Don’t drift!
“It’s crucial that we keep a firm grip on what we’ve heard so that we don’t drift off…” Hebrews 2:1 MSG
My sister and I LOVED the beach when we were kids. We would swim far out from the shore and ride the waves in. We would spend hours in the water, forgetting about everyone else, and we’d pretend we didn’t hear our parents calling when it was time to leave.
One particular day, our church had a beach outing and my sister and I were enjoying the water as we usually did. Every so often, we looked back to see if our parents were still in sight. A few hours later, we looked up and no one looked familiar. We couldn’t understand it.
I was the one who always panicked in such situations so I remember running out of the water, calling frantically for my mom and dad, thinking they were probably just hiding to teach us some lesson.
My sister was the calmer one, but after some time past, even she was getting worked up. We walked to the left then to the right of where we came out of the water and did not see anyone who looked familiar.
Finally, a couple approached us and said there were people on the other side of the beach looking for two little girls. She walked us in the right direction and after probably ten minutes, we began to see familiar faces, including our parents, who were probably not as happy to see us as everyone else was. 🤪
That day my sister and I learned a valuable life lesson. Each time we had looked back to the shore, we drifted ever so slightly. We did see that we were no longer directly in front of my parents, but we could still see them, so we didn’t bother to make the adjustment and swim back to where we should have been.
In this life, there are so many distractions and if we don’t walk intentionally, we’ll look up and realize that we’ve drifted away from the Word of God, the plan of God, and the higher purpose we’ve been called to.
Drifting happens slowly and subtly so now more than ever, we need to cling to the Word of God, stay focused, and walk intentionally.
-Pastor Maria Murphy
We Were Born For Such A Time As This
Acts 17:26 in the Passion Translation says, “From one man, Adam, he made every man and woman and every race of humanity, and he spread us over all the earth. He sets the boundaries of people and nations, DETERMINING THEIR APPOINTED TIMES in history.” The same verse in the Amplified Translation says, “And He made from one [common origin, one source, one blood] all nations of men to settle on the face of the earth, having definitely determined [their] allotted periods of time and the fixed boundaries of their habitation (their settlements, lands, and abodes),
You and I are living in a predetermined allotment of time on earth. If you are a believer, then you are equipped by Him, empowered by Him, and positioned in Him to do His bidding.
We are not without resources to meet the challenges of life. We have the Name of Jesus, we have the Holy Spirit, we have the Blood of Jesus, we have been given a book inspired by the Holy Spirit that provides us with wisdom, faith, and instructions on how to walk in love, along with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
We have decades of revelation, revelation that God has poured out to previous generations, that we have at our disposal.
Let’s not squander the time we have left. Let’s allow God to use us to bring this dispensation of time to a close.
What an honor it is to have been chosen for the closing act of time as we know it!
Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. We are not alone. We live and move on the victory side of life.
Let’s embrace the time we were given. Don’t look back, but press forward in faith, into all that God has predetermined and arranged for you and I to experience, before our time expires.
What does that look like? It’s nothing more then being obedient to the leadings of the Holy Spirit. This works for whosoever, not just those with a specific calling on their lives.
Be Blessed,
Pastor Henri Talbot
Confession of Faith
Today, I want to encourage you with some words – based on scripture – that you can speak over yourself daily.
When you speak these verses over yourself, you will build up your faith in the power, faith, wisdom and strength of God within you. Say them confidently and remember that, “No word from God is void of power.” Luke 1:37
I have a standing invitation to come boldly into the throne room and sit in the presence of my Father.
I am now a member of the divine household. God is my Father. I am His child. I am in the Family. I am a partaker of His divine nature.
I’m constantly conscious of His indwelling presence.
Greater is He that is in me then he that is in the world. I have His love abiding in me.
God is in me. God’s ability is mine. God‘s strength is mine. God‘s health is mine. His success is mine. I am a winner. I am a conqueror. I am a success because the greater One, with His great ability, is in me.
I have faith in my own faith. I can reach God as well as anyone else. I can do all things in Him who strengthens me.
I have the life of God abiding in me. Whatsoever I ask of the Father in Jesus Name, He gives it to me.
I have God’s wisdom. I do not have to ask for wisdom because wisdom is mine. I do not have to pray for faith, because His promise cannot be broken.
In Him,
Pastor Jack DaGraca
Times Have Changed
We know that times have changed and it is evident that this generation is facing many challenges. The morals and character that we have worked so hard to keep, are now being questioned. It seems that wrong is now ok and people don’t stand up for what is right.
The devil is trying his best to change our culture and twist our stories to his own lies. He is a deceiver and we need not be afraid or intimidated by what we see and know is going on in the world today.
We need to recognize that satan is the author of all these (bad) things. Love casts out fear so purposefully follow Jesus’ command and just plainly rebel against evil by doing good.
Rebuke and take authority over the devil. He is afraid of and threatened by God’s people so he is causing chaos to move us into fear, disagreement, and discouragement.
STAND TALL in the Name of Jesus and give the devil a heart attack! What Jesus did to him, is fresh in his mind. The key to hell was taken from him, so he can’t even hide that! He is fully aware of what’s coming for him when Jesus throws him into the lake of fire.
Don’t feel sorry for him. He has caused so much problems in the world, in fact all of this world’s problems originate with him. Let the Holy Spirit lead you and refuse to listen to devil’s lies. Be filled with the Holy Ghost, pray for the sick, cast out the devil, and give no place to the enemy of God.
-Pastor Maria DaGraca
Me & My Big Mouth
Do you ever wish you could unsay something you said, especially when before you said it, you knew it was not the right thing to say to begin with? This has happened to me and my big mouth more often then I care to admit. The result of saying something I wish I had not said, usually does one of two things: It embarrasses me or it hurts the person I said it to. Wishing I could unsay it does nothing to change the result.
Psalms 141:3 says, “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.” The Lord will not stop us from saying anything we want at any time or to anyone, but He does let us know when it would be better to keep our thoughts to ourselves.
In the book of James it says, “no man can tame the tongue” but before you use that as a reason to say. “I can’t control what comes out of my mouth,” James did not say the tongue COULD NOT be tamed he said “no MAN can tame it”. We have been given the Holy Spirit who lives on the inside of every believer. One reason He was sent to live in us is to help us, so when we get that little bit of hesitation in our mind before we say something, it is the Holy Spirit doing His job. I am convinced that if we would learn to yield to the Holy Spirit and hold our tongue, our lives would be much different.
Ephesians 4:29 (TPT) says, “And never let ugly or hateful words come from your mouth, but instead let your words become beautiful gifts that encourage others; do this by speaking words of grace to help them.”
Be Blessed
Pastor Henri Talbot
Life More Abundantly
“The thief, cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10
I am so glad that Jesus – my Lord, Savior, and Master – came into this world and provided the gift of abundant living.
Before I became born-again, my life was a mess! I came back from the Vietnam war to no job and no help from the government. I had to unload banana boxes from the train in order to have something to eat. I was a very angry person.
There are no words that can describe how my life changed and how filled with joy I became, once I made Jesus Christ, my Lord, Savior, and Master. I now have life and have it more abundantly just like the word says.
If you offered me this whole world, I would not trade it for one second of the peace that I have in my heart. Only Jesus and His life could have brought this peace and this abundant life. I love and praise God for all He has done and all He’s doing in my life. He will do the same for you, if you will let Him.
Yours In Him,
Pastor Jack DaGraca
Total Freedom
On July 4th, we celebrate Independence Day in the U.S.A. It’s a day to commemorate the independence of the US from what was known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain. It’s been said that the Declaration of Independence was the birth certificate for this nation.
Our nation’s independence didn’t without sacrifice. It required the blood and lives of many who stood up to fight for our independence. Still today, we have brave men and women who serve to preserve and protect our independence.
As believers, we have also received the precious gift of independence and a new birth. Galatians 5:13a NLT says, “For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters.” The price for our freedom was paid for by Jesus Who “purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.” Colossians 1:14 NLT
Jesus paid the ultimate price so you and I could be free. This freedom should be evident in every part of our lives – spirit, soul, and body. Many believers accept the spiritual part of this gift but Jesus wants us to receive and walk in total freedom in EVERY area. This TOTAL freedom becomes our reality when we completely surrender ourselves to God and live aligned to His Word.
This weekend as you celebrate, remember to thank God for the freedom you have in Him and for the many blessings He’s provided to you. Also remember, “Don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sin nature. Instead use your freedom to serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13b NLT
In Freedom and Joy,
Pastor Maria Murphy
Freedom Reigns
Long before social injustice was a common, household phrase, it was my reality. It didn’t have a name or movement attached to it, but it existed. In the neighborhood I came from, harassment and police brutality were, sad to say, normal.
When I was 16 years old, walking from my house to my older brother’s, I was stopped by the police, thrown up against a fence, legs spread and frisked, then made to sit on the ground, because I fit the description of someone who had stolen something. In my early 20’s, I was the passenger in a car that had been rear ended, I am the one who called the police to report the accident. Again I ended up face first on the ground, and bleeding. I was brought to the emergency room and then to jail for the night. Whether I did right or wrong, I was wrong, I was guilty, I was at fault. I don’t have the words to describe what that feels like. It was undignified, humiliating, and infuriating. It was bondage.
Today I write to you, as man set free. My identity is found in who God says I am. My value is measured by what He gave to free me, He gave everything. He gave His own son. God’s word is the one thing that will remain.
John 8:36 says, “Therefore if the son sets you free you shall be free indeed.”
Galatians 5:13 says, “You brothers, have been called to liberty. Only do not use liberty to give an opportunity the flesh, but by love serve one another.”
1 Peter 2:16 says, “Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but live as servants of God. Honor people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the King.“
Let us respect the absolute authority of God’s word and use our liberty to bring peace, hope and healing to the world rather than anger, chaos and harm.
In loving memory and in the words of George Floyd, speaking to the youth in his community, “Come home, please come home to God.” I say come home and find hope in Jesus Christ, to the glory of God.
-Pastor Justin Barros
Wisdom is Calling from Above
There are so many thoughts and evil suggestions that cross our minds. It often takes work to think the right thoughts. Before one thought ends, another begins.
How can we keep peace flowing in our mind at a time when words we say can be a disadvantage? When being quiet or having a perceived wrong conversation can bring strife? Lord, what do I need to do? Lead me to the words that bring comfort and kindness to my little world. Words that show I love and care.
“Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.” Proverbs 18:1, 4
“The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.” Proverbs 16:21
“For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6
Growing up my mother always told me, “If you don’t understand matters, keep your mouth and give your heart.” Let the Word of God lead you and today, lift up your eyes for your redemption draws near.
Love and comfort from my heart to yours,
Pastor Maria DaGraca
We Need Faith, Not Foolishness
We need faith not foolishness and a good dose of good ole common sense. It’s amazing how differently people are responding to the Coronavirus. One camp is motivated by faith the other is full of fear. I understand why people who are not believers in Christ would be in fear; a natural response to something you cannot control that has the ability to harm you is to be afraid of it.
On the other hand, we have believers “people of faith” who think it is okay to act like the virus is not real and that we should not change anything. Not taking any precautions at all is not faith, it’s foolishness. There is a ditch on either side of the road. I believe in the power of the blood of Jesus but that should not do away with common sense.
I think we would agree that the Apostle Paul was a person of great faith. In Acts 28, Paul got bitten by a poisonous snake and it did him no harm and things like that could happen to anyone. What we don’t see is Paul purposefully putting himself in harm’s way. I’m quite sure if he had seen the snake ahead of time, he would have kept his distance from it.
Our bodies have not as yet put on immortality therefore we must use some common sense and not put ourselves in harms way when we have a choice and are able to do otherwise. We have not been given the spirit of fear; but of power, love, and a sound mind. We have the power to overcome; love to remain in a safe place, and a sound mind to make good decisions.
Be Blessed,
Pastor Henri Talbot