Category: General

The Azusa StreetRiders focus is soul winning..
That’s what we are about, going out witnessing to people,getting them to churches. We as a ministry must keep our focus!
you might ask,how do we do that?
I’ve got something to share with you. I’m sure you’ve heard it before, but refreshing our minds is always good..
This type of ministry requires organizing apostolic teams (chapters) Forming apostolic teams (chapters) is one part of the new apostolic church revolution. Let’s learn how the Apostle Paul built an apostolic team.

PAUL’S APOSTOLIC TEAM
The Apostle Paul showed us how he built an apostolic team by finding disciples, laying hands on them to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, spiritual impartation, modeling boldness, forbidding prejudice and showcasing deliverance ministry. We can find his example in the following scripture.
“And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus and finding certain disciples said to them, Have you received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said to him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said to them, To what then were ye baptized? And they said, To John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying to the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:1-5).

GATHER DISCIPLES
Apostles don’t work alone. Jesus didn’t send them out alone and neither should we. He sent them out two and two (Mark 6:7). They have an anointing to gather disciples and put them to work as a team. Paul’s first step, when he entered the city of Ephesus, was gathering disciples. He didn’t have many to begin with, only twelve are mentioned. From these twelve he formed an apostolic revolutionary team that built one of the greatest churches in history, the Ephesus church.
Gathering disciples was putting “first things first.” A true disciple (Greek mathetes) of Christ is not simply a born again believer. A true disciple is a person that lives according to the Word of God to the best of their ability. Jesus described a disciple as one who “abides in His Word” (John 8:31). Disciples love the Word, are lifelong students, doers of the Word, and are spiritually hungry and remain teachable (2 Timothy 2:15; James 1:22). They know the Word of God and the ways of God. There are many believers, but few disciples. Notice Paul asked these disciples if they had received the Holy Ghost since they believed in Christ. Their response was revealing. They said they had never heard of a baptism of the Holy Ghost.

At this point in Paul’s life, he is a seasoned apostle. Many years passed since being sent out of Antioch. Because of the warfare against his life and ministry he knew that these disciples had to be filled with the Holy Ghost. When Jesus formed His revolutionary team right before His ascension into heaven, he directed them to wait for the promise of the Holy Spirit. “But you will receive power after the Holy Ghost comes on you and you will be witnesses to me” (Acts 1:8). Notice Jesus said you would receive power after and not before. Apostles never ignore the spiritual condition of their team members. Team members need the baptism of the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in other tongues and prophecy. “And when Paul laid his hands on them the Holy Ghost came on them and they spake with tongues and prophesied” (Acts 19:6).

BAPTIZED WITH THE HOLY GHOST
Second, Paul laid his hands on these disciples and prayed that they might be baptized with the Holy Ghost. This is the New Testament biblical pattern for building apostolic teams. Apostolic team members should be filled with the Holy Ghost to be effective in ministry. Remember, we are rediscovering the Apostle Paul’s apostolic model. This is it. There is no way to handle the extreme pressure and opposition to the Gospel without Jesus’ dunamis power to witness, the Holy Spirit himself. Not only does the Holy Spirit give you power, but He is also your spiritual teacher.
There are many references to the baptism of the Holy Spirit in the Word of God. After Jesus’ resurrection, he commanded his disciples not to leave Jerusalem but to wait for the promise of the Father. Jesus had spoken of this same promise when he said, “If you love me keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he will give you another Comforter that he may remain with you forever even the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive because it seeth him not neither knoweth him: but you know him for he dwelleth with you and will be in you” (John 14:15-17). Jesus declared, “For John truly baptized with water but you shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days from now.” Jesus also assured them that they would “receive power after the Holy Ghost came on them and that they would be witnesses to him” (Acts 1:4-8). John the Baptist also prophesied of this great baptism. “I indeed baptize you with water to repentance, but he that cometh after me is mightier than I whose shoes I am not worthy to bear he will baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire” (Matthew 3:11).

Then that precious day came. “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come they were all with one accord in one place, and suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat on each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:1-4). The Apostle Peter was also in the Upper Room that day and was filled with Holy Ghost power and spoke with other tongues. After he had left the building people asked him the same question that is being asked today, “What meaneth this?” Responding, he preached his first Holy Ghost empowered sermon. His message pierced the hearts of the hearers, and they asked, “What must we do?” Peter, who just days before denied the Lord Jesus, answered with great boldness. “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is to you and your children and to all that are afar off even as many as the Lord our God should call” (Acts 2:37-39).
This same baptism of the Holy Spirit is available for you right now. Let’s pray together. Jesus. You are my Lord and my Savior. Lord, I want everything that you have to give me. I want this same precious gift of the Holy Spirit that you poured out on your servants in that upper room. By faith and according to your word, baptize me and fill me right now with your Holy Spirit. I accept your promise by faith. Thank you, Lord.
LAYING ON OF HANDS AND SPIRITUAL IMPARTATION
Paul modeled his apostolic ministry through the laying on of hands for impartation on those twelve disciples. “And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Ghost came on them and they spake with tongues and prophesied” (Acts 19:6). Paul taught his new team the doctrine of the laying on of hands and the power of apostolic impartation. This doctrine originated with Christ (Hebrews 6:2). After he had prayed, there was a release of the Holy Spirit on these believers, and they began to speak in other tongues and prophesy.
Apostolic ministry is a ministry of impartation. Paul said in Romans, “I want to come to you that I might pass on some spiritual gift to the end you may be established” (Romans 1:11). There are many examples of the ministry of the laying on of hands throughout Scripture.

BOLDNESS IN SPIRIT
The next step the Apostle Paul did was to show a bold ability to preach and teach the Gospel to a not so receptive group of religious people for three months.
“And all the men were about twelve. And he went into the synagogue and spoke boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus” (Acts 19:7-9).
Grace for spiritual boldness is an apostolic trait. The Apostle Paul trained by example. Here the team gets a chance to hear Paul speaking boldly in the synagogue challenging and swaying the listeners. Apostolic boldness expresses itself during a conflict. Notice too that Paul taught about the Kingdom of God. Indeed, Paul spoke of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ and the atoning blood of Jesus. This Scripture, however, says he spoke boldly about the Kingdom of God. The message of the Kingdom of God is reestablishing the Kingdom of God on earth through Christ’ disciples.

The Holy Ghost loves boldness. To be bold shows a readiness to take risks and face danger. Not boldness worked up by man’s soul but evidence of the infilling of the Holy Spirit. Apostolic grace is visible.

TRAIN IN DELIVERANCE MINISTRY
The step to forming an apostolic team is training in deliverance ministry.
“And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons and the diseases departed from them and the evil spirits went out of them” (Acts 19:11-12).
Paul was given the opportunity to display the miracle working power of God and teach the newly formed team about deliverance ministry. Apostles don’t ignore the devil. You cannot build a new apostolic church and ignore enemies in the unseen spirit world.
In the past, some untrained and overzealous people abused the merits of deliverance ministry but that doesn’t mean we should stop helping people. Some try to replace holy living and obedience with excuses for sinful behavior that can often be linked to generational curses, soul ties, and witchcraft. Our apostolic teams, therefore, must train in spiritual warfare and deliverance ministry. Jesus said that “deliverance is the children’s bread” (Matthew 15:22, 26). Paul trained the members of his church to put on the armor of God and engage spiritual enemies. “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:10-12).
Before Jesus sent out his apostolic teams he gave them power against spirits. “He gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease” (Matthew 10:1). Again, Jesus never taught his apostles to ignore the devil. Jesus didn’t leave them alone and neither should we. Demonic powers are still saying, “Let us alone; what have we to do with you, thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? I know you who you are; the Holy One of God.” Jesus answered them, “Hold thy peace and come out of him” (Luke 4:34-35). A disease is often, not always, directly related to demonic activity as seen in the following Scriptures.
“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil for God was with him” (Acts 10:38).
“There came also a multitude out of the cities round about to Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one” (Acts 5:16).
Understanding your authority as a disciple in spiritual warfare and deliverance ministry is important to the apostolic team. Spiritual warfare is simply binding and loosing in prayer and attacking on purpose spiritual strongholds of opposition and resistance to the advancement of the Gospel in a territory (Matthew 18:18-20). It is a taking up, in prayer, the authority of the believer that Jesus gave his disciples (Luke 10:17-20). This is all with the understanding that we are not wrestling with people, but with principalities, powers, rulers of the darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12).
Deliverance ministry and the casting out of demons is the first sign that should follow the believer. “And these signs will follow them that believe; In my name will they cast out devils” (Mark 16:17). An apostolic governing church never substitutes deliverance with counseling. They don’t try to talk out what can only be cast out. This is not to say that they don’t offer to counsel; they do. Apostolic ministry, however, flows in the anointing that sets captives free. There are many different types of prayer in the Word of God, all given for Spirit-life living and the advancement of the Gospel (Ephesians 6:18).

Apostolic teams must prepare to meet strong opposition from Satan and occult influences in society (1 Thessalonians 2:18). Christians cannot continue to avoid spiritual conflict while hiding behind a comfortable and often backslidden condition. To do this ignores the needs of those around them. Opposition, abuse, and resistance are all part of the package. Paul declared, “For a great door and effectual is opened to me and there are many enemies” (1 Corinthians 16:9). The effective advancement of the Gospel always causes a reaction; some are negative.

A SERVANT’S HEART
Apostles train those with servant’s hearts. forming apostolic teams is the servant’s heart.
“After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also see Rome. So he sent into Macedonia two of them that ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus; but he stayed in Asia for a season” (Acts 19:21-22).

Paul completes the apostolic pattern gathering, teaching, training and sending. He chooses Timothy and Erastus, two of his spiritual sons that ministered to him and sent them on apostolic assignment. Erastus was not only a servant he was a city manager (Romans 16:23). Until you have learned to serve someone else, you can never be a sent one. Minister, from the Greek minus or minor, means one who acts as an inferior agent in obedience or subservience to another and one who serves or officiates in contrast to the master (magnus). The most familiar English word describing a servant is the deacon. Someone once asked, “How do I know if I am a servant?” The answer is, “You find out when you are being treated like one.”

The Holy Spirit is teaching us the importance of apostolic teams. Once we thought of the apostle’s Paul or Peter working alone, but now we know they never worked alone, they formed many teams.

He is your teacher who will “lead you and guide you in all truth.” Next, do everything you can to renew your mind with the Word of God. Spiritual maturity is a must and only comes through learning and applying God’s truth to your life. If you don’t think right then, you can’t believe right. As you continue to grow in the Word, learn the ways of the Holy Spirit. Watch what the Holy Spirit likes and dislikes. Then start using the spiritual authority Christ gave you by submitting yourself to God and resisting the devil.

I know that you want to do something great for God with your life. Follow the Apostle Paul’s example and get baptized in in the Holy Spirit. He is your teacher who will “lead you and guide you in all truth.” Next, do everything you can to renew your mind with the Word of God. Spiritual maturity is a must and only comes through learning and applying God’s truth to your life. If you don’t think right then, you can’t believe right. As you continue to grow in the Word, learn the ways of the Holy Spirit. Watch what the Holy Spirit likes and dislikes. Then start using the spiritual authority Christ gave you by submitting yourself to God and resisting the devil

Rev. Anthony Storey

Azusa StreetRiders

International President

The ASR witnessed TREMENDOUS growth in 2016 and we, through faith, expect the growth to continue as we work together to build the Kingdom of God. We desire to experience spiritual growth and numerical growth simultaneously. The board is currently developing a plan to implement a few new key positions to continue to strategically propel this ministry. Now is the time if you are interested in becoming more involved in this ministry. We are asking that everyone please be in prayerful consideration of the following.

We want to hear from everyone that is interested in being appointed to a position to help serve this wonderful ministry. There is a work for everyone to do. Please submit the following information to President Anthony Todd Storey or Secretary Michael Luttrell for consideration of the board. Please include all strengths (Administrative, communication (phone and / or email), etc.) with details. Also, please advise if there are any particular interests within the ASR ministry for which you feel a special burden (motorcycles for missionaries, event planning, membership connections, etc.). Please feel free to include any information about yourself, your vision / dreams for the ASR, etc. In addition to the department heads, we will also be looking for people to work within these various departments as well. So as you can see, we will need SEVERAL people to jump on board. There is work available for all that are willing.

Excited about the doors that we believe God is opening for this ministry in 2017!!

Blessed to serve,
Michael Luttrell
Secretary
Azusa StreetRiders International

2017 National Rally – Are You Ready?

Believe it or not the 2017 National Rally is only 6 months away. It’s time to start getting ready, marking you calendars,making hotel reservations, putting aside a few dollars and inviting people along for the ride. I personally cannot wait to meet up The first week in August in Denison Texas with all of my ASR family.

It is not to early to start praying and fasting for this rally. I am asking all ASR members to add this rally to your regular prayer schedule and to please fast one day a month in preparation for this rally.

Let’s make this rally the biggest and the best National Rally to date.
Remember to use every opportunity to witness to people. On the way to the rally we will be stopping at gas stations, restaurants etc. let’s use every opportunity that we have to share Jesus with people along the way. I personally do not want to leave a gas station with at least telling one person about Jesus. This much travel gives us great opportunities. We can waste it or use it for His kingdom. The national rally is not just a gathering of friends, it is a gathering of apostolic bikers. So I keep it simple by saying – let’s be apostolic and look for opportunities for the kingdom along the way.

The 2017 Azusa StreetRiders National Rally will be held in Denison Tx

Wednesday Aug 2, 7pm meet and greet

Thursday Aug 3 all day ride and church at 7pm. Bro.Bruce Howell from the UPCI will be preaching the Motorcycles for Missionaries service.

Friday Aug. 4 all day ride and church at 7pm Bro. Samual Smith from the AWCF will be preaching.

Saturday Aug. 5th ASR National business meeting and election for National President and National Treasuerer will be held.

8am coffee and donuts

8:30 annual business meeting starts.

more details coming soon!!!!!!

Hotels:
Sherman, TX (Hwy 75/Hwy 82)
Quality Suites – $69.00 (all suites)
Hampton Inn – $79.00 standard
Denison, TX (Hwy 75/FM120)
Holiday Inn Express – $75.00 standard/$85.00 suite
All rates are available 3-days prior and 3-days post event dates
All rates are per room, per night and for single or double occupancy
$10.00 per additional adult per room, per night up to room capacity
All hotels feature complimentary hot breakfast buffet daily
All hotels feature rooms with 1-king or 2-queen beds (Quality Suites is an “all suite” hotel)
All hotels feature in-room refrigerators and coffee makers
Hampton Inn and Quality Suites also feature in-room microwaves
All hotels feature swimming pools
All hotels feature complimentary WiFi

Can’t wait to see you all in Denison Texas

Challenge – I am challanging all ASR members to invite at least 1 person to this rally.

Rev. Jim Curley
National Vice President
Azusa Street Riders

I am extremely thankful for this ministry; and equally thankful to be a part of it. There is no doubt that we are taking the one and only true message of salvation to a culture and world that seems to have possibly been avoided throughout history. We carry the true Apostolic message. However, I have a question that I hope will drive each of us to intentional and genuine soul searching. Is it possible that we can be a member of an Apostolic ministry without being a genuine Apostolic Christian? Is it possible that we can be a member of Apostolic churches without actually living an Apostolic lifestyle? The early Apostolic church was driven with a passion to win the lost. Is it possible that we can become personally content residing under an Apostolic label only to slip away from our desperation to fulfill the great commission? Is our personal greatest endeavor still to find another hungry soul that we can point to Calvary? Are we content with a personal Apostolic experience that included an initial repentance, being “buried with Him by baptism”, and experiencing our personal Pentecost only to slip into complacency? Or on the contrary, are we still driven by the heartbeat of God? Souls. We must work while it is day. I desire to move beyond the contentment of simply residing under the umbrella of an Apostolic church, Apostolic ministry, and Apostolic label. Please don’t misunderstand me; I need each of these in my life. However, my desire is to be an Apostolic Christian. To have an Apostolic heartbeat. I pray that our vision and our focus is to passionately fulfill The Apostolic Motorcycle Ministry of Jesus Christ; leading souls to Him.

Michael Luttrell
Secretary
Azusa StreetRiders International.

It’s time for membership renewal again. Just a reminder that at the National Rally 2016 the membership voted to change the Chapter membership dues to $30.00. When you receive your invoice it will reflect this change. Individual membership dues will remain at $60.00.

Your chapter dues can be paid through paypal or by mail. If you are not part of a chapter you can pay your dues through the online store.

We want to thank all of our members for your continued support of the ASR ministry. We pray that God will continue to bring the increase of souls to your church through this outreach.

Lydia Diaz-ASR Treasurer

Praise the Lord!!

we are 5 weeks away from Bind the Strongman all night prayer service.. This year it will be held in Clarksburg WV. March 3rd and 4th. I hope to see many of ya’ll there.

as we get into full swing with events in 2017, I want to challenge you to spend time in prayer. We must be ready to take HIS WORD to individuals that need HIM. we can not do that successfully if we have not taken care of ourselves first. Prayer, Fasting is a must! We all have struggles and when we are in those valleys we must keep on walking with HIM. I would like us all to put some time a side for prayer and fasting this month. prayer for each other, pray for the ASR, pray for the lost and pray for our country..

when we arrive  in Clarksburg for BTSM Prayer service, we will be ready for what God has in stored for us this year.. each year there is an awesome move of God and this year will be know different, so we must prepare.

If you are struggling now, just remember:

If there were 1000 steps between you and God today, I want to assure you, that God would take 999 of them. He leaves it to you to take that 1 step towards HIM.. An old Chinese proverb says that the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Will you take it today?

WILL YOU TAKE THAT 1 STEP TOWARDS THE LORD?

God Bless

Anthony Storey

Azusa StreetRiders

National President

Who is that? What is their name? These are common questions that we ask when we see an individual that we don’t know. As of recent, I have been reminded of how much people are looking to specific individuals for hope and direction. In the very recent political event, it was extremely clear that each side of the stage was pronouncing the name and power of their candidate as a large portion of their political platform. Now I am watching as sports becomes the main topic around the “watercooler” with the approaching Super Bowl and March madness right around the corner. I am hearing how that “this” team will win because this particular individual(s) is on that team or that team will win because they have that particular player. I am recognizing that people’s attention is captivated by distinct persons regardless if the topic is politics, sports teams, employers, singers / music, or even Hollywood.

With that in mind, I am reminded of the focal point of the ministry of the Azusa StreetRiders. As the only internationally recognized Oneness motorcycle ministry, it is imperative that our focus remains on Jesus Christ. We have the “One” to offer that holds all power within His hands. We have the ability and responsibility to introduce this world to Him. Regardless of who people are looking to for their help, we know the One that goes far beyond the doctors, counselors, and advisors of this world. Not to mention, that He is the ONLY savior!! He still forgives sin, delivers from addictions, heals the sick, mends broken hearts, and gives hope to the hopeless in 2017!! And that doesn’t even scratch the surface of what our God can do.

So as plans are underway for rides, events, and outreach for this year, please remember to make God the CENTER of everything that we do. The ASR is really all about Him. It is His ministry. Any and all “success” is attributed to Him. Let’s work together and each one do our part to make 2017 a great year by “building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost”, “consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works”, and, ultimately, talking about and showing this world Jesus. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” We must remind this world (and sometimes ourselves) that everything we are needing and looking for is found in Him!! It’s all about him!!

Michael Luttrell
Azusa StreetRiders
International Secretary

New Life Resolution

I’ve been thinking about how at this time of the year, every single one of us makes a New Year’s resolution. Not only do we make a New Year’s resolution but we put thought and planning into it.

Many of us pray that we make the right decision, a decision that will effect our entire year or perhaps even our entire lIfe.

Most years I make New Year’s resolutions and stick to maybe 10% of the original plan. Sometimes only get about 10% of the things on my list accomplished and sometimes I have everything on my list accomplished but after the year is only about 10% over, I usually give up and go back to the way that I did things the year before.

With lots of thought and prayer I have made up my mind that this year I absolutely refuse to make a New Year’s resolution. Why?
You may be thinking that is a little extreme, But trust me I have put a lot of thought and prayer into this decision.

I do not want to focus on something that will change me for a temporary time. I do not want to focus on a New Year’s resolution, I want to focus on my New Life Resolution..

When I say my New Life Resolution I am not talking about my life here on earth I’m talking about life eternal in the presence of my creator.
I want to concentrate on my new life in the presence of the L-rd.

I looked up what a New Year’s resolution was on the Internet and here is what I found:

Wikipedia makes this statement.
A New Year’s resolution is a tradition, most common in the Western Hemisphere but is also found in the Eastern Hemisphere, in which a person makes a promise to do an act of self-improvement or something slightly nice, such as opening doors for people beginning from New Year’s Day.

Wow. Are they actually serious? A tradition in which a person makes a promise to do an act of self improvement or something slightly nice, such as opening doors for people beginning each year on New Year’s Day.

Something slightly nice. Wow, how impressive is this?

People actually make New Year’s resolutions to be slightly nice to other people.

We should be more than slightly nice to people, we should treat them with love, care and compassion and this is not something that we should do as a New Year’s resolution, this is something that we should do automatically because we are Christians.

I want my resolution to be more than a year resolution of treating people slightly nice here on earth. I want my new life resolution to be one that is focused on helping people get to heaven. One that is focused on them being prepared to spending eternity in Heaven.

I am pretty sure that my New Life Resolution does not include being slightly nice to someone.

But It does include killing them with kindness.

It does include being compassionate about the way I treat people.

It does include loving the lovable and the unlovable.

It does include focusing on helping people secure their eternity in the presence of the L-rd.

It does include feeding the homeless.

It does include visiting the jails.

It does include inviting people to church.

But it will never, let me repeat, never include being slightly nice to someone.

Instead of being slightly nice, as Christians, we need to go above and beyond when it comes to how we treat others.

Mark 12:29-31 says:
“And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.”
‭‬‬‬‬
Ephesians 4:32
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

Romans 12:10
“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;”

We need to treat others with respect and kindness. You notice I did not say slight respect and slight kindness.

The best gift you can give anyone, is telling them about Jesus.

Sunday night at work I was working side-by-side with one of my partners that I work with. We started talking about or weekends and how we spend them. I told him that my weekends usually consist of going to the jail to minister to people, outreach,fellowship and Church.

We had a good long talk about church and G-d. He shared a story with me that absolutely touched my heart.

A story about a man, two young boys and a fishing trip.

He told me this story that he had heard about a Christian father that had taken his young son and his friend from school on a fishing trip over the weekend.

The friend of his son had a hard home life and they thought that this may be an opportunity to bond with this young man, witness to him and maybe even invite him to church.

While there were on this fishing trip the three of them were out fishing in their boat and the two boys fell overboard.

I don’t know all the details of the story but both boys were drowning in the water.

The father only had the time and the strength to rescue one of the boys.

Which one of the two boys do you think that the father saved?

His own son or his sons friend from school ?

The answer is his sons friend from school.

You may think how could this father not save his own son?

But this father knew that his son was saved and would make it to heaven and he also knew that his sons friend from school did not know Jesus as his savior and he wanted to save him so he could give him an opportunity to be saved.

And opportunity to make a New Life Resolution.

We have to start putting soul winning as our top priority.

My New Life Resolution is to share the love of Christ with every single person that I meet.

I am not personally satisfied with telling people about Jesus when it is convenient, sometimes you have to go out of your way and make it happen.

Going out of the way to tell people about Jesus is my New Life Resolution .

Most of us in ASR are faithful in our attendance to church, but when is the last time we actually invited someone to church.

I’m not talking about inviting somebody to that special service two or three times a year.

I am challenging each and every single one of us to make it our New Life Resolution that we invite somebody new to each and every single service of 2017.

I absolutely love fellowship with other Christians, but I f I truly want to follow my New Life Resolution, we need to take this message that we believe in to all the world.

ASR does this as a church but what about us as individuals?

If it comes to fellowship with the saints or witnessing to the sinners, which will we choose. I will choose the sinner.

The year 2017 will have no New Years resolutions for me. Instead I am choosing a New Life Resolution.

A decision that will start now and will not end every year on New Year’s Eve.

Let us, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:15‬ ‭KJV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

This is my New Life Resolution.

Re. Jim Curley
National Vice President
Azusa StreetRiders

It has been promoted & has pretty much become common knowledge that during the latter holidays of a year on towards the first few days a new calendar year, basically from Thanksgiving to New Year, more people suffer from the mood disorder known as depression than any other segment of the year. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 350 million people around the world suffer from this dreaded disease. It is also because of this very real disorder that attempted & successful suicides soar during this time of year. Most who encounter it feel like it is a passing season in their life & that they can outrun or handle it on their own. However, it is a very complex psychological state that imposes many physiological effects on the sufferer & prevents them from being able to function properly and/or routinely.

Let me say from the outset that I believe in the miracle-working power of God & His ability to unequivocally heal any individual overwhelmed with the clouds that depression brings. However, it has been my experience that the majority of the people that I have seen endure & overcome depression most have overcome the hopelessness of depressive despair by working & drawing strength through the resources of an outside source. Some of the things that I have found to help are:

1. Talking with your pastor, doctor or a licensed counselor
2. Attending regular church & worship services
3. Releasing grudges & forgiving those who have hurt you
4. Building a consistent prayer life
5. Maintaining a personal relationship with the Word of God
6. Reducing the stress (& drama) in your life

For those of us who have dealt with or know the reality of what it means to suffer with the gloominess of this very real illness, we also know that those who are hurting usually never ask for help or advice. Whether it is out of pride, denial or ‘simply not wanting to bother anyone with their problems’, the seriousness of the outcome can be the same. So the purpose of this article is to help educate & remind everyone to be on the lookout for those around you who may be suffering. Here are ten common warning signs:

1. Continual sadness
2. An attitude of self-loathing
3. Loss of interest in activities
4. Irritability & isolationism
5. Anxiety
6. Loss of energy
7. Disturbed sleep patterns
8. Changes in appetite or body weight
9. Uncommon reckless behavior
10. Suicidal tendencies

If you’re suffering from depression, please contact any of your ASR Chaplains. We would all be happy to talk to you & help you through the effects of this issue. You are not alone.

For the rest of those reading this article, during this Christmas & holiday season, please listen & pay attention to those around you. Your intervention & gentle words of encouragement may not just save a soul. It may save a life.

Evangelist Robert E. Eades

ASR National Chaplain

(502) 750-2174 (call or text)

robert.eades@azusastreetriders.com

With the signs of fall all around and winter quickly approaching I am reminded that, with the exceptions of a few blessed souls living in the southern states, our riding is limited to a few days between now and spring.  I am also reminded that, even during the winter months, the Azusa StreetRiders is a ministry.  The motorcycle is simply a tool that is utilized in our ministry.  Even though we must endure the winter months with limited riding, our ministry can and must still flourish.  Here are just a few quick ideas to help retain our focus until spring.

Connect / follow up with contacts, acquaintances, and friends made during this past riding season.  Use the winter months to build a friendship and relationship with those that you have been able to meet over the last few months.  This is also the perfect time to teach Bible studies to these individuals.  Prepare them for continued fellowship throughout the upcoming riding season.  Remember that even as we use our motorcycles as the tool to connect with people, God desires to use US as the tool to lead them to Him!!

This is also a time that we can prepare our chapters for continued outreach during the next riding season.  This can be a time to brainstorm ways to improve and build upon the current ideas that were utilized during this past year.  It can also be a time of preparation to implement new ideas and strategies that will spur new growth and relationships this upcoming year.

Above all, we must remember that our walk with God supersedes our ministry.  It is of upmost importance that we remember that it is all about Him.  As we grow our relationship with Him, our personal ministry will be a byproduct of our love for Him.  We must allow Him to prepare us for our ministry by spending time with Him and becoming like Him.  Although this must be our primary focus year round, the winter months are a great time to spend a little “extra” time with Him while we don’t have the distractions of summer.

Although we may have to put the kickstands down for a few days, we can ill afford to allow this to be a time of dormancy for the ASR.  The ministry must continue strong through the winter months.  I encourage you to not limit your ministry within the ASR to the time that you are on your bike or to a specific season of the year.  There is still work to be done.  “The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few.”

Michael Luttrell
Secretary
Azusa StreetRiders International