Updated Testimony

March has been a month of miracles, and the pouring out of God's love for us for many years. Not that God is not always doing these things, just in our lives March stands out!  It is the month of Spring when all things come to life again, New life is born and things are restored.  I attended church from about the age of 10 till I was 17, For 20 years I had ran from God and His calling, I knew down deep I was called to preach and tell others of the love of God, knew this since a very young age. A decon once asked me a question about the bible, when I quickly responded the correct answer. He said to me" It is amazing you have such knowledge at a young age, God is going to use you in a great way"  but I choose the world and things in it, addictions, witchcraft, the occult I was trying to get as far away from God as possible! Time and time again when I should of been killed or died because of my actions. From auto wrecks to alcahol poisoning to a gun being pointed at my head and the trigger pulled to being removed from a fire I should of died in with a friend. God spared my life showing His mercy on my life, at the time I did not give Him glory, I wrote it off as luck! I got married we made a family anger and controlling took over for many years. I played the church game many times saying I changed but never truly did. In  2003 after 7 years of marriage I had an affair. But Lisa in her love and dedication to make her marriage work forgave me. Then in 2005 I was getting back in to the bible studying it once again attending church regularly, Lisa was pregnant with our son she went to her Doctors appointment and they could not find a heartbeat, she called me very upset, I told her I was on my way. I hit my knees in prayer saying, "God if you are truly there than when I get to the hospital there will be a heartbeat, if not I will never serve you or have anything to do with you ever again!" I left expecting to find out the doctor was wrong and that there is a heartbeat. As I stood by my wife holding her hand they checked again, No heartbeat! I was filled with anger I cursed and blaspheme God swearing I would have nothing to do with Him again! For if He truly cared there would of been a heartbeat and my son would be alive! In 2007 we were blessed with our third daughter born healty and alive, A daughter at my older age. Quickly she was becoming a daddy's girl.  For the next two years tension between my wife and I grew. She was at the breaking point in her desperation, she turned to God praying "God you have to do someting I can't change Him, Just let him pick a church he'll attend" On March 20th many of my addictions were taken away, I went all weekend with out any kind of substance abuse, then 3 days later on March 23,  2009 at  2am I was in Michigan heading to Detroit on I 94 when deep in my spirit I heard these words." You know it's your responsibility to have your family in Church" It was so loud it was like someone was standing in front of me. At that moment I was confronted with my life of sin, and accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior. I called my wife in the morning to tell her the news, she was a little hesatent to belief cause we have been on this road before. I called a preacher I knew telling him what I just did. The next Sunday we went to Strang FBC, a church I previously wouldn't of cared if it burnt to the ground. In June 2009 I was baptized, I got evolved in the church and my wife wasn't convinced I changed till I taught a class during vbs that summer. During that VBS it was laid on my heart to lead the youth I went to the Decon and He brought it before the church and it was agreed upon that I would be the youth director starting in September of 2009. In February 2010 I announced to the preacher and church that God had called me to preach, then in September 2010 It was acknowledged and recognized by the church that God had indeed called me, I was licensed as a minister of the Gospel on September 3rd, 201O. I was driving a truck cross country at the time, and I began to feel that God was pulling me away from that profession but my wife and I could not come to agreement on this, she was in fear of us losing everything, then in March 2011 that would all change when I was in Indiana heading up to Michigan we were driving at 65 miles pH had a blow out on passenger side steer tire got the truck pulled over safely. After we got back on the road about 30 miles later someone threw a log off an over pass crashing in
To the truck right above the windshield on driver side debree fell all over me as I pulled off the side of the road. Bark and fiber glass was everywhere inside the truck. IHP arrived and said I was lucky to be alive for that log could of came through the windshield killing me. I responded to him not lucky but blessed  God was watching out for me.  At that moment I knew I was done driving on May 31st 2011 I stepped away from driving, 6 years to the day I started. In 2013 God started working in our marriage we thought we had a good marriage, but we found out we could be closer after I did 70 days of why I was greatfull for my wife and also did the love dare our marriage grew by leaps and bounds. On November 3rd 2013  3 days after our 18th anniversary we restated our vows promising to honor our vows this time.   In late 2013 God layer it upon my heart it was time to change churches, this was a difficult decision for my wife had deep ties to the church in Strang, so we set a date of February 1st as a date we would seek a new church home. I had been praying that I wanted to learn to trust in God, I wanted to know how to experience total relince on Him, I really didn't know what I was praying but on January 18th 2014 we lost our house to a fire, we walked away with just each other and God. We had to start over, but people came forward showing the love of God providing everything we needed to start again. As planned in February we starred attending Adair FBC.   God contenued to work in our lives streangthing our faith. One example is something that happened this month. This week has been a roller coster of emotions. On Saturday we found out that we owe over $1,200 in taxes, Then on Monday I went to see an ol' friend who was fighting cancer with not much more time we ministered to them spiritually and financially. Than later that morning I get the call the gentleman I was caring for in Vinita passed away which was my third job. Tuesday I call that office which I found out they didn't have anything that would fit my schedule around here close the only opening was in Tulsa and I really did not want to drive there if it involves me missing weekends with my family totally and church on Sunday.  I said a simple prayer "God we need a miracle" We set aside our tithe check. We were back at the point thinking of bankruptcy. Wednesday I went to work at my second job, kinda in a fog, Than that night I got the news that this friend had 24 to 72 hours left.  Thursday morning I went to his house once again ministering to the family and friends gathered around. My friend passed away 8:55 am, I stayed around still offering prayers and spiritual support. I left late morning to go get my daughter for her job interview, we arrived at Shangri-La, which they had already decided to hire her based solely on her references and the report they gave. This is a very good job working in the kitchen.  On my way home I get a call from the owner of my second job. Saying the reason you cut your hours because you were not getting enough at the one house, can I offer you more hours to entice you to come back. This alone made me happy I was very willing to do that, but to top it off she gave me $1.00 an hour raise.  This second job now pays more than my primary job for fewer hours.  It also is more than what I was making working three jobs. God is good and faithful when you are obedient to what He has called you to do. For this is nothing under my own power  But all through God! All the glory and praise go to Him!  Since I wrote this another opportunity arose to minister to someone in need. What is amazing is what I have learned this week Once you start giving to God, doing so with out putting thought into how much, it is,easier to give sacrificially without thinking about it. When the spirit moves you obey don't debate it or fight it. The blessings you get will far out way anything you give..

God is faithful

This week has been a roller coster of emotions. On Saturday we found out that we owe over $1,200 in taxes, Then on Monday I went to see an ol' friend who was fighting cancer with not much more time we ministered to them spiritually and financially. Than later that morning I get the call the gentleman I was caring for in Vinita passed away which was my third job. Tuesday I call that office which I found out they didn't have anything that would fit my schedule around here close the only opening was in Tulsa and I really did not want to drive there if it involves me missing weekends with my family totally and church on Sunday.  We set aside our tithe check. We were back at the point thinking of bankruptcy. Wednesday I went to work at my second job, kinda in a fog, Than that night I got the news that this friend had 24 to 72 hours left.  Thursday morning I went to his house once again ministering to the family and friends gathered around. My friend passed away 8:55 am, I stayed around still offering prayers and spiritual support. I left late morning to go get my daughter for her job interview, we arrived at Shangri-La, which they had already decided to hire her based solely on her references and the report they gave. This is a very good job working in the kitchen.  On my way home I get a call from the owner of my second job. Saying the reason you cut your hours because you were not getting enough at the one house, can I offer you more hours to entice you to come back. This alone made me happy I was very willing to do that, but to top it off she gave me $1.00 an hour raise.  This second job now pays more than my primary job for fewer hours.  It also is more than what I was making working three jobs. God is good and faithful when you are obedient to what He has called you to do. For this is nothing under my own power  But all through God! All the glory and praise go to Him!

Sexual immorality

Sex God's gift to us to be used in intimacy between a husband and wife.  Can also be a great destructive sin outside of marriage!  In this world we are indoctrinated into sex at a very young age! It is everywhere!  You can not go by a day with out seeing something glorifying it, or publicizing it!  We have taken something that was ment to bring God glory in marriage into something that is self seeking and self glorifying!  Very unfortunately members with in the church are just as guilty as those in the world and often times the church turns a blind eye to it leaving it unaddressed! 

 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

Romans 1:18‭-‬32 ESV

Rather it be pornography of any type, cohabitation outside of marriage, dating or sleeping with someone while you are still married but separate is still adultery, even same sex realationships are all within the church! Should not be ignored or unaddressed!  If you call yourself a Christian a follower of Christ, you will turn from such ungodliness, your actions should greatly convict you, you should fill discomfort in your spirit for committing such acts!  The church must address these in the appropriate manner.  Members of the church see these acts going on yet remain silent!  Remaining silent not addressing these sins, shows that we approve of them to the people practicing such life styles.  I myself have struggled with the above in my own life, I'm not judging the person but saying it is destructive, this sin must be purged, from those who call themselves members!  They must be made aware of what they are doing, many parade it around in the church like it is no big deal!  The church must address this ungodly behavior, not remain silent. 

Faith in God is tithing

Having faith is good, as James tells us " faith without works is dead! You show me your faith and I will show you my faith by my works!"  Faith, trusting in God, believing without seeing knowing the promises of God yet being obedient in what He has called us to do. Is a sign of strong faith.  The Christian life is not easy! It is difficult, hardships, trials, storms will happen, bad things are going to happen, things will happen that will leave as asking. Where is God? Does He not care? Does He not see what is happening to me?  During these times your faith is being strengthened, it is being refined!  This only happens if you're still being obedient to what He has called you to do.  If you have faith you will be trusting in God, you will praise Him no matter what happens.  Knowing He will meet your needs according to His will, not yours.  Money is the hardest thing to trust God with. We believe we can handle our finances better than God can. We hold on to it instead of giving back to God what He gave to us!  If we have faith we will tithe no matter where we set financially!  God has called us to tithe, if we have faith in God's provision then we will give to Him what He has commanded us to give!  Giving to God in faithfulness is an act of Works generated through faith!  If we are trusting in our finances we will not tithe, money is our god! No matter what we say we don't have faith if we don't tithe!  We are not showing our faith and trust in God. For it is written without faith it is impossible to please God!  We are no different than the Rich Young Ruler who came to Christ asking what he must do to inherit eternal life.  Who walked away after Christ told him to go sell all he had and give the proceeds to the poor and come and follow Him!  If we have faith in Christ we will do what He has called us to do!  Who are we worshipping? Are we worshipping money? Or are we worshipping God?

 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness"—and he was called a friend of God.
James 2:21‭-‬23 ESV

Before Abraham laid Isaac on the altar, he said "God will provide a sacrifice"  after the Angle of the Lord appeared returning Isaac to him. Abraham said "Jehovah-jireh" translated meaning my Lord my provider.  You see when we are obedient to what God has called us to do, He will provide!  It is written "Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness and he was called a friend of God"