Pastor's Notes 7-26-2009

I am convinced that most of us truly believe that Jesus can do anything, anytime, anywhere because He is sovereign. Therefore, you can agree that He is working in everyone’s life at the same time. When problems occur in our lives, we often times forget this reality. We begin to focus on ourselves and act as if we are the ONLY person inthe world.

Today, I would like to awaken you to the fact that you need to un-learn this terrible lesson. Yes, Jesus is working in the lives of every human being on the planet. He can give you as well as other His full attention because He is God. He is interested in you so deeply and longs for you to share every aspect of your life withHim. He wants to know about your hurts, your cares, your disappointments, your bills (i.e., both the ones you paid on time and those you paid late), and everything else about you. Why? Because He loves you. Previous notes have mentioned that problems in your life are indicators that He is at work.

Let me also say that another indication of Jesus' involvement in your life is when you are overcome emotionally in a certain situation. Have you had such an experience? Think about it and you may just see or recognize His mighty work in you.” Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another,God lives in us and His love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:11, 12”

Pastor's Notes 7-19-2009

The occurrence of problems and challenges in your life is one way to know that God is at work. God is God and He can use any means or method He chooses. However, my studies indicate that this is a sure and certain way to know that He is at work in our lives. The church van parked at the Massicots has been a source of problems for the past several weeks. The neighbors have called the church and left several complaints regarding the church van being parked on their street.

To be clear, the parking of the church van was not in any way violating any of the Neptune Township ordinances. The neighbors don’t want the van on the street. I spoke to one of the neighbors as well as the Massicots and I decided to follow the instructions of our Lord. He said, "If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.” Matthew 10:14 NIV I did just that! I took my shoes off in front of the neighbor's house and shook the dust off.

Now, I always believed the Scripture to mean just what it said but in the back of mind I also thought something negative or bad would happen. Please do not ask why I thought that way, I just did. The Lord showed me differently as I continued to ponder the act of shaking the dust off my shoes. He showed me that the act was the physical representation of me TOTALLY giving or turning the situation over to Him.

I was stunned! Not even 2 or 3 days later, Deacon Massicot told me that this very neighbor asked him to watch his house for him when he leaves for Florida on vacation. And, even more importantly, Deacon said that he told him that he has been personally watching out for the church van. WOW! God is at work on the street.

I had asked Deacon to have a cookout for the entire street sponsored by the church on Labor Day. Please plan to attend - you really want to join in what God is doing.

Why? Because God is up to something. I would like to look at the thought - Is God really at work with all of us at the same time?

Pastor's Notes 7-12-2009

The Bible is a book about the salvation of mankind. What I find fascinating about this book is that it details real stories about ordinary people. In addition, it is interesting to note that even though time changes throughout the years, the stories about people remains the same. The book of Proverbs provides many insightful sayings about strife. Strife can be sown, stirred up, and meddled. Yet, it seems to me that strife provides some indication that God is at work in our midst. Please notice the following text: And there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram's cattle and the herdsmen of Lot's cattle: and the Canaanites and the Perizzites dwelled then in the land. Genesis 13:7

The result of this conflict caused the separation of Abram and his nephew (Lot). Immediately, after the separation God appeared to Abram. It would seem to me that there were positive benefits of strife in Abram’s and Lot’s lives. At least, Abram greatly benefited because it may have provided the perfect opportunity to separate from his nephew.

Why is it that we tend to have such negative responses to the issues of strife which occur in our lives? Should we learn how to better respond to these situations? Why? Because so far I have observed that God is always at work. I would like to discuss the issue of the church van at the Massicot’s in hope of determining what God is up to where they live.

Pastor's Notes 7-5-2009

The Lord has impressed two things in my spirit over the past weeks. I have been spending much time thinking on the following two concepts. They feel so real and tangible to me that I would like to share them with you over the next two weeks. They are:

1) Just do whatsoever the Lord has placed in your heart to accomplish for His kingdom; and

2) A sign that God is working among us is when trouble, trials and problems arise in our midst.

Join me!

I would like to deal with the first item this week. The scripture that immediately comes to my mind when the Lord spoke these words in my heart is found in 2 Samuel 7:3. It reads, “Nathan said to the king, Go, do all that is in thine heart; for the LORD is with thee”. David asked the prophet to inquire of the Lord whether or not he should do a particular work for His kingdom.
The prophet’s response was simple and direct. He told David to go ahead because the Lord is with him. I say to the First Pentecostal Church family today – The Lord is with us. There has been a special anointing in this church family and among us since we rose to the challenge of doing our daily devotions.

I want to say to everyone: The Spirit of the Lord is among us in a great way. Therefore, go and do all that is in your hearts to do for the Lord. Why? Because He is with us. Amen. Brush off your Ten Dollar challenge and do something great. Start an abundance group. Start a ministry.

God is with us!!!

God bless you richly...