No Win Situations

Chaplain’s Corner

By: Scott Culver

We admitted that we are powerless over our problems – that our lives have become unmanageable.

Genesis 16:1-15

16 Now Sarai Abram’s wife bare him no children: and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar. 2 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing: I pray thee, go in unto my maid; it may be that I may obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. 3 And Sarai Abram’s wife took Hagar her maid the Egyptian, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife. 4 And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes. 5 And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the Lord judge between me and thee.  But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thine hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face. 7 And the angel of the Lord found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur. 8 And he said, Hagar, Sarai’s maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai. 9 And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands. 10 And the angel of the Lord said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude. 11 And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Behold, thou art with child and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the Lord hath heard thy affliction. 12 And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him; and he shall dwell in the presence of all his brethren.13 And she called the name of the Lord that spake unto her, Thou God seest me: for she said, Have I also here looked after him that seeth me? 14 Wherefore the well was called Beerlahairoi; behold, it is between Kadesh and Bered. 15 And Hagar bare Abram a son: and Abram called his son’s name, which Hagar bare, Ishmael.

Sometimes we are powerless because of our situations in life. We may be in a situation where other people have power over us. We may feel that we are trapped by the demands of others and that there’s no way to please them all. It’s a double bind: To please one is to disappoint another. Sometimes when we feel stuck or frustrated with our relationships, we look for a measure of control by escaping through addictive behaviors.

Hagar is a picture of powerlessness. She had no rights. As a girl, she was a servant to Sarai and Abram. When they were upset because Sarai could not bear children, Hagar was given to Abram as a surrogate. When she did become pregnant, as they had wanted, Sarai was so jealous that she beat Hagar, and Hagar ran away. All alone out in the wilderness, she was met by an angel who gave her an amazing message: “Return to thy mistress and submit thyself under her hands. And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Behold, thou art with child, and shalt bear a son, and shalt call his name Ishmael; because the Lord hath heard thy affliction.” (Genesis 16:9-11).

When we are caught in no win situations, it’s tempting to run away through our addictive/compulsive escape hatches. At times like these God is there, and he is listening to our woes. We need to learn to express our pain to God instead of just trying to escape it. He hears our cries and is willing to give us hope for the future.

Genesis 16: 1-4 Since God’s promise of a child had been given, about two years had passed without anything happening. Sometimes the hardest part of recovery is waiting. Here Abram and Sarai show us what not to do when things don’t progress as quickly as we might hope. Rather than accept God’s timing, they took matters into their own hands. They assigned a servant girl, Hagar, to be a surrogate mother to Abrams’s son. This “solution” has been a source of conflict to this day. Abram’s descendants through Hagar are the Arab nations whose conflicts with the Jews keep the Middle East in constant Turmoil.

Genesis 16:7-13 When Hagar could not help herself and recognized her powerlessness over her situation the angel of the Lord came and ministered to her. Until we recognize that our situation is hopeless without outside help, God waits and does not help us. But when we are ready to admit our need and cry out to him, he is ready to step in.

Even though my Ministry is focused on Addiction and recovery, this can help anyone in need of assistance with Mental Health or Substance use issues. This lesson can be linked to any aspect of our lives where we struggle and attempt to fix things ourselves. When we are struggling in any situation, we must realize that we are powerless over our flesh and turning to God is the answer to our struggles.

Scott Culver
International Chaplain
Azusa Streetriders International

Meet Your Nominees

Cynthie Zerbe (Nominee for Treasurer)

Well a little bit about me. Born and raised in Big Rapids, Michigan. Meet My Husband in school have 2 Sons, 6 Grandchild, 4 Great Grandchildren and 1 more on the way. In 1987 My oldest Son invited me to church and The Lord moved on my heart and I was introduced to the Acts 2:38 message. I got baptized in the Muskegon River and 5 months later I received His Promise The Holy Ghost at a Ladies Praying Meeting. My Frist Ministry with the Lord direction, Brother Zerbe and I starting picking up people with our van and it flourished so we purchased a bus and transported families to and from church. In 1998 the company that I was employed by  Wolver World Wide was building a new warehouse in Howard City, Michigan . We Prayed and I took a transfer from Big Rapids to Howard City which got Brother Zerbe closer to his job. We transferred church’s from Lighthouse Apostolic Church, Big Rapids, to Solid Rock Worship Center in Cedar Springs, Michigan. There we were under the leadership of Pastor Dana Bryan. I was a Sunday School teacher and part of the Ladies Ministry. Pastor Bryan retired his Ministry and now we have Pastor Bobby Gray. In 2019 we heard about Azusa Street Riders and checked with our Pastor and joined. Sense I was going to be apart of this Ministry I went forward and getting my own endorsement and bike 4 years ago. I’m also a Greeter at my church when we are not traveling for ASR. We are now both retired from our jobs and can focused on our Ministry.

_____________________________________

Thomas Whitmore (Nominee for President)

Hello in the name of Jesus! My name has been nominated for international president of Azusa StreetRiders. I am honored and humbled to be nominated for this position, and after much prayer and counsel with my pastor, would be willing to serve if it is the Lord’s will. The Lord called me into the ministry in 2005 and I fought with the Lord that I couldn’t do it because of my past and family status. God made it very clear that our circumstances do not dictate who He will use, He just wants a willing and submitted heart to Him. I first joined ASR in 2011 as the only member in Toledo Ohio. Near the end of 2013 I stepped down from the Toledo Chapter to follow God’s direction for me at the time. In 2020 I felt the call to return to ASR (dues paying member) as Chaplain of the Toledo chapter. My vision is to get back to the mission of uniting Oneness Apostolic motorcycle riders around the mission of reaching other bikers with this Apostolic message. This includes training on personal disciple-making, outreach events, and other activities that give us access to people that need to experience the power of the Holy Ghost. Second we need to unite through the Spirit of God, prayer, fasting, and outreach. With ONE mind and ONE accord! We have the same message preached on the day of Pentecost, the same Power to turn our world upside down! I would ask that you fervently pray about these nominations, that the Lord’s will, direction and outcome take precedence over all fleshly desires! God bless Azusa StreetRiders globally in Jesus name!
_____________________________________

 

Michael Theodore  ( Nominee for President)

My name is Michael Theodore aka Theo. I was asked to do a bio. I thought about this then thought no need to add all that I have done for ASR. The Lord blessed me with ASR which has been a big part of healing in the early years. The Lord told me that I was going to use the tragedy of losing my son 13 years ago as a way to minister. I have the vision and the passion for this ministry and have been sold out for ASR since the beginning. I have been the guard dog since I first became a member. I love my awsome  ASR family with all my heart. I ask you all to please take the time to actively pray about this major decision. This vote effects the entire body.

Michael Theodore                                                                                                                                      Guard Dog

——————————————————–

 

Katrina Sutton (Nominee for Treasurer)

I was asked to give a write up on myself. Well, I have been in ASR since 2012 along with my husband Bro. Mike. I go to church at Christian Apostolic Church under Pastor Douglas Joseph. I have been blessed to have been able to go to every rally since joining ASR. I feel God has blessed us with not only being part of this Godly ministry but this great family. I have always done my best to uphold the standards and mission of this great ministry. I am not a public speaker but I do stand up for what I believe in. On a personal note.. I am a mom of 3 boys and mamaw to one special grandson. In September we are expecting our granddaughter, whom is an answered prayer from my late mom. I know that whichever lady gets the position will do their very best and give 110%. Thanks and love to all. Sis. Katrina Sutton.

 

 

International Chaplain

The National Board of Azusa Streetriders would like to welcome Bro Scott Culver as our new International Chaplain. Bro Culver has been a long standing member with this ministry, and we believe he will be an amazing asset to this ministry and the Chaplaincy of ASR. He exhibits the true heartbeat of ASR, by reaching out into a lost world, loving people right where they are, and guiding them to Jesus. Join us in welcoming Bro Culver into this position, and help us pray for his success and the anointing of God to rest upon him as he moves forward.

Jeremiah Hayes

Vice President

Azusa Streetriders International

International Chaplain

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

 

The Azusa StreetRiders National Board would like to take a moment and thank Bro Mark Hardin, and commend him for his many years of service to the ASR ministry. Bro Hardin has served this ministry for many years as our International Chaplain, and has done so with a passion and desire to see true growth in this ministry, and in the chaplaincy. Chaplain Hardin has resigned his position as International Chaplain to grow other areas of his ministry. He will be greatly missed as a great asset to that position. We now have a vacancy in the role of International Chaplain. Starting today, in alignment with our decision last year to accept applications for board appointed positions, we will be accepting applications for the position of International Chaplain for 30 days. Anyone who is interested in applying for this position, please send an email to jeremiah.hayes@azusastreetriders.com, or to asr.national@azusastreetriders.com. I would ask, before you send an application, please spend time in prayer, and discuss this decision with your pastor. God bless you all.

Jeremiah Hayes

Vice President

Azusa Streetriders International

Resolution or Resolve?

Every year, people around the world make New Year’s resolutions to reach their goals, improve their health, and better their lives. Many people are successful at keeping their resolutions, while many others fail. In fact, statistics show that only 9-12% of people who make New Years resolutions are successful in keeping them. They are resolving that next year will be the year they finish that diet, the year that they finish that project, or that they finally do what they’ve been putting off for so long, when, in reality, their resolutions often make it no further than January before they are forgotten or pushed aside. Sadly, there are often things in our walk with God that share the same fate as those resolutions. Are there things that we set out to do in the kingdom of God, but somewhere along the way, they were pushed aside for other things that take precedence? What would my statistic be? Did I do everything I could to witness to the lost, or did I relax a little and not pursue my purpose and calling? Did I place the things of God in high priority, or did the cares of life overshadow them? Did I come to the house of God to worship with everything I had to offer, or did I come out of habit or routine? Did I look at that vile sinner in disgust and condemnation, or did my heart break at the fact that they were lost?

A RESOLUTION is defined as a decision to do or not do something.

RESOLVE is defined as firm determination to do something.

As we enter the year 2023, let us be prayerfully mindful of the day in which we live, and the soon coming of Jesus Christ. We have no time to waste on resolutions that may fail, but we need a burning resolve down in our hearts to grab onto the heart of Jesus, and go after those that He shed His blood for.

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭

Jeremiah Hayes                                                          Vice President                                                           Azusa Streetriders International

Recalculating

Proverbs 16:9 AMP
A man’s mind plans his way as he journeys through life, but the Lord directs his steps and establishes them.

No doubt we’ve all been there at some point. That vacation trip to the beach, a trip into the mountains, or with Theo at Rolling Thunder in DC, when the navigation comes on with that timeless message,…. recalculating. One such memory in my mind is after a Saturday ride at a Biker Weekend, I was voted to lead our group back to the hotel to freshen up for the evening events. I pulled up Google Maps, plugged in the address of the hotel, and off we went. It was a beautiful afternoon, and the scenery was awesome. Slowly, the gentle, twisting roads gave way to one lane roads. The one lane roads then gave way to gravel, country roads. Soon we were passing farmers on tractors, who gave us some strange looks as the procession of motorcycles passed by. Eventually, we came to an intersection, another paved road, and finally our hotel. In that moment in time, I planned my way, but Google Maps directed my steps. In this life, we are guilty at times of planning our every step, to the point that we leave no room for guidance. We plan our every move, dot every i, cross every T, and leave no availability for God to say, no my child, it won’t be the fastest route today, but I am adding some stops along the way. Sometimes we have to come to a point, where we say, God, if you want to recalculate my life, I am Yours. If You want to make some adjustments to the way I’m walking, then have Your way in me. If You want to put me on a different path than the one I’m walking, lead me to that Rock that’s higher than I! How many times have we resisted the turning of the Spirit in our walk with God, and that still small voice in our ear, recalculating, recalculating, recalculating? If we look to the Word, we find evidence that sometimes God wants to take us somewhere, but use the scenic route to get there. The children of Israel made it out of Egypt, but they had to cross the Red Sea. Joseph made it to the palace, but there was a pit and a prison along the way. Daniel was made to prosper in the kingdom of Darius, but there was a layover in the lions den. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were promoted in the kingdom, but there was a fiery trial they had to endure first. I don’t pretend to know every detail of God’s plan, but I do know He has a plan for each and every one of you. He knows the end from the beginning. He has a purpose and a calling on your life, and just because the detour seems to be a setback, it may be just what God has ordained to get you to where you need to be. Let’s put our feet on the highway pegs, unmute the still small voice, and see where God takes this ministry.
Ephesians 4:1-4 KJV I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called. with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling.

Jeremiah Hayes
Vice President
Azusa Streetriders International

3rd Annual Biker Weekend, Clendenin, WV

If you would ask several different people how to measure success, you would no doubt get several different answers. With each event, comes the desire for everything to go smoothly, everyone to have a good time, to enjoy riding, and have good fellowship and church. However, everything we deem important for success, dims in comparison to how God views it. This year, we had some great fellowship, some awesome riding, and good times. We had some breakdowns on our ride, and I began to be concerned with making sure everyone was having a good time. It was in that moment, God reminded me, it’s not about the ride, it’s about souls. To see a young lady give her heart to God during Biker Sunday service made everything fade in the distance, as we rejoiced with her. Sometimes we have to be reminded, although there is good times when we ride with our brothers and sisters, we do what we do for the harvest of souls. Looking forward to what God is going to do in this ministry!

I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the ASR members that went to the hospital Friday evening to pray for mom, the staff, the patients, and Bro Beall. God met with us there, and I am believing the report of the Lord!

I want to give special thanks and honor to Bro Randy Hennigan, for bringing an anointed Word from the Lord.

It was an honor to become a chapter during our Biker Weekend. I want to welcome our new members of the Appalachian Chapter.
Kathy Roat, Roger & Wanda White, Hubie & Andrea Harper, Delbert & Tina Hayes, Bill & Chere Monk

God Bless,
Jeremiah Hayes (Bullfrog)

 

Be A Billboard For Jesus

We are a representation of someone or something as we perform our everyday tasks in this world. I have no doubt that my brothers and sisters of ASR represent Jesus very well to this world as we go about our everyday lives, and for that I thank you. I for one, in the spirit of being transparent, have struggled with road rage at times. Once I joined ASR, and began wearing the Name of Jesus Christ on my backpatch, came a new level of responsibility and self awareness of my actions while representing ASR and Jesus Christ. It has helped me to overcome that issue in my life. I take the opportunity as much as possible to wear my ASR shirts even when I am not on the bike, so I can have that door opening wherever I may be. One such occurrence happened recently, not to me, but to my sister and brother in law. They had traveled to Washington DC on business for my sister’s job, and had went downtown to sightsee. They both purchased support shirts at the 2019 National Rally, and were wearing them on that trip. While they were traveling on the subway, a Vietnam veteran noticed their shirts, came over and struck up a conversation with them. The name Azusa had grabbed his attention, and he explained to them how he had attended school in Azusa, California. He loved the motorcycle design on the front and the “Jesus Information” on the back. Had it not been for those support shirts, it would possibly have been just another subway ride. One planteth, one watereth, and God gives the increase! As we approach the year 2020, let’s be a “Billboard For Jesus”, and use every method and opportunity available to us to advance the Kingdom of God!

God Bless You

Bro Jeremiah Hayes

2nd Annual Biker Weekend, Clendenin Pentecostal Church

Greetings and Praise the Lord from Wild, Wonderful, West Virginia. I want to start by giving God the praise, honor, and glory for the favor He has given us with our local motorcycle community. Let me just say, I am far from being an expert event planner, or anything close to it.  However, I would like to share a couple of things we did this year that may be helpful to other areas. We posted our event on local and statewide Facebook motorcycles groups, and also created a sponsored ad for our church’s Facebook page, where you can choose a radius of distance around the church, pay a small fee, and actually target Facebook users that have interest in motorcycles. It gives a broader reach than is possible with only handing out flyers, although there is no substitute for pounding the pavement. At our 2nd Annual Biker Weekend at Clendenin Pentecostal Church, we increased from 8 bikes last year on our ride, to 19 bikes this year. We had a mixed group of riders on our ride, ranging from CMA members, former club members, and weekend warriors. A good time was had by all, and we want to personally thank all of the ASR members that supported our event, and showed forth Christian love, not by title, but by example. The staff at our host hotel also complimented the ASR members that were staying there for being the example of a true Christian. We also want to give honor to Bro Anthony Todd Storey, for bringing the Word of God for our Biker Sunday service. One thing we did different this year, was to combine our Saturday evening after the ride, into a full community outreach event. Everyone was invited to this event, which included an outdoor gospel sing, free food, and door prizes, some biker specific, others for the community. One young lady from the community that attended the outreach on Saturday evening, returned for the Biker Sunday service, where she repented. She returned to church the following Wednesday, where she received the baptism of the Holy Ghost! Praise God! I am also excited to announce, that a coworker of mine that was invited, but did not attend our outreach event, agreed to a Bible Study on the Thursday following the event, and has committed to coming to church this Sunday! The harvest truly is plenteous! Please continue to hold us up in prayer as we endeavor to be a light of hope in a dark and dreary land, and we will also be in prayer for all of you. To echo the words of our associate pastor, let the revival continue!

God Bless,
Bro Jeremiah Hayes