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ENCOURAGER The FALL 2017
N EWSLETTER OF THE C HRIST IAN FAMILY FELLOWSHIP M IN ISTRY 1575 W. STATE ROUTE 571 • TIPP CITY, OH 45371 ● 937-669-3090 • CFF M .ORG
If He gives us richly “all things to enjoy,” where is any room for lack?
The “No Lack” Lifestyle
We freely believe that Christ wants everyone well. So why can’t we believe He wants everyone well-supplied? We believe and teach that He wants everyone healthy. We don’t condemn the sick, but we know sickness isn’t acceptable. We don’t condemn those in lack, but we can’t accept lack, because we are persuaded that God’s provi-sion is achievable. His stockpile is waiting in the store-house for pickup.
We can even experience a circumstance of lack and still prosper, because we walk by the Spirit of the Great Pro-vider.
Philippians 4:12-13 (NIV 2011) I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
III John 1:2 (NKJV) Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.
When our soul prospers, we can bring abundance into any situation of lack.
Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich [brings wealth] and He addeth no sorrow with it.
The Lord’s blessing makes rich. His Kingdom is an envi-ronment where all things move toward increase. In His presence, the storehouse of His supply becomes more
(continued on page 2)
… I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it. 1 Peter 5:1 (NIV)
Hi Prosperous Family!
God bless you! God so loved that He gave.
John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have ev-erlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to con-demn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
The word “saved” is the Greek word sōzō, and it means much more than everlasting life. In E. W. Bullinger’s Lexicon, part of the definition is “to bring in all positive blessing in the place of condemnation.” Because of His love, He still gives.
Ephesians 1:3 … who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.
Our God faithfully supplies. His love is endless and so is His pro-vision. Our supply in every category is wrapped up in His spiritual blessing. If we don’t believe that His supply is super-natural, then we are not looking at who God really is. Is healing of our physical bodies natural or supernatural? Anything we re-ceive from the Father starts in the supernatural… what we cannot see with the natural eye. We “walk by faith [trust] and not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).
I Corinthians 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1 Timothy 6:17b ... the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.
EVERY LIFE Well-Supplied
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“While most people my age grow farther
from the Lord while in their college years, I grew much
closer.”
Look to him Hebrews 12:2
Come to him Matthew 11:28
1 Peter 2:4
Go to him Hebrews 13:13
Call Upon Him Acts 7:59
2 Corinthians 12:8
(continued from page 1)
and more displayed. Everything about our relationship with God and His Son moves in a direction of blessing and bounty. In the Father’s favor, we travel a prosperous path.
Blessed to Bless
Galatians 3:13-14 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; for it is written, “cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree;” 14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
We have also been blessed in Abraham. God made a covenant with Abraham to bless him so that Abraham could be a blessing.
Genesis 12:3 (NIV) I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.
Each of us is a Blesser! Let’s seek opportunities to speak blessing and increase into the lives (and physi-cal bodies) of those we meet. We distribute from an infinite storehouse!
The amount of scripture declaring how God the Fa-ther wants to bless us is overwhelming. The Garden of Eden itself paints a beautiful picture of the abun-dant environment that the Creator originally intend-ed to be the everlasting experience of His children. At times, we are still tempted to question God’s desire to supply. When doubt comes, we must re-sharpen our focus on the vastness of His resources and on His ea-gerness to deliver the blessing.
One of the names of God is Jehovah Jireh, which means, The Lord our Provider. That is who He is. His very na-ture is to take pleasure in blessing us. God and Christ have a passion to give.
Why would Christ give us abilities, but no opportunities? And why would He give us opportunities without providing every-thing we need to fulfill those pursuits? We need to declare Him faithful to support what He began in us (Philippians 1:6).
Wealth With Wisdom & Warning
Deuteronomy 8:17-18 (NIV 2011) You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” 18 But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today.
God’s instruction on wealth is accompanied by wise cautions. He emphasizes to His people that He Himself is the Source of our supply, so that our heart does not get puffed up. Blessings are intended to glorify the divine Blesser, not to lead us into pride or covetousness.
Mark 4:18-19 (NIV 2011) Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; 19 but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.
We also need to be keenly aware of the deceitfulness that can come with riches. But God’s warnings are always motivated by
love, never fear. Sometimes Satan even tries to turn God’s word of caution into a fear of wealth. A fear of prosperity would actually be a fear of blessing and a rejection of divine provision. Let’s be wise and never allow fear rule our use of money. And let’s maintain a confident expectation of Kingdom bounty toward us (see also Matthew 6:33; Psalms 36:7-8; 112:1-3; Proverbs 8:20-21; II Corinthians 8:9; Ephesians 3:20).
Diversity in Prosperity
God’s people have always lived in a wide variety of cultures and circumstances, yet the Father’s unwaver-ing passion remains to lift up every believer’s life to-ward fruitful abundance. The harvest may not look the same from person to person, age to age, or culture to culture. Abundance did not have the same form for King David as it did for John the Baptist. Solomon’s prosperity came in a different package than it did for the Apostle John exiled on Patmos. We dare not com-pare crops. But the Lord’s will across His Word is that His people are well-supplied so they will glorify the Provider and generously share the fruit.
Generosity & Covenant Provision
Generosity is a fundamental characteristic of a pros-perous, godly life. We mimic our Father by freely giv-ing something we could’ve kept for ourselves. We honor the Provider by sharing out of every category where we’ve received.
Proverbs 3:9-10 (NIV 2011) Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
I Timothy 6:17-18 also charges the wealthy to be gen-erous, instead of trusting in riches. These verses teach us that we can be secure during insecure times.
In times of adversity, we have a sure foundation of provision.
Jeremiah 17:8 (NIV) They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.
We are partakers in a new and everlasting covenant with God (Hebrews 12:24; 13:20). In this holy bond, God makes promises; we act in faith. As we give of our abundance, we confirm our partnership of trust in the Lord’s provision. He will always uphold His part of the sacred covenant that we share. Covenant thinking will lead to covenant faith which will lead to covenant provision.
Psalm 111:5 (NKJV) He has given food to those who fear Him; He will ever be mindful of His covenant.
He is a Lover, a Blesser and a Provider. He is our sufficiency. As we joyfully receive and generously give, the vast resources of God’s Kingdom open more deeply to us. Together let’s de-clare...
Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: Yea, let them say continually,
‘Let thy Lord be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.’ (Psalms 35:27)
Tonia, Tom, Kevin
CFFM Staff Ministers
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Christian Family Fellowship Ministry Calendar 2017-18
10/27-28 Free in Christ: Healing & Deliverance Conference (T. Shroyer, M. & T. Day, D. & D. O’Neal)
Columbia, Missouri
10/28-29 Experiencing the Kingdom: The Book of Acts Conference (Wayne Clapp & Kevin Guigou, Guest Speakers)
Columbia, Maryland
11/4 8:45 AM- 4:30 PM
Day of Fellowship - The Relationship With Jesus Our Savior (Guest Speakers: T. Shroyer, K. Guigou; Host: Carol Leighton)
Peter & Frank Drago Home 190 Walworth Penfield Rd. (Route 441)
Macedon, New York 14502 P. Drago: 585-737-3357 C. Leighton: 585-697-4528
11/5 Sunday Service—The Bridge, Syracuse (Tonia Shroyer, Guest Speaker)
Phoenix, New York
11/10-12 Our Surpassing Victory With the Armor of God (Jan Magiera, Guest Speaker)
CFFM Tipp City, Ohio
11/17-18 Free in Christ: Healing & Deliverance Conference (T. Shroyer, T. Dill, M. & T. Day, J. & B. Kaplan)
Parker, Colorado
12/10 CFF Holiday Party CFFM Tipp City, Ohio
2018
1/1 thru April 10
Messengers for Christ 6 / 100-Day Spiritual Training (W. Clapp, Coordinator)
The World!
7/31-8/5 YES Camp 2018 (Note the new dates! ) CFFM Tipp City, Ohio
Visit our website for the most
up-to-date info: www.cffm.org
Many of these are events in which CFF staff or Zone & State Contacts are directly
involved. Many other wonderful CFF-associated activities occur regularly.
Stay up-to-date by communicating within your
local zone & state.
We encourage all of God’s people to get together freely
& often, to minister God’s love & truth to each other, to cultivate spiritual maturity &
to develop a meaningful faith-community.
What Can We Do for You Today?
JOIN US! For CFF Sunday Morning Fellowships by...
LIVE STREAMING!
Watch our live weekly Morning Fellowships every Sunday at 10:30 AM (EST) from Tipp City, OH, on computer, tablet or smart phone.
Type this in your Google Search box: https://cffm.org/streaming-video. OR… on SMARTPHONE: Go to www.cffm.org, click on Menu, click on Streaming Video. or on COMPUTER: Go to www.cffm.org, click on Teachings, click on Streaming Video.
Archive Library of recent past videos of Sunday Morning Fellowships is also available there.
T HE S PIR IT- F IL L ED L IFE / Da y i n th e Wo rd / Ju l y 2017 / H ilt o n H ead , S C Ho s ts , Da ry l & La u re n Stu rre / Gu e s t Sp e ak e r, Ke v i n Gu i go u
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men. However, the report given to Moses
by all but Joshua and Caleb didn’t rejoice in
this bounty. They focused on the size and
strength of the armies there. “We seem like
grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we
looked the same to them” (Numbers 13:33b
NIV). These leaders fainted in their minds
and murmured they should have been left in
Egypt. Caleb reported, on the other hand,
that they should go up and take possession
of the land. He was confident the vic-
tory would be theirs.
All these men saw the same things.
Why were the reports so different?
The answer lies in what they fo-
cused on. All but Joshua and Caleb
were convinced they could not win a
battle against these unbelieving ar-
mies. They focused on their inade-
quacy, “like grasshoppers in our
own eyes,” while Joshua and Caleb
focused on the promise of God.
They believed God would bring the
victory to pass. When we have a
Do you know that God desires that
we enjoy prosperous lives in every
category – health, finances, family,
emotions? The spiritual blessings
from God do not extend only to the
spiritual realm. God wants us to be
living witnesses to the world of His
abounding love and blessing. We are
to be “culture changers” by exempli-
fying the greatness of our God and
the Lord Jesus in every area of life.
In II Corinthians 9:8 (NIV), His
heart is revealed to us:
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
Wow, what a promise! He wants us
to have all that we need in every-
thing and at all times! We can have
confident believing because He is
able through His energized power to
bring it to pass. When reading this
verse, we tend to emphasize God’s
abundance to our lives, but the last
phrase of the verse explains the pur-pose of His promise. He wants us to
be fully equipped to the end we can
abound in every good work. He has
called each of us for a purpose and
then assures us He will provide every-
thing we need to “get the job done,” in all
aspects of this life.
However, we know that life’s challenges
can hinder us (financial need or poor
health, for example). At those times, it is
important to go to the Scriptures for di-
rection and encouragement. It is His
Word that can strengthen our minds
when the going gets tough.
God promised Moses that He would de-
liver the children of Israel out of the
bondage of Egypt and lead them into a
land flowing with milk and honey. As
wonderful as this promise sounded, the
Israelites had a challenging time believ-
ing that God meant it. (Does 2 Corinthi-
ans 9:8 sound a little like that too? When
it came time to cross over into this
Promised Land, Moses sent leaders from
the tribes of Israel to spy out the land.
They returned with pomegranates, figs
and such a large cluster of grapes that it
had to be carried on a pole between two
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. II Corinthians 9:8 (NIV 2011)
By Nancy Davis
need, the temptation is to turn in-
ward, to focus on ourselves. Over
time this can give rise to feelings of
inadequacy and discouragement.
The Bible doesn’t promise deliver-
ance because of our ability to bring
it to pass, but rather on God’s ability
to fulfill His Word.
Years later Joshua and Caleb led the
next generation of Israelites in to
claim the land. God exhorted Josh-
ua to be strong and of good courage
and to meditate on the Word day
and night. In other words, Joshua
was to keep his eyes focused on God
and His promises rather than five-
senses circumstances. The Scrip-
tures tell us that the hearts of the
unbelievers melted and their cour-
age failed. This happened because
they heard of the greatness of Is-
rael’s God and saw the Jordon River
part to allow the Israelite army to
cross over into the Promised Land.
God had already been at work to
fulfill his promise. Israel conquered
the armies and settled in the land
flowing with milk and honey, just as
God had promised.
The same God is able to bless us
abundantly, so that we have all that
we need in everything and at all times.
As we stay focused on His promises and
hold the Word of God always before us,
the challenges that hinder cannot over-
come us. Just as the children of Israel
enjoyed a land flowing with milk and
honey, we too will receive God’s abun-
dance so we can
abound to every
good work.
Abounding in Every Good Work
Nancy & her husband
Chuck live in
Columbia, Maryland,
and serve as CFF State
Coordinators for
Maryland & Delaware.
She also chairs the
CFF Finance Board.
By Nancy Davis
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MEMORIES FROM...
7
FAMILY REUNION 2017 Tipp City, Ohio
8
Memories From…
FAMILY CAMP Swanzey, New Hampshire / August 2017
Hosted by Larry & Pam Barnickel, Ellen Fowler & New England Saints
For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son. Colossians 1:13 (NLT)
9
Christian believers shine in places where others are swallowed up. When God blesses and shines on us, we will possess the gates of our enemies (Genesis 22:17).
For His glory - It is for God’s glory that we prosper and are blessed. Poverty does not bring glory to God. This is why God adds financial blessings alongside the abundant blessings He has already be-stowed upon an individual. God wants to bless us to the point that others will tremble in awe and glorify Him when they hear and see the kind of prosperity He has given us(Jeremiah 33:9).
When God blessed Solomon with wisdom, He added riches alongside it. And when the Queen of Sheba came and witnessed the wisdom and prosperity of Solomon, “there was no more spir-it in her.” She had no choice but to stand in awe and glorify the God who made Solomon King and gave him such wisdom and wealth (1 Kings 10:4-9). His favor and your prosperity bring glo-ry to God.
God is seeking to bless those who are called by His name accord-ing to His purpose. So, align your heart and motives in line with God’s plan and purpose, so that you will be a partaker of His blessings.
God shows His immeasurable love to us by bless-ing us financially.
A person can give without loving, but they can’t love without giving. God so loved the world that He gave (John 3:16). He tells us that He didn’t spare His Son Jesus, but gave Him for us all, how shall He not with Him freely give us all things (Romans 8:32).
I did a study on that word "all," A-L-L. I checked its tense, its gender, its case. I looked at the Greek and the Chaldean usages. I checked the Latin roots. Do you know what I found out? That par-ticular word "all" means "ALL," which includes prosperity.
God showers us with his blessings so He can pour out His love on us. No prosperous father who loves his children leaves them wanting and lacking. In the same way, our Father who loves us and is the wealthiest father of all time, will not leave us want-ing or lacking. God is love and "all" that He does is out of His love for us.
For you to be a blessing – The Lord blesses you so you can be a blessing to others (Genesis 12:2).
In 1 Timothy 6:18 (ESV), God charged the rich, “They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share.”
"Blessing" in the Old Testament is often translated from the Hebrew word, barak. The depth of its meaning is “to have favor; to endue or clothe with power for success; to be prosperous; fruitful; to have long life.” This gives the implication that having a blessed life is to be given a life that is fruitful and abundant. When we are fruitful and abundant, it is easy to be a blessing to others.
To meet your needs - Another great reason why God blesses us is to supply all our needs. His supply is not according to my ability and riches, but according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). And He is abundantly, bountifully rich in glory!
God expects us to give from what we have; not from what we don’t have (2 Corinthians 8:12-13). He doesn’t want us to help meet others needs, but then become burdened ourselves, NO! He wants to grant us our hearts’ desires, too (Psalms 37:4).
To differentiate His children from others - In Malachi 3:14-18, God stated that He was going to make a clear boundary between the righteous and the unrighteous; be-tween those who are His and those who are not.
Malachi 3:18 (ESV) Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him.
And being blessed with wealth is one of the ways God uses to make that distinction. He lifts up His own from the lowest plac-es on earth in order to show His goodness to those who love and serve Him as Father.
Isaac sowed in the famine and reaped hundred-fold while others ran away from the land (Genesis 26:12). God still does it today.
Mike Day
Why God Blesses Us Financially
Mike & his wife Tari, live in Huntington, WV. They serve as CFF State Contacts (WV) and Midwest Zone Coordinators. Mike is
also active on the ministry’s Finance Board.
10
So the word of the Lord continued to
increase and prevail mightily.
Acts 19:20 (ESV)
CALIFORNIA ITINERARY With Partnering Churches & Fellowships
in San Marcos & San Pedro September 2017 / Tonia Shroyer & Patti Miller
Memories from
Are You Prosperous & in Health? CONFERENCE
Orlando, Florida / October 2017
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Romans 12:13 (NIV)
Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
In 2 Kings 4:8-17, we see a wonderful example of a Shunem woman who un-
selfishly gave and then received great reward. The NIV refers to her as a “well-
to-do” woman. She lived comfortably, without financial need. She opened her
home to Elisha, the
prophet, solely with
the intent to honor
him, as she
“perceived” he was
a holy man of God.
She, with agree-
ment from her el-
derly husband, fed
Elisha and provided
a special place for
him to stay in their
home whenever he
came through town.
The Word does not
describe Elisha as
the Shunem wom-
an’s intimate friend
or relative. God
honored her gener-
ous heart, and she was able
to conceive a child for the
first time. Her heart’s de-
sire was fully satisfied as a
direct result of her loving
hospitality.
God wants us to help each
other in times of need. But
there is more. God also
wants His children to practice
hospitality, much like the
Shunem woman. Our giving
should move beyond meeting
needs, and into the blessing above category. “Hospitality”
means “love of strangers,” “generous to guests,”
“entertain guests.” Hospitality is receiving and
treating guests and strangers in a warm, friendly, and generous way. Howev-
er, just as the Shunem woman was perceptive, we should walk by the spirit
when inviting people into our homes and lives.
I Peter 4:8,9 (NIV)
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
Cheerful hospitality is a demonstration to others of God’s love for them; a to-
ken of the future hospitality God and Christ Jesus will extend to us! Hospitali-
ty is not about being a respecter of persons; it is about loving, despite people’s
sins; sharing the best that God has provided!
My husband Daryl and I continue to open our home to family, friends, and
guests. Practicing hospitality keeps our hearts focused on blessing and giving.
We want people that cross our threshold to feel well-loved. We plan, prepare,
and serve up the best we have. When all we had was bean soup and peanut
butter, we served it with love. Praise God for the promises in His Word that
bring continued increase to our storehouse and enlarge our harvest!
~ ~ ~
B ean soup and peanut butter sandwiches used
to be the staple in our home. All the protein we
needed, on a shoe string budget! We didn’t
have much, but we had fun entertaining people
and sharing about our Savior, Jesus Christ! Our home
was modest, but always clean and welcoming. We knew
then that our menu
would one day expand
and we would have
more financially. God
never disappoints! If
our heart and action is
to give and to love those
that cross our thresh-
old, God will make sure
we are able do it in
style!
2 Corinthians 9:10, 11
(NIV)
Now he who supplies
seed to the sower and
bread for food will
also supply and in-
crease your store of
seed and will en-
large the harvest of
your righteousness. 11 You will be made rich in every way so that
you can be generous on every occasion, and
through us your generosity will result in
thanksgiving to God.”
“Enlarge,” “increase,” and
“generous”... these are words to
describe God’s financial partner-
ship in our lives. The context of
2 Corinthians 9 is about finan-
cial giving. We give, God enlarg-
es and increases, and we in turn,
respond with generosity. Jesus said in Matthew 25:35,
40 (NIV), “For I was hungry and you gave me something
to eat… I was a stranger and you invited me in... I tell
you the truth, what you did for one of the least of these
brothers of mine, you did for me.” We should not be
afraid to share what already belongs to God anyway!
Psalm 24:1 (NIV)
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world,
and all who live in it.
Financial increase is not about loving money or wealth,
it is about living for Him! God is a generous Father. He
wants His children to be a giving and hospitable people!
When we partner with God, financial increase follows.
Partnership means action by both parties. A friend once
said to me, “Change nothing and nothing changes.”
I was in a job that was neither stimulating nor financially
rewarding. I decided to change my situation! Once I
made the decision and acted, God opened all the doors
so that I could go back to school at night for free! As a
result, I got a better job. I saw increase and in return,
could be more financially generous as I purposed in my
heart.
PRACTICE HOSPITALITY
By Lauren Sturre Lauren & Daryl live on Hilton Head Island, SC,
where they shepherd the SC Low Country Home
Fellowship, serving also as State Contacts. Lauren
brings her professional expertise to CFF’s
Finance Board, as well.
Sharing generously from whatever we have...
12
Nancy Banios of
Troy, OH, fell asleep
in Christ on Sunday,
July 16, 2017, and
waits for Jesus to awaken her at his return.
Nancy was born June 24, 1952, in Boston,
MA, to the late Wilfred and Grace (Horigan)
Allen. She is preceded in death by her first
husband Francis M. Connerty, sister Judy
Walsh, and brother John Allen. She is
survived by her loving husband of 18 years,
Craige Banios, and
children:
Suzanne (Mike) Glover of
Hilliard, OH; Tim (Cassie)
Connerty of Georgetown,
TX; Stacey (Jim) Klein of
Temperance, MI; and
Meghen (Larry) Fry of St. Marys, OH.
Step-children: Monica Hallgren of Rose-
mount, MN; Michael Harkins of Dayton, OH;
and Kaia Banios of St. Paul, MN. She also
leaves 14 grand-children who were her
pride and joy. Three sisters also remain:
Patricia (Richard) Barclay of NC, Louise
(Edmund) Nazzaro of MA, and Mary Beth
(Albert) Siekman of NC; along with
numerous nieces and nephews.
Nancy graciously served God
and His people for the last 19
years as the Executive
Secretary for Christian Family
Fellowship Ministry. She was
a living example of The Virtu-
ous Woman of Proverbs 31 in
all aspects of her life. A lov-
ing wife, mother, sister, and
more than a faithful
friend to all who knew
her.
A Memorial
Service was
held in her
honor on July
29, 2017 at
Christian
Family
Fellowship
Ministry, Tipp
City, Ohio.
On that bright and cloudless morning, When the dead in Christ shall rise...
NANCY BANIOS FAITHFULLY CALLED US...
TO TRUTH, TO LAUGHTER,
TO TEARS, TO JOY… TO LOVE.
13
Too many great believers still struggle
with their finances. As a business owner,
I work with a lot of entrepreneurs. That
has allowed me to have a unique perspec-
tive on the topic of wealth.
I struggled in this area of my life for quite
awhile, but it has now become more of a
strength. That is because I have trained
my mind to think God’s way and have
allowed His heart to dominate my think-
ing.
While this topic is vast,
I want to focus on one
key principle that we
learn from Jesus.
Matthew 15: 32-38
(ESV)
Then Jesus called his disciples to him
and said, "I have compassion on the
crowd because they have been with me
now three days and have nothing to
eat. And I am unwilling to send them
away hungry, lest they faint on the
way." 33 And the disciples said to him,
"Where are we to get enough bread in
such a desolate place to feed so great a
crowd?" 34 And Jesus said to
them, "How many loaves do you
have?" They said, "Seven, and a few
small fish." 35 And directing the crowd
to sit down on the ground, 36 he took
the seven loaves and the fish, and hav-
ing given thanks he broke them and
gave them to the disciples, and the dis-
ciples gave them to the crowds. 37 And
they all ate and were satisfied. And
they took up seven baskets full of the
broken pieces left over. 38 Those who
ate were four thousand men, besides
women and children.
Jesus’ desire was to feed the multitude.
When he asked the disciples how many
loaves they had, they answered, “Seven,
and a few small fish.”
Immediately the disciples jumped to a
sense-knowledge analysis, basing their
conclusions on the circumstances.
33 And the disciples said to him, "Where are we to get enough bread in such a deso-late place to feed so great a crowd?"
How many times in our life do we think
the same way? I know I have, on several
occasions, when I have allowed know-
ledge from the senses to dominate my
thinking.
But Jesus didn’t think with sense-
knowledge. He directed his thoughts
toward the spiritual.
35 And directing the crowd to sit down on the ground, 36 he took the seven loaves and the fish, and having given thanks he broke them and gave them to the
To show His passion to bless His children, God often turns our
“not nearly enough” into
“way more than is needed.”
disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.
What I find so intriguing here is that
Jesus didn’t hesitate to step into the spir-
itual knowledge. He just started moving.
God’s heart and wisdom were such a part
of Jesus’ soul. He never doubted that
God would meet, not only the need of the
disciples and Jesus himself, but the need
of the entire multitude as well. His trust
in God was unaffected by the circum-
stances surrounding them.
37 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 38 Those who ate were four thousand men, be-sides women and children.
So what is the lesson here?
Our minds tend to think in lack because
of the old man nature. However, we are
called to renew our minds according to
the revelation of God’s truth (Romans
12:1-2).
How many times do we hesitate to give
from our financial resources to further
the Kingdom, because we think we don’t
have enough to fulfill our own needs?
One of the greatest blessings of my life
has been the ability to give in order to
further the Kingdom. I love giving abun-
dantly to God of my “first fruits.” God
has supplied me with my “daily bread,”
which includes financial resources.
From that, I have made regular con-
scious decisions to give to God first, be-
fore I begin using the rest. Whenever I
think that I don’t have enough to meet
my individual need, I give anyway, be-
cause my God is bigger. He can multiply
the rest, just as he did for Jesus, the dis-
ciples and the multitude.
Let’s not allow the mindset of lack to rob
us of what God has in store. He is wait-
ing on us to trust him so He can pour out
such a blessing on us that there won’t be
room enough to receive it,
time and time again.
CONQUERING the
Mindset of Lack
By Mark Harbert
Mark & his wife Juany live in
Trinity, FL, serving as CFF State
Contacts. Mark is also an active
member of our ministry’s
Finance Board. He has business
clients around the world,
consulting in online advertising.
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BOARD OF TRUSTEES Tonia Shroyer (President), Tom Dill
(Vice President), Kevin Guigou (Secretary)
FINANCE BOARD Nancy Davis (Chair; MD), Mike Day (WV),
Mark Harbert (FL), Lauren Sturre (SC)
STAFF Tonia Shroyer, Tom Dill (Vol), Kevin Guigou, Wayne Clapp,
Jill Judd (PT Receptionist/Secretary), Sarah Mullens (PT Financial Secretary)
CHRISTIAN FAMILY FELLOWSHIP MINISTRY
Since our beginning in 1996, we regularly hear from people who want to be actively associated with the Christian Family Fellowship
in our emphasis on…
JESUS, our focus PRAISE, our response HEALING, our benefit
...all to the glory of God our Father!
In this, we grow closer to God, staying Bible-fed and spirit-led. To help us work together, many servant-leaders currently function as CFFM state
contacts, state coordinators and zone coordinators. These are not life-long positions, but functioning service opportunities that are evaluated regularly.
Check www.cffm.org/our-church to find ministry servant-leaders and home-churches near you.
Our ministry grows as an organic framework, like the dynamics of a vine and branches (John 15:1-8), rather than the model of a corporate pyramid. Our minis-try contacts represent a service network of resource volunteers, many of whom are more geographically accessible to those who need encouragement, advice, prayer ministry or event coordination. Each of them believes deeply in what Christian Family Fellowship Ministry (CFFM) represents today and is enthusiastic about
God’s direction of our efforts.
Please feel free to contact them or our staff anytime, so that we can support you and your local faith-community in personal growth and
in cultivating the life of the Lord Jesus Christ in our world.
I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing
we share for the sake of Christ. Philemon 1:6 (NIV)
How to Offer Financial Support to CFFM
1) Through our website, www.cffm.org/giving (one-time or recurring gift)
2) By texting a donation amount to (937)-502-2999 (one-time credit card input)
3) By regular mail to CFFM, 1575 W. State Route 571, Tipp City, OH 45371 (check/money order)
4) By CFFM donation envelopes (available from offices, #3 above)
THE RECOGNITION OF ORDINATION
…is the acknowledgement of God’s gifts to the Church,
through the lives of individual servant-leaders.
The holy spirit within every believer includes unique passions, abilities and
assignments through which Christ inspires the building of
his Church. And the Lord directs certain giftings to be
publicly identified for the benefit of the people whom
they regularly serve.
These individuals are ordained by God.
They also joyfully represent the faith-community that has
formally recognized their gifts and their willingness
to serve.
Ordained on June 25, 2017 • Tipp City, OH
A. J. FOWLER CASEY MACPHERSON
Ordained on August 6, 2017 • Tipp City, OH
JOHN KELLY
Ordination recognized on August 6, 2017 • Tipp City, OH
TARI DAY ELLEN FOWLER
Ordination recognized on September 1, 2017 • San Pedro, CA
DOUG WILLIAMS
AJ Casey
Ellen
Doug
Tari
John
I am giving you these instructions, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies made earlier
about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight.
1 Timothy 1:18 (NRSV)
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MIDWEST ZONE Mike & Tari Day / Huntington, WV [email protected]
INDIANA Patrick & Joanna Herber / Ft. Wayne, IN [email protected]
Jon & Marcia Nessle / Plainfield, IN [email protected]
KENTUCKY Jake & Susan Norris / Lexington, KY [email protected]
OHIO Don & Denise Baker / Columbus, OH [email protected]
Hayward & Nancy Chappell / Cincinnati, OH [email protected]
Mark & Jacqueline Howley / Mechanicsburg, OH [email protected]
Ruth Wall / Lima, OH [email protected]
MICHIGAN Tony & Delores Dean / Westland, MI [email protected]
Sid & Heidi Helmus / Scotts, MI [email protected]
Debi Pilot / Essexville, MI [email protected]
WEST VIRGINIA Mike & Tari Day / Huntington, WV [email protected]
NORTH ATLANTIC ZONE Bob Faller / Sandy Hook, CT [email protected]
CONNECTICUT Bob Faller / Sandy Hook, CT [email protected]
MARYLAND, DELAWARE Chuck & Nancy Davis / Columbia, MD [email protected]
MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, VERMONT Jerry & Diane Racette / West Townsend, MA [email protected]
NEW HAMPSHIRE Peter & Lori McLaughlin / Franklin, NH [email protected]
NEW JERSEY P. K. Krywos / Oradell, NJ [email protected]
NEW YORK Barry & Susie Behlen / Syracuse, NY [email protected]
PENNSYLVANIA Bill Mitchell / Malvern, PA [email protected]
RHODE ISLAND Lynn Amalfitano / Woonsocket, RI [email protected]
Keith Daniels / N. Smithfield, RI [email protected]
VIRGINIA Dennis & Susan Furr / Manassas, VA [email protected]
SOUTHEAST ZONE Wayne & Ferne Clapp / Navarre, FL [email protected]
ALABAMA Christopher Kenny / Daphne, AL [email protected]
FLORIDA Mark & Juany Harbert / Trinity, FL [email protected]
Michael & Diane Johnson / Orlando, FL [email protected]
Dale & Cathy Reichel / Longwood, FL [email protected]
Annie Rodriguez / Largo, FL [email protected]
Paul & Vicky Torrey / Kissimmee, FL [email protected]
GEORGIA, MISSISSIPPI John & June Davell / Lawrenceville, GA [email protected]
NORTH CAROLINA Rick & Sandra Frady / Maiden, NC [email protected]
Dorothy & Steve Kozar / Winston Salem, NC [email protected]
SOUTH CAROLINA Daryl & Lauren Sturre / Hilton Head Island, SC [email protected]
TENNESSEE Randy & Terry Van Der Aa / Kingsport, TN [email protected]
NORTH CENTRAL ZONE Ivan & Patti Miller / Racine, WI [email protected]
ILLINOIS Robert & Susan Kerr / Warsaw, IL [email protected]
KANSAS John & Bobbie Starks / Hutchinson, KS [email protected]
MISSOURI Dan & Donna O’Neal / Columbia, MO [email protected]
WISCONSIN, IOWA, MINNESOTA, NEBRASKA, NORTH DAKOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA Ivan & Patti Miller / Racine, WI [email protected]
NORTHWEST ZONE Dave & Gayle Mostek / Kalispell, MT [email protected]
ALASKA John & Terri Carter / Soldotna, AK [email protected]
OREGON Eric Koell / Phoenix, OR [email protected]
MONTANA, IDAHO, WASHINGTON, WYOMING Dave & Gayle Mostek / Kalispell, MT [email protected]
CHRISTIAN FAMILY FELLOWSHIP MINISTRY – SERVANT-LEADER CONNECTIONS 10/2017
SOUTHWEST ZONE Dennis Dobbin / San Pedro, CA [email protected]
Annette McDonald / San Pedro, CA [email protected]
CALIFORNIA Clarice Addison / Carlsbad, CA [email protected]
Dennis Dobbin / San Pedro, CA [email protected]
Brian & Carol Jones / Napa, CA [email protected]
Annette McDonald / San Pedro, CA [email protected]
Joyell Nevins / San Diego, CA [email protected]
Steve & Valerie Squibb / Trabuco Canyon, CA [email protected]
Doug & Laurel Williams / San Pedro, CA [email protected]
UTAH Jon & Terri Marsh / Roy, UT [email protected]
ARIZONA, HAWAII, NEVADA Dennis Dobbin / San Pedro, CA [email protected]
Annette McDonald / San Pedro, CA [email protected]
SOUTH CENTRAL ZONE Jim & Belinda Kaplan / Elizabeth, CO [email protected]
COLORADO Ryan & Alicia Behm / Beulah, CO [email protected]
Sami & Jonathan Hagar / Steamboat Springs, CO [email protected]
Jim & Belinda Kaplan / Elizabeth, CO [email protected]
TEXAS Tom & Bobbie Blair / Wylie, TX [email protected]
Neal & Keri Lansdowne / McKinney, TX [email protected]
Felicia Warren / Euless, TX [email protected]
ARKANSAS, LOUISIANA, NEW MEXICO, OKLAHOMA Jim & Belinda Kaplan / Elizabeth, CO [email protected]
INTERNATIONAL ZONE Tonia Shroyer / Tipp City, OH [email protected]
FRENCH LIAISON & TRANSLATIONS Robert Olivier / Fitchburg, MA [email protected]
SPANISH LIAISON & TRANSLATIONS Tamika Sisinni / New York, New York [email protected]
AFRICA LIAISON Robert Parker / Fairborn, OH [email protected]
KENYA George Muindi / Nairobi, KENYA [email protected]
If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 1 Timothy 3:1b (ESV)
16
1575 W. State Route 571
Tipp City OH 45371
Phone 937-669-3090
Fax 937-669-4087
WWW.CFFM.ORG
To Current Occupant Or:
September 2017 • Tipp City, Ohio
MEN’S DISCOVERY WEEKEND