Where Are You Rooted?

You will absorb what you are rooted in, and what you absorb will change you.

 

The Most Rejected Man in History

Our society is plagued with rejection. We have a Heavenly Father who can identify with us.

Looking Back

You will never move forward, so long as you keep looking back.

 

“That Just Happened!”

There are times shortly after God does something amazing in our lives that something else happens that discourages us. During these moments, we should reflect on all that God has done and remind ourselves, “That Just Happened!”

Insiders and Outsiders

““Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”  -Matthew 7:13-14

“I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” -John 10:16

Have you been to a mall recently? They’re practically empty these days. Except for that time when Build a Bear offered a “pay your age” sale... My wife and I went to a mall awhile back just before most of the department stores open. We went into Belks to browse around. I noticed that all of the entrances were closed off by gates except for the one we entered through. I remember passing by these gated entrances and seeing people on the other side awkwardly staring at me from behind the gate wanting to get in.

Almost as though they couldn’t figure out how we got in. To the customers on the outside looking in, it appeared as though Belks was closed. Closed to everyone that is, except us and the few customers that came in through the one gate that was opened. I am ashamed to admit, instead of informing these puzzled seekers where the open entrance was, I just kept walking around minding my own business.

We Christians do the same thing when it comes to the eternal life we have through Jesus Christ. We are free. We are “in” with God. People on the outside are staring at us, wondering how we got in, and we avoid them when we know how to get in. If we are honest with ourselves, sometimes we treat Heaven as though it is closed off to people except for those who belong to the “in crowd”. That is unacceptable for a people who have been commanded by Christ to take the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Revelation chapter seven reveals that one day Heaven will be populated by multitudes of the redeemed from “every nation, tribe, people, and language”. That means the exclusion of any group of people from hearing the Gospel violates Christ’s command.

There are two sides to this story however. What is not mentioned in my story is, Belks was actually open for business. Those on the outside looking in just didn’t want to go in through the right door. Heaven isn’t closed off. The curtain has been torn, the door has been opened. We just have to enter through the right door; Jesus Christ. Our society wants Heaven to be like Burger King; “Have it Your Way.” Eternal Life isn’t have it your way, it’s “Have thine own way.”

There are not many diverse roads to salvation each catered to the individual “seeker”. There is one road, one gate, one way to Eternal Life. His name is Jesus Christ. He is not an alternative, He is the answer. All the blessings of the Kingdom of God are ours to enjoy, but we must enter through the one door that has been opened to us. That door was opened by the shed blood of Jesus Christ on the Cross.

When it comes to Eternal Life, both those on the outside and on the inside are wrong. Those on the outside should realize that the gates to salvation and eternal life are indeed open, but they must enter through the right door; Jesus Christ. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). Those on the “inside” should realize that we should engage those on the outside and show them the way “in”.

Making Sin Peronal

I would not have known what sin was, had it not been for the law. –Romans 7:7

            Many people have driven back and forth through this area on Hwy 64 speeding under the assumption that there is little risk of them getting caught, only to find themselves staring at blue lights flashing in their rear view mirror. Whether we admit it or not, each and every one of us have been guilty of assuming that our speed is no big deal, especially on a four lane highway.

            We mistakenly assume that since everyone else around us is driving fifteen mph over the speed limit, our transgression of the law is no big deal. That is of course, until we see blue lights flashing in our rear view mirror. All of a sudden we really could care less if everyone else is speeding too. We have become frightfully aware that we are guilty not anyone else. Our transgression of the law is no longer what everyone else is doing, it has become personal.

            It is the same when we apply God’s Law (The Ten Commandments) to our lives. At first we think, who hasn’t told a fib here and there, looked at someone lustfully, had sticky fingers, taken the Lord’s name in vain on occasion in a weak moment? Everybody does it, and so long as we aren’t hurting anybody, what’s the big deal? Then God’s Law enters the rear view mirror of our conscience. That “little fib” becomes a lie or false witness. Our sticky fingers make us a thief. Our lust becomes adultery. Taking God’s name in vain becomes blasphemy.

            All of a sudden we realize the truth that we have become guilty of transgressing God’s Holy Law by which He will hold us accountable to on Judgment Day. We tremble as we remember how God in His righteous justice is so holy that He sees lust as adultery and hatred as murder in our hearts. He has promised to not only bring justice to the murderers, rapists, and terrorists, but also to thieves, blasphemers, and even liars and hypocrites. Our behavior is no longer “what everyone else is doing”, it has become personal sin against a holy God. It seems like every time we turn around, we lose someone tragically to death. What if you’re next? Are you ready?

            Don’t assume that your sin is innocent, of no harm, and no different than anyone else’s. When death finally rips your soul from your body and you stand before God with all your actions, words, and even thoughts exposed, there will be nowhere to run and no one to blame. When the light of God’s Law reveals and casts into the open even the things you thought you did in secret, you will have to answer for your personal transgressions of God’s Law, not anyone else’s. You personally are guilty.

            When that officer of that law hands you that ticket with that hefty fine, there is a moment of finality as you sit on the side of the road. Can you imagine your reaction if before the officer drove away, a stranger pulled beside the both of you and paid your fine for you? Now you’re free to go! You would be overjoyed and grateful. That is exactly what Jesus Christ did for you when He died on the cross nearly 2,000 years ago.

            He took the punishment for your transgressions, the penalty for your crimes, He paid your fine. Now, if you repent (turn from) of your sins and put your faith in Jesus as your Savior, God will forgive your sins, commute your sentence, and dismiss your case. You will be pardoned and granted Eternal Life. You will not face judgment when you die, but an eternity in Heaven. Your sin is your own, it’s personal. Repent and trust the Savior today while your heart still beats.

Reinvent Yourself

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” –Isaiah 43:18-19

          I remember one of my favorite things to do when I was a child was to go out with my family to rent a couple of movies from Blockbuster. It was great except for the fact that we had to return the movies within a few days. It was like a library but for movies.

          Nobody talks about Blockbuster today. Do you know why? Because Blockbuster did not anticipate the changes in culture and reinvent themselves to keep up. Netflix came along giving customers the ability to rent movies and have them delivered to their home. RedBox came along giving customers the convenience of renting movies from a kiosk at the local gas station, grocery story, or pharmacy. Blockbuster had become obsolete and went bankrupt.

          We tend to think that because the way we did things in the past means they will work just fine in the season of life we find ourselves in today. That is not necessarily true. That was then, this is now. What got you to where you are, won’t necessarily get you to the next step. Life is always changing, and likewise we have to make changes so that we are equipped and ready for whatever season of life we find ourselves in. Let me give you an example from scripture.

          During their journey to the Promise Land, the Israelites found food by eating Manna off the desert floor. When they entered the Promise Land however, the Manna stopped and the Israelites were to instead of bending on their knees to pick Manna off the floor, would now stand on their feet and reach up to pick fruit from the trees of the land. The Israelites were entering into a new season of life, and would therefore need to reinvent the way they did life.

          Perhaps you find yourself in a new season of life. Don’t rely on the methods that prevailed in the glory days or on what got you out of the last situation you found yourself in. You will have to learn how to change and do things differently in this new season you’re about to enter.

          The world is different, society is different, culture is different, the economy is different, technology is different, YOU are different. What got you to where you are today may not necessarily get you to tomorrow. What set you apart and caused you to succeed in the workplace in the past may not help you today. Things have changed.

          How you managed your money years ago, may not get you the same results today. The economy has changed. Study habits that helped you excel may not make any difference today. Education is changing. The way you formed meaningful relationships last time may not connect with people this time. Social media has changed the way people relate and connect. The way you have been doing things won’t work forever. If you don’t believe me, just ask Blockbuster…

Take Another Lap

Then the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.” –Joshua 6:2-5

          You have to appreciate the faith of Joshua during this moment of his life. Imagine him standing outside the mighty walls of Jericho with the army of Israel standing behind him. Surely the task of bringing these walls down must have been somewhat intimidating at first. But Joshua pressed on.

          Joshua and the Israelites marched around those walls once a day for six days. Then on the seventh day, they marched around it six times. It wasn’t until they lifted up a shout on the seventh lap on the seventh day that the walls came tumbling down. Imagine what must have been going through Joshua’s head towards the end of that sixth lap on that seventh day.

          He and the army behind him had been around that wall almost a dozen times, yet still there was no sign of breakthrough. I wonder if Joshua’s faith was tested. I like to imagine that as Joshua began that seventh lap, he stirred up his faith more than ever before. I imagine that during that moment when it seemed like there was no breakthrough, no change, Joshua remembered all he had seen God do while Moses was still alive.

          I imagine that he remembered how Moses stood up to an unyielding hard hearted Pharaoh, and God brought him to his knees setting the Israelites free after 400 years of slavery. I imagine Joshua remembered how when the Israelites were panicking in the desert over not having any food, how God made manna appear on the desert floor. I imagine Joshua remembered how when the Israelites were trapped between the Red Sea and the fast approaching armies of Pharaoh, he saw God Himself fight for the Israelites by splitting the Red Sea giving the Israelites dry ground to cross over to safety.

          I imagine that as Joshua remembered all these mighty acts of God, his faith was stirred to believe that God could do the impossible just one more time, and that’s when he decided to take another lap. And on that last lap, he told the Israelites to lift up a shout and the walls of Jericho finally fell.

          To Joshua and the Israelites the Walls of Jericho represented the barrier that stood in between them and the Promise Land, their destiny. Perhaps today you find yourself staring at a wall that separates you from the calling God has put on your life. If you find yourself around this “wall” in your life again, don’t get discouraged. Take another lap. You are right on the edge of your breakthrough. Remember how God moved mightily in the past. If He did it before, He can do it again. Stir up your faith just like Joshua did, and take another lap. This wall is about to fall.

Love No Dad Can Resist

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 7:11

          I have to be completely honest, as much as I LOVE my two sons, sometimes I just can’t wait to rush them off to bed. The other night, I was tucking my oldest son who’s six, into bed. I remember I was tired, stressed, and just wanted to go back into the living room to relax. So I hurried him into the bed, rushed him through his prayers, and even began walking toward his bedroom door by the time he started saying, “Amen.”

          As I began walking out his door, I heard his sweet voice call out to me and say, “Dad…” I turned to him to see his arms stretched out to me. At that moment, his face lit up and he said, “Hug!” At that moment, any desire to just get out of there and chill faded as my heart melted and not only did I go give him the biggest hug ever, I jumped on top his bed to squeeze the life out of him!

          There is just something about a child with their arms stretched out that is irresistible to a parent. Even when a child who is not our own reaches out for love we can’t resist them! Jesus says something amazing in Matthew 7:11. He says that even though we are evil by nature, we still have enough godly love in us that makes it impossible to resist our children when they need us. If that is true, how much more will God reach out to us when we need Him?

            Just as no loving dad can resist his child reaching out to him, God your Heavenly Father cannot resist you reaching out to Him. If you, with all your flaws, imperfections, and your own selfish ways, cannot find it within yourself to resist the outstretched arms of a little child, what do you think the God who is love wants to do when He sees your arms stretched out to Him? If you even with your own tendency to love people conditionally, can’t resist a child who wants you to pick her up and hold her, how do you think the God who loves you UNconditionally feels when you reach out to Him?

          There are so many in our society that needs that “Daddy Love.” There are people burdened by guilt that need just one Daddy embrace to wash away the stain. Some people battle depression. One hug from the Father will fill them with joy unspeakable. Some go through life full of fear and worry. Once Daddy picks them up, they will know that everything is going to be alright. Some people beat themselves up because they “broke it”. Daddy is here to fix it when we bring our brokenness to Him. Others, live with uncertainty about the future. When Daddy speaks, it will fill them with confidence! Daddy God has what you need, just reach out to Him! When you do, He can’t resist the urge to run to you and embrace you.

Faith That Works the Impossible

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” –Matthew 17:2-21

            This powerful statement made by Jesus follows a very dramatic event. After coming down the mountain, Jesus casts the “deaf and dumb spirit” out of a child. It is interesting that the reason Jesus gives the disciples for their inability to cast this demon out is “because you have so little faith”. Earlier in Matthew 10, the Bible records that Jesus gave His disciples power and authority to cast out demons which they did in the various towns and villages in the region.

            The disciples had seen Jesus cast out many demons and had no doubt cast out several themselves. So why were they lacking in faith to cast out this demon? Perhaps it was because this particular case caused them to ask many questions. This was a child after all. Did they question whether or not it was possible for a child to be demon possessed? Did they have difficulty discerning whether or not this was a spiritual or neurological problem? Was the kid just suicidal?

            Asking questions is good and important. Sometimes however, questions can so seeds of doubt effectively killing our faith. Sometimes, we have to simply trust the Lord with child like faith. That is why Jesus said unless we become like children we would never enter the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt 18:3).

            Jesus goes on to say that if we had enough faith, “Nothing would be impossible.” Now that is interesting. In Luke 1:37 when the angel Gabriel is talking with Mary he says that “nothing is impossible with God”. Yet here in Matthew, Jesus says nothing will be impossible for us, if we have faith just as small as a mustard seed!

            The God of the impossible lives inside every born again believer. His power is released and worked by faith. Jesus says that the impossible is achievable if you will only activate the faith necessary to use it. How do we activate that faith? Jesus gives the answer when He says, “if you have faith… you can say ….” To activate this faith that works the impossible, you have to declare it. Declare what? Declare God’s Word over your circumstance.

            For sickness, declare God’s promises about healing. For financial trouble, declare God’s promises about provision. For times of uncertainty, declare God’s promises about His sovereignty and plans for your life. Here’s how God’s Word stirs up that faith.

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

 –Romans 10:17

            God’s promises concerning your circumstance will activate the faith you need to work the impossible. So for whatever “impossible mountain” stands in your way today, go see what God’s Word has to say about it. Then let that Word stir up your faith, so that you can work the impossible by declaring God’s promises.

A New Thing

“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland”. –Isaiah 43:19

Words have power. The Bible even says that words have the power of life and death. For this reason, we should be careful about what we say about our lives. Not just our lives, but our community as well. In my brief time in Tyrrell County, I have heard the phrase, “This is a dying community” too many times.

It is not uncommon for people to say that “there is nothing here”. Now, part of the problem is, who are we listening to? But that’s another article for another day. The point is, people to say things like this, and those words do have power. If words have power, I chose to put my faith in the words of the Living God.

A few months ago, God gave me Isaiah 43:19 as a promise for our community. God says that He is doing a new thing! This new thing consists of two parts. One, He promises that in our community, He is making “a way in the wilderness.” Granted, I have heard what the community has, and what cannot be done in the community but I also have heard the voices of HOPE.

I have also listened to the dreamers. I have heard the passion in the ideas of the visionaries. I have been taken back by people in our community who have the audacity to use the words, “What if?” To each dream, to every idea, there are those who say it can’t be done, not here, not in Tyrrell County, no way.

God says the He is making a way in the wilderness. Some may perceive this as a wilderness where nothing happens, no one goes to, and no one leaves. God is going to make a way, a road. A place where people will want to go to, and where people will want to stay and help make it the amazing place God is making it into.

The second thing God says that He is going to do is make “streams in the wasteland.” Imagine that, in a place that others have called a wasteland, there will be “streams”. People have called this community impoverished, with little or no resources. I disagree. Our resources are plentiful if we would just tap into them. God sees this and sometime soon, streams will gush in this place that some have called a “wasteland.”

Before God tells us about this new thing He is getting ready to do, He says this to us.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” –Isaiah 43:18

If we are going to partner with God as He does this new thing, we have to let go of the ways of the past. “The way we’ve always done it” was great, for then. But that was then, this is now. And what got us there won’t get us to where we’re going. Words have power. God is doing a “new thing” in our community. Join me in joining Him by declaring this promise over our community, starting with your own life. Does God need to do a “New Thing” in you?

The Reason for Signs and Wonders

We all love some “good preaching”, but how do we know it's true? God left us His holy Word to teach, rebuke, correct, and train us (2nd Timothy 3:16), but did He also leave a way to confirm that Word? He most certainly did; miracles, signs, and wonders.

Before the Lord Jesus left this earth, He commanded His disciples to go preach the good news to all creation (Mark 16:15). After He said this, He said that certain “signs” would accompany the work.

“And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well”.  -Mark 16:17-18

After the Lord Jesus ascended into heaven, these “signs” were given to confirm the preaching.

“Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.”  -Mark 16:20

Notice that signs and wonders did two things when it came to the preaching of the Word; they confirmed the Word, and they accompanied the Word. This continued in the book of Acts.

“Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.”  -Acts 2:43

“So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of his grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders.”  -Acts 14:3

When the Word is preached, we know it is true because the Lord confirms it with signs and wonders (Hebrews 2:4). What makes a sermon great? Diligent preparation? Eloquent speaking? Great communication skills? Illustrations that connect the hearers with the message? What about the ability to make the Word relevant and applicable to everyday life? Personally I want to be able to say what what the Apostle Paul said,

“My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power”  -1st Corinthians 2:4

Let me ask you, when you hear the Word preached, is it a “demonstration of the Spirit’s power”, or just a “good sermon”? Does God confirm the Word with signs and wonders? When the Word is preached, signs should follow just as Jesus said they would.

Educator and Assemblies of God Executive Presbyter D.W. Kerr said, “A signless gospel is a spineless gospel.” When someone walks into your church, they come hungry for a word from the Lord that will change their life. If we are not allowing the Holy Spirit to supernaturally use us and display His power in our services, our preaching will be empty and fruitless, and so will their response to our message. If we allow the Holy Spirit to move however, their response will be like those who heard Philip.

When the crowds heard Philip and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said. With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. So there was great joy in that city. –Acts 8:6-8

I am personally believing that will happen for Columbia, Tyrrell County, and all of Eastern NC. When we preach with the Spirit’s power, and allow the Lord to confirm His Word with miracles, signs, and wonders, the multitudes will pay close attention to the Gospel and there WILL be GREAT JOY in this city!

This community, which others have said is a “dying community” will experience the resurrection power of Christ and suddenly be a LIVING community! Join me in this prayer saints; Lord, enable your servants to speak your Word with boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and do many miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your Son Jesus Christ! Amen.

Without Holiness No One Will See the Lord!

Without holiness no one will see the Lord. -Hebrews 12:14
God's grace truly is amazing. God demands righteousness from us. In fact, the Bible says that a day is coming in which He will judge the world in righteousness. (Acts 17:31) Now the bad news is that no amount of human effort can make us righteous.

All our righteous acts are as filthy rags. -Isaiah 64:6

Not only that, but no amount of religion can make us righteous either.

Therefore no one will be declared righteous by observing the law. Rather through the law we become conscious of sin. -Romans 3:20

It is only by faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross that we are saved and made righteous before God.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.
-Ephesians 2:8-9

This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe...
-Romans 3:22

This is great news! God demands righteousness from us, but He has given us that righteousness as a FREE gift! The only thing it cost, was the blood of God’s only begotten Son… So now our righteousness depends not on our own works but on His finished work on the cross!

But what about holiness...? Yeah the Bible says, "Without holiness no one will see the Lord" but our holiness is not based on our own efforts but on the sacrifice of Jesus right? Wrong... There is a difference between righteousness and holiness.
Righteous is something we cannot be because of our sinful nature. 

We are naturally from birth, instinctively prone to wickedness, disobedience, and rebellion towards God. We receive righteousness as a free gift of God's grace. Holiness is something that God expects from us after we receive that salvation and are born again. 

Now what does it mean to be “holy”? Let me explain with an illustration. I make a lot of sweet tea in my home as I am sure many of you do. Now after I have brewed the tea and added the sugar to it, I don't stir it with just any spoon in my kitchen. There is one particular spoon that I use to stir my tea. 

It is my special sweet tea spoon. I only use that spoon to mix sweet tea, and I do not use that spoon for anything else except for making sweet tea. I have set it apart for the sole purpose of making sweet tea. That is what it means to be “holy”. It means to have been set apart for the sole purpose of honoring God; nothing else.

You see, after God makes us righteous by His grace through His Son, we are born again, given a new heart, with a new nature, and new desires. Then He expects us to live the rest of our new lives in holiness to Him.

Therefore, I urge you brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to present your bodies as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God. This is your spiritual act of worship –Romans 12:1

Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. -2nd Corinthians 7:1

It is God’s will that you should be sanctified; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable not in passionate lust like the heathen who do not know God.  -1st Thessalonians 4:3-5

Before our salvation, we could not help but to live like the world and commit its many sins. We couldn't have lived holy if we wanted to. But thanks to new birth, we can. We have been born again! Now we have a NEW nature, a NEW heart, with NEW desires! And you better believe, now that we can live in holiness, God expects us to. And He will hold us guilty of squandering and abusing His grace if we don't.

Now perhaps you say, “How can I do this? How can I possibly live a ‘holy’ life?” By the power of the Holy Spirit. God promises that He will move you by the Holy Spirit to walk in holiness.

I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep all my laws. –Ezekiel36:26

So I say live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. –Galatians 5:16

That is why it is so important to seek and receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit which is a separate work of grace that takes place after salvation (Acts 1:5, Acts 2:4, Acts 8:14-17, Acts 10:44-45, Acts 19:1-7) if you have not done so already. The Spirit Baptism will empower you to live a life holy and pleasing to God. Return to holiness saints... For your soul's sake.

Call to Action

Please listen to this very important message from our Sunday night service. There are far more people in our community who need Christ than you think... We need to engage and reach them. Christ commands us to, and our future depends on whether or not we obey His command...

Messages of Hope from our Sunday Morning Services

I hope you will be blessed, inspired, and empowered through these messages from our Sunday morning services at The Assembly of Praise.

Our mission is to RESORE HOPE to each person by helping them Know God, Find Community, Discovery Their Purpose, and Make a Difference.

We would be honored for you to be our guest on Sunday @ 11am. We are located in Columbia NC right of Exit 562 on Hwy 64. Our physical address is 3138 Travis Rd. Columbia NC, 27925. You may contact us at 252-766-0021 or email us at theassemblyofpraise@agchurches.org


God's Anger and Sadness Toward Your Sin: Mark 3:1-6
The Sabbath: Mark 2:23-28
People Don't Like Change: Mark 2:21-22
These are the "Days of Elijah"?

The Work of the Holy Spirit

The REAL Power

Hannah and Peninnah

Bind Up the StrongMan




What's so "Amazing" about Grace?




Breaking the Curse of Poverty

Taking the Promise Land

Don't Like Organized Religion? Try Christianity

People who are disenfranchised by organized religion should be flocking to Christianity. I hear people say this all the time; "It isn't that I don't believe in God, I just don't like organized religion." Well then we are the perfect community for you! Christianity, especially the Church is anything but organized religion. The church is not an organization, it is an organism. Always growing, changing and adapting.

    We are not an corporation, we are a community. The church is a community where life transformation and restoration takes place. It is a community we marriages are restored, wounds are healed, and lives rebuilt. It is a community where those who are held captive by destructive lifestyles are not only set free, but who also regain a sense of identity that grounds them. The church is a community where those struggling financially are empowered to no longer be a victim to debt, unemployment numbers, or a struggling economy. We are agents of life change.

    We do crazy things like leave the comforts of home and go to another country to help strangers. We share the Gospel in countries where admitting to being a follower of Christ can cost you your life. We speak out against slavery. We do weird things like draw a red x on our hands to let people know that slavery and human trafficking still happens in our world. We feed the hungry, clothe the poor. We drill wells in Africa and ship vaccines oversees. We build schools, hospitals, and orphanages.

    We do much more than worship together for an hour or two on Sundays. We spend time with each other in our homes. We hang out at Starbucks, we go out to eat. We go with one another to the gym. We embrace one another when our children are born or our friends do something crazy like get married, and we cling to one another when we loose a loved one or when life is spinning out of control. We laugh with each other when the times are good and cry with each other when times are bad. We create drama, stop talking when a spat arises, but we're always ready to drop everything and be there for one another at a moment's notice. We share life together. Were a family.

    Call Christianity whatever you want, but don't call it organized religion. Perhaps the reason we are not an organized religion is because our foundation is not an organization, system, or structure. Our foundation is a person; Jesus Christ. The most "alive" person that ever walked the earth. So alive in fact that He came back from death! His life is in us, and we are alive in Him. And that life permeates our entire community bringing about the dynamic transformation this world has come to marvel. So I say to all of you who do not like organized religion, why not try Christianity?

The Purpose of a Lighthouse: To Guide, and to Warn

It has been prophesied that The Assembly of Praise will be a lighthouse.  But what does that mean exactly? If God wants us to be a lighthouse, then it would be helpful to understand what a lighthouse does.

In the dark confusion of the night, a lighthouse guides the way to safety for ships by warning them to avoid the jagged rocks near the shore. Least the ships sink and all on board perish. If we are to be a lighthouse, then we must both guide and warn. Sure, a lighthouse has other purposes, but to guide and warn is it's most important and primary purpose.

We must guide people to safety and the solid ground of Christ while warning them of getting to close to the jagged rocks of sin, least they perish. As lighthouse keepers, this is our primary responsibility and we must not neglect it for other things.

They may seem important to us, and even great beneficial ministries, but we neglect our primary task by giving too much attention to them.

Consider the following story from the "Way of the Master Minute" devotional: A lighthouse keeper, being compassionate and giving, regularly gave free fuel to ships that miscalculated how much they needed. One night during a storm, lightning struck his lighthouse and put out his light.

He immediately turned on his generator, but it soon ran out of fuel because he had given his reserves to passing ships in need. During the dark night, with no light to warn them, a ship struck the jagged rocks and everyone on board perished.

At his trial, the judge knew the lighthouse keeper was a kind and compassionate man, and he wept as he gave the sentence. He accused him of neglecting his primary responsibility-to keep the light shining, to guide and to warn...

The Church can so often get caught up in legitimate acts of kindness-standing for political righteousness, other programs and ministries, etc., but our primary task is to keep the light of the Gospel shining so that sinners can avoid the jagged rocks of sin and see the way to safety. Go shine the light saints. Go guide and warn.

"You Did Not do for Me..."

As I scroll through my news feed and watch CNN, the images of a dead child washed up on a beach as his family fled Syria are burned into my head. I read about dozens of dead refugees being found on a train, hundreds dying at sea as they try to escape a war torn Middle East.

There are thousands lost, wandering, and stranded as they wait to enter Europe. Even in our own country, thousands of children are coming over the border escaping poverty, human trafficking, and the drug lords.

When I see the image of that child, and hear the stories of these people I can't help but think about my grandmother; Zenaida Teresita Castro, and my great grandmother Laudalina Castillo who braved the sea to come here from Cuba as refugees. I think of my aunt and uncle who came with them as children. They too fled cruelty, poverty, and tyranny for a better life.

I think of the first Christians who became refugees in Acts 8 as they were scattered abroad when persecution came to the church in Jerusalem. I think of the Israelites who became refugees when they fled Egypt in search of a better home, a home of freedom.

I think of Jesus, who when He was born became a refugee when His family had to flee to Egypt out of fear of Herod. These "illegals" crossing over our borders, these "Muslims" who are pouring into Europe have more in common with the first Christians, the Israelites, and our Lord Jesus Christ then we might care to admit.

And I have a lot in common with them. For I am the grandson of a someone just like them; a refugee....

What should be the Church's response? I believe God has a special place in His heart for these "illegals". His children were once refugees, so was His only begotten Son... Our response is clear. He tells us in Matthew 25:42-45,

For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ “He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’

Thought for today:

Next time you look into the eyes of a refugee, you are looking into the eyes of Jesus. Treat them accordingly.

Waging War with a Feast

You prepare a table for me in the presence of my enemies....
                                                                     -Psalm 23:5

How often the Lord's Supper is observed varies from church to church. Some churches observe it every Sunday, others once a month, some once a quarter. What is important is that we do celebrate this memorial of our Lord's death and resurrection. We do this for many reasons, one of those being spiritual warfare.

Jesus tells us in Matthew 16:28 that the Gates of Hell will never prevail against His Church. The Bible also tells us that the Church is the Body of Christ. In 1st Corinthians 11:26, the Word of God declares,

For whenever you eat this bread, and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.

Here is how Holy Communion is spiritual warfare. First, when we come together to celebrate the memorial of the death of Jesus, we are united as one.

Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all partake of one loaf.
                                                                                -1st Corinthians 1:17
There are very few things more dangerous to the power of Satan than a united Church. When we who are in Christ become united as one, we become an unstoppable force that has the potential to do unmeasurable damage to the Kingdom of Darkness.

Secondly, as the Word says, when we observe Holy Communion, we proclaim the Lord's death. Every time Christians gather together at the Lord's Table, we remind all of Hell, that it's gates will never prevail against the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. We remember the victory of Heaven, and the defeat of Hell.

In other words, we eat our "victory feast" right there on the battle field rubbing it in the enemies face. Psalm 23:5 says

You prepare a table in the presence of my enemies....

Holy Communion is that table. It is God not only giving you the victory, it is Him making Satan watch as He does it. So as you come together to observe Holy Communion, remember that you are waging war with a victory feast.

Thought for Today:

Not only is God going to give you the victory, He is going to make Satan watch.

Assembly of Praise! I Release You!

Yesterday morning, was a powerful time in God's presence at The Assembly of Praise. As I think over all that God did during our Sunday morning service, I recall how this awesome move of the Spirit started when I released the people to "abandon the pew" and come to the front to praise and worship God as they felt led.

I felt as though some of us felt like we needed to be "released" to do that; released to come to the altar. Forgive me for using a worldly analogy. But it's kind of like a middle school dance... Everyone stands around awkwardly because no one quite knows "the rules" or if they are "released" to swarm the dance floor and get their groove on. Then that one person steps out and next thing you know the dance floor is flooded and everyone has a great time and no one wants to leave.

Corny analogy I know, sorry. But that's kind of what it felt like yesterday.

We just needed to be released to leave the pew, stand at the front, kneel at the front, dance at the front, march around the sanctuary, etc. And as soon as we were "released" to do that, what happened...? The Spirit broke out in a mighty way. Praise God! God wants us to do the same thing this Sunday.

So, Assembly of Praise, I release you! Not only do I release you to leave your pew and worship or just praise God right where you are at during the music, I release you even before service! Read that last sentence again! Why wait until the Praise and Worship team takes the platform? Have you ever got to church and thought, "I can't wait until church starts so I can just worship and spend time in His presence!"?

You can! Feel free, feel released to approach the front, to come to the altar to pray and worship before the music starts, before the welcome video starts playing, even before the Praise and Worship team starts praying. You are released to step into His presence and begin worshiping as soon as you walk through the door! Don't wait for me, don't wait for us. Just enter in! Don't let the worship team lead you into worship this Sunday, let us join you as you already are in His presence