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Greentown Breakfast
God uses the most unlikely people
Dear Heavenly Father Please be with me right now. I ask that you would make my words clear and keep my thoughts on you.
Amen!
People ask, “Do you need the Holy Spirit to go to heaven?” Brother, I’m here to tell you, you need the Holy Spirit to go to Wal-Mart.
I remember a pastor saying once… always open with a joke. So, there you go. But that’s no joke.
Gentlemen, I’m here today to tell you a little bit about my life, and how Jesus Christ has influenced me. I can honestly say “I don’t know what it’s like, to not know God. But I do know what it’s like not to obey him. I was brought up in a Quaker Church in Azusa California. But I’ve made a lot of bad choices in my life. I have felt loss, but I’ve never really felt lost. That’s not to say I’ve never questioned my salvation or my theology.
But I hold on to the promise in Hebrews 13:5&6;
Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?”
In Matthew 6:26 it says;
Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?
It was because, ‘God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that who so ever believeth in Him should not perish, but have ever lasting life.’ that I believe I am a son of God due to inherit the Kingdom. I believed that at a very young age and in Jr. high asked Jesus into my heart. I was taught to view God like my dad. But recently I heard that your image of God can be tainted by the view of your earthly father, and that could explain a lot. Now, I…, like a lot of kids, didn’t do everything I was told. But it didn’t matter what I did, my dad would always be my dad. The hard lesson to learn was that disobedience doesn’t come without consequence. I’ve also learned that consequences can be generational when you don’t obey your Heavenly Father.
When I left home and joined the Navy, I wanted to be that good Christian boy. But I got caught up in being part of the crowd and started smoking dope. I didn’t see how I was hurting anyone or me for that matter. I was very complacent. I was more of a follower, and pretty much kept quiet. I knew Jesus was still with me, and I would go to church when I could. But I wanted to experience all I dared to. I even stole a car once. I don’t know why I’m telling you this but I didn’t have any fear… I guess I was like that rich kid that knew daddy would make it right. I felt bad though when I walked back to where I got it and saw the cops with the poor guy looking for it. I told myself “they’ll find it, it’s just a couple of blocks away, the guy shouldn’t have left his keys in it.” That was just one of many bad decisions I’ve made.
Anyway
I exceled in the Navy and made Petty Officer Second Class in less than 3 years. That’s an E-5 for you army guys! Ahh… but what about those consequences. Three days before I was to get out of the Navy, I got busted for possession. Bang!... I was reduced to E-4 and that was on my DD214 to follow me the rest of my life. How could I tout my achievement without revealing my transcreation?
After the Navy I returned home to my father’s house, a safe haven, and put all that behind me. I got hired on to the Victorville Fire Department. That’s where I met my wife April, a good church going girl. And I thank God for bringing her into my life. Seriously, after our first date, I got home and sat in my car in the dark and shouted for Joy, because I knew I was going to marry that girl. I followed her around like a love sick puppy. We got engaged and set a date and were married. I was all set for the perfect life. Then my father died, I didn’t think that it really affected me and I did my best to live a good Christian life. But as the years went on, I fell back into my former complacent lifestyle. I confused my complacency with The Peace That Passes Understanding. I started using marijuana again, that might have had something to do with it. In relating to this culture, I had a sort of Hakuna Matata mind set, no worries, do what pleases you. And let me warn you, you don’t have to fornicate to be guilty of adultery!
Matthew 5:28 says;
but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
I think that’s why the pornography industry is so huge, one of satan’s greatest tools. And beware stupid men, that female coworker could be a trap!
Anyway,
At a Bible study April and I were attending, I read for the first time, 1st Corinthians 10:13; …I was stoned by the way.
“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”
I had to make that my life’s verse. I was never looking for the way of escape, in fact I was embracing my sin and I couldn’t see how it was causing nothing but hurt. I finally cleaned up my act, but the damage lives on. Remember that I said, “consequences can be generational.” I’m still learning just how much damage I caused.
Now there is a lot more of my back story, and I could go on for hours. But I’d like to fast forward to about 10 years ago, because God’s hand has never been so prevalent as he has been these past eleven years.
You’ll just have to wait for the book to read about the dark ages. Anyway;
When April and I learned that our oldest daughter was going to have our first grandchild we were elated. Cheryl and her husband Kevin were living here in Ohio. So, I arranged for April to go to Washingtonville Ohio, about a month before the baby was due. I planned a two-week vacation to come out after the baby was to be born. Before I left, I did some on line job searches and set up a few interviews. I heard that unemployment was high, but I thought I’d give it a shot.
To my surprise I had a couple of employers interested in me. Schwebel’s Bakery offered me a job at the interview and gave me a month to return home to California to settle my affairs before starting work. If that wasn’t enough, there just happened to be a house available, just one door down from Kevin and Cheryl… so I rented it. Then April and I flew home the next day to quit my job and pack.
I thanked God for the opportunity to start anew here in Ohio.
Well as God would have it, I was living right behind the Marathon Station in Washingtonville. And there was this character named Bing Newton who worked there. He invited me to the Men of Faith Breakfast. At the first breakfast I attended, it was announced that they were going to put on Men’s Rally in the Valley. It wasn’t clear how they were going to do it, but the way Bing spoke, God made it clear to me, that it was going to happen. After breakfast I went up to Bing, now we didn’t really know each other at the time. But I told Bing, that ‘I think God brought me to Ohio to help with this rally.’
Bing didn’t think twice, He hooked me up with Mike Neese and the next thing I knew I was knocking on doors and cold calling on Pastors. Then came the wristbands, I don’t remember how many they gave me. But Bing said, ‘just ask them how many they need and don’t worry about the money it will come in.’ I kept an accurate list of where I had handed them out and to my surprise, I collected on every one of them, and some asked for more. Then Bruce Dole was selling wristbands at the church I was attending and he was short two. It just so happened I had two left out in my car. I knew it wasn’t just a coincidence, I could see God’s hand at work. Well for any of you who were around then know that… that first rally was a huge success.
But now here’s the kicker for me. Shortly after that first rally, I got really sick, I won’t go into the details because that’s not the point. But I was home suffering. Now my daughter Michelle in California some 2000 miles away, was listening to Christian radio. She hears about a ministry for people who may be hurting and suffering from some physical affliction. So, she takes down the number and orders this free package to be sent to me. I had no idea this was coming. So out of the blue I get a package from a ministry called Endurance. I open it up and I’m blown away… it was from Dave Dravecky the key note speaker from the rally we just had. Then my daughter calls to tell me to be expecting this package that I had just received. Well, I told about how I had just heard this guy give his testimony at this rally I helped get started and she had no idea. We talked about God’s timing and this confirmed in my mind, what I had told Bing at that first breakfast, ‘I was sent to Ohio to help with the rally.’ And God has made it possible for me to devote countless hours to this ministry, Men of Faith. And here I am now 10 years latter standing before you to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Who knew?... Me a maintenance mechanic with no formal education. Doing things, I had no idea I could do. But why should that surprise me. God uses the most unlikely people. And the bible is full of them;
So, I am not surprised that he would use me. But, in Matthew chapter 7 He says;
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day (I’m assuming Judgment Day) many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.’
Then he goes on to tell the story of a wise man who built his house the rock and it stood firm, and the foolish guy that built his house the sand… and great was his fall. He’s talking to you and me about not being deceived. Especially deceiving yourself.
For the longest time I’ve been standing on slipping sand. I’ve been too long a mediocre Christian. There are still areas in my life that I haven’t let go of because, frankly, I don’t know how to. There are probably strongholds I haven’t even identified yet. But I’m here now to tell you straight up. If you don’t have a relationship with Jesus Christ you are going to go hell.
Because, Jesus said, “I am the way the truth and the life… no one comes to the Father except through me.” And it doesn’t matter how good you are… it only matters that there is only one thing that cannot be forgiven.
And Jesus tells us in Matthew 12:30-32;
“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
You see Jesus died on the cross for our sins, so they are forgiven… period! But then he rose again in three days just like he told the Pharisees he would… using Jonah as an example we read in verse 40;
“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
And Luke writes in Acts 1 verses 3-5;
After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
That same Spirit that you receive when you believe. I know this to be true, not just because the Spirit is in me, but also because Paul tells us in Ephesians 1:11-14;
“In him we were chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”
To end, I'd like to go back to Mathew 12 and read starting in verse 33;
“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
And remember;
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
So what say you?... Do you believe?... If so, what is stored up in you?... Are you rejecting the Holy Spirit?...
If what you are thinking is of the Holy Spirit, it will be in line with what the bible teaches. If you’re not sure, seek out someone to help you discern that what you are thinking is correct. There are plenty of good men in this room who can explain to you the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
As for me, I take Paul’s prayer in 1 Timothy and make it my own;
“I thank Jesus Christ our Lord who gives me strength, because he judged me faithful by appointing me to his service. Though I formerly led a life of disobedience. I received mercy because I had acted immaturely, but the grace of our Lord overflowed for me, with faith and love that comes from Jesus Christ. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. And I am a sinner, but I receive mercy for this reason, that in me, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience, as an example, to those who are to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, I give honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
God uses the most unlikely people
Dear Heavenly Father Please be with me right now. I ask that you would make my words clear and keep my thoughts on you.
Amen!
People ask, “Do you need the Holy Spirit to go to heaven?” Brother, I’m here to tell you, you need the Holy Spirit to go to Wal-Mart.
I remember a pastor saying once… always open with a joke. So, there you go. But that’s no joke.
Gentlemen, I’m here today to tell you a little bit about my life, and how Jesus Christ has influenced me. I can honestly say “I don’t know what it’s like, to not know God. But I do know what it’s like not to obey him. I was brought up in a Quaker Church in Azusa California. But I’ve made a lot of bad choices in my life. I have felt loss, but I’ve never really felt lost. That’s not to say I’ve never questioned my salvation or my theology.
But I hold on to the promise in Hebrews 13:5&6;
Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” so that we confidently say, “The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?”
In Matthew 6:26 it says;
Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they?
It was because, ‘God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that who so ever believeth in Him should not perish, but have ever lasting life.’ that I believe I am a son of God due to inherit the Kingdom. I believed that at a very young age and in Jr. high asked Jesus into my heart. I was taught to view God like my dad. But recently I heard that your image of God can be tainted by the view of your earthly father, and that could explain a lot. Now, I…, like a lot of kids, didn’t do everything I was told. But it didn’t matter what I did, my dad would always be my dad. The hard lesson to learn was that disobedience doesn’t come without consequence. I’ve also learned that consequences can be generational when you don’t obey your Heavenly Father.
When I left home and joined the Navy, I wanted to be that good Christian boy. But I got caught up in being part of the crowd and started smoking dope. I didn’t see how I was hurting anyone or me for that matter. I was very complacent. I was more of a follower, and pretty much kept quiet. I knew Jesus was still with me, and I would go to church when I could. But I wanted to experience all I dared to. I even stole a car once. I don’t know why I’m telling you this but I didn’t have any fear… I guess I was like that rich kid that knew daddy would make it right. I felt bad though when I walked back to where I got it and saw the cops with the poor guy looking for it. I told myself “they’ll find it, it’s just a couple of blocks away, the guy shouldn’t have left his keys in it.” That was just one of many bad decisions I’ve made.
Anyway
I exceled in the Navy and made Petty Officer Second Class in less than 3 years. That’s an E-5 for you army guys! Ahh… but what about those consequences. Three days before I was to get out of the Navy, I got busted for possession. Bang!... I was reduced to E-4 and that was on my DD214 to follow me the rest of my life. How could I tout my achievement without revealing my transcreation?
After the Navy I returned home to my father’s house, a safe haven, and put all that behind me. I got hired on to the Victorville Fire Department. That’s where I met my wife April, a good church going girl. And I thank God for bringing her into my life. Seriously, after our first date, I got home and sat in my car in the dark and shouted for Joy, because I knew I was going to marry that girl. I followed her around like a love sick puppy. We got engaged and set a date and were married. I was all set for the perfect life. Then my father died, I didn’t think that it really affected me and I did my best to live a good Christian life. But as the years went on, I fell back into my former complacent lifestyle. I confused my complacency with The Peace That Passes Understanding. I started using marijuana again, that might have had something to do with it. In relating to this culture, I had a sort of Hakuna Matata mind set, no worries, do what pleases you. And let me warn you, you don’t have to fornicate to be guilty of adultery!
Matthew 5:28 says;
but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
I think that’s why the pornography industry is so huge, one of satan’s greatest tools. And beware stupid men, that female coworker could be a trap!
Anyway,
At a Bible study April and I were attending, I read for the first time, 1st Corinthians 10:13; …I was stoned by the way.
“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.”
I had to make that my life’s verse. I was never looking for the way of escape, in fact I was embracing my sin and I couldn’t see how it was causing nothing but hurt. I finally cleaned up my act, but the damage lives on. Remember that I said, “consequences can be generational.” I’m still learning just how much damage I caused.
Now there is a lot more of my back story, and I could go on for hours. But I’d like to fast forward to about 10 years ago, because God’s hand has never been so prevalent as he has been these past eleven years.
You’ll just have to wait for the book to read about the dark ages. Anyway;
When April and I learned that our oldest daughter was going to have our first grandchild we were elated. Cheryl and her husband Kevin were living here in Ohio. So, I arranged for April to go to Washingtonville Ohio, about a month before the baby was due. I planned a two-week vacation to come out after the baby was to be born. Before I left, I did some on line job searches and set up a few interviews. I heard that unemployment was high, but I thought I’d give it a shot.
To my surprise I had a couple of employers interested in me. Schwebel’s Bakery offered me a job at the interview and gave me a month to return home to California to settle my affairs before starting work. If that wasn’t enough, there just happened to be a house available, just one door down from Kevin and Cheryl… so I rented it. Then April and I flew home the next day to quit my job and pack.
I thanked God for the opportunity to start anew here in Ohio.
Well as God would have it, I was living right behind the Marathon Station in Washingtonville. And there was this character named Bing Newton who worked there. He invited me to the Men of Faith Breakfast. At the first breakfast I attended, it was announced that they were going to put on Men’s Rally in the Valley. It wasn’t clear how they were going to do it, but the way Bing spoke, God made it clear to me, that it was going to happen. After breakfast I went up to Bing, now we didn’t really know each other at the time. But I told Bing, that ‘I think God brought me to Ohio to help with this rally.’
Bing didn’t think twice, He hooked me up with Mike Neese and the next thing I knew I was knocking on doors and cold calling on Pastors. Then came the wristbands, I don’t remember how many they gave me. But Bing said, ‘just ask them how many they need and don’t worry about the money it will come in.’ I kept an accurate list of where I had handed them out and to my surprise, I collected on every one of them, and some asked for more. Then Bruce Dole was selling wristbands at the church I was attending and he was short two. It just so happened I had two left out in my car. I knew it wasn’t just a coincidence, I could see God’s hand at work. Well for any of you who were around then know that… that first rally was a huge success.
But now here’s the kicker for me. Shortly after that first rally, I got really sick, I won’t go into the details because that’s not the point. But I was home suffering. Now my daughter Michelle in California some 2000 miles away, was listening to Christian radio. She hears about a ministry for people who may be hurting and suffering from some physical affliction. So, she takes down the number and orders this free package to be sent to me. I had no idea this was coming. So out of the blue I get a package from a ministry called Endurance. I open it up and I’m blown away… it was from Dave Dravecky the key note speaker from the rally we just had. Then my daughter calls to tell me to be expecting this package that I had just received. Well, I told about how I had just heard this guy give his testimony at this rally I helped get started and she had no idea. We talked about God’s timing and this confirmed in my mind, what I had told Bing at that first breakfast, ‘I was sent to Ohio to help with the rally.’ And God has made it possible for me to devote countless hours to this ministry, Men of Faith. And here I am now 10 years latter standing before you to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Who knew?... Me a maintenance mechanic with no formal education. Doing things, I had no idea I could do. But why should that surprise me. God uses the most unlikely people. And the bible is full of them;
- There were the Shepherds who were the first to learn and share the Good News
- Moses was a murderer and slow of speech, and he led his people out of slavery
- Peter a self-described sinful man became a fisher of men
- Gideon was hiding from the Midianites when God called him out to be a Mighty Man of Valor
- And Esther, a young Jewish girl, saved her people from annihilation
- David a shepherd boy became King… Also a murderer
- Rahab, a prostitute, helped the Israelites to inherit the Promise Land
- Then there’s Saul who hunted down and persecuted Christians, until he found Jesus on the road to Damascus, was transformed and became Paul, whose writings make up a good part of the New Testament.
- And the list goes on… There is even a talking donkey!
So, I am not surprised that he would use me. But, in Matthew chapter 7 He says;
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day (I’m assuming Judgment Day) many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you evildoers.’
Then he goes on to tell the story of a wise man who built his house the rock and it stood firm, and the foolish guy that built his house the sand… and great was his fall. He’s talking to you and me about not being deceived. Especially deceiving yourself.
For the longest time I’ve been standing on slipping sand. I’ve been too long a mediocre Christian. There are still areas in my life that I haven’t let go of because, frankly, I don’t know how to. There are probably strongholds I haven’t even identified yet. But I’m here now to tell you straight up. If you don’t have a relationship with Jesus Christ you are going to go hell.
Because, Jesus said, “I am the way the truth and the life… no one comes to the Father except through me.” And it doesn’t matter how good you are… it only matters that there is only one thing that cannot be forgiven.
And Jesus tells us in Matthew 12:30-32;
“Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
You see Jesus died on the cross for our sins, so they are forgiven… period! But then he rose again in three days just like he told the Pharisees he would… using Jonah as an example we read in verse 40;
“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.”
And Luke writes in Acts 1 verses 3-5;
After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
That same Spirit that you receive when you believe. I know this to be true, not just because the Spirit is in me, but also because Paul tells us in Ephesians 1:11-14;
“In him we were chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.”
To end, I'd like to go back to Mathew 12 and read starting in verse 33;
“Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
And remember;
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
So what say you?... Do you believe?... If so, what is stored up in you?... Are you rejecting the Holy Spirit?...
If what you are thinking is of the Holy Spirit, it will be in line with what the bible teaches. If you’re not sure, seek out someone to help you discern that what you are thinking is correct. There are plenty of good men in this room who can explain to you the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
As for me, I take Paul’s prayer in 1 Timothy and make it my own;
“I thank Jesus Christ our Lord who gives me strength, because he judged me faithful by appointing me to his service. Though I formerly led a life of disobedience. I received mercy because I had acted immaturely, but the grace of our Lord overflowed for me, with faith and love that comes from Jesus Christ. The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. And I am a sinner, but I receive mercy for this reason, that in me, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience, as an example, to those who are to believe in him for eternal life. To the King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, I give honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.”