Just a clay jar

Seven years ago today...

2008-09-11T06:23:00.000-07:00

we all watched as the first ever attack on American soil, in our generation, took place. It was incredible... I remember it was a Tuesday morning and I had just sat down for a staff meeting, when we were interrupted by the church secretary to the news that an airplane had hit one of the World Trade Center towers. Our pastor dismissed us and I ended up getting home just in time to see the second plane fly into the second tower. I remember the somber feeling of not really knowing what I was seeing... the whole morning was numbing.

Seven years later, there is a sense that we are more protected; more secure than we were then. Seven years later we have lost thousands more young men and women as we have taken the fight overseas to their soil. Seven years later New York is rebuilding, the Pentegon is restored, and millions are remembering the lives that were so senselessly taken. Seven years later we are still dealing with the truths of just how vulnerable we are.

Seven years later, God is still in control! We don't have to fear what the world brings against us, nor do we have to worry that faith is not enough. I am teaching through Romans on Wednesday nights and last nights study we looked at Romans 8:28-39... please read it. It's a triumphant response to the things that Satan could do to wear us down and destroy us.

Verse 28 reads, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose." The opening phrase, "and we know" is more than just us understanding... it is a phrase that articulates the place of faith in our lives. Not only should we understand the workings of God, but we should speak of it and act on it. Faith is not merely understood, but it is responded to. Seven years later, the church that the world needs is a church that not only understands what God has done, but speaks of it and acts upon it! Let's do what we can by the grace of God to do this! God bless you all, have a wonderfully blessed day.

A Powerful Word...

2008-08-15T06:47:00.000-07:00

Friends, please forgive me for the lack of writing I have been doing lately. I have encountered a slight illness that has been upon me for about a week now... some good days, some not so good days. I am not extremely sick, just under the weather enough to have a good day followed by a couple cruddy days... keep praying for me.

I wanted to write today as the result of an extremely powerful prophecy that has come from one of the foremost speakers in the Evangelical circles, Kay Arthur. Please read this account in it's entirety, and more importantly, let it stir your life to action.

Beth Moore email message concerning Kay Arthur revelation.Dear Ones,On June 27th and 28th I attended a conference in Atlanta called Deeper Still. Internationally known speakers Kay Arthur, Beth Moore and Priscilla Shirer were there and I looked forward to a special time of worship and having God convict me of my sins and lead me to areas in my life where I need to change. I have been to similar conferences for years, although none this large and with so many well-known speakers. There were over 20,000 women in attendance at the Phillips Arena in Atlanta - they said it was the largest crowd ever. I had an idea of what to expect from the conference, but; nothing prepared me for what actually happened. I feel led to share my experience with family and friends. This is important, so stay with me!When Kay Arthur took the stage you could just tell that her spirit was heavy and there was a certain 'heaviness' in the atmosphere even before she started to speak. She said that she had been literally physically sick to have to bring us this message and right out the gate she said, 'We are in grave danger.' She said that God had revealed to her that a literal famine is coming to America. Physical, not spiritual. She said that God is moving in judgment against our nation. I know I can't describe this well enough, but the atmosphere was ominous. Kay is a seasoned speaker and she had to BATTLE to get through her message. She stumbled over scriptures and had an extremely difficult time. At times I was almost expecting her to collapse. At one point she just had to stop and pray. There was no person, myself included, that I could see who did not have tears streaming down their faces. As you may know, Kay Arthur is normally a very confident, composed speaker, but she was literally in a spiritual battle and it was taking place right before my eyes. I have never seen anything like it. She went on to give 7 things that Christians must do during this time and I am going to give those to you now: 1. Jer 4:3- Break up the fallow ground- return to Me. Repent. Get on your face before God and ask him to break your heart with the things that break His heart. 2. Mourn- =er. 9:17-18 and Ezekiel 9. It is time to weep because our nation's sin is incredible. 3. Pray- Jer 36:7- Pray fervently, passionately for4. Love God's Word- Jer. 2=. You MUST love the Word of God and be in the Word of God. I was particularly convicted here because I know I have not been as deeply in His Word as I need to be. She said we must get serious about this. 5. Love others as Jesus loved them. Jer. 31:3 and John 13:34. 6. Introduce people to Jesus Christ. It's time to get serious about this. This is no time for timidity. Jer 31:31; Jer 33:1-9 and 15 and 17. 7. Rest. If you will do these things, then rest in the fact that you have done God's will. She said that it is going to be vitally important for us to get enough physical rest. She went on to say that God has not given us a spirit of fear and that if we are obedient to Him, we will be protected. She said to read Ezekiel 14 over and over until you understand it. This is what God will do if a country turns against Him. She said that this is going to be a calamity =she used the word calamity in such a way that you knew this is going to be no small thing for our country, and gave many more scripture references, but what I have given you are the main points that she made. I hope you know that I would not have sent this to you if I had not been profoundly affected by it and feel it is of great importance to share it. Thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope you will do with this information what you feel led by God to do.
Love in Christ Jesus, Beth

We must go through many hardships...

2008-08-06T06:22:00.000-07:00

And now I know to some degree what Paul was meaning... the "road to the kingdom" is one marked with struggles and attacks. Yet it still is one that is completely worth the journey!

In Acts 14:22, Paul was encouraging the disciples in some of the cities he had established churches, and he says, "we must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God." I noticed when I read this that he wasn't speaking merely to pastors or spiritual leaders, but to the disciples as a whole. He was saying the road of the believer, is one filled with hardship.

Hardship because we have an enemy of our soul. Hardship because we are living in a hostile world. Hardship because the spiritual enemy we face is not always understood or even seen in the natural. It's a road that brings about hardship, yet it's worth the journey.

I don't know what your hardships consist of. They might be relational dissension, financial struggle, physical ailment... or a combination of these, and you might not know how to battle these things... well right after Paul tells the church they will endure hardship, he appointed elders, they prayed and fasted and they continued to commit themsleves to the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. What a fantastic piece of advice for us... prayer, fasting and recommitting ourselves to the Lord!

God is great, and He is on our side!

Have a blessed day, pray, fast and recommitt yourselves to Him.

"What's your stress size?"

2008-07-31T07:05:00.000-07:00

Hey member's of life... it's been a while, about two weeks since I last posted... sorry, this post should explain why. So, "what's your stress size"? I have heard women ask each other before, "what's your dress size", I thought it would be appropriate to ask you, "what's your stress size?".

Just, how much stress can you handle? I have lived long enough and pastored long enough to realize that a stress free life or a stress free pastorate is not going to happen, nor should it. But I have also realized that like women and dress sizes, we all have an appropriate "stress size" for our life. God has created each of us perfectly to handle stress, as long as it's handled through Him, but he has created us differently. Some people are those pettite, size zeroes that will definitely get bogged down if more than two stressful situations come into their life. Others, well let's face it, shop at the "big and tall" stress shop where it seems we are built for more than the average amount of stress. So... "what's your stress size"?

Happiness and joy that God wants you to live in is finding your size and comfortably living within it. It's when we try cramming a size 14 stress load into a size 6 frame where the stress becomes distress which can lead to depression. Well... what do I do? Ask the Lord... commit everything to Him... know your limits and learn to say "no"... live to please Him and not everyone around you... know the things you have control over in your life, however also know the things you don't have control over and delegate them to His Supernatural Power. You will find that living within your stress size will make life more comfortable and enjoyable for you.

Take the time to read the 73rd Psalm today and let God bless you and your stressed life!

Pastor Chad

And they're off...

2008-07-17T06:14:00.000-07:00

This morning I was prodded by my 7th grader to "hurry up, Dad... we're gonna be late". Today my son Chad is going on his first "Youth Group Trip" to a youth retreat called, "Closer Walk" in Wildwood, NJ. As I arrived I looked around and saw 15 other young people loading up vans and preparing for the 3 1/2 hour drive. It brought excitement to me to see these teens excited and anticipating a great weekend.

I sit now in my office typing this blog, and I can't help but envy a little bit the opportunities that our young people have. If a young person in our youth group attends every function that Pastor Jeff plans... they have the potential to attend nearly 6 annual retreats... more than 20 power packed worship services... and this doesn't include our weekly youth service. How awesome is that? I am so glad that we have a dedicated youth pastor and wife, committed to the spiritual growth of our young people. The Lord has blessed First Assembly with committed support staff... in Pastor Jeff and Pastor Fred. Next week, my second son Cole, is going to be going to Kid's Camp... and I know God will move on his life there!

If you haven't stopped and thought about all that the kids and teens at First Assembly of God have been blessed with... do it today. Say a special prayer for Pastor Jeff and Pastor Fred and their powerful leadership.

"And he was crippled in both feet."

2008-07-15T05:54:00.000-07:00

I want to say if you aren't attending our Sunday morning services and our Sunday night prayer time... you're missing out! The Holy Spirit is moving in a very real, powerful way.

Sunday night at prayer I read the account of Mephibosheth from 2 Samuel 9... and I noted a couple of things:
1. Mephibosheth is introduced in verse 3 as "...he is crippled in both feet."
2. The last thing said about Mephibosheth in chapter nine is, "and he was crippled in both feet."
3. In between those phrases, he is sought out by the King, had his families land given back to him, the king has paid to have his fields worked, and he eats every meal at the King's table.

Which led me to understand a couple of things... he was crippled when sought out by the king, and he remained crippled all his days... but he still enjoyed the blessings of the King (David). How many times are we completely focused on our "handicaps" whether they are spiritual handicaps, physical handicaps, or emotional handicaps... and because we focus primarily on these things we forfeit what the King wants to bless us with. The truth of our situation(s) is, some of the things that hinder us may always be with us... but it should never keep us from the King's Table. Yes... Mephibosheth was crippled as an infant, and he died a cripple... but in between, he dined with the King!

One day I hope they say about me... yes there were imperfections about Chad as a child... and he died with some of those same imperfections... but in between he dined with "THE" King! Learn to appreciate the presence of God in spite of your short comings... Most times, the King's favor seems to allow us to forget our crippled state.

Read 2 Samuel 9 today and see for yourself... God bless you!

"I have fought the good fight...

2008-07-11T07:40:00.000-07:00

...I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

I love this passage of Scripture from II Timothy 4:7. It seems to be the "Christian Anthem" of persiverance. One thing I think we tend to do too often is we focus on the finishing the race and keeping the faith part to a degree that we forget they come at the end of a "good fight". Just what is a good fight anyway? Well, it doesn't mean "enjoyable fight" it means that Paul had put up a "good" fight.

Which reveals that the Christian Walk is exactly that... a fight. It's rewarding, it's wonderful, it's refreshing... but it is a fight. As you think about this today, realize that you have some wonderful resources for your fight. The Word of God... the Holy Spirit... and the Church of Christ! Are you taking advantage of all that has been given to you, so that you can fight the good fight and finish the race. It will all be for naught if you haven't kept the faith, however... so keep at it!

Clean Slate!

2008-07-03T10:34:00.000-07:00

Today, the parking lot is getting it's first of two coats of sealant. Praise the Lord. We have been waiting for this for a while, and it's about time the parking lot matched the building in looks. It's exciting...

Much like when our sins are wiped clean... by the end of the day today, all of the marks and signs of a former parking lot will be covered... and a new lot will appear.

This 4th of July weekend, take a moment and remember the Freedom you now have, because your life has been wiped clean and a new one has taken it's place. I know I am...

Here is a picture of the work as it begins... everyone from First Assembly, shout out a loud, Praise the Lord!

God's Soveriegn Plan...

2008-07-01T09:35:00.000-07:00

I am going to be preaching a series of messages from the book of Acts, beginning next week. So my personal study has led me to reread and then reread this powerful, historical book of the christian church in it's infant stage.

As I was reading last night in chapter 12, something really struck me as "hard to understand". Chapter 12 of Acts begins with the account of James, the brother of John, one of the disciples... being put to death, martyred at the hand of King Herod. "When he saw this pleased the Jews, he had Peter arrested as well". What struck me as hard to understand, was the fact that James' ministry was cut short because he was martyred for the cause... where Peter was miraculously led from prison, chains falling off... passing unnoticed by the guards... through a miraculously open city gate... and led to freedom. With our limited understanding, we are left to ask, "What's the Deal?"

And as I continued to read, the Spirit of God gave me a clearer understanding of Acts 12. Earlier on I called it James' ministry... when in fact it is the Lord's ministry that James is fulfilling. The greatest desire for James, Peter, Stephen, or any of the men that gave their life for the Lord's work... was not to complete their calling in life, but to also complete it in death. I believe that God's soveriegn plan was accomplished... why James? Why in Jerusalem? Why so soon? Quite possibly it was because James was willing... maybe it was because in Jerusalem it would be the center of attention for all of the believers... maybe it happened so soon, to spur on the efforts as a rallying cry of the other disciples and believers. Regardless what we can or can't understand, it was ultimately to fulfill God's Soveriegn Plan.

Think about the resolve Peter had knowing his life had been spared... how much more determined was he knowing that James paid a price so that he could continue to live and reach others. Oh that our resolve would be so strong to fulfill God's plan, whether it be in life or death.

Sunday recap...

2008-06-30T02:31:00.000-07:00

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...

2008-06-27T08:46:00.000-07:00

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?

2008-06-26T09:43:00.000-07:00

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...

2008-06-25T09:03:00.000-07:00

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