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Youth Ministry Training

Tue, 14 May 2024 00:07:21 GMT

Youth Ministry Training

Saturday, June 29, 2024

9:00am - 12:00pm

Peace Baptist Church

For students and adults interested in or already serving in Youth Ministry

Our Youth Ministry, The Yard, will be hosting a training for all current and prospective volunteers. This will be a high energy training that will help equip our youth ministry volunteers and leaders with the tools needed for a successful upcoming school year.

We can't wait to serve alongside you!

Home Grown Faith

Mon, 13 May 2024 23:20:51 GMT

Home Grown Faith

Begins Sunday, May 19 - weekly on Sundays

9:00am - 9:50am EST

Peace Baptist Church - The Spot

For parents, guardians, mentors

The School of Discipleship and Vict orious Family Team invite you to join us for a 6 week Bible Study. During the study we'll help you develop a spiritual plan for your family. Ley's partner together to raise a generation that can defend their faith!

Family Worship Month

Mon, 13 May 2024 23:09:54 GMT

Family Worship Month

Entire Month of June

8:00am & 10:00am service

Peace Baptist Church

For everyone

June is Fam ily Worship Month! All of our youth spaces will be closed for the month of June to give families an opportunity to worship together. Each service will be engaging for the entire family.

There will be a "Cry/Wiggle Room" available for parents of babies and toddlers. Parents must remain with their child in the Wiggle Room.

Baptism Sunday

Mon, 13 May 2024 23:05:43 GMT

Baptism Sunday

Sunday, May 26, 2024

10:00am

Peace Baptist Church

For everyone (ages 6+)

Baptism is a public declaration of an inward decision and we make a big deal about it at Peace. If you're ready to experience Baptism or just have more questions about it, please reach out to our Pastoral Care team! We can't wait to celebrate you.

Baptisms happen every fourth Sunday

Men's Locker Room

Mon, 13 May 2024 22:59:59 GMT

Men's Locker Room

Saturday, June 22, 2024

10:00am - 12:00pm EST

Peace Baptist Church Fellowship Hall

For men of all ages

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College Tours

Mon, 13 May 2024 22:57:20 GMT

College Tours

June 25 - June 27

For rising juniors, rising seniors, recent high school grads

Peace will be taking a college tour for our high school students. We will tour 6 schools over 3 days. Going on a college tour provides firsthand experience of the campus environment, allowing you to envision yourself as a student there. Head over to realm for registration and further details.

SALT Line Dancing

Mon, 13 May 2024 22:53:10 GMT

SALT Line Dancing

Saturday, May 25, 2024

11:00am - 1:00pm EST

Peace Baptist Church Annex

For senior adults (55+)

Learn new line dances with our SALT Ministry at our monthly line dancing gathering.

SALT Game Night

Mon, 13 May 2024 22:46:10 GMT

SALT Gamers

Friday, May 24, 2024

6:00pm - 8:30pm EST

Peace Baptist Church Annex

For senior adults (55+)

Join our SALT Ministry for an evening of competition and connection! Our monthly Game Night is the perfect place to fellowship with friends and get to know new ones.

The Preacher's Wife

Mon, 13 May 2024 22:36:59 GMT

The Preacher's Wife

Friday, June 7, 2024

8:00pm - 10:30pm

Coca Cola Stage

Join our Women's Ministry for a day out to encourage fellowship, connect and simply enjoy the musical, The Preacher's Wife . Possibly dinner afterwards for movie discussion.

Feed The Need: Mobile Pantry

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 22:25:34 GMT

Feed The Need: Mobile Pantry

Saturday, May 18, 2024

10:00am - 1:00pm or until supplies last

Peace Baptist Church Parking Lot

Peace on the Move’s Feed the Need will host their Mobile Pantry on May 18, 2024! We are seeking volunteers to assist with setting up as early as 8:30 am. Food will be distributed between the hours of 10:00 am. and 1:00 pm.

All food is first come, first served. Bring your state ID or driver's license for groceries.

Email info@peaceonthemove.org to volunteer or ask any questions.

Creating Disruptive Change

Sun, 24 Sep 2023 17:34:48 GMT

Creating Disruptive Change

Pastor Tyrone E. Barnette | September 24, 2023

Take Your Next Step

Global Impact Celebration

Sun, 17 Sep 2023 17:25:35 GMT

Global Impact Celebration

Rev. Adrian Reeves | September 17, 2023

Take Your Next Step

Ambassadors R Us

Sun, 10 Sep 2023 17:19:32 GMT

Ambassadors R Us

Pastor Tyrone E Barnette | September 10, 2023

Pastor B walks us through 2 Corinthians as it tells us how we are to be an ambassador for Jesus Christ!

Take Your Next Step

Don’t Ruin Your Relationships

Sun, 27 Aug 2023 23:16:02 GMT

Don't Ruin Your Relationships

Pastor Tyrone E Barnette | August 27, 2023

This year's relationship series "The Flex Factor" explores how to create healthy boundaries in your relationships that don't cause you to break.

Take Your Next Step

How to Have Tough Talks & Uncomfortable Conversations

Sun, 20 Aug 2023 23:07:17 GMT

How to Have Tough Talks & Uncomfortable Conversations

Pastor Tyrone E Barnette | August 20, 2023

This year's relationship series "The Flex Factor" explores how to create healthy boundaries in your relationships that don't cause you to break.

Take Your Next Step

Finding Rhythm in Relationships to Avoid the Blues

Sun, 13 Aug 2023 22:57:45 GMT

Finding Rhythm in Relationships to Avoid the Blues

Pastor Tyrone E Barnette | August 13, 2023

This year's relationship series "The Flex Factor" explores how to create healthy boundaries in your relationships that don't cause you to break.

Take Your Next Step

How To Forgive And Move Forward

Sun, 06 Aug 2023 22:53:37 GMT

How To Forgive And Move Forward

Pastor Tyrone E Barnette | August 6, 2023

This year's relationship series "The Flex Factor" explores how to create healthy boundaries in your relationships that don't cause you to break.

Take Your Next Step

Boundaries That Bind The Family

Sun, 30 Jul 2023 22:46:06 GMT

Boundaries That Bind The Family

Pastor Tyrone E Barnette | July 30, 2023

This year's relationship series "The Flex Factor" explores how to create healthy boundaries in your relationships that don't cause you to break.

Take Your Next Step

When to Know and What to Do When a Relationship is Over

Sun, 23 Jul 2023 22:38:21 GMT

When to Know and What to Do When a Relationship is Over

Pastor Tyrone E Barnette | July 23, 2023

This year's relationship series "The Flex Factor" explores how to create healthy boundaries in your relationships that don't cause you to break.

Take Your Next Step

Know When To Say “No”

Sun, 16 Jul 2023 23:56:00 GMT

Know When To Say "No"

Pastor Tyrone E Barnette | July 16, 2023

This year's relationship series "The Flex Factor" explores how to create healthy boundaries in your relationships that don't cause you to break.

Take Your Next Step

Setting Boundaries That Bend But Don’t Break

Sun, 09 Jul 2023 23:45:49 GMT

Setting Boundaries That Bend But Don't Break

Pastor Tyrone E Barnette | July 9, 2023

This year's relationship series "The Flex Factor" explores how to create healthy boundaries in your relationships that don't cause you to break.

Take Your Next Step

Making A Declaration of Interdependence

Sun, 02 Jul 2023 23:34:01 GMT

Making A Declaration of Interdependence

Pastor Tyrone E Barnette | July 2, 2023

This year's relationship series "The Flex Factor" explores how to create healthy boundaries in your relationships that don't cause you to break.

Take Your Next Step

Say Yes And Offer What You Have

Sun, 25 Jun 2023 22:28:55 GMT

Say Yes & Offer What You Have

Pastor Tyrone E Barnette | June 25, 2023

The "Say Yes" series is about how we can use our gifts and abilities to be the Church in our homes, at our jobs and in our church and community.

Take Your Next Step

Say Yes And Be Used To Help Not Hurt

Sun, 18 Jun 2023 22:28:41 GMT

Say Yes & Be Used To Help Not Hurt

Pastor Tyrone E Barnette | June 18, 2023

The "Say Yes" series is about how we can use our gifts and abilities to be the Church in our homes, at our jobs and in our church and community.

Take Your Next Step

Say Yes And Don't Waste Your Life

Sun, 11 Jun 2023 22:28:27 GMT

Say Yes & Don't Waste Your Life

Pastor Tyrone E Barnette | June 11, 2023

The "Say Yes" series is about how we can use our gifts and abilities to be the Church in our homes, at our jobs and in our church and community.

Take Your Next Step

White Water Rafting

Sun, 11 Jun 2023 13:00:23 GMT

White Water Rafting

Saturday August 12, 2023

Hosted by our Men's Ministry but everyone is invited.

More details to come! Fill out this form to let us know you're interested in attending and we'll send you more information!

Say Yes And Stop Playing Church

Sun, 04 Jun 2023 22:28:14 GMT

Say Yes & Stop Playing Church

Pastor Tyrone E Barnette | June 4, 2023

The "Say Yes" series is about how we can use our gifts and abilities to be the Church in our homes, at our jobs and in our church and community.

Take Your Next Step

How To Have Good Grief

Sun, 28 May 2023 23:13:55 GMT

How To Have Good Grief

Pastor Tyrone E Barnette | May 28, 2023

The last few years have brought a lot of loss. Today's message comes from Matthew and teaches us how to have good grief.

Take Your Next Step

Don't Foul Up Your Favor

Sun, 21 May 2023 23:01:36 GMT

Don't Foul Up Your Favor

Pastor Tyrone E Barnette | May 21, 2023

Our favor is tied to our purpose so it's important we live our purpose out. Today's message comes from Proverbs 3.

Take Your Next Step

The Power of A Mother's Influence

Mon, 15 May 2023 00:04:02 GMT

The Power of A Mother's Influence

Pastor Tyrone E Barnette | May 14, 2023

There was one mother who made a special request to Jesus. It's the influence of a mother that can push a child forward.

Take Your Next Step

God's Purpose For Pain And Reasons For The Rain

Sun, 07 May 2023 22:52:29 GMT

God's Purpose For Pain & Reasons For The Rain

Pastor Tyrone E Barnette | May 7, 2023

"April showers bring May flowers." There's a reason for the troubles we go through. How does God create purpose for the pain?

Take Your Next Step

S.A.L.T. Brunch

Sun, 07 May 2023 18:40:09 GMT

S.A.L.T. Brunch and Learn

Saturday July 15, 2023 at 10:00am

On Campus

We’re look for all Savvy Adults Living Triumphantly, to join in fun fellowship groups with those activities you enjoy doing the most. To design these special groups for you, we need you to fill out the SALT interest survey and return to us by Friday May 26th. Use this link to complete form:

https://forms.gle/YyNLUfiZC9S9rLzMA

An Informational Brunch and Learn will be held Saturday July 15th from 10AM -1:00PM about how Savvy Adults, 55 and over (S.A.L.T) can connect to these fellowship activity groups.

Email vwallace@peacebaptistchurch.org

Victorious Family Conference

Mon, 01 May 2023 12:57:52 GMT

Victorious Family Conference

Saturday August 26, 2023 9am-3pm EST

Do you find it difficult to navigate your children’s faith journey in the current culture? 83% of Christian parents have expressed a feeling of inadequacy in teaching their children biblical principles. At Victorious Family, we are on mission to equip and empower parents to disciple their children. Equipping a Generation, to Reach a Generation.

Peace Baptist Church is partnering with Victorious Family to bring this distinct family discipleship workshop to the community.

Code expires first week of August

Learn more about Victorious Family at https://victoriousfamily.org/

Prepare For A New Season

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 00:33:27 GMT

Prepare For A New Season

Pastor Tyrone E Barnette | April 16, 2023

Today's message comes from Mark 2:21-22 as we look at navigating new seasons of life.

Take Your Next Step

Darkness Can't Destroy Me

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 00:21:16 GMT

Breaking Free Because Darkness Can't Destroy Me

Pastor Tyrone E Barnette | April 9, 2023

This Easter we walk through Friday and Saturday to get to get to our Sunday Resurrection power.

Take Your Next Step

Devotional Day 40 | Lent 2023

Sat, 08 Apr 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by

Today's Scripture

“When he has led out all of his sheep, he walks in front of them, and they follow, because they know his voice.”
John 10:4 (CEV)

Today we’ll look at three more benefits of God’s goodness: how he guides, guards, and saves you through Jesus, the Good Shepherd.

God guides you. When you get confused or wander away, Jesus will find you and bring you back. Much like sheep, we tend to wander—and we get lost. So God sent Jesus on a search and rescue mission to save us, “to seek and save those who are lost” (Luke 19:10 NLT).

Why? Because every single one of us matters to him.

When God brings you back from wandering away from him, he will not punish you, but he may discipline you. Like a shepherd that wraps the legs of a sheep that is prone to wander, God may give you a limp to keep you from wandering.

God guards you. If you fail or fall, Jesus rescues you and sets you on the road to recovery.

We not only wander, but, just like sheep, we also stumble and fall. The good news is that you can run to Jesus every time you mess up and expect him to rescue and restore you.

Jesus said, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a person than a sheep!” (Matthew 12:11-12 NIV) If it’s common sense to rescue an animal that stumbles, won’t God act the same way toward you when you stumble?

God saves you. If you trust him to save you, Jesus will keep his promise to do just that.

It’s not your job to save yourself. Your job is simply to put your hand in God’s and say, “I’m all yours—the good, the bad, and the ugly.” God loves you too much to ever let you go.

Jesus said it like this: “My Father gave my sheep to me. He is greater than all, and no person can steal my sheep out of my Father’s hand” (John 10:29 NCV).

When you trust in Jesus as your Savior, you’re no longer on your own. When you feel lost, confused, or like you’ve fallen into a pit, you can trust that the Good Shepherd is always there for you. He will guide you, guard you, and save you.

Devotional Day 39 | Lent 2023

Fri, 07 Apr 2023 04:00:05 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by

Today's Scripture

“I will refine them like silver and purify them like gold. They will call on my name, and I will answer them.”
Zechariah 13:9 (NLT)

Some prayers are answered immediately, but others take weeks, months, or even years. You probably know this all too well! But there’s good news: While you’re praying for God’s answer, you’re going to learn some things that you can’t learn any other way.

In the waiting, there is blessing. One of the blessings is that you learn more about yourself when you don’t instantly get everything you want.

For two of the most important prayers I’ve ever prayed, God took 13 years to answer one of them and 25 years for the other. But he answered! They were the most important prayers in my life at that time. Why did it take so long? Because while I was working on the prayer, God was working on me.

When you’re going through fire, do you ever wonder why you have to go through it? It’s for testing and purification. As you pray about something over and over again, you face tests that reveal more about you.

God says in Zechariah 13:9, “I will refine them like silver and purify them like gold” (NLT).

You test gold by putting it in a big vat and heating it until it gets so hot that all the impurities are burned off. How do metalsmiths know when gold and silver are pure? When they can see their reflection in them.

God can see his reflection in you when the impurities have burned out of your life—after you’ve been through the fire. He says that, after he’s done the testing and purification, “They will call on my name, and I will answer them” (Zechariah 13:9 NLT).

Answered prayer comes after the test. Before every blessing, there is a testing. God tests you with stress before he trusts you with success. These are the principles of persistent prayer.

God is going to test you before he blesses you. And in that test, you’re going to learn a lot about yourself. If you give up praying, you’re never going to learn the lessons that help you become more like Jesus.

Keep praying with persistence each day. And remember that after the testing, the blessing will come.

Devotional Day 38 | Lent 2023

Thu, 06 Apr 2023 04:00:14 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by

Today's Scripture

“Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life.”
Psalm 23:6 (NLT)

Even in the middle of your hurts, habits, and hang-ups, God is watching over you.

King David says to God in Psalm 23:6, “Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life” (NLT).

When David says, “Surely your goodness will pursue me,” he’s not saying, “Surely only good things are going to happen to me.” David knew as well as anyone that bad things happen to good people. He had been abused and treated unfairly and was still a man who followed God’s heart. But he had also sinned terribly against people who had done no wrong to him.

David’s point is that, no matter how bad, evil, or difficult something seems—and no matter how much we mess things up—God will work it out for good. His goodness is pursuing us, no matter which way we turn.

It’s one of God’s great promises that he’s given to believers: “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 NIV).

In everything that happens to us, God is working for our good—if we love God and are following his plans. This verse does not say that all things are good. But if you’re a believer, all things are working together for God’s plan and purposes, which are always good.

That means there is no difficulty, dilemma, defeat, or disaster in the life of a believer that God can’t ultimately turn toward his purpose.

When you believe that, it changes how you view everything in your life—your relationships with God and other people, your past, your future, and whatever you are facing today. As you trust in God’s good work in your life, you will be able to face even your toughest challenges with confidence.

Devotional Day 37 | Lent 2023

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 04:00:47 GMT

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Today's Scripture

“This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.”
1 John 4:9-10 (NLT)

Everything in life changes—relationships, jobs, health, finances. But there’s one thing in the universe that will never change: God’s love.

God loves you, no matter what. Your failures, your brokenness, and your sin can never diminish his love. Knowing you can count on God’s love provides a rock-solid foundation for your life.

The Bible’s most famous verse, John 3:16, says, “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son” (NIV).

Consider the small word “so” that goes before “loved” in that verse. “So” suggests the extravagance of God’s love. God loves you with a generous, extravagant love that can never be taken away. It’s beyond comprehension. He loves you on your good days and your bad days. He loves you when you sin and when you are faithful to him.

It’s important that you don’t just recognize this lavish love intellectually. You need to recognize it emotionally, to really understand it deep down in your spirit. Love is God’s nature. God created the universe and everything in it just so that he could love it. And God created you so he could love you.

In fact, in Jesus, God shows what real love, his love , looks like. The Bible says, “God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins” (1 John 4:9-10 NLT).

Many people say they love you. But God showed you how much he loves you. He loves you so much that it hurt. He sacrificed his Son. When Jesus died for you, he was saying he loved you so much he’d rather die than live without you.

The Bible says that’s what real love—the kind of love that you can build your life on—looks like. Real love makes sacrifices. Real love gives all. Real love endures for all eternity.

That’s the kind of love only God has for you. He’s waiting with open arms to show you his goodness, mercy, and love.

Devotional Day 36 | Lent 2023

Tue, 04 Apr 2023 04:00:35 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by

Today's Scripture

“Your lives are echoing the Master’s Word . . . The news of your faith in God is out. We don’t even have to say anything anymore—you’re the message!”
1 Thessalonians 1:8 (MSG)

Did you know that God put you on Earth for a special reason? He wants to say something to the rest of the world through you. It’s called your life message.

The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 1:8, “Your lives are echoing the Master’s Word . . . The news of your faith in God is out. We don’t even have to say anything anymore— you’re the message!” (The Message).

Any time you say, “This is what God’s doing in my life,” you’re giving your life message. Any time you say, “I was praying about this, and here’s what’s happened,” you’ve given a life message. Any time you say, “I’ve got this problem I’m struggling with, but God is helping me,” you are sharing your life message.

Only you can share your unique life message. Nobody else can do it for you. And if you don’t share your life message, the world gets cheated.

God wants to use you . But why?

It’s because the best messages are personal messages. The most powerful message comes through a person. I’m so glad that when God wanted to share his message of love, he didn’t email it. He came in person. The Word became flesh. Jesus Christ came to Earth so we could see what God is like.

God has a message to share with the world, and instead of writing it in the sky, he wants to share it through your personality; he wants to share it through you.

You don’t have to be perfect to share your life message. You just have to be honest, real, and authentic. Just say, “I don’t have it all together, but here’s what God is doing in my life. Here’s the difference Jesus Christ has made.”

If you don’t share your life message with other people, they may never hear about what God can do for them too.

Your life message is yours alone. No one else can share it. So what will be the communication of your life?

Devotional Day 35 | Lent 2023

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 04:00:11 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by

Today's Scripture

“The Lord is always good. He is always loving and kind, and his faithfulness goes on and on to each succeeding generation.”
Psalm 100:5 (TLB)

If you grew up in a Christian home, you may have learned this childhood prayer: “God is great. God is good. Let us thank him for our food. Amen.” While simplistic, that prayer covers one key characteristic of God: his goodness.

Is it really true that God is good all the time? Absolutely! But many people don’t live like they believe it. It can be hard to believe in God’s goodness for many reasons, including when you’re in pain. When you’re in conflict, you forget about it. When you’re depressed, you think his goodness is for everyone except you. And when you’re worried or stressed out, you can’t seem to find—much less think about—God’s goodness, even when it’s right in front of you.

So how can you trust in God’s goodness when you don’t feel it? God’s Word, the Bible, reminds you of his goodness over and over. Psalm 100:5 says, “The Lord is always good. He is always loving and kind, and his faithfulness goes on and on to each succeeding generation” (TLB).

Focusing on God’s goodness is so important to your life. It gives you perspective on your darkest days when you need it the most. When you forget God’s goodness, you lose perspective and can only see the difficulty you’re facing.

God wants to give you a life of confidence, even on your most difficult days. He wants to give you assurance of his love and care. He wants to give you a life of influence and opportunities so that you can make a difference in the world. And he wants to give you an inheritance and a home in heaven with him forever. Who doesn’t want that? Who doesn’t need that?

So how can you experience God’s goodness? You can learn about God’s goodness as you read the Bible or hear a message about it—but you actually experience God’s goodness when you worship him. Nothing helps you focus like worship!

The Bible says in Psalm 34:9, “Worship GOD if you want the best; worship opens doors to all his goodness” (The Message). The way you experience God’s goodness is through worship—when you praise God and thank him for who he is and what he has promised you.

When you believe and understand the goodness of God, it will revolutionize your life and your perspective on your circumstances. You won’t be the same!

It Is Finished: The Greatest Word's Ever Spoken

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 00:12:01 GMT

"It" Is Finished: The Greatest Words Ever Spoken

Pastor Tyrone E Barnette | April 2, 2023

John 19:30 helps reveal how "It" Is Finished may be the greatest words ever spoken.

Take Your Next Step

Devotional Day 34 | Lent 2023

Sat, 01 Apr 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by

Today's Scripture

“It is senseless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, fearing you will starve to death; for God wants his loved ones to get their proper rest.”
Psalm 127:2 (TLB)

Did you know that sheep don’t like to lie down? And people are just like them! But if you don’t choose to slow down, God will make you lie down.

Living life God’s way means that you take time to rest. That’s not just a right way to live; it’s also the only healthy way to live.

Psalm 127:2 says, “It is senseless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, fearing you will starve to death; for God wants his loved ones to get their proper rest” (TLB).

God wants you to give up your tendency to roam, to wander, to veer off course. Restlessness leads to exhaustion—to physical, emotional, and spiritual fatigue. And you need more than sleep to cure those last two.

One of the Hebrew names of God is Jehovah Shalom , which means “I am the God of peace.” Jesus says in John 14:27, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid” (NLT).

If God says he is offering you the gift of peace, then he means it. It’s not something you have to work for. It’s not something you deserve. It’s not something you beg for. It is simply a gift that you must choose to accept, and it’s available to you today.

Here’s a paraphrase of how Jesus said it: “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly” (Matthew 11:28-30 The Message).

Jesus says that when you follow him, he will lighten your load. You can rest in his promise!

Devotional Day 33 | Lent 2023

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by Vanessa Moore.

Today's Scripture

“I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit. But you cannot do anything without me.”
John 15:5 (CEV)

It’s better to rest in God’s goodness than to be overwhelmed with work and worry. But it’s also easier said than done. It can be hard to take the steps that lead to rest and the abundant life God has for you.

Here are four daily habits that will help move you from overwhelmed to overflowing.

1. Stay connected to Jesus every day. “I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit. But you cannot do anything without me” (John 15:5 CEV).

If you try to go through life on your own power, you’re going to be overwhelmed. You cannot fulfill your purpose and enjoy God’s goodness unless you’re plugged in to his power.

2. Replace your complaining with gratefulness. “Do everything without complaining and arguing” (Philippians 2:14 NLT).

Complaining is a deeply unhealthy emotion. On the other hand, studies have shown that gratitude is the healthiest emotion. It produces serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin in your brain; those are the chemicals that boost happiness and lower stress.

3. Stop being stingy, and start being generous. “Bring the full amount of your tithes to the Temple, so that there will be plenty of food there. Put me to the test and you will see that I will open the windows of heaven and pour out on you in abundance all kinds of good things” (Malachi 3:10 GNT).

God wired a universal law into the world: The more you give away, the more you’re going to get. God did that because he wants you to become more like him—and he is a giver.

4. Stop comparing, and start being content. “It is better to be content with what little you have. Otherwise, you will always be struggling for more, and that is like chasing the wind” (Ecclesiastes 4:6 NCV).

Contentment doesn’t mean you don’t have any goals, dreams, or plans for your life. It simply means you don’t need more in order to be happy.

By nature, people are discontent. But by God’s grace, you can rest contently in his goodness to you. When you grasp that most things in your life are simply gracious gifts from God, your life will go from overwhelming to overflowing with God’s abundance.

Devotional Day 32 | Lent 2023

Thu, 30 Mar 2023 04:00:00 GMT

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Today's Scripture

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never die, and no one can steal them out of my hand.”
John 10:27-28 (NCV)

You can’t save yourself—but you don’t have to! All you need to do is put your hand in God’s hand and say, “God, I surrender it all to you—all the good and bad parts of my life. I’m not perfect, but you are, and so I’m accepting your gift of salvation.”

When you do that, you can relax in your salvation.

But some days, you’ll want to let go of God’s hand. You’ll want to pull back and say, “I don’t even know what I believe.” But God is never going to let go of your hand, because he loves you too much.

Jesus says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never die, and no one can steal them out of my hand. My Father gave my sheep to me. He is greater than all, and no person can steal my sheep out of my Father’s hand” (John 10:27-29 NCV).

The “eternal life” God gives you begins the moment you put your hand in his, and you can’t lose it once you’ve got it. Why? Because your salvation is not based on having more good works to outweigh your bad works. It’s based on the merits of Jesus Christ.

If you could get to heaven simply by being a nice person, then Jesus dying on the cross was a total waste of suffering, sorrow, sadness, and pain. If there was any other way for you to get into heaven except by Jesus Christ, God would have chosen it. But there was no other way.

Jesus “came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10 NIV), which means the world is lost. Everyone is not going to heaven. If everyone was automatically going to heaven, Jesus did not need to come to Earth, live a perfect life, and then carry “our sins in his body to the cross, so that we might die to sin and live for righteousness” (1 Peter 2:24 GNT).

When you put your life in God’s hand, he promises he will hold on to you forever. This is why you can relax in your salvation. If you truly trust in Christ and know that you’re not getting to heaven on your own efforts, then nothing can steal your salvation from you—not Satan, sorrow, sickness, or society. You’re in the hand of the Good Shepherd.

Devotional Day 31 | Lent 2023

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 04:00:10 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by Zipporah Tillman.

Today's Scripture

“The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.”
1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NIV)

God never asks you to do something without providing what you need to do it. Anointing is a sign of God’s equipping and empowering you to fulfill an assignment he’s given you.

Do you want God’s resurrection power to work through your life? Then you need to understand what it means to have his anointing. To understand God’s anointing, you need to keep a few things in mind.

1. When God says to do it, you can count on his anointing. Jesus’ last assignment to his disciples was impossible. There was no way they could possibly take the Gospel to the ends of the Earth. It could only happen through his power. God will often give you an assignment that looks physically impossible, but he will make it possible.

“The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it” (1 Thessalonians 5:24 NIV).

2. God’s anointing makes difficult tasks easier. Your resources, energy, knowledge, wisdom, and talent are all limited—but God is not. With God’s anointing, you can handle things better, last longer, and go farther.

“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources [God] will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit” (Ephesians 3:16 NLT).

3. God’s anointing makes the impossible possible. In your business, marriage, health, and relationships, you’re going to come up against seemingly insurmountable problems. God is a competent Father. No problem is beyond his ability to provide.

“What is impossible with man is possible with God” (Luke 18:27 NIV).

4. God anoints your life to bless others. Jesus came to comfort the afflicted, blind, broken-hearted, and those who are enslaved to bad habits. And he anoints you to comfort others as well.

“Jesus arrived from Nazareth, anointed by God with the Holy Spirit, ready for action. He went through the country helping people and healing everyone who was beaten down by the Devil. He was able to do all this because God was with him” (Acts 10:38 The Message).

5. For every new challenge, you need renewed power from God. Anointing by the Holy Spirit cannot be stored up. You cannot handle today’s problems with yesterday’s anointing. You certainly can’t handle the problems you’re going to have tomorrow, next week, and next year with yesterday’s anointing.

Stay in touch with God so that he can constantly fill you with his grace, love, and power. James 4:2 says, “You do not have because you do not ask God” (NIV). Ask for God’s anointing again!

Devotional Day 30 | Lent 2023

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 14:59:33 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by Officer Anthony Brooks.

Today's Scripture

"We . . . saw how powerless we were to help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us.”
2 Corinthians 1:8-9 (TLB)

"We were really crushed and overwhelmed, and feared we would never live through it. We . . . saw how powerless we were to help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us.” 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 (TLB)

Whenever you experience something painful in your life, you have a choice: You can run from God, or you can run to God.

Running from God never made sense to me. How are you going to get any comfort when you’re running from the greatest source of comfort? In the pain, grief, and loss, what kept me going is worshipping God and being close to him.

If you’ll choose to run to God, you can use your pain to draw closer to him in worship. How do you do that? You don’t tell him what you think you ought to say. Instead, you tell him exactly how you feel. You argue with him and tell him that you don’t like the pain. This is called lament. The Bible is full of people crying out to God in lament, including one-third of the psalms.

Even complaining to God is an act of worship. You can worship in all the phases of grief. You can express your shock. You can unload your sorrow. You can share your struggle. You can surrender. You can ask God to use the pain for good in your life.

Paul does this in 2 Corinthians 1:8-9. He says, “We were really crushed and overwhelmed, and feared we would never live through it. We . . . saw how powerless we were to help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us” (TLB).

I’ve heard thousands of stories of people who came to know Jesus out of their pain, whose lives were totally transformed in the process of worshiping when they were in pain. And I can say to them, like Paul said in 2 Corinthians 7:9, “I am glad . . . not because it hurt you but because the pain turned you to God” (TLB).

When you’re in pain, it’s not a time to run away from God. It’s a chance for you to draw close to God, trust him more, worship him more, and—ultimately—know and love him more.

Devotional Day 29 | Lent 2023

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 04:00:21 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by Pastor Erica Fields.

Today's Scripture

"Lord, when doubts fill my mind, when my heart is in turmoil, quiet me and give me renewed hope and cheer”
Psalm 94:19 (LB)

During the Cold War, the Strategic Air Command operated 24 hours a day as a shield of protection for our nation. This meant that at any point in a given day, there were fully combat-configured bombers flying to assure the safety of our nation.

Since these planes flew constantly, how did they remain full of gas? They did what is called mid-flight refueling. A refueling plane actually flew up next to the Strategic Air Command plane, docked in, and filled the plane with gas.

You need to learn how to refuel your life in mid-flight. You can’t just hop off to a tropical island every time you get tired and discouraged. You have to keep going. You have to learn how to recharge yourself in the middle of your hectic lifestyle.

The fact is, it takes energy to do God’s will. What do you do when you run out of energy? Psalm 94:19 says, “Lord, when doubts fill my mind, when my heart is in turmoil, quiet me and give me renewed hope and cheer”.

I suggest that once a day, you find time to sit down, and just be quiet. I’m not talking about reading your Bible. You ought to read your Bible every day, but I’m talking about getting alone for five minutes a day and being completely silent. Ask God a question, and then just sit there and listen.

Learn to take little mini-breaks during the day. When you feel your pressure rising, just stop and say, “God, I want to tune in to you again. I want to focus in on you.” I’m not suggesting 30 minutes of meditation. I’m talking about 30 seconds. Just little mini-breaks where you stop and be quiet.

Inevitably, it’s tough to live God’s plan for your life. You start getting distracted. You start having discouragement. You start to doubt. And you start to coast. And when you coast, you start heading downhill.

Remind yourself of God’s goodness yesterday.

Remember God’s presence today. I remind yourself that he’s with you right now. You are not alone.

Remind yourself of God’s promises for tomorrow. There are thousands of promises for us in the Bible. Each one is something you can claim in faith.

God’s goodness yesterday, God’s presence today, God’s promises tomorrow. You don’t need to doubt. You don’t need to be discouraged. You don’t need to be distracted. You can renew yourself daily.

If you want to last over the long haul, you have to learn how to recharge yourself spiritually, emotionally, physically, and mentally.

Devotional Day 28 | Lent 2023

Sat, 25 Mar 2023 04:00:36 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by John Billingsly.

Today's Scripture

“I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved”
John 10:9 (NASB)

You’ll go through lots of doors in your life. Some of them are incredibly important, like the door you open to walk into your first home or the one that leads to your child’s classroom on the first day of kindergarten.

But you’ll walk through more important doors than those. The Bible teaches about doors. They are all over the place as metaphors for opportunities that God provides. You’ll face many kinds of doors of opportunity in your life—doors to happiness, to abundance, and to achievement.

The most important door of all, is the door to freedom. Before you can ever take steps toward where God wants you to go, you’ll have to exit the prisons in your life.

You may have never been incarcerated, but you don’t have to be behind bars to be in prison. The most significant prisons in life aren’t the physical ones. They’re the prisons in our minds.

Pretending to be someone you’re not traps you in a prison of other people’s expectations.

Unforgiveness traps you in a prison of bitter resentment.

Guilt traps you in your own failures.

But here’s the good news about those prisons and all of the other ones that haunt you. They have a back door for you to escape and that door is JESUS.

John 10:9 says, “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved”

Anyone means you. Jesus isn’t talking about some generic person getting saved and getting out of these horrible prisons. He’s talking about you. He’s talking about you getting out of the prisons in your life.

God wants you to be free. Freedom is a big deal to God. He doesn’t want you to live enslaved or imprisoned to anything for a single moment of your life.

It’s the very reason God sent Jesus to Earth. Jesus said in Luke 4:18, “The Lord has sent me to announce freedom for prisoners” .

Today, imitation is everywhere. People wear imitation leather and imitation fur. You can buy imitation jewelry or watches and consume imitation flavors.

But the freedom Jesus promises you isn’t an imitation, and it isn’t fake. It’s the real deal.

Jesus says, “If the Son sets you free, you will indeed be free” You won’t be a little free. You won’t be partially free. You’ll be truly free. You’ll live freely because wherever the Spirit of God is, that’s where you’ll find freedom.

Devotional Day 27 | Lent 2023

Fri, 24 Mar 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by Jermaine Cambridge.

Today's Scripture

“I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me"
Philippians 4:13

You are forgiven!

Before you were born, God knew the mistakes you’d make. God knew the sins you’d commit. Ephesians 1:4 reminds us that God had already decided he would forgive you: “Even before the world was made, God had already chosen us to be his through our union with Christ, so that we would be holy and without fault before him”.

Your faults have never surprised God. He has known them all along, yet he still offers forgiveness. He took care of sins power over us so that we could be free to do his will.

Believe that God sees you as capable.

You’re not an accident. God created you for a purpose. He has made you completely capable of doing what he has called you to do. Jesus himself gives you the power you need.

The Bible says in Philippians 4:13 from the amplified Bible, “I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency]

To see your life how God sees it, you also have to see beyond yourself. See that God has big plans for you—plans so big that you can’t complete them on your own.

God is at work in so many places through our partnership with him. I can’t wait to see what God will do next!

Devotional Day 26 | Lent 2023

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 04:00:01 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by

Today's Scripture

“The mountains and hills may crumble, but my love for you will never end; I will keep forever my promise of peace”
Isaiah 54:10 (GNT)

When God looks at you, he sees a child of God.

First, God sees you as acceptable.

Nothing hurts us more in life than rejection. As a result, we spend most of our lives doing all we can to avoid it. It drives what we wear, what we drive, where we live, and more.

But God settled this long ago for you. Titus chapter 3 and verses 3 and 7 says, “[God] saved us. It was not because of any good deeds that we ourselves had done, but because of his own mercy that he saved us, through the Holy Spirit, who gives us new birth and new life by washing us . . . so that by his grace we might be put right with God and come into possession of the eternal life we hope for”.

Once you have accepted Jesus it doesn’t matter what you’ve done. It doesn’t matter whom you’ve done it with. God accepts you. You’re not accepted because you’ve always done what’s right. You’re accepted because of what Jesus has done on your behalf.

Secondly you must believe that God sees you as valuable.

Your self-worth and your net worth aren’t tied together. You determine the worth of something by looking at who owns it and what someone is willing to pay for it.

You win on both accounts. You’re not just anyone. You’re a child of God. And God paid the ultimate price to get you back. He sent his Son to the cross for you.

Thirdly, you are loved.

You may not always feel loved. But the consistent message of the Bible is that you are unmistakably loved by the One who created you. God says, “The mountains and hills may crumble, but my love for you will never end; I will keep forever my promise of peace” that’s Isaiah 54:10 in the Good News translation. Believe it! God’s love for you will never, ever end. You don’t have to earn it. It’s a free gift.

Devotional Day 25 | Lent 2023

Wed, 22 Mar 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by Peaches Taylor.

Today's Scripture

“Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm”
Ephesians 6:13 NLT

It’s just a few days before Easter. We’re always in a spiritual battle, but if you’re like me, this is when you’re particularly vulnerable to spiritual attack. Everything intensifies during Easter because Satan knows God is getting ready to do something incredible through you. So what do you do?

The Bible says in Ephesians 6:13, “Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm” (NLT).

Let’s look at what we need to do in order to stand firm:

Put on the Belt of truth (6:14): This represents integrity, which means not compartmentalizing your life so you’re behaving one way in church and another way at home or at work. If you lack integrity in one area of your life, you’ll be vulnerable.
Put on the Breastplate of righteousness (6:14): God will not bless an impure heart. Satan loves to attack us with impure temptations. He knows if he can get his foot in the door of our purity, we’re goners.
Put on the Shoes of peace (6:15): The Bible tells us we’re to do two things with peace. We’re to live it, and we’re to speak it. If you have an unreconciled relationship with someone, you’re wide open for Satan. Who do you need to forgive?
Put on the Shield of faith (6:16): On our own, we don’t have the power to stand against attacks from the enemy. Satan will work to fill our minds with doubt, discouragement, and depression. Having faith means believing the promises of God rather than the lies of the enemy.
Put on the Helmet of salvation (6:17): You can’t choose what happens to you, but you can choose your thoughts. Your thoughts determine your feelings, and your feelings determine your actions. Thinking about our salvation in Christ is protection from destructive thoughts that ultimately lead to destructive behavior. The battle is already won in Christ.
And finally, learn to use the Sword of the Spirit (6:17): The Sword of the Spirit is the Word of God. It’s a weapon that takes aim at Satan’s territory. Jesus taught us to use this weapon when he faced Satan’s temptations in the desert as he responded to Satan with memorized Scripture.

In prayer, ask God to help you put on his armor. Easter will be great time; put on the full armor of God so that you’ll be standing long after the battle.

Devotional Day 24 | Lent 2023

Tue, 21 Mar 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by Lola Williams.

Today's Scripture

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies”
2 Chronicles 6:19-20

Everything you have is a gift from God.

Most of us are accustomed to looking at our money, our talents, and our time as a gift. However, stewardship is so much more. God wants us to manage every aspect of our lives in a way that will maximize our influence. That includes how we take care of our bodies.

To fulfill what God had called you to do, It is going to require more energy and you’ll have to make the most of the life and health you’ve been given. God has big plans for your life and you’ll need every bit of energy, every ounce of your life, to complete what God has laid before you.

The 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 tells us, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies”

How do you honor God with your body? You get in shape!

If you’re like me, you’ve tried to get in shape before but failed. Maybe you give it a shot every January 1, but by January 5, you’re ready to give up.But you can do it! In fact, I believe if you embrace these three principles, you can do this time what you haven’t been able to do in the past.

1. You need to lean on God’s power.

Guess what? Willpower isn’t enough. It’s a fantastic short-term plan to help you get in shape, but it won’t last long. Anytime you’re depending on willpower, you’re forcing yourself to do something that your natural brain does not want to do. It takes too much energy to push through a diet on willpower alone. But God’s power won’t run out.

2. Let the Kingdom of God be your motivation.

Your goal to get healthy can’t just be about you. It’s not wrong to want to look good, feel good, or live longer. But you need to realize that there’s a far more significant reason to get healthy. You have a unique part to play in what God is doing around the world. It’s one thing to get healthy so you can fit into a new pair of pants. But to get healthy so you have more energy to make much of Jesus—that will keep you going when every fiber of your being wants to quit.

3. You need to involve others in your journey to get healthy.

You need people in your life to help you get healthy. Maybe it’s fellow Christian, maybe it’s a small group, maybe it’s a trainer, but you need someone to cheer you on through the tough journey to get healthy. You need other people.

God created your body as a tool to help you fulfill his purpose for your life. To be a good steward of that gift, you must take care of it!

Devotional Day 22 | Lent 2023

Sat, 18 Mar 2023 04:00:01 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by Theda Corey.

Today's Scripture

“Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain”
1 Chronicles 4:10

First Chronicles begins with lists that include more than 600 names, yet Jabez stands out because he prayed and God granted his request. Don’t you want to pray the kind of prayers God answers? Jabez’s prayer was simple:

“Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain” (1 Chronicles 4:10).

This prayer includes three specific requests that give us a great model for a awesome prayer life:

He prayed for God’s power.

Jabez realized he needed to rely on God because his own strength wasn’t enough. Jabez specifically asked for more territory. Literally, he wanted more land. God wants you to be specific when praying for your goals, too. Nothing becomes dynamic until it becomes specific.

Does this prayer sound selfish to you? Jabez was ambitious. Ambition by itself is neither good nor bad. It’s a basic drive that everyone has to varying degrees. The motive is what matters, and we can assume Jabez had pure motives because God gave him what he asked for.

He prayed for God’s presence.

Christians don’t just need God’s power; they also need his presence. This is what Jabez prayed for when he said, “Let your hand be with me.”

Why is it important for us to know God’s presence?

As your life grows, so will the demands, conflicts, temptations, relationships, and challenges. Greater responsibility requires greater sensitivity to God’s presence. You won’t be able to handle everything on your own.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve often fallen flat on my face and prayed, “God, I’m too incompetent to handle the demands of my life. I cannot handle the responsibility. Yet if you are with me, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me ” (Philippians 4:13).Don’t ask God for more territory without also asking for his presence.

He prayed for God’s protection.

Notice Jabez says, “Keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” This is an interesting request. Why do you think Jabez prayed, “Keep me from harm” ?Success invites attack. When your territory expands, your critics will multiply.

Additionally, the closer you get to God, the more Satan attacks you. When we are attacked, fears rise to the surface. When we are distracted, we are less effective. God wants us to ask for his protection so we can lead and live without fear!

Devotional Day 23 | Lent 2023

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 14:51:20 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by Malaka Nzinga.

Today's Scripture

“For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him”
2 Chronicles 16:9

The Bible teaches five requirements for being used by God.

First, Keep your life clean.

The first step to being used by God is always personal examination. When you find someone whom God is using in a great way, they’ve dealt with the personal sin in their lives by confessing it to God. God uses small vessels, plain vessels, and even broken vessels. But he will not use a dirty vessel.

Secondly, Keep your eyes open.

One of the most misunderstood words in leadership circles is the word vision. We think of vision as predicting the future, but none of us can know the future the way God does. Vision is seeing God at work in your present situation and moving with him. It’s about getting in on what God is doing in the world and being a part of it where he has placed you. If your vision isn’t in alignment with what God is doing, you are off-course. As David said in Psalms 105:4 “Keep your eyes open for God, watch for his works; be alert for signs of his presence” (From the Message translation).

And finally, Keep your heart grateful.

God uses grateful people. Thankfulness is also one of the keys to longevity in life. Thankful people endure longer because they focus on God’s provision more than their problems. Doctors refer to gratitude as the healthiest of all emotions because of its physical and psychological benefits. If you don’t stay grateful, you’ll become cynical. We need to constantly remind ourselves what a privilege it is to serve Jesus. Never take for granted the things that God does in, through, and around us, because it is entirely because of his grace.

Devotional Day 21 | Lent 2023

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 14:47:02 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by Minister Kim Kendall.

Today's Scripture

“Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes”
Ephesians 4:23 (NLT)

The battle to change your life begins in your mind. If you want to change your behavior, you must start with your thoughts and attitudes.

The renewal of your mind is related to the word “repentance.” Repentance is a negative word for some people. They think of a guy on a street corner, holding a sign—“Repent! The world’s about to end.”

Repentance is a good thing. It does not begin with your actions. It begins with learning to think differently. “Repent” simply means to make a mental U-turn. It’s something that starts with your mind, not with your behavior. Changing the way you think will change the way you act.

This means turning from guilt to forgiveness, from purposelessness to purpose, from no hope to new hope, from frustration to freedom, from darkness to light, from hell to heaven, from hatred to love.

Repentance also changes the way you think about God. He’s not mad at you; he’s mad about you! It changes the way you think about yourself, your spouse, your kids, your loved ones, and how you think about your past, present, and future.

Renewal is powered by the Holy Spirit. In other words, God is actively working to help you change the way you think, so that you will become more like Jesus.

Devotional Day 20 | Lent 2023

Thu, 16 Mar 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by Pastor Tyrone Barnette.

Today's Scripture

“There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”
Romans 8:1 (NLT)

Conviction comes from God, and condemnation comes from the devil. The purpose of conviction is to correct something that’s wrong in your life. The purpose of condemnation is to put you down, to make you feel guilty and ashamed.

God’s motivation for convicting you is that he loves you and wants to help you mature. Satan’s motivation for condemning you is that he hates you and wants to make you miserable.

When God speaks to you about an area in your life that needs changing, the conviction is very specific. He will tell you what is wrong, and then he’ll give you the solution. When you confess the issue to God, the sense of conviction goes away instantly.

When Satan condemns you, it comes as a general sense of disapproval and guilt about nothing in particular. It can leave you with a sense of hopelessness—that there’s nothing you can do to get out from under the endless condemnation.

Many Christians live under condemnation and guilt, thinking it’s the voice of God. But it’s not. It’s the devil speaking!

If you hear a voice telling you, “You’re hopeless! You’re worthless! You’re unlovable!” it’s not the voice of God.

When you’re feeling guilty, ask yourself, “Is this convicting or is it condemning?” If it’s from God, he’ll tell you what needs to change and how you need to change it.

Devotional Day 19 | Lent 2023

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by Pastor Tyrone Barnette.

Today's Scripture

“My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace.”
1 Peter 5:12 (NLT)

Today, do you need encouragement?

If you feel like giving up, God is with you. He understands your situation completely because Jesus felt like giving up too. He will help you stand firm with his sustaining grace. If you stumble, he will lift you up.

You don’t deserve it, and you can’t earn it. His grace is a free gift.

God’s sustaining grace gives you wisdom when you’re tempted. The Bible promises that God will provide a way of escape when you’re tempted. It may mean turning off your favorite show. It may mean leaving a situation. It may mean changing the way you’re thinking. God will provide a way for you to escape temptation.

God’s sustaining grace gives you energy when you’re tired. Have you noticed the easy thing and the right thing are not always the same thing? God gives you the power to do the right thing when you’re exhausted.

God’s sustaining grace gives you comfort when you’re troubled. God is with us through the suffering and the pain. These seasons are temporary, and eventually you will be fully restored. God will use you to comfort others out of the comfort you have received from him. God’s sustaining grace will work in you, and then it will work through you.

Everything you are experiencing in life—both the highs and the lows—is under God’s control. He is the One who is able to sustain you through his grace.

Devotional Day 18 | Lent 2023

Tue, 14 Mar 2023 04:00:02 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by Pastor Carl Johnson.

Today's Scripture

"For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”
Philippians 2:13 (NLT)

No matter what you face this week, you don’t have to face it alone.

God is with you, working powerfully in your life. The word “working” in Greek is the word energeo, from which we get the word “energy.” God is the energy driver in your life. You don’t have to rely on willpower, and the truth is, willpower isn’t enough.

God’s energy is transforming you from the inside out. This means he gives you the right desires in your heart and mind so that you do the right thing with your actions and words. This is the life he created you to live.

God is also for you. God is your ally. In fact, he is committed to your success. Some people think God is like an angry parent who is mad at them all the time. That couldn’t be further from the truth. He’s not mad at you, he’s mad about you.

Since God is for us, there is no challenge we can’t overcome. God is bigger than any problem you will face. He can overcome a toxic relationship, a mountain of debt, a failing marriage, an overbearing boss, a challenging teenager, or a terminal illness.

No one and no thing is bigger than God. And he is right by your side.

Make this your prayer today:

“God, thank you for being on my side. I need your help because I can’t do it all on my own. I don’t know what today will bring, but I know you are in control. Help me to trust you more than I trust anything else. Amen.”

Devotional Day 17 | Lent 2023

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by Pastor Darron Randolph.

Today's Scripture

“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.”
Luke 9:23-24

Jesus wants you to surrender your whole life to him. He doesn’t want just a part of your life, he wants all of it.

You may think you’ve surrendered enough to him, but Jesus wants it all. C.S. Lewis, the Christian apologist and author of the Narnia series, says Jesus is like a dentist. When you go to the dentist, you want him to fix your toothache. You want him to stop the pain. But the dentist isn’t willing to stop there. If he’s a good dentist, he’s going to poke and prod around your teeth to find out what is causing the toothache. He doesn’t just want to stop you from hurting, he wants to heal what is causing the pain.

This is what Jesus wants to do in your life. He wants to uncover all the sin and hurt and heartache that is keeping you from being the person he created you to be. As he uncovers these things, he corrects, comforts, and heals you.

He simply wants you to give control of your life to him. If you keep holding onto parts of your life, even as you follow Jesus, you will not experience the fullness of your new life in Christ.

But when you surrender everything to Jesus, there will never be a doubt about the outcome. When you “lose” your life for Jesus—surrendering it to him—you will gain real life.

Devotional Day 16 | Lent 2023

Sat, 11 Mar 2023 05:00:02 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by Ellis Maryland.

Today's Scripture

“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”
Isaiah 12:2

Have you ever seen the movie “Castaway”? There is a scene where the main character is stranded on an island all by himself for four-plus years. His time on this island was one of misery and loneliness. His biggest goal was to eventually get off this island that had caused so much harm to his life. He was finally able to build a raft and, after many attempts, was able to escape the grips of the huge waves crashing down on and around him.

After escaping the island, there was a moment when he looked back with grief. You could see in his face extensive agony and pain as he saw the island drift away from his view. From the outside looking in, one might conclude that this man was out of his mind. How can he be grieving the separation from something so ugly and heartbreaking in his life? The reality is, although this place was difficult, it was also familiar and predictable.

Isaiah 12:2 reads, “I will trust and not be afraid .” From this, we find two choices we all have in the midst of difficult times.

We have two choices. One, we can walk into the space of trusting God, which requires humility and faith, or two, we can walk into the space of being afraid. While it seems odd for us to even consider the possibility of walking into that space of fear, our false sense of being in control can keep us stuck there. Walking in trust does not mean we don’t experience fear, anxiety, or pain. We are human. Instead, it just means in our pain, we lean in and trust the one who can help us face it with confidence, courage, and strength.

To walk into the space of trusting God and His will is to walk in humility, trusting Him every step of the process. We may not know where things will end up in the space of trust, but we can have confidence that God will be with us every step of the way, fighting for us as our defender on every front.

If you doubt God’s ability to rescue you in your broken space, hold onto this reminder from Isaiah, “Surely God is your salvation .” He is the author and source of every ounce of strength we will need to face the trials in our life. Clinging to this truth can help us decide to bring our fears to Him and trust Him with the healing process as He holds us through every step of the way.

Devotional Day 15 | Lent 2023

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 05:00:07 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by Colette Knight-Taylor.

Today's Scripture

“In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”
Psalm 5:3 (NIV)

When you ask God for help, you can wait with expectation.

You pray to a God who honors his promises. He is a good Father who always gives you what you need. When you wait expectantly, you demonstrate faith by believing God will do what he has promised.

Expectation isn’t entitlement. Entitlement says, “I will get what I need from God because I deserve it, I’ve earned it. I’ve read my Bible five times this week and have been to church twice, so God has to give me what I need.” Expectation says, “God will give me what I need because of who he is.”

Waiting expectantly isn’t easy, especially when you feel powerless. When you are trusting God to do the impossible—in your marriage, career, or relationships—and his timing feels too slow, it’s hard to keep trusting him.

Don’t be discouraged, and don’t give up! Even though you don’t know why God hasn’t answered your prayers, you can trust him to keep his promise. God is always in control; he is never surprised and no one is more powerful than him. Your biggest problems are small to him.

While you are waiting, God is working. He is building your faith, teaching you his truth, drawing you closer to himself, and making you more like Christ. God knows what you need better than you do.

Follow David’s example: Keep making your requests to God and waiting expectantly for him to answer.

Devotional Day 14 | Lent 2023

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by Judi Grant.

Today's Scripture

“Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.”
Jeremiah 33:3

There was a man walking along on a cold winter day. Suddenly hitting a patch of black ice, he fell and then BAM! He wasn’t expecting this, but found himself on the ground, cold, wet, humiliated and seemingly alone. He cut his elbow and was bleeding quite a bit. He wanted to go crawl into a hole and hide.

His first thought was complete embarrassment for what had happened and wondered if anyone had seen him fall so abruptly. Before he realized it, a stranger was kneeling by him grabbing his arm, helping him back to his feet. He felt embarrassed by the situation. However, the stranger wasn’t focused on that at all. Instead he focused on showing love and compassion while making sure he was ok. He knew he was hurting and came alongside him, helping him mend his wounds.

This has me thinking about my brothers and sisters struggling with mental health issues. Some may struggle with depression, anger, anxiety or other issues that make it difficult to function, let alone live among society. I have heard from some that they feel so alone, and feel they are a burden to those living around them. Sometimes they may become completely overwhelmed with a sense of loneliness in their pain, wanting to crawl in a hole and hide from the world.

In Celebrate Recovery we are growing to understand that our friends dealing with mental health struggles are hurting in ways that may not be visible. These struggles are very real. They are desperate for someone to love them in their struggle. Celebrate Recovery provides the platform to experience that love. We get the wonderful privilege as brothers and sisters in Christ to come alongside our struggling family and show them the love of God. I love that!

We get to take part in showing them the great and mighty things our Lord and Comforter can provide. We get the honor of showing hurting and struggling souls that they are more than the diagnosis they carry. They are the beloved son or daughter of the perfecter of faith, Jesus Christ.

We cannot fix the struggle, but we can kneel down in love, grab an arm, with support and love, and be with our friend in the struggle. I thank God for a place where we can come as we are, no shame, no embarrassment, no judgment, just a place to be loved: Celebrate Recovery.

Devotional Day 13 | Lent 2023

Wed, 08 Mar 2023 05:00:05 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by Dennice Hatcher.

Today's Scripture

“All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.”
1 Corinthians 9:25-26 (NLT)

Every step in your journey with Jesus should be taken with purpose and intentionality. There’s a heavenly prize ahead—an eternal reward that awaits those who honor God in everything they do.

Living a life on purpose requires self-discipline. This means you won’t be able to do everything that other people do. God’s plan is different from the world’s plan. Being a disciple of Jesus often means taking the more difficult path.

Olympic runners must give up all kinds of stuff in order to go for the gold. They must go to bed at a certain time, eat a certain way, and train at a certain time. They must count the cost of what it will take to win. Then they make the necessary sacrifices, denying their natural urges and inclinations. The rigorous training is never the focus; their sights are set on the prize.

The spiritual life requires discipline.

Paul says every step must be purposeful. Finishing the race God has marked out for you requires a steady commitment and long-term thinking. It requires you to take an honest look at your weaknesses in light of God’s strength, asking him to keep you from veering away from his plans and purposes.

Don’t be tempted by shortcuts. They aren’t short; they lead to delays and self-destruction. Stay on the straight and narrow path and keep pressing toward your goal. Remember the example of Jesus, who was not distracted by the things of this world and made every step count, for he knew of the joy ahead!

Devotional Day 12 | Lent 2023

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 05:00:02 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by Pastor E.

Today's Scripture

“...And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross.”
Philippins 2:5-8 (NASB)

“Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death: death on a cross.” Philippians 2:5-8 (NASB)

The goal of any devotional– and life on earth for that matter –is to point to God. The goal is to bring us into a closer relationship with and a greater awareness of our Savior. I want to be someone who says, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8 NIV) regardless of location, proximity, timing, or circumstance. Notice I said, “I want to be”…this is not always the case. In fact, my most frequent request of God is that he will let me see with his eyes and love with his heart. But, as I unpack these verses, my spiritual assignment, once again, becomes one that I cannot accomplish by human effort. That is why passages like Philippians 2:5-8 are both encouraging and daunting: “ but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men” (verse 7).

That word in verse 7…” EMPTIED,” If you looked it up, and it literally means “poured out.” That verse says that if I want to have the same attitude as Jesus, I need to take “me” (the things that I believe make me unique) and pour them out for the benefit of others. Jesus was well aware of his position, privilege, and even His true power. Yet, he CHOSE to pour all those things out, to empty himself of them, for our good.

There is no greater display of love, and strength, than Jesus, voluntarily setting aside his position as The Almighty Lord and then allowing humanity to offer it back to him if we so choose. Power on display was not how Jesus chose to display his deity. He deliberately chose authenticity, vulnerability, and humility. I love that about my Savior!

I also love that I can never live this way without divine intervention. I can’t muster up the courage to live this kind of authenticity in front of people who, potentially, could use my vulnerability against me. Fear will always drive me to abandon authenticity and take refuge behind position, privilege, and power. Those things produce pride, which is the exact opposite of the “Jesus’ attitude” described in these verses.

Let’s take a moment and thank God for His presence in our lives. For the Holy Spirit, whose participation in our daily lives allows us to live beyond our fears and pour ourselves out for others. I encourage you to strive for this “attitude of Jesus” and seek to live with authenticity, vulnerability, and humility in all things– remembering always that Jesus does tell us to “take heart, because He has overcome the world” (John 16:33)

Everyone Needs Forgiveness

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 23:47:36 GMT

Watch this week's Bible Story video and use the Parent Guide to have church at home!

We start the month with an interesting moment from Jesus’ life, found in Luke 7:36 -50. We find Jesus at the home of a Pharisee. While Jesus was there, a woman with a bad reputation stopped by with an expensive jar of perfume. She cried and used her tears to wash Jesus’ feet, then anointed them with perfume. The Pharisee was upset that Jesus would let a woman like this near him. Jesus responded with a parable to explain why this woman had honored Him so much. She understood something about forgiveness that the Pharisees missed.

Bottom Line: Everyone needs forgiveness. We can’t escape it. At some point, even if what we did was

unintentional, we’ll hurt someone we know. We’ll need to apologize, and hopefully, we’ll receive that person’s forgiveness. As much as others need forgiveness, we need it too. When we have this perspective, it levels the playing field. We get the chance to participate in offering forgiveness that can make things right with others. Because we need forgiveness, we should be willing to forgive people in our lives too.

Want to understand it more? Use this guide for activities, discussion questions and more so you can have

church at home!

March Virtue & Word of the Month

FORGIVENESS

is deciding that someone who has wronged you doesn’t have to pay

March Memory Verse

“Put up with one another. Forgive one another if you are holding something against someone. Forgive, just as the Lord forgave you.”
Colossians 3:13, NIrV

Devotional Day 11 | Lent 2023

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 05:00:10 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by Minister Alisha Braxton.

Today's Scripture

“I have gained perfect freedom by following your teachings.”
Psalm 119:45 (CEV)

Everywhere you look, you can find people who like to pretend.

It’s not a game; they aren’t children who are playing make-believe. They’re adults pretending to be someone other than themselves in order to get the approval of others. Seeking approval typically plays out in one of two ways.

Some are trying to meet the expectations of someone else, and that means they’re allowing their purpose in life to be defined by someone other than God. This is a dangerous way to live because people’s expectations are inconsistent.

Other people are trying to meet their own unrealistic expectations of perfectionism. That’s when you think you must be perfect to be loved and accepted. Inevitably, we fall short of being perfect, so the only option that makes sense is to fake it.

Are you pretending? Maybe you’ve been pretending for so long that you don’t know who the real you is anymore. You’re wearing a mask, and it’s wearing you out. Everyone else thinks you’ve got plenty of money, success, and happiness.

When you stop to think about it, you know the truth: You’re exhausted.

What’s the antidote for pretending? Stop focusing on what others think and start focusing on what God thinks.

Only one person knows you completely and still loves you unconditionally: God. He knows your purpose because it’s what he’s created you to do. Living for God rather than the approval of others simplifies your life.

Enjoy the peace of living for an audience of one.

Devotional Day 10 | Lent 2023

Sat, 04 Mar 2023 05:00:01 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by Minister Alisha Braxton.

Today's Scripture

“When [the Devil] tells a lie, he is only doing what is natural to him, because he is a liar and the father of all lies.”
John 8:44 (GNT)

You need a game plan to overcome destructive thoughts. At the root of every one of these thoughts is a lie.

Where do these lies come from?

Satan told the first lie. He sold it to Adam and Eve by wrapping it up in false promises, and he’s been telling lies ever since. Satan can’t force you to do anything, but he tells great lies. He knows exactly what we want to hear, which makes his suggestions extremely powerful.

Satan has set the trap, and he knows what bait to use. Once he gets one person to believe his lies, he’ll work through that person to influence others, creating a domino effect. Satan is constantly working to plant destructive thoughts in your mind.

Here’s the truth: You can’t stand up to Satan on your own. Jesus was tempted by Satan with three different lies. Each time, Jesus responded with Scripture.

God’s Word has the truth you need!

The person you lie to the most is yourself. Lies also come from your old nature. This is the part of you that is broken and sinful. Through faith in Jesus, we have the gift of God’s grace. He erases the guilt in our hearts and the debt we owe him.

While we are no longer under the power of our old nature, it still influences our lives. The old desires say, “You deserve this. It won’t hurt you; it will be good for you.” However, the more we indulge our old desires, the more we lie to ourselves. Without divine interruption, it becomes a never-ending cycle.

Overcoming destructive thoughts goes far beyond positive thinking. God’s game plan for destructive thoughts is to counter them with truth. You need daily appointments with God to remain connected to his power and his Word.

Devotional Day 9 | Lent 2023

Fri, 03 Mar 2023 12:05:19 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by our Senior Pastor, Tyrone Barnette.

Today's Scripture

“Accept God’s salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
Ephesians 6:17 (NCV)

You are in a constant battle for your mind. That’s where temptation begins. When God gives you an idea, that’s inspiration. But when the devil gives you an idea, that’s temptation. Every day, you have to choose which ideas you’re going to accept.

The Bible says if you want to overcome temptation you need to resist the devil. How can you do that? By replacing tempting thoughts with biblical truth.

There are two steps you can take to prepare for battle:

The first step is to “accept God’s salvation as your helmet.” What does a helmet do? It protects your mind. Your mind is where the battle against temptation is fought. Before you can say “no” to the devil, you have to say “yes” to Jesus Christ.

The second step is to “take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” and use it against the devil’s temptations. This requires memorizing Scripture so you will know top article how to counter the devil’s lies. He isn’t afraid of your opinion, but he will flee from God’s truth.

When you memorize Bible verses, you always have God’s Word with you. If you only keep your Bible on a desk at home, what good will it be when you’re tempted at work, at the movies, in traffic, or in the grocery store? Memorizing Scripture gets the Bible off your desk and into your heart. Once it’s in your heart, the Holy Spirit can bring it back to your mind at the moment of temptation, so you can replace the devil’s ideas with the truth of God’s Word.

Devotional Day 8 | Lent 2023

Thu, 02 Mar 2023 09:00:01 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by our First Lady, Tabitha Barnette.

Today's Scripture

“A person without self-control is as defenseless as a city with broken-down walls.”
Proverbs 25:28 (NLT)

Anything that’s uncontrolled will eventually destroy you.

In today’s society, it’s obvious we don’t know how to handle anger. We live in a fast-paced, hectic world where people get stressed out. We’re always on the go and trying to burn the candle at both ends.

Anger is not a sin; if you read the Gospels you will see that Jesus got angry. What’s important is how you express your anger. If you don’t learn how to manage it wisely, it will destroy you and your relationships.

If handled correctly, managed anger actually becomes an asset. There are some situations where the only proper response is to get angry. For example, when you see someone being taken advantage of or when you see an injustice, anger is an appropriate response.

If you’re going to learn how to control your anger, you have to stop making excuses and start accepting responsibility for your reactions. Anger is a choice, just like every other emotion.

When you realize that anger has a cost, you’re more likely to control it. You always lose when you lose your temper. You may lose your reputation, your children, the love of your husband or wife, or your job.

You’ve got to think before you speak because anger control is mouth control. If you are slow to speak and quick to listen, then inevitably you’ll be slow to get angry.

When you practice self-control and evaluate the cost of your reactions, you’re going to manage your anger instead of letting it manage you.

Devotional Day 7 | Lent 2023

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 09:00:00 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by Jason Banks.

Today's Scripture

“My cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life.”
Psalm 23:5-6 (NIV)

Is your focus on what you can provide or on what God can provide?

Even though he was walking through difficult times, David was able to be thankful for God’s goodness and love because his cup was overflowing. God was his Provider, so David had more than he needed.

As you walk through the different seasons of life, you can choose between two different attitudes. You can have a shortage mindset or a surplus mindset.

With a shortage mindset, you constantly think, “I don’t have enough time. I don’t have enough money. I don’t have enough energy. I don’t have enough contacts, opportunities, knowledge, or education.” It’s the sense that you’re always a day late and a dollar short.

A shortage mindset focuses on your limited resources, and the result is an overwhelmed life.

A surplus mindset focuses on God’s limitless resources, and the result is an overflowing life. He wants to meet all your needs—beyond what you can imagine—and he’s the only one who can! Have you ever worried that the person breathing next to you is stealing your air? Of course not. You know that God created more than enough air for everybody to have all the air we need.

A surplus mindset focuses on God’s unlimited resources, and the result is an overflowing life. God has more than enough power and resources to meet all your needs and everybody else’s needs at the same time. You don’t have to worry about running short of anything.

You get to decide: Will you have a shortage mindset or a surplus mindset?

Devotional Day 6 | Lent 2023

Tue, 28 Feb 2023 09:00:00 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by Pastor NaJarri Whitehead.

Today's Scripture

“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead”
James 2:17 (NIV)

As a sports fan. Of course, my desire is for my team to win the championship every year. I was thinking this morning, what if when the season started, they just automatically said, “Without even starting the season, your team won. They are the new champions of their league.”

If I’m being honest, that excitement might last about 3 seconds and then I would be asking questions like, “What?! How? They didn’t do anything?!” Holding the trophy in the end without the journey toward it doesn’t quite mean the same thing, does it?

You see, what makes crossing the finish line sweet is not just about receiving a trophy, but it’s also about understanding and being satisfied with the work that went into the process and the journey.

Think about the stories of the journeys we took to get to where we are now. You will hear things like, “We had some rough spots that challenged us, but with God’s help, we persevered and kept fighting.”

I am reminded that while I have been given the privilege and honor of being on Christ’s team as one of his children, as a believer, I should not take that for granted and just sit back and coast into the finish line. God is inviting us into a partnership with himself.

“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead ” (James 2:17 NIV).

As believers, we have already been given the gift of salvation, and we already know how this ‘season’ or story will end for us because we know the end of the story. One day we will cross that finish line into the arms of our Savior for eternity. However, the Father desires for us to keep growing in our relationship with him, to serve others who don’t know him, and to live for him daily.

All our struggles, pain, and obstacles we face as we strive for the finish line will be no more once we finish this race. Each day we must ask ourselves the question, “What needs to be thrown off today that is hindering me from running well for the Kingdom?”

Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us”

The Father is cheering you on right now. Don’t give up. Keep fighting. Can you imagine the reunion at the finish line? This new year won’t be easy, but the strength he gave you last year will carry you through this new year. Keep your eyes on him—it will be worth it.

Devotional Day 5 | Lent 2023

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 12:46:05 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by Erika Ware.

Today's Scripture

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.
1 Corinthians 6:12 (NIV)

Some things are not necessarily wrong; they’re just not necessary. Many of the choices you make in life are not between good and evil. The choices you make in life are between what’s good and what’s best. Everything is permissible, “but not everything is beneficial.” Most of the decisions you make are morally neutral. So when making a choice, the question is: “Will this help me, or will this hinder me in pursuing my life purpose?”

For example, you could spend your entire week watching television. That might not be morally wrong, but it’s definitely a waste of time. When you waste your time, you’re wasting your life.

Until you figure out why God put you here on earth, you really have no basis by which to make decisions. Until you know your purpose, all the other decisions have no context by which you can determine, “This helps me move toward my goal in life. This helps me become what God wants me to be—and this doesn’t.”

Discernment is a key to success in life because you don’t have time for everything. The better you become at prioritizing what matters most, the more effective you’re going to be.

You don’t have time to do everything in life. The good news is, God doesn’t expect you to do everything. The even better news is, there are only a few things worth doing. To really make an impact with your life, figure out what’s important and what’s not, what’s essential and what’s trivial, and then make a decision based on what’s the best use of your life.

Devotional Day 4 | Lent 2023

Sat, 25 Feb 2023 05:00:00 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by Vivian Wallace.

Today's Scripture

“I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.”
2 Timothy 2:12 (NLT)

When something is precious to you—a rare coin, an expensive piece of jewelry, or an irreplaceable heirloom—you take it to the bank and entrust it to the protection of a safe deposit box. You trust that it won’t be stolen, broken, or burned up.

What do you need to entrust to God today? Consider giving him these two things: whatever you’re worried about and whatever is causing you pain. God promises to take care of them.

Worry is practical atheism. It’s acting like you don’t believe you have a Father in heaven who loves you. Worry is saying you don’t believe God can be trusted to take care of the things that matter to you.

The most difficult thing to put in God’s safe deposit box is your pain. But God is your Comforter, and he can be trusted with your deepest hurts. That’s why Paul trusted God when he was suffering in prison.

God wants you to entrust your worries and your pain to the safe deposit box of his love. You can rest assured that he will take care of them. God is infinitely more trustworthy than any bank!

Devotional Day 3 | Lent 2023

Fri, 24 Feb 2023 05:00:03 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by Jaye Wallace.

Today's Scripture

“Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.”

Galatians 5:16 (NLT)

Today make a decision to realize that you have a new ability to say no to things that tempt you and pull you away from God’s best for your life.

Before you became a believer, all you had was willpower. But willpower wears out. Now you have something that doesn’t—the Holy Spirit. We need to learn how to tap into his power. In the New Living Translation, Galatians 5:16 says, “Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.”

When you let the Holy Spirit guide your life, you won’t live by your sinful nature. You’ll still have the same temptations, urges, and compulsions, but you’ll have the power to say no to them. Therefore, today you can turn your thoughts to God when we are afraid.

When we recognize that we have a heavenly Father who is stronger than anything that threatens us, it challenges our fears. Romans 8:15-16 tells us, “So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, ‘Abba, Father.’ For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children” .

Nothing you fear is out of God’s control. Like an earthly parent who loves to comfort fearful children, God is ready and waiting for you to call to him and lean on him whenever fear holds you back. After all, when you’re focused on God, you can’t focus on fear.

Devotional Day 2 | Lent 2023

Thu, 23 Feb 2023 05:00:08 GMT

Read and/or watch today's Lent devotional delivered by Sally Taylor-Terry.

Today's Scripture

“Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires”

Romans 5:8 (NIV)

Your biggest enemy probably isn’t who you think it is. It’s not Satan, and it’s not the world around you. Your biggest enemy is you .

The battle inside of us will destroy our lives if we let it. Paul says this of himself, “I do not understand what I do; for I don’t do what I would like to do, but instead I do what I hate” (Romans 7:15 GNT). If you’re honest, you’ll agree with that statement.

I’ve found that there are weapons of self destruction that ruin more lives than anything else: shame, uncontrolled thoughts, compulsions, fear, hopelessness, bitterness, and insecurity. Being a Christian doesn’t make us immune to these self-destructive behaviors. But we have a new power in the Lord to overcome them and break the bondage that binds us.

The answer isn’t found in modern culture or in a book. It’s found in a person—Jesus. In Romans chapters 7-8, Paul declares there is the power we need that will help set us free from these self-destructive tendencies.

This week remind yourself of the power of Christ to set you free.Many of us are saved, but we don’t act like it. Instead, we’re filled with shame, uncontrolled thoughts, and compulsions. We’re not living like we’re truly set free.

Romans 8:1 tells us, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (NIV). Paul doesn’t say that we’ll never sin once we become a Christian. Instead, he tells us God doesn’t judge us when we do because Jesus took our judgment on the cross. You don’t have to walk around in shame. Jesus has already paid for the cause of our shame. Stop doing the wrong and receive God’s grace.

Throughout this week ask the Holy Spirit to help you have better thoughts.God will answer this prayer. He wants to give you better thoughts. Paul writes in Romans 8:5: “Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires” .

We have two choices with our mindset. We can think about our lives the way we normally do—or we can choose to think about it how God does. We call this the principle of replacement. If you’re serious about changing your thoughts, don’t resist negative thoughts. Replace them with positive thoughts from the Holy Spirit.

Devotional Day 1 | Lent 2023

Wed, 22 Feb 2023 05:00:10 GMT

Read and watch today's Lent devotional delivered by Minister Hope Banks-Milline.

Today's Scripture

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Psalm 23:4 (ESV)

In life’s dark valleys, there is loss. When people go through loss, there are two common reactions. One is fear, and the other is grief. Grief is good. Grief is the way you get through the transitions of life. In fact, if you don’t grieve, you get stuck! Grief will only hurt you if you don’t let it out.

On the other hand, fear is a bad thing. Not once in the Bible does it say, “Grieve not,” “Sorrow not,” “Weep not,” or “Cry not.” What it does say is “Fear not.” And it says that 365 times!

For example, shepherds carried a rod and a staff to guide and protect their sheep. In the same way, David knew that God had the tools to protect him, and he trusted God—even in the darkest valleys.

Perhaps you are going through the valley of the shadow right now—maybe even the valley of the shadow of death. It may be the valley of the shadow of debt. It may be the valley of the shadow of conflict. It may be the valley of the shadow of depression. It may be the valley of the shadow of discouragement.

Here’s the good news: God is our Shepherd! We can say no to fear and be comforted by him when life is dark and difficult.

Watch Night Service 2022

Mon, 02 Jan 2023 01:37:39 GMT

Watch Night Service 2022

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

December 31, 2022

New Paragraph

Don't Miss The Manger

Mon, 26 Dec 2022 01:35:49 GMT

Don't Miss The Manger | 2022 Christmas Service

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

December 25, 2022

New Paragraph

Come Let Us Behold Him

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 01:34:06 GMT

Come Let Us Behold Him

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

Luke 2:8-20

December 18, 2022

Luke 2:8-20

Trusting God's Bigger & Better Plan

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 01:29:07 GMT

Trusting God's Bigger & Better Plan

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

Luke 1:26-39

December 11, 2022

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end. 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you,and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[ a ] the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” 39Then the angel left her. At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. Luke 1:26-39

CHANGE IS INEVITABLE

“As long as the earth remains, there will be springtime and harvest, cold and heat, winter and summer, day and night.” Genesis 8:22 (NLT)

GOD’S PLAN IS BIGGER AND BETTER THAN YOUR PLAN, BUT MORE BITTER.

Luke 1:26-39

GOD USES CHANGE AS A TEST OF OUR FAITH

“The purpose of these troubles is to test your faith as fire tests how genuine gold is. Your faith is more precious than gold, and by passing the test, it gives praise, glory, and honor to God.” 1 Peter 1:7 (GW)

SEEK GOD AND ASK FOR WISDOM WHEN LIFE CHANGES

“If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me.” Jeremiah 29:13 (NLT)

“If you need wisdom—if you want to know what God wants you to do—ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking.” James 1:5 (NLT)

ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED TO LEARN IN THE CHANGE

“I’ve learned this secret, so that anywhere, at any time, I am content, whether I am full or hungry, whether I have too much or too little. I have the strength to face all conditions by the power Christ gives me.” Philippians 4:12-13 (GN)

“…even in our trials and troubles – These very things…will develop mature character.” Romans 5:3-4 (Ph)

FOCUS ON WHAT DOES NOT CHANGE.

“I have loved you with an everlasting love.” Jeremiah 31:3 (NIV)

“His plans endure forever; His purposes last eternally.” Psalm 33:11 (NIV)

“The Word of God shall stand forever.” Isaiah 40:8 (NIV)

DON’T FACE CHANGE ALONE SEEK HELP

“Two are better off than one… If one of them falls down, the other can help him up… Two men can resist an attack that would defeat one man alone.” Ecclesiastes 4:9, 12 (GN)

“At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. “ Luke 1:39

TRUST GOD NO MATTER WHAT

“I am sure of this: that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it is finished in the Day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6 (GN)

“You can throw the whole weight of your anxieties upon Him, for you are his personal concern!” 1 Peter 5:7 (Ph)

“The righteous man does not fear bad news, nor live in dread of what may happen. For he is settled in his mind that God will take care of him.” Psalm 112:7 (LB)

Forgiveness: The Gift That Keeps On Giving

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 01:24:41 GMT

How To Get A Breakthrough?

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

Matthew 6:12

December 4, 2022

“Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)

The Benefits of Forgiveness:

There’s a Physical Benefit.

“A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body, jealousy is like cancer to the bones”. Proverbs 14:30 (NLT)

There’s a Psychological Benefit.

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32

There is a Relational Benefit.

“Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends”. Proverbs 17:9 (NLT)

There’s a Spiritual Benefit.

“But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matt. 6:15

There’s a Kingdom Benefit.

“If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up . You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”. Matthew 5:46-48 (The Message)

Why Forgive?

God has forgiven you.

“Be ready to forgive, never hold grudges. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you MUST forgive others”. Colossians 3:13 (Living Bible)

Unforgiveness makes you sick.

“To worry yourself to death with resentment would be a foolish, senseless thing to do”. Job 5:2 (Good News)

You will need forgiveness again in the future.

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy”. Matthew 5:7 (NIV)

How To Get A Breakthrough

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 01:18:21 GMT

How To Get A Breakthrough?

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

Mark 5:24-34; Leviticus 15:19, 25, 28-30

November 20, 2022

“A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. 30 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” 31 “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ” 32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” Mark 5:24-34

What Caused her to Become Stuck?

She had a PROBLEM that was PERPETUAL .

“And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years” vs. 25 (KJV)

She had DIFFICULTY because of her DEFICIT .

“ She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse” vs. 26 (NIV)

What was PRIVATE had become PUBLIC.

“When a woman has her regular flow of blood, the impurity of her monthly period will last seven days, and anyone who touches her will be unclean till evening.” Leviticus 15:19

“When a woman has a discharge of blood for many days at a time other than her monthly period or has a discharge that continues beyond her period, she will be unclean as long as she has the discharge, just as in the days of her period.” Leviticus 15:25

How Did She Get Her Breakthrough?

“ When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.” Mark 5:27-29

She knew Jesus could fix IT and fix it for HER .
She got HELP despite her HATERS .
She REHERSED her faith as she REACHED for RELIEF .
She was healed by RELATIONSHIP and not by RELIGION.

“ When she is cleansed from her discharge, she must count off seven days, and after that she will be ceremonially clean. 29 On the eighth day she must take two doves or two young pigeons and bring them to the priest at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 30 The priest is to sacrifice one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering. In this way he will make atonement for her before the Lord for the uncleanness of her discharge.” Leviticus 15:28-30

“Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” Mark 5:34

What Shall We Bring?

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 01:07:59 GMT

What Shall We Bring?

Pastor Darron Randolph

Psalm 100:1-5

November 20, 2022

New Paragraph

The Power of An Attitude of Gratitude

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 01:03:12 GMT

The Power of An Attitude of Gratitude

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

Luke 17:11-19

November 13, 2022

11 “ Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy[ b ] met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master,have pity on us!” 14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. 15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? 18 Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” Luke 17:11-19

Today’s Takeaways:

Most people consider themselves to be grateful, but we rarely express it.
Gratitude that goes unexpressed fells like ingratitude to others.
Our hearts are naturally drawn to people and places of gratitude and appreciation and we withdraw from places of ingratitude and thanklessness.
When we are grateful, we receive more than we gave.

“Right Now, List Five (5) People You Need to Show Gratitude To”

Standing With Generation Next

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 00:59:10 GMT

Standing With Generation Next

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

Luke 1:39-48

November 6, 2022

“39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!” 46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed,”

“Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.” ~ Titus 2:3-5

“Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned…. “~ Titus 2:6-8

Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. ~ 1 Timothy 4:12

Take aways from the message:

Each generation sees things differently because of their experiences
Like Mary, lean on the previous generations who are further along to gain insight and wisdom.
It is the job of the older generations to help the younger generations gain spiritual understanding.
Older generation recognize how much you have to give.
Younger generations recognize how much you have to learn.
All generations learn to walk in humility.
All three of the generations were affected by the presence of Jesus.
All three of the generations can affect the Kingdom of God if they work together.

Raising Generation Next | Youth Takeover

Sun, 30 Oct 2022 23:48:39 GMT

Raising Generation Next

Youth Takeover Service

Pastor NaJarri Whitehead & Pastor Tyrone Barnette

Deuteronomy 1:37-39

37 “ The Lord was also angry with me for your sakes, saying, ‘Even you shall not go in there. 38 Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, he shall go in there. Encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it. 39 ‘Moreover your little ones and your children, who you say will be victims, who today have no knowledge of good and evil, they shall go in there; to them I will give it, and they shall possess it.” Deuteronomy 1:37-39

““And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.” Joel 2:28

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12

How To Stay Sharp When Life Has Gone Dull

Sun, 23 Oct 2022 23:20:47 GMT

How To Stay Sharp When Life Has Gone Dull

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

Made For Mission Series

October 23, 2022

2 Kings 6:1-7

“The company of the prophets said to Elisha, “Look, the place where we meet with you is too small for us. 2 Let us go to the Jordan, where each of us can get a pole; and let us build a place there for us to meet.” And he said, “Go.” 3 Then one of them said, “Won’t you please come with your servants?” “I will,” Elisha replied. 4 And he went with them. They went to the Jordan and began to cut down trees. 5 As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the water. “Oh no, my lord!” he cried out. “It was borrowed!” 6 The man of God asked, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float. 7 “Lift it out,” he said. Then the man reached out his hand and took it.” 2 Kings 6:1-7 (NIV)

When you’ve lost your cutting edge:

Admit you’re not as sharp has you once were.

“As one of them was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the water. “Oh no, my lord!” he cried out” 2 Kings 6:5

Admit you stopped doing things to stay sharp.

Admit you are responsible to care for what has been entrusted to you.

“Oh no, my lord!” he cried out. “It was borrowed!”

Admit you need help to get sharp again.

“The man of God asked, “Where did it fall?” When he showed him the place, Elisha cut a stick and threw it there, and made the iron float. 7 “Lift it out,” he said. Then the man reached out his hand and took it.”

How To Live A Balanced Life

Sun, 16 Oct 2022 23:14:16 GMT

How To Live A Balanced Life

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

Made For Mission Series

October 16, 2022

Matthew 11:28-29

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.is light." Matthew 11:28-29

B ASE YOUR LIFE AROUND JESUS

“He will always give you all you need from day to day if you will make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.” Luke 21:31 (LB)

A VOID COMPARING YOURSELF WITH OTHERS

“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10

L IMIT YOUR WORK

"You have six days in which to do your work, but the 7th day is to be a day of rest dedicated to me." Exodus 20:9-10 (GN)

"The Sabbath was made to benefit man..." Mark 2:27

A LIGN YOUR VALUES WITH GOD

"What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?" Mark 8:36 (NIV)

N URTURE YOUR SPIRIT

"Jesus often slipped away to be alone so he could pray." Luke 5:15-16

C OMMEND YOUR CALENDAR TO THE LORD

"My times are in your hands." Psalm 31:15b (NIV)

"There is a time and a season for everything under Heaven." Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)

E XPERIENCE EACH DAY

" All of us should...enjoy what we have worked for. It's God's gift." Ecclesiastes 3:13 (GN)

Matthew 11:28-29

The Duties of Discipleship

Sun, 02 Oct 2022 17:20:32 GMT

The Duties of Discipleship

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

October 2, 2022

John 8:31 | Mark 1:14-20

To the Jews who had believed Him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples” John 8:31

“ After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” 16 As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon Peter and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 17 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At once they left their nets and followed him. 19 When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. 20 Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.” Mark 1:14-20

A Disciple:

FEEDS on Jesus’ Word

“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples” John 8:31

FOLLOWS Jesus’ Way

“Jesus said, ‘Come follow Me” Mark 1:17

FORSAKES whatever or whoever hinders them from following Jesus.

“At once they left their nets and followed him.” Mark 1:18

“Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him .” Mark 1:20

“ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24

“…Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith…” Hebrews 12:1-2

How To Fulfill Your Life's Mission

Sun, 25 Sep 2022 17:15:24 GMT

How To Fulfill Your Life's Mission

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

September 25, 2022

Joshua 14:6-13

The stages of faith development

The DREAM
The DECISION
THE DELAY
THE DIFFICULTY
THE DEAD END

“At that time we were completely overwhelmed, the burden was more than we could bear, in fact, we told ourselves that this was the end. Yet, we now believe that we had this sense of impending disaster so that we might learn to trust, not in ourselves, but in God who can raise the dead!” 2 Corinthians 1:8-9 (Phillips translation)

6. HE DELIVERANCE

Caleb possessed the land because:

CALEB SAW IT

“It was forty years old when Moses sent me to spy out the land…” Joshua 14:7a

“IT IS NOT OUR BIG PROBLEMS THAT DEFEAT US, BUT OUR LITTLE VISION”- John Maxwell

“By faith Moses forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, because he saw Him who is invisible” Hebrews 11:27
“And the Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Now lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are , northward and southward, and eastward and westward; for all the land which you se e, I will give it you and to your descendants forever”. Genesis 14:14-15

“We have not because we ask not” James 4:2

“COULD IT BE THAT WE ASK NOT CAUSE WE SEE NOT” John Maxwell

To see with godly vision:

Look INWARD
Look OUTWARD
Look FORWARD
Look UPWARD

2. CALEB SAID IT

“…and I brought Moses word again as it was in my heart.” Joshua 14:7b

“FAITH IS NOT FAITH UNTIL IT IS DECLARED OPENLY”- John Maxwell

Say it with CONFIDENCE

Say it with COMMITMENT

Say it CONTINUALLY

3. CALEB SEIZED IT

“Now therefore, give me this mountain that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as He said.” Joshua 14:12

How to secure your destiny

S- STATE ALL YOUR DREAMS

E - EXAMINE ALL YOUR MOTIVES

C - CONSIDER ALL YOUR OPTIONS

U - UTILIZE ALL YOUR RESOURCES

R - REMOVE ALL YOUR EXCESS PERSONAL BAGGAGE

E - EMBRACE ALL YOUR CHALLENGES

“DREAMERS SEE IT.

BELIEVERS SAY IT.

ACHIEVERS SEIZE IT.”- John Maxwell

Saved To Serve

Sun, 18 Sep 2022 17:07:35 GMT

Saved To Serve

Pastor Adrian Reeves

September 18, 2022

Taking Church To The Streets

Sun, 11 Sep 2022 20:17:22 GMT

Taking Church To The Streets // Pastor Tyrone Barnette

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

September 11, 2022

Scripture: Acts 20:7-12

" 7 On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight.

8 There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting.

9 Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead.

10 Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!”

11 Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left.

12 The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.” Acts 20:7-12

A Life Changing "Yes"

Sun, 11 Sep 2022 20:11:01 GMT

A L ife Changing "Yes"

Pastor Erica Fields

September 11, 2022

The Character of God's Church

Sun, 04 Sep 2022 15:01:33 GMT

The Character of God's Church

Pastor Corwin Oglesby

September 4, 2022

New Paragraph

How To Reconcile A Relationship

Sun, 28 Aug 2022 15:33:35 GMT

How To Reconcile A Relationship

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

August 28, 2022

“Never pay back evil for evil to anyone... As much as possible, as far as it depends on you, live in peace with everyone.” Romans 12:17-18 (NLT)

THE DAMAGE OF UNRESOLVED CONFLICT

HINDERS MY FELLOWSHIP WITH GOD
HINDERS MY FELLOWSHIP WITH OTHERS
HINDERS MY PRAYERS
“Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” 1 Peter 3:7
HINDERS MY PEACE

BIBLICAL STEPS TO RECONCILIATION

1. INITIATE THE RECONCILIATION

“If you’re standing before the altar in the Temple, giving an offering to God, and you suddenly remember someone

has something against you leave your offering there beside the altar. Go at once and first be reconciled to that

person. Then come and offer your gift to God.” Matthew 5:23-24 (NLT)

“RECONCILIATION TAKES PRIORITY OVER WORSHIP!”

A. CHOOSE THE RIGHT ATTITUDE:

DON’T BE DEFENSIVE
DON’T BE DISTANT
DON’T BE DEMANDING

B. CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIME

C. CHOOSE THE RIGHT PLACE

2. REALIZE YOU HAVE BLIND SPOTS & TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR PART OF THE PROBLEM

“Why do you notice the little piece of dust in your friend's eye, but you don't notice the big piece of wood in your own eye? First, take the wood out of your own eye. Then you will see clearly to take the dust out of your friend's eye.” Matthew 7:3, 5 (NCV)

3. LISTEN FOR THE PAIN AND HURT IN THE OTHER PERSON

“Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” James 1:19 (NLT)

4. CONSIDER THEIR VIEWPOINT

“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be

the same as that of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:4-5 (NIV)

5. SPEAK THE TRUTH IN LOVE

“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18 (NIV)

“Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed.” Ephesians

4:29 (TEV)

6. DON’T FIX THE BLAME, FIX THE PROBLEM

“You must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.” Colossians 3:8 (NIV)

“Let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way.” Romans 14:13 (NIV)

7. SEEK RECONCILIATION NOT RESOLUTION

“Reconciliation” = to reestablish the relationship

“Resolution” = to resolve every issue

“‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God!’”. Matthew 5:9 (NIV)

Building A Family On A Solid Foundation

Sun, 21 Aug 2022 15:23:17 GMT

Building A Family On A Solid Foundation

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

August 21, 2022

“Through godly wisdom a life, a home, and a family is built, and through understanding it is established on a sound foundation.” Proverbs 24:3 (Amplified Bible)

2 Great pressures in our culture today: COMPARING and CONFORMING.

CHILDHOOD 0-12. We TELL our children WHAT to THINK

“I will open my mouth with a parable; I will utter hidden things, things from of old— 3 things we have heard and known, things our ancestors have told us. 4 We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.

ADOLESCENCES 13-19. WE TEACH our children HOW to THINK

“Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43 After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it. 44 Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.” Luke 2:41-46

ADULT 20- up. We TRUST them to THINK and LEARN from their DECISIONS

“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it” Proverbs 22:6

3 mistakes parents make

1. OVERPROTECT their children

Trust them with responsibility

“Whoever can be trusted with a little can also be trusted with a lot” Luke 16:10

2. OVERCORRECT their children

“Fathers, don’t deep on scolding and nagging your children, making them angry and

resentful. Instead, bring them up with the loving discipline that God approves, with

suggestions and godly advice.” Ephesians 6:4 (Living Bible)

“Discipline your children while they are young enough to learn. If you don’t, you are

helping them destroy themselves”. Proverbs 19:18 (TEV)

3. OVERINDULGE their children

“If you refuse to discipline your children, it proves you don’t love them; if you love your

children, you’ll be prompt to discipline them”. Proverbs 13:24

The stages to becoming a mature adult

1. GIVE ME

“ 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.” Luke 15:12

2. CONSUME ME

“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.” Luke 15:13-14

3. SEARCH ME

““When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!” Luke 15:17

4. MAKE ME

“I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.” Luke 15:19-20

Feed The Need

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 17:23:41 GMT

Feed The Need

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By Appointment Only

Call (347) 309-7686 to schedule your appointment

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Tue, 16 Aug 2022 15:41:57 GMT

Sunday Worship Service

Every Sunday at 8:00am & 10:30am EST

In Person and Online

Children & Teen Services only at 10:30am

Wednesday Night Bible Study

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 15:38:19 GMT

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Every Wednesday at 6:30pm EST

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Join us every Wednesday for a deeper dive into God's Word

What do I do with my disappointment

Sun, 14 Aug 2022 17:57:45 GMT

What Do I Do With My Disappointment

Pastor Darron Randolph

August 14, 2022

Matthew 11:1-6 NIrV

What To Do When A Relationship Breaks Up // Back Together, Again // Pastor Tyrone Barnette

Sun, 07 Aug 2022 17:50:57 GMT

What To Do When A Relationship Breaks Up

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

August 7, 2022

Why do relationships break up?

1. You Ignore the Signs that the relationSHIP is wrong for you.

2. You are not careful about what type of relationSHIP you get on.

Vs. 6 - “They found a ship”

3. You ignore godly advice about the relationSHIP.

Vs. 10- They ignored Paul’s warning.

4. You allow despair to cause you to drift in the relationSHIP.

Vs. 20- They lost all hope because of the difficulty.

How to survive a break-up

1. Believe God has a purpose for your life beyond the relationSHIP.

Vs. 22- Paul knows God’s purpose for his life and it does not end on this ship.

2. Take care of yourself spiritually and physically.

Vs. 34- Paul encourages them to eat and be in good health

3. You will have to learn to do more with less when you start again.

4. Believe God has other relationSHIPS to take you to your destination.

Acts 28:11

Boundaries Make Me Better // Back Together, Again // Pastor Tyrone Barnette

Sun, 31 Jul 2022 17:43:33 GMT

Boundaries Make Me Better // Back Together, Again // Pastor Tyrone Barnette

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

July 31, 2022

Boundaries Make Me Better

Tyrone Barnette Galatians 6:2-6 & Esther 1:10-12 July 31, 2022

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks

they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own

actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone

else, 5 for each one should carry their own load.” Galatians 6:2-6

“On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine, he commanded the seven

eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and

Karkas— 11 to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her

beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at. 12 But when the attendants

delivered the king’s command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and

burned with anger”. Esther 1:10-12

Why you need boundaries around your life

A. To Direct you in the right path

B. To Protect you from negative influences

C. To Connect you with the right relationships and resources

D. To Detect and Eject the wrong people from your life

E. To Affect the world and Erect a life that pleases God alone

3 simple rules for setting appropriate boundaries

1. LOVE WITHOUT RESCUING

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ…each one should

carry their own load.” Galatians 6:2, 5

2. CONFRONT WITHOUT COMDEMNATION

“‘If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they

listen to you, you have won them over.’” Matthew 18:15

3. ANSWER “NO” WITHOUT APPREHENSION

“Am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were

still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ” Galatians 1:10

Restoring Relationships// Back Together, Again // Pastor Tyrone Barnette

Sun, 24 Jul 2022 09:23:22 GMT

Restoring Relationships// Back Together, Again // Pastor Tyrone Barnette

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

July 24, 2022

Restoring Relationships

Pastor Tyrone Barnette Romans 12:9-21 July 24, 2022

9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in

love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual

fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with

the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless

and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in

harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low

position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right

in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with

everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is

written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is

hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap

burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Reasons Relationships Fall Apart

1.Unresolved Problems

2. Unmet Desires

3. Unappreciated differences

4. Unforgiven offenses

How to restore a broken relationship

A- Accept Responsibility

“Each person must be responsible for himself”. Galatians 6:5 (NCV)

B- Believe things can change

“Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible” Matthew 19:26

(NLT)

C- Commit to doing whatever it takes

“Don’t get tired of doing what is good. Don’t get discouraged and give up..” Galatians 6:9

(NLT)

D- Decide to forgive

“Be gentle and ready to forgive: never hold grudges. Remember the Lord forgave you, so you

must forgive others.” Colossians 3:13 (LB)

E- Enlist help from others your trust

“Get all the advice and instruction you can..” Proverbs 19:20

Be Careful of Your Connections // Back Together, Again // Pastor Tyrone Barnette

Sun, 17 Jul 2022 16:01:21 GMT

Be Careful of Your Connections // Back Together, Again

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

July 17, 2022

Be Careful of Your Connections

Pastor Tyrone Barnette Judges 7:1-7 July 17, 2022

“Early in the morning, Jerub-Baal (that is, Gideon) and all his men camped at the spring of Harod. The camp of Midian was north of them in the valley near the hill of Moreh. 2 The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’ 3 Now announce to the army, ‘Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained. 4 But the Lord said to Gideon, “There are still too many men. Take them down to the water, and I will thin them out for you there. If I say, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go; but if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.” 5 So Gideon took the men down to the water. There the Lord told him, “Separate those who lap the water with their tongues as a dog laps from those who kneel down to drink.” 6 Three hundred of them drank from cupped hands, lapping like dogs. All the rest got down on their knees to drink. 7 The Lord said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home.” Judges 7:1-7

“Our lives are shaped by WHERE we are going and WHOSE going with us.” Howard Thurman

As your relationships becomes more focused:

You expose more of yourself to them
You are more accountable to the person
You are willing to work harder to reconcile when the relationship is strained

2 ways we enter relationships

Out of the blue
Ordained

Question: Who are the people you sense are ordained to be connected to you?

Lessons from Gideon’s life in Judges 7

The more mature you become in the Lord the less dependent you will be on people you are not called to.
You will go through many painful seasons when God begins to push un-ordained people out of your life to make room for the ordained relationships that move you toward your purpose.
The closer you get to your purpose the narrower your relationships become.
God sets up break-ups in your life and separates you from the lethal people in your life.

“Take them down to the water, and I will thin them out for you there. If I say, ‘This one shall go with you,’ he shall go; but if I say, ‘This one shall not go with you,’ he shall not go.” Judges 7:4b

Have no desire to be connected to the wrong people in your life.
Ask God to open your eyes to see the true character of the people in your life.
Be prepared for what He will show you and how He will show you.
Be willing to accept what God shows you. When you don’t listen and obey, you allow self-inflicted wounds in your own life that brings conflict. (Abraham and Lot Genesis 13)

Signs of a cancerous relationship

You feel unsafe because you experience physical or verbal abuse and manipulation.
You are constantly being disrespected and your thoughts and feelings are not appreciated.
Your self-esteem and self-respect is diminishing.
You give more than you get from the person, and you feel depleted emotionally and spiritually.
You feel depressed, angry, or worn out after spending time with the person for any length of time.
You feel that you have to walk on eggshells around them or expend a lot of energy and time to keep them calm, so they won’t direct their wrath towards you.
You are crying often and sad always.
You traded meaningful relationships with others and are expected to have very few outside friendships or none at all.
You experience a constant pattern of jealously and control from them.
You bring out the worst in each other continually.

What To Do When You Are Weary?

Sun, 10 Jul 2022 15:58:03 GMT

What To Do When You Are Weary?

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

July 10, 2022

What to do when you are Weary?

Pastor Tyrone Barnette John 4:1-6 & Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 July 10, 2022

“Now Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that He was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John— 2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but His disciples. 3 So He left Judea and went back once more to Galilee. 4 Now He had to go through Samaria. 5 So He came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as He was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.” John 4:1-6

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: 10 If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. 11 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? 12 Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

Where do you go when you are weary?

Like the Apostle Paul you will need these types of people in your life to be refreshed:

A REFINER - Priscilla and Aquila (Romans 16:3-4) Who do you have?______________
A REFORMER - Ananias (Acts 9:17-19) Who do you have? ______________________
A ROUSER - Barnabas (Acts 4:36-37 & Acts 9:27) Who do you have? ______________
A RECONCILER - Gamaliel (Acts 22:3) Who do you have? _____________________
A RECEIVER - Timothy (1 Timothy 1:2) Who do you have? ______________________
A REJOICER - Silas (Acts 16:25-26) Who do you have? _________________________

When you are weary you need:

You need someone to WALK with you.
You need someone to WATCH out for you.
You need someone to WEEP with you.

Only A Relationship with JESUS can give you perpetual Relief from Weariness

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

Matthew 11:28

Finding Freedom

Sun, 03 Jul 2022 16:09:41 GMT

Finding Freedom

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

July 3, 2022

True Freedom is Found When We Accept:

1. The Proposal to Come to Jesus

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”. Matthew 11:28

2. The Pathway of Liberty from Jesus

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, For I am gentle and humble in heart” 11:29a

3. The Promise of Freedom by Jesus

“You will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” Matthew 11:29b-30

Trusting God To Handle Your Haters

Sun, 26 Jun 2022 16:05:59 GMT

Trusting God To Handle Your Haters

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

June 26, 2022

10 “But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. 11 See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. 12 Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

13 All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the Lord.

14 Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly.

15 He said: “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’”

2 Chronicles 20:10-17

Let your haters plot and plan while you standstill to pray to God.
Let your haters plot and plan while you standstill to place your trust in God.
Let your haters plot and plan while you standstill to praise God.

Set Free To Bring Freedom

Sun, 19 Jun 2022 16:01:44 GMT

Set Free To Experience Freedom

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

June 19, 2022

3 “So, Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said to him, “This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me? Let my people go, so that they may worship me.”

8 Then Moses and Aaron were brought back to Pharaoh. “Go, worship the Lord your God,” he said. “But tell me who will be going.”

9 Moses answered, “We will go with our young and our old, with our sons and our daughters, and with our flocks and herds, because we are to celebrate a festival to the Lord.” Exodus 10:3, 8-9

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1

How To Hear God's Voice

Sun, 12 Jun 2022 15:56:11 GMT

How To Hear God's Voice

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

June 12, 2022

Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28

Hearing God’s voice is not in a FORMULA nor in FORMALITY , it’s in FELLOWSHIP with Him daily with a REGULAR RHYTHM to RECOGNIZE His voice.

(Reference 1 Samuel 3)

How to recognize God’s voice

He guides us by His PEACE.

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15

“For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.” 1 Corinthians 14:33

“Peace is not the absence of conflict, but is the presence of God.”

2. What God says will be in agreement and harmony with His written Word.

“ All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

3. God voice calls us to draw closer to God’s will, His plans for our life, and to bring us closer to the character of Christ.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Romans 12:1-2

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” Romans 8:28-29

God speaks to us through:

Scriptures
Jesus
Holy Spirit
Preaching
Prayer
Creation
Circumstances- good and bad
Dreams and Visions
Other Believers

We need to know the difference from God’s voice and Satan’s voice

Satan will misquote and mishandle God’s Word.

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” Genesis 3:1

2. He will question the character of God.

3. He will challenge boundaries God has clearly set.

4. He pulls you away from the plan and purpose of God. (Matthew 16:21-23)

5. He will speak to you when you are physically, mentally, and emotionally vulnerable.

6. He tempts you by appealing to your fleshly appetites and desires.

What blocks us from hearing God’s voice?

Disobedience and Rebellion
Unbelief
We are too busy to hear

How God brings us back into alignment

He allows you to experience Pain
He speaks to you through anointed Preaching
He sends a specific Person to lovingly correct you.

Reasons for Rebuke

“…But the thing David had done displeased the Lord” 2 Samuel 11:27b

“The Lord sent Nathan to David…” 2 Samuel 12:1a

Nobody is above being rebuked.

God will send someone to help you hear His voice again

Rebuke that is from the Lord is not punishment, its protection.

Rebuke means “To beat something back and push something away” so you won’t self-destruct.

Not everyone is called to rebuke you.

Qualities of a Rebuker

They have a prayer life, a strong walk with God and a commitment to righteousness themselves.
They have a relationship with you that you respect and can receive from.
They love you and are for you.
They are humble and open for God to redirect them too
They deliver the word in a way you can receive it.
Their goal is to bring you to repentance and submission to God’s will.

Making My Heart Christ's Home

Sun, 05 Jun 2022 15:47:55 GMT

Making My Heart Christ's Home

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

June 5, 2022

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20

“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

GOD WANTS A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOU THROUGH CHRIST JESUS SO YOU CAN EXPERIENCE HIS ABUNDANT LIFE!

JESUS IS THE SOURCE OF ALL I NEED TO EXPERIENCE ABUNDANT LIFE.

“The Lord is my Shepherd, I will lack nothing!” Psalm 23:1

THERE IS NOTHING THAT JESUS CAN’T SUPPLY

“God will supply all you’ll ever need from his glorious resources in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (Ph)

WHEN I TRUST JESUS, I DON’T HAVE TO WORRY FOR ANYTHING

Jesus: “Don’t be worried! Believe in God and believe in me!” John 14:1 (GN)

“Don’t worry about anything! Instead, pray about everything.” Philippians 4:6a (LB)

ASK JESUS TO BE MY SHEPHERD!

Jesus: “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me... and I lay down my life for my sheep.” John 10:14-15 (NLT)

“Come save us and bless us Lord! Be our shepherd and always carry us in your arms.” Psalm 28:9 (CEV)

TRUST JESUS WITH EVERYTHING!

“Don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will have its own worries. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34 (NCV)

“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” Matthew 6:34 (MSG)

MAKE JESUS FIRST IN MY HEART

“Your Heavenly Father already knows perfectly well what you need, and He will give you what you need IF you give Him first place in your life and live as He wants you to.” Matthew 6:32-33

MAKE MY HEART JESUS’ HOME

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20

Experiencing The Unchanging God

Sun, 29 May 2022 15:38:57 GMT

How God Test Your Faith // Peace Baptist Church // Pastor Tyrone Barnette

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

May 15, 2022

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

"I the Lord do not change!" Malachi 3:6

THREE THINGS ABOUT GOD THAT NEVER CHANGE

1. GOD’S LOVE NEVER CHANGES.

"...nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God." Romans 8:38

2. GOD’S WORD NEVER CHANGES.

"The grass withers and flowers fade, but the Word of our God shall stand

forever." Isaiah 40:8 (LB)

3. GOD’S PURPOSE FOR OUR LIVES NEVER CHANGES.

"His plans endure forever; His purposes last eternally." Psalm 33:11

Overcoming Doubt // Pastor Tyrone Barnette // Peace Baptist Church

Sun, 22 May 2022 17:37:42 GMT

How God Test Your Faith // Peace Baptist Church // Pastor Tyrone Barnette

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

May 15, 2022

How God Tests Your Faith

Pastor Tyrone Barnette Genesis 37-42 & James 1:2-4 May 15, 2022

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 Let patience finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

The Test of Self-Sufficiency

“The Joseph had another dream, and he told it to his brothers. ‘Listen’, he said, ‘I had another dream, and this time the sun and the moon and eleven stars were bowing down to me’. When he told his father as well as his brothers, his father rebuked him and said, ‘What is this dream you had? Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow down to the ground before you?’” Genesis 37:9-10

The Test of Stagnation

“Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other. ‘Come now, let’s kill him and throw him into one of these pits and say that a ferocious animal devoured him. Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams’”. Genesis 37:19-20

The Test of Subordination

“The Lord was with Joseph so that he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 When his master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord gave him success in everything he did, 4 Joseph found favor in his eyes and became his attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household, and he entrusted to his care everything he owned.” Genesis 39:2-4

The Test of Seduction

“Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, 7 and after a while his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me!” 8 But he refused. “With me in charge,” he told her, “my master does not concern himself with anything in the house; everything he owns he has entrusted to my care. 9 No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” 10 And though she spoke to Joseph day after day, he refused to go to bed with her or even be with her.” Genesis 39:6b-10

The Test of Suffering

“Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined”. Genesis 39:20

The Test of Success

“So, Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” 42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his finger and put it on Joseph’s finger. He dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. 43 He had him ride in a chariot as his second-in-command and people shouted before him, “Make way!” Thus, he put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” Genesis 41:41-43

The Test of Surrender

“Now Joseph was the governor of the land, the person who sold grain to all its people. So, when Joseph’s brothers arrived, they bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. 7 As soon as Joseph saw his brothers, he recognized them, but he pretended to be a stranger and spoke harshly to them” Genesis 42:6-7

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How God Test Your Faith // Pastor Tyrone Barnette // Peace Baptist Church

Sun, 15 May 2022 16:47:50 GMT

How God Test Your Faith

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

May 15, 2022

How God Tests Your Faith

Pastor Tyrone Barnette Genesis 37-42 & James 1:2-4 May 15, 2022

The Test of Self-Sufficiency

The Test of Stagnation

The Test of Subordination

The Test of Seduction

The Test of Suffering

“Joseph’s master took him and put him in prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined”. Genesis 39:20

The Test of Success

The Test of Surrender

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The Ministry Model Mom // Pastor Tyrone Barnette // Peace Baptist Church

Sun, 08 May 2022 16:42:59 GMT

The Ministry of the Model Mom // Peace Baptist Church // Pastor Tyrone Barnette

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

May 8, 2022

Pastor Tyrone Barnette Luke 1:26-33; John 19:25-27 May 8, 2022 Mother’s Day

“ In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a

town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a

descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said,

“Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly

troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel

said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive

and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be

called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father

David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

Luke 1:26-33

“Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas,

and Mary Magdalene. 26 When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he

loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, [b] here is your son,” 27 and to the

disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.”

John 19:25-27

The Model Mother:

1. The Model Mother Stands with others for her child

2. The Model Mother Sacrifices for her child

3. The Model Mother Stands by her child

4. The Model Mother Seeks and trust God for her child
‭‭

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Do You See What I See? // Pastor Carl Johnson // Peace Baptist Church

Sun, 01 May 2022 16:38:56 GMT

Do You See What I See? // Pastor Carl Johnson

Pastor Carl Johnson

May 1, 2022

‭‭

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Do You Know Him? // Minister Anita Paye // Peace Baptist Church

Sun, 01 May 2022 16:10:27 GMT

Do You Know Him? // Minister Anita Paye

Minister Anita Paye

May 1, 2022

‭‭

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Warfare Prayer: Lord, Teach Me How To Pray // Built For The Battle // Pastor Tyrone Barnette

Sun, 24 Apr 2022 19:24:19 GMT

Warfare Prayer: Lord, Teach Me How To Pray

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

April 24, 2022

‭‭ Leave Those Graveclothes Behind

Pastor Tyrone Barnette Easter 2022 April 17, 2022

1 John 3:8 “For the purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might DESTROY the works of the devil”.

Ephesians 2:2 “In times past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience.”

In Colossians 2:15 Paul shows Satan’s defeat. “Jesus having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them by the cross”.

4 Greek words for Redemption

Agoridzo- To locate someone in the slave market in order to set them free.
Exagoridzo- To buy out of the slave market to never be a slave again, permanently!
Lutroo- to set captive free by payment of a ransom. By paying a price.

Ephesians 1:7 and Colossians 1:14 “In whom we have redemption through His blood”

Colossians 1:20 “Having made peace through the blood of His cross”

Hebrews 9:12 “But by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us”.

1 Peter 1:18-19 “We know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver and gold… but with the precious blood of Christ.”

Apolutrosis- to pay for a ransom in order to return the captive back to the condition they were in before they were held captive. To restore all that was lost while a hostage and give them back their full birth right as sons and daughters.

Galatians 4:7- Wherefore you are no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then a heir of God through Christ Jesus”

Ephesians 1:21 “We are seated with Jesus in heavenly places and have been elevated “far above all principalities and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come”

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Leave Those Grave Clothes Behind // Built For The Battle // Pastor Tyrone Barnette

Sun, 17 Apr 2022 15:11:12 GMT

Leave Those Grave Clothes Behind

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

April 17, 2022

‭‭ Leave Those Graveclothes Behind

Pastor Tyrone Barnette Easter 2022 April 17, 2022

1 John 3:8 “For the purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might DESTROY the works of the devil”.

Ephesians 2:2 “In times past you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience.”

In Colossians 2:15 Paul shows Satan’s defeat. “Jesus having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them by the cross”.

4 Greek words for Redemption

Agoridzo- To locate someone in the slave market in order to set them free.
Exagoridzo- To buy out of the slave market to never be a slave again, permanently!
Lutroo- to set captive free by payment of a ransom. By paying a price.

Ephesians 1:7 and Colossians 1:14 “In whom we have redemption through His blood”

Colossians 1:20 “Having made peace through the blood of His cross”

Hebrews 9:12 “But by His own blood He entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us”.

1 Peter 1:18-19 “We know that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver and gold… but with the precious blood of Christ.”

Apolutrosis- to pay for a ransom in order to return the captive back to the condition they were in before they were held captive. To restore all that was lost while a hostage and give them back their full birth right as sons and daughters.

Galatians 4:7- Wherefore you are no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then a heir of God through Christ Jesus”

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Using God's Word As A Weapon // Built For The Battle // Pastor Tyrone Barnette

Sun, 10 Apr 2022 14:59:08 GMT

Using God's Word As A Weapon // Built For The Battle // Pastor Tyrone Barnette

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

April 10, 2022

‭‭ “14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ” Ephesians 6:14-17

“ 12 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

The sword of the Spirit is our offensive weapon against attack

“ Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[ a ] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written : ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written : “‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’” 7 Jesus answered him, “ It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Matthew 4:1-7

3 Greek words for the Word of God:

Graphe - Written Word/ the Bible Text/ The written Scriptures
Logos -

The meaning of the written Word or the essence/substance of the message of the written Word.
It is the mind of God.
It is identified with Jesus the second Person of the Trinity. (See notes in our Bible App for a deeper understanding).

John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word (Logos), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Rhema -

A rhema Word is a verse or portion of Scripture that the Holy Spirit brings to our attention with application to a current situation or need for direction.
The spoken Word or declaring out loud the meaning of the written Word from the heart not just from one’s head.
A Word spoken with conviction!
God’s mind is now in your mind and you declare it with power!
Jesus is the ultimate Rhema Word of God. He is the living Word.

John 1:14 “ 14 The Word (Rhema) became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

The Authority of the Word

The Word of God is Living
The Word of God is Powerful
The Word of God Penetrates
The Word of God Divides
The Word of God Judges
The Word of God Instructs

“ 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[ a ] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16

Additional Notes for later study on Jesus and the Logos Word of God

John argues that Jesus, the Word or Logos, is eternal and is God. Further, all creation came about by and through Jesus, who is presented as the source of life. Amazingly, this Logos came and lived among us: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth”( John 1:14).

John’s Gospel begins by using the Greek idea of a “divine reason” or “the mind of God” as a way to connect with the readers of his day, who mostly spoke Greek, and introduce Jesus to them as God. Greek philosophy may have used the word in reference to divine reason, but John used it to note many of the attributes of Jesus. In John’s use of the Logos concept, we find that

-Jesus is eternal (“In the beginning was the Word”) Jesus was with God prior to coming to earth (“the Word was with God”)

-Jesus is God (“the Word was God.”) Jesus is Creator (“All things were made through him”)

-Jesus is the Giver of Life (“In him was life”) Jesus became human to live among us (“the Word became flesh and dwelt among us”)

The Meaning and Significance of Logos

In reference to the history and development of Logos, the Gospel of John mentions two phases: creation and revelation. The Word reveals Himself through the mediation of objects of sense and also manifests Himself directly. Therefore, in this part of the prologue . (John 1:3-5) a threefold distinction also occurs.

(i) He is the Creator of the visible universe. "All things were made through him"--a phrase which describes the Logos as the origin of the entire creative activity of God and excludes the idea favored by Plato and Philo that God was only the architect who formed the cosmos from previously existing matter.

(ii) The Logos is also the source of the intellectual, moral and spiritual life of man. "In him was life, and the life was the light of men." He is the light as well as the life--the fountain of all the various forms of being and thought in and by whom all created things live, and from whom all obtain understanding.

(iii) The climax of Divine revelation is expressed in the statement, The Word became flesh," which implies, on the one hand, the reality of Christ's humanity, and, on the other, the voluntariness of His incarnation, but excludes the notion that in becoming a man the Logos ceased to be God. Though clothed in flesh, the Logos continues to be the self-manifesting God, and retains, even in human form, the character of the Eternal One. In physical creation, the power of God is revealed. In the bestowal of light to mankind, His wisdom is chiefly manifested. But in the third especially is His love unveiled. All the perfections of the Deity are focused and made visible in Christ--the "glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth" John 1:14

How Is Jesus the Logos (the Word)?

In Greek philosophy, the logos remains an impersonal force, a lifeless and abstract philosophical concept that is a necessary postulate for the cause of order and purpose in the universe. In Hebrew thought, the Logos is personal. He indeed has the power of unity, coherence, and purpose, but the distinctive point is that the biblical Logos is a He, not an it.

All attempts to translate the word Logos have suffered from some degree of inadequacy. No English word is able to capture the fullness of John's Logos when he declared that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Attempts have been made by philosophers to translate Logos as logic, act, or deed—all of which are inadequate definitions.

God's Logos does include action. The Logos is the eternal Word in action. But it is no irrational action or sheer expression of feeling. It is the divine Actor, acting in creation and redemption in a coherent way, who is announced in John's Gospel.

That the Word became flesh and dwelt among us is the startling conclusion of John's prologue. The cosmic Christ enters our humanity. It is the supreme moment of visitation of the eternal with the temporal, the infinite with the finite, the unconditioned with the conditioned.

(From Christanity.com)

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Guarding Your Mind Against Attack // Built For The Battle // Pastor Tyrone Barnette

Sun, 03 Apr 2022 18:17:55 GMT

Guarding Your Mind Against Attack // Built For The Battle // Pastor Tyrone Barnette

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

April 3, 2022

‭‭“ 10-12 And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no weekend war that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. 13-18 Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.” Ephesians 6:10-18 (The Message Translation)

“ 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:14-17 (NIV)

Faith is gained by hearing the Word of God and believing it.

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing the Word of God” Romans 10:17

2. Our confidence, peace, and joy is affected by a renewed mind. Without a renewed mind we will not enjoy the benefits of God’s Word and power.

3. ABOVE ALL means “Keep Out front”. Faith has to be held out front, not behind or on our side but in the front.

4. TAKE UP means it has to be picked up by you, your faith development is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

“War a good warfare; holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck” 1 Timothy 1:18-19

5. We should JOIN OUR FAITH With others when we are under attack individually and corporately.

6. “Take the helmet of salvation” Ephesians 6:17

7. Satan uses oppression to pressure us and control us by manipulating and dominating our thought life.

Acts 10:38 “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power; who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him”

8. The helmet gives us God given benefits to stand against deception and deceit.

“God has not given us a spirit of fear but has given us love, power, and a sound mind!! “

2 Timothy 1:7

Romans 8:6 “For the carnal mind is death..

Titus 1:15 “Unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled”

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How To Experience Peace When You Are Under Attack // Built For The Battle // Pastor Tyrone Barnette

Sun, 27 Mar 2022 15:08:36 GMT

How To Experience Peace When You Are Under Attack // Built For The Battle // Pastor Tyrone Barnette

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

March 26, 2022

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:10-15‬‬

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭4:4-7‬‬

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

When you stand in the shoes of Gospel peace, you will:

1. Overcome VULNERABILITY

“Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground” Ephesians 6:13

2. Overcome INSTABILITY

“(Stand) with your feet fitted (shod)” vs 15a

3. Overcome IMMOVABILITY

“…with your feet fitted (shod) with the readiness” vs 15b

4. Experience TRANQUILITY

“…that comes from the Gospel of peace” vs 15c

What is the Gospel?

Apostles Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty,

maker of heaven and earth;

And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord;

who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,

born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, dead, and buried.

He descended into hell.

The third day he rose again from the dead.

He ascended into heaven,

and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty.

From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost,

the holy catholic Church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and the life everlasting. Amen.

Later Creeds

● Nicene Creed- (AD 325) Explained the Deity of Christ and His Oneness with the Father.

● Constantinople Creed (AD 381) Explained the Holy Spirit’s Oneness with the Father and Son.

How do I find and experience peace?

1. Experience Peace WITH God

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1

2. Experience the Peace OF God

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

3. Experience Peace with OTHERS

“Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” Colossians 3:13

4. Experience Peace with YOURSELF

“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalms 4:8

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:28-29‬‬

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

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Lent 2022 Day 22

Wed, 23 Mar 2022 09:00:05 GMT

Lent 2022

Day 22

For today's devotional we wanted you to take a little more than a minute to worship. Watch this video from Israel Houghton as they sing "To Worship You I Live" followed by a powerful prayer! May this song be a blessing to you on today!

- - -

You are my God. I worship you. In my heart, I long for you, as I would long for a stream in a scorching desert. I have seen your power and your glory in the place of worship. Your love means more than life to me, and I praise you. As long as I live, I will pray to you.
Psalm 63:1-4

Equipped with Solid Gold Righteousness // Built For The Battle // Pastor Tyrone Barnette

Sun, 20 Mar 2022 14:53:55 GMT

Equipped with Solid Gold Righteousness // Built For The Battle // Pastor Tyrone Barnette

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

March 20, 2022

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:10-18

“But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet” 1 Thessalonians 5:8

24 Karat Realities Regarding Righteousness

Our lives are constantly under attack
The Breastplate covered and protected the vital organs, especially the heart.
Sometimes we struggle because we spend time protecting the wrong things.
Satan cannot ultimately defeat a believer who has on Christ’s righteousness… You will survive the attack!

“In righteousness you will be established;
You will be far from oppression, for you will not fear;
And from terror, for it will not come near you. No weapon that is formed against you will prosper;
17And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn.
This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD,
And their vindication is from Me,” declares the LORD.” Isaiah 54:14, 17

No one can become righteous on their own

“As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one” Romans 3:10

“What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in[ a ] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. ” Philippians 3:8-9

Righteousness is formed in 2 ways.
In Who and What we BELIEVE (JUSTIFICATION)
How we BEHAVE. (SANTIFICATION)
The breastplate symbolizes the righteousness of Christ we have received at salvation=

FIXED RIGHTEOUSNESS

“God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:21

Though our righteousness is fixed by faith in Christ we still must produce:

FUNCTIONAL RIGHTEOUSNESS by living right and being obedient to God’s Word.

Jesus didn’t come to help us manage our sin but to have victory over it.

“In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.” 1 John 3:10

“Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.12 Fight the good fight of the faith…” 1 Timothy 6:9-12

Righteousness means to meet the standard of what is right. Jesus is the standard!
Although our righteousness is based in our faith in Christ, Satan tempts us to fall out of favor with God by living an unrighteous life.
Righteousness protects your life. Wretchedness leaves your live exposed to the enemy.
Righteousness can be faked on earth, but it won’t fool spirits in the heavenly places
This pursuit of righteousness is NOT a one-time event, it is what we do until we die.
The pursuit of righteousness should be automatic, second nature, a part of what we do and who we are.
Our love for God should determine what we DO and what we DON’T do.
Righteousness is not just living right toward God but loving right toward others.

“But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet” 1 Thessalonians 5:8

We must love others as a demonstration of our righteousness:
Eros love- (Erotic) “What can you do for me?”
Philia love- (Friendship) “Do for me and I will do for you”
Agape love- (Unconditional) “I will do for you even if you DON’T do anything for me”
When you attempt to live righteous it will invite attack and criticism in your life.
Satan will accuse you as he did Job. Suggest your righteousness is not real but conditional.
You must learn to examine and constantly evaluate your life and correct blind spots and weaknesses.
Satan takes the commands of God and makes them into suggestions

“You shall not surely die if you eat the fruit” Genesis 3:4

“Eve you don’t have to listen to God… it was just a recommendation not a requirement.”

RIGHTEOUSNESS TRANSFORMS US FROM THE INSIDE OUT.
If you give up something or someone to follow Christ you will not miss out, God will give you something or someone better.

"For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:20

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Lent 2022 Day 18

Sat, 19 Mar 2022 12:57:40 GMT

Lent 2022

Day 18

Remain In Jesus

From Jaye, our social media manger: " As we continue to journey through our Lent Season, the temptation of quitting or taking a day off has probably crossed our m inds but I just want to encourage you all to continue to remain in Jesus and allow him to cut off the bad habits in our lives in order to make us as fruitful as possible for our future. "

Lent 2022 Day 17

Fri, 18 Mar 2022 09:00:05 GMT

Lent 2022

Day 16

Moving Beyond Your Pain

An important aspect of the healing of our soul is finding the courage to move beyond our pain. We may not be able to avoid all the hurts we face in life, but we can decide that we won’t let them keep us from moving ahead. Sometimes when we’re deeply wounded, we are tempted for various reasons to stay stuck in the pain, even though we can see that life is moving forward all around us. We can join in and go with what’s happening now, or we can stay behind, stuck in bitterness, resentment, hard-heartedness, and pain.

There are countless reasons why people stay stuck in their pain. Maybe the wound has become their identity, or they use it to get attention. Maybe they fear they’ll fail if they try to do something new. Maybe they don’t feel strong enough to move forward, or maybe their self-image has been damaged to the point that they have no confidence in themselves and no confidence that God will take care of them if they move into something new. We can always choose to stay in our pain, but that will not lead to the good things God has for us. Jesus died to give us a life of abundance, but we can choose whether to embrace it or not. If we want what He has for us, we have to make the choice to move beyond our pain and risk following Him.

I once saw a movie about a very talented woman who suffered such deep wounds in her soul that she completely withdrew from life and from other people. After a stay in a mental health facility, she literally parked her van in someone’s driveway and lived in it for the rest of her life. The movie was a powerful picture of what can happen to people who either don’t know how to, or will not deal with their pain, leave the past behind, and move ahead.

God will never park us in our pain or leave us there, and I hope we never allow ourselves to park in it either. He is always calling us forward. He never leaves us alone to figure out how to move ahead on our own. He makes the path clear to us and leads us, as Isaiah 48:17 says, in the way that we should go. He promises to bring hope, healing, strength, and restoration to our lives if we’ll believe His Word and trust Him to lead us. Plenty of people in the Bible chose to leave their pasts behind and follow God into something new. And you can too!

Prayer Starter: Father, please help me not to park in a place of pain, but to work with You and let You heal my heart. Thank You for empowering me to move forward. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Adapted from the resource “Healing the Soul” by Joyce Meyer

Lent 2022 Day 16

Thu, 17 Mar 2022 09:00:04 GMT

Lent 2022

Day 16

Pastor Carl lets us know "God is in the wall shaking business" as he takes us to Acts 4.

Lent 2022 Day 15

Wed, 16 Mar 2022 09:00:07 GMT

Lent 2022

Day 15

When God Speaks, Act Now

When God speaks to you about an issue that needs to be dealt with in your life, don’t put it off. You can trust that His anointing—the power and ability of the Holy Spirit—is there to break the enemy’s grip on you. If you put off confronting the problem until you want to deal with it, it may be much harder than it would have been if you’d confronted it when God first led you to.

When we follow God’s timetable, we always have His anointing to get it done. Learn to deal with issues when God wants to deal with them and leave them alone when He wants you to wait. It is always a frustrating experience of trying over and over to change ourselves without waiting on God’s help and timing. God’s anointing must be present for anything to work right in our lives.

When God convicts us about something that needs to change in our lives, that means He’s prepared us to face it. We may not feel like we’re ready, but we can trust that His timing is perfect and His anointing is there to break the yoke that’s hindering our full freedom. I’ve learned to say, “Lord, I may not feel ready, but if You say the time is now then I trust that Your power is with me; help me be obedient to You.” As you step out in faith to deal with issues, you’ll find that God’s wisdom, grace, power, and ability that you need are right there to empower you.

Prayer Starter: Lord, please help me hear Your voice and to do each thing You ask me to do in the right timing. Thank You for giving me the anointing and grace I need to grow today! In Jesus’ name, amen.

Adapted from the resource “Hearing from God Each Morning” - by Joyce Meyer

Lent 2022 Day 14

Tue, 15 Mar 2022 09:00:05 GMT

Lent 2022

Day 14

Overcoming Burnout

Are you excessively tired all the time, even after getting a full night’s sleep? Have you been to doctors, but they can’t find anything wrong with you? You might be experiencing some of the symptoms of burnout. Long periods of overexertion and stress can cause constant fatigue, headaches, sleeplessness, digestive problems, tension, and other issues.

Some other signals of burnout are crying, negativity, irritability, depression, cynicism, or even bitterness toward others' blessings. God established the law of resting on the seventh day to help us keep from burning out. The law of the Sabbath simply says we can work six days, but by the seventh, we need to rest and spend time worshiping God. He rested after six days of work, not because He gets tired, but so we would follow the pattern.

In Exodus 23:10-12, we read that even the land had to rest after six years, and the Israelites were told not to sow in it the seventh year. During this rest, everything recovered and prepared for future harvests. People today are often quick to argue that they can’t afford to take a day off, but I say that they can’t afford not to do it. We often hear, "I’m too busy to take a break. I would never get everything done if I did that."

My answer is, "Then you’re too busy and something needs to change in your life." When we’re too busy to follow God's instructions, we will pay the price eventually. Remember, the Bible says we reap what we sow. If we sow continual stress with no rest or time to recover, we will reap the results in our bodies, emotions, and minds. So, I want to encourage you to start to take steps toward resting more. When you honor God with your time, you’ll reap the benefits of rest.

Prayer Starter: Father, please help me to be more intentional to trust You enough to rest when I need to. Thank You in advance for teaching me how to balance work and rest in a healthy way. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Adapted from “Hearing from God Each Morning” by Joyce Meyer

Lent 2022 Day 13

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 13:02:28 GMT

Lent 2022

Day 13

Pastor E takes us to 2 Chronicles 20 with King Jehoshaphat to remind us to stand still because only God can win the battle!

Are you willing to stand still

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You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’”

2 Chronicles 20:17

Standing For The Truth // Built For The Battle // Pastor Tyrone Barnette

Sun, 13 Mar 2022 15:10:32 GMT

Standing For The Truth // Built For The Battle // Pastor Tyrone Barnette

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

March 13, 2022

“ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” Ephesians 6:10-18

The earth is not a PLAYGROUND for Christian Games! It’s a BATTLEFIELD for Christian Soldiers.
We must be equipped with the right wardrobe
We never know when the devil will strike, so be ready at all times.
The armor is almost completely for defense
You have my back and I have yours. Not supposed to fight alone.
We are called to STAND- can’t fight on your back. Stand your ground, do everything to stand, and stand firm in truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and assurance of God’s keeping power… as you stand on the Word and prayer.

Belt of truth for protection for what we SOW

Breastplate of Righteousness for protection for what we SHOW

Shoes of Peace for protection for where we GO

Shield of Faith for protection for how we GROW

Helmet of Salvation for protection for what we KNOW

Sword of Spirit and Prayer for protection for how we FLOW

Put on the belt of truth

Everything should be tied into truth.

2. Satan’s attack on Eve was to have her question truth. “Did God really say?” Gen 3:1

3. Satan’s tactic is DECEPTION. Strongholds are rooted in a lie and the truth defeats it.

4. This is not just knowing truth but embodying truth.

“Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.
6 Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts ,
And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.” Psalms 51:5-6

5. We are to hold Bible up to our life like a MIRROR. Let the Word search you.

“Search me, God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.

24 See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Psalms 139:23-24

Scriptures on Truth

Jesus brought to us the truth

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

2. Truth brings light and exposes the darkness.

“ But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.” John 3:21

3. Truth will make you free.

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32

4. The Spirit guides us by truth.

“But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” John 16:13

Truth we understand and receive today we couldn’t years ago as we grow.

5. Truth set us apart and sanctifies us.

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17

6. Truth is a person… Jesus Christ.

“I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Me” John 14:6

Statements of truth

I deserve to be loved and God loves me
God is in control of all things and has all power and authority
I am not a mistake
My life has purpose
God can redeem my broken past
God uses suffering
Jesus wants me to receive Him as Lord of my life
Jesus will forgive me and help me forgive myself
Jesus has paid for all my sins and mistakes
I will live forever when I trust Jesus

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Lent 2022 Day 11

Sat, 12 Mar 2022 10:00:03 GMT

Lent 2022

Day 11

Asking God For Direction

The Holy Spirit acts somewhat like a traffic signal inside of us. When we do the right things, we get a “green light” from Him, and when we do wrong things, we get a “red light.” If we’re about to get ourselves into trouble, but haven’t fully made a decision to proceed, we get a caution signal, or a “yellow light.”

The more we stop and ask God for directions, the more sensitive we become to the Holy Spirit’s signals in our hearts. Thankfully, He doesn’t scream and yell at us; He simply whispers in a still, small voice (see 1 Kings 19:12) and lets us know what we need to do. Each time we listen and obey, it becomes easier to hear Him the next time. He will always lead us to new levels of life and inner peace if we yield to Him.

I want to challenge you: when the Holy Spirit says something to you today, take action on it. Even if it doesn’t seem to make sense at first, you’ll be glad you did it.

Prayer Starter: Father, when I’m in a situation where I’m not sure whether to move forward or not, please help me hear and follow Your voice. Thank You that You have a clear direction for my life, and that You’re leading me one step at a time into Your plan. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Adapted from the resource “The Power of Being Thankful” by Joyce Meyer

Lent 2022 Day 10

Fri, 11 Mar 2022 10:00:03 GMT

Lent 2022

Day 10

Trial By Fire

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life.” James 1:12

One winter while visiting a natural history museum in Colorado, I learned some remarkable facts about the aspen tree. An entire grove of slender, white-trunked aspens can grow from a single seed and share the same root system. These root systems can exist for thousands of years whether or not they produce trees. They sleep underground, waiting for fire, flood, or avalanche to clear a space for them in the shady forest. After a natural disaster has cleared the land, aspen roots can sense the sun at last. The roots send up saplings, which become trees.

For aspens, new growth is made possible by the devastation of a natural disaster. James writes that our growth in faith is also made possible by difficulties. “Consider it pure joy,” he writes, “whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” ( James 1:2–4 ).

It’s difficult to be joyful during trials, but we can take hope from the fact that God will use difficult circumstances to help us reach maturity. Like aspen trees, faith can grow in times of trial when difficulty clears space in our hearts for the light of God to touch us.

By: Amy Peterson

Lent 2022 Day 9

Thu, 10 Mar 2022 10:00:16 GMT

Lent 2022

Day 9

Our First Lady, Tabitha encourages us to not give up! We've made it through one whole week of fasting and although it'd been hard to give up the things we desire DON'T GIVE UP!

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For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

Lent 2022 Day 8

Wed, 09 Mar 2022 10:00:04 GMT

Lent 2022

Day 8

Are You Thirsty?

“Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that scripture would be fulfilled Jesus said, I am thirsty.” John 19:28

Have you ever been so thirsty that you would go to extreme measure to quench your thirst? Growing up there was a saying “stop being so thirsty.” This saying was used to described people who appeared to be desperate for something. Willing to do whatever it took to satisfy a need for attention, validation, acceptance, relationships, money, sex or success. But what if today we actually started being thirsty? Not for things of this world but desperate for the more that God has for us and satisfying the true need of fulfilling his purpose for our lives. What extreme measure would we take?

While Jesus was on the cross he was thirsty. He was desperate for more of God and satisfying the true purpose for his life. He was determined to quench his thirst of fulfilling the prophecy of scripture so that we could have forgiveness, love, freedom, purpose and worth. He was willing to endured extreme measures of pain, suffering and agony just for us. So that we could have life and life more abundantly. Never having to be thirsty for attention, validation, acceptance, relationships, money or success again. He knew that his pain was producing purpose so he couldn’t stop midway through the mission he had to finish the task. And the great news is he did just that. He endured the full experience of suffering so that he could empathize with us in our time of uncomfort and to be everything we need. He died so that we could have life. He died so we can have a personal relationship with him. He died so our thirst could completely be quenched.

So it is today I ask are you thirsty? Are you empty wanting to feel fulfilled and satisfied with life. Have you been looking to people, things, or accomplishments to make your life happier but still your thirst has not been quench. If your answer is yes, I invite you to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior for he is the ultimate thirst quencher and he is ready to be the living water your soul thirst for. He is ready to be the water that enables you to never have to do life on your own. He is ready to fill you up. Receive your drink on today!

Prayer:

Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and I have been thirsty for so many things that did not bring my life fulfillment. I was looking to quench a thirst that could only be quenched by you and I need your forgiveness on today. I believe that you died on the cross and rose from the dead just for me. To save me, to give me life and everything else I need. I trust you as my lord and savior and I invite you into my heart to fill me up. I invite you in to my heart to replace every void of rejection, anger, bitterness and pain with your love, grace and peace. I surrender my will for yours and I thank you in advance for helping me to complete the task you have created for me to do. In Jesus name I pray Amen.

By: Bianca Phillips

Lent 2022 Day 7

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 10:00:04 GMT

Lent 2022

Day 7

Sometimes we get so busy we forget to just stop and breathe. If the pandemic didn't show us anything else it showed us how valuable breathing is to our lives.

We want you to stop and br eathe today!

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“The Spirit of God has made me,

And the breath of the Almighty gives me life."

Job 33:4

Lent 2022 Day 6

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 10:00:03 GMT

Lent 2022

Day 6

Prayer & Spiritual Warfare

Scripture Reading — Ephesians 6:10-20

Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. . . . Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. — Ephesians 6:10 , 18

Jesus taught us to pray, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” ( Matthew 6:13 ). If this seems confusing, making you wonder who is doing the tempting, be assured that God “does not tempt anyone” ( James 1:13 ). These words in Jesus’ prayer mean, “Do not bring us to times of trial . . .” and “Protect us when we are tempted. . . .” (See also Psalm 31:3-4 .)

Temptation is the work of the devil, Satan. We read in Matthew 4:1 that when Jesus was in the wilderness, he was “tempted by the devil.” But it’s important to note that in the same verse we find that Jesus was “led by the Spirit into the wilderness.”

The activity of Satan and the Holy Spirit here can seem confusing, but here’s a helpful way to look at it. Satan tempts, but God tests. When we are tempted, the only way we can pass the test of temptation is by recognizing our weakness and leaning on the Lord’s strength.

This is why prayer is such an important weapon in spiritual warfare. We are defenseless without it. Through prayer we remain connected with God, who equips us for battle and enables us to resist temptation. The Lord who conquered sin shares his victory with us! The power of sin has been defeated by the One who has delivered us from evil, and he is also the One who has taught us to pray.

Prayer

Lord, I am powerless to resist temptation apart from you. Thank you for being my strength, my wisdom, and my deliverer. Keep me faithful in prayer. Amen.

By: Peter Hoyteam

Winning The War Within

Sun, 06 Mar 2022 21:40:56 GMT

Winning The War Within

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

March 6, 2022

Sampson’s blind spots:

He paid too much attention to his STRENGTHS and not enough attention to his WEAKNESSES.

He rejected the IMAGE of GOD and embraced the IMAGE of the WORLD.

He sought out relationships with DANGEROUS PEOPLE and thought he would escape the CONSEQUENCES.

His LONGING for Delilah was greater than his LOVE for God.

IDOLATRY is to give anything or anyone more attention, energy, resources, and devotion than you give to God.

How much of God you have is primarily determined by how much you DESIRE Him.

He lived out of his SOUL rather than from his SPIRIT.

Learning to let your spirit rule your soul

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence, 4 by which He has granted to us His precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.”

2 Peter 1:3-4

WE MUST CONNECT WITH GOD THROUGH OUR SPIRIT NOT OUR DAMAGED SOUL!

Body- Connected to the World (Taste, touch, smell, hear, see…the senses)

Soul- Connected to the Yourself and others emotionally and intellectually.

Spirit- Connected to God

Spirit is immediately saved upon accepting Christ as Lord and Savior- (JUSTIFICATION)

Soul is being saved through obedience to God’s Word and Spirit- (SANCTIFICATION)

Body will ultimately be saved at death- (GLORIFICATION)

GOD WANTS YOUS SOUL TO BE CONTROLLED BY YOUR SPIRIT AND THE SPIRIT TO RULE YOUR SOUL!

WHEN YOUR SPIRIT RULES IT TELLS YOUR SOUL WHAT TO DO AND YOU EXPERIENCE LIFE!

“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” John 7:38

Satan ultimately wants to:

Draw you away from God

Distort God’s purpose for your life

Deny the glory of God in your life

Destroy you any way he can, body, soul, or spirit.

Deliverance is possible!

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7

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Lent 2022 Day 5

Sun, 06 Mar 2022 10:00:03 GMT

Lent 2022

Day 5

The Reality Of Spiritual Warfare

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12

The Apostle Paul, who wrote this letter to the church in Ephesus, is explaining that our battle is not necessarily a physical battle. There’s a spiritual war happening all around us where we are the victors because of Jesus’s sacrifice. The problem is that some of these forces are grasping for power in our lives as they go down swinging. We have to recognize that much of what we experience in the physical realm can be considered an assault in the spiritual as well.

I want to be clear here, though. Our lack of planning is not spiritual warfare. If you know your car is low on gas but you don’t stop to fill up, your car running out of gas on your way to an interview is not a spiritual attack. If your phone is low on battery because you forgot to charge it, it’s not a spiritual attack when that phone dies when you’re in the middle of an important conversation.

Despite the examples I gave above, there are plenty of times where I’ve felt attacked spiritually. I wonder if you feel the same way. There’s tension because we do know that we are saved and victorious through Christ’s sacrifice for us, but the kingdom of God has not fully come yet. That means that evil can still exist in this world. So at the same time that the kingdom of God is already here like Jesus says, it’s also not yet come.

When you feel attacked, you’re not helpless, though. Jesus is our answer to spiritual warfare. Thinking about this as an actual war, you have to plan accordingly. Think of this as needing defense and offense.

“Defense” would be reading your Bible and spending time with God every day. As you spend time with God and learn about the things he did and cared about, you prepare for attacks that are coming. You’re prepared to face hardships because you’ve been inspired by God’s Word.

“Offense” would be praying. As you pray for the things you want or need, God moves. He’s always moving, and he may not move like you want him to, but he does move. This also takes the battle out of your hands and gives them to the one who is already victorious. There are other methods of offense that could include serving, but this devotional is already too long.

Prayer

“Father, thank you for your victory. Help me to recognize areas in my life where I need to up my offense or my defense. Give me strength to resist the evil in this world that continues to hold on for dear life. It’s in Jesus’s name I pray, amen.”

Nick Vogel

Lent 2022 Day 4

Sat, 05 Mar 2022 13:04:58 GMT

Lent 2022

Day 4

Is prayer a discipline or a desperation for you? Listen to Pastor NaJarri break this down.

Stay Prayed Up!

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"Pray without ceasing"

1 Thessalonians 5:17

Lent 2022 Day 3

Fri, 04 Mar 2022 10:00:03 GMT

Lent 2022

Day 3

Victory In Spiritual Warfare

The world is at war… a conflict that is wreaking havoc on civilians, injuring and killing many, even innocent children. Countless lives have been lost in battle after battle, and many people are uncertain about a decisive victory.

I’m not talking about the war on terror. I’m grateful, as all Americans should be, for the sacrifice and valor of our men and women serving in the armed services.

But I speak of a war that has consequences which will reverberate throughout eternity.

Spiritual warfare is an epic battle between good and evil which began when Satan was cast out of heaven. This confrontation escalated to the Garden of Eden, where the first man, Adam, received a near fatal blow that echoes throughout the history of God’s people.

Jesus came to earth and faced this battle daily. The devil tempted Him in the wilderness, and the battle raged. Jesus was sent to the cross to die… and the battle raged. He rose victoriously on the third day… but the enemy still hasn’t surrendered.

This spiritual battle continues to rage today, and the destiny of the entire world’s population lies in its outcome.

It is clearly described by Paul, the apostle,

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12 NKJV

Surrounding us is a spiritual war… angels vs. demons… good vs. evil… light vs. darkness. But amazingly, most believers live as if this conflict were not even happening, as if the “battle of the ages” was just a fantasy or sci-fi story. Yet not one of us is immune to the consequences of spiritual warfare. Although the players fight in an invisible realm, we all face the effects—pain, struggle, defeat, heartache—of their conflict every day of our lives.

Until you recognize that your struggle is not with man but with spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places, you will never begin to live in victory. Your victory in spiritual warfare must rest on the reality that God has given you everything that you need to live in light of the truth of His victory in order to experience and become all that God has created you to be. You are going to have to put on the Armor of God yourself – everyday – in order to experience the victory that is yours.

Dr. Tony Evans, The Urban Alternative

Lent 2022 Day 2

Thu, 03 Mar 2022 13:06:55 GMT

Lent 2022

Day 2

Some encouragement from Pastor Tyrone Barnette as we fast from sugar over the next 40 days

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“Even now,” declares the LORD, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning.” Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.

Joel 1:12-13

Lent 2022 Day 1

Wed, 02 Mar 2022 11:38:10 GMT

Lent 2022

Day 1

Division roars louder now than it has in many years past. Everywhere we turn, it seems a new group rises up against another. We are a world divided by a multiplicity of ideas, values, beliefs, preferences, dreams, and expectations. And yet God calls us to live in unity. As the apostle Paul states, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men” (Romans 12:18)

As kingdom followers of Jesus Christ, we have been chosen to model unity, love, and peace as an alternative to the ways of a world that stands divided. Yet it seems that division often slithers its way into our churches and Christian organizations as well. Satan’s overall strategies rarely change—whatever he can divide, he can conquer (Mark 3:24). He accomplishes this division through lies, deception, and destruction (John 10:10). But we must remember that in this battle we are not fighting for victory; we are fighting from victory. Jesus has already disarmed the rulers and principalities of this rebellion (Colossians 2:15) and has secured the victory for us. We walk in the fullness of this victory by standing in truth, abiding in Christ, resisting the devil and his minions, and waging spiritual warfare according to God’s Word.

To say that spiritual warfare happens in this area of oneness with others is an understatement. It’s time for us to rise up as the collective body of Christ and call down heaven’s authority into the chaos on earth, in order that we might usher in the light, blessings, and favor that defeat the darkness of the enemy.

After all, the call to unity is the great call Christ gave in His high priestly prayer. Shortly before He was arrested and crucified, He prayed. Pray this prayer today!

I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in Me, and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me (John 17:20-23 NIV).

Unity is to be our defining marker as kingdom disciples. Jesus said our unity will show the world that God sent Him and that He has loved us as God loves Him. Oneness is not an emotion. Unity is not a song. It is a strategy, responsibility, and approach to advancing God’s kingdom agenda and seeing His rule manifested on earth. To live divided (whether at home, work, or church or in our communities, nation, or world) is to bow to Satan rather than the one true God. It is to relinquish our spiritual authority on the altar of discord.

Unity is the keystone of spiritual victory. It must be our goal as followers of Christ if we are to be effective in this call to live as overcomers in spiritual warfare.

- - - - -

Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people (Ephesians 6:13-18 NIV).

Exposing the Strong man // Built For The Battle // Pastor Tyrone Barnette

Sun, 27 Feb 2022 17:40:38 GMT

Exposing the Strong man // Built For The Battle // Pastor Tyrone Barnette

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

February 27, 2022

Ephesians 6:10-13

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Who is the strongman?

1. He is a created angel that became corrupted

‘You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, till wickedness was found in you.’” Ezekiel 28:15

“How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! 13 You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. 14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.” 15 But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit.”

Isaiah 14:12-15

2. He is called the god of this world-

“Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.”

2 Corinthians 4:2

3. He is a prince of the world and over the demonic forces -

“The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out.”

John 12:31 and John 14:30; John 16:11;

“…the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.” Ephesians 2:2

4. He is a ruler and controls the systems of this world and the source of all evil -

“We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” 1 John 5:19

5. He is THE father of lies, a murderer, and a deceiver -

“You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” John 8:44

6. He is the head of his own religion -

“I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.” Revelation 2:9/3:9

a. He has his own doctrine and word-

“But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!” Galatians 1:8

“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” 1 Timothy 4:1

b. He has his own ministers/clergy that carry his message

“No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds.” 2 Corinthians 11:14-15

c. His own brand of worship and communion-

“I say that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons and not to God; and I do not want you to become sharers in demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons.”

1 Corinthians 10:20-21

7. He has power but not all power-

“The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with how Satan works. He will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie”

2 Thessalonians 2:9-10

“You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”

1 John 4:4

8. He seeks to divide

“Jesus said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; 32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

Luke 22:31-32

9. He is the destroyer of lives, dreams, and all he touches

10. But ultimately, he will be destroyed along with all demonic beings

“The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.”

Revelations 12:9 ; reference also Ezekiel 28:11-19

Who are his targets and where does he establish strongholds?

1. Unbelievers

2. Christians – Romans 7:15-24

3. Churches - Revelation 2 & 3

4. Cultures, Communities, and Countries

“They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. 2 When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an impure spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain. 4 For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones. 6 When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7 He shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” 8 For Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man, you impure spirit!” 9 Then Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” 10 And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.” Mark 5:1-10

Jesus has come to set us free from the power of the devil

“Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.” 1 John 3:8

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Why Do I Do The Things I Do? // Overcoming Strongholds

Sun, 20 Feb 2022 16:58:15 GMT

Why Do I Do The Things We Do? // O vercoming Strongholds

2 Corinthia ns 10:3-5

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

February 20, 2022

WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF A STRONGHOLD?

An EXPERIENCE that is BEHIND us.

“…take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ”. 2 Corinthians 10:5b

An ENVIRONMENT that is AROUND us.

“Friendship with the world is enmity with God” James 4:4

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable, and perfect.” Romans 12:2

“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” Colossians 2:8

An ERROR that is WITHIN us.

“But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.” Matthew 15:18-20

“Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” James 1:14-15

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What Men & Women Need From Each Other

Tue, 15 Feb 2022 21:12:16 GMT

What Men And Women Need From Each Other

Genesis 1-3

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

February 13, 2022

What Men and Women Need From Each Other

Genesis 1-3

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

Genesis 1:27

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.

Genesis 1:31

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

Genesis 2:23-25

The man said, “This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called ‘woman,’ for she was taken out of man.” That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh. Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame.

WHAT MEN AND WOMEN NEED IN A RELATIONSHIP

1. ATTENTION

2. AFFIRMATION

3. ACCEPTANCE

4. AFFECTION

5. ASSISTANCE

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Renovation That Brings Revival

Sun, 06 Feb 2022 15:15:39 GMT

Renovation That Brings Revival

2 Chronicles 28:22-27

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

February 6, 2022

The 21st century church has lost its mission
The 21st century church has lost its message
The 21st century church has lost its mystery

The church must regain its purpose
The church must regain its power
The church must regain its potential
The church must remember its promise

Observations from 2 Chronicles 29-30

When the house and the people of God are restored, it affects all of society.

“King Hezekiah said, ‘Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel, that His fierce wrath may turn away from us”. 2 Chronicles 29:10

When the house and the people of God are restored, all can take part in God’s blessing.

“In the first year of King Hezekiah reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of the Lord and repaired them”. 2 Chronicles 29:3

When the house and people of God are restored, sin is removed, and leaders are released.

“Then he brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them in the East Square, and said to them ‘Hear me, Levites! Now sanctify yourselves, sanctify this house of the Lord God of your fathers, and carry out the rubbish from the Holy place.” 2 Chronicles 29:4-5

When the house and people of God are restored, God is glorified and honored.

“The whole assembly of Judah rejoiced, also the priests and Levites, all the assembly that came from Israel, the sojourners who came from the land of Israel, and those who dwelt in Judah. So there was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the time of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel, there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem. Then the priests, the Levites, arose and blessed the people, and their voice was heard; and their prayers came up to His holy dwelling place, to heaven.” 2 Chronicles 30:25-27

Finding Purpose In A Pit

Sun, 30 Jan 2022 15:30:35 GMT

Finding Purpose In A Pit

Judges 6:11-16

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

January 30, 2022

Judges‬ ‭6:11-16‬‬

The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” “Pardon me, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.” The Lord turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” “Pardon me, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “but how can I save Israel? My clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my family.” The Lord answered, “I will be with you, and you will strike down all the Midianites, leaving none alive.”

- God can find you no matter how deep the pit or dark your doubts

- He calls you to your destiny despite your despair

- You can do anything when you know God is with you

- You must leave bread making to someone else and go fulfill your purpose.

- When you leave the pit, the relationships and resources will be given for you to fulfill your purpose

Book-A-Month Suggestions for 2022

Fri, 28 Jan 2022 18:24:23 GMT

“You are the places you go, the people you meet, the books you read.”

- Jeff Wallace

I asked a mentor of mine, Wye Huxford, former professor Biblical Studies and Theology at Point University, for 12 books to read to help grow you deeper in your faith.

January – Simply Christian. N.T. Wright.

February – Mere Christianity. C.S. Lewis.

March – Life Together. Diedrich Bonhoeffer.

April – Small Faith: Great God. N.T. Wright.

May – A Fellowship of Differents. Scot McKnight.

June – The Good and Beautiful God. James Bryan Smith.

July – Reading While Black. Esau McCaulley.

August – Telling Secrets. Frederick Buechner.

September – How to Fight Racism. Jamar Tisby.

October – A Mighty Long Way. Carlotta Walls Lanier.

November – Who Lynched Willie Earle? Will Willimon.

December – Everything Happens for a Reason (And Other Lies I’ve Loved). Kate Bowler

- Pastor NaJarri

The Joy of Living By Faith, Not Fear

Sun, 23 Jan 2022 17:34:39 GMT

The Joy of Living By Faith, Not Fear

2 Timothy 1:6-7

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

January 23, 2022

“Therefore, I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:6-7 NKJV

Without FAITH, we see through the eyes of FEAR:

We EXAGGERATE the abilities of the opposition

But the other men who had explored the land with him disagreed. “We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are!” 32 So they spread this bad report about the land among the Israelites: “The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there. All the people we saw were huge.” Numbers 13:31-32 NLT

We UNDERESTIMATE our own abilities.

“We seemed like grasshoppers in OUR OWN EYES, and we looked the same to them.” Numbers 13:33

We CONTAIMINATE the faith and abilities of others.

“Then the whole community began weeping aloud, and they cried all night. 2 Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. “If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!” they complained.” Numbers 14:1-2

We VACATE faith in the abilities of God to care for us.

“Why is the Lord taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?” 4 Then they plotted among themselves, “Let’s choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!”

When we have faith…

FAITH OPENS the EYES of our HEART

“What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hoped for is going to happen and to be certain of things we do not yet see.” Hebrews 11:1 NLT

“ I pray that THE EYES OF YOUR HEART may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints” Ephesians 1:18 NASB

FAITH DIMINISHES our PROBLEMS and MAGNIFYS our GOD

“Is ANYTHING too hard for the Lord?” Genesis 18:14a

“For nothing is impossible with God!” Luke 1:37

FAITH MOVES GOD to ACT

“Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.” 22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your FAITH has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.” Matthew 9:20-22

FAITH UNLOCKS the PROMISES of GOD

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are all ‘Yes’ in Christ!”

2 Corinthians 1:20a

“Glory be to God, who by His mighty power at work within us, is able to do FAR MORE than we ever DARE TO ASK or even DREAM of—infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, or hopes!” Ephesians 3:20 (LB)

Finding Hope When It's Hard

Sun, 16 Jan 2022 17:30:32 GMT

Finding Hope When It's Hard

Habbakuk 1:2-4

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

January 16, 2022

Be REAL about what God hasn’t done

“How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?
Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save?
3 Why do you make me look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?
Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds.
4 Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails.
The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.” Habakkuk 1:2-4

Be RESPECTIVE about what God is doing

“Look at the nations and watch—and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe,
even if you were told.
6 I am raising up the Babylonians, that ruthless and impetuous people,
who sweep across the whole earth to seize dwellings not their own.
7 They are a feared and dreaded people; they are a law to themselves
and promote their own honor.” Habakkuk 1:5-7

“Habakkuk said, ‘I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts;
I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint.

2 Then the Lord replied: “Write down the revelation
and make it plain on tablets so that a herald may run with it.
3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end
and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come
and will not delay.” Habakkuk 2:1-3

RECALL what God has done

“A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet. On shigionoth .

2 Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord.
Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known;
in wrath remember mercy.” Habakkuk 3:1-2

REST and REJOICE in what God will do

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails, and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

19 The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to tread on the heights.” Habakkuk 3:17-19

For Those Who Struggle With Faith

Fri, 14 Jan 2022 17:17:56 GMT

For those who Struggle With Faith and the Demands of Life

When you’re struggling with faith, it can feel like your life’s purpose, friendships, family relationships, and understanding of the world are all under threat. So, allowing yourself to ask hard questions about what you believe takes a lot of courage. It’s normal to have questions about God. Sometimes taking faith and the questions it poses seriously means struggling with faith. And sometimes it causes you to have doubts. But as long as there’s a kernel of belief left in you; you have not lost your faith. In fact, questioning your faith is often how you grow it.

A seed of faith buried deep in the ground has a shell of protection around it to shield it from the elements. When a sapling sheds the protection of the seed to poke its head above the ground, it is vulnerable to wind, rain, snow, and animals. But its roots keep it anchored to the ground. And the tugs of the wind and the rain actually help to strengthen the sapling into a tree that can withstand torrential storms without a shell. Your faith is the same.

If you’ve started asking the hard questions, you’ve already started to poke out of your protective shell.

Pretending you haven’t thought of questions that you are afraid to answer is like trying to force toothpaste back into its tube. It’s not going to work. And that might be a good thing. Faith was never meant to be static or unchanging. Questioning your faith means you are taking seriously the task of pursuing truth and figuring out what it means to live according to it. This is what discipleship is all about!

There’s good news! You don’t have to wrestle with your doubts on your own. Our church is here for you! One of our core values is to be a church that is prodigal friendly. That means we accept people like they are but trust that God’s truth and grace will not leave us that way. He can and will change us if we are willing to surrender our hurts, hang-ups, and habits and accept His plan for our lives.

At Peace Baptist we have various support and study groups that will assist you in making the life changes you need to make. We have:

Celebrate Recovery for those dealing with all sorts of addictive and debilitating life issues.
Grief Share for those who are struggling with various types of loss.
Alzheimer’s Support to aid caregivers who are attending to someone going through Alzheimer’s or other forms of memory loss.
Divorce Care to help individuals recover from the termination of a marriage.
Counseling and Pastoral Care support services for adults and youth.
Many of other ministries for men, women, singles, and married couples

Grappling with the hardest questions about faith is like cooking tough cuts of meat. When you try to cook the tough cuts fast, they only get tougher and harder to digest. If you didn’t know better, you might throw out or avoid these tough cuts of meat. But when you take the time to slowly break it down in a barbecue pit or crockpot, the toughest and most gristly meat can become the most tender, delicious, and flavorful meal.

Visit our pastoral care page for more resources to help you heal and find the answers you need.

For New Believers

Fri, 14 Jan 2022 17:14:17 GMT

Next Steps for a New Christian/Believer

Congratulations and Blessings to you! If you are a new believer, you are at the beginning of a journey that will change everything in your life and relationships. Your sins have been forgiven and you have been given a fresh start by placing your faith and confidence in Jesus Christ.

In addition to the amazing blessings God is sending your way, you are probably thinking, “Now what? What is the next step?” Good News, the Bible offers some important steps you must take as you begin your new relationship with Christ and His church.

First, as a new Christian, begin reading the Bible.

There are many translations and numerous places to start. While there is no perfect translation, we recommend you choose a Bible that is easy for you to understand and is faithful to the original text of the Bible. To sample some of today’s popular translations, you can go to websites such as BibleGateway.com or YouVersion.com . We recommend that you begin your reading with the Gospel of John or one of the other Gospels to read for yourself what Jesus taught and did during His time on earth. Other articles on GotQuestions.org will help you answer the practical questions you have about God and spiritual issues.

Second, as a new Christian, begin praying.

Prayer is simply talking with God. Many believe prayer can only take place during a church service or by saying very deep and spiritual words No! Just talk to God about whatever you need to as if He was your dearest friend… because He is. Throughout each day, you can give thanks to God, ask Him to answer your daily needs, and pray on behalf of others. It’s also important to pray together with others who follow Christ, encouraging each other, praising God, and seeking answers to everyone’s requests.

Third, as a new Christian, be baptized.

Baptism symbolizes your new life in Christ and proclaims that you are now committed to Jesus. Even Jesus was baptized, and He calls those who believe in Him to also be baptized. Baptism does not have any magical or mystical power, nor is it a requirement for salvation. It is a symbol that you are already saved and a testimony to everyone that you are a new person in Christ Jesus.

Before you are placed under the water you make a confession that Jesus is your Lord and that you have placed your trust in Him to forgive you of sin and guide you by His Spirit forever.

Our Pastoral Care Ministry will meet with you before your baptism is scheduled and give you all the details you need to prepare for this special day. We have a brief baptism class for our youth that we require them to attend. At your baptism we encourage you to invite family and friends to attend because at Peace Baptist we make a big deal about your baptism!

Fourth, as a new Christian, build friendships with other Christians.

The Christian life is designed to be enjoyed with others. Jesus invested much of His ministry with 12 disciples as His closest friends. He likewise calls us to live in community with one another. The New Testament has over 50 “one another” verses that refer to loving one another, serving one another, encouraging one another, and praying for one another. Each of these commands requires relationships with other Christians.

Fellowship with other believers is one of the purposes of a local church. Peace Baptist is a great place to get involved. We will have our team help you find a small group to join . It is always intimidating to meet new people, but we have a simple process for you to choose a group that appeals to you and meets your needs as you grow and mature. When you are ready, we will also help you find a place for you to serve in the church and community.

As you build relationships with others, we also want you to build a relationship with Peace Baptist. Becoming a member of our church family is a great way to learn our history, participate in the ways we live out the Great Commandment and do life with an amazing community.

Fifth, as a new Christian, tell someone about your faith.

Becoming a Christian is not a secret; it’s a celebration! Share your story ! Tell all who will listen about Christ’s work in your life. In some cases, other people will come to faith in Jesus through the example you share.

Sometimes it's our actions that speak louder than anything. Put your faith on display by being the church and serve in ministry . Peace offers a variety of ways to serve our church and our community. Find your place in ministry and get involved as we meet needs. Your life will be a light for others to see and you will be a trophy of God’s grace.

Forming Faith That Is Built To Last

Sun, 09 Jan 2022 17:02:30 GMT

Forming Faith That Is Built To Last

Ephesians 4:17-24

Romans 4:18-24

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

January 9, 2022

To have a faith that is built to last:

You must be willing to embrace change

21 “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. Otherwise, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. 22 And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins” Mark 2:21-22

You must have a renewed mind

“There must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes.” Ephesians 4:23 (NLT)

“Let the Spirit change your way of thinking” Ephesians 4:23 (CEV)

You must be willing to GET RID of what distracts you from God’s will.

“So, get rid of your old self , which made you live as you used to, the old self that was being destroyed by its deceitful desires”. Ephesians 4:22 (TEV)

“We must get rid of everything that slows us down, especially any sin that distracts us, so we can run the race that lies ahead of us” Hebrews 12:1 (GW)

You must have faith in God’s Word and promises despite the circumstances.

Genesis 18:9-15

Romans 4:18-24

What Must I Do In 2022

Sun, 02 Jan 2022 22:25:12 GMT

What Must I Do In 2022

Psalms 40:1-3

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

January 2, 2022

Psalms 40:1-3 NKJV
1 I waited patiently for the Lord; And He inclined to me, And heard my cry.
2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps.
3 He has put a new song in my mouth— Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the Lord.

What I Must Do In 2022 To Be Built to Last:

Be Patient

“I waited patiently for the Lord” vs.1a

Be Prayerful

“He inclined to me, And heard my cry” vs. 1b

Be Purposeful

“He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps ” vs. 2

“I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalms 119:11

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Be Praising

“He has put a new song in my mouth— Praise to our God; Many will see it and fear,

And will trust in the Lord” vs. 3

From Our Living Room To Yours

Mon, 27 Dec 2021 00:03:46 GMT

From Our Living Room To Yours

Luke 2:1-20

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

December 26, 2021

No matter how dark the situation seems God will find you!

Merry Christmas

Unsung: The Christmas Story

Sun, 19 Dec 2021 23:57:06 GMT

Unsung:

The Christmas Story Behind The Story

John 1:1-14

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

December 19, 2021

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1-14

John’s story of Jesus is the full and complete Christmas story.

Jesus Always Existed.

Matthew says: “This is the genealogy[ a ] of Jesus the Messiah[ b ] the son of David, the son of Abraham”. Matthew 1:1

Luke says: “…Jesus is- the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.” Luke 3:38

John says: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” John 1:1

Jesus is God.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” John 1:1

Jesus is the Creator and Sustainer of All Things.

“Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made.” John 1:3

“For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created by Him and for Him .” Colossians 1:16

Jesus is the Light that Overcomes All Darkness.

“In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind” John 1:4

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome[ it” John 1:5

Jesus can Deliver Anybody if they RECOGNIZE and RECEIVE HIM.

9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. 11 He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him.

GOD CAN MAKE HIS GLORY KNOWN AND WE CAN MISS IT!

12 Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His Name, He gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

Don’t Miss the Messiah Made Flesh in the Manger.

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

The Best Is Yet To Come

Mon, 13 Dec 2021 00:09:27 GMT

The Best Is Yet To Come

John 2:1-11

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

December 12, 2021

“ On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, 2 and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3 When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” 4 “Woman,[ a ] why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My hour has not yet come.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.[ b ] 7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. 8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” 11 What Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.” John 2:1-11

When you are believing Christ for better, you should experience:

EXPECTATION: Believe Jesus for the best

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6

“Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” John 1:3

“For in Christ all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Christ and for Christ. He is before all things, and in Christ all things hold together .” Colossians 1:16-17

ABDICATION : Leave the details up to Christ .

“His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” John 2:5

PARTICIPATION: Cooperate in your own deliverance .

“Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim.” John 2: 7

MANIFESTATION: Look for Christ to blow your mind .

“Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” John 2:10

The Foolishness Of A Self Centered Future

Mon, 29 Nov 2021 00:28:20 GMT

The Foolishness Of A Self Centered Future

Luke 12:12-16

Back To The Future Series

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

November 28, 2021

“And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’

18 “Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store my surplus grain. 19 And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.”’

20 “But God said to him, ‘ You fool ! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’

21 “This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:16-21

DON’T BE A FOOL AND PUT YOUR TRUST IN TREASURE.
DON’T BE A FOOL AND BE SELFISH WITH YOUR SUBSTANCE.
DON’T BE A FOOL AND ATTEMPT TO LIVE WITHOUT THE LORD.
DON’T BE A FOOL AND MISS TODAY WISHING FOR TOMORROW.

You Do Not Have The Right To Remain Silent

Mon, 22 Nov 2021 00:46:48 GMT

You Do Not Have The Right To Remain Silent

Ephesians 5:15-20

Psalm 107:1-2

Back To The Future Series

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

November 21, 2021

15 “ Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:15-20

“O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endures forever. 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from the hand of the enemy” Psalm 107:1-2

1. The STRUCTURE of Thanksgiving

“Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the

Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make

music from your heart to the Lord” Ephesians 5:18-19

7 Hebrew words for praise and thanksgiving

1. TODAH or TOWDAH- Thanksgiving that does not look at circumstances to praise, it means to extend the hands outward to offer yourself to the Lord. It is also used to describe a choir singing.

2. YADAH- Give thanks with uplifted hands

3. BARAK- To kneel in thanksgiving.

4. TEHILLAH- To sing a song of thanksgiving

5. HALAL- To give thanks by being enthusiastically crazy with exuberant praise.

6. ZAMAR- Give thanks with a musical instrument.

7. SHABACH- Give thanks with a loud voice

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving (TODAH) and his courts with praise (TEHILLAH); give

thanks (YADAH) to him and praise (BARAK) His Name.” Psalms 100:4

2. The SEASON of Thanksgiving - Give thanks always.

“Always giving thanks” vs 20a

3. The SCOPE of Thanksgiving - Give thanks for all things.

“Give thanks to God the Father for everything” vs 20b

4. The SUBSTANCE of our Thanksgiving - Give thanks to the Father

“Give thanks to God the Father” vs 20b

“ Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” James 1:17

5. The STRENGTH of our Thanksgiving - Give thanks to the Father in the Name of Jesus Christ

“Give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ”. Vs 20c

“Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.” John 14:13-14

“These have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.” John 20:31

Make the most of the season by following these simple guidelines

Fri, 19 Nov 2021 01:50:24 GMT

The new season is a great reason to make and keep resolutions. Whether it’s eating right or cleaning out the garage, here are some tips for making and keeping resolutions.

Make a list

Lists are great ways to stay on track. Write down some big things you want to accomplish and some smaller things, too.

Check the list regularly

Don’t forget to check in and see how you’re doing. Just because you don’t achieve the big goals right away doesn’t mean you’re not making progress.

Reward yourself

When you succeed in achieving a goal, be it a big one or a small one, make sure to pat yourself on the back.

Think positively

Positive thinking is a major factor in success. So instead of mulling over things that didn’t go quite right, remind yourself of things that did.

Keep in touch with site visitors and boost loyalty

dudaadmin@acst.com (Duda-Realm Admin) — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 01:50:24 GMT

There are so many good reasons to communicate with site visitors. Tell them about sales and new products or update them with tips and information.

Here are some reasons to make blogging part of your regular routine.

Blogging is an easy way to engage with site visitors

Writing a blog post is easy once you get the hang of it. Posts don’t need to be long or complicated. Just write about what you know, and do your best to write well.

Show customers your personality

When you write a blog post, you can really let your personality shine through. This can be a great tool for showing your distinct personality.

Blogging is a terrific form of communication

Blogs are a great communication tool. They tend to be longer than social media posts, which gives you plenty of space for sharing insights, handy tips and more.

It’s a great way to support and boost SEO

Search engines like sites that regularly post fresh content, and a blog is a great way of doing this. With relevant metadata for every post so search engines can find your content.

Drive traffic to your site

Every time you add a new post, people who have subscribed to it will have a reason to come back to your site. If the post is a good read, they’ll share it with others, bringing even more traffic!

Blogging is free

Maintaining a blog on your site is absolutely free. You can hire bloggers if you like or assign regularly blogging tasks to everyone in your company.

A natural way to build your brand

A blog is a wonderful way to build your brand’s distinct voice. Write about issues that are related to your industry and your customers.

Tips for writing great posts that increase your site traffic

dudaadmin@acst.com (Duda-Realm Admin) — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 01:50:24 GMT

Write about something you know. If you don’t know much about a specific topic that will interest your readers, invite an expert to write about it.

Speak to your audience

You know your audience better than anyone else, so keep them in mind as you write your blog posts. Write about things they care about. If you have a company Facebook page, look here to find topics to write about

Take a few moments to plan your post

Once you have a great idea for a post, write the first draft. Some people like to start with the title and then work on the paragraphs. Other people like to start with subtitles and go from there. Choose the method that works for you.

Don’t forget to add images

Be sure to include a few high-quality images in your blog. Images break up the text and make it more readable. They can also convey emotions or ideas that are hard to put into words.

Edit carefully before posting

Once you’re happy with the text, put it aside for a day or two, and then re-read it. You’ll probably find a few things you want to add, and a couple more that you want to remove. Have a friend or colleague look it over to make sure there are no mistakes. When your post is error-free, set it up in your blog and publish.

God's Promise For Your Future

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 00:43:29 GMT

God's Promise For Your Future

Philippians 4:15-19

Back To The Future Series

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

November 14, 2021

Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the Gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. 16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:15-19

1. GOD’S PROMISES ARE CLOSE

“My God”

2. GOD’S PROMISES ARE COMPELLING

“My God shall supply

3. GOD’S PROMISES ARE CONDITIONAL

Philippians 4:15-19 (New King James)

1 Peter 1:3-9 (NIV)

4. GOD’S PROMISES ARE COMPLETE & COMPREHENSIVE

“Supply all your need according to His glory By Christ” (New King James) Administrative

“Supply all your need according to His glory In Christ” (NIV, NASB,) Locative

Facing Your Future Without Fear

Mon, 08 Nov 2021 01:00:35 GMT

Facing Your Future Without Fear

Proverbs 23:17-18

Back To The Future Series

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

November 7, 2021

“Don’t envy evil men but continue to reverence the Lord all the time, for surely you have a wonderful future ahead of you. There is hope for you yet!” Proverbs 23:17-18 (Living Bible)

Don't PRESUME about tomorrow!

"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you don't know what a day may bring forth." Proverbs 27:11

Don't PANIC about tomorrow!

"Do not be anxious about tomorrow -- God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time ." Matt. 6:34 (Living Bible)

Don't PROCRASTINATE about tomorrow!

"If you wait for perfect conditions, you'll never get anything done!" Ecclesiastes 11:4 (LB)

AN UNCLEAR VISION LEADS TO . . .

HANG-UPS

“Double minded people can't make up their minds. They waver back and forth in everything they do.” James 1:8

MIX-UPS

“The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.” Proverbs 15:2 (The Message Translation)

PILE-UPS

“Some have refused to let their faith and vision guide their conscience and their faith has been destroyed like a wrecked ship.” 1 Timothy 1:19 (GW)

TRUTHS CONCERNING YOUR FUTURE

God KNOWS everything that's going to happen

" Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before His eyes..." Hebrews 4:13 (NIV)

"The days allotted to me had all been recorded in Your book before any of them ever began." Psalm 139:16 (GN)

God has A PLAN for my future

"‘I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’" Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)

God will BE WITH ME every step of the way

"God has said, ` Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5b)

"If we are faithless, He will remain faithful , for He cannot disown Himself." 2 Timothy 2:13 (NIV)

"The Lord is faithful to ALL His promises..." Psalm 145:13 (NIV)

HOW TO FACE AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE

SET UP A PLAN

"Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people get ready to cross the Jordan River... I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses." vs. 2-3

"So Joshua ordered... the people ‘ Get your supplies ready .’" vs. 11a

"Don't go charging into battle without a plan." Proverbs 20:18 (Good News Translation)

"We should make plans - counting on God to direct us." (Living Bible)

Proverbs 16:9

STAY IN THE WORD

“Be careful to obey all the Law ...do not turn from it to the right or the left that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night , so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." Joshua 1:7- 8

STEP OUT IN FAITH

"Remember I have commanded you to be determined and confident ! Don't be afraid or discouraged , for I, the Lord, am with you wherever you go." vs. 9 (Good News Trans)

Avoid Satans Trick And Experience God's Treat

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 00:07:42 GMT

Avoiding Satan's Trick And Experiencing Christ's Treat

Philippians 4:6-7

Matthew 11:28-30

Back To The Future Series

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

October 31, 2021

“6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus”. Philippians 4:6-7 (New Kings James Translation)

28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 (New Living Translation)

Satan’s Trick is ANXIETY… but Christ’s treat is PEACE.

“The thief comes to kill, steal, and destroy. But I have come that you may have life more abundantly”. John 10:10

A Layman’s definition of anxiety: You experience your present with fear and your body and mind respond with worry about your future as if the worst that could happen is occurring at that moment.

Anxiety can occupy your whole life and blinds you to the will and power of God.
Anxiety opens the door for you to seek ways to cope outside of the will of God.
Living a lifestyle of anxiety is NOT God’s will for your life.
You can avoid the trick of anxiety by applying Philippians 4:6-7:

Praying about EVERYTHING
Asking for ANYTHING
Thanking God for ALL THINGS

Question: WHAT CAN’T GOD DO? WHERE ARE YOU LIMITING GOD’S POWER?

AVOID THE TRICK OF ANXIETY AND EXPERIENCE CHRIST’S TREAT OF PEACE AND REST.

Matthew 11:28-30 (New Living Translation)

Battle From The Bottom

Mon, 25 Oct 2021 00:17:49 GMT

Having Patience In The Present to Battle From The Bottom

1 Kings 20

Back To The Future Series

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

October 24, 2021

The enemy wants your:

Finances
Family
Finest
Faith

TO BATTLE FROM THE BOTTOM:

Don’t DEEPEN the power of the ENEMY.

“The elders and the people all answered, “Don’t listen to him or agree to his demands.” 1 Kings 20:8

Don’t DEBATE the power of the WORD.

“Meanwhile a prophet came to Ahab king of Israel and announced, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Do you see this vast army? I will give it into your hand today, and then you will know that I am the Lord.’” 1 Kings 20:13

Don’t DIMINISH the power of GOD.

“The man of God came up and told the king of Israel, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Because the Arameans think the Lord is a god of the hills and not a god of the valleys, I will deliver this vast army into your hands, and you will know that I am the Lord.’” 1 Kings 20:28

Confronting Your Present Pain to Embrace God’s Future Promise

Mon, 18 Oct 2021 00:26:23 GMT

Confronting Your Present Pain to Embrace God’s Future Promise

Matthew 26:36-46

Back To The Future Series

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

October 17, 2021

Confront your INTERNAL ANQUISH

“Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me”. Matthew 26:39a

41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” Luke 22:41-44

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted . 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And s urely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:16-20

Confront your EXTERNAL ASSOCIATES

“Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest” Matthew 26:45a

Confront your ETERNAL ASSIGNMENT

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42

“When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing. 45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!” Matthew 26:43-46

“Our battle with evil is easier than our battle to obey God”

We Can't Go Back

Mon, 11 Oct 2021 00:35:16 GMT

We Can't Go Back

Exodus 14:10-14

Back To The Future Series

Pastor Darron Randolph

October 1, 2021

Confront your INTERNAL ANQUISH

“Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me”. Matthew 26:39a

Confront your EXTERNAL ASSOCIATES

“Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest” Matthew 26:45a

Confront your ETERNAL ASSIGNMENT

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42

“Our battle with evil is easier than our battle to obey God”

Securing Your Future By Investing In Your Present

Mon, 04 Oct 2021 00:42:06 GMT

Securing Your Future By Investing In Your Present

Mark 6:30-44

Back To The Future Series

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

October 3, 2021

You limit what can happen in your future by failing to invest in your present.

Negative attitudes about the present that hinder our future:

Not being prepared to face the future because you eat up everything in the present.

“Jesus said to them, ‘How many loaves do you have? Go see.’ And when they found out they said, ‘Five, and two fish”. Mark 6:38

Not understanding that God invest in you, for you to invest in others.

Not investing in present because you were not in charge of how the future unfolds.

Believing that you can come to Christ empty handed with no investment from your life.

Believing that it’s better investing in other things rather than Christ and His mission.

“Send them away, that they may go into surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread” Mark 6:36

Believing that the little you have today is not enough to secure the future.

You don’t believe the power of Christ can transform your present to multiply your future.

“And when He had taken the five loaves and two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish he divided among them all. So they all ate and were filled.” Mark 6:41-42

“And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish” Mark 6:43

The Key To Reclaiming Your Future

Mon, 27 Sep 2021 00:49:59 GMT

The Key To Reclaiming Your Future

Acts 3:19

Back To The Future Series

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

September 26, 2021

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” Acts 3:19

The one word that is the key to unlock your future… REPENTANCE

Repentance is to a decision to turn from sin and embrace God’s blueprint for living

“This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you” Zechariah 1:3

Repentance brings us back into:

Harmony with God

“This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you” Zechariah 1:3

Harmony with others

Harmony within yourself

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” Psalms 51:10-12

Steps of Repentance to Return back to the Future

Call it sin
Cry over sin
Convert behavior from sin

“Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” Jonah 1:17

“Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from the fish’s belly .” Jonah 2:1

“Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent” Acts 17:30

I Can't Go Back, I Must Move Forward

Mon, 20 Sep 2021 00:58:59 GMT

I Can't Go Back, I Must Move Forward

2 Kings 7:3-9

Back To The Future Series

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

September 19, 2021

Three options when you are under distress

You could SETTLE FOR THE PAST.

“If we go into the city, the famine is there, and we die” vs 4a

You could SUBMIT TO THE PRESENT.

“If we stay here, we die” vs 4b

You could STEP INTO THE FUTURE .

“Now then come, and let’s go over to the camp of the Arameans. If they spare us, we will live; and if they kill us, then we will die” vs 4c

You can go forward because:

God designed us to radically change our circumstances

When you move God may radically change your circumstances

“ At dusk they got up and went to the camp of the Arameans. When they reached the edge of the camp, no one was there, 6 for the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots and horses and a great army, so that they said to one another, “Look, the king of Israel has hired the Hittite and Egyptian kings to attack us!” 7 So they got up and fled in the dusk and abandoned their tents and their horses and donkeys. They left the camp as it was and ran for their lives.” vs 5-7

Taking a new direction may radically change your circumstances

“ The men who had leprosy reached the edge of the camp, entered one of the tents and ate and drank. Then they took silver, gold and clothes, and went off and hid them. They returned and entered another tent and took some things from it and hid them also” vs 8

When you move you may radically change the circumstances for others

“Then they said to each other, “What we’re doing is not right. This is a day of good news and we are keeping it to ourselves. If we wait until daylight, punishment will overtake us. Let’s go at once and report this to the royal palace” vs 9

Stop Mourning The Past And Move Into The Future

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 01:06:35 GMT

Stop Mourning the Past and Move Into Your Future

1 Samuel 16:1

Back To The Future Series

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

September 12, 2021

Don’t get stuck at green lights, move forward

“The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel”

You hold up your progress
You hold up other’s progress
You get stuck in past and can’t move into your future

Why do we hold on to things/people when it’s obvious it’s not working anymore?

We have too much pride and ego to admit we wasted a lot of time, resource, and energy in something or someone that is broken.

We try to make what is NOT God’s will work anyway

We don’t understand that God has something/someone better

“I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king”

We have allowed our past to drain us, and we need to be refilled

“Fill your horn with oil”

We are not willing to change our environment

“Be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem”

We are afraid our past can destroy our future

“But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” 1 Sam. 16:2a

We don’t know that God can protect and provide for us despite our past

“The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.” 1 Samuel 16:2b-3

Opening The Window Of Opporunity

Mon, 06 Sep 2021 01:10:14 GMT

Opening The Window Of Opportunity

Genesis 8:1-12; 9:1

Back To The Future Series

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

September 5, 2021

Genesis 8:1-12; 9:1

Fixing Your Focus On Moving Forward

Mon, 30 Aug 2021 01:18:49 GMT

Fixing Your Focus On Moving Forward

Philippians 3:12-14

John 11:25

Fix My Life Series

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

August 29, 2021

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

We need people in our live who push us to have breakthroughs and not breakdowns.

“Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet ; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14

Learn to Forgive who hurt you Yesterday.
Learn to Forget what happened Today.
Learn to Focus on what’s ahead Tomorrow.

How Do I move forward?

Reconnect with yourself

“ Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30-31

Reconnect with others

“ Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:31-32

Reconnect with Christ

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” John 11:25

“Casting all your care upon him; for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

Regret: The Result Of Stinking Thinking

Mon, 23 Aug 2021 01:24:56 GMT

Regret: The Result Of Stinking Thinking

Fix My Life Series

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

August 22, 2021

Defeating The Spirit Of Manipulation

Mon, 16 Aug 2021 01:28:28 GMT

Defeating The Spirit Of Manipulation

Galations 1:10

Fix My Life Series

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

August 15, 2021

Pulling Up The Root Of Rejection

Mon, 09 Aug 2021 01:34:05 GMT

Pulling Up The Root Of Rejection

Exodus 3:11-14

Fix My Life Series

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

August 8, 2021

Dealing With Toxic People

Mon, 02 Aug 2021 01:40:54 GMT

Dealing With Toxic People

Romans 12:9-21

Fix My Life Series

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

July 25, 2021

Trust: The Key To Unlocking Someone's Heart

Mon, 26 Jul 2021 01:54:16 GMT

Trust: The Key To Unlocking Someone's Heart

Micah 7:5-7

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Fix My Life Series

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

July 25, 2021

“Put no trust in a neighbor; have no confidence in a friend; guard the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your arms; for the son treats the father with contempt, the daughter rises up against her mother, the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house.” Micah 7:5-6

“But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me”. Micah 7:7

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts , always hopes, always perseveres.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Question: God expects me to love others, but does He expect me to always trust others?

Truths about trusting others with your heart:

Access to my heart is not automatic.
Access to my heart is earned by actions that prove trustworthiness.
Access to my heart increases the closer I am to Christ.

“Thus says the Lord: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land.

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:5-8

People may hurt me but won’t handicap me emotionally because I am connected to Christ

Access to my heart results in me being open and vulnerable.

Intimacy = Into-Me-See

“And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. 4 Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.” 1 Samuel 18:3-4

Expose My Scars To The Light

Mon, 19 Jul 2021 01:43:58 GMT

Expose My Scars To The Light

Luke 24:39-40

Fix My Life Series

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

July 18, 2021

It's Okay To Not Be Okay, But Don't Stay That Way

Mon, 12 Jul 2021 01:49:42 GMT

It's Okay To Not Be Okay, Just Don't Stay That Way

John 15:1-11; John 1:14

Fix My Life Series

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

July 11, 2021

Learning to be OKAY requires a balance between TRUTH and GRACE

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of GRACE and TRUTH”. John 1:14

Truth without Grace is MEAN
Grace without Truth is MEANINGLESS
GRACE with Truth is MEANINGFUL

To stay connected you must:

Remain in Christ’s presence - “Remain in Me, as I also remain in you.” John 15:4a
Rely on Christ’s power - “apart from Me you can do nothing” John 15:5b
Reproduce Christ’s purpose- “This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit” John 15:8

Being connected to Christ produces: “Love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, meekness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” Galatians 5:22-23

Being disconnected from Christ produces: “Sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, witchcraft, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outburst of anger, selfish ambition, dissention, division, envy, drunkenness. I warn you that those who live like this will not inherit the Kingdom of God.” Galatians 5:19-21

Fix My Life: I Want To Live

Mon, 05 Jul 2021 01:58:36 GMT

Fix My Life: I Want To Live

Ezekiel 37:1-9

Fix My Life Series

Pastor Tyrone Barnette

July 4, 2021

God is calling us to:

1. Come to life.

2. Get on our feet.

3. Become a great army.

peace-baptist-church-2

Youth Ministry Training

Youth Ministry Training

Home Grown Faith

Home Grown Faith

Family Worship Month

Family Worship Month

Baptism Sunday

Baptism Sunday

Men's Locker Room

Men's Locker Room

College Tours

College Tours

SALT Line Dancing

SALT Line Dancing

SALT Game Night

SALT Gamers

The Preacher's Wife

The Preacher's Wife

Feed The Need: Mobile Pantry

﻿ Feed The Need: Mobile Pantry

Creating Disruptive Change

Creating Disruptive Change

Global Impact Celebration

Global Impact Celebration

Ambassadors R Us

Ambassadors R Us

Don’t Ruin Your Relationships

Don't Ruin Your Relationships

How to Have Tough Talks & Uncomfortable Conversations

How to Have Tough Talks & Uncomfortable Conversations

Finding Rhythm in Relationships to Avoid the Blues

Finding Rhythm in Relationships to Avoid the Blues

How To Forgive And Move Forward

How To Forgive And Move Forward

Boundaries That Bind The Family

Boundaries That Bind The Family

When to Know and What to Do When a Relationship is Over

When to Know and What to Do When a Relationship is Over

Know When To Say “No”

Know When To Say "No"

Setting Boundaries That Bend But Don’t Break

Setting Boundaries That Bend But Don't Break

Making A Declaration of Interdependence

Making A Declaration of Interdependence

Say Yes And Offer What You Have

Say Yes & Offer What You Have

Say Yes And Be Used To Help Not Hurt

Say Yes & Be Used To Help Not Hurt

Say Yes And Don't Waste Your Life

Say Yes & Don't Waste Your Life

White Water Rafting

White Water Rafting

Saturday August 12, 2023

Say Yes And Stop Playing Church

Say Yes & Stop Playing Church

How To Have Good Grief

How To Have Good Grief

Don't Foul Up Your Favor

Don't Foul Up Your Favor

The Power of A Mother's Influence

The Power of A Mother's Influence

God's Purpose For Pain And Reasons For The Rain

God's Purpose For Pain & Reasons For The Rain

S.A.L.T. Brunch

S.A.L.T. Brunch and Learn

Saturday July 15, 2023 at 10:00am

On Campus

Victorious Family Conference

Victorious Family Conference

Saturday August 26, 2023 9am-3pm EST

Prepare For A New Season

Prepare For A New Season

Darkness Can't Destroy Me

Breaking Free Because Darkness Can't Destroy Me

Devotional Day 40 | Lent 2023

Today's Scripture

“When he has led out all of his sheep, he walks in front of them, and they follow, because they know his voice.” John 10:4 (CEV)

Devotional Day 39 | Lent 2023

Today's Scripture

Feed The Need: Mobile Pantry

“When he has led out all of his sheep, he walks in front of them, and they follow, because they know his voice.”
John 10:4 (CEV)

“I will refine them like silver and purify them like gold. They will call on my name, and I will answer them.”
Zechariah 13:9 (NLT)

“Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life.”
Psalm 23:6 (NLT)

“This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.”
1 John 4:9-10 (NLT)

“Your lives are echoing the Master’s Word . . . The news of your faith in God is out. We don’t even have to say anything anymore—you’re the message!”
1 Thessalonians 1:8 (MSG)

“The Lord is always good. He is always loving and kind, and his faithfulness goes on and on to each succeeding generation.”
Psalm 100:5 (TLB)

“It is senseless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, fearing you will starve to death; for God wants his loved ones to get their proper rest.”
Psalm 127:2 (TLB)

“I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you stay joined to me, and I stay joined to you, then you will produce lots of fruit. But you cannot do anything without me.”
John 15:5 (CEV)

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never die, and no one can steal them out of my hand.”
John 10:27-28 (NCV)

“The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.”
1 Thessalonians 5:24 (NIV)

"We . . . saw how powerless we were to help ourselves; but that was good, for then we put everything into the hands of God, who alone could save us.”
2 Corinthians 1:8-9 (TLB)

"Lord, when doubts fill my mind, when my heart is in turmoil, quiet me and give me renewed hope and cheer”
Psalm 94:19 (LB)

“I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved”
John 10:9 (NASB)

“I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me"
Philippians 4:13

“The mountains and hills may crumble, but my love for you will never end; I will keep forever my promise of peace”
Isaiah 54:10 (GNT)

“Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm”
Ephesians 6:13 NLT

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies”
2 Chronicles 6:19-20

“Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain”
1 Chronicles 4:10

“For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him”
2 Chronicles 16:9

“Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes”
Ephesians 4:23 (NLT)

“There is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.”
Romans 8:1 (NLT)

“My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that what you are experiencing is truly part of God’s grace for you. Stand firm in this grace.”
1 Peter 5:12 (NLT)

"For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.”
Philippians 2:13 (NLT)

“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.”
Luke 9:23-24