Greetings Friends,
The Lord reigns! Let the earth be glad! Once again, the Lord did not disappoint tonight at "A Church Without Walls." I'm eager to share the testimonies from today. There is power in the name of Jesus to break every chain!
Childlike faith:
Many of you will remember last weeks post, where Steve listed several prayer request from our friends in the city. Things like size 13 boots for Jeff, 3X hoodies for Allen and Nikita, cloths for Tracy, etc. The Lord did not disappoint! We received a generous financial gift in the mail this week.
Today, at around 3 pm Noah and I went to the Salvation Army to see if the Lord would provide for the needs of these people. Before we went in the store, Noah and I prayed and asked God to provide. As we were entering the store, Noah looked at me and said with a very serious voice, "God will provide, Dad, even if it's at another store." I appreciated Noah's faith as it inspired me to believe.
Well, we didn't find a size 13 boot, but we found several clothes that would meet the needs of my friends. We approached the counter with a pile of cloths. The estimated cost was around $60-$70.
While we were being cashed out, another lady (store clerk) approached the register. She looked at the gal ringing me up and said, "There is a man outback dropping off a wash machine and there are no men working to help lift it." I looked at her and said, "I'll help ma'am." She said, "Really? I'll give you a discount if so..." Noah and I went to the back of the store to help off load the wash machine. When we were finished we went back to the register. The lady said, "Okay, all you owe is $15.35. I smiled and looked at Noah and said, "You were right son, God did provide!"
This was huge, because although we couldn't find a pair of size 13 boots, we were able to save so much money on clothes, we had enough to buy Jeff a brand new pair of boots for $24.99 at Marshalls. God is good!
Today, at around 3 pm Noah and I went to the Salvation Army to see if the Lord would provide for the needs of these people. Before we went in the store, Noah and I prayed and asked God to provide. As we were entering the store, Noah looked at me and said with a very serious voice, "God will provide, Dad, even if it's at another store." I appreciated Noah's faith as it inspired me to believe.
Well, we didn't find a size 13 boot, but we found several clothes that would meet the needs of my friends. We approached the counter with a pile of cloths. The estimated cost was around $60-$70.
While we were being cashed out, another lady (store clerk) approached the register. She looked at the gal ringing me up and said, "There is a man outback dropping off a wash machine and there are no men working to help lift it." I looked at her and said, "I'll help ma'am." She said, "Really? I'll give you a discount if so..." Noah and I went to the back of the store to help off load the wash machine. When we were finished we went back to the register. The lady said, "Okay, all you owe is $15.35. I smiled and looked at Noah and said, "You were right son, God did provide!"
This was huge, because although we couldn't find a pair of size 13 boots, we were able to save so much money on clothes, we had enough to buy Jeff a brand new pair of boots for $24.99 at Marshalls. God is good!
The Lord sends Laborers:
I was prepared to go without Steve tonight, as I knew he had a speaking arrangement today, basketball and a couple of other commitments. However, I received a call from my friend Jeremy and he informed me that he received a call from Aaron - who works at the gym we go to - stating that he wanted to go out with us tonight. Aaron came over around 4:45 and rode down with me. DeDe and Anrde also came, for which I was grateful. What's funny is Aaron attends the same church that I attend. I know him primarily through the gym, but it was cool to know that we attend the same local body.
Prayer Room:
Many of you know that one of my new found treasures is the prayer room. It's there were God gives me direction and clarity as to where and how I am to minister. There is something about being alone in His presence that I can't explain. I went to the 9 pm to 11pm set last night and the Lord gave me a message that I was to deliver tonight. It was found in James 2 and James 5. James 2 warns us about being a "hearer" of the word and not a "doer." The hearer is defined as an unstable, double minded man. Then I found chapter 5...this is where the Lord began to speak. Chapter 5 says, "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord."
So, what a better way to be a "doer" than to just start putting actions to these verses. As I started reading the word, many gathered. They were interested in hearing the word of God. After explaining the word of being a doer and not a hearer, I said, "So, is anyone among you suffering?" Then, I prayed for those who identified. We moved on to "Is anyone among you cheerful, let him sing." Then, I pulled a bottle of oil out of my pocket and prayed for the sick. We prayed for four people, who were suffering from physical sickness and anointed them with oil and prayed a prayer of faith over them.
So, what a better way to be a "doer" than to just start putting actions to these verses. As I started reading the word, many gathered. They were interested in hearing the word of God. After explaining the word of being a doer and not a hearer, I said, "So, is anyone among you suffering?" Then, I prayed for those who identified. We moved on to "Is anyone among you cheerful, let him sing." Then, I pulled a bottle of oil out of my pocket and prayed for the sick. We prayed for four people, who were suffering from physical sickness and anointed them with oil and prayed a prayer of faith over them.
A women at the well moment:
After, our message and prayer time we just sat down on the curb and talked with the people. I had an opportunity to share my testimony with Allen and Tony. There, we sat on a curb on a downtown city street talking about our lives, families, dreams, failures, etc. I looked over and saw Aaron talking with Chris, DeDe and Andre talking to Jermaine, Daniel and Phillip. It was a perfect picture of a typical day in the life of Jesus. These men and women were pouring out their hearts to us and it was sweet. We had plans to go to the Cedar Grove bus stop, but we didn't make it. We stayed talking, praying and sharing the word with our friends on W. 19th until after dark. When we were leaving, many people thanked us and some of them hugged me and told me that they loved me.
As I pulled away in my van, Aaron looked at me and said, "Wow, this is awesome!" To which I responded, "This is our God, awesome and mighty!" I'm not quite sure what the Lord is going to do with our ministry, but regardless of where he leads, I know that he is working in the lives of these men and women. I'm excited to be apart of the work!
For the sake of His great name,
"A Church Without Walls"
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