Blog Archives

Resurrection, Newness & Life

3/29/2016

Hello Church,
   Sunday was “Resurrection” Sunday, the day that Jesus rose from the dead and defeated death once and for all. Many of us have heard countless of messages on the cross of Christ – sometimes I think what more can we, as just mere men say – BUT what we can say is that the CROSS MADE THE DIFFERENCE FOR ME.
   This is a day of rejoicing and celebration, BUT not everyone is happy. Not everyone is smiling. Not everyone shares our joy this day – some don’t care, some don’t believe, some don’t know what to believe. Then there are those who are upset and angry at the thought of a man rising from the dead because it challenges what they think about the world.
   What are the results of the resurrection? The resurrection has consequences not just for eternal life, BUT also for our everyday life. Because of the resurrection there is justification, that you and I are justified. Justification has to do with “newness” of life. Without newness of life you and I remain in an unchanging cycle of sin and forgiveness, sin and forgiveness, sin and forgiveness. Let’s ask a question, “Is it enough to be forgiven of sins?” That’s where the verse in Romans, chapter 4, verse 25 comes in saying that Jesus “was raised because of our justification.” We are justified, meaning that our sins are forgiven and it’s as though we have never committed those sins. The Word of God says that you and I are a delight in God’s eyes – you can say that you are resurrected into newness of life every day. The Prophet Isaiah said, “Great is Your faithfulness, morning by morning new mercies I see.”
   Church – Because of the resurrection we now have a “BLESSED HOPE.” (Titus 2:13-14) A “Blessed Hope” is that thing that we look forward to, it’s what we’re anticipating. Jesus breathes into us His life and empowers us as witnesses for Him. You and I have the privilege of bringing the “BLESSED HOPE” to all who are lost and fearful.
   This is the results of the resurrection. Be blessed.

P. Tom

RECLAIM WHAT IS YOURS

3/22/2016

Hello Church,
   The encouragement I would like to bring to you today is, "RECLAIM WHAT IS YOURS." Last Sunday here at Hosanna was our "Dominion, Reclaiming What is Yours" service. Dominion means to rule or power to rule; sovereign authority; jurisdiction and dominance. I Genesis the Lord made you and me to have "DOMINION" over all the earth. God is King over everything whether invisible or visible. God reigns from His Throne in heaven over the invisible spirit realm, BUT His reign over the visible takes a different direction - God chose to exercise and demonstrate His Kingdom authority on earth through mankind, you and me as His representation on earth.
   Now we are to know who our enemy is - our enemy is principalities, powers, rulers of darkness and spiritual wickedness in high places - so how do we fight this enemy - KNOW YOU'RE AUTHORITY IN CHRIST. Jesus has given you and me power to tread upon serpents and scorpions and over all the power of the enemy. Jesus has given us, the Church "delegated authority." It's not my authority, BUT it by Jesus' authority that we bind the strongman and plunder (spoil, seize, take back) his goods.
   Church - we're not to roll over and giver up when the enemy attacks us - WE'RE TO FIGHT. The Word of God says that if you fail in the day of adversity, you're strength was weak.
   You might say your faith is weak or that it's not to strong - Jesus said that where two or three are gathered in My name, there I am in the midst. Jesus don't show up just to have perfect attendance, He shows up to glorify His Father in heaven through you and me.
   Joel, chapter 2, verse 25 says, "So I will restore (make amends, give again, make restitution) to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locusts."
   Church - take your stand, feed your faith, surround yourself with warriors and RECLAIM WHAT IS YOURS.

P. Tom

EZRA GENERATION

3/14/2016

Hello Church,
   Are you part of an "EZRA GENERATION?" God chose Ezra to be an instrument of good to the nation of Israel - that he might bring honor back in the priesthood. Ezra was a man of great learning - he knew the writings of the law of Moses - not only knew the words, BUT he knew the meaning of them.
   Who was Ezra? Ezra was of the main leaders that left Babylon, along with Nehemiah, to rebuild Jerusalem, which at this time was in ruins. Ezra responsibility and his purpose was to bring a spiritual revival to God's people by restoring a reverent fear of the Word of God and a heartfelt worship for the One true and living God.
   What Ezra Did - Ezra taught the people of God the Word of God. Ezra prepared his heart to seek the law of the Lord - not only to seek it,BUT to do it. and then teach it to all Israel (Ezra 7:6). Let's ask a question - how do you know when someone really hears the Word of God?1. They hear it. 2. They retain it. 3. They act on it. Notice how it says that Ezra prepared his heart to seek the Lord. You can say that Ezra was someone who just didn't want to get up and say anything, BUT he wanted to say what was the heart of God.
   The Ezra Generation will be a generation of men and women who would call a people and a nation back to repentance and to establish a covenant with God.
   Than God there are multitudes of people (young & old) that are waking up, rising up and realizing that the way things have been going doesn't make sense and they're saying "NO MORE." This generation realizes that we, the CHURCH, the true CHURCH, can be restored.
   II Chron. 7:14 "If My people who are called by My name shall humble themselves, pray, seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, I WILL HEAL THEIR LAND."

P. Tom

God's Merciful Patience with Us

3/8/2016

Hello Church,
   In chapter 42 of Isaiah there is a prophecy concerning Jesus that says, "A bruised reed he will not break, And a smoking flax He will not quench." This speaks of the tenderness character of Jesus. Have you ever wondered why hasn't God turned America over to judgment? Why He hasn't dealt with us according to our sins? God gave Noah's generation 120 years of warnings, BUT after that God said, "ENOUGH" and brought the flood. Why haven't we seen God's righteous judgment on us? There only really one answer - It's because of the tenderness and longsuffering of Jesus. We can find proof of this in Isaiah's prophecy, "A bruised reed he will not break, And a smoking flax He will not quench."
   A reed is a tall stalk or plant with a hollow stem, usually found inn marshy areas or near a water supply. It's a tender plant so that it bends easily when strong winds blow or swift waters rush along, BUT the reed can only bend so far before it will break and float away with the flood.
   Like a reed in calm weather America once stood strong, full of purpose and promise. Society as a whole honored God and the Bible was held up as the standard for our laws and judicial system - BUT something happen, in our national and personal prosperity we became proud and unthankful. God has been pushed out of our court system, pushed out of our schools and sadly, pushed out of many churches. Society has lost its moral compass and the result is that the America that once stood tall is now crippled like a "BRUISED REED."
   Here's the good part - The Word of the Lord also says, "and the smoking flax he will not quench." Thank God there are still places in America where God sees a spark of devotion left. There is still a people who remember the Lord and are willing to take a stand for His name. Church, do you hear what God is saying? God is saying that if He sees a wick (people) that are still smoldering, He will not snuff it out, He will blow on it the wind of the Holy Spirit. GOD HAS NOT GIVEN UP ON US YET.
   There may be some of you who feel like you're bend, BUT you're not broken - you may feel like you're pressed, BUT you're not crushed - persecuted, BUT not abandoned. Rise up and trust the Lord. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy (Ps. 103:8).

P. Tom.

Resurrection, Newness & Life

RECLAIM WHAT IS YOURS

EZRA GENERATION

God's Merciful Patience with Us

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