Our Mission To love all people at all times and lead them into a new life in Christ.
Our Vision To be a church that will be multicultural and generational, having a lasting impact on the people to whom we minister.
To see the gospel extend beyond the walls of our church through various outreaches.
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Our God is a turnaround God! We go back to the book of Genesis chapter one and began to see how he showed his turnaround power. The power of His words brought order into chaos and things began to turnaround. He began to speak to the darkness and the darkness turned into light. He spoke to the emptiness and in turn filled it with it with fruitfulness. God created man (Adam) and turned a rib into his helpmate (Eve).
The enemy has sought to turn back what God has destined to turn around. His first attempt was in the garden with Adam and Eve. The enemy came in to reverse God’s attempt to turn what He had created. (John 10:10) The enemy came to steal, kill, destroy what our God came to find, restore and to heal.
BUT God is a turnaround God! God demonstrated His turnaround power in the form of His Son. It was at the cross that the turning point came for all humanity to receive their Savior. Jesus paid the ultimate price for any situation contrary to His Word to turnaround.
As the Sons and Daughters of God his spirit rest within us. According to Mark 15 we are to go unto all the world and preach the gospel. We are commissioned to work with Him to turn our world around. As we go we speak to the darkness and bring forth His light. Turnaround! We go and find the lost and speak to them the message of salvation. Turnaround!
Psalm 68:19 “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation”. Psalm 103:2-5 “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s”
In Psalm 103 David talks to his own soul and reminds himself to “bless the Lord” and “forget not all his benefits. Hebrew meaning of forget is, “to be oblivious of from want of memory or attention.” There are days I just wake up and head out and go about my day. It is easy to get stuck in the same old routine of life.
The Hebrew word benefits means, “to treat well.” The God of our salvation desires to treat us well. Well means, healthy, glowing, fine sound, thriving, increase”. Believe, look, expect, the blessings of the Lord in your life every day and rejoice in the God of your salvation.
Let’s start our day with confessing, “I am going to look for the load of benefits which the Lord has promised me. Not only am I going to look for them I am going to expect them!
David said, “Yahweh, you are my soul’s celebration. How could I ever forget the miracles of kindness you’ve done for me”. Psalms 103:2
David told himself to never forget the good things God has done. May we never forget God’s goodness in our lives either.
The Israelite had a problem,they kept forgetting all the good things God had done for them. “They believed his promises and sang his praise. But they soon forgot what he had done and did not wait for his plan to unfold.” Deuteronomy 12-13
We no don’t have to try and remember on our own effort – we have the Helper! God – who’s living within us – helps us to remember the good things He has done. John 14:26 “But the Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, Whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will cause you to recall (will remind you of, bring to your remembrance) everything I have told you”.
Look what the Lord has done, Look what the Lord has done, He healed my body, He touched my mind. He saved me it was just in time, I’m gonna praise His name, Each day He’s just the same, Come on and praise Him, Look what the Lord has done I was bound by the chains of darkness and sin I had no hope and no peace of mind, My sins were as scarlet He washed them white as snow, He opened up my blinded eyes, Now my soul has rejoiced Since I made Him my choice, I’ve got love, peace, everything I need, Now my name’s been written down in the Lambs book of life, Can’t you see what He’s done for me!
(Lyrics to the song, “Look At What The Lord Has Done)”
Hasn’t He always been faithful to you? Hasn’t He always brought you through? Has God done what He said He would do. I think we ought to stand up and praise Him , Don’ t you!
There are going to be many times in our lives when we will be confronted to make a choice between “sense knowledge” and “Word knowledge.” Situations come and go in our lives. Things change and we sometimes have no choice but ride the tide. But one thing I know for sure God’s Word is unchanging. He has told us that He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Now that is shouting good news!
What does it mean when we choose to make the Word the first and final authority in our life. It means believing what He has promised in His Word. It means believing the Word instead of what the circumstances says. It means believing what God has given us in the Word to live by instead of what people say.
I have found in my walk with God that when I have chosen the Word as my final say so there is stability that comes when everything is saying contrary. There is peace knowing His Word is working on my behalf.
Make the choice that no matter what circumstances come along in your life that will you go to the Word and make it your first and final authority.
Psalms 119:89-90 “What you say goes, God, and stays, as permanent as the heavens. Your truth never goes out of fashion; it’s as up-to-date as the earth when the sun comes up. Your Word and truth are dependable as ever; that’s what you ordered—you set the earth going. If your revelation hadn’t delighted me so, I would have given up when the hard times came. But I’ll never forget the advice you gave me; you saved my life with those wise words; save me I am all yours.
Man may change his opinion about what God has declared. But what He had promised would be sure forever. The word settled means fixed, or to stand firm.
Mark 5: 21:34 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse. When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.
In Mark chapter five we have the story of a very sick woman. Jesus is on his way to heal the daughter of Jarius and He is interrupted as He goes by this woman who comes and touches His clothes. When she did her life was instantly, completely transformed. Wow the amazing power of a “faith touch”.
This woman heard about Jesus. She must have heard the talk of the One who was going about healing the sick. She was according to the law ceremonially unclean. Should not have been out in the crowds of people. But this was her opportunity for a miracle. Now or never moment. After all she had tired the doctors and they offered no hope. She only got worse not better. She spent all she had. She was physically and financially drained. Before she pressed through the crowd to get to Jesus she began to talk to herself. For she said, “ if I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole”. That is the talk of faith for a miracle!
Do you need a touch from the Healer? The Word tells us in Psalms 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds [curing their pains and their sorrows].
There are no hopeless situation with Jesus!
1 Corinthians 1:20-22 “Whatever God has promised gets stamped with the Yes of Jesus. In him, this is what we preach and pray, the great Amen, God’s Yes and our Yes together, gloriously evident. God affirms us, making us a sure thing in Christ, putting his Yes within us. By his Spirit he has stamped us with his eternal pledge—a sure beginning of what he is destined to complete”. (Message Bible)
Standing on the promises of Christ my King, Through eternal ages let His praises ring, Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing, Standing on the promises of God. Standing on the promises of God my Savior; I’m standing on the promises of God. Standing on the promises that cannot fail, When the howling storms of doubt and fear assail, By the living Word of God I shall prevail, Standing on the promises of God. Standing on the promises I now can see Perfect, present cleansing in the blood for me; Standing in the liberty which Christ makes free, Standing on the promises of God. Standing on the promises of Christ the Lord, Bound to Him eternally by love’s strong cord, Overcoming daily with the Spirit’s sword, Standing on the promises of God.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 “For everything there is a season.”
Ecclesiastes 3:11 “Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time.”
We serve a God of seasons. Just as there are different seasons in the year, there are also different seasons in the life of the believer. We must recognize that just like the natural seasons change, the same happens as it relates to seasons in our lives. The more we discern the season we are in we will be able to get through it with grace. We see it in creation. God created the four seasons that are based upon the rotation of the Earth as it orbits the Sun. The seasons change as the earth moves, but the sun in our planetary system remains constant, and everything revolves around it. Much like the earth, our lives should revolve around the Son, Jesus Christ. Our lives will change, and we will experience many seasons during our life as a believer, but the Son remains constant yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.
What does it mean to look unto Jesus? If I was in a situation where I needed help and someone came by to lend a hand I don’t just look at his hand I look unto him. When I look unto the person lending the hand I am turning to him and expecting him to offer the help I need.
The Passion translation tells us Hebrews 12:2 Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection].
Looking in the Greek signifies undivided attention. To
look away from all distractions in order to fix one’s gaze on one object. Distract means, “to draw away or divert, as the mind or attention”. The distractions the enemy puts in our lives is to keep us from being all God has created and called us for. To keep us from continuing believing the promises of the Word.
David tells us in Psalm 121:1 I look up to the mountains and hills, longing for God’s help. But then I realize that our true help and protection come only from the Lord,our Creator who made the heavens and the earth.
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Psalm 91:1-2(NKJV)
One of the most common symptoms of Christian believer is feeling that at times they are not as close to God as they should be. We feel separated from the One we desire to feel closest to. “I just don’t feel as close as I should to God.”
We just do not feel something that we think we should feel in order for us to feel right about our feelings about being close to God. Writing this sentence is almost as difficult as trying to understand living by one’s feelings. You should learn not to live by your feelings but live by your faith in the Word of God. Truth is not to be found in your feelings but in the Word of God.
When Jesus was before Pilate, the Governor, he asked Jesus, “What is truth?” Jesus said in John 17 while praying for His disciples “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your Word is truth.” Faith in God’s Word is how we live an overcomer’s life in this world. Our mind must submit to every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. You cannot figure out life with your feelings. But, by studying the Word of God until you think the way it teaches. So, get started today and don’t quit. Just keep on keeping on. AMEN!
Last Sunday was a day of breakthrough for New Life For The Nations. As I entered the sanctuary Holy Spirit said, “Anoint the hands of all those that are present today.” I was just obedient to do what I heard not knowing the significance of what was said to me at the time. This week as I looked into the significance of what happened Sunday morning I am so excited to share it with you.
The origin of “anointing” was from a practice of shepherds. Lice and other insects would often get into the wool of sheep, and when they got near the sheep’s head, they could burrow into the sheep’s ears and kill the sheep. So, ancient shepherds poured oil on the sheep’s head. This made the wool slippery, making it impossible for insects to get near the sheep’s ears because the insects would slide off. From this, anointing became symbolic of blessing, protection, and empowerment. We have anointed hands, because we are His temple. (1 Corinthians 6:19)
The New Testament Greek words for “anoint” is chiro, which means to “smear or rub oil” and by implication, to consecrate for office or religious service” – and aleipho, which means “to anoint.” Another meaning for the word anointed is “chosen one.”
The Bible says that Jesus Christ was anointed by God with the Holy Spirit to spread the Good News and free those who have been held captive by sin.
Luke 4:18-19 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim the good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” After Christ left the earth, He gave us (the Church) the gift of the Holy Spirit. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever. John 14:16 Now all Christians are anointed, chosen for a specific purpose in furthering God’s Kingdom. 1 John 2:20 But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge. The Word tells us 2 Corinthians 1:21-22 “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee”
The “anointing of the hands” goes along with the message Sunday morning and the Prophetic Word that was given. “There is a new resolve coming to the lives of My people who have chosen to settle into this place, to settle in the gifts I have given you. A resolve that has said, “We will rise and our voices will be heard.” I have given you the Word of Salvation to this region and beyond. Take up this mantel and go in the “anointing” I have given you as My body of believers. Stand firm in what you have been given. For this is your time to show forth my Glory.” DO YOU BELIEVE!
I am hearing the Word of the Lord saying, “There is new life for New Life”. In the bigger scheme of things you have not been forgotten nor have you been forsaken. Continue to take up the Word and let it be a mighty weapon in your mouth. The spirit yes the spirit of discouragement that has wanted you to throw in the towel and quit is broken over this place. There is a new resolve coming to the lives of My people who have chosen to settle into this place to settle in the gifts I have given you. A resolve that has said, “We will rise and our voices will be heard.” I have given you the Word of Salvation to this region and beyond. Take up this mantel and go in the anointing I have given you as My body of believers. Stand firm in what you have been given. For this is your time to show forth my Glory.
Jesus, Who is the Word (John 1:1, 14), has given us His written Word, the Bible. The written Word was given to men by inspiration of God, and it is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness (II Timothy 3:16-17; II Peter 1:21). The Word is made alive by the Holy Spirit of God causing it to be filled with divine energy and ability. “So shall my Word that goes forth out of my mouth:it shall not return unto me void, but shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11). Jesus said in John 6:63, “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” God’s Word, our sword of the Spirit, is able to cut down the strongholds of Satan.
What are you speaking? Are you speaking defeat or life Take up the Word and let it be a mighty weapon in your mouth. “Words kill, words give life;they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.” Proverbs 18:21
I am hearing the Word of the Lord saying, “There is new life for New Life”. In the bigger scheme of things you have not been forgotten nor have you been forsaken. Continue to take up the Word and let it be a mighty weapon in your mouth. The spirit yes the spirit of discouragement that has wanted you to throw in the towel and quit is broken over this place. There is a new resolve coming to the lives of My people who have chosen to settle into this place to settle in the gifts I have given you. A resolve that has said, “We will rise and our voices will be heard”. I have given you the Word of Salvation to this region and beyond. Take up this mantel and go in the anointing I have given you as My body of believers. Stand firm in what you have been given. For this is your time to show forth my Glory.
In 1983 country music artist Ann Murray came out with a song title “A Little Good News”. The jest of the song was talking about all the bad things happening in the world. Everyday seem to be the same-more bad news. There are days we may feel like the line in the song that says “We sure could use a little good news today.”
People are searching for “good news”. Something that will bring them hope where there is so much bad news. Our hope as a Christian is not hope in some “thing, event, blessing, promise”, but in SomeOne. That SomeOne is Jesus! A relationship with Him that is lived out every day in our lives. We are the carriers of the “good news”. The good news is that there is hope in spite of all the bad stories that are reported on the news and through social media outlets.
Remembering this song, ”My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus Christ my righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus Name. On Christ the solid rock I stand all other ground is sinking sand.”
If you’ve been feeling hopeless, I want to encourage you to turn up your hope. Let hope arise in you. Began to meditate on the promises of the Word. Quit looking at the circumstances and turn your focus back to the promises of His Word.
My prayer for. May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing (through the experience of your faith) that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope.
Romans 15:13
If we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Savior our final destination is Heaven. But we are not just saved to make Heaven our eternal destination. I believed God wants us to enjoy the ride while we are on our way. While on this journey we are called to live a life by faith. Scripture tells us in Romans 1:17 “For in the Gospel a righteousness which God ascribes is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed through the way of faith that arouses to more faith]. As it is written, The man who through faith is just and upright shall live and shall live by faith”.
Not just a faith but by unwavering faith, an unmovable faith, a focused faith. Faith that is unmovable, focused, and unwavering is a faith that is fully persuaded. What does fully persuaded faith look like. When you are fully persuaded you believe God will do what He said He would do, no matter how long it takes. When you are fully persuaded you are not moved by what you see. When you are fully persuaded you don’t allow what you see to change what you say. Those who are fully persuaded have faith and patience that they will obtain the promises of God.
So don’t allow your hearts to grow dull or lose your enthusiasm, but follow the example of those who fully received what God has promised because of their strong faith and patient endurance. Hebrews 6:12
Jesus said, “Remove the stone.” The sister of the dead man, Martha, said, “Master, by this time there’s a stench. He’s been dead four days!” Jesus looked her in the eye. “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” Then, to the others, “Go ahead, take away the stone.”John 11:38-42
The dreams you had, the hope you had, the thing you were believing for has died. It is easy to become indifferent when what we have been believing for isn’t happening or doesn’t happen in our time frame. Those things may have become a stench to you. Stench not only means a bad smell but also means; a bad effect, an unpleasant event or situation.
When the dreams have died, when hope seems lost, when the vision has become dim. When we not dare not dream again, to hope again. We need someone to step into our lives and speak a life giving word to us. To tell us to believe again. To let faith arise again.
Then he shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, “unwrap him and let him loose”. That was a turnaround for many of the Jews who were with Mary. They saw what Jesus did, and believed in him. John 11:43-48
The stone that has been set up to keep your dream in the grave let it be loosed today. That which has bound your dream from speaking is begin loosed to speak again. Let your Lazarus come forth. See that dream unwrap for the glory of God.
For He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake you nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! ]Assuredly not!]
Hebrews 13:5
Sometimes life is like being in a boat, with constant movement. People come and go in our lives. We face what may seem a mountain at the time. Holy Spirit want us to know that as we face the challenges of life we don’t do so alone. But God is the one we can always count on, that will never let us down. We can trust in Him, no matter what else. He is the same, yesterday, today, and forever!
You can be assured that God “will never leave you or forsake you because He cannot lie and He keeps His promises”.
John chapter 11 opens up talking about Lazarus being sick. In verse 3 we read his sisters sent a message to Jesus. “Lord our brother Lazarus; the one you love is very sick. Please come”. Jesus responded, “This sickness will not end in death for Lazarus, but will bring glory and praise to God. This will reveal the greatness of the Son of God by what takes place.” I believe Jesus was responding from what he heard his spirit saying. When facing a situation in life it is so important to just say what we know Holy Spirit is saying. Speak only the Word which is truth. After two days, he said to his disciples, “Lazarus has died. And I am glad for your sakes that I wasn’t there. You’re about to be given new grounds for believing. Now let’s go to him.”
The disciples had been with Jesus had seen miracle after miracle. Even people raised from the dead. But they were about to be given new ground for believing. We read Lazarus had been dead for four days. Those who Jesus had raised from the dead had just died. Jesus was about to do something that would give them an opportunity to expand their capacity to believe.
As long as we are breathing we are always going to be given new grounds for believing. There is always going to be circumstances that will require us to believe the report of the Word. In those moments of life we are given the opportunity to trust the One who says to us “I Am” right there with you. There is not a step you will not take that “I Am” not holding your hand.
Circumstances come and go in our life. But that which remains is the same is the Word. Everyday is an opportunity for new grounds for believing. As we do we learn something new about God and to grow in our relationship with Him because of it.
In living life we find ourselves at any given time in any one of these four situations-going into, right smack in the middle of, coming out of, or we may be in a season where it is smooth sailing. This is the circle of living life in this world.
John 16:33 In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]
The encouraging part of that Scripture is where Jesus says, “For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.”
As Christians we have the Word to lean upon that is filled with promises that have been given to us. There is nothing more comforting and needful than the promises of God for the problems we face in life.
The Word tells us in 2 Corinthians 1:20 For as many as are the promises of God, they all find their Yes [answer] in Him [Christ]. For this reason we also utter the Amen (so be it) to God through Him [in His Person and by His agency] to the glory of God. God has already give us the seal of His “yes”. He is waiting on our “amen” (yes so be it).
Promises, promises in the Word and all of them are true. He will do exactly what He said He would do. He did not tell us troubles we would not face. But He did promise He would be by our side through them all. Hand in hand with Him through life’s journey always overcoming in the power of Jesus Name. For all the promises are His yes and our amen to the glory of God. Take the life you are living and give it to Him and He will make it beautiful. In time you will see his grace is sufficient for all those who will believe.
“FACING FEAR-TRUSTING GOD”
I have heard it said that there are three hundred and sixty five references to fear in the Bible. It is not
a matter that you will never have an opportunity to fear but learning how to overcome in the face of fear.
Over the years I have come up with a lot of excuses of why I could not be obedient with whatever God may have been asking of me. Then I realised that my excuses was only the voice of fear. Fear can disguise itself in many ways. Fear can lead us to hide, to run away, or to freeze in our shoes.
We know from the Scripture that fear is a spirit and not from God. “For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7
We overcome fear with the spirit of power……
We overcome fear with spirit of love……
We overcome fear with a sound mind……
It is not a matter of having enough faith to overcome fear. You already have enough faith to move mountains. It is not a matter of waiting until all your feelings of fear is gone to believe. We will have many, many opportunities in life to fear. It is a matter of trusting God. As you go believing that God is with you fear will flee. Yes fear is a liar. Fear tries to get you to doubt what God has said and is saying.
I want to encourage you today to step out even if means “doing it afraid.”
Signs of the times
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come.” 2 Timothy 3:1
According to Bible Word wealth perilous times means, harsh, savage, difficult, dangerous, painful, fierce, grievous, and hard to deal with. The word describes a society that is barren of virtue but abounding with vices.
It makes me sad to say but this defines the direction in which America is heading. There are times when listening to our politicians spout their ideas and aspirations that it makes me feel like the only moral crime in this nation is being a Christian. Because of the hatred of Biblical principles and ideas, it is very necessary that as Christians we stand for a Biblically based philosophy of life.
All non-Christians have no reason to value any Biblical principle unless it fits with their own beliefs of society. But, one who calls themselves a Christian is obligated to stand for and defend the position of the Scriptures. I know there are many Biblical differences that denominations disagree upon. I know we all want to walk in the truth but if we were all walking in the truth there would only be ONE KIND of church. That would be the one we would attend. One thing I know is true. Jesus said that the “Word is truth”. And, “You shall know the truth, and the truth will SET YOU FREE”. Do you know you are free?
Politicians and leaders are parting ways with the truth defending their own opinions about issues of society. This is creating an atmosphere of hate and division which never leads to a good end. Whatever beliefs you hold be sure they are supported by the Bible. Psalm 9:17 says the nation that forgets God shall be turned into hell. For that reason this nation looks and feels a lot more like hell than it did when I entered the ministry forty eight years. It seems that few people are interested in God’s opinion about anything. Wake up! What does God have to say about it? Just because our society accepts something doesn’t make it true and right. Watch and pray!
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