When is the last time you wept for a soul?

I'd like to share a poem that my mom wrote. It gives us all something to think about.

When was the last time you wept for a soul
As tears from your eyes did freely flow
With agony over one’s lost condition
Of eternity without God, perdition?

If to win one to God is your noble goal
When was the last time you wept for a soul?
Before this great gospel we can share
We must take some time to wrestle in prayer.

Have you witnessed, it seems, to no avail?
Perhaps you’re lacking this thing called travail.
When was the last time you wept for a soul
With heart wrenching sobs you could scarcely control?

Ever take time to wonder why
Your spirit just seems so lifeless and dry?
Over this question, you may want to mull.
“When was the last time you wept for a soul?”

For our Good

I love the story in the Bible of Joseph, a young man who kept a good attitude through all the horrible things he went through. Joseph was mocked and hated of his brothers, betrayed by his own brethren, tempted by his master's wife, thrown into prison for being righteous, and forgotten in prison by the very person he helped. It is amazing that one could keep such a good attitude through all of these things. Today, we in the church go through some hard things, but we have the Word of God and we have the Holy Ghost to guide us through those times. Joseph had neither, yet when tempted by his master's wife said, "How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" We cannot find in the Bible where Joseph whined, complained, or blamed God. Joseph's character was amazing.

As you go through things in your life that may seem unfair, I challenge you to remember Joseph. Did God leave him in the pit in which his brothers cast him? No. Did God leave him in the prison? No. God delivered him, blessed him, and caused whatsoever he did to prosper. I really believe this story could have gone a totally different direction if Joseph would have complained, fell when tempted, or blamed God for things gone wrong. But Joseph's story had a good ending because of his attitude. He trusted in God! He was a man of integrity. He did the right thing.

We know the story. The Lord lifted up Joseph and made him second in command over all Egypt. When Joseph was lifted up and blessed, he didn't get a big head. That's what some of us do when God blesses and lifts us up! But Joseph didn't do that. When his brothers came to Egypt during the famine to get food, they didn't know who Joseph was. Joseph could have taken revenge upon his brothers in an instant, but instead, he blessed them and forgave them. I love what he told his brothers in Genesis 50:20:

"But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive."

Joseph recognized that God had his life in His hands. He knew that even though his brother's intentions were evil, God used it and meant it for his own good. God used his affliction to bring him to a place of power, where he could help save the lives of many people from the famine; including the lives of his own family. You never know what God will do with your life or how He will use you, if you will just have a good attitude and do what is right.

I would like to leave you with some encouragement:

When it seems the world is against you, maybe even your own family and friends, trust in God. Don't get bitter. Pray. Keep a good attitude. The Bible says "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. " (Romans 8:28)

You never know what good God will bring out your bad situation if you will but trust Him and keep a good attitude. We can trust the Word of God! We really can! It's for our good.

Testimony Time!

I am so excited about church! We had great services today! We have a lot of new people coming and seeking God, and we've also had some people come back to church that used to come a while back. If you need some joy, try praying over souls and watch what God does! It brings joy to your soul to see prayers answered and sinners coming to God.

I love the church. It's the greatest thing, the best kept secret really. But it shouldn't be a secret! Not enough people know about this and we have got to tell them. I know that not everybody is hungry from God, but there are many who are, and God will use us to reach them. I'm believing God for more great things to happen! Anybody else feel that way? What is something God has done in your church or in your life recently? Testimony time! :) Please share!

The Ministry of Tears

Today I listened to a message by Brother Timothy Copeland: The Ministry of Tears. It really spoke to me and I found a place to pray. He preached with a burden - the key to revival is our tears! There are so many saints who do not pray through. If we don't repent, how can we expect sinners to come to our altars and repent? If the church isn't weeping, how can we expect a revival? The Bible has a lot to say about tears, weeping, and mourning. It scares me to know that we can be so involved with things in the church, but not pray like we should. I don't want to be one of the people that is deceived and thinks they are okay just because the go to church and are involved in doing things, but does not have a right spirit because they don't pray. God forbid!
There are so many verses that talk about weeping! Jeremiah, the weeping prophet says a lot about weeping.

Jer 9:1 Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!

Jer 9:18 And let them make haste, and take up a wailing for us, that our eyes may run down with tears, and our eyelids gush out with waters.

Jer 13:17 But if ye will not hear it, my soul shall weep in secret places for your pride; and mine eye shall weep sore, and run down with tears, because the LORD'S flock is carried away captive.

When is the last time you wept over a backslider? We all know somebody that has walked away from God and is in danger of hell fire. It's the will of God that we weep over lost souls. God is looking for people to pray, to travail, but there are not enough! There are few who really get there. I want it to be me that God uses to weep for souls.

Isa 59:16 And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him

Great victory comes through intercessory prayer. There are times that I've longed for services to just continue in pre service prayer. Sometimes we get so rushed and in stuck in our routine that we limit God and don't allow Him to have His way. God forbid! We don't know what we will have to face in the future. Is this generation ready to suffer for what we believe? We haven't known persecution and suffering like other generations have. We have had so much freedom, and thank God for it! But if and when that time comes, we will need people who can weep and travail and touch heaven.

Psa 126:5 They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

How much more would we see happen if we could really get a hold of this? God convicted me today over this. How much I limit God with my own mind. We need vision, and we'll get that through prayer. We need Old Time Pentecost! From a 20 year old, I have heard the great stories of Old time Pentecost and longed to see things like that. They had such a hunger and desire for God. Are all the gadgets and the fast paced society limiting us, distracting us? Even calling the shots for us? I don't want to be swept away in the currents of the world.

Jer 22:10 Weep ye not for the dead, neither bemoan him: but weep sore for him that goeth away: for he shall return no more, nor see his native country.

If you have a loved one or friend who last walked away from God, or never even known God, I encourage you to find a place to weep for them. You could be their only hope. What if God laid a burden on my heart to pray for somebody and I didn't heed the call? What would happen to that person? What if it were me that needed the prayer? I would want somebody to touch God for me. Prayer is hard work and is not always pleasant, but Oh the joy that comes when that prayer is answered! The victories that we will see! It is worth it to travail in prayer.

Joh 16:21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.

God help us in the closing days of time to get a hold of the key to revival - tears.

Good things

Good things are happening in Oakley, Ca! Recently: baptisms, Holy Ghost being poured out, new kids coming to kids church, visitors in the altar seeking God, good fellowship, moves of God, etc. It is exciting to be a part of what God is doing! I love this song:

Lord, whatever You're doing in this season, Don't do it without me, don't it without me.

Do you feel that way today? I want to be apart of whatever God is doing.

I'm just a little light bulb

Funny title, right? Well, figuratively speaking, I am just a little light bulb. Yesterday we had a fellowship meeting at our church with a few other churches. The service was awesome from the beginning to the end. The presence of God moved on the people. It was a blessing, and it really encouraged me and strengthened me, as it did for many others I'm sure. After looking at all these good saints from all the churches that were gathered there, I started thinking about how insignificant I am. Who am I among all these good people living for God? I really am nothing! I thought. And it's true, we really are nothing. God doesn't need us, but He does desire to use us and has a plan for each and every individual. And He really does care about us, and He takes pleasure in His people. It made me think of a string of lights. Each of the little light bulbs seem so insignificant by themselves, but when you step back and see the whole string of lights shining together, it is a beautiful sight. The church really is the same way. We may not feel like we are much all by ourselves, but we are apart of something much bigger than us. We are the light of the world. And if your light goes out, it effects the string of lights. You can see where one little light is out, even on a big string of lights. So, while we really are tiny and not much, doing our part is SO important! Don't ever think just because you're "you" and not "them" that you are not important. You are important. The reason you are important is because you have God, and God's work is important! God is what makes us something! Because without Him, we really are nothing. I'm just a little light bulb on that big string of lights, but I want to do my part and shine bright, because I am a part of something BIG. Much bigger than me.

In Weakness made Strong

I found some quotes from Corrie Ten Boom, a jewish woman who went through horrible things and suffered greatly during the Holocaust. I like what she has to say.

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” ― Corrie ten Boom

“Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength.” ― Corrie ten Boom

“Hold everything in your hands lightly, otherwise it hurts when God pries your fingers open.” ― Corrie ten Boom

“If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within, you'll be depressed. If you look at God you'll be at rest.” ― Corrie ten Boom

“What wings are to a bird, and sails to a ship, so is prayer to the soul. ” ― Corrie ten Boom

“It is not my ability, but my response to God’s ability, that counts.” ― Corrie ten Boom

“You can never learn that Christ is all you need, until Christ is all you have.” ― Corrie ten Boom


It is in times of desperation when we have no where else to go, that we realize how much we really need God. It is the times of weakness that make us strong. If you are in a critical time in your life, a time of great need and desperation, look to God, and let it make you stronger. Our trouble can either make us better or bitter. I want to always get better, no matter what I go through! How about you?

Liar!

Today I was thinking about how much the devil really lies to so many young people. I thought about how beautiful young, apostolic ladies look. Purity just shines and the world can see such a difference. I've heard stories of people outside of the church seeing a group of apostolic girls, and they said "These girls are SO beautiful!!" Another woman out of church attended a wedding of an apostolic girl. "Those are the prettiest bridesmaid dresses I have ever seen!" Yeah, it's probably cause there was actually something to them! Not just a piece of nice material! It's the beauty of holiness that shines. It makes me so mad at the devil when young ladies in the church fall for the lies the devil tells them. You're ugly. You need make up. You look weird to everyone at school. You should cut your hair in the style everyone else has theirs. You've never let anyone touch you? Etc. The devil gets them to feel ashamed of the way they are living. I've seen SO many beautiful apostolic girls backslide and turn their lives into a bigger mess than they can get out of. It's so sad to see them exchange their pure beauty of holiness for a fake, worldly beauty. The devil lied to them big time, and they fell for it. Don't fall for the lies the enemy of your soul tells you!

Psalm 96:9 - O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.

Psalm - 149:4 For the LORD taketh pleasure in his people: he will beautify the meek with salvation.

The devil has definitely lied to the men as well! It sickens me to see how feminine so many men are becoming, and I have even seen it inside the church. It's a spirit that jumps on them. It's a lie - men aren't "born" that way! The devil just lied to them! He tells them You feel gay. You need to paint your nails. You're not a normal guy. You were born different. This spirit jumps on kids while they're young! I remember a young boy around the age of 11 who was coming to our church for a while. I'll leave him nameless. He told some people in our church he "felt gay." He started painting his nails. There was a spirit attacking this young boy - lying to him. Men were made to be men! There needs to be a difference between men and women, because that is how God designed it to be. America has blurred the line and that is why our nation is going crazy. Forgive me if I am rambling but this has been on my mind.

Job 38:3 - Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand an answer of thee.
(Same phrase found in Job 40:7)

The devil is a liar. God made men and women, not "its." He made us to know who we are, not to be confused about our identity. God is not the author of confusion. (I Corinthians 14:33)
God made us special, in His image. (Genesis 1:27) We were designed to have a relationship with Him and praise Him. Don't let the devil lie to you about your identity or your appearance! If he has lied to you, you can overcome those lies by having faith in the Word of God by obeying what it says. Don't fall for the lies of the enemy. Believe the Word of God!

My brother recently bought me a book I wanted. I saw it on a shelf in the World History section at a Barnes & Noble book store. Its title: It Happened In Italy. Being somewhat Italian, of course it caught my attention!

It is about how the people of Italy helped thousands of Jews during the Holocaust. Many lives were saved in Italy. Not many people know much about this. Many Jews have said "if it were not for the Italians, I would not be alive." If you're interested in this type of thing, I would suggest reading it. Stories and the History of the Jews definitely capture my interest.

2012 Day One

Well, today is the first day of the new year and I already have an awesome report to share! We had an awesome service tonight, and God answered the prayer of a sister in our church who has been praying for years that God would save her mom. Her mom got the Holy Ghost at our church tonight!! The place went nuts! She is getting baptized tomorrow afternoon. God is so good to us, we are so blessed. This sister from our church would always testify that God have her a promise He is going to save her mom. I admired her faith, and now God is rewarding that faith and all the prayers people have prayed for her mom. I am so excited about this. It is always awesome when God fills and elderly person with the Holy Ghost! Thank you, Jesus!

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I am officially off my blog fast, and I must say, God has done some good things.

As we enter into the new year, I tend to reflect upon the old year, and make a mental list of goals for the new. Every year there are good times and bad times, but the good always outweighs the bad. That is the God we serve! He is good to us even in the bad times. It's all in your attitude!

The bad that has happened this past year:

Not all the people that have come into the church have stuck with it.

My uncle passed away very suddenly

My other uncle had a heart attack

My dad's good friend passed away

The little trials and bad days that come to all of us

The good that has happened this past year:

New people have come to church and received the Holy Ghost

My uncle went to heaven

God touched a lot of people, including backsliders, at my uncle's funeral

My other uncle had a successful surgery and is doing well

My dad's friend went to heaven

God blessed me with a better job which has opened doors of witness for me

I got a Bible study with the mother of a boy I used to work with

I was able to get medical and dental insurance this year

A girl I was teaching a Bible study to received the Holy Ghost

Our church has grown spiritually

Our youth group has stepped up higher in God

We have had some INCREDIBLE services this year!

Cheryl was baptized and got the Holy Ghost a couple sundays ago!

The Lord has answered so many prayers!

We had awesome church this morning, the first day of the year!

I could go on and on, because God is so good! I'm sure more bad has happened than I can remember, but the good sticks out in my mind more! It's just a good life living for God and I am so happy to be a part of the church!

Well I must go, we have church tonight with Bro. Baker preaching. :) Happy New Year once again!