Monday, March 26, 2007

Dirt Pulpits

"Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares." (Hebrews 13:2)

“Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God.” (Acts 10:4)

Following service yesterday, my family and I, along with another couple, spent the afternoon making memories at the Louisiana Purchase Gardens and Zoo. Spending time with your family, next to God, is of utmost importance! We can’t go out to win the world for Christ until we first start with our own family! I can win thousands of souls for Christ but if I lose mine…I fail.

As we arrived in downtown Monroe yesterday, I was informed that I, with another minister, would be doing the preaching on the streets that day. Boy, you talk about short notice! The word says “preach the word: in season out of season.” (II. Timothy 4:2) I had to pull something out of heaven fast! Thank you Jesus for the quickening of the Word and your Holy Spirit in our lives! Sometimes we minister best when there is a demand on the anointing.

After the first minister preached on “perversion”, I wrapped up the “street service” with a message on “hope.” I spoke out of Proverbs13:12 which says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” With everything that is going on in the world today it leaves a lot of people feeling, “hopeless.” Many of those of whom we minister to on the streets are in hopeless situations. Many of their “hopes and dreams” have been deferred, put-off, and crushed! Many may have put their hope built upon sand, in money, in “dreams”, in people, in organizations, in a drug, in a bottle and are left with the soul feeling sick. The Bible says in Isaiah 40:31, “but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.” You see when we have hope in Jesus Christ it doesn’t matter what we are faced with…we press on! When you have hope in Christ you know that no matter how bad it gets you can keep your eyes on what lies ahead! You can fully put your hope and trust in Jesus Christ! He is what makes you get out of bed every morning! He is what gives you the strength to keep going when you don’t’ feel like going any more! In Christ alone will we place our hope! After praying and ministering to several people, we then fed a large line filled with hungry people. There were also some cloth distributions to both males and females. It is amazing to see how many people, both young and old, are in poverty situations right here in Monroe, Louisiana.

Thank you Ricky Nolan for being faithful to those whom God has called you to. I can only imagine the great rewards that await you in heaven for remembering the poor. Only heaven knows the great treasures that await you.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I had a great time with you at the Zoo! Thanks for giving of your time for our family.