WVIW Ministries Summitt Church

 Johnny Moffitt will be speaking at Summitt Church. If you have the opportunity to please come join us and hear a special message from Johnny.

If you would like more info please email us or call 972-234-6009

How to Overcome a Storm In Your Life by Ryan Slavens

When I think about our world right now and where we’ve been the last several months, there seems to be doubt, worry, anxiety, fear, anger, hurt and a whole lot more emotions hitting many people.  Each one of us deals with different emotions, thoughts and issues.  I do know this…how incredible and overwhelming it is when you have a relationship with Jesus and are able to look to Him as the answer to whatever you go through. 

In talking with many people one big thing that I keep hearing from people is worry & fear for situation(s) they may be facing.  I know it’s easier said than done what I’m about to write, but nonetheless, it is the Word of God which is truth…and when we hear truth we have to STAND on it in faith and expectation that John 8:31-32  31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.…and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”  See the truth WILL set you free, IF you allow truth to work in your life and remain faithful to what the Word of God says.

A lot of times when we hit a rough patch (storm) in our life we spend SO much time worrying, stressing, praying for an “answer”…telling God I need an answer NOW, or I need help NOW!  We focus so much energy on the “answer” and I would like to offer this approach.  I am by no means saying to quit praying to God, we must do that, but I would like to adjust your thinking from merely seeking “answers” only.  You see in seeking GOD, answers come.  Do not merely seek answers, but turn your focus on seeking God and when you seek Him you’ll begin to watch those things you need answers to begin to be answered…It tells us this in Matthew 6:33  Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.  It’s a 3-step process Jesus taught us. 

STEP 1: Seek the Kingdom of God above all else
STEP 2: Live righteously (being in right-standing w/ God)
STEP 3: He will give you everything you need

Too many times we just want to skip to step 3 and get what we need, and God wants to do that for us, BUT what He is calling us to do is to seek Him 1st.  

That’s my introduction!  Sounds like a preacher huh…30-minute intro…HAHA! Now, on to what I was really trying to say.  When we face hard times (storms) in our life I encourage people to read the 1st chapter of James.  What a great book to read when you’re facing a hard time.  This is what James urges us to do during hard times and it is hard sometimes to grasp what he’s saying while you’re in your trial, but again, go back to John 8:31-32 and let the truth set you free.

James 1:2-4 - 2) Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3) because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance/endurance. 4) Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

It sounds ridiculous to face trials with pure joy, but if you’re going “through it” right now I encourage you…don’t you DARE give up! You endure; you persevere through this time because if you do, the end result will be a win in your situation!  Now, more than ever for you is to walk out the 3 steps of Matthew 6:33 written above.  Here is the INCREDIBLE promise to those who do not give up!

James 1:12 - Blessed are those who persevere under trial, because when they have stood the test, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Galatians 6:9 - Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
You see I classify sometimes trials and hard times as “storms” of life, and a comforting thought is storms do not last forever.  When a bad thunderstorm in the natural hits we all know it may be bad then, but eventually it will quit raining and the sun will come out!  God will never let go of you, He’s always there for you to turn to, the question then becomes knowing He won’t let go of you...Will you let go of Him?

Thank you for letting me share some thoughts that is on my mind.  I pray you have an incredible and blessed day!

Ryan Slavens



A word about Pastor Ryan Slavens and Antioch Church.

Ryan Slavens joined the Leadership Team of Antioch Church in Overland Park, KS in 2000, & is the Executive Pastor overseeing all church operations and the staff. His desire is to be all God has created him to be and simply do what He asks him to do. Ryan’s main purpose is to help the church staff operate at its maximum potential. His mission is to value, possess, and develop integrity in himself and others. He and his wife, Jennifer, have three kids.

L.O.V.E by Dominic and Lindsay Russo

Well it’s February, and even amid the fiercely cold Detroit weather, love is still in the air. In a few short days, the flowers and cards will be purchased, the romantic dinners out will transpire, and those of us who have found the love of our lives will pause our remarkably paced schedules and celebrate.

Lindsay and I were married just 2 years ago, so we are certainly not marriage authorities. We do, however, want to pass along a couple of things that have helped us on our marriage journey by using the word “LOVE” as an acronym.

LISTEN

Listen - don’t just hear. Men, in particular, often listen to their wives in order to respond and offer a solution. I think wise husbands have come to understand the greatest form of hearing is listening to understand. Many times our wives will say something but mean something wholly different. It’s important to listen to the “voice within the voice” and recognize the deeper issue. Another massive aspect of listening is paying attention to the “small details.” When your wife mentions something that she likes or would love to eventually do – make a real note of it! I have done this since our dating days, and Lindsay (as well as most women) really appreciate when men pick up on the small details.

OVERCOME

Listen up, ladies. The magical word for all successful relationships comes in under the umbrella of the word "overcome." My parents have been married over 35 years, and when you ask them their secret, they both chime in with, "to have a successful marriage, you have to be the world's best forgiver!" We can all attest to the fact that we've heard 1 Corinthians 13 about a million times, right? "Love is patient, love is kind..." (and, since it's the Month of Love, I'll pretend that none of you have ever elbowed your spouse when hearing this read aloud in church or during a wedding ceremony to give a subtle 'hint' like they need to listen up!) But what about the part that everyone reads, yet no one really wants to listen to-- that's right, verse 5 "keep no record of wrongs". Whether you've been married 2 years or 35 years, there is something so powerfully tangible about this command. It doesn't say that "good people" keep no record of wrongs, and it doesn't say that "calm tempered people" keep no record of wrongs. When you're full of God's unconditional love, it's easy to let go of things because He first forgave us and commanded us to do the same.

VISUALIZE

Men, it’s so important that we paint a picture of the future on the canvas of our wife’s heart. Women are “wired” by God to be our helper, but if they don’t know the vision, they can’t run with it. When we envision our wives with the dreams, goals, and aspirations of our heart, they begin to work consciously and subconsciously towards that vision. Visualizing also helps get you through the tough times and the times of sacrifice. When you have a clear picture of your future, you can so much better endure the challenging moments. This year Lindsay and I put up a “dream board” in the main hallway of our house. Every time we walk past it, we’re inspired to continue to work hard and focus on these goals.

ENCOURAGE

I would guess that about 90% (or more) of men are fueled by encouragement. Whether spiritual or otherwise, it is the invisible force that drives them. When preparing for our marriage, my husband and I read "The Five Languages of Love" to see how seemingly compatible we were in these areas. Boy, were we surprised! The least important things to me were his most important things, and vice versa. I had no idea that words of affirmation could mean that much to a person because I am the exact opposite. Therefore, I wasn't exactly good at giving out compliments and encouraging words. At first I was frustrated, asking God why I had such a difficult task. (I laugh now because it seemed so hard at the time.) When I first started to verbally encourage and compliment my husband, I couldn't believe my eyes. He was a new man! God knew what he was doing when he designed us this way. It says in 1 Thessalonians 5:11 "So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you'll be together." This verse perfectly encompasses unity. When we build each other up with encouraging words, we come together as God created us to come together, in His perfect love for one another!

- Dominic & Lindsay Russo, for WVIW

A Word about Dominic Russo Ministries

At the young age of 20, Dominic began filling stadiums with capacity crowds across Latin America. Now, at age 25, he has been able to lead nearly one million people in the prayer of salvation. His large-scale outreaches often include humanitarian projects with over $100,000 in practical aid, food, and clothing and have involved influential political leaders and national presidents.
His message challenges, empowers and reaches directly to the heart. Dominic’s story reverberates with inspiration and connects him with people of all ages. He is a true voice of the 21st century with a passionate call to dream and experience what the eye has not seen and the ear has not heard. Dominic’s ministry spans across the U.S. in churches, conferences, and large youth assemblies. He received his formal training at Oral Roberts University and now lives in Michigan with his wife Lindsay.

This is the Russo's first Guest Blog for WVIW and we are blessed to have their partnership. Please be sure to visit http://www.dominicrusso.org/ to learn how you can get connected to their relief efforts in Haiti and become a part of their worldwide ministry.