Not Too Blind To See

There is a story that I love about Bartimaeus found in the book of Mark. The scene in chapter 10 begins with Bartimaeus on the side of the road. Being blind and hearing a commotion, I’m sure that Bartimaeus asked those around him what was happening. Someone told him that Jesus was passing by.

 

Maybe you have seen a similar place as described above. I have spent some time in Haiti. I don’t know how it is now, but back when I lived there, you could go downtown in Port-au-Prince and see certain intersections that were inundated with beggars. I saw everything to include blind people, those who were missing limbs, mothers with sick babies, and just about every type of misfortune that you could imagine! There were some that looked like they could have been dead, and there were others who wished they were. Every day a group of beggars could be found doing the exact same thing they had done the day before, which was begging for money.

 

I suppose it is fair for us to assume that Bartimaeus probably lived in a similar environment. He was there on the side of the road, heard the noise and commotion of a crowd going by, and then he inquired as to what was going on. Those around him replied, “Jesus of Nazareth is coming”! Suddenly, faith arose in him as he had heard about this Jesus, the Son of David. As faith increased in Bartimaeus, he began to cry out, “Jesus, Son of David have mercy on me.” He might as well have said, “Messiah,” as that’s what Son of David means.

 

Everybody was trying to shush Bartimaeus to keep him quiet. They probably said things to him such as, “He doesn’t care about you; you’re just a beggar. You’ve always been blind; you will always be blind. Stop calling out to Him; He’s not going to change your situation. You’re not one of the ‘lucky’ ones.” On the contrary, what Jesus heard was the voice of faith calling out, “Son of David, have mercy on me.” When He heard that faith, He stopped and signaled for Bartimaeus to be brought to Him. Suddenly, those who were trying to get him to shut up, now began to encourage him: “Get up because He’s calling for you!”

 

It’s amazing how our friends can be so fickle. There are a lot of people who want you to fail so they can speak ill of you. There are also those who are waiting for you to succeed so they can get attached to you. People watch us; they don’t want to be aligned with failures, so they may not step out in faith with you.

 

Let this be a word to somebody. They first have to see you succeed, and then they’ll say, “Yeah, I was with you. I believed in you the whole time.” They didn’t believe in you the whole time. In private they were saying, “I don’t think that he has a chance. I don’t think he can make it.” Then, by the grace of God and your willingness to follow and obey, things begin to open up and suddenly they want to partner with you.

 

“Man, I always knew there was something in you.” It reminds me of the old song, “Nobody knows you when you’re down and out.” Do you remember that one? The good news is that somebody does know ya! The Son of David, Jesus, the Christ . . . He knows exactly where you are and what He’s put in you. He didn’t call you to live a “down and out” life. He wants you to live a life that is “up and over.”

Grace and peace,

pg

Ministry Update & Season's Greetings!

It has been a very long time since we have sent a newsletter from the foreign mission field. However, it is a great season to do so!

First of all, we want to send love and prayers for a blessed and prosperous Christmas and New Year to all who are reading this. You are in our hearts, and we think of you often.

You are no doubt aware of the fact that Vickie, Zachariah, and I have been living and working in the Dominican Republic. We love living in the DR! It is hard to believe that we have actually been here for 1½ years already. At the first of the year, we will begin taking language classes on a more consistent basis. For those of you who may think the Goodman family moved to the Dominican Republic to retire, please consider this: we are NOT retired; we are REFIRED!

We truly appreciate the love and support that is received from individuals and churches across the continents. Together, we are making a difference and seeing lives changed for the glory of God. Here is a small synopsis of the various areas of ministry in which we’ve been involved to include future plans.

Oceanside Christian Fellowship (OCF)
The church that we planted one year ago in Sosua, Dominican Republic, is doing quite well. The congregation includes folks from a variety of countries and backgrounds. This is an English-speaking group comprised of missionaries, ex-pats, and locals who have been here for years. It is a great blessing to provide a place of ministry, teaching, and fellowship for those who are serving on the frontlines in the field and the marketplace.

Local Outreach
We are becoming more and more involved with street outreach in the Sosua area; this includes prayer walking as well as one-on-one evangelism. As local Dominicans come to Christ, we make every effort to get them connected to a local fellowship where they can continue to grow.

We also started going to a Police Station in our area a few months ago. A dear friend had received dreams of simply handing out bread to offenders. As she shared this with Vickie, she was encouraged to be obedient as it sounded like a “God thing.” However, our friend was uneasy about undertaking this task by herself, and as a result, we told her we would go as well. This was the start of a great experience as we now take part every week and pass out doughnuts, coffee, and prayer to those who want it. The Commandant of Police has invited us to share and pray with the officers regularly. Things are changing in this town!

For years, many Dominicans have regarded Sosua as a “cesspool.” The sex trade is very prevalent as prostitution and debauchery are seen in the streets. However, through prayer and demonstrating the love of Christ, the situation is visibly transforming!

Ministry Training School (MTS)
MTS has been conducted at OceanSide for just about a year now. We average twenty or more participants each term. At present, this is for those who speak English and plans call for extending the program. You might be surprised if you knew how many folks enter the mission field with very little biblical training. Just like I did so many years ago, they simply stepped out in faith and obedience and went to a foreign land to serve God. MTS provides an opportunity to receive solid teaching while serving and working here. Those of you who have taken the course are aware of the benefits this provides.

We are also very excited that our Ministry Training School curriculum is being translated into yet another language! The people in the Philippines will soon have MTS in their own tongue, Tagalog. God is truly using this material as a discipleship tool, and we are so honored to simply be a part of what He is doing.

Cliffdale Christian Center (CCC)
As you may well know, I am now considered Pastor Emeritus of Cliffdale Christian Center, and our son, Joshua, is doing a fine job leading as Senior Pastor! It is very fulfilling to see God at work in that local body and how Cliffdale continues to be such a beacon of light and hope to so many. Vickie and I thank the Lord for the legacy of leadership that He has allowed.

Vision for the Future
In regard to the future, we have been praying about our ministry goals. This includes an INTERNSHIP PROGRAM for those who feel that they may be called to serve anywhere in the world. At present, we are considering various options and facilities to house the base of operations.

Students would be taught during morning sessions and have opportunity to connect with local mission organizations during the afternoon and evening. GTO is in relationship with a multitude of missionaries who are involved with various ministries to include: community development, children’s outreach, feeding programs, evangelism, etc.

Vickie and I have well over fifty years of combined ministry experience and feel a responsibility to make all of this available to anyone who might be interested. We would like to hear from you as soon as possible if you think that this might be something in which you’d want to be a part.

As you can see, we are still busy about the Father’s business! Again, we want to express our heart-felt appreciation to those who support us through prayer and financial partnership.

All financial support can be sent to our stateside address or donated online through Gospel Team Outreach and is tax-deductible per IRS code.

Gospel Team Outreach International Ministries (or) GTO
PO Box 25355
Fayetteville, NC 28314

May God continue to abundantly bless each of you!

Grace & Peace,
The Goodman Family
3 John 2

A Message From The Heart

This may seem like a difficult or hard message to receive. In fact, it may be one of those that is intended only for those who have “ears to hear,” as I am quite sure many will not want to receive it. 

Over the past thirty years, the Lord has allowed me to witness and be involved in a variety of spiritual “movements” that included everything from tent revivals to the prophetic and on to the apostolic waves of more recent times. With that being stated, it is time to voice some challenges and concerns. This is not intended to be negative, as I am a man of faith.

One of the great concerns involves the American church’s need, or hunger, for sensationalism. By this, I mean that it seems many spiritual leaders are seeking the next big thing. All the while there is a desperate lack of unction or anointing. People have a difficult time discerning the difference between drama and dynamics. It seems a bit appalling to see churches using spectacular light shows and smoke machines in an attempt to reproduce the presence of God’s glory. Some people have a hard time telling the difference between a counterfeit and the real thing. Many preachers have quite simply become motivational speakers. A good number of worship leaders are mere stage entertainers, and prophets are too moved by profits!

I miss the likes of David Wilkerson. I can certainly state that I did not always agree with him, but I have always respected him for passionately proclaiming the message that burned in his bones. Where are the true prophets of today? We need the voice of one “crying in the wilderness.” I fear that if we heard such a voice as that of John the Baptist, the church may well want his head on a platter! We need modern-day prophets like Isaiah and Elijah. Today, we have many that call themselves prophets, and they really seem to be “life coaches” that are skilled in psychology and motivating folks through positive mind control. I would categorize some of these as “pop-culture prophets.” I use this term because of the influence they have on a society that follows the latest fads.

Here is a recent quote that was published by a very popular pop-culture prophet:

“Don’t listen to negative prophetic words and reports. God is still in charge and releasing something new for you.”   

Now, speaking as a “word of faith” preacher/teacher, I understand the power of confession. Additionally, it is quite clear that “God is in charge.” However, one has to wonder about the first statement. What if God were commanding repentance and turning from sin? There are many instances in Scripture where God’s prophet spoke some very negative words. What was the result? They were usually put to death.

The Body of Christ has a sin problem! Yet, all we want to hear are pleasant sayings.

I am reminded of an Old Testament account found in 1 Kings 22. Here we see the king of Israel detesting the prophet of God. Verse 8 sums up how the king felt:  

1 Kings 22:18  “… I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil.”

1 Kings 22:13   Then the messenger who had gone to call Micaiah spoke to him, saying, “Now listen, the words of the prophets with one accord encourage the king. Please, let your word be like the word of one of them, and speak encouragement.”

1 Kings 22:14   And Micaiah said, “As the LORD lives, whatever the LORD says to me, that I will speak.”

I understand that, according to 1 Corinthians 14:3, he that prophesies “speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men.” 

This does not mean that the purpose of a true prophet is to make folks feel comfortable with sin or other forms of spiritual neglect. I recall a time when believers felt a bit “uncomfortable” when in the company of a true prophet of God. It was as though that individual could see into the hidden part of our lives; we may have feared what they saw! Today, we have a very different disposition. Many can’t wait to hear something that tickles the ear but rarely changes the life. We see no reason to fear a holy God; it seems as there is no cause for repentance. After all, “God is love.” He is love and that is exactly why He calls us to turn and follow Him, His ways, His will, and His Word.

Without true repentance and humility before a holy God, man will move down a path of confusion and despair. The Lord calls us to repent. This is not from a posture of mere judgment. Rather, He loves us so much that He provides the avenue of mercy that can only be experienced through true repentance. 

America continues to stand on the edge of a very steep cliff. I refuse to believe and accept that God has turned His back on a nation that He founded for an incredible purpose. However, if His people (the church) refuse to heed His Word and do what He commands, there will be very serious repercussions. 

It is incumbent upon those who are called by His name to turn from idolatry and the lusts of the flesh. It is time to return to the God of Salvation. May we stop being conformed to the world and truly be transformed through the process of renewing our minds which Apostle Paul wrote about. 

May we cease seeking to be entertained and endeavor to be enlightened; may we deny ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow the Lord, Jesus Christ.

Grace & Peace,

pg

The Triumphant Church, Part 8

Now let’s briefly discuss the issue of spiritual authority. Scripture serves to remind us that Jesus Christ has been granted “all authority in heaven and earth.” In turn, He has seen fit to delegate this authority to believers. However, it would benefit the world, the church, and individuals to keep in mind that true authority begins in our own lives. Christians who lack spiritual discipline are unable to walk in true biblical authority.
 
How in the world are we going to exercise authority over the whole earth when we don’t even know how to do it in our own homes? I remember years ago there was a young couple that came to see us for counseling. They were relaying how God had called them into ministry and how they were going to cast out devils and destroy the powers of darkness. At the same time, their young child was running around, tearing stuff up, and acting very disobedient and obnoxious. I said, “Now, let me get this straight. You all think that you’re going to go take dominion over the powers of darkness, and you don’t even exercise authority over a two-year old? The first thing you need to do is to go home and take some authority over your own house."
 
Are we really qualified to represent God’s government when we desperately lack self-governance? Make no mistake about it; you are here to exercise power over the devil.  You have a very real enemy, and his name is Satan. He roams about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour, and we are to remain on guard and resist him! Peter said, “Who resists steadfast in the faith.” If you don’t resist him, he’ll just have his way with you. He’ll have his way with your stuff, your family, your money, your health, and your peace of mind. Your life will be a wreck.
 
Many come to church on Sundays and say, “Oh, yes, I love Jesus.” Yet, Jesus said, “Why do you say that you love me, but you don’t do what I told you to do?”  It's the same way in some relationships! “Why do you say you love me, but then you go out and mess around?” “Why do you say you love me, but you’re not committed to me?” Jesus said, "If you love Me, you’ll do what I say." That’s a hard word, and sometimes we don’t want to hear it. “Oh, I love You, Jesus; I love You, Jesus.” He says, “Good! I want you to . . ." And then you say, “I can’t do that, Jesus.” He says, “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord’?” We have to get our thinking straight!
 
The Church is called to rule and reign with Christ; this must begin in our own lives and homes. If we are not able to rule our own lives, how will we be qualified to rule the earth?

Grace and peace,
Pastor Emory

The Triumphant Church, Part 6

I’ve been asked before, “What has been your most frustrating experience in over twenty-five years of pastoring?” I can tell you exactly what that is. There have been so many times that I felt like I needed to shake people and convince them that God wanted to bless them! God wants you to prosper  . . . to be healed . . .to be well. “God always wants me to be well?” Yes, according to His Word! You cannot give me one passage of Scripture that would convince me that God wants you to be sick. I challenge you to show me one from the Word. 

You might say, “What about Paul’s thorn?” What about his thorn? What do you think it was? I don’t have to think; it’s not left for me to guess. The Word says that the thorn in the flesh was a messenger from Satan. That’s very clear. It was some sort of spiritual, demonic attack sent to buffet him. “Buffet” means to punch or to beat him up! It doesn’t say anything about Paul being sick. 

Oftentimes what we have is bad teaching gone to seed, and it just gets propagated over and over and over, and we believe what we’re taught. We need to be careful and study the Scriptures for ourselves and not simply take for granted that everything a person teaches is accurate. I’m telling you right now, don’t believe something simply because I said it; you go home and search the Scriptures. If you think that I am wrong about it, then come and talk to me, and respectfully we’ll go to the Word of God. 

There is nothing in Scripture that will convince me that God wants us to be defeated! If I am defeated, it’s because I’ve done something on my own. The only time Joshua and his army suffered defeat was at Ai. We know that there was sin in the camp, but there was another reason. When they were going up against Ai, they immediately came up with their own plan. After they were defeated in the first confrontation, the Bible says that Joshua then consulted the Lord. Possibly if he would have done that the first time . . . I’m just saying! I’m not judging. Maybe if we consulted the Lord before we acted, we could get His mind, strategy, and plan and do it the way He wants from the very beginning. Then we would not spend so much time spinning our wheels, getting beat up, becoming frustrated, and losing sleep. 

We’ll continue looking at the Triumphant Church in the next blog. Thank you for joining me on this journey!

Grace and peace,

Pastor Emory

Encourage Yourself!

"David was greatly distressed, for the men spoke of stoning him because the souls of them all were bitterly grieved, each man for his sons and daughters. But David encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord his God" (1 Samuel 30:6, Amplified).

I felt prompted to give a word of encouragement to our friends and family. In the Scripture above, we read one of the keys to continued success in business and ministry.  It is evident that many are feeling the pressures that come with an active life. Family, work, relationships, finances, and a myriad of other challenges can bring us to a place of distress and heaviness at times. David was considered a great leader. In fact, to this day many regard him as one of the most outstanding leaders of all time. Yet, even David, the great man of God, was acquainted with feelings of distress and despondency.

David knew how to deal with the feeling of defeat. He knew where to turn in moments of confusion and despair.

It is interesting that David finds himself in this state of mind soon after experiencing success. It was declared that Saul had slain thousands, but David had slain tens of thousands. He was riding high on emotion. However, upon returning from the battle, David was informed that the enemy had come in and taken his wives captive. In fact, though none were slain, the wives and children of all his warriors had been taken! His followers threatened to stone the great leader. No wonder David was “greatly distressed.”

The example of David's story holds an important life-lesson to which each of us must give attention. The Scripture states, “But David encouraged and strengthened himself in the Lord his God.”

As ministers, missionaries, managers, and leaders of varying degrees, we would do well to learn where to turn when we seem to be overwhelmed. David turned to God. He encouraged himself and found strength in the presence of the Lord. He most likely reminded himself of all that God had brought him through in times past. He may have spoken the promises of Jehovah. He lifted his voice in worship to his Creator.

We must follow this example as we continue in the fight. Life is full of challenges, and at times we may feel like giving up, giving in, throwing in the towel and shouting, “No mas!” God is calling us forward, never backward. If things need to be set in order, then we must do what needs to be done. However, we must remind ourselves that God’s goodness, grace, and glory are everlasting.

So never, never give up! Give no place to the enemy! Get into God’s presence and allow the anointing to bring strength and healing; then get up and go again, for God has called you to recover what the enemy has stolen. You can do ALL things through Christ who gives you strength!

Grace & Peace
Pastor Emory