Pray for one another
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
James 5:16
I don't think many Christians realize just how important it is that we spend time in prayer for each other. We have so many things to deal with in our own lives each day that there doesn't seem to be much time left for anything or anyone else. I understand schedules and time constraints myself. Laura Leigh and I seem to be going and doing for the church every day. We must take time for each other in order for our marriage to be healthy. Then, we have Jay, Lauren, and McKenzie to take care of also. It is important that we do take care of all of our responsibilities.
We also teach people that God wants you blessed (3 John 2). We teach you how to pray and walk by faith to receive those blessings. Again, there is nothing wrong with you being blessed.
But, we cannot forget those around us that God has placed in our lives! This is one area that being in ministry gives me a different viewpoint than others may have. I want to say something to you now that you may not realize, but it's still true. There are people in your life right now that are facing some of the biggest battles they have ever faced in their lives! Most people don't want everyone to know what they are facing, but that doesn't mean they aren't facing anything.
I want to leave you with an example of this recently. The Holy Spirit strongly prompted me to minister along a specific line on a Thursday night. This was different than what I had planned, but I obeyed. He told me, "there is somebody in your midst this night that their life is hanging in the balance." Now, I had to step out by faith because I knew of no one in my church that was in this situation. This message was about your thoughts and how the devil had been lying to them that there was no hope. I was shocked at the response! Although I didn't know of anyone facing these situations, God did! I cannot tell you how many people came through the line to tell me how much it was for them. Every single cd we made was gone immediately after service.
I learned shortly after this message that someone within my congregation had been serious contemplating taking there life. If I would have been given 10 guesses about who this person was I would have never guessed. This only further proves my point!
Pray for yourself, pray for your family, pray for your finances, and pray for your health. Please don't forget to spend time praying for one another! You never know what others are going through at this time in their lives. Your prayers make much power available! Slow down with all that you have going on and be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. As he impresses someone upon your heart pray for them how he leads you to. Your prayers can make all the difference they may need!
In Christ,
Pastor J
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
June 4, 2013
Keep the Faith
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6
It is very easy to get frustrated by what you see or what you don't see. I see so many people get frustrated because it doesn't look like the things God has promised them are coming to pass in their lives. I surely have not arrived, but I know that just because things don't look a certain way doesn't mean that God is not moving.
God is always at work on your behalf and he has your best interest at heart! The only way that you will fail when you are following God is to stop following him because things don't look like God's plan is coming to pass. Don't be moved by what you see! God is an awesome God and always keeps his word.
I have seen this in my life more times than I can recount. But I can also say that as I look back today God was moving all along.
What is it today that you feel isn't coming to pass as God promised you? Have you prayed the prayer of faith only for things to get worse instead of better? Do not be moved by what you see! Satan uses circumstances to try and discourage you from standing on the word! Hold fast to the confession of your faith in God and his word and you will see that the work he has begun in you he will bring to completion.
I will leave you with one of my favorite scriptures:
Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?
Jeremiah 32:27
In Christ,
Pastor J
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6
It is very easy to get frustrated by what you see or what you don't see. I see so many people get frustrated because it doesn't look like the things God has promised them are coming to pass in their lives. I surely have not arrived, but I know that just because things don't look a certain way doesn't mean that God is not moving.
God is always at work on your behalf and he has your best interest at heart! The only way that you will fail when you are following God is to stop following him because things don't look like God's plan is coming to pass. Don't be moved by what you see! God is an awesome God and always keeps his word.
I have seen this in my life more times than I can recount. But I can also say that as I look back today God was moving all along.
What is it today that you feel isn't coming to pass as God promised you? Have you prayed the prayer of faith only for things to get worse instead of better? Do not be moved by what you see! Satan uses circumstances to try and discourage you from standing on the word! Hold fast to the confession of your faith in God and his word and you will see that the work he has begun in you he will bring to completion.
I will leave you with one of my favorite scriptures:
Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?
Jeremiah 32:27
In Christ,
Pastor J
Monday, May 21, 2012
Do Not Be Deceived
2 Timothy 3:12,13
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
Should we be surprised at what we see going on in the world today? Should we be surprised at what we see going on in the church today? As I study God's word my answer would have to be absolutely not. God has prepared us for all that we will face in this life through his word. The Word of God must be our handbook for Christian living.
As I keep up with all that is going on in our country it is shocking to me as well. It is appalling that the leader of our country would come out openly in support of what God himself has condemned. Following this announcement there has been a flurry of other people and large groups that have done the same. This could very easily disturb me as well. To be honest it did get me stirred up at first. Then, I began to study the word of God. I see not only has God warned me as a Christian about all that is going on right now, but he also encouraged me not to be troubled by anything that I hear or see. The bottom line is that the ultimate authority is God's word. I pray for my president and the leaders of my country. But the word of God instructs me that his word is the highest authority. When any leader or minister contradict that word I am not to support them or follow them in that area. That is what is going on right now. I encourage every single Christian to not be led by all that you see and here. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you and lead you through God's word. Remember that wrong does not become right just because someone calls wrong right.
There are many Christians today that have gone astray and been deceived by listening to people that contradict God's word. They say if God loves everyone then he would never say anything against what someone is doing. God is love and he cannot be separated from his Word. God also hates sin. It is sin that put Jesus on the cross to begin with. It was sin that separated mankind from God. Jesus died to pay the price for our sin and make a way back to God for us. To celebrate sin is to reject Jesus and what he has done for us. Proverbs 14:34 (Amp) says, "Uprightness and right standing with God (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) elevate a nation, bit sin is a reproach to any people." The church is to be the salt of the earth and the light to this lost and dying world. We cannot do this by buying into Satan's lies and deceptions.
I encourage each of you to avoid deception from the enemy by allowing the bible to be the filter by which you pass everything through in your life. As Christians, we must live by the Word of God, not what others say.
This is in no way a letter of attack towards anyone. This is to encourage everyone who claims to be a Christian to get back to God's word. Thank God today that if we build our lives and churches on the foundation of the Word of God then we have absolutely nothing to be concerned about! God is on our side!
In Christ,
Pastor J
Should we be surprised at what we see going on in the world today? Should we be surprised at what we see going on in the church today? As I study God's word my answer would have to be absolutely not. God has prepared us for all that we will face in this life through his word. The Word of God must be our handbook for Christian living.
As I keep up with all that is going on in our country it is shocking to me as well. It is appalling that the leader of our country would come out openly in support of what God himself has condemned. Following this announcement there has been a flurry of other people and large groups that have done the same. This could very easily disturb me as well. To be honest it did get me stirred up at first. Then, I began to study the word of God. I see not only has God warned me as a Christian about all that is going on right now, but he also encouraged me not to be troubled by anything that I hear or see. The bottom line is that the ultimate authority is God's word. I pray for my president and the leaders of my country. But the word of God instructs me that his word is the highest authority. When any leader or minister contradict that word I am not to support them or follow them in that area. That is what is going on right now. I encourage every single Christian to not be led by all that you see and here. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you and lead you through God's word. Remember that wrong does not become right just because someone calls wrong right.
There are many Christians today that have gone astray and been deceived by listening to people that contradict God's word. They say if God loves everyone then he would never say anything against what someone is doing. God is love and he cannot be separated from his Word. God also hates sin. It is sin that put Jesus on the cross to begin with. It was sin that separated mankind from God. Jesus died to pay the price for our sin and make a way back to God for us. To celebrate sin is to reject Jesus and what he has done for us. Proverbs 14:34 (Amp) says, "Uprightness and right standing with God (moral and spiritual rectitude in every area and relation) elevate a nation, bit sin is a reproach to any people." The church is to be the salt of the earth and the light to this lost and dying world. We cannot do this by buying into Satan's lies and deceptions.
I encourage each of you to avoid deception from the enemy by allowing the bible to be the filter by which you pass everything through in your life. As Christians, we must live by the Word of God, not what others say.
This is in no way a letter of attack towards anyone. This is to encourage everyone who claims to be a Christian to get back to God's word. Thank God today that if we build our lives and churches on the foundation of the Word of God then we have absolutely nothing to be concerned about! God is on our side!
In Christ,
Pastor J
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
February 21, 2012
I pray this message finds all of you abounding in the blessings of God. It is truly amazing at what God is doing in our midst. It is so awesome to have heard about the vision God has for us here at TAP for so many years and now we are all a part of it coming to pass! Thank God we stayed and obeyed!
Starting the new church, RLC, has been probably the hardest things that Laura Leigh and I have ever done. The hardest thing to deal with was not being here at TAP like we were before. I believe the people here at this church are some of the best people in the world. You have taken care of my family and myself and we have been one big family together. I would have been so happy to have stayed right here for the rest of my life and Pastor this church, TAP. God had other plans.
The number one thing that should be in the heart of every Christian is to please God. This must override what you and I want to do. This is what has taken us back to Marion to start a church. He has blessed us with an awesome church family there is well. It has been so rewarding to watch people soaking up God's word. Many lives have been changed in such a short time, including mine. It seems as if though trusting God continually takes on a brand new meaning the more you step out and do it.
We must learn that it is not about how we feel or just what we desire. Our desire needs to be God's desire. We also should not be surprised as we step out and Satan tries to stop God's plan. He does not want you obeying God and accomplishing God's will. Do not allow opposition to stop you! Know that God is with you every step of the way and will see you through!
The best is yet to come!
Until next time,
Pastor J
Starting the new church, RLC, has been probably the hardest things that Laura Leigh and I have ever done. The hardest thing to deal with was not being here at TAP like we were before. I believe the people here at this church are some of the best people in the world. You have taken care of my family and myself and we have been one big family together. I would have been so happy to have stayed right here for the rest of my life and Pastor this church, TAP. God had other plans.
The number one thing that should be in the heart of every Christian is to please God. This must override what you and I want to do. This is what has taken us back to Marion to start a church. He has blessed us with an awesome church family there is well. It has been so rewarding to watch people soaking up God's word. Many lives have been changed in such a short time, including mine. It seems as if though trusting God continually takes on a brand new meaning the more you step out and do it.
We must learn that it is not about how we feel or just what we desire. Our desire needs to be God's desire. We also should not be surprised as we step out and Satan tries to stop God's plan. He does not want you obeying God and accomplishing God's will. Do not allow opposition to stop you! Know that God is with you every step of the way and will see you through!
The best is yet to come!
Until next time,
Pastor J
Saturday, December 3, 2011
December 3,2011
Don't quit! Don't quit! Don't quit! Don't give up on God because he will never give up on you. Do not forget that he said that he would never leave you or forsake you. I know that sometimes it seems like you are all alone and there is no way out of your situation. The enemy wants to convince you that the best option is to just give up. He wants you to just give up because he knows that is how he can get you to fail. If we will only trust God even when it looks bad God will always see us through. This is true even if the mess you are in you created yourself. You simply ask God for his forgiveness and listen as he directs your steps out of this situation you are in. Many people ask me, "What should I do?" My answer will always be simply "to listen to the voice of the Lord." I do not have all of the answers, but God does. You must understand that the only way out of a bad situation is to turn to God and let him help you. It has always amazed me the people that get into bad situations and still will not surrender to the Lord. He is your answer today! I encourage you not to give in or give up, but simply go to God with whatever you are facing. He has the answers and directions that you need. God knows the future better than you know the present and past! God is on your side! Turn back to him today!
Until next time,
Pastor J
Until next time,
Pastor J
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
November 22,2011
It is amazing at how fast the times are changing around us. If you focus on all that is going on and on what you see you will definitely grow frustrated. I choose to focus on God and his promises for my life. It is so comfortable to know God and his faithfulness. Everything around you may change, but God never will!
It has been so amazing to me what God is doing in our lives and ministry. It is true that things have been uncomfortable for us simply because they are so different. It is also true that God is doing just as he has promised! Resurrection Life Church is now up and running. As usual, God is doing just as he said he would. He has blessed us with awesome people already and more are coming weekly. They are soaking up the word and the anointing is increasing in every service.
I believe it will only increase from here on out. The Holy Spirit desires to move greatly in this area and he will do just that as we yield to him.
I ask you to continually pray that God will have his way among us as we move forward together to accomplish his will.
Pastor J
It has been so amazing to me what God is doing in our lives and ministry. It is true that things have been uncomfortable for us simply because they are so different. It is also true that God is doing just as he has promised! Resurrection Life Church is now up and running. As usual, God is doing just as he said he would. He has blessed us with awesome people already and more are coming weekly. They are soaking up the word and the anointing is increasing in every service.
I believe it will only increase from here on out. The Holy Spirit desires to move greatly in this area and he will do just that as we yield to him.
I ask you to continually pray that God will have his way among us as we move forward together to accomplish his will.
Pastor J
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
May 11,2011
God is good! I am so excited about what God is doing in every aspect of life and ministry. I would say that I am shocked, but that wouldn't be true. God is doing what he has promised us all along by his Spirit and in his word. I have never experienced God's power and presence in my life like I have in our services in the last two months. I think it is the most awesome thing in the world for God to move like he has been doing and see people's lives changed drastically. I can truly say that God is expanding us in every single way. We do not lack any good thing in any area. This has been our faith confession for years, but now it is reality.
This past thursday night we had our first Healing Service in Marion. We simply ministered the word of God and then laid hands on the sick. There were 64 people in attendance on a thursday night and almost every single one of them came up to be ministered to. This was nothing but God moving upon his people. We have received many testimonies since the service about what happened in their physical bodies when we prayed for them. It is so awesome what God can do if you will just yield to and obey him. The whole atmosphere changed as God moved in this particular service. I don't know how many people were crying after being touched by God that I have never even seen before. This is what ministry is all about; letting God have his way and people's lives being changed forever.
We are seeing the same thing here in Bonneau. We are having people added to the church regularly and even people coming back that had left for some time. Our finances are increasing more than they have in the last 3 years in a time where things are supposed to be worse. Thank God for God and for good people! It is impossible to accomplish much of anything without God's blessing and godly people to help you do it. I am so excited about what God is doing I can hardly stand it. You must step out in faith, but God will always provide!
What in you life have you not given to God? What direction has he given you that you have not taken? I promise you it is well worth it to follow his directions.You might not know the ryhme or reason behind his directions, but I promise you he only has good in store for you. God is good!
Until next time,
Pastor J
This past thursday night we had our first Healing Service in Marion. We simply ministered the word of God and then laid hands on the sick. There were 64 people in attendance on a thursday night and almost every single one of them came up to be ministered to. This was nothing but God moving upon his people. We have received many testimonies since the service about what happened in their physical bodies when we prayed for them. It is so awesome what God can do if you will just yield to and obey him. The whole atmosphere changed as God moved in this particular service. I don't know how many people were crying after being touched by God that I have never even seen before. This is what ministry is all about; letting God have his way and people's lives being changed forever.
We are seeing the same thing here in Bonneau. We are having people added to the church regularly and even people coming back that had left for some time. Our finances are increasing more than they have in the last 3 years in a time where things are supposed to be worse. Thank God for God and for good people! It is impossible to accomplish much of anything without God's blessing and godly people to help you do it. I am so excited about what God is doing I can hardly stand it. You must step out in faith, but God will always provide!
What in you life have you not given to God? What direction has he given you that you have not taken? I promise you it is well worth it to follow his directions.You might not know the ryhme or reason behind his directions, but I promise you he only has good in store for you. God is good!
Until next time,
Pastor J
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