It Happened Again!

I know, I know.  It's hard to believe, but God really did initiate another spiritual conversation.  I would say it was a gospel presentation, but it really wasn't complete.  It was certainly the nurturing of a seed.  I really didn't expect it to happen again today as my meetings were only going to last for half a day and there was no food scheduled.  Immediately after the meeting we loaded up on a bus and headed to the airport.  Nothing ever happens at the airport, including my flights.

I checked in to my flight, which wasn't scheduled to leave for a couple of hours and the kiosk asked me if I wanted to upgrade to first class.  Of course I did, but there is this little issue of money.  The upgrade price was $0.00.  Ahh well, I guess I could do it at that price.  Wow!  What a week.

I went through security with several other Aaron's associates traveling with me and because I was flying first class did not have the hassle of declining to go through the naked body scanner.  It seems first class passengers just have to go through the regular security.  Why do I ever doubt God?

After eating lunch, Brian (an Aaron's associate with whom I will be working from time to time and was on the same flight as I) and I headed over to the gate.  Once there he abruptly asked me if I was indeed working as a minister.  I was amazed!  He knew very little about me, and what he did know was that I had some involvement in the ministry.  Pretty cool how God lays that groundwork. 

I answered him affirmatively and he said he was very interested in speaking with me about that over an extended period of time as he has had several experiences including an elongated fight with depression that is causing him to seek truth.  Brian and I talked for about half an hour before it was time to board the plane.  He shared things with me that he said he has shared with only a couple of people.  I was able to share with him some of my testimony.

HOW ABOUT THAT?!  What can I say other than praise God!  Which is exactly what I did in my first class seat for several minutes after I sat down.  What a wonderful God I serve.  What joy there is in His presence!  Do you have that joy?

Pressing on,

Mark Hebert
Psalm 16:11 - R U in His presence?

Daily Testifying

This has been the best set of business meetings I have ever had.  Generally I get some opportunity to give a testimony of God's love, grace, and mercy in my life but miss it either through fear or just plain lack of hearing the Holy Spirit's leading.  This week I have been given the incredible opportunity of witnessing every single day to people.

Monday I got in line at the airport for a cab to my hotel.  No sooner did I get in line than a man walked up to me and announced he would ride with me.  I was, of course taken back by his approach and, at a loss for words asked him where he was going.  "The same place you are," he said.  Okay, that's a little creepy.  I had my Aaron's shirt on though, and since I was going to a somewhat sizeable meeting I figured he was affiliated with Aaron's.  Shortly after my deduction he introduced himself as indeed being from Aaron's and where his store was. 

We shared a cab ride in.  I was hungry and it was late.  Everyone I knew had already eaten, and not wanting to eat alone I asked John if he wanted to join me.  We agreed to meet back in the lobby after settling into our respective rooms.  Just prior to discussing where we would eat, I asked John where he was from.  When he told me Texas, I knew we were bound to get along.  I heard about a Tex-Mex restaurant in the hotel and knowing John had been living in Oregon for several years suggested we try eating there.  Turns out the lack of good food in Oregon is as prevalent a problem in there as it is in Pennsylvania.  Just before eating I prayed and that gave me great opportunity to witness to him as he remarked on my values..

Tuesday night I was eating dinner with a table full of people and again prayed and gave thanks to God for my food.  When I prayed I asked Him to give me the opportunity to share with someone how good He has been to me.  Within five minutes of that prayer a man with whom I used to work asked me if I was still giving "religious talks"!  I thanked God with great enthusiasm and launched into a joyful account of how good God has been.

Tonight as I thanked God for the food I was about to eat in the midst of some slightly intoxicated coworkers, I thanked God for the great time I had so far.  As the night wore on the conversation turned from a business focus to general economic discussions.  I shared my view of the situation slowly building to the conspiracy of the wealthy elite while presenting the evidence in a logically compelling manner.  At one point the individual I was addressing said that he should probably start buying some gold.  That's when I knew he got it. 

He suggested that the world would probably be a better place if we were all under one system of government.  He prefaced that statement by saying, "this is going to sound way out there, but"  I told him it wasn't way out there at all.  It is socialistic and exactly the way the elite want us to think.  From there I was able to lead him to the Bible and the fact that just before the end of the world there will be a one world system of government with a one world economy. 

The conversation turned to a purely religious one from there through which I was able to tell him of relationship God has made possible to us with Him and the joy that comes with it.  He then told me his wife had been suggesting they go to church.

Isn't it wonderful how God works?  All the time I had great liberty, peace, and boldness.  I spoke with authority that I had not previously had.

Pressing on,

Mark Hebert
Psalm 16:11 - R U in His presence?

Want Someone to Leave You Alone?

At breakfast this morning there were a couple of people that thought they should talk to me while I tried to get some work done.  I didn't know either of them, and I really needed to get some of the work I had in front of me completed. 

The first person, an older man wanted to talk to me about Aaron's.  I wish I had thought about turning the conversation to a more beneficial one by something like, "The job with the best pay and benefits is my job at RBCS," but I didn't.  The man was annoying me slightly and I asked God to allow me to get past my desire to accomplish something of my work, and show me an open door to witness to him.  It didn't happen.

The second was a lady who works for the hotel keeping the breakfast area stocked and clean.  She talks to everyone about anything for long periods of time.  I wanted someone to witness to, and she seemed as good as any, so I made a comment about a 9/11 survivor who was being I interviewed on the TV not appearing to have any physical scars (she was burned over 90 percent of her body).  I didn't know where the conversation would go, but her response was to say the event was a tragedy.  Then she went on to talk about a shooting that had taken place this morning in a resteraunt and how you never know when your time is up.

Well, that was all I needed to begin speaking to her about eternity.  As I steered the conversation to things of eternity, including judgment, she jumped out of it.  That's right, I found out how to get miss, "I'll talk to anyone about anything" to quit talking.  To bad that wasn't my purpose.

Pressing on,

Mark Hebert
Psalm 16:11 - R U in His presence?

Unexplained Joy

I can't explain why I feel such joy and satisfaction in life.  I want to be able to pinpoint exactly what God has done through the day, but I am at a loss.  I can say that He has kept my mind much more closely stayed on Him than I have previously experienced.  It is somewhat like walking in a dream, only having more focus.

My fear in not being able to explain it is that I won't be able to repeat it.  I know times of temptation and trials will be coming.  How will I handle those times, should they come upon me as they did Job, when it feels like God is against me, rather than for me?  Even as I try to imagine it, I am filled with confidence that God will carry me through it and I will still have comfort.   Job did not have the Holy Spirit of God living inside him.  He could say, "I know my Redeemer liveth," but he could not say, "I know that my redeemer liveth in me, and I in Him."

Then there is the command that Jesus gave us to not worry about tomorrow because the evil of the day is sufficient for the day. He won't let me worry about it.  He has kept me from temptation through the day.  Not that no temptation came, but when it did, He reminded me of my goals and called me to Himself.  I was tempted to watch TV, but God reminded me that I want to be prepared to be used to reach the teens Friday.  He reminded me that I want to get Bible clubs going in the low income housing.  He reminded me that I want to have a much better understanding of His doctrine, that I want to be a true disciple, exercised in the discipline of His ways.  As He gave me the grace to press toward the mark, He has flooded my soul with great joy.

Perhaps that explains this tremendous joy I have felt for an extended period.

Pressing on,

Mark Hebert
Psalm 16:11 - R U in His presence?

Still 100%

We hosted a barbeque at my house yesterday.  Normally, we go to a park and have a cookout with a few friends on Labor Day, but since the forecast was for rain on account of another hurricane hitting our coast and folks backing out of going to the park, Nancy and I decided to have it at our house.  We began inviting people over, and by the time we had stopped to count the number of guests we were expecting, we were over booked.  Thirty people was well over the number we can hold.  I love a challenge!  Sunday night the calls were coming in: "The forecast is for rain all day tomorrow, are we still having the party?"  "Yes," I said, "I know God is pleased with this plan because I can feel Him smile inside my heart.  Therefore, I know His blessing will be in this gathering."  I had no doubt that God wanted us to go forward with the Labor Day barbeque.  

Monday morning brought the rain.  It was really nothing more than just a drizzle with short spells of steady rain, and moments of nothing.  I prayed and asked God to hold off the rain as He has done so many times before.  As I thought about it, I realized that God had answered my prayers about this particular thing 100% of the time in the past.  I told Him He had a perfect track record so far, and asked Him to keep it that way.  He did.  God proved once again that the weatherman has no idea what God can do, and He is more powerful than any weather patterns, including hurricanes.  God owns the weather, all of it.

There was much more that came of this little barbeque we had planned for.  One of the individuals who came used to think I didn't like him.  He is struggling with some things that are really dragging him down , and for some reason God has been comforting him, and calling him through me.  Its amazing and exciting.  Another is that our neighbors also came over.  It was a last minute invitation, but they loaned us the use of a couple much needed tables and some chairs (God provided once again), and Nancy invited them over.  We have always been cordial with each other, but there was never an open door to witness to them.  I had tried on several occasions,  but they turned cold when I brought the subject up.  God has used this this event to strengthen the relationship between us.  I believe the opportunity to share the Gospel with them will be forthcoming.

On a side note, we had a great time playing volleyball.  My team won every game.  Some think that's not true, but I have the unique position of being able to claim each guest as being on my team, and there were no losers yesterday.  

Praise God!

 

Bro. Mark


Youth Director, Children's Church Director
The Revival Baptist Church of Scranton, PA

Building Lives on Solid Foundations

2020 N. Main Ave

Scranton, PA  18509

570.963.9449

www.ScrantonRevivalBaptist.org

Mhebert@ScrantonRevivalBaptist.org

Ps. 16:11
Thou wilt show me the path of life;
In Thy presence is fullness of joy,
At Thy right hand are pleasures forevermore.

R.U. in His presence?

Mark Hebert,
Christian
Psalm 16:11
"Thou wilt show me the path of life,
In Thy presence is fullness of joy,
At Thy right hand are pleasures for evermore."

R.U. In His presence?

-- Sent from my HP TouchPad

Discipline Needed

All right.  Prayer time went well this morning.  As I prayed, and God impressed on my heart some specific individuals to pray for, I felt His presence.  My Bible reading time did not go so well.  I was distracted through almost all of it with my own thoughts.  I allowed myself to get carried away with distractions that I actually caused.  I got a slide presentation of videos going on my Touchpad and paid attention to the great memories that those shots represent.  That's all it took to loose the discipline.  God, make me a true DISCIPLE with all that entails: all that it means giving up, and all that it means gaining. Amen!

Pressing on,

Mark Hebert
Psalm 16:11 - R U in His presence?

A Prayer...

I don't often write my prayers out as I pray them, but this one I did.  It may not make sense initially, and may seem like so much gibberish to many who read it, but for what it's worth, here it is as it flowed out of my heart to God.
--------------------------------------------------

Lord God, my Father in heaven; Thou hast given me much joy throughout the week, and started this week off in grand fashion.  Thou alone art worthy of all praise, and all glory, and all honor. As wonderful as the last seven days have been, Lord, I am so tempted to crawl away and sink into a negative attitude of disbelief.  I think it is laziness, Lord.  Whatever it is Oh my Father, please give me victory over it, and, Lord, I am willing - even desirous to share this with the church tonight: especially because as I presented this problem to Thee, Thou didst flood my soul with assurance and joy! 

Thank You, Lord! How I want to live in Thy immediate presence, drawing ever closer to Thee! Make my life as Enoch's was oh Lord, my God: walking with Thee ever closer until he was not, for Thou didst take him.

Pressing on,

Mark Hebert
Psalm 16:11 - R U in His presence?

Visiting With God

I slacked on the entry for yesterday.  It's the last day of the week and it was capped off in grand style.  I had one of my teen boys out with me while I did some visits.  It was one of those times that, while visiting I had great liberty while we were out to stop and talk with folks that we walked or drove by. 

One man listened intently, and asked questions, but in the end he would not ask Jesus to save him.  He, like so many people, was not ready to give up something in his life. Later we drove by a home where a young man and a lady were outside talking, and I felt pressed to stop and speak with them. By the time I got there, the lady had left, but who I thought was the husband was still there.  It turns out he was a teenager boy.  In my defense I saw only a quick glimpse of the pair, and that was from a distance. I had a great conversation with him, and he did pray and ask Jesus to save him.

The teenage member of my youth group wasn't the only One who was with me.  PRAISE GOD!  HE IS AWESOME!!!!

Pressing on,

Mark Hebert
Psalm 16:11 - R U in His presence?

Kick Off!

Today has gone wonderfully. I had a great time teaching the Sunday School lesson, and although the hurricane had people scared to come out (it was really just a low grade rain shower with a little wind) the kids who did make it were very attentive and participated well. Then, we went upstairs for the message.  That's when things really got good!

There was a noticeable point when God turned the heat up on the message and really took it a different direction.  It was fantastic how God spoke to me in the message, then arranged events inside the church to bring Pastor to focus the message on paying attention to God, and intentionally give up those things that distract us from Him.  It was great, and timely!  Praise God!

Pressing on,

Mark Hebert
Psalm 16:11 - R U in His presence?

Seeking More

Okay, the week is almost over and I had MORE blessings!  Pastor and his wife hosted a teen bonfire at their house and one of our men delivered the message.  It was an awesome night of games, preaching, singing, and fellowship.  Several of the teens sought spiritual council and many made decisions to burn son.e bridges to sin that they don't want to cross anymore.  Pastor and Kathy are a couple of the most gracious hosts I have ever had the pleasure of being blessed by.  GOD has given me all this, yet I want more of Him, and He has promised to give it, "If thou canst believe; all things are possible to him that believeth."  Lord, I believe!  Help Thou mine unbelief!

GOD IS AWESOME!

Oh Lord God; our most gracious Father in heaven, thank You for the work You have done and blessings You have given through this week.  Thank You, Lord for the visitors that You brought to tonight's activities, the message, the fellowship, and the decisions that were made tonight.  Please cause them to stick and replace those things the kids have given up with Thy presence.  Please be with them in power as they seek to serve You and draw closer to You.  Bless them, dear Lord, and encourage them that they might not stray from Thy path.

Pressing on,

Mark Hebert
Psalm 16:11 - R U in His presence?

It Just Keeps Getting Better

WOW! Have I had a fantastic week!  I know its not over yet, but thus far God's blessings have been every where!

• My wife and daughter got to travel with me for a while, and it was a great blessing having them near when I got off work, and when I went to work.  I miss them already.
• I was able to visit a friend (and his wife) I met just a few months ago at a youth camp and spend some time with one of the boys he had brought with him, and was treated to great hospitality from them.
  
• God has given me some wonderful time in meditation of His word both through my morning reading and while meditating while driving.
  
• I have been able to be productive at work and get better at multi-tasking without losing focus.
  
• My relationships with those with whom I work is strengthening, and they really appreciate the time I spend with them, even though I don't always have compliments to give them.
  
• My attitude when faced with adversity, especially from people, has been positive rather than confrontational.
• My relationship with my wife and daughter has been strengthening.
  
• My relationship with my Saviour, and my God has been growing much sweeter and lasting much longer recently than I have had the pleasure of experiencing before.
  

Yes, God is GREAT!  

  

Mark Hebert,
Christian
Psalm 16:11
"Thou wilt show me the path of life,
In Thy presence is fullness of joy,
At Thy right hand are pleasures for evermore."

R.U. In His presence?

Multiple Blessings

WOW!  What a fantastic day!  Bible meditation time was great.  Prayer time was ok, but only because of the lack of time I put into it.  I had a hard time leaving my wife's side this morning.  Early in the day God reminded me that I have a friend in a town just an hour away from where we were staying, so I called him up, made sure he was going to be there for their church services, and made plans to meet him and his family, and then go to dinner.  He called me back shortly afterwards and asked if it would be alright if his wife cooked dinner for us.  What a gracious offer!

I was looking forward to the night with great anticipation all day, and was not disappointed.  The message was great, and the fellowship was even better.  I was given a tour of the church building they had acquired just four years ago at a fraction of the value of the building, and a history lesson on the remarkable things God gas done to give them the building and make the necessary improvements to it.  What a treat!

Then came dinner.  The food was really good, but I had to stop after my second helping for fear of being a pig.  The fellowship during and after dinner was, of course the best part.  Nathan and his wife Leslie were wonderful hosts and God is giving us a solid friendship.  The only danger is that I will try to schedule too many trips to Newark each year.

Pressing on,

Mark Hebert
Psalm 16:11 - R U in His presence?

Preplan Tomorrow | Stay Focused On...

Preplan Tomorrow | Stay Focused On Task | Daily Journal | Speed Reading | Stay One Day Ahead
-----------------------------------------------------

I just got done eating lunch with Nancy and Kali.  After lunch Nancy read my devotion from this morning, "Hope for the Hopeless".  She liked it, and that was encouraging, but on the way back to work I began thinking about the great blessing of God revealing His truth to me in His word and got excited agin.

It's absolutely wonderful how all of our fears, worries, pain, tears, sorrows, and sadness disappear in the presence of God.  The cause of all these things may still be there.  In fact, it most often is, but gone is the sorrow from it.  Even more amazing is the joy God gives in its place.

Oh, Lord!  Let me not ever forget this truth.

Pressing on,

Mark Hebert
Psalm 16:11 - R U in His presence?

In All Things Give Thanks

I typically eat oatmeal for breakfast.  Since I am frequently traveling and staying in hotels, I generally have instant oatmeal.  Have you ever tried making instant oatmeal with lukewarm water?  Yuck!  Jo wonder God said he would spew lukewarm Christians out if his mouth.

That's what I had today.  Lukewarm water to make my instant oatmeal.  I must say, I was greatly disappointed.  Thank God for the tradition of giving thanks before eating a meal.  As I bowed my head I thought about the fact that I was not truly thankful, so I regrouped and thought about what I had.  As my attitude changed, God assured me that the water was the perfect temperature for me to eat the oatmeal quickly, as I had very little time.  

I thanked God with true joy in my heart, and when I took that first spoonful, found it to be perfect in taste and temperature.  

IN ALL THINGS GIVE THANKS!

Mark Hebert,
Christian
Psalm 16:11
"Thou wilt show me the path of life,
In Thy presence is fullness of joy,
At Thy right hand are pleasures for evermore."

R.U. In His presence?

Preplan Tomorrow | Stay Focused On...

We had a great time at Knoebol's amusement park.  By the way, amusement pretty much means thoughtlesness. It comes from the word "muse" which means to think. Placing the "a" in front negates the muse so amuse means to not think, to not engage your brain.

God gave my family and I some much needed time together, and He blessed that time with great fellowship. Kali brought a friend along, but still wanted her dad to tag along on the rides.  Pretty good stuff for a fifteen years old girl.

Now it's time for a little reading, a bowl of ice cream, and bed.

Pressing on,

Mark Hebert
Psalm 16:11 - R U in His presence?

Fw:

Mark Hebert,
Christian
Psalm 16:11
"Thou wilt show me the path of life,
In Thy presence is fullness of joy,
At Thy right hand are pleasures for evermore."

R.U. In His presence?

-- Sent from my HP TouchPad

---

From: Mark Hebert <lvn2srvchrist@gmail.com>
Date: Aug 19, 2011 11:00 PM
Subject:
To: Mark Hebert <lvn2srvchrist@gmail.com>

We had a great Youth activity.  I broke the kids into teams of two and got them set for a relay race.  Before the contestants could go, they had repeat a memory verse.  Once done, they had to run to get a weight (anywhere from five to 45 pounds) and run back to the starting line.  Then their teammate could go after reciting the memory verse.  Before they could pick up the weight, they had to read of what was written on it.  This ranged from TV, Video Games, and friends, to pride, anger, and bitterness.  It drove the point home of what things may hinder them in their walk with Christ.  The memory verse was Acts 8:36b "See here is water, what doth hinder me from being baptised?"  I then preached on "What Doth Hinder Thee?"  Several of the kids raised their hands for prayer at the invitation. 

Mark Hebert,
Christian
Psalm 16:11
"Thou wilt show me the path of life,
In Thy presence is fullness of joy,
At Thy right hand are pleasures for evermore."

R.U. In His presence?

-- Sent from my HP TouchPad

Basking in Blessings

I am sitting here getting ready for sleep and enjoying the peace and quiet of the evening being broken only by the uplifting old time hymns of THE faith I have streaming from the Internet.  As I sit here contemplating the fact that I don't deserve even this small pleasure, my heart is lfted in praise to my God and Saviour, Jesus Christ who bought me with His own blood, for His own joy, to shower me with His love.  WOW!  It's so sad that people actually choose not to enjoy God.

Thank You, Lord God, my Father in heaven for taking me out of the pit I was in and making me to know thy great love.  Please use me to put on display Thy great love for all the world to see, that some may get saved.

Pressing on,

Mark Hebert
Psalm 16:11 - R U in His presence?

Settle for Survival?

I finally went to sleep at about midnight last night. Slept like a rock until 12:30am. Stayed wide awake (unintentionally) until a little after two. Woke up at 6:30 and started my day. I am feeling exhausted. The question is, will I survive the day, or will I be more than a conqueror?

God is in control, and He in His mercy, has led me thus far. If I am determined to survive the day on my power, strength, determination, ability, and fortitude, I will probably succeed. But why should I merely survive in the flesh when I can be in Christ Jesus and be more than a conqueror? The end of the day will tell the tale of whether I walked in the flesh, or in the Spirit.

Pressing on,

Mark Hebert
Psalm 16:11 - R U in His presence?

Quench Not the Spirit

God opened a door for me to witness that led to unexpected results.  I have been working this week on getting a new Aaron's store ready to open.  One of the things we have to have working is DSL internet connection.  The installation did not take place when it was scheduled, and in trying to reschedule there was an aparent miscommunication with the Verizon sales team so we were looking at a little difficulty with the opening.  Verizon wasn't going to send anyone out in time for us to open as planned, but there was a Verizon truck outside the store later that morning.  Our GM asked the technician if he would help us out, which he did.  While the GM was telling me about the event, he told me how lucky we were to have that happen.   I corrected him, saying it isn't luck, but God, and I proceeded to thank God for the help.   It was great!

Later that afternoon, he began talking to me about church.  He has been going for most of his life, and he and his wife still go.  He misses most of the service as he takes his daughter to the play room when she starts getting wild.  I asked why his wife didn't and he said, "Because she really wants to hear the message, like she needs it.  I'm not that into it."  God designed that as the launch pad to give him the Gospel.  He listened very intently and asked several great questions, but in the end didn't pray.  It was the fear of the unknown, according to him.

Jesus always took advantage of everday events and conversations to point people to heaven.  We must not choke out a spiritual response God wants us to give in the course of our daily activities.  Telling this man that it was not luck, but God's hand that was the cause of the DSL getting installed was by His design and He used it to peak the man's interest.

Pressing on,

Mark Hebert
Psalm 16:11 - R U in His presence?