NEW RAVEN GEAR!

Orders are now being taken for the latest in RAVEN Gear!
The first to "fly" out...

The RAVEN Pendant



7/8" x 1-7/8" glass pendant / silver plated bail / 24" black ball chain

Pendants are made on demand and can be made TEAM SPECIFIC

$20.00 each // Part of the cost is going to help pay for Mardi Gras 2010

Please place your orders via PayPal here:

include:
TEAM NAME / # of Pendants / Mailing Address

Pendants will be mailed as they are completed.
But, please be patient ... the process for completing the pendants is time consuming.

God Gives the Increase: Baltimore and York Outreach

ALL GLORY TO GOD

How often Christ wanted to gather his sheep...but, “..blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord.” Matt 23:39

PLANTING and WATERING: GOD GIVES THE INCREASE:

1Co 3:6 I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.

I AM NOTHING: ALL GLORY TO GOD!
1Co 3:7 So then neither is he who plants anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase.

THEY ARE ONE!
1Co 3:8 So he planting, and he watering, are one, and each one shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.

We prayed for unity; we prayed for one mind, one body and one Spirit. With the mind of Christ, we walk in the Spirit with one purpose, a mission for God: souls.

John Harris of York went along to minister to Lionel on Tuesday. We took him information for Teen Challenge. Lionel wants free and can not see any reason hindering him, considering that so many have gone before him and been set free. John testified of a formerly homeless man whom Lionel knows, who had a 30 year addiction and is now free and blessed with a place to live and recovery. Please continue to pray for Lionel's freedom from alcoholism.

Just after the time spent with Lionel, his friend Chris, was near-by and received the Word of God and experience the power of the Holy Spirit. Having formerly known of a God, but not knowing or understanding Christ as Lord, we spent quite a bit of time with him. Yesterday, he experienced God's presence and influence on his heart as we prayed for him and revelation. He confessed and received Christ as Lord and Savior, and also healing for a wounded ankle. We're praying for God to keep Him in His clutches, that His faith has been made sure, as we know God can.

Afterward, we headed to downtown York Mall, the square at Market and George, to preach the Word. John felt led to read from the Word of God in Ezekial 34:

Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks?
Eze 34:3 You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you kill the fat ones, but you do not feed the flock.
Eze 34:4 You have not made the weak strong, nor have you healed the sick, nor have you bound up the broken. You have not brought again those driven away, nor have you sought that which was lost; but you have ruled them with force and with cruelty.

...Behold, I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out.
Ezekial 34:12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock in the day that he is among his scattered sheep, so I will seek out My sheep and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy and dark day.
Eze 34:13 And I will bring them out from the peoples, and gather them from the lands, and will bring them to their own land and feed them on the mountain of Israel by the rivers, and in all the places of the land where people live.
Eze 34:14 I will feed them in a good pasture, and their fold shall be on the high mountains of Israel. There they shall lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture they shall feed on the mountains of Israel.
Eze 34:15 I will feed My flock, and I will cause them to lie down, says the Lord Jehovah.

Here, we prayed for the city and the pastors, we prayed for souls and Divine appointments, then met Eli (his nickname,) who stayed for almost two hours, frequently ranting about how he can do whatever he wants...and still be saved because He accepted Christ...years ago.

Still, he admits to “sometimes struggle with lust...hey, they're beautiful women,” he said. And he knows that he does not always “listen to God,” but he reads the Bible.

We showed him Revelations 3, how he has to be an overcomer, “let him who has an ear hear,” and 1John3:9, how, those who have come to the Lord do not make a practice of sinning, how those who love God obey His commands (1 John 2:5). We know the Word will go forth to do what it is purposed to do; the Truth will set Him free. John talked to him about the type of ground God's Word is falling on and if it will produce good fruit. So, we're praying that the Word of God will not go void in Eli's heart, but take root. Amen.


John's wife, Michelle, added this Word of encouragement:
“My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into different kinds of temptations,
knowing that the trying of your faith works patience.
But let patience have its perfect work, so that you may be perfect and entire, lacking nothing.”


Later, I went to Baltimore to work with Janet. She has an incredible praise report of what God is doing. While we were praying for freedom from cigarette addiction for a lady at the homeless outreach on Sunday, not only was the lady at Gilford Avenue set free, but also another lady for whom we've been praying, finally ripped up, crushed and destroyed her cigarettes! Sick of them, she's been free for three days. Several weeks ago, we had prayed for a job and home for Kathy and she is now employed! After the homeless outreach, we went to church in Essex for a good Word. Lots of people were set free there, as well! It is awesome to see the Glory of God and His power setting the captive free and healing the broken-hearted. Praise be and all glory to God in Christ Jesus, our Savior and Healer. Amen.

Crying Freedom in PA!

SET THEM FREE, LORD!

This is our cry for freedom for those we've been meeting on the streets. Some confess to be “fences sitting,” for whom we encouraged to get off the fence, which belongs to the devil! Cross over to the other side!

Praise God, a young couple to whom we ministered in Westminster have been seeking the Lord and have been blessed by it. Leroy and Kris are a young couple with a baby. They've found a church and jobs. Praise the Lord! We're still praying for their own place to live, knowing God will provide.

Here are a few Scriptures that Gideon and I have felt compelled to share on the streets.

Seek first the kingdom of God and all His righteousness and all these thing will be added unto you (Matt 6:33).

re: Christ, the Word:
John 1:12 ...as many as received Him, He gave to them authority to become the children of God, to those who believe on His name.

Zechariah 4:6... Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says Jehovah of Hosts.

Hebrews 3:8 Do not harden your heart as you did in the rebellion, when they tested me...

I had heard some bad news about some guys on Chestnut Street, so we prayed diligently all week for an opportunity to minister to them and for freedom for them. We see the progress. Lionel's been struggling with alcoholism for many years, but after several hours of ministry he's committed to getting detoxed and into rehab. So, we're praying for the mighty hand of God to strengthen him and deliver him. We know God can. Amen! Please keep praying for rehab for him.

On Maple Street, a young pregnant girl wants free from cigarettes. Another receives healing for a knee injury and we're praying for her grandmother with Alzheimer's, Esperanza. We're making good connections there with the Spanish-speaking community and hope to have help translating the Gospel message. Perhaps Luz (whose knee was healed) and Angel will join our team.

Here's the Maryland/PA schedule:

Tuesday: Baltimore Homeless outreach in Essex, MD w/ Compassion Ministries (5 p.m.-?)
(also: RAVEN Ministries, discipleship, on-line: www.ravenoutreach.blogspot.com)

Friday: Westminster, Main Street (w/No Walls Ministries) (8p.m.-?)
http://www.nowallsministries.net

Saturday: York, PA, meet at Glory House, 12:30 p.m.

Sunday: Baltimore, Gilford Street exit, Fallsway Bridge, 2-3:30 p.m.
RAVEN International Ministries, church, on-line 6.p.m. (www.ravenoutreach.blogspot.com)

Thank you for your prayers!
Php 1:3-5 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making my request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now...

Thy Kingdom Come

The call of Christ, dying to one's self, daily, dying to the flesh, crucifying the flesh, this is not easy (Matt 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23).

The call of Christ, to take up your OWN cross and carry it, is not easy. (Luke 14:27,) but with a heart like His all things are possible (Matt 19:26). Christ joyfully suffered for His beloved (the church--all those who accept Him as Lord and Savior (Isaiah 53:10)).

Living for others, altruistically, putting them first in your life is not easy, except in Christ in our hearts.(James 3:17).

Forsaking (putting aside and turning from) our own desires---is not easy, (Luke 14:25-33, re: Counting the Cost,") but for God's grace (His Divine influence on our hearts).

But, these things: forsaking it all for the call, carry our own cross and carrying one another's burdens, and putting other's needs before our own--to Christ, our Lord, it is beautiful.

Rom 10:15...As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace and bring glad tidings of good things!"


And it's not a burden.
1Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments, and His commandments are not burdensome.

He commanded us, the last command before His death, is and was the command to go into all the world and preach the good news (Mark 16:15, Matt 28:19.)


Take hope in this Truth, brothers and sisters:

John 15:13 No one has greater love than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.


Now I know, that I am loved because Christ laid down His life for me and many others have followed that example. Today, I am grateful for Mike and Rob for teaching me more about His perfect love, how to lay down my life, and His kindgom come. I am grateful for Janet, who has such a wonderful heart and burden for the lost, and because of her great love for Jesus. What a wonderful example of God's great love! Praise God for bringing Harry and Pam to church with their twins: Acelyn and Vince. Praise God for Charlie and Amara. We're praying for their marriage, God's provision and their new church. Mostly, I'm grateful to God for putting them in my path (our paths) to help make a difference--my heart is truly touched and changed (for the better. Amen?)

Please continue to pray for Baltimore and York: against Spiritual darkness and wickedness in high places. Lord, bring them out of depression, strengthen them to rise up and walk in righteousness, to throw off the old corrupt things and the ways of the world, for provision--jobs and homes for the homeless, and healing for the mentally ill. Make us a light to the nations and help us to show them Your perfect love that casts out all fear. In Christ, Amen.

Let us bask in His perfect love today and walk fearlessly forward, for the kingdom of heaven. Amen.

RAVEN in the Storm

Tuesday night's homeless outreach in Baltimore was and has been incredible. There was lightning flashing in the sky, dark clouds hovering, and then a wonderful refreshing rain.

Jer 51:15 The LORD made the earth by His power, and He preserves it by His wisdom. With His own understanding He stretched out the heavens.
Jer 51:16 When He speaks in the thunder, the heavens are filled with water. He causes the clouds to rise over the earth. He sends the lightning with the rain and releases the wind from His storehouses.

Heb 6:7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that comes often upon it, and brings forth plants fit for those by whom it is dressed, receives blessing from God.

In Baltimore, Tuesday, not only did I see God's wonderful works in the sky, but also, the blessing from God in His servants and his children. I greatly enjoy, even love, watching Janet grow in the Lord. I am learning so much from her. She's a real blessing and a gift from God: She's diligent in her search for the Lord and diligent in her service to him and God has rewarded her tremendously. Tuesday night in Baltimore, Janet was in charge! Praise God!

It's so awesome to see what God has done with His beloved, those who serve him. I can not say it's easy enduring the difficulties that come with serving the Lord, but it is certainly rewarding. Memorial day weekend in Philadelphia started a "new thing" in working with Janet in the ministry and our soon to blossom friendship. Some of you may have seen the video from the streets of Phillie called "Yvonne" where Janet, Mike, and I were working with a few prostitutes hooked on heroine, trying to help bring them back to faith in Christ and into rehab.

Since that weekend, the Lord has really blessed our meetings, outreaches, and Biblical discussions and led us to a place of fellowship and unity. Some keys to the success were and are: a mutual respect for each other and a love of the Lord and His ways, and trusting God to continue the good work He began. We've been able to encourage each other in the Word. "Iron sharpens iron."

I've been able to share some Scriptures that I felt came from the Lord, during times of struggle. One great help is simply knowing that God is always by my side, fighting for me, like a mighty warrior (Jer 20:11).

Besides knowing that we're not alone in our struggle, we must know the hope, that there is ALWAYS a way of ESCAPE!

1Co 10:13 No temptation has taken you but what is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but with the temptation also will make a way to escape, so that you may be able to bear it.

When we fully rely on the Lord, he delivers us from every evil.

GOD PROMISES TO STRENGTHEN THOSE WHOSE HEARTS DESIRE TO BE FAITHFUL:
2Ch 16:9 The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.

How can there be condemnation when we desire to serve the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength? It can not be when the focus is on Christ and not the things of the world.

Rom 8:1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
Rom 8:2 And because you belong to Him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.

THE LAW CAN NOT SAVE US:
Rom 8:3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent His own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin's control over us by giving His Son as a sacrifice for our sins.

FOLLOW THE HOLY SPIRIT:
Rom 8:4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.

In following the Holy Spirit we must FOCUS:
SET YOUR SIGHTS ON HEAVEN!
Col 3:1 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God's right hand.
Col 3:2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.

We must learn to deny ourselves, die to the flesh, and daily take up our cross (Matt 16:24).

Learning to daily crucify the flesh and walk in the Spirit is clearly imperative in a Christian's life. As we learn to abide in the Lord, we will not carry out the lust of the flesh. And, most importantly, we will bear much fruit.

Joh 15:4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me.
Joh 15:5 I am the Vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

Of course, a tree intended to produce good fruit must be pruned (John 15). And this has been our prayer, for God to lop off any limb not of Him. Amen.

God is the the great pruner and His Word does the pruning. The Word goes forth and does not go void. It always does what it is purposed to do:

Isa 55:11 "It is the same with My word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it."

This was the youth lesson in Baltimore on Tuesday and the Word went forth. At the homeless outreach, many returned to the Lord and His ways. Many heard God's Word and received it with joy, others turned away. But, Kenny, who truly loves the Lord and desires to serve Him has been terribly deceived by the enemy, thinking he could continue to drink and still make it to heaven. Tuesday, Kenny, who has heard the Truth in the past, but it had fallen on hard, weedy ground, again received the Truth that will set Him free, and he received it with joy. He sobered up instantly.

Just a few months ago Kenny had been in rehab. After many years of drinking and homelessness, Janet and Charmain (Compassion Ministry, Baltimore)got Kenny into rebab, only for him to leave after 2 months of sobriety. He ended up back in the streets, drinking. Tuesday, Kenny heard the Truth, the Word of God, which clearly states that drunkards do not inherit the kingdom of heaven:

Gal 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are clearly revealed, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lustfulness, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, fightings, jealousies, angers, rivalries, divisions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkennesses, revelings, and things like these; of which I tell you before, as I also said before, that they who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Jesus' first sermon, after the temptation is this:
Mat 4:17...Repent! For the kingdom of Heaven is at hand.

Repent! For the kingdom of heaven is at hand We know that the Truth will set us free, free from sin, free indeed(John 8:32)! Anyone who sins is a slave to sin! But, as Christians, with God's Spirit and grace (God's Divine influence on our hearts and His reflection in our lives), we no longer have to sin! We are slaves to righteousness:

Joh 8:34 Jesus answered them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Whoever practices sin is the slave of sin.
Rom 6:18 Then being made free from sin, you became the slaves of righteousness.

The Lord promises to continue the good work He began (Phil 1:6) He is faithful (1 Corin 10:13, 1 John 1:9). Kenny's heart has been touched by the Holy Spirit and he has recommitted to sobriety and rehab. He knows God is watching, always beside him, and for him, not against him, and that God is able to keep him until the appointed time to bring him into the sheepfold (John 10). (Rehab is in two weeks.) Please pray for Kenny's strength to abstain until then) and pray for his friend Dennis, who is still out there, really beat up, looking as if near death.

Thank you Lord, for continuing the good work You began. In Christ, Amen.

Thanking God for RIPE FIELDS

We're thanking Jehovah God for FIELDS: RIPE FOR PICKING!
and those who have gone before us.

In Westminster, on Main Street, there's a string of bars, but most therein and entering don't want to hear the Truth, nor the Gospel. They've heard the good news...but continue the party life.

In front of Raphael's Pub, a former student of mine runs for the door..."not now, Ms.D."

You know that shell station (Pastor Alex) where we can usually find some high, some drunk? A few other evangelist had just been there, sharing the Gospel...we prayed with a few and then headed up the street, just a block away to "Ernie's," a pool bar. There's a drunk guy sitting on the door step, mumbling and shaking his pool stick in my face, but Mike and Rob have been preaching on this street for awhile and Mike knows a little lady whose sitting on a doorstep nearby, so we go to say hi.

Right next door to her, I hear a guy talking about a girl who is proud of her whoring. So, I introduce myself and ask if I can share some Truth with them, he and his wife. I simply shared how our whole body becomes defiled when foul talk comes out of our mouths and it's the same as that girl whoring.

Mar 7:14 Then Jesus called to the crowd to come and hear. "All of you listen," He said, "and try to understand.
Mar 7:15 It's not what goes into your body that defiles you; you are defiled by what comes from your heart. "

Mar 7:20 And then He added, "It is what comes from inside that defiles you.
Mar 7:21 For from within, out of a person's heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder,
Mar 7:22 adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness.
Mar 7:23 All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you."

GOD HAD MADE THE FIELD READY...WE WERE THE FOURTH PEOPLE TO WITNESS TO HIM.
The guy was really open to talking to us, as he knew that God has been sending people to him. We were about the fourth (probably the 7th) in his path and he and his wife have been in great need of prayer and help.

We prayed for jobs. They need a vehicle. They have a baby...and need their own place (after living with his sister.) They're looking for a church, AND they're READY for the Lord---hungry for righteousness, and more of Jesus. We felt led to share James 4.

DRAW NEAR:
James 4:8 Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners; and purify your hearts, double-minded ones.
9 Be afflicted, and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to heaviness.
10 Be humbled before the Lord, and He will lift you up.

We bowed down, humbly, and prayed. And we thank God:

Psa 30:5 For His anger is only a moment; in His favor is life. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

I shared testimony of how God rescued me and continues to rescue me as I call on Him. The Lord helps build our trust in Him, as we take leaps and small steps of faith. He's the author and perfecter of our faith. And he teaches us to walk humbly. He has taught me with this warning:

Rom 12:3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.

Praise be to God, in Christ Jesus, who died to save us (John 3:16).

2Co 1:9 In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.
2Co 1:10 And He did rescue us from mortal danger, and He will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in Him, and He will continue to rescue us.
2Co 1:11 And you are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.

God bless you saints. We will continue to pray for these others, some who have rejected the Truth about Jesus Christ and the Way: Jason, Jimmy, and Mike B. And we praise God, He will continue to the good work He began. We know, that His arm is not too short to reach all flesh (Phil 1:6, Is 59:1). In the mighty name of Jesus, we cry, Abba Father. Thank you. Amen!