Fresh Bread: New Decade, New Friends
Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable? (Proverbs 20:6, NLT) Four days ago, the Associated Press named Tiger Woods their “Athlete of the Decade.” By now, almost any person who keeps up with current events is well aware of the problems facing Tiger as he enters the next decade. I am certainly not writing this article to further bash Tiger. My real thought is who will be his real friends as he moves into a new year and a new decade. I am convinced that part of his problem in this decade was those whom he considered “his friends.” There is a saying that goes, “Association brings about assimilation”. In other words, we will become similar to those with whom we regularly associate. Show me who your closest friends are, and I will have a good idea as to the direction in which your life is heading. Thus, over the approaching holidays, you and I may want to take a year-end inventory as to who and what type of close friends surround us. Over the next month and a half, I want to help you not only to evaluate and choose good friends, but also to be a good (God) friend. As believers, we all should be friends who have been sent to people from God. Thus, in these articles, we will study the Book of Ruth in order to discover what a God Friend looks like. Why Ruth? Because the meaning of the name Ruth is simply one word: Friend. As we are now eleven days from entering a new decade, I will simply challenge you to begin your new year by asking God in prayer: Who are the friends You want to give me for this new decade? Trust me. He will answer and you will be glad that He...
read moreThank You for a Great Year!
As we conclude not only this year, but also this first decade of the new millennium, I want to officially thank all of our PT partners and regular attendees. 2009 has truly been a banner year for our congregation! With our theme being “God’s Spirit to Serve,” 2009 could not have ended with such success were it not for the giving of your Talent, Time, and Treasure in service to Pentecostal Tabernacle. In addition to all the things that we were already doing in 2008, here’s a list of some of the new things we were able to accomplish this year: 1. Held Two Easter Services (9 & 11 AM) at St. Paul AME Church for the very first time 2. Marriage ministry re-established (retreat, hiking, date night, workshops) 3. First C4L Play Production (An original: “What is Love? Do You Really Love Me?”) 4. Video/DVD ministry established 5. First church picnic in years at Castle Island (connecting people who attend PT) 6. First Soccer Nights’ Outreach (in partnership with four other Cambridge Churches) 7. Men’s work-out partnership with Windsor St. Clinic (Fitness Brothers) 8. PT now on Boston and Cambridge Cable Television (CCTV). 9. Change Agents Coffee House Outreach uses restaurant in Central Square for first time. 10. MOVE/REACH Programs expanded (AmeriCorps workers & Interns added) 11. Part-time YES (Youth Enrichment Services) position added to focus on the next generation 12. Harvard Divinity School Intern served on staff, making PT a training site for seminarians 13. First Annual “Running with the Big Dogs” Fitness Race (Focusing on “P” in S.P.I.C.E.) 14. Two Summer Gospel Outreach Concerts in Jill Brown Rhone Park (PT was the first to do so) 15. PT Choir established 16. International Students Dinner established 17. Overflow space established in lower auditorium for Sunday services (purchase of large-screen TV to televise service live) 18. Espresso Church (Third Service experiment) 19. Refurbished Pews for the Sanctuary 20. Renovation of Lower Auditorium There is no way this could all be accomplished, in addition to all of the other things we are doing, were it not for God’s grace and favor on our ministry. Again, I thank you for your support! But remember: we must give thanks and all of the credit to our...
read moreProverbs 22 on November 22nd
A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. (Proverbs 22:3, NLT) As a congregation, we are continuing our reading program. On October 18th, I challenged our congregation to read one chapter in the book of Proverbs each day. Whatever the date is on that particular day, I encouraged each person to read that chapter in the book of Proverbs. Therefore, today we should be reading Proverbs 22. Again, our objective is to gain God’s wisdom as we approach a new decade. It is imperative that we be prudent people in the upcoming years. In Matthew 25, Jesus teaches His disciples a story involving ten virgins. Five were wise, but five were foolish. The only difference between these two sets of individuals was that one group was prepared when the door (of opportunity) opened, and one group was unprepared. One group took precautions, and the other group did not. As Bishop of our church and organization (United Pentecostal Council of the Assemblies of God), I am determined to make sure that we do not miss our opportunity when the Lord opens His wonderful doors for our good. However, that means we must be able to foresee (see what’s up ahead) what God is doing, and the doors He is opening. One of the best ways to prepare ourselves is to fast, that is, to go without food or particular kinds of food. Fasting opens our eyes to see what God is doing in ways that we would not see otherwise. For only the Holy Spirit (who is the oil in our lives) can prepare us for where God desires to take us. Beginning Monday, January 4th, Pentecostal Tabernacle will be going on a ten-day Daniel Fast (read Daniel Chapter 1). The purpose is to consecrate ourselves (set ourselves apart from our regular activities) to God so that we might foresee, take precautions, not proceed blindly, and thus avoid suffering consequences from which it may take years to recover. We will conclude our consecration together on Wednesday Evening, January 13th. On that day, the church will be open all day starting at 6:00 AM. I believe that in taking this precaution in the month of January, God is going to honor us in ways that will benefit not only us, but those whom He has chosen us to help during the upcoming...
read moreProverbs 15 on November 15th
The LORD…loves those who pursue Godliness…Fear of the LORD teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor. (Proverbs 15:9, 33, NLT) This weekend, the Harvard Graduate School Christian Fellowship (HGSCF) honored one of our church partners (members), Reverend Jeff Barneson, for 25 years of ministerial service on the campus of Harvard University. It’s actually 26 years of service, for Jeff came to Harvard as a Campus minister in 1983. To work 26 years at any one place is something that should be commended. However, to serve in ministry for 26 years in any one place, let alone a college campus like Harvard’s, is a feat that’s worth recognizing and celebrating. I’ve known Jeff for over 8 years, and as long as I have known him, he has lived a life of one who pursues Godliness. Jeff’s devotion, holiness of character, reverence for God, and passion for people to find Christ as their personal Savior has been exemplary, not only to Pentecostal Tabernacle but throughout the Body of Christ. So, today we salute Reverend Barneson, even though he is one who would certainly find this moment and this article uncomfortable. But that’s the problem with the Scriptures; they are always true. For, another way to quote Proverbs 15:33 is “…honor follows humility.” Thank God for the humility with which Jeff has served the Body of Christ in this part of God’s vineyard. And now, for this weekend, it’s Jeff’s moment to be honored. May God continue to bless Jeff in his service to...
read moreProverbs 25 on October 25: Are You a Quarrelsome Wife?
Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. (Proverbs 25:24, Today’s New International Version) This proverb seems pretty self-explanatory. However, before you jump to a conclusion that may offend you, please continue to read what God may be communicating to us. When I first read this, I thought this Scripture certainly did not apply to my life. First of all, I am not a wife. Secondly, my wife is not quarrelsome. But as I read this Scripture again, the Lord asked me “Are YOU a quarrelsome wife?” As the Bride of Jesus Christ (See Ephesians 5:24-28; Revelations 21:9), who currently lives in the Father’s House, are we quarrelsome? Are we: argumentative, bad-tempered, belligerent, cantankerous, combative, contentious, crabby, dissentious, fractious, carrying a chip on our shoulder, hotheaded, huffy, irritable, ornery, pugnacious, snappy, tempestuous, thin-skinned, or touchy? Are we unforgiving, disagreeable, unfriendly, unhappy, or impatient with Jesus and what He is doing with our lives? How does Jesus feel about sharing the same living quarters or space (your heart) with us? Is our attitude towards life in Christ so bad that He would rather live on the outside? That’s something we ought to think about. I know I am. NOTE: I encourage you to join our reading program. Read one chapter in the Book of Proverbs every day beginning today at Proverbs Chapter...
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