GOD DID NOT LEAVE HIS BRIDE HANDICAPPED

The term "spiritual gifts" originates from the Greek words pneumatika (spiritual or of the Spirit) and charisma (gift). Spiritual gifts are special abilities or functions given by the Holy Spirit that are meant to be used by God's people to complete God's work."  [1]

AM I STRANGE?

I find it strange that there are Christians that believe that the spiritual gifts in the Bible also known as the Gifts of the Spirit have ceased in the Church. I also realize that people find me "strange" for believing that these gifts are still actively being used by the Church today. These gifts that I am speaking of are wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, speaking in tongues, and interpretation of tongues.

EARNESTLY DESIRE THE GREATER GIFT

It's true, I am a Pentecostal, so it's assumed that I believe in the Gifts of the Spirit, but there was a time when I did not. I was raised in a denomination that did not believe in music, women in ministry, and especially any sort of spiritual "voodoo" mess. My intention is not to attack this denomination or any denomination that believes similar, but instead challenge them to do as the Apostle Paul said and "earnestly desire the greater gift"  1 Corinthians 12:31 ESV. 

What changed my thinking towards this matter was my personal experience. I have personally seen and have been used in the Gifts of the Spirit. Though I had been taught as a child that these gifts did not exist any longer, I was still experiencing them first hand. 

GIFTS USED BY THE APOSTLES

My experiences have played a big role in my belief, but I must also go to the Word of God. I have read in the Acts of the Apostles where they worked mightily in the Gifts of the Spirit and through the laying on of the hands the sick would recover, the lame walk, and the blind see. I read of how people were healed as Peter's shadow passed by them. Handkerchiefs wet with the sweat of Paul healed people. Spiritual beings known as demons had no advantage over these Holy Ghost filled servants of Christ because even they fled at the mention of the name of Jesus from their months. 

GIFTS USED BY NON-APOSTLES

I have heard it said that the gifts died with the Apostles, however I read in the scripture that not only were the original twelve used in these gifts, but non-apostles and new apostles as well. I read where the likes of Stephen (Acts 6:8) and Philip (Acts 8:6) were used in the gifts. These two men were handpicked to wait and bust tables! (Acts 6:2-6) Even Barnabas (Acts 14:3) and Paul (Acts 19:11), though called Apostles, were not apart of the original twelve were used in the gifts.  

ARGUMENT 1

• Now that we have the Bible we do not need the Gifts of the Spirit. 

I have heard this from a few people. They have even given me scripture to back their stance. Sadly though they have twisted and misused the scripture to say something that the Bible simply does not say. My question to them is simple. Why would you not want to be used in a gift that God has for you? These are gifts that can be used to minister to those in need.

ARGUMENT 2

• People misuse the gifts in church so it's better not to use them at all.

In other words this person admits the gifts exist, however because they have been misused (for personal gain or made up/faked) the practice of the Gifts of the Spirit should cease. My thought on that is this. We have many pastors and ministers that misuse their position for personal gain, should we omit the position of pastor from God's five fold ministry? No, because this is something that God created. Just like he created these spiritual gifts for servants to minister and proclaim the gospel.

FINAL THOUGHT

My last statement is more of a series of questions that goes along with the title of this post. Why would God leave his bride handicapped? Why would he equip a few of his followers with gifts that minister to people's needs, but then take them back? This would make God a respecter of persons. And my last question is why do many Christians claim that they have personally witnessed or have been used in these gifts, yet many claim they do not exist and have will not seek them? If it's a gift from God I want it!

My last thought is this. For years the Church has allowed Satan to creep into its pulpits. Preachers are now allowing things to go on in the church that God has said is wrong. In my mind the church is being water downed and not every church is created equal. We need the Gifts of the Spirit working in all of our churches! 

I could go on with this subject. I could make it more scholarly and use more quotes. But honestly I am speaking from my heart. God has opened my eyes to the truth, not man's water downed theology. Does your church believe in and practice the Gifts of the Spirit? The gifts are for ministry, let's be used for God's glory!

"Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethern, I do not want you to be ignorant:" 1 Corinthians 12:1-31  

[1] Randy Frazee. Believe: Living The Story Of The Bible To Become Like Jesus. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan 2014)

Actions and Character Matter - My Response to Sports Fans and Vandalism

After the Ohio State Buckeyes won the 2015 National Championship excited fans took to the streets to celebrate. Except the problem is how they celebrated. It is reported that 89 fires were set by excited fans in trash bins, dumpsters, and couches, as well as football goal posts being torn down. The cops had to use tear gas outside of the Ohio State football stadium because fans were trying to break in, possibly to vandalize the stadium. However Ohio State fans are not the only one's, it happens all the time it seems.

Reaction from a fan in Missouri after the Giants
beat the Royals in the World Series.

Ohio State Reaction to Winning the National Championship 

I am a sports fan. I do get really excited when my team wins. However, I've never had the urge to vandalize my city after a big win. I'm shocked at the way "adults" act. It concerns me how our children will act by seeing the way we act. I would call these acts childish, but the fact is it's just plain illegal crime. I believe that many of those celebrating in this way manner have never had a run in with the cops, but on this particular night they thought it would be fun to act crazy. Did they realize what they were doing was actually committing crime? Did they really care?

I'm tired of hearing how civilized we are as a people when we act this way. Acts of vandalism and crime all across this country over silly things that don't matter (this is a good example). What also saddens me is knowing in my heart that many of these people probably will attend church on Wednesday and/or Sunday. Maybe they are vocal about being Christian. Yet they participated in these acts for "fun". You better bet the Lord is not happy. As we are the hands and feet of Christ, as his representatives we should always consider our actions and how it may hurt his image to an unbeliever. Do you really think that an unbeliever would take someone like this series? I don't and I wouldn't.

In our walk with Christ we will make mistakes, we may fall, but if our minds are focused on what's above it makes it harder to mess up. I don't ever want to lose the change of winning a soul because of my actions.


What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?     James 2:14 NIV

-HH

Saying Goodbye: Last Service As A Member Of TPOM

8 Wonderful Years

For the past 8 years I have served in different capacities of ministry at The Pentecostals of Murfreesboro. Highlights have included Discipleship Director, Youth & College Outreach, Sunday School Teacher, Committee Member, and of recent Ephesus Campus President at MTSU and working with the Spanish Ministry. Each ministry has been a tremendous blessing and the experience I have gained from each has been priceless.

The DePriest & Allen's

However the best part of serving at TPOM was working under Bishop DePriest and Pastor Allen. The gratitude and respect that I have for these men cannot be put into words. Some of my favorite memories are sitting at the table with Bishop DePriest brainstorming, drawing out plans, and executing them. He was always ministry minded and wanted to do everything with excellence. Pastor Allen is an incredible man and a true inspiration to me. He's a family man, passionate, and always growing in wisdom. Both of these men have been my pastor. Comforted me after the passing of my mother. They both married my wife and I. Showed loved to my wife and I during the birth of our daughter. They both have loving wives, gentle, strong, and great mothers who
have inspired my wife (For the record Sis. D is the best teacher & Sis. Chassidy gave my daughter her first bath). I am every grateful for them believing in me and investing in me.

Being prayed for by the ministry before we start our ministry
in Mt. Juliet at Church Alive

Saying Goodbye 

Preaching "Restored for a New Year"
at Los Pentecostales De Murfreesboro
Photo by Farlon Williams

Saying goodbye yesterday was bittersweet. Since moving to Murfreesboro I have established great friends. They are more than friends, more like family, and I love my TPOM family. TPOM is truly a wonderful church with wonderful people. Deep down inside I know that we will see them again, in fact, we have built such good relationships that I expect it. When it was announced at Family Christmas that we were leaving there was shock, excitement, and lots of love. The hugs, good wishes, and prayers meant so much to us. On our last Sunday Bro. Freeman (Spanish Pastor) asked me to preach. It was a great honor to bring forth the Word to our friends and family at Los Pentecotales De Murfreesboro. Working with the ACTIV8 students, teaching on Wednesday nights, and preaching to that congregation has been a blessing to my and I. We will miss them all! 

Joining Church Alive

What makes us excited is the future. In 2015

my family and I will be joining Church Alive in Mt. Juliet as the Student Pastors of VAPOR Student Ministries. We are thrilled and honored to have the privilege to work with Pastor Armstrong and Pastor Page. What also overjoys us is knowing that we are joining a church that is a part of the TPOM family of churches. In 1997 Pastor Armstrong and his family started Church Alive, becoming the second daughter work church out of TPOM. Our goal is to spiritaully and physically grow the students of VAPOR in discipleship, ministry, and numbers. Our prayer is to be a blessing to the saints and ministry team at our new home, Church Alive. 

For more info about Church Alive click the link below

www.churchaliveupc.org/

Christmas with Ephesus

"Thank You"

I want to start off by saying how thankful I am for Ephesus, the college & career ministry at The Pentecostals of Murfreesboro. They have served the community of Murfreesboro and the students at MTSU in many ways. I want to briefly talk about a couple of ways the have ministered this week.

"Operation Angel Tree"

My wife, with the help of Attalie Tobar, reached out to Ephesus for help raising money to sponsor two kids at the school my wife teaches at. This past Wednesday Ephesus not only gave, but surpassed our Angel Tree goal. I am thankful for those that gave so that these kids can have a wonderful Christmas.

"Second Annual Home for the Holidays"

Danny cheesing it up

Last night at Home for the Holidays Ephesus and our Ladies ministry teamed up to serve and feed forty International Students from all across the world. Terry Freeman, pastor of TPOM's Spanish Church noted, "We had kids from China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, France, Syria, Japan, etc." This has been a vision of Daniel Jansouzian's for the past couple of years. His vision was to show these students what an American Christmas is like, as well as hear from other cultures about their Christmas traditions. Liz Freeman claimed that this was the "Best night ever!" Indeed, it was a great night full of fun, amazing food, and most of all, a love for the the greatest gift of all, Christ Jesus.

Bro. and Sis. Freeman have been
a great support

"Lastly"

I know that Danny, Josh, and I are very grateful to all who helped make both of these ministry opportunities a success. Because of the support of so many we have been able to reach more people, change lives, and show the love of Christ here at home and around the world.

We are truly thankful for God's blessings in 2014.

We had such a great time! Hey, my hair looks blonde!

God bless,
HH

Finding Revival in the Mist of Chaos

Lately all you see on the news and hear on the radio is about the protests and riots taking place all across the country because of the death of 18-year old Michael Brown, who was fatally shot by a police officer in Ferguson, MO. There is tremendous unrest on both sides and I do not plan on taking a side. However, I would like to point to scripture and show how the church as a whole can have revival in the midst of chaos.

No doubt this is a scary time to be living in, but I'd also like to point out that in the United States, the church is not being persecuted like it was in the Bible days. In Acts 7 we see a young follower of Christ named Stephen, the first Christian martyr, who was persecuted by Saul of Tarsus. As we see in scripture this caused great fear and an uproar in the church. Let's go to scripture!

ACTS 8:1-4

The Church Persecuted and Scattered

1And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. 2Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. 3But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. 4Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.  

I don't know about you, but I love the reaction of the church. Instead of hiding, instead of rioting, instead of protesting, they instead took their message of salvation throughout Judea and Samaria. They realized that their message, and the power that the Holy Ghost had given them, was all they needed to turn the world upside down. In the mist of chaos the church still had revival!

I believe today that the church can play a vital
role in Biblical revival in the United States. I don't believe that our time has ended, that hate is all there is, but instead I choose to believe that the church can be apart of God healing wounds.

No matter which side you take concerning Ferguson this one thing should still remain true. The church should be praying, reaching, and comforting. If we do this, I believe we can have revival... in the mist of chaos.

God bless,