Friday, August 21, 2009

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.

Friday, August 7, 2009

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!