Category: General

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

The National Board of ASR is proud to announce the following new state coordinators.

Brother Mike Rohatch – Oklahoma

Sister Urissa Goodin – Texas

And Brother Jim Boyle – New Jersey

Please lift up these new coordinators in your prayers and if you know of any apostolic motorcycle riders or of any opportunities in these states please get a hold of these new coordinators.

Rev. Jim Curley
National Vice President
Azusa Streetriders

I had the privilege once again of attending the 2016 UPCI General Conference in Indianapolis Indiana

First of all a big thank you to Brother And Sister Diaz for all that they do. This simply could not have happened without them. Also a big thank you to everyone else who took time out of their conference to help work the booth.

The highlight for me this year was signing up six new members and also the opportunity that we had to meet some of our missionaries that we have provided motorcycles for. Meeting these ASR members from Russia and Japan and hearing about their mission work reminds me of what ASR is truly about.

General Conference is like a big family reunion. We see members that we haven’t seen in a long time. I absolutely love spending time with my ASR family.

Can’t wait until next year’s conference in Kansas City. Encouraging all members to take a little time out of their schedule and volunteer. It’s actually a lot of fun.

Rev. Jim Curley
National Vice President
Azusa Streetriders

Praise the Lord Brethren,

Azusa StreetRiders is pleased to announce that it is teaming up with UPCI Global Missions and Missionary to Belize, Dwayne Abernathy, to help purchase motorcycles for use by local ministers who are under his direction. This is a UPCI 2016 Special Project Appeal (Code GMGP.158845.2405) and we, as the World’s Only Oneness Motorcycle Ministry, believe strongly that motorcycles on foreign fields are tremendously helpful in reaching the lost and want to help in any way we are able. To date, independently, we have provided funds to purchase 38 motorcycles for use around the world. If you are able to help us in this endeavor, please send whatever you are able to the address on the bottom of this page. 100% of the funds will go to this cause.

Thank you and God Bless,

Rev. Anthony Storey

President, Azusa StreetRiders International

 

A Note from Bro. Abernathy

Esteemed Brethren; Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

I am happy to inform you that the work in Belize is in a time of unprecedented growth and revival! At our recent General Assembly of ministers we had four new candidates receive ministers’ licenses and nine upgrade to the next level. In just a few short years we have increased from mid-twenties to 49 licensed ministers in Belize.

We receive reports on a regular basis of pastors baptizing people in Jesus’ name and new ones receiving the Holy Ghost! This is great news but with growth, unique problems arise; we cannot effectively minister to our new Saints due to transportation problems. We need motorcycles for our Supervisors and Presbyters. Some travel considerable distances for work and to visit their churches. Presently, they use unreliable public transportation and this takes too much time from ministry. Bus schedules greatly extend travel time and reduce ministry time. If our Supervisors and Presbyters had motorcycles, they could be much more efficient.

We have received an excellent quote of $2,650 US each from the local Honda dealer (one of our brethren) for 9 Honda XR150 motorcycles. This includes license and insurance for one year.

I am writing to solicit your help: If we could have 22 churches give $1,000 US each then the motorcycles can be purchased and delivered to our men. If you are unable to help at this level, any financial support and prayer is appreciated.

Thank you for taking time to read this letter. I ask you to please prayerfully consider helping us with the purchase of these motorcycles

Lord bless you and your church,

Dwayne Abernathy

Missionary to Belize

 

 

Rev. Anthony Storey

Motorcycles for Missionaries

835 main st

pleasureville KY 40057

 

 

Praise the Lord Azusa StreetRiders

It’s July 1st  2016, that puts us 34 days from the 2016 Azusa StreetRiders National Rally in Cameron Mo.

God has impressed apon me the importance of us all coming expecting great things this year!!  so we all need to prepare ourselves, by getting back to the basics.. prayer and fasting are key to preparation. We must be ready to receive what the Lord has for us!!

Vicky and I are looking forward to seeing ya’ll again this year, we love our ASR family.

I am excited about this year,along with all the fellowship and awesome preaching this year, we will be announcing our very first ASR ” chapter of the year” and Our first “Coordinator of the year.”

we have two National offices to fill this year. first we have the National Vice President then the National Secretary.

all of the nominations are in and counted, so here are the candidates for the positions .a few nominees respectfully declined their nomination, so we will bring these four men before you. each one will stand and address the membership prior to voting. each is qualified and meet all requirements

NATIONAL V.P

Ed Sears from Louisiana

Jim Curley from Ohio

 

NATIONAL SECRETARY

Michael Luttrell from Kentucky

Robert Thompson from Tennessee

 

God Bless you all

I am counting the days till we fellowship and worship together.

Rev. Anthony Storey

Azusa StreetRiders

International President

 

 

Praise the Lord Azusa StreetRiders,
We are in the 5th month of 2016 already, we are seeing awesome growth already this year.  In the last week of April we added three new chapters,  one in New Philadelphia Ohio with 8 new members , one in Evansville Indiana, with 5 new members and one in Ball Louisiana with 8 members.  God is Blessing us!!

I’m trusting that the Lord is not done with the revival He has sent us this year, but we must do our part. Lets bind together in prayer and keep on sharing the Gospel.  2016 can be our greatest year to date!!

Jesus is coming soon, lets not give up on reaching souls till He calls us home. God placed each of us in this ministry for a reason and that is to reach the lost! It’s not about bikes, riding or what organization we belong too, the Azusa StreetRiders is about JESUS!

Back to the basics in 2016 should be our mind set: Prayer, fasting, reading His Word and apostolic worship should be included in our activities.

In three months, we will be gathering for our 2016 National Rally and the excitement is building!  The Lord has blessed us greatly each year, with a great time of fellowship, new friends and most of all ,His presents. You will not want to miss this years Rally!
At our National business meeting we will be having some elections, so please try to attend. The two offices will be Secretary,  currently held by Bro. Robert Thompson and Vice President,  currently held by Bro. Jim Curley

Each of these positions are National Board positions and need to be considered carefully and with prayer. These positions are very important and take  dedication of personal time and sometimes personal funds, due to travel. All qualifying members are eligible to nominate someone or hold office. We will be posting qualifications on the website for each position.

The Cameron Missouri Chapter has put together some nice rides for us this year and on Thursday Aug. 4th 2016 during our ride we will be visiting the Harley Davidson Factory in KC. for a tour of the plant.

Vicky and I will be visiting the Cameron chapter in May and we are looking forward to seeing y’all at the rally August 4 – 7 2016

I appreciate all you do for the Lord

Rev. Anthony Storey

Azusa StreetRiders National President

On March 4th and 5th 2016 the Azusa StreetRiders held their 4th Annual Bind The  Strongman all night prayer service., in Cincinnati  Ohio.

Bind The Strongman is the Azusa StreetRiders kick off event for the year and God Blesses us each year.

We had approximately 50 in attendance,  as we prayed and worshiped through the night. The Holy Ghost was in the house, many were touched by God this year.

We were treated to an awesome service in the morning when Bro.  Joel Urshan  preached a message from the Lord. I have attached a recording for the message for your enjoyment.

I look forward to next years Bind the Strongman prayer service.

God Bless

Rev. Anthony Storey

Azusa StreetRiders

National President

You guessed it. Riding season it’s finally here. While working last night I could not stop thinking about how excited I am about riding season finally being here. What does this mean? It means lots of opportunities for all of us that ride. I’m talking about opportunities to tell people about Jesus. I hear people saying that they find it hard to talk to people about Jesus. It really is simple. Here are a few ideas to get us started for the year.

Always wear your back patch. I have a simple rule that I have set for myself. If I get on my bike I put on my back patch. Its that easy.
Here is the way that this works. If I’m wearing my back patch,people can see it. If I’m not they can’t. Make yourself visible.

Have a flyer for an upcoming ASR event or a ASR business card with you at all times. Something to help break the ice and open up a conversation. Starting a conversation is not hard. Here is how I usually start the conversation.

When I pull into a gas station and see a motorcycle I always start a conversation with that person. I do not walk up to them and start immediately pushing Jesus, church or religion on them, I simply say something like this:

What an awesome day for a ride. Or I love your bike, that is one sweet ride. I tell them my name and shake their hand and then never leave without giving them an invite of some kind. I usually just hand them a flyer or a business card and tell them I am part of Azusa streetRiders and we have a ride this weekend and that we would love to have them join us. If there is no ride coming up I simply hand them my card or info and say we have rides all the time if you ever want to join us give us a call.
I usually like to throw into the conversation that I belong to a biker friendly church and we would love to have them visit us sometime. You will be surprised how many will take you up on this offer.

It really is that simple. The last days are here. We cannot miss an opportunity.

Hope this helps. We have work to do this riding season and that time of year is finally here.

Jesus is coming back soon, so let’s get busy.

Rev. Jim Curley
National Vice President
Azusa StreetRiders