In Part 4 of the series : What The Spirit Says...", Pastor Jerry looks at the church of Thyatira and how it relates to the church of today. The church of Thyatira did many things well and helped out in the community greatly. But they had also allowed an unholy spirit of Jezebel into the church. Jesus reproves the Church at Thyatira because they had suffered (allowed) the woman Jezebel to teach and seduce true servants of God to take part in unholy acts. Reminiscent of the reason for the rebuke of Pergamos, authority given by Christ, over false teaching and adherence to false doctrine, HAD NOT been demonstrated. These teachings, this leaven, had been allowed to remain and even flourish within the church! ...And it had seduced, the church (or led it into deception). The Church has been given authority... but it was ALLOWING things that were clearly offensive to God. The same thing is happening in the church of today. With much prayer and study, I think there is considerable evidence that the Spirit of the Lord was warning the church (and pastor) that there are counterfeits. We must not hold onto these non-truths but stand strongly and boldly to the truth of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In Part Three of the series "What The Spirit Says", Pastor Jerry Looks at the church of Pergamos and what Jesus was telling them. The name Pergamos is said to mean "height, exalted or elevation". I think it's significant that Satan is called the Prince of the Power of the Air and throughout history, false gods and demons have been worshiped in the 'high places". The city of Pergamos was a pagan stronghold, that sat upon the mountain top in Asia Minor. AND... the church was in compromise. That same thing is going in the church of today. The church has allowed much compromise into it's doors. We have let sin creep in and not stood against it. Sin has caused many Christians to get away from what God is wanting to do. I believe the Spirit is saying, we cannot tolerate, we cannot affirm sin. NO MATTER the stronghold of the age we live in, we MUST speak against ungodliness in the church and address any in our own lives, or the LORD himself will fight against those in wrong doctrine, with the sword of His mouth. NO COMPROMISE.

In part two of the series "What The Spirit Says", Pastor Jerry looks at the church of Smyrna in Revelation 2:8-11. This is the second church that Jesus addressed in his teachings in this chapter of Revelation. The name Smyrna is from the root word "myrrh". Myrrh is an aromatic resin from certain trees that is used in perfume, and incense because of it's pleasant smell. It was also used in embalming, and was a gift given to Jesus by the wisemen... likely signifying that His death was a part of His destiny. But death couldn't hold him. That is what Jesus was saying to Smyrna. He knew they would be persecuted for His Name. But Jesus encouraged them to persevere and continue to pursue Him. And if they did, their reward would be Eternity with Him. This applies to us today. No matter how bad it seems or gets, hold on to Jesus and he will give you the victory!

"What The Spirit Says" is part one in a series about Revelation chapters 1-3. In this message, Pastor Jerry looks at the church of Ephesus and how it relates to the church of today. What is the church of today lacking that the church in Biblical times did so well? Jesus directly points out what is at the heart of the issue. And that is the lost of our first love, Jesus Christ. No matter how many good messages we preach or how many people we serve, if we forget about Him it means nothing. If we as the church would go back to our first love, Jesus, then we can begin to have an impact on this world like He wants us to do. Please join me as we pursue our Savior with everything we have.

In the message "The Wall Will Fall", Minister Brian Hall looks at the story of Joshua and Jericho. In life today, we face many strong fortresses in our lives. They could be physical, financial or even spiritual having large walls that seem insurmountable. But like Joshua, we need to be able to hear from God. If we have a relationship with Him, then we know His voice. If Joshua didn't know The Lord, then he would not have been able to hear the specific instructions. God has already won the battle for us. All we need to do is listen to Him and the victory will be on it's way!

In this message, Minister Bill Jacquin looks at Psalm 3 and what we can learn from it. In this chapter of the book of Psalms, David is fleeing his son Absalom. David soon realizes that there are many people after him. But even in this dire situation, David turns to God and begins to give Him praise. David had so much faith in God, that he laid down and fell asleep despite his enemies pursuing him. He felt there was no reason to be afraid. That is the way we should have our faith in God. No matter what we are going through, He will protect us and give us the things we need. So, I encourage you to not be afraid in your situation but rather trust The Lord! He loves you and will be with you always!

In Genesis 28:10-22, there is the story of Jacob's dream of a ladder going to Heaven. At this time in Jacob's life, he had been running from trouble. So, he found this place and decided to rest. He found some stones and made them in a pillow. Some believe that in this day people used rocks as pillows regularly. Sleeping on the hard ground without neck support would be painful. Then Jacob fell asleep and had a dream of a ladder going from the earth up to Heaven. With angels ascending and descending on it. He also saw The Lord above the ladder and realized that He was here in Jacob's midst. We often fail to realize GOD is in a place or situation. I think that sometimes it's because the place seems so ordinary, otherwise. This was just a place... Or so Jacob thought. It was a "certain place" that he had lighted (fell upon). Then Jacob made a pillar, from his pillow. He made a personal memorial, or an altar...from the thing that had given him rest. A seemingly ordinary thing, in a seemingly ordinary place became a meeting point for Jacob and his destiny. Have you stopped and taken notice of God... Heard His promises, committed yourself to His plan, and set up a pillar of remembrance?

It's important that we realize we will face trials... fiery trials even. It's NOT unusual, or a 'strange thing', that Christians will have struggles, difficulties, persecutions, hardships, etc. It's to be expected... it's the norm. Our perspective is often clouded by our situation. It's difficult but we CAN get God's view on our difficulty! The wisdom of man is today warring against the wisdom of God... as it always has. The wisdom of man also desires to exalt mankind, and often to exalt anything that is against the knowledge of God. We have to realize that every hard thing we face has the potential to help strengthen our faith in God, and allow us to grow in Him... or it has the potential to shake our faith and leave us questioning His love. Let me assure you...GOD's love for you is intact.He's trustworthy! This can, and will bring Him glory and you strength if you just get His perspective. Having God's perspective will help you in the fiery trial that you are in right now. Don't just have hope in Him but have faith. Then victory in Christ Jesus will be coming your way.

In the message "Father's Day Presence", Pastor Jerry looks at the story of the prodigal son. This is in Luke 15:11-32. When we look at Luke 15, we usually are talking about the prodigal son, who lived riotously and wasted all he had. Instead let's look at a father who was present. 61% of US children don't have one of the parent's in the home, usually its their father that's missing. In many urban areas, only 1 in 10 children has a father present. Sad thing is, stats show further that even many fathers who are physically present are emotionally absent. (If you are a father who is present, let me applaud you!) The Father in Luke 15 was physically and emotionally present... even when his sons were grown to young adulthood. This Father is clearly representative of God, our Heavenly Father... AND this father clearly sets a great example for us to follow. I'm thankful for a great earthly father and very blessed, but even more...I'm blessed by my relationship with my Heavenly Father: He's always present.

In the message "A Servant's Heart", Minister Brian Hall discusses what should be at the very foundation of our walk with God. That is to have the heart of a servant. Many times in our lives we become very selfish with Him. it becomes about the status,title or recognition in what we are doing. This includes our ministry. Jesus gave us a great example to follow while He was on this earth. He was the ultimate servant. If we could just get a hold of that same thing, our lives would make such an impact on others. Being a servant is something we are called to be. It starts out by giving of ourselves to Him. Then, God can begin to direct us in His ways. Be encouraged today, that no matter what is going on right now in your life or what you have done in the past, God sees the greatness in you. Let today be a new day that you will begin to be the servant God intended you to be!