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This year of 2015 is going to be an exciting year. We are expecting great things from the mighty God we serve. As it is written: "Eyes have not seen, nor ears heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him."
THIS IS MAXINE'S STORY
For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be the glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen!
After several years in the business world, we made the decision to close the store. When God sent us to minister in the market place, He told us that He was going to give us the gate of the city. We saw customers from all walks of life, different cultures and nationalities, social status and from young to old. We ministered to people of different faith, believers, unbelievers, atheists, backsliders, highly educated non educated, big and small, tall and short.
I remembered a dear 80 year old woman who came to the store to have her sewing machine repaired for a project she needed to finish for her granddaughter.
This is her story, her name is Maxine.
She presented the problem she was having with her sewing machine. I mentioned that the gears were close to being worn out and that I didn't think they would last very long. I finished repairing her machine and she came back to pick it up. Several months later I got a call from Maxine saying her machine wasn't functioning. I sensed that the gears had finally broke. She was very concerned because she lived on a fixed low income and didn't have the money to purchase a new machine. I told her that I had a sewing machine about 15 years newer that I could give to her at no cost and that my wife Carol would deliver to her. Of course, she was very happy to hear the good news.
Carol delivered her the sewing machine and showed her how to operate it. Maxine shared that she was loosing her sight so Carol offered to help. I believe the gesture of Carol was God's love flowing thru her to melt Maxine's heart. Maxine shared that she had pancreas cancer and that she was only given a couples of months to live.
Carol asked her if she knew the Christmas story. It was early summer, Maxine replied that she didn't. I wondered how in the world anyone living in America has not heard nor understood the Christmas story. Carol asked her if she wanted to hear it. Maxine replied, yes with a quivering voice. One hour later Maxine gave her heart to Christ. Carol offered to come every Tuesday night to read the bible to her. She asked her if she wanted Oscar to come and pray for her on Thursday evening. Maxine gladly accepted. She felt truly loved for the first time. Carol and I went to her home Thursday night and as we were in her living room Maxine began to share her heart.
You see! Maxine was brought up in a home where her mom became a Christian. But her father was not a Christian. She has 4 siblings. Her mother was passionate for the Lord but her husband despised her and left her to raise the kids by herself. Her mother wrote a lot of beautiful hymns for the church. However, all the kids despised their mother blaming her for the break up of the marriage and the family, ultimately rejecting Jesus also. All of her siblings left home at an early age. She left home when she was 16. Maxine was so bitter that she did not speak to her mother again. She didn't even go to her mother's funeral. She hardened her heart for over forty years. Before leaving for school her mother would lay hands on each of her children and pray.
As she continued to share she began to weep and agonize before God, we led her to a prayer of repentance; Maxine, cried out loud,:"Forgive me mother for what I have done. She asked God to forgive her as Jesus set her free and delivered her from years of resentment and bitterness. Carol and I held her in our arms to assure her of God's love and forgiveness of her sins and that she would see her mom again in eternity.
God extended her life beyond the two month prediction of the doctors. Her conversion radically changed her. She shared with her daughters and grandson and granddaughters what the Lord had done for her. They too got saved and gave their lives to Christ Jesus. Passing the flame and the torch of Maxine mother's prayers to the next generation. Six months later she went home to be with the Lord. For Carol and I meeting Maxine was a divine appointment of God's purpose of expanding His kingdom in the heart of man. We will see Maxine again!
What is it that you have in your hands? To manifest the power of God's love upon this generation. For us, it was a sewing machine. For Moses it was the rod, then his leperous hand. What is it that you have in your hands? God used a donkey to communicate His message even when we can not hear Him nor see Him. God uses simple people like you and me to share His love to the dying world without hope. God wants to use you!
I encourage you to rise up from your comfort zone as God gives you a divine appointment to share the gospel of love in the highways and the byways, and to never give up praying for your loved ones even when you may not see any evidence coming to pass within your lifetime. As the prophet Isaiah spoke, "My word will not return void". Maxine's mother's faith, prayers and legacy were answered after 40 years even after she passed. God will assign His servants to carry on the fulfillment of your prayers.
"But those who love God, will be like the Sun when it comes out in full strength." It is indeed my desire for you to shine like the sun, and catch the Fire of God to purify your soul and to shine your light wherever you go.
May the Lord shine His Face upon you as you shine within my heart!
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WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING!
"For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me" Matthew 25:36
In 2007 as I found favor in the eyes of the Lord. God opened the doors to ministry on a regular basis at one of the largest prison in the State of Washington in the city of Monroe. God's amazing love is being pour out upon the inmates. The response has being overwhelmed. Seeing them being saved, restored and reconciled. The gospel of love has been proclaimed; His kingdom being expanded in their hearts. Only 3% of the inmates get any visitors. God is moving mighty in their midst as they go forth to share with the other inmates to shine their light and hope. Pray for us as we continue declaring God's word.
WHAT ELSE IS COMING!
VENEZUELA A NATION IN CRISIS!!
I will be going to be on a mission trip to Venezuela. To carry out a project, "APASIONADOS POR JESUS! (PASSIONATE FOR JESUS) FROM SEPTEMBER 30 THRU NOVEMBER 15. Keep me in your prayers as I go forth to proclaim the gospel of love. I am going to a nation polarized by ideologies and philosophies. A nation in great distress. A nation in a threat of war. for more details check this out! VENEZUELA 4 CHRIST!
COMING UP!
WE ARE PLANTING A HISPANIC CHURCH "APASIONADOS POR JESUS" IN THE CITY OF MONROE, WASHINGTON. PLANNING & DEVELOPING AN OUTREACH TO THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY ARE ON THE WAY. MORE DETAIL LATER. SPANISH SPEAKING SERVICE.
ESTAMOS PLANTANDO UNA IGLESIA HISPANA "APASIONADOS POR JESUS" EN LA CIUDAD DE MONROE, WASHINGTON. LA PLANIFICACION Y DESARROLLO ESTAN EN CAMINO. MAS DETALLES MAS TARDE.
425.405.5041
In this newsletter I am featuring a message title,
"Guess who is the number 1 killer in the world today?
I Hope to be a challenge and to encourage you to share it.
I will keep you informed of the mission trip to Venezuela!
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