Fruit of the Vine

Missionary Training at the Lay Institute for Evangelism better known as L.I.F.E 04/26-29

2010-06-28T19:51:00.000-04:00

PTH Ministries was very blessed to come to the Lay Institute for Evangelism better known as L.I.F.E in Lady Lake, Florida for an intense training on the topic of Law & Grace, Faith & Works, and Righteousness by Faith.

The Director, Associate Director and Assistant Administrator for L.I.F.E is Scott Moore, Phillip Sizemore & Eleida Feliciano.

I had the opportunity to meet this dynamic team at the Florida Youth Initiative in Apopka, Florida in June of 2009. We had almost immediate synergy as we discussed the work to be done in these last days and how to go about doing it. It was a blessing for me to discover that they had an Institute for training Lay leaders in God's Remnant Church.

We are told in inspriration: "A well-balanced work can be carried on best when a training school for Bible workers is in progress. While the public meetings are being held, connected with this training school or city mission should be experienced laborers of deep spiritual understanding, [BEGIN P.20] who can give the Bible workers daily instruction, and who can also unite wholeheartedly in the general public effort being put forth. And as men and women are converted to the truth, those standing at the head of the city mission should, with much prayer, show these new converts how to experience the power of the truth in their lives. This united effort on the part of all the workers would be as a nail driven in a sure place.--Testimonies, Vol. 9, p. 111, 112.

We need far more of these types of City Missions/Training Schools in every city in America.

I had the privilege of meeting many precious souls from various walks of life as we came together for our topic of Law and Grace, Faith and Works, & Righteousness by Faith. Our chief text book for study next to the Bible was the book Faith and Works by Ellen G. White. This is an excellent source for understanding topics like Law and Grace, Justification & Sanctification by Faith.

For this course we had about 13 students. They were very eager to study and you could see that they had a passion for the Truth as it is in Jesus. We started our first topic with the theme of the Bible which we saw from scripture was to get our clothes back on. In other words have our nakedness covered with the Righteousness of Christ. Everything we studied was in the Light of the Three Angel's Messages and understanding why this topic was so vital to us as God's people.

We are told what the 3rd Angel's Message is in verity: "Several have written to me, inquiring if the message of justification by faith is the third angel’s message, and I have answered, "It is the third angel’s message in verity."-- Review and Herald, April 1, 1890.

You see, the 3rd Angel's Message concludes with the statement in Revelation 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints, here are they that keep the Commandments of God and the Faith of Jesus. Psalm 119:172 states that all of God's Commandments are Righteousness. Therefore, those who are experienceing the 3rd Angel's Message are experiencing Righteousness by Faith, Faith and Works, and they understand Law and Grace.

There were many times that the students were in deep thought as they considered several points throughout the class. They showed themselves good Bereans (Acts 17:11) as well, considering they made sure everything that was stated came from Thus Saith the Lord.

We also dealt with some of the strongest arguments on why people think that Law and Grace are seperate yea even enemies. We investigated the chief text used to say why we no longer need the law because we are under grace which is Romans 6:14. We saw that being "under the law" did not mean that we were free from having to keep it but that it meant we were guilty for breaking it Romans 3:19, and God's grace which is power to keep His Law Titus 2:11-13, granted us pardon and an opportunity to establish or obey God's Law. Romans 3:31

It was an assignment of the students to explain what Paul was saying in Romans 6:14 and what he was not saying and why according to the scriptures. It was imperative that we made sure we understood what we believe from the Bible and not our own opinions. The students told me this was there greatest struggle.

One of the reasons I pressed upon the class that we must explain our beliefs from the Bible rather than our favorite preachers and teachers or our own opinions is because of a very solemn statement from the pen of inspiration. It says:

"I have been shown that many who profess to have a knowledge of present truth know not what they believe. They do not understand the evidences of their faith. They have no just appreciation of the work for the present time. When the time of trial shall come, there are men now preaching to others who will find, upon examining the positions they hold, that there are many things for which they can give no satisfactory reason. Until thus tested they knew not their great ignorance. And there are many in the church who take it for granted that they understand what they believe; but, until controversy arises, they do not know their own weakness. When separated from those of like faith and compelled to stand singly and alone to explain their belief, they will be surprised to see how confused are their ideas of what they had accepted as truth." {5T 707.2}

This was a very interesting class, these Missionaries wanted more and still more, there were times when class was over for the day and sometimes the students would stay back for another hour as we would dicsuss other topics such as the Sanctuary, specifics about the Three Angel's Messages, the Mark of the Beast and the close of Probation. These truly hungered and thirsted after Righteousness and I believe on many points they were filled. Praise God!!!

There was one couple who had been part of the church for over 40 years and said there were many things they learned in that week that they have never heard before. Their precious souls were revived and by God's grace and power Reformed.

Well the time came for testing the Missionaries. This was a very important time for the class. We are told:

Every teacher should see to it that his work tends to definite results. Before attempting to teach a subject, he should have a distinct plan in mind, and should know [BEGIN P.234] just what he desires to accomplish. He should not rest satisfied with the presentation of any subject until the student understands the principle involved, perceives its truth, and is able to state clearly what he has learned. {Ed 233.4}

This statement has helped me as a Teacher and Preacher of God's Word and Principles.

The students were earnest as they were taking there test. They had to define what is Law, what is grace, & how do they work together. They had to explain what is Righteousness by Faith, the difference between fatih and feeling and many other questions that required focus and concentration considering that every answer had to come from the Bible.

As I prepare to close this good report, there is one man that stood out in a very special way in the class. His name is Pastor Hardy. Now you might be thinking why would a Pastor be in a Lay Institute for Evangelism to learn about how to do the work. Well Pastor Hardy is not a Pastor in the Seventh Day Adventist Church, he was a Pastor and overseer of at least 12 churches in the US and other countries as well. He holds 2 Doctorate degrees in Religion and Theology and has been in Ministry in the Sunday church for over 30 years.

The humility and teachable spirit that this man possesed shows clearly that there are many in the fallen churches that constitutes Babylon that are hearing the voice of God saying come out of her My People!!!!

He shared with me how his wife was at great variance with the message and threatened to leave him and he still could not turn his back on the Truth. It was through Pastor Sizemore that Pastor Hardy was reached and as far as he's concerned there is no turning back. He told me that he will bring this message back to the many churches he was once the overseer of. Praise God for the Missionary Spirit that has taken possession of this precious soul.

We are told: "Notwithstanding the widespread declension of faith and piety, there are true followers of Christ in these churches. Before the final visitation of God’s judgments upon the earth there will be among the people of the Lord such a revival of primitive godliness as has not been witnessed since apostolic times. The Spirit and power of God will be poured out upon His children. At that time many will separate themselves from those churches in which the love of this world has supplanted love for God and His word. Many, both of ministers and people, will gladly accept those great truths which God has caused to be proclaimed at this time to prepare a people for the Lord’s second coming." {GC pg.464} Through Pastor Hardy, I believe we are getting an advance picture of this great day.

It was a great joy to serve at the Lay Institute for Evangelism and meet these precious Brethren.

Scott Moore sent an e-mail testimony of the work being done at L.I.F.E, I will leave you all with this and encourage to stay faithful in the calling God has placed upon your lives.

Truly, Maranatha

Dwayne,

We truly enjoyed your presence here at Lay Institute For Evangelism (LIFE) in Lady Lake, FL. Our students are still talking about the classes that you were able to teach while you were here this past April. I truly know that your time here was profitable for our students because you are one of the two teachers that they asked to teach them on their afternoon break times. Brian Locke also preached a sermon for a morning devotional that focused on the class that you taught.

Thank you again for helping us here at LIFE to reach a generation of young people that may very well be the ones who usher in the second coming of Jesus.

We are looking forward to your time here with us this coming Fall.

Allow me to recommend you and your ministry to others who want and are hungering for a spiritual blessing based solely on the written Word.

God Bless,

Week of Prayer at M.E.E.T Ministries, Huntingdon TN April19th-24th

2010-05-18T16:49:00.000-04:00

We were privileged to join with the Missionary Education Evangelistic Training Ministry better known as M.E.E.T Ministries.

A Wonderful facility that teaches individuals from all over the world how they can take Hold of the Great Gospel Commission found in Matthew 28:18-20

The Directors of M.E.E.T Ministries are Drs.. Thomas and Laverne Jackson.

We were invited to do a Week of Prayer in the evening as well as training with the Missionaries in the morning and afternoon. It was most refreshing to see so many young men and women as well as several adults from different parts of the globe coming together responding to the call of the Holy Spirit to become God’s Medical Missionary Gospel Evangelists for these last days.

We are told:

"We have come to a time when every member of the church should take hold of medical missionary work." 7T pg.62

In the midst of seeing this quotation taking place, what was a great joy of working with the Brethren at M.E.E.T Ministry is that there is a very DELIBERATE effort to keep the 3rd Angels Message of Revelation 14:9-12 connected to the Health Work.

We are given a solemn warning about keeping the two works together:

"The health reform is as closely related to the third angel’s message as the arm to the body; but the arm cannot take the place of the body. The proclamation of the third angel’s message, the commandments of God and the testimony of Jesus, is the burden of our work. The message is to be proclaimed with a loud cry, and is to go to the whole world. The presentation of health principles must be united with this message, but must not in any case be independent of it, or in any way take the place of it." {CD 75.1}

"Prosecute this work with tact and ability. Set to work the young men and the young women in our churches. Combine the medical missionary work with the proclamation of the third angel’s message. Make regular, organized effort to lift the churches out of the dead level into which they have fallen and have remained for years. Send into the churches workers who will set the principles of health reform in their connection with the third angel’s message before every family and individual. Encourage all to take a part in work for their fellowmen, and see if the breath of life will not quickly return to these churches." {TM 415.2}

These statements cannot be ignored to those who are seeking to glorify God in this age. I am grateful that M.E.E.T Ministry has taken a clear stand on making sure these two works (Health Reform & the Proclamation of the Third Angel's Message) remains together and is presented in it's proper order.

We started our mornings off with a wonderful song service.

In the morning we studied the lives of a few Reformers in Christian History like John Huss, William Tyndale, and Jerome. We learned lessons of how we can maintain the “Spirit of Protestantism” in a time when most seem to follow after the pattern of papal authority or papal surrender.

Our afternoon study consisted of a topic called “God’s Call for Consecrated Workers”. Here, we were training the Missionaries on true consecration in comparison to false consecration.

Our evening sessions were called “Our Position, Our Work” which dealt with the responsibility of the Seventh Day Adventist while our High Priest (Jesus) is in the Most Holy place in the Heavenly Sanctuary. We are told:

"The subject of the sanctuary and the investigative judgment should be clearly understood by the people of God. All need a knowledge for themselves of the position and work of their great High Priest. Otherwise it will be impossible for them to exercise the faith which is essential at this time or to occupy the position which God designs them to fill.' {GC pg.488}

The subject of the sanctuary was the key which unlocked the mystery of the disappointment of 1844. It opened to view a complete system of truth, connected and harmonious, showing that God’s hand had directed the great advent movement and revealing present duty as it brought to light the position and work of His people. {GC pg.423}

We saw that there was only four things that constitutes the life of God’s people while the High Priest is in the Most Holy Place, Holy Convocation, Afflict Our Souls, Offer an Offering made by Fire, & Do No Work.We showed how we can experience this practically, as we studied what these things mean in their Anti-Type.

The students were very attentive and eager for truth. We would rise early in the morning for Manna and then begin our worship and continue throughout the day.

The scriptures promise us that “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after Righteousness, for they shall be filled” Matthew 5:6 Of such men and women, I believe this class had.

My family and I were privileged to sit in some of the classes with the students and hear Dr. Jackson lecture on the True and False Sciences of Medical Missionary Work. It was POWERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He shared a quote with us that was most startling and truly made you observe Medical Missionary Gospel Work more closely. It stated:

"The word of God is our only foundation. Every semblance of error will come upon us. Some of these errors will be very specious and attractive, but if received, they would remove the pillars of the foundation that Christ has established and set up a structure of man’s building.

You know that Satan will come in to deceive if possible the very elect. He claims to be Christ, and he is coming in, pretending to be the great medical missionary." {MM pg.87}}

We are told:

There are many ways of practicing the healing art; but there is only one way that Heaven approves. God’s remedies are the simple agencies of nature, that will not tax or debilitate the system through their powerful properties. {CD pg. 301}

There are many today who claim to be doing a work in Medical Missionary lines, yet they are using eastern religious practices such as: Iridology (Ascertaining disease by looking through the eyes, Reflexology (ascertaining disease through the feet) Acupuncture and several other modalities that Heaven has not nor will not ordain.

We realized that sometimes people practice these modalities because they say “It Works”. Yet we saw that this same deceptive power will be manifest in the closing hours of earth’s history for the purpose of “leading” men and women to follow the beast and his image and at least receive it’s Mark and suffer the wrath of God. Revelation 13:13-18/ 14:9 & 10.

We are told in the Book Great Controversy pg.589:

“Through spiritualism, Satan appears as a benefactor of the race, healing the diseases of the people, and professing to present a new and more exalted system of religious faith; but at the same time he works as a destroyer. His temptations are leading multitudes to ruin.”

This very work is being accomplished through New Age, Buddhism, Eastern Religions etc.

It was a most powerful time we had worshipping with our Brothers and Sisters in Christ.

We were thankful to God that we were able to be a blesing as well as be very blessed during our stay.

I’m grateful to know that Jesus our Greatest example of a Medical Missionary, was one who had a threefold work that all Ministries should follow after His pattern. Jesus was a Preacher, Teacher, and Healer. Matthew 9:35 and it is when we unite these three phases of the work of the Gospel harmoniously, we shall see the works of Christ once again realized in a marked manner, and Jesus shall come. Matthew 24:14/Romans 1:16/Revelation 14:6-12

I would like to conclude this report with a powerful testimony one of the Health Guests shared with me. His name is Jim Waller. Be Blessed

"In April 2010 I participated in a 10-day body cleansing and nutrition program at M.E.E.T. Ministry's Health Lifestyle Center located in Huntingdon, Tennessee. It truly was a life-changing experience for me with blessings I believe will last for eternity. When I first began the health program I weighted 214 lbs. At the end of the first six days I weighted 197 lbs. When I first began the health program my blood sugar level was 238. At the end of the first six days my blood sugar level had dropped to 111 without medication.......praise God from whom all blessings flow. I truly praise God for his healing powers in my life, his healing of both body and mind. I also praise God for M.E.E.T. Ministry, brother and sister Jackson, and all the staff at M.E.E.T. Ministry for their ministry in bring healing to so many people through the power of the Holy Spirit".

Bro. Lemon, thank you for your inspiring messages night after night on the subject of "The Day of Atonement", Lev. 23:27&28. May God continue to bless you, your family and your ministry real good.

God Bless,

Elder Jim Waller (Ypsilanti SDA Church)

Maranatha SDA Church (Orlando, FL) March 21st to March 28th

2010-05-18T15:22:00.000-04:00

We are thankful to God for the work the Lord accomplished at

the Maranatha SDA Church in Orlando, Florida.

We were privileged to conduct a week of prayer where

we challenged the youth as well as the adults to take a

stand for the Lord in a very marked manner.

On our way to the meeting, we encountered a major obstacle. Our Honda Odyssey, which had less than 90,000 miles on it suddenly died on us while driving on the road. My wife and I saw smoke coming from the vehicle and were confused as to why something like this would have happened to the vehicle without any warning.

We were stuck on the High Springs Lake exit & it was drizzling off and on and we were stuck on the side of the road without shelter for over two hours. Even worse, our towing company said it was illegal for them to transport all of us, therefore, some of us would have to remain on the side of the road.

We clearly saw that it was time to pray. We committed our situation in the Lords hand and He mightily delivered. We suddenly received a call from the towing company, and they said they will send a flatbed truck that will transport the vehicle and get us to our destination. Praise the Lord!!!

As I sat with the man towing our vehicle we talked about the Lord and His soon coming. When we arrived to our destination, we were able to give God thanks for His mercy towards us and put a copy of “The Great Controversy” in his hand. He received it with a very open mind and assured me that he would read it.

We are told in Colporteur Ministry pg.84:

Golden opportunities occur almost daily where the silent messengers of truth might be introduced into families and to individuals; but no advantage is taken of these opportunities by the indolent, thoughtless ones. Living preachers are few. There is only one where there should be a hundred. Many are making a great mistake in not putting their talents to use in seeking to save the souls of their fellow men. {CM 84.1}

As we went through the week of prayer we clearly saw why the enemy of souls sought to stop us from making it there. Every night was filled with stirring messages of the times in which we are living and the need to become God's Consecrated people to prepare for the coming of the Lord.

We showed how God often worked through young people to prepare the church and the world for the coming crisis. The youth of the church were listening very intently.

We were also grateful that the youth were carefully following text by text as we went through the scriptures to see where we are in time and the need to surrender ourselves to Christ Jesus FULLY!!!!

It was refreshing to see children as young as 6 & 8 years old following along with a childlike yet heavenly interest in the Word of God. Praise the Lord indeed!!!!

We are told in Great Controversy that: In many places where the preachers of the Lord’s soon coming were thus silenced, God was pleased to send the message, in a miraculous manner, through little children. As they were under age, the law of the state could not restrain them, and they were permitted to speak unmolested. {GC 366.2}

The child-preachers themselves were mostly poor cottagers. Some of them were not more than six or eight years of age; and while their lives testified that they loved the Saviour, and were trying to live in obedience to God’s holy requirements, they ordinarily manifested only the intelligence and ability usually seen in children of that age. When standing before the people, [BEGIN P.367] however, it was evident that they were moved by an influence beyond their own natural gifts. Tone and manner changed, and with solemn power they gave the warning of the judgment, employing the very words of Scripture: "Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come." {{GC 366.3}

Praise God we are about to see history repeated!!!!!!!!!!

We were grateful that our son Jahred could be the special music many nights along with other youth of the church and the Lord truly blessed as all of His young people played consecrated music that prepared our minds for Heaven's entrance.

Night after night we made many appeals and God's people gave their hearts to the Lord afresh as well as some responded who never gave the hearts to the Lord as well. In fact there were at least 8 precious souls who made a decision for baptism at the conclusion of the week of prayer. The Lord mightily worked!!!!

One night we went deep into the "Snares of Satan" as it relates to our young people. We discussed the day to day habits of our youth and how it affects them as it relates to Biblical Reform. We showed that Revival is not true, sincere, and lasting if it does not work out reform in our daily lives.

We are told: "The future of society will be determined by the youth of today. Satan is making earnest, persevering efforts to corrupt the mind and debase the character of every young person; and shall we who have more experience stand as mere spectators, and see him accomplish his purpose without hindrance? Let us stand at our post as minute men, to work for these youth, and through the help of God hold them back from the pit of destruction. In the parable, while men slept, the enemy sowed tares; and while you, my brethren and sisters, are unconscious of his work, he is gathering an army of youth under his banner; and he exults, for through them he carries on his warfare against God. {FE 90.1}

While it is true that Satan is trying to develop an army of youth to join under his banner, we are told how to counter this work:

"With such an army of workers as our youth, rightly trained, might furnish, how soon the message of a crucified, risen, and soon-coming Saviour might be carried to the whole world! How soon might the end come--the end of suffering and sorrow and sin! How soon, in place of a possession here, with its blight of sin and pain, our children might receive their inheritance where "the righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein forever;" where "the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick," and "the voice of weeping shall be no more heard." Psalm 37:29; Isaiah 33:24; 65:19. {Ed 271.2}

We trust that such training took root in the hearts of God's young army at the Maranatha Church during this week of prayer.

We were very grateful for the oppotunity to work with God's people at the Maranatha SDA Church. They are a very unique church in their stance as leaders and laity upon the principles of Present Truth, Continue to pray for the Brothers and Sisters at this church as they finish the work in their local vineyard.

Ouachita Hills Academy and College (January 25th-30th)

2010-03-10T16:04:00.005-05:00

This was a very special privilege to speak at one of our SDA Schools. What made this experience so special is because of the deliberate and focused effort of this school environment to stick to the blueprint of God’s original design of True Education in a Seventh Day Adventist structure.

The teachers lived and led by example to the students in mannerism, deportment, dress, diet, and much more. The students were a group of individuals unlike any other I’ve ever seen in an SDA School setting. The degree of Christian piety and sincere desire to be like Jesus was truly refreshing.

Our series for the Week of Prayer was called "God’s call for Consecrated Workers". This title came through much prayer. We are told: “God calls for consecrated workers, who will be true to Him--humble men, who see the need of evangelistic work, and do not draw back, but do each day’s work faithfully, relying upon God for help and strength.”--Letter 43, 1905, p. 3.

As we went throughout the week, we clearly saw that the Lord ordained the title and emphasis for the week of prayer. There were many dynamics of the consecrated worker that our youth and adults were not aware of. There were many tears shed at these meetings and hearts turned over to the Lord afresh. This environment was different from other places I have been called to speak. These individuals were quite aware of Bible prophecy and end time events, the Sanctuary, the 3 Angel’s Messages, and many of the core doctrines of the Seventh Day Adventist Church.

However, there was a lack of peace and assurance of knowing that we are God’s and He is ours in the midst of the wave of final events. The Lord made it plain through His words of the Bible and the Spirit of Prophecy, that : “We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us, and His teaching in our past history.”--LS 196 (1902)

We saw from the Bible the Highest expression and Experience in the 3rd Angel’s Message which is “justification by faith”. Evangelism pg.190 says: Several have written to me, inquiring if the message of justification by faith is the third angel’s message, and I have answered, "It is the third angel’s message in verity."-- Review and Herald, April 1, 1890. {Ev 190.3}

We then saw the fruit of those who are justified by faith, which is “peace with God” Romans 5:1 The reality was very few of God’s people have peace with God, we are aware of truth, but void of its presence in our hearts. There are many who understand “present truth” but lack the “presence of the truth” in our lives, and have no peace which is a “fruit of the Spirit” …”of Truth”. Galatians 5:22 & John 16:13

We are told: “The religious life is not one of gloom and of sadness but of peace and joy coupled with Christlike dignity and holy solemnity. We are not encouraged by our Saviour to cherish doubts and fears and distressing forebodings; these bring no relief to the soul and should be rebuked rather than praised. We may have joy unspeakable and full of glory”. Ev. Pg.180

By the conclusion of the week of prayer, I believe we were Revived and Refreshed under the outpouring of God’s Spirit and knew that we are God’s and He is ours. Therefore we had peace. Please remember in your prayers this very special school as we remember our schools throughout North America.

The Beehive (February 12th & 13th)

2010-03-10T16:03:00.000-05:00

The Beehive is spear headed by Elder Rico Hill who is seeking to do his part to train God's people to evangelize using the beautiful evangelistic message God has given this church since her formation.

We were on the campus of Arizona State University where we were beginning a series of meetings on a 10 week challenge called “The Daniel Challenge”. PTH Ministries had the privilege to start off these meetings and we had an attendance of over 70 individuals our first night and some of them were the campus students amongst other visitors.

The Lord truly blessed as we saw that the challenge that Daniel faced in a foreign land (Babylon) was not just his challenge then but our challenge NOW!!!! "The history of Daniel is placed upon record for our benefit. He chose to take a course that would make him singular in the king’s court. He did not conform to the habits of the courtiers in eating and drinking, but purposed in his heart that he would not eat of the king’s meat nor drink of his wines. This was not a hastily formed, wavering purpose, but one that was intelligently formed and resolutely carried out. Daniel honored God; and the promise was fulfilled to him. "Them that honor Me I will honor." 1 Samuel 2:30" CH pg.50.

Though we are living in this world, we are looking for “a better country, that is, an heavenly”…”whose builder and maker is God” Hebrews 11:16, 10

Nevertheless, while we are here in this sinful world Satan’s tactics have not changed and we saw as Satan used the test of appetite to “unfit” Daniel to stand through his crisis, so he is now doing the same thing and seeking to make us unfit to prepare for the final crisis of Revelation 13 by causing us to indulge in appetite.

There was one man named Carl who touched me in a very special way. He was apparently a backslidden Seventh Day Adventist, and he said his niece dragged him out to the meeting. He said after he heard God speak so clearly through His Word, he was determined not to miss the following nights meeting to get more.

What’s so powerful, is that he said he was planning to go to a poker game tomorrow night but now the Lord has impressed him to come to the meetings, and he came!!!!! He was determined to once again stand with the Remnant and let God’s light shine within him. Praise God for Revival and Reformation!!!!!

There are currently over 15 students who have officially signed up for the Daniel Challenge. Please keep this missionary effort in your prayers.

New Life Baptist Church (January 13th,14th,20th,21st, & 25th)

2010-03-10T16:02:00.000-05:00

I was very thankful to work with our Brothers and Sisters at the New Life Baptist Church. They invited us to come and teach their congregation on the topic of Health and Temperance and we gladly accepted the invitation.

My mind was taken back to a time when Ellen White was requested to speak at a Methodist Church on the very same topic, she says: On Sunday, June 23, 1878, I spoke in the Methodist Church of Salem, Oregon, on the subject of temperance. The attendance was unusually good, and I had freedom in treating this, my favorite subject. I was requested to speak again in the same place on the Sunday following the camp meeting, but was prevented by hoarseness. On the next Tuesday evening, however, I again spoke in this church. Many invitations were tendered me to speak on temperance in various cities and towns of Oregon..... (4T 290-291) {LLM 237.3}

We were able to explain the correlation between disease and the violation of God’s laws both spiritual and physical. We began to show how most diseases today such as High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Arthritis, etc. are directly related to lifestyle.

As we showed through the Bible and the latest from Medical Science the road to restoration, the people were amazed and made a decision step it up as it relates to their Lifestyle habits and the need to make serious changes.

We put together Lifestyle programs for everyone and gave one on one consultations that helped individuals with specific issues in their lifestyle practices. Last year we did these same presentations with New Life and we saw many individuals with High Blood Pressure, Diabetes and Obesity come into the meetings with these problems but leave without them!!!!

We finished our meetings off with a healthy vegetarian quisine cooking class. The people were able to truly taste and see that the Lord is good, not just spiritually, but physically as well.

One of the greatest statements that the participants said about the meetings, was that they did not know how much what they eat and how they live can affect their spiritual being and vice versa. We were especially pleased to hear that as our goal is not to help sick sinners, become healthy vibrant sinners. Heaven forbid!!!!

Our desire is that individuals will see a greater need for Jesus in their lives, enter into a true experience of Righteousness by Faith, get ready for the coming of the Lord and see how our diet and lifestyle plays a role in making this experience a reality. Our working with Pastor Harris, the staff and members of the New Life Baptist Church, has allowed PTH Ministries to begin this wonderful process.

Bible Boot Camp ( January 22nd & 23rd, 2010)

2010-03-10T16:01:00.000-05:00

The Lord allowed the year to start off in a wonderful way, as we had a Bible Boot Camp in Atlanta GA. We were going to rent out a facility and register students to come for these intense studies. However, God clearly had different plans. We had about 40 registrants, but we ran into some complications with the facility and had to end up doing the meetings in one of our churches in Duluth GA.

The first blessing we saw, was that instead of 40 people to work with over the weekend, we ended up having over 250!!!! The Holy Spirit sent hungry souls out to the meetings session after session.

God did something wonderful during the Divine Hour meeting. As the Lord impressed point after point on how to properly study the Bible. The Spirit of God began to strongly impress the point about Jesus and His character being the focal point of searching the scriptures and allowing that character to be perfectly reproduced in us. I was not completely sure why the Lord was impressing me more than usual on this point until the appeal was made.

As I asked if there was anyone who has never given their lives to Jesus and accept His message of truth for this time to stand and accept Him and His message today. We were so grateful to see over 15 precious souls surrender their hearts to Jesus Christ. One of which was a Roman Catholic. It was a most moving demonstration of the Spirit of God breaking down the shackles of imprisonment to Satan’s snares. To God be the Glory!!!!!

In the evening, we allowed the individuals to demonstrate what they have learned from the sessions by putting their knowledge and tools to work. We did this because we are told in the book Education: “Every teacher should see to it that his work tends to definite results. Before attempting to teach a subject, he should have a distinct plan in mind, and should know [BEGIN P.234] just what he desires to accomplish. He should not rest satisfied with the presentation of any subject until the student understands the principle involved, perceives its truth, and is able to state clearly what he has learned. {Ed 233.4}”

It was such a blessing to watch God’s people come together for intense study and explain difficult Bible texts by simply using the method the Holy Spirit teaches us to use in rightly dividing the word of truth. It was a powerful weekend.

This people left with a sense of empowerment. We were thankful that such a mssion was accomplished.

Praise ye the Lord!!!!!!!!

Lincoln Heights SDA (February 26th-28th)

2010-03-09T22:28:00.002-05:00

It was a pleasure being in Southern California as the last time I was in this side of the world, I was dancing for the Devil. Now I was here to lift up the Risen Savior.

We had a powerful weekend as we looked at the "Only Message that could bring Change" which was the practical understanding as well as application of the Three Angel's Messages. We were so thankful to see many individuals who rededicated their life to the Lord and were determined to live the "experience" of the Three Angel's Messages.

We were especially grateful to God to see nearly 20 precious souls surrender their hearts to Jesus and accept His end time Gospel Message for the 1st time at the Divine Hour Service. The Lord is truly gathering His saints for the heavenly garner. Some times we cannot see how the Lord can use us to brings souls to Him and His cause, but we are reminded that is is not us but Christ in us who does the work. Phillipians 2:13 Notice this quote: "The Lord will work with power, as we strive to do our part faithfully, He will cause ______ to hear the message of present truth. Cooperate with Him in bringing this about, my brother, my sister, and He will help you, strengthen you, and encourage your hearts through the salvation of many precious souls". Ms 59, 1908, p. 15.

Truly, my wife and I are amazed that God can use sinners like us to draw others to Him. Truly we say, to God be the Glory.

On Sunday, we were able to conduct an emphasis on Medical Missionary Work and the 3rd Angel's Messages being the means to take a dead church, and bring it back to life. Our quote for this was found in Testimonies to Ministers and Gospel Workers pg. 415: "To my ministering brethren I would say, Prosecute [BEGIN P.416] this work with tact and ability. Set to work the young men and the young women in our churches. Combine the medical missionary work with the proclamation of the third angel’s message. Make regular, organized effort to lift the churches out of the dead level into which they have fallen and have remained for years. Send into the churches workers who will set the principles of health reform in their connection with the third angel’s message before every family and individual. Encourage all to take a part in work for their fellowmen, and see if the breath of life will not quickly return to these churches". {TM 415.2}

We then completed the message with a cooking class, wherein the people were able to understand disease, it's causes, and how God gave us food for our medecine. Based on the pictures the brethren were encouraged and were able to "taste" and see that the Lord is God, not just Spiritually, but Physically as well. To God be the Glory.