Joy in the City

Hello Again, 

I wrote this article for the Church Newsletter for January, and should be posting a fresh new article in the coming days for you all. But for now let me know your thoughts on this one...

There is a story in Acts chapter 8 that has been on my mind lately and I thought I’d share it with you all this month. It is an interesting tale to say the least but it has a powerful message that I believe is an encouragement to us.

It begins with “a great wave of persecution…sweeping over the church in Jerusalem...” Acts 8:1b. The Believers were forced out of the city into the regions of Judea and Samaria and a Man named Saul traveled around with on goal in mind, destroy this new church.

Interestingly enough where ever the believers scattered, people heard the news about Jesus and the life he lived. 
One man named Phillip whom many considered the first evangelist was forced into the city of Samaria and his story is the one I’ve been thinking about lately.

He confidently shared the good news with the people in Samaria and they listened in awe of the stories he was teaching. He performed miracles, healed the sick and drove out many evil spirits. In the end, “there was great Joy in that city,” Acts 8:8.

This one verse made me think, is our church making this kind of impact on the City we live in? The New Testament church impacted people where ever they went no matter what they were going through, Lives were continually transformed and multitudes were saved on a daily basis.

Here is another question, is this a trend most churches set today? I believe that 2014 is the year we will show that we will be a church that brings great joy to this city. What do you think? 

Stay tuned for some more about what God has given me to share with you...

Thanks again for visiting "The Gathering Room"

Stand Strong and continue to believe the teachings given to you... (2 Thes. 2:15b NCV),

M.E

A Christmas Blessing

Hello Everyone, 
I wrote this post back in December for my Church Newsletter, I want to elaborate on this a little bit but wanted to get the original posted for you...

Who can believe it? Christmas is only weeks away and God is ready to move in the lives of many. In years past, Christmas has always been a very busy season leaving really no time for me personally to enjoy what the holiday is all about.

For my family, Christmas was all about family and the celebration of our Saviors birth, Even though we had many Christmas’s with little to nothing my parents always made sure we found the Christmas spirit somehow, usually in the form of The Christmas Tree and the reading of The Christmas Story.

As I began to enter into the ministry in some way or another, that Innocent outlook on Christmas began to take a back seat as I saw suffering, pain and sorrow. I felt it was my duty to do whatever I could to help people see what I saw as a child. In doing so, I became too focused on bringing that idea to others that I lost sight of it in my own heart.

Last year that changed, for the first time since I was a child I began to see that innocent image of Christmas again, this revelation came in the form of my daughter, Leyla. Her birth has forever reminded me of the Joy Christmas brings me and I encourage you to search for what truly does the same for you and to embrace that Christmas Spirit as a Child of God.

“O father, may I find again the dreams of Childhood when thoughts of YOU filled ME with peace and I longed to know YOU more. Give ME a faith that trusts YOU implicitly.” 

Well I hope you enjoyed the original posting, more to come soon, well hopefully...

Thanks again for visiting "The Gathering Room"

Stand Strong and continue to believe the teachings given to you... (2 Thes. 2:15b NCV),

M.E

Visible Promise

Hello Everyone, 

I posted this scripture on my Facebook earlier today and was going to leave it at that but felt God asking me to share my thoughts with you all.

"The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand." 19.37.23-4

This is one of my favorite Psalms because of the message it shares in its previous verses about delighting yourselves in the Lord... 19.37.4. I've always been encouraged by that simple verse. The wonderful thing about Psalm 37 is that it is bursting with wonderful treasures and promises from God. Verses 23 and 24 is an example of these treasures...

Throughout our lives we have to face some pretty rough patches that pull us in many directions and it can be hard to discern Gods will for our lives. The scriptures tell us this on several occasions. 

My family is a great example of this, my wife and I have been married three years and while our love for God, for one another and for our daughter grows stronger every day, life has given us some pretty rough experiences. We've faced many trials and still do today. I won't go into details but trust me the experiences are there. Its all apart of the growth process.

Hearing the voice of God is no easy task when the world around you is bearing down and closing in. Distractions are everywhere aren't they? Here is the amazing thing though. As long as we are faithfully seeking the will of God in our lives we will always find HIS voice.  The scripture plainly states that ...for the Lord holds them by the hand... 19.37.24.

Yes, I admit there have been times in which I have questioned where God was in my life but when the question comes they answer is as well and it's always YES. As we seek HIS presence, we grow and as we grow HIS will becomes more visible. The challenge for us is to seek HIM in everything.

I have more to say on this but I will leave it at this for now. I pray that each and everyone who read this will find encouragement. 

Thanks again for visiting "The Gathering Room"

Stand Strong and continue to believe the teachings given to you... (2 Thes. 2:15b NCV),

M.E

Renewal and Revival

Greetings in Christ,

This summer has been quite busy with mission trips, new beginnings, fun events, change and other things but the one thing that has been constant is that God is working in a magnificent way. It may not seem like it now but I feel God has been using the summer to prepare many of us for something fantastical to happen. I believe God is beginning to revive those of us that have been faithful to HIM. He is beginning to renew our spiritual energy so that it will erupt in our hearts.

I was listening to a Sermon a few weeks ago and there was a passage of scripture that really stood out to me. At first it was a personal relation but maybe it is a message for all of us. “Now that your obedience to the truth has purified your souls, you can have true love for your Christian brothers and sisters. So love each other deeply with all your heart.”1 Peter 1:22.

1 Peter 4:8 echo's the message the previous passage, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” God calls us to love others above all else because it is the strongest weapon against evil. It is the essence of light, the very core of who God is and he is calling us to open our hearts to each other and to those around us.

As a man Jesus lived a life of love in everything he did. As his followers in the world today we are expected to do the same. So the question is; are we doing so?

Many of those of you that read my little posts are those I know to be strong in the faith. I also know of some of you that have been earnestly interceding through prayer asking God to revive and strengthen the hearts of the faithful. I have a feeling that that time is coming soon. Maybe it is just a personal relation but everything I've been hearing in my time with God tells me something is coming.

I encourage you to reflect upon what God has been saying to you, are we really prepared to Love as Jesus does? Are we really ready to see God move in a mighty, mighty way? Are we ready for our hearts to be strengthened and encouraged? I know the answer to all these questions for me, do you?

Thanks again for visiting "The Gathering Room"

Stand Strong and continue to believe the teachings given to you

(2 Thes. 2:15b NCV),

M.E