Isa 57:15 For so says the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity; whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, even with the contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. (NKJV)
I thought it fitting to use the above scripture as we are seeing the lives of many individuals being changed and turning their lives to Christ. Street Church is growing, now 8 weeks since our first service and every week we baptize in the Bow River. People are becoming born again, renewing their lives to Christ, being healed and set free from demonic bondage. I found out a few days ago that we are on the front cover of an Ontario Christian publication called 'Christian Week'. Hallelujah and praise be to God! May He receive all the glory!!!
I am sooo blessed to be used by the Lord during this time, His timing for my life. I am trying to keep record of when and how the Holy Spirit uses me to further His Kingdom. I have had an opportunity to preach three weeks in a row, hallelujah!
On Monday July 25th, I entitled the sermon, 'The Search for Spiritual Significance'. I preached from the truck using a microphone in a location of Calgary I had not been to before. The Lord gave me the words to speak that were specific to the crowd. It was a good night and many seeds were planted in people's hearts.
The following Monday the Lord had me speak on His crucifixion, Simon of Cyrene who carried the cross and the theives on the cross on either side of Jesus. Once again, it was appropriate for the crowd, already pre-planned by the Holy Spirit. This night we served pizza first, then preached the gospel. Another brother gave his testimony first, and worshipped the Lord through song and playing his guitar. A woman came forward and gave her life to Christ, and asked for prayer to be delivered from demonic bondage. It was a beautiful experience, one that shed tears and mended hearts.
On Sunday August 7th, I was asked to preach at Street Church. I will say I was nervous and excited all at the same time. Me Lord? Preaching a Sunday Service? So I prayed every day all week, seeking the right topic and scripture verses. The Lord led me through a dance in the bible, in which I came up with five different sermon topics, but did not feel it was what the Lord wanted me to speak upon. As I asked the Holy Spirit what to preach on, He said, "Tell them of my love." I thought, okay Lord, that is a broad topic and can be made into a sermon series. Soooo, I pressed into Him more as the week went on. I finished reading a book called "Chasing the Dragon" by Jackie Pullinger, coupled with practical experinces of showing the love of Jesus, and I knew what I wanted to preach about. I would like to share with you the verses I used:
- Mar 12:28 And coming up one of the scribes heard them reasoning, knowing that He had answered them well, he asked Him, Which is the first commandment of all?
Mar 12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord;
Mar 12:30 and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength." This is the first commandment.
Mar 12:31 And the second is like this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.
Mar 12:32 And the scribe said to Him, Right, Teacher, according to truth You have spoken, that God is one, and there is no other besides Him.
Mar 12:33 And to love Him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love the neighbor as himself, is more than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.
Mar 12:34 And seeing that he had answered intelligently, Jesus said to him, You are not far from the kingdom of God. And no one dared to question Him any more.
- Mat 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
- Joh 15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
Joh 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
Joh 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
Joh 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Joh 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Joh 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
Joh 15:15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
Joh 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Joh 15:17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.
This sermon touched on some personal experiences in my life where I was able to forgive and bless others with the love of Jesus. More and more I am in love with Jesus. His love is overflowing in my heart for others. I really do love other people. I am developing a greater, deeper compassion for the lost and for Christian siblings struggling. I am so thankful and blessed.
The last two sermons have touched me deeply where I have weeped with joy. As I preached on Sunday, I know the devil has alot less footholds in my life and others as I was obedient to the Holy Spirit. I could feel and see the fire of God rumbling in my belly. I know this will become stronger as I step out in faith for Him. As He increases, I decrease. Words cannot describe how grateful and blessed I am to be used by Him, as His Vessel to bring Him glory.
4 comments:
Karen,
It's great to hear what the Lord is doing there. It's also the right message. As Paul said; "if I have not love, I am nothing."
Be Blessed,
Pete
Karen,
Praise the Lord that He is using you so mightly right now. Remember this season of overflow, so that in the coming droughts of your life, that they might be shorter and that you might cling to His feet with the expectation of returning to a season of joy.
YBIC,
Brad
Hi Karen, it is always so much more effective to speak about the personal way god has touched you and changed you - people can relate to those personal experiences...
Thank you all for your encouragement and support! God Bless you!
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