Pastor John,

The other day I was reading about Cornelius in Acts, when Peter went to Cornelius, and his household was filled with the holy Ghost.  The next morning I woke up still thinking about that.  I was reading about the Centurions, the Roman soldiers, and was thinking about what kind of men they must have been.  From what I understand, they had no regard for God or the Law of Moses.  None of this was a part of their life; they thought they had no need for such stories and no need for the one true God.  Then I thought about the centurion that asked Jesus to heal his servant and how Jesus said he had not seen faith like that in all Israel.  These thoughts kept rolling in my head and heart about who exactly these people were.

When I got in my car to go to work yesterday, one of Darren’s songs was playing and a line was, “You don’t know who you are until you know who you are not” (not sure if exact words), but then Jesus let me see the story of Cornelius and the other centurion differently.  My heart almost burst with thankfulness.  The mercy God had on us Gentiles was almost too big for this heart to take in.

As I was driving I kept thanking Jesus, and I heard this: “Until you understand who you are, you cannot understand what I have done for you.”  It was a very humbling experience. 

Michelle

Bro John, 

It seems to be in the nature of a person, before God changes us, to easily discount or disregard the love and blessings that come from our closest family, first.

We start as children, often honoring the desires of our friends first, while resisting the wishes and, often, the blessings of our parents that love us. We will do that with our spouses too, unless Jesus saves us from it.  I loved so much tonight that Julie P. was able to acknowledge the blessing that God sent her through her husband.

I thank Jesus for that – it is so good!

It makes me consider my own home and spouse, to double check myself to make sure I am hearing Jesus in those who are closest to me.  He is always speaking 🙂

So good.

Jerry

Pastor John, 

Sitting in your office this evening, listening to the “committee” translate Psalm 77, I heard you say something that I do not recall ever hearing said before.  It was this: “David’s “mighty men” were not mighty because of their strength; it was because of the faith they had.”  When you said that, it immediately took me back to something that the Spirit of the Lord said to me during one of our prayer meetings, many years ago.

It was a dozen years ago, plus or minus, and I was visiting here (North Carolina) from Louisville.  We were having a fine time in Jesus.  The Spirit was falling, and people were singing and clapping.  It was a wonderful meeting.  As I looked around the room enjoying the sight of everyone, I looked across the room at dear brother Gary, and as I did, the Spirit of the Lord spoke to me very plainly, and very unexpectedly, and said, “Mighty Men of God.”  I knew at that moment that God had just spoken to me regarding Gary, and I knew just what kind of “might” God was telling me about – the spiritual kind, and the only one that matters.

Your words tonight regarding David’s men have made it clear for me just what it is that I heard from the Lord all those years ago. 

This is a sweet life, with the sweetest people.

So glad to have been able to listen to you all this evening 🙂

Jerry

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And we were glad to have you with us.  Come again!

Pastor John

Pastor John, 

The past couple of weeks I feel like Jesus has just been carrying me.  With experiences and feelings, in a way, it’s almost felt like taking a step off a cliff at times.  But I wanted to share with you two things that have happened over the past couple of days that have really stood out to me and have really given me relief.

For years, I have asked the question, Who am I? or What am I supposed to be doing?  With those questions was a little fear because I guess I was scared of what the answer may be.  But the other night, I asked the question, and the Jesus answered simply, “You’re mine.”  It was so simple, but it brought so much relief!

Then last night, I was asking him some questions, and I heard, “Trust me.” Several times this happened as I was walking around, doing things in my house.  Then, as I was about to get into bed, I was asked a question: “Do you trust me?” It stopped me in my tracks.  It made me think of Peter when Jesus asked him if he loved him.  I said Jesus, “I don’t know, do I trust you?  If I don’t, please help me!”

All night, I just thought about Jesus.  I woke up around 4 AM, just thanking him, then fell back to sleep.  When I woke up, Jesus was my first thought.  Driving into work, all I keep thinking is, “It’s Jesus.  That’s it, just Jesus.”  

It was just really simple, sweet thoughts.

Michelle 

Pastor John,

I loved the feelings last night (and this morning, and this afternoon, and right now)! I love feeling so light! Last night I felt like if the roof wouldn’t have been there I could have just flown off with Jesus!

I’m falling deeper and deeper in love with the truth, with happy, with satisfaction, with my family and with our precious Jesus. The love of God just flooded my soul when you were preaching. Then when Jesus was showing me how much he loved me when he brought me to the truth, it just took my breath away! I looked around and thought, “He has done that for every single one of us!” How blessed! How precious!

He has done so much for me. He is my dearest friend, my sweetest comfort and my strength when I am weak. Learning to lean on Jesus, how sweet it is! To really know that he loves us and that we can count on him, always! He will never leave us nor forsake us. He is patient and longsuffering.

I feel like I’m learning more and more to rely on Jesus through things he takes me through, and, Pastor John, I’m so grateful for every situation and every trial and every correction because through them, he’s giving me more of him!

I was listening to Donna sing, “Come to the water” on my way home from work today. Before my hand could reach the dial to turn it up, I was speaking in tongues and feeling his warmth from head to toe! It was the sweetest feelings! My soul was longing to come to the water and drink!

I’m just so full I can’t even get out everything I’m feeling! It’s wonderful!

Michelle

Tonight was so good! Tonight was so good!  Tonight was so good! 

I feel like Jesus poured the watering can over my head tonight.  Sister Willie is right.  Our meeting is the Emergency room.  Need a heart surgery, a brain surgery, something put in or something taken out…bring it to Jesus.  I love what you said tonight about Jesus fixing it, even if we mess up.  I feel so much relief!

Beth

Hey Pastor John, 

One thing that has stood out to me reading the George C. Clark stories this time is the importance of discernment. 

​Not only to be able to discern who’s who in the body but being able to discern people so that you will treat them right, speak to them correctly, and judge them righteously.  

Michelle