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.
|
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE SPIRITUALLY MATURE?
Spiritual maturity doesn’t come from what you know, but who you know. Paul’s greatest desire was to know Jesus intimately.
Spiritual maturity is simply measured by love or knowing God who is love. I know a lot of people who have a wealth of biblical knowledge; a few have masters and doctorates in theology, but they are not very loving or even friendly people. Some are downright prideful. They perfectly exemplify what Paul says about knowledge that isn’t tempered by love.
We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. (I Corinthians 8:1)
In 1 Corinthians 13, which is often referred to as the love chapter, Paul teaches that though great faith, in-depth knowledge, and the ability to operate in the spiritual gifts are essential, the fruit is greater! What matters is love! A spiritually mature individual is simply someone who understands God’s love and walks in the reality of it. Paul closes Chapter 13 by saying, “abide faith, hope, and love but the greatest of the three is love.” Why is love greater than faith and hope? Simply because you can trust or have faith in someone who is able to love you perfectly. When your heart is established in God’s love for you, faith and hope are rooted deep in the ground that produces an abundance of fruit. Knowing Jesus reveals His Father to us and knowing God is always expressed in how we love people.
Ed and Laurie Elliot
PRACTICE JESUS’ PRESENCE IN YOUR CAREER
“For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield.” Psalm 5:12
Wherever you are, whatever it is that you do, with the Lord’s presence and His unmerited favor covering you, there is no way you will not be a success.
Whether you are a chef, driver or consultant, it doesn’t matter. God is on your side to bless and make you a success. Of course, you understand that I am referring to only morally upright professions. You cannot depend on God’s unmerited favor if you are in an industry that requires you to compromise on your Christian morals. If you are involved in a morally corrupt industry or a job that expects you to lie, cheat or deceive, my advice to you is to get out! You do not have to depend on a job that puts you in a morally compromising position for your income. God loves you intimately and He has something so much better in store for you. Trust Him.
God is here to save you from destroying yourself. He wants to give you good success and He loves you too much to see you remain in a job that forces you to compromise. The Bible says, “ A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and god.” ( Proverbs 22:1). God has a higher way and better plan for your life. You can walk in it today by depending on His unmerited favor to provide for and prosper you!
Joseph Prince
HOW DO WE KNOW WHEN WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE PERFECT LOVE OF GOD?
“Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness on the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world” (I John 4:17).”
One amazing truth that will resonate in your heart when you begin to walk in the reality of how much you are loved by God, is your life will reflect a boldness or confidence in who you are. John points out to believers that when we experience the perfect love God has for us, we will never be the same again. Why? Because we know “as Jesus is, so are we.” If we can have that type of boldness on judgment day, we can have that boldness every day. Our boldness doesn’t come from who we are or what we have done or not done. It comes from who we are in Christ. As He is, so are we!
I encourage you today to speak to yourself over and over again as a reminder, “As He is, so are you.” He is righteous, so are you. He is loved perfectly, so are you. He is full of glory, so are you. I could go on and on, but I think you see my point. YOU ARE AS HE IS! Live in the truth and your life will be filled with boldness because as Jesus is, So are you! Ed Elliot
The gospel isn’t about your past!
One of the great truths revealed in the story of the prodigal son is that the gospel is not about our past but our present and future. The happiest person at the party wasn’t the newly restored and forgiven son but his father. The critical fault-finding brother missed the homecoming celebration because he was busy working for what the Prodigal was receiving and experiencing freely through his father’s unconditional love.
Legalism blinds and distorts the true nature and character of God. It is only love that unveils the heart of God and can change the heart of one who chooses to trust in God’s love personally. Don’t miss out on what God has for you because of guilt and shame from your past. Why remember what God has forgotten?
“For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (Hebrews 8:12). “God does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities” (Psalm 103:10).
Ed Elliot
Kenneth Copeland
According to Isaiah 53:4-5, Jesus’ sacrifice covered every area of man’s existence. He bore spiritual torment for our sins, mental distress for our worry, care, and fear as well as physical pain for our sickness and disease. The stripes He bore were for our healing. With His stripes we are healed. God gave everything He had to redeem mankind from the curse.
Matthew 26:26-28 “Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” When we receive Communion, we are receiving His body and His blood.
When the first Passover was instituted, God instructed Moses to kill a lamb, to spread its blood over the door, and then roast a lamb and eat all of it. Any that remained was to be burned away. That sacrificial lamb was completely consumed! Jesus, as the Lamb of God, was the supreme sacrifice under the Abrahamic Covenant. When you partake of His sacrifice, do not take only part of it. Take it all! Consume it completely! When you receive the Lord’s Supper, do so like the children of Israel. Exodus 12:11 says, And this shall ye eat it; with your loins girded, your shoes on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and ye shall eat it in haste: it is the Lord’s Passover. The children of Israel were ready to go. They ate in faith. They were ready to receive their deliverance before they ate! No matter what you may be faced with – sin, sickness, drugs, a weight problem, worry, strife, old habits – you can be delivered through properly receiving the Lord’s Supper. The body and blood of Jesus covered every area of your existence. By discerning His body and judging yourself before Him, you can receive your deliverance. Place yourself before God and receive Communion as the children of Israel did – ready to receive your deliverance.
Pray on Staying calm
There it is knocking on your door
The thing that you thought would never happen but it did
Don’t allow the enemy to whisper in your ear if God said – now what will you do
Yes he wants you to question why when you have prayed, believed and stood
Fear looms near its breath you feel
Suddenly you hear a rustling as faith is raising up
This faith that reminds you God is near and you are not alone
My precious sister-my precious brother don’t be discouraged
It is not what you did or did not do
God is faithful, all his promises are true and his love everlasting just for you
Pray on and staying calm Pastor Shirley
Step Out by Faith into Your Field of Provision
“And when she rose up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, ‘Let her glean even among the sheaves, and do not reproach her. Also let grain from the bundles fall purposely for her; leave it that she may glean, and do not rebuke her.’” Ruth 2:15-16
She saw plenty of grain in the fields and she picked it all up. It was the much needed provision for herself and her mother-in-law. What Ruth didn’t know was that the owner of the field, Boaz, had actually commanded his men to “let grain from the bundles fall purposely for her”, because she had found favor in his eyes.
My friend, isn’t it cool when Jesus, our heavenly Boaz, purposely commands the blessings on us, and tells His angels to drop them along our way? All we have to do is to go out into the fields and “pick them up.”
Beloved, because you have found favor in His eyes, the Lord is purposely dropping His blessings upon your path every single day! Like Ruth, all you have to do is to step out into your field of provision. With eyes of faith, see doors of opportunities opening before. Have the courage to apply for that job you have always dreamed about. Prepare and equip yourself, and go forth and pick up these blessings our Lord already laid before you.
Your future is bright! Joseph Prince
CONTEMPLATE ON THE NARRATIVE BELOW OF AN ELEPHANT AND A DOG
An elephant and a dog became pregnant at the same time. Three months down the line, the dog gave birth to 6 puppies. Six months later, the dog got pregnant again and nine months on, the dog gave birth to another set of 6 puppies. This happened continuously and then on the 18th month, the dog approached the elephant and asked the elephant, “Are you sure you are pregnant? We got pregnant at the same time and I have given birth 3 times, yet you are still carrying your baby. Are you very certain that you are pregnant?”
Then the elephant looked at the dog and smiled and said, “There is something I want you to understand. You see, what I’m carrying is not a dog, but an elephant. I only do this once every two years. When my baby hits the ground, the air feels it. When my baby crosses the road, human beings stop in admiration and awe with fear. What I’m carrying draws attention and because of that , it takes time to develop.”
Precious saints of God Most High, the same thing goes with life:
-Never lose hope when you see other people receiving answers to their prayers.
-Never give up on your dreams when you see others having their breakthroughs and moving on in life, for you have no idea what you are carrying.
– Never, ever be envious of good testimonies of other people. If you have not received the answer to your prayer or if you dream has not become a reality, never lose hope,
Do not be despaired because what you are carrying is prepared by God Almighty in progress for a greater impact. When the time comes, God will magnify Himself in your life. So say to yourself, “My time is coming and what God is about to do through me, will make the whole world to stand in admiration to give Glory to God, Adonai Yahweh!”
“All the promises of Adonai Yahweh in Him are ‘Yes And in Him ‘Amen’, to the glory of God through us” (2 Corinthians 1:20). Dr. Daniel O.C.
HOW DO PEOPLE SEE YOU?
Ed Elliot
Sinners saw Jesus as their friend. The Pharisees saw Jesus as a sinner. Legalism blinds people from seeing people as God does.
When we see people as Jesus saw them, we are connected to the heart of God as Jesus was.
“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love” (I John 4:8).
“Phillip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you and yet hast thou not known me, Phillip? He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? (John 14:8-9)
HOW WE SPEAK THE TRUTH MATTERS TO GOD
“But speaking the truth in love (in all things– expressing His truth), let us grow up in all things into Him (following His example) who is the Head–Christ” (Ephesians 4:15, AMP)
We should never speak the truth sarcastically, in a condescending way, or in pride and arrogance. We should only speak the truth in love. If you don’t know what love is as defined by God, you don’t know what the truth is because the truth is all about His love.
The truth” is heard better delivered in love, and it is received easier in love. Remove love from speaking the truth, and it is like drinking sand. Add love, and it is like enjoying the sweetest honey easing down your mouth.
“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth” (Psalm 119:103, ESV).
Ed Elliot
Ephesians 3:14-21
For this reason seeing the greatness of this plan by which you are built together in Christ], I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, For Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named [that Father from Whom all fatherhood takes its title and derives its name]. May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality]. May Christ through your faith [actually] dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts! May you be rooted deep in love and founded securely on love, That you may have the power and be strong to apprehend and grasp with all the saints [God’s devoted people, the experience of that love] what is the breadth and length and height and depth [of it]; [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [without experience]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]! Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]— To Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever. Amen (so be it).
Luke 15:11-32
The Prodigal Son initially resisted his father’s embrace, kiss, and acceptance because he felt unworthy to ever be his son again. The elder brother thought his father was being unfair to him because he obeyed all his laws and commandments and was not blessed for doing so. Having a”sin consciousness” will alter your view of God. “Otherwise, would (the sacrifices) not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have consciousness of sins?” (Hebrews 10:2)
One son felt unworthy because of his sin and the other felt entitled because of his obedience. However, neither understood their father loved them, not because of what they did or didn’t do but who he was.
God’s love for us isn’t based on who we are or what we have done or not done. His love for us is 100% totally based on who He is!
“Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God; and everyone 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).
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
Grace that Supplies
Joseph Prince
“And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19
The Lord told me once, “Being under grace means being constantly under My supply. It means being conscious not of the need, demand, or crisis , but of My supply to you.”
My friend, the essence of grace is supply. See yourself under His grace by seeing yourself under the waterfall of His supply. Do you need healing for your body today? See the area of affliction surrounded by His power to heal and His resurrection life!
Beloved, because of the cross, God’s peace is always supplying healing, protection, wisdom, and provision for you. And the more you are conscious of it, the more you will walk in it!
Knowledge Doesn’t Make a Person Free, Only the Truth Does!!!
A few years ago, I was invited to speak at a conference of church leaders. It was a fun and blessed event. Many of these leaders came from different theological backgrounds than mine, but we all still had a lot in common. The main speaker was a fascinating gentleman with a tremendous testimony. I will never forget. He and I became friends at this conference and we hung out and shared insights we each had about God’s Word.
He shared with me how he had studied at a prestigious seminary in Scotland under some very well-known theologians. He had earned many degrees and doctorates to his name.
After ten years of pastoring, he attended a small ministers’ meeting and was troubled why he couldn’t understand or relate to what these pastors were saying. One minister said to him, “I think why you don’t understand us is that you aren’t born again.” This man was deeply offended and he wanted to take them into his office and show them his numerous degrees and doctorate he had hanging there.
He was deeply troubled by what had happened at his ministers’ meeting. He paced in his office trying to process what happened that day. He decided to study the topic, and in a short time, he realized he wasn’t born again. That day in his office, he knelt , received Jesus Christ into his life, and was wonderfully born again. Suddenly, the Scriptures start making perfect sense to him.
He looked at me and said, “Ed, I pastored for over ten years. I believed I was saved, but I didn’t know Jesus. I knew theology, religion, and church history. But I never knew Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I considered myself knowledgeable about the Bible, and had many degrees to prove it but all that knowledge never set me free life knowing the truth has. Jesus is that truth!” Ed Elliot
God’s Law of Supply and Demand by Ed Elliot
The law of Moses demands righteousness, but God’s grace supplies righteousness. What the law demands from us, God provides to us as a free gift.
No one was able to keep all of God’s laws perfectly but Jesus. That is wh6y He gave us His righteousness and took away all our sins.
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
“Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.”(John 1:29).
The Power of Forgiveness
The same Jesus who forgave the woman caught in adultery, the thief on the cross, Peter for denying Him and those who beat Him and drove nails through His hands and feet is still the same Jesus today (Hebrews 13:8).
As the body of Christ, we should show the same compassion and mercy to those caught in similar situations as Jesus did. Forgiveness isn’t condoning sin; it opens a door for the heart to receive mercy. God uses mercy to purge the heart of sin (Proverbs 16:6). A person’s ability to forgive comes from knowing and believing how God has forgiven him/her. You cannot give to others what you do not possess yourself. You cannot lead others where you have not gone.
Ed Elliot
The Secret to Jesus’ Obedience
Jesus didn’t obey the law of Moses so His Father would love Him. He fulfilled the law because He was convinced of His Father’s love for Him (Matthew 5:17).
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love” (John 15:9).
The religious trap many fall into today is trying to live their lives in such a way it will cause God to love them. The truth is believers’ lives should reflect the fact they know and are convinced of the love God has for them.
“Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8).
Even if it were possible for people to perfectly obey the law of Moses, it wouldn’t make them loving, kind, and compassionate. The reason is, the law is devoid of mercy, and mercy is a characteristic of love. Jesus used mercy to bring people to God (Matthew 9:13).
It isn’t obeying the law that helps a person be more loving and compassionate. It is knowing how much God loves you that transforms you into a loving person. Hence, Jesus taught His disciples to remain or live in His love for them. He knew how life-transforming His love for them was.
The apostle Paul taught that “love fulfills the law” but the law will not make anyone full of love or even a loving person.
The primary difference is that the law works from the outside and love works from the inside.
Ed Elliot
WHAT IS THE HARDEST PART?
Sometimes the hardest part about “walking in love,” is believing God loves and forgives us unconditionally. Until that truth is established in your heart, walking in love will be an impossible way of life. Believing God’s love for you is the exact same as it is for His Son Jesus, is not that easy, but it is an undeniable fact.
“I in them and you in me–so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (John 17:23).
“What shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord,”
(Romans 8:35-38). Ed Elliot
The Blood of the Lamb is Powerful
I stumbled on this story and knew it would bless you.
A rattlesnake bit one of my sheep in the face about a week ago. Deadliest snake that lives around here. The sheep’s face swelled up and hurt her terribly.
But the old rattlesnake didn’t know the kind of blood that flows through the sheep. Anti-venom is most often made from sheep’s blood. The sheep swelled for about 2 days but the blood of the lamb destroyed the venom of the serpent.
I was worried but the sheep didn’t care. She kept on eating, kept on drinking and kept on climbing because she knew she was alright.
Often the serpents of this life will reach out and hate us. They inject their poison into us but they cannot overcome the blood of the Lamb of God that washes away the sin of the world and the sting of death. Don’t worry about the serpent or his bite; just make sure the Lamb’s blood is flowing through your veins.
You are Priceless in God’s Eyes!
The Bible teaches all people are unworthy but that does not mean we 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 no amount of money on the earth 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. It required something of far greater value, 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 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).
|
|
