were struggling to understand what He was saying about His immanent departure, the promise of the Holy Spirit, and His provision for their future life and ministry. The disciples' questions indicated that they did not understand:

•. Why Jesus had to go away.
•. Where He was going.
•. Who Jesus really was. 
•. The way to know God the Father. 
•. Jesus' revelation of the Father.

As proof of Who He is and of His relationship with God the Father, He stated that:

•. Only through Him could anyone know the Father      (John 14:6,7).
•. All His words and works were really the Father's words and works. He said and did nothing on His own (John 14:10) 
•. They could come to know Him and believe in Him because of the words He had spoken and the works they had seen Him do (John 14:11).

It is at this point that He shook their world even more by telling them that, if they believed in Him, they would do the same kind of works they had seen Him do and even greater works (John 14:12). This means, of course, that the process of world redemption, initiated by the words and works of Jesus was to continue and flourish in greater and more glorious ways after His ascension (as He said, "because I go to the Father").

He then outlined for them clearly how this was to be accomplished by giving them a series of magnificent promises of which He expected them and expects us to take advantage. Immediately after Jesus' promise of the greater works, He made the further promise: " Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in His Son; if you ask anything in my name, I will do it "  (John 14:13,14).

"Asking in His Name" means asking as His representative. His Name gives us His authorization. Just as Jesus only said and did what His Father authorized, so we must ask            according to His will. This demands, of course, that we hear His instructions accurately and determine to follow them. The words we say, even in prayer, will not originate with us or call attention to ourselves or our own ideas and skills, but will bear witness to the glory of Jesus and His Father (John 14:13).

He then promises that, if we love Him and keep his commandments, He will send us the gift of another Counselor, the Spirit of truth (John 14:16). "In that day," He said, "you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you" (John 14:20). The Holy Spirit bears witness to Jesus; He enables us to know Who He is and who we are, and the relationships that exist among us. He also  teaches us all we need to know and enables His purposes to be fulfilled in our lives and ministries.

Love is equated with obedience. If we love Him aright, we will be totally obedient, His love will be perfected in us and our relationship with Him will be perfected (John 14:21).

The marvelous promises of God are for those who love Him enough to hear and obey Him. Jesus is asking His Church, "Have I been with you so long and yet you do not know Me? He who believes in Me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I go to the Father." This is the time for the Church to move into the fulness of God's life and ministry.

•. Believe in Jesus—trust Him. 
•. Take seriously Who He reveals Himself to be.
•. Know Him—develop an intimate, continuous relationship with Him. 
•. Know His purposes and goals—the desires of His heart.
•. Love the Lord 
•. Let the love issue in obedience moment by moment, day by day.
•. Receive God's gift of the Holy Spirit. •. Let Him direct your words and your actions.
•. The Holy Spirit will lead you into all truth; He will fulfill His life and ministry through you.

Whatever you ask in His Name, He will do it, that His glory may be fully manifested in all the world in preparation for His coming and reign.

Knowing Jesus is more than working out a series of accurate theological statements about Him.

Loving Jesus is more than getting goose bumps when we think of Him or sing songs about Him.

This teaching is by the late Father Edwin Stube and was previously published  as a tract. 
 

LORD, MAKE ME AN INSTRUMENT OF YOUR PEACE. Where there is hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
 

Sunday July 20 to Friday July 25, 2003

Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ!

This is a year of the trumpet sounding and God calling His people in II Chronicles 7:14 .If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. God is giving us His agenda to establish His healing in our land, our cities, our communities, our families, our relationships, and our workplace.  Humble yourselves....pray...seek His face....turn from our wicked ways THEN we will hear from heaven and HE will heal our land, families, communities, cities...etc.

This year's Holy Convocation is clearly focused on seeking God's face and waiting on Him to do whatever He chooses to do.  Therefore, it is a no frills Holy Convocation being held at the Bealeton Holy Way Worship Center, 11482 Morgansburg Road, Bealeton, Virginia 22712. 

Accommodations at the Center are limited.  We can house a maximum of 60 people: 46 with beds, and the remaining with mattresses or sleeping bags. Off site motels and hotels are approximately 30 minutes away. See the information below entitled “Key Information to Remember.” Showers and toilets are at a premium. There will also be port-o-potties.  You will need to bring your own linens, towels, and flashlights. 

We hope that you can come for the full five days. Drop-ins are welcome on a daily basis but are responsible for their own food. All are asked to register. You will receive your confirmation letter when we receive your registration. A limited number of scholarships are available.

Come with a heart of expectancy to hear from God and to bask in His presence! 
 
 

Cost Full Week $200 per adult, $100 per child: which includes housing and food.

Cost for off site participants; motel users.  $150 per person. 

To register, a minimum deposit is required as follows:
                $100 per adult, $50  per child and $75 for motel users.

Deposits due on or before May 15, 2003
.
Balances due on or before June 15, 2003.

Local motels:  Hampton Inn, Warrenton, VA  (540) 349-4200
                      Comfort Inn, Warrenton, VA (540) 349-8900 

For information call Barbara Buzzanca  (540) 347-7036,  vicbuzz@aol.com

Mail Registration to:  Holy Convocation 2003
    c/o The Holy Way Center
    11482 Morgansburg Road
    Bealeton, Virginia 22712
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cut and return this registration form:

Name:________________________Telephone #:______________
Address:_______________________________________________
             _______________________________________________

Number of adults:______________Number of children:____________
                                                           0-3___,4-8____9-12____, teens____

I will be   (an OFF site participant)  (an ON site participant). Please circle one.

Mail registration:  Holy Convocation 2003
   c/o The Holy Way Center
   11482 Morgansburg Road
   Bealeton, Virginia 22712

Deposit Due: May 15, 2003

 The bond and covenant of marriage was established by God. Our Lord Jesus blessed this manner of life by His presence and first miracle at a wedding in Cana of Galilee. It signifies to us the mystery of the union between Christ and His Church. The union of husband and wife in heart, body and mind is intended by God for their mutual joy, for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity, and when it is God's will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord. Therefore marriage is not to be entered lightly, but deliberately and in the accordance with the purposes of God. 

Herry and Dolly Stube have lived such a life together for twenty years and on Saturday, March 8th 2003 at St. James Church Warrenton, Virginia, reaffirmed the covenant with God and one another before their family and friends. They gave thanks for their life together and for their two beautiful children, Cindy and Julian. Father Larry Murphy, Father Peter Stube, and Father Michael Chapman officiated at the ceremony and Holy Eucharist. Father Peter Stube, Herry's brother, gave the sermon. He spoke of God's will for marriage and how Dolly and Herry were fulfilling that call. Julian Stube played the violin at her parents ceremony and Cindy Stube read scripture. It was a happy celebration of God's love and the music was joyous. There was a reception held at the Bealeton Prayer House following the ceremony at the church. The food, fellowship and fun were overflowing.
 
 
 

Dear "Saints" out there . . .

I'm prompted this morning to send you this word.

Today is a special day to rejoice in the Lord, even if it were the very last day in history! Therefore put aside all fear, doubt and anxiousness. Rather put on a garment of praise and thanksgiving, even in the still places of the heart. Jesus has won the victory over all satanic plots of deceit and destruction, even since the beginning. We are seated with Him in high heavenly places far above the taunts and turmoil of enemy tactics and this is our positional place of prayer, no strings attached.

The Lord speaks to us: 

My people, do not be so absorbed and snared into evil reports of the day. Let this not be your focus. They rob you of peace. Come to Me and remain in Me. Seek My face, My presence, in order to hear My voice. Walk in My counsel only and I will refresh you even in the heat of battle. Rest in Me and relax. --- As the season of Springtime approaches, soon to appear in radiance and full glory, so too there will appear over you a mantle of peace, light and confidence which the world needs to witness. Do not fear! Stand tall in faith and confidence as we walk hand in hand and we shall rejoice together. For My Kingdom plan is on the move, and you are vital to the fulfillment thereof. Remember, I will never leave you nor forsake you. I love you beyond anything you can imagine, and you and yours are mine forever!"

Think on this. For meditation: Philippians 4:6-9

MONTHLY CONVOCATION. On the third weekend of every month a Holy Convocation is held in Bealeton, VA. The convocation begins  Friday before dinner with Shabbat Shalom and ends Sunday after lunch. If you wish to come please call Dolly or Herry so that they may plan the weekend.

MORAVIAN FALLS, NC.  On the first Saturday of every month, there is a 7:00 p.m. prayer meeting with the Chapmans and others at Moravian Falls, NC. If you wish to attend, please contact Linda or Mike. Also, a small team has been driving from Bealeton, VA to Moravian, Falls NC to attend this prayer meeting.  If you are interested in being part of this team, get in touch with Herry or Dolly to make the arrangements.