Sanctuary

This morning we had service. Currently we have service in the upper room, LOL, of our home. We can seat about 20 there for now. We opened with scripture reading from Psalm 18 and went before the Lord in prayer. Afterwards we went into song service where we winged through a couple of choruses. Following song service we entered into the message. I am not one for having a Father's Day message or a Mother's Day message, a sermon on freedom for the 4th of July, or a be thankful message near Thanksgiving but this week I was praying, meditating, and just looking to God for inspiration. I knew Father's Day was today. Also I knew that the children and Wendy had purchased gifts for me and that they were dieing to give them to me. They were excited about honoring me. I was reflecting on God, my Father, and asked Him how I might honor Him. He pointed me towards the passage of Scripture in Luke 15 verse 11 about the prodical son. He also took me back to a time where I was on fire for him.

In 2003 I was a youth pastor and sold out to God as we say. Daily I read, studied, and meditated upon God's Word. I was alive and excited about prayer and communication with God. I was appointed youth director/pastor having no youths besides my wife and I. We immediately went to work to grow the work to the glory of the Lord. God blessed and in no time we had 22 youth in a church where previously I was the youngest member. This was in a church where there were less than 10 total members and all but 3 were of retirement age. We saw souls saved, healings including my oldest son who was suffering from epileptic seizures, youth baptized, workings of the Spirit, people join the church, etc. I was a counsellor in camp where we had a family of kids who I suppose had a hard time in life. One child in particular refused to open up. his younger brothers were active at camp, friendly, and loving. They had a great time but this one child was obviously bound. The lord impressed me to be a blessing to Him in a specific way. I did. The young child began to open up and one night in service he yielded to the Spirit and was set free. We wrestled with the enemy in the altar that evening but God prevailed. He was changed immediately. After that night he was a new child. The testimony of his mother and pastor was that he was alive for God.

I say these things to make a point and by no means boast of myself. During this time period I witnessed the Lord do many mighty things in my ministry. He exercised great discernment at times through me. He gave me wisdom that I had never had. The anointing of the Lord was overwhelming at times but wonderful. Our services were powerpacked. God used me to interpret a message in tongues one Sunday morn. This was new for me. One Sunday evening the Lord prophesied through me of a demonic atttack that would take place in our local church. I will never forget that service.

A few months down the road the enemy came in like a flood. The lord lifted up a standard in accordance to His Word but we humans failed. The flesh rose up, the enemy sought whom he may devour, strife, division, and discord ensued. My family was personally attacked by evil and caused physical, mental, and emotional trauma. People took sides, drew lines, and refused to let God be true and all men liars. I was disfellowshipped for pointing out Satan. My wife was charged also. I was totally betrayed. I could not get out of bed for three days. it was the worst thing that has ever happened to us. With all that had already happened and then our church family turning a blind eye and their backs on us.

well God showed me this week that instead of placing the blame squarely on the enemy and human flesh I blamed Him and forsook Him for a short while. God was not scolding me. He was not prodding me. He was helping me to honor Him. I did give up on God. I backslid! I was a horrible person to be around. At times I considered physical retribution upon those that hurt my family. I was hetful, bitter, angry, and sinful. Thank the Lord I was delivered from that in an old fashioned service where the pastor of an independant church had no problem preaching about conviction, the Lord's mercy , and the eternal destination of sinners. I ran to an altar to repent and beg God for mercy. he delivered me, sanctified me, and filled me with His Spirit again.

We were still hurt and we began to have services in our home. We were forbidden to come back to the local church by the deacon. It was for the best anyhow. God revived us and shortly after we moved to NC and pastored a new church work. It was in NC that we grew and matured greatly in the Lord. I will never despise our going there. I will always cherish it as a work of God. We obeyed our conscience, came back to TN, and sought God for the next move.

Well since then we have waited upon the Lord. He inspired us to open this new work called Sanctuary. Of course the enemy will kick and scream but God has a plan. My job has hindered me from my family and from digging in spiritually. The Lord delivered me from my old job this week, supplied me with one that will work well with family and church, and showed me how to honor Him. I have to get back into His Word daily. I must read, study, and meditate like before. I need to get to know jesus again and more. As I was preaching on this there was a knock at our door. It was Brother Rosario and a friend of his. I haven't seen him since May 2004 just before I moved to NC. I have looked him up but he has never been home when I stopped by. He joined us in our service and said he would be back Wednesday and that he would bring more people. The Lord is so good. Thus far Father's Day has been wonderful. God's spirit was among us, we wept, we prayed, we worshipped, and we relished.