QueensLand, Australia...1-2012

Australia, and its flag

This was my first ever visit to the city of Brisbane, in the state of QueensLand. Its a beautiful city right along the coast. Pastor Peter & Kerri Field are building an exciting, faithful church here. Ps Field and his family have been friends to me for years, and each place he's pastored, God's favor has been on them. The church here is truly multi-cultural. I met folks from places I'd never heard of in the Pacific Islands. People from many backgrounds all lifting up Jesus.

Crowds gather for church

5 got saved 

The Field clan, all loving Jesus

One thing that stood out to me in Brisbane, was the visitors. Many kept saying it was their 1st time visiting the church. Others came by invitation of friends, but God set it all up, and we watched souls come to God each night. On the final night, Ps Field reported 20 filled with the Holy Ghost.

Sis Kerri and her disciples..Darcy under the wig

Hunger for Gods word

Bring all our issues to Jesus

As you can see from the pictures, the last day of revival, was also a national holiday, AUSTRALIA DAY. This would be like our 4th of July. Everyone came showing their patriotic side. We celebrated Jesus and Australia. It was such a refreshing atmosphere. I felt so good, I'm going to try and get back..same time next year.

Everyone celebrating Australia Day

Ps Field and I overlooking the city

Monique got saved and testified..no more smoking..Free

He led the church in the national anthem

Las Vegas, NM Revival 1-2012

Las Vegas New Mexico, is a city full of history and wonder. Revival meetings have always been outstanding here, and this time was the same, with more added. I was so moved by the amount of visitors from the city came to the meetings. After years of faithful ministry, this small mountain town is still yielding fruit for God. There was not one night that people didn't get saved. The saints here just kept wanting more of the word. Even after years of knowing Christ,  the fire still burns for God among these wonderful people.

opening revival with prayer

congregation in Las Vegas

yielding to God on the altar

special music, was special

Ps Anthony, cant wait for the altar

It was my birthday on the last night of revival. So many times I'm away from home preaching during my birthday, but each time I'm blessed to be with friends. Sis Patsy and the church saints put together a fellowship for the Trujillo's relocation to Denver, and my Birthday, we had a great time. Its a great testimony to see all the new faces in the church. God is still moving greatly for the Rubi's in Las Vegas.

Sis Patsy, during the fellowship

young men, getting saved

Consider...The Inner Man

I've been attending the Bible Conference this week. During one of the services, I sat next to a young man who was really on fire for God. We spoke and I could sense his very real passion for Jesus. He said he was 30 year old and he'd been a christian for 13 years, and spoke highly of his pastor and his church.

My spirit was just a bit troubled though because of the way he carried himself. I'm in no way trying to question his relationship with God, but this observation is worthy of consideration. He had his cap on backwards, his trousers were sagging and he walked in a rocking motion with his shoes untied. His extra long belt was dragging the ground. I couldn't figure out the belt since his trousers were hanging so low. The brother was praising God, yet he was imitating a gangsta rap crew. The inconvenient truth is this; we do become like whatever we worship. The bible does challenge us to be "conformed to the image of Christ" and again "be transformed by the renewing of your mind".

Lets just praise Jesus?

He seemed to be a good brother with a good spirit, yet untaught and un-challenged in his personal christian development (discipleship). Becoming gangsta for a performance to reach the lost is one thing, but living it daily after 13 years with Jesus is troubling.  I have always believed and taught that a healthy society is one where people act and dress their age, as an example to those coming behind them. I know that clothes don't determine ones salvation, but things like this can speak of maturity, growth, and even sanctification. Our culture is image driven. Its a sign of the emptiness that sin breeds into us all. Jesus on the inside should bring security and satisfaction and healing. Our world needs to see a christian community thats free and at peace with Christ.

 Jesus did teach us that, the inner man is more crucial than the outward man, and that what's on the inside will manifest outwardly. The Holy Spirit through salvation helps us address deep, hidden, inner issues, and sins, so we can be free. Lets not simply paint over, or dress up, and portray an image. Let Jesus live and work on the inside through the word of God.  I still remember the truth of that old song, "Jesus on the inside, working on the outside". Something to consider.

New Years Fellowship..Upper Darby PA 2011/2012

I joined the Upper Darby, PA Church for their annual New Years Revival and Fellowship. I encouraged the saints on the final night, to let 2012 be a year of walking in Gods blessings. The sermon was..get in position for the blessing of God to fall. It was good praying with new souls. Imagine having New Years as a spiritual birthday. 

these plates were not empty for long

Jesus also broke bread and fellowshiped

international menu for the night

The five services were great. Great deliverance, great worship, and hope for the new year. After the service we gathered for a time of fellowship. We enjoyed international cuisine. Old and young saints alike attended, got fired up, and prayed for a fruitful new year.

Mrs Overson, was on point

10:00pm, already celebrating

Joy for 2012

I was so blessed seeing all the changes to the church building. Ps Overson's vision for the area is real. They have extended the sanctuary and decorated the building in anticipation of all that God will do. We prayed, God..fill the church with hungry souls this year. Its already began.

praying in the new year

New Years Posts...2012

These two posts generated a lot of positive response, so I decided to put them up on the blog for those who might not follow the social networks.

Face changes in 2012 day by day. Change 1 thing first. A mile starts with 1 step, A million starts with 1 cent. Change starts with 1 choice.


Each New Year means 365 new days to serve God. Remember, changing the date on the calendar won't make it a happy new year, but new choices will. Without a new you, this year will just be an extension of 2011. Do at least one new thing this year, if nothing else, draw closer to God. Welcome to 2012, Happy New You.

Lighthouse: Santa Monica/Hesperia, 12-21-2011

My last meetings before Christmas break was with The Lighthouse in Santa Monica, and Hesperia California. Everyone was in full Christmas mode. The Holy Spirit came into the services and brought conviction and hope, that Christmas really is about redeeming lost humanity. All of the services were filled with Joy. Quite a few visitors came to Jesus during the Hesperia meetings. I encouraged the saints in both locations about the Wonderful name of Jesus. My message brought home the truth that, the child born in the manger has been given a name that either inspires worship or anger. These are a few snapshots of the services.

Ps Rob, Sunday morning

Hesperia Sunday night

Praise in Santa Monica

point made..Wonderful Jesus

altar call Hesperia

Santa Monica Congregation

Hesperia..6 got saved

leading praise..Hesperia

prayer requests

God's Gift

Each year after Christmas many gifts end up; unused, unwanted, exchanged or discarded. I've always said, "the best gifts are the ones you can actually use". The greatest gift ever given, was not purchased in a department store, professionally wrapped, or placed under a tree. Though not appealing to the world at large, this gift is one you can use everyday for the rest of your life. Its the gift that never stops giving. Jesus, God's give to the world. John 3:16.

Raleigh NC...Coming in and Coming Home

Courtney, gave a powerful testimony (see testimony page)

Jesus is so good. I had a good time with Ps Chase and the Raleigh congregation. I saw God do everything from save the sinner, to reclaim the backslider. I saw joy come into peoples lives, and saw hope being restored. It was a great week of revival. The young lady in the photo above is Courtney Pigford. One night see testified, and blessed the church with a story of freedom. Go to the testimony page on this blog and read her story.

Praise

a final challenge..give all to Jesus

I was so excited to see the new building in Raleigh. They moved further south in the city to a bigger facility. The saints are still putting it together, and are full of vision for what God will do. Each night the attendance was great. A number of people answered the call to receive Christ. I was moved a few of the evenings to get reports from people of how God had used the word to free their mind. Its so encouraging to see God visit his people. A good way to describe the services would be; many were coming in and backsliders were coming home.

If pastor's on fire, everybody burns....

In the house, each night

some seriously anointed singing

Anyone can tell you about the Tuesday night service when the Spirit came in and took over. The ladies sang and as they were singing we felt God. The congregation was on fire, after the message that night many were refreshed and ready for battle. That was the night 9 yr old MacKenzie showed me she had been taking notes on the sermon. Imagine our country, if all kids loved the word like this. Thank God for parents raising their kids in church.

9 yr old MacKenzie showed me her sermon notes  WOW

Bro Joe, and this little girl are enjoying Jesus

no one could stay in their seat

Thank God for The Chase family and their labors in Raleigh. I told Pastor, Its happening, God is loose, in just a matter of time multitudes will fill the place seeking to know Jesus.

Watch out...Man on Fire...

Coming to the High Desert

Excited about joining Ps Neos and the Lighthouse saints

Safford AZ, God's Faithfulness..12 2011

Choir in Safford

This was my third year preaching in Safford, its becoming on of the places I look forward to visiting. The church is warm, friendly, and very responsive to the gospel. The meetings this year had a very personal feel. People who knew the church and backsliders came out. This revealed Gods faithfulness. The responses were joyful and many powerful things took place in peoples hearts. I watched as many came forward to rededicate themselves to Gods purpose, get prayer for direction and healing. 

Scripture, for or against me

great deliverances

Salvation..thank Jesus

Pastor Seals testified of many personal breakthroughs in people. We were all challenged to rise up, go forth and take the city. We felt God press on us the reality of the last days. I thank God for Pastor Seals and his wife Clara. They are among some of the most hospitable people I know. They are committed to doing Gods will in Safford. I ask everyone to say a prayer for them.

calling on Jesus

Free.

pressing in as God leads

Not Easy Going to Hell

A very troubled man visited church last night. He had been drinking a bit and we could tell he was hurting. He came to the service for help, yet he wouldn't respond to God or let us pray for him.

I realized, going to hell is not easy. You have to fight the love of God, survive the drawing of the Spirit, ignore the bible, resist many prayers, silence your conscience, deny powerful testimonies, block out conviction, and refuse a gospel of great mercy.

In light of God's great love, it takes a lot of work to be lost. Why do people fight? Surrender.