Good morning everyone. It rained overnight so things are drying up outside this morning.
This coming Sunday through Wednesday, I will be ministering at Trinity Assembly of God in Nicholson, Pennsylvania where Pastor Kevin Compton has served for the last several years. Please pray that the Lord will bless these meetings and that people will make time in their busy schedules to attend the services. The Lord desires to pour out His Spirit on people in these last days.
Mercy. The word alone brings peace to my heart. Mercy is not getting what one rightfully deserves. The Bible says the Lord's mercies are new every morning. That thought just blows my mind away. There will always be enough of the Lord's mercy to see us through each day and that mercy will never run out. I along with one of the ancient kings of Judah lift my hands and gladly say "Praise the Lord for His mercy endures forever!" His mercy flows over us.
May His mercy follow each of you all the days of your life...that includes today.
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Places and Promises
Good morning everyone. It's another beautiful summer day.
This coming Sunday, I will be ministering at New Life Assembly of God in Somerset, Pennsylvania, where my friends, Tom & Debbie Kroll serve as pastors. Pastor Tom has been gracious to invite me back many times over the years. Please pray that the Lord will bless these services with His power and might. I realize that I am nothing more than a vessel who must be filled with those exact things if I ever want to see results for the kingdom of God.
I have been reading through the Book of Jeremiah for the past several days. There is part of a verse where the Lord speaks in Jeremiah 33:14 which I have underlined in my Bible that goes like this, "I will perform that good thing which I have promised." There are things that the Lord has spoken to me over the years which He has promised to fulfill in my life and many of these I have already seen come to pass. Just recently, during an intense time of worship during an altar time in a service, the Lord once again spoke to me. The very next day, the fulfillment of what He spoke began to take shape. His Word is filled with good promises which He assures will take place. Know that whatever the Lord has promised will always happen. Hold onto the things in your heart which He has spoken to you. Whether it happens in a day or years down the road, the promises of God are yes and amen! My heart aligns itself with those words today.
I am standing on His promises with you!
This coming Sunday, I will be ministering at New Life Assembly of God in Somerset, Pennsylvania, where my friends, Tom & Debbie Kroll serve as pastors. Pastor Tom has been gracious to invite me back many times over the years. Please pray that the Lord will bless these services with His power and might. I realize that I am nothing more than a vessel who must be filled with those exact things if I ever want to see results for the kingdom of God.
I have been reading through the Book of Jeremiah for the past several days. There is part of a verse where the Lord speaks in Jeremiah 33:14 which I have underlined in my Bible that goes like this, "I will perform that good thing which I have promised." There are things that the Lord has spoken to me over the years which He has promised to fulfill in my life and many of these I have already seen come to pass. Just recently, during an intense time of worship during an altar time in a service, the Lord once again spoke to me. The very next day, the fulfillment of what He spoke began to take shape. His Word is filled with good promises which He assures will take place. Know that whatever the Lord has promised will always happen. Hold onto the things in your heart which He has spoken to you. Whether it happens in a day or years down the road, the promises of God are yes and amen! My heart aligns itself with those words today.
I am standing on His promises with you!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Re: New Church in Pennsylvania
Good morning everyone. It is a lovely rainy summer day. We need the rain.
This coming Sunday, I will be preaching at a church I've never been to before, First Assembly of God in Blairsville, Pennsylvania, where Rev. Charles Kitner serves as pastor. Please pray that these services will be blessed with the wonderful presence of our loving God. I know in my heart that the Lord wishes to pour out His Spirit upon His people.
I usually give a short devotional thought here but this week, I would like to share something I posted on Facebook concerning the outreach in Woodbourne, New York that I took part in last week. Needless to say, it was a life-changing event in the presence of God. Please take the time to read this in its entirety and know that the Lord can also do this for you.
The Move Of God On Saturday, July 10, 2010
Someone asked me elaborate on what I posted last night on Facebook so I thought I would write a note for anyone to read.
I just finished ministering for the last several days at the Woodbourne Outreach for Crossway Assembly of God in Woodbourne, New York. There were thirtysome youth and youth pastors\leaders from the Hudson Valley Section in the NY District who also gathered to minister in drama, human videos and puppets. The young people would also canvass the area with printed material to invite people to these services and the church. In the afternoon, we would set up and do street ministry...better yet...an outdoor parking lot service in an area shopping plaza and at a pool. In the evening, we had tent services on the church grounds.
What happened on Saturday night was one of the most incredible and unique outpourings of the Holy Spirit that I have ever seen. I preached on Bartimaeus and had an altar call for healing, which several responded to. I, along with the pastor, Ismael Berrios, anointed the people and I had the young people who came to minister, gather behind the people and pray for them. The last person I prayed for was a woman from the congregation who informed me that her body and knees were full of pain all the time. When I finished praying for her, the young people just continued to gather around her and prayed. It was obvious that the Lord was moving and she was slained out under the power of God. (By the way, the woman was healed!) The young people began to just pray for one another and all of heaven broke loose. I cannot even put into words all that happened. Our tent was on a dirt floor and kids were face down in the dirt seeking God. Then the kids began to drift out from under the tent and worship in the dirt parking lot....dancing before the Lord, kneeling and laying before the Lord...in the dirt....praying for one another.
There was a Methodist family in attendance who had been invited by a woman from the church. The parents stayed thru part of the altar service and left but their teenage daugther was so drawn by the power of God that asked her parents if she could stay. I, along with a couple of the youth pastors went over and laid hands on her.....next thing I know, one of the teenage girls on our team, Mariah, came over and began to pray with her and I mean pray. God was moving on that Methodist girls life. It was tremendous. She was changed by the power of God.
Then I called the youth forward who needed to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. The power of God was all over the place. Kids were seeking God, crying out to Him. Talk about a spiritual explosion!
More of the kids were now out in the parking lot....everywhere....praising God....twirling in praise...kneeling in the dirt. Cars were driving by with their headlights on these young people, slowing down. (I'm getting teary-eyed as I write this...) By now, I was out in the parking lot and I knew that the Lord wanted me down in the dirt worshiping Him. When I knelt, I just put my head down in the dirt and began to pray from deep withing my spirit. Many of these youth gathered around me, laid hands on me and began to pray over me. There was such a tremendous amount of the power of God. I'm finding it hard to express. I wept and shouted from so deep down in my soul. While all this was happening, I felt the Lord speak to me about my ministry. It was one of the most humbling experiences I've ever had.
It had been several hours by now that this was all going on. Most of us were now in the parking lot, singing praise to the Lord. One of the youth pastors was standing on the bumper of a car, hands uplifted, singing praise to the Lord. This is no joke...I began to quote out loud...better yet paraphrase Acts 2:17, 18 where it talks about the latter rain and how in the last days God would pour out His Spirit upon all flesh. It wasn't more than thirty seconds after I spoke that promise that it began to rain, literally. Now you might think this is strange, but I don't know if I've ever spoken anything more prophetically than that. We were shouting and worshipping God in the rain and it was like spiritual rain falling on us. Time didn't mattered...all that mattered was that we wanted more of Jesus. (The pastor of the church also stated that it hadn't rained in his area for 3 weeks and it happened at that particular moment...)
Trust me when I tell you that this description is so inadequate of all that transpired. In the 25 years that I've been in the ministry, I have never witnessed anything quite like it. It was a sovereign, spontaneous move of the Holy Spirit and we who were there are forever changed by it.
The theme of the outreach was "Experience the power of the cross. This changes everything." That literally happened. The Holy Spirit's presence and power was so strong and so refreshing.
I am humbled and in awe of the mighty power of our God. All who were there were moved and touched beyond words. I believe bondages were broken and new life was experienced by all. I also felt that there was nothing done out of order nor do I make an apology for what transpired. We are Pentecostal people! Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. It is real! This is the generation that seeks the face of God!
Forgive my ramblings, it's just that there are things I can somewhat tell you about and other things that can only be experienced first hand. I am forever changed by this experience with Jesus. How He is worthy to be praised!
Hopefully, this has helped explain what happened. It is forever stamped and written in my heart. May we all experience a fresh touch of the power of God.
This coming Sunday, I will be preaching at a church I've never been to before, First Assembly of God in Blairsville, Pennsylvania, where Rev. Charles Kitner serves as pastor. Please pray that these services will be blessed with the wonderful presence of our loving God. I know in my heart that the Lord wishes to pour out His Spirit upon His people.
I usually give a short devotional thought here but this week, I would like to share something I posted on Facebook concerning the outreach in Woodbourne, New York that I took part in last week. Needless to say, it was a life-changing event in the presence of God. Please take the time to read this in its entirety and know that the Lord can also do this for you.
The Move Of God On Saturday, July 10, 2010
Someone asked me elaborate on what I posted last night on Facebook so I thought I would write a note for anyone to read.
I just finished ministering for the last several days at the Woodbourne Outreach for Crossway Assembly of God in Woodbourne, New York. There were thirtysome youth and youth pastors\leaders from the Hudson Valley Section in the NY District who also gathered to minister in drama, human videos and puppets. The young people would also canvass the area with printed material to invite people to these services and the church. In the afternoon, we would set up and do street ministry...better yet...an outdoor parking lot service in an area shopping plaza and at a pool. In the evening, we had tent services on the church grounds.
What happened on Saturday night was one of the most incredible and unique outpourings of the Holy Spirit that I have ever seen. I preached on Bartimaeus and had an altar call for healing, which several responded to. I, along with the pastor, Ismael Berrios, anointed the people and I had the young people who came to minister, gather behind the people and pray for them. The last person I prayed for was a woman from the congregation who informed me that her body and knees were full of pain all the time. When I finished praying for her, the young people just continued to gather around her and prayed. It was obvious that the Lord was moving and she was slained out under the power of God. (By the way, the woman was healed!) The young people began to just pray for one another and all of heaven broke loose. I cannot even put into words all that happened. Our tent was on a dirt floor and kids were face down in the dirt seeking God. Then the kids began to drift out from under the tent and worship in the dirt parking lot....dancing before the Lord, kneeling and laying before the Lord...in the dirt....praying for one another.
There was a Methodist family in attendance who had been invited by a woman from the church. The parents stayed thru part of the altar service and left but their teenage daugther was so drawn by the power of God that asked her parents if she could stay. I, along with a couple of the youth pastors went over and laid hands on her.....next thing I know, one of the teenage girls on our team, Mariah, came over and began to pray with her and I mean pray. God was moving on that Methodist girls life. It was tremendous. She was changed by the power of God.
Then I called the youth forward who needed to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. The power of God was all over the place. Kids were seeking God, crying out to Him. Talk about a spiritual explosion!
More of the kids were now out in the parking lot....everywhere....praising God....twirling in praise...kneeling in the dirt. Cars were driving by with their headlights on these young people, slowing down. (I'm getting teary-eyed as I write this...) By now, I was out in the parking lot and I knew that the Lord wanted me down in the dirt worshiping Him. When I knelt, I just put my head down in the dirt and began to pray from deep withing my spirit. Many of these youth gathered around me, laid hands on me and began to pray over me. There was such a tremendous amount of the power of God. I'm finding it hard to express. I wept and shouted from so deep down in my soul. While all this was happening, I felt the Lord speak to me about my ministry. It was one of the most humbling experiences I've ever had.
It had been several hours by now that this was all going on. Most of us were now in the parking lot, singing praise to the Lord. One of the youth pastors was standing on the bumper of a car, hands uplifted, singing praise to the Lord. This is no joke...I began to quote out loud...better yet paraphrase Acts 2:17, 18 where it talks about the latter rain and how in the last days God would pour out His Spirit upon all flesh. It wasn't more than thirty seconds after I spoke that promise that it began to rain, literally. Now you might think this is strange, but I don't know if I've ever spoken anything more prophetically than that. We were shouting and worshipping God in the rain and it was like spiritual rain falling on us. Time didn't mattered...all that mattered was that we wanted more of Jesus. (The pastor of the church also stated that it hadn't rained in his area for 3 weeks and it happened at that particular moment...)
Trust me when I tell you that this description is so inadequate of all that transpired. In the 25 years that I've been in the ministry, I have never witnessed anything quite like it. It was a sovereign, spontaneous move of the Holy Spirit and we who were there are forever changed by it.
The theme of the outreach was "Experience the power of the cross. This changes everything." That literally happened. The Holy Spirit's presence and power was so strong and so refreshing.
I am humbled and in awe of the mighty power of our God. All who were there were moved and touched beyond words. I believe bondages were broken and new life was experienced by all. I also felt that there was nothing done out of order nor do I make an apology for what transpired. We are Pentecostal people! Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. It is real! This is the generation that seeks the face of God!
Forgive my ramblings, it's just that there are things I can somewhat tell you about and other things that can only be experienced first hand. I am forever changed by this experience with Jesus. How He is worthy to be praised!
Hopefully, this has helped explain what happened. It is forever stamped and written in my heart. May we all experience a fresh touch of the power of God.
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
Preaching Along Side Some Wonderful Youth
Good afternoon everyone. Is it hot enough for you?
This coming Thursday through Sunday, I have the wonderful opportunity to be the preacher at Crossway Assembly of God in Woodbourne, New York. While I'm there, this church will be invaded by youth from across the Hudson Valley of New York who are coming to blitz this area for Jesus and will be ministering through street ministry, drama and song. When I was a youth pastor in the Hudson Valley section back in the 1990's, every summer, I took a group of young people from my church on these summer missions trips. It was on one of those trips back in the summer of 1993, when the Lord called me to go on the evangelistic field. This is one of those "coming full circle moments" in the ministry and I am honored to partner with this church and with these young people in the next few days. Please pray that the efforts of these young people and my preaching will reach people for the kingdom of God. Pray that the Lord will touch the youth who will be involved in this endeavor and that the Lord would speak clearly to them. I love teenagers who passionately serve Jesus!
I've been at my home church the past two days helping with Vacation Bible School. I was very touched today to see the kids worshiping the Lord very energetically through the songs. It is because of events like VBS and youth missions trips that I am certain of the fact that the Kingdom of God will continue moving forward for many years, should the Lord tarry. The younger generation has much to offer to the body of Christ. May we as adults offer them every opportunity to serve the Lord with joy and passion. The torch of faith is being passed on to them even now.
This coming Thursday through Sunday, I have the wonderful opportunity to be the preacher at Crossway Assembly of God in Woodbourne, New York. While I'm there, this church will be invaded by youth from across the Hudson Valley of New York who are coming to blitz this area for Jesus and will be ministering through street ministry, drama and song. When I was a youth pastor in the Hudson Valley section back in the 1990's, every summer, I took a group of young people from my church on these summer missions trips. It was on one of those trips back in the summer of 1993, when the Lord called me to go on the evangelistic field. This is one of those "coming full circle moments" in the ministry and I am honored to partner with this church and with these young people in the next few days. Please pray that the efforts of these young people and my preaching will reach people for the kingdom of God. Pray that the Lord will touch the youth who will be involved in this endeavor and that the Lord would speak clearly to them. I love teenagers who passionately serve Jesus!
I've been at my home church the past two days helping with Vacation Bible School. I was very touched today to see the kids worshiping the Lord very energetically through the songs. It is because of events like VBS and youth missions trips that I am certain of the fact that the Kingdom of God will continue moving forward for many years, should the Lord tarry. The younger generation has much to offer to the body of Christ. May we as adults offer them every opportunity to serve the Lord with joy and passion. The torch of faith is being passed on to them even now.
Thursday, July 01, 2010
4th of July Tradition
Good morning everyone. It's a beautiful, sunshine filled day.
This coming Sunday, as has become a 4th of July tradition at the Green Ridge Assembly of God, I will be preaching in my home church in Scranton, Pennsylvania. I always love this weekend because this scheduling allows me to attend my church's annual picnic on Saturday. I look forward to the all-day fellowship with my church family and then Sunday as I minister the Word of God. Please pray that the Lord will bless this entire weekend and cause the people of Green Ridge to love God and love each other more.
I just finished reading through the Book of Ezra. One thing I realize is after reading its message is that obedience can be a difficult thing, yet in spite of that, it is what the Lord wants from us. The Bible tells us in 1 Samuel, "to obey is better than sacrifice." I want to be an obedient child of God. Obedience brings the blessing of God in our lives. May we all walk in obedience to our loving and faithful Master today.
Before I forget, have a very Happy 4th of July. I love this holiday....cookouts....fireworks....freedom! What more could we want. Happy birthday America...and God bless her too...and you!
This coming Sunday, as has become a 4th of July tradition at the Green Ridge Assembly of God, I will be preaching in my home church in Scranton, Pennsylvania. I always love this weekend because this scheduling allows me to attend my church's annual picnic on Saturday. I look forward to the all-day fellowship with my church family and then Sunday as I minister the Word of God. Please pray that the Lord will bless this entire weekend and cause the people of Green Ridge to love God and love each other more.
I just finished reading through the Book of Ezra. One thing I realize is after reading its message is that obedience can be a difficult thing, yet in spite of that, it is what the Lord wants from us. The Bible tells us in 1 Samuel, "to obey is better than sacrifice." I want to be an obedient child of God. Obedience brings the blessing of God in our lives. May we all walk in obedience to our loving and faithful Master today.
Before I forget, have a very Happy 4th of July. I love this holiday....cookouts....fireworks....freedom! What more could we want. Happy birthday America...and God bless her too...and you!
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