Blog Posts

With God

12/16/2015

Hello Church,
   The angel Gabriel announced to Mary, "For with God nothing will be impossible." Last Sunday the question was asked, "What Do You Want For Christmas?" And the response that we should have is, "MY MIRACLE."
   Know YOU CAN HAVE YOUR MIRACLE. All of us know that God can do anything, BUT the power in the verse is "WITH" God nothing will be impossible. Mary had to participate in the miracle of the incarnation. God always asks us to do possible things and He does the impossible. Think of it, anyone can give their lunch away, BUT only God can multiply it to feed thousands - anyone can hold up a rod,BUT only God can divide the sea - anyone can roll a stone away, BUT only God can raise the dead.
   Without God you and I can do nothing, BUT with God you and I can do all things.
   Without God you and I can't cure cancer, BUT with God you and I can be healed.
   Without God yours and mine future is uncertain, BUT with God the best is yet to come. Your greatest days are ahead of you, not behind you.
   So let me ask again, "What Do You Want For Christmas?" Whatever you want, do it WITH God.

Be Blessed,

P. Tom

PS - Join us this Sunday, 10:00AM for a special Christmas presentation and message. You will be encouraged and inspired.

STEP UP, LOOK AROUND and DO IT

12/10/2015

  Hello Church,
   In Judges, chapter 13 starts the story of Samson. If you look at the life of Samson as a type of the Church, you can see where many are today in their walk with the Lord. In Samson’s life, the Lord was using him to bring deliverance to His people, BUT Samson had a weakness. His weakness was lust of the flesh. Other weaknesses could also be pride, jealousy, wrong relationships, envy, lifestyles, back-biting, etc…

   In Judges, chapter 19 we see Samson falling asleep in Delilah’s lap (sleeping in the devil’s lap). If Samson represents the Church, then much of the Church is sleeping in the devil’s lap. The Church is lying comfortable as can be and doesn’t have a clue about what’s happening. Much of the Church has been lulled to sleep, being deceived by secular humanistic reasoning, political correctness and false gospels. One of the false gospels today is a mutant form of Christianity. Many are embracing a “moralistic therapeutic deism” gospel – the translation of that is its watered-down faith that portrays God as a “divine therapist” whose main goal is to boost people’s self-esteem.

   After Samson was caught, the Philistines did two things to him. First, they put out his eyes, his vision. Much of the Church has lost its vision, its purpose for being, and its destiny. Too many have lost their vision to see people saved and set free. Over 90% of the Church is more concerned with their own self and their happiness and never tell anyone about Jesus and what he can do. Second, Samson grinded at the mill. In other words all Samson did was go through the motions. How many of us are just going through the motions, doing the same thing over and over, doing a routine, living out traditions. Has Christianity just become a ritual? How many are in House of Worship on Sundays just because it’s Sunday and that’s what you’re supposed to do.

   BUT the good news is this – Samson cried out to the Lord for one more time to use him. God heard his cry and Samson was led to the place where he could do the most damage to his enemies. That’s all we need to do. We need to cry out to the Lord and say, “Lord use me.” The Lord spoke through the prophet and said that the glory of the latter house will be greater than the former house. Church, all we need to do is – STEP UP, LOOK AROUND and DO IT.

What kind of expression am I expressing?

11/18/2015

Hello Church - Do you realize that every day you and I are expressions of Jesus to all who are around us, whether at work, at the store, pumping gas at the station, wherever we're at, we are an "expression" of Jesus. The question we have to ask is, "What kind of expression am I expressing?" We are the salt of the earth and salt can cause something to taste good and produces a thirst or salt can leave a bitter taste in someone's mouth.
   In the Gospel of Mark, chapter 2, it tells the story of a paralytic man that four friends bought him to Jesus. It says that when the friends finally got him to the house where Jesus was, there was a big crowd and they couldn't get in because of the crowd. Do they went up to the roof, broken the roof open and let down their friend. Jesus saw their faith and their friend was forgiven, healed and walk out of the house.
   These friends carried this man for all we know miles. There's no telling how many times they had to stop and rest for a few minutes before picking up the bed again and walking - and when they finally get there, there's a crowd. These men didn't let the crowd discouraged them, they didn't let the crowd intimidate them - THEY GOT THROUGH. The question we should ask ourselves is, "Have I ever let a crowd, my peers, my family, my friends keep me from reaching Jesus?"
   Church - there are going to be obstacles in our lives, BUT are we willing to tear up some roofs? Are we willing to wrestle spiritual darkness? I heard someone say one time, "Everyone loves Jesus until a sacrifice is involved." Let no sacrifice be greater than getting a hold of Jesus.

P. Tom

WHEN SOMEONE PRAYS

11/3/2015

Hello Church,
   Just a re-cap of yesterday's service, "WHEN SOMEONE PRAYS" to encourage our day. In John, chapter 11 it tells of how Lazarus was sick and Mary and Martha (his sisters) sent word to Jesus to come heal their brother. They found a person who would go and look for Jesus. This wasn't no ordinary person - this person had to put aside their busy schedules, their activities and their pleasures. This person didn't get tired and quit half-way. This person had endurance in the hot sun, had determination and persistence to get Mary and Martha's message to Jesus.
   Calvin Coolidge, 30th president of the Unites States stated that "nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful individuals with talent. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts." Persistence is what keeps you going in the midst of opposition and adversity. Persistence people just don't know when to quit. They keep pressing in to the things of God through prayer. Have you ever thought about this - the power of prayer does not necessarily depend on the one who makes the prayer, BUT the power most certainly depends on the ONE who hears the prayer.
   Church, you and I can go to Jesus on behalf of others. Your prayers activates God's power in heaven and "God's will is done on earth as it is in heaven."
   You are the SOMEONE in God's Kingdom. You have access to the Throne Room. When you speak, Jesus hears - When Jesus hears, things happen - When things happen, there's change - ALL BECAUSE SOMEONE PRAYED.

P. Tom

What is "Deep Water Faith?"

10/30/2015

Hello Church,
   What is "Deep Water Faith?" The real test of faith comes when, 1. All you know and everything you've tried doesn't work and 2. The Lord speaks a word to you that seems to make no sense at all.
   Jesus tells Peter in the 5th chapter of Luke to launch out into the deep and peter responds, BUT Lord, we've been working all night, nothing is there, BUT because of Your word, at Your word I will let down the net. Church, there are times we have to "doubt" our "doubts,"BUT never "doubt" God.
   Ever notice how Jesus will involve you in one thing to teach you another thing. God has great plans for you. You might be saying to yourself that you don't know why you're doing and what you're doing, BUT know that God is taking you someplace. God will move you from the security of the shore to the risks of the deep. The deep is the unknown, it's the strange, it's the future. The deep is where you're able to touch bottom. If there are no risks, then there are no rewards. We have to risks the storms of life if we're going to enjoy a great catch.
   Church, when we obey God, our nets break. It says in Luke that when the disciples launched out into the deep, they caught a great number of fish and their net was breaking. When we obey God, our nets break and needs are met. God's blessings will be poured out and then we are able to be a blessing to others, and then others are able to be a blessing to others. All this happens by us saying, "Nevertheless, at Your word I will __________ (you fill in the blank).

P. Tom

Breaking Through Your Brick Wall

10/26/2015

Hello Church,
   Yesterday's message, "Breaking Through Your Brick Wall" showed us that it isn't a brick wall at all, IT'S JUST PAPER. All of us have, at one time seen a football team run through a paper wall at the beginning of a football game. The team comes out and runs through the paper wall as the fans are cheering them on. BUT what would happen if the team comes out of the locker room, full of excitement, running down the hall and all of a sudden they see this wall in front of them and they stop because they don't know what's on the other side? Well, chances are, we the fans would cheer them on and shout out, "Go through, go forward, it's only paper."
   Isn't this many of us at times. we come to the House of the Lord, are taught, are trained to go out into the field (world) and tell who Jesus is, BUT when we leave God's House we're confronted with a wall, a wall that has things written on it by the devil.
   So let's ask a question, "What's written on your wall?" What has the devil written on your wall that it has cause you to stop running the race that is before you? Is it doubt, fear, backbiter, jealous, addict, loser, uneducated, wimp, liar, coward and the list can go on and on. BUT Church, in Hebrews it tells us that there is a great cloud of witnesses in heaven that are cheering us on because they know all those things written about you are false, just lies. The witnesses are saying to you and to me, "Go through, it's only paper. Don't stop at the place of unbelief - break through, no matter what the devil writes on your wall,HE IS A LIAR."
   Too many Christians have been inn the locker room too long. They've heard all the "how to's," BUT now it is time to put on the armor of God and get into the game. Church, run through your paper wall and fight the good fight. Be encouraged, don't let these things hold you back any longer. God will give you the strength you need for the hour you are in.

P. Tom

10/07/15

10/7/2015

Hello Church,
   Amos the Prophet stated that the days are coming, says the Lord, that He would send a famine on the land, BUT not a famine of food or thirst, but of hearing the Word of the Lord (Amos 8:11-12). If you were here last Sunday, you may remember the video clip that was shown of Bernie Sanders (socialist), who is also a Democratic presidential candidate speaking at Liberty University stating that he was for abortion and for gay marriage - and a large percentage of the students cheer after he made those statements. If you're like me, I thought Liberty was a Christian university, BUT after hearing those cheers, I wonder if these students are hearing the Word of the Lord. What's happening in the Church world today? Are we losing our convictions? Has our salt lost it flavor? Has our light gone out?

   I believe that the winds of change are blowing, separating the wheat from the chaff and that what we see is just the beginning. If repentance doesn't happen in the hearts of the people and in the Church, there will eventually be 3 kinds of churches -
        1. A "lukewarm" church who has allowed compromise to run full course and is completely void
            of the power of God. This church isn't really a church at all - it's an auditorium to gather to
             hear someone give a book report.
        2. A church in the middle trying to "ride the fence" through accommodation to avoid getting
            persecuted and rejected. It's a church where depending on what day it is - is what they
            believe.
        3. A Church who holds fast to the truth and faces opposition because it refuses to bend. This
            Church doesn't take surveys, it studies the Word of God.

   Church - in the times we live in, be of good cheer - there will always be a remnant of Believers who will not bow to the pressures of society. That remnant will be those who will experience unknown levels of the power of God as a result of their commitment to stand on truth.

P. Tom Carubba

8/26/15

8/27/2015

Hello Church,
   In the Book of Isaiah, chapter 6, verses 1-9, Isaiah had a vision of the Lord and it transformed his life. You and I, when we come in contact with God, with Jesus, our lives should never be the same.
   Isaiah's vision was three-fold - 1. He Looked Up - SEEING GOD
                                                          2. He Looked In - SEEING HIMSELF
                                                          3. He Looked Out - SEEING OTHERS
   Jesus spoke the words, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Matt. 5:8). We have seen God more than we think. Have you ever considered that when you see someone get saved, get healed, get delivered, get restored, you have seen God in majesty, awesomeness, glory and power? A vision of the Lord will praise from His people. God hasn't called us to dissect the Gospel, He has called us to DEMONSTRATE the Gospel.
   In seeing ourselves, we see our lack, we see how really we can't do anything apart from the Lord. Paul said that he knew in whom he believed and is persuaded the He (God) is able to keep whatever he has committed , whatever he has deposited unto Him until that day. It's not us, IT'S HIM, IT'S JESUS.
   In looking out, we see others, we see the lost, those for whom Jesus died for. God asked a question to Isaiah, "Whom shall I send?" We are the ones to go. Jesus said he would make us fishers of men. Proverbs says that he who wins souls in wise. We are to be the voice, the example of what a life in Jesus is all about. The best way to show that a stick is crooked is to lay a straight one next to it. We are the ones that God has called to be a light in this generation. Let's go out and shine wherever we are.

P. Tom

8/17/15

8/18/2015

Hello Church,
   The Psalmist in Psalm 145 said, "Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised..." The word "praised" meaning to be celebrated, boast, commend, renowned and shine. This is what we're suppose to do every time we come together and by ourselves. We are to celebrate, boast and let His name be shined to those who are around us.
   God has placed a "calls" on each one of us. I believe one of the calls is that of prayer. If men and women of faith would begin to pray, then the Church would be transformed. People would start to live godly and they would be changing society. We would be like those, who in the Book of Acts it says that they turned the world upside down. There are too many times when people come to the House of God seeking answers to what's happening in their lives, what's happening in our nation, what's happening to humanity, only to leave no better off then when they came in because all they found was a casual, social, self-seeking gospel that offers nothing from God, and no word for troubled times.
   We are to be the light, we are to be the salt, we are to be the voice leading the way. Let's show a dying society what God's mercy and grace is all about. It's not too late. You and I can fail God a thousand times, and yet God is still there, still calling, still willing to restore.
   When the prodigal son came home after disgracing his father's name, he knew he wasn't worthy, BUT it was at that point that he started to understand the grace of God. The son was given a new robe, a ring and new shoes, and now he could represent his father, because he wasn't filled with religion anymore, BUT now was full of mercy and walking in the grace of God.
   That's what you and I are to show when we are out our city, out in our community. God needs your voice and your life to show the world His incredible lave and salvation through Jesus.

P. Tom