Encourage Yourself!

June 21, 2017

Encourage Yourself in the Lord By Pastor Jeff

This past Sunday I had prepared a message about “The person you see in the mirror”, but God had other plans. As we were being led in worship I felt a certain heaviness in which was causing me to rethink what I had prepared. Our song leader felt the same thing as he veered from the song list that was determined earlier and mentioned that he was feeling in the Spirit that people were struggling in the congregation. God led me to a section from the bible in 1 Samuel 30:1-6, “And it came to pass, when David and his men were come to Ziklag on the third day, that the Amalekites had invaded the south, and Ziklag, and smitten Ziklag, and burned it with fire; And had taken the women captives, that were therein: they slew not any, either great or small, but carried them away, and went on their way. So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives. Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. And David’s two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.”

 

Problems, disappointments, sickness, death unfortunately are part of life in this fallen world and it is easy to get discouraged. Yes even us Christians have bad days, if you don’t think so read the book of Job, or better yet study the lives and deaths of the Apostles. It’s sometimes very hard to explain or comfort someone who is going through awful times and we need to take a page from David’s book here. It was bad enough that when David and his followers were away that The Amalekites came and wrecked havoc with there families and possessions but then David heard that the very men that fought along with him were thinking of stoning him. David did the best thing that anyone one of us should follow, “He encouraged himself in the Lord”.

It’s a  great thing to have friends and family who are there to support you, to say kind words when things are going haywire in your life, but what do you do when you are all by yourself? I pray that you have enough of God in you that you realize that all you can do is turn to Jesus Christ and seek strength and reassurance from Him.

The world is going crazy and it does not seem to be interested in what God says in His word or what God’s people are declaring to them. It may be if the Lord tarries that us believers will be receiving condemnation for what we stand for, but rest assured, Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” The only opinion that really  matters is JESUS, so when things get you down, do what David did, encourage yourself in the LORD!

By the way if you continue to read in 1 Samuel 30, David in his men not only went and got there possessions and families back but also a great spoil from the enemy!

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Pentecost Sunday 2017

June 10, 2017

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By Pastor Jeff,

Acts 2:1-4, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

The feast of Pentecost is the middle of three feast in which all the adult males were required to go to Jerusalem and occurs exactly 50 days after the Passover. This feast was to celebrate the first wheat harvest and the feast of Tabernacles which occurs 50 days after is the celebration of the harvest that the Lord had blessed them with. Up to this day the nation of Israel was still living under the law instituted by God through Moses. This was the true birth of the church in which the new covenant was given unto all mankind. This day was also predicted by Joel in which the Apostle Peter repeats on this day in Acts 2:16-21, “But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

We notice that we had a partial fulfillment on that day for we have yet to see the signs in the heavens. Some people believe this event of the outpouring of the Holy Ghost speaking in tongues was just for that day, but why haven’t we seen the rest of it fulfilled? Peter answers that in Acts 2:39, “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” This promise was not just for that day but for all! Many millions of people are receiving this outpouring even today and I hope you are one of them. Jesus is coming soon, He has spoken to us through prophecy many times and even tells us that He is coming “Very Soon”. With the nation of Israel returning to it’s homeland in 1948 the sand in the hourglass is emptying quickly.

Many of us believe Jesus will return in our lifetimes but even if He doesn’t there are so many benefits with receiving the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues, why would anyone not desire it.  Luke 24:49, “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” John 14:26, “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” Romans 8:26-27, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” These are just a few of the benefits.

We are what I think is the most blessed generation in history, not because of the advances in technology, but because we are the ones that are going to see “all things fulfilled” There is only one thing holding our Lord form returning and that is found in James 5:7-8, “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.”

If you have not received, let this be the day!

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The Fig Tree!

May 21, 2017

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By Pastor Jeff,

This May 14th, 2017, we celebrated Mother’s Day but it was also a very important anniversary,” for 69 years ago the parable of the fig tree mentioned in Matthew 24:32-35 was fulfilled, “Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” Ever since the emperor Titus ransacked Israel in 70AD the people we know of as the Jew’s have been a people without a country to call their own. Some had even thought the Jewish people would be a forgotten people.

After the Russian revolution of 1905 growing numbers of Jews began to immigrate to Palestine, after WW1 Britain took control over the land of Palestine, and with the Balfour Declaration” they declared the intent to establish a Jewish homeland. During WW2 many more Jew’s illegally entered Palestine to flee the Holocaust. Soon the United States took up the stalled Zionist cause and the newly formed United Nations voted to partition Palestine in 1947. In spite of opposition from Palestinian Arabs on May 14th, 1948 at two minutes past midnight, Israel once again became a nation which plays one of the most important events in end times prophecy!

We also see many other important events happening that needed to occur in the last days such as Russian (Magog) and China (200 million man army) recently signing a pact, Iran (Persia) has repeated over and over it’s intent to wipe Israel off the map, Turkey (Meshech, Tubal, Gomer, Bethtogarmah, Ezekiel 38) has become more anti-Israel. We have the current Pope moving closer and closer to uniting the church under one religion. We are coming closer and closer to Artificial Intelligence with more advanced robots and technology such as IBM’s “Watson”. Revelation 13:11-15, “And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.”

Companies are developing faster and better microchips such as “Etisalat’s” newest chip which can do much more than open doors, turn on your smart phone but can store your credit card, ID, and business card data inside. Retailers estimate that 30,000 to 50, 000 people globally have already received RFID chips (Wall Street Journal). This seems to closely copy what John wrote in Revelations 13:16-18, “And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.”

Jesus tells us that no man can know the day nor the hour of His return, but Jesus also told us that the generation that saw the prophecy of Israel returning to it’s homeland would not pass away until all things be fulfilled, Are You Ready?

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Focus

May 16, 2017

 By Pastor Mike

If you pay attention in church you know we talk a lot about putting our focus on JESUS. We really need to get this in our hearts. Focusing on JESUS will help us to get through the trials and tribulation and valleys and sicknesses and diseases. Never focus on the stuff you’re going through. Always focus on the one who is going to get you through it. You see throughout scripture the focus people had on GOD. Keeping your focus on JESUS will give you the confidence you need to get through this life and whatever comes your way. Please get a hold of this. It’s very important.

In dog obedience training, they put a dog at one end of a room and its master at the other end of the room, with a plate of food in the middle. And then the master calls the dog. If the dog eyes the food, he’s a goner; he’ll go straight for it. So they teach the dog to focus his eyes on the master. If the dog keeps his eyes on the master, he won’t be tempted. Instead of heading for the food, he’ll head straight to the master.

We need to keep our eyes on our master or we’ll get distracted. Our Master is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. And HIS name is JESUS. Focus on what JESUS did for you in the past. Focus on how close HE is to you right now. Focus on the Power of JESUS to get you through whatever the future holds.

If you find yourself at a point where you’ve lost hope and you think you wanna give up. Don’t you dare give up. JESUS won’t give up on you. Focus on HIM when you’re going for a job. Focus on HIM when you’re looking for your soul mate.

Focus on HIM when you feel depressed or sick. Turn your thoughts on JESUS, HE will never let you down, HE will never leave you.

Philippians 4:8

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

JESUS tells us what to think on, what to focus on. We need to be careful not to let our minds wander to things of the world. None of that will get you to heaven. You focus on JESUS and follow that scripture. Thinking on those things will make you feel good and put a huge smile on your face.

Matthew 14:25-32

25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

When Peter took his focus off of JESUS he started to sink in the water. Then immediately JESUS stretched out HIS hand and grabbed him. That’s how I felt when I overdosed. Like my feet were dangling in hell and JESUS snatched me out of the miry clay and placed me on the rock to stay. I’m focused on JESUS and I’m standing on the rock. JESUS is my rock.

Mark 5:24-29

24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.

25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,

26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,

27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.

28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.

29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.

She was Focused on the only one she knew now could heal her. Stay focused on JESUS and HE will provide all your needs. HE will heal you. HE will comfort you. HE will forgive you. HE will LOVE you as only HE can. HE will give you HIS peace.

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Authority and Power

 By Pastor Mike

If you’ve gone through GOD’S plan of salvation then you have the HOLY GHOST. That’s all the power you’ll ever need to defeat the enemy. The authority comes from the Word of GOD. We can and should take authority over anything the enemy throws at us. We have the Word of GOD to follow. JESUS tells us what to do.

Acts 2:38

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

We have the authority of the Word to lay hands on the sick and they shall recover. We can cast out demons in the name of JESUS. We can command the enemy to take his hands off our family in the name of JESUS. We need to say it and claim it in JESUS name. It happened last Wednesday in the home of Russ and Laura. Russ took authority in his house and threw the enemy out on his ear. The imps left because Russ took authority and control of his house that JESUS blessed them with. If you ever feel or if you know the enemy is causing trouble in your house , in your family, with your friends, take the authority of the Word and with the Power of JESUS, command them to go.

Mark 1:27

“And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him.”

Luke 4:36

“And they were all amazed, and spake among themselves, saying, What a word is this! for with authority and power he commandeth the unclean spirits, and they come out.”

JESUS has all power and authority in Heaven and earth to:

Authority to command wind and waves – the disciples were afraid then JESUS said, “Peace be still”

Authority to heal crippled – for the deaf to hear. For hungry people to be fed.

Authority to open blinded eyes – a man blind all his life saw after JESUS put mud to his eyes and by this authority he could see.

Authority by HIS word of authority “Lazarus come forth” the dead lived again.

This is the authority that’s made available to us when we call on HIS name. JESUS passed this same authority on to HIS joint heirs. That’s every Christian who has that personal, one on one, love relationship with JESUS.

It’s time for us to claim that authority JESUS gave each one of us. We need to use this GOD given gift of Power and Authority if we’re gonna be Victorious over the enemy.

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Keep the Hope

May 10, 2017

hope-hand.jpg By Pastor Jeff,

1 Corinthians 13:13, “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” We have many sermons about “Faith” and many more about “Love”, but I want to take some time to talk about the middle one in this verse, “Hope”!

Hope is mostly defined as to anticipate something or desire something to happen, when we think of hope we use terms like I hope I get that job, I hope my favorite team wins, I hope we get that house we want, and so on. The bible however says of hope, Hebrews 11:1-3, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 
For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” Does that sound like a maybe?

The word hope in the bible means; to expect or confide:—(have, thing) hope (-d) (for), trust, in one definition they used the word “concrete”. Interestingly some translations of the word faith in the bible are the same Greek word translated Hope elsewhere, for example, Hebrews 10:23, “Let us hold fast the profession of our faith (Hope) without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;). When we place our “Hope” in Jesus Christ we can be certain, Psalms 71:5, “For thou art my hope, O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth.” 14, “But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.”

The enemy of our soul is doing all he can to cause us believers in Jesus Christ to lose hope, and unfortunately our circumstances dictate how we feel about hope more than it should. Sickness, death, finances, relationships all have an affect on our hope. Mercy Me has a new song that I find very powerful in addressing this, one verse goes like this, “I know You are able, I know You can, save through the fire with a mighty hand, but even if You don’t my Hope is in You alone”. This world is not always a pretty place to live but we need to remember that for us believers it’s only temporary. Revelations 21:1-4, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

Keep the HOPE, its not a maybe, its concrete!

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Holy Ghost Fire

April 24, 2017

By Mike Batinich

The Lord’s really been impressing on me to talk about bringing the fire back here where it belongs. I’m talking about the Holy Ghost Fire. We stand in GOD confidence and can whip anything the enemy throws our way and he is throwing some stuff at us. If we believe the end times are near we gotta stand strong and know we are winners.

Let’s bring the fire back stronger than ever in HIS Church.

Matthew 3:11

“I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

The devil is sending his fire out against the church. The snakes are coming out of hiding. They gonna deceive as many people as they can. That’s why the Truth must be taught and preached.

We gotta be equipped to stand against the enemy. It’s time to pray like never before. We need to get into deep prayer because we are battling spiritual warfare. Let’s pray so the foundations are shaken and the chains holding people down will be shaken and broken.

Now is the time for churches to get on fire and stay on fire. I’m talking about being Baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire. Look what’s going on in this country. The devil is having his way in a lot of things. He wants good to look evil and evil to look good. Things are happening to the church and some of it ain’t good. That’s why you need the Holy Ghost so you can be empowered to defeat the enemy.

Proverbs 26:20

“Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.”

Wherever there are hungry hearts the fire will burn.

The Fire of GOD will burn out of you everything that don’t belong, the fire of GOD will burn out drug and alcohol addiction, and anger, and lust, and fear, and unforgiveness, hate and prejudice, and pride.

JESUS wants to fill you and flow through you with HIS power.

This is not a time for the Church to run away and be scared. This is the time for the church to catch fire, and fight fire with fire.

HE said the church must bind and loose.

HE said the church must cast out Devils

HE said the church must heal the sick in HIS name.

HE said the church needs to do the asking and HE will send the fire.

Come on and lift your hands and your voices right now. Tell GOD you need the fire. Tell GOD you’re desperate for the fire.

Tell GOD you’re sick and tired of the devil stealing and killing and destroying families.

Tell GOD you are ready to fight fire with fire.

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