Simple

December 16, 2018

   By Pastor Mike

The WORD of GOD is the greatest Book ever written. It is the greatest love story ever written. I wonder why our kids can’t read the Bible in school but they can read it in prison. They have a Bible people swear on in court to tell the whole truth but they can’t display the 10 commandments like they used to. The Bible isn’t a hard Book to follow.

You need to repent of your sins and turn away from them. Not just say sorry. We need to stop doing what we know is wrong. We need to stay on the narrow path to Heaven. The road to hell is paved with good intentions. The road to Heaven is paved with obedience.

Then you need to get Baptized in the Name of JESUS.

Matthew 28:19

19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

The word name here is singular which means the name to be Baptized in is the name of JESUS. The name of the Father is JESUS. The name of the Son is JESUS. The name of the Holy Ghost is JESUS. Everyone that was Baptized in the Book of Acts was Baptized in the name of our LORD JESUS. If you need to be Baptized, you need to be Baptized in the name of JESUS.

You shall receive the gift of the HOLY GHOST. It’s a free gift. It’s yours if you want it. As you receive the gift of the HOLY GHOST you will speak in tongues. Speaking out loud is the key here. JESUS wants to take control of your tongue because it is the most unruly thing we got. We need to speak to the LORD and HE will take over and you will speak in another language. It’s for today. Whatever happened in the Bible back then is for us today. All of it. You gotta believe all of it.

John 1:1,14

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

John 14:9

9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?

Philip asks to see the Father and JESUS tells him that we been together how long? You’ve seen all the miracles that I did. You’ve seen me forgive people from their sins. If you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the Father. JESUS means that I AM THE FATHER.

Luke 11:23

23 He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.

See, it’s very simple. Either you’re for JESUS or you’re against HIM. If you’re against JESUS that means you’re either for yourself or for the enemy. Either way you’re gonna lose. I chose to be with JESUS. I wanna gather with JESUS, meaning spending time with HIM. People who don’t hang with JESUS scatters all over the place meaning they will fall for anything the devil throws at them.  We need to understand that if we look to the devil we will be oppressed. If we look to ourselves we will be depressed. If we look to GOD we will be BLESSED.

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Staying Thankful

  By Pastor Mike

We should stay thankful about what the LORD has done in our lives. Yes, we have ups and downs and we have real tragedies but when you think about what JESUS did, we really can be thankful. A lot of people have experienced the peace and comfort that can only come from GOD. The things that happen in our lives are very real. We don’t want them but we know that when we focus on JESUS, things turn around in our lives. If you’re a born again believer, we should be giving thanks to JESUS for what he did on the cross which made a way for us to live forever with HIM.

The most important thing that I’m thankful for is that I repent of my sins and HE forgives me. Then I’m thankful that I got Baptized in JESUS name. I’m very thankful that I got the Holy Ghost. Very thankful for having all of the power that JESUS has living inside me.

1 Chronicles 16:8

“Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.”

We really need to tell people about what JESUS did in our lives as much as we can.

1 Chronicles 16:34-35

“34 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

35 And say ye, Save us, O God of our salvation, and gather us together, and deliver us from the heathen, that we may give thanks to thy holy name, and glory in thy praise.”

Too many people lost sight of what’s important in life. They lost sight of the reason for the season. It’s all about JESUS and the season lasts from the beginning of time til the end of it as we know it. We should celebrate JESUS every day of our lives.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

JESUS is concerned about you. HE wants us to thank HIM in everything. The good, the bad, and the ugly.

Revelation 7:12

“Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen.”

JESUS is everything that we’ll ever need to get through anything we go through. Whether we put ourselves in bad situations or the enemy keeps tempting us and we take the bait. JESUS is our strong tower. Let’s run to HIM and stay with HIM.

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The Great Commission!

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By Pastor Jeff,

When you are told that you have to do something, what is your usual reaction?

If you’re like me, it’s usual a little like, what? You can’t tell me what to do! Have you ever dealt with a toddler in trying to prevent them doing something? Even if you are protecting them from harm, they will give you a stern look and do what you demanded them not too!

Matthew 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” I’ve heard from some that this is a commandment that every Christian should make themselves do. Well with our nature of rebellion I think many of us refuse to follow and snub the thought as well. I mean, we would love to see others coming to the Lord but if you saying I have to give of my own precious time, I’m not doing it!

I want to change this to something we have to do to something we get to do. After all, if you had an encounter with Jesus Christ how could you be quiet. Let’s look at Mark 1:40-45, “And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand, and touched him, and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed. And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away; And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, show thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.” And Matthew 9:27-30, “And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying, and saying, Thou Son of David, have mercy on us. And when he was come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them, Believe ye that I am able to do this? They said unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it. But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country.”

In both instances after receiving their miracle they were told to not spread the news, but really? How can you not share what God has done for you, if you received a miracle, wouldn’t you tell everyone that you met, I surely would! Jesus Christ has done so much in my life in just dying for my sins that I also can’t be quiet, not because I have to share Jesus with others, it is that I get too. It’s all about Him for without Jesus sacrifice I would still be destined for a horrible eternal life without Him.

So, what is the best way to share the gospel? with humility and maybe even a tear in your eye. Matthew West in his song, “Nobody” says this, “Cause I’m just a nobody, trying to tell everybody, all about Somebody, Who saved my soul” Pride will get in the way of your testimony so don’t let it!

This Christmas season is a great time to share the love of Jesus to our world for like that first Christmas when the angels appeared to the shepherds in the fields, Luke 2:15-17, “And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.”
It’s not about having to tell others of Jesus Christ but it’s the privilege of telling others!

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Veterans Day

   By Pastor Mike

Matthew 24:5-8

5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

It’s talking about the end times that were are in. Everyone in the military went to serve for our freedom so we can worship like this and preach the Gospel. We are the soldiers in GOD’s Army. The best part of being in GOD’s Army is that we know we win. We do win. We don’t have to keep fighting the enemy. We just need to stay focused on JESUS and Stand. Stand on HIS WORD and all HIS Promises. We have the authority and the POWER of the HOLY GHOST to beat everything that comes our way. The devil can’t make us sin. He can and he will tempt us but it’s up to us to fall for it. WE DON’T HAVE TO.

James 4:6-8

6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

2 Timothy 2:3-4

3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

Our commander-in-chief is JESUS!

JESUS is the head of the body, the church. WE NEED TO LISTEN TO HIM!

Luke 6:46

46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Ephesians 6:12

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

1 Peter 5:8-9

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.

We know the enemy and he loses. WE WIN.

Matthew 10:22

22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Being a part of GOD’s Army is like the military. It’s not a 9 to 5 job, it’s a 24/7 career. We need to be telling people about JESUS and the Hope and Victory we have in HIM.

2 Timothy 4:7

7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

We are the warriors for JESUS. We will stand against the enemy. We are Victorious. We are prayer warriors.

We need to stand up for what we believe. There’s a lot of people that are against the truth and everything that’s right.

We are in the LORD’s ARMY and we will make a difference.

There are some things worth fighting for: our freedom in America and our freedom to worship the KING of kings and the LORD of lords!

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The Presence of the LORD

December 15, 2018

 By Pastor Mike

We all need to realize that the presence of JESUS is everywhere at the same time. People wonder “How can this be?” Because HE is GOD Almighty.

Definition of omnipotent: 

one who has unlimited power or authority

Definition of omniscient: 

1 : having infinite awareness, understanding, and insight

2 : possessed of universal or complete knowledge the omniscient God

Definition of omnipresent: 

present in all places at all times

Psalm 46:1-3

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

Whatever troubles or trials you’re having. Whatever valleys you’re in. The presence of the LORD is right there to get you through anything and everything. We have to believe that because it’s in HIS WORD. HE is always with us and HE is in us. We need to expect HIM to get us through it because HE is a great GOD.

Psalm 95:1-3

O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.  Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

HE is a great GOD. We are in HIS presence right now and in HIS presence when we leave here. When we get in the car. When we get home. When we are at work. When we are at the stores.

Psalm 139:7-10

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?  If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.

You can never hide from JESUS. HE knows where we are, what we say, what we think. People think that they can hide things from their friends or spouses. Maybe they can but you can’t hide from GOD. That’s not a bad thing. That just makes me want to the best I can and live a Holy life pleasing to HIM. I mess up but I run right back into HIS loving arms. HE will never condemn us. Maybe our family and friends will, but JESUS never will.

Romans 8:1-2

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

Picture care of: James Goll: How to Soak in the Presence of the Lord — Charisma Magazine

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Our Reward!

November 25, 2018

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By Pastor Jeff,

In 1995, I had a dream and though I can no longer remember the specifics but I do recall the scripture that I was led to as it’s interpretation, Luke 17:7-10, “But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.”

1 Corinthians 9:16-18, “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.” In 2017 it was said that an average of 1500 ministers left the ministry every month. Some obviously retired but many others just came to the conclusion it wasn’t worth it, it was too much work, to little reward. They didn’t do it for just the obedience to the calling but looked at as a job. Matthew 6:1-6, “Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” If they did it to be seen of man, they indeed have their reward!

We should never do anything for the kingdom in order to receive any reward in this world. I do believe that recognition for a job well done is something that needs to be done when warranted but it’s not the goal in our lives. After all we have a great reward to come. Eternal life with Jesus Christ is my goal and it is what I’m running for!

We are living in such a reward desiring generation and you have participation trophies given for just showing up. This has been an issue in our churches as well, as everyone wants to have equal voice, equal involvement, and equal recognition even when they just show up. 1 Corinthians 9:24, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.”

You want a great reward? Then do this, Luke 6:35-36, “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.”

Let’s work for our Lord out of love not worldly gain!

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Upon This Rock

November 8, 2018

Upon-this-Rock

By Pastor Jeff,

Matthew 16:13-19, “When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

When you hear the word Rock, what do you think of?

Verse 18 from the amplified says this, “And I tell you, you are Peter [Greek, Petros–a large piece of rock], and on this rock [Greek, petra–a huge rock like Gibraltar] I will build My church, and the gates of Hades (the powers of the infernal region) shall not overpower it [or be strong to its detriment or hold out against it].”

What in your mind is the most firm, unmovable, undisputable doctrine in the word of God? 1Timothy 3:16, “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”

The Revelation of who Jesus is, “God in Flesh!” This doctrine is what separates the nominal church from the church built upon the rock!

So how is this associated with the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven?

Once we understand who Jesus is, we can bind evil Acts 16:18, “And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour.” What Name?
Is it enough to use the name of Jesus? Acts 19:13-16, “Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.”

It was clear form the beginning of Jesus ministry that he offended the religious of the day and was accused of using the power of the devil to cast out devils…
Matthew 12:28-30, “But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.”

After we bind evil, we have power to let loose the power of God which leads to deliverance from sin, Roman 6:22-23, “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

The keys we have been given are powerful, but without the knowledge of who Jesus is, they don’t have the eternal effect for it is not built upon the Rock!
John 14:8-14, “Philip saith unto him, Lord, show 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, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works’ sake. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”

We often say when we meet others of different religious beliefs that there is no denying who Jesus Christ is, right! Then why do they fall on men’s traditions in baptizing in the titles “Father, Son, and Holy Ghost?” The earliest reliable source of using the Father, Son, and Holy ghost is in the second century; so did they suddenly become smarter that the original Apostles?
Did they get a better understanding of scripture?

No they jumped off the “Rock”!

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My Thoughts about Revival

Revival, Biblical Lessons, Apostolic

Janesville Apostolic Ministries