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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What About Our Future Sins?
A lady came to me one day and said, “I do not understand you. I can understand that Christ died for the sins I committed up to the night of my conversion, but do you mean to tell me that Christ died for my future sins?” I said, “How many of your sins were in the past when Christ died on the cross?” She looked puzzled for a moment, and then the light broke in, and she said, How foolish I have been! ” Of course, they were all future when Jesus died for me, I had not committed any of them.”
“For I will be merciful and gracious toward their wickedness, and I will remember their sins no more” (Hebrews 8:12 AMP). Ed Elliot
The Goodness of God
Luke 12:5 “But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.”
Second Timothy 1:7 says, “God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” First John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear; because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.” These scriptures may look like they are contradictions to Jesus’ statement here; however, they are not.
There are two kinds of fear. The American Heritage Dictionary defines fear as ‘a feeling of alarm or disquiet caused by the expectation of danger, pain, disaster, or the like; terror; dread; apprehension.’ It also defines fear as extreme reverence or awe, as toward a supreme power.’
It is this reverence or awe that God’s Word teaches saints to have towards God. Hebrews 12:28 says that there is a godly fear with which we are supposed to serve God and thereby implies that there is an ungodly fear that is not acceptable in serving God.
Satan has always used this ungodly dread or terror to torment godly people. Those who have been born again should have no dread or terror of God unless they are planning to renounce their faith in Jesus as their Savior. We have a covenant that guarantees us acceptance with God (Eph. 1:6), as long as we hold fast to our profession of faith in the atoning blood of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
For an unbeliever, the fear of the Lord is a great deterrent from sin. However, for those of us who have received the grace of God, it is His goodness that causes us to fear him and depart from sin. His goodness is awesome! Andrew Wommack
The Devil Walks: the Father runs!
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:9).
“But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, fell on his neck, and kissed him” (Luke 15:20).
The Devil walks around as a roaring lion; he isn’t a roaring lion but acts like one in an attempt to find someone intimidated by him whom he can devour. People who don’t know God are easy to scare. They are the ones the Devil walks around looking for. In contrast, Jesus teaches that our Father is running to us full of compassion to kiss and embrace us.
Next time you are battling fear, realize that your heavenly Father is running to you to embrace you in HIs love to hold you and kiss you. The Devil walks, but God runs to you, so God wins the race every time.
“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear; because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love” (I John 4:18).
Ed Elliot
The Past Tense of God’s Forgiveness
“God has removed our sins as far as the east is from the west”(Psalm 103:12).”
He remembers our sins no more (Hebrews 8:12), 10:17). This is why throughout the New Testament, we see our forgiveness expressed in the past tense:
“Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you”(Ephesians 4:32).
“When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together in Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions” (Colssians 2:13).
“Bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you” Colossians 3:13).
“I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven for His name’s sake” (I John 2:12).
Ed Elliot
God makes everything come out right!
Psalm 103:13-18 Message Bible
GOD makes everything come out right; He puts victims back on their feet. He showed Moses how He went about His work, and opened up His plans to all Israel. GOD is sheer mercy and grace, not easily angered. He’s rich in love. He doesn’t endlessly nag and scold, nor hold grudges forever. He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve, nor pay us back in full for our wrongs. As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is His love to those who fear Him. And as far as sunrise is from sunset, He has separated us from our sins. As parents feel for their children, GOD feels for those who fear Him. He knows us inside and out; keeps in mind that we’re made of mud. Men and women don’t live very long; like wildflowers they spring up and blossom, But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly, leaving nothing to show they were here. GOD’S love, though, is ever and always, eternally present to all who fear Him. Making everything right for them and their children as they follow His Covenant ways and remember to do whatever He said.
God makes everything come out right!
Psalm 103:13-18 Message Bible
GOD makes everything come out right; He puts victims back on their feet. He showed Moses how He went about His work, and opened up His plans to all Israel. GOD is sheer mercy and grace, not easily angered. He’s rich in love. He doesn’t endlessly nag and scold, nor hold grudges forever. He doesn’t treat us as our sins deserve, nor pay us back in full for our wrongs. As high as heaven is over the earth, so strong is His love to those who fear Him. And as far as sunrise is from sunset, He has separated us from our sins. As parents feel for their children, GOD feels for those who fear Him. He knows us inside and out; keeps in mind that we’re made of mud. Men and women don’t live very long; like wildflowers they spring up and blossom, But a storm snuffs them out just as quickly, leaving nothing to show they were here. GOD’S love, though, is ever and always, eternally present to all who fear Him. Making everything right for them and their children as they follow His Covenant ways and remember to do whatever He said.
IS LOVE REALLY THAT IMPORTANT?
I often get challenged by people about my emphasis on love. They ask if in all the other important biblical doctrines love is really that important. My short reply is found below. I will let you decide if love is important or not after reading my answer.
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God is love (I John 4:8).
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We are to walk in love (ephesians 5:2).
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Faith works by love (Galatians 5:6).
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We are to be grounded and rooted in love (Ephesians 3:17).
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We are to know and believe the love God has for us (I John 4:16).
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We are to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).
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God loved us while we were still sinners. (Romans 5:8).
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God’s love for you is the same as He has for Jesus (John 17:23).
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There is no fear in God’s love (I John 4:18).
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Love is the evidence you know God. (I John 4:7).
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Love is more than just words–it’s actions (I John 23:18).
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Love is greater than faith or hope (I Corinthians 13:13).
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Every expectation God has for us is fulfilled by love (Matthew 22:36-40).
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Love is how God treats the evil and unthankful (Luke 6:35).
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Love is how I am to treat my enemies (Luke 6:27).
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Love is how I am to treat my neighbor (Matthew 22:39).
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Love is how I am to treat myself (Matthew 22:39).
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Nothing can ever separate me from God’s love (Romans 8:35-39).
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God’s love causes me to be more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37).
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God loved you first! (I John 4:19).
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Love never fails (I Corinthians 13:8).
I hope Tina Turner found the answer to “What’s love got to do with it.” That God’s love isn’t a secondhand emotion or an old fashioned notion and it has the power to heal broken hearts! That’s what love has got to do with it! Ed Elliot
Abiding in LOVE, how do I know?
One of the ways you know you are abiding and existing in God’s love–Is your heart is always seeing and expecting God’s mercy. People who lose sight of God’s mercy are people who don’t abide in God’s love.
“Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.” Jude 21 Ed Eliott
You were created in the image of LOVE.
The Bible tells us mankind was created in God’s image. This means that we are designed to function and exist in His identity. Since God is love, our life is directly connected to knowing and believing in the love He has for us. If you read I John 4:19, your existence will make perfect sense.
“We love Him because He loved us FIRST!” I John 4:19 Ed Eliott
Jesus–the One Who Always Believes
Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” Mark 9:23
Mark 9:23 has been traditionally taught to mean that you can have your miracles if YOU can believe. If you can’t believe, then Jesus isn’t going to give you your miracle.
But if you study the Greek structure of the verse, it’s actually saying, “Can you believe that all things are possible to Him (Jesus) Who is always believing?”
That makes a world of difference! It’s not about how well or how much you can believe, but WHO you believe. Jesus is the only one whose faith is always constant and never wavers. His faith never fails! And if you can believe that all things are possible for Jesus who never doubts, never wavers, then you are on your way to receiving your miracle!
Beloved, have faith not in your faith, but in HIM Who always believes and always wants to do good to you!
Joseph Prince
HOW DO MIRACLES HAPPEN?
Many people prevent the miraculous from happening in their lives because they believe a miracle is earned or a reward for godly behavior. Paul answered this question in his letter to the Galatioans.
“Was it because of their self-effort and obeying the law? Or did they happen because of what they heard that gave them faith?” (Galatians 3:5)
“Judaizers” came to town and convinced the followers of Jesus that trusting in Him wasn’t enough if they wanted to stay saved and be blessed by God. So these new believers took their eyes off Jesus and started keeping the old covenant law. As a result, the miraculous they had been experiencing went away, and so did the peace of God that comforted them…They had convinced the Galatians to mix law with grace, which produces a false gospel. Legalism always nullifies the power of God’s grace.
“O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh?” Galatians 3:1-3
The miracle of the new birth was by faith, and every miracle we will ever get again from God will be received the same way. Miracles don’t come as rewards for good behavior. They come because Jesus bought and paid for them in His death, burial, and resurrection.
Don’t lose your focus; keep your eyes on Him. He is the source of all we will ever need.
Ed & Laura Elliot
Song to all our mothers in heaven: by Lona Walker
Verse one:
Your flowers bloomed today
To drink the dew that came with dawn
They act as though they just don’t know
How long you’ve been gone
Then a golden evenin’ sun began
To paint a portrait view
And I can’t believe I’ve seen
Another day pass without you.
Verse two:
I can almost smell the coffee
That you’d serve me when I’d come
I’d have so much to tell you now
If you could only brew me some
There’ve been changes in my life that’s come
As time has past on by
You’ve been missin’ out on all that’s come about
But on second thought….Have I?
Chorus:
Cause I’ve been missin’ all the beauty
That you’ve seen since you’ve been there
All of heaven splendor
The Father carefully prepared
And I’ve not yet stood in amazement
To watch as angels prostrate fall
On second thought….you’ve really not
Been missin’ anything at all
–DID YOU KNOW- The full Bible has been translated into 532 languages. It has been partially translated into 2,883 languages The King James Bible contains 788,258 words, 31,102 verses, 1,189 chapters, and 66 books.
The longest book in the Bible is Psalm 119.
The shortest book in the Bible is Psalm 117, with just 2 verses.
How many verses are there in the Bible? In the Old Testament, there are 23,145 verses. In the New Testament, there are 7, 957, for a total of 31,102 versus.
Who was the first author of the Bible? Moses wrote the first five books of the Bible.
How many Bibles have been sold? The Bible is the best selling book in history, with over 5 billion copies sold.
What is the most common word mentioned in the Bible? The most commonly used word in the Bible is “Lord,” followed by God, Man, Israel, and People.
He is still the same!
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Hebrews 13:8
Jesus had prioritized divine healing during His earthly ministry. The Bible tells us that He went about “doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil” (Acts 10:38). In fact, anyone and everyone who came to Him for healing–whether it was for their children, servants, friends or for themselves–received their healing. Not a single one who had come to Him went away without receiving healing from Him.
And Jesus, who is “the same yesterday, today, and forever”, will do the same for you today. His heart still beats with compassion for you. He will never miss an opportunity to do good to you–to heal you or your broken body, emotional scars and weary spirit–and to bless you!
Joseph Prince
You are Priceless in God’s Eyes!
The Bible teaches that all people are unworthy, but being unworthy does not mean you are “worthless.” God paid a great price to redeem mankind. The value of something is always determined by the price one is willing to pay.
We use the term “priceless” today to illustrate that there is no amount of money on the earth that could buy or purchase what one considers priceless. All the gold, diamonds, and wealth of the earth could not purchase man’s redemption. It took something of far greater value to pay the price. All the gold, precious stones, and the pearly gates in heaven could not pay what was required. Something of far greater value was needed, so God sent the most valuable and precious gift He had to pay the price for man’s salvation: His dear son, Jesus. Therefore, in God’s eyes, we are “priceless.” Nothing on the earth could purchase us, but the value God saw in His son is the value He sees in us.
“For you are bought with a great price. Glorify and bear God in your body” (I Corinthians 6:20).
Ed Elliot
God of the Valleys Too
Then the servants of the king of Syria said to him, “Their gods are gods of the hills. Therefore they were stronger than we; but if we fight against them in the plain, surely we will be stronger than they…Then a man of God came and spoke to the king of Israel, and said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Because the Syrians have said, “the Lord is God of the hills but He is not God of the valleys,” therefore I will deliver all this great multitude into your hand, and you shall know that I am the Lord.’” I Kings 20:23,28
In the darkest moments of our lives, we often feel like God is a thousand miles away. God is with us on the mountaintops, we think, but in the valleys, we’re all alone.
Nothing could be further from the truth. In I Kings 20, the Syrian King was told that Syria had fought Israel on the hills and lost because Israel’s God was the God of the hills. So if they fought the Israelites in the valley, they would win. Of course, the misinformed Syrians lost again because God is a God of the valleys, too!
My friend, there;s nowhere you can go where you’re not covered by God’s mercy and grace. Whether you are in the pink of health or terribly ill in the valley of the shadow of death, He is with you and will never leave you nor forsake you. So don’t lose hope. The God of the valleys is your strength. He will uphold you with His righteous right hand and deliver you from your enemies! Joseph Prince
KNOWING HIS NAME
“I will protect those who trust in my name.” Psalm 91:14
Our Lord Jesus came to reveal the name, “Father.” Father speaks of family and of closeness and intimacy. You can know God as Elyon, the Most High. As El Shaddai, God Almighty. As Yehovah, the Lord, the covenant-keeping God. As Elohim, mighty Creator of the heavens and the earth. Every name is so significant as each one reveals a wonderful aspect of our God. But when you know God as Father, all His virtues, attributes, and power work for you to set you on high and deliver you.
Our Lord Jesus prayed, “Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You, Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are” (John 17:11). The Greek word for “keep” here is the word tereo, which means to attend carefully, to take care of, to guard, to watch, and to preserve. What is the name through which you will be kept guarded and protected? FATHER. Beloved, I want you to know beyond the shadow of a doubt that you have a heavenly Father who loves you, who gave up His all for you, and who is vigilantly watching over you!
That is the n;ame by which He wants you to call HIm. When my son, Justin, has a nightmare, he doesn’t call out, “Pastor Prince!” He just cries out, “Abba!” and I am there, ready to take on any monsters hiding under his bed. In the same way, you can have complete assurance that when you call upon your Father, He will answer you. You can have full confidence in your Father’s protection and deliverance for you and your family, not because of your love for Him, but because of His love for you. Joseph Prince
NOTHING CAN STAND AGAINST OUR GOD!
Whatever you face in life, if you will just hold your peace and remain at rest, God promises He will fight your battles. He will make a way even when you do not see a way.
If God could close the lions’ mouths for Daniel,
Part the Red Sea for Moses,
Make the sun stand still for Joshua,
Open the prison for Peter,
Put a baby Isaac in Sarah’s arm and
Raised Lazarus from the dead,
Then He can certainly take care of you.
Have FAITH in Him in Jesus’ mighty name, Amen!
Step back! I have a mustard seed and I am not afraid to use it.
It is a good feeling when God shows up just in time, but the best feeling is when you realize He has never left you!
A bottle of water can be $1 at the supermarket, $3 at a restaurant, $4 at the movies and $6 in an airport. It is the same exact water. The only thing that changed its value was the place. So, the next time you feel like you have no value, maybe you are in the wrong place.
Bishop O.C.
The Danger of Seeing Yourself as a Victim
Most, if not all people, have had to face difficulties in life. Some have been mistreated; others have experienced tragic situations. Though we can do nothing about our past, how we view it can determine our future.
The Bible says much about who we are to God and who He is to us. One of the many beautiful things about faith is how it turns hopeless situations into hopeful events. Faith also helps us embrace our true identity in Christ. This one fact alone can change almost everything about us and our destinies.
It is very important how we see ourselves and how we hear what others have to say about us or to us. If our ears have a victim filter on them, then we will hear things that support our belief we are victims when, in fact, we are not hearing the truth at all. Rather, we are hearing a version based on being overly sensitive or having offended hearts.
“A brother offended is harder to win over than a fortified city. And contentions (separating families) are like the bars of a castle.” Proverbs 18:19)
Seeing yourself as a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17) is the only cure for our past. Why? Because being in Christ gives us a new future that is ordained by God. Add in the fact that God Himself tells us He is for us. Therefore, nothing or no one can be against us (Romans 8:31).
We all come with scars, bruises, and flaws, but the wonderful news is that they don’t define who we are. Our identity is defined by who God created us to be in His Son. Ed Elliot
UNCOMPLICATED LOVE!
Religion and performance-based Christianity complicate what it means to love God. They add rules and commandments that need to be obeyed to love God. This is why so many people are confused and even lack assurance of their own salvation. They struggle with having confidence in God because that confidence comes from their own efforts and self-righteousness.
When we understand our confidence in God comes from what He did for us and not what we do, our hearts will be at peace.
Loving God is so easy when you realize how much God loves you! Our lives are a reflection and response to the love He has for us. Stop trusting in your performance and start trusting in the love God has for you.
“We love God because He loved us first
(I John 4:19).
“Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love” (I John 4:7-8).
The only way we can walk with God is to walk in the love He has for us. Ed Elliot
The Gift of a New Heart Changed EVERYTHING!
Jesus didn’t come to Earth so we could give Him our hearts. He came to give us His heart. Religion teaches people to give their hearts to the Lord but nowhere in the New Testament do we read that people gave their hearts to the Lord. What we do read over and over is they received the Lord or the Word. Salvation isn’t based on what you give to God but on what you receive from Him.
“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart” (Ezekiel 35:26). Ed Elliot
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