Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Check it Out

If you have a chance, I want to encourage you to check out Pastor Jeff Leake's blog "The Launchpad" and his blogs on Kingdom DNA. Or click here, here, here, and here. They are powerful and very insightful and what I want to instill in this church.

Monday, November 17, 2008

Let it Dawn on You!

What a Sunday! I know I say that a lot but truly God began a great work yesterday in the NLC. I pray that you were touched and that this week you take time get to know who you are in Jesus, that you are part of the body of Christ, you are prophetic, you are a priest, and a conquering king.

I shared a word that the Lord layed on my heart yesterday morning while I was doing my devotions. It comes from Acts 12:1-12:
1It was about this time that King Herod arrested some who belonged to the church, intending to persecute them. 2He had James, the brother of John, put to death with the sword. 3When he saw that this pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. 4After arresting him, he put him in prison, handing him over to be guarded by four squads of four soldiers each. Herod intended to bring him out for public trial after the Passover. 5So Peter was kept in prison, but the church was earnestly praying to God for him. 6The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. 7Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. "Quick, get up!" he said, and the chains fell off Peter's wrists. 8Then the angel said to him, "Put on your clothes and sandals." And Peter did so. "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me," the angel told him. 9Peter followed him out of the prison, but he had no idea that what the angel was doing was really happening; he thought he was seeing a vision. 10They passed the first and second guards and came to the iron gate leading to the city. It opened for them by itself, and they went through it. When they had walked the length of one street, suddenly the angel left him. 11Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating." 12When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying.

An angel of the Lord came and set Peter free from imprisonment. The chains fell off, they walked past the guards, and the iron gates opened by themselves so that they could get out. Yet Peter wasn't free until it dawned on him what had just happen. For awhile he thought he was dreaming. Too many in the church today think they are just dreaming. God is removing chains but we are not walking in the freedom that He is giving us. We are sleep walking thinking dreaming about what it will be like to be free. It is time that we wake up to realize what God has done through His Son Jesus. We are free! Free to be who God created us to be. Free to succeed and fail. Free to listen and hear the voice of God. The law of sin and death has no power over us because we have been redeemed by the shed blood of Jesus. We are riding on a ribbon of never ending grace. Grace that does not give us the right to deliberately go out and sin but grace that let's us pursue God and succeed and fail in this walk. It's how we continue to grow.

I want us to realize that it is time to wake up and know the freedom that is truly ours. It is not a dream. Until we learn, as the people of God, what freedom truly is, what difference are we going to make in a world that is bound by sin and death? I pray for the release of new life, healing, and the gifts of the Spirit in your life, that you may be whole in Jesus' name and know it beyond a shadow of a doubt.

Friday, November 14, 2008

What's in a Name?

What a wonderful Friday! I am usually off today but I had to stay home with the kids this past Tuesday. It's kind of nice coming in here on Friday's because no one is here. I took time to pray for this Sunday and the Lord began to reveal somethings to me.


Recently I read somewhere, but I can't remember where, that the first blessing we speak over our children is their name. If you look through the Bible you will see the significance of the naming a child. Look at Jacob (Genesis 25:26). He lived out His name till the Lord changed it. Or what about Jabez (1 Chronicles 4:9). Or how about Peter (John 1:42). Jesus changed his name to Peter for a very significant reason. Names are important.


Now I say all of that because I've been thinking about the name of the church New Life Center. Since I became pastor, I have often thought about changing the name of the church and that thought was even brought up again recently. As I see it, there really isn't a problem with the New Life part but there have been concerns about Center. Are we a Center or a Church? Does Center really tell people who we are or is it confusing? But as I was praying today the Lord showed me that our name is not a mistake. Our name has significance behind it, that goes back to when our church was founded in the late 70's. He spoke to me that we are going to bring New Life to the people right here in the Center of Ford City. That's right, our church is on 9th Street which is the center of town. We are not Main Street, that's a block over, but we are the center of Ford City. Amazing isn't it? Those who started our church, did they have this in mind when they named this church? I believe that we are going to begin to stand up becoming the Center of this area in bringing New Life. It's our destiny. It's written in our name! So our name is very significant. I can't see changing it.


I also began to speak the release of New Life in this church and this area, the release of healing in this church and this area, and the release of the Gifts of the Spirit in this church and this area. What an amazing time I had listening to the Lord as He began to impart to me the importance of our name. New Life Center, what a beautiful name that the Lord has given us. Be ready for what the Lord will do this Sunday. It's going to "Bless Your Socks Off!"

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Check this Song Out...

I enjoyed this song that Debby Fazekas sent me. Suzy (Wills) Yaraei sings this song and it is found on the MorningStar Worship & Warfare III CD. It may be a little different for you as far as how she worships, but the lyrics are powerful. She sings this song from the perspective of Mary, who anointed Jesus' feet and went to the tomb. But this song is something we could all sing about what Jesus has done for us. Listen.

Monday, November 10, 2008

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!

What a Sunday! We have begun our new sermon series on "The Gifts of the Spirit." Yesterday, we looked at John 8:47 which says, "He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God." I believe we all can hear from God and it starts with us belonging to Him. That means that we give our whole selves to Him and what He has for us. It means learning how to be in His presence every second of the day. What a powerful people we would be if we could learn to hear His voice and be lead by Him all day long. Please join me in praying for God to be glorified during this time. I assure you, He has something for us as we grow in this area.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Thoughts...

Yesterday was a monumental time in the history of the United States when Barack Obama was elected president. Whether the democratic or republican ticket won, history was going to be made as we would have our first black president or our first woman vice-president. I do not know what the future holds as far as politcs are concerned for this country. I do however know that Christ is still on the throne and He gives the power to rule and reign. Now is the time for the Church to arise and become a greater force in this country. It is time we stop trying to set people straight and start setting them free by introducing them to a relationship with Jesus. That was Jesus' whole life while He was on earth, to set people free. The only ones He set straight were the Pharisee's and other religious leaders of that day. And that was so that they might be set free.

We must become the light of the world. People need us to minister to them. Flickering flames will not cut it. We need men and women who are glowing by the power of the Holy Spirit. As Pastor Dan shared this past Sunday, we need to chip away all of the garbage (lies of the enemy, our past, pride, etc.) that has covered the gold within all of us. We need men and women, that no matter what happens in the years to come, have joy and peace knowing the truth that Jesus is in control. And who will let that shine forth not trying to hide it. My happiness and relationship with Jesus is not based on who is the president. It is based on the simple fact that Jesus loved me while I was still a sinner and died for me so that I might have a way to the Father and eternal life.

So how did you wake up this morning? Was it with a big "UGH!" or was it with a big "PRAISE THE LORD!" because Jesus is in control. My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and His righteousness. Today is a great day because it is a day that the Lord has made. Rejoice and be glad in it.