Covenant Conversation

BLESSED TO BE A BLESSING

2010-04-15T23:54:00.003-04:00

THE WORST THING YOU COULD LOSE IS TO LOSE YOUR VISION.

TO LOSE YOUR VISION IS TO LOSE EVERYTHING - AND I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT YOUR NATURAL SIGHT, ...I'M TALKING ABOUT YOUR SPIRITUAL SIGHT.

I'M TALKING ABOUT THE ILLUMINATION THAT COMES ON THE INSIDE OF YOU.
THE BIBLE SAYS THE LIGHT OF THE BODY IS THE EYE, THEREFORE IF THAT EYE BE SINGLE THE WHOLE BODY IS FULL OF LIGHT. METAPHORICALLY HE IS SAYING THE SAME THING THE EYE DOES TO THE BODY THE VISION DOES TO YOUR SPIRIT.
IT ILLUMINATES IT CAUSES YOU TO HAVE LIGHT IT IS THE PLACE OF THE ENTRANCE WHEREBY YOU BEHOLD LIGHT AND EXPELS DARKNESS.

AND IF YOU LOSE YOUR VISION THEN THE WHOLE BODY BECOMES FULL OF DARKNESS.
AS THAT IS NATURALLY, SO IT IS SPIRITUALLY.
ALL THE ENEMY HAS TO DO TO IMPAIR YOUR MOBILITY, STOP YOUR MOVEMENT & IMPED YOUR PROGRESS IS START MESSING WITH YOUR VISION.

I WANT TO TALK TO YOU FROM THE SUBJECT OF HAVING ONE HEART AND ONE VISION.
ACTS TALK ABOUT SINGLENESS APART AND MATTHEW TALKED ABOUT SINGLENESS OF THE EYE.

IN THE BIBLE AND THE BOOK OF ACTS WHEN IT TALKS ABOUT THE GREAT NEAR CLOSE THAT OCCURRED IN THE LIVES OF THE DISCIPLES IT TIES THE ABILITY FOR THEM TO PERFORM MIRACLES WITH FELLOWSHIP.

IT SAYS THEY CONTINUED FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE IN BREAKING OF BREAD AND IN FELLOWSHIP.
THAT'S WHY I THINK IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE OUR LIFEGROUP MEETINGS OUR CELL GROUPS, HOUSE TO HOUSE MEETINGS.

THAT WE DON'T BECOME ISOLATED AND INTROSPECTIVE.
AND THAT'S ONE OF THE AREAS THE ENEMY FIGHTS CHRISTIANS MOST.

- THE ENEMY WANTS TO BRING YOU TO A POINT WHERE YOU BECOME CYNICAL ABOUT OTHER BELIEVERS AND YOU STOP FOOLING WITH PEOPLE ALTOGETHER.

- AFTER YOU'VE HAD SEVERAL BAD EXPERIENCES YOU GET TO THE POINT YOU DON'T WANT TO COME OUT OF YOUR HOUSE, YOU WANT TO GO UP AND GET IN A LITTLE CAVE OR A LITTLE HOLE... "I DON'T WANT TO TRUST ANYBODY, I DON'T WANT TO OPEN UP TO ANYBODY, YOU ARE AFRAID".

- BUT IT'S VERY, VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU BREAK-THROUGH THAT FEAR AND ALLOW SOMEBODY, NOT EVERYBODY - BUT ALLOW SOMEBODY TO BE ABLE TO ENTER INTO THAT INNER SANCTUM SO YOU CAN HAVE FELLOWSHIP.

FELLOWSHIP GIVES YOU CROSS-POLLINATION, IT CAUSES YOU TO BE FRUITFUL.

WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE ANY THOUGHTS THAT YOUR OWN THOUGHTS YOU CAN'T MONITOR WHETHER YOU'RE PROGRESSING OR DIGRESSING.
YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO BOUNCE SOME THINGS OFF OF PEOPLE.

IN THE BIBLE SAYS THE THING THAT CAUSED THEM TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT IS THAT THEY CONTINUED TO BREAKING OF BREAD AND GOING HOUSE TO HOUSE.
THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT FOOD AND FELLOWSHIP NOT ALL HIS SPIRITUALITY, NOT JUST HAVEN'T CHURCH BUT YOU NEED TO HAVE SOME FUN.

THAT'S WHAT THE EARLY CHURCH DID.
AND THE BIBLE ATTRIBUTES THEIR ABILITY TO PERFORM MIRACLES TO THIS.
AND THE BIBLE SAYS THEY WENT HOUSE TO HOUSE IN FELLOWSHIP & BREAKING OF BREAD AND IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THEIR ABILITY TO PERFORM MIRACLES.

SINGLENESS OF HEART... WHERE YOU HAVE ONE HEART.

ONE OF THE MOST DIFFICULT THINGS YOU EVER ATTAIN IS ONE HEART.
TO GET DOWN TO THE POINT WHERE YOU ARE ONE IN ANY AREA OF YOUR LIFE TAKES A LOT OF WORK.
IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME BECAUSE WE ARE BORN WITH INCONSISTENCIES, WE ARE BORN OUT OF BALANCE.

WE ARE BORN NOT AT A PLACE OF WHOLENESS, ONENESS, SOLIDARITY, OR STABILITY.

THAT'S WHY DAVID SAID IN PSALMS 27 - HE FINALLY COMES TO THE POINT WHERE HE SAYS "HEY THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS I COULD ASK GOD FOR THAT I AM BOILING IT DOWN TOO, AND THAT ONE THING THAT I HAVE DESIRED OF THE LORD IS WHAT I'M GOING TO SEEK AFTER AND THAT IS THAT I MAY DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD FOREVER."

WHEN YOU GET DOWN TO ONE THING YOU HAVE UNITY, YOU'VE GOT SOLIDARITY, YOU'VE GOT FOCUS AND YOU'VE GOT POWER.
AND ONE OF THE THINGS THE ENEMY DOES, EVIL DOES, LIFE DOES, TROUBLE DOES IS DO EVERYTHING THAT IT CAN TO KEEP YOU FROM HAVING ONE HEART!

The Siege Is Over

2010-04-01T14:10:00.001-04:00

THE NORTHERN KINGDOM OF ISRAEL WAS UNDER SIEGE BY THE SYRIAN ARMY.
THE CITY WAS SURROUNDED, ALL SUPPLIES HAD BEEN CUT OFF, THE FOOD SITUATION WAS DESPERATE. THE NATION WAS STARVING TO DEATH.

THINGS WERE SO BAD THAT THE ONLY THING TO EAT WAS DONKEY-HEAD BURGERS AND THEY WERE SELLING FOR $50 A PIECE AND THE ONLY THING YOU COULD PUT ON THE BURGER WAS DOVE-DROPPINGS.
• CAN YOU IMAGINE GOING DOWN TO THE LOCAL RESTAURANT, SITTING DOWN AND SAYING TO THE WAITER, "GIVE ME A DONKEY-HEAD BURGER, BUT HOLD THE DOVE MANURE."

SITTING IN THE TWILIGHT, WHEN IT WAS NEITHER DAY OR NIGHT, ONE OF THEM SAID, “IF WE SIT HERE WE’RE GOING TO DIE, IF WE GO INSIDE THE CITY WE ARE GOING TO DIE;

WHY DON’T WE TAKE A WALK OUT TO THE ENEMIES CAMP & SEE IF THEY WILL HAVE MERCY ON US & THROW US A LOAF OF BREAD.

AND THE BIBLE SAYS THEY ROSE UP IN THE TWILIGHT & HEADED TOWARDS THE ENEMIES CAMP.
SOMETIMES YOU JUST HAVE TO STAND UP IN YOUR TWILIGHT EXPERIENCE.
SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO OVERCOME WHAT YOU FEEL & HOW SICK YOU ARE & HOW HUNGRY…
SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO STAND UP & DO SOMETHING.
THESE MEN WALKED TOWARD THE ENEMIES CAMP & THE BIBLE SAYS “GOD AMPLIFIED THEIR FOOTSTEPS”.

GOD HAD DONE BOTH THE UNEXPECTED AND THE IMPOSSIBLE (BECAUSE HE SPECIALIZES IN DOING BOTH) SENDING AN INVISIBLE ANGELIC ARMY, HE HAD CAUSED THE SYRIAN ARMY TO FLEE.

ALL OF A SUDDEN, THESE FOUR LEPERS KNEW THEY HAD STRUCK THE MOTHER-LOAD.
THERE WAS BLING-BLING EVERYWHERE.
THESE LEPERS WERE NOW THE "FANTASTIC FOUR".
THEY HAD BECOME INSTANT MILLIONAIRES.
IN JUST A MATTER OF MINUTES, THEY HAD GONE FROM LEPROSY TO LUXURY.
THEY WERE GORGING THEMSELVES ON FOOD, DRINKING FRESH WATER, TRYING ON THE RINGS AND JEWELRY, & ARMONI SUITS,
ALL THE WHILE,
UNKNOWING TO THEM, THE PROPHET INSIDE THE CITY SAID, “THIS TIME TOMORROW THE SIEGE WILL BE OVER”.
THIS TIME TOMORROW GOD WILL REVEAL HIMSELF TO US & OUR FAMINE WILL COME TO AN END.

GOD USED 4 LEPROUS MEN TO BRING A SIEGE TO AN END.
• GOD CAN USE THE THINGS THAT WE WON’T TOUCH TO BRING A SIEGE TO AN END.
• GOD CAN MAKE RAVENS TO BRING COOKED MEAT & BAKED BREAD.
• GOD HAS A WAY OF USING THE UGLY THINGS TO PERFORM MIRACLES WITH.
THESE LEPERS ARE IN THIS HUGE ARMY CAMP, WITH ALL THE SILVER & GOLD OF THE OPPOSING ARMY, EATING LIKE KINGS, A TURKEY LEG IN ONE HAND & A LAMB CHOP IN THE OTHER.
AND ONE SAID TO THE ANOTHER, IT’S NOT WELL THAT WE DO THIS WHILE OUR BROTHERS ARE HUNGRY IN THE CITY.
AND THEY WENT BACK TO THEIR CITY WITH THE GREAT NEWS THE SEIGE HAD COME TO AN END.
AND THIS MORNING, I WANT TO SPEAK PROPHETICALLY INTO YOUR LIFE, YOUR MARRIAGES, YOUR FINANCES & YOUR HEALTH, YOUR WORKPLACE.
I PROPHETICALLY DECLARE TO YOU TODAY, THE SIEGE IS COMING TO AN END.
THE LACK OF YOUR LIFE IS COMING TO AN END.
I SPEAK HEALTH TO YOUR BODY.
I SPEAK TO THE SIEGE OF THE FINANCES OF THIS CHURCH, IN THE NAME OF JESUS IT IS COMING TO AN END.
The SIEGE OF ATTACK YOU’VE BEEN UNDER IS COMING TO AN END!
LISTEN,
The FAMINE WAS SO HUGE THAT THEY HAD RESORTED TO EATING DONKEY HEAD BURGERS WITH DOVE DUNG.
IN THE MIDDLE OF A FAMINE, IN THE MIDDLE OF A SIEGE, WHEN THERE WAS NO WAY OUT & THE ENEMY HAD A DEATH GRIP ON THEM & SOMEBODY HAD TO GET A WORD FROM GOD.
SOMEBODYS GOT TO HEAR FROM GOD.
SOMEBODY’S GOT TO GET A PRAYER THROUGH THE HEAVENS.
AND THE PROPHETS SAID, “THIS TIME TOMORROW THIS CITY WILL BE FULL OF SUPPLIES”.

TWO LEPROUS MEN OUTSIDE THE CITY WALLS SAID, “WE WILL EITHER SIT HERE & DIE OR MARCH TO THE CITY”.
AND LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING WRITE THIS DOWN MY FRIEND,
• THE MOUNTAINS YOU FACE BECOME A MOLE HILL, THE MOLE HILLS YOU DON’T FACE BECOMES A MOUNTAIN.
WHAT WE’RE GOING TO DO TODAY,
IS WE ARE GOING TO SING THE SONG, “I WENT TO THE ENEMYS CAMP & TOOK BACK WHAT HE STOLE FROM ME, TAKE BACK WHAT HE STOLE FROM ME”.

YOU CAN SIT HERE THIS MORNING & DIE IN YOUR DEPRESSION, & LET THE ENEMY STEAL YOUR LIFE, YOUR CALL, YOUR ANOINTING OR YOU CAN DO LIKE THE LEPERS DID & SAY “GET OUT OF MY WAY, I’M TAKING BACK WHAT THE DEVIL STOLE FROM ME”.
WE ARE GOING TO MARCH AROUND THIS CHURCH!
• MARCHING FOR OUR CHILDRENS SALVATION.
• MARCHING FOR MY BUSINESS BREAKTHROUGH.
I’M HERE TO DECLARE TO YOU TODAY, “THUS SAITH THE LORD, THE SIEGE OF YOUR LIFE IS ABOUT TO COME TO AN END.

THE BIBLE SAYS, “IT DAWNED ON THE LEPERS “WHAT ABOUT THOSE WHO WERE LEFT BEHIND”.
IN FACT, THE LONGER YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN, THE MORE PRONE YOU ARE TO LET THIS HAPPEN.

SOMEONE ASKED BILLY GRAHAM IN HIS LAST CRUSADE IN NEW YORK CITY WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS THE WORLD'S GREATEST SOCIAL PROBLEM.
HE SAID WITHOUT HESITATION, "HUNGER."
PEOPLE WITHOUT GOD ARE HUNGRY.
THEY ARE STARVING AND THEY ARE DESPERATE.

THE REASON WHY PEOPLE TRY DRUGS, SEX AND MONEY OR THEY BEGIN TO FEED OFF OF EACH OTHER WITH VIOLENCE, WAR, RAPE AND MURDER IS EITHER BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN EATING THE WRONG FOOD (THAT IS THEY HAVE BEEN EATING THE WORLD'S DONKEY-HEAD BURGERS WHICH REALLY WON'T SATISFY) OR THEY HAVE NO FOOD AT ALL.

THE REASON WHY THIS WORLD IS HUNGRY TODAY IS BECAUSE THERE IS A FAMINE.

IT IS A FAMINE THAT AFFECTS EVERY NATION IN THE WORLD. IT IS A FAMINE THE PROPHET AMOS SPOKE OF WHEN HE SAID THIS -
"'Behold, days are coming,' declares the Lord GOD,'When I will send a famine on the land, not a famine for bread or a thirst for water, but rather for hearing the words of the LORD.'" (Amos 8:11, NASB)

I SUBMIT TO YOU TODAY YOU COULD FEED EVERY PERSON ON THIS EARTH, 3 SQUARE MEALS A DAY FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES, - PUT A CAR IN EVERY GARAGE - AND A TURKEY IN EVERY OVEN, AND YOU STILL WOULD NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEMS OF WAR, RAPE, MURDER, VIOLENCE AND TERRORISM, BECAUSE THOSE ARE NOT PHYSICAL PROBLEMS; THOSE ARE SPIRITUAL PROBLEMS.

IF THESE MEN HAD NOT DECIDED TO GET UP, STEP OUT IN FAITH AND TRUST GOD WITH THEIR LIVES, THEY WOULD HAVE MISSED OUT ON THE BLESSINGS THAT GOD HAD FOR THEM.

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THEIR LIVES, THESE LEPERS LIVED LIKE KINGS.
THEY STUFFED THEIR BELLIES FULL OF FOOD AND THEIR POCKETS FULL OF GOLD.
WHILE EVERYBODY ELSE AROUND THEM WAS EATING DONKEY-HEAD BURGERS TOPPED WITH DOVE MANURE THEY WERE ENJOYING FILET MINION, BAKED POTATO AND APPLE PIE.

THINK ABOUT THIS - EVERY SINGLE BITE OF FOOD THEY TOOK, EVERY PIECE OF JEWELRY THEY PUT ON, EVERY GOLD NUGGET THEY STUCK IN THEIR POCKET HAD ALL BEEN PROVIDED BY THE GRACE OF GOD.

THESE LEPERS DIDN'T DESERVE ANY OF THIS. THEY HADN'T FOUGHT ONE BATTLE. THEY HADN'T KILLED ONE SOLDIER.
THEY HAD NOT BOUGHT ONE PIECE OF BREAD.
THEY HAD NOT EARNED ONE PIECE OF GOLD.
IT WAS ALL BY THE GRACE OF GOD.

THAT IS EXACTLY A PICTURE OF WHAT HAPPENS WHEN A PERSON COMES TO CHRIST.
HE STRIKES GOLD; THE GOLD OF GOD'S GRACE, THE GOLD OF GOD'S LOVE, THE GOLD OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS, THE GOLD OF ETERNAL LIFE AND HE EATS BREAD AND DRINKS WATER THAT FOREVER QUENCHES HIS HUNGER AND HIS THIRST.

"THEN THEY SAID TO ONE ANOTHER, "WE ARE NOT DOING RIGHT. THIS DAY IS A DAY OF GOOD NEWS, BUT WE ARE KEEPING SILENT." (II KINGS 7:9, NASB)

YOU KNOW WHERE I AM GOING WITH THIS - DON'T YOU?
WE ARE SITTING ON NOT JUST GOOD NEWS, BUT THE BEST NEWS IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD.

NEWS THAT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ETERNAL LIFE AND ETERNAL DEATH THAT CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHETHER A PERSON SPENDS ETERNITY IN HELL OR IN HEAVEN.

LISTEN TO WHAT THESE MEN FINALLY CONCLUDED.
"If we wait until morning light, punishment will overtake us. Now therefore come, let us go and tell the king's household." (II Kings 7:9b)

THEY KNEW THAT IF THEY DID NOT SHARE THIS GOOD NEWS IT WOULD CATCH UP WITH THEM.
THEY KNEW WITH THEIR GREAT DISCOVERY CAME BOTH A RESPONSIBILITY TO SHARE THAT DISCOVERY, AND AN ACCOUNTABILITY IF THEY DID NOT.

The Prophet Ezekiel put it very strongly when he said this,
"If I warn the wicked, saying, `You are under the penalty of death,' but you fail to deliver the warning, they will die in their sins. And I will hold you responsible, demanding your blood for theirs." (Ezekiel 3:18, NLT)

HOW WOULD YOU LIFE CHANGE IF YOU ADOPTED A "NO ONE LEFT BEHIND" MENTALITY?
o Who would you take to lunch or have to your home for
dinner?
o Who would you add to your prayer list?
o Who would you invite to Covenant Life?
o How would your financial priorities change?

DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE “SIN OF THE DESERT IS?"
"THE SIN OF THE DESERT IS TO KNOW WHERE THERE IS WATER, BUT NOT TELL ANYONE ELSE ABOUT IT".

MILLIONS WILL STAND BEFORE GOD WHO COMMITTED THE SIN OF THE DESERT, AND WILL STAND BEFORE GOD, NEVER HAVING TOLD ANYONE ABOUT THE LIVING WATER THAT CAN QUENCH THE THIRST AND THE BREAD OF LIFE THAT CAN QUENCH THE HUNGER OF ANY HUMAN BEING.

I read a story years ago about a goof-off who played around
with football. He never got to play because he never took the game
seriously. He sat the bench all the time. He was just a big fun-
loving mischievous kid that didn't take practice very seriously. He
had a uniform and he would show up to play, but never showed a
lot of enthusiasm for the game.

The only reason he played football was so the girls would like
him, and he wouldn't have to buy a ticket to get into the games. He
hated to practice, he did his laps only hapheartedly. One day while
he was going through the motions the coach came over and said,
"Son, there's a telegram for you." He said, "Coach, what does it
say?" The boy was so lazy he didn't even like to read. The coach
opened it up and it read, "Dear Son, your father is dead. Come
home immediately." The coach swallowed hard and said, "Son,
take the rest of the week off." Quite frankly, the coach didn't care if
he never came back.

Well, funny thing, when game time came on Friday, and the
teams came rushing out on the field, the last kid out, dressed out in
his uniform, was this goof-off. As soon as the gun sounded the kid
went up to the coach and said, "Coach, can I play today?" The
coach thought, "Kid, you're not playing today, this is Homecoming.
This is the biggest game of the year. We need our best players
and you're not one of them." The coach ignored him. Well every
time the coach turned around the kid badgered him, "Coach, please
let me play. I've just got to play."

Well, the first quarter ended with a score lopsided against the
coach and his team. At halftime they were still further behind. The
second half started and things were getting worse, and the coach
finally out of just a sense of resignation said to the kid, "Get in
there. You can't hurt anything now anyway."

No sooner did that kid hit the field than his team exploded. He
ran, blocked, and tackled like an all-American. The electricity
leaped to this team. The score evened up and the closing seconds
of the game this kid even intercepted a pass and ran all the way for
the winning touchdown!

The stands broke into pandemonium. This kid was carried off
the field on the shoulders of his teammates. When the excitement
died down, the coach went over to this kid in the locker room and
said, "Kid, I've never seen anything like that. What in the world
happened to you out there?" He said, "Coach, you know my Dad
died last week." The coach said, "Yes, I know that." He said, "Well
coach, my Dad was blind and today was the first day he ever saw
me play." (7)

Well, I want to tell you today your Heavenly Father is watching

What are you waiting for today?

2009-06-08T08:22:00.002-04:00

I woke up this morning with a song on my heart, "While I'm Waiting" by John Waller. It will be forever linked to the movie Fireproof, but the lyrics can apply to so many situations both sad and happy. It is all a matter of interpretation. Usually, when we are waiting the situation causes a lot of stress and anxiety. What does the Word of God say about waiting, and about worry, stress, or anxiety?

Matthew 6:24
²⁵"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? ²⁶Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?

Psalm 5:2-3
² Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. ³ In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

The lyrics aid the instruction of God so well.

"I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait"

What are you waiting on today? Tomorrow? Next year? Retirement? A bad prognosis? Your children to grow up? More time in the day?

Let me ask you. Are you waiting for that perfect opportunity to go back to school, start a family, write a book, change careers, compose a song, start a business? What exactly are you waiting for? Don’t let fear keep you from experiencing all that God has for you. Don’t let the risk of failure keep you from risking at all. Serve the Lord. Become a part of something, something bigger than you can imagine. Attend a Lifegroup. Take the hand of someone who is hurting and offer comfort. Send a card to someone who is sick. What are you waiting for?

Worship and Praise God for every little detail of your life. It might seem hard at first, but just WAIT, before you know it the worry, the stress, the pain will ease, and then the answer will come. So, again, what are you waiting for?

"While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait"

It’s a lot like receiving Christ into your heart. If you were to wait until your life is perfect, holy and sinless before you invited Jesus into your life, then you would still be waiting on your deathbed, for it is Christ within us that makes us perfect, holy and sinless. God says to you, “Choose today whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15).

Today, ask your Father for the strength and endurance to step out into what he is calling you to do. Start with something small, and let him bring it to life. “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin” (Zechariah 4:10a).

The Grace of Strength-Devotional

2009-03-13T19:16:00.003-04:00

Thou, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 TIMOTHY 2:1

EVERY trouble is an opportunity to win the grace of strength. Whatever else trouble is in the world for, it is here for this good purpose: to develop strength. For a trouble is a moral and spiritual task. It is something which is hard to do. And it is in the spiritual world as in the physical, strength is increased by encounter with the difficult. A world without any trouble in it would be, to people of our kind, a place of spiritual enervation and moral laziness.

Fortunately, every day is crowded with care. Every day to every one of us brings its questions, its worries, and its tasks, brings its sufficiency of trouble. Thus, we get our daily spiritual exercise. Every day we are blessed with new opportunities for the development of strength of soul.

PRAYER

Lord, help us today to exercise our faith and strengthen our soul so that tomorrow we will be stronger, wiser, and more aware of your awesome devotion to us, as well as our developing devotion grows for you.

Amen.

Instant Messaging-Devotional

2009-03-10T15:57:00.004-04:00

-Isaiah 65:24

24 Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.

I heard a story recently of a missionary on the field in one country while her daughter was also on the mission field in another country. They communicated as often as they could via instant messaging. Checking in daily, exchanging stories, prayer requests, and experiences via the world of internet exchange.

Prayer is much the same thing as instant messaging. God is on one end of the communication, and I am on the other. Sometimes I fail to connect, and the messages cease to flow. But God is always online, waiting for me to return. I only need to make a connection. Have you IM'ed HIM today?

PRAYER

Loving God, thank you for always being there for us. Help us to enjoy your presence, peace, and comfort in knowing you are only an instant away. Amen.

Living in Perilous Times - Part 2

2009-02-09T05:29:00.003-05:00

NOW THAT WE UNDERSTAND WHAT GRACE IS, YOU’LL UNDERSTAND THIS SCRIPTURE.
5 - For although they hold a form of piety (true religion / true christianity), they deny and reject the power that could make them godly; their conduct contradicts the genuineness of their profession].
SO YOU KNOW WHAT’S GOING TO MAKE OUR DAY DIFFICULT?
PAUL SAYS,
IT’S THE LIFESTYLE OF PEOPLE WHO - QUOTE SAY: THEY ARE BORN AGAIN, I’VE BEEN SAVED, JESUS IS LORD OF MY LIFE.
BUT YET,
THEY ARE STILL GOING TO BE UNLOVING, UNFORGIVING, STILL LOVE PLEASURE MORE THAN THEY LOVE GOD, AN INORDINATE LOVE FOR MONEY.
AND THEY WILL DENY THE POWER THAT CAN CHANGE THEM FROM UNLOVING TO LOVING, UNFORGIVING TO FORGIVING, THE POWER TO CHANGE THEM FROM BEING A LOVER OF MONEY TO A LOVER OF PEOPLE.
· THE POWER THAT COULD CHANGE THEM FROM BEING UNTHANKFUL TO THANKFUL;
· THE POWER TO CHANGE THEM FROM BEING UNHOLY TO HOLY;

VS 7 – “ALWAYS LEARNING BUT NEVER COMING TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH.”
WE SPEND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON CD’S, DVD’S & BOOKS AND WHAT DO WE HAVE …A CHURCH THAT IS EVER LEARNING BUT NEVER COMING TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH.
WHAT IS THE EVIDENCE OF COMING INTO THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH? A CHANGED LIFE!
· Where all the sudden now, we’re being honest in business dealings.
SO, PAUL SAYS THIS IS WHATS GOING TO MAKE THE LAST DAYS DIFFICULT.
LUKEWARMNESS, COMPROMISE & A WORLDLY LIFESTYLE IS A VERY CONTAGIOUS DISEASE.
PEOPLE WILL HAVE A FORM OF GODLINESS.
SEE,
PAUL LIVED IN A DAY OF PERSECUTION.
AND I THINK THE DEVIL JUST GOT SMARTER IN THE LAST DAYS AND SAID “I KNOW HOW TO GET THE CHURCH AWAY FROM JESUS.
- I’LL JUST GIVE THEM A LIFE OF EASE.
- I’LL JUST GET THEM LUKEWARM.
LOOK AT REVELATION 4:1 – AFTER THESE THINGS I LOOKED AND BEHOLD THE DOOR WAS STANDING OPEN IN HEAVEN; AND THE FIRST VOICE WHICH I HEARD WAS LIKE A TRUMPET SPEAKING TO ME SAYING COME UP HERE!
HOW IS THE LORD COMING BACK FOR HIS CHURCH?
HE WILL DECEND ON A CLOUD, WITH A VOICE OF AN ARCH ANGEL, WITH THE TRUMPET OF GOD;
NOW,
REVELATION 3:14 – NOW TO THE ANGEL (MESSENGER) TO THE CHURCH OF THE LAODICIANS WRITE.
LISTEN CAREFULLY …UNDERLINE THE WORD CHURCH!
NOTICE HE DOESN’T SAY “TO THE CITY… HE SAYS TO THE CHURCH OF LAODICIA.”
HE SAYS TO THE CHURCH OF LAODICIA WRITE.

WATCH WHAT HE SAYS… “
‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, (FAITHFUL MEANS TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH ALL THE TIME; TRUE MEANS? IT MEANS HE WILL TELL YOU THE TRUTH WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT.)
HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW THAT IF YOU GO TO 90% OF USED CAR SALES LOTS IN AMERICA WHAT WOULD HAPPEN?
Look at you, wow! You look like a picture of the American Dream. Who makes your suits, wow man you deserve to drive something that is as nice as how you look. This thing here is the real deal. You wouldn’t believe how I got this baby. This little grandma bought this brand new and only drove it to church & back on Sunday’s and it’s always been babied.
AND WHAT’S HE THINKING? WOW, THIS GUY IS NICER TO ME THAN MY WIFE!
WHY? BECAUSE YOUR WIFE LOVES YOU & THIS GUY JUST WANTS TO FLADDER YOU SO HE CAN TAKE YOUR MONEY.
YOU KNOW WHAT Exodus 23:8 says, “a form of a bribe is flattery & blinds the discerning.”
The moment you receive flattery, your discernment goes out the window. He’s trying to flatter you so he can take your money.
JESUS IS NOT A FLATTERING PREACHER!
HE’S A FAITHFUL & TRUE WITNESS.
HE WILL TELL YOU THE TRUTH EVERY TIME.
15 - I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot…”
WHO’S THE HOT? The hot are probably most of you here this morning. Give or take a few. They are passionate about God, willing to throw themselves into the work of God, willing to be used of the Lord.
WHO’S THE COLD? The cold are in probably the ones in the bars, wouldn’t dare go to church, his god is probably Tennessee Titans.
VS 15 - I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.
FOR JESUS TO SAY HE WISH FOR YOU TO BE EITHER THIS OR THAT, MEANS THAT COLD OR HOT IS BETTER THAN BEING LUKEWARM.
WHY? WHAT’S HIS REASONING FOR TELLING THE CHURCH THIS?
THIS HAS PUZZLED ME FOR YEARS.
HE’S TALKING TO A CHURCH & HE’S SAYING TO THE GUYS IN THE CHURCH, WHEN YOU ARE LUKEWARM YOU ARE WORSE OFF THAN THE GUY IN THE BARS.
HELLO!!!
AND THEN I READ THE NEXT VERSE & GOT THE UNDERSTANDING.
LOOK AT,
VS. 16 -So then, because you are lukewarm, (Luke warm means its got enough hot in it to blend in with the hot, it can sing the songs, it knows the lingo, knows the dress, has the t-shirts, knows the music.
BUT,
It also has enough cold in it that it can blend in with the cold.
LUKE WARM IS REALLY A COMILLIAN.
VS. 16 - So then, because you are lukewarm …and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
HAVE YOU EVER SEEN SOMEONE VOMIT?
IT’S NOT JUST A LITTLE DRIBBLE, DRIBBLE.
IT’S WITH GREAT FORCE.
YET, THAT’S THE LANGUAGE HE USES.
NOW,
CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION?
CAN I VOMIT A STEAK IF IT’S IN MY HAND? NO! THE STEAK HAS TO BE IN MY BODY.

YOU KNOW WHAT JESUS IS SAYING?
I’M GOING TO VOMIT THOSE OUT OF MY CHURCH WHO
REALLY DON’T BELONG TO ME.
BECAUSE
YOUR BODY VOMITS WHAT IT CANNOT ASSIMILATE.
HAVE YOU GOT FOOD POISONED BEFORE.
WITHIN AN HOUR YOU WILL BE TOSSING YOUR COOKIES BECAUSE YOUR BODY CAN’T ASSIMILATE POISONOUS MEAT.
JESUS IS SAYING “I’M GOING TO VOMIT THOSE IN MY CHURCH THAT REALLY DON’T BELONG TO ME.”
FOLKS,
NEVER CALL A LUKEWARM BELIEVER A CHRISTIAN.
BECAUSE JESUS WOULD NEVER VOMIT SOMEBODY WHO IS A TRUE BELIEVER.

SO, WHY IS IT MORE ADVANTAGEOUS TO BE COLD, IN THE BARS, IN THE CLUBS THAN TO BE LUKEWARM.
BECAUSE,
THE GUY IN THE BAR KNOWS HE’S LOST, YOU DON’T HAVE TO CONVINCE HIM.
BUT, THE LUKEWARM PERSON IN THE CHURCH, SAYS “I KNOW THE LORD, I PRAYED THE FORMULA PRAYER MAN”.
SEE, IF YOU DON’T THINK YOU NEED TO BE SAVED YOU WON’T HAVE A REASON TO GET SAVED.
YOU’RE HARDER TO REACH!

Stay tuned for part 3 tomorrow.

Living In Perilous Times

2009-02-08T16:04:00.005-05:00

We received such a tremendous response to the sermon "Living in Perilous Times, " we wanted to include portions of the sermon on our blog for everyone to refresh their sprit. The entire sermon can be picked up on DVD at the MVG center in the lobby or listen to the message after it has been added to the sermons on the web site.

II COR. 7:1 - Therefore having these promises!
WHAT ARE THESE PROMISES?
1. I will dwell among them
2. I will walk among them
3. I will be there God
4. They will be my people
PAUL SAYS “THEREFORE HAVING THESE PROMISES, BELOVED (He’s talking to believers) LET US CLEANSE OURSELVES FROM ALL FILTHINESS. (not some but all filthiness)OF THE FLESH & SPIRIT PERFECTING HOLINESS IN THE LOVE??? NO FEAR OF GOD.

JESUS SAID, “A NEW COMMANDMENT I GIVE YOU THAT YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS I HAVE LOVED YOU.”
SO, WE MUST LOVE GOD & FEAR GOD & THAT’S WHAT KEEPS US STRAIGHT.
THE LOVE OF GOD KEEPS US FROM LEGALISM.
THE FEAR OF GOD KEEPS US FROM LAWLESSNESS.

BUT NOTICE HE SAYS,
“LET US CLEANSE OURSELVES (How do we cleanse ourselves?) FROM ALL FILTHINESS OF THE FLESH & SPIRIT PERFECTING HOLINESS.”
HOW DO WE DO THAT II CORINTHIANS 6:1

AS GOD'S FELLOW WORKERS WE URGE YOU NOT TO RECEIVE GOD'S GRACE IN VAIN.

LET ME GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.
I REMEMBER IN MY HOME CHURCH AS YOUNG MAN, WE RENTED A MOVIE CALLED THE BURNING HELL!
AND MAN THE PLACE WAS PACKED OUT!
AND WHEN I SAW THAT MOVIE, OOH… I WAS REPENTING LIKE NOBODY’S BUSINESS.
AND MY LIFE WAS CHANGED …FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND I WAS BACK INTO ALL MY SIN.
· I HAD REPENTED… BUT THERE WAS NO GRACE.
· GRACE IS WHAT GIVES YOU THE POWER TO LIVE IT.
DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I’M SAYING?

I MAY HAVE BEEN A REPENTING YOUNG MAN AFTER SEEING THAT MOVIE, BUT THE GRACE OF GOD EMPOWERS YOU TO CLEANSE YOURSELF.
HEBREWS 12:14 - Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:
PAUL SAYS “WITHOUT HOLINESS OR SANCTIFICATION (IT’S THE SAME) NO ONE WILL SEE THE LORD;

NOW,
NOTICE WHAT HE DOES NOT SAY… HE DOES NOT SAY “WITHOUT JUSTIFICATION NOBODY WILL SEE THE LORD.”
HE SAYS “WITHOUT HOLINESS”!
JUSTIFICATION IS ALL - WHAT GOD DOES.
- WE CAN’T DO NOTHING BUT RECEIVE IT. RIGHT?
BUT,
SANCTIFICATION WE HAVE A PART IN, WE HAVE TO CLEANSE OURSELVES.
HE SAYS “PURSUE PEACE WITH ALL AND HOLINESS WITHOUT WHICH NO MAN WILL SEE THE LORD.”
SOME PEOPLE LOOK AT THIS AS A GOAL WE SHOULD REACH FOR, BUT GOD SAYS WHAT HE MEANS & MEANS WHAT HE SAYS!
LET’S READ ON, BECAUSE HE’S NOT THROUGH
VS. 15 - LOOKING CAREFULLY LEST ANYONE FALL SHORT OF THE GRACE OF GOD;
AIN’T NO WAY YOU CAN FALL SHORT OF GOD’S GRACE.

BUT,
WHEN YOU UNDERSTAND GRACE AS BEING GOD’S EMPOWERING PRESENCE TO GIVE YOU THE ABILITY TO CLEANSE YOURSELF SO THAT YOU WALK IN HOLINESS & SEE THE LORD –
THEN YOU CAN UNDERSTAND HOW SOMEONE CAN RECEIVE IT IN VAIN.
IT WOULD BE LIKE YOU FALLING OVER-BOARD & ME THROWING A LIFE PRESERVER TO YOU SO YOU DIDN’T DROWN, BUT YOU DIDN’T USE IT TO GET BACK TO THE BOAT.
NOW GO WITH ME TO II TIMOTHY 3:1 -“KNOW THIS THAT IN THE LAST DAYS…
· NOW, HOW MANY OF YOU BELIEVE WE’RE LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS?
· YOU WOULD HAVE TO BE SPIRITUALLY COMOTOSE TO NOT KNOW WE ARE LIVING IN THE LAST DAYS.
· JESUS REBUKED THE PHARASEE’S FOR KNOWING THE SEASONS IN THE NATURAL BUT YOU CAN’T DISCERN THE SIGNS OF THE TIMES.
· IF YOU ARE WALKING WITH GOD YOU WILL KNOW THE SEASONS OF HIS RETURN.

PAUL SAYS, “KNOW THIS THAT IN THE LAST DAYS PERILOUS TIMES WILL COME”.
THE NIV SAYS “IN THE LAST DAYS TERRIBLE DAYS WILL COME.”
THE NLT SAYS, “VERY DIFFICULT DAYS WILL COME.”
THE AMPLIFIED SAYS “PERILOUS TIMES OF GREAT STRESS AND TROUBLE, HARD TO DEAL WITH AND HARD TO BEAR”.

NOW, PAUL LOOKS AT OUR DAY AND SAYS “ITS GOING TO BE DIFFICULT”.
HE WENT ON TO SAY 3 TIMES I WAS BEATEN WITH RODS.
BY BEATING PAUL WITH RODS THEY WOULD LITERALLY BRUISE THEIR BONES.
- HE SAID I’VE BEEN STONED AND LEFT FOR DEAD ON NUMEROUS OCCASSIONS.
FOLKS, THIS IS THE SAME MAN WHO LOOKS AT MY DAY & CALLS IT DIFFICULT.
LET ME READ THIS OUT OF THE AMPLIFIED & NEW LIVING TOGETHER.
“BUT UNDERSTAND this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear].
For people will be self-centered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate desires for wealth, proud and arrogant and boasters. They will be abusive disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane.
3 -They will be unloving and unforgiving, relentless (admitting of no truce or appeasement); they will be false accusers, intemperate and loose in morals and conduct, uncontrolled and fierce, haters of good.
4 - They will be betrayers, rash, and inflated with self-conceit. They will be lovers of pleasures and vain amusements more than and rather than lovers of God.
SO THEY WILL LOVE PLEASURE MORE THAN THEY LOVE GOD.
5 - For although they hold a form of piety (true religion / true christianity), they deny and reject the power that could make them godly.
WHAT POWER IS THAT? GRACE

That's just a taste of the sermon. We will be back later this week with more of this POWERFUL sermon on "Living in Perilous Times."

Follow the Star

2009-01-09T00:10:00.003-05:00

MATTHEW 2:1-2
1 NOW WHEN JESUS WAS BORN IN BETHLEHEM OF JUDAEA IN THE DAYS OF HEROD THE KING, BEHOLD, THERE CAME WISE MEN FROM THE EAST TO JERUSALEM,
2 SAYING, WHERE IS HE THAT IS BORN KING OF THE JEWS? FOR WE HAVE SEEN HIS STAR IN THE EAST, AND ARE COME TO WORSHIP HIM.

Every man has 2 people inside of them. A king and a fool.
Whichever Cyndi talks to is who she gets.

I want to speak to the king in everyone’s hearts today.
I believe we have a mission, God had the provision of heaven He was moving kings around the world to make provisions
· He knew he would have to run away from Egypt.
· He knew of the massacre of Bethlehems child.
· Out-rage of Herod

When God births something in you, he will send kings from the other side of the world to support one of his babies.
· I can see King Gaspar; Belthazar; & Melchior looking up into the sky,

And they look up, …“look up there” …kings left the protection of their world.
You know you’re a king when you see stuff that no one else sees.
You know you’re a king when you leave your world of safety to risk everything to follow the star of your life.
I’M TALKING TO KINGS TODAY.

God’s looking for People who are willing to follow the star, NOT Hollywood but Bright and Morning Star...
These men set out.
IT WAS “RIDICULOUS”, WHAT THEY DID!
- We serve a ridiculous god with ridiculous grace, that calls us out of darkness with a ridiculous love.
- Surely not Bethlehem, surely not shepherds, that’s ridiculous.
- The fact that he saw me in my sin is ridiculous.
- The fact that I’m a joint aire of Jesus is ridiculous.
- His love has no boundries.
- He is utterly ridiculous.
-
These 3 kings set out across the world to find a baby that hadn’t been conceived.
- The angel hadn’t whispered to Mary yet.

Anything born of God will be provided for by God.
WHEN DO YOU SEE STARS? AT NIGHT!
When everybody else is sleeping, Kings are looking for stars.
When everybody else is cuddled up at night, Kings say “I’ve got to go”
A king will leave safety!
A king stands up in the dark & says “I’m following my destiny.
In this church today, I want to anoint kings, I want to move forward into 2009 and raise up some kings.
· SO HERE’S SOME STARS.
- This year we’re going to see some families saved.
- This year we’re going to give more to God than ever.
When people squabble & fight on penny annie petty things, I can’t. I’ve got a star to follow.
How many times have I sit down and not been a King.
When David was in ziglag.
He was a mercenary.
The philistines had possessed God’s praise.
And David was working as a Mercinaries.
David was doing something he wasn’t suppose to be doing.
HE WASN’T KING
They paid him off. The praiser, the worshiper, was fighting for the enemy.
He was gone one day, and they slaughtered, murdered & raped their wives and daughters. They hated the Israelites.
And when David came back from doing what he shouldn’t of been doing, his family was gone.
When people start doing stuff they should never be doing. Their families, their children pay the price.

When you put your hand against the ark of god… there’s hell to pay and it will show up in your family!
Mark it down!

So David inquired of the Lord
David took the spoils of the people.
The prodical still had enough of His father in him to say “what, am I doing here." The servants in my fathers house have better than this.

What we need to do in the next few weeks is call our kings home this year…
We need to put the names of every unsaved loved one in the new church.
Bring the pictures of your lost loved ones.
Put the rock in the middle of the altar.

The Name Above Every Name

2008-12-24T00:39:00.004-05:00

Philippians 2:5-11 New Living Translation

5 You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. 7 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, 8 he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
9 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

I WANT TO TELL YOU THAT THE NAME OF JESUS IS THE GREATEST NAME EVER UTTERED. MARY AND JOSEPH DID NOT GIVE JESUS HIS NAME.
IN MATTHEW 1:21 THE ANGEL SAID TO JOSEPH,

"AND YOU SHALL CALL HIS NAME JESUS: FOR HE SHALL SAVE HIS PEOPLE FROM THEIR SINS."

2008-12-09T23:10:00.005-05:00

Special Announcement*No SERVICE Wedndesday December 10, 2008 *
In Honor of Ralph Gribble's Funeral at Covenant Life Church wrom 6-8pm uneral 8pm
Wednesday night December 10, 2008 will be the funeral for Ralph Gribble at Covenant Life Church. Viewing of friends will be from 6pm to 8pm and the funeral will start at 8pm. The Choir will be singing. The Creator's Cafe will be only for the family. Ralph Gribble was an elder of the church who was very instrumental in the Covenant Life Church. Ralph helped begin the Biker's Sunday. He was the father of 5 boys.

*No Children's Wednesday Evening Service*
In Honor of Ralph Gribble's funeral, we will NOT be having services for the children. However, the Oneighty teen services will still be running as scheduled at the Oneighty Center from 6:30 - 8:30pm.

UPCOMING EVENTS YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS!

2008-11-22T13:05:00.003-05:00

2008-11-22T13:01:00.002-05:00

Below is some feedback I have already gotten:

I have just gotten home from the Women’s Encounter and wanted to share with you my thoughts. I hope that each of you who attended will hit the “reply all” button and let us know what the Encounter meant for you. It is so encouraging to hear from each other.

Pastor shared with us from the Be-attitudes, Matthew 5:2-12. For me what spoke to me the most was about being the salt of the earth. How our actions, what we say, how we live, our relationship with the Lord should be as salt to other people. We should make people “thirsty” for God. To want what we have. It really made me think – do I do that? Do I make people hunger and thirst for God while I am at work or at home with my family. Wow! I want to be that salt that people will ask Why are you so happy? Where does that joy come from? Why are you satisfied with your little house, old vehicles. How do you see hope for your children when they never attend church. What do you have that’s so great? Well the answer is JESUS!!!! Pastor encouraged us women to seek out in our church body a lady who seems lonely, frustrated, sad, maybe feeling rejected. Go sit beside them and let what’s in you ooze on over to them. Well Pastor didn’t exactly use the word ooze, that’s mine J We aren’t suppose to contain the Holy Ghost, but let him loose and let him use us mightily. Thru Jesus we are a mighty army of women who are sent out to minister to one another. To hold each other up when you just can’t stand anymore.

Be sure to push that teenager to be at 180 tomorrow night at 6:30 as they have their Youth Encounter. Push that husband on out the door and tell him he don’t want to miss the Men’s Encounter on Thursday.
I love life changing services and that is what I experienced tonight.

Love you all,
Jolene
WOC Chaplain

Because I hit reply all, I believe it will only go to you Jolene because you used Bcc. If I am wrong let me know. I too was blessed by tonight's Encounter. I am amazed that my Pastor (but not surprised) would take the time to bless just the women with a full sermon. There was no offering taken. This was just for us. I've never heard of a (male) Pastor that would deliver a message at a women's service. I am so blessed to be a part of the Body and this Body of believers. There is a medical condition known as iron deficiency. We as a body cant suffer from that because "Iron sharpens Iron", and as long as I hang out with The Body, I ought not rust or get dull!!!How Beautiful is the Body of Christ!
Brenda Q.

I was really surprised that there were about thirty women there. It tickled me to see the young adult ladies present. I was not going because I just needed time at home. I changed my mind when Jolene told me how blessed she was before. Now, my mind is going around and around of stuff I need to do. Then I decided that I needed the refreshing time of my own so that I can benefit others. The part about making someone thirsty for Christ when you are beside them blessed me the most and made me reflect the most. That's what I'm going to work on! Love you beautiful women. I am so blessed to be a part of a body that wants Christ to be lifted up in each one.
Denise Sawyer

I felt the same way Denise did about wanting to stay home because of so many things that need to be done. I came very close to staying home last night...boy am I glad that I didn't!! I was so blessed to be apart of the women's encounter. Pastor Tony did an excellent job speaking to each of us and delivering his message. The part that spoke to me the most was..." it's the little things we do that bring about the big changes!!" We don't realize sometimes what an impact we are having on other people. Being the salt of the earth and making people thirsty for what we have was another. I want to be the very best I can be for God!! I want my light to shine at all times and for people to want what I have and not let the little things that I think are important to keep me from experiencing all that God had for me!!
I love him with all of my heart !! Jan

I am always excited about going to Church for Christian fellowship. The women's ministry has such a special place in my heart. The service was such a blessing to me. I too want to be salt and a light to the world. I believe that we are surrounded by people who need to hear the good and not the bad and that there is hope in this world. I try to be more aware of how I react to situations in my life because I believe God has really been dealing with me about how I do response to certain situation in my own life. We never know how one kind word or deed could help someone no matter how small it really is.

We are truly blessed to be able to come to a Church like ours that truly worships God and loves people. We have such an awesome pastor who cares about us. I try not to take any of this for granted.

My hearts desire is to let people know the love of Christ.

Love you all!!!!

Fearless #4

2008-11-22T12:36:00.005-05:00

A MINDSET OF SCARCITY IS ROOTED IN THE FEAR THAT THERE IS NEVER ENOUGH.
NEVER ENOUGH WHAT? WHATEVER!
WHATEVER IS OF VALUE TO YOU!WHEN SOMEONE LIVES IN A WORLD OF SCARCITY, IT IS A LIMITED SUPPLY AND THERE IS NOT ENOUGH TO GO AROUND.

IN I SAMUEL 15:3,

GOD, THE CREATOR OF EVERYTHING, SPOKE TO SAUL SPECIFICALLY THROUGH THE PROPHET SAMUEL. HE WAS ABSOLUTELY FED UP WITH THE AMALEKITES BLASPHEMING HIM, AND SO HE SAYS TO SAUL, HE SAYS,

“NOW, GO AND ATTACK THE AMALEKITES AND TOTALLY DESTROY,” WHAT?
“TOTALLY DESTROY EVERYTHING THAT BELONGS TO THEM AND DO NOT,” WHAT? “DO NOT SPARE THEM.”

BUT SAUL RESPONDS IN VS 7 SAYS,

“THEN SAUL ATTACKED THE AMALEKITES ALL THE WAY FROM HAVILAH TO SHUR, TO THE EAST OF EGYPT …”

“BUT SAUL AND THE ARMY SPARED KING AGAG AND THE BEST OF THE SHEEP AND THE BEST OF THE CATTLE AND THE FAT CALVES AND THE LAMBS – EVERYTHING THAT WAS GOOD. THESE THEY WERE UNWILLING TO COMPLETELY DESTROY.”

WHY?

BECAUSE IN SAUL’S WORLD, THERE’S NOT ENOUGH.

IF WE LIVE IN A WORLD WHERE THERE’S NOT ENOUGH, WE HAVE TO THEN TAKE THE NEXT QUESTION, WHICH IS,

“WHAT IS IT FOR YOU THAT YOU CAN’T RISK LETTING GO OF?”

THE TRUTH IS, WHAT YOU HAVE IS IRRELEVANT TO WHAT YOU THINK YOU NEED WHEN YOU LIVE OUT OF A MINDSET OF SCARCITY.

SEE, THE MOMENT THAT WE INVITE CHRIST TO INVADE OUR LIVES AND TO FORGIVE US AND WE BECOME HIS CHILD, THE ECONOMIES OF EVERYTHING CHANGE.

IT ALL CHANGES.
FOR EXAMPLE:
· LESS BECOMES MORE.
· THE GREATEST ARE THE SERVANTS.

IT’S ALL KIND OF WEIRD IN A GOD KIND OF WAY.

LIVING OUT OF ABUNDANCE STARTS WITH 3 SIMPLE THINGS.

I. ONE, IT STARTS WITH KNOWING GOD AS OUR
UNLIMITED SUPPLY, REALLY KNOWING HIM, NOT WITH
YOUR MIND, BUT WITH YOUR LIFESTYLE.

II. TWO, “KNOWING WHO I AM IN HIM”

III. THREE, “KNOWING WHAT HE CAN DO THROUGH ME”.

NO, MONEY MAY NOT GROW ON TREES, BUT MY DADDY MADE THE TREES,

HE’S MORE THAN ENOUGH…

I’M NOT TALKING ABOUT A GOD THAT DOESN’T EXIST.
I’M TALKING ABOUT A GOD THAT STRETCHED OUT THE HEAVENS LIKE A CURTAIN.
I’M TALKING ABOUT A GOD THAT LAYETH THE BEAM OF HIS CHAMBERS IN THE WATERS.

I’M TALKING ABOUT A GOD:
- THAT MAKES THE CLOUDS HIS CHARIOTTS.
- THAT WALKS UPON THE WINGS OF THE WIND.
- THAT LAID THE FOUNDATIONS OF THIS EARTH.
- THAT IS CLOTHED WITH MAJESTY & POWER.

I’M TALKING ABOUT A GOD:
- THAT WATERS THE HILLS FROM HIS CHAMBERS.
- THAT CAUSES THE GRASS TO GROW TO FEED THE CATTLE.
- THAT SPOKE THIS WORLD INTO EXISTENCE.
- THAT HOLDS THE SEA IN THE PALMS OF HIS HANDS.
- THAT CALLS THE EARTH HIS FOOTSTOOL.
- THAT KNOWS THE THOUGHTS OF YOUR MIND / FEELINGS OF YOUR HEART.
- THAT NUMBERS THE HAIR ON YOUR HEAD.
- THAT NAMES THE STARS OF THE SKY & COUNTS THE SANDS OF THE SEA.
- THAT PUT A CROSS ON CALVARY.
- THAT MADE AN AXE HEAD FLOAT.

I’M TALKING ABOUT A GOD:
- THAT RAISED A DEAD MAN TO LIFE WHEN HE TOUCHED THE
DEAD BONES OF ELISHA.

- THAT FED A PROPHET BY A RAVEN.
- THAT FED AND ENTIRE NATION WITH HEAVENLY MANNA.
- THAT MADE THE RED SEA ROLL BACK WITH ONE HAND.

ARE YOU GETTING THIS?

I’M TALKING ABOUT A GOD:
- THAT TOOK A 90 YEAR WOMEN TO BRING FORTH THE SEED OF THE MESSIAH.
- THAT TOOK A 16 YR OLD BOY ARMED WITH A SLINGSHOT TO DESTROY A 13 FT GIANT.
- THAT TOOK 5 BISCUITS AND 2 SARDINES TO FEED 5000

I’M TALKING ABOUT A GOD
- WHO PUT AIR-CONDITIONING IN A FIRY FURNACE.

I’M TALKING ABOUT A GOD WHO SAID:
- LIGHT BE & LIGHT WAS.
- MOON BE & MOON WAS.

I’M TALKING ABOUT A GOD WHO SAID:
- LOOK TO THE HILLS FROM WHICH COMETH YOUR HELP.
- YOUR ENEMY MAY OME IN 1 WAY, BUT HE WILL FLEE 7.
- NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST YOU SHALL PROSPER.
- IF I BE FOR YOU, WHO CAN BE AGAINST YOU.
- A 1000 SHALL FALL AT THEY SIDE & 10,000 AT THY RIGHT HAND, BUT IT SHALL NOT COME NIGH THEE.

HE’S GOD AND HE’S MORE THAN ENOUGH.
HE OWNS ALL THE BISCUITS AND AT CRACKER BARREL.
ALL THE CHICKEN AT KFC.
ALL THE TACO’S AT TOCO BELL.

For more on Fearless check out the MVG center for your copy of the series.

Fearless #3

2008-11-22T11:51:00.005-05:00

If you missed the series Fearless, here are a few tidbits from part 3. Copies are available at the MVG center.

We have been looking at some very rich old testament stories of different people, who were absolutely fewarless and overcame some very big obstacles.

Did you know that there are 2,000 Specifically Recorded Fears. THAT’S A LOT OF FEARS.

· WE ARE BORN WITH A FEAR OF FALLING AND THE FEAR OF LOUD NOISES. THAT MEANS ALL OF THE OTHER FEARS THAT WE HAVE ARE LEARNED. THAT MEANS, IF WE CAN LEARN THEM, WE CAN ALSO UNLEARN THEM, OR EVEN BETTER, THEY CAN BE BROKEN BY THE POWER OF CHRIST.

II TIMOTHY 1:7 - “FOR GOD HAS NOT GIVEN US,” WHAT?

“FOR GOD HAS NOT GIVEN US A SPIRIT OF FEAR, BUT OF POWER AND OF LOVE AND OF A SOUND MIND.”

SO MANY PEOPLE LIVE PARALYZED BY FEAR.

In this sermon on Fearless, we looked at the story of a man named BENAIAH.

II SAMUEL 23:20-21.

20 Benaiah son of Jehoiada was a valiant fighter from Kabzeel, who performed great exploits. He struck down two of Moab's best men. He also went down into a pit on a snowy day and killed a lion. 21 And he struck down a huge Egyptian. Although the Egyptian had a spear in his hand, Benaiah went against him with a club. He snatched the spear from the Egyptian's hand and killed him with his own spear.

THIS GUY WENT HEAD-TO-HEAD, TOE-TO-TOE, FACE-TO-FACE WITH A LION AND WON.
NORMAL PEOPLE DON’T DO THAT, DO THEY?

NORMAL PEOPLE DON’T FACE THEIR FEARS.

NORMAL PEOPLE DON’T CHASE LIONS,
AND

NORMAL PEOPLE DIE WITH ALL SORTS OF REGRETS.

THAT’S WHY THERE IS NOTHING INSIDE OF ME THAT WANTS TO BE NORMAL.

NORMAL PEOPLE DON’T INSPIRE PEOPLE.
NORMAL PEOPLE DON’T MAKE INCREDIBLE LEADERS.

NORMAL PEOPLE DON’T CHANGE THE WORLD.

NORMAL PEOPLE DON’T CHASE LIONS.
I WANT TO BE EXTRAORDINARY. DON'T YOU?

WHAT LION DO YOU NEED TO CHASE?

FACE THE FEAR, AND YOU WILL OVERCOME IT.

FIRST THOUGHT. LION CHASERS KNOW THAT THE BIGGER THEIR GOD IS, THE SMALLER THE LIONS BECOME.
SECOND THOUGHT.
LION CHASERS UNDERSTAND THAT PLAYING IT SAFE IS RISKY.

WHY? HEBREWS 11:6 SAYS THIS. “AND WITHOUT FAITH, IT IS IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD”

THE GREATEST VICTORIES ARE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF FAITH.

II CORINTHIANS 5:7, "WE ARE GOING TO LIVE BY FAITH & NOT BY SIGHT.”

Fearless #1

2008-10-25T20:18:00.005-04:00

"Here are some highlights from last weeks message."

II TIMOTHY 1:7

“FOR GOD HAS NOT GIVEN US A SPIRIT OF FEAR, BUT INSTEAD, HE HAS GIVEN US,”

WHAT?

“HE’S GIVEN US POWER AND LOVE AND HE HAS GIVEN US A SOUND MIND.”

GOD HAS NOT GIVEN US A SPIRIT OF FEAR,
AND YET, SO MANY PEOPLE TODAY LIVE PARALYZED IN FEAR.

“THE LORD IS WITH YOU, MIGHTY WARRIOR.”

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS IS THAT:
· GOD SAW SOMETHING IN GIDEON THAT GIDEON DIDN’T SEE IN HIMSELF.
THE SAME IS TRUE FOR YOU. AS GOD LOOKS INTO YOUR LIFE, GOD WILL SEE MORE INSIDE OF YOU THAN YOU SEE IN YOURSELF.

· THE LORD IS WITH YOU. GOD IS FOR YOU.
· IF GOD IS FOR YOU, WHO CAN BE AGAINST YOU?

GOD SAYS, “YOU ARE A MIGHTY WARRIOR.”

WHAT I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO DO THIS WEEK IS TO REALLY PRAY THROUGH THIS VERY PIERCING QUESTION. HERE IT IS.
“WHAT HAS FEAR KEPT YOU FROM DOING, THAT GOD IS CALLING YOU TO DO?”

SOME OF YOU ARE ON A SPIRITUAL LINE AND YOU KNOW IT’S TIME TO STEP ACROSS AND GIVE EVERYTHING TO JESUS.
· NOT THE KIND OF SORT OF HALF WAY, LUKEWARM, HO-HUM, CHURCH THING EVERY NOW AND THEN.
· NO, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A WHOLEHEARTED LIFE COMMITMENT.
· “JESUS, YOU ARE NOT ONLY THE SAVIOR OF MY LIFE, BUT YOU ARE LORD IN EVERY WAY.
· I AM YOURS.
· YOU ARE MINE.
· YOU HAVE ME FOREVER.

YOU KNOW IT’S TIME.

HERE’S WHAT I WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT TODAY.
THERE ARE MANY OF YOU THAT YOU MAY SAY, “YOU KNOW WHAT?
I REALLY AM. I’M AFFECTED, PARALYZED, HURT BY A SPIRIT OF FEAR. I’M ALWAYS WORRIED.
I’M ALWAYS CONCERNED.
I’M ALWAYS TRYING TO MANIPULATE THE SITUATION.
I’M ALWAYS TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT.
IT'S OBVIOUS THAT I REALLY DON’T TRUST GOD.
I WANT TO SAY THAT I DO, BUT MY LIFE SHOWS THAT I REALLY DON’T, AND I AM PLAGUED WITH INSECURITY.
I DON’T FEEL LIKE I’M GOOD ENOUGH.
I’M ALWAYS HESITANT.”

GOD WANTS TO SHOW YOU THAT HE IS WITH YOU.

WHEN YOU ARE DOWN TO NOTHING, SOMEONE SAID, GOD IS UP TO SOMETHING. MAYBE HE IS UP TO SOMETHING IN YOUR LIFE.

MATTHEW 16:25, JESUS SAYS,
“FOR WHOEVER WANTS TO SAVE HIS LIFE WILL LOSE IT, BUT WHOEVER LOSES HIS LIFE FOR ME WILL FIND IT.”

Pick up Fearless #1 in the series. We all need to be Fearless!!

Don't Quit

2008-10-18T21:52:00.005-04:00

GALATIONS 6:9

"LET US NOT BE WEARY IN WELL DOING; FOR IN DUE SEASON WE WILL REAP IF WE FAINT NOT"

IT’S NOT ALWAYS EASY LIVING THIS LIFE.
WHEN THE ECONOMY IS TIGHT,
WHEN MARKET IS A YO YO & JOBS ARE SCARCE.
AND HALF THE PEOPLE YOU WORK WITH DON’T WONT YOU THERE TO BEGIN WITH.

LIVING THIS LIFE IS NOT AN EASY UNDERTAKING.

IT GETS EVEN HARDER WHEN YOU HAVE TO LIVE THIS LIFE UNDER THE RULES & PRINCIPALS OF THE KINGDOM, THAT SEEMS TO GO AGAINST EVERYTHING THAT IS IN YOUR FLESH.

IT’S NOT EASY TO LOVE FOLKS THAT YOU KNOW CAN’T STAND YOU… YET YOU HAVE TO BECAUSE OF WHO YOU ARE.

IT’S NOT EASY TO GIVE GOD HIS TITHE & YOUR OFFERING OFF OF THE TOP WHEN YOU HAVE BILLS TO PAY & SALES TO SEE, YET YOU HAVE TO BECAUSE OF WHO YOU ARE.

IT CAN GET TIRING, STRESSFUL & AGGREVATING.

HOW DO YOU HANDLE IT WHEN YOU ARE ...

BEING GOOD,
DOING GOOD,
BUT NOTHING GOOD IS HAPPENING IN RETURN FOR THE GOOD YOU ARE DOING?

WELL, GOD TOLD ME TO TELL SOMEBODY TODAY, THAT YOUR BLESSING IS COMING IF YOU DON’T QUIT!

YOUR DUE SEASON IS ON THE WAY!

SOMETIMES THE WAIT FOR SOMETHING NEW IN YOUR LIFE, CAN BECOME SO ROUGH THAT YOU BECOME TEMPTED TO GO BACK TO WHAT YOU JUST GOT AWAY FROM!

I REFUSE TO GO BACK.

IF I GO BACK, THEN I’LL HAVE TO COME BACK THROUGH ALL THE THINGS I’VE ALREADY BEEN THROUGH TO GET TO WHERE I AM.

SO,
IF YOUR GOING THROUGH A WHOLE LOT RIGHT NOW.
IF THINGS SEEM TO BE PILING UP ON YOU MORE THAN USUAL.
IF IT SEEMS LIKE YOUR GOING THROUGH ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER.

GOD TOLD ME TO TELL YOU THAT YOU ARE HAVING CONTRACTIONS.AND IT MEANS THAT YOU ARE CLOSER TO YOUR “DUE SEASON” THAN YOU’VE EVER BEEN IN YOUR LIFE.”

DON'T QUIT

When things go wrong as they sometimes will.

When the road your're trudging seems all up hill.

When funds are low and the debts are high.

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh.

When care is pressing you down a bit.

Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns.

As everyone of us sometimes learns.

And many a failure turns about

When he might have won had he stuck it out:

Don't give up though the pace seems slow

You may succeed with another blow.

Success is failure turned inside out.

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt.

And you never can tell how close you are.

It may be near when it seems so far:

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit

It's when things seem worst that you must not QUIT.

Author Unknown

2008-10-18T21:37:00.007-04:00

Don't Miss It!

FEARLESS TEACHING SERIES

Beginning this Sunday and continuing for 5 weeks

What they are saying about the...

"I really enjoyed this meeting. There was so much unity and fellowship there. And the information given was very helpful. I get a lot of questions sometimes from others not involved in a ministry. I tell them to get involved somewhere." ~S. F. King

"The potluck was a great idea - fellowship and then the meeting. The meeting was informative as to what is lined up in the coming months and it was not lengthy. Not one person talked on and on! Such a plus!!!! I really enjoyed Pastor being so transparent and sharing his heart, which showed the trust he has in us" ~J. Matthews

"A++++" ~ A. Goodale

"The food was great! It was good to be kept informed of what's going on. The fellowship was great!" ~G. Lynch

"I felt the pulse of the church in that meeting and the vitals signs are good and healthy." ~J. Bonilla

Happy Jewish New Year!

2008-09-29T12:09:00.003-04:00

Hello,
I feel moved by the Holyghost to urge everyone to read this and begin to pray concerning the New Jewish Year and what it means to the child of God.

As many of you well know today is the beginning of the Jewish New Year.
The 10 Days of Awe begins on Rosh Hashana which is September 30th and goes through Yom Kippur which falls on October 9th, 2008. It is within the Ten Days of Awe when it is believed the gate of heaven is uniquely open for our petitions and intercession. This season climaxes on the Day of Atonement, October 9th.
This is a time for serious introspection, a time to consider the sins of the previous year and repent before Yom Kippur.
One of the ongoing themes of the Days of Awe is the concept that God has "books" that he writes our names in, writing down who will live and who will die, who will have a good life and who will have a bad life, for the next year. These books are written in on Rosh Hashanah, but our actions during the Days of Awe can alter God's decree. The actions that change the decree are "repentance, prayer, good deeds (usually, charity). These "books" are sealed on Yom Kippur. This concept of writing in books is the source of the common greeting during this time is "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year."

Blessings For A Wonderful New Year,

Pastor Tony

IDENTITY THEFT—Part 2

2008-09-27T22:06:00.007-04:00

A LIE BELIEVED AS TRUTH WILL AFFECT YOU AS IF IT WERE TRUE.

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4

One of the most common lies that God’s children believe is this, “This is just the way I am. I can’t change.
I’ve tried it before and it didn’t work out, and so that proves that I can never ever change in this area of my life.”

ARE YOU A PRISONER LOCKED BY DECEPTION?
"It’s believing a lie, …they are prisoners of a lie."

THE STRATEGY

· CAPTURE WRONG THOUGHTS.
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:5

…whatever is true…noble…right…pure…lovely…admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy-think about such things. Philippians 4:8

· RELEASE RIGHT WORDS.
The tongue has the power of life and death… Proverbs 18:21

May the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer. Psalms 19:14 NLT

· ATTACK AND WIN.
To this end I labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me.
Colossians 1:29-2:1

…But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

What is the one thing God wants to change in you next?

If you missed last Sunday or would like to see it again, Look Closely.

Check back next week for another addition of Identity Theft. I've heard we will have a special quests and you won't believe who stopped by.

See ya Sunday.

Candy Land Jam

2008-09-20T22:22:00.005-04:00

I just wanted to remind everyone that we will be collecting candy in the foyer for this years Trunk or Treat at the CandyLand Jam located at the new church property on October 31st.

Hey, I think I'll see if I can get my car decorated like this one.

Identity Theft

2008-09-20T03:57:00.003-04:00

Do you find yourself looking in the mirror wondering just who it is that is in that mirror? Are you beautiful enough, handsome enough, thin enough, muscular enough? How do you measure up to the unrealistic standards set by our outward-appearance-obsessed culture? And if you meet those standards, what’s the ‘beauty’ quotient on the inside?

We’ve been buying those lies far too long. The world says looking a certain way and being attractive means being fulfilled, accepted, admired, or loved.

Instead of trying to recreate that external image based upon what the world says, you need to grab hold of the truth that says that through Jesus Christ, you’re already accepted, already secure, already significant, already enough.

God wants you to see the beauty inside whatever your body mass might be. Created in God’s image, you are enough—as is. And God’s love is one size fits all.

Last Sunday, we began the Identity Theft Series and we learned that we are all guilty of having

"STRONG" BELIEFS

Emotionally Strong
Provisionally Strong
Spiritually Strong
Professionally Strong

YOUR Strength is Limited

GOD'S Strength is Unlimited

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will sour on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:30-31

Finally, Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Ephesians 6:10

Battlecry part 4 - "The Devil's Worse Nightmare"

2008-09-11T00:25:00.007-04:00

If you could not be here last Sunday, you missed it. We concluded the Battlecry Series and Celebrated the Blessing of the Children. Here's a few tidbits from Sunday.

YOU READY?
THERE ARE 4 ARROWS.
“CHILDREN ARE THE HERITAGE OF THE LORD, THE FRUIT OF THE WOMB IS HIS REWARD, AS ARROWS ARE IN THE HANDS OF MIGHTY MEN, SO ARE CHILDREN OF THE YOUTH, HAPPY IS THE MAN WHOSE QUIVER IS FULL OF THEM.
LISTEN TO WHAT HE GOES ON TO SAY:
THEY SHALL NOT BE THE ASHAMED, THEY SHALL SPEAK TO YOUR ENEMIES AT THE GATE;
WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN THE ENEMY IS TRYING TO TAKE OVER YOU?

I THOUGHT ABOUT THE FIRST ARROW THAT WE HAVE TO PUT IN OUR CHILDREN’S HANDS IS DEUTERONOMY 6:4 – THAT SAYS,
“TEACH YOUR CHILDREN THERE IS ONLY ONE GOD.
· THAT MONEY IS NOT GOD.
· THAT EDUCATION IS NOT GOD.
· THAT SPORTS ARE NOT GOD.
· THAT MOHAMMAD IS NOT GOD.
· THAT BUDDHA IS NOT GOD.
· THAT NEW AGE IS NOT GOD.

Well, there's a little about the first arrow. Check out the full illustrated sermon on DVD, you really want to see what happened next........

Coming Next Week.... Identity Theft

Watch the promo for Identity Theft.

The annual Children's Blessing Service

2008-08-30T00:15:00.004-04:00

The annual Children's Blessing Service will be the conclusion of our Battle Cry Series in a couple of weeks. I am feeling led to do a 3-day fast for our kids in school. I am going to ask those that will to fast 3 days for them. I would also ask parents and grandparents to bring in pictures of all the children that come to church for myself and those fasting to pray over.

When we fast, we turn from the things that daily grab our attention, and we focus solely on God. The Battle Cry Series is opening our eyes to the needs of our young children and youth.

Will you join us in prayer and fasting for a generation?

The Little Children and Jesus
Mark 10:16 (New International Version)
16And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

Battlecry

2008-08-21T16:15:00.003-04:00

I received an email the other day I would like to quote, regarding the new series Battlecry.

"...And it came to my knowledge that God is indeed telling us to sound the trumpet. He is getting ready to pour out new rain on His remnant. I then turned to Joel and read: " Multitudes, multitude's in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. The sun and moon will grow dark and and the stars will diminish in brightness. The Lord also will roar from Zion, and utter His voice from Jerusalem: the heavens and earth will shake, but the Lord will be a shelter for His people." I believe that He is truly calling out the true generals in His army to equip them with all the weapons we will need for the end-time battle."
Ephesians 6:12 says it well - For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

We are fighting an enemy we can't see. Satan would have us believe that everything is fine, but all around he is bombarding this generation with wickedness.

The events at a local school in Knox County today further go to example of a culture in dire need of a Savior. Our prayers go out to the families involved in this tragedy today. Truly, the call is going out for individuals, families, communities, churches, and our nation to make a stand and sound the trumpet for a nation of young people in need.

Don't Let Yesterdays Mistakes Rob You of Today's Blessings

2008-01-04T00:17:00.001-05:00

It's true, God never consults your past when determining your future. Close the door on yesterday. It's a new day! So, prepare your hearts and "Focus on the Fast". Your New Beginning is here! Allow these next few days to be days of "First Fruits and Sacrifice", as we rend our hearts and lives to become living Epistles read of men!

Household Salvation is the word the Holyspirit keeps ringing in the ears of my spirit. Let's create atmosphere of expectency throughout the month of January as we continue to pray & fast for strongholds to be broken off our our families. Today is the day of salvation!

Times of Refreshing are here!

2008 A Year of New Beginnings

2007-12-21T23:21:00.000-05:00

A certain man had retired. When he got up in the morning, the first thing he did was read the obituary column to find out who had died. Well, on this particular morning he read that column and the newspaper mistakenly put his name in the column and reported that he was dead. He was not only shaken, he was irate. He called the editor of the newspaper and fussed him out. Finally the editor said, "I'll tell you what we'll do. In the morning we'll put your name in the birth column and give you a brand new beginning."

There really is something exciting about new beginnings and something exciting about a new year because you know it’s a new beginning. There's something exciting about starting a new job because you know it is a new beginning. There's something exciting about moving into a new home because you know it could be a new beginning. There's something exciting about a new day because you know with it comes a new beginning. Believe it or not, you can have a new beginning in your life more often than you think because a new beginning requires three simple, but different, looks. First of all, it requires a look BACK to see where you've been; it then requires a look AROUND to see where you are; then it requires a look AHEAD to see where you need to go. Now, you can't really get to where you need to go until you know where you are, but you really cannot know where you are until you know where you've been.

Mickey Mantel was going to Yogi Berra's apartment one afternoon, and he got lost. He stopped at a pay phone and called Yogi and said, "Yogi, I'm trying to find your apartment, where is it?" Yogi said, "Where are you now?" He said, "I'm at the corner of 5th and Main." Yogi said, "Well, just keep coming in this direction," and hung up.

The nation of Israel was less than a two-week journey from the promise land. They had been wandering in the wilderness for forty years, and they were now poised to cross the Jordan, conquer Canaan, and claim a new beginning. But before they did, Moses gives them "a blast from the past." He asked them to open the vault of their memory, and REMEMBER what the Lord HAD DONE for them so that they could REJOICE in what He WAS DOING for them, and then RECEIVE what He WOULD DO for them.

The number eight (8) means new beginnings! It’s an opportunity to “Let bygones be bygones.” In essence, it’s a new start! I want to challenge you in 2008 to get started on the right foot. No, I’m not necessarily talking about new years resolutions. I’m talking about new years commitments. You see, January 6th will be our first Sunday in the new year, and the Holy Spirit has been speaking to my heart about “First Fruits”. First Fruits is a type of sacrifice to the Lord. It’s your way of saying: “God, you are going to be first in my life, and I want to make this year the best year I’ve ever had spiritually, physically, financially, and emotionally. So, begin praying now and talking to the Lord about where you want to be in this new year, because we are fast approaching 2008. After all, it is the year of New Beginnings!

Sincerely,

Pastor Tony