Martha and I just smile every time we think about the Wednesday night Bible studies at the Love In Action Ministry Center. Those who attend know why joy fills our hearts at the very mention of these special nights.
Jesus tells us in Matthew 28:19-20, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Wednesday nights are an awesome time of discipleship, and we are seeing people who are becoming more and more hungry for God's Word.
We have great discussions during our Bible studies. I encourage them each week to ask questions and participate. I call out scriptures and different ones volunteer to read, and by the questions they ask you can tell they are hungry to learn more about Jesus.
The discussion that takes place is often so moving. Last Wednesday night, one of the men gave the most beautiful description of Matthew 16:24-27. That's where Jesus says, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done."
He remembered a teaching he heard years ago and shared it. I wish I had recorded what he said. We were all blown away as he described Jesus rewarding believers in Heaven. It was beautiful. And, it wasn't a famous preacher sharing it. It wasn't even me, the teacher of the class sharing it. It was an inmate from work release sharing something that will stay with everyone who heard it for the rest of our lives.
Then yesterday as our work day was winding down, some of the men started asking Martha and me questions about the Bible. I have been encouraging them to read each week on their own. I tell the new Christians or those seeking to read John and Luke. I've been encouraging others to read Acts and see how the church came into being.
They have started reading and had plenty of questions Saturday. One man asked Martha if he could write down some questions and bring them Wednesday. Of course she said yes.
That thrills us. These men are hungry for the Word of God. They are seeing the truth in God's Word and realize Jesus can change their lives. Praise God!
God says in Isaiah 55:11, "my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it."
Yes it does. We are seeing it every week. We thank God for Wednesday nights and for all of the lives that are being transformed by His Word. And it's not just the homeless and work release inmates who are being changed. It's all of us who are there and hungry for God's Word.
Subscribe to the Love In Action Blog
Posts
All Comments
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Needs list
People often ask us what needs do we have. We will usually post those needs on our website, but here is a link that lists a lot of our needs: http://bit.ly/kLXHW0
Just click on it and it will take you to a page filled with needs like hygiene items, new socks and underwear, needs for our laundry and shower ministries and other miscellaneous needs.
These items can be donated by individuals or you may have a Sunday school class, church small group, civic club, business office, or other group activities that would like to make this a group project.
Thanks for helping us help "the least of these." (Matthew 25:35-40)
Just click on it and it will take you to a page filled with needs like hygiene items, new socks and underwear, needs for our laundry and shower ministries and other miscellaneous needs.
These items can be donated by individuals or you may have a Sunday school class, church small group, civic club, business office, or other group activities that would like to make this a group project.
Thanks for helping us help "the least of these." (Matthew 25:35-40)
Monday, May 30, 2011
Discipleship produces growth
Wednesday nights have become a great time of discipleship at the Love In Action Ministry Center.
Martha and I have led most of the people in our Wednesday night group through Discipleship Phases 1 and 2 and through a variety of many other Bible studies. The goal is making disciples of Jesus.
Jesus gives us His Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Jesus says to "go" and to "make disciples," so it is imperative that we lead people to Jesus and teach them how to follow Him.
Wednesday nights are very special. We are seeing so many people growing spiritually. And what really excites us is when we hear people telling us about the decisions they make based on what they are learning on Wednesday nights.
Recently a man who has been coming to our Wednesday night Bible study told me he was moving out of where he was living because of the teaching we have done on how important it is about who we hang out with and surround ourselves with. He said he didn't want to be around the people and things going on, so he moved.
Praise God! This man has come a long ways and we see God moving in his life. He is just one of many we are seeing tremendous spiritual growth, and we praise God and give Him all of the glory.
We began a study last week titled "A Life God Rewards" by Bruce Wilkinson. It is a powerful study, and it gets pretty deep in the Word. I was a little nervous about teaching this series because I didn't want to lose anyone by going too deep. Most of those in our group are new Christians.
I know one man in particular is searching. He hasn't made a decision for Christ yet, but he is searching and he keeps coming back each week.
During our study last week there were a plethora of questions asked ... a lot of good questions. We talked and discussed a number of issues. It was great.
At the end of the class I asked one more time if everyone understood what we had studied that night and if there were any more questions. Everyone said they understood everything now, except for that one guy who is still searching.
He had a confused look on his face as he read a verse and asked a question about it. Once he received the answer, he smiled and said, "Oh, I see now. Now I finally understand that."
Praise God! I believe soon he will be asking Jesus to be his Lord and Savior.
Please keep our Wednesday night group lifted up in prayer. We are seeing souls saved and disciples being made.
Martha and I have led most of the people in our Wednesday night group through Discipleship Phases 1 and 2 and through a variety of many other Bible studies. The goal is making disciples of Jesus.
Jesus gives us His Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Jesus says to "go" and to "make disciples," so it is imperative that we lead people to Jesus and teach them how to follow Him.
Wednesday nights are very special. We are seeing so many people growing spiritually. And what really excites us is when we hear people telling us about the decisions they make based on what they are learning on Wednesday nights.
Recently a man who has been coming to our Wednesday night Bible study told me he was moving out of where he was living because of the teaching we have done on how important it is about who we hang out with and surround ourselves with. He said he didn't want to be around the people and things going on, so he moved.
Praise God! This man has come a long ways and we see God moving in his life. He is just one of many we are seeing tremendous spiritual growth, and we praise God and give Him all of the glory.
We began a study last week titled "A Life God Rewards" by Bruce Wilkinson. It is a powerful study, and it gets pretty deep in the Word. I was a little nervous about teaching this series because I didn't want to lose anyone by going too deep. Most of those in our group are new Christians.
I know one man in particular is searching. He hasn't made a decision for Christ yet, but he is searching and he keeps coming back each week.
During our study last week there were a plethora of questions asked ... a lot of good questions. We talked and discussed a number of issues. It was great.
At the end of the class I asked one more time if everyone understood what we had studied that night and if there were any more questions. Everyone said they understood everything now, except for that one guy who is still searching.
He had a confused look on his face as he read a verse and asked a question about it. Once he received the answer, he smiled and said, "Oh, I see now. Now I finally understand that."
Praise God! I believe soon he will be asking Jesus to be his Lord and Savior.
Please keep our Wednesday night group lifted up in prayer. We are seeing souls saved and disciples being made.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Our ministry partner is in the Philippines
I just finished chatting online with my good brother and friend Micah Lewter. He is with Homegrown Harvesters, the ministry we team with to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the Philippines.
He is there in the Philippines to preach, share his testimony and meet many of the pastors and missionaries we support.
He quickly learned how much the pastors and people in the Philippines honor their guests. Seven pastors met him at the airport. Micah said, "That's just incredible to me. Some drove 2 or 3 hours."
The family he is staying with insists on putting the only electric fan in the house in his room.
"It's a way of honoring guests, which is a big part of the culture," Micah said.
Micah sent his schedule so we could pray for him. Below is his schedule. Please pray for him, and ask God to use him in mighty ways to reach the lost and encourage the Christians. The Philippines is 13 hours ahead of us in Alabama. If you are in a different time zone please do the math. I'm a journalist, and journalists are not known for our math skills. :-)
"I do know that Wednesday I will preach at Tampilisan. We will then travel back to Dipolog for the all-night prayer vigil, then we go to Ozamis for the missionaries' meeting the next day. I will be giving my testimony there. Each town is about a 3-hour drive away from Dipolog, and in opposite directions."
It is exciting what God is doing in the Philippines, and Martha and I are thankful that Love In Action is part of it. And, we are thrilled for these opportunities God has given Micah to minister there.
To keep up with what God is doing in the Philippines and on Micah's trip, visit the Homegrown Harvesters' blog: http://homegrownharvesters.blogspot.com/
Thank you for your prayers.
He is there in the Philippines to preach, share his testimony and meet many of the pastors and missionaries we support.
He quickly learned how much the pastors and people in the Philippines honor their guests. Seven pastors met him at the airport. Micah said, "That's just incredible to me. Some drove 2 or 3 hours."
The family he is staying with insists on putting the only electric fan in the house in his room.
"It's a way of honoring guests, which is a big part of the culture," Micah said.
Micah sent his schedule so we could pray for him. Below is his schedule. Please pray for him, and ask God to use him in mighty ways to reach the lost and encourage the Christians. The Philippines is 13 hours ahead of us in Alabama. If you are in a different time zone please do the math. I'm a journalist, and journalists are not known for our math skills. :-)
Site Philippines day/time Alabama day/time Date
Dipolog City 10 a.m. Sunday 9 p.m. Saturday May 22/21
Tampilisan* Wednesday Tuesday evening or night May 25/24
Ozamis** Thursday Wednesday evening or night May 26/25
Dipolog City 10 a.m. Sunday 9 p.m. Saturday May 29/28
Dipolog City* Tuesday Monday evening or night May 31/30
* anniversary services
** testimony
From Micah:
"The anniversary services, I don't know the times for them. It could be at any time of the day. They are all-day events, and they have several sermons by different pastors/men. The anniversary services are evangelistic in nature, so please pray for the souls during that time.
It is exciting what God is doing in the Philippines, and Martha and I are thankful that Love In Action is part of it. And, we are thrilled for these opportunities God has given Micah to minister there.
To keep up with what God is doing in the Philippines and on Micah's trip, visit the Homegrown Harvesters' blog: http://homegrownharvesters.blogspot.com/
Thank you for your prayers.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Kicking it up
Renovating the Love In Action Ministry Center has been an amazing process.
When we purchased the building, we knew we were getting a structurally strong facility, but one that needed a lot of work on the inside. Literally, from the floor to the ceiling we have ripped out, torn down, rebuilt, straightened, braced, painted, and everything else.
The best part of the work has been all of the volunteers who have come out and those who have provided materials and finances. Christians from a number of different churches have joined us, and it is so inspiring to truly see the Body of Christ working together. Martha and I can't say "thank you" enough.
We have made a lot of progress and the building is looking better and better each week, but we aren't finished yet. We still have a good deal of work to do. That's why I am asking for even more people to get involved to help us get the building ready to open.
There are a lot of people depending on us to open this building soon. The homeless are ready for us to open. The work release men and women can't wait to get back "home" for Celebrate Recovery Inside at Love In Action. People who live in the community are asking more and more questions and are excited about us opening. So many ministry opportunities await. We are doing a lot, but we can do so much more.
Here are ways you can help:
1. Pray: We need your prayers. We see God touching lives and providing for our every need in amazing ways, and we know it's because people are praying. Please continue.
2. Donate: We need finances to purchase materials. Or, if you can donate the materials that would be great too.
3. Volunteer: This is an entirely volunteer ministry, so everything that gets done is accomplished by volunteers. Here are the areas where we need expertise and help:
- Sheet rock: hanging it and taping and mudding it. Then sanding it and preparing it for painting.
- Flooring: We have a flooring man who is very good, but he is just one man and we have a lot of flooring to put down. We have VCT tiling and commercial grade carpet already purchased. We will need to buy more VCT for a few smaller rooms.
- Tiling a wet room. We are going to make the shower room a "wet room" We need people who can tile the floor and walls.
- Plumbing: We have a plumber, but he could use some help. We are totally re-plumbing the building, and doing everything by city code, so you need to know the codes, in addition to how to do the work.
- Vinyl siding: We have some corners that need replacing and some other repairs to make on the outside of the building.
- Parking lot repair: The back corner of our parking lot was caved in when we bought the building. It needs repairing for safety reasons and to give us more parking for volunteers.
As you can see, there is a lot of work to do, but with the right people and a large number of volunteers who can follow the experts' instructions, we can accomplish everything quickly.
We would like to open by late June or the first of July. Together, we can reach that goal. Can you help? Do you know people who can help? Again, please pray, donate and volunteer. Together as the Body of Christ we can do it.
Thank you all so much.
When we purchased the building, we knew we were getting a structurally strong facility, but one that needed a lot of work on the inside. Literally, from the floor to the ceiling we have ripped out, torn down, rebuilt, straightened, braced, painted, and everything else.
The best part of the work has been all of the volunteers who have come out and those who have provided materials and finances. Christians from a number of different churches have joined us, and it is so inspiring to truly see the Body of Christ working together. Martha and I can't say "thank you" enough.
We have made a lot of progress and the building is looking better and better each week, but we aren't finished yet. We still have a good deal of work to do. That's why I am asking for even more people to get involved to help us get the building ready to open.
There are a lot of people depending on us to open this building soon. The homeless are ready for us to open. The work release men and women can't wait to get back "home" for Celebrate Recovery Inside at Love In Action. People who live in the community are asking more and more questions and are excited about us opening. So many ministry opportunities await. We are doing a lot, but we can do so much more.
Here are ways you can help:
1. Pray: We need your prayers. We see God touching lives and providing for our every need in amazing ways, and we know it's because people are praying. Please continue.
2. Donate: We need finances to purchase materials. Or, if you can donate the materials that would be great too.
3. Volunteer: This is an entirely volunteer ministry, so everything that gets done is accomplished by volunteers. Here are the areas where we need expertise and help:
- Sheet rock: hanging it and taping and mudding it. Then sanding it and preparing it for painting.
- Flooring: We have a flooring man who is very good, but he is just one man and we have a lot of flooring to put down. We have VCT tiling and commercial grade carpet already purchased. We will need to buy more VCT for a few smaller rooms.
- Tiling a wet room. We are going to make the shower room a "wet room" We need people who can tile the floor and walls.
- Plumbing: We have a plumber, but he could use some help. We are totally re-plumbing the building, and doing everything by city code, so you need to know the codes, in addition to how to do the work.
- Vinyl siding: We have some corners that need replacing and some other repairs to make on the outside of the building.
- Parking lot repair: The back corner of our parking lot was caved in when we bought the building. It needs repairing for safety reasons and to give us more parking for volunteers.
As you can see, there is a lot of work to do, but with the right people and a large number of volunteers who can follow the experts' instructions, we can accomplish everything quickly.
We would like to open by late June or the first of July. Together, we can reach that goal. Can you help? Do you know people who can help? Again, please pray, donate and volunteer. Together as the Body of Christ we can do it.
Thank you all so much.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Popular Posts
-
Many people, including ministers, take great pride in working. The phrase, "I don't have time, I'm working," is a common e...
-
It's not unusual to experience days that rip your heart out. Days that tears won't stop. Ministering to the homeless and hurting ... -
I sent this out as an e-mail to people on our Love In Action e-mail list. I wanted to share this important message with everyone. Hello. I h...
-
A big need for helping the homeless come off the streets and transition back into society is transitional housing, which bridges the gap fro... -
Recovery began with the use of a walker. I haven't publicized or told a lot of people about it, but the past six weeks I've gone...