GET TOGETHER- REFLECTIONS AND REPORTS

Lu 7:14-17 Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother.
Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.” And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.Then the disciples of John reported to him concerning all these things.Re 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”(NKJV)

What a blessing it was last week to serve with Eyes Wide Open Ministries in El Moral, Guatemala. We had asked several of you to pray for myself, Tyson Holland and what we would be doing in Guatemala. I want to humbly thank all of you for your prayers. They were effective in so many ways. We saw people saved. We prayed for many to be healed, and we were able to teach and encourage Pastors at the Pastors Seminar.

My prayer is that when I post praise reports on Facebook, or give them anywhere else that I am not glorifying myself. The only purpose that we should have for putting up praise reports is to glorify God, and to encourage the people of God. We need to share the Good News that Jesus still saves! That Jesus still heals and delivers. On the other hand, we know as Jesus said that apart from Him, we can do nothing.

Praise reports should encourage us to continue steadfast in the faith. We hear a lot of bad news about things that should concern us that are going on in the culture. On the other hand, when we give praise reports of how the Holy Spirit is working today it encourages us to do what the Apostle said to do in Ro 12:12 “rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer.”

In the passage in Luke Jesus raises a young man from the dead and the reports of what He did went out and had an effect on a lot of people who were looking for the Messiah. Today when we give a report of how Jesus has worked whether it by healing, raising someone from the dead, saving their souls, delivering from demonic oppression, or any other way it can be a testimony that prophetically works in the life of someone else. One of the Pastors that was at the seminar had been used by Jesus to raise someone from the dead. If Jesus wasn’t still doing miracles, I wouldn’t be typing this. And by the way the salvation of the soul, and the gift of eternal life is still the greatest of all miracles that we can experience.

So, I pray that anytime that we give a praise report that it is to not bring self-glorification. But I pray that it is to bring glory to the Lord Jesus Christ. And I pray that it encourages the people of God. And that God also uses that to bring the lost into the Kingdom.
Now for a few reflections. The night that we were having the outdoor service in Teculatan I had asked the Lord not to let it rain. Well guess what? He let it rain. When we first got there it looked like only about 30 people of the expected over 200 were going to be there. But as the service began the Lord let me see as the place filled up that people that are hungry for God would not let the rain keep them from a glorious night in the Lord’s presence. Two people were saved. Five people recommitted their lives and we prayed for many with sickness, or other physical issues for perhaps thirty to forty minutes in the Altar. We also had a glorious time with the Pastors during the Pastors Conference.

As we were waiting on the time to board the plane to return home in Guatemala City rain clouds were approaching the airport and the mountains that were nearby. I prayed asking the Lord to move the clouds away from the airport and the mountains. Here is how He answered in that small still voice of the Holy Spirit. Sometimes He moves the storms, and sometimes He takes us through the storm. Well need less to say He took care of us because you are reading what I am typing from here on earth.

We got back to Birmingham around 11:40 P.M. Saturday night. By the time that we got our baggage and got in the car it was after Midnight. As we were riding on the Interstate in Birmingham a little after midnight some thoughts came to me. I thought back to times that I had left nightclubs in Birmingham on Saturday night headed back to Walker County. I was lonesome and all messed up. I thought about leaving rock concerts and being high on drugs and only the Lord kept me from getting killed, or getting in trouble. I thought about how much better it was that night to be walking with Jesus Christ and coming home from serving Him than being on that highway that time of the night and running with the devil. That is why we give praise reports. Not to glorify ourselves, but to give hope to those who are reading that what God has done in our lives He can do in the lives of others. To the mother praying for that wayward child. We pray that it gives hope. To those who need a healing, or another chance in life we pray these reports give you hope.

Let us Pray
Lord, we know that we can do nothing by ourselves. We tried it our way and it was one big mess. But Lord we thank you that You can take what we have messed up and you can dress it up. May all who read this know that when we pray that You are at work. May all who read this know that You are still rescuing sinners and using them as You rescue others. May all who read this serve You and bring glory to Your Holy Name
In Jesus Name
Amen
Love You All
Your Friend/ Kinfolk
Preston

PS For those in Northwest Alabama our Broadcast Redeeming the Time comes on at 9:30 A.M. AND 9:30 P.M. on Sunday morning and Sunday night. That is on Spectrum Channel 10. In Jasper I believe it is on TV 16.