New Territories..

Saturday we began our first outdoor fundraiser...it was a beautiful day, full of sunshine, people and food! Our goal to raise money for the church, specifically for evangelism projects, was a success! Praise God

This weekend I received my first opportunity to preach to the Sunday morning congregation!! Thursday night I got a call asking me to preach on Sunday....I was completely nervous, but I'm learning to never refuse an offer to learn and grow. So I willfully accepted! I felt that God had already been preparing my heart to speak out against religion and to declare freedom for His people. I must admit that I did not spend that much time preparing, I felt a strong urgency to allow the Holy Spirit to lead and be in complete control. The title was 'Religion vs Relationship'

A short exert: Matthew 23- religion creates a heavy load and bondage, but a relationship with Jesus brings freedom. Religion is concerned with legalism, a relationship with Jesus is centered around the basics- love, kindness, commitment. Religion plays church, relationship creates an effective church. Religion cannot associate with sinner or be one, but Jesus came for, and died for sinners!....the list goes on. Jesus is reminding us that when He died, He gave us the right to run to Him and hear His voice for ourselves!

We also talked more in depth about having a relationship with Jesus. And challenged with these thoughts:

Could you wrap your arms around a stinky homeless that came to church Sunday morning?

What would be your attitude toward a prostitute who walked into your service?

Could you rejoice over a person high on drugs coming to church?

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It's time we stop devaluing the price Jesus paid on the cross! We are forgiven and free, so we must stop judging others and holding their sin against them.

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It was an awesome time with Holy Ghost FIRE!!!!

I found out after the service that a guy who came for the first time, asked Pastor, during tithe and offering time, if that was the pulpit he preached from and asked to see it. Seconds later he made his way to the front and began laying hands on the pulpit and saying a chant and cursing it. When Pastor realized what was happening, he grabbed the man's hand and subtly escorted him out and asked him to leave, after asking him a few questions..... Don't you love spiritual warfare!!!

This week my friend Christy is in town! She and her husband are 6 months pregnant! But tonight I will be teaching the youth!

Later!