RIGHT ON TIME

Ravens: Dennis, Donna, and Gideon went to Pine and Walnut in York on Saturday. I had coats that Amy had collected for me from the Nail Spa (Amy's Nails) and the guys in this neighborhood were so grateful to get warm coats after wearing thin jackets in 10-30 degree temperature.

THE GOOD WORK IS NOT IN VAIN:

2Co 6:1 But working together, we also call on you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
2Co 6:2 (For He says, "In an acceptable time I heard you, and in a day of salvation, I helped you;" Behold, now is the accepted time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.)

At the exact time that Gideon and Dennis pulled up, two other fellows, Giovanni and Riccardo showed up. I asked Riccardo if he's living for the Lord and he said, no, but I want to. Both of these guys asked for deliverance from heroin addiction and right relationship with the Lord. Riccardo already looked straight and was standing firm in faith that God can and will set him free, so we prayed-- for God's righteousness in his life. He judges not by what he sees and hears, but with faithfulness toward the meek:

Isa 11:3 And He is made to breathe in the fear of Jehovah. And He shall not judge according to the sight of His eyes, nor decide by the hearing of His ears.
Isa 11:4 But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, and shall decide with uprightness for the meek of the earth. And He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.
Isa 11:5 And righteousness shall be the girdle of His loins, and faithfulness the girdle of His heart.

The Holy Spirit was moving mightily on behalf of these fellows and Giovanni was broken, weeping for quite a time as we prayed the Word and deliverance over him. His wife, Arlena, stood behind him as we prayed. She, as well, desires to live more righteous. She is humble and quiet, and prayerful.


We took a time to warm up at the nearby "Stadium Bar and Grill." The owner claims to be saved and smiles as six-packs a cases are sold to the people of the neighborhood. He said he knows he will stand before God and be judged for his works. I followed a lady carting her 12-pack out the door and asked her about salvation. She's "Unitarian" and didn't want to talk about Jesus. She rolled her cart away quickly. But, many addicts drove up, guys with whom Dennis formerly got high. They were amazed at the change in his life with Christ and were given the opportunity to turn around. Many want the freedom that he has, but lack the faith.

The kids on Walnut Street, sporting liberty hats, helped us pray. They had received Christ by faith (Gal 3). The tax company had workers on the streets with foam liberty hats such as the statue of liberty wears and one fellow shared some of his hats. He also received the Truth, that the Word is what will cleanse and sanctify him. So, all they know is that real freedom is in Christ, the Word of life.

Freddie (pic below), from Maple street just started going to church again. He admits that he needs more of the Word for his daily bread. We're praying for his walk with the Lord--that with diligence he will draw near to God, rise up, and and serve.

Later, as we ate and shared the Word, Dennis testified, again, how good God is, how recently, since he gave his life to Christ, the Lord had blessed him with his favorite meal. I say, Amen and this is the meal we had on the streets and corners of York:

Divine Food--the Bread of Heaven
Food with out Cost (Is 55:1)
Food that Satisfies:

Joh 6:27 Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for that food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you. For God the Father sealed Him.
Joh 6:28 Then they said to Him, What shall we do that we might work the works of God?
Joh 6:29 Jesus answered and said to them, This is the work of God, that you believe on Him whom He has sent.
Joh 6:30 Therefore they said to Him, What sign do you show then, so that we may see and believe you? What do you work?
Joh 6:31 Our fathers ate the manna in the desert, as it is written, "He gave them bread from Heaven to eat."
Joh 6:32 Then Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Moses did not give you that bread from Heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from Heaven.
Joh 6:33 For the bread of God is He who comes down from Heaven and gives life to the world.

"I AM" IS THE BREAD OF LIFE (John 6:34)
and we, His workers, eat of it--and are satisfied.
I say, "NEITHER SHALL THEY HUNGER NO MORE-NOR SHALL THEY THIRST" (Rev 7:16) Amen.

Ask--Do NOT Doubt!

Gideon, Dennis, and I went to Melrose and Manchester, MD with some bread, the Bread of life, and some clothes. Dennis is new to the team, and a great blessing! These guys endured several hours in chilly, icy conditions...

We prayed with Ashley who is about 20 and lives with her dad and his Jewish girlfriend. Her dad received some nice work shirts that had been donated to the ministry. Ashley's trusting God to help her walk out her faith and righteousness.

At the next house we had to dust our feet off--but were glad to find a believing neighbor and pray with her for her neighborhood.

JR didn't really care about Jesus or salvation until he heard the Truth and the Good News. Dennis testified to the goodness of God and JR opened up to at least asking God to reveal Himself. We experienced a move of God there-like a mighty rushing wind.

In Manchester, Mike said he's definitely a Christian and then slid his "forty" around his back. He had lots of questions about the Word. The enemy has been planting seed of doubt. The main questions were: What about the other religions and how do we know that Christianity is the only way? He was also concerned about accuracy in translations and interpretations of the Bible and how do we know it's true?

But, Mike has seen other believers experience joy and freedom in the Lord and confessed that he desires that. So, we were able to encourage him that the Holy Spirit is available to him, just like anyone else.

We talked about the fact that all men will one day stand before a Holy God and be judged for their works, good and bad while here on earth, that all Word is God breathed, God inspired (2Tim 3:16), and that every knee will bow and confess Christ is Lord (Phil 2:10, 11), and how faith produces good works (James 2:17)--righteousness.

He knew that he needs to quit drinking because of alcoholism in his family, but--other stuff--he never thought about. He's been "trying" to change on his own will power, but we were able to encourage him that with Christ, he doesn't have to do it alone, that God, through the power of the Holy Spirit can deliver him and strengthen him. (It was like explaining several of Pastor Sam's sermons all at once:)

Finally, we invited him to come out of the cold and across the street to a restaurant where we could answer other questions. He put down his beer, and joined us, despite an angry girlfriend. It's really the presence of the Lord and the power of the Holy Spirit that drew him and kept him there, desiring to bask in God's presence.

Dennis testified to the goodness of God (like a new wow everyday, better than Disneyworld!) and shared this Word about Mike's concerns:

Jas 1:5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and with no reproach, and it shall be given to him.
Jas 1:6 But let him ask in faith, doubting nothing. For he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, driven by the wind and tossed.
Jas 1:7 For do not let that man think that he shall receive anything from the Lord;
Jas 1:8 he is a double-minded man, not dependable in all his ways.

Simply put, Mike knows he needs to stand firm in the Truth--the Word-or he won't receive anything.

We prayed with him that the Word he received will manifest and keep him. Amen.
We praise the Lord for a wonderful afternoon in His glory and for safe travels to and fro.

Praise Report!

Praise report! This guy, Dennis, was out on Maple Street last year and Pastor Sam and Lucy ministered to him. He was at an outreach in Harrisburg, PA, today (Saturday)--saved and recovered--praising God, testifying, and very grateful to Pastor Sam and Lucy for sharing the Word (of Deliverance) and the Truth with him. He testified to this team that RAVENs ministered; he prayed, searched, and found Glory House (recovery home) where he got his life straight.

Glory House is next door to where Gideon lived , so they met and he came along to testify today. Once again, he said, he's so grateful to ministries like ours for going out into the streets b/c it saved him! He says, Keep up the good work!

We were at Allison Hill, a neighborhood on 13th Street. Many people asked up for prayer for their neighborhood. Some people got hot dogs, hot cocoa, and prayer; others received warm clothing, a new coat, and the Word.

A man pulls across the street and gets out cussing. He had forgotten his wallet and wanted a hot dog. Scott (from Harrisburg) called out from across the street to tell him it's free! He hesitates, but comes over anyway. So, I asked him about his relationship with the Lord and if he reads his Bible, "Oh Yeah! It's this big." (He motions how big with his hands.) And I asked, "Ok, but do you read it?" "Of course!" "Hey lady, I just wanted a hot dog. I gotta go back to work."

"Just trying to share the love of Jesus," said Scott.

There was no peace in that house (person). Here's the lesson in that:

Upon greeting:
Mat 10:13 And if the house is worthy, let your peace come on it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.
Mat 10:14 And whoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when you depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
Mat 10:15 Truly I say to you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city.

Others we met said we could pray for them, but not with them. One lady knows what to do, but she's not ready and it would take too long to explain all of the stuff that's holding her back.
Another fellow, knows the Koran (practices Islam) and knows to follow Christ. He understands that Christ is the only name under heaven by which he can be saved, but he's very concerned about hypocrites in the church (in any "religion"). Having recently gotten free from jail-he's only been out of jail since October- he also is afraid that he'll end up back in jail because the area and the street life there is so tough. We tried to encourage Him with the Word and God's ability to keep him. We also stressed the benefits of a relationship with Christ. He kept saying, "no doubt!" (in response to the Scriptures,) but could not for go any of his "religious" training tp pray with us.

Despite what seemed to be tough territory it was an exceptionally great day-especially hearing testimonies from the guys who walked the neighborhood and preached the Word. Mike is a guy who carries his boom box and preaches there regularly.

Isa 12:4 And in that day you shall say, Praise Jehovah! Call on His name; declare His doings among the people, make mention that His name is exalted.
Isa 12:5 Sing to Jehovah; for He has done excellent things; this is known in all the earth.
Isa 12:6 Cry out and shout, O dweller of Zion; for great is the Holy One of Israel in your midst.

(More pics w/b posted on my myspace in a folder "Harrisburg 1-3-09")