2-19-12
A few weeks ago on Sunday morning we talked about keeping our dreams alive. Tomorrow (Monday) I will begin to realize one of the dreams that have been in my heart for many years as I depart for the Jamaica Missions Trip.
When I received the schedule this past Thursday and began to read it there was a sense of being overwhelmed by God’s favor that started to rise up in me. As I have had time to think about the dreams that God has placed in my heart, as I think about God’s Word and His directives to “take the gospel to all nations” I am honored that God has chosen to use me to do His work.
As I make my final preparations for the trip I feel that I am being “sent out” by Abundant Life. I am going to Jamaica as a representative of God’s Kingdom the Foursquare Church and as representative of each of you. I am being sent to minister God’s Word in the power and authority of the Holy Spirit, but as a “first” of what I believe will be many that go out from Abundant Life taking the gospel to the “ends of the earth.” Our going is not an individual accomplishment, but a partnership with one another and with the Holy Spirit. It takes us working together as we pray, as we give, as we send and as we go, to make it all possible.
I cannot find the words to adequately express what I anticipate God doing not only in the next week in Jamaica but in our future as a church, as we do our part to fulfill the Great Commission. I believe that we are crossing a threshold or a boundary into increased fruitfulness and impact as we go.
Thank you for the commitment to pray for me as I go out. Thank you for the gifts that have been given to make the trip possible and thank you for releasing me to go. I look forward to coming home and sharing testimony of God’s great work through us! Please know that Shari and I love each and every one of you and appreciate the privilege to serve as your pastors.
Blessings!
Pastor Bob
2-12-12
Today as we gather to spend time with one another and with the Lord there are three prayers on my heart:
1) That we would expect and experience God’s presence today and everyday as we open our mouths, hearts and spirits to worship Him.
2) That each of us would be prepared to worship King Jesus. That we would have made the effort to leave behind us, all that would hinder and hold us back, preventing us from entering the presence of the Lord and receiving what we need from Him today.
3) That our hearts would be open to receive God’s Word today. That we would be available and willing to allow God to work in us to make us more like Jesus Christ.
Today as we continue our Journey Through God’s Word we will be talking about Moses and the exodus of Israel from their Egyptian bondage & slavery. God is still in the delivery business, setting His people free to fulfill their destiny and His purpose in their lives. I believe that today (Sunday or whatever day you read this) is the day of deliverance. For too long many of God’s people have lived in bondage. God wants to set you free!!! Will you accept His offer and walk in freedom? Just like Israel had to learn to live and walk in freedom, we will too. But it starts with accepting God’s deliverance! Today is your day! Look for it, anticipate it, believe it! In Jesus Name!
Blessings!
Pastor Bob
2-5-12
It is hard to believe that we are already one month into 2012. Time flies when you are having fun! As we started the year we identified six points of focus for 2012 (see the Vision Packet for more information.) The first one was Focused on God’s Word. It has been exciting to see and hear the conversation and enthusiasm generated as we are reading the Bible together and memorizing Scripture. The fruit of this focus is already being evidenced throughout Abundant Life. Keep up the good work.
Just this past week we had our monthly day of prayer & fasting and topped it off with a great time of prayer at our Wednesday night service. Prayer was our second focus.
Another of the focus was Preparing To Be Sent Out! In just two weeks I will be heading on my first ever missions trip. Jamaica may sound like a vacation in the middle of winter, but I assure you that the schedule will be full and challenging as I partner with other Foursquare pastors in helping train and teach pastors and church leaders in Jamaica.
There are two important ways that you can partner with me on this trip; prayer & giving. Part of the cost of the trip is being covered by the Foursquare Denomination and the rest is my responsibility. My part of the trip will be about $1,000. If you would like to contribute toward this cost please make your donation to Abundant Life and mark it Jamaica. PRAYER is the most important partnership. My goal is also to enlist as many people as possible to pray for me and the others that will be a part of the ministry in Jamaica.. International travel carries a risk in our day, but the bigger risk is the spiritual warfare that takes place as we carry the light and truth of the Gospel into the darkness. The enemy, Satan, would be content with the Foursquare Church in Jamaica remaining the same, but I KNOW that God has other plans and He wants to use us to help break through years of bondage, legalism and traditionalism. Next Sunday I will have information regarding prayer as well as information about Jamaica, our ministry objectives and what I believe our role might be in ministering to the wonderful people of this Caribbean nation. Thank you in advance for your partnership and support as God prepares us to GO into all the world with the Gospel!
Blessings!
Pastor Bob
