Sunday recap...

We had a terrific day of services and activity at First Assembly yesterday. From two great services to a really neat nursing home service, ending the entire day with a powerful prayer time. I want to share a little bit about what the Lord gave me to share in our prayer time last night.

I began by talking about the will of God and understanding what the walk of faith is all about. As I was sharing, a thought came to me... When you are being led by the Spirit of God, walking by faith in His Will... you are never "going out on a limb". For whatever reason we have many times erroneously equated a step of faith to going out on a limb. When in fact those two ideas are not synonymous at all. When you take a step of faith and you are walking in the will of God, you could not be on a more firm foundation. I equated it to the "major" steps of faith our church had encountered to relocate and initiate all of the change that we have seen in the past four months. I told them that while the decisions were being made, it seemed like we were really "crawling out on a limb" only to look back now after it was all said and done and realize just how firm a foundation we were really on.

It was a great revelation from God, that should spur us on to continue to walk, boldly, in His perfect will. We are not climbing out on a limb when we pursue his will by faith... we are boldly walking on a firm foundation that will continue to lead to growth and life.

This week is another opportunity to walk boldly in His perfect will. Enjoy the walk!

To Be, or Not To Be...

Over the years that I have been in ministry, the question has always risen... "Is so-n-so right in their ministry" or "Is such-n-such a meeting, or revival a soveriegn move of God"? I completely understand the need for answering such questions, as Jude tells us, "there will be scoffers among us" in the last days. We are also encouraged to "test the spirits" because many false prophets have gone out into the world (I John 4). Well, our General Superintendant, Dr. George Wood, has released a video statement, that is phenomenal in it's instruction on how we are to test not only every prophet, but every movement. Please watch this video and allow it's truth to guide you...

God Bless!

Who are you in Christ?

I have been thinking a lot lately... about understanding God's total direction for my life. I am just about to begin my seventh year of ministry in Wilkes Barre, PA and I realize that I stand at a crossroads. I once read that when you have been anywhere for six or seven years there comes a time of re-definement. Discovering the direction and path God wants you to take.

At First Assembly of God in Wilkes Barre... we have over the past three months; moved into a new facility, reached out to a brand new local community, and begun several very successful outreach endeavors. So I have found myself asking God, "what next"? Isn't it amazing that when we are at a place where we have come through accomplishment and a little bit of "spiritual stagnation" enters the picture, that we immediately assume that God needs to give us a new direction. I have often wondered why many pastors serve a church for three or four years, then they move on... serve somewhere else for three or four years, then move on again... and it becomes a merry-go-round of activity.

Well... God gave me a refreshing revelation just a couple of days ago... When I got caught up with... "OK God, what direction is next" I felt the Spirit of God tell me... "I'm not going to reveal another direction of activity for you, until you become more for me." As I was sharing this in staff meeting this morning, the Lord began to even more fully reveal the meaning of this. Many times when spiritual stagnation hits our lives, we want to put the same stagnant life in a new surrounding or doing a new activity, when in fact what needs to change happens from the inside out. I have realized that when I am seeking to grow deeper in the Lord and I am searching to be all I can for Christ... the where's, when's, why's and what's are always revealed. What do years 7-14 hold for First Assembly of God, Wilkes Barre? I don't know... but in God's perfect will, everything will be revealed, as I dedicate myself to being the growing, maturing man God wants me to be.

Where are you today? Is your life stagnant? Then who are you in Christ? Instead of a change of scenery, or change of activity maybe you just need to be all you can be for Christ. Try focusing on the inside out, be all that you can be for Christ and He will direct your steps... Wow, I've heard that somewhere before... (Prov. 3:5,6)

chipped and cracked...

Hello!
I am not adept at computers nor do I really care to be, but I am into communicating! I have seen the blog world take us by storm, and I wanted to be a part of it all. Primarily to encourage the members of First Assembly of God, Wilkes Barre... but also to allow this pastor to communicate with everyone a little more frequently than our usual Sunday services.

I've titled this blog, "just a clay jar"... the reasons, mostly because II Corinthians 4 has been so profound to me lately... but secondly because that's all I am. It's all you are as well... a cracked, chipped clay pot, or as the NLT put's it, "a fragile clay jar". I have found that the greatest measure of God's miraculous power is not the achievements this life accomplishes for His Will. But rather... the unbelievable things God can do in spite of me! Who would have thought that the treasure of God could shine so brightly through this clay jar? Amazing... guess what you are just a clay jar as well... with this unbelievable ability to house the treasure of God!

I am going to try and post a little something everyday... to encourage, but also to communicate with you. Have a great day