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
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
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
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
Sunday, September 13, 2009
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
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
Friday, September 4, 2009
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
Visit Revival Baptist Church - Scranton, PA
Click here for daily devotions.
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
Visit Revival Baptist Church - Scranton, PA
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?
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