Testimony

I was able to share a little bit with a man of what God does for me each day.  He's having a difficult time making things work in his recent position and is searching for answers, for directio, for peace, and for joy.  I shared my testimony about how God saved me and continued forward from there and told him how almost every day is just like the excitement of a young child on Christmas morning because of the benefits God daily loads me with.  I believe God deeply planted a seed within him.  I will be praying that he will allow me to water and harvest the seed as well.

Pressing on,

Mark Hebert
Ps. 16:11
Praise God!

Lifesavers

Meditating on what God has done, what He has promised to do, and what I desire Him to do caused me to launch into intense, fervent, and hopefully effectual prayer asking Him to glorify His name throuh this local, New Testament church. The body of Christ can not be powerless. As I was praying I began to tell God that He needed to empower His church and began thinking I sounded a bit like a spoiled brat. Wanting to make sure God knew I love Him, I began praising Him. It was axhilirating. The close of my prayer reminded me of an old lifesavers commercial.

A young boy and his dad are sitting on the ground watching the sun set. As the sun goes down and sinks below the horizon the little boy whispers in awe to his dad, "Do it again, Daddy!" Oh, yes! Do it again, Daddy! My Daddy really can, and will do it again.

It brought tears to my eyes.

In The Pit

Heading out to conduct our Sunday evening soul winning course, I began thinking about the possibility of being assigned an area that would put me close to a catholic church where I may preach. I had three young teens going with me. The assignments were being handed out. My turn came around and there was a little discussion of where I would go. The mall or a street. I drew a street - St. Annes: right under the shadow of the catholic base of operation in Scranton. PERFECT! I've been in this situation before with some of the worst results I've ever gotten.

I was excited. God has arranged by His own design the place where I would go and He would work. The very people He has been preparing me to preach to.

The first door we knocked on was closed almost as quickly as it opened. The second never opened, the occupant walked up to the door from outside. He listened to our introduction, but declined to entertain a conversation. The third door was answered by a young man who said he wasn't sure he would go to heaven, but thought that because he is a devout catholic, he would get in. I shared the Gospel with him and he prayed to receive Christ.

The last door was answered by a lady who had been seated by a nice fire place which I spoke to her about. The conversation easily progressed to spiritual questions to which she said she did not know if she would go to heaven, but thought what she had done on earth would get her in. I offered to share the Gospel with her, but she declined stating that she had her own religion and she was very involved. I asked if she went to St. Annes. She said yes and that she was some kind of teacher there. I shared a bit of my testimony with her about wanting to go to church but being unable to figure out why, began asking people why they went. No one was able to give me a satisfying answer. I said, "I don't want this to sound rude, but I'm not sure of a tactful way to ask it. If going to church can't give you assurance of going to heaven, why go?" She said that was a very good question, one she could not answer. I told her God wanted her to be certain that she was going and even says that's why He gave us the Bible. She then asked the teens if they knew how to be certain, to which Christian said, "I do," and told her accepting Jesus Christ was the way. She said, "I suppose that would be good."

I jumped in, gave her the Gospel in brief format, and she said that she would have to think about it. The thing is, she really was thinking about it. In a normally cold, hard, unreceptive community, God is saving souls. I can't wait to go back. Watch God turn that whole area to Him! I serve a big, soul saving God who's hand is not shortened that He can not save.

PRAISE GOD!

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Church...

... the Catholic church I intended to preach at, that is. Its been a longer journey than I thought it should be, but thank God His path always arrives at His destination. Starting out, I was scared to take the first step. Scared may be the wrong word; apprehensive is probably more appropriate. Knocking on my first door with the intent of giving someone the Gospel was a big step for me. As I traveled the path, God has taken me from the first scary step, and trying to force people to accept the salvation so freely offered them through the shed blood of Jesus Christ to training people how to share the Gospel and trusting God to bring the increase rather than do it on my own strength. Now there's another step: open air preaching in front of a catholic church.

Yesterday, before going to the church I planned on preaching at, I had a great desire to follow up on a previous visit I had while working a bus route a few weeks ago. The man I spoke with had been drinking, and was in fact, in the process of drinking when I knocked on the door. Turns out he was visiting a friend who had just stepped out. Inspite of the alcohol, we had a grwat conversation and it was obvious his life so far had left him painfully empty. I didn't get through the entire Gospel with him that day, but he did promise to come out the following day saying, "If your pastor preaches like you just did, I'm going to like your church." I assured him my pastor preached way better than I.

He didn't come, but I prayed about him frequently. So having the time to do so, I went to visit him. I knocked on his door, waited a while, and he answered. He invited me in and after some small talk, we got down to life and death conversations. He was asking great questions while God was unfolding the Gospel to him through me. I looked at my watch to find that I had been there for an hour and was now in a tight spot. I could leave immediately and make it to the church, or continue with Max. I prayed and asking God to forgive me, stayed with Max. He was a right now only opportunity, the church I could go to at any time.

Max prayed and received Jesus Christ as his Saviour. After praying he looked up at me and asked, "What now?" I love it when a new convert asks that question. Its a strong sign that they have been born again, looked around them, realized all things have become new, and are looking for instructions for this new life. I told him the next thing God wants him to do is tell others about what Jesus has done for him. I was leading into baptism with that statement. "Ok," he said, "I can do that. Do I have to try and force them to believe?" I have my next soul winning partner all picked out.

I left Max's after answering some more questions and arranging to pick him up for church, and drove to the catholic church. I couldn't get them going in, but I could get them coming out. Or so I thought. There was no one there. Feeling a little dissapointed, a little like I had disobeyed my God, and a lot joyous over Max's salvation, I went home.

As I thought about the Catholic church this morning, I decided to go before the 8:00am service. As the church is just blocks from my I house, I dressed warm and walked. Once again there was no one there. Just this summer when I drove by there were masses of people arriving for an 8am service, now nothing. I went back at 9:00 and found the same number of people there as the first two times. I'm glad I stayed to finish with Max. It looks like I'll have to find another location for my street preaching. Maybe God has already shut this one down.

The greater the task, the greater my dependency, the greater my faith, the greater my God. I must go do what I can not do.

Week In Review

As I was ending my prayer time with God this morning... That should be restated. As I was ending my set apart prayer time with God this morning, He caused me to think about what He has done by way of answering my prayer to be filled with His Spirit and emboldened to preach the Gospel to every creature. I am typically a coward when it comes to opening my mouth and letting loose. I am a conservative - all the way to my bones, and I have hard time doing things that are outside of socially accepted "norms". It keeps me safe. Safe as in being a friend of the world, at least in pretence. It also keeps me from the ever closer relationship with my God that I desire to have, hence my need to be filled with His Spirit. The only I will overcome myself is by His strength, His power, His love: for perfect love overcometh all fear.

So, this week God answered my prayers on a daily basis. I failed to log (or blog) the occurances, but I had boldness to preach the Gospel on numerous occassions to individuals and sometimes small, eavesdropping groups. In fact God took my apprehension and took it past boldness all the way to excitement. He did so after I opened my mouth and began to preach. I got extremely excited about what God was doing each time it happened. While speaking to whomever my aidience was I would begin to rejoice inside myself, praise God for what He was doing, ask Him to complete His work, and excitedly anticipate His next move; all while speaking. How's that for multi-tasking?

Now God has raised the stakes. He has told me to stand in front of a Catholic church and preach the Gospel to any who would hear. That's happening today. Your prayers for boldness are appreciated. Updates pending...

Testimony

What a great day God has given me! I got a little (a lot, actually) extra sleep. But wait, there's more. Carrying my Bible to work every day resulted today in the opening od a door to speak with an individual on a spiritual level. Although I did not have the opportunity to present the Gospel to him, I believe God has used me to plow some ground there. But wait, there's still more!

A customer walked in the store with whom I was able to begin sharing the Gospel via my testimony. They didn't actually walk in; both the man (Ray) and his wife (Star) were in wheel chairs. I wanted to ask them if raced each other very often, but decided against it. As we began to speak, he shared with me how a work related accident put him in the chair and left him unable to provide for himself and his family.

That reminded me of one of the things God used to bring me to himself; a persistant thought of what I would do, and who I would be able to turn to in the event that I was put in a similar situation as my new friend.

As I went through a list of people I would cross each off due to either an inability to sustain they're support for an indefinet period, or an eventual unwillingness to do so. As I pondered this potential dilema, the thought occurred to me that I could only depend on someone who both loved me enough to support me and my family with no hope of any repayment and posessed unlimited resources. I told Ray that I realized there was only one person with both qualities.

At this point Ray smiled, and with an understanding twinkle in his eye said, "Your wife." "No," I said, "My God." I heard Star whisper an amen from her heart as I continued to explain that only God had unlimited resources, and as for love; well only He died for me even while I hated Him. That opened up a whole new conversation and I was able to ask them whether they knew for certain they would go to Heaven if they were to die today. Niether did, and niether knew how to be certain.

I began to share the Gospel with Star as Ray started to attend to the business he had come in for, and unfortunately Ray was ready to go before I was finished. I gave both of them a Gospel tract and regretably said good-bye. Now I wish I had made an appointment to visit with them after work.

A Man Greatly Beloved

A Man Greatly Beloved - (Daniel 10:11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling. - recorded in CadreBible 11/24/09 1:25 PM) Was this a statement that could be made of Daniel only?  Am I not also greatly beloved?  Did not Jesus die for me?  How can I consider that I am any less beloved of God than Daniel was?  What indications are there that Daniel was greatly beloved?  He appeared fairer and fatter in flesh, he was given a determination to not defile himself with the kings meat, he was wiser than all the wise men in the kingdom, he was given the ability to interpret dreams - the method by which God had chosen to communicate to man, he was saved from the mouth of the lions, he was saved from deathe when Darius took the kingdom, he was promoted to high honorouble positions in two kingdoms, and now mysteries would be made known to him.  So what is a greater indication of being a man greatly beloved: all these and more being bestowed on a man or the sacrifice of one's only begotten Son?

God asks this question through the hand of Paul, the apostle, "He who withheld not His only begotten Son, but delivered Him up for us all; how shall He not with Him also give us all things?"  Praise God!  I am a man GREATLY BELOVED!  How about you?

Sought Out

Yesterday a man I was working with was in need. I didn't know it immediately, in fact I didn't realize until he told me. The nature of my job prevents me from working with the same people very often. I travel three states and help franchisees improve their results at each of their store locations. My visit to this store during this man's need was simply the sovereignty of God.

Early in my visit he asked me what I was doing for lunch. I didn't think anything of it as I was simply planning to eat in the store's break room Andre had brought some sandwich supplies. I told him I was going to lunch and when I got to the break room after picking up my lunch, he was there making his sandwich.

I still didn't figure it out. We began talking and out of nowhere he tells me that his live in girlfriend of 5 years just left him. They had just bought a house together when he found out she was cheating on him. I was shocked that this would be yet another broken heart opportunity to tell someone of the love and faithfulness of God in just a few days.

I was able to give him the Gospel. He did not pray to receive Christ at that time as we were interrupted, but I am confident that he will. So many times we have the opportunity to satisfy a person's need with the Gospel and give them something else. Worldly wisdom, our opinion, or enticing experience are all safe and somewhat well intentioned, but they don't fill the need or nourish the soul.

After we spoke he told me that he was hoping I would visit their store so that he could have that conversation with me. He could have and probably had gotten worldly wisdom, opinions, and experience from anyone. He wanted to speak to me because he new I am a Christian and wanted to now what God says. How empty and disappointed he would have been if I had choose to "play it safe".

Thank God for His opportunities, wisdom, and grace.

Ps. 16:11 PRAISE GOD!!!
RU in His presence?

Mark Hebert, Youth Director
Revival Baptist Church, Scranton Pa
570-963-9440 Church
570-687-1984 mobile
www.scrantonREVIVALbaptist.org
www.todiedaily.blogspot.com
www.praiseGoddaily.com

Its Amazing How God Speaks

I was reading an article about some Nascar drivers stopping by a VA Hospital. One of the drivers (18 years old) said he was surprised to learn that many of the veterans were just a few years older than him.

That got me thinking about what I would have thought if I were in his shoes at that moment. Eighteen years old and my contribution to my country is what? My contribution to anyone is what? And these men and women, at my age and a little older have contributed so much.

God said, "your contribution to the kingdom of heaven is what?" Like the driver who I imagine is largely focusing on his dream of personal satisfaction, so too is my focus more on me than God.

Isn't it amazing how God gets our attention?

How will His message change my life? I guess we'll both just have hide and watch.

Ps. 16:11 PRAISE GOD!!!
RU in His presence?

Mark Hebert, Youth Director
Revival Baptist Church, Scranton Pa
570-963-9440 Church
570-687-1984 mobile
www.scrantonREVIVALbaptist.org
www.todiedaily.blogspot.com
www.praiseGoddaily.com

Some Plow

Heading back from vacation has been a real adventure. We got out of the driveway of the house we rented and the started having vehicle problems. Fifteen miles down the road and I decided it would be better if I chose the spot we stopped for repairs rather than risking being stranded somewhere I don't really want to be.

We found a Ford dealership and dropped the car off. As we hadn't eaten breakfast yet, I inquired at the desk as to where we may get some food. There was nothing within walking distance. Thankfully, God put a man in our path who was getting his truck returned after a failed attempt at repairing it and he offered to give us a ride to a restaurant. Of course, we cheerfully accepted.

He and got into his rental car which he needed to drop off and began talking while waiting for my wife and daughter to join us (women!). I noticed the car seats in and asked him if he had kids. "Yes," he said, "my wife just left us.". Wow! My heart ached for him.

The restaurant was closed, affording us more time to talk. He had a dump trick business which was all but out of business due to the economy. His truck is not working properly and they can't figure out why, and his wife just left him. This man had reason to be depressed, and he certainly had a heavy heart. God was going to great lengths to get his attention.

I thought he would be ready to hear the Gospel. He shut me down as soon as I began to share it with him. Go figure. I was plowing. Its amazing the grief man chooses to endure on earth in an effort to hide from God.
Ps. 16:11 PRAISE GOD!!!
RU in His presence?

Mark Hebert, Youth Director
Revival Baptist Church, Scranton Pa
570-963-9440 Church
570-687-1984 mobile
www.scrantonREVIVALbaptist.org
www.todiedaily.blogspot.com
www.praiseGoddaily.com

I have been under conviction for some time to preach in the streets. A few weeks ago I told God that if He gave me a message, I'd preach it. Immediately He gave me a message. The following Saturday I went on my regular soul winning appointment with my regular partner. The week before we had gone to the city courthouse and saw five people accept Christ. Sorry, I've been bogged down lately and haven't been posting updates regularly. Okay, I haven't been posting them at all.

This week I decided we would go to an outdoor mall where teens typically hang out and try some outdoor preaching there. I was able to give the Gospel to a small group, but saw no results and never really got comfortable with where we were. Somehow I felt like I was being disobediant. We left and went back to the courthouse, parking a few blocks away. As we walked toward the courthouse square, rounding a corner we saw a small group of people gathered and a man speaking to them with the aide of a microphone and speakers. I immediately know God had put that there for me. I was now on the spot.

We walked up to the group, a chatty young lady there began to inform me of what was happening. Turns out I had walked up on an outdoor Town Hall Meeting. The person speaking finished, the host took over and announced that in a little while he was going to allow anyone who had something to say to come up to the podium and speak their peace. I told Eric, my partner to start praying as I began attempting to remember the message God had given me earlier. I was doing quite well with that effort when, just before he opened the microphone up, he announced the "rules of engagement". They were really simple. Only two: no profanity, and keep your speach to two minutes or less.

Now I had planned on at least 10 minutes, probably more like 15, which would have stretched into half an hour. Those plans and the message just got scrapped. Having now no idea what I was going to say, I was the second person to speak. I took the microphone and remembering some testimonies I had read from street preachers, opened my mouth and began speaking. The testimonies were that the first word was very difficult, the rest just flowed out.

Here's the message via YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHDWdtYx2iM



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Click here for daily devotions.

Fwd: Fw: Updated Flyer

Below is a response I sent to my sister regarding the drive to remove our children from public schools during the President's speech and subsequent propagandizing of them by public educators on the eighth of this month. 

 

I respectfully ask the same of you as I did her.

 

Thank you so much.

---

From: "Mark Hebert"
Date: Fri, 4 Sep 2009 14:37:26 +0000
To:
Subject: Re: Updated Flyer

Michelle,

I love you.

School districts are beginning to cancel their involvement in this presentation all together. PRAISE GOD! However, THE DANGER IS STILL PRESENT. The Obama administration is determined to use the school system as a tool to bring about their fundamental change in America. We must be sober, be vigilant. All these things are merely symptoms of the disease that has been overtaking our nation for centuries. The disease is our rejection of God. That disease must be irradicated and will only be done as we publicly proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We have seen the sudden impact that can be made in a government that is as corrupt as ours when people unite. Christ said He will build His church and the gates of hell will not prevail against us. Those gates have been established in Washington. We must storm those gates. We know that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. There is no denying that our government is a satanic stronghold. We may win a battle or two as a carnal nation, but the disease, like sepsis will eventually overcome us. We must get God back in this country, and the only way we can accomplish that is to preach the Gospel and see the citizens of this country accept God in their hearts.

Please pray for me: "that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the Gospel." Eph 6:19. If a man like Paul needs that prayer, so much the more do I. I covet your prayers, and those of all Christians everywhere in this matter. I know my duty and calling. I know my wickedness and weakness. I know that for me to fulfill God's call in my life will require a great measure of His grace. I MUST HAVE YOUR PRAYERS AND THE PRAYERS OF ALL WHO WOULD WILLINGLY DO SO.

Thank you

Ps. 16:11 PRAISE GOD!!!
RU in His presence?

Mark Hebert, Youth Director
Revival Baptist Church, Scranton Pa
570-963-9440 Church
570-687-1984 mobile
www.scrantonREVIVALbaptist.org
www.todiedaily.blogspot.com
www.praiseGoddaily.com

---

From:
Date: Fri, 4 Sep 2009 09:06:55 -0500
To: Mark Hebert<lvn2srvchrist@gmail.com>
Subject: RE: Updated Flyer

Congratulations!!!  I had not heard that it had been cancelled!  I had heard that the contents of the speech would be made available to read before the speech was given.  Praise the LORD!!!!

Michelle 


 

---

Date: Thu, 3 Sep 2009 22:12:38 -0400
Subject: Updated Flyer
From: lvn2srvchrist@gmail.com
To:

Recent developments demanded a slight change.

--
Pressing on,

Mark Hebert
Christian, Husband, Father, Son, Youth Pastor, Consultant

Ps. 16:11
Praise God!

R U in His presence?

---

With Windows Live, you can organize, edit, and share your photos. Click here.

--
Pressing on,

Mark Hebert
Christian, Husband, Father, Son, Youth Pastor, Consultant

Ps. 16:11
Praise God!

R U in His presence?

Changed of Heart

While taking the kids candy selling this Sunday we met a group of young men, the leader of the three pierced all over, long hair, and appeared to be high on something. When Sam asked him if he would buy a candy bar he said "No, and especially not to support a church." I asked him about his anger to God and he explained that God had given his mom cancer twice. I had an open door to explain to him that God loved him and has prepared a place for him and his mom where there was no pain, sadness, suffering, or death, and that these things were in the earth because we are sinners and death comes from sin. He listened and eventually began to walk away before I could finish. Before leaving he shook my hand and thanked me for helping him change his mind. When Sam approached a fourth man who had later joined them, the first bought candy from him and said it was because I was nice to him. Praise God for changing his hardened heart! What a blessing it was to be used to do it! I didn't get the young man's name or any other information. I would love another opportunity to speak with him and am praying that God would make it happen.

Visit Revival Baptist Church - Scranton, PA

Click here for daily devotions.

Harvest Time

God has given a great weekend! Bus visitation / soul winning was excellent with many open doors to give the Gospel. He has sent people to the area we are now working in to till the ground and plant the seed, and He has sent us to water the crop and reap the harvest. I have encountered many "gang-banger" young men who upon our initial meeting appear angry and threatening, only to have God soften their hearts immediately upon introducing myself to them. Professed alcoholics and drug addicts listen with interest as I present the Gospel, and indeed whole houses have been saved. It seems that every time I go, there is more progress. This field is white unto harvest and thank God that he has sent us into it! This is an apartment community that has a high rate of crime; enough so that the police department has an office in it. The windows and doors of which are barred.

Praise God for the young lady who was saved just a couple of weeks ago and has told several people in the area of her testimony and what Christ has done for her. Several people have told me of her witness when I introduce myself and tell them where I'm from and Who I'm representing. Praise God for her niece whom she brought to church on Sunday because she was so burdened for her to be freed from the oppression she was under and whom also was saved and baptized that same day.

Visit Revival Baptist Church - Scranton, PA

Click here for daily devotions.

Bonfire Blessings

The Killing Kings youth activity bonfire was great. Its actually not over yet, but kids came forward and burned pants (girls), music, written notes depicting internal sins, and other ungodly material. The kids bonded, and really paid attention to the Bible study, "Killing Kings". God kept it short and to the point. One of the new boys needed assurance of salvation, and Pastor said he broke onto tears as he spoke. Thank God for working in the lives of these young people!

Ps 16:11
RU in His presence?

Bro. Mark
www.todiedaily.blogspot.com
www.praisegoddaily.blogspot.com

More Encouragement

God gives me one blessing after another. Brian called tonight and is working on a sermon for little kid's chapel tomorrow. He asked about a couple of verses talking about what God promises and the riches we have in Him. He then offered to preach his message tomorrow night at the youth activity. I laughed and reminded him that I have a message for the night. He said, "I know. I'm looking forward to hearing it. I know I've already heard most of it, but I'm looking forward to hearing more." Isn't God amazing? This is a teenage boy who is at the age of "I know everything," and, "My parents are so out of it," and he's saying he liked the counsel I gave him a few weeks ago on the subject I'm preaching on, and is looking forward to hearing more. WOW! Praise God! He's giving my son wisdom.

Visit Revival Baptist Church - Scranton, PA

Click here for daily devotions.

Open Doors

God gave me an open door this afternoon and thrust me through it. Shawn, an associate I had lead to the Lord a year ago knocked on the window of he office I was working in and asked me to come out and answer a question. I went and he asked what happens when we die, then explained that he had been talking to the other two associates and telling them about a show he had seen on one of the religious channels he was watching Sunday.

I was encouraged that he was seeking some spiritual food even if he wasn't looking in the best places, and proceeded to answer his questions. He continued asking questions and I understood that he was setting up a detailed explanation of the Gospel for his co-workers.

It was amazing and through his questions I was able to give them half of the Gospel; ending with them hanging over the lake of fire. Stopped talking and they continued liking at me as if to say, "Help me out of here." I said, "it would be unkind of me to leave you here, so with your permission I'll tell you the really great news," and finished the Gospel presentation. Neither of them prayed, but I am learning to wait on the Lord.

Afterwards I asked Shawn how the conversation and topic came about. He thought about it for a while and finally said, "I don't know. I really don't know. It just happened." Is that a God directed conversation or what?

Ps 16:11
RU in His presence?

Bro. Mark
www.todiedaily.blogspot.com
www.praisegoddaily.blogspot.com

Hope Lives

I was at a meeting last week with about 2,000 other folks who work for the same company I do. While traveling to the meeting I prayed that God would give me a room mate with whom I would have the opportunity to share the Gospel. My room mate was a man with whom I've been acquainted with for several years, but only see occasionally. He has very recently begun treatment for his second bout with lung cancer and is in very poor physical health. God did open a door for me to witness to him. I didn't know what to make of his reaction, but thought for the most part he had politely listened with no regard for what I shared with him.

Today I got an email from him that said rather pointedly that he wants to speak with me about "the Gift you told me about. I have been thinking about it since our meeting."  How cool is that?!  God is awesome!!!
Pressing on,

Mark Hebert
Christian, Husband, Father, Consultant
570-687-1984 mobile

Awesome God

God is awesome! He loves me. He hears my prayers. He answers my prayers. He promises me victory and always causes me to triumph in Christ (2Cor 2:14). He has made me more than a conqueror (Rom. 8:37), and not only will He never leave me nor forsake me (Heb. 13:5), but He has promised that He will never lose me either (Jn. 10:27-29). I was just praying in great concern that God would keep me from straying after my own lusts and depart from His presence and He reassured me that He would keep me close by Him. Oh God, give me a heart never to leave Thee!! God is AWESOME!!

Brian called a little while ago and said the new family of converts got on the van and while he drove them to services tonight talked excitedly about their new Bible and how they've been reading it and talking to others about coming to church. WOW! My God is AWESOME! Do you know my God? Do you know His power! Have you experienced His joy? Are you experiencing it now? Oh God, give me a heart that compels me to tell the world of Your incredible love and the great peace and abundant joy You greatly desire to give them!

Visit Revival Baptist Church - Scranton, PA

Click here for daily devotions.

God Loves ME!!!

It's been a while since I've had a post to my Bible study side of the journal. How refreshing it is to hear God! I've allowed myself to get so busy that I did not focus in on reading the Bible. Oh, my soul! I even reached the point where I said, "Behold, what a weariness is it" (Mal . 1:13). Praise God He constantly, lovingly, encouraged and reminded me of the joy that is before Him and the blessings that are at His right hand! Thank God my spirit did not agree with my soul. PRAISE GOD, OH MY SOUL!! He saved me even before I knew Him. He loved me even while I hated Him! He did not withhold His only begotten Son, but delivered Him up for me, and has since and is now freely giving me all things!! (Rom. 8:32)

"What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought, since Jesus came into my heart..."

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Click here for daily devotions.

New Births & Smote Lions

This morning was excellent. Sharitzi and her family came out. Luis, another of her sons was in my Sunday School class and he listened pretty intently. I was able to give them a good does of the Gospel, but it was merely the foundation. After services I asked Sharitzi if she would come to be baptized and she did. As she came Luis followed and said he wanted to be baptised. I gave him the Gospel, he prayed received Jesus as his Saviour and was baptised. This boy got fired up! He literally came to life. Questions began to flow from him along with great joy. He hugged before leaving, and his appreciation was genuine, as I believe his salvation is. Sharitzi, his mom told me that after I left Saturday she went in and read her Bible. Yes, sir! That's what salvation looks like! Praise God for another outstanding weekend.

This evening one of our members became upset. He was overtaken by the spirit of jealousy and stormed out of the services. I mean he stormed out. God has really been working in his life and he has been a blessing to me and many others. I went after him, spoke with him, shared some scripture with him, and by God's grace restored him. We went back into the services and Pastor was giving the invitation. As I sat there thanking God for His grace, He reminded of the scripture when David confessed to Saul that Goliath was no match for him because God would fight for him. He then said that he killed a lion and a bear who had taken one of the sheep. God smote the lion who was trying to take one the sheep last night and let me take part in it. Praise God! What a blessing!!

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Saturday Surprise

Soul winning / bus ministry was great! Jesse and I knocked on several doors trying to revisit some previous contacts and converts with no success. While walking by a young black man and his friend who both looked pretty rough, I introduced myself and began talking to him. Maxwell is his name. He initially wanted nothing to do with me, but did accept a tract and went off a little distance and read it. Meanwhile, back at the door Dino, one of last weeks visitors and converts came outside followed quickly by his mom. She was very interested in how she could be certain she could go to heaven, and I was very happy to show her. After about 20 minutes interrupted for a while by Santos (Maxwell's friend) she prayed to receive Christ. Santos is a professed alcoholic who really is not interested in anything religious, but as God would have it, his questions were great lead ins for the next point in my Gospel presentation. Dino believes he has about 11 visitors for tomorrow including his mom, Maxwell, and yup, even Santos. Maxwell, by the way told Santos he ought to read the tract. He said, "Its interesting, and funny." That would be great!

As we walked around we ran into Maxwell and Dino once again. They were talking to Maxwell's grandmother. She is saved, but backsliden, and looking for a church. As we spoke I discovered that she was the one in who's home Pastor and Dr. Ware conducted their pre-church fellowships in. How about that? God brought me to meet the lady who He used to help start Revival Baptist Church and I pray that she will return. What a blessing, and all because I "reached out to the leper."

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Update

It would seem I was hasty in my excitement and confidence in our operation not to make mistakes. In 15 years I've not seen this. Nevertheless there was an error in payroll and a deposit will be withdrawn. Unaware of this I attempted to get to a branch office to withdraw the money I needed to give. I arrived at the first one at 4:30. They were closed. The second was supposed to be open until 5:00 but I never fond it. Near as I can figure, my GPS had incorrect information. I could not understand why God would prevent me from successfully withdrawing the money He wanted me to give. Moments later I got an email explaining the error. Had I taken the money out, I would bounced a lot of checks. God is good!

Tremendous Supply

WOW! I woke up this morning, checked my email messages and find that I have a huge deposit in my checking account. I was expecting a bonus, but nothing like this. The amount that was deposited was actually just short of three times what I had anticipated. At the beginning of the year God challenged me to prove Him with my giving. During our missions conference I promised to give almost twice as much as I had previously. It was an amount that I could not afford to give, literally. I had to depend on revenue streams outside of the normal paychecks and although there was plenty of cause for apprehension, I was rather excited about the thing knowing that God WOULD do something and my dependence on Him would increase. In addition to that, he has led me to give an additional amount to a specific ministry in our church.

Through the last several months, people have given me money in small amounts with no prompting from me. Men have walked up and simply handed me money. There's no reason for it. "Just because I appreciate what you do," or "I thought you could use this." What a blessing. I thank them of course, but I praise God for the words they speak when they give it me is as if God himself is saying it!

While praying on Saturday with our men's group, God revealed a need in someones life to me and directed me to give a specific amount of money to that individual. I immediately said yes. It was a very large amount and I don't have it. In order to get it, I planned on selling some things I could easily turn into cash. Plans set, my mind set, the sale would take place in a couple of weeks. This morning I woke up and God has already placed that amount and twice that in my bank account. In other words, It works like this: I was expecting an amount of money to be deposited in my account as a bonus from my job. It would barely cover what I was told to give, and purchase a gift for my wife. God put that in my account, the amount He wants me to give, and just for good measure, that amount again. How's your giving?

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Late Night - Early Start

I was awake most of the night last night full of the joy and praises of God. Incredible! Another day of blessings from nowhere but the presence of God. I love serving Him! I woke this morning at 4:45 and knew I wouldn't get back to sleep and if I did I would miss something that God wanted to give me, so here I am writing an early morning praise to my God and Saviour! Oh Lord God in Heaven cause me to want to tell the world how they too can know you!!

That reminds me: I became aware the other day of my increasing desire to share the Gospel not just out of obligation or duty, but out of a great joy that I want to share with others. God is answering my prayers!!!

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