Who Loved Who First?

I John 4:19 says that "We love because he first loved us."

Many struggle and lack the power to change because they are blinded to God's love. I have had friends turn on me. Parents fail me. Relationships disappoint me. Yet one thing is for sure. God loves me and His love for me will never fail.

The crazy thing about it is... He loved me even when I hated him.

Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

In a few verses before this one, it says that we were actually enemies of God while we were sinners. God doesn't wait for us to get our act together before he loves us. No! He loves us and what's us to come to him as we are... broken in sin. Then His love will transform our lives and revolutionize us.

The power of changed life is God's love demonstrated through his grace and mercy.

The more your realize how Great his love for you is... the more you will want to love him back!

Download the audio file Who Loved Who First? to hear a two minute devotional on experiencing God's Love.

Little Mercy... Little Love! Much Mercy... Much Love!

The Power of a Changed Life ... It all begins with God's Mercy!

In Luke chapter 7 we discover a powerful story of forgiveness and a life totally changed by an encounter with Christ.

36 Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. 37 When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, 38 and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner."
40 Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."
"Tell me, teacher," he said.
41 "Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"
43 Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."
"You have judged correctly," Jesus said.
44Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."
48 Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
49 The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"
50 Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

If you want your life to change, you need to experience God's love and mercy. And that will happen when you realize how messed up your heart is and how much you need Him. Then your love for God will be genuine and your life changed forever!

Download the audio file Much Mercy equals Much Love to hear a two minute devotional on experiencing God's Mercy.

The Key to Receive God's Mercy

The Power of a Changed Life. It all begins with God's Mercy.

How many of us really want to change. But the struggle is too great. The power to change begins with God's Mercy. But so many miss out on God's mercy and never receive it. What is the key to receive God's mercy?

REALIZE YOU ARE MESSED UP AND BEG FOR GOD'S MERCY!

Here Jesus tells a story to some people who didn't think they were messed up (becuase they were confident of their own righteouseness).

Luke 18
9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable:
10 "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.
11 The Pharisee stood up and prayed about[a] himself: 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.
12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.'
13"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.'
14"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

Download the audio file Key to Receive Mercy part 1 to hear a two minute devotional on receiving God's Mercy.

AM 1110 Radio Interview

I had the awesome privilidge of being interviewed on the radio last week. The program is called Urban Praise and it is on Moody Radio's AM Station 1110. They have a great music selection with a mixture of contemporary gospel and latin flavored music. It comes on right now from 3pm - 6pm.

In the interview, I was able to talk about See You at the Pole and also my recent trip to Mississippi to help deliver a semi load of relief supplies to the Hurricane Victims.

I added the background instrumental truck and hopefully it is for your listening pleasure and not annoying.
DISCLAIMER: I create all my podcasts on my apple powerbook laptop with the program Garrageband and they are "homemade" and not necessarily professional.

Download the Interview from AM 1110 to hear about See You At The Pole and my trip to Ocean Springs, MS.

Trip to Ocean Springs, MS

Last weekend, six of us represented New Life Community Church on a delivery of one gigantic semi trailor loaded with all kinds of supplies for Ocean Springs, Mississippi. We drove about 1000 miles in 16 hours to arrive to the town across the bay from Biloxi. We unloaded the semi in a couple of hours and were able to tour what was left of the homes near the beach. We then got back in the van and drove 16 hours to return to church on Sunday morning and give a report. The trip was life changing as there is now doubt that man is not all powerful. We are fragile and life is short. We must be ready to meet our creator as that day can supprise us all. Stay tuned for more updates. Pastor Decrease Dwayne

J.O.Y. --- Jesus first. Others Second. Yourself last.

It is exciting to be back on the net with a new release for the podcast. After two weeks of vacation and then an incredible pastors retreat with the families of the pastors of my church... I am excited to be blessed with such a great family God has given me and blessed with such a great place to serve.

This summer I got to preach at 5 of the 8 New Life locations and it was a great privilidge. This last Sunday it was awesome to see a young man of 17 years of age accept Christ as His Lord and Savior and be so excited about it that after the celebration, he was going around to some of his relatives at the church and smiling huge and telling them.. "I'm saved.. I'M SAVED... I just got SAVED!!!. Keep this young man and prayer and I hope this message wets your appetite to study the book of Philippians and to get to share your faith!

Pastor Decreae Dwayne

Download the full message J.O.Y. - an overview of Philippians to hear a message given by Pastor Dwayne on August 28th, 2005 at New Life Community Church -- South (NIV).

Disclaimer... this is not intended to be professional... just a tool to help you memorize the Word.
All tracks created in garageband. (copyright 2005 by decrease, flower, and tiger productions)

Memory Mix Philippians 1:1-2

Gettin Crazy Ambitious!

Imagine memorizing a whole book of the Bible!

Well if we are able to finish what we start...

Memory Mix will be able to help you memorize the whole book of Philippians!!!

Download the Memory Mix Philippians 1:1-2 Memory Mix to get started on the first 2 verses of a 104!!! "Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi, together with the overseers and deacons. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV).

Disclaimer... this is not intended to be professional... just a tool to help you memorize the Word.
All tracks created in garageband. (copyright 2005 by decrease, flower, and tiger productions)

The Masked Dad

This week marked the arrival of a new member in our family! Coming in at 8lbs and 19 inches... she is ready to wage war in the spiritual realm as the princess prayer warrior. I am feeling a little sick so the things we will do as a dad. Visit www.syatp.com for information about the biggest youth prayer meeting I have ever heard about ever. Start planning S.Y.A.T.P. for your school NOW. No guarentees for when the next podcast will be... I am on vacation for two weeks!

Decrease Dwayne

Download the brief explanation of the picture of the Masked Dad to hear from the family on what's going on.

Disclaimer... this is not intended to be professional... just a tool to help you memorize the Word.
All tracks created in garageband. (copyright 2005 by decrease, flower, and tiger productions)

How to Pray --- Adore His Name part 2

Sorry for the delay...
The file was too big for my host requirements to upload...
Now the both parts are available...
us, when teaching the disciples to pray, started out like this...


This Podcast is the second part that goes over several names of God designed to encourage you to worship his name.

The definitions were take from blueletterbible.org/sudy/misc/name_god.html

Download the podcast How 2 Pray - Adore His Name to study some names of God that will transform your prayer life.

Disclaimer... this is not intended to be professional... just a tool to help you memorize the Word.
All tracks created in garageband. (copyright 2005 by decrease, flower, and tiger productions)

How to Pray -- Adore His Name

Jesus, when teaching the disciples to pray, started out like this...

Our Father in heaven
Hallowed be your name

This Podcast Goes over several names of God designed to encourage you to worship his name.

The definitions were take from blueletterbible.org/sudy/misc/name_god.html

How 2 Pray? Start your prayers with praise.

Then your problems will seem small compared to the greatness of your God.

Decrease Dwayne

Download the podcast How 2 Pray - Adore His Name to study some names of God that will transform your prayer life.

Disclaimer... this is not intended to be professional... just a tool to help you memorize the Word.
All tracks created in garageband. (copyright 2005 by decrease, flower, and tiger productions)

How to Pray Like a woman in labor

How can we pray like a woman in labor? The key is burden. Does your heart ache over the dispair of the wrecklessness and wickedness around you? Or has it grown numb?

Romans 8
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.

Notice that ... The creation GROANS "as in the pains of childbirth". The believers groan. And even the Holy Spirit groans.

May the Holy Spirit leads us and pray through and in us and use us to give birth to things in prayer. May we pray God's will as the Holy Spirit intercedes through us and helps us in our weakness!

When was the last time you groaned like a woman in labor?

Download the podcast How 2 Pray Part 2 for some encouragement to move out your comfortable prayer zone into the powerful painful process of birth pang prayer.

Disclaimer... this is not intended to be professional... just a tool to help you memorize the Word.
All tracks created in garageband. (copyright 2005 by decrease, flower, and tiger productions)

Memory Mix Jeremiah 33:3

Recently recorded live in the guys bathroom at Faith Community Church in Davis, IL. Live rhymin by Chris of New Life Melrose and Live beat boxin' by Nathan all the way from Florida. Also on the blog (youthcure.blogspot.com) is a photo of the whole group near a wounded bird sanctuary that didn't have any wounded birds when we got there. But fortunately some wounded Christians were healed!

Download the recording Jeremiah 33:3 Memory Mix for the 4-1-1 on who has all the answers. "Call to me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things which you do not know. (NKJV).

Disclaimer... this is not intended to be professional... just a tool to help you memorize the Word.
All tracks created in garageband. (copyright 2005 by decrease, flower, and tiger productions)

My Odeo Channel

How to LEARN how to pray!

Download the first official youthcure podcast How 2 Learn 2 Pray (Rough Edit Pre-Release) for a powerful lesson from Luke 11 on the process of learning to pray. (NIV).

Disclaimer... this is not intended to be professional... just a tool to help you learn to pray. This podcast will be rereleased in a couple of days with a better mix. Specially featured in the background is my one year old son. See if you can hear him rattling some pans and lettin his voice be known. Reading scripture is my inherited son. Click "comments" below to let me know what you think about "learning to pray."
All tracks created in garageband. (copyright 2005 by decrease, flower, and tiger productions)

In Luke 11 we discover 3 principles in learning how to pray...

1. BY SEEING.
1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."
2He said to them, "When you pray, say:
" 'Father,[a]
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.[b]

Jesus had just finished praying. The Disciples, probably in amazement at the prayer life of Jesus, ask their Master to teach them how to pray. So instead of starting out with a lecture. Jesus gives them a model prayer. He prayed an example for them. The disciples mainly learned how to pray by SEEING Jesus pray.

2. BY DOING.
5Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing to set before him.'
7"Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything.' 8I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness[e] he will get up and give him as much as he needs.
9"So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

Jesus is basically telling the disciples... "you want to learn how to pray... just do it. BE BOLD AND ASK. Don't worry about the lingo. God doesn't care about that. Don't worry about bothering God. He will never be too busy for you. God just want you to be bold and ask. The verbs in the last part can be translated... ask and keep asking... seek and keep seeking... knock and keep knocking... SO PRAY AND KEEP PRAYING... DO AND KEEP DOING.

The way you learn how to ride a bike is by just doing it. You don't read a book. You might get a push off. You might start out with training wheels. Basically you learn by doing. In the same way you learn to pray by doing it. And the more you pray the more comfotable praying you will become. And like riding a bike. You can't forget how to do it!

3. BY KNOWING
11"Which of you fathers, if your son asks for[f] a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

The third key to learning how to pray is knowing... not knowing facts, not knowing memorized words, but KNOWING SOMEONE... KNOWING GOD. Prayer is relational. Simply put: It is talking with God. And the more you experiently know God, the more you will talk with Him. For example... the first essential characteristic of God that you need to know about God is that He is our Heavenly Father (once we have been adopted into His family when we have accepted him as Lord and Savior.)

And just as Father provides for his kids all good things... so does God love to hook us up and meet our needs.

So if you want to begin to learn to pray...
1. Learn by seeing
2. Learn by doing
3. Learn by knowing

How to lead the bomb home group discussion!

The best home groups (small groups) are not necessarily led by an incredible bible study teacher but by a good listener who asks good questions. Listen in on a 10 minute training on leading small groups through asking questions.

There are basically two types of questions. The first kind are called "close ended" questions. There usually is only one answer to these kind of questions. (yes, no, God, Jesus, love, etc.). Once someone in the group has answered correctly, the questioned has closed.

The second kind is called "open ended" questions. These questions have many right answers and the answers are related to experiences, feelings, ideas, and thoughts. Everyone can answer and there is not necessarily a wrong answer. These kind of questions help get the group discussing how a particular truth can be applied to their lives.

Hopefully, young people across the city (country) could be raised up to lead powerful Bible studies that transform lives. Not everyone is necessarily a great teacher/lecturer. But anyone who is a good listener can lead a great discussion with well thought out questions.

With a Bible study the questions should lead members to DISCOVER TRUTH and DISCLOSE HOW TO APPLY that truth to their lives.

Download Leading a small group discussion mp3 for a 10 minute training on some examples and the importance of crafting good questions. (NIV).

Disclaimer... this is not intended to be professional... just a tool to help you learn to lead.
This track was created in garageband. (copyright 2005 by decrease, flower, and tiger productions)

Memory Mix Psalms 119:11

Want to win the fight on satan's mental terrorism. He throws lies left and right into your mind. Jesus was victorious when tempted by the Devil in the desert by quoting "Bible Memory Mixes." Two things that help me memorize is repition and rhythm. With the Memory Mixes... we put a verse to rhythm. You just put the track on repeat and you got the repition. Leave it on repeat til its stuck in your brain.

Check out Psalm 119:11 Memory Mix for some motivation on memorizing the Word. I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. (NIV).

Disclaimer... this is not intended to be professional... just a tool to help you memorize the Word.
All tracks created in garageband. (copyright 2005 by decrease, flower, and tiger productions)

Memory Mix Joshua 1:8

Meditate. When we fill our mind with God's Word we are guarented to be successful in accomplishing God's will for our life. Need some help on those grades. Start Meditating.

Check out Joshua 1:8 Memory Mix for a verse on meditation. Do not let this book of the law depart from your mouth. Meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful, to do everything written in it, then you will be prosperous and successful. (NIV).

Disclaimer... this is not intended to be professional... just a tool to help you memorize the Word.
All tracks created in garageband. (copyright 2005 by decrease, flower, and tiger productions)

Memory Mix Joshua 3:5

AMAZING! Totaly Incredible... Mind Boggling! I am not talking about Batman, Superman, or Spiderman. I am talking about the GOD-MAN JESUS CHRIST! And he wants to do amazing things among you! But first... you must consecrate... get rid of the evil stuff in your heart and life. CLEAN HOUSE. TAKE OUT THE GARBAGE that is keeping God from working through you.

Check out Joshua 3:5 Memory Mix for a lesson on consecration. Then Joshua told the people, consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you. (NIV).

Disclaimer... this is not intended to be professional... just a tool to help you memorize the Word.
All tracks created in garageband. (copyright 2005 by decrease, flower, and tiger productions)

Memory Mix Proverbs 9:10

You ever do something you felt was just straight up foolish. God can give you wisdom to make wise choices. It all starts with a healthy fear of God and knowing the Holy one.

Check out Proverbs 9:10 Memory Mix when you need some wisdom. Fear of the Lord is beginning of wisdom, knowledge of the holy one results in understanding (NLT).

Disclaimer... this is not intended to be professional... just a tool to help you memorize the Word.
All tracks created in garageband. (copyright 2005 by decrease, flower, and tiger productions)

Memory Mix Psalm 51:15

Does God have your big mouth? Be bold... open it up and give him some praise! Not just in front of believers... but praise him out in the open! Come out of the closet and let God open your mouth and put His praise in it.

Check out Psalms 51:15 Memory Mixfor a verse on praise. Open my lips and my mouth will declare your praise (NIV).

Disclaimer... this is not intended to be professional... just a tool to help you memorize the Word.
All tracks created in garageband. (copyright 2005 by decrease, flower, and tiger productions)

Jericho Project

Yo! what's up chicago... it is good to know that we finally have a blog spot.
Let me know how the Jericho Project is going for you???
I am super proud of on young sixth grade girl from Soul Purpose 678 Midway!!!
She is fearlessly consistent at praying for her school! Looking forward to hearing
what's up!
Servin Youth and Lovin It
Pastor Decrease Dwayne
(also celebratin' ten years servin' New Life Youth this month!)