Pastor John speaks today about a spiritual battle that is raging today. When we pray for someone's needs, we know either God is going to act miraculously right now or He, in His wisdom, will have us wait.

Pastor John then reminds us the enemy listens to our prayers. And while he may act on them, Pastor John encourages us to understand that Satan cannot block our prayers. Instead the devil wants to wring every ounce of hope out of us.

Pastor John reminds us of one thing, one word - endure and asks us if we can believe when we don't receive? Remember, “To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.”

Today's message and service is short and Pastor John takes a moment to point out something simple - what happens when we are thankful to the Lord

Pastor John starts in Luke 14 and serves nuggets - meat - from the word for us to chew on. The Lord calls us to communion with Him but are we too busy? What excuses do we hide behind? Pastor John reminds us that ultimately only one thing is necessary.

Pastor Hannah believes we are currently experiencing a shift in terms of the help we are receiving from the Lord. 

She then goes on to enforce that The Lord does not simply provide for us to get into heaven. Instead, He provides for us in every way and everyday. Pastor Hannah wants us to embrace the truth that He has is so much more intended for us and He delights in helping His children.

This Sunday's service was an extended time of people - of all ages and walks in life - sharing their testimony, an exhortation from the Lord, and excepting / rededicating their life to Christ.

Pastor John starts with a word of encouragement that, even if it is not manifested in a way we expect, God is still a miracle working Father today.

Pastor John then goes on to help us understand an essential item - what the name of Jesus means. It's not about etymology, exegesis, hermeneutics, or any other study tools. It's about knowing the power, the authority, the glory, the fullness, and the love that is in and through the name of Jesus.

Beginning in John 14, Pastor Michael Masambu demonstrates Jesus introduces us to a new friend - the Holy Spirit. It's one thing to know the gifts or the fruit of the Spirit but a greater thing to know the person of the Holy Spirit.

He is not someone different but another friend like Jesus Himself. He is a comforter who will enter our pain and will never leave us. The more intimate we are with the Spirit, the more we will know Him, and the more victory He will share with us. After all, He will guide us in all truths.

Following our time of worship, Pastor Hannah and Richard Oti dedicate their youngest son, Zander Zikora, to the Lord.

Pastor John then shares further from the Gospel of Mark. He goes to the 4th chapter and discusses the other crossing and storm. The wind is blowing, the boat is filling with water, and the disciples feared they would die. And how does Jesus help the disciples? He asks them two questions.

Like the disciples, we often don't realize we lack faith until the storm comes upon us. Then the Lord may use the storms in our life to work for us. Our fear and lack of faith may be used by the Lord to help us understand what He wants to work on in us. 

Are you in a storm or a battle?

Going to Mark 6:45-56 and just after Jesus fed the 5,000 men and their families, Pastor John speaks about the disciples’ fight in crossing the lake. In the middle of their storm they were tired, frightened, and in pain. Their hearts were hardened and they didn't recognize that Jesus was among them.

Like the disciples,  we need to learn to not focus on the storm, the waves, and the troubles. Instead we need to recognize Christ in our lives and focus on Him. And while it may look like He is passing us by, He's really demonstrating how He's above everything including our storms.

Without a doubt, God has a part in our salvation and sanctification. But we shouldn't be ignorant - we have a role and responsibility as well. Pastor John discusses the seven qualities we must incorporate to be successful in everything we do. But don't fret - by His divine power, He has already granted us everything we need.