We just did our annual FREE Turkey Dinner for our community last night - Monday, November 23 - and had our best turnout ever. We served well over 200 people a free hot meal and showed them the love of Jesus. I'm praying that the impressions that people have of us being an occult are done away with as we serve people and show them the love of Jesus.
It was truly a blessed time. Ford City's mayor, Mark Mantini, stopped by to thank us for what we were doing for the community. He was blessed. We were blessed. There was just a whole lot of blessings going around.
We are truly moving forward in "Extending our Hand" into the community, so that people can come to know the love of Jesus. Many took books, that we gave away for free, such as: One Heart Beat Away by Mark Cahill, The Book of Hope, New Testaments, and 100% Guaranteed by Steve MaGill.
Only a few stayed to watch "Fireproof" the movie, but those who did were touched.
Overall, it was a very successful night. We got to know more people in the community and break down the lies of Satan. Now I'm looking forward to our Gingerbread and a Movie night coming up (Correction) December 12, beginning at 5:00pm, here at the New Life Center in Ford City for families with young children. December 5 is the deadline to register. Here's to reaching those who don't know Jesus, yet.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
What Do You Think...
It has been a powerful time in the Spirit here at the New Life Center. So excited to see what God is doing in my life and in the lives of all the people. I'm also looking forward to seeing all of the fruit of what God is doing in people, as we are revived and renewed by the Holy Spirit to carry the Gospel to the world in power. Look out Ford City and Kittanning!
I wanted to share some thoughts that have been on my heart. They deal with who we are and what we do as Christians. Here is a quote by Francis Chan, pg. 32-33, from his book "Forgotten God":
"Churchgoers all across the nation say the Holy Spirit has entered them. They claim that God has given them a supernatural ability to follow Christ, put their sin to death, and serve the church. Christians talk about being born again and say that were dead but now have come to life. We have become hardened to those words, but they are powerful words that have significant meaning. Yet when those outside the church see no difference in our lives, they begin to question our integrity, our sanity, or even worse, our God. And can you blame them?"
I believe as Christians, what we watch on television and movies, how we act, and what we listen to are very important, because the world is watching us. We need to quite being a little less carnal than the world and begin living by the Holy Spirit.
I recently heard this testimony from two Christians and their non-Christian friend. The one Christian is careful in what they say, do, listen to, and watch on television or movies. They live that out in front of their non-Christian friend which has brought about great conversations and witnessing opportunities. The other Christian is careful in some areas but very carefree in others even in front of their non-Christian friend. Do you know what? The non-Christian watches what they say and how they act around the first Christian, in a comfortable way, not in a wierd way (if you know what I'm saying). But the non-Christian could care less how they act around the second Christian. Why? Because there is a Holy Spirit change going on in the first Christian that intrigues the non-Christian. The first Christian is still having fun, joking and goofiing around, but when it comes to the things of this world, they are truly dying to it to live for Someone greater, Jesus Christ. The other Christian not so much.
As Christians, it's not about what I think or what I want to watch or listen to, or even why I think I can. The more important point is everyone around us. We forget about those around us who are looking to overcome the world and the movies and television that is harmful and music that tears down. People are coming to church looking for answers from people who have found the answers in Jesus Christ. No they don't want to be told what to watch, listen to, etc. They want to see it lived out in all of our lives.
So instead of thinking about what "I" can watch, listen to, do, etc., let's think about those around us who struggle with those very things. The church is supposed to have found freedom from all of that in Jesus Christ. Why bog ourselves down again with all of that garbage?
I wanted to share some thoughts that have been on my heart. They deal with who we are and what we do as Christians. Here is a quote by Francis Chan, pg. 32-33, from his book "Forgotten God":
"Churchgoers all across the nation say the Holy Spirit has entered them. They claim that God has given them a supernatural ability to follow Christ, put their sin to death, and serve the church. Christians talk about being born again and say that were dead but now have come to life. We have become hardened to those words, but they are powerful words that have significant meaning. Yet when those outside the church see no difference in our lives, they begin to question our integrity, our sanity, or even worse, our God. And can you blame them?"
I believe as Christians, what we watch on television and movies, how we act, and what we listen to are very important, because the world is watching us. We need to quite being a little less carnal than the world and begin living by the Holy Spirit.
I recently heard this testimony from two Christians and their non-Christian friend. The one Christian is careful in what they say, do, listen to, and watch on television or movies. They live that out in front of their non-Christian friend which has brought about great conversations and witnessing opportunities. The other Christian is careful in some areas but very carefree in others even in front of their non-Christian friend. Do you know what? The non-Christian watches what they say and how they act around the first Christian, in a comfortable way, not in a wierd way (if you know what I'm saying). But the non-Christian could care less how they act around the second Christian. Why? Because there is a Holy Spirit change going on in the first Christian that intrigues the non-Christian. The first Christian is still having fun, joking and goofiing around, but when it comes to the things of this world, they are truly dying to it to live for Someone greater, Jesus Christ. The other Christian not so much.
As Christians, it's not about what I think or what I want to watch or listen to, or even why I think I can. The more important point is everyone around us. We forget about those around us who are looking to overcome the world and the movies and television that is harmful and music that tears down. People are coming to church looking for answers from people who have found the answers in Jesus Christ. No they don't want to be told what to watch, listen to, etc. They want to see it lived out in all of our lives.
So instead of thinking about what "I" can watch, listen to, do, etc., let's think about those around us who struggle with those very things. The church is supposed to have found freedom from all of that in Jesus Christ. Why bog ourselves down again with all of that garbage?
Monday, October 12, 2009
Where Does the Time Go...
I always seem to have something to say, but I never sit down to type it out. Not that you all need to hear what I have to say, especially since you get to hear me Wednesday night and Sunday morning.
God is doing amazing things here at the New Life Center. This past Sunday we started our new sermon series (pictured above) to a great response from the people. What great expectation that everyone had for this series and what great things God began to do in the NLC. This series has been a while in the making and finally came into being for such a time as this.
To help me in this series, I've read a couple books. First, "Living in the Spirit," by George O. Wood. Second, "Forgotten God," by Francis Chan. Third, was a book written by a few different authors on how to help others recieve the baptism in the Holy Spirit. I've listened to some CD's from Tim Enloe on the baptism in the Spirit. Plus, reading and studying the scriptures.
I'm looking forward to the payoff from the study and prayer that have gone into this series, not just in others but myself. You see, I've had a fear of praying for people to recieve the baptism in the Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. I have never lead someone into this great experience, which has developed fear in me, but I believe that is about to change. I believe that God is about to do a great work in the hearts of the people who make up NLC. And that many are going to be baptised in the Holy Spirit for the first time and others refilled with a greater understanding of what it means to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Join me in praying throughout this series and for the rest of 2009 and what God wants to accomplish here in individuals.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
My Cross Looks Better than Mine
Galatians 6:4-5
4 Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5 for each one should carry his own load.
This passage caught my attention the other day in my devotions. So many times it is so easy to begin to compare my actions with the actions of others, or my work with the works of others. "I'm doing __________ (fill in the blank) and everyone else is doing nothing." Or we ask questions of, "Why am I the only one working hard and everyone else is taking it easy?" But maybe we should be asking ourselves, "Do I have a wrong perspective?"
Each of us has a job to do in the Kingdom of God. We need to do our job, encourage others to do their job, but never compare our job with someone elses job. Remember this quote, "Compare and compete, you'll live in defeat." Each job is different and brings different trials and tribulations.
The cross I bear is different than the cross you bear. Here is an illustration: A man thought the cross he bore was boring and ugly. He wanted a different cross to carry so he asked God to give him a different cross to bear. God took him to a room full of crosses so that he could exchange his. Immediately he saw one that was very beautiful. Covered in gold and lined with diamonds. He wanted that one but when he picked it up, it was to heavy. He did not want to have to carry that one everywhere. He continued looking. He found one with beautiful flowers. It smelled and looked great. "This is the one for me," he thought. But when he picked it up, thorns began to dig down into his skin. It was much to painful for him to carry. Then he saw it. A cross that was a little worn, but had a beautiful wood finish. It was plain but very unique. He picked it up and to his amazement, it was the cross God had given to him.
So each of us has our own cross to bear and we do not know the cross others have to bear. It may look nice or smell nice, but it may be heavy and painful. Be appreciative where you are at and the cross God has asked you to bear.
Test your own actions and carry your own load. Only you can do it.
4 Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5 for each one should carry his own load.
This passage caught my attention the other day in my devotions. So many times it is so easy to begin to compare my actions with the actions of others, or my work with the works of others. "I'm doing __________ (fill in the blank) and everyone else is doing nothing." Or we ask questions of, "Why am I the only one working hard and everyone else is taking it easy?" But maybe we should be asking ourselves, "Do I have a wrong perspective?"
Each of us has a job to do in the Kingdom of God. We need to do our job, encourage others to do their job, but never compare our job with someone elses job. Remember this quote, "Compare and compete, you'll live in defeat." Each job is different and brings different trials and tribulations.
The cross I bear is different than the cross you bear. Here is an illustration: A man thought the cross he bore was boring and ugly. He wanted a different cross to carry so he asked God to give him a different cross to bear. God took him to a room full of crosses so that he could exchange his. Immediately he saw one that was very beautiful. Covered in gold and lined with diamonds. He wanted that one but when he picked it up, it was to heavy. He did not want to have to carry that one everywhere. He continued looking. He found one with beautiful flowers. It smelled and looked great. "This is the one for me," he thought. But when he picked it up, thorns began to dig down into his skin. It was much to painful for him to carry. Then he saw it. A cross that was a little worn, but had a beautiful wood finish. It was plain but very unique. He picked it up and to his amazement, it was the cross God had given to him.
So each of us has our own cross to bear and we do not know the cross others have to bear. It may look nice or smell nice, but it may be heavy and painful. Be appreciative where you are at and the cross God has asked you to bear.
Test your own actions and carry your own load. Only you can do it.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Challenging Video
Let this challenge you to see that Ford City and Kittanning need you, as well as the rest of the world, to share your love for Jesus Christ. Don't hold back. It's time we step up and accept our responsibility to "Go and make disciples." We don't want Sunday and Wednesday Christians. We don't want Christmas and Easter Christians. We want sold out to the Lord Jesus Christ Christians who are not ashamed of the Gospel.
Lord, help me, and help us all, be bold for You. Let us not shrink back but let us take ground for You and for Your glory. Amen.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
G20 Prayer Summit
My 200th blog post will be concerning the G20 Summit coming to Pittsburgh September 24-25. If you have a chance click here and join in a 30 day journey of prayer for this event. Pastor Jeff Leake has put this together with other pastors to unify in prayer for God to do great things as these leaders gather in Pittsburgh.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
10 Things that Could Keep Your Church from Being All it Could Be
1. Lack of Identity and Vision
2. Lack of Excellence
3. Lack of Exposure
4. Lack of Welcoming Atmosphere
5. Lack of Kids/ Youth Events
6. Lack of Good Preaching
7. Lack of Genuine Worship
8. Lack of Intentionally Reproducing Leaders
9. Lack of Intentional Outreach
10. Lack of Continued Pastoral Growth and Assessment
-By Rich Fogal
This was posted on a friends blog from Rich Fogal. I thought these were interesting and wanted to get your thoughts. Where do you think the New Life Center is when thinking about these 10 things? Comment me.
2. Lack of Excellence
3. Lack of Exposure
4. Lack of Welcoming Atmosphere
5. Lack of Kids/ Youth Events
6. Lack of Good Preaching
7. Lack of Genuine Worship
8. Lack of Intentionally Reproducing Leaders
9. Lack of Intentional Outreach
10. Lack of Continued Pastoral Growth and Assessment
-By Rich Fogal
This was posted on a friends blog from Rich Fogal. I thought these were interesting and wanted to get your thoughts. Where do you think the New Life Center is when thinking about these 10 things? Comment me.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Prophetic Word from Matt Sorger
This is long but definitely worth the read. Comments are welcome.
From Charisma online---Prophetic ministry...
Editor's Note: The following message was released by Matt Sorger in his ministry newsletter on June 15. He received a tremendous response to it, and I wanted to make it available to those who haven't yet read it. Though it is not in the form of "Thus saith the Lord," it is an important word of caution for those of us who love the prophetic and may be tempted to seek the spectacular demonstrations of the Holy Spirit over a genuine encounter with God through His Word.
I am witnessing an alarming trend in some of our charismatic circles and services. I travel full time on the road all across the United States and in other parts of the world. Each week I am ministering in another state or nation to a new group of hungry believers wanting to live in the fullness of God's Spirit. Several times in the last few months I have made a disturbing and grievous observation. Before I share it with you, let me give you some of my personal background.
I was saved at the age of 14. I am thankful to have been raised in a solid Bible-preaching, Spirit-filled church. The Word was always given a priority. The necessity of living a holy, sanctified life was always preached with conviction. I took my first steps of walking, living and ministering in the Spirit there.
As a young pastor I was given some room to begin to spread my wings when the anointing and power of God began to move through my life. I took full flight when I launched out from pastoring six years ago to travel full time in a "prophetic revival" ministry.
My years before pastoring were spent seeking God, spending time in personal devotion and study of the Word, and attending a great Bible school in Rhode Island. Upon graduation I stepped into the pastoral ministry. I learned many valuable things during those years that I carry with me to this day. Life experiences have a way of shaping you into the person God has called you to be.
I want to define "prophetic revival" ministry. For me "prophetic" means hearing and then declaring a true word from God, either through preaching and teaching God's heart as revealed in His Word, or speaking forth an anointed word directly from Him. Both types of prophetic ministry should be solidly rooted and grounded in Scripture.
"Revival" holds a dual meaning for me. I see it as stirring up in the church a deeper passion for God and learning to live and walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, and then watching that passion overflow through the lives of believers into the world around us. The power of God in the life of the believer is not supposed to be contained. It must overflow and impact the world around us.
An Alarming Trend
Now I must share with you an alarming trend I have witnessed. I have seen it even in my own meetings! Because this is hitting so close to home I can no longer be silent. I am a man of deep convictions, and it is time for me to share them with you.
Recently, after a meeting I was standing near my resource table greeting people. A woman approached me to share about the wonderful overflow of the Holy Spirit she had experienced in the meeting the day before. She could sense a whole new level of God's presence. It was clear she had been deeply touched. But she proceeded to tell me something that caused me to raise a "red flag."
She said, "You know, when you started preaching, I thought, I have heard this before. I really came looking to hear something I had never heard before. But the presence of God in the meeting did have a profound impact on me, and I am not the same." I rejoiced over what the Lord had done for her, but at the same time I grieved.
That same week, after we had finished only one day of meetings, a pastor I was having lunch with shared his thoughts. The night before I had preached a word the Holy Spirit had placed on my heart. After the preaching of the Word, I was led by the Spirit to call some folks out from the audience, and I prayed for them with a clear demonstration of God's presence and power. I left the meeting rejoicing.
The pastor didn't share my enthusiasm. He said to me, "You know, if the preaching of the gospel could have gotten the job done, it would have been done a long time ago. What we need are the signs. I just want to see the stuff. I don't want you preaching. Preach just a few minutes. We want the miracles."
It became apparent that what this church wanted was a charismatic show—the "signs following" with no preaching of the Word. I'm sorry, but I am a Word preacher.
I believe their outlook reflects an alarming trend in the prophetic movement. It seems that we are unintentionally cultivating the idea that the truth of the gospel, which emphasizes the power of the cross and blood of Christ, is no longer good enough. We need signs, signs and more signs. A life transformed by the power of God's amazing Word is not enough.
People are clamoring: "Let me hear and see something new—something I have never heard or seen before, something that will wow me!" So we have hundreds of hungry believers fascinated by stories of supernatural encounters that have been, at times, exaggerated by charismatic personalities.
I want you to hear my heart in this. I am all for supernatural encounters. I have had many myself, and I know of others in ministry who have had some beautiful, real, life-changing supernatural encounters with God. But I am not into charismatic hype or manipulation. Just say it like it is. Don't exaggerate, add to or blow something up just to make a good story or to sell a bunch of CDs.
I am not being negative. I am seeking to bring balance into a movement I am proud to be a part of—a movement that at one time didn't want to hear just empty words but words backed up with real substance, power and glory.
I want the real thing! I want the real manifest presence of God. I want the real miracles, the real signs and wonders, the real angelic encounters (as God chooses to give them to me). I don't want a hyped-up version.
And I don't want to hear something new and different just for the sake of hearing something I have never heard before. I want my everyday life encountered in a real way by God's Word and anointing. I want to hear something that I can apply to my life. I want the fullness of God's Word to renew my mind, change me from the inside out and fill my life with real power and glory.
People who want to hear only something they have never heard before are in serious danger of opening themselves up to a gospel that is different from the one we find in Scripture. If you are running around looking for a new revelation without first putting into practice the hundreds of revelations given to us in God's Word, you are looking in the wrong direction. God has not called us to be flakey. He has called us to be solidly grounded in Him, to preach the gospel in season and out, and to impact the world around us as salt and light.
I love the prophetic. I love the supernatural. But the moment we start wanting signs without the Word of God, we are in trouble. And this is what I have been seeing.
Recently two pastors in different parts of the United States told me that they wanted the preaching of the Word to be kept to a bare minimum, with an emphasis placed on the signs and wonders. I need to set the record straight: Signs follow the preaching of the Word. If you become a sign-seeker apart from the Word of God, you will not be grounded, and if you are in ministry, you will build an unhealthy and weak foundation in other people's lives as well as your own.
The Most Precious Sign
The sign I am most after these days is the sign of a life transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ. I want to see people hungry to truly apply the Word of God to their lives—not desiring simply to hear something new but to put into practice what they already know.
I want to see people walking in love. I want to see people living righteously. I want to see people knowing who they are in Christ so the devil can't continually beat them up. I want to see people experience the abundant life Jesus came to give them. I want to see people preaching the gospel in power, laying hands on the sick, casting out demons and raising the dead. But we can never forget that the power of the gospel is revealed through the foolishness of preaching—not just preaching our good stories, but preaching the Word of God with power and authority. A sign without the Word points nowhere.
I want to encourage the body of Christ in these days to evaluate everything you have believed and be sure it is pure gospel. Go back and read the New Testament from cover to cover and ask the Holy Spirit to write upon your heart the full counsel of God's Word as revealed in the New Covenant. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you into all truth and to be sure your foundations are strong and solid.
Never neglect God's Word. It has the power to change your life. As you soak in God's Word and in His presence, you will live a truly Spirit-filled, Spirit-empowered life that will make a real difference in the world around you. Go and be the salt and light God has called you to be!
About the author: Matt Sorger is a prophetic revivalist who ministers the Word and the power of the Holy Spirit in conferences, prophetic healing revival services and miracle crusades throughout America and around the world. He also hosts pastors and leaders conferences to train and equip leaders in the power of the Holy Spirit. In his meetings, many are instantly healed and infused with greater passion for God. Learn more about him and his ministry at mattsorger.com.
From Charisma online---Prophetic ministry...
Editor's Note: The following message was released by Matt Sorger in his ministry newsletter on June 15. He received a tremendous response to it, and I wanted to make it available to those who haven't yet read it. Though it is not in the form of "Thus saith the Lord," it is an important word of caution for those of us who love the prophetic and may be tempted to seek the spectacular demonstrations of the Holy Spirit over a genuine encounter with God through His Word.
I am witnessing an alarming trend in some of our charismatic circles and services. I travel full time on the road all across the United States and in other parts of the world. Each week I am ministering in another state or nation to a new group of hungry believers wanting to live in the fullness of God's Spirit. Several times in the last few months I have made a disturbing and grievous observation. Before I share it with you, let me give you some of my personal background.
I was saved at the age of 14. I am thankful to have been raised in a solid Bible-preaching, Spirit-filled church. The Word was always given a priority. The necessity of living a holy, sanctified life was always preached with conviction. I took my first steps of walking, living and ministering in the Spirit there.
As a young pastor I was given some room to begin to spread my wings when the anointing and power of God began to move through my life. I took full flight when I launched out from pastoring six years ago to travel full time in a "prophetic revival" ministry.
My years before pastoring were spent seeking God, spending time in personal devotion and study of the Word, and attending a great Bible school in Rhode Island. Upon graduation I stepped into the pastoral ministry. I learned many valuable things during those years that I carry with me to this day. Life experiences have a way of shaping you into the person God has called you to be.
I want to define "prophetic revival" ministry. For me "prophetic" means hearing and then declaring a true word from God, either through preaching and teaching God's heart as revealed in His Word, or speaking forth an anointed word directly from Him. Both types of prophetic ministry should be solidly rooted and grounded in Scripture.
"Revival" holds a dual meaning for me. I see it as stirring up in the church a deeper passion for God and learning to live and walk in the power of the Holy Spirit, and then watching that passion overflow through the lives of believers into the world around us. The power of God in the life of the believer is not supposed to be contained. It must overflow and impact the world around us.
An Alarming Trend
Now I must share with you an alarming trend I have witnessed. I have seen it even in my own meetings! Because this is hitting so close to home I can no longer be silent. I am a man of deep convictions, and it is time for me to share them with you.
Recently, after a meeting I was standing near my resource table greeting people. A woman approached me to share about the wonderful overflow of the Holy Spirit she had experienced in the meeting the day before. She could sense a whole new level of God's presence. It was clear she had been deeply touched. But she proceeded to tell me something that caused me to raise a "red flag."
She said, "You know, when you started preaching, I thought, I have heard this before. I really came looking to hear something I had never heard before. But the presence of God in the meeting did have a profound impact on me, and I am not the same." I rejoiced over what the Lord had done for her, but at the same time I grieved.
That same week, after we had finished only one day of meetings, a pastor I was having lunch with shared his thoughts. The night before I had preached a word the Holy Spirit had placed on my heart. After the preaching of the Word, I was led by the Spirit to call some folks out from the audience, and I prayed for them with a clear demonstration of God's presence and power. I left the meeting rejoicing.
The pastor didn't share my enthusiasm. He said to me, "You know, if the preaching of the gospel could have gotten the job done, it would have been done a long time ago. What we need are the signs. I just want to see the stuff. I don't want you preaching. Preach just a few minutes. We want the miracles."
It became apparent that what this church wanted was a charismatic show—the "signs following" with no preaching of the Word. I'm sorry, but I am a Word preacher.
I believe their outlook reflects an alarming trend in the prophetic movement. It seems that we are unintentionally cultivating the idea that the truth of the gospel, which emphasizes the power of the cross and blood of Christ, is no longer good enough. We need signs, signs and more signs. A life transformed by the power of God's amazing Word is not enough.
People are clamoring: "Let me hear and see something new—something I have never heard or seen before, something that will wow me!" So we have hundreds of hungry believers fascinated by stories of supernatural encounters that have been, at times, exaggerated by charismatic personalities.
I want you to hear my heart in this. I am all for supernatural encounters. I have had many myself, and I know of others in ministry who have had some beautiful, real, life-changing supernatural encounters with God. But I am not into charismatic hype or manipulation. Just say it like it is. Don't exaggerate, add to or blow something up just to make a good story or to sell a bunch of CDs.
I am not being negative. I am seeking to bring balance into a movement I am proud to be a part of—a movement that at one time didn't want to hear just empty words but words backed up with real substance, power and glory.
I want the real thing! I want the real manifest presence of God. I want the real miracles, the real signs and wonders, the real angelic encounters (as God chooses to give them to me). I don't want a hyped-up version.
And I don't want to hear something new and different just for the sake of hearing something I have never heard before. I want my everyday life encountered in a real way by God's Word and anointing. I want to hear something that I can apply to my life. I want the fullness of God's Word to renew my mind, change me from the inside out and fill my life with real power and glory.
People who want to hear only something they have never heard before are in serious danger of opening themselves up to a gospel that is different from the one we find in Scripture. If you are running around looking for a new revelation without first putting into practice the hundreds of revelations given to us in God's Word, you are looking in the wrong direction. God has not called us to be flakey. He has called us to be solidly grounded in Him, to preach the gospel in season and out, and to impact the world around us as salt and light.
I love the prophetic. I love the supernatural. But the moment we start wanting signs without the Word of God, we are in trouble. And this is what I have been seeing.
Recently two pastors in different parts of the United States told me that they wanted the preaching of the Word to be kept to a bare minimum, with an emphasis placed on the signs and wonders. I need to set the record straight: Signs follow the preaching of the Word. If you become a sign-seeker apart from the Word of God, you will not be grounded, and if you are in ministry, you will build an unhealthy and weak foundation in other people's lives as well as your own.
The Most Precious Sign
The sign I am most after these days is the sign of a life transformed by the gospel of Jesus Christ. I want to see people hungry to truly apply the Word of God to their lives—not desiring simply to hear something new but to put into practice what they already know.
I want to see people walking in love. I want to see people living righteously. I want to see people knowing who they are in Christ so the devil can't continually beat them up. I want to see people experience the abundant life Jesus came to give them. I want to see people preaching the gospel in power, laying hands on the sick, casting out demons and raising the dead. But we can never forget that the power of the gospel is revealed through the foolishness of preaching—not just preaching our good stories, but preaching the Word of God with power and authority. A sign without the Word points nowhere.
I want to encourage the body of Christ in these days to evaluate everything you have believed and be sure it is pure gospel. Go back and read the New Testament from cover to cover and ask the Holy Spirit to write upon your heart the full counsel of God's Word as revealed in the New Covenant. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you into all truth and to be sure your foundations are strong and solid.
Never neglect God's Word. It has the power to change your life. As you soak in God's Word and in His presence, you will live a truly Spirit-filled, Spirit-empowered life that will make a real difference in the world around you. Go and be the salt and light God has called you to be!
About the author: Matt Sorger is a prophetic revivalist who ministers the Word and the power of the Holy Spirit in conferences, prophetic healing revival services and miracle crusades throughout America and around the world. He also hosts pastors and leaders conferences to train and equip leaders in the power of the Holy Spirit. In his meetings, many are instantly healed and infused with greater passion for God. Learn more about him and his ministry at mattsorger.com.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Interesting Video...
I've been challenged by another blogger to make sure that I'm blogging if I'm going to have a blog. I have not been good at that.
With that said, check out this video and let me know what you think. I am interested in hearing your thoughts and opinions on this. You may have already seen it, but if you would, type down your thoughts.
With that said, check out this video and let me know what you think. I am interested in hearing your thoughts and opinions on this. You may have already seen it, but if you would, type down your thoughts.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
What I'm Reading and Listening Too
I figured I'd let everyone know what I'm reading and listening to. In case anyone was wondering. (I am hoping to do this more often so that people have a list of books and CD's to look into buying.)
What I'm listening to... The Glorious Unseen. I heard about them from David Santistevan, worship leader at Allison Park Church. Great music. I'm enjoying listening to this CD called "Tonight the Stars Speak". They also have a new CD coming out in August.
On another note, I'm looking forward to a new Jesus Culture CD coming out in August. And the new David Crowder Band CD coming out in September.
I finished up a book by Wayne Cordeiro called "Leading on Empty." It deals with ways to keep from burning out in ministry and if you have burned out in ministry, how to slowly find healing. Another book I finished was, "The Covenant" by James L. Garlow. I plan on doing a small group on this book starting in September.
Currently, I am reading a book by George O. Wood, Gerneral Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, called "Living in the Spirit." This book offers a comprehensive compilation of perspectives concerning the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit. He shares his desire that Pentecostals resist being content with memories of powerful past experiences and instead seek to be overwhelmed by the Spirt and demonstrate the enduring evidence of His fullness.
And "Spiritual Leadership" by J. Oswald Sanders. A book that has principles of excellence for every believer.
What I'm listening to... The Glorious Unseen. I heard about them from David Santistevan, worship leader at Allison Park Church. Great music. I'm enjoying listening to this CD called "Tonight the Stars Speak". They also have a new CD coming out in August.
On another note, I'm looking forward to a new Jesus Culture CD coming out in August. And the new David Crowder Band CD coming out in September.
I finished up a book by Wayne Cordeiro called "Leading on Empty." It deals with ways to keep from burning out in ministry and if you have burned out in ministry, how to slowly find healing. Another book I finished was, "The Covenant" by James L. Garlow. I plan on doing a small group on this book starting in September.
Currently, I am reading a book by George O. Wood, Gerneral Superintendent of the Assemblies of God, called "Living in the Spirit." This book offers a comprehensive compilation of perspectives concerning the person and ministry of the Holy Spirit. He shares his desire that Pentecostals resist being content with memories of powerful past experiences and instead seek to be overwhelmed by the Spirt and demonstrate the enduring evidence of His fullness.
And "Spiritual Leadership" by J. Oswald Sanders. A book that has principles of excellence for every believer.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
When Life Gives You Lemons
We began a new sermon series called, "When Life Gives You Lemons" last week. When I say lemons, I mean the troubles in life that come our way that are expected and unexpected.I started off last week by putting lemons into perspective with who God is. I showed parts of a video by Louie Giglio from the How Great is Our God tour. Did you know that there are stars in the universe that are way bigger than the earth? In fact, you could fit 960,000 earths in the closest star that we know which is the sun. Putting that into perspective, if the earth was the size of a golf ball the sun would be equivalent to 6 Empire State buildings on top of each other. And that is only half of it. Check out the video. They are both 10 minutes long, but well worth the watch.
Part One
Part Two
This week we will look at why lemons come into our lives. If you don't have a church, stop by. We would love to see you.
Monday, July 6, 2009
"Finally"
Yesterday, I spoke on James 2:14-26 and putting your faith into action. I also hit on Acts 16:16-18 which says:
16Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved." 18She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her.
I have really been meditating on stepping out in faith. The Christian faith is supposed to be an adventure but we seem to take all of the adventure out and make it a safe walk full of hand rails, parachutes, foam, and every other safety device that we can think of to keep us from getting hurt in the everyday. We pretty much take all of the faith out of it and make it a, well, a ritual. But faith, when excercised with deeds, is exciting.
The Lord gave me a picture. So picture yourself in a fruit tree. The fruit is always out of reach, or on the branches that we know cannot support our weight. We can choose to leave that fruit alone and continue to hold to the trunk of the tree (the Church) or we can let go and crawl out on those limbs and trust God for whatever happens. If we want to see miracles and people getting saved, we have to step out in faith into the unknown of what might happen.
But what will it take to get you there? For Paul, it was after many days of being followed by a demon possessed girl shouting at him and Silas that he finally had enough. Why didn't Paul do something sooner? After all, this girl was a slave to Satan and the men who made money off of her. Whatever the reason, Paul had a "Finally" moment. He "Finally" couldn't take it anymore and turned around casting the demon out.
I pray for us all to have that "Finally" moment where we get fed up with the status quo, mediocrity, complacency, laziness, the sin that has so many people entangled and we say, "Enough is enough," and we begin to live out loud for Jesus putting our faith into action. The world needs men and women to walk in faith, not afraid of what others might think. Who have a "Finally" moment that leads them to greater living for a greater purpose. It will enhance your life and change your family, work place, church, and community.
16Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune-telling. 17This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved." 18She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her.
I have really been meditating on stepping out in faith. The Christian faith is supposed to be an adventure but we seem to take all of the adventure out and make it a safe walk full of hand rails, parachutes, foam, and every other safety device that we can think of to keep us from getting hurt in the everyday. We pretty much take all of the faith out of it and make it a, well, a ritual. But faith, when excercised with deeds, is exciting.
The Lord gave me a picture. So picture yourself in a fruit tree. The fruit is always out of reach, or on the branches that we know cannot support our weight. We can choose to leave that fruit alone and continue to hold to the trunk of the tree (the Church) or we can let go and crawl out on those limbs and trust God for whatever happens. If we want to see miracles and people getting saved, we have to step out in faith into the unknown of what might happen.
But what will it take to get you there? For Paul, it was after many days of being followed by a demon possessed girl shouting at him and Silas that he finally had enough. Why didn't Paul do something sooner? After all, this girl was a slave to Satan and the men who made money off of her. Whatever the reason, Paul had a "Finally" moment. He "Finally" couldn't take it anymore and turned around casting the demon out.
I pray for us all to have that "Finally" moment where we get fed up with the status quo, mediocrity, complacency, laziness, the sin that has so many people entangled and we say, "Enough is enough," and we begin to live out loud for Jesus putting our faith into action. The world needs men and women to walk in faith, not afraid of what others might think. Who have a "Finally" moment that leads them to greater living for a greater purpose. It will enhance your life and change your family, work place, church, and community.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Check this Out
A spiritual mentor of mine, Gerry Stoltzfoos, pastor at Freedom Valley Worship Center (where Kaitlyn Brumbaugh goes and Anna Marie will soon go to Masters Commission), made the news when he was asked to pray but was not allowed to use the name of Jesus. He refused. Read the article here.
Sacred Cow
Well, about a week ago I posted on my twitter and Facebook that we were making a big decision at our recent board meeting. I've been wanting to share about that big decision and have not gotten around to it. We decided to cancel Sunday School. It was a big decision. But when you are only averaging 3 kids, we had to do something. After we made this decision, I felt like we had killed a sacred cow.Now don't get me wrong, I believe that Sunday School is important and that it has served a great purpose in our history and the history of the church in general, but at the same time, I'm wondering if there are better options?
Sunday School requires willing parents. Parents who are willing will bring their child to Sunday School and attend themselves. But it's like that for anything the church does once you turn your life over to Christ. Our church asks you to give up one evening a week and one morning a week to gather together to worship and be discipled. To some, that is asking to much. But I have to wonder if that is asking to little? When I played basketball, I committed to practice six days a week for two hours. And that was only with the team. To get better and develop what I learned at practice, required time on top of that. That is a lot of time into becoming a better basketball player. Shouldn't we want the samething when we think of growing in our walk with the Lord?
Back to the subject, are there better ways than Sunday School? I feel like our Children's Church ministry has grown leaps and bounds in just a few short weeks. We are averaging more kids for Children's Church than for Sunday School and I believe that this is because Children's Church is the new Sunday School. When I was young, I went to Sunday School and then stayed with my parents and listened to the pastor preach. Now days, kids have their own church service that is geared towards them, teaching them the same stuff they would learn in Sunday School. I feel in the long run, our kids are going to grow just the same.
Numbers 21:4-9 talks about the bronze snake. It served its purpose in saving those who were bitten by poisonous snakes. However, it became sacred and the people began to look at it and worship it as a god. God gave it to them for such a time as this time and that was all. After it had done its thing it was useless. But instead of turning to God and seeking Him for continued direction, they held on to the snake and they even give it a name. (Check out 2 Kings 18:4.) And it was a stumbling block until king Hezekiah came along and destroyed it.
I feel like God is shifting our church and our focus so that we can better disciple children, youth, young adults, and adults. I believe we must fall in love with God and obey His command to make disciples and not fall in love with the methods that come along to do it. God will show us what must be done to disciple His children that are drawn to Him by His Spirit and that is awesome.
So let us all fall in love with God and whatever He has for us to disciple His children and not in the methods.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
UNITY...
I just read a quote from Johannes Amritzer off of Pastor Jeff Leake's blog. He said that, "Focusing on the harvest will bring unity. Focusing on unity will bring division." After the Mark Cahill outreach I say, "Amen!" to this.
Sometimes I feel like we get so caught up in looking for unity that we fail to see what truly unifies us. And that is the desire to see souls saved. That is why this Charles Spurgeon quote carries a powerful message, "Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you are not saved yourself. Be sure of that."
If we are all desiring to see souls saved, it shouldn't matter others personalities, their quirks, how loud their voice is, how they laugh, etc. The only thing that should matter is the expansion of God's Kingdom. The disciples were unified in the upper room and the Holy Spirit was poured out on them. This was a supernatural unity that could only be brought on by the Holy Spirit since we all have opinions. But they knew their opinions didn't count. They needed to stay in that upper room till the Lord sent the Holy Spirit so that they could go to preach the gosepl and see souls saved. That was what it was all about.
So think about that as we think about unity. What unifies us? The desire to see souls saved here in Ford City, Kittanning, and all of Armstrong County.
Sometimes I feel like we get so caught up in looking for unity that we fail to see what truly unifies us. And that is the desire to see souls saved. That is why this Charles Spurgeon quote carries a powerful message, "Have you no wish for others to be saved? Then you are not saved yourself. Be sure of that."
If we are all desiring to see souls saved, it shouldn't matter others personalities, their quirks, how loud their voice is, how they laugh, etc. The only thing that should matter is the expansion of God's Kingdom. The disciples were unified in the upper room and the Holy Spirit was poured out on them. This was a supernatural unity that could only be brought on by the Holy Spirit since we all have opinions. But they knew their opinions didn't count. They needed to stay in that upper room till the Lord sent the Holy Spirit so that they could go to preach the gosepl and see souls saved. That was what it was all about.
So think about that as we think about unity. What unifies us? The desire to see souls saved here in Ford City, Kittanning, and all of Armstrong County.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
It's a Conversation, Not a Presentation!
After a powerful challenge from Mark Cahill, I knew I had to change the way I walked through my day. If you missed it, Sunday morning he kept clicking his fingers representing seconds gone by. Every second two people die. And by the time you lay your head on the pillow at night, another 150,000 have gone into eternity. He then asked if we cared about those 150,000, and if we did were we willing to do something about it. That something was sharing the good news of Jesus!
He challenged us by saying we can worship God declaring how awesome He is and how wonderful He is, but we don't obey His command to go make disciples. Powerful stuff.
It challenged me because I need to share my faith more often. So today at the YMCA playing basketball, I began a conversation with a man. It was really hot in the gym, so I used that to start a conversation. I said it was hot but not as hot as they say hell is. It lead to a great conversation where he told me he was a born again Christian. Praise the Lord.
I want to grow bolder and bolder by the power of the Holy Spirit everyday. If I want to see great change in Ford City and Kittanning it isn't going to happen inside a building, namely the church. It's going to happen outside the 0hurch on the streets.
Let's all hit the streets. I look forward to hearing testimonies of what God does through us all as we share the love of Christ. Be ready to share this Sunday.
He challenged us by saying we can worship God declaring how awesome He is and how wonderful He is, but we don't obey His command to go make disciples. Powerful stuff.
It challenged me because I need to share my faith more often. So today at the YMCA playing basketball, I began a conversation with a man. It was really hot in the gym, so I used that to start a conversation. I said it was hot but not as hot as they say hell is. It lead to a great conversation where he told me he was a born again Christian. Praise the Lord.
I want to grow bolder and bolder by the power of the Holy Spirit everyday. If I want to see great change in Ford City and Kittanning it isn't going to happen inside a building, namely the church. It's going to happen outside the 0hurch on the streets.
Let's all hit the streets. I look forward to hearing testimonies of what God does through us all as we share the love of Christ. Be ready to share this Sunday.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Ladies and Gentlemen, Introducing...
Our new sanctuary!I am excited to report that our chairs are in and in place. What do you think? There are still some changes to go to the back of the sanctuary and the foyer, but that will come in time. Praise the Lord for these wonderful changes.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Pentecost Sunday...
As Pentecost approaches us, I would like to hear from you on the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Recently, a friend of my wife's shared her frustration that the sermon she heard that Sunday was on the baptism in the Holy Spirit on Facebook. She shared that she had a bad experience with it and didn't like how some church's "push it on you" when there are a lot of gifts of the Spirit that could be talked about. Another person commented that her father wanted so badly to be filled with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues but hadn't been and felt like a failure.
As a Pentecostal pastor, I believe that everyone can be filled with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. I want everyone to experience this gift of power that God has given to us. I want to preach about it and see people filled and speaking in tongues. (Note: I don't believe you need to speak in tongues to be saved.) But does this come across as being pushy?
I want the children to be taught, the youth to be taught, everyone to be taught about it. The key to overcoming could be to teach on the importance of the baptism in the Holy Spirit? I don't want anyone to have a bad experience nor to feel like a failure. That isn't what the Holy Spirit is all about.
What has been your experience with the baptism in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues? Do you have any thoughts in how to minister to the people mentioned above and for me in preaching about it? Your thoughts, comments, and questions are appreciated.
As a Pentecostal pastor, I believe that everyone can be filled with the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. I want everyone to experience this gift of power that God has given to us. I want to preach about it and see people filled and speaking in tongues. (Note: I don't believe you need to speak in tongues to be saved.) But does this come across as being pushy?
I want the children to be taught, the youth to be taught, everyone to be taught about it. The key to overcoming could be to teach on the importance of the baptism in the Holy Spirit? I don't want anyone to have a bad experience nor to feel like a failure. That isn't what the Holy Spirit is all about.
What has been your experience with the baptism in the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues? Do you have any thoughts in how to minister to the people mentioned above and for me in preaching about it? Your thoughts, comments, and questions are appreciated.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Love Never Fails...
I thought these two videos were powerful on how "Love never fails!" (1 Cor. 13:8).
This morning, with these videos in my thoughts, I read about Elisha in 2 Kings 6. He was giving away the Arameans position to the king of Israel, and the Arameans got mad at him. When they came to kill Elisha, he wasn't afraid. He prayed to God to blind them, lead them to Samaria and the king of Israel, and had a banquet prepared for them. Basically, he blind folded them and took them to a surprise party in their honor. He could have reacted in fear, prayed to God to kill them all, and went on with his life. But he didn't. I'm not saying he did this out of love for the Arameans, but I wonder how many Arameans turned to the Lord after this? Maybe none, but who knows. It's something to think about as we go about our daily routines. Love wins. But it has to be real love, the kind of love that comes only through knowing Jesus.
Monday, May 18, 2009
The Importance of Worship
I got this off of Pastor Jeff Leake's blog. And he got it from Johannes Amrtizer who wrote a post about the power and intimacy of worship a few days ago. This is a great post and shows the importance of worship. Let me know what you think.
About a week ago I had lunch with a friend in Norway who has a priest education and also has a great insight in the Greek language... He reads old New Testament Greek like I read English, sort of... Our talk drifted to praise and worship... Geir, that is his name, then tells me that the Greek word in the origin text used for "worship" in the New Testament actually means "to lean in and kiss"... This tidbit of information exploded within me and the curiosity in me asked on... Yes Geir continues to say that the word for worship could just as well be translated "to kiss intimately and deeply..." Imagine that I have finally received a good explanation of what worship not only is but means and is all about. From now on it will be easy to explain to new believers and fresh disciples why worship has such depth and always is so refreshing!When two people who are in love kiss, then intimacy and closeness between the two is created, but at the same time it also refreshes... To worship and honor God is in other words to kiss God initimately, deeply, and with passion! Worship will created closeness, joy as well as ignite and kindle the fire! I love worship!
We have to worship in the right place! Worshipping God early in the morning in the kitchen or in a house church among disciples is wonderful as well as refershing but maybe not so in the city square or in front of unbelievers... I have been thinking... I have always felt kinda embarrased when I have seen a couple making out in the open, on the commuter train or on a bus... On the verge of offensive and unpleasant... When it comes to kissing one does not want to be an observer. Worship should not be observed. Worship should not be performed or showed in concert form. This is why we in Mission SOS have drawn a clear line between festival music / Christian performance and praise and worship. When seekers are present a message is to be proclaimed or lovesickly smeared in . Worship is for Jesus loving disciples but probably belongs more in the prayer closet and in the church service with and among believers rather than in public, in society. Worship may never be exploited. Praise and worship is to kiss God in Spirit and in Truth, just as Jesus said! (John 4:23-24) Kiss God a lot this summer - It will make you crazy for him!!
About a week ago I had lunch with a friend in Norway who has a priest education and also has a great insight in the Greek language... He reads old New Testament Greek like I read English, sort of... Our talk drifted to praise and worship... Geir, that is his name, then tells me that the Greek word in the origin text used for "worship" in the New Testament actually means "to lean in and kiss"... This tidbit of information exploded within me and the curiosity in me asked on... Yes Geir continues to say that the word for worship could just as well be translated "to kiss intimately and deeply..." Imagine that I have finally received a good explanation of what worship not only is but means and is all about. From now on it will be easy to explain to new believers and fresh disciples why worship has such depth and always is so refreshing!When two people who are in love kiss, then intimacy and closeness between the two is created, but at the same time it also refreshes... To worship and honor God is in other words to kiss God initimately, deeply, and with passion! Worship will created closeness, joy as well as ignite and kindle the fire! I love worship!
We have to worship in the right place! Worshipping God early in the morning in the kitchen or in a house church among disciples is wonderful as well as refershing but maybe not so in the city square or in front of unbelievers... I have been thinking... I have always felt kinda embarrased when I have seen a couple making out in the open, on the commuter train or on a bus... On the verge of offensive and unpleasant... When it comes to kissing one does not want to be an observer. Worship should not be observed. Worship should not be performed or showed in concert form. This is why we in Mission SOS have drawn a clear line between festival music / Christian performance and praise and worship. When seekers are present a message is to be proclaimed or lovesickly smeared in . Worship is for Jesus loving disciples but probably belongs more in the prayer closet and in the church service with and among believers rather than in public, in society. Worship may never be exploited. Praise and worship is to kiss God in Spirit and in Truth, just as Jesus said! (John 4:23-24) Kiss God a lot this summer - It will make you crazy for him!!
Monday, May 11, 2009
Updates...
I haven't posted in awhile because the mind has been fried. So much going on here at the NLC that I've been a little worn out. Looking forward to some vacation time coming here real soon.
I'm really excited to see how things are progressing with the sanctuary. I know everyone is looking forward to getting back into the sanctuary, which will happen soon. I want to thank everyone for their patience. I can feel the desire to move out of the fellowship hall and get back into the sanctuary, which we were all hoping would have happened by now. A few last minute details can change everything. But we will be there in time for the Mark Cahill outreach which will be June 6 and 7.
I want to encourage everyone to continue to pray for the Mark Cahill outreach. If you can hang up posters, they are in the foyer. Handouts for friends, neighbors, etc. are also available in the foyer. Be encouraged to spread the word via email, facebook, etc. and invite as many people as you can. I am so excited to see the lives that will be changed as people are introduced to the life changer, Jesus Christ. That is what this outreach is all about... lives changed by His power and for His glory. This area will not be the same.
I'm really excited to see how things are progressing with the sanctuary. I know everyone is looking forward to getting back into the sanctuary, which will happen soon. I want to thank everyone for their patience. I can feel the desire to move out of the fellowship hall and get back into the sanctuary, which we were all hoping would have happened by now. A few last minute details can change everything. But we will be there in time for the Mark Cahill outreach which will be June 6 and 7.
I want to encourage everyone to continue to pray for the Mark Cahill outreach. If you can hang up posters, they are in the foyer. Handouts for friends, neighbors, etc. are also available in the foyer. Be encouraged to spread the word via email, facebook, etc. and invite as many people as you can. I am so excited to see the lives that will be changed as people are introduced to the life changer, Jesus Christ. That is what this outreach is all about... lives changed by His power and for His glory. This area will not be the same.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Paper Pastors
I got this off of another blog but I thought it was powerful. Please take time to read it and let me know what you think. (Click here)
Saturday, April 25, 2009
MCM Ministry School
If you are graduating this year or have graduated (it doesn't have to be recently) and have a desire to minister or experience ministry training like they did in the book of Acts, then this school is for you. I encourage you to read on and click on the links to find out more information about a great opportunity to be trained for ministry. They are now accepting applications for the Fall semester. Check it out!
The MCM Ministry School is designed to provide a prospective student not only with classroom training but with real life experiences in ministry. Every day we involve students in our PRAYER SCHOOL. Once a week, we engage in PRACTICAL COMMUNITY OUTREACH in connection with one of eight churches (The MCM Network) that have been planted in Pittsburgh. Once a year, the students participate in an INTERNATIONAL TRIP to work in partnership with Mission SOS in a Signs and Wonders Festival among UNREACHED PEOPLE'S GROUPS. The passion of the MCM Ministry School is to raise up faith-filled adventurers who are committed to living out the supernatural lifestyle of the book of Acts. The practical experiences come in the context of a growing church that is actively planting churches and sending teams to reach unreached people groups. All the information and detials are on the NEW MCM Ministry School Website. We are hosting an OPEN CLASS DAY on May 8th from 9am to noon for anyone who is interested. Everything takes place out of Allison Park Church.
The MCM Ministry School is designed to provide a prospective student not only with classroom training but with real life experiences in ministry. Every day we involve students in our PRAYER SCHOOL. Once a week, we engage in PRACTICAL COMMUNITY OUTREACH in connection with one of eight churches (The MCM Network) that have been planted in Pittsburgh. Once a year, the students participate in an INTERNATIONAL TRIP to work in partnership with Mission SOS in a Signs and Wonders Festival among UNREACHED PEOPLE'S GROUPS. The passion of the MCM Ministry School is to raise up faith-filled adventurers who are committed to living out the supernatural lifestyle of the book of Acts. The practical experiences come in the context of a growing church that is actively planting churches and sending teams to reach unreached people groups. All the information and detials are on the NEW MCM Ministry School Website. We are hosting an OPEN CLASS DAY on May 8th from 9am to noon for anyone who is interested. Everything takes place out of Allison Park Church.
Monday, April 20, 2009
The World Clock
I came across this site today and thought it was something for everyone to check out. It is the world clock. (click the words to see it) Let it stir us as we prepare for the Mark Cahill ministry.
Monday, April 13, 2009
Great Way to Begin Monday!
Sound of Music Train Station @ Yahoo! Video I've been wanting to update my blog but my computer's connection with my IPOD has been going crazy and I've been trying to fix it. I thought this was a great way to start off a Monday. If you didn't know, I like some of the songs off of the movie "The Sound of Music." Especially the song that goes along with the puppet show with the goats and the yoddling. Classic! Check this video out. I could see myself doing this. What do you think?
Friday, April 3, 2009
Oh What a Feeling...
Oh what a feeling... They're tearing down our ceiling.
Here are some updated pics. Check them out.
This is the front of the church.
This is the side next to the fellowshiphall.
This is the side toward the youth room.
Here are some updated pics. Check them out.
This is the front of the church.
This is the side next to the fellowshiphall.
This is the side toward the youth room.Wednesday, April 1, 2009
The Work has Begun!
The ceiling is actually farther along than this now. This picture is from Tuesday, March 31. I need to get an updated picture because the lights are down and you can see the rafters. The ceiling actually started falling when they tried to put some support beams up. Thank the Lord no one was injured. To show some appreciation for A. Guzzo Construction, the ladies of the church are preparing a meal for them for tomorrow, April 2. It will be a good time for those who work for A. Guzzo Construction. Just a simple way to show love for the hardwork these men are putting in. Let's continue to enjoy the ride.Tuesday, March 24, 2009
The Father's Will
In meditating on the issues at hand from the last few posts, the scripture from Matthew 7 came to me.
Matthew 7:21-23
I began to think of how we believe that the litmus test for spiritual maturity is signs, wonders, and miracles. But that is not it at all. In this passage, Jesus clearly tells us that many will stand before Him on that day and tell Him all of the great things that they have done. He will tell them that He never knew them. This is profound! As much as I want to see signs, wonders, and miracles, there is something greater to serving the Lord and that is found in verse 21. It is doing the will of the Father. Did that smack you like it smacked me?
We have gotten caught up in wanting to see the supernatural so much that we have lifted those who seem to operate in the supernatural without ever examining the true fruit of their ministry. Yes, supernatural things will flow from a true man/woman of God. But that is not a sign of spiritual maturity. We must examine their fruits. Just because someone is used in the supernatural does not mean that they are right with God. We must realize that so that we are not lead astray. In Deuteronomy 13:1-5, it talks about if a man comes and announces a sign and wonder and that sign and wonder takes place, and after it takes place he says lets follow other gods then he should be put to death. I believe we see a lot of this today. People show up do a sign and wonder, get a national following, and then begin to feed us things that are unscriptural and tell us we should believe what they are telling us and if we don't then we are not of God. Problem is that the things they are telling us are not in the Bible. So who really is not of God?
Let us not abuse the grace and mercy of God. Let us not buy into what the enemy is trying to sell as "being from God." Let us hunger and thirst for a deeper walk with God and out of that if supernatural signs and wonders happen, Praise the Lord. Let Him be lifted up higher and higher and everything else be brought low. We are building His kingdom and not our own. Let us be found doing the Father's will whether that ever leads to us doing signs, wonders, and miracles. When we are in the Father's will, we are in the right place.
Matthew 7:21-23
I began to think of how we believe that the litmus test for spiritual maturity is signs, wonders, and miracles. But that is not it at all. In this passage, Jesus clearly tells us that many will stand before Him on that day and tell Him all of the great things that they have done. He will tell them that He never knew them. This is profound! As much as I want to see signs, wonders, and miracles, there is something greater to serving the Lord and that is found in verse 21. It is doing the will of the Father. Did that smack you like it smacked me?
We have gotten caught up in wanting to see the supernatural so much that we have lifted those who seem to operate in the supernatural without ever examining the true fruit of their ministry. Yes, supernatural things will flow from a true man/woman of God. But that is not a sign of spiritual maturity. We must examine their fruits. Just because someone is used in the supernatural does not mean that they are right with God. We must realize that so that we are not lead astray. In Deuteronomy 13:1-5, it talks about if a man comes and announces a sign and wonder and that sign and wonder takes place, and after it takes place he says lets follow other gods then he should be put to death. I believe we see a lot of this today. People show up do a sign and wonder, get a national following, and then begin to feed us things that are unscriptural and tell us we should believe what they are telling us and if we don't then we are not of God. Problem is that the things they are telling us are not in the Bible. So who really is not of God?
Let us not abuse the grace and mercy of God. Let us not buy into what the enemy is trying to sell as "being from God." Let us hunger and thirst for a deeper walk with God and out of that if supernatural signs and wonders happen, Praise the Lord. Let Him be lifted up higher and higher and everything else be brought low. We are building His kingdom and not our own. Let us be found doing the Father's will whether that ever leads to us doing signs, wonders, and miracles. When we are in the Father's will, we are in the right place.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
If You Have Time...
I'm becoming more and more concerned with some of the teaching that is out there and some of the things people are believing. I found this article which was a comment on Paul Grabill's blog (note: Paul Grabill did not post this someone else did). If you have time, this article is long, read it here. I am not trying to paint Rick Joyner, or anybody, to be bad. I don't know him and I've never been to anything in his ministry. I do have questions about what he is doing with Todd Bentley (see earlier post) which has led me to dig a little deeper. If you have ever experienced MorningStar Ministries let me know what you think of this persons account. I post this to get us to think and check ourselves to make sure our beliefs and the things we hold as important are Biblically based. I would love to hear from you on what you think.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Who is Jesus to You?
In the sermon series we are in here at the NLC called "American Idol" I encouraged the people this past Sunday to ask the Lord to reveal Himself to them so that they could answer the question posed to the disciples, "Who do you say I am?" (Luke 9:18-21) When Peter answers, "The Christ" Jesus, in Matthew's account (Matthew 16:17), said that God revealed that to him and not man. It's the only way we can answer that question, God reveals Himself to us. I can't tell you who Jesus is to you. You must seek Him out.
So as I spent time praying asking God to reveal Himself to me I thought of the commercial for "G." If you don't know what G is it's Gatorade's new logo and ad campaign. Why would I think of that? Because they say that Gatorade is a difference maker. As I was praying I just felt like God revealed Himself to me as the "Difference Maker". In every situation I find myself in, He is my difference maker. That is who God is to me.
Gatorade has a lot of things it claims to do for you. God has proven what He can do for us if we allow Him to be our difference maker.
So what is God speaking to you? What is He showing you? Ask Him to reveal Himself to you as you pray, read scripture, and enjoy creation. Let Him speak into your spirit and then leave a comment. I would love to hear what God is showing you.
So as I spent time praying asking God to reveal Himself to me I thought of the commercial for "G." If you don't know what G is it's Gatorade's new logo and ad campaign. Why would I think of that? Because they say that Gatorade is a difference maker. As I was praying I just felt like God revealed Himself to me as the "Difference Maker". In every situation I find myself in, He is my difference maker. That is who God is to me.
Gatorade has a lot of things it claims to do for you. God has proven what He can do for us if we allow Him to be our difference maker.
So what is God speaking to you? What is He showing you? Ask Him to reveal Himself to you as you pray, read scripture, and enjoy creation. Let Him speak into your spirit and then leave a comment. I would love to hear what God is showing you.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
What is Going On?
I want to share an article by J. Lee Grady (click here). Some of you may have heard about this already, I have just heard about it now. It truly makes me wonder what is going on in the church of America? I respected what Bill Johnson and Rick Joyner had to say in the past but I'm completely baffled by what they are doing now. Check out the article and let me know your thoughts. More to come later.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
The Sky is Falling
Can you believe it's already March and that this weekend we will be turning our clocks ahead? Spring is right around the corner. (I heard shouts of Hallelujah and Thank You Jesus!)
The NLC encountered a great problem this past Friday. You could hear Chicken Little yelling, "The sky is falling." Our ceiling above our drop ceiling decided to fall down through our drop ceiling. It is a very old ceiling made of plaster over chicken wire that stretches from one end of the sanctuary to the other. But no problem. We were able to meet in the fellowship hall and what an awesome time we had together this past Sunday. God continues to do great things in our church, even though we were packed together, only had two guitars and a piano, the presence of God was there. I believe that God is doing something in our church through this occurence. I am calling this "Temporary Convenience for Permanent Improvement." I look forward to what God is teaching us and is going to continue to teach us as we seek Him for breakthrough. I've even received a prophetic word yesterday from this whole event that went along with things that were on my heart.
God is up to something and it isn't just about fixing a ceiling. Stay tuned.
The NLC encountered a great problem this past Friday. You could hear Chicken Little yelling, "The sky is falling." Our ceiling above our drop ceiling decided to fall down through our drop ceiling. It is a very old ceiling made of plaster over chicken wire that stretches from one end of the sanctuary to the other. But no problem. We were able to meet in the fellowship hall and what an awesome time we had together this past Sunday. God continues to do great things in our church, even though we were packed together, only had two guitars and a piano, the presence of God was there. I believe that God is doing something in our church through this occurence. I am calling this "Temporary Convenience for Permanent Improvement." I look forward to what God is teaching us and is going to continue to teach us as we seek Him for breakthrough. I've even received a prophetic word yesterday from this whole event that went along with things that were on my heart.
God is up to something and it isn't just about fixing a ceiling. Stay tuned.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Check this Out...
Another interesting point from John Piper. Let me know what you think. It's 10 minutes long but well worth the listen.
Interesting Thought...
Last week, in getting ready to do a funeral, I came across an interesting thought from John 11:33. It says that Jesus was deeply moved after seeing the sisters of Lazarus crying and all of the friends and family crying. In a note in my study Bible, it said that the Greek word for that meant compassion but also anger. It went on to say that Jesus felt love and compassion for everyone there but also anger because of the wages of sin. (Which He later went on to do something about.) It reminded me that God did not create death and sickness. He created life. We as humans brought sin and sickness into the world by our disobedience. It was a powerful reminder as I prepared my message.
We have victory over sin and death thanks to what Jesus did on the cross. But God still has concern over what we face each day because of sin. If only we had been obedient in that garden long ago. If only we would learn to be obedient now. Where would we be?
A friend of mine who comes to our noon time prayer, shared with us the difficulties he is facing right now. He had to be in the hospital for a few days last week but then proceeded to tell us how God used him to change the atmosphere of the hospital floor he was on. He wasn't worried about what was wrong with him. He let God use him to spread peace, joy, and love to all those around him. The roomate he had even asked him what he was in for and when he told him, the roomate didn't understand why he was so happy. He then shared Jesus with the person.
We can look at things in so many ways. We can throw ourselves pitty parties or we can know that we have victory over sin and death when we know Jesus as our Lord and Savior and walk that out.
The world needs us to be filled with love and compassion just like Jesus had for those around Him. That we would get angry at what sin has done to this world, and begin to preach repentance and life in Jesus. Then that we would begin to live that out, no matter what we face (I know that can be hard). We must know that we win and satan loses. No matter what the scoreboard says. The final standings, when we know Jesus, will always be 1 victory, 0 defeats. Someone shout Hallelujah!
We have victory over sin and death thanks to what Jesus did on the cross. But God still has concern over what we face each day because of sin. If only we had been obedient in that garden long ago. If only we would learn to be obedient now. Where would we be?
A friend of mine who comes to our noon time prayer, shared with us the difficulties he is facing right now. He had to be in the hospital for a few days last week but then proceeded to tell us how God used him to change the atmosphere of the hospital floor he was on. He wasn't worried about what was wrong with him. He let God use him to spread peace, joy, and love to all those around him. The roomate he had even asked him what he was in for and when he told him, the roomate didn't understand why he was so happy. He then shared Jesus with the person.
We can look at things in so many ways. We can throw ourselves pitty parties or we can know that we have victory over sin and death when we know Jesus as our Lord and Savior and walk that out.
The world needs us to be filled with love and compassion just like Jesus had for those around Him. That we would get angry at what sin has done to this world, and begin to preach repentance and life in Jesus. Then that we would begin to live that out, no matter what we face (I know that can be hard). We must know that we win and satan loses. No matter what the scoreboard says. The final standings, when we know Jesus, will always be 1 victory, 0 defeats. Someone shout Hallelujah!
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
What I'm Listening To...
I just got this about two weeks ago and I've enjoyed every second that I've gotten to listen to it. It comes from Jesus Culture Music and features Chris Quilala and Kim Walker. The music was unique and their voices are unbelievable. You all need to check it out.
John Piper...
I saw this video on Ben Davis's blog and thought I would post it here. It is powerful and something to think about. Comment any of your thoughts as you watch.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Be Careful Little Eyes...
I watched a video sent to me by Chuck King yesterday. It was very good. The one part that challenged me was how we watch garbage on T.V. and in movies, then we come to church to pray for revival. Now I am not saying you can't watch T.V. or movies, but (and I want to emphasize the but) we need to guard our minds. How can we pray for God to do a great work in our lives when we continually let garbage fill it. We must guard our eyes and what they see, our feet and where they go. It is a song that a lot of kids learn when they are children. But it is something we think we can grow out of when we get older.
We can never grow out of guarding what comes into our hearts and minds. Our minds need to be filled with the Word of God so we can combat the enemy. To many times though, the only thing we can spit out in times of trouble are doubts and fears because it's all we know. Check this video out by Casting Crowns (this is not the video I was sent) and let me know what you think. I know I've been challenged even more so to guard what my eyes see because I have two sets of little eyes watching me and what I watch. Heaven forbid I lead them astray by what I do. (Check out Matthew 18) Be challenged.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Ending the Fast...
We ended our fast this past Friday night by going to King's family restaurant. I know that you should watch what you eat after fasting for a long period of time, but I couldn't help myself. I got a steak. It was very enjoyable. But it's funny, after fasting and thinking about when you are going to eat again, when the time comes to eat again it does not carry that much weight. As I sat at King's and drank down a couple of lemonade's, I felt as though I had eaten. Thank You, Lord for getting us through this week and I look forward to what you will do from this.
I also wanted to share how prayer went Friday night before we went to eat. Powerful! We ended the prayer time by sharing promises that God has given us from His Word. It is something we do not do enough of. Mainly because we do not know His Word. I encourage you to get into the Word and meditate on it. If we want to overcome anger, fear, loneliness, doubt, worry, lust, pride, you name it, we need to soak our minds and quote His Word. It is how we will overcome. So get into the Word.
Here is one I found to be very meaningful for me:
Psalm 112:7 NLT
7 They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.
Be Blessed!
I also wanted to share how prayer went Friday night before we went to eat. Powerful! We ended the prayer time by sharing promises that God has given us from His Word. It is something we do not do enough of. Mainly because we do not know His Word. I encourage you to get into the Word and meditate on it. If we want to overcome anger, fear, loneliness, doubt, worry, lust, pride, you name it, we need to soak our minds and quote His Word. It is how we will overcome. So get into the Word.
Here is one I found to be very meaningful for me:
Psalm 112:7 NLT
7 They do not fear bad news; they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.
Be Blessed!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
4th Day
I can't believe we are already at the 4th day of fasting. Though my belly is letting me know. One thing the Lord showed me today was about praying for God to fill us to overflowing. So many times we pray that but we set up barriers to keep Him from truly filling us to overflowing. He gave me the picture of a fountain drink. You don't want it to overflow because then the drink gets all over your hand, all over the side of the cup, etc. We frown upon that.
I believe we have brought that it into God's world when we think about filling us to overflowing. We think it is going to be messy. And in a way, it is going to be. It is going to mess with your life, your thoughts, your actions, everything that you are. When God messes things up it is for the best.
So don't hesitate to let your cup hold the dispenser down on God's Holy Spirit fountain and overflow.
I believe we have brought that it into God's world when we think about filling us to overflowing. We think it is going to be messy. And in a way, it is going to be. It is going to mess with your life, your thoughts, your actions, everything that you are. When God messes things up it is for the best.
So don't hesitate to let your cup hold the dispenser down on God's Holy Spirit fountain and overflow.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Second Full Day of Fasting
We began our second annual week of praying and fasting Sunday evening. There were a few of us who braved the weather to come in and seek the Lord. This year, I tried to prepare my body by only eating one meal a day a few days before I went in to not eating anything. The transition was not to bad, though I find myself thinking about eating. But it is not a feeling of eating because I am hungry but more a feeling of eating just to eat. There is something about putting something into your mouth as you sit around that has become enjoyable to me, and many Americans. That is a problem and one that I want to see fixed now, while I am still young. I want to develop in myself the need for God's Word more than food.
One thing I am really seeking Him for this week individually is for a greater boldness in sharing my faith and being a servant to those around me. I don't want to ignore needs when I know the One who can respond to those needs whether through me or supernaturally through my prayers. For example, yesterday I was leaving the church to head to my basketball game. There was an elderly gentlemen who had gotten his van stuck in the snow covered parking spaces that are in Ford City. Elyn and I helped him get out by shoveling out the snow under his tires and giving him a good old push. Then on my way down to the high school, there was a young girl from Ford City who was stuck. I continued on to the gym to get some of my players to come help me push and we were able to help her. It felt good to help those in need.
I am also looking forward to God using me supernaturally to minister to people with needs that only God can answer. This is truly going to be a year of newlife, healing, and the gifts of the Spirit.
Please, share with me what God is showing you this week. Leave a comment. Send an email. Leave a voice mail (if I'm out). But let us spur one another on with what God is showing us this week. Stay tuned.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
What Do Their Eyes Say?
I was talking to Al Harriger the other day and he was telling me some of the things they have been going over in their small group on evangelism. One of the things he was telling me he told the people to do was to look at those they pass on the street, in the store, at work, etc. Not just at them, but right at their face. Look them in the eyes and tell them hello. You can tell a lot about a person by how they look and respond to you. This can lead into opportunities to share the love of Christ.
Now skip to today. I'm doing my devotions and low and behold I find this in scripture in Genesis with the story of Joseph. Joseph was in prison, after being falsely accused for a crime he did not commit. While there, pharaoh sends his cup bearer and baker to prison. Now after a night of sleep, the cup bearer and baker have a dream. The next morning they look troubled. How do we know this? Because Joseph looked them in the eyes and saw that they were troubled and then began to talk to them. He just didn't notice the trouble, he went a step further and began to talk to them about it. They opened up to Joseph and he was able to interpret the dreams and help them.
If only we all can take this example and run with it. God wants to use each and everyone of us to speak into peoples lives. So many are hurting and need someone to notice them. They need someone to tell them about Jesus and pray with them. They need someone who believes in an almighty God that is greater than any hurt or pain to come along side of them and spur them on. Is that you? I pray that it is all of us. That we may all be like Joseph.
Lord, may we be like Joseph and look at the faces of the people around us. May we have the courage and boldness to ask them how things are going. And may we have the faith that if we do this, You will give us the words to encourage them and point them to Jesus and His saving grace, not matter how they may respond. Amen.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
I've begun to read a book entitled "The Knowledge of the Holy" by A.W. Tozer. (Thank you Pastor Jeff Leake for mentioning this book.) I've only read a couple of chapters but the chapters I've read go along with what I've been studying on healing and the gifts of the Spirit. Here is an excerpt from chapter 2.
Left to ourselves we tend immediately to reduce God to manageable
terms. We want to get Him where we can use Him, or at least know where He
is when we need Him. We want a God we can in some measure control.
We need the feeling of security that comes from knowing what God is like, and
what He is like is of course a composite of all the religious pictures we have
seen, all the best people we have known or heard about, and all the sublime
ideas we have entertained.If all this sounds strange to modern ears, it is only because we have for a
full half century taken God for granted. The glory of God has not been
revealed to this generation of men. The God of contemporary Christianity
is only slightly superior to the gods of Greece and Rome, if indeed He is not
actually inferior to them in that He is weak and helpless while they at least
had power.
WOW! We have made God into something our minds can comprehend when God is so much greater than that. I believe we need to repent of the idols we have created to satisify our appetite for a god we can wrap our minds around. God is much to big for our minds. He is infinite and our minds are finite.
What do you think?
Monday, January 5, 2009
2009: The Year of New Life
Sorry for not posting in awhile. The holidays are a busy time. Plus, I took some time off to relax and hang out with family.
I wanted to share that I am really looking forward to this coming year. I believe that this year is truly going to be a year of new life for the New Life Center. Our name, given when this church was founded, is very significant and I believe we will begin to see the blessing in our name come forth this year. There is so much that God wants to do in and through us this year to release new life in us as well as to our family, friends, and coworkers.
I've been praying for the release of new life, healing, and the gifts of the Spirit in 2009. I want to encourage you all to pray that with me. Also, starting January 18-23, we will begin our corporate prayer and fasting time. We will kick off our prayer and fasting time Sunday evening, January 18, at 7:00 pm here at the church. Then all week long at 12:00 pm and 7:00 pm, the church will be open to come in and pray.
Keep in mind the scripture verse that has come to be part of our mission:
Acts 26:17-18 The Message
17-18"'I'm sending you off to open the eyes of the outsiders so they can see the difference between dark and light, and choose light, see the difference between Satan and God, and choose God. I'm sending you off to present my offer of sins forgiven, and a place in the family, inviting them into the company of those who begin real living by believing in me.'
You got to love that verse.
I wanted to share that I am really looking forward to this coming year. I believe that this year is truly going to be a year of new life for the New Life Center. Our name, given when this church was founded, is very significant and I believe we will begin to see the blessing in our name come forth this year. There is so much that God wants to do in and through us this year to release new life in us as well as to our family, friends, and coworkers.
I've been praying for the release of new life, healing, and the gifts of the Spirit in 2009. I want to encourage you all to pray that with me. Also, starting January 18-23, we will begin our corporate prayer and fasting time. We will kick off our prayer and fasting time Sunday evening, January 18, at 7:00 pm here at the church. Then all week long at 12:00 pm and 7:00 pm, the church will be open to come in and pray.
Keep in mind the scripture verse that has come to be part of our mission:
Acts 26:17-18 The Message
17-18"'I'm sending you off to open the eyes of the outsiders so they can see the difference between dark and light, and choose light, see the difference between Satan and God, and choose God. I'm sending you off to present my offer of sins forgiven, and a place in the family, inviting them into the company of those who begin real living by believing in me.'
You got to love that verse.
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