John 5
³⁹ You study^[c] the Scriptures diligently because you think that in them you have eternal life. These are the very Scriptures that testify about me, ⁴⁰ yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

Pray that as we hear and study the Scripture that Jesus will be revealed. His hope, His grace, and His joy will manifest. Some can sit through sermons and study the Bible and like Jesus says in these passages miss the whole thing.  But I am praying that this weekend will be filled with Jesus at the Pilgrim Church Retreat.  Pray for me!!! Thanks.

Pray that Danie and I will have a great time in the Lord. I am so blessed that my kids actually like my messages. But more than like may Jesus transform my son to be passionate for Christ.  Amen!!!

Thoughts:
² He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

I want to see more miracles happening at GCC.  As I have mentioned the greatest miracle is a changed life in Christ.  If that is all I saw at GCC I would be satisfied but I also am praying that God will release more prophecy, healing, and manifestation of the Holy Spirit on GCC.

 ³ Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.^[a]”

I am a born again Christian. I remember describing myself this way after I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior.  I remember reading this passage and it made sense. I was once born physically through my mom but something happened to me at this Youth Retreat my sophomore year in High School.  I encountered Jesus and life has not been the same ever since.  Are you born again? Does this make sense to you? Has your life changed because of Jesus?

²⁷ To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. ²⁸ You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ ²⁹ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. ³⁰ He must become greater; I must become less.”

I have always been inspired by John. Lord I am praying for more anointing from heaven.  I can only do what you have given me from heaven.  Jesus…I ask for more…so more lives can be changed in Christ.  Teach me how to die so you can live powerfully in me!

Prayer request:
The Staff is on a fasting retreat.  We are having a great time other than that we are hungry. We are having a great time studying the gospel of John and praying.  Pray for us that God will minister deeply to our hearts. I thank God that I am serving with men that love Jesus and want to be on fire for Him!!! Thank you Jesus.

I will be going to a retreat for Pilgrim Church in NJ ( Jan. 5-8).  Pray that God will use me as his mouth piece.  Pray that I will be a blessing to this congregation.  I am also taking Daniel with me to have some father/son time. Pray the Lord us this weekend to make our bond stronger in the Lord.

John 2:24
Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all men

Thoughts:
It says that people were impressed by Jesus. They saw the miracles and believed in him. Things were happening. There was a great stir.

But Jesus kept calm  about the whole situation. Why did he not ride the momentum? Why was he not excited? Instead it says he did not entrust himself to them.

People are fickle. They are moody. Many times we will fail each other. It is not that we don’t care but we are sinners and we live in a fallen world.

I trust people but not the way I trust my Jesus.  Jesus is to be totally trusted.  He never fails.  He is my rock and my fortress.  One way of looking at it is love people a lot so you can trust them and forgive them when they fail. 

Prayer:
Lord let me trust you and may Your love flow through me to love people with confidence.

We are reading through the 21 Chapters of John through the first 21 days at GCC.  Join us!!! We will also be calling a week of fasting in mid-January. Join us.  Here are my thoughts on John 1.  These are the verses that stood out for me.  Here it goes….

John 1:5- The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has notunderstood[a] it.
John 1:10-He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, theworld did not recognize him.

John 1:11- He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.

I was struck by these three did not statements.  1. Darkness did not understand 2.  The world did not recognize him 3. His own did not receive him.

Did not understand
Did not recognize
Did not receive

This is terrible.  This is why the world is so far from Jesus. But I started to think as I read these verses over.  These verses describe me at times.  I am guilty of not understanding, not recognizing, and not receiving Jesus.  Of course I received him as my Savior but that humble attitude to keep receiving.

I live like I don’t understand Jesus.  I don’t acknowledge his presence that should give me greater accountability.  I don’t receive his rebuke and at times even his grace. I need to wake up as I head unto 2012.

This is my prayer:
Lord help me to understand you.    You are the light that shines in darkness. I want a deeper understanding of you in 2012. Lord help me to keep receiving your grace.  I want to receive your strength. I want to acknowledge your presence in every breath I take.  Amen.

The Turkey Soccer Bowl:
My brother came by for the weekend and some of the pastor’s families who were available got together for an intense soccer game.  P. Kirt and I went at it.  Isaiah and Nathan followed their dads.  It was fun and I found out P. Kirt is a very aggressive player in soccer. …not skilled but his aggressiveness helps… though he was bulling the little guys.

The Food:
It was simple but it was simply YUMMY!!!


The Ping Pong Tournament:
You should have been there!!!
The final was Uncle Jimmy vs. Isaiah. 21/19.  Here is the summary.
Isaiah beat Daniel, Daddy, P. Kirt and others to get to the finals.
Uncle Jimmy defeated P. Joe, Mei Lan (She was tough) and others to get to the final.

The Guesstures:
It was really fun. We laughed and the kids started to get a little delirious because it was getting late. I have some great videos of us but will not post it.  I can blackmail some people with these videos.


The worship and the fellowship:
   
Pastor Kirt was very excited about the fried turkey.

Please pray for me this weekend…I will be flying to California to do the ETC (college) Fall Retreat for Southland Church.  I just found out that it will be 25 degrees at the retreat centered. I cannot believe I am going to California to be cold.  It will be colder there than Philly.  But for Jesus this is my privilege.  Pray for me as I speak to at the college retreat and also for two services at Southland Sunday Service. 

We are getting ready for our annual Passion Revival.  Please pray with us!!! It is coming soon!!!

Thank You for Serving!!! It has been a an exciting season at GCC.  I just wanted to say thank you for many kingdom workers serving Jesus in GCC.  I am praying the Lord is strengthening you and filling you with His joy!!!

We have been running 4 services each Sunday.  Personally, I feel that all of them are going well.  There are so many who are giving and sacrificing so these services can be available.  You are being used by God to bless people in Christ.  Thank you!!! 

We just finished the Men and Women’s retreat.  Both went very well!!! Praise God!!!  Again there were so many who contributed to make these retreats a success.  Thank you.  It is great to work with people who love serving our Lord together.

It has been an exciting start at GCC.  All four services are going well.  We are up in numbers and excitement. God is being very gracious to us.  Let’s keep praying and let’s pray for this weekend as the GCC women go on a retreat. Pray for the move of the Holy Spirit.

I just finished the first night at The Remnant Presbyterian Church college retreat.  They are known as Remnant Student Disciples (RSD).