God's Thoughts on the Clothes Line

This is a compilation of conversations that I've had recently concerning God's thoughts on clothing. I've tried to reference scripture to support my thoughts on this since what God thinks is a lot more important than what I think. I pray that this helps to give direction and settle any questions that you may have about this topic. I also understand that there are many other great men with greater laurels than I have that could provide much more insight into this topic. This is not an end all on this topic, but rather just scratching the surface. 

I further realize that this is a highly debated topic that seems to create contention in many. If you do not agree with the scripture references or this blog my only plea with you concerning this is that you will sincerely pray and ask God for guidance. He will not leave you hanging if you sincerely desire His direction in this. I also ask that you hold any negative verbal attacks on anyone else that may comment on this blog or any other social media site that it may appear on. God Bless you as you read. 

Deuteronomy 22:5 says, The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord thy God.

From my understanding of the Old Testament, the law is divided into 2 parts. One is ceremonial, the other is moral law. The ceremonial was fulfilled, or accomplished once Jesus came & died. We are now the temple and Jesus the supreme sacrifice, therefore the ceremonial is no longer applicable. However the moral law, which Deuteronomy 22:5 falls under, is still applicable.

In Job 38 & Job 40, Job was instructed to "gird up LIKE A MAN". Making a clear statement that there was a distinction in how a man should "gird" up and how a woman should.

Job 38:2-3 King James Version (KJV)

2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.

Job 40:6-8 King James Version (KJV)

6 Then answered the Lord unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

7 Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.

8 Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?

There was undoubtedly a difference in the robes. But "breeches", what we now call britches, were designated for the male gender only. This is not something that a Church group came up with. God HIMSELF authored it. We aren't dealing with male chauvinist pigs or a leader in the feminist movement when discussing this, we're dealing with the Lord of Glory. The King of Kings, Lord of Lords. The Great I Am!

Nearly 9 centuries after Deuteronomy was written you can still see where breeches were being worn by men only.

Ezekiel 44 18 They shall have linen bonnets upon their heads, and shall have linen breeches upon their loins;

There is absolutely nothing in the New Testament to indicate that God had a different thought on how clothing should be gender specific. As a matter of fact when the soldiers were led into the garden of Gethsemene Judas told them "I'll kiss the one that you need to take away". That tells me that Jesus Himself evidently had on similar clothing than any other man would have on in that group.

If we look at all of this from merely a cultural viewpoint we are opening a can of worms that we don't have the authority to do, in my humble opinion, in light of the scriptural viewpoint. If everything is culturally based, then men can wear skirts/dresses. How would that be accepted in our Church world? If we can't accept men in dresses/skirts then why would we even begin to think that a woman in pants is permissible? Are the shows that the drag queens participate in ok? If not, why? Culture accepts this.

I think that we have entered a time that scripture has been so long neglected that things scripture forbids is now appears permissible. But from that standpoint, we should embrace the trinitarian baptismal formula. It's been around since 325 A.D.-God Forbid!

The only time that a pair of pants would cover more of the body than a skirt/dress is if the skirt/dress is immodest. That's clearly forbidden in scripture as much as cross dressing.

I am open to scriptural reference on when Jesus removed the distinction of dress.

If how we dress is based solely on cultural appeasement then where does the line get drawn on any other Biblical principle? What about the New Birth? Why can't homosexuals marry? Why should a woman not cut her hair? Why can't we kill babies in the womb, or even partially birthed? It's a right, right? It's accepted by culture, so.......

My suggestion is this-leave scripture alone! Let it stand for-IT IS WRITTEN. If we aren't careful we will dance away every core doctrine of scripture and before you know it we will not look any different, act any different, talk any different than any other religious movement in the world.

Psalm 119:88-90 King James Version (KJV)

88 Quicken me after thy lovingkindness; so shall I keep the testimony of thy mouth.

89 For ever, O Lord, thy WORD IS SETTLED IN HEAVEN.

90 Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth.

2 Timothy 3:15-17 King James Version (KJV)

15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

16 ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Do you see any room for changing God's thoughts on anything? Me either.

It's settled. The ink is dried.

God Bless you in Jesus Name!

Pastor Young

Heavy Hearted

I speak this as a heavy hearted Pastor just after midnight. As we are traveling back home my mind visited a familiar place of thought-eternity. 

Many religions dumb it down as they lull their parishioners to sleep with religious, rhetorical lullabies that's absent of any scriptural foundation. Those that do embrace eternity quietly give cheap pats on the back to maintain the legacy of those that have blindly went before them...with no regard to scriptural salvation. "My grandpa done this, so it must be absolutely true". Belief in grandma's salvation doesn't give you a head start to Heaven. Obeying scripture is what puts any of us on the roll that we be called up yonder. 

By the end of this week, Lord willing I will have attended 4 funerals/visitations and will have been involved in one of those. A stillborn baby. 

Eternity is long folks. Really really long. Never ending. No Rolex. No stopwatch. No gas pedal to speed it up, nor brake pedal to slow it down. 

We truly need an awakening. One to shake us to our innermost being. A revelation of the lake of fire that burns with fire & brimstone. A revelation of Calvary & the shed blood. (I'm so thankful Jesus didn't have a list of excuses as to why He couldn't make Calvary's appointment.) 

I know we're under the New Testament Church age that's powered by Grace. But Grace is not a way out, it's THE way in. This may be the only time you ever read or hear this-but there is no other way to Heaven other than being born of the water AND the Spirit. (John 3:3-5 & Acts 2:38)

If you haven't died a spiritual death at an altar of repentance you must. If you haven't been baptized by submersion in Jesus Name for the remission of sins, you must. If you haven't received the in filling of the Spirit like the experience in Acts 2, Acts 10 & Acts 19; you must. 

Get in. Excuse free. No negotiators will be allowed on our day of Judgement. 

I love you in Christ Jesus, The Lord of Glory. 

For Christ,

Pastor Brian D. Young 

I'm Overwhelmed by a Burden

By a burden for my region....my city....my street.

When I moved here 7 months ago I didn't realize the burden would intensify to the degree that it did.

Each time that I read a report from the newspaper or hear of another soul dying that we didn't reach the burden grows evermore. What more can I do personally, Lord to win my street, city & region to the Truths of your Word?

It was at the end of a long Saturday of outreach several months ago that I received a call from a man. He asked that we visit him as he had just received one of our doorhangers. As I hung the phone up God spoke to me and told me that this man had been contemplating suicide. We went to visit this man immediately. Not knowing exactly what we were walking into, I prayed all the way there. He met us on his front steps.

As we approached him tears began to flow down his cheeks from his wayward eyes. He invited us to come in. We prayed with him as I could feel the heaviness of the spirit of suicide lingering in the home. It was so real. Almost as if you could touch it with your hands. It seemed to wrap itself around you and engulf your emotions. When prayer was made and the Name of Jesus invoked I could feel the heaviness lift. As real as the spirit of suicide is, the Name of Jesus is even more real and even more powerful!

I asked him to go to a local restaurant to have a meal. As I sat down he asked me a question. "Pastor, has God showed you anything about me?" I said, Yes, you've been dealing with thoughts of suicide and God has a plan for your life.

The astounding look that appeared on his face was something that you rarely see on someone. Looking deep into his eyes I could see the despair, hunger & desparate cries of long sleepless nights and thoughts of lunging into eternity by his own hands. Confusion, yet relief, swept over him. Confusion from the enemy of his soul, yet relieved that he didn't have to remain confounded.

That was my 1st big experience with the spirit of suicide in this area. I believe it was that day that God pulled the veil on a dominant stronghold in our region to this young Apostolic Pastor. Since that day I've received reports of suicide attempt after suicide attempt. Many succesful in their pursuit of a duped exit from this natural realm. Some unsuccessful, to return only to the vices that catapulted them into their plight.

If you are suffering from this mental anguish I want to open myself up to you and our Church. There's only one true deliverance from the position that you find yourself in. Suicide is a spirit from the pits of hell and can only be broken and set free by the power of God.

As we draw closer and closer to the return of our Lord this spirit of deception, known as suicide, will intensify as satan continues his onslaught of the mortal as a way to gain the captive's eternal immortality. Below will have a list of ways that you can get in touch with me. Please DO NOT hesitate contacting me if you need help on your Spiritual journey.

Galatians 6:7

King James Version (KJV)

Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Pastor Brian D. Young
TurningPoint Apostolic Church
1106 Forest Ave.
Maysville, KY 41056
606-584-7010 call OR text
pastor@maysville.cc
www.maysville.cc

The Things That I've Learned in Two Years

The title alone is surreal. Has it really been 2 years? March 4, 2014 will be the date.

God impressed me to write this blog the other day and I have been making notes since then. I do want to iterate that this is not an all inclusive list and should not be the expectation of your Church Planting, or similar endeavor.

There's just some things that are non-negotiable when it comes to this walking with God stuff. One is to never question God's voice. If it's God that you're hearing don't worry about the rest of it. He will make it happen. Your questioning doesn't validate God nor His omnipotence. Period.

I'm a quote fanatic and my favorite one at the moment is one that I seen on social media not long ago. "No one is greater than us". I can't do this Church thing as a one man show. I can't do everything that needs to be done in the Church, but the Church itself can. I've learned to empower people, it takes time but it allows you more time in the long term. Here's the kicker...people want to be used, but this is key-SET THE EXPECTATION. Never assume someone knows what you expect of them.

There's some people that want what I call in-directive positions. Simply a title but no true responsibility. They love to flaunt a title without pulling their weight in the overall direction of the Church. I've learned to use them in their strengths, try to develop them through their weakness and let God do the rest. God never called me to remold people, but he called me to lead them. It's not a bad thing if someone doesn't work in a position. That doesn't make them a bad person, it just simply means that their strength lies somewhere else.

Everyone that seems to have the gift of walking on water really don't. The super spiritual, holier than thou folks. You know...the ones that brags about how much they pray or how much that God uses them. These folks have to be handled carefully or they can cause much harm with little effort through this type of mentality, it's easy for others to latch a hold on it. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for their super spirituality. What you do doesn't have to be sounded with a trumpet, God has ways of taking care of that.

Most folks that I've gotten to know in this Church plant truly want to be humble. Their desire is to like Christ, "Christ-Like", Christian. But one of the biggest things that I've learned in 2 years is being humble enough to apologize for things that you were unaware that you done, or said. I've found it much easier to apologize for something that you didn't do or are totally unaware of to keep ill feelings from being harbored. I know some in our movement have the mentality that this displays weakness in your position. I beg to differ, and God keeps record. Isn't it worth it to reconcile someone through a situation to see them saved versus the alternative?

From day 1 in our city we've been taunted, talked about and even told that people can't be saved in our Church. I'm so glad that God says differently. When Jesus said in Luke 6:28 to bless them that curse you, He said what He meant and meant what He said. It really works! My call isn't dependent upon what others opinions are...and for that I'm thankful!! It's one of the greatest feelings in the world to know that you are doing EXACTLY what God wants you to be doing. Are you doing what He wants you to do?

As a Church planter you learn to do without big buildings, a full suite of music...as a matter of fact you learn to have Church with NO music! You learn to have Church without new sound systems, a full Church staff, having the time to put into the Church that you feel like you need to. Here's the beauty-YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE THIS TO HAVE CHURCH! The manifestation of the Holy Ghost has nothing to do with your sound system or whether or not your in a cathedral. The Spirit is made manifest when there's a hunger for the supernatural in you and your people. God wants it, we must also.

You can't afford, Spiritually, to have a bad Church service. Every service is like being on the front line of a heated battle. People are dying. People are making erroneous decisions. We DO NOT have time for ceremonial services with religious rhetoric. We are in a town that is heavily involved with traditional denominationalism. Very ceremonial. Fabricated by man. However, we MUST hear from the Almighty. We must hear a prophetic utterance from Heaven. Someone's eternal fate is in my hands when they're at my Church. We must treat it like that...every single service.

This is just a few things that I've learned in 2 years of planting a Church. Hope it helps, inspires and encourages someone. If you're a Church planter keep your head up and keep doing what God has placed upon you.

If you want to be a part of more than just another religion, you need to come to TurningPoint! Our anniversary services are less than 2 weeks away with some of the most dynamic preachers in Pentecost! Feb 28th - March 2nd.

In His Service,



Pastor Brian D. Young
TurningPoint Apostolic Church
606-584-7010
pastor@maysville.cc
www.maysville.cc

It was nearly 11 years ago that my wife and I first walked into an Apostolic Church. Both coming from denominational backgrounds this was different and at first, scared us. It was different, people shouted, people lifted their hands in worship....and then there was those tongues that I was always taught were not of God. But how could all of these people be wrong? They weren't!

So began our walk with God. It was a new dimension, it was more than tradition-it matched the Church that was in the Bible.

Fast forward to July 19^th, 2013. We accepted our call to ministry, we accepted the call of God to start a Church and now we have our 1^st “big” Revival scheduled. Our little Church that has been labeled backslidden by some in our town was serious about this revival. We prayed, fasted and sought God. We experienced great opposition. We experienced spiritual attacks during the week leading up to the Revival. But we continued praying, fasting and seeking God.

Bro. Tim Greene's name was given to me by a good friend in St. Louis. I was given a list of names but there was something that grabbed me and wouldn't let go when I heard Bro. Greene's name. Up to that, to my knowledge, I don't know that I've even heard his name. I picked him up on Friday morning without even really knowing what he looked like. We had a few previous conversations about the pick up times, pricing and such. That was it.

We arrived at the Church Friday night for Church. Really not knowing if anything great was going to happen. I was fighting a very tough Spiritual battle leading up to the Revival, to the very minute that service began. Major attacks of the mind was going on. Did I choose the right man or did I miss God? Will we have the breakthrough that we need as a Church? What's going to happen? Was the outreach and the Social Media Ad campaign just a waste?

It wasn't until the altar call that I knew something special was transpiring right before my eyes. After the music, after the announcements, after the exhorting from guest ministers...Bro. Greene got on the floor. He began to preach. I was expecting the Pentecostal fluff. The screaming that's generally called “good preaching”. The cookie cutter, recycled messages. But his approach was significantly different.

He preached a phenomenal message that touched the people. Did he get exuberant? Absolutely. But he connected to people. As he was finishing his message he asked everyone to get into a state of worship. That's easy for Apostolics, right? Right. But this worship opened the doors for the miraculous and the supernatural.

I feel great sorrow for the folks that haven't experienced Pentecost. There truly is nothing else that I would rather be. As Bro. Greene began to minister to individuals and prophesy to them I was taken back to I Corinthians 12 when Paul began to expound upon the gifts of the Spirit. Specifically verse 7, “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.”  To profit, or to gain. I witnessed people profiting from the manifestation of the Spirit that was in our sanctuary. It wasn't a show. It wasn't a put on. It was a genuine, heart felt move of God...like none that I had witnessed up to this point.

Folks began to weep as he spoke what God was revealing to him. As I overheard the prophecies I couldn't hold the weeping back. I stood in awe of God's wonder-working power. I've been to a lot of conferences, revivals, camp meetings, this meeting and that meeting. However, I never witnessed the pin point accuracy of prophecies and the gifts that's often not sought after, the Word of Wisdom & the Word of Knowledge. There's some things that folks had shared with me that only them and myself knew. But when God began to use His man that He sent to Maysville, KY there were things that transpired that I only heard talk of until then.

People were having breakthroughs that they thought were never possible. Some folks received long sought for confirmation for their lives. Others were placed on mountain tops after being in valleys for far too long.

I've been asked many times since the revival, “how did it go?”. I couldn't answer them with great detail due to the magnitude of the Heavenly bombshell that fell on all 3 Revival services. I'm still trying to sift through everything that God done...though I truly believe that eternity will be the only medium to convey the full effects of what transpired.

There were many that weren't there that needed to be. A few left without receiving what God wanted to give them. But most left with the greatest experience that they've ever had with our Savior. Regardless of what has been-TurningPoint Apostolic Church is marching towards a closer walk with God and ultimately authentic Apostolic Revival in our city and region.

To all the folks that read this that haven't received or has reservations about this Pentecostal stuff, allow me to assure you that it's really real and I urge you to experience it. If you are hungering and thirsting for more of God don't hesitate to contact me...I just so happen to know Him! I can tell you how to be filled and quenched!

Still in awe,

Pastor Brian D. Young

More Change A Comin'!

What a ride it's been for the last 18 months or so!

Change, change, change & more change....and more coming.

When we started the Bible Study group in March 2012 we were unsure of it's end result. We knew that God had called us, we knew that in His timing that everything would work. But what? when? how?

God has blown our minds with all that He's done since the humble beginnings in a hotel conference room to a full blown Home Missions Church in a region that is lacking an Apostolic presence. Here's a few highlights surrounding God's Hand in and on our infant work!

* We went from a hotel conference room to a remodeled store front with a seating capacity of 75 folks. (2 year lease, hope to be filled up before then!)

* Every door in the city limits has been knocked/door hung.

* We started with an average of 6 to an average of 31 in May 2013.

* 25 precious souls have been baptized in Jesus Name (10 of which has been from our jail ministry)

* 5 souls have been filled with the Baptism of the Holy Ghost (Several others refilled)

* 71% of our attenders were not attending any Church at all before coming to TurningPoint. This was our goal from the beginning as it was NOT to build a Church from already established saints; but rather to win new souls to the Kingdom. God has helped us do that.

* Our retention rate is approximately 55%.

* A Youth Group is in waiting and a Hypen group is being assembled from ground up.

* Our 1st staff position has been put in place, an outreach coordinator, Bro. & Sis. Dave Fyffe.

* Many other exciting things are in the works and will be coming to fruition soon!


The thing that is most impressive and gives credence to God's work is the Pastor hasn't even lived in the city. That will soon change! I am walking away from job security to answer the call of God and we're taking it to another level. After being at my current job for nearly 9 years with great pay and even greater benefits it came to a point that I had to either forsake the earthly calling of a job or forsake the divine calling. I chose to follow God's plan for my life.

I will be leaving my current job on July 1st and will be working and living in Maysville. I've never had a more difficult time with anything. It's been very emotional.

Our precious gift and promised of the Lord, Matthias Andrew "Andy", is now 2 weeks and one day old. He's been to 5 Church services, a hospital visit & a funeral. My job as a dad is to make sure He knows Jesus. I'm going to give it all I've got to be the dad that I never had. I love him and want to dedicate Him back to the One that gave him to us.

While change is hard, it becomes a little easier knowing that God is in the midst of it guiding your every step.

Until I blog again.....


Thanks,
Brian

The wait is OVER!!!

Well, it's been a long time since October 10th! (The day we found out we were expecting)

We've prayed for health and we've received that. The ultrasound today looked amazing from what the tech said. The heart was beating beautifully, the skeletal system looked great as well. 

The baby is very active and has been on every ultra sound that we've had. You could see the little hands moving and even appeared as if it was trying to get the thumb in the mouth. It's truly a miracle. I question someone's logic and sanity to say that this isn't life. 

We did find out the gender of the baby! To my knowledge the last time we celebrated the birth of a baby boy that will carry the last name Young was February 9th, 1981. That was my brother Derek. (Correct me if I'm wrong family!)

However around the last part of May or the 1st part of June we will welcome a baby boy into our lives and family! Yes, I'm one excited Papa!

We do covet your prayers throughout the pregnancy. Up to now everything has been extremely well other than some significant sickness that's being experienced from my wife. She's such a trooper and has taken it like a champ! To say I love her is an understatement. She has helped to ground me in so many ways. She's endured mental & emotional turmoil to get to this point. 

19 weeks to go! Thanks for your continued prayers!