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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“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed.” Luke 4:18
With declarations of trust in God, I infuse hope into others.
“I will say of the Lord, “he is my refuge and my fortress: My God, in Him I will trust.” Psalms 91:2
In the past, I have taken this verse and turned it into a personal declaration. I would say, “God, You are the One I trust. You are my refuge.” But it then hit me one day: the Psalmist chose that specific wording for a reason. We are supposed to confess and declare that He is the One we trust. This is important to speak out over our lives. In this verse these are actually confessions and declarations that we are meant to make to one another. “I will say of the Lord.” We are to guard our tongues, speak life and hope to one another especially when times are difficult.
Both hopelessness and hope are contagious. We get to choose how infectious we want to be and with what we infect others. In Isaiah 35:4, it says “Say to those who are fearful-hearted, Be strong do not fear!”
If someone is experiencing fear or struggling with hopelessness we don’t shame them. We can throw one another a lifeline by intentionally anchoring our hearts and words in hope. Words of life, confessed over one another have a deep impact. The very next verse in Isaiah explains the effect of the previous encouragement “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.” Isaiah 34:5
Intentional words, spoken over ourselves and one another, have the power to bring hope, strength, healing and supernatural courage. We declare what God has said and done instead of fueling an atmosphere of fear that tries to grip peoples hearts. In this way we hold up one another’s arms – as Aaron did for Moses- in the midst of the battle (see Exodus 27:12.) We remind one another of who God is, what He has done and where our trust lies. With bold declarations of trust in God we infuse hope into one another. Bill & Beni Johnson
Adapted from My Peace-Filled Day by Rick Renner
In Luke 19:35 the Bible says, “And they brought him to Jesus: and they cast their garments upon the colt, and they set Jesus there on.” It is important to note this passage correctly conveys the words “cast,” “casting,” (the Greek word epiripto) which in secular literature often pictured the flinging of a garment, bag, or excess weight off the shoulders of a traveler and onto the back of some other beast, such as a donkey, camel, or horse. We are not designed to carry the burden of worry, fretting, and anxiety. This load is simply too much for the human body and the central nervous system to tolerate. We may be able to manage it for a while, but eventually the physical body and mind will begin to break under this type of perpetual pressure. In fact, the medical world has confirmed that the major source of sickness in the Western Hemisphere is stress and pressure. Man was simply not fashioned to carry pressures, stresses, anxieties, and worries; this is the reason his body breaks down when it undergoes these negative influences for too long. The only other place this Greek word epiripto is used in the New Testament is in First Peter 5:7: “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” It is almost as if Jesus is calling out to you and saying, “Your shoulders are not big enough to carry the burdens you’re trying to bear by yourself. This load will eventually break you so please let ME be your beast of burden! Take that load and heave it with all your might. Fling it over onto MY back, and let ME carry it for you!” Because of the use of the Greek words in this verse, this verse carries the following idea: “Take that heavy burden, difficulty, or challenge you are carrying the one that has a risen due to circumstances that have created hardship and struggles in your life and fling those worries and anxieties over onto the back of the Lord! Let Him carry them for you! The Lord is extremely interested in every facet of your life and is genuinely concerned about your welfare.”
Matthew 6:31 ‘Therefore take no thought, saying, what shall we eat? or, what shall we drink? Or, what shall we be clothed?’
The Greek word used here for “thought” is ‘merimnae’ and denotes ‘to be anxious or careful’. In this passage, as well as the parallel passage in Luke 12:22-32, Jesus is commanding us not to worry or be anxious about our material needs being met. It would be impossible to have no thought whatsoever about our physical needs. Even Jesus thought about His need for money to pay taxes (Mt. 17:24-27). We are simply not to be preoccupied with thinking about riches or spending our time worrying about necessities. These things will be added unto us as we seek first the Kingdom of God.
The way we take or receive an anxious thought is by speaking it. Doubtful thoughts will come, but we do not sin until we entertain them. According to this verse, speaking forth these thoughts is one way of entertaining them; therefore, don’t speak forth these negative thoughts.
It is imperative that we watch the words we say. Begin to speak words in faith that line up with God’s Word, then positive results will follow. If we speak words of doubt, we will eventually believe them and have the negative things that these words produce. There are no such things as ‘idle’ words which will not work for or against us. Death or life is in the power of every word we speak (Prov. 18:21). Our words can be our most powerful weapon against the devil, or they can become a snare of the devil (Prov. 6:2).
Today, watch your words. Speak only things that will express your faith, trust, and confidence in the Lord and not your fear about the situations you face.
More Than Just Words
“But let your communication be, Yea, yea: Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.” Matthew 5:33
A person who has to swear or make a promise to validate his statements is a person whose word is no good. The thrust of Jesus’ teaching here is that we should live in such a manner that no one would ever have to have additional proof that we are telling the truth. Our word should be our bond.
We have all heard the story of the young shepherd boy who cried wolf when there was no wolf until finally no one believed him when the wolf really came. Our lack of integrity in performing our word has the same effect on people today.
Very few people conduct business anymore with their word and a handshake. Even contracts are not sacred if an individual can afford a good enough lawyer. But this is not the way God intended it.
God has fulfilled every word He has ever spoken. We were created in His image and He planned for us to be the same way. Even our physical bodies respond adversely when we lie. That’s why lie detectors work.
Today, commit yourself to be a new man or woman of your word. You will not only experience a new respect from others, but you will find the joy of a clear heart and mind. Andrew Wommack
GRACE OPENS YOUR HEART “Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin? Romans 2:4 NLT
You’ve got to love the story of short, little Zacchaeus, who had climbed a sycamore tree hoping to catch a glimpse of Jesus as He walked by (Luke 19:1-10). Zacchaeus was a corrupt tax collector, a rich sinner. But when Jesus spoke to him, instead of giving him the Ten Commandments, Jesus showed him grace (undeserved favor) and invited Himself to Zacchaeus’ house. Of course, the religious people in the crowd were displeased and gossiped among themselves saying, “He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner” (Luke 19:7). Now observe what happened in Zacchaeus’ house. Before the dinner was over, Zacchaeus was giving his wealth away and making restitution to those whom he had wronged, and Jesus was proclaiming salvation over Zacchaeus’ house. I believe the Holy Spirit who put this story side by side with that of the Rich young ruler. I don’t believe that the two stories in the Gospel of Luke happened chronologically. But I believe that the Holy Spirit places them in this divine order to show us the contrasting effects of being under the covenant of law and being under the covenant of grace. When the rich young ruler came boasting in his law keeping, Jesus answered with the law, and the young man walked away sorrowful (Matt. 19:22). But when Jesus gave no law and showed His grace, it not only opened Zacchaeus’ heart, but also the wallet of a once corrupt tax collector. That’s truly the power of grace! It leads one to true repentance. You see, when you experience God’s grace, you can’t help but be generous. After Jesus lavished His unconditional love and grace on Zacchaeus, his heart overflowed with the undeserved, un merited, and unearned favor of God. Zacchaeus knew deep in his heart that as sinner and corrupt tax collector, he did not deserve to have Jesus come to his house. But God’s goodness far exceeded his expectations. And just as Peter was brought to his knees when he saw Jesus’ goodness, Zacchaeus was led to repentance when he experienced Jesus’ goodness. Unlike the young ruler, Zacchaeus knew that he was undeserving and that is why Jesus was able to shower grace on him. You see, the role of the law is to bring you to a place where you know in no uncertain terms that you cannot do anything to deserve God’s salvation and blessings, and how you can only rely on His grace. His grace will give you all the blessings you need and transform your life. My friend, our heavenly Father, is waiting for us to give up on our own efforts. The moment you begin to repent from all the dead works that you have been doing to try to qualify for and deserve God’s acceptance and blessings, God will lavish on you His abundant grace–His undeserved, unearned, and unmerited favor. Today, turn your eyes away from yourself and see yourself enjoying the undeserved favor of God under the new covenant of grace. See yourself forgiven and righteous with Jesus’ righteousness. Be occupied with Him and His grace, and like Zacchaeus, you will be transformed from the inside out. Joseph Prince
God’s Idea of Greatness
Luke 3:20 “…he shut up John in prison.”
John spent 30 years preparing for a six month ministry, followed by one and half years in prison before he was beheaded. Many people would not consider his life very successful, yet Jesus said John was the greatest man who was ever born (Mt. 11:11).
John’s greatness didn’t lie in his own success, but in the success of another. John stirred up the hearts of an entire nation in expectancy of their Messiah. The ministry of Jesus owed much of its success to the work of John. John had prepared a people to need their God (Mal. 3:1).
In our celebrity conscious society, few people want to be the backup singer or the announcer who introduces the main speaker. We have adapted a mentality that unless we are in the limelight we have failed. That’s not the way the Lord looks at things
When the Lord passes out rewards in heaven, we may be shocked to see how He evaluates greatness. Many people who did not receive recognition while on earth will shine in eternity. The Lord will judge our works on what sort they were and not on what size they were (I Cor.3:13).
Andrew Wommack
WHO CAN BE AGAINST YOU?
“What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31
My friend, today do you believe that God is for you and not against you? You see, the greatest blessing anyone can have is peace with God through Jesus Christ (Rom. 5:1). To know beyond the shadow of any doubt that all your sins are forgiven is the greatest provision made for you on Calvary”s hill.
Jesus took upon Himself all your sins at the cross. He absorbed all God’s fiery indignation and judgment against all your sins, past, present, and future, so that you can be totally forgiven and have everlasting peace with God.
So today, there is nothing between you and God. There is no more sin, no more shame, and no more condemnation. And if God is for you, who can be against you? Now, what will you do today knowing that all His favor, wisdom, heavenly provision, and blessings are backing you up, and that you cannot fail? Joseph Prince
Nothing God did for us is CHEAP!
Some people who criticize grace as being cheap or dangerous are, in reality, suggesting that God expects us to reach a certain level of performance to earn His grace.
Herein lies the problem: grace is unearned–it is a free gift. It is not cheap as it cost God the death of His Son to offer it to us.
Calling grace “cheap” is an insult to all that Jesus accomplished through His death, burial, and resurrection for us. Ed Elliot
Nothing God did for us is CHEAP!
Some people who criticize grace as being cheap or dangerous are, in reality, suggesting that God expects us to reach a certain level of performance to earn His grace. Herein lies the problem: grace is unearned–it is a free gift.
It is not cheap as it cost God the death of His Son to offer it to us. Calling grace “cheap” is an insult to all that Jesus accomplished through His death, burial, and resurrection for us. Ed Elliot
CHOOSING JOY
“And Mary said, ‘My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.’” Luke 1:46-47
Here, Mary makes a very clear distinction between her soul magnifying the Lord and her spirit rejoicing.
Our soul is the part of us that is considered to be our personality. It is our intellect, emotions and will. Our spirit is the part that gets changed at salvation and it is always operating in love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (2 Cor. 5:17; Gal. 5:22-23). That’s true whether our souls (feelings and emotions) ‘feel’ it or not.
Many believers wait until their emotions like praising the Lord before they enter into worship. They think it’s hypocritical to act like they are rejoicing in the Lord if they don’t ‘feel’ it. But our spirits are always rejoicing in the Lord. It’s actually hypocritical to go by our feelings and not magnify the Lord with our souls when our born again spirits are already rejoicing.
Our born again spirits are always in tune with the Lord and walking in the joy of the Lord. Our flesh is often dominated by what it sees and feels.
Sometimes it doesn’t feel like praising the Lord, but the choice rests with our souls. If we choose to praise the Lord, our emotions will follow.
The decision is yours (Dt. 30:19). Today, choose to walk in the joy of the Lord.
Andrew Wommack
GOD IS GOOD
John 21:25 ‘And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.’
Every detail of every man’s life, who has ever walked on the earth, has not impacted the world as much as the few recorded details of Jesus’ life. Jesus was not just a man, He was God manifest in the flesh ( I Tim. 3:16).
In Acts 10:38 Peter gives a very brief, yet descriptive summary of the life and ministry of Jesus. Jesus was anointed with power and with the Holy Ghost.
He used this power to do good, not evil. This is one of the main characteristics of God and is one of the easiest ways to discern what is from God and what is from the devil. God is a good God and devil is a bad devil If it’s bad, it’s from the devil If it’s good, it’s from God.
Tragedy can come from three sources: God, Satan, and natural law. God has used nature to bring judgment. However, the New Testament believer is exempt from this punitive judgment of God since Jesus bore it for him.
Satan is the source of much of the calamity that people ascribe to God. Many problems arise because people violate the natural laws that God put into motion. If a person drives recklessly and kills himself, it’s not God or the devil that killed him. He violated natural law and thus paid the price.
It is incorrect to believe that God controls everything and therefore always has some redemptive design in tragedies. This type of thinking will lead us to ignore the devil, thereby giving him a freehand to destroy our lives. It will also cause us not to use wisdom concerning natural laws, because we will think that nothing can happen unless God wills it. We must remember that God is a good God.
Andrew Wommack
GOD IS GOOD
John 21:25 ‘And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.’
Every detail of every man’s life, who has ever walked on the earth, has not impacted the world as much as the few recorded details of Jesus’ life. Jesus was not just a man, He was God manifest in the flesh ( I Tim. 3:16).
In Acts 10:38 Peter gives a very brief, yet descriptive summary of the life and ministry of Jesus. Jesus was anointed with power and with the Holy Ghost.
He used this power to do good, not evil. This is one of the main characteristics of God and is one of the easiest ways to discern what is from God and what is from the devil. God is a good God and devil is a bad devil If it’s bad, it’s from the devil If it’s good, it’s from God.
Tragedy can come from three sources: God, Satan, and natural law. God has used nature to bring judgment. However, the New Testament believer is exempt from this punitive judgment of God since Jesus bore it for him.
Satan is the source of much of the calamity that people ascribe to God. Many problems arise because people violate the natural laws that God put into motion. If a person drives recklessly and kills himself, it’s not God or the devil that killed him. He violated natural law and thus paid the price.
It is incorrect to believe that God controls everything and therefore always has some redemptive design in tragedies. This type of thinking will lead us to ignore the devil, thereby giving him a freehand to destroy our lives. It will also cause us not to use wisdom concerning natural laws, because we will think that nothing can happen unless God wills it. We must remember that God is a good God.
Andrew Wommack
Is Grace Cheap?
Some people who criticize grace as being cheap or dangerous are, in reality, telling others that God expects individuals to achieve some level of performance to be worthy of His grace. Here lies the problem: grace is unearned; it is a free gift. It is not cheap–it cost God His Son’s life, which was offered up for us. Calling grace cheap is an insult to all that Jesus did in His death, burial, and resurrection. Ed Elliott
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Why the World Promotes Fear
The world sells fear so it can be your savior. However, Jesus says to “fear not” because He is your Savior!
I choose Jesus!
“For God hath not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).
Fearful people won’t operate in the power of God, nor will they know or experience the love of God. They will always be confused. Ed Elliott
Why it is important to never give up on God’s goodness!
“I would have despaired had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for and confidently expect the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for and confidently expect the Lord” (Psalm 27:13-14).
The Psalmist makes the powerful point that if he had given up on trusting in God’s goodness towards him, he would have given up. Knowing God and the fact He is a good God helps us no matter what we are facing in life to hold on to Him and His ways because we can be assured to see His goodness manifest in our lives.
You never need to give up on Yourself or Life.
As long as God is a good God and He tells us He will never change.
“I the LORD do not change.” Malachi 3:6
Ed Elliot
Why it is important to never give up on God’s goodness!
“I would have despaired had I not believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for and confidently expect the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for and confidently expect the Lord” (Psalm 27:13-14).
The Psalmist makes the powerful point that if he had given up on trusting in God’s goodness towards him, he would have given up. Knowing God and the fact He is a good God helps us no matter what we are facing in life to hold on to Him and His ways because we can be assured to see His goodness manifest in our lives.
You never need to give up on Yourself or Life.
As long as God is a good God and He tells us He will never change.
“I the LORD do not change.” Malachi 3:6
Ed Elliot
GUARD AGAINST DECEPTION
Matthew 24:4 ‘And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.’
Deception can be avoided or else Jesus would not have said, “Take heed that no man deceive you.” Satan can only deceive those who allow him to do it.
Ephesians 6:11 tells us to ‘Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.’ Putting on the whole armour of God will protect you from the deception of the devil. Just wearing part of God’s armour will not fully protect you. Many Christians have been running around with the helmet of salvation on but nothing else. There is more to overcoming the devil than just being saved. We have to understand our righteous position in the Lord. We also must possess faith, know the Word, and understand the gospel of peace.
The Christian life is a constant struggle against Satan, who is trying to corrupt us. Most Christians are aware of the warfare, but they don’t know where the warfare is occurring. The battle is in our mind. Just as the serpent didn’t come against Eve with brute force, but rather used words to deceive her, likewise Satan tries to corrupt us through thoughts contrary to the gospel. Satan’s original tactic was deception and that is still his method of operation today.
One of the characteristics of children is that they are easily deceived. They are gullible. One of the things that must take place to move from childhood into sonship is spiritual discernment. This comes from being grounded in the Word of God.
The way to recognize deception is not to analyze all the false claims but rather to become so familiar with what is genuine that a counterfeit will be easily recognizable. Anyone who is truly grounded in the Word of God will not be deceived. Andrew Wommack
God’s Love Isn’t a Reward
“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Matthew 7:9-11
I don’t stop loving or providing for my children if they have been naughty, rebellious, or disobedient. My love and forgiveness for them are unconditional. If I refused to love, forgive, or provide for my children when they were disobedient or rebellious, I would be a negligent and abusive parent. As much as I love my children, it doesn’t even come close to how much God loves His children!
Being loved by God isn’t a reward for good behavior. Rather, it’s a revelation of His heart that reveals His character and nature toward you.
Our character is shaped, molded, and transformed when we experience God’s character toward us.
Ed Elliot
God’s Love Isn’t a Reward
“Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” Matthew 7:9-11
I don’t stop loving or providing for my children if they have been naughty, rebellious, or disobedient. My love and forgiveness for them are unconditional. If I refused to love, forgive, or provide for my children when they were disobedient or rebellious, I would be a negligent and abusive parent. As much as I love my children, it doesn’t even come close to how much God loves His children!
Being loved by God isn’t a reward for good behavior. Rather, it’s a revelation of His heart that reveals His character and nature toward you.
Our character is shaped, molded, and transformed when we experience God’s character toward us.
Ed Elliot
Be a Witness, Not a Judge
And when he comes, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.”
John 16:8
It is the ministry of the Holy Spirit to reprove sin, righteousness, and judgment. It is not our ministry. We are simply witnesses. A witness is not the judge or the jury. A witness simply relates what he has experienced, thereby providing evidence to the truth of something. We are to witness in word and deed, to the truth of Jesus being alive in us and let God be the one who convicts. We are simply to testify to what has happened to us.
Some people, in their zeal, have gone beyond the witness stage and have tried to bring people under conviction themselves. This is assuming the job that belongs to the Holy Spirit alone. This not only frustrates the witness but it drives many people away from God. We make a very poor Holy Spirit; therefore, we should stick to our job of being a witness and let the Holy Spirit do His job.
Jesus specified an orderly progression in the way we should witness. First we start in Jerusalem (i.e. where we are). Then we go to those nearby (Judaea).
Finally, we take the gospel to every religious and racial group (Samaria) throughout the whole world.
There are some very practical reasons for becoming witnesses in this way.
Jesus testified that a prophet is honored everywhere except in his home town among his family and friends. Typically, at home is the hardest place to witness. Starting with those who know us best will cause us to humble ourselves and give God all the glory. Also, if rejection comes, this tempers us and our witness, so that we will be more effective and more resilient when we go to the outermost parts of the earth.
Andrew Wommack
There is Only One Way To The Father
John 14:5 “Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?”
Thomas knew Jesus. He just didn’t realize Jesus was “the way.” Likewise, people today know portions of God’s Word but they don’t realize that God’s Word is their way to victory. Often, people cry out for God to speak to them while their Bible lays unopened on their nightstand. God has spoken to us through His Word. We just need to believe it and receive its truths as our way to victory.
Jesus didn’t say: “I am a way, a truth, and a life.” He claimed to be the only way, truth, and life. No man can come to the Father except through Jesus. This means that anyone who claims to honor Jesus while advocating other ways to get to God, truth, or life, besides Jesus, is deceived or a deceiver.
Jesus’ claims about Himself, of which there is only one, left no room for other means to salvation. He is either who He says He is, or He is the greatest deceiver of all time. His own statements about Himself leave no other alternatives. Therefore, other religions that recognize Jesus and His teachings as wonderful examples, but don’t believe He is the only way to achieve salvation, are false.
The word of God is a spiritual book written under the direction of the Holy Spirit. It was not written to our head but to the innermost part of our heart. This is why some people find the Bible so hard to understand. They are trying to comprehend it using only their mind. The Word of God has to inspire our heart before it can enlighten our mind.
Andrew Wommack
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