A Word from the Lord!
Wednesday, Cristina and I had the privilege of hearing Bishop Jakes preach at Bethany. He definitely came with a word from the Lord in his mouth. He preached from John 21 as his text on the subject "The Last Night on the Boat".
Peter and the rest of the disciples were reeling from the tragedy of Jesus' death. Peter said, "I go fishing", symbolizing a return to the familiar. His boat was a security blanket. How often in the midst of tragedy, do we return to the comfortable and familiar. Remember, it was on this fishing boat that Jesus called Peter to be a disciple and become a fisher of men(Mt. 4:19). A long process of completion had begun with this call. Peter had many up and downs, but now the completed work was to be established.
In John 21, Jesus appears to Peter. This would be his last night on the boat. The last night in the comfort zone. The last night of holding on to the security blanket. As Jesus spoke with Peter on the shore, he asked, "Do you love me?" Peter answered with a yes! Jesus responded with the command,"Feed my sheep." These words became the launching point for Peter's ministry. He was done fishing for fish, and was ready to fish for men. There is no record of Peter ever returning to the boat. He had become completed. No need to return back to his past. He was stepping out into the destiny of the Lord for his life.
Hearing this message, I was reminded of the decision my family made to leave Ohio and move to Orlando. Ohio was my comfort zone of familiarity and security. Even though I knew I could not fulfill the destiny over my life in that place, there was a certain sense of security being there in my "fishing boat". I am so thankful that the master called to us and we responded. As Peter, we let go of our nets, and began swimming towards the shore. Orlando was that shore, and Jesus had many souls prepared, awaiting our arrival! This truly is a new beginning for our family and ministry. Destiny and purpose lay before us. I cannot wait to see what God will do through our act of obedience. The best is yet to come!
Phil 3:13
No, dear brothers and sisters, I am still not all I should be, but I am focusing all my energies on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,
Friday, August 31, 2007
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
An Exciting Week!
This week we are coming out of our Women's Encounter! The testimonies keep pouring in. Relationships between mothers and daughters have been restored. The pain of past memories has been erased. The oppressive weight of sin, guilt, shame, and unforgiveness has been lifted. Praise the Lord!
Also this week, we are approaching the closing of our purchase on the new church property. It has been a long battle, with many ups and downs. However, this battle has been small in comparison to the other battles in our lives. So, it has been easy to remain at peace, knowing that God is in control.
Cristina and I are filled with great vision for NBHC and the city of Orlando. We want to get in our new building as soon as possible, so we can begin fulfilling that vision. Our hearts burn to see souls saved, the hungry fed, the poor clothed, and disciples established. God is providing us with a facility that will enable us to do all this and much more. Please continue to pray for an expeditious closing. I also want you to beleive with us that the building will be completely debt free within the first year of the day we take possession!
Wednesday, Cristina and I will be in Baton Rouge, LA to hear Bishop Jakes minister at Bethany. WOW! It will be a night to remember. Bishop Jakes always has a powerful word from the Lord and we can't wait to hear it. I will let you know all about it when we get back!
This week we are coming out of our Women's Encounter! The testimonies keep pouring in. Relationships between mothers and daughters have been restored. The pain of past memories has been erased. The oppressive weight of sin, guilt, shame, and unforgiveness has been lifted. Praise the Lord!
Also this week, we are approaching the closing of our purchase on the new church property. It has been a long battle, with many ups and downs. However, this battle has been small in comparison to the other battles in our lives. So, it has been easy to remain at peace, knowing that God is in control.
Cristina and I are filled with great vision for NBHC and the city of Orlando. We want to get in our new building as soon as possible, so we can begin fulfilling that vision. Our hearts burn to see souls saved, the hungry fed, the poor clothed, and disciples established. God is providing us with a facility that will enable us to do all this and much more. Please continue to pray for an expeditious closing. I also want you to beleive with us that the building will be completely debt free within the first year of the day we take possession!
Wednesday, Cristina and I will be in Baton Rouge, LA to hear Bishop Jakes minister at Bethany. WOW! It will be a night to remember. Bishop Jakes always has a powerful word from the Lord and we can't wait to hear it. I will let you know all about it when we get back!
Friday, August 24, 2007
Don't Look Back
Thank God for the wonderful work of salvation through His Son Jesus on the cross! Most of you who are are reading this today, have experienced this marvelous work of grace, called Salvation. As the children of Israel were brought out from the land of Egypt, we have been brought out of a life of sin, sickness, and bondage. However, many believers are not experiencing the fullness of joy in their salvation. Like the children of Israel, many get caught up "looking back" and drifting towards the life of bondage from which they have been delivered.
Israel was supernaturally delivered from Egypt, but when circumstances became difficult, they longed to return there. Why would anyone long for this? It was a life of cruel bondage. Why would they want to journey back into that lifestyle?
What I am about to share is a sad truth. Many people are more comfortable with the familiar life of bondage than the unfamiliar life of freedom. Bondage was all Israel had ever known. There was a certain comfort in their familiarity. As they began to walk through the wilderness of transition, they had to learn to depend on God and Him alone.
Many believers find themselves falling back into the old habits of a sinful lifestyle. This usually occurs when adverse circumstances come(The Wilderness Season). This is a time where God will test our hearts.
In Genesis 19:26, we see the results of looking back. By His mercy and grace, God chose to spare Lot and his wife from a well deserved judgement. But as Lot's wife was making her journey towards deliverance, she longed for that which was all too familiar and comfortable. This scripture clearly tells us, that you can never go forward when you get caught "looking back."
The only thing we are to look back to, is the cross of Jesus. It is the only thing in the past that is worth re-visiting.
Num 21:8
8 Then the LORD told him, "Make a replica of a poisonous snake and attach it to the top of a pole. Those who are bitten will live if they simply look at it!"NLT
The pole represents the cross. The poisonous snake is sin. Remember, that it was a serpent that spoke to Eve in the garden and persuaded her to sin.
When we look to the cross, we see that the power of sin was defeated there. If you can see that your old life of bondage was crucified on the cross, you will live. A true revelation of the cross will bring freedom and deliverance. When you look back to the cross, you will never again look back to the old life in which you have been delivered.
Thank God for the wonderful work of salvation through His Son Jesus on the cross! Most of you who are are reading this today, have experienced this marvelous work of grace, called Salvation. As the children of Israel were brought out from the land of Egypt, we have been brought out of a life of sin, sickness, and bondage. However, many believers are not experiencing the fullness of joy in their salvation. Like the children of Israel, many get caught up "looking back" and drifting towards the life of bondage from which they have been delivered.
Israel was supernaturally delivered from Egypt, but when circumstances became difficult, they longed to return there. Why would anyone long for this? It was a life of cruel bondage. Why would they want to journey back into that lifestyle?
What I am about to share is a sad truth. Many people are more comfortable with the familiar life of bondage than the unfamiliar life of freedom. Bondage was all Israel had ever known. There was a certain comfort in their familiarity. As they began to walk through the wilderness of transition, they had to learn to depend on God and Him alone.
Many believers find themselves falling back into the old habits of a sinful lifestyle. This usually occurs when adverse circumstances come(The Wilderness Season). This is a time where God will test our hearts.
In Genesis 19:26, we see the results of looking back. By His mercy and grace, God chose to spare Lot and his wife from a well deserved judgement. But as Lot's wife was making her journey towards deliverance, she longed for that which was all too familiar and comfortable. This scripture clearly tells us, that you can never go forward when you get caught "looking back."
The only thing we are to look back to, is the cross of Jesus. It is the only thing in the past that is worth re-visiting.
Num 21:8
8 Then the LORD told him, "Make a replica of a poisonous snake and attach it to the top of a pole. Those who are bitten will live if they simply look at it!"NLT
The pole represents the cross. The poisonous snake is sin. Remember, that it was a serpent that spoke to Eve in the garden and persuaded her to sin.
When we look to the cross, we see that the power of sin was defeated there. If you can see that your old life of bondage was crucified on the cross, you will live. A true revelation of the cross will bring freedom and deliverance. When you look back to the cross, you will never again look back to the old life in which you have been delivered.
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
More Than Expected!
This past Sunday night's miracle service was nothing short of INCREDIBLE! God truly went beyond our expectations. In the matter of seconds, the aisles were filled with people who knew without a doubt that they were healed. As people began to testify of their miraculous healing, the power of God continued to increase. Near the end of the service the joy of the Lord began to flow as an unstoppable force. I watched in utter amazement as people were overcome by this marvelous outpouring. Not only were people supernaturally healed of incurable afflictions, they were also refreshed and renewed. What a wonderful God we serve!
Coming out of this powerful weekend, we begin setting our sights on the Women's Encounter, that will be taking place August 24th-25th. Over 70 women from our church will be attending! We have been praying, fasting, and expecting. I know that God is going to reveal himself, the suffering of His son, and the freedom that is found at the cross. This will be a weekend of great deliverance.
This Friday(August 24), I will be on Orlando TV 45 for a special program on Healing and Miracles. I will be a guest on the "Today's Family" broadcast which will air at 7:30 am, 12:00 pm, 3:00 pm, and 8:00 pm. I am expecting God to use this program to bring healing to those who are watching. Please agree with me that many will be touched.
Eph 3:20
20 Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. NLT
This past Sunday night's miracle service was nothing short of INCREDIBLE! God truly went beyond our expectations. In the matter of seconds, the aisles were filled with people who knew without a doubt that they were healed. As people began to testify of their miraculous healing, the power of God continued to increase. Near the end of the service the joy of the Lord began to flow as an unstoppable force. I watched in utter amazement as people were overcome by this marvelous outpouring. Not only were people supernaturally healed of incurable afflictions, they were also refreshed and renewed. What a wonderful God we serve!
Coming out of this powerful weekend, we begin setting our sights on the Women's Encounter, that will be taking place August 24th-25th. Over 70 women from our church will be attending! We have been praying, fasting, and expecting. I know that God is going to reveal himself, the suffering of His son, and the freedom that is found at the cross. This will be a weekend of great deliverance.
This Friday(August 24), I will be on Orlando TV 45 for a special program on Healing and Miracles. I will be a guest on the "Today's Family" broadcast which will air at 7:30 am, 12:00 pm, 3:00 pm, and 8:00 pm. I am expecting God to use this program to bring healing to those who are watching. Please agree with me that many will be touched.
Eph 3:20
20 Now glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope. NLT
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Special Night of Miracles!
Last month at our Miracle Service hundreds of people gathered to experience the presence and power of God. Countless miracles happened that night. A women who was scheduled for a liver transplant now has doctor verification that her liver is in perfect order and there is no need for the transplant! We also saw a man who suffered from a stroke regain mobility and restoration to his speech. Above all, over 20 people gave their life to the Lord in the prayer of salvation!
August 19th at 6 pm, we will be holding another Miracle Service. I am expecting nothing less from the Lord than what we saw this past month. In my spirit, I feel we stand on the verge of a mighty outpouring from heaven. We truly are living in the greatest time. There is a fresh anointing of deliverance and freedom being released from heaven. I believe that New Beginnings has been called to be a part of this sweet release. God has called us for such a time as this! It's time we lift our voice and make the declaration of freedom to the captives.
Est 4:1414 If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. What's more, who can say but that you have been elevated to the palace for just such a time as this?" NLT
Last month at our Miracle Service hundreds of people gathered to experience the presence and power of God. Countless miracles happened that night. A women who was scheduled for a liver transplant now has doctor verification that her liver is in perfect order and there is no need for the transplant! We also saw a man who suffered from a stroke regain mobility and restoration to his speech. Above all, over 20 people gave their life to the Lord in the prayer of salvation!
August 19th at 6 pm, we will be holding another Miracle Service. I am expecting nothing less from the Lord than what we saw this past month. In my spirit, I feel we stand on the verge of a mighty outpouring from heaven. We truly are living in the greatest time. There is a fresh anointing of deliverance and freedom being released from heaven. I believe that New Beginnings has been called to be a part of this sweet release. God has called us for such a time as this! It's time we lift our voice and make the declaration of freedom to the captives.
Est 4:1414 If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. What's more, who can say but that you have been elevated to the palace for just such a time as this?" NLT
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