Running 4 the Gold

The longer I walk with the LORD the longer I am challenged at the many things that are blamed on HIM for the sake of covering up what church leaders do behind doors.

As much as pastors teach you to follow in the footsteps of Jesus truly as HE said it Himself, we are to do as they say but not necessarily as they do. 

Jesus did not hesitate to confront and expose what religious leaders of his days were up to.  God used prophets to do this very thing up to Christ’s entry into our fallen world.

Jesus spoke the truth knowing that in doing this true love was being manifested on earth for the first time.  Where have we, his followers, gotten the idea that covering up truth is what will keep His reputation intact?  

We are so concerned about keeping our testimonies pure for the sake of His Name but truly his ways were so far different than what the church has decided to do.

Just a few weeks ago I underwent another departure by the pastor of my church. This makes the experience the fourth time I have to go through this very painful situation in less than 5 years.  Though the circumstances have differ the pain is the same.

Whether the enemy was able to take my leader down through moral sin or whether my pastor was exhausted of swimming up stream within his team nonetheless the sheep always scatter and the wounds don’t have enough time to heal.

They say “Jesus is the Chief Shepherd. We are not to put our eyes on men”…what is this suppose to mean?  Yes, Jesus is our Chief Shepherd but ¹¹It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, ¹²to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

How are we to understand that pastors choose to move from congregation to congregation leaving behing the very sheep they were used to bring to  Christ?  Are we so short of pastors that we can imagine that God keeps just having to move them from here to there to fill in empty positions?

Not once did one of the pastors who moved on leave simply because God was truly moving them but because there was something they wanted but couldn’t really have.

My first gift from Jesus left because he found one of the ladies who sang in the worship team a bit more attractive than his own wife.  The second left because of bad real estate investment that didn’t allow him to stay in the city where he took the job to pastor a church.  The third left because of poor management of finances not to mention controlling his team in a very ungodly way.  The fourth left because his wings were totally clipped by others who were more committed to man’s rules than God’s ways.

All but the last one simply said “God is leading my family and I in this direction” when I knew quite well this wasn’t so.  Praise God for the last one who at least had the courage to tactfully share his wings were tied.

All sheep broken as could be were left confused having to celebrate with a “Thank you going away party” not sure about whatever happened to the “walk in the light as HE is in the light”.

My heart is broken and just simply disgusted with the behavior of some men who call themselves appointed to serve my Savior.  What happened with the Pauls who refused to take a dime so that no one could ever accuse him of having wrong motives? what happened to men like Peter, James, Timothy, Titus, Jude, Augustine, Martyr, Huss, Luther, Calvin, Knox  who couldn’t stop preaching the truth because they were compelled by the Savior to do so?

Is this really what the LORD wants? Does HE want us to support and even cheer these men on as they move to the next set of sheep?

Who is really at fault? are they? are we? We will all have to give an account one by one when we meet the LORD face to face.  Therefore, I gather I am responsible to speak the truth in love even if this love looks nothing like the worldly church promotes.

Come soon Lord JESUS…

This is the theme of the conference we will be attending for the next three days.  We have been preparing as a group through much prayer and fasting.  The preparation became a very serious matter after the experience we had the first time we attended.  We headed out more on the note of some vacation time and less prepared for what was to come.  No one in the group had any clue as to how the Spirit of God would convict us through the teaching of these men.

After over two full years since that experience much has changed.  Our favorite authors have become people who we would have never considered before the initial conference.  We have embarked in the most beautiful journey of getting to know God all over again.  From authors like Dr. Sproul in his masterpiece “The Holiness of God” to AW Pink in his amazing work “The Sovereignty of God”.

Our libraries now consist of classics by men whom God used to change the direction of the church.  From the “Institutes of the Christian Religion” by John Calvin to “Bondage of the will” by Martin Luther our minds have been challenged like never before.

Many choose to never dabble into such literature and I must admit that it’s by far the easy reading the current culture prefers but if you want to grow in your knowledge of the Word of God and the historicity of the church, these authors we must consider.

Not only did we discover attributes about God which led us to a much deeper appreciation and adoration of who HE is but we also realized the importance of the Reformation and why we need to know what happened a little over 500 years ago.

Men like Luther, Calvin, Knox were key players in the freedoms that we experience today.  Though the Reformation was met by the Remonstrance just years later the truth still stands that salvation is by grace through faith to those who believe.  The question is who can believe? can all believe or does it depend on God that we believe?

This and much more is what changed our lives once again…we recognized that God was not okay in the way we have perceived many of his doctrines.  He was not okay that we had settled for what we had received through the pulpits though we felt a tug within our hearts.  We had no idea of the two major thoughts in regards to the doctrine salvation.  We had no idea about Calvinism because we had only been exposed to Arminianism. 

After being exposed to both much devated theories we realized that God was not okay with us living the rest of our earthly lives thinking that we had somehow felt broken enough, devasted enough, smart enough or any enough to recognize HIM as Savior and even invite Him into our hearts. 

We learned about the not so talked about doctrine of election…we learned about what Paul was referring to in 1 Cor 1, Rom 3, 8, 9…not to mention the many references of Christ himself in the Gospel of John.   The Apostle Paul being cleared on the fact that he was not seeking God on the way to Damascus when God Sovereignly intervened and saved him.  We learned the most important thing we could learn and this was that God is in control and HE is the one who chooses who will spend eternity with HIM not man.

So, everything is different now because His truth reached us and set us free.

To HIM be the glory forever and ever, amen

Gabie

Once a year a group of us get together to head out to Orlando, Florida for the Ligonier’s National conference.  It all started 3 years ago when my husband turned us on to Dr. RC Sproul’s teachings.  In an effort to stay ahead of the game, we all decided one of his conferences would probably be highly educational for us.  We could have never imagined what we were in for as we happily drove up to Orlando for our very first Ligonier’s national conference.

Cindy who is very gifted in coordinating all of our trips made sure we had a confortable place to stay.  I as always was in charge of the menu for the group and the rest just submitted to our plans for the long weekend.  The teaching team included men like John MacArthur, Ligon Duncan, Al Mohler, CJ Mahaney, Steve Lawson and of course RC Sproul…many of whom we had not ever heard.

I think I speak for everyone when I say that “08″ was definitely a new beginning for us not only as individuals but even as a ministry.  We were so impacted by the reverence with which they treated every aspect of the conference.  From the very serious hymns to the expositional, exegetical teaching of the Holy Word of God.

Every session was taught by different men but one common theme kept ringing loudly in our ears…Sovereignty, Sovereignty, Sovereignty.  The Sovereignty of God! What exactly was it and how did this change the way we believed?  Well, soon enough after so much theological terminology we realized how very little we knew and how much the Gospel had been about us.

We were confronted by words like propitiation, imputation, justification, election…what exactly did all these terms mean and why was it such common language among other children of God?

Well, little by little we started just repenting of attitudes we have exhibited toward God that were obviously learned through pulpits that were preaching Arminianism when we knew not what that even meant.

We learned that God has been and always will be in control and that it is HE who makes all the decisions.  I must say that I felt a stirring up in my spirit all along because I think back at the many times I wondered why are there so many people who call themselves Christians but live just like the world? I wanted to protect myself from boasting in anyway but it was more than obvious that God had done a miracle in my life…I was definitely born again.

This started the most beautiful yet challenging time of my walk…so much information that was really at the tip of my fingers…such a different perspective in viewing the Word of God and His much forgotten holiness…

So, we picked up books and embarked in the adventure of our lives…”The Holiness of God” was simply heart breaking but in a good way.  We went from singing “I am a friend of God…I am a friend of God” to just wanting to cry all the time about the Majesty of God…

After that book we read authors in the likes of MacArthur, AW Pink, Montgomery Boise, Luther, Lutzer, Calvin…we were given so much history and were made to realize the power of knowing more about our faith.

So, we are so excited once again to be going back and even taking more friends with us this time.  They are all being groomed by God for His ministry and this is going to be a fabulous investment…

To HIM be the glory forever and ever, amen

Gabie

Yes, we know by the Word that Abraham was called a friend of God but does anyone else have this same privilege? Well, we who have been justified by grace through faith are the godly offspring promised by God to the Patriarch.  Have we then inherited such a blessing and what exactly does this look like?

Well, in a very practical way it looks just like this: Tonight as I quietly prepared my study of John 12 I was reminded that I am, indeed, a friend of God.  Only a friend would do what followed.  

My bedroom is upstairs and this is where I was working on the study when all of the sudden I had the scent of a candle go right through my nostrils and just like that it hit me…”you left a candle lit downstairs in the kitchen”.  In awe I just smiled from the depth of my heart because the Creator of the Universe is my friend.

Jesus said “”No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.  John 15:15. 

Being that we are the blessed recipients of the entire Word of God surely we are included in this bunch that is of course if God has chosen to reveal the Scriptures to us. 

 Luke 24:⁴⁵Then He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures.

People love to minimize the grace and sovereignty of God by making their god an unconditional lover of people, a friend to all but is this so?

In the words of the only Way, the only Truth….”You are My friends if you do what I command you. John 15:14

I had to stop and praise the King of Kings who in His unfathomable mercy chooses to make Himself known to His elect.

To Him be the glory forever and ever, amen

Gabie

It amazes me how often the enemy brings back to my mind the very issues I decide to surrender before the LORD.   For instance the issue with the 3 people who walked into the store to distract me while stealing my wallet.  It’s no wonder Jesus told his disciples that we needed to forgive 70 x 7 times. 

I realize that in practical ways every time these people come into my mind I must hand them over to the LORD asking HIM not only to forgive them but even better to bless them (Matt 5:44).  Forgive them? yes, forgive them for they know not what they do…

Let’s put our feelings aside and be honest with ourselves.  In the depth of their being they are captive to the evil one.  Their will and desires are bent toward wrong.  Before a regeneration from the Holy Spirit they are pretty much just following their nature. 

Of course the law within them should tell them they are wrong and I will venture out to say that they know they are wrong but again their bent toward evil coupled with the enticement of the world is going to get the better of them.  Remember Paul exhorted us not to forget that many of us were exactly the same before God’s grace got a hold of us. 

Okay, we must forgive them you might agree but to go as far as to ask for blessings on their behalf?  oh no! OH YES, we must!  We must because that is the heart of the Father.  We must because they need mercy and grace as much as you needed mercy and grace.  We must because in that we show forth a deep understanding of who we were apart from Christ. 

Calvinism speaks of  “Total Depravity”.  What does this mean? Total depravity means that man has inherited from Adam a sinful nature.  It means that man has been born at emnity with God (Rom 5:10) and in enslavement to sin (Rom 6:6, 6:17).   So isn’t man free you might ask? Yes, in fact we are free to act according to our nature (Rom 6:16). 

Since we have that bent toward evil all of us are always acting upon that desire.  Therefore, no one is seeking God nor is anyone able to do good from God’s standpoint (Rom 3).  Yes, we see a bunch of people who in the eyes of man are really good but the Bible teaches that as long as we are not acknowledging HIM as God our good deeds are but filthy rags….

Total depravity does not, in turn, mean that everyone is as depraved as they could be.  And why is that? it is because of God’s common grace.  It is because God is just and extends his common grace upon the godly and the ungodly.  This is not to be confused with God’s saving grace who only the elect have and will receive. 

So, if we understand who we were apart from Christ and what His atoning sacrifice did on the cross for us then we are no one to withhold forgiveness from anyone who might indeed end up in the arms of our Savior.

to HIM be the glory forever and ever amen,

Gabie

My heart breaks for the things that break my Daddy’s heart.  Just last night I spent an hour in prayer with a few devoted Christ followers on behalf of the hurting. 

After a while of just pouring out praises of thanksgiving, we went into what is called intercession…we stood in the gap longing for the privilege of feeling a tiny bit of the pain the heart of God carries for the injustices done to the poor, the weak, the elderly etc…

 where are the ones she raised?      where are the ones who wanted them?

With power comes responsibility and the ones who have received the power that raised Christ from the dead are just sitting by complaining about worship style, repetitive preaching, not being appreciated or recognized and stale snacks while sitting on the bench.

What happened to the courageous disciples of Christ’s days and thereafter? what happened to the Augustines, Martyrs, Huss (es) of this world?  What happened to the Luthers, Calvins, Knox (es) of our days?  where are they?

Need they only be people who are in the pulpit? need they only be people who are leading ministries? Doesn’t everyone who is saved agree they have been indwelt by the Holy Spirit and given at least one gift to edify the Body to do the works of service that lead into the maturity and fullness of Christ?

Why then are the indwelt ones worrying more about speaking in tongues than preaching the WORD in power?

Why then are the indwelts ones worrying more about pleasing themselves than laying down their lives for another?

Where are your servants God, where is your remnant LORD? 

I am right here JESUS, send me!

God is so amazingly creative. It is such a joy to know HIM. One of the biggest truths I have found out is that to know HIM is to have eternal life. Eternal life, when does it start? Does is begin when we pass from this life to the next? Well, I must admit this is what I thought once upon a time but I don’t think like this anymore. What a comfort to be constantly changing without the risk of getting lost.

Getting back to the title of this post, Prison ministry? yes, prison ministry. Running 4 the gold has been the most exciting and challenging endeavor of my life. I must say that at no point did I ever know what was next. As most of you know God led us into a radio ministry just a few months ago.

It has been so exciting to see little glimpses of God’s work through this. This is where the prison ministry comes in. About 4 weeks ago we received a call from a guy by the name of Pedro who had just finished listening to our program. He was so touched by God and felt the need to call and share that with us.

Erika and I were so excited to have a caller encourage us about the Word that is being shared on the airwaves. In all of our excitement we asked him where he was calling from, meaning “what city are you calling from?” well, little did we know what was to follow. He began by declaring that he was a child of God and therefore felt the need to be honest with us. He proceded to tell us that he was encarcerated. I was shocked! why? I don’t know.

I guess it’s because every time God does something new I have somehow forgotten the last time. Things happen so incredibly fast it’s tough to keep up with HIM.

Pedro was such a voice of God from this dark place I am sure. He was such a light even to us on the phone. He was so sure that God loved him and had called him to be his own. He was so encouraged to reach out to siblings and wanted so much to just be able to share in what God is teaching him in this stage of his life.

Erika and I were so moved and promised to be God’s hands and feet in this forgotten life. why forgotten life? Pedro is alone. He is not originally from here and has lost touch with his family who lives in Central America.

So, who are we in his life? are we not his sisters whom the LORD has all of the sudden called into prison ministry. I guess since we didn’t go in our own initiative HE drafted us considering our life is not our own.

In just a few weeks we have corresponded back and forth and it has been so fulfilling to know that God wants and can use us in many different areas.

Our encouragement is not to put anything past this amazing Savior whom we serve. Remember with us that He came to save the lost. He came to restore freedom to the captives and hope to the downcast.

If we truly belong to HIM then shouldn’t HE have every right to use our lives as instruments of His grace?

But of course HE should…open up your mind and follow in the lead of this amazing God.

for you my LORD,
Gabie

Once again we gathered at Hollywood Beach to worship the LORD collectively.  Due to the fact that many of the women that we minister to are in different local congregations we strive to come together once a month to pray and worship together.   Between the women Cindy ministers to, the ones Estelita is trying to reach & the rest we were 18 women crying out to the LORD in one voice.

Having Kimmie who is now living in Philadelphia was truly special as well.  Demi who now teaches the college group in her church is always a breath of fresh air in our time of worship.   We want to thank the LORD for meeting with us there under his majestic sky and in front of his wonderous ocean.

May we continue to gather for this much needed time of sitting under the presence of Our Living God.  We will continue to pray for the requests that were made that evening. 

We thank God for bringing Marley and for the fact that she is preparing to go share the Gospel in Brazil.  We thank God for Claudia who came to share her gift of music with us.  We thank God for Maria who encouraged all of us through her prayer.  We thank God for Julia who quietly impacts all those around her.  We thank God for Jackie whose commitment to Jesus and us has been such an encouragement.  We thank God for Rosa for trusting us to lift up her pain to the LORD.  We thank God for Lavern who little by little is forming part of this team.  We thank God for Deborah whose testimony speaks so loud of God’s grace.

We thank God for every single person who added their voice to our time of prayer and worship…To HIM be the glory forever and ever amen.

Running 4 the Gold

To all who might have visited our Running 4 the Gold page in the last couple of weeks and have wondered what is going on:

It is our goal to make this page a bit more interactive little by little.  It is a great endeavor for someone like me (Gabie) who honestly has no knowledge on how to make this page do everything I know it can do.  Therefore, I am asking you for help.  Help me please.   Please let me know if there is anyway you can help me set it up and please keep us in prayer.  Above all please be patient and continue to keep in touch as we develop our new page. 

UPDATES  – We have been keeping busy for sure. 

• Our Monday night study in the book of James has been so eye opening.  Having Cindy and Demi as part of the teaching team is very encouraging to all of us.  Much can be learned when you step into the shoes of a teacher.  God has a way of rewarding you with deep knowledge and understanding of His Word so that you can in turn feed his sheep. 
• Tuesday night’s Bible study for the Spanish group has been doing really well as well.  As a matter of fact I would like to report that a new study has been born on Thursday nights by one of the ladies attending each week.  Her excitement about teaching others is really a wonderful encouragement to me. 
• Cindy has been doing fantastic in her endeavor to teach many of us through the Bible in one year using the chronological Bible.  Her studies are so profound and meaty causing all of us to grow and grow. 
• Demi is keeping busy at her church assisting in leading a college group on Wednesday nights.  Her hunger for the Word coupled with fire to help others follow Christ has truly turned out to be a great gain to the Body. 
• Our weekly radio program is now running three times a week on two different stations. For our Spanish speaking friends please look out for a page called “En busqueda de la Verdad” in order to keep up with what the LORD is doing through this avenue. 
• We have begun a bi-weekly prayer group at church to follow through with the great responsibility to interceed for others as well as train others to do the same.
• We continue to seek a higher education by attending national conferences that can certainly help us do just that.

Alongside these great opportunities, we keep traveling to Peru and will be in Cuenca, Ecuador in June for the first time.  We are ever so grateful for God’s grace and mercy in our lives…serving HIM is the only thing that makes sense to those of us who are Running 4 the Gold. 

In HIM,

Gabie