Merry Christmas!
Cristina and I want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas! This is our favorite time of year. It is a time for giving, loving and spending time with those who are dearest to our hearts. But most of all it is a celebration of our Lord Jesus and His birth. We are so thankful to God for sending His Son to earth to be our Lord and Savior. Jesus truly is the greatest gift on earth.
During this season we are reminded of how much we love our natural family as well as our spiritual family. Many times we feel closer to our brothers and sisters in the Lord than even our natural family. We are all connected by the precious blood of Jesus. Our bond and covenant is stronger than any natural relationship could ever be.
Please know that we are praying for you and your family. I believe that the upcoming year will be filled with great and wonderful things.
Please continue to pray for my family and the ministry as we enter into this next year. We need your love and support in order to fulfill all that God has set before us.
Heb 13:15-16 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. 16 But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. NKJV
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Thursday, December 13, 2007
The Last Shall Be First
In Luke 14:15-24 we read the parable of the great supper. This scripture ultimately speaks of eternity, but I believe that it also has prophetic implications for today. The master of the house speaks of our Master, Jesus. He has prepared many great and wonderful things for those who love Him. It is His pleasure to give these gifts to His people. However, in this story we see 3 types of people who were invited, but due to selfishness, refused the invitation and missed all that was prepared for them.
The first invited was too busy looking at a piece of land that he purchased. This speaks of materialism. Some are so busy pursuing materialistic things, that they miss their true purpose, sometimes even loosing their salvation.
The second man wanted to prove the new oxen that he purchased. This represents the type of person who is too busy working to allow anytime for spiritual matters.
The third man was too busy because he just got married. Within days of his marriage, he had already allowed the line to be crossed and God was pushed out. Too often we allow legitimate family problems to develop into illegitimate excuses to miss the things of God.
The master was angry because those who he chose and invited wanted nothing to do with his banquet. They were his first choice and he became their second. He quickly bypassed them and sent invitations to the desperate. Before long, the house was full, and hungry people were filled.
I believe that we are living in a day where many people God has chosen have become filled with selfishness, pride, and greed. Yet there is a desperate, hungry people who will ever appreciate the gifts and callings of God. The hungry are taking their place at the table, while the others are simply being bypassed and forgotten. Their is a great shift that will take place in 2008. God will bring down the arrogant, proud, and greedy, and elevate the humble, pure, and the broken. Those who have been first will be last. Those who are last will be first. It is time to take our place at the table. All is ready!
In Luke 14:15-24 we read the parable of the great supper. This scripture ultimately speaks of eternity, but I believe that it also has prophetic implications for today. The master of the house speaks of our Master, Jesus. He has prepared many great and wonderful things for those who love Him. It is His pleasure to give these gifts to His people. However, in this story we see 3 types of people who were invited, but due to selfishness, refused the invitation and missed all that was prepared for them.
The first invited was too busy looking at a piece of land that he purchased. This speaks of materialism. Some are so busy pursuing materialistic things, that they miss their true purpose, sometimes even loosing their salvation.
The second man wanted to prove the new oxen that he purchased. This represents the type of person who is too busy working to allow anytime for spiritual matters.
The third man was too busy because he just got married. Within days of his marriage, he had already allowed the line to be crossed and God was pushed out. Too often we allow legitimate family problems to develop into illegitimate excuses to miss the things of God.
The master was angry because those who he chose and invited wanted nothing to do with his banquet. They were his first choice and he became their second. He quickly bypassed them and sent invitations to the desperate. Before long, the house was full, and hungry people were filled.
I believe that we are living in a day where many people God has chosen have become filled with selfishness, pride, and greed. Yet there is a desperate, hungry people who will ever appreciate the gifts and callings of God. The hungry are taking their place at the table, while the others are simply being bypassed and forgotten. Their is a great shift that will take place in 2008. God will bring down the arrogant, proud, and greedy, and elevate the humble, pure, and the broken. Those who have been first will be last. Those who are last will be first. It is time to take our place at the table. All is ready!
Monday, December 3, 2007
Growth and Multiplication
This is an exciting season for New Beginnings Healing Center. We are experiencing growth in every way. Ministries are being formed that will meet the specific needs of the variety of people attending our church, as well as reaching ouy to those outside the church.
Our children's ministry,"Praizin Generation", is up and running, and proving to be a unique, dynamic, and powerful tool in shaping the lives of our children. Our college age adults group,"The Dragnet", is now meeting on a weekly basis.
We are continuing to see great results from our nursing home, jail, and and hospital visitation ministries. Many in prison are receiving Christ on a weekly basis. Many elderly people are getting saved and encouraged through our nursing home services. People in hospitals are being touched and healed.
We are know in the process of organizing men's and women's ministries. Also, we are preparing to start our street evangelism team. People will be out witnessing on a weekly basis and I believe we will see many saved as a result.
God truly has given us people with a heart for ministry. As we continue to be an outreach, God will increase our church in every way. Their is a great harvest before us.
We have been in a season of growth. But I believe now more than ever that we are entering a season of multiplication.
Gen 35:11 Also God said to him:"I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body. NKJV
This is an exciting season for New Beginnings Healing Center. We are experiencing growth in every way. Ministries are being formed that will meet the specific needs of the variety of people attending our church, as well as reaching ouy to those outside the church.
Our children's ministry,"Praizin Generation", is up and running, and proving to be a unique, dynamic, and powerful tool in shaping the lives of our children. Our college age adults group,"The Dragnet", is now meeting on a weekly basis.
We are continuing to see great results from our nursing home, jail, and and hospital visitation ministries. Many in prison are receiving Christ on a weekly basis. Many elderly people are getting saved and encouraged through our nursing home services. People in hospitals are being touched and healed.
We are know in the process of organizing men's and women's ministries. Also, we are preparing to start our street evangelism team. People will be out witnessing on a weekly basis and I believe we will see many saved as a result.
God truly has given us people with a heart for ministry. As we continue to be an outreach, God will increase our church in every way. Their is a great harvest before us.
We have been in a season of growth. But I believe now more than ever that we are entering a season of multiplication.
Gen 35:11 Also God said to him:"I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body. NKJV
Friday, November 23, 2007
On TV!
Today our TV program will be airing on Orlando TV 45 for the first time! The show will be on at 7am and 11pm every Friday. We will continue this once a week schedule through January. After that we will be looking at a more frequent airing schedule, possibly 5 times a week.
We have waited for the opportunity to have a program on air since the first day we moved here. God provided our ministry with $150,000 of TV equipment before we even arrived in Orlando. It became obvious that the Lord had plans to do something great with our ministry through the means of Christian television. We wanted to get started immediately. But, many complication and delays have occurred throughout this past year, making this dream seem unobtainable. But God's timing is perfect. Now, this dream has become a reality. I know that many will be touched as they watch these anointed programs. I know that many will receive Christ as a result. This is a great evangelistic outreach tool that will abound in much fruit.
Joel 2:21 Don't be afraid, my people! Be glad now and rejoice because the LORD has done great things
Today our TV program will be airing on Orlando TV 45 for the first time! The show will be on at 7am and 11pm every Friday. We will continue this once a week schedule through January. After that we will be looking at a more frequent airing schedule, possibly 5 times a week.
We have waited for the opportunity to have a program on air since the first day we moved here. God provided our ministry with $150,000 of TV equipment before we even arrived in Orlando. It became obvious that the Lord had plans to do something great with our ministry through the means of Christian television. We wanted to get started immediately. But, many complication and delays have occurred throughout this past year, making this dream seem unobtainable. But God's timing is perfect. Now, this dream has become a reality. I know that many will be touched as they watch these anointed programs. I know that many will receive Christ as a result. This is a great evangelistic outreach tool that will abound in much fruit.
Joel 2:21 Don't be afraid, my people! Be glad now and rejoice because the LORD has done great things
Monday, November 19, 2007
Sanford Outreach
This past Saturday, our church went to the Sanford Housing Authority to distribute food to 300 families in need. God has given us extreme favor with the Sanford Housing authority, which allowed us the opportunity to conduct a full blown service before the distribution of food. Hundreds gathered on the neighborhood basketball court for the service. We ran out of seats, so many had to stand throughout the service. There was a great spiritual hunger in the hearts of these precious people.
I preached a message called, "You Are Not Forgotten". It was evident that this message brought hope and encouragement to many who felt forgotten and inaignificant. As the sermon concluded, I began ministering on the cross and the blood of Jesus. There was a powerful anointing present. The Spirit of the Lord began moving on the hearts of the people. 87 people responded to the call for salvation! They asked forgiveness of their sins, and received the Lord Jesus as their savior.
After the service, many that were sick in body, came forward for prayer. Our ministry workers met them and began to pray over their needs. Healing took place and many testified of the touch of God's hand upon their life.
Of course, at the end of the day, we distributed food to the families. It was a great ending to a great day. You could see the joy and thanksgiving on their faces. Not only did they receive spiritual relief, but also relief in the natural.
I believe that this is what the Body of Christ is all about. God has blessed us that we may be a blessing to others. We are an extension of God's hand upon this earth. It sure felt good, being a part of this great commission.
Mark 16:15
And then he told them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere.NLT
This past Saturday, our church went to the Sanford Housing Authority to distribute food to 300 families in need. God has given us extreme favor with the Sanford Housing authority, which allowed us the opportunity to conduct a full blown service before the distribution of food. Hundreds gathered on the neighborhood basketball court for the service. We ran out of seats, so many had to stand throughout the service. There was a great spiritual hunger in the hearts of these precious people.
I preached a message called, "You Are Not Forgotten". It was evident that this message brought hope and encouragement to many who felt forgotten and inaignificant. As the sermon concluded, I began ministering on the cross and the blood of Jesus. There was a powerful anointing present. The Spirit of the Lord began moving on the hearts of the people. 87 people responded to the call for salvation! They asked forgiveness of their sins, and received the Lord Jesus as their savior.
After the service, many that were sick in body, came forward for prayer. Our ministry workers met them and began to pray over their needs. Healing took place and many testified of the touch of God's hand upon their life.
Of course, at the end of the day, we distributed food to the families. It was a great ending to a great day. You could see the joy and thanksgiving on their faces. Not only did they receive spiritual relief, but also relief in the natural.
I believe that this is what the Body of Christ is all about. God has blessed us that we may be a blessing to others. We are an extension of God's hand upon this earth. It sure felt good, being a part of this great commission.
Mark 16:15
And then he told them, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone, everywhere.NLT
Monday, November 12, 2007
The Blood
2 weeks ago I began a series on the the Passover from the book of Exodus. We have been focusing on how the story of the Passover relates to the New Testament sacrifice or our Lord Jesus Christ. He is our Passover Lamb!
In Exodus, we find Moses before Pharaoh, performing many different signs. Many of these signs were copied by the Egyptian magicians. But the one thing they could not copy was the blood! The enemy today has a counterfeit for power, healing, freedom, happiness, and peace. Their are many counterfeit gods and spiritual beliefs. However, the enemy has no substitute for the Blood. There is no power like the power of the blood. There is healing in the blood. True freedom and deliverance can only be found through the blood of Jesus. Of no other god can it be said that their blood was spilled for the salivation of those who serve them.
In America today, we have many preachers preaching many different things. Some preach a message of prosperity. Some a message of self-help through the method of positive thinking. Others preach a message of "blab it, grab" which can often times play into people's greed and selfishness. These messages are out of order and a danger to the Body of Christ. There is only one message that we are to preach. It is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This gospel is the message of the cross and His suffering. It is a message that reveals the power of his blood and life we now have will have forevermore as result of the work of the cross.
It is time in America, that we as preachers come back to the same gospel the early apostles preached that revolutionized the world. It worked then, and it is the only message that will work now. Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
1 Cor 2:3-5 For I decided to concentrate only on Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. 3 I came to you in weakness — timid and trembling. 4 And my message and my preaching were very plain. I did not use wise and persuasive speeches, but the Holy Spirit was powerful among you. 5 I did this so that you might trust the power of God rather than human wisdom. NLT
2 weeks ago I began a series on the the Passover from the book of Exodus. We have been focusing on how the story of the Passover relates to the New Testament sacrifice or our Lord Jesus Christ. He is our Passover Lamb!
In Exodus, we find Moses before Pharaoh, performing many different signs. Many of these signs were copied by the Egyptian magicians. But the one thing they could not copy was the blood! The enemy today has a counterfeit for power, healing, freedom, happiness, and peace. Their are many counterfeit gods and spiritual beliefs. However, the enemy has no substitute for the Blood. There is no power like the power of the blood. There is healing in the blood. True freedom and deliverance can only be found through the blood of Jesus. Of no other god can it be said that their blood was spilled for the salivation of those who serve them.
In America today, we have many preachers preaching many different things. Some preach a message of prosperity. Some a message of self-help through the method of positive thinking. Others preach a message of "blab it, grab" which can often times play into people's greed and selfishness. These messages are out of order and a danger to the Body of Christ. There is only one message that we are to preach. It is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This gospel is the message of the cross and His suffering. It is a message that reveals the power of his blood and life we now have will have forevermore as result of the work of the cross.
It is time in America, that we as preachers come back to the same gospel the early apostles preached that revolutionized the world. It worked then, and it is the only message that will work now. Nothing but the blood of Jesus!
1 Cor 2:3-5 For I decided to concentrate only on Jesus Christ and his death on the cross. 3 I came to you in weakness — timid and trembling. 4 And my message and my preaching were very plain. I did not use wise and persuasive speeches, but the Holy Spirit was powerful among you. 5 I did this so that you might trust the power of God rather than human wisdom. NLT
Monday, October 29, 2007
Get to the Root!
We have just completed our 3 week series, "Healed to Minister". It has truly been a powerful, life changing series. God has begun a great work of inner healing and deliverance in the lives of our people. As we continue in this process, people will be loosed into their destiny and purpose.
This past Sunday, I preached a message called, "Get to the Root". Many people do things that are self-destructive, selfish, and and flat out wrong. But I believe that is important not just to identify what they do, but to identify why they do it. Often we busy ourselves addressing and dealing with the fruit of our actions, instead of uncovering the root that feeds these actions. There is a cause for every effect. In order to put an end to these actions and areas of dysfunctions, we must get to the root.
Our text scripture was Mark 10:46-52. We discover a man named Bartimaeus, who was a blind beggar. He spent his days begging for money that he may buy food in order to survive. This was an ongoing cycle. The alms that he collected lasted only for a moment, then he was back into the same position, asking again for relief. As Bartimaeus, we often find ourselves seeking temporary relief instead of a permanent solution. His problem was not the lack of money. His problem was that he was blind. This condition kept him form working like a normal person, who would have the ability to earn wages and provide for themselves. So in looking at this story, we discover that the root was not the lack of money, but the condition of blindness.
When Jesus comes onto the scene, He asks Bartimaeus a question. "What do you want me to do for you?" Instead of asking for money or temporary relief, he asks for the ultimate solution. He asked the Lord to restore his sight. He asked for the root of his problems to be healed. Without hesitation, Jesus responded and brought the healing that this man so desperately needed.
We need to ask the Lord for the right thing. Instead of seeking relief in the form of success, more friends, and better paying jobs, we need to seek to be filled with His love and security. Only Jesus can truly satisfy and fill the void that is deep within. As we ask of Him and seek Him, He will respond and meet the need!
We have just completed our 3 week series, "Healed to Minister". It has truly been a powerful, life changing series. God has begun a great work of inner healing and deliverance in the lives of our people. As we continue in this process, people will be loosed into their destiny and purpose.
This past Sunday, I preached a message called, "Get to the Root". Many people do things that are self-destructive, selfish, and and flat out wrong. But I believe that is important not just to identify what they do, but to identify why they do it. Often we busy ourselves addressing and dealing with the fruit of our actions, instead of uncovering the root that feeds these actions. There is a cause for every effect. In order to put an end to these actions and areas of dysfunctions, we must get to the root.
Our text scripture was Mark 10:46-52. We discover a man named Bartimaeus, who was a blind beggar. He spent his days begging for money that he may buy food in order to survive. This was an ongoing cycle. The alms that he collected lasted only for a moment, then he was back into the same position, asking again for relief. As Bartimaeus, we often find ourselves seeking temporary relief instead of a permanent solution. His problem was not the lack of money. His problem was that he was blind. This condition kept him form working like a normal person, who would have the ability to earn wages and provide for themselves. So in looking at this story, we discover that the root was not the lack of money, but the condition of blindness.
When Jesus comes onto the scene, He asks Bartimaeus a question. "What do you want me to do for you?" Instead of asking for money or temporary relief, he asks for the ultimate solution. He asked the Lord to restore his sight. He asked for the root of his problems to be healed. Without hesitation, Jesus responded and brought the healing that this man so desperately needed.
We need to ask the Lord for the right thing. Instead of seeking relief in the form of success, more friends, and better paying jobs, we need to seek to be filled with His love and security. Only Jesus can truly satisfy and fill the void that is deep within. As we ask of Him and seek Him, He will respond and meet the need!
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